Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget Mobile http://www.engadgetmobile.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Qualcomm never says die, puts cash into British MediaFLO network]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/16/qualcomm-never-says-die-puts-cash-into-british-mediaflo-network/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/16/qualcomm-never-says-die-puts-cash-into-british-mediaflo-network/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/16/qualcomm-never-says-die-puts-cash-into-british-mediaflo-network/#commentsFiled under:

Qualcomm's opting for the "la la la la, I can't hear you!" approach to the EU's decision to roll deep with DVB-H, it seems, committing $16.3 million in the UK to scoop up about 40MHz worth of nationwide spectrum for testing its own MediaFLO there, seemingly in an effort to woo locals to FLO's benefits. To be clear, Qualcomm says that it won't go solo with a commercial launch -- it wants a business partner to do that, much as it uses Verizon and AT&T in the States -- but it seems like the company has no problem dumping a few quid into getting the rejected standard some time in the spotlight. The odds are certainly against it, but hey, you've gotta admire their commitment.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flomediaflomobile tvMobileTvqualcommukFri, 16 May 2008 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Qualcomm suppresses "yuck" face, drops MediaFLO and ISDB-T on same chipset]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/16/qualcomm-suppresses-yuck-face-drops-mediaflo-and-isdb-t-on-sa/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/16/qualcomm-suppresses-yuck-face-drops-mediaflo-and-isdb-t-on-sa/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/16/qualcomm-suppresses-yuck-face-drops-mediaflo-and-isdb-t-on-sa/#commentsFiled under:

Qualcomm may be many things, but it ain't stupid. On what basis do we make that bold claim? Historically, it's been very good about supporting and profiting from standards that aren't its own with one hand, even as it's pushing alternatives with the other. They've pulled this trick recently with comprehensive LTE support with CDMA migration -- a double whammy, considering that CDMA is Qualcomm's baby and LTE goes head to head with Qualcomm's UMB. Now, the firm is pairing up its MediaFLO mobile TV tech on a single hunk of silicon with support for ISDB-T, used in Japan and Brazil; essentially, the idea is that free programing would flow over ISDB-T and pay channels would come down on the FLO signal. It's an interesting concept, we suppose, but with mobile TV yet to be a profitable venture in most parts of the globe, it might be still be an idea just a bit ahead of its time.

[Via Phone Scoop]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipsetisdb-tmediafloone segone-segOneSegqualcommFri, 16 May 2008 02:52:00 EST<![CDATA[3M mini-projectors set to land in / with Samsung phones later this year]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/3m-mini-projectors-set-to-land-in-with-samsung-phones-later-th/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/3m-mini-projectors-set-to-land-in-with-samsung-phones-later-th/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/3m-mini-projectors-set-to-land-in-with-samsung-phones-later-th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

3M has been touting its mini-projectors for some time now (along with many others), but it looks like they're now finally a bit closer to landing in an actual product, with Samsung reportedly set to begin offering them later this year. What's not clear, unfortunately, is whether the projectors will actually be built into the cellphones (and if so, which ones), or simply offered as an attachment of some sort, but either way you can apparently expect to pay between $200 and $400 for the chance to spread a bit of visual pollution.

[Via Unwired View]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3mmini projectormini-projectorMiniProjectorsamsungWed, 14 May 2008 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[LG and Samsung team-up against Qualcomm in fight for US mobile TV standard]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/lg-and-samsung-team-up-against-qualcomm-in-fight-for-us-mobile-t/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/lg-and-samsung-team-up-against-qualcomm-in-fight-for-us-mobile-t/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/14/lg-and-samsung-team-up-against-qualcomm-in-fight-for-us-mobile-t/#commentsFiled under:


In a case of oh shiznit, LG and Samsung are combining forces to protect their mobile TV interests in the US. With Qualcomm's proprietary MediaFLO digital broadcast technology rapidly gaining a mobile TV foothold in the US (thanks to AT&T and Verizon) and Europe standardizing on DVB-H, it seems that LG and Samsung (the once proud and gloating parents of the DMB standard) have little choice but to support the ATSC's attempt to create the ATSC-M/H standard in the US... about three years too late. Of course, the ultimate victor will have very little to do with what's best for the consumer and everything to do with who is most successful at lobbying the government. Oh, did that sound bitter? Good.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atscatsc-mhdmbdvb-hlgmediafloqualcommsamsungWed, 14 May 2008 02:37:00 EST<![CDATA[China flips switch on CMMB mobile TV trials]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/china-flips-switch-on-cmmb-mobile-tv-trials/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/china-flips-switch-on-cmmb-mobile-tv-trials/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/china-flips-switch-on-cmmb-mobile-tv-trials/#commentsFiled under:


Much like TD-SCDMA, China's looking to impress the world (or something) with its totally homegrown, totally proprietary, totally unused anywhere else "standard" for mobile TV in time for the Beijing Olympics. CMMB, as its known, is the protocol of choice for trials that have kicked off this month in Beijing and Shenzen (with Shanghai following on shortly), offering seven channels via a USB dongle. Portable media players and phones that offer CMMB compatibility should be available before too long, and by the time the Games kick off, the government body responsible for the build-out expects 37 cities to be online. We'd like to rail on it even harder, but let's be honest, it's not any more one-off than MediaFLO, now is it?

[Via IntoMobile]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacmmbmobile tvMobileTvMon, 12 May 2008 14:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with the LG Vu, Samsung Access, and AT&T Mobile TV]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/hands-on-with-the-lg-vu-samsung-access-and-atandt-mobile-tv/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/hands-on-with-the-lg-vu-samsung-access-and-atandt-mobile-tv/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/12/hands-on-with-the-lg-vu-samsung-access-and-atandt-mobile-tv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


These days, voice is the tip of the iceberg. Carriers are always -- and we do mean always -- looking for crafty ways to boost their average revenue per user, and with everyone and their brother offering an unlimited voice plan at this point, it's about data and value-add services more than it ever has been before. To that end, Verizon and AT&T have embraced MediaFLO as a way to keep their subscribers entertained on the road to the tune of a few extra bucks per month. AT&T's service, simply christened Mobile TV, has just launched with a pair of devices from Samsung and LG; naturally, we wanted to know whether the phones were worth the $199 and $299 AT&T's asking, respectively -- but perhaps more importantly, we had to figure out whether the service was worth sucking another $15 a month out of our already-strained wallets.

Gallery: Hands-on with the LG Vu, Samsung Access, and AT&T Mobile TV

Continue reading Hands-on with the LG Vu, Samsung Access, and AT&T Mobile TV

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessattatt mobile tvAttMobileTvfeatureshands onHandsOnlgmobile tvMobileTvsamsungvuMon, 12 May 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia insists Comes with Music will be profitable]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/nokia-insists-comes-with-music-will-be-profitable/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/nokia-insists-comes-with-music-will-be-profitable/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/08/nokia-insists-comes-with-music-will-be-profitable/#commentsFiled under: ,

Okay, so maybe the execs out there in Finland have their ducks in a row after all. After rumors spread that Nokia was going to be taking a financial beating if consumers really took to its forthcoming all-you-can-eat Comes with Music service (a strange gamble, to be sure), the head of its music division is hitting back, saying that they "expect to make money both from [their] traditional device sales, as well as from the 'Comes With Music' service." Of course, "expect to make money" is a long way from actually "making money" in many cases -- and Nokia still has no official comment on how its Comes with Music label deals are structured -- so we guess we won't really know how this all went down until a few more quarters of earnings calls down the road.

[Thanks, Janne]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comes with musicComesWithMusicmusicnokiaThu, 08 May 2008 13:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia about to get its clock cleaned on Comes with Music?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/07/nokia-about-to-get-its-clock-cleaned-on-comes-with-music/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/07/nokia-about-to-get-its-clock-cleaned-on-comes-with-music/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/07/nokia-about-to-get-its-clock-cleaned-on-comes-with-music/#commentsFiled under: ,

The latest round of rumors regarding the goings-on behind the scenes of Nokia's lofty Comes with Music paint a bleak picture for profitability -- but even scarier, they suggest that the company could be simply blown out if the initiative takes off. The problem stems from the claim that Nokia's deals with labels represent a huge gamble: that buyers of Comes with Music-compatible phones won't download more than a certain number of songs, believed to be 35. Above that, Espoo's no longer covered by a flat fee and pays the wholesale per-song rate for its customers' indiscretions. Clearly, either the rumor's wrong or Nokia seems to be betting against its own success here -- but the recent departure of a key exec involved with Comes with Music lends some credence to the latter. Maybe we don't speak for everyone here, but if we're paying a premium on our phone to earn a full year of all-you-can-eat tracks, you'd best believe we're taking full advantage.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comes with musicComesWithMusicmusicnokianokia music storeNokiaMusicStoreWed, 07 May 2008 03:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia, T-Mobile make nice, pair Ovi with web'n'walk]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/04/nokia-t-mobile-make-nice-pair-ovi-with-webnwalk/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/04/nokia-t-mobile-make-nice-pair-ovi-with-webnwalk/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/04/nokia-t-mobile-make-nice-pair-ovi-with-webnwalk/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


When we'd heard that T-Mobile Germany was at loggerheads with Nokia over its Ovi services, the carrier was quick to point out that it didn't offer any Ovi-compatible devices in its lineup to begin with and that it was "in discussions with Nokia about this topic and [was] confident to find a common path in the near future." Sure enough, it looks as though that "common path" has now been found with an announcement that Nokia will be working closely with T-Mob to integrate its web'n'walk mobile internet service with Ovi for deployment on future devices customized for the carrier. There's no telling what sorts of contracts got signed behind the scenes here, but if we had to guess, we'd say most of T-Mobile's existing content-based revenue streams are going to end up being preserved by appearing within the Ovi sandbox on these new phones. A loss for Nokia? Not if it wants its phones to keep appearing on T-Mobile Germany's store shelves, it isn't.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nokiaovit-mobileweb n walkWebNWalkSun, 04 May 2008 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Danger's Sidekick LX getting video support]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/03/dangers-sidekick-lx-getting-video-support/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/03/dangers-sidekick-lx-getting-video-support/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/03/dangers-sidekick-lx-getting-video-support/#commentsFiled under: ,


Take your focus off of that forthcoming Tony Hawk hiptop a minute and key in on that image above -- looks like Danger's Sidekick LX may be getting video after all. After questioning whether this very device could indeed support video late last year, it looks like the answer could be just around the corner. Unfortunately, the shot above along with one other in the read link is about it for details; we're still waiting to hear whether YouTube / H.264 will be supported, and beyond that, when the update will be made available. Still worried sick over Mr. Hawk? Yeah, we reckoned not.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apidangersidekicksidekick lxSidekickLxvideoSat, 03 May 2008 03:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung's new SGH-P960 packs a DVR]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/samsungs-new-sgh-p960-packs-a-dvr/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/samsungs-new-sgh-p960-packs-a-dvr/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/samsungs-new-sgh-p960-packs-a-dvr/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Samsung's new SGH-P960 packs a DVR
While some manufacturers stay home pouting about mobile TV's slow uptake in Europe, Samsung isn't giving up on the Euro DVB-H market just yet, hoping to entice viewers with better features. The company's new SGH-P960 adds integrated DVR functionality, like pausing live TV when it rings, meaning you won't miss any of the action on the slider's 2.6-inch, 240 x 320 screen. Other TV niceties include picture-in-picture, an on-screen programming guide, and an integrated Bang & Olufsen amplifier. A 3 megapixel cam with LED flash on the back rounds out what sounds like a nice package, but with no word on price or availability outside of Europe it's hard to get too excited.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dvb-hsamsungsgh-p960sliderThu, 01 May 2008 06:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: AT&T launching Mobile TV May 4th, demonstrated on LG Vu]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/video-atandt-launching-mobile-tv-may-4th-demonstrated-on-lg-vu/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/video-atandt-launching-mobile-tv-may-4th-demonstrated-on-lg-vu/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/05/01/video-atandt-launching-mobile-tv-may-4th-demonstrated-on-lg-vu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


MediaFLO is about to cut loose for AT&T customers this morning and we've got video to prove it. After the break you'll find Mobile TV running on LG's new $300 (2-year, after $100 rebate) Vu, one of just two Mobile TV compatible handsets launching on AT&T May 4th -- the other being the $200 (2-year, after $100 rebate) Samsung Access. Performance looks reasonably snappy when scrolling through the channel guide although some of the exclusive PIX and CNN Mobile Live content is not yet available. S'ok, AT&T has three more days to throw the big blue switch on the broadcast TV service which includes a $15/month unlimited Mobile TV access plan. Hear that Verizon? AT&T's about to step all over your portable TV game in the US market.

[Via MyFoxUtah]

Continue reading Video: AT&T launching Mobile TV May 4th, demonstrated on LG Vu

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessattbreaking newsBreakingNewscnn mobile liveCnnMobileLivelgmobile tvMobileTvpixsamsungvideovuThu, 01 May 2008 01:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Updated SlingPlayer Mobile clients now available]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/29/updated-slingplayer-mobile-clients-now-available/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/29/updated-slingplayer-mobile-clients-now-available/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/29/updated-slingplayer-mobile-clients-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Remember those refreshed Sling apps we mentioned not long ago? They've finished baking and they're ready for prime time (sorry, BlackBerry users, we don't mean you -- not yet, anyway). The players for Windows Mobile, both Professional and Standard editions, now rest at version 1.6 while the S60 player gets upped to 1.1; changes are relatively minor, but notable, the Nokia N95 8GB is now officially supported (even though the old player worked pretty well) along with a slew of new WinMo pieces and set-top boxes, video quality is improved on some devices, new channel logos are included, and some "under the hood tweaks." The update is available now and free for existing SlingPlayer Mobile users; newbs, meanwhile, pay a $30 one-time pop.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>s60slingsling mediaSlingMediaslingplayerslingplayer mobileSlingplayerMobilewindows mobileWindowsMobilewinmoTue, 29 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tessera's OptiML Zoom gets cameraphones 3x closer without moving parts]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/28/tesseras-optiml-zoom-gets-cameraphones-3x-closer-without-moving/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/28/tesseras-optiml-zoom-gets-cameraphones-3x-closer-without-moving/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/28/tesseras-optiml-zoom-gets-cameraphones-3x-closer-without-moving/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Oh sure, those with no shame whatsoever can snag a totally sketchy LV 2008 with an attachable zoom lens, but those of us with a shred of dignity are waiting on something better. Enter Tessera Technologies, which is today announcing that its OptiML Zoom solution is available for licensing. Said innovation brings a unique lens design and specialized algorithms to replace "traditional mechanical zoom capabilities," giving equipped cameraphones 3x optical zoom capabilities in a "compact camera module without moving parts." Hailed as the industry's first non-mechanical optical zoom solution, it promises to not degrade images the way digital zoom does, and while it's eager to see handset OEMs pick up the tech and integrate it into forthcoming mobiles, we've yet to hear of any big players jumping on board.

[Via PhoneScoop]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameracameraphonecellphone cameraCellphoneCameraoptical zoomOpticalZoomOtiMLTesserazoomMon, 28 Apr 2008 16:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung bringing mobile TV to Brazil with V820L]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/samsung-bringing-mobile-tv-to-brazil-with-v820l/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/samsung-bringing-mobile-tv-to-brazil-with-v820l/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/25/samsung-bringing-mobile-tv-to-brazil-with-v820l/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Have 1,499 reais (about $904) to blow? Live in or around Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, or Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? Great, because Samsung has a little something it wants to show you. The V820L pivoting flip is a capable 3G phone in its own right, complete with Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel cam, microSD expansion, and a front-facing secondary cam for video calls, but it also adds digital TV reception for Brazil's nascent ISDB-T spectrum. The relatively expansive 2.6 inch display should be a boon for watching your favorite Portuguese-language programming on the go, though it sounds like the limited coverage could be a big bummer at this point until broadcasters have the time to build out the network just a bit. It sounds like carriers might subsidize the phone a bit to knock down that stratospheric price tag, but even so -- just how much do we want to pay for a few square miles of entertainment?

[Image via Abril.com, thanks Marcelo R.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brazilclamshellflipisdb-tsamsungv820lFri, 25 Apr 2008 05:47:00 EST<![CDATA[DISH Networks teams with Alcatel-Lucent for DVB-SH trial in US]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/dish-networks-teams-with-alcatel-lucent-for-dvb-sh-trial-in-us/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/dish-networks-teams-with-alcatel-lucent-for-dvb-sh-trial-in-us/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/dish-networks-teams-with-alcatel-lucent-for-dvb-sh-trial-in-us/#commentsFiled under:

Ah ha! So this is what DISH Network was planning on doing with its recently-purchased swath of spectrum. Just under two months after analysts pondered what the firm was thinking throwing out bids for a smidgen of bandwidth -- and not even a fortnight after the ICO G1 successfully launched in order to bring DVB-SH to America -- out comes the whole truth. The satcaster is teaming up with Alcatel-Lucent to test the Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite services to Handhelds technology right here in the US, with A-L providing the equipment, test tools and training. The evaluation will be taking place at a DISH facility in Atlanta from May until August, with the ultimate goal to "validate the performance and cost-efficiency of the DVB-SH standard." As expected, we're only given crumbs of information as to where this partnership may lead, but we should be much more clear on everything by the time the summer concludes.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alcatel-LucentdishDISH Networkdvbdvb-hdvb-shmobile tvMobileTvtrailThu, 24 Apr 2008 16:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Vodafone Germany launching two DVB-T sets next month]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/vodafone-germany-launching-two-dvb-t-sets-next-month/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/vodafone-germany-launching-two-dvb-t-sets-next-month/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/24/vodafone-germany-launching-two-dvb-t-sets-next-month/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Germany's been one of the European countries protesting the hardest against the EU's selection of DVB-H as the union's mobile TV standard of choice -- and for good reason, seeing how it already had a nice little chunk of cash sunk into T-DMB. We're not sure if this is Germany's version of passive-aggressive civil disobedience or if this is just how they plan on rolling for the time being, but Vodafone Germany is actually looking at rolling out a pair of phones next month that simply pull down plain ol' DVB-T signals -- the kind generally destined for home televisions, not pockets. This obviously gives the service a far larger footprint and content profile right off the bat, but the tradeoff is that DVB-T was never designed for the small screen and suffers from a greater power draw than either DVB-H or T-DMB. Anyhoo, the phones in question are the Windows Mobile-powered g-Smart t600 from Gigabyte alongside LG's HB620T clamshell. Both are expected to go out the door for about €100 ($159) on contract, apparently, which is just as well seeing how the t600 lacked 3G data last time we checked in on it. Who'd really trade fast data for television that's going to drain your battery faster than you can say "David Hasselhoff," anyway?

[Via the::unwired]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dvb-tg-smartgermanygigabytehb620tlgmobile tvMobileTvt600vodavodafonewindows mobileWindowsMobileThu, 24 Apr 2008 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[BMG joins Universal on Nokia's (delayed) free Comes with Music service]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/22/bmg-joins-universal-on-nokias-delayed-free-comes-with-music-s/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/22/bmg-joins-universal-on-nokias-delayed-free-comes-with-music-s/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/22/bmg-joins-universal-on-nokias-delayed-free-comes-with-music-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Step aside Universal Music, Sony BMG is now offering its catalog of music on Nokia's Comes With Music service. You know, the freebie, all you can eat music download service expected to launch mid-2008 (oops) "second half" of 2008. Remember, you'll have to buy a Comes with Music device first and the free download period from the Nokia Music Store (to your PC or phone) only lasts for 12 months. Still, consumers keep the downloaded (and DRM'd) tracks at the end of the period and "can transfer their downloaded material by substituting their new [Comes with Music] device or computer for the original devices" later on. While no Comes with Music devices have been announced yet, we certainly wouldn't be surprised if Nokia's touch-screen Tube or some other S60 touch device was first.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmgcomes with musicComesWithMusicnokianokia music storeNokiaMusicStoresonysony bmgSonyBmgTue, 22 Apr 2008 06:51:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T Mobile TV: May 4th in three packages?]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/atandt-mobile-tv-may-4th-in-three-packages/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/atandt-mobile-tv-may-4th-in-three-packages/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/18/atandt-mobile-tv-may-4th-in-three-packages/#commentsFiled under: ,


Okay, first the bad news: we're hearing that AT&T's most expensive Mobile TV package is going to run a stiff $30 a month. Now, the good: you're paying for a heck of a lot more than just tee-vee there. Our tipster tells us that AT&T is expecting to launch a grand total of three packages of its MediaFLO-based service come the 4th of next month; first up is Limited, which will run $13 a month and offer Fox, CBS, NBC, and NBC News. This one is so limited, in fact, AT&T's limiting it right off their website -- it seems you'll have to call customer service to get hold of this particular setup. Next is Basic at $15 a month (seriously, who's going to not pay the $2 more over Basic?), which includes the full range of channels: the aforementioned four plus Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, CNN Mobile, Sony Pictures, and ESPN. Finally, the Plus package should feature the same lineup as Basic but bundles unlimited MEdia Net and Cellular Video for $30 a month, and we suspect this is the plan most Mobile TV subscribers are going to snatch up. We still think this could end up being a tough pill to swallow for a lot of power users who've graduated to SlingPlayer Mobile, but with simpler devices like the Samsung Access (pictured) in the mix for Mobile TV, who knows -- they might find a target demographic yet.

[Thanks, Rayne]
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attmediaflomobile tvMobileTvrumorFri, 18 Apr 2008 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Major MobiTV improvements coming next month]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/major-mobitv-improvements-coming-next-month/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/major-mobitv-improvements-coming-next-month/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/major-mobitv-improvements-coming-next-month/#commentsFiled under: ,

Likely feeling pressure to innovate as competitors like DVB-H and MediaFLO close the mobile TV gap, MobiTV is prepping a plethora of improvements to its software and back end that should be hitting customers everywhere next month. Perhaps the single biggest improvement will be the system's capability to multicast programming on the fly based on the real-time popularity of a channel in a given area, rather than unicasting it and requiring significantly more bandwidth be sapped from the data pipe. Speaking of real-time, ads will now be injected on the fly -- and they'll be targeted, too, giving users some semblance of a reason to not change channels or put the phone back in their pocket when their program cuts to commercial break. MobiTV also says that it has somehow managed to cut channel change times down to a second or less -- a huge improvement over the existing software -- addressing a complaint leveled by many a MobiTV user over the years. Sure, AT&T's rolling out MediaFLO next month -- but if there's a message in these developments here, it's that these guys don't plan on slipping quietly into the night.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobile tvMobileTvmobitvWed, 16 Apr 2008 14:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia: mobile TV success is a little harder than we thought]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/nokia-mobile-tv-success-is-a-little-harder-than-we-thought/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/nokia-mobile-tv-success-is-a-little-harder-than-we-thought/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/16/nokia-mobile-tv-success-is-a-little-harder-than-we-thought/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ever wonder why it's so dang hard to get a Nokia N77 or N92 and service to go along with it? Yeah, Nokia is too, and it's starting to voice its frustration over the molasses-like uptake mobile TV systems have experienced over the last several years. The company has openly pushed DVB-H for a while now, scoring a huge win when the European Union recently formally ratified the standard as Europe's infrastructure of choice -- but neither carrier rollouts nor burgeoning customer demand have followed suit the way it had figured they would. Nokia's head of internet services has gone so far to say that mobile TV's in "turmoil," largely because folks are pleased as punch just downloading their vids over 3G instead of using a more traditional, more television-like setup like DVB-H to keep them entertained. Will carriers and manufacturers end up abandoning the whole concept when they realize there's a long trail of more red ink ahead (in the form of rollouts, marketing, hardware development, and the like) before they hit the black? And if so, how are we going to live our dream of SOAPnet Mobile?

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobile tvMobileTvnokiaWed, 16 Apr 2008 03:03:00 EST<![CDATA[ICO G1 satellite successfully launched, DVB-SH headed to America]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/15/ico-g1-satellite-successfully-launched-dvb-sh-headed-to-america/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/15/ico-g1-satellite-successfully-launched-dvb-sh-headed-to-america/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/15/ico-g1-satellite-successfully-launched-dvb-sh-headed-to-america/#commentsFiled under:

Just months after Alcatel Lucent and SFR hosted DVB-SH trials across the pond comes word that the mobile TV technology is headed Stateside. ICO Global Communications is donning the party hats and going through buckets upon buckets of ice cream in celebration of a successful satellite launch that will eventually bring those yearned-after mobile television goods to the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The ICO G1 was placed into its initial geosynchronous transfer orbit yesterday afternoon, and now the company is eagerly awaiting certification that the bird is fully operational (and can pass the final FCC milestone) by May 15th. If all goes to plan, Las Vegas, Nevada and Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina will be gifted with ICO mim (mobile interactive media) service trials "later this summer," though a commercial launch isn't slated to occur until "later in 2009."

[Via phonemag], image courtesy of WESH]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dvb-shICOICO G1IcoG1launchmobile tvMobileTvTue, 15 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chilling out to some telly on the Samsung Access]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/06/chilling-out-to-some-telly-on-the-samsung-access/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/06/chilling-out-to-some-telly-on-the-samsung-access/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/06/chilling-out-to-some-telly-on-the-samsung-access/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


The Vu is going to end up stealing the bulk of the spotlight when AT&T's initial Mobile TV devices launch in May, but the Samsung Access has one key advantage over its sexier stablemate: aggressive pricing. The wide-load candybar (thanks to the landscape display) will run $100 less than the Vu while offering the same quantity and quality of brainpower-sapping television. In fact, we imagine there'll be a contingent of folks who actually prefer the physical keypad (gasp!). We wish Samsung had put just a little bit more thought and energy into the Access' physical design -- there's no rule saying a $199 phone has to be ugly, last time we checked -- but it's functional, looks and feels solid, and you'll still manage to impress the neighbors when you fire up CNN. AT&T had a functional MediaFLO node in Las Vegas, as evidenced by the glorious footage we took in while hanging out at the Access' kiosk; hit the gallery for some more visuals of the device in action.

Gallery: Chilling out to some telly on the Samsung Access

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessattcandybarfeaturesmediaflomobile tvMobileTvsamsungSun, 06 Apr 2008 10:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with the BlackBerry flavor of SlingPlayer Mobile]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/05/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-flavor-of-slingplayer-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/05/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-flavor-of-slingplayer-mobile/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/05/hands-on-with-the-blackberry-flavor-of-slingplayer-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There's still not a solid word on when BlackBerry users across the lands will be able to exchange a small sum of currency for their own license of this thing, but we're happy to report that Sling's BlackBerry player was on full display at CTIA -- and it's looking very good. WiFi or 3G is obviously recommended for best performance, but Sling was using EDGE in lieu of a solid WiFi connection at the show and we were pleasantly surprised at the goodness of the video quality. There are still a couple bugs to work out, but it's definitely on the right path, and we'd be shocked if it wasn't out in the wild within a few months. Go get 'em, Sling!

Gallery: Hands-on with the BlackBerry flavor of SlingPlayer Mobile

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryfeaturesplaceshiftplaceshiftingrimslingslingplayerslingplayer mobileSlingplayerMobileSat, 05 Apr 2008 20:29:00 EST<![CDATA[TV Guide moves to mobile, TV enthusiasts swoon]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/02/tv-guide-moves-to-mobile-tv-enthusiasts-swoon/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/02/tv-guide-moves-to-mobile-tv-enthusiasts-swoon/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/02/tv-guide-moves-to-mobile-tv-enthusiasts-swoon/#commentsFiled under: ,

Gemstar-Tv Guide has launched a new web-enabled version of its source for all things telly related with M.TVGuide.com. The site offers a 14-day ahead look at all your favorite programming including episode guides, news, recaps, and likely anything else TV-related in the entertainment world -- if you're into that type of thing. If you choose to register with your mobile number, you can then opt in for series and show reminders via text message, and never miss Oprah again. All we need now is for it to talk to our Slingbox and sort out automatically recording anything we forgot to set up on the PVR.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guidemobile TVMobileTvtelevisionTVTV GuideTvGuideWed, 02 Apr 2008 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin goes bonkers at CTIA, announces slew of upgrades / partnerships]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/01/garmin-goes-bonkers-at-ctia-announces-slew-of-upgrades-partne/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/01/garmin-goes-bonkers-at-ctia-announces-slew-of-upgrades-partne/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/04/01/garmin-goes-bonkers-at-ctia-announces-slew-of-upgrades-partne/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Quite frankly, we're still recovering from Garmin's onslaught of GPS navigation systems at CES, but just as those last mental wounds were healing, along comes the outfit to drop yet another bomb. This time, Garmin's taking CTIA hostage and announcing a veritable smorgasbord of application upgrades and partnerships. Up first is an upgrade to Garmin Mobile, which promises to bring a new interface and Google Local search to a variety of BlackBerry, Symbian and WinMo handsets. Continuing on, we're also hearing that Garmin GPS owners can "now send locations found on Google Maps" and MapQuest, select Samsung handset owners can grab hold of Mobile Navigator and Garmin Mobile now plays nice with nTelos' lineup of BREW-enabled devices. Thirsty for more? Fantastic -- you'll be bubbling over once you get done perusing the links below.

[Thanks, Allory]

Read - Garmin Mobile On BlackBerry, Symbian and Windows Mobile
Read - Garmin Teams with Google Maps
Read - MapQuest and Garmin Announce a Partnership
Read - Garmin Provides Navigator for Samsung Mobile Phones
Read - Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry Available from Centennial Wireless
Read - Garmin Mobile Turns nTelos Phones into GPS Navigators
Read - Garmin's Fleet Management Interface Network Grows
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberryBREWCentennial WirelessCentennialWirelessctiactia 2008Ctia2008Fleet Management InterfaceFleetManagementInterfacegarmingarmin mobileGarminMobileGoogle MapsGoogleMapsMapQuestnTelospartnershipsymbianTue, 01 Apr 2008 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony's PIX brings full-length films to AT&T Mobile TV]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/31/sonys-pix-brings-full-length-films-to-atandt-mobile-tv/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/31/sonys-pix-brings-full-length-films-to-atandt-mobile-tv/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/31/sonys-pix-brings-full-length-films-to-atandt-mobile-tv/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sony just revealed a bit more about AT&T's Mobile TV service launching in May. We now know that one of the two exclusive AT&T channels will be called PIX, Sony's new feature film channel for cellphones. The service is a first of its kind in the US... for good reason. Oh, it's not that we have anything against the roster of films including "Ghostbusters," "Philadelphia" and "Karate Kid." It's more the prospect of sitting in front of that tiny mobile screen to watch a full-length film without the ability to pause, fast forward or rewind. This is live broadcast folks. Nevertheless, Sony Pictures claims to understand the risk. According to Eric Berger, VP Mobile Entertainment at Sony Pictures Television, "We recognize that people are on the go with their mobile phone and coming and going. This isn't for people looking to view a movie for the first time. It's OK to miss the beginning." Films will run on PIX for a month with new additions added weakly weekly.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attcellphonemediaflomobile tvMobileTvpixsonysony picturessony pictures televisionSonyPicturesSonyPicturesTelevisionMon, 31 Mar 2008 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia N96 gets in-depth review months ahead of release]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/28/nokia-n96-gets-in-depth-review-months-ahead-of-release/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/28/nokia-n96-gets-in-depth-review-months-ahead-of-release/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/28/nokia-n96-gets-in-depth-review-months-ahead-of-release/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Mere mortals will need to wait until the third quarter of the year -- if not longer, depending on their region and tolerance for some probable price gouging in the early going -- to get their hands on the mighty Nokia N96. On the other hand, Mobile-review apparently knows the right hands to shake and eyes to wink to get hold of a prototype unit extraordinarily early, and they're taking full advantage of the opportunity. A few hours of your time devoted to the novella of a review will net you a deep understanding and appreciation for the N96's strengths and follies, but in a nutshell, the site seems to come away with a pretty ambivalent opinion of a device that should be knocking everyone's socks off -- especially for a sticker price that'll hover in the $800 arena. Problems included a penchant for picking up dirt and fingerprints (the price you pay for a beautiful glossy face, we suppose), a cramped nav key layout with the tricky touch-sensitive Navi Wheel front and center, audio performance that wasn't bad but was expected to be far better in light of the dedicated DSP, and a "shovel"-like feel in the hand, a symptom of the phone's generous dimensions. Everyone owes the production version of the N96 a chance to show its true form when it's released later this year -- and hey, at least Nokia's got a checklist of things that need improvement in the prototype now -- so we're keeping our chins up that this'll still make the N95 8GB a proud daddy when it comes time to hand over the crown to the Nseries kingdom.

[Via Tech Digest and NokNok]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobile reviewmobile-reviewMobileReviewn96nokiareviewFri, 28 Mar 2008 06:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon adds first radio station to VCAST TV lineup]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/27/verizon-adds-first-radio-station-to-vcast-tv-lineup/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/27/verizon-adds-first-radio-station-to-vcast-tv-lineup/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/27/verizon-adds-first-radio-station-to-vcast-tv-lineup/#commentsFiled under: ,


Not to be outdone by the promise of two exclusive channels promised on AT&T's MediaFLO rollout, Verizon has added two new channels of its own to its VCAST TV lineup -- including the very first radio station to hit the service. ESPN Radio may not have much in the way of rump-shaking tunes, but it'll offer subscribers a hearty slate of sports talk programming available on traditional ESPN Radio affiliate stations across the country. We'd sorta like to see this bandwidth used to provide stations that you can't find on your FM or AM dial, but in terms of reaching out to the largest target demographic possible, we'll admit, this is probably a good place to start. Joining ESPN Radio is MTV Tr3s, MTV's Latin-themed music channel that marks an expanded foray into the still unprofitable, still largely uncharted world of mobile television. Both new channels are available starting tomorrow.

Read - ESPN Radio
Read - MTV Tr3s
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>verizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwThu, 27 Mar 2008 23:41:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T announces AT&T Mobile TV for May launch]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/27/atandt-announces-atandt-mobile-tv-for-may-launch/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/27/atandt-announces-atandt-mobile-tv-for-may-launch/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/27/atandt-announces-atandt-mobile-tv-for-may-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


They haven't revealed anything we didn't already know, but AT&T's finally come out with a semi-firm date for the launch of its MediaFLO-powered mobile TV service which will be branded simply as "AT&T Mobile TV." It'll be available to subscribers in May -- no specific date just yet -- on two exclusive handsets, the Prada-esque LG Vu and the more pedestrian Samsung Access; the Vu features an expansive touchscreen and 2 megapixel camera, while the Access makes do with a smaller landscape display and a 1.3 megapixel sensor. Both feature Bluetooth and 3G data, but the real story here is Mobile TV itself, which will come with two new channels that are exclusive to AT&T (in other words, unavailable on the other live MediaFLO service, VCAST TV from Verizon). The latest, hottest way to burn productivity on the go gets real in just a few short weeks, folks, so finish up whatever remaining work you have now.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessattbreaking newsBreakingNewscandybarlgmediaflomobile tvMobileTvsamsungvuThu, 27 Mar 2008 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[MediaFLO staffing up, probably still not turning a profit]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/25/mediaflo-staffing-up-probably-still-not-turning-a-profit/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/25/mediaflo-staffing-up-probably-still-not-turning-a-profit/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/25/mediaflo-staffing-up-probably-still-not-turning-a-profit/#commentsFiled under:


We think MediaFLO's footprint, carrier buy-in, and device support are all still too puny for the Qualcomm division to be in the black, but you know how they say you should feed a cold? Yeah, it looks like MediaFLO's taking the approach to its little situation, spending its way to success. The new hires are all the way up at the Senior Vice President level, bringing in industry experience from ABC and Viewsonic for the programming / advertising and sales / marketing roles, respectively. Hopefully the new headcount dovetails nicely with the impending AT&T launch, because, you know, if there's one thing you need to wring some success out of a media service with a monthly fee attached, it's content.

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mediaflomobile tvMobileTvqualcommTue, 25 Mar 2008 12:17:00 EST<![CDATA[LG Vu goodies showing up in AT&T stores]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/20/lg-vu-goodies-showing-up-in-atandt-stores/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/20/lg-vu-goodies-showing-up-in-atandt-stores/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/20/lg-vu-goodies-showing-up-in-atandt-stores/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


So we still don't have solid word on exactly when the MediaFLO-equipped LG CU920 Vu (and its TV-less little brother, the CU915) are going to launch, but we're figuring it's a good sign (pun totally intended) that signage is showing up in AT&T stores. Then again, it seems that the branded K850 was canceled after the promo materials were shipped, so we guess we can't stop holding our collective breath just yet.

[Thanks, Kal]

Gallery: LG Vu goodies showing up in AT&T stores

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attcu915cu920lgmediaflovuThu, 20 Mar 2008 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[European Commission standardizes on DVB-H, Nokia dances jig on Qualcomm's grave]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/18/european-commission-standardizes-on-dvb-h-nokia-dances-jig-on-q/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/18/european-commission-standardizes-on-dvb-h-nokia-dances-jig-on-q/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/18/european-commission-standardizes-on-dvb-h-nokia-dances-jig-on-q/#commentsFiled under:


As expected, the European Commission just did the obvious and made the EU's de facto DVB-H standard, standard. The move is expected to accelerate the deployment of mobile television services across Europe in the same way that GSM standardization in the early 90s gave Europe a head-start on backwater cellular locations like North America. So get outta Dodge Qualcomm and South Korea with your MediaFLO and DMB mobile television technologies, you aren't welcome around Brussels anymore.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dmbdvb-heueuropeeuropean commissionEuropeanCommissionmediaflonokiaqualcommTue, 18 Mar 2008 07:44:00 EST<![CDATA[New SlingPlayer Mobile versions on the way]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/15/new-slingplayer-mobile-versions-on-the-way/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/15/new-slingplayer-mobile-versions-on-the-way/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/15/new-slingplayer-mobile-versions-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Great news, you placeshifting fiends of the world: we've learned that Sling Media is hard at work crafting new versions of its SlingPlayer Mobile for S60, Windows Mobile Standard, and Windows Mobile Professional devices. The gist of the updates will be to better support newer handsets on all three platforms; specifically, one improvement we've heard mentioned is that full-screen video will look better on the N95 8GB's huge (by S60 standards, anyway) display. We've tested full-screen Slinged content on the N95 8GB and we personally think it looks great as it is, so it'll be interesting to see just how good they can get it. Look for the new releases to pop up this spring.

Separately, Sling tells us that development on its SlingPlayer for BlackBerry devices is still coming along swimmingly, and they're targeting a release some time this year. In fact, the company actually demoed the player on an AT&T 8800 and a T-Mobile Curve at MWC last month, so we figure that's got to be a good sign.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Mixmeister Scratch brings scratching to the iPhone, vinyl still cooler]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/13/mixmeister-scratch-brings-scratching-to-the-iphone-vinyl-still/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/13/mixmeister-scratch-brings-scratching-to-the-iphone-vinyl-still/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/13/mixmeister-scratch-brings-scratching-to-the-iphone-vinyl-still/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Among the items on the miles-long list of things made better (or at least more interesting) with a capacitive touchscreen, virtual vinyl scratching and beat juggling has to be somewhere on there. Physical records have a certain sexiness that'll carry on for many years to come, but you've gotta admit that there's an appeal to whipping out a couple iPhones (or iPod touches, if that's how you roll), plugging them in, and having an instant set of turntables at your disposal. We're not quite there yet, but MixMeister has taken the first step with a rudimentary scratch app that comes with a set of funky fresh samples and will also work with any music already loaded on your device. It's not released yet, but it looks like when it is, it'll work with all firmware versions -- jailbroken ones, we presume. Follow the break for a video demo.

[Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading Mixmeister Scratch brings scratching to the iPhone, vinyl still cooler

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneipod touchIpodTouchmixmeistermixmeister scratchMixmeisterScratchmusicvinylThu, 13 Mar 2008 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Puretracks DRM-free music store hitting BlackBerry platform in April]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/12/puretracks-drm-free-music-store-hitting-blackberry-platform-in-a/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/12/puretracks-drm-free-music-store-hitting-blackberry-platform-in-a/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/12/puretracks-drm-free-music-store-hitting-blackberry-platform-in-a/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For BlackBerry users feeling a bit left out of the mobile music store revolution, take heart, as Puretracks is running to the rescue. Utilizing the spotlight at SXSW in Texas, the aforementioned outfit is showcasing its newly developed, DRM-free music store and service for the BlackBerry platform. Reportedly, the system was crafted with partner Magnet Mobile Media, and it's slated to function on the Pearl, Curve and 8800 series mobiles. As of now, we've no idea how much the tunes will cost, but we do know that they'll be compressed AAC / AAC+ files and will be available in the US on April 1. As for future plans, the firm hopes to bring the service to Canada and "other markets," and best of all, it's even looking to "include support for WiFi capable handsets."

[Via mocoNews]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberrydrm-free-music storeDrm-free-musicStoremobile musicmobile music storeMobileMusicMobileMusicStoremusicPuretracksrimWed, 12 Mar 2008 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[RIM patent locks down cameras the old fashioned way: with a key]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/10/rim-patent-locks-down-cameras-the-old-fashioned-way-with-a-key/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/10/rim-patent-locks-down-cameras-the-old-fashioned-way-with-a-key/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/10/rim-patent-locks-down-cameras-the-old-fashioned-way-with-a-key/#commentsFiled under: ,


Many businesses bristle at the thought of intellectual property being whisked away from their premises via camera -- a fear that becomes ever more realistic as cameraphones jump from 1 to 2, 3, or 5 megapixels -- and perhaps no phone manufacturer is more in tune to the needs of those suits than RIM. Sure enough, the BlackBerry people have come to the table with a rather unusual patent application to address the problem. Rather than remove cameras entirely a la 8800 series, they're proposing the use of a removable key to prevent the camera from being used. Insert the key, the cam works like a champ; pull it, it goes dead. Because, you know, that obviously can't be circumvented in any way.

[Via CellPassion]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackberrycameralockingpatentrimMon, 10 Mar 2008 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[BBC iPlayer comes to iPhone, not as interesting as originally thought]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/10/bcc-iplayer-comes-to-iphone-not-as-interesting-as-originally-th/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/10/bcc-iplayer-comes-to-iphone-not-as-interesting-as-originally-th/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/10/bcc-iplayer-comes-to-iphone-not-as-interesting-as-originally-th/#commentsFiled under: ,

After a groundswell of hype that the rumored BBC iPlayer for the iPhone might be some crazy, Apple co-developed, SDK-usin' piece of kit, the reality is just a little underwhelming. Fact is, yes, the BBC-only streaming app has migrated to the iPhone -- but it's built entirely on the handset's existing technology stack, prior to the SDK announcement. Ah well, it's probably just as well considering that the content available on the beta-quality player is limited at the moment, and let's be honest: they're gonna need 3G to really rock, anyway.

[Via TUAW]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bcciphoneiplayerradiostreamstreamingukMon, 10 Mar 2008 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[T-Mobile Germany freaks out, pulls Ovi-capable Nokia phones? Not so much]]>http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/03/t-mobile-germany-freaks-out-pulls-ovi-capable-nokia-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/03/t-mobile-germany-freaks-out-pulls-ovi-capable-nokia-phones/http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/03/t-mobile-germany-freaks-out-pulls-ovi-capable-nokia-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Reports out of Germany suggest that T-Mobile's German network has pulled all handsets capable of accessing Nokia's all-encompassing media playground, Ovi, over concerns that the service will interfere with programs T-Mobile is planning on launching itself. It's long been suspected that carriers would frown on Ovi, fearing that it'll cannibalize profits from carriers' own offerings -- but shows of support from Vodafone, TIM, and others have more recently seemed to give the whole scheme an overwhelming vote of confidence. A quick scan of T-Mobile Germany's online store reveals that the N73 and N95 are still holding it down, but yeah, that's about it as far as Nseries fare goes -- and Nokia made a point of mentioning today that its new 6550 has specific support for T-Mobile's own services. Hopefully they'll be able to get this whole spat resolved sooner rather than later, possibly by taking the Vodafone route and bundling Ovi side by side with the carrier's branded services, because we're pretty sure no carrier -- particularly a European one -- wants to go very long without offering Nokia's mainstream stuff.

[Thanks, Khattab]

Update: We've received an official statement from T-Mobile International on the matter, and in short, Ovi handsets weren't pulled because they weren't being offered to begin with. T-Mobile and Nokia are working together to figure out exactly how their respective services will be offered in the future, but yeah, we're not so worried that this is the death of Nokia on T-Mobile's German network. See the full statement after the break.

Continue reading T-Mobile Germany freaks out, pulls Ovi-capable Nokia phones? Not so much