Mobile Evolution

Sony Ericsson has shown off a new phone, the Jalou that based on the company statement is aimed at the female market. Claimed to be shorted than a lipstick, and coming with a screen that acts as a make-up mirror, the phone also includes more conventional aspects, such as a 3.2 megapixel camera, 3G connectivity and Bluetooth.

It also has an "exclusive fashion interface which automatically updates with zodiac signs and special events throughout the year."

"Structured forms, intricate corners, hidden depths and jewel accents are set to be some of the hottest fashion trends in 2010. You can also expect to see deep and natural jewel colours on the runway next year. Jalou reflects these trends with its delicate facet-cut diamond shape design, clean and expressive lines and variety of different shine and matt finishes, that give depth to the handset," gushed Charles Hunt, Jalou head designer at Sony Ericsson. "The design team wanted the handset to reflect beauty found in nature. They looked at structure, strength and form in various crystalline jewels, which resulted in the unique shape."

Features:

• 3.2 megapixel camera - snap your favourite outfit and send to your friends
• Video recording - film and post clips online anytime
• Stereo FM radio - catch up on the latest songs while on the move
• Music player - with Bluetooth stereo, PlayNow and TrackID
• Bluetooth 2.0 - upload images and videos to your social network site
• Mirror Key - check your hair before a hot date
• Walk Mate step counter - see how far you have walked while out shopping
• Internet - Google search, Google maps, email, instant messaging, picture messaging
• Entertainment - YouTube application, 3D games, video viewing
• Weight - 84 grams

Fashion house, Dolce & Gabbana will also offer a co-branded version of the handset.

Nokia has joined forces with Microsoft to port Microsoft Office Mobile and Microsoft business communications, collaboration and device management software to Nokia's Symbian based smartphones. Starting from next year, Nokia intends to start shipping Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile on its smartphones, followed by other Office applications and related software and services in the future.

Microsoft Business Division President Stephen Elop and Nokia's Executive Vice President for Devices Kai Oistamo announced the agreement, outlining a shared vision for the future of mobile productivity. This is the first time that either company has embarked on an alliance of this scope and nature.

"With more than 200 million smartphone customers globally, Nokia is the world's largest smartphone manufacturer and a natural partner for us,"said Elop. "Today's announcement will enable us to expand Microsoft Office Mobile to Nokia smartphone owners worldwide and allow them to collaborate on Office documents from anywhere, as part of our strategy to provide the best productivity experience across the PC, phone and browser."

"The scope of the alliance between Microsoft and Nokia, and potential value for the enterprise and individual is significant," said Stephen Drake, VP of Mobility & Telecom at IDC. "By bringing Microsoft's productivity solutions to Nokia's large customer base, the two companies should be better able to serve the needs of the growing mobile worker population, which IDC estimates to reach 1 billion worldwide in 2011."

All Telenor prepaid subscribers get a chance to win Free minutes (upto 1,000) and Free SMS upto (2,500) through the total recharge they do till 3rd September 2009.

How to Participate?

Subscribers can activate this offer through one of two ways:

Dial 206 [charges: Rs. 2+tax/Min]
SMS FREE to 206 [charges: Rs2+tax/SMS]

Free minutes & SMS will be given on the amount of total recharge customers do from the date they activate the offer till 3rd September 2009.

Break up of free minutes and Free SMS, based on recharge is as follows:

For example:

• If total recharge is between Rs 150 – 499 from subscription date to 3rd September, customer will receive 15 free minutes and 50 free SMS
• If total recharge is between Rs 500 – 1499 from subscription date to 3rd September, customer will receive 100 free minutes and 500 free SMS
• If total recharge is greater than Rs 1500 from subscription date to 3rd September, customer will receive 1000 free minutes and 2500 free SMS

Mechanics:

• This is a subscription based offer, customers need to subscribe to this offer either by dialing 206 or sending FREE in an SMS to 206
• Offer is valid for a limited period, and customers have to accumulate recharge from the day they activate the offer till 3rd September 2009
• The offer is valid for all prepaid subscribers i.e. all Talkshawk and djuice subscribers can activate this offer
• In order to qualify for the bonus, apart from accumulation of recharge, customers would also have to spend a minimum of Rs 50 (inclusive of taxes) from the offer activation date till 3rd September
• Free Minutes and Free SMS will be posted by 11th September 2009
• Validity of free minutes and SMS would be 7 days

Facebook acquired Friendfeed and now it is going to launch Facebook Lite. Just moments ago Facebook notified thousand of users including me about beta testing of Facebook Lite. But right after a few minutes the message disappeared.

We are building a faster, simpler version of Facebook that we call Facebook Lite. It’s not finished yet and we have plenty of kinks to work out, but we would love to get your feedback on what we have built so far.
Check out Facebook Lite now at http://lite.facebook.com.

Warid is partnering with UK based Mobile media company 3rd Space to provide advertising supported mobile content for its 18 million subscribers. Warid Telecom, which is jointly owned by the Abu Dhabi group and SingTel, is at the forefront of innovation in new media and the partnership is a reflection of its commitment to providing Value Added Services (VAS) to its customers.

Warid Pakistan subscribers will be given access to free content such as Bollywood cinema, songs and music videos in exchange for watching an advert embedded within the video.

“Our partnership with Warid is vital to providing ‘Value Added Services’ to people who want it. Pakistan’s focus is to engage with International companies and use partnerships like ours as a springboard for international business while supporting local communities.” said Martyn Lock, Director of Sales and Marketing. “We are delighted to be providing mobile TV services for one of the most forward-thinking mobile operators in Pakistan. Warid Group subscribers in Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, Congo and Uganda have an appetite for Mobile TV and we look forward launching advertising supported content like the Africa Nations Cup Football in the near future.”

Farrukh Khan of Warid Pakistan commented “Our partnership with 3rd Space resonates with our commitment to the world markets, our customers are ready to receive world-class content in return for watching video advertising, this is very much win-win for everyone. We are proud to be moving our business forward with 3rd Space Services in the UK.”