Nokia N96 Optimized for Video and TV

Nokia today unveiled the N96, a mobile phone optimized for video and TV with a large 2.8-inch screen, 16 GB internal memory and support for high-quality videos.

The Nokia N96 supports common video formats including MPEG-4, Windows Media Video and Flash Video. Transferring and accessing videos is fast with high-speed USB 2.0 connection and WLAN and HSDPA support. In select markets, the integrated DVB-H receiver offers live broadcast TV with an automatically updating program guide. The internal memory can store up to 40 hours of video content, with storage capacity further expanded with an optional microSD card, such as the new Nokia 8 GB microSDHC Card MU-43 which increases the available memory of the Nokia N96 to a total of 24 GB. For added convenience, the Nokia N96 features a 'kickstand' on the back cover that allows for handsfree viewing.

The Nokia Video Center offers one-stop access to mobile content ranging from movie trailers and comedy to news from world-leading content brands such as YouTube, Reuters, and Sony Pictures. The catalogue of internet video feeds is continually expanded with more regional and country specific content.

The N96 also features media keys, a 3.5 mm headphone connector and built-in 3D stereo speakers. The Nokia Maps application offers richer maps with urban details and satellite views and has upgrade options such as City Guides, turn-by-turn pedestrian mode and voice-guided car navigation.

Boasting a 5.0-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, flash and video light, the N96 can also record DVD-like quality video capture at 30 frames per second. Further, with the integrated A-GPS, consumers can now 'geotag' their pictures with location data and share them with their online communities. It supports the Ovi family of Nokia internet services, including maps, music, media sharing and more.

Nokia N78 Allows GeoTagging

Nokia today introduced the N78, a mobile phone combining music, navigation and photography with the benefits of mobility. Designed to take advantage of the new suite of Nokia services, the N78 includes the Nokia Music Store, Nokia Maps, and Share on Ovi - a new online service that lets consumers share their personal media.

The Nokia N78 integrates A-GPS, with free Nokia Maps, WLAN and high-speed HSPDA 3G connectivity, a 3.2-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, and support for microSD memory card, currently available at up to 8 GB.

The Nokia N78 introduces the increasingly popular online practice of 'geotagging' to a Nokia device. The N78 automatically tags images with capture location metadata, making it possible to view the capture location on a map either on the device itself, or online. With its high-speed internet connectivity, over WLAN or HSDPA, uploading photos and videos to online communities like Share on Ovi, Flickr or YouTube is a single key stroke away.

Music remains a core feature of the Nseries range. With internal speakers and support for standard 3.5 mm headphones, the N78 also comes with Nokia Internet Radio, giving instant access to thousands of radio stations around the world.

The Nokia N78 is expected to start shipping during the second quarter of 2008.

Samsung Soul 5MP Flagship Phone Unveiled

Samsung today announced the launch of 'Soul,' its new flagship product for 2008. The Soul will officially make its debut during next week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Samsung named the Soul to honor the completion of its exclusive Ultra Edition series of handsets; abbreviated for 'The Spirit Of Ultra.'

The Soul is a slim, lightweight and stylish device boasting essential functions. The usability is enhanced with features that adapt to the user depending on the application. With Magical Touch, navigation indicators on the keypad of the phone change according to the user's needs, making navigation of the menus simple, intuitive and direct. The navigation panel's icons change according to function.

For example, when in music mode, music related icons will light up on the navigation indicators. When in camera mode, camera related icons such as zoom and brightness icons will appear.

The Soul also offers a new series of graphic user interfaces (GUI) providing three different options for users. With this Thematic UI, users can change the UI according to their personal tastes. Additionally, users can create their own skins with the on-handset User Created Skin (UCS) setup. Display skins are customizable with various options such as background images, fonts and colors.

Continuing the look of Samsung's popular Ultra Edition series with extreme minimalism in a slim design, the Soul has a full metal body with a premium look and feel with a natural color and hairline texture.

At 12.9 mm thin, the Soul is equipped with professional photographic functions including a 5.0-megapixel camera. Features such as face detection, image stabilizer and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), up-to-date features even in today's digital cameras, are also equipped.

Users can enjoy fast Internet access through the 7.2 Mbps High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) browser and share images or video taken with the phone. With 7.2 Mpbs HSDPA, users can also download songs at a faster speed compared to average 3G networks.

"We believe that Soul is the answer for today's style-conscious consumers, excited by outstanding quality design and performance," said Geesung Choi, President of Samsung's Telecommunication Business.

The Soul will be supported by a major global advertising campaign and will be available in European countries from April.

Sony Ericsson R300 and R306 Combines AM/FM Radio Experience

Sony Ericsson announced the launch of two new mobile phones, the R300 Radio and R306 Radio, both designed to deliver a radio-listening experience to emerging markets such as India.

"The R300 Radio and R306 Radio allow you to tune-in to your favourite music shows or sports reports, across both AM and FM broadcasts," said Howard Lewis, Vice President and Head of Entry Level Products at Sony Ericsson. "They certainly look and sound the part, offering a radio-inspired design and feature set on a choice of either a candy bar or clamshell phone."

Both of these new phones are designed to have a clear radio look-and-feel. Sit either phone on its side and let the radio blast out through the dedicated loudspeaker in stereo in the case of the R306 Radio.

Preset buttons on the front of both the R300 Radio and R306 Radio let users switch easily between their favorite stations. It takes just one click to boost the volume when they want to share music on the radio or the live action from the sports ground.

Set it as an alarm clock or record the final moments of a team's winning match and play back the commentary. Users can even record a clip of a song and use it as their ringtone.

TrackID is now a familiar feature on many of Sony Ericsson's high tier phones. It now comes as standard on both the R300 Radio and R306 Radio. Record a clip of a song from an external source, such as a sound system in a coffee shop or bar, and find out within seconds who sang it, the name of the track and which album it is from.

With the R300 Radio users can listen-in via the stereo headphones provided or play it loud through the high-performance speaker integrated into the phone. Switch on 3D sound enhancement or volume boost with the dedicated Audio Enhancer key on the phone.

The R306 Radio opens up into a clamshell with two integrated stereo speakers that face the listener. Again featuring the Audio Enhancer key, users can activate volume boost when listening to the radio through the speakers or 3D sound enhancement when they have the stereo headset plugged in, ensuring a first-class radio listening experience even when it is noisy. See which station is tuned-in to on the phone's external display.

Both phones feature Bluetooth technology, allowing consumers to handle phone calls handsfree with optional accessories. The R300 Radio offers a built-in VGA camera and the R306 Radio boasts a step-up to a 1.3-megapixel camera on-board.

Motorola Z10 Delivers Mobile Filmmaking

Motorola today unveiled the Z10, a stylish kick-slider mobile film studio that captures high-quality video, edit clips, create transitions between scenes and add title slides and a soundtrack. Then, budding filmmakers can upload their creation to share with friends and family through any number of Web sites such as YouTube, Google, Yahoo! and ShoZu.

In addition to creating videos, the Z10 features great media playback capabilities. With a 2.2-inch QVGA screen that displays video at 30 frames per second in millions of colors, consumers can watch their own films or downloaded content. The external storage slot will support an external memory card with up to 32GB of capacity, when available.

One-press of the dedicated camera key launches the 3.2-megapixel camera in only 1.5 seconds. The Superfast burst mode captures up to three images a second, so consumers will never miss a frame of the action. The smart auto-focus keeps pictures sharp while intelligent auto-save automatically names and saves images directly to the on-board media gallery or favorite media-sharing Web sites.

The Z10 looks as sleek and stylish on the outside as it is feature-packed inside. The ergonomic design is built with premium quality materials, including spun stainless steel, polished metallic finish and soft-feel textures. With 3.5G HSDPA, GSM / GPRS / EDGE, and Symbian / UIQ software, the Z10 represents the next generation of mobile device technology.

Sony Ericsson W760i Global Walkman Phone

Sony Ericsson today announced the W760i, the first truly global Walkman phone with tri-band HSDPA, enabling broadband speed downloads of the latest music and content wherever in the world it is used.

The W760i's built-in GPS with Wayfinder Navigator lets users search over 20 million points of interest around the globe and talks users to their destination every turn of the way. There's also a GPS-supported fitness application called Tracker that can tell them how fast, for how long and how far they've ran.

Become the focal point of a spontaneous party or gaming experience with the W760i's powerful built-in stereo speakers. If outdoors, use the phone with the Active Speaker MAS-100 - a case that not only looks fantastic but also protects the Walkman phone at the same time as being a built-in speaker and FM radio antenna for enjoying music with friends.

The W760i helps select the right music for the occasion. Store up to 950 tracks on the phone, and use SensMe to pick the music and tracks that match the mood in an instant. Navigate through a playlist with Shake Control - shuffle and skip through tracks, or adjust the volume, with just a shake of the phone.

The TrackID functionality allows users to identify any song they're listening to on the FM Radio or at a club. And with TrackID Charts, they can also review the most searched tracks in their country or anywhere in the world.

The intuitive Media User Interface rotates depending on how consumers are holding the phone, so they can see everything they need at a glance. Auto-rotate works for photos, videos and games too. Just twist the phone to change the view.

The W760i allows gamers to play in landscape mode, with sound from stereo speakers and use of dedicated gaming buttons like a gaming console. It is preloaded with the latest games, including Need for Speed ProStreet. The W760i is built for fast-paced action with a large 2.2-inch screen for great gameplay and Motion Sensor Gaming that allows users to play top games on their phone in 3D quality, using the motion of the phone to control the game.

A 3.2-megapixel camera is built in to the phone. Pictures can be stored on the 1GB Memory Stick or transferred to a PC using Media Manager.

Sony Ericsson W350a Walkman Clamshell

Sony Ericsson today announced the launch of the W350a, a Walkman flip phone that allows users to control music at their fingertips.

At just 10 mm thin, the W350a is sleek enough to fit comfortably with no bulges into a pocket or purse. Its unique flip covers the keypad for a minimalist look. Available in trendy colors including Electric Black with orange accents, the W350a is a classy yet modern statement that is never out of place.

The W350a's Walkman player can easily be accessed and operated even without opening its flip cover. With Walkman on Top, key MP3 functions including Play, Pause and Scroll are outside the phone's flip cover so consumers can use it just like they would a standalone MP3 player.

The W350a makes it straightforward to transfer music onto the phone. Whether favorite tracks are on a CD or on a computer, all users need to do with the phone's intuitive Media Manager software is drag tracks from the computer onto the phone via a USB cable. They can store up to 470 tracks or 40 entire albums and, once the music is onto the phone, it's also easy to navigate around it with the Walkman player.

With TrackID, users can record a few seconds of the song into the phone's microphone (or tag it from the built-in radio) and identify it. The W350a provides the name of the song, the artist, and even the album so that users can download it and enjoy it again and again.

The W350i is an EDGE 900 / 1800 / 1900 phone that will be available in selected markets from Q2 2008. The W350a is an EGDE 850 / 1800 / 1900 phone.