Tag Heuer Meridiist Luxury Phone Unveiled

Tag Heuer, in partnership with Modelabs, has announced the new Meridiist luxury phone - Swiss engineered and hand assembled from 430 components wrapped in choices ranging from crocodile to leather or rubber.

The Meridiist's stylish all-metal corrosion-resistant steel casing features the familiar craftsmanship of fine Swiss watches. Offering unscratchable 60.5 carats sapphire crystal dual displays, the main 1.9-inch screen provides QVGA resolution while a secondary monochrome OLED screen on the front end houses an independent time unit so consumers are always on time.

The Meridiist also boasts a 2.0-megapixel digital camera, MP3 player (MP3/AAC/MPEG-4), Bluetooth wireless technology and 28 days power reserve and 7 hours of talktime. The handset is aimed at the high-end consumer market who appreciates the fine craftsmanship of timepieces but also desire a bit of technology - containing enough entertainment features to keep users occupied when with a group of friends or alone.

The Tag Heuer Meridiist will be available from September in Tag Heuer boutiques and selected watch and jewelry stores at a price range from of $5300 to $6100.

Samsung ACE Global Smartphone Released

Offering ability to stay connected through voice calls, email, and web browsing around the globe, Sprint today announced the Samsung ACE, a sleek new smartphone powered by Windows Mobile 6.

Operating in the U.S. on the Sprint's network, the ACE provides voice calls, PDA capabilities and access to Sprint TV with over 50 channels of live television and on-demand video. With quad-band capabilities, the ACE operates globally on CDMA and GSM/GPRS networks where Sprint has international roaming agreements. Customers can make or receive calls, access email, view documents, surf the web, and sync Outlook calendars in over 100 countries.

In addition to its international capabilities, the Samsung ACE also offers:
- Slim, light form factor with a full QWERTY keyboard measuring 4.65" x 2.32" x 0.46" and weighing just under four ounces
- Large 2.3-inch TFT color display, ideal for viewing live and on-demand channels available through Sprint TV, as well as up-to-date information with On-Demand
- Slide click Wheel for easy navigation between applications
- Stereo Bluetooth wireless technology for handsfree communication by pairing headsets, car-kits and other Bluetooth-enabled devices
- External memory supports up to 2 GB microSD card for storing music, videos and pictures
- 1.3-megapixel digital camera and camcorder to capture shoot clips to share with family and friends
- View documents allows customers to view files on the phone with Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel and Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

With Windows Mobile 6, the ACE assists people in keeping track of contacts and schedules through Outlook Mobile, browsing the web using Internet Explorer Mobile and viewing Word, Excel and PowerPoint files using File Viewer.

LG KF600 Mind-Reading Phone Introduced

LG Electronics introduced the LG KF600, a stylish slider offering InteractPad, replacing physical navigation keys with context-specific virtual keys.

The LG KF600's InteractPad and virtual menu keys show the exact keys users need to complete the task at hand eliminating distractions. More flexible than standard hardware keys, the KF600 eliminates the need to memorize which key performs what function. The virtual keys are also larger and better spaced than physical keys, improving accuracy.

The InteractPad is an ideal interface for controlling multimedia features like the KF600's digital audio player, camera and video camera. Since its controls are not tied to physical buttons, each of these functions has a custom interface that makes it intuitive to use.

The InteractPad is also equipped with multi-sensorial feedback that provides users with audio, visual and tactile cues. When a virtual button is pressed it becomes larger and the phone vibrates just slightly and makes a clicking sound. The feedback is not only designed to seem more like real buttons, it also improves comfort and accuracy.

The KF600 includes eight dynamic graphic interface themes. Each gives the phone a different character that can act as an extension of its owner's personality. The themes affect all aspects of the KF600's interface including the InteractPad. When users choose a theme, all the layouts of each application will be reflected in menu, icons as well as wallpaper under the integrated theme.

Dr. Skott Ahn, CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company said, "The LG KF600 and the InteractPad reflect LG's commitment to making its handsets easier to use through improved user interface technology. Usability is truly at the centre of this handset's design and it represents LG's latest achievement in making phones that connect with their users. This handset offers a mere glimpse into a newly emerging trend in the mobile market. LG is researching and developing new ways to improve usability and will continue focus on features that add practical benefits for users."

The LG KF600's multimedia features include a 3.0-megapixel camera, MP3 player, video recording, FM radio, Bluetooth and more.

LG KF510 Ultra-Slim Touch Slider Unveiled

LG Electronics today unveiled the KF510, a stylish phone catering to consumer demands for slimmer phones with design accents.

At just 10.9 mm thick, the KF510 is the extremely slim slider phone. Combining a slim style with strength created by its metal frame and tempered glass, the center of its design are metal gradation paint schemes available in Stardust Dark Gray or Sunset Red.

A visually interactive user interface includes captivating animation developed based on the LG's touch technology. The KF510 integrates a multi-function camera and MP3 player.

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.