[MobileRatty] tag: upgrade

Nokia Siemens Networks first to double EDGE data speeds with Downlink Dual Carrier call

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:14:00 +0000

Nokia Siemens Networks has made the world's first Downlink Dual Carrier EDGE end-to-end call with mobile devices, bringing the promise of doubling today’s EDGE network data speeds to a level that will provide support a host of applications such as posting video clips to blogs or streaming news on mobile TV.

Downlink Dual Carrier is a software-based solution, that can double data speeds to 592 kbps on existing EDGE-capable GSM networks, providing a user experience that is akin to 3G.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ Dual Carrier EDGE solution, which will be available as a software upgrade is the first step in evolving EDGE. Dual Carrier is based on the 3GPP release 7 standard. As a strong innovator of EDGE Evolution, Nokia Siemens Networks already has additional plans to introduce in its networks the next substantial step, the so called EGPRS 2B, to further double the end user experience in up- and downlink performance. This will result in downlink speeds of up to 1.2 Mbps and will double uplink speed to up to 473 kbps, thus quadrupling of the capabilities of EDGE today.

GSM/EDGE operators can serve their customers even better using the Dual Carrier solution as the demand for data services and connectivity is booming, proven by the steep increase on mobile broadband traffic in 3G/HSPA networks today. With Dual Carrier solution, also 3G/HSPA operators can offer better service continuity for their data services.

Nokia Siemens Networks GSM/EDGE BSS is operational in more than 280 operator networks in 127 countries offering services to more than 1.5B subscribers. Nokia Siemens Networks is the indisputable no. 1 in EDGE with 139 public EDGE references.

KPN International network achieves 40 Gbit/s performance

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:37:00 +0000

KPN International has completed phase one of the upgrade to 40 Gbit/s across its European fiber network. The Paris - London - Amsterdam links can now run at these high speeds, with other key European destinations scheduled for completion this quarter.

As part of its drive to provide next generation network services to carriers, service providers and corporate users, KPN International is moving ahead with this upgrade to 40 Gbit/s. Customer demand for bandwidth and performance have driven this development, and with the upgrade KPN International has been able to quadruple performance.

KPN International has achieved these new service and performance levels through the widespread adoption of new Optical Transport Network (OTN) technologies from technology partner Huawei.

The new solution has been exhaustively tested over recent months. This testing culminated in a London launch event at which KPN International wholesale and Huawei customers were invited to test drive the next generation network.

Carolien Nijhuis, Managing Director of KPN International, explains the business logic for this significant upgrade: 'As data, video and voice use continue to grow for both wholesale and corporate customers, there is no limit in sight for capacity or performance. As network owners, we need to distinguish ourselves both by being ready for demand and by being flexible in our response.'

To achieve these new un-regenerated 40 Gbit/s links, KPN International capitalises on its stake in the 208 km Ulysses sea cable between the Netherlands and the UK.

Fan Miao, Managing Director of Huawei in the Netherlands, sees the KPN International 40 Gbit/s network as a showcase initiative: 'We have worked together to create a solution of outstanding flexibility. This will allow KPN International to route and balance traffic more effectively than ever before. We should also mention the environmental intelligence of the solution, which radically drives down the cost and impact of power consumption.'

The Paris – London - Amsterdam link is now fully functioning and highly-resilient at 40 Gbit/s, and initial client interest has been high. KPN International intends to extend the next generation service across its key business hubs in its pan-European network by the close of 2008.

About KPN

KPN is a leading international telecommunications and ICT service provider, offering wireline and wireless telephony, internet and TV to consumers and end-to-end telecom and ICT services to business customers. The international KPN data and IP services are made possible by an extensive, high-capacity fibre-optic network that extends to 22 European countries, plus worldwide connections to 180 countries. KPN' s subsidiary Getronics operates a global ICT services company with a market leading position in the Benelux, offering end-to-end solutions in infrastructure and network-related IT. In Germany and Belgium, KPN pursues a multi-brand strategy in its mobile operations and holds number three market positions through E-Plus and BASE. KPN provides wholesale network services to third parties and operates an efficient IP-based infrastructure with global scale in international wholesale through iBasis.

At 30 September 2008, KPN served over 37 million customers, of which 29.8 million in wireless services, 4.0 million in wireline voice, 2.5 million in broadband Internet and 0.7 million in TV. With 25,323 FTEs (38,919 FTEs including Getronics), KPN posted revenues of EUR 10.9bn and an EBITDA of EUR 3.8bn in the period January – September 2008. KPN was incorporated in 1989 and is listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.kpn.com/international

BlackBerry 8900 Versus BlackBerry Bold: Picture Comparison

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:42:02 +0000

BlackBerry 8900 and BlackBerry 9000 from Rogers

So what’s the difference between an 8900 and a 9000? Besides 100? Size, baby. Rogers’ new BlackBerry Curve looms dangerously close as dummy units hit stores, offering a slimmer, sexier version of the BlackBerry Bold and attempts to butt heads with Telus and Bell’s BlackBerry Storm for holiday supremacy. Before you start throwing your chips in with the RIM’s touchscreen smartphone, we still haven’t seen how much of the OS RIM will be able to repair after the Verizon train wreck, and even then, most consumers will feel more comfortable buying a BlackBerry that’s a BlackBerry rather than a BlackBerry that’s an iPhone. It should prove to be an interesting holiday season in Canadian wireless.

This dummy unit graciously given to me by the Rogers folks here in Ottawa is noticeably tighter than my BlackBerry Bold. The smaller soft keys provide greater screen real estate (but still not quite as big as the 9000), and the headphone jack closer to the top of the device is more convenient, although the transfer of most keys to the right side of the device may cause an uprising amongst our left-handed brethren.

The keypad itself is considerably softer than the Bold, while still retaining some bounce. It’s definitely not as snappy as you might be used to on the old Curve models, but that’s not a bad thing by any means. The keys along either edge deserve extra mention, as they not only hug the rim closely, but they also feel slightly more elevated, offering a clear boundary for your thumbs to remain within the luscious pool of QWERTY goodness. The keypad borrows distinctly from its 8300-series predecessors, yet it is not without some influence from the Bold; the 8900’s keys have slight ridges to make sure your thumbs catch them, but the gaps between the keys will be what really keep you in line. They’ve also done away with the elongated Shift keys on the bottom-left and right in favour of standardizing with the Bold’s layout.

Aside from that, the top of the device borrows design directly from the BlackBerry Storm, with Lock and Mute keys emblazoned into a single seamless button, and melting into the rest of the device face. I’m still hankering to try a real 8900 to see how the trackball differs, as this atomic upgrade promises to be tighter, cleaner and more precise. The in-store rep confirmed $179.99 on a three-year contract, and hinted that it will be available as soon as tomorrow. With the BlackBerry 8900 showing up on Wireless Wave, I certainly believe it. Other price options include $549 on 1 year, $524 on 2 with no data, $499 on 2 with data, or $499 on a 3-year plan with no data. Overall, the BlackBerry 8900 Curve should appeal to those not willing (or able) to trust RIM’s new touchscreen blitz.

Related News from IntoMobile:

Sprint Customers Can Now Access Work Calendar on Samsung Instinct

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:57:16 +0000

Customers of Sprint now can get mobile access to their corporate calendar on the popular Samsung Instinct.

Today's launch of corporate calendar access on Instinct provides easy synchronization with Microsoft Exchange Server and IBM Lotus Notes account calendars. As part of Sprint Mobile Email Work, which already provides access to corporate email and contacts, the new calendar feature allows Instinct users to view and update their work calendar, create and delete appointments and more, right on their phone.

The calendar feature is an extension of Mobile Email Work's existing access to business email accounts. Sprint worked with SEVEN(R), one of the leading providers of mobile messaging solutions, to create Mobile Email Work, which now allows Instinct users to access work calendars from Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, 2003 or 2007 accounts, or IBM Lotus Domino accounts.

Mobile Email Work with corporate calendar synch includes monthly, weekly and daily views of the user's calendar, along with an appointment view that displays the details about each appointment or meeting. Reminders bring upcoming appointments or meetings to the user's attention. Users can edit existing appointments, accept or decline meeting requests, or create new single-date, multi-date or all-day appointments. Users also can delete appointments and meetings. All changes made on the Sprint phone are automatically synchronized with the user's desktop calendar.

For Instinct users, the corporate calendar feature will be provided as a software update to customers with Mobile Email Work. Customers who are new to Sprint Mobile Email and want to activate the service can do so directly through the email menu - no software download is required. Once email is activated, customers will be prompted to accept the upgrade to enable corporate calendar access.

In addition to the Samsung Instinct, Sprint plans to extend corporate calendar synch to additional non-PDA phones in the future.

Mobile Email Work with the new corporate calendar feature is included at no additional charge for Instinct customers, including those on Everything Data plans starting at $69.99, Sprint's worry-free $99.99 Simply EverythingSM plan and Everything Data Family plans starting at $129.99 for two lines (taxes and surcharges excluded).

Customers interested in using Mobile Email Work and the new calendar feature can take advantage of Sprint's Ready Now program, which helps customers fully realize the benefits of everything the Now Network can do for them. With Ready Now, Sprint retail associates work with new or existing customers to explain, set up and demonstrate the features and applications of their phones. Sprint customers can choose how much or how little they want to learn about any phone features and applications. For additional customer convenience, customers have the flexibility to schedule appointments either in the store or online via Sprint's store locator tool. Customers can visit www.sprint.com/readynow to schedule an appointment and find the closest participating store.

About Sprint Mobile Email

Mobile Email provides easy access to personal and corporate email accounts, including Microsoft Exchange Server and IBM Lotus Domino accounts, along with accounts from AOL, Windows Live Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail and more. Mobile Email is available on 56 Sprint phones at no additional cost to Sprint data subscribers. With Mobile Email, customers can:

Compose, read and manage email on their phone from anywhere, with the ability to work in off-network situations - even on airplanes.
Get alerts when new emails arrive.
Automatically synchronize email on their mobile phone with online mail accounts.
Look up online contacts and address books.

For more information on Mobile Email, please visit www.sprint.com/mobileemail.

Clevery Unleashes ST8 Mini Compact Desktop

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:36:16 +0000

Clevery Japan has just announced the release of ST8 Mini, a compact desktop PC powered by a 1.6Ghz Intel Atom 330 processor. Retailed for 34,800 Yen (about $375), it sports a 2GB of main memory, a 500GB of SATA HDD, an Intel 945GC Express chipset, and a 300W power supply. If you don’t want to live your life with a low-perfomance 1.6Ghz CPU, you can upgrade this ST8 Mini with either an Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 or E8400 processor…

iMuffs - iLike

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:32:41 +0000

Cut the wires and enjoy music without pesky headphone wires. And lower your chances of an embarrassing fall off the treadmill at the gym. (Ok, maybe that's just me.)

iMuffs by Wi-Gear are sleek, ergonomically-designed headphones that are wireless and deliver impressive stereo sound. iMuffs work with iPods and BT phones. (That leaves us iPhone users out.) The control panel on the headphones is easy to use and lets users pause, change volume, skip tracks, and seek music right from the headphones. And when paired to your BT phone, you can pause music and answer incoming calls as well. Features a noise canceling microphone, which is essential these days.

I took them to the gym, where I have almost killed myself with tangled wires on the elliptical machine, and found I could leave my nano in my gym bag and get a good 30 feet away and still hear strong sound. It doesn't travel through walls or when you get over to the free weights, though I'm sure soon advances in BT will change that.

If you have a pair of the original iMuffs, don't despair since now you can buy the Adapter MA110
and upgrade your iMuffs to the iPod nano, classic, and touch. ($59.99.)

Just in time for Christmas shopping, the price has dropped from $179 to $129.00. They're also available at Amazon.

Posted by Evan Category: accessories | devices | portable media
Tags: bluetooth headphones
Email this | Comments (0)

Upgrade Santa for the 21st Century [Photoshop Contest]

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:40:00 +0000

For this week's Photoshop Contest, I want to spruce our old friend Santa up with technology. His sleigh only runs on what I assume is 8 horsepower, after all. Let's give him an upgrade.

Your task is to upgrade Santa Claus with technology. Come up with your best images and email them to me at contests@gizmodo.com with "Upgraded Santa" in the subject line. Save your images as JPGs, PNGs or GIFs, and save your files named as FirstnameLastname.jpg using the name you want to be credited with.

On Tuesday, I'll go through the entries, pick three winners and then post the rest of the best in our Gallery of Champions. Get to it!

Flickr Mobile Gets an Upgrade

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:22:27 +0000

Flickr users should know that a new mobile version has just been launched (it was previously in beta). m.flickr.com was updated and users can now play Flickr videos from their phone, thanks to Yahoo! Video infrastructure. A new user interface should make things easier, but the Flickr team also added brand new features like "add contacts, favorite images, and change your privacy and permission settings". Webkit, Firefox Mobile and Opera mini are the browsers that are compatible with the latest and greatest Flickr for mobiles. So... what do you guys think? More details here

Permalink: Flickr Mobile Gets an Upgrade from Ubergizmo (US, FR) | Good deals | Hot: Storm Review

Deal of the day: $300 Coupon HP Pavilion tx2500z 12.1-inch Touchscreen Tablet + FREE 4GB RAM $749.99

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:07:40 +0000

Here's a deal that helps you save $300 on an ultra portable tablet PC. HP's flagship tx2500z tablet is now up for sale for only $750. Its a cool tablet PC based on AMD's Turion processor with FREE upgrade...

HTC Touch HD - Question and Answers

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:24:27 +0000

Due to the large amount of questions we are getting on the HD we have decided to give it it's very own post. All the questions and answers from the previous post (review) have been moved here also. One point to note is that after upgrading to Macromedia 7 on the device BBC iPlayer did work although it did still through the script warnings which I ignored and it did glitch a little (opera browser only)

HTC Touch HD

Q. How does it handle PDF files? I have a tytn II but you cannot see much of a pdf without zooming in to around 200% I was wandering how this compared to the xperia x1, same res screen, just bigger as i carry a bunch of printed pdf's with me for product information. Regards, Phil.

A. At 200% you would never need glasses. The system defaults normally to 78% but I find that 80 to 90% is perfect for the screen size.

Q. Does the proper youtube site work (not the client) after you have installed flash lite 3.1?

A. In short yes.

Q. Is there any chance of bbc iplayer working?

A. Trying to run iPlayer causes script warnings that freeze the device and I have never left it long enough to see it it would work after processing the script Sorry!

Q. Have installed any gps programs, and do they run smoothly?

A. TomTom 6 has been installed and works without issues.

Q. is there absolutely no chance of getting tv-out on this device

A. Not unless HTC re-design the handset.

Q. Do you think can be upgraded to WM7 when it comes out?

A. A device like this would (I'm Sure) be included by HTC and Microsoft for upgrade

Q. Looks like there is no option to attach a Lanyard, is this correct?

A. Correct there is no Lanyard area.

Q. in the unboxing you said 1560mah battery. is that correct?

A. If I did say that then I made a mistake, it's 1360mAh - sorry!

Q. Does slingplayer use the whole screen?

A. Sorry I don't have this to test.

Q. Could you see if it plays streaming video such as BBC News or CNN? It's something that no one thus far has tested on the Touch HD!

A. Since this question was aimed at Tracy or Matt I'm not going to answer it as a matter of Principle.

Q. I would like to see how it handles Excel spreadsheets, also compared with the TytnII or any PDA with QVGA screen, as I own a TytnII and use a lot of spreadsheets.

A. Just for you I had a data analyst in my work run some very complex formulas and move them to and from the HD to the PC and he was well impressed. So much so that he now wants a WM device to do work from home.

Q. Could you let us know how the Touch is as a PDA? - in particular for email (gmail client or gmail via IMAP), text entry and calendar/pim.

A. For me this device works great as a PDA, comes with everything needed to run it as one and has no issue running emails or any of the items above.

Q. I use outlook web access a moderate amount for work email and calendar (since they won't let unauthorised devices use their Exchange or Blackberry servers). Does either device have an advantage in accessing that?

A. I also use OWA and it works perfect with this phone, all the data you need is transferred from the OWA Server onto your phone and vice versa although I will say I am not a heavy user of this so some items may not run just as well

Q. One of my other options would be a more camera focused phone (eg LG Renoir), to eliminate another device from my pocket. Does the Renoir stack up against the HD in terms of syncing with Outlook, managing calendar/tasks and contacts?

A. Unfortunately until we get a Renoir we cannot answer this question!

Q. Is Matt enjoying the device too much to be torn away and post his thoughts for us minions?

A. Not at all, he would love to but I asked to do this review so blame me for the delay. Sorry!

Q. Is there an on screen keyboard? What is it like?
How does the onscreen keyboard (if there is one!) compare to SPBFull Screen keyboard software?

A. There is indeed an onscreen keyboard although the actual size of the keys does not differ greatly (maybe 1 or 2 mm) from the Touch Diamond.The latest SPB Keyboard software has far bigger keys than th inbuilt keyboard. One thing i do like thought that is quite big is the Phone Pad which can be used like a STD phone pad and with T9.

Q. I currently use a TyTnII and I love the built in keyboard but hate the smaller screen having formerly owned an IpaqHX2490. Bigger screen or built in keyboard?

A. For me it will always be bigger screen but then I like watching streaming and movies on my phone too.

Q. Can this be the iPhone beater?

A. Short and simple answer to this is NO. Why not? It just wasn't made by Apple. The device is supperior to the iPhone in many ways but the whole iPhone thing is just style. The phrase "I have an iPhone 3G" runs better than "I han an HTC Touch HD".

Q. I would love a comparison between Touch HD, Omina, X1, and Touch Pro.

A. I'll see what I can do on this one, Don't have many the Omnia or X1 to compare with just now.

21st November 2008

Q. Does this mobile have aGPS?

A. It sure does

Q. Are you able to test any third party software? something with ‘turn-by-turn’ instructions?

A. Can you give me an example of a piece of software you would like tested?

Q. Is it possible to install VLC player?

A. Unless you use the original test cab by VLC then no. VLC pulled the plug on their Windows Mobile compatible software a while ago and have no intentions to work on it again.

Q. I have read the video recording is 320×240, any truth to that?

A. This is indeed correct.

Q. Is there any itunes compatibility? especially for play-lists. any 3rd party software that does this easily?

A. Still Reviewing

Q. how you would rate this as a business phone?

A. This really would depend on the sort of business you are in. For example is you are a builder, forget it! If you are a business traveller then it would be ideal depending on the apps etc... you would need to be using.

Q. How does it compare against a Blackberry bold or storm?

A. The only one of these that I have had experience with yet is the BB Bold which in my view is not as good as the HD. On the other hand there were several features of the BB Bold which I loved (see my review). I think the more fair comparison should be the Storm and the HD which I plan to do when I get hold of a Storm to review (any offers anyone?)

Q. What size card will this take? I heard that it won't accept 16gb? Is this true?

A. Indeed the maximum that can be added to the HD is 8gb although I would hold out as I remember when I had my XDA Orbit and it wouldn't take 8gb someone on xda developers created a patch to allow them.

Q. What's the MP3 playback like? Can you have it constantly on in the background no matter what other application your using? Is the processor capable of keeping it going when using other heavy apps? i.e. GPS?

A. Yes to both of these questions. The processor allows multiple apps to run and have the MP3 playback running smoothly in the background on Windows Media player.

Q. Did the GPS lag?

A. In the tests I done using Google Maps there was slime to no lag at all. The only thing I did notice was that Google maps using the GPS in my area got a little confused as the street layout is at least 7 years out of date.

Q. What would your rating out of 10 be?

A. I personally would rate this phone at 9 / 10. The missing 1 mark would be as a result of the position of the MicroSD slot, the inability to delete more than 1 mail message at a time and the fact that it does not offer portrait mode for a lot of apps.

Posted by: John

Post Tags: htc touch hd,questions and answers,Q&A,tracyandmatt.co.uk

Original post blogged on b2evolution.