Virgin Mobile Now Offering $40 Unlimited Mobile Broadband2Go Plan

Starting last week Virgin Mobile updated the companies mobile Broadband2Go service with two new price tiers a new $40 unlimited mobile broadband plan and an inexpensive $10 option for 100 MB, good for 10 days from purchase.

“Many unlimited broadband offerings require a contract or are on networks with limited range, so they don’t meet the need for flexibility or true mobility,” said Neil Lindsay, chief marketing officer, Virgin Mobile USA.  “The introduction of Virgin Mobile’s prepaid unlimited broadband for $40 a month will provide the access you need on a nationwide network without a contract.”

New Broadband2Go Plans
Signing up for the new unlimited plan also means customers no longer need to monitor data usage – and try to figure out how much they need --

Price        Expires    MBs/GBs    Web Browsing        Video        Emails
$40        1 month        Unlimited    Unlimited        Unlimited    Unlimited

$10        10 Days        100 MB        5 HRS            25 MIN        10,000

To use Virgin Mobile's new mobile broadband plans, you must also purchase the carrier's MiFi 2200 mobile hotspot for $150 or the Ovation MC760 USB device for $80. Devices are available at Best Buy, RadioShack , Sprint Stores, Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile stores, Walmart and online at BestBuy.com, Target.com, Walmart.com and VirginMobileUSA.com.

Source: Virgin Mobile Press Release

ReCellular Launches New Cell Phone Trade-in Program

Mobile phone recyclers ReCellular has launched what they are calling a comprehensive easy to use trade-in program for both consumers and phone retailers.

Consumers can visit SecureTradeIn.com and follow a few basic instructions provided. Once they have found their phone and trade-in value they then Fed-Ex their phones, via free shipping, off to ReCellular who promises guaranteed data protection.

Once they have the phone they then match it to your information and verify that it works, yes to get cash for your phones they must be in working order, they'll then mail you a check.

The company guarantee's a 0% waste policy which they says means that they will never contribute to any landfill.

ReCellular has built a network of nearly 1,100 collection partners, representing nearly 40,000 collection sites across the nation which collects nearly 5million phones per year. These partners include:

• Wireless carriers such as AT&T Mobility and Sprint, and retailers such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart, partner with ReCellular to facilitate recycling programs for their customers.
• Individual businesses partner with ReCellular to dispose of their corporate communications equipment.
• Grassroots and charitable organizations such as Cell Phones for Soldiers partner with ReCellular to operate donate-a-phone fund-raising programs.

Android App Used In Phishing Attack Steals Bank Login Details

It was recently discovered that an application found in Google's Android Market was infected with a trojan designed to steal users' bank login details. The program uploaded by Droid09 has already been removed from the Android Market following some quick action and publicity following a warning issued by US credit union First Tech from the 22nd of December, 2009.

According to First Tech's advisory, the application originated from the Android Market and didn't  specifically target First Tech customers. Apparently the application targeted several banks however First Tech was the only one seeming reporting the incident. The bank insured their customers that no First Tech customer suffered any financial damage, nor would they should they fall victum to the malicious app.

The application reportedly pretended to simplify the customer's mobile access to accounts at various different banks. Commenting on the issue Google spokesperson said "The Android Market Content Policy clearly states that we don't allow applications on Android Market to identify themselves with third-party marks without permission. If an application violates the content policy, we will remove it from Android Market, and developer accounts will be terminated for repeated violations."

The developer has been banned, but It's not clear how many people downloaded the fraudulent app before it was pulled by Google. Users who downloaded the app, or think they may have, should be sure to visit the "My Downloads" section of their Android phone to remove the application. 

While this may be one of the first know Android based malware attacks it certainly isn't the first to hit cellphones. Early last year we reported that Kaspersky Labs had discovered a new piece of malware that targets Symbian based cell phones provided by an Indonesian mobile phone operator. The virus know as Trojan-SMS.Python.Flocker, sends SMS messages with instructions to transfer part of the money in the user’s account to another account, which belongs to the cybercriminals.

This news should be a reminder that users should be extremely careful when downloading applications to any device! And be sure to take notice where and how your information is being used.

Eavesdropping On GSM Calls Just Got Easier

The New York Times is reporting that German computer scientist Karsten Nohl has cracked and published the "secret" code used by billions of wireless connections across the world. The the A5/1 algorithm code, which was originally developed in 1988 and is used to encrypt 80% of worldwide mobile calls, is now publicly available via BitTorrent, leaving GSM calls vulnerable to eavesdropping.

Nohl, with the aid of 24 other people have cracked the keys used to keep GSM calls and communications private. The end result is a database which is much like the equivalent of a large phone book for encryption keys. With a copy of these keys, some rather inexpensive hardware and software any user anywhere in the world could start listening in to calls.

“This shows that existing G.S.M. security is inadequate,” Mr. Nohl, 28, told about 600 people attending the Chaos Communication Congress, a four-day conference of computer hackers that runs through Wednesday in Berlin. “We are trying to push operators to adopt better security measures for mobile phone calls.”

In a statement, the G.S.M. Association said efforts to crack the algorithm were more complex than critics have asserted, and that operators, by simply modifying the existing algorithm, could thwart any unintended surveillance.

The group said that hackers intent on illegal eavesdropping would need a radio receiver system and signal processing software to process raw radio data, much of which is copyrighted.

But Mr. Nohl, during a presentation Sunday to attendees at the Berlin conference, said the hardware and software needed for digital surveillance were available free as an open-source product in which the coding is available for individuals to tailor to their needs.

Not the first GSM crack
This is not the first time the GSM system has been cracked. Back in 2008 security researchers David Hulton and Steve Muller demonstrated a GSM crack that utilized less than $1,000 worth of equipment. Their crack was far less sophisticated than the one using Nohl's database. They simply tracked a phone's mobile subscription identification number and built-in hardware ID. This new crack gives users more widespread coverage across several different devices as once.

The A5/1 algorithm used to encrypt GSM handsets is more than two decades old and is based on a 64-bit security algorithm. The next-generation standard called A5/3 that is considered much more secure is set to be deployed, yet at this time only reaches about 20% of the all devices. Companies have put off upgrading to the new algorithm, a move Knol hopes will be rethought after he posts his findings.

Zer01 Mobile Officially Launches New Mobile Wireless Service

Zer01 Mobile Officially Launches New Truly Unlimited Voice, Data & Web Mobile Wireless Service Nationwide That Includes No Contracts, Low Pre-paid Monthly Fee

Zer01 Mobile announced today the formal launch of its new nationwide truly unlimited voice, data and Web mobile wireless service that will allow users to make as many phone calls, surf the Web, view movies and videos, text messages, download music and use their smartphones for a variety of other applications all for one, low monthly fee. Offering the new mobile wireless service as a mobile virtual network enabler, Zer01 Mobile has created its own grouping of mobile virtual network operators and strategic business alliances including a new partnership with Netmovies.com, an online entertainment network.

"Many years of research and testing have culminated in the public launch this week of the new, truly unlimited voice, data and Web mobile wireless service from Zer01 Mobile. Thanks to the ingenuity of the Zer01 Mobile engineering team, our new Veritable Mobile Convergence technology allows each smartphone user to make voice calls or transmit data through a VoIP system," explained Ben Piilani, CEO, Zer01 Mobile. "Because Zer01 Mobile is the only carrier in the United States offering truly unlimited mobile Web access, a number of important strategic partnerships with Zer01 Mobile have been finalized including the recent agreement with Netmovies.com, the Boston-based online entertainment network."

In April 2009, Zer01 Mobile first premiered its new truly unlimited voice, data and Web mobile wireless service at the CTIA Wireless Conference in Las Vegas, NV. Receiving positive reviews while showcasing its service at the global wireless industry event, Zer01 Mobile was presented with the "Best Overall Product" Award by Laptop Magazine. "That's the appeal of Zer01, which uses highly efficient VoIP technology to let users make phone calls over existing cellular networks. This new breed of carrier will sell a variety of Windows Mobile devices starting in July that can tap into its service, but it will also enable users to bring their unlocked BlackBerrys, Android phones and other handsets. An extra $10 per month will allow subscribers to add international calling to 40 destinations. Zer01 Mobile promises that it will take as little as five minutes for the company to update your phone's SIM card to make it compatible with its network," stated the Laptop Magazine Web site.

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Zer01 Communications is owned and operated by the Unified Technologies Group, Inc., a global technology services and consulting company headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. Zer01 Communications recently premiered the new Zer01 Mobile service at the CTIA Wireless 2009 Conference. Laptop Magazine awarded Zer01 Mobile the "Best Overall Product" Award at the conclusion of the industry conference. For more information about Zer01 Communications, visit www.Zer01mobile.com.

Zer01 Mobile Takes Laptop Magazine Top Honors At CITA, Prepares For July 1st Launch

Zer01 Mobile Awarded Laptop Magazine's "Best Overall Product" Award At The Recent CTIA Wireless 2009 Show In Las Vegas, NV

New "True" Unlimited Voice & Data National Mobile Service From Zer01 Mobile Prepares For July 1, 2009 Launch & Priced At $69.95 Per Month Without Any Contracts

Zer01 Communications, a Las Vegas, NV based mobile communications company, announced today that it has won Laptop Magazine's "Best Overall Product" Award for its new Zer01 Mobile wireless service that premiered at the recent CTIA Wireless 2009 convention in Las Vegas, NV. The new "true" unlimited voice and data national mobile service is scheduled to be launched on July 1, 2009.

"This is a prestigious industry award that our whole Zer01 Mobile team has earned. The annual Laptop Magazine ‘Best of CTIA Wireless Awards' sets the tone for industry professionals and consumers about the hottest products and services for the upcoming year. I am extremely honored that Zer01 Mobile has been chosen as the winner for the ‘Best Overall Product' and I look forward to our national launch on July 1st," said Ben Piilani, CEO, Zer01 Mobile.



"Scouring the show floor at the wireless industry's largest annual event, Laptop's editors went hands-on with the newest mobile devices, services, and applications. Of the products announced or shown at CTIA Wireless 2009, we've selected the top 11 for our annual Best of CTIA Wireless Awards. The winners are the groundbreaking products that enhance the end user's mobile experience through innovative design and functionality," according to the Laptop Magazine Web site. "How does $69.95 per month for unlimited voice and data sound without a contract? That's the appeal of Zer01, which uses highly efficient VoIP technology to let users make phone calls over existing cellular networks. This new breed of carrier will sell a variety of Windows Mobile devices starting on July 1 that can tap into its service, but it will also enable users to bring their unlocked BlackBerrys, Android phones and other handsets. An extra $10 per month will allow subscribers to add international calling to 40 destinations. Zer01 Mobile promises that it will take as little as five minutes for the company to update your phone's SIM card to make it compatible with its network."

"We are the first mobile service to offer consumers a true national unlimited voice, data and Internet plan without any contracts or commitments that is priced affordably at only $69.95 per month with taxes and fees included. We have licensed patent pending proprietary Veritable Mobile Convergence (VMC) Technology that allows each smart phone user to make voice calls or transmit data by sending voice communications through a VoIP system," explained Piilani, CEO, Zer01 Mobile. "Zer01 Mobile is not a new mobile virtual network operator (MNVO). We are a new hybrid-communications carrier."

The new mobile national carrier has created its own interconnect agreements throughout North America and the globe. Zer01 Mobile customers will be able to use their own smartphones or buy a new phone from the online store. "We are saving consumers hours of time and hundreds of dollars. Since we are setup as a pre-paid service, no longer will consumers spend hours and hours reviewing contracts and being subject to high-pressure sales tactics," said Piilani.

"I believe that wireless industry professionals and the consumer market are starting to realize that Zer01 Mobile is a carrier that has the potential to redefine the industry. The technical platform that Zer01 Mobile has developed for the Windows Mobile, Google Android, Blackberry and iPhone platforms is visionary in its architectural design," said Mark Richard, CIO, Pervasip Corporation, White Plains, NY. "I would like to congratulation Ben Piilani and his Zer01 Mobile team on winning the Laptop Magazine award."

A variety of other news sites have taken interest in Zer01 Mobile. The U.S. News & World Report Web site has described the new service as the MagicJack of mobile phones. According to the InfoSyc Web site, "Offering truly unlimited data and voice cheaper than the major carriers, Zer01 is not just a cheap way to make calls, its a good idea, too. The appeal of Zer01 is simple. The cellular 'network,' which is in beta testing mode from April through June and will open for business in July, offers unlimited voice and data for $70 per. When Zer01 means unlimited data, they really mean it, unlike the major carriers who claim unlimited data but cap usage at well under 10GB per month. What's even more interesting than these key selling points is how Zer01 actually works, and how it might change the way networks and customers think about each other."

Based in Las Vegas, NV, Zer01 Communications is owned and operated by the Unified Technologies Group, Inc., a global technology services and consulting company that is headquartered in Wilmington, DE. For more information about Zer01 Communications, visit www.Zer01mobile.com.

More on Zer01Mobile:

• CNet.com - Revisiting Zer01 | New VoIP carrier launches, gets awkward name
  
• EndGadget - Zer01 is the new, contract-less MVNO that will bring VOIP to the mobile masses
  
• HotHardware - Zer01 to Offer $70 Unlimited Voice and Data Plan
  

LG's New Arena KM900 Smartphone

LG Electronics announced this weekend that they will debut their new Arena KM900 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress next week in Barcelona Spain. The original announcement came via blog post on LG's Official UK Blog on Friday, with little more than a high res picture of the new phone, and was then followed by a press released released to the Korean Press Release Network NewsWire.

LG Electronics, a worldwide technology and design leader in mobile communications, announced today the launch of its new flagship mobile phone for 2009, LG Arena (LG-KM900). This fully loaded multimedia phone with LG’s innovative and dynamic 3D S-Class User Interface will be on hand at the Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona.

LG ARENA’s groundbreaking 3D S-Class UI was specifically designed to be a more fun and engaging gateway to an amazing multimedia environment. A cube-based layout provides four customizable home screens for direct access to all features. Music, movies, pictures and more are within reach, thanks to intuitive, touch-based 3D menus. The rich 3D graphics give S-Class a life-like look that makes it natural and easy to navigate.

“The direct, intuitive and dynamic S-Class UI will be unlike anything that has appeared on a mobile phone before. With rich 3D graphics, touch sensitivity and exciting multimedia capabilities, it will truly make ARENA a fully loaded multimedia phone,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. LG ARENA will feature audio and video technologies never before seen on a mobile phone. LG took great effort to ensure that its 2009 flagship delivers an exhilarating multimedia experience, including features aided by Dolby and DivX technologies. LG ARENA will also include enhanced internet connectivity with HSDPA 7.2 networks, Wi-Fi, A-GPS and far more. LG will announce more specifics about ARENA and its features a long with some surprises during a press conference at the Mobile World Congress.

The known LG Arena KM900 specs include:

• Tri-band GSM/UMTS/HSDPA 7.2 Mbps connectivity
• 3″ 800 x 480 WVGA 262K color touchscreen display
• 5 megapixel camera with DVD quality video recording
• FM Radio
• Mobile TV
• A-GPS support
• 1000 mAh battery with 300 hrs stand-by and 230 min talk time
• Wi-Fi
• “S-Class” 3D interface

Its unknown when and if the phone will be released to the American market but one thing is for sure LG has sparked some interest with the sleek phone.

Rumor: Palm Pre Exclusively At Best Buy

The new Palm Pre was one of the biggest hits at this years CES and while there has been no official world on the phones release date rumor has it the phone is going to be sold exclusively by Best Buy mobile and Sprint.

According to WebOS Arena, a site specializing is Palm Pre news and information, "credible source" are saying, "Best Buy Mobile will be getting an exclusive deal with Sprint for the Palm Pre release. For 60 days the number one consumer electronics retailer will be the only place where you can get your hands on the Palm Pre, besides Sprint of course."

Unfortunately there are no other details, like pricing or availability dates, however the Pre is rumored to cost less than the 3G Applie iPhone. Eldar Murtazin of Mobile-review.com recently reported the Pre might be priced as low as $399 for an unsubsidized phone, and between $149 and $199 for a subsidized phone.

Palm Intros Palm webOS And Palm Pre

Earlier this week Palm introduced their new mobile platform operating system webOS as well as the first device slated to run the new system the Palm Pre.

Web-Centric Platform and New Palm Pre Phone to Debut Exclusively on Sprint's Mobile Broadband Network in First Half of 2009

LAS VEGAS, Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Jan. 8, 2009 - Palm, Inc. today unveiled its groundbreaking Palm webOS mobile platform, built from the ground up to be constantly connected to the web, and the new Palm Pre, the first phone based on the new platform. Pre is scheduled to be available exclusively from Sprint in the first half of 2009.

Palm webOS is a brand-new kind of platform, invented exclusively for mobile use. webOS recognizes that you want your people, calendars and information to move with you, wherever you are, wirelessly, as opposed to being bound to a personal computer. Palm webOS is the first mobile platform to automatically bring your information from the many places it resides - on your phone, at your work or on the web - into one simple, integrated view. The new Palm Pre and webOS are designed to be so in sync with your needs that it feels like Pre is thinking ahead for you.

"Palm products have always been about simplifying lives and delivering great user experiences," said Ed Colligan, Palm president and chief executive officer. "webOS and Pre bring game-changing simplicity to an increasingly mobile world by dissolving the barriers that surround your information. It's technology that seems like it's thinking ahead to bring you what you care about most - your people, your time, and your information - in the easiest and most seamless way."

"Pre continues Sprint's leadership in open access to the content customers want for a great web-connected experience," said Dan Hesse, Sprint chief executive officer. "We look forward to bringing this remarkably innovative device to our customers on America's most dependable 3G network.

Palm's new OS is the first mobile platform to be built from the ground up to combine standard technology, innovation and integration. At its core, webOS leverages several industry-standard technologies, including web technologies such as CSS, XHTML and JavaScript. On top of that, Palm has included creative and innovative advancements to enhance the overall user experience and provided a deep integration of all elements within the platform.

The new platform was designed to allow a vast ecosystem of partners, including developers, hardware suppliers, and accessories manufacturers, to develop core solutions to complement the platform and product line. For developers, webOS shatters traditional barriers to mobile-application development by offering a rich open development environment that's familiar to tens of millions of web developers. More people can develop for the platform and can do it faster than ever before. The platform's flexible environment will also allow developers to distribute their applications over-the-air via an on-device Palm application store.

Your Life, Brought Together

The new platform introduces Palm Synergy, a key feature of webOS that brings your information from all the places it resides into one logical view. You don't have to worry about tracking multiple calendars, contacts and messaging applications - Synergy brings it to you for a more comprehensive and truly representative view of your life.

• Linked contacts - With Synergy, you have a single view that links your contacts from a variety of sources, so accessing them is easier than ever. For example, if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook, Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they're the same person and links the information, presenting it to you as one listing. And if you update a contact on your webOS device, it also will be updated in your various accounts, whether on a personal computer or on the web.

• Layered calendars - Your calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view, combining work, family, friends, sports teams, or other interests. You can toggle to look at one calendar at a time, or see them all at a glance.

• Combined messaging - Synergy lets you see all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with text messaging. You can also see who's active in a buddy list right from contacts, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

Your Information, Effortlessly

By smartly integrating your information, webOS is designed to think ahead for you and keep you on top of the things that happen in your life, but that's just the first step. The platform's unique interface brings your information to you with the ease that only Palm can offer.

• Web-connected applications - Applications are seamlessly connected to the web and always active, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information.

• Run multiple applications at the same time - Palm's revolutionary webOS lets you manage multiple activities more effectively than any other mobile platform today. It lets you keep multiple applications open and instantly flip from one to another.

• Instinctive user interface - With its multi-touch interface, webOS lets you move easily between activities like flipping through a deck of cards and rearrange items simply by dragging them; when you are done with something, just throw it away. And finding what you need is easy with universal search - as you type what you're looking for, the OS narrows your search and offers results from both your device and the web.

• Intuitive and unobtrusive notifications - When important things come up or new updates arrive, you'll receive notifications with a diplomacy that's a radical departure from other mobile platforms. For example, if you receive a text message or email, a scrolling notifications bar at the bottom of your screen lets you address it right away or leave until later. webOS alerts are one step ahead, ensuring that you never miss a thing, but never lose your place or train of thought.

Palm Pre: The First webOS Phone

Pre has a breakthrough interface and hardware design that makes it the most integrated and user-friendly phone for mobile users. Featuring a smooth, rounded ergonomic design and a physical keyboard that slides out only when needed, Pre is engineered to feel natural in the hand and comfortably small in the pocket. When closed, the phone is ideal for phone calls, web browsing, music, photos and videos; when open, Pre is optimized for email and text messaging. With its curved slider and gesture-controlled touch interface, Pre fuses exquisite design with the revolutionary webOS software for fast access to anything on the device or web. It's an instinctive user experience that seems to anticipate your needs.

"As our lives revolve more and more around the web, devices like Palm Pre that transform how we interact with the web will lead the way," said Hesse. "We are focused on bringing our customers a superior experience that includes easy-to-use devices, simple pricing and value with Simply Everything all-inclusive offerings, plus Ready Now, our exclusive retail program that helps customers leave the store feeling comfortable and confident they know how to use their new device."

Pre will support a variety of differentiated on-device Sprint services, including Sprint TV, offering an extensive selection of live and on-demand programming. Sprint Navigation provides GPS-enabled audio and visual turn-by-turn driving directions, one-click traffic rerouting and more than 10 million local listings. Sprint also offers more than a dozen streaming-radio applications, including Sprint Radio with more than 150 channels.

Palm Pre features include the following:

• High-speed connectivity (EVDO Rev. A or UMTS HSDPA)
  
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
  
• Integrated GPS
  
• Large 3.1-inch touch screen with a vibrant 24-bit color 320x480 resolution HVGA display
  
• Gesture area, which enables simple, intuitive gestures for navigation
  
• Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
  
• Email, including Outlook EAS (for access to corporate Microsoft Exchange servers), as well as personal email support (POP3, IMAP)
  
• Robust messaging support (IM, SMS and MMS capabilities)⁽⁴⁾
  
• High-performance, desktop-class web browser
  
• Great multimedia experience and performance (pictures, video playback, music), featuring a 3-megapixel camera with LED flash and extended depth of field, and a standard 3.5mm headset jack
  
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
  
• 8GB of internal user storage (~7.4GB user available)
  
• USB mass storage mode
  
• MicroUSB connector with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
  
• Proximity sensor, which automatically disables the touch screen and turns off the display whenever you put the phone up to your ear
  
• Light sensor, which dims the display if the ambient light is dark, such as at night or in a movie theater, to reduce power usage
  
• Accelerometer, which automatically orients web pages and photos to your perspective
  
• Ringer switch, which easily silences the device with one touch
  
• Removable, rechargeable battery
  
• Dimensions: 59.57mm (W) x 100.53mm (L, closed) x 16.95mm (D) [2.35 inches (W) x 3.96 inches (L, closed) x 0.67 inches (D)]
  
• Weight: ~135 grams [4.76 ounces]

An array of compelling accessories also will be available for Pre, including the first inductive charging solution for phones (sold separately). Simply set Pre down on top of the elegantly designed Palm Touchstonecharging dock without worrying about connection, orientation or fit. Pre is active while charging, so you can access the touch screen, watch movies or video, or use the speakerphone.

Availability and Pricing

Palm Pre is scheduled to be available first in the United States exclusively from Sprint in the first half of 2009, and will be followed by a world-ready UMTS version for other regions. Sprint's pricing for the phone has not yet been determined.

Customers who would like to register to receive additional information about Pre and be notified when it's available can register at www.palm.com or www.sprint.com/palmpre.

Rumor: New Android Based Smart Phone From OpenMoko

iMAndroid is reporting that OpenMoko will be releasing and Android based OpenMoko Neo FreeRunner. iMAnrdoid writes, "We’ve already seen many leaks on OpenMoko and the tipper reveals that OpenMoko mobile powered by Android will be on sale before the end of the year."

The site posted a follow up with some new screenshots featuring the Neo FreeRunner supposedly running Android. The images are a bit fuzzy, however the OS seen clearly looks to be Android based.



The phones reported specifications:

Connectivity: GSM Bluetooth 2.0 GPRS AGPS WiFi, USB 1.1 slave and host, 2.5-mm audio jack Media: microSD, SDHC capable,Wolfson WM8753 Codec Operating system: Andrroid, OpenMoko, Qtopia, Debian Input: touchscreen, buttons Power: 1200-mAh battery CPU: Samsung 2442 SoC @ 400 MHz Memory: 128 MB SDRAM, 256 MB NAND flash, Flash expandable upto 16 GB Display: 2.8 in. VGA (480×640) TFT, 282 pixels/in. Dimensions: 120.7 × 62 × 18.5 (mm)

Palm Opens Its Own App Store, A New OS Might Follow

Naming for mobile applications stores is getting tight these days with just about every developer opening their own “App Store”, “Market”, or “Application Center". So when Palm decided to join the party it was forced to settle on “Software Store”.

Teaming with app distributor PocketGear, Palm's new software store already features 5,000 apps & games and more than 1,000 free apps. The software store is supported on more than 25 Palm devices, from the Centro to the Treo Pro. Palm also says they currently have more than 1500 developers developing apps.

For developers looking to get in on the action Palm has setup the Developers Guide, which provides details on setting up your account and listing your your apps. According to the overview PocketGear.com retains 40% of the revenue plus any transaction fees in return for the processing of credit card, online, fax, and phone orders.

The new software store might be big news for Palm although that might not be the biggest news we see from them. According to Peter Burrows at Business Week, On Jan. 8 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Palm will unveil a new operating system, code-named Nova, as well as the first of a family of products that will run on it.

Details of Palm's plans are a bit sketchy at the moment with only a few speculative guesses hitting the streets. The Business Week article says, "John Rubinstein, Palm's executive chairman in charge of product development, and others say the goal is to create products that bridge the gap between Research In Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry devices, oriented to work and e-mail, and Apple's iPhone, oriented to fun."

What exactly that means is anyone's guess. Business Week says executives won't be specific about Nova however they make it clear that Palm is not looking to go toe-to-toe with the iPhone or BlackBerry. The general idea is said to be the creation of a platform that's flexible enough to support a wide range of customer desires.

I guess we'll just have to wait until CES to see exactly what Palm has up their sleeve. For now users wanting to checkout the new software store can do so by downloading the free software that corresponds to their current OS. For Windows Mobile users click here, Palm Os user click here. You'll also receive 25% OFF your first download when you enter coupon code SHOPMOBILE at checkout.

Nokia N97 Unveiled

Today at the Nokia World 2008 conference in Barcelona, Spain Nokia announced the N97. The new handset from Nokia isn't expected until spring of next year, but that doesn't stop Nokia from hyping it up as the next iPhone killer today.



The N97 features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3.5" - 16:9 aspect ratio - touchscreen and a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss Tessar lens and dual LED flash. The phone also comes packed with 32GB of onboard memory and if that isn't enough it can be expanded with a 16GB microSD card.

For connectivity the N97 is a 3G phone that can also do HSDPA speeds of 7.2Mb/s (obviously, if your carrier can handle it) and features integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There is also A-GPS (assisted GPS) with an electronic compass.

For software the N97 runs on Symbian S50 5th Edition. Users will see the addition of home screen widgets that enable you to update social networks automatically with your status and location as well as related pictures or video. The N97 will also be fully compatible with Nokia's Ovi Internet services, which include the Nokia Music Store, Nokia Maps, and the N-Gage gaming platform--though these services have yet to fully launch in the United States.



The down side to the N97 is going to be the estimated price tag which is reported to be about $700 before carrier subsidies. The Nokia N97 is expected to begin shipping in the first half of 2009, so we'll have to wait until then to see how low the subsidies will bring it.

G1 Multi-touch Proof-of-Concept Video

G1 users longing for multi-touch capabilities take note RyeBlog has released a proof of concept video showing off multi-finger tracking on a G1 phone.




The code for the hack isn't posted yet but here is a brief rundown on what was changed.

I modified the Synaptics touchscreen driver to have it create a character device at /dev/tsout that it dumps the touchscreen events to. I made /dev/tsout readable by the java layer, and then modified a fingerpaint example program that Google has posted to draw the circles. I have a thread in there that constantly polls that file, and when it sees data there it fires off an update event to the UI thread which scales the x and y position from the coordinate space of the touchscreen driver into the coordinate space of the android canvas and then draws a small circle there. I have it using a different color for the two fingers to make it easier to see.

Ryan, the publisher of the RyeBrye Blog has said he'll post the code used at a latter date, so keep an eye out for updates.

VMware Adds Virtualization To Mobile Phones

On Monday virtualization pioneer VMware unveiled its new Mobile Virtualization Platform (MVP) for Mobile Phones, based on technology it acquired fom Trango Virtual Processors last month.

"VMware is excited to extend the benefits of virtualization, which we pioneered for x86 hardware, to the mobile phone market. By abstracting the applications and data from the hardware itself, we expect that virtualization will not only enable handset vendors to accelerate time to market but can also pave the way for innovative applications and services for phone users. We look forward to working closely with our partners to bring new mobile solutions to market faster." Paul Maritz, President and Chief Executive Officer of VMware

VMware MVP is a thin layer of software that is embedded on a mobile phone to decouple the applications and data from the underlying hardware. It is optimized to run efficiently on low power consuming and memory constrained mobile phones. The MVP currently supports a wide range of real-time and rich operating systems including Windows CE 5.0 and 6.0, Linux 2.6.x, Symbian 9.x, eCos, µITRON NORTi and µC/OS-II.

The intent is to isolate the applications and data from the hardware so that handset manufacturers can deploy devices more quickly and so that application developers can write a mobile app or service once and run it anywhere. VMware notes: "Today handset vendors spend significant time and effort getting new phones to market due to the use of multiple chipsets, operating systems and device drivers across the product family. This means the same software stack does not work across all the phones and considerable time and effort is spent porting the software stack multiple times, once for each platform, a slow and expensive process which slows time to market. Because VMware MVP virtualizes the hardware, handset vendors can develop a software stack with an operating system and a set of applications not tied to the underlying hardware allowing them to deploy the same software stack on a wide variety of phones without worrying about the underlying hardware differences. At the same time, by isolating the device drivers from the operating system, handset vendors can further reduce porting costs by using the same drivers irrespective of the operating system deployed on the phone."

Sonim "World's Toughest Phone" Coming To America

Sonim's ultra-rugged GSM cellphones have been touted as the "world's toughest phones". They've survived being dropped from a 13-story building and shot at with guns, and still keep on ringing. Now, the California-based company finally plans to bring their phones home to the US with the upcoming XP3, which will be available next March from several rural U.S. carriers.

Designed for blue-collar workers and outdoor enthusiasts, the Sonim XP3 is as close to indestructible as a phone gets. It's waterproof, can withstand a 6-foot drop onto concrete, operates in extreme cold down to -4 degrees and heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sonim's chief executive, Bob Plaschke, said it can actually run at temperatures down to -40 degrees and survive a 9-foot drop (not to mention that one, 13-story fall.) It's impervious to almost anything, including "micro-particles." It has 2.5 days of talk time and an astounding 2 months of standby on its huge 2200 mAh battery.

The U.S. version will be a quad-band EDGE, GSM phone with GPS, Bluetooth, and flashlight mode. It has a glare-resistant 128x160, 65k-color screen. It isn't going to be a true smart phone, but it can run Opera Mini so you can surf the web while you are out on that hick in the wilderness. It will have a 3-megapixel camera with geotagging for still photos, but no video capability. It doesn't play music, but the speakerphone that is relatively distortion free.

The phone is protected by a 3-year, no-questions-asked guarantee. Meaning if you find a way to break it, you get a new one. From what I've seen these things are tougher than nails so good luck on that one!

The videos below are of the Sonim XP1, as you can see they are extremely tough phones.

Sony Ericsson Announces C905 8.1-megapixel Camera Phone

Sony Ericsson has been keeping tights wraps on the Sony Ericsson C905 Cyber-shot codenamed Shiho, until now. They have made it official when they recently announced the release of the new 8.1 magapixel camera phone.



The Sony Ericsson C905 Cyber-shot features quad-band GSM/ tri-band UMTS/ HSDPA 850/ 1900/ 2100, a built in GPS receiver, a stereo Bluetooth, a useful TV-out and Wi-Fi with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) support which allows a direct wireless transfer to TV.


The screen is a 2.4 inch scratch-resistant QVGA display mineral glass cover. The display will also feature an accelerometer which will allow for screen to auto rotate when you go through your camera album.

The phone’s center piece has to be the impressive camera. The camera offers the new Xenon flash, an image stabilizer, smart contrast, red-eye reduction, auto focus and also faces detection, in addition to its BestPic technology, video recording with stabilization and a very effective digital zoom of 16x. Users will find the C905 photos can be geotagged thanks to the built-in GPS receiver.

The photos and videos are stored on a 2 Giga Bytes Memory Stick Micro (M2) or can be uploaded to your PC via an included USB cable. Battery life is set at about 9 hours of conversation or 380 hours of standby. We can expect the C905 sometime in Q4 of 2008.

Image via the Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog

Forbes: Concept Cellphones

Forbes in pictures lists some of the latest in Cool Future Phones.

Some of these cool "concept" phones are pretty wild in design, but then again the iPhone was said to be a wild idea. Concepts included are videophones, nanotechnology phones that change shape, clean itself, capture solar energy and intelligently analyze its environment. Phones powered by fuel-cell technology and a "wellness" phone which has a built in pedometer and meters that can read your pulse, body fat and even bad breath.

Most of the concepts are from Nokia, which spends nearly $4 billion annually to research and development projects. "It's a way to go from theoretical to concrete," says Nokia spokesman Keith Nowak. "We can show it to people, get feedback and start conversations." However Nowak does concede that some of the designs are a bit outrageous and may not make it to production, "None of this is on a particular roadmap, some concepts may never come to pass. But some may very well change the way we make devices in the future."

For more information read Forbes' article "Innovative Cellphones"

GSM Calls Cracked

An "attack" on GSM based phones can open a vulnerability allowing would be attackers to eavesdrop on calls.

The attack the was recently demonstrated by David Hulton and Steve Muller at the Black Hat security conference using less than $1000 worth of hardware.

GSM is used all over the world by mobile phone companies, and is used in the U.S. by several networks, including AT&T and T-Mobile. So far the GSM network has been considered to be secure enough that even criminals use it.

According to the TechWorld article "GSM phone calls cracked for $1,000 a time" The 'attack' depends on exploiting a vulnerability in the way GSM sets up calls. Assuming an attacker was able to find out a phone's mobile subscription identification number and built-in hardware ID - garnered by sending a text message to that phone say - they would have enough information to isolate calls from that phone.

Hulton has said, "his company, Pico Computing, is now developing the fast version, which cost approximately $100,000 and can crack phones in as little 30 seconds to sell to agencies such as law enforcement, but plans to give away the slower version for free."

Unlimited Calling Plans Start Price War

Verizon Wireless and AT&T unveiled $99.99-a-month plans for unlimited calls, a great deal right? Well not much after the announcement T-Mobile went a step further by including text messaging in that price.

Now it looks like Sprint/Nextel will be offering an even better deal, an unlimited calling plan for as low as $60 a month. At least according to a recent Reuters article. The article "Sprint expected to undercut rivals' call plans" predicts that Sprint Nextel Corp is expected to offer flat-rate calling plans at up to a 40 percent discount to its rivals.

This could be great news for many cell phone users. Personally I'd like to see lower fees across the board. AT&T, my service provider, has been raising fees gradually over the last several years. The new price war might reverse that, or could lead me to switch providers.

Personally Customized Cell Phones

Two new cell phone companies Modu Mobile and zzzPhone have announced plans for build-to-order customizable cell phones.

The foundation of the Modu product will be a small phone designed to slide into special "jackets." These "jackets" are phone exteriors with extra functionality, plus software that instructs the phone about special color schemes and other features. For example, a user might use a "jacket" with a camera in it to take pictures, then replace that with a "jacket" with a QWERTY keyboard for easy text messaging.

zzzPhone on the other hand will be using a build-to-order site similar to Dell's. You use its Web site to choose the features you want, and the company will build it for you. Its base model costs $149. You can choose from a range of colors and add additional features, such as a 7-megapixel camera, TV tuner or GPS for additional cost.

ComputerWorld's article "Who wants a custom cell phone?" covers more details on the two companies, their phones and potential uses.

More information on Modu can be found in the recent EFluxMedia post "Israeli Startup modu Revolutionizes Phone Industry">