Nokia Lumia 710 now shipping

Nokia today announced the Nokia Lumia 710 will hit shelves, less than one month after the Nokia Lumia 800 started turning heads.

The Nokia Lumia 710 will start selling today in Taiwan alongside the Nokia Lumia 800. The Nokia Lumia 710 will then reach stores in Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Russia in the next seven days and continue its global roll-out over the coming weeks.

Estimated retail price is 270 EUR, excluding taxes and subsidies and availability will be via operator partners, retailers and open channels depending on local situation.

The colourful, affordable Nokia Lumia 710 was designed to make the Nokia Lumia experience accessible to more people around the world and at launch was widely praised as the best Windows Phone experience at is price point. It combines the powerful social and Internet experience of Windows Phone with the ability to take pictures in almost any conditions and share with friends in seconds, as well as access to thousands of the most popular apps, including exclusive Nokia services.

Based on the Windows Phone 7.5 Mango release, the Nokia Lumia 710 smartphone is designed to appeal to people with lively social lives, who want an easy way to enjoy all the benefits of Windows Phone and access to signature Nokia experiences:

• People Hub in Windows Phone displays all call, text, email and social network interactions with any individual contact in an integrated view, with the ability to group contacts and pin favourite groups and individuals to the start screen for live updates and easy access to the people who matter most.
• Faster, easier Web browsing experience with Internet Explorer 9 and one-touch Bing search.
• Nokia Drive delivers a full-fledged personal navigation device (PND) with free, turn-by-turn navigation and dedicated in-car-user-interface.
• Nokia Music introduces MixRadio, a free, global, mobile music-streaming application that delivers 100s of channels of locally-relevant music. Nokia Lumia users will also gain the ability to create personalized channels from a global catalogue of millions of tracks. Also integrated in Nokia Music is Gigfinder, providing the ability to search for live local music for a complete end-to-end music experience and the ability to share discoveries on social networks and buy concert tickets.
• With the 5MP camera, anyone can take pictures and share on social networks in seconds, even when the phone is locked.

The Nokia Lumia 710 can be personalized with a range of colours, including white and black front finish and a choice of five inter-changeable back-covers available to purchase separately.

Also available to purchase separately are a range of complementary audio accessories co-designed and co-developed with Monster. The in-ear Nokia Purity Stereo Headset by Monster, providing high-performance in-ear style and the on-ear Nokia Purity HD Stereo Headset by Monster for the best mobile audio experience. Both products provide a fresh listening experience and are the first output of the exclusive long-term partnership between Nokia and Monster, intended to introduce a range of premium audio accessories to reflect the outstanding quality and bold style of the Lumia range.

Product Specifications:

Nokia Lumia 710: Designed to be personal and affordable

• Can be personalized with white or black body design, five vibrant exchangeable back covers (black, white, cyan, fuchsia, and yellow) and thousands of apps
• Best social networking experience provided by Windows Phone release 7.5
• Best Internet browsing experience with Internet Explorer 9
• 3.7" WVGA TFT, ClearBlack capacitive touch screen with pinch zoom, 800 x 480 pixels and 16 million colours
• 5 MP camera with auto focus, LED flash, high definition 720p video recording with 30FPS and one-touch image sharing
• Nokia signature hubs: Nokia Drive, Nokia Music
• 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 512MB program memory, 8GB internal user memory, and up to 7.6 hours of 3G talktime

The Nokia Purity HD Stereo Headset by Monster - The ultimate mobile audio experience

• Iconic on-ear headset from two trusted brands
• Sleek, lightweight, bold design
• Advanced Monster driver technologies deliver accurate reproduction of low bass without distortion, clear mids and crisp highs for a pure listening experience
• Ultra-soft ear cushions for hours of comfortable audio listening
• Tangle-free cables and Integrated volume and call handling controls
• Includes premium carrying pouch and two colour-matched audio cables for maximum compatibility with various mobile devices
• Available in cyan, fuchsia, black, and white

The Nokia Purity Stereo Headset by Monster - High performance in-ear style

• Premium in-ear headset from two trusted brands
• Stylish noise isolating in-ear design
• Advanced Monster driver technologies deliver accurate reproduction of low bass without distortion, clear mids and crisp highs for a pure listening experience
• Tangle-free cables and Integrated volume and call handling controls
• Includes premium carrying pouch, five pairs of variable sized ear buds, and colour matched cable adapter for maximum compatibility with various mobile devices
• Available in cyan, fuchsia, black, and white

Source - Nokia

LG introduces World's first HD LTE Smartphone to Japan

Following launches in North America and Korea, LG Electronics (LG) today introduced its Optimus LTE (Model L-01D) smartphone in Japan, one of the largest LTE-serviced countries. The launch of the handset comes on the heels of LG’s successful collaboration with NTT Docomo in 2010 to introduce the country’s first LTE data card, affirming LG’s commitment to supporting NTT Docomo’s commercial LTE service rollout.

“The Optimus LTE is one of LG’s most promising devices and has already been received well in Korea, Canada and the United States,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “As a worldwide innovator in mobile LTE technology, we are committed to developing high-quality devices that showcase our technical experience and True HD IPS display.”

LG and NTT Docomo collaborated to make the Japanese Optimus LTE as unique as possible. The red color available on the Japanese edition of LG Optimus LTE will be available exclusively to Docomo customers as will the 1seg digital TV and NFC (Near Field Communication) features.

Pre-launch word of mouth in Japan for the Optimus LTE, one of LG’s best-selling smartphones in Korea, has been favorable. Leading Japanese IT publication Get Navi wrote that the Optimus LTE was the best product in NTT Docomo’s high-end lineup. Nikkei included the Optimus LTE as one of its top 10 smartphones recommendations in 2011.

Most reviewers praised the Optimus LTE’s 4.5-inch 1280 x 720 (16:9 ratio) True HD IPS display which portrays sharp and crisp images with 2.76 million sub-pixels. The display, developed in partnership with sister company LG Display, is superior in color accuracy, clarity, natural color and battery efficiency providing the ultimate viewing experience for HD content.

According to a recent report by Jefferies & Company, LG was listed as the global leader in LTE patents with ownership of 23 percent of approximately 1,400 LTE patents filed worldwide, with a financial value of almost USD 8 billion. LG demonstrated the world’s first LTE technology in 2007 and developed the world’s first LTE modem chipset in 2008. LG introduced the world’s fastest LTE technology in 2010 and conducted the world’s first video phone call on a LTE network in 2011. LG’s first LTE smartphone, RevolutionTM, was launched in the US earlier this year.

Source - LG

iLuv Debuts iSM524, ArtStation Pro, The World’s First Audio Dock For Samsung GALAXY Tablets

Transform Your Samsung GALAXY Tablet into a Home Entertainment Center with the iLuv ArtStation™ Pro Audio Dock

iLuv Creative Technology, the premier provider of the most comprehensive line of accessories for the mobile lifestyle, introduces the world’s first and only audio docking station for Samsung GALAXY Tablets, the iSM524, ArtStation™ Pro. The iSM524 combines superior aesthetic design with cinematic sound quality to heighten your Samsung GALAXY Tab experience.

iLuv is the only mobile accessories innovator to deliver an audio docking system that unleashes the full potential of the Samsung GALAXY Tab and transforms the tablet into a home entertainment center that enables users to easily and comfortably enjoy music, movies, TV shows and more. The ArtStation™ Pro is the result of the Designed for Samsung Mobile strategic partnership between iLuv and Samsung, which brings to the market highly differentiated accessories solutions with unquestionable value for Samsung GALAXY mobile devices.

“At iLuv, we continually strive to anticipate and deliver the most comprehensive range of feature-rich solutions for every facet of the mobile lifestyle,” said Pia Chon, marketing director at iLuv. “We are proud of our
partnership with Samsung, and of the fact that we are the first and only company to offer an audio dock for the GALAXY Tab series. The ArtStation™ Pro for GALAXY Tab is truly a testament to iLuv’s design and engineering prowess and enhances the Samsung GALAXY Tab beautifully.”

The ArtStation™ Pro (iSM524) complements the Samsung GALAXY Tablet line with a sleek design that can fit in with any décor -- from a minimalist modern loft to a jewel-toned media room. Just place your tablet in the
ArtStation™ Pro and luxuriate in the rich, bold jAura® acoustics that every demanding consumer craves.

The articulating arm rotates for portrait or landscape viewing options and allows tilt adjustment for maximum viewing comfort for GALAXY Tab 10.1/8.9. Additionally, the remote control allows users to skip through audio
and video tracks and adjust the volume with ease. For added convenience, the compact remote stores magnetically against the back of the system.

Pricing and Availability
The ArtStation Pro (iSM524) will be available at select iLuv retailers in December and will have a street price (SRP) of $149.99.

Compatibility
iSM524 is compatible with Samsung GALAXY Tab 7” (version 2), 7.7”, 8.9” and 10.1”. For more information go to: www.i-luv.com.

Samsung Reached 300 Million Global Handset Sales in 2011

Samsung Electronics announced on Dec 11 that it has this year achieved annual mobile handset sales of 300 million units for the first time in the company’s history.

Samsung’s 2011 sales results demonstrates a hugely successful year for Samsung across its entire handset portfolio. The company’s flagship GALAXY S range of products -- GALAXY S and GALAXY S II -- contributed significantly to the success, as the products have continued to gain popularity among consumers and propelled the GALAXY brand to one of the most recognized mobile brands in the world.

The GALAXY S II, launched in 2011, set a new sales record for the company, generating 10 million sales quicker than any mobile device in the company’s history.

Spurce - Samsung

Enjoy Galaxy Nexus to Taste Real Ice Cream Sandwich at Baskin Robbins

Samsung Electronics runs an ‘Ice Cream Sandwich Pop-up Store’ from Dec 3 to 25, in celebration of the launch of Galaxy Nexus running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the first time in the world.

There is an experience zone inside the popup store where customers enjoy various new features of Galaxy Nexus like Android Beam, Face Unlock. And customers who experience all the features required are given with stamps that they can exchange with a coupon for Ice Cream Sandwich at Baskin Robbins.

An official from the company said that “We organized this pop-up store event to let customers directly experience exciting features of Galaxy Nexus, empowered by the Android Ice Cream Sandwich platform.”

Source - Samsung

Coby Electronics Announces Debut Collection of Android 4.0 OS Internet Tablets

Coby Electronics Corporation, the CE leader with products designed to fit every lifestyle, today announced it will ring in the New Year with the exciting launch of its all-new, highly-anticipated collection of Android™ 4.0 OS - "Ice Cream Sandwich"-Internet tablets. Among the first to market with one of the largest lineups of Ice Cream Sandwich-operated tablets, Coby will debut five standout introductory models, giving consumers a wide variety of unique styles and sizes to choose from - all at incredible prices - starting Q1 2012. The brand-new Coby Android 4.0 OS tablet collection will be unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Booth #12027, in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 10-13, 2012.

"Coby is thrilled to announce our premiere range of feature-packed Android 4.0-powered Internet tablets that will put the world in consumers' hands as never before," said Jodi Sally, Vice President of Marketing, Coby Electronics. "We also are proud to be among the first companies to make available a wide range of the newest, Ice Cream Sandwich-operated units, helping to further underscore our commitment to meeting the demands of a broad base of consumers with innovative products in the hottest CE categories."

Following on the success of Coby's current top-selling Internet tablets, the exciting Android 4.0 assortment will include the 7" MID7042, 8" MID8042 (4:3 aspect ratio), 9" MID9042, 9.7" MID9742 (4:3 aspect ratio), and 10" MID1042. With lightning-fast access to thousands of apps and wireless web browsing, the upcoming units all will feature 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU and offer capacitive multi-touch screens, up to 1GB of RAM, expandable memory up to 32GB, Wi-Fi and HDMI 1080p output. Overall, Coby has stream-lined its features to address the core applications including: browsing the web, playing games, email and viewing one's favorite media.

Source - COBY

Panasonic to Expand Smartphone Business to European Market

Panasonic announced today that it will expand its smartphone business to the European market in March 2012. At the same time, it announced its aim to bring its overseas smartphone sales to nine million units in fiscal year 2016, ending March 31, 2016, using Europe as a stepping stone to the global market.

With the mobile phone market rapidly shifting to smartphone usage worldwide and a steady growth expected particularly overseas, Panasonic aims to tap into this growth with its first global model smartphone for the European market in March 2012.

The main characteristics of the global model are:

1. An ultra-slim D-shaped design for easy portability
2. Slim bezel with high viewing quality Quarter HD (QHD) 4.3-inch large organic light emitting diode (OLED) screen
3. Waterproof and dustproof for ease of handling

Using this as a reference model, Panasonic will expand its lineup, aiming at sales of 1.5 million smartphones in Europe next fiscal year. Furthermore, in fiscal year 2016, Panasonic targets global sales of 15 million units, including nine million in Europe, Asia, China, and the United States and six million in Japan (of which five million are smartphones).

The Panasonic Group created the Systems & Communications Company (SNC) in April this year in advance of its reorganization scheduled for January 2012 in order to handle products and services related to system, network and mobile communications. Within this company, Panasonic will maximize its internal resources, including making use of an existing factory in Malaysia. Currently, phones for the Japanese market are manufactured in this factory but now the same factory is also scheduled to manufacture the first global model as announced.

Panasonic will continue to expand its product lineup and increase sales in a speedy process by thoroughly utilizing the Group's technological assets and development resources as well as its production and sales sites around the world, thereby strengthening development, production, and sales structure and product competitiveness.

Source - Panasonic