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MyVu HMD makes nice with Vodafone's Toshiba TX60
Vodafone Japan, who seem precariously close to selling their entire Japanese network and closing up shop, showed no indication of being on the ropes Friday, as smiling executives introduced MicroOptical Corp's MyVu head-mounted display for the new Toshiba TX60 mediaphone. As you probably recall, the MyVu glasses (which were used in a similar capacity by Orange France for their Samsung SGH-D600 and also work with the 5G iPod) sport a pair of QVGA displays equivalent to to a 12-inch screen viewed from three feet away, and also feature earbuds for the full home theater experience on-the-go. The Toshiba phone is basically the same as their V803T, which was the company's first 3G handset for the Japanese market, and comes standard with a 2.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a 1GB miniSD card for content storage.
Seiko Bluetooth watch puts your phone on your wrist
Forget those fossilized SPOT watches. If you want to go all Dick Tracy, check out Seiko's CPC TR-006, a Bluetooth watch that communicates with your cellphone. Currently just a prototype, the watch can receive text messages from your phone, capture Caller ID data so you know who's calling, and adjust ringtones. Pair it with a Bluetooth headset, stick your phone in your bag, and you've got a complete hands-free interface that still gives you access to your phone's main functions.
Dual SIM Card Adapter requires neither cutting nor resets
We've certainly seen plenty of dual SIM card adapters, but most options require you to either cut up your cards, turn off the phone to switch between accounts, or both. The rather uninspiringly-named Dual SIM Card Adapter suffers from neither of these drawbacks, as it accepts full-size cards and uses software to toggle between SIMs without the need for a reset. Of course this adapter takes away from your phone's sleek facade, dangling precariously like some ungainly appendage, put sometimes you have to bite the bullet and accept a style hit for the greater good. You can pick one of these wonders up for $27 at online retailer Brando.[Via geekBlue]
naviPlay Bluetooth Stereo Headset for calls and mobile/iPod tunes
TEN Technology has just released a versatile new pair of Bluetooth headphones that both communicate with their naviPlay Bluetooth Adapter for iPod (included in the package) and also serve as a headset for Bluetooth-enabled cellphones. Furthermore, the naviPlay Bluetooth Stereo Headset can stream tunes from any A2DP-equipped handset or DAP as well as being a VoIP headset for PCs that sport Bluetooth. TEN went with an "old school high end design" for this model which go over the user's head, as opposed to behind the neck, include buttons for volume, track, and call control, and feature a rechargeable battery with a claimed 8-hour duration. These multi-functional 'phones are available online, immediately at Dr. Bott and at the Apple Store Online later this month, for $200.[Via Slashphone]
Sirit's Plug-n-Play SDIO RFID scanner
Nah, it's not the first SD-based RFID scanner we've seen, but we are feeling Sirit's new $99 Plug-n-Play SDIO scanner, if not for its Windows Mobile and Palm support, than for the variety of high frequency tags and transponders it can scan: ISO 14443A/B, 15693, and 18000-3, INSIDE PicoTag, HID iClass, Tagsys C320, eNFC, and, of course, FeliCa. Yes, the problem still remains that RFID just isn't big yet, but it's never gonna grow unless companies start making the technology available, and it's never gonna get cheap (not that the $99 they're asking for one of these is that unreasonable) until we start flooding the market -- so more power to you, Sirit, even if these things don't sell like hotcakes except but to Wal-Mart and hobbyists.P.S. And yes, if you wanted to get a little more stationary, they're offering the same product for your computer via USB.[Via Slashphone]
Sony Ericsson's HCB-100 Bluetooth speakerphone
It's nothing we haven't seen before, but Sony Ericsson is busting out a new Bluetooth speakerphone, the HCB-100. It's designed to clip to your car's visor for use on the go, but it's just as well at home on your desk. Sony Ericsson claims up to 20 hours of talk time and 600 hours of standby, and the device can switch between up to five different Bluetooth connections. The HCB-100 should be available in Q2 2006.[Via CBR Online]
iLoad-c loads your iPod nano with a cellular connection?
Excuse us if we're a little skeptical on this one, (hint to iLoad, actual photos of your product would help) but iLoad is claiming they have a "iLoad-c" device in the works that takes a SIM card, downloads songs off of mobile music services such as Cingular's, and loads them automatically to an iPod nano. Uh, right. All DRM issues aside, we'd be rather surprised if anything like this got to market anytime soon, but if they can actually pull it off, iLoad could have quite the little accessory on their hands.
Mobis Just Mobile Docking Station reviewed
No we didn't get an early scoop on Apple's big Tuesday announcement (yet) -- this little white sound system is Mobis' Just Mobile docking station for Windows Mobile devices, and Pocketnow.com's got a review of it. They seem pretty keen on it, saying the 25-watts of speaker power provide "wonderfully rich sound." They also dig the compact design and the fact that it works with any audio player, but they're not so impressed with the lack of a remote and no option for battery power. They also found occasional audio feedback from cellular signals, although if your listening habits consist of nothing but a steady diet of Kraftwerk, you probably wouldn't notice. The docking station also doubles as a charger and can be used to sync your device with your PC. Two versions of the docking station are available, depending on what device you'll be using it with, selling for $76.95 and $91.95.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Bluetrek's water-resistant X2 Bluetooth headset
We're not sure you'll be managing much conversation underwater with the new X2 water "resistant" Bluetooth headset from Bluetrek, but it's nice to know you won't get the shock of your life from a little rain. The X2 rocks the Bluetooth 1.2 spec, claims 14 hours of talk time and 500 hours of standby time, but its main claim to fame is the ruggedization, which doesn't make many promises, but might save you from an expensive accident or two.[Via Tech Digest]
Stik&Stor adds up to 8GB to cellphones
Can't get enough music, video or data onto that microSD or TransFlash card? Tired of waiting for cards with bigger maximum capacities to come out (or come down in price)? USModular has what may be a reasonable workaround, if you don't mind sticking an external memory module onto the outside of your phone and snaking a thin cable into its memory card slot. USM's Stik&Stor comes in capacities from 1GB through 8GB, at prices from $79 to $199, and is compatible with a number of popular phones, including models from Motorola and Samsung. Of course, an external module adds to the bulk of your phone, so this isn't an ideal solution (the smaller capacity cards are flash-based, with minimal bulk; 4GB and 8GB versions are microdrives, which may be a little too hefty for some phones). But if you're determined to turn your phone into a do-it-all device and can't find enough internal storage, this could be an interim solution.[Via MobileMag]
The Micro Windmill Mobile Charger
How many times have you been out and about when your cellphone dies, and there you are without a spare battery, disposable battery, travel charger, car charger, solar charger, or Eton phone-charging emergency radio? Well if Indian grad student NV Satyanarayana has his way, we'll soon have yet another charging device to leave at home when we need it most, the Micro Windmill Mobile Charger. This tiny collection of tubines converts wasted wind into useful talk time (a la certain Japanese taxis) with blades just 5-centimeters long, and is also said to be capable of charging laptops, portable game consoles, and DAPs. So far the MWMC is still in the development stage, but if you start seeing an unusual number of people walking around wearing propeller beanies with cables snaking down their faces, you'll know that this device has made it stateside.
Nokia's BH-601 Bluetooth headset FCC approved
The FCC isn't necessarily in the business of glamour photography, as evidenced by this lovely shot, but they sure take a lot of sneaky pictures, and in this case they're of the BH-601 Bluetooth stereo headset from Nokia to go along with their Bluetooth audio adapter. We hope this FCC approval means they're due stateside soon, 'cause we're so over this lame mono biz, and we wouldn't mind the 8 hours of talk time, MP3 player controls, and quick switching between music and phone calls neither.
A PhonEY Bluetooth headset disguises what phone you're really toting
Stephen wasn't so hot with everyone -- especially the criminal types -- knowing he was toting a $1000 i-mate JasJar. Either that or he just didn't want to hold something that large next to his head, so he devised the "PhonEY" hack to place a Bluetooth headset in an old Nokia handset so the baddies would think that's all the phone he's got. A few solders and bits of glue later and he had a functioning device that allows him to keep his JasJar in his bag and criminals in the dark. Seems like great idea for some quick eBay bucks, but it is one more bulky device to carry, and if it finally pushes some geeks over to the dark side of man purse usage, is it really worth it in the end?
Toshiba cameraphone to grab product reviews via barcodes
Toshiba may not be a huge player in the cellphone market (the Vodafone Japan clamshells pictured at the right were among the few recent-vintage Toshiba models we were able to find), but that doesn't mean the company can't come up with innovations for cellphone customers. Toshiba's latest idea: using a cellphone's camera to scan product barcodes, which are then transmitted to a computer that does a database lookup and checks hundreds of blogs for reviews of the product. The server then returns a yay or nay to the phone, based on the blogosphere's consensus. Similar data-mining services are already available online, but Toshiba hopes to capitalize on the convenience of making the zeitgeist available to shoppers instantly. Toshiba plans on beginning a test of the service in Japan as early as next month, before a full rollout sometime next year.
Intel and GSMA developing guidelines for 3G and SIM-integrated laptops
Intel just inked a deal with the GSM Association to "publish guidelines" for integrating 3G modems and SIM card readers into laptops with the goal of allowing automatic connection to both 3G and WiFi networks around the world. Laptops are expected later this year with integrated 3G data cards and SIM readers which will authenticate ordinary SIM cards for access to GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3GSM, HSDPA and WiFi networks. While, several manufacturers such as Lenovo, Sony, Acer (pictured), and Dell have already announced laptops with integrated high-speed data offerings, a move towards standardizing the design must be good, right? Especially if you're the sort who thinks having your mobile connectivity integrated with your laptop hardware for life is a good idea.
OmniVision unveils "world's first" 1/4-inch 2-megapixel CMOS sensor with autofocus
OmniVision Technologies has been showing what it claims to be the world's first 1/4-inch 2-megapixel CMOS image sensor with integrated autofocus at 3GSM, and needless to say, the crowd is 50 people deep just to look at the little thing. The OV2645, as the sensor is affectionately known, uses a microcontroller to operate the autofocus motors, and is supposedly 30% smaller than any existing solutions. We're sure we'll be seeing these modules in cellphones sooner rather than later, but so far no manufacturing agreements are known.
Sony Ericsson's HBH-DS970 stereo Bluetooth headset with remote
Sony Ericsson just announced their HBH-DS970 Stereo Bluetooth 2.0 headset with remote control. Yeah, it's not completely wireless since you still have those cables dropping down to the Bluetooth-embedded remote. But hey, you want the remote anyway, and by not strapping those bulky Bluetooth cans to your ears we expect you'll be able to rock the house for the full 6 hours spec'd with less fatigue. Call coming in? No problem, son, since the caller ID and number slaps right-up on the remote's display allowing you to accept or reject the call even if you are listening to music on another Bluetooth-enabled device. Although it doesn't say in the announcement, that remote should wirelessly control any Bluetooth device throwing down the AVRCP profile, Sony Ericsson or not. Expect these to ship in the second quarter for a yet to be determined price. [via Unofficial Club Sony Ericsson, thanks Luis]
Bluetooth SIG announces new profile to give cars phonebook access
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has just announced a new profile that promises to enhance the pairing between cellphones and cars. This Phone Book Access Profile, or PBAP, will allow Bluetooth-equipped vehicles to access the owner's phonebook, and along with the updated Hand-Free Profile 1.5, other meta data like status indicators and subscriber information. In addition to richer data sharing, the new profile will also provide better audio quality over the PAN, a feature the SIG is playing up in an attempt to encourage auto manufacturers to include support for Bluetooth music transmission. We should start seeing the new profiles implemented in production models sometime in 2007, due to the lag time between vehicle design and manufacture.
The Bluetooth GPS Module LD-3W from Nokia
Nokia is debuting a Bluetooth GPS accessory for their phones to bring navigation abilities to their Bluetooth capable S60 devices. The Nokia GPS Module LD-3W is due to ship this quarter for around $132 and should work with most common mapping software, including that of Wayfinder and Telmap.[Via Geekzone]
Option GlobeSurfer ICON brings HSDPA to USB
At the rate Option is coming out with HSDPA devices, you can be forgiven for having a hard time keeping track. The latest is the GlobeSurfer ICON, not to be confused with the GlobeSurfer 3G we showed you earlier, or the HSDPA PC card we peeped last week. What's different about this one? It's a USB-based, bus-powered HSDPA device that can fall back to UMTS, EDGE or GPRS if you're out of HSDPA range. So, yeah, it's a lot like the PCMCIA version, but runs from your USB port instead of a slot.
