Dare to Hack an iPhone?

By Ted Landau
The Mac Observer
09/16/07 4:00 AM PT

Remember when the iPhone was first released? In those olden days of three months ago? There were all those lists, circulating on the Web, of features that people wished had been included in the iPhone. Those lists may not yet have shrunk to zero, but the currently available hacks have substantially shortened them. That's in less than 3 months from iPhone's release.

In the classic scene from "Marathon Man," an ex-Nazi dentist (played by Laurence Olivier) menacingly asks Dustin Hoffman (who is strapped to a chair): "Is it safe?"

It's the same question being asked these days by a growing number of iPhone users. Unlike Olivier, these users have no evil motive behind the question. Instead, they simply want to know: Is it safe to hack my iPhone? Do I need to worry about losing my data or damaging the phone so that it no longer works? Must I first take a course in programming or Unix before I can perform the necessary surgery?

Answering iPhone hacking questions is a bit like trying to take a photograph of a race car while it zooms by at 200 m.p.h. By the time you press the button to snap the shot, the car is gone. That's how fast the world of iPhone hacking is changing. Still, I can now offer a definitive answer to the "Is it safe?" question. The answer is "Yes."

Read more..

A Laptop for Those Who Can Least Afford It

By Alice Rawsthorn
The New York Times

What type of laptop do the world's poorest children need? As many of them don't have electricity at home, they had to be able to power it by hand. The screen needed to be visible in strong sunlight, and the entire machine to be dustproof, sandproof, waterproof and tough enough to survive being bashed about.

Who could possibly object? A nonprofit organization develops a laptop computer as a fun learning tool for the world's poorest children. In order to make sure that it is affordable even in the neediest countries, it is to cost just US$100.

That is the goal of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) founded by faculty members of MIT Media Lab, part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology near Boston only to run into a blaze of controversy. Check out the blogs to see what I mean.

The fiercest criticism has come from the tech industry, with claims that a laptop can't be made for $100. Environmentalists have said that, even if it can, developing countries could be left with toxic mountains of defunct computers. Meanwhile, the development camp has questioned whether it is worth spending $100 on a laptop, when so many schools don't even have enough books.


Summer Shipping Goal
Despite those gripes, the first batch of OLPC's XO-1 computers rolled off a Shanghai production line last week. Over the next few months, they will be tested in different countries. "We have to test, test, test this machine under conditions of extreme cold, extreme heat, mud, dust, jungle and daily abuse by kids," said Nicholas Negroponte, chairman of OLPC and chairman emeritus of the MIT Media Lab. Throughout the tests, the XO-1's design will be refined with the aim of shipping the first production models to schools next summer.

If the project succeeds, the XO-1 could transform millions of children's lives. It will also pose a formidable challenge to the tech industry, by questioning its price structure and introducing millions of young people to the free software of Linux's open source operating system. No wonder tech bloggers are rattled, and companies like Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) are racing to design their own low-cost technology for schools in developing countries.

The race began when OLPC decided that a laptop would be the single most useful learning tool for poor children living in remote places, rather than books or smartphones. In addition to providing Internet access, it would enable them to form learning communities and to own an object to be proud of.

After analyzing what those children needed from an educational laptop, the group concluded that, rather than build one from recycled components, they should design a new model from scratch. Thanks to MIT and Negroponte's clout, investment was secured from companies like News Corp., Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) and eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY) . Fuseproject agreed to design the hardware, and Pentagram the software. Read more...

The 'Anytime, Anywhere' Online TV Trend

By Greg Hernandez
Daily News

"Once people are at home, chances are if you have broadband access, you probably already have some kind of pay TV service," said Todd Chanko, an analyst for JupiterResearch. "And at the office, you might take a peek at something, but do you really have 42 minutes to sit at your desk and watch an entire episode of 'Lost'?"

One out of every 10 online consumers is watching television shows on a computer , according to a report released Wednesday.

Network evening newscasts and popular prime-time shows like "Desperate Housewives," the "CSI" franchise and "The Office" are the top draws online.

"Although online television viewing is not a widespread phenomenon, the proportion of users is likely to increase over time given consumers' penchant for entertainment," said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board, a worldwide business membership and research organization.

News, Entertainment Lead the Way
The Consumer Internet Barometer, produced by The Conference Board and custom research company TNS, surveyed the habits of 10,000 households. Of those one in 10 households cited, a third have multiple viewers watching TV shows via the Internet.

News broadcasts are the most-watched television content viewed online, with 62 percent logging on for that reason, while close to 50 percent go online for entertainment viewing.

More than three out of the five online viewers cited personal convenience as the major reason for logging on, along with portability and the ability to avoid commercials.

Catching up on missed content, previews, sports and watching entire episodes of shows are also among the top draws, according to more than a quarter of the users surveyed.

More to Come
Edye Twer, TNS' senior vice president specializing in the media and entertainment sector, said content providers that best communicate the value, context and capabilities of online programming will be positioned to grab the greatest share of this growing market.

Twer added that the results of the study represent "a larger trend toward 'anytime, anywhere' viewing that includes the use of digital video recorders, video on demand and portable video players such as the iPod."

Each of the big four networks has embraced free online viewing. This is key because, according to the survey, very few consumers are willing to pay to watch shows on their computer.

Everybody's Doing It
ABC.com has enjoyed the most success with such popular shows as "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," and "Lost." CBS.com offers up all three of CBS' hit "CSI" shows as well as the dramas "NCIS" and "The Unit," the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" and the reality show "Survivor: Cook Islands."

On NBC.com, the hit comedies "The Office" and "My Name is Earl" are available as well as the new breakout drama "Heroes" and ratings-challenged new shows "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and "Friday Night Lights."

With the new season of "24" not set to premiere until January, the biggest show on FOX.com currently is the drama "Prison Break" along with the returning drama "Bones."

Todd Chanko, an analyst for JupiterResearch , said Wednesday that "once you get past the novelty effect," it's difficult to determine how big online viewing can ultimately grow.

"Once people are at home, chances are if you have broadband access, you probably already have some kind of pay TV service," Chanko said. "And at the office, you might take a peek at something, but do you really have 42 minutes to sit at your desk and watch an entire episode of 'Lost'?"

Cell Phone Use May Lead to Low Sperm Count

UPI

Recent research suggests that electromagnetic radiation from cell phones may have an adverse effect on a man's sperm count. The effect depends on the number of hours he spends using his cell phone every day, according to the study by researchers from Cleveland, Mumbai and New Orleans.

A study debuted in New Orleans has suggested that electromagnetic radiation from cell phones may have an effect on a man's sperm count.

The researchers, whose findings were presented at the 62nd annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said the sperm may also be affected by the heat generated by the phones, RxPG News reported Tuesday.

Researchers from Cleveland, Mumbai and New Orleans said the effect on a man's sperm count depends on the number of hours he spends using his cell phone every day.

They said data from 364 men being treated for infertility revealed that men who do not use cell phones averaged sperm counts of 86 million per milliliter with 40 percent normal forms and 68 percent motility, while men who used their phones for more than four hours per day averaged sperm counts of 66 million per milliliter with 21 percent normal forms and 48 percent motility.

The researchers said further studies are needed to accurately identify the reason for reduced sperm counts in cell phone users.

Study: Women Flocking to Online Gaming

UPI

A new study shows that 64 percent of the more than 65 million active online U.S. gamers this year were women. According to Nielsen Interactive Entertainment data, while women are increasingly participating in online gaming, men still dominate the overall gaming environment by more than a 2-to-1 ratio, with 64 percent playing their games on a personal computer.

The annual Nielsen Interactive Entertainment study has found that 64 percent of the more than 65 million active online U.S. gamers this year were women.

The Hollywood Reporter said Nielsen's third annual Active Gamer Benchmark Study found that 117 million U.S. citizens spend a minimum of one hour on a gaming device per week and of the 56 percent that do so online, nearly two-thirds were surprisingly female.

While teenagers remain the largest portion of this technological population, Nielsen researchers say that expansion of video games onto the Internet has opened the door for age and gender diversification.

The report also found that while women are increasingly participating in online gaming, men still dominate the overall gaming environment by more than a 2-to-1 ratio, with 64 percent playing their games on a personal computer .

Each active gamer spends an average of five hours per week playing games, while the average teenage player spends 13 hours a week gaming, the Reporter said.

Bluetooth Watches to Display Caller ID for Cell Phones

By Matt Slagle
AP

In a partnership with Sony Ericsson, Fossil on Thursday announced a new line of timepieces that will show who's calling on your cell phone. The system uses the Bluetooth wireless standard to beam caller ID information from select cell phones made by Sony Ericsson to a tiny display on the watch face.

Watches have always done a good job of quickly showing the time and date. However, Fossil (Nasdaq: FOSL) is convinced there's another piece of information worth displaying on the wrist: caller ID.

In a partnership with Sony Ericsson , Fossil on Thursday announced a new line of timepieces that will show who's calling on your cell phone.

No More Fumbling for Phones
The main advantage is that the system lets users quickly and discreetly know who is calling, without having to dig their phone out of their pocket or purse, said Bill Geiser, Fossil's vice president of watch technology.

He said the person wearing the watch can quickly decide whether to take the call or not.

The system uses the Bluetooth wireless standard to beam caller ID information from select cell phones made by Sony Ericsson to a tiny display on the watch face.

The watch vibrates to alert users to an incoming call, and a quick button press can send the call to voicemail.

You can't answer a call with the watch, but it will be compatible with Bluetooth headsets as well.

The watches will be available by the end of October under Fossil's "Mobile Wear by Abacus" brand, the regular Fossil brand, and a Sony Ericsson-branded version. Prices will range from US$200 to $250. Read more...

YouTube to Distribute Warner Music Videos

By Jennifer LeClaire
TechNewsWorld

YouTube and Warner Music this week sealed a deal that will allow YouTube users to access music and video content from Warner Music's catalog. The two companies will share revenue from advertising in both Warner music videos and user-uploaded videos that incorporate audio and audiovisual works from Warner's catalog.

Warner Music Group on Monday inked a deal with online viral video community YouTube to distribute its library of music videos, which includes content from such acts as Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

YouTube will also distribute behind-the-scences footage, artist interviews, original programming and other special Warner content to its community, which views more than 100 million videos every day.

Musical Views
In addition, YouTube users will be able to incorporate music from the world's fourth-largest record company's music catalog into the videos they create and upload onto YouTube. This part of the agreement is an interesting move in a community where users reguarly do so without permission from copyright holders.

Warner is the first music company to officially attempt to harness YouTube's community power to commercially distribute its music video content.

The announcement comes in the wake of Universal Music's accusation that YouTube and MySpace are "copyright infringers" and that they owe the music industry millions of dollars. Some analysts believe a copyright lawsuit against the sites is forthcoming.

YouTube is taking steps to avoid such claims by partnering with major media companies and developing a content indentification and royalty reporting system set for release by the end of the year. The system is designed to give content creators, including record labels, TV networks and movie studios, the opportunity to authorize the use of their content within the YouTube community.

YouTube and Warner will share revenue from advertising on both Warner music videos and user-uploaded videos that incorporate audio and audiovisual works from Warner's catalog.
Read more...

New Cordless Phones Let Skype Users Turn Off PC

By Jennifer LeClaire
TechNewsWorld

Skype this week unveiled new cordless phones that allow users to make and receive Skype calls over both Internet and traditional landlines. Skype has partnered with Philips and NetGear to bring the first of its new phones to market.
Skype on Thursday announced cordless phones that do not require a running computer to use its Voice over Internet Protocol services. The new class of phones lets users make and receive Skype calls over both Internet and traditional landlines.

Skype has partnered with Philips (NYSE: PHG) and NetGear to introduce the first two cordless phones with this ability.

Skype recently introduced WiFi phones and Skype PocketPC wireless. Making a way for users to use the service without a running PC is the next step, according to Stefan Oberg, general manager, desktop and hardware at Skype.

"We are broadening our reach to mass consumers by offering them the opportunity to communicate via Skype without having to be tied to the computer," Oberg said.

Broadening Reach
Skype is talking up the benefits of the new phones, reminding users that cordless phones offer increased mobility and allow several people to hold separate conversations simultaneously using multiple cordless phone handsets.

Since both the Philips VOIP841 and the NetGear cordless phones can make and receive traditional telephone calls through a landline, Skype is promoting them as replacements for ordinary cordless phones. However, the company made it clear that the phones do not replace landlines and cannot be used for emergency calling.

The question is whether or not the world is ready for Skype's latest innovation.

"There is a notion that this type of functionality is a bit ahead of the curve, but it's how you play the game. This might not show up in grandpa's home, but it may show up in a tech-friendly house of an urban professional who has kids," IDC analyst Will Stofega told TechNewsWorld.

Universal Music, Motricity Dial '30303' for Mobile Content

By ECT News Staff
www.EcommerceTimes.com
Part of the ECT News Network

As a general rule, only the most popular artists have been promoted "on-device" up to now. However, the 30303 shortcodes -- which are relatively easy to remember -- will allow UMG's record labels to create targeted promotions for specific fan groups, and then sell the promoted content through mobile devices.

Universal Music Group and mobile software developer Motricity have joined forces to create "30303," a new multimedia service that will allow users to access music, mastertones, photos and other content simply by texting artist-related keywords to 30303 from their cell phones.

UMG will promote the 30303 shortcode -- which will enable Cingular , Sprint (NYSE: S) and T-Mobile subscribers to purchase recordings by such popular artists as Mary J. Blige, The Killers and Busta Rhymes, along with related content -- through various marketing venues, including CD cases, print, television and radio advertisements, and artist Web sites.

Connecting Fans and Content
The new shortcode lets fans of emerging artists and non-mainstream genres discover new music offerings more easily, according to Adam Flick, vice president of marketing for Universal Music Mobile-US.

There's "tremendous consumer demand" for mobile music content, he claims. Read more...

Motorola Gets Into Gaming in Chinese Marketplace

By Jennifer LeClaire
TechNewsWorld

Motorola and Chinese gaming company Shanda Interactive announced a partnership this week that will put mobile versions of Shanda's games onto Motorola's E680g handsets. Shanda executives believe Motorola can help the company make inroads into the growing market for mobile gaming in China.

Motorola (NYSE: MOT) on Friday signed an exclusive agreement with Chinese online gaming giant Shanda Interactive. The duo's goal is to improve the mobile gaming experience in the growing Asian marketplace.

According to the agreement, Motorola will launch exclusive mobile versions of Shanda's popular "World of Legend" and "Magical Land" online role playing games on specially customized Motorola E680g handsets.

Both companies stand to benefit from an already large and expanding Asian opportunity. China's mobile gaming market is expected to rise to US$714 million by 2008, according to Analysys International, more than a sevenfold increase over 2004. Motorola is betting the partnership with Shanda will cause Chinese consumers to choose its phone over another manufacturer's.
Read more...

Motorola’s new phone, E680g looks a promising one. It is the successor of E680i. The E680g is based on Linux OS and runs on Intel xScale 312MHz processor. It also features touch screen interface, network gaming and 3D stereo speakers. See specs below:

Network: GSM Triband (900/1800/1900MHz)
Dimensions : 109X53.8X20.5mm
Weight : 133 grams
Display: 65k color TFT LCD screen which supports 3D graphics and has a resolution of 240×320 pixels
Processor: Intel xScale 312MHz
OS: Linux
Camera: CMOS VGA camera with video recorder/playback and 8x digital zoom
Memory: 50MB internal and SD/MMC card expansion slot
MP3/MPEG4 player
FM radio
Network Gaming.
3D stereo speakers
Email
Document Viewer (PDF/Excel/PowerPoint/Word)
RealPlayer
Standby Time: 180 hours
Talk Time: 6 hours

Motorola Unveils Razr Successors

By Mike Hughlett
Chicago Tribune

Motorola unveiled its Krzr and Rizr phones on Monday in plenty of time for the 2006 holiday shopping season. The company said it aims to sell 500 million units of the phones it now has in its Razr slim phone family.

Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Monday unveiled the next generation of its wildly popular Razr: two new mobile phones that the company hopes will be hits during the important holiday shopping season.

On Monday evening, the Schaumburg, Ill.-based company presented the siblings called "Krzr" and "Rizr" at the opening of its annual stock analyst conference.

With the new models, "we've really taken Razr to the next level," Tracey Koziol, vice president of product line management at Motorola, said before the conference.

High Expectations
The Krzr and Rizr don't replace the Razr.

"These are additions to our portfolio," Koziol said, adding that the company expects to sells "millions more" Razrs.

The Razr, introduced in November 2004, has become a fashionable consumer electronics product and has burnished Motorola's brand in the process. The company said last week it has shipped 50 million Razrs, a number that rivals Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) famed iPod music player.

Motorola believes Razr-related phones have much more sales potential. CEO Edward Zander said at the phone unveiling, "I want to see 500 million [unit] sales from this family we call Razr."

Zander sees the Razr as a brand in itself: "We want it to define the cell phone."

Motorola on Monday also unveiled three other new phones, including two more technically rich Razrs geared for high-speed networks.

The Krzr and Rizr mark "incremental changes" from the Razr, said Ed Snyder, a stock analyst at Charter Equity Research. Motorola is filling a Razr-like phone with more features, "which is not a bad idea."

But eventually -- to get another smash hit like the Razr -- "you're going to have to come up with something more compelling," Snyder said.

Motorola KRZR - Product Information:


The Motorola KRZR Cell Phone is Motorola’s much anticipated successor to their phenomenally successful RAZR, and we must say – Motorola has done a fantastic job with the Motorola KRZR. The KRZR maintains a very similar ultra-thin profile to the original RAZR, but now has a narrower body than the original RAZR, further improving the design and comfort level of the phone.
The front of the KRZR has a very slick high gloss blue finish, and the back has a nice soft-touch finish. The KRZR features a very clear and bright 1.9 inch main display with 176x220 resolution, along with an outer display at 96x80 resolution.

Motorola RIZR Z3


Motorola has officially announced the RIZR Z3, or what we have known in rumors as the Capri. It's the first slide-style handset in the RAZR design series that is destined for a US launch (there was one prior to now just for the Asian market).

Features of the Motorola RIZR Z3 include:

GSM 850/900/1800/1900 plus EDGE
176 × 220 TFT with 262K colors
2 megapixel camera
20MB memory plus microSD card slot
Stereo Bluetooth
USB 2.0
Size: 45.5 × 105.5 × 16 mm
Motorola is planning on shipping the RIZR Z3 in the second half of the year. A photo gallery is available below.

Nokia sales up 22 per cent But Motorola might catch up by 2007

By Tony Dennis, The Inquirer

UNDER THE new guiding hand of Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia has just turned in a fairly decent set of figures. But Motorola is on a surge and could conceivably catch Nokia by Q3 2007.
According to Neil Mawston, an associate director with Strategy Analytics, "If Motorola can continue this breakneck pace – a stretch, but not totally inconceivable given the strength of their core designs – it would overtake Nokia in the first half of 2007."

Between the two companies, they account for 55 per cent of total global handset sales. Next comes Samsung followed by a resurgent Sony Ericsson which has managed to overtake LG again. Siemens/BenQ has dropped off the radar.

Nokia's sales in China and Asia-Pacific grew impressively – by 58 and 79 per cent respectively. However, its strategy in North America seems to be in tatters. The company admitted that a decline in sales for Q2 2006 has followed the cancellation of a significant order for prepaid handsets.

There's also the decision to pull out of a proposed joint venture to manufacture cdmaOne handsets with Sanyo. Instead it plans to focus on a few key cdmaOne markets – particularly North America.

But Nokia will ramp down its own cdmaOne R&D plus its manufacturing by April 2007. Which sounds like it made the decision to jump ship back in April. Of course, this has nothing to do with W-CDMA/3G handsets.

Nokia's share of the global W-CDMA handset market grew to 30 per cent.That'll be a key area because it's one of the sectors Motorola needs to address vigorously if it is to catch Nokia.

Sony Unveils Movies for Memory Sticks

By Alexandra DeFelice
TechNewsWorld

Sony is bundling movies with some of its Memory Sticks. Entertainment Packs for the 1- and 2 GB versions will include a DVD with four films: "XXX State of the Union," "Hitch," "The Grudge" and "S.W.A.T." The films can be played only on a PSP, however.

Sony is giving PlayStation customers a trip to the movies.

This week the company announced its Memory Stick Entertainment Packs, "designed for people who want to experience the full range of multi-functional features" on their PlayStation Portable systems.

One- or 2-gigabyte versions will cost US$60 and $100, respectively. They will be made available in August online and at Sony Style retail stores and authorized dealers in the U.S.


Customers can choose from four movies, including "Hitch," "S.W.A.T.," "The Grudge" and "XXX: State of the Union."

"We had great success on the big screen with each of [those] movies," said Mike Arrieta, senior vice president, digital distribution and mobile entertainment, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. "We expect consumers to have renewed enjoyment from these movies on the go as we make them available on Memory Stick media cards for the PSP system."
Read more...

Palm Teams Up With Vodafone, Microsoft for European Treo

By Jennifer LeClaire
TechNewsWorld

Palm's new Treo smartphone for European users will use Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system and will operate on Vodafone's 3G/UMTS network. The firms are targeting a large, untapped market for real-time push e-mail, as only an estimated 2 percent of business e-mail boxes worldwide are accessed currently via mobile devices.

(Nasdaq: PALM) on Thursday announced it is teaming up with Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) in hopes of expanding the adoption of wireless push e-mail in Europe.

The UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands will have first dibs on the collaborative Palm Treo smartphone, which will operate on Vodafone's 3G/UMTS network and use Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system. The phone is expected to be available before the end of the calendar year.

Palm "Partnering with Vodafone, a world-class mobile operator, is a significant step to accelerate our geographic expansion and serve more European customers," said John Hartnett, Palm senior vice president of worldwide sales and customer relations. "This collaboration will provide a powerful tool for enterprise customers that delivers on the Palm promise of ease of use and lets mobile professionals be fully productive away from the office." Read more...

Lulu.tv Takes Video to the People

By John Murawski
The News & Observer
07/09/06 5:00 AM PT

Lulu.tv is trying to differentiate itself from popular video sites such as Youtube.com and Metacafe.com. Lulu wants to host video content that will be viewed by a larger audience, not just homemade clips for family and friends.

A Morrisville, N.C., self-publishing venture, Lulu.com, has formed an Internet video cooperative that will pay filmmakers whose homemade videos register the most online visits.

The new feature on Lulu.tv was introduced last week as a business model to bypass Hollywood and other syndicates that control access to getting films made and distributed. Lulu's founder, free-market enthusiast Bob Young, founded Red Hat (Nasdaq: RHAT) , the open source software company in Raleigh that allows users to modify the programming code without violating copyright. Read more...

MobiTV Expands Reach to Windows Mobile Devices

By Keith Regan TechNewsWorld 06/30/06 1:25 PM PT

Costs will likely need to come down before video on mobile handheld devices can go mainstream, Kagan said, predicting that would happen in short order as competitors vie for market share in the device space. Also needed are more fast wireless networks, with high-speed broadband wireless still being rolled out in the U.S.

In a move that could further accelerate the adoption of mobile video, MobiTV said Thursday it would make available a version of its software designed for smartphones and handheld devices running Windows Mobile 5.0.

Windows Mobile devices join the list of gadgets that can be loaded with MobiTV software, which is being offered at US$9.99 per month, a cost that comes on top of monthly data and voice charges. The service lets cell phone users view video, including downloaded clips and live television feeds, in full-screen format. It can also be used to access other content, including digital radio.

Windows Mobile is "particularly well-suited for multimedia," said Ben Feinman, director of product management for Emeryville, Calif.-based MobiTV. "The experience is amazing," he added. "We think everyone needs to see it to believe it." Read more...

The Chikka MMS Messenger v.3.0.47

Send text messages and MMS images to mobile phones from your computer!

With this most advanced version yet, you can now send pictures to mobile phones straight from your computer. What's more, you can also use the Chikka Messenger to receive MMS images from mobile users.

Start exchanging images now, from anywhere, anytime!
Minimum System Requirements

Operating system:
• Windows 95/98/2000/XP/ME/NT 4.0 and above
• Internet access
• Soundcard (optional): 8-bit or 16-bit
• Processor: Intel Pentium processor or equivalent
• RAM: 32 MB
• Disk space: 8 MB
• Internet Explorer browsers version 4.0 and above

If you don't have load in your cellphone you can use this for emergency text.

Features of the Chikka Messenger

Enables two-way PC-to-mobile messaging
The Chikka Messenger lets you send a message from PC to PC, from a PC to a mobile phone, from a mobile phone to a PC.

Lets you send SMS for free
Wherever you are in the world, you can use the Chikka Messenger to send text messages directly to cell phones in the Philippines, the U.S., Japan, or Thailand at no cost. Your recipients can easily text back to your PC with no need for additional downloads or procedures.

Forwards messages to your mobile phone while you're away from the PC
A Unified Chikka account means that your mobile phone number is linked to your Chikka ID—this lets your instant messages follow you on your mobile phone, wherever you are. Thus, no more missed or late messages.

Alerts you when your buddies are online
SMS alerts let you know when your friends go online when you're not on the PC. Likewise, your Chikka buddies will also know when you’ve gone online, even if they’re logged off from the PC.

Supports 320-character text messages
The Chikka Messenger accommodates longer text messages, allowing you to easily send your messages in one simple process.

Supports group messaging
Now, sending to multiple recipients need not be tedious. Simultaneously send SMS or instant messages to groups of friends, family, or co-workers.

Carries a long buddy list
The Chikka Messenger lets you have up to 200 buddies to keep you connected at all times.

Download here!

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES THE WORLD'S FIRSTS IN MOBILE

Samsung amazes mobile users by introducing the world's first 10megapixel cameraphone, and the world's first 8GB HDD smartphone.
Hanover, Germany - 9 March 2006 - Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. reinforces its technology leadership by unveiling the world's first 10 megapixel mobile phone (model: SCH-B600), and the world's first 8GB Hard Disk embedded smartphone (model: SGH-i310) at CeBIT 2006.

Enjoy Maximum storage in Mobile
Samsung breaks the storage limit in mobile phones by introducing the world's first mobile phone equipped with a 8GB hard disk drive (model: SGH-i310). With the large storage of 8GB, SGH-i310 will change the way people manage and use the mobile phone.
Samsung is the first to adopt a hard disk drive into mobile phones and has launched three models equipped with a hard disk drive; the world's first 1.5GB HDD embedded phone (model: SPH-V5400), the world's first 3GB HDD embedded phone (model: SCH-V7900) and the world's first 3GB HDD Music smartphone (model: SGH-i300).
The i310 works as a perfect platform for users by combining a phone, a digital camera, and a MP3 player with its immense storage capacity. It enables users to carry around 2,000 songs (4MB/song) wherever they go.
The i310 comes with the latest version of Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone which allows users to view files and easily carry their music library with them. This will sync the playlists, songs, and videos from your PC so that your experience is identical to the user's personal computer. It also offers USB 2.0 and Plug & Play feature which allows the phone to be utilized as a removable hard disk. Businessmen and students can easily transfer files to / from their computers, as well as store and transfer files in any format conveniently.
The i310 has all the latest features including a 2 megapixel camera with flash, microSD slot, document viewer and TV out! put. Users can record video with the 2 megapixel camera in high quality resolution.
It also supports enhanced music function with Bluetooth® stereo (A2DP), digital power amp and dual speakers. Uses can download music conveniently from online music store from their personal computer or directly via air.
The i310 will be introduced in Europe during the second half of this year.
Combine Mobile Entertainment with Professionalism.
Samsung reached another milestone in camera phones by introducing the world's first 10 megapixel camera phone (model:SCH-B600). Samsung launched the world's fi! rst 5 megapixel camera phone in October 2004; the world's first 7 megapixel camera phone in July 2005; and introduced the world's first 8 megapixel camera phone in November 2005.
Samsung's B600 sets itself apart from its previous megapixel cameraphones by combining the mobile TV technology with the 10 megapixel camera.
The B600 offers the same level of picture-taking sophistication that a 10 megapixel digital camera offers and mobile TV capability in Satellite standard.

The camera function includes 3x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom. It also has auto focus and a flash unit that performs optimally for 10 megapixel photographs.
Also, the B600 comes fitted with a LED autofocus feature, the first time ever for a cameraphone. The B600's LED autofocus feature assists users to capture clear, crisp photos even in dark settings. Located next to the lens, the LED autofocus automatically determines the distance and utilizes the appropriate focus setting for optimal photo shooting.
It also has the "Anycall Band" feature, where each person using this phone can play a specific melody of instruments and arrange it together to create a song for downloading.
It also supports Bluetooth functions, through which users can listen to their MP3 files, enjoy DMB and communicate with other people wirelessly via Bluetooth headset.
The high color Reproduction TFT-LCD produces the highest possible display for its size. The photo-fine chromarich LCD can reproduce 16 million colors, virtually any color found in nature, earning it the "True Color" appellation. Moving pictures can be recorded in QVGA resolution at 15-30 frames per second. Users can watch live TV in crisp picture through Satellite DMB function.
It also supports external memory (MMCmicro) in addition to its internal memory. The mobile phone supports a TV-out function where users can connect their phones to view still or motion pictures.
The B600 comes with a design reminiscent of a real digital camera. T! he front is designed as a bar-type mobile phone, while the back side is used as the digital camera.
Other advanced functions in the B600 include an MP3 player, business card reader, and 128 polyphonic sounds.
The B600 will be introduced in Korea during the 2nd quarter of 2006.

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Software Engineering and Metrics

Software engineering approaches its midlife with many accomplishments, but with significant work yet to do. It is recognized as a legitimate discipline, one worthy of serious research, conscientious study, and tumultuous debate. Software process models, software engineering methods, and software tools have been adopted successfully across a broad spectrum of industry applications.

Many individuals and companies still develop software haphazardly. Many professionals and students are unaware of modern methods. As a result, the quality of the software produced suffers. The status of software engineering is a study in contrasts. Attitudes have changed, progress has made made, but much remains to be done before the discipline reaches full maturity.