Sprint, together with Nextel will be expanding its WiMax service to 17 new cities by the end of 2009. The move to 4G mobilizing is apparently brought about by a loss in consumers for their other services to their consumers. And this is happening despite positive consumer support feedback.
Let’s see what’s happening here. Spirint aims to gain new customers by running a new service that requires the procurement of new WiMax compatible hardware. Given that the western economic recession is still at its peak, I’m not sure people would be willing to shell out additional money just to get WiMax …read more

As a tech journalist, I repeatedly have to write about the mobile phone industry and almost sound like a broken record when it comes to naming specs for mobile phones. Bluetooth, WiFi, HSDPA, Song ID, GPS with geotagging and facetagging are all common connectivity options we see in today’s stable of phones. Most, if not all, are starting to sport the same standard features. What am I driving at here?
Remember when the Centrino package was launched many years ago? It wasn’t a processor, but a total marketing platform for Intel to show that when something is labeled as a Centrino, …read more

Well, I use my Nseries phone as an expensive WiFi sniffer, so what’s stopping it from becoming a fully portable wireless router? It’s simple really! JoikuSpot is a free application that turns any S60 enabled phone into a portable wireless router.

In a previous podcast, Mike Abundo explained how the Google Phone will not be hardware, but software. With the way Google collects information about people when they are in front of their computers, isn’t it a scary thought to have an “android” lurking in your pocket, learning your every move as you transfer from cell site to cell site?

Normally, you’re just under the Google lens when you’re sitting in front of a Web browser aimed at one of Google’s services. With an Android-based phone in my pocket, Google can be collecting data about me and my habits 24/7. It wouldn’t …read more

“I’m a huge disbeliever in metro Wi-Fi for VoIP simply because the external Wi-Fi doesn’t penetrate into building, so it’s pretty much useless for the majority of calls.”
- Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis

Cubic Telecom aims to make international calls cheaper, gives you multiple numbers ID’s in just one phone.

Cubic points out that this feature alone is a life-changer for people who have moved, for example, to the United States from overseas. Their family back home can keep in touch for the price of a local call.
In his column, David Pogue talks about the new global cellular phone that allows globetrotters to call for less, anywhere. The phone, provided by Cubic Telecom is a prepaid device that works just the same way mobile phones do – except that the call rates are 90% …read more

What’s with all the iPhone mini talk? So did Apple get the idea that since the iPhone doesn’t work in other countries and yet there’s still a market, why not create a smaller iPhone that still doesn’t do calls but can browse the web and play songs and video?
It’s basically an iPod mini with WiFi.
Ingenious!

I’ll be headed off to Singapore late next month for the Nokia: Go Play press conference. Would love to meet up with other technology bloggers and media who will be going too.
The invite I received was pretty vague in disclosing the details of what Go Play was:
Come and witness the next stage in the
evolution of the internet and mobility
Nokia invites you to join us at
Nokia: Go Play
29-30 August 2007, Singapore
Join us at Nokia: Go Play and see how the latest
developments will change the way we experience
and share the things that inspire us
Could this have something to do …read more

In efforts to expand the utility of 3G, Google, together with other VCs is investing over $25M onto Ubiquisys, a company known for its femtocell technology:

Femtocells provide Wi-Fi functionality over 3G networks. For starters, they enable reliable 3G connectivity inside buidlings. The technology puts a very small, low-power transmitter/receiver inside the building and allows your 3G handset to connect to your own local cell and route calls over your ADSL line. The femtocell also connects to the home network, enabling content on the phone to be streamed to devices around the home, such as TVs and stereo systems, as well …read more

The Gsmart i300 from Gigabyte launches in Russia. It is their first PDA phone that combines Windows Mobile connectivity with a built in GPS navigator. One of the highlights of the device is the Location Message feature that sends an automated message to a group of contacts informing them of your current location.
Specs include:

Windows Mobile 5
Push Email
AKU 3.0
GPS Navigation
GSM / GPRS Network
WiFi 802.11b
USB 2.0
microSD expansion

Here is a quote from the press release:

Powered by SiRF Star III chipset, GSmart i300 fulfills every demand of modern day commuters. Its GPS Navigation helps you get to your destinations with minimum fuse. Through a …read more