Smartphones - News

Tokyo Edge: March's coolest gadgets

We're already a quarter of the way into 2009 and the gadgets are coming thick and fast despite the recession that is gripping many countries.

Apple plans iPhone 3.0 preview next week

Apple announced Thursday that it will preview a new version of its iPhone software on Tuesday, March 17.

MIT breakthrough promises lighter, fast-charging batteries

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a way to charge lithium ion batteries in seconds, instead of hours, that could open the door to smaller, faster-charging batteries for cell phones and other devices.

Mobile handset market to decline 8% this year says IDC

After years of growth, the global market for mobile handsets will contract by about 8 percent this year although smartphones will remain a growth area, according to a new forecast from IDC.

Developers to get 70 percent of Windows Mobile store sales

Microsoft on Wednesday revealed it will pay developers 70 percent of sales for applications they develop and sell on a Windows Mobile application marketplace introduced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month.

Gartner: Smartphone growth continues to slow

Sales of smartphones increased by 3.7 percent during the fourth quarter last year, compared to the same period in 2007, according to Gartner.

Google blocks popular iPhone SMS app

Google will block an iPhone application that harnesses its Google Talk chat program to provide a free text-message service after too many users flocked to download it.

Cameras and phones kick off March

We're already a quarter of the way into 2009 and the gadgets are coming thick and fast despite the recession that is gripping many countries. This month it was time for new digital cameras with the PMA show in the U.S. and a couple of follow-ups from...

iPhone Prototypes Hit eBay

Some of the strangest things can show up on eBay. Take, for example, a seller who claims he has two iPhone prototypes to unload.

Motorola launches smaller rugged wireless devices

Motorola Monday announced the smallest and lightest versions in its MC55 series of ruggedized enterprise digital assistants, offering two models and multiple configurations to help customers keep down their upfront costs.

Vodafone One gets going, new bundling options

After first announcing the service last year, Vodafone Australia is now accepting customers for its Vodafone Business One unified communications services aimed at small and medium businesses.

Ballmer promises faster Windows Mobile development

Under pressure from popular phones from Apple and Research In Motion, Microsoft hopes it has put in place changes that will help it meet that mobile competition faster, said CEO Steve Ballmer on Wednesday.

Acer sees the future of smartphones as free

Acer wants to bring the wholesale cost of smartphones down so far that mobile network operators can afford to give them away. It aims to release two such phones by October, said Aymar de Lencquesaing, the head of Acer's Smart Handheld Business Group.

Mobile operators angry at Nokia N97/Skype tie-up

Mobile operators O2 and Orange may refuse to offer Nokia's N97 handset unless the phone manufacturer removes the preinstalled Skype software.

Kindle iPhone app is 'huge,' says analyst

Amazon's release Wednesday of an e-book reader for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch is a "huge" move and a "win-win" for everyone concerned, analysts said.