Nokia will launch the N82 tomorrow. As mentioned before, the phone is basically an N95 in a different form factor, although over and above the N95 it also includes a Xenon flash, 90Mb of RAM, and a larger battery. The other interesting extra feature is an auto-rotate function like the iPhone.
Yesterday TomTom launched their new HD Traffic service in The Netherlands. This High Definition traffic service uses raw, anonymous GSM signalling data made available through the partnership between TomTom and Vodafone. This data is merged with existing traffic sources to deliver the world’s most advanced traffic data.
This unique new way of supplying customers with accurate and precise traffic information, using anonymous, aggregated mobile phone data, sets a new industry standard and revolutionises the way drivers plan their daily journeys. Users receive up to five times more traffic updates so they are better informed about the traffic situation on their route and receive more accurate travel and arrival times.
In addition, HD Traffic covers at least ten times more roads in the Netherlands, so drivers know in advance that the alternative route they take is actually a smarter option, thus avoiding any unnecessary delays. TomTom has entered into a partnership with mobile network operator Vodafone in The Netherlands and in the United Kingdom for the supply of the anonymous GSM signaling data. Vodafone’s international footprint, strong brand, innovative power and the best mobile network in the industry makes it a true and reliable partner for TomTom and its users.
The ONE XL HD Traffic comes with integrated HD Traffic, using a built-in SIM card to automatically set up a LIVE connection to the TomTom HD Traffic Centre. The TomTom ONE XL HD Traffic comes with a 12 month introductory subscription to HD Traffic included. After that, you decide if you want to subscribe at the fixed, low cost fee (€9.99 per month in NL, which includes the data connection as well as the traffic service). No hidden charges, no mobile tariffs and no nasty surprises.
TomTom expect to launch this HD Traffic service in the UK in 2008.
HTC has this week announced the Touch Cruise, combining the TouchFLO interface with a builtin GPS. The device includes Windows Mobile 6, HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel camera, microSD expansion, and a 2.8-inch touch-screen. It should ship with TomTom Navigator 6 too.
Here at UK Gadget Blog, we all support the OpenStreetMap foundation, including being contributors to the project. OpenStreetMap is a free editable map of the whole world. It is made by people like you and us. OpenStreetMap allows you to view, edit and use geographical data in a collaborative way from anywhere on Earth.
The interesting news from OSM is that a team of Brighton mappers have completed mapping Brighton and are holding a party to mark the occasion on November 29. Head over to the Brighton OSM webpage for more information.
Hopefully we’ll see many more parties like this as more towns and cities are completed. Here’s part of the map showing the coverage of central Brighton…
OpenStreetMap images (and underlying map data) are freely available under the OpenStreetMap License
Gear4 has recently launched an intriguing device. If you weren’t sure about the Pure Highway, which provides DAB radio and ipod / mp3 music via an FM transmitter, the BluFM provides ipod music via a built in FM transmitter, but also acts as a Bluetooth Headset for your mobile phone, which will nicely interrupt your playing music when you get an incoming call.
More details and pricing in the rest of the article.
As well as the commercial service already mentioned today, we’ve been reminded that there are plenty of free solutions for online syncing of your data. One of those is Funambol, who produce client and server applications using the SyncML standard.
They have also got details online of how to use your iPhone with their free service. Right now, it’s not a full sync service of your data (although equally the Synchronica only offers email), although Funambol are hoping to release full sync application next year using the iPhone SDK.
Alternatively, if you have hacked your iPhone, Funambol also have additional information on how to setup native syncing of the device.
Synchronica, a UK company, have expanded their original US based trial to now encompass UK iPhone users too. Their Mobile Gateway solution allows iPhone owners to receive push e-mail from Microsoft Exchange accounts without requiring additional software to be installed on the iPhone or behind the corporate firewall.
Despite the headline grabbing mention of iPhones, the service is SyncML based, and hence works with a whole range of handsets, including Nokia, where even more functionality is available than just the iPhone’s email service (eg email, calendar, tasks etc.)
More information in the rest of the article.
If you are interested in seeing a poster showing all Nokia mobile phones released, please click here. One interesting point is some of the product’s codenames have been included too…
This is an interesting development… Access have released a beta version of an application that creates a virtual Palm OS environment on the Nokia Internet Tablets, which allows you to run all manner of Palm apps. Although in beta, they have versions for the 770, N800 and the new N810 tablet (pictured above).
So far, they have stated you will be able to run Google Maps™, Snappermail®, DateBk5 and popular games like Bejeweled®, PacMan and Sudoku. They also have a compatibility feedback system to allow users to confirm which additional third party applications work and don’t work.
As well as including some of the standard built in apps, the virtual device also supports Hotsync, opening up the ability to have a copy of your Outlook contacts and diary on your tablet, something not easily available with the native apps today.
Head on over to Access’ Garnet VM Beta webpage for more information.
PC Pro have posted up a couple of interesting reviews from their Oct 07 magazine.
First up is the small Asus Eee PC, which they have given “PC Pro Recommended” status. A nice small form factor laptop running Linux that’s also cheap. A nice high spec of:
Head on over to PC Pro for their review.
Alternatively, there’s a video review here.
The first application that’s been revealed for the Google Phone Android Operating System is an app by WhatsOpen; basically the app uses Google to search for various shops / amenities - but it adds an important missing element to most web searches - it tells you whether they are open right now. This is an interesting additional element - not just searching your local area, but performing a search based on the current time as well as the location. Expect to see many more apps / search facilities like this during 2008.
This is a revolutionary kettle, which saves time and energy in the process.
More details and pricing in the rest of the article.
Here’s a handy tip from the MacRumors forum - if you want to display restaurants within the Maps application on the iPhone follow this simple guide…
Go to the Search bar (click the bottom left button if it’s not showing), type “Starbucks” or “McDonalds”. Even some of the more British ones like “Beefeater” work, but not names of individual restaurants (you’re likely to end up at some odd place in the US if you try). On the other hand, some generic ones work; “Pizza” works, and lists all the Domino’s pizza s in the area, although apparently not Pizza Hut’s. Even “Kebab” works! Other phrases like “Italian restaurant” should work too.
After doing that if you hit “List” instead of the copyright screen you get a list of the restaurants.
If you want to show a route to your chosen restaurant, hit the relevant red marker, and then on the blue ‘>’ sign, which will offer you “Directions To Here”; once you enter a “Directions From Here” location, you can see the route there too!
Hopefully this hint will help you show off the power of your iPhone after you collect it from your nearest O2 / Apple / Carphone Warehouse store tomorrow evening.
Thanks to TonyHoyle and others from the Macrumors forums for this information.
Google announced the Google Phone plans this week. In short, they are not producing a Google Phone, however, they have helped form the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) which will develop the software and between the 33 member organisations, actually produce handsets using the software (the linux based Android mobile platform). The first devices are expected in the second half of 2008, so we’ll keep you posted on the information as it becomes available.
Nokia have released, via their Nokia BetaLabs, 2 Audiobooks applications. Firstly, they have released a player for Series60 devices, using the AMR-WB format, which is a format that creates small files (in size) and is optimised for voice, and hence suitable for audiobooks. Nokia have also released a Windows application to convert your existing audiobooks (including mp3s) into this format.
More screenshots in the rest of the article.
Due to a small technical problem, we’ve had to upload a new WidSet widget. Unfortunately we weren’t able to take advantage of the “Replace Widget” feature which would have meant the new widget automatically replaced our earlier widget. All links on this site have been updated to the new widget. Apologies.
According to reports on the BTFON support forum, users of both iPhones and iPod Touch devices are having problems connecting to BTFON hotspots (BTFON as you’ll remember is the joint venture between BT and FON we covered here.
It appears this may also affect traditional BT OpenZone hotpots too, so don’t rush out to show off your new UK iPhone too quickly if you are in the wrong coffee shop on Friday evening.
Both Apple and BT are looking into the problem, which appears to be related to getting the Safari browser to bring up the login page.
Pure Digital, a well respected maker of DAB radio equipment in the UK, have just announced their new Pure Highway DAB in-car radio. What’s unique about this, compared to the previous in-car DAB addon radios is the easy self-install design…
More details in the rest of the article.
TomTom announced today that it is now supplying selected TomTom SatNav devices with their latest (read fixed) RDS-TMC traffic receiver in the same box. Similar to Garmin, TomTom has added a “T” into the new product titles to indicate that the product is a bundle including traffic support.
More details of the models and prices in the rest of the article.
Having first seen the PocketSurfer2 on the Widget stand at the PocketGPSWorld Expo in Sandown Park earlier this year, it’s nice to see it’s actually shipping. Not just available from Widget and Amazon, it’s even available from Asda Online. Also, it should be available soon in John Lewis stores and Virgin Megastores.
More details in the rest of the article.