Palm, Sprint Collaborate to Launch Centro Smart Device
Using Sprint’s wireless network, Palm has launched its Centro smart device. The mobile device includes software applications for voice, text, IM, e-mail, Web, contact and calendar capabilities. The handheld also features a full-color touch screen and full keyboard. Centro will be available exclusively through Sprint networks in the United States in onyx black or ruby red. www.palm.com, www.sprint.com
Nokia 6301 Uses UMA Technology
The Nokia 6301 phone offers seamless voice and data mobility across GSM cellular and WLAN networks via Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology, which integrates the benefits of a landline and mobile phone, including seamless indoor coverage, sound quality and affordability. www.nokia.com
Garmin Launches plug ‘n play sat-nav for smartphones
Garmin launched its Mobile XT all-in-one navigation software solution for selected smartphones with internal GPS. Mobile XT pairs the phone’s built-in GPS with the company’s software so that customers can navigate in Europe and North America.
Mobile XT is preloaded on a microSD card (with miniSD and standard SD card converter) that includes Garmin navigation software. Once the card is inserted into a compatible smartphone with embedded GPS, the application will launch automatically and route users to a specific location and show users’ exact positions. The software includes advanced search, support, planning, logging and routing features, and enables users to send their positions to any other phone as well as view and navigate to the locations of other Mobile XT users. Garmin Mobile XT is compatible with a wide range of smartphones including models by Sony Ericsson, HP, Nokia, HTC and Samsung. It works with operating systems such as Windows Mobile, Palm and S60 v3. www.garmin.com
Kentrox Introduces W1120 Wireless WAN Gateway
Kentrox has extended its line of wireless devices with the W1120 Wireless WAN Gateway, which enables mobile and temporary work locations to obtain network access. The W1120 supports the newest 3G services, including HSDPA/UMTS, EDGE and GPRS/ GSM. The gateway has an internal PCMCIA slot for added cellular data card security. It also provides an external antenna to improve signal coverage. The W1120 can be used for primary access as a wireless router or as a pass-through device to an existing router. www.kentrox.com
AnyTrack GPS Devices Track Assets
AnyTrack Inc. introduced the GPS-130 and GPS-100, enhanced GPS tracking devices for real-time, cellular-enhanced asset management. Both use the AnyTrack.net proprietary real-time asset management system. The GPS-130 features a high-capacity rechargeable battery pack that powers the device for up to three months, and is housed in a magnetic, impact-resistant case, providing continuous tracking from origination to destination to help businesses monitor shipments to reduce cargo theft and increase supply chain security. The smaller, lightweight GPS-100 can be removed from the case and used by businesses and consumers to track and recover property and monitor the locations of individuals. www.anytrack.com
Ring2 extends Conferencing Control to windows Mobile
Ring2 Conferencing is extending its service to support Windows Mobile devices and launching its worldwide partners program. Ring2 customers with Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices will now be able to use these handsets to take remote control of their conference calls. While they can still dial into the call from any phone, their mobile device now becomes a separate remote controller. Ring2’s service alerts the call leader’s mobile device as soon as the first invited guest dials into the conference call. With just a click, the call leader can manage all functions including security, participant status, muting, guest invitations and recording. www.ring2conferencing.com
PCNow Allows IPhone Users Access to Desktop
WebEx launched an iPhone-compatible version of WebEx PCNow, an ondemand remote access service for both desktops and wireless devices. PCNow gives iPhone users the ability to access their desktop PC files, and Microsoft Outlook corporate e-mail, contacts and appointments from their wireless devices. It supports both PC-to-PC and phone-to-PC access.
Developed through a partnership with mobile technology provider Soon, WebEx PCNow includes the following mobile access capabilities: mobile file access, file sharing, mobile desktop search, contact storage and mobile Outlook integration. Content is optimized for viewing and designed to deliver the same experience as working on the desktop computer. There is no software to download; users simply navigate iPhone’s Safari Web browser to access their desktop. A free 30-day trial is available at the company’s Web site. pcnow.webex.com
Verizon announces the Voyager by LG
Available for the 2007 holiday season and exclusive to Verizon Wireless, the Voyager by LG sports a large external touchscreen and opens laterally to reveal a full qwerty keypad, giving customers a choice on how they access the phone’s features.Conjectured by some to be a competitor to the iPhone, the LG Voyager offers several multimedia services, including HTML browser, and full V CAST-capabilities including V CAST Mobile TV, V CAST Music, with the ability to play mp3, wma and unprotected aac files, and V CAST Video. Users can download music, take pictures and more, and then store information on the phone’s removable microSD memory slot that holds up to 8GB of memory. www.lge.com, www.verizon.com
powermonkey-eXplorer, Solar Slave Rechange Handheld Devices
The powermonkey-eXplorer and Solar Slave will recharge portable electronic hand-held devices, including cell phones, providing from six to 96 hours of standby battery power depending on the device. According to the company, the ultra compact, 2.4-ounce powermonkey-eXplorer is water-resistant and made with a rubberized casing so it can withstand rugged conditions. The wall adapter (included) has interchangeable heads to use in 150 countries. The Solar Slave solar panel can be attached to a backpack, hung from a window, left in a car, or mounted anywhere to draw power directly from the sun to ensure that the powermonkey-eXplorer has full power at all times. The solar slave can recharge a device directly. www.powermonkey-explorer.com