Newest Nokia wireless devices now available at CompUSA

By Jessica Kinsey

CompUSA and Nokia have created the "Nokia Experience @ CompUSA". The Nokia Experience @ CompUSA is described as a unique concept which brings a collection of the most advanced Nokia wireless devices together in one place.

The "Nokia Experience @ CompUSA" is currently in place at nearly 200 CompUSA locations, and is expected to be fully rolled out across all CompUSA locations during February 2006.

While the "Nokia Experience @ CompUSA" will constantly change to reflect the newest and most cutting-edge Nokia wireless devices, the current lineup exemplifies this commitment to offering products that will appeal to technology-savvy consumers. For photography buffs, the Nokia N90 imaging handset combines Carl Zeiss Optics, a 2 megapixel imaging sensor and VHS- quality video capture with the Symbian operating system and S60 user interface for a full range of smartphone functionality. Another Symbian/S60 based product, the Nokia 6682 smartphone, can be found at the "Nokia Experience @ CompUSA". This device packs a 1.3 megapixel camera, digital music player and Bluetooth technology into a compact 4.6 ounce package.

The "Nokia Experience @ CompUSA" is also the exclusive offline retail home for the innovative Nokia 770 Internet Tablet. Featuring a bright, crisp 4.1" touchscreen with 800x480 resolution, the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet allows access to full Internet pages from virtually anyplace with an available Wi-Fi connection. Additionally, the open Maemo development platform has already created a vital community of developers creating applications for the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet, allowing it to even better meet the needs of a variety of owners.

Nokia and Hewlett Packard to bring Visual Radio to Turkey

By John Saria

Turkcell has signed an agreement with Nokia and HP to bring "Visual Radio" to Turkey. The agreement places Turkcell among pioneer European operators currently providing the service.

The new service will enable Turkcell subscribers to download visual content related to the radio broadcast, receive detailed information and graphics regarding the song, and participate in quizzes.

Developed by Nokia and offered by HP, Visual Radio adds a new dimension to FM radio with interactive content and services for mobile listeners. Visual Radio allows listeners to tune in to local FM radio via their mobile phones while simultaneously receiving interactive information and graphics that are synchronized with the broadcast.

Turkcell will be the first mobile phone operator in Turkey to give its customers the chance to download content related to the FM radio broadcast, get detailed information regarding the songs and even participate in radio quizzes. Offered by the world's most innovative mobile operators, Visual Radio will also allow Turkcell users to create a personalized archive on their mobile phones.

In the signing ceremony, Turkcell's Chief Value Added Services Officer Cenk Serdar said that the Visual Radio service, a natural consequence of the dramatic advancement in mobile phone functionality, will enrich the everyday lives of Turkcell customers. He said, "We are proud to collaborate with two global giants like Nokia and HP."

Mobileplay offers free content to Treo, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile smartphone users

By Brad Newnham

Mobileplay service offers PDA, BlackBerry or smartphone: free games, news, weather, blogs, astrology forecasts and more that you can share with your friends and colleagues. The Mobileplay service is free and supported by advertising.

The Mobileplay service allows users of smart mobile devices to download games, applications and articles and exchange them with other users even if they have completely different devices.

Users of Palm OS, Pocket PC/Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices can download Mobileplay now for free at http://www.mobileplay.com/ via their desktop computer. Treo users can download over-the-air directly to their device at http://mpota.com/ .

"There are so many competing devices and operating systems on the market that we wanted to make it easy for people, whether they own a Treo, a BlackBerry or a Windows Mobile smartphone, to download content and interact with their friends," said Mobileplay founder and CEO James Ryan.

At the same time, said Ryan, "Mobileplay's application-based technology allows users to download and navigate content 10 times faster than traditional browser solutions and store it off line so they can read it on a plane or train, even if they don't' have a real-time wireless connection."

Samsung AnyFilms.net offers short films for mobile and internet users

By John Saria

Samsung Electronics Co. has announced the opening of a new web site "AnyFilms.net" offering a series of unique short films for mobile and internet users.

The site features a short film series which can be viewed online as well as downloaded to certain Samsung mobile phones that support video playback. The films are composed of two stories directed by young, ambitious Hollywood film directors. The executive producer of the films is Jon Kilik, whose film "Broken Flowers" recently won the Grand Prix at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. "Across the Hall," directed by Alex Merkin, is a two-part story about a man trying to prevent his friend from doing something rash with his fiance, who he believes is cheating on him. "GiGi," directed by Mark Dippe, is about a sheepish guy who improves his social skills through the aid of a mysterious phone with an alluring female voice.

The SGH-D600, a 2 Megapixel slide-up camera phone launched in September, and the SGH-i300, a 3 Gigabyte HDD music smartphone launched in November, are featured in the films. In addition to the short film series, AnyFilms.net also offers an innovative entertainment experience called Interactive Films. Through Interactive Films users can become their own producers by tailoring content through multiple combinations of plot, style and mood.

Nokia 6235i available at Alltel stores

By Dave Lampert

Alltel and Nokia have announced that the Nokia 6235i mobile phone is available at Alltel stores.

The Nokia 6235i phone features a camera, video recorder, voice dialing, speakerphone and built-in FM radio (requires headset, sold separately). It has an easy-to-use joystick keypad design with five-way scroll. And it includes wireless infrared connectivity that enables users to synchronize their phone books, calendars, and to-do lists with compatible PCs using Nokia PC Suite software, available free at www.nokia.com/us .

The phone is available through Alltel for $69.99. This discounted price is available to new customers on two-year service agreements as well as to existing eligible customers on qualifying rate plans.

"The Nokia 6235i bar phone features a refined, slim design with chrome accents and a color display that customers will love," said Wade McGill, vice president of wireless product management at Alltel. "In addition, the Nokia 6235i phone is Alltel's first handset that lets customers purchase ringtones and phone wallpapers without leaving the Mobile Web portal."

Verizon Wireless offers Sonic The Hedgehog

By John Saira

SEGA of America and Verizon Wireless have announced that Sonic The Hedgehog is now available for Verizon Wireless customers to download on select Get It Now-enabled phones.

Whether it‚s your first time playing or you want to relive your glory days of video gaming, the mobile release of Sonic The Hedgehog is sure to satisfy.

Verizon Wireless Get It Now customers can purchase and download Sonic The Hedgehog from the getGAMES shopping aisle in the Get It Now virtual store for $3.49 monthly access or $7.99 for unlimited use purchase.

Bill Stone, vice president of market segmentation for Verizon Wireless, noted “Sonic The Hedgehog is by far the killer app we have been waiting for from SEGA and showcases our commitment to bring the best video gaming experience to the market. The release of Sonic on Verizon Wireless Get It Now-enabled handsets marks a milestone in wireless mobile gaming and we are delighted to be the first North American wireless company to deliver this video game icon to our customers.”

Palm TX and Z22 introduced

By Brad Newnham

Palm has introduced two new handheld computers, the Palm TX and Z22.

The Palm TX, featuring integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technologies and a large, high-resolution color screen.

The Palm Z22, an easy-to-use and compact color organizer priced to compete with paper organizer systems.

Palm announces the development of the Treo 700w

By Brad Newnham

During the second quarter of fiscal 2006 conference call from Palm announced the development of a next-generation Palm Treo(TM) smartphone, the Treo 700w, which will be introduced to the marketplace in early calendar year 2006. This product is based on Windows Mobile 5.0 and runs on the Verizon Wireless EV-DO network.

Ringtones from Notorious B.I.G. available to Virgin Mobile customers

By Brad Newnham

Virgin Mobile USA and Bad Boy Records have announced that, through the Virgin Mobile USA First Dibs program, 13 ringtones from The Notorious B.I.G. are now available exclusively to Virgin Mobile customers. Ringtones from forthcoming album - 'The Notorious B.I.G. Duets: The Final Chapter' will be among the 13 ringtones offered.

Seven ringtones, including "Dead Wrong," "Hypnotize," "Big Poppa (How You Livin)" and "One More Chance (Best Stroke)," will be available exclusively to Virgin Mobile USA customers through January 30, 2006.

In addition, Virgin Mobile USA will offer customers six exclusive ringtones of cuts that have been "Screwed & Chopped" (remixed versions with slower tempos, scratching and other d.j. techniques) by DJ Paul Wall, specifically made for the First Dibs program. These ringtones will be exclusively available from Virgin Mobile indefinitely, and will include the cuts "Juicy," "One More Chance," "Unbelievable" and "Mo Money Mo Problems."

This round of First Dibs heralds today's album release, "The Notorious B.I.G Duets: The Final Chapter." The album features top names like Diddy, Nelly, Jay-Z, Eminem and Faith Evans paying tribute to the late artist, accompanying his vocals on 22 tracks.

"The Notorious B.I.G was a pioneer whose influence is still strongly felt today," said Dominick Tolli, Vice President of Product Management and Development for Virgin Mobile USA. "Virgin Mobile customers will be among the first to experience The Notorious B.I.G's new array of his music through the mobile channel."

Wireless Powered Up Award goes to Handmark Pocket Express

By John Saria

Handmark has announced that its Pocket Express mobile information service has received a Fall 2005 U.S. Powered Up Award from PalmSource, Inc., for Best Wireless/Over-the-Air application for Palm OS.

Palm Inc., Cingular Wireless, PalmGear.com, a division of Motricity and CNET Download.com are co-sponsors of the Fall 2005 U.S. Powered Up Awards.

Pocket Express turns any wireless Palm OS device into a personalized instant information center. News, sports, movies, maps, an Oxford dictionary and more can be automatically updated throughout the day, and accessed with minimal navigation. The personalized Pocket Express experience is faster than web surfing by orders of magnitude, and the intuitive PageOne interface serves up content with a fraction of the clicks required by mobile browsing.

"The Powered Up Award is evidence of how compelling the Pocket Express experience is in the daily life of mobile consumers. It is also a well-deserved recognition of the outstanding work of our design and engineering teams," said Douglas Edwards, Handmark cofounder and executive vice president.