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Archive for October, 2007

Skype Phone Coming?

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 18th, 2007

Skype, which popularized free and cheap phone calls over the Internet, is set to launch a customized cell phone developed jointly with 3 Mobile, a wireless carrier in Europe, Asia, and Australia, reports Business Week.

Code-named the “white phone,” the Skype handset will be introduced by late October in Britain, Italy, Hong Kong, and Australia, and [...]

Grand Rapids/Clearwire MuniNet Delayed

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 18th, 2007

Clearwire hoped to have a local network up and running in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by the end of 2007. But Sally Wesorick, wireless project manager for the city, now says they expect Clearwire to begin offering service sometime in the first half of 2008.
“The dream of a citywide broadband wireless network is not dead, it’s [...]

Google Mobilizes Docs

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 17th, 2007

Google unveiled Google Docs mobile this morning.
According to C/Net’s Crave it’s a smaller, lightweight version of Google Docs and Spreadsheets, which lets you browse any stored documents, spreadsheets, or presentations on your mobile phone.
Like the mobile version of their calendaring service, Google optimized Docs for the iPhone–making items larger, and more finger friendly. [...]

Digital Divide Initiatives

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 17th, 2007

ReliaTech and Goodwill Industries of San Francisco have jointly announced today a partnership to offer affordable access to computer refurbishing and upgrade support for low-income families in San Francisco.
Goodwill offers refurbished computers at its downtown San Francisco store while Reliatech technicians provide computer support for Goodwill computers. Services include free diagnostics and a “No-Fix, No-Fee” [...]

Sprint: Push comes to Talk

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 17th, 2007

Sprint Nextel plans to sell as many as six new walkie-talkie style phones in early 2008, reports Reuters. Sprint will use Qualcomm’s QChat technology, a Sprint handset executive said. QChat allows one-to-one (private) and one-to-many (group) calls to be setup in less than a second using Sprint’s 1xEV-DO network, called PowerVision. Sprint’s Rev A [...]

Senators Go After Cell Fees

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 17th, 2007

U.S. senators are going after cell phone fees and contracts, reports Reuters.
Yesterday, AT&T announced that next year it plans to begin prorating its existing flat rate, $175 early termination fee — a move widely believed to be timed to Wednesday’s hearing, says C/Net. Verizon Wireless already initiated such a practice last year.
But other carriers [...]

Sprint adds The Touch

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 17th, 2007

Sprint has introduced a touchscreen phone, similar to the iPhone, called The Touch. It will go on sale Nov. 4 for $250 with a two-year contract. Sprint’s HTC Touch lacks WiFi and a keyboard, but still has a stylus. A version has been on sale in Europe since this summer.
The Touch runs Windows Mobile 6, [...]

Nokia N810

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 17th, 2007

Nokia today introduced the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. It is expected to start shipping mid November with an estimated retail price of 479 USD. Powered by maemo Linux based OS2008, updatable also on the Nokia N800, their previous internet tablet.
According to Extreme Tech, the N810 has a web cam, media player (including Rhapsody support), [...]

Mobile Voice Search

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 16th, 2007

Microsoft this week joined the voice-operated search field, with a free directory-assistance service for mobile users. Live Search 411 (FAQ) delivers local listings as well as weather updates, movie show times and airline information. Users with Internet-enabled devices can also receive links to maps and one-click driving directions. It also works with regular PCs.

Last month, [...]

BBC: Free WiFi on The Cloud

Posted by Sam Churchill on October 16th, 2007

The BBC has signed a deal with wireless network operator The Cloud to irradiate its customers with free WiFi.
Cloud customers can surf the BBC’s web site in all The Cloud’s 7,500 hotspots which are located at a multitude of locations across the UK, including McDonald’s, Coffee Republic, BAA airports (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted) as well [...]