SlashPhone » wifi

WalkingHotSpot Provides Smartphone Users with Wi-Fi Hotspots Anywhere in Europe for a One Time Fee

Kim Poh Liaw — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:05:41 +0000

TapRoot Systems today announced that its “always-with-you” WalkingHotSpot internet connectivity solution is now available to purchase directly from www.walkinghotspot.com. TapRoot’s patent-pending software transforms a Wi-Fi enabled smartphone into a hotspot providing access to 3G data networks.

With a one-time, quick and easy software download to a Wi-Fi enabled smartphone, WalkingHotSpot transforms Windows Mobile 6 and S60 3G/Wi-Fi smartphones into “walking” hotspots. Users securely retrieve e-mails, as well as browse the Internet, on Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops and MP3 players.

Symbian OS and Microsoft Windows Mobile smartphone users can now purchase WalkingHotSpot at for a one-time fee of $24.99 for the lifetime of the phone or as a monthly plan for $6.99. A seven-day free trial is available for new users.

Berg Insight says WLAN is the next big thing in handset connectivity

Kim Poh Liaw — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:43:04 +0000

According to new a research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, WLAN will become the next prevalent connectivity technology in mass-market mobile handsets. The number of handsets with integrated WLAN is forecasted to grow from 27 million in 2007 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 71.5 percent to 400 million in 2012, corresponding to an attach rate of 25 percent. WLAN will primarily be used for high-speed Internet access in home or office networks and file transfer of for instance photos and media libraries.

“Mobile operators no longer consider WLAN a threat against data revenues”, said André Malm, telecom analyst, Berg Insight. “As flat-rate plans for data access become the norm, encouraging subscribers to use a local Internet connection actually makes much sense as a way to prevent data overload in mobile networks.”

Berg Insight has a more cautious outlook for the adoption of other connectivity technologies such as NFC and UWB in mobile handsets. The number of handsets with integrated NFC or FeliCa is forecasted to grow from 35 million in 2007 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43.8 percent to 215 million in 2012, corresponding to an attach rate of 13 percent. UWB is not expected to appear in significant volumes before 2010 and only be featured in 1 percent of the handsets shipped in 2012.

Berg Insight recognises a significant potential for both technologies but believes that neither of them have yet become widespread enough to motivate integration in high-volume handsets. NFC is closest to achieving a breakthrough, which could be achieved as early as 2010 or 2011.

HTC Diamond specifications and images of the revealed

Chase Higgins — Sun, 04 May 2008 01:11:00 +0000

All we have seen until now are grainy spy shots of the HTC Diamond. Now, we have some images that are quite a bit better. These images were revealed today, but they are not the only surprise. In addition to the beautiful images, we now have a rumored feature list. It is important to remember these are not official, but are looking pretty solid.

This device brings some serious features to the table. For multi media, this thing packs a 2.8 inch VGA screen, 3.2 megapixel camera, and FM radio. It is powered by Windows Mobile 6.1, and also packs a 528MHz CPU to get things done. There is a option for MicroSD expansion, but if that is not your thing, it has 4GB of memory built right in. To stay connected, you get quad band GSM, HSDPA 7.6mbps, and WiFi. All the high speed you can handle, is at your finger tips. This thing is very thin, at only 10.7mm.

There are a few unconfirmed features on this device. It has been rumored there is a accelerometer in the device. Also, there is a possible QWERTY. To know for sure, we are just going to have to wait until May 6th, until then, allow yourself to get lost in the pictures of this glorious HTC device.

[Via Everything Dream]

LG KS-20, a New Smartphone with Touch Screen

Budi Putra — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:28:40 +0000

Following the success of its Chocolate and Prada series, now the Korean phone maker is offering another smart phone, called the LG KS-20.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6, this phone is one of most beautiful smartphones to date. Very thin (12.8 mm) and clean, with minimalistic design. The KS-20 features 2.8 inch touch screen with works with a stylus.

Too bad this smartphone just has 2 megapixels capability. Yes, I think this phone deserves the higher megapixels camera in order to compete with other brand’s similar portfolios.

Can it beat the iPhone? Personally, I don’t think so.

Specifications:

Network: GSM 900/1800/1900 MHZ.
Display: 2.8 inch touch screen, TFT, 260,000 colors, 320 x 240 pixels.
Features: OS Windows Mobile 6, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, HSDPA, FM Radio.
Memory: 128 MB + microSD.
Camera: 2 MP, autofocus, video recording.
Talk time/Standby: 4 hours/400 hours.
Size: 99.5 mm x 58 mm x 12.8 mm.

Source: mob-tel via CellphoneBeat

Airis T482 GPS smartphone

Chris Davies — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:23:53 +0000

French satnav lovers too impatient to wait for Garmin’s nuvifone will soon have a Windows Mobile alternative from Airis, when the company’s T482 GPS smartphone goes on sale. While the device is a quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE device with Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi and a 3.2-inch QVGA touchscreen, the real draw is the SiRFStar III GPS receiver and included CoPilot Live navigation software. It also has a 2-megapixel camera, microSD slot and FM tuner.

Powered by a 416MHz Marvell PXA270 processor and arriving with 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, the T482 measures 125 x 62 x 14mm and weighs in at 165g. It’s coated in a non-slip matte rubber, and Airis are quoting up to 250hrs use as an unconnected PDA, 100hrs cellular standby or 4hrs talktime. Pricing is set at €424 with French mapping or €478 for European mapping, but Airis will also supply the T482 with neither CoPilot Live nor maps for €399, though removing that advantage pits the handset against some worthy competition.

More worrying is the fact that hands-on reports are looking less than favourable. A commenter at NaviGadget describes the T482 as “useless as [a] mobile phone”, criticising Airis’ choice of Windows Mobile 5 (rather than 6 or 6.1), the fact that the keys cannot be locked and a poorly designed connector for an external GPS aerial that, once opened, cannot be closed up again. Most bizarrely, the car-kit that Airis supply apparently presses the buttons around the edge of the smartphone, triggering the camera or, in some circumstances, powering off the device altogether!

It’s hard to recommend the T482 after those concerns, but if you’re still interested it’ll be on-sale SIM-free from Airis’ site.

[via Engadget Mobile]

Samsung intro i900, U800 and L870 handsets at Dutch telecom expo

Chris Davies — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:11:52 +0000

Samsung has been wowing Dutch telecoms press with a number of previously unannounced handsets at the recent Televisie 2008 exhibition, with three UMTS devices garnering particular attention. Curiously, one – here labelled the i900 – appears to be a European version of the US handset of the same name, only running Windows Mobile 6.1 rather than Samsung’s own OS. Triband GSM, it has both WiFi and 3G connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0 and USB 2.0, and a 5-megapixel camera, all wrapped up in what looks to be a metal casing measuring 112 x 56 x 13mm.

Candybar-loving fans of Samsung’s U900 Soul might find satisfaction in the U800, which resembles a non-sliding, solid-keyed version of that device. Again having a brushed metal body, the U800 has a 3.2 megapixel camera, FM Radio, Bluetooth 2.0 and USB 2.0, and is a quadband GSM handset with 3G. While it lacks the touchscreen of the U900 Soul, the U800 will likely hit a lower price point.

Finally, the L870 is a quadband GSM and UMTS smartphone running the Symbian S60 OS. Feature wise it’s pretty middle-of-the-road, with a 3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0 and an FM radio. Measuring 102 x 50 x 13.55mm, it seems intended to rival Nokia’s mid-range N-series handsets.

[via Unwired View]

Billion BiPAC 7402GX router manages both HSDPA and ADSL connections

Chris Davies — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:41:05 +0000

Router and gateway specialists Billion have launched their 3G broadband router, the BiPAC 7402GX, which features compatibility not only with ADSL2+ for wired broadband but a USB port for external 3G HSDPA modems. Moreover, the 7402GX is capable of managing both connections simultaneously, using the cellular link as a backup should the landline connection fail; alternatively, it could be used to provide ad-hoc connectivity to multiple users when in hotels or otherwise travelling (as long as there’s a cellphone signal and a mains power supply).

Featuring a four-port 10/100 switch, WiFi b/g, firewall and VPN functionality, the 7402GX will work with 3G/HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS or even basic GSM dial-up connections, although I wouldn’t want to be sharing one of the slower options from that list with many other people.

Dual WAN interfaces for ADSL2+ and 3G connections
Auto fail-over feature to ensure an always-on connection
High-speed Internet access with ADSL2/2+; backward compatible with ADSL
USB 2.0 port for plugging a 3G/HSDPA modem as backup (Available from your service provider)
802.11g wireless AP with WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK support
Wi-Fi Protected Setup feature makes setting up a secure network quick and easy
Supports 16 IPSec Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnels
SOHO firewall security with DoS prevention and SPI
Secured VPN with powerful DES/3DES/AES
Quality of Service control
Syslog monitoring
Supports IPTV applications

The Billion BiPAC 7402GX is available now, priced at around £110 ($217/€137).

[via Pocket-lint]

Samsung G810 gets April 14th UK release date

Chris Davies — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:25:40 +0000

Samsung’s brushed stainless steel G810 slider was one of the standout handsets at MWC this year, and UK retailer Carphone Warehouse has announced it will be available for Brits from April 14th – just one week away. With HSDPA (up to 3.6Mbps), WiFi b/g, GPS, a 5-megapixel camera with Xenon flash, 3x optical zoom, face detection and onboard image editor, and a 2.6-inch screen, the G810 is being positioned as Samsung’s pre-emptive rival to the Nokia N96.

As with the N96, the G810 will run Symbian v9.2 S60 3rd Edition and have access to YouTube; however, Nokia’s smartphone is not expected to hit the UK until August this year, giving Samsung almost three months to corner the market.

No price for either handset has been revealed.

[via Unwired View]