Sony launches C510 Cyber-shot mobile phone with Smile Shutter technology

The most recent addition to Sony Sony E3 2008 Announcements ’s family of Cyber-shot phones is the novel C510 mobile phone. The most unique part of the phone is its incorporation of the Smile Shutter technology which is a first of sorts for Sony Cyber shot phones. The phone is also expected to be one of the most affordable cyber shot phones rolled out by Sony until now.

In a simple candy bar form factor, the C510 wraps in array of functions. Sticking to best of the breed quality, the new cyber shot continues to augment Sony’s range of innovatively designed phones. With a 3.2 mega pixel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel cyber shot camera, the C510 boast of the fascinating Smile Shutter technology which has the ability to instantly take photos by detecting a person’s smile.

Other camera-centric features of the phone include face detection that can focus on up to 3 faces at a time and auto rotation that can change the landscape and portrait view by a simple rotation of the phone. The phone is also pre loaded with HP’s Snapfish program that will enable users to send print orders of photos from their phones to Snapfish. The prints can be delivered right at the user’s doorstep.

The Sony Cybershot C510 is also compatible to YouTube where users can upload videos and images online. Bundled with a slide in lens cover, the phone also allows users to view their complete SMS conversation history. Additional attributes include illuminated imaging shortcuts, auto focus that gives out the best shot, media player http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Player , Bluetooth http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth , speaker phone, sound recorder http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_recording_and_reproduction , chat view, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and USB support. The battery should last around 10 hours in talk time and up to 400 hours in standby time.

The GSM/GPRS enabled phone is also compatible to the UMTS/HSPA 850/1900/2100 networks. While there is no word on the price yet, the phone should be available around Q1 of 2009.

New features for Windows Mobile users

Windows Mobile users can now take advantage of new Live Search features such as location detection and detailed map views.

The new offerings are intended to make the process of conducting local searches for businesses, maps and directions from a mobile phone easier, according to Jeremy Beasley, product manager for Live Search mobile.

He reveals in a post on the Live Search blog that the search engine now offers automatic location detection capabilities even for phones without GPS, as well as predictive query input to help cut down on how long it takes to conduct a search.

"That's a fancy way of saying that after entering a few letters, you can browse through previous searches as well as some suggested ones," Beasley comments.

A new "Bird's Eye" view also offers a 3D-like perspective within Live Search's mobile mapping, giving a more detailed vista of places of interest to users.

The new features are supported for the latest version of Windows Mobile, as well as Windows Mobile 5.

Live Search for mobile phones also provides information on weather, stocks, traffic movements and cinema showings while additionally offering image and news search results.

Will Zune do Windows Mobile? Looks likely

There are a ton of rumors flying around right now saying that Microsoft just might introduce a Zune-ified competitor to the iPhone at CES next month. There are also those who call that a ridiculous notion. I happen, to a degree, to agree with both sides.

You won't see it at CES, but new a mobile phone initiative is brewing at Microsoft right now, and the Zune team is involved.

I live in Seattle. I run with the Microsoft/Amazon/Real/Whatever circle of geeks in the area. Sadly, because I'm a technology journalist, this means that when I run into them at parties they often have to clam up. I was, though, fortunate enough to have a sneak peek at a prototype Zune more than two years ago before anyone knew what it would look like or do. I was also lucky enough to snap a shot of it with my Treo. This became the first public photo of the device. It was black and white and wrapped in its own headphones, you might remember it. You could say I broke the Zune. I thus love the Zune. I pay close attention to what the Zune teams are doing. I listen to the Zune rumors. I have my ear to the Zune ground.

source : news.cnet.com

Rumor has Android G2 in the works

On the heels of Google revealing enhancements to its Android mobile platform, rumors are circulating that we may soon be seeing a new Android device.

The T-Mobile G2, as the device will reportedly be called, will debut on January 26, according to "rumors" reported by Cell Phone Signal. The new device is expected to have a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, VGA camera for video calls, a full touch screen, and Wi-Fi connectivity, according to the blog.

Boy Genius Report has reported a follow-up rumor that says those specs are pretty accurate, but that the release date will actually be in April. Boy Genius' tipster said the G2 wouldn't have a physical QWERTY keyboard, but there would still be a trackball at the bottom of the device.

The new device is also expected to be non-exclusive to T-Mobile and sold elsewhere around the world, according to Boy Genius.

source : news.cnet.com