Are you ready for ads on your mobile? Well they’re here!

40 out of 50 brand name companies surveryed by Airwide Solutions said that they plan on advertising on cell phones starting in 2008, and in five years more than half of all the companies worldwide will be advertising on cell phones.

Sprint has been one of the first to say that they will begin running banner ads on mobile screens. Amp’d Mobile also stated that they plan to place ads for Herbal Essence shampoo on it’s video demand service.

Another survey said that 58% of Americans stated that mobile ads are a nuisance and that they should be prohibited. (So does that really mean 42% don’t think that? I don’t know who could like ads period!)
Just think of the way advertising will soon be: You’ll be driving by the ice cream shop and you’ll get a text messaging say, “Large cone $1.99. Today only!” Of course you’ll want to stop in and grab one, but think of where else mobile adverting could go.

[More from SJ-R.com]

Ever want to just scream after you’ve ‘lost’ your phone? Now the phone will scream for you!

Did you know that approximately 10,000 mobile phones are stolen every month? Perhaps you have been one of the unlucky victims of phone theft, and yes, it sucks. All of the data remaining on the phone is now in the hands of someone that wants to use it for everything he or she can. To top it off, studies show that on average, it takes 30 seconds for someone to notice that their phone is missing. Ahhh!!

Well, Synchronia has released a mobile phone software that will do just that, SCREAM! With Mobile Manager from Synchronia you can remotely turn on a scream feature, which will release an annoying and embarrassing high pitched noise from the phone. The software however can go far beyond a scream. With it you can remotely lock and wipe the data from the phone. It can also be used for business to update and remotely install software on company smartphones.

[To learn more about the software, visit Synchronia.com]

OK. So we didn’t get an iPhone on Tuesday, but what about this?

So, Mr Jobs announced a selection of snazzy new iPods but no iPhone, at the special media event on Tuesday. It must be coming soon though. The buzz is alive and kicking once more with more speculation about what this new device might look like. MacRumors.com have a story purporting to contain info from a reliable source about yet another iPhone prototype.

This one looks pretty slick. Very Nano-esque, complete with click-wheel, and a slider to reveal a full size number pad. Take a look…

[More at Macrumors.com]

iPhone this time around? Perhaps something even better?

The web is humming once more with iPhone rumors in the lead up to Apple’s upcoming media event in California that coincides with the launch of Apple Expo in Paris on Tuesday 12 September.

With it’s media invitations issued under the teaser-title “It’s Showtime” many expect the rumored addition of feature films to the iTunes movie store. Additionally, commentators anticipate upgrades to Apple’s flagship laptop range and possibly a new iPod.

MacNN, however, has a load of intriguing information surround a patent application that Apple lodged in March and the details of which were published by the US Patent & Trademark Office just last week. Instead of a new iPod or iPhone, Apple MAY be set to release a feature-filled multi-function device which combines those two features but adds a whole lot more, including features such as a camera, GPS, PDA and more. We’ll see…roll on Tuesday!

[More from MacNN]

Low on money for lunch? Find out how much is in your bank account quick!

Ever been out to lunch or wanting to get the latest DVD, but you weren’t sure if you had enough money in your bank account? Well, Ahli United Bank may have eliminated that problem by the use of your cell phone and SMS. All you have to do is send a text message to your bank and they will text you back. After selecting from a menu of options, you’ll be able to see your account balance in no time. The system can automatically notify you of credits and payments from your account, as well as view your balance, and conduct different transactions. The service will be available in English and Arabic, and is including free in all of their banking packages.

[Read more from AME Info]

Sprint’s Palm Treo 700wx with GPS - Vodafone/Cingular Treo 750 on the way?

Sprint are expected to release the new Palm Treo 700wx next week with a host of great new features included double the RAM from the 700w and built-in GPS. sprintusers.com has what looks to be an official specs sheet. This new PDA will operate on the Sprint EV-DO Mobile Broadband network and have access to Sprints Power Vision network services.

The 700wx is expected to be released to business customers from 27 August with an offering at retail sales outlets from 3 September.

Treo 750…

In other Treo news, the Treo 750 is expected to be released in just two weeks time 12 September for the European market on Vodafone’s 3G network. As expected, the 750 will run Windows Mobile 5.0. While no official details have been released, it is hoped that the 750 will be an antenna-less design and have built-in wifi - something that has been lacking from all Treo handsets to date.

Reuters reports:

Palm is to launch the new handset to Vodafone customers in a number of European countries including the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy and Netherlands as it attempts to win back the confidence of a market it once dominated with its Palm Pilot device.

PDAStreet is speculating that shortly after it’s release, Cingular users should expect a US version…

Phone Friday! News & reviews on some phones

HTC release the Excalibur, better than the Q?

The Excalibur is HTC’s version of the Q, but appears to blow the Q out of the water. This thin smart phone comes with Windows Mobile and a full QWERTY keybaord. It also will have Mi-FI and Bluetooth, and like the Q it will have a method for one handed navigation. The Excalibur will have a touch sensitive scroll pad including home and back keys as well.
The Excalibur is rumored to launch with Sprint in the US by the end of the year, but no word on an exact date or price.

[Thanks for Geek.com for the pictures, and check out HTC’s website for more of their sleek phones.]

LG releases some white chocolate

Although this may not be the Chocolate, the LF1300 certianly has some flavor. The LF1300 comes with a 2-inch QVGA display, 1.3 megapixel camer, SD expansion, Bluetooth, and of course, an MP3 Player.

This slider measures 98 x 48 x 16.9mm and will be available through CYON. The LF1300 is said to be released only in Korea, and no word on pricing as of now.

[Picture and story from I4U.com]

Milk chocolate from Sony Ericsson?

Well this also isn’t the Chocolate, but Sony Ericsson has released a milk chocolate colored phone, calling it the K800i. It comes with a brilliant 3.2 megapixel camera, UMTS high-speed data, and and MP3/MPEG4 player.

The K800i will be released in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

[Picture from Gizmodo.com]

Blackberry’s Precious Pearl - 8100, no longer just a number

Employees at RIM have let details slip of the soon to be released Blackberry 8100 a.k.a Blackberry Pearl. The Pearl has a number of features that people have been longing to have included in their Blackberry’s - a camera, external storage and other multimedia goodies - the perfect mix of business and pleasure.

Features include:

• EDGE mobile broadband data services
• Bluetooth
• microSD card support
• Camera with built-in flash

Engadget has scooped the leaked RIM internal release (officially under embargo until 18 September) and has the full details. Here’s a snippet describing the new unit:

The BlackBerry Pearl is a very cool, incredibly small, easy-to-use smartphone. It comes complete with digital camera, multimedia capabilities and expandable memory. And it, of course, offers the full BlackBerry experience – including email, phone, web browser, text messaging, organizer applications and much more. This year, give your loved one the gift of freedom – with the BlackBerry Pearl they can do all the things they “have to do” and more of the things they “want to do.”

This adds just a few more reasons that will prevent “crackberries” from kicking the habit!

Due for release next month through T-Mobile first and then presumably Cingular some time later, the Pearl will have a retail tag of US$199.

[More from Engadget]

Nokia buys Loudeye for mobile music

Today Nokia released that is has reached a $60 million agreement with Loudeye, the #1 supplier across Europe of music platforms, hoping to gain an edge on mobile-music. With the purchase of Loudeye, Nokia can offer a full-scale mobile music experience, ranging from handset to applications.

Loudeye is currently in over 20 countries and has 60 services across Europe, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Loudeye also aggregates rights and content from both major and independent labels, and offers over 1.6 million tracks.

“This is an entry to a new business for us, so far Nokia has sold mostly devices,” said Nokia’s Tuutti.

[Read more]

Sprint to announce building of a WiMax network

Sprint is scheduled to announce later today that it is choosing the WiMax technology to build a brand new wireless internet network. Although this will not be available until 2008, this is definitely something to look forward to. Sprint will be working with Motorola and Samsung using Intel chips to make headsets that are compatible. The service is said to be available nationwide (in the United States), and could even replace cable and DSL.

[To read more, check out dailywireless.org]

Yet more iPhone speculation - could THIS be the one?

The web is abuzz once again with yet more dubious, ‘top-secret’ images of the much anticipated Apple cell phone. Just take a look at Flickr. More pictures of a new supposed, handset dubbed ‘iChat Mobile’ have surfaced along with a scratchy video on YouTube of someone supposedly wielding one.

These new images feature a phone sporting iPod shuffle like controls along with a keypad that would presumably have a similar feel to the click controls of a traditional iPod.

The thing that seems to have most people puzzled is the appearance of what looks to be an iSight camera on the rear in combination with the name iChat. The camera could either be a traditional camera, as we’ve come to expect in most handsets, OR maybe this is for a Wifi/VoIP/Skype like application (akin to iChat proper) offering video conferencing facilities and not a cell phone at all….but, then shouldn’t the camera be on the front so you can see the other caller while they see you?

While, I like really like the look of this thing, to me the corners look far too sharp to be slipped in and out of a pocket and the handset looks to be the size of a very large remote control. Apple’s specialty is designing functional, stylish and practical technology and this to me doesn’t fit the mould and the whole package just doesn’t add up.

As convincing as this unit looks, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that this is not THE cell phone we have all been expecting. We’re itching to see what Apple really has in store for us though. Roll on WWDC…

Old handset on Cingular? Better upgrade quick

If you are with Cingular Wireless and have been looking for incentive to upgrade your aging handset, Cingular might be able to help you make that decision sooner rather than later.

To encourage subscribers to update their handsets to ones which operate on the newer GSM band, Cingular will soon begin charging its subscribers still on the older services a $5 per month surcharge.

As part of Federal regulations, carriers are required to provide analog cell services until sometime in ‘08, but that doesn’t mean they have to make it easy for people to stay.

Cingular:

“Customers can avoid the charge by switching to our GSM network and equipment. The combination of coverage, service quality, devices, and advanced features on GSM is superior to TDMA.”

Fair enough I say. So, ditch that old brick and upgrade to something new and exciting, whose battery lasts more than 90 minutes on standby, else you’ll pay for it.

[Full story on Yahoo! News]

Apple “iPhone” as early as next month? More rumors…

A reader over at Engadget is apparently tipping the release of Apple’s much anticpated first cell phone. Any truth to the story? Who knows? But not too long to find out one way or the other.

[Engadget]

Hot new headsets from Plantronics coming soon!

Headset manufacturer Plantronics has four new Bluetooth devices coming our way to round out Q3.

For $80 the Bluetooth 1.1 Explorer 330 uses the typical ‘apostrophe’ style around the ear approach that many of us have become accustomed to.

The Pulsar 590E (pictured right) features over the ear style headphones and an boom-style mic and has an SRP of $139.95.

And then there’s the Pulsar 260. A control unit sporting Bluetooth 2.0 for the more discerning users with MP3-playing phones demanding high quality stereo earbuds and remote facilities for volume control and track selection.

Also using 2.0 is the Discovery 655 a super-lightweight ‘in-ear’ headset with optional charger.

If you are in the market for a new Bluetooth partner for your ‘phone, sit tight and watch out for these bad boys to start appearing in stores from Sept ‘06.

Using your phone on a plane, possibly coming soon?

A company by the name of ASiQ has applied for a patent to allow using your cell phone while flying. The unit is connected by either a standard cable or bluetooth connection, and it claims to not interfere with ground networks or the aircraft’s avionics.

[Read more]