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 into their devices, when in fact, 3G may really just suffice. How fast do we want these services anyway?

[photo c/o rkgage.net]

Post from: Cellphone9

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, it isn’t just the processor we’re talking about but several other options geared towards mobile computing such as wireless connectivity and decent battery life. Why can’t we do the same with mobile phones?

There are certain implications when we see phones branded as “Nseries” or “XpressMusic” or “Live and Loud” or “this runs on Android” … the XpressMusic series always connote that the phone has a separate audio processor and a guaranteed 3.5mm audio jack. Why can’t it work for connectivity? Because not all XpressMusic phones have WiFi!

So instead of having to say that this or that new phone comes with a plethora of connectivity options and features, we could just say that this mobile phone is certified as well .. err .. a “Blentrino.” And that would mean a total connectivity package – Bluetooth, WiFi, HSPA, GPS!

Worth it? C’mon!

[image source]

Post from: Cellphone9

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.

JoikuSpot is a free mobile software solution that turns Nokia Smartphones to WLAN HotSpots.

JoikuSpot software is installed directly to the phone. When switched on, laptops and iPods can establish instant and fast wireless internet connection via smartphone’s JoikuSpot access point using phone’s own 3G internet connection.

Multiple devices can connect to JoikuSpot in parallel and seamlessly share the same 3G internet connection. JoikuSpot acts thus as an internet gateway to external WLAN devices.

No wonder this app is making waves. Wireless waves that is! Okay I be corny now. What makes the app so amazing is that it’s really simple and easy to use and Apple compatible as well. There’s a word of warning though that the hotspot you will create is an unsecured one as they have yet to incorporate securities into the application.

Download JoikuSpot today and save a kitteh!

Post from: Cellphone9

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 be very hard for Google to use nearby cell tower data to figure out that I spend a half an hour inside one of two specific comic book shops nearly every Wednesday. [CST]

Post from: Cellphone9

The dispute over which wireless network should shoulder a massive scale of VoIP can only be settled by figuring out which one penetrates a concrete wall. But more than this, it seems that Dean Bubley has also identified something that’s actually very apparent: VoIP on a 4G network is more plausible because of the current types of phones we’re seeing today. As HSDPA is getting more and more accessible as a bundled feature, the trend is truly unanimous.

Cellphones for VoIP. Laptops for WiFi.

[Read]

Post from: Cellphone9

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% cheaper, and you can assign different contact numbers depending where your friends are located.

The phone also allows for unlimited international calls anywhere from wireless hotspots for a small fee of $42.00 a month. The phone is designed by Pireli and is available for a price of $140.00. Proceed here for the full article.

Photo credit goes to David Pogue’s column at the NY Times website.

Post from: Cellphone9

It’s basically an iPod mini with WiFi.

Ingenious!

Post from: Cellphone9

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 with the N-Gage?

Post from: Cellphone9

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 as giving the user access to all the normal 3G services at up to 7.2Mb/sec (assuming their handset supports HSDPA).[source]

In the same way that your Nintendo Wii is also a news and weather channel browser, your cellphone is now going to be utilized to deliver a various plethora of information throughout your home.

Post from: Cellphone9

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 fully integrated GPS receiver, you can pinpoint your current location on an on-screen map and view the best route to your next appointment.

Its Track Recognition feature enables you to save and recall the best routes to places you have been to whenever you need it. Moreover, you can tell others where you are by sending a Location Message via SMS to them. GSmart i300 can even suggest the best route for those who will come to see you.

Post from: Cellphone9