Ericsson enables mobile communication at sea

By Brad Newnham

Ericsson has teamed with Maritime Communications Partner to deliver a GSM network that will enable mobile communication at sea. Ericsson states that under the contract they will supply a complete network solution, including core and radio equipment.

Using Ericsson's GSM technology, MCP will be able to offer mobile phone connectivity onboard cruise ships and ferries all over the world, providing global coverage through leading suppliers of maritime satellite services. The ships will have radio base stations on board, and communication will be secured through a satellite link to the core network on shore. Fax, internet and data services are also offered, as well as value added services for onboard marketing, promotions and information.

"We are very pleased to work closely with MCP, expanding the possibilities of communication at sea for people all over the world. It has always been our driving force to enable people to communicate anywhere anytime, and that includes when they are at sea. This agreement proves the competitiveness and flexibility of Ericsson's GSM network solutions, even in a maritime context," said Johan Bergendahl, Vice President Marketing at Ericsson.

Nokia to expand Polkomtel's GSM/EDGE and WCDMA 3G network

By Dave Lampert

Nokia and Polkomtel have made plans for the expansion and modernization of Polkomtel's nationwide GSM/EDGE and WCDMA 3G network to additional cities in Poland. Nokia and Polkomtel's plans also include the expansion of the Nokia Push to Talk over Cellular solution to private and business subscribers.

Deliveries begin immediately and the expansion will be rolled-out during 2005. Nokia will provide core and radio access networks for both GSM/EDGE and WCDMA 3G, as well as push to talk (PoC) technology. Nokia will also provide implementation, radio network optimization, 3G technical consultancy, as well as care services and training to maintain the competitiveness of the solution.

"With this agreement we are pleased to continue our long and successful cooperation with Polkomtel as a leading technology provider in helping it to bring the most advanced mobile services to its' customers across Poland," says Paolo Pellegrineschi, General Manager, Networks, Nokia.

Vodafone increases mobile music catalogue size

By John Saria

Vodafone has increased their mobile music catalogue size on Vodafone live! with 3G. The new catalogue has been increased to 500,000 music tracks. The rollout will begin first in Germany, with Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK following in the next few months.

With the significant increase in catalogue size, the company is also extending its search engine capabilities on the service to help customers find the tracks they want, in the way they want.

"The initial response to the full track music service has been very encouraging and following customer research we have upgraded the experience further," said Guy Laurence, Consumer Marketing Director, Vodafone Group. "We believe the extended catalogue is the largest offered by any mobile operator globally and we are currently developing more 3G handsets compatible with the service."

PalmSource names new CFO

Jessica Kinsey

PalmSource has named Jeanne Seeley as the Company's new chief financial officer.

Seeley, 53, is the former CFO and senior vice president for Snap Appliances, a provider of network attached storage and solutions for the workgroup. While with Snap Appliances, she led the company's spin out from Quantum Corporation and subsequent IPO registration. Prior to Snap Appliances, Seeley was CFO and vice president of Quantum DSS, a storage and storage software company.

"Jeanne's extensive operational and international management experience in high tech environments make her an excellent addition to the PalmSource management team," said David Nagel, President and CEO of PalmSource. "Her thorough understanding of the critical strategic, tactical and compliance issues within all areas of business operations will help us scale our business as we expand beyond the handheld and smartphone markets into the feature phone market."

24/7 Real Media's Open AdStream powers WAP advertising service

By Sara Griffin

24/7 Real Media and Vindigo are teaming together to bring wireless applications protocol (WAP) advertising services to mobile phones. Together they plan to offer WAP advertisements over 24/7 Real Media's Open AdStream platform across Vindigo's suite of mobile products.

"As the leading provider of mobile media, Vindigo is poised to capitalize on the burgeoning market of mobile advertising," said Carrie Himelfarb, Vice President, Sales for Vindigo. "24/7 Real Media's Open AdStream is the only technology of its kind robust enough to enhance mobile advertisers' ability to target campaigns and effectively track results. Together, Vindigo and 24/7 Real Media will set the precedent for mobile advertising."

palmOne Treo 650 smartphone available in the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy

By Michelle Land

palmOne announced that the new Treo 650 smartphone will be avaiable in the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy in early March.

palmOne and Orange will launch the Treo 650 smartphone in the UK, France and Switzerland. TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile) and palmOne will distribute the Treo 650 smartphone in Italy.

Dell redesigns DJ music players

By Sara Griffin

Dell has redesigned their Digital Jukebox family of products. The Digital Jukebox family consists of the new Dell DJ-30, Dell DJ-20, and the Pocket DJ.

The new 30GB Dell DJ and the 20GB Dell DJ combine massive storage, easyto- use controls and 12-hour4 battery performance in a form factor thats 25 percent smaller than the original Dell DJ. The new DJ-30 can play up to 15,0002 songs while the DJ-20 can hold up to 9,9002 songs. In addition, the DJ- 30 comes with the Dell Dock Cradle for easy syncing, charging and connecting to external speakers.

No bigger than a deck of playing cards, the sleek 5GB1 Pocket DJ can play up to 25002 songs for up to 10 hours.

Dell will implement Microsofts Windows Media DRM 10 (WM DRM10) to give customers more choice for accessing and listening to music, from portable subscription services to online purchases. The Dell DJ-20 and DJ-30 will support WM DRM10 technology in March, joining the already-compliant Pocket DJ.s

Samsung plans to offer Push-to-All solution

By John Saria

Samsung Electronics is developing a new PTA (Push-to-All) solution which they plan to offer commercially. The new PTA (Push-to-All) solution incorporates PTT (Push-to-Talk), PTV (Push-to-View) and PTD (Push-to Data). Samsung has demonstated its new Push-To-All solution proto-type at the company's Telecommunications R&D Center in Suwon, Korea.

The core benefit of PTA handsets is their synchronous video conferencing ability. Similar to a walkie-talkie with video capabilities, the speaker's image appears instantly on the handset screen of the user or multiple users on the call. It is a convenient and time-saving function that allows people in multiple locations to easily conduct virtual meetings. In addition, the PTA handset allows one to send image, video clip and music contents to multiple users through one simple operation on a mobile device at one time.

Sprint introduces their first digital quad-band phone

By Sara Griffin

Sprint has introduced their first digital quad-band phone, the Sprint PCS International Phone IP-A790 by Samsung. The IP-A790 features a 262K-color TFT main display, a 65K-color TFT external display; an MPEG4 video screen saver, an internal phone book that stores up to 500 contacts and advanced voice-recognition capabilities. The new phone is set to be released in March and the suggested retail price is $549.99.

When used in conjunction with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, the Sprint PCS International Phone IP-A790 by Samsung allows customers to make voice calls on both CDMA and GSM networks in more than 130 countries where Sprint has roaming agreements in place. The phone also functions as a multimedia device on the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network so customers can view on-demand streaming video and audio and shoot video clips with the embedded camera and camcorder.

"The availability of simple pricing and a single device that works on CDMA and international GSM networks is a significant addition to Sprint's portfolio of solutions designed to meet the needs of those customers whose work and play take them around the world," said Harry Campbell, President - Emerging and Mid Markets, Sprint Business Solutions.

New appliance allows 'beaming' of MP3 files to iPods and PDAs

By Brad Newnham

MP3tunes has introduced their new MP3beamer device. With MP3beamer users can store, organize and then beam their CD collections and MP3 libraries to their computers, home stereos, PDAs, and portable devices including iTunes software and iPod players via iTunes. The MP3beamer hardware version costs in a $399 or $69.95 for the software version.

"The MP3beamer is the jukebox in the sky, but it lives in your computer room," said Michael Robertson, CEO of MP3tunes. "It acts like your own personal digital music recorder [DMR]. Just as a digital video recorder stores video and allows you to play it back on TVs, a DMR lets you add a music track or album to MP3beamer and immediately have it available on your home stereo, iTunes, PDA or portable device -- virtually any device with speakers or a headphone jack."