Tantau
Tantau Software Inc. released its Wireless Internet Platform version 2, which features enhancements for back-end connectivity, content personalization and information delivery. In addition, the company announced a strategic agreement with Hewlett-Packard Co. to co-market mobile e-services solutions designed for financial institutions that combine the Tantau wireless server platform with HP’s 9000 Enterprise Server and NetServer systems. SEB, a Scandinavian financial group, is the first to adopt the solution, the company said. (877) 689-4418.
Nokia
Nokia Corp. released its Inductive Loopset LPS-3, an accessory for the Nokia 8200 and 8800 series mobile phones, allowing people who use T-coil equipped hearing aids to talk on a digital mobile phone. The loopset consists of a wireloop that goes around the user’s neck and connects to the bottom of the phone. The loopset transmits speech from the phone to the hearing aid and has a built-in microphone providing hands-free operation for the user. Nokia noted that all hearing aids support the induction loop technology, which has been used for decades in public places to assist people who are hard of hearing. (888) 665-4228.
Widcomm
Short-range wireless communications and Bluetooth networking provider Widcomm Inc. unveiled its PCMCIA card reference design based on Bluetooth wireless technology. Widcomm said the BlueCard will enable laptop computer users to connect wirelessly to other Bluetooth laptop computers, desktop personal computers, personal digital assistants and cell phones, and supports Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT and Windows 2000 applications. (858) 453-8400.
Motorola
Motorola Inc. launched its LM Series of fixed wireless access products as an addition to its other local multipoint distribution service solutions. According to Motorola, with the LM Series addition, its LMDS offering now provides all the components to build a wireless access network for mid-range and small businesses as well as multi-dwelling units. In addition, Motorola’s DigitalDNA Laboratories, the research arm of its Semiconductor Products Sector, demonstrated a flip chip plastic ball grid array package capable of routing hundreds of I/O from the die with array pitches as low as 150 microns. For I/O intensive devices that may be pad limited at current pitches, Motorola said the move to 150 micron pitch can provide a 250 percent increase in I/O density. Currently in the development stage, this packaging technology is expected to be available for Motorola’s future advanced Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor products. (800) 422-4210.
Tendler
Tendler Cellular unveiled its FoneFinder handset product that includes telematics features in a global positioning system-equipped phone. The phone includes a concierge button for roadside assistance, directions and other services as well as a Microwire Interface that allows the phone to be activated and report location information during an emergency. The Microwire Interface wakes up the phone in response to air-bag deployment, auto-alarm activation or a paging signal to call a dispatch center or public safety answering point. Position information is reported over the voice channel using Dual Tone Multi-Frequency tones. The phone is available in a Code Division Multiple Access/Advanced Mobile Phone Service format, which can call PSAPs directly. Tendler said Cross Country Group will provide backroom services for roadside assistance and directions. (800) 896-4440.
AMS
Business and information technology consulting firm American Management Systems introduced a Wireless Application Protocol user interface to INAdvance, its prepaid customer care and management solution for the communications industry. AMS said the WAP interface allows prepaid customers to review call charges, reload their balance, transfer their balance to other prepaid services or consult the loyalty program using wireless Internet access from their handset. (703) 267-8000.
Spectrum Signal Processing
Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. unveiled its first wideband solution as part of its flexComm wireless communications product line designed for development and deployment of third-generation cellular base stations employing any of the 3G air interface standards. According to SSP, the solution offers the capability to process four 30 MHz wideband channels in a single slot, or up to 24 channels in a CompactPCI chassis. In addition, by incorporating programmable FPGA pre-processing, it has the ability to partition 3G algorithms so that the processing demands of wideband Code Division Multiple Access do not overwhelm the baseband processing engines. SSP noted the solution also comes with its Digital Radio Wizard software for configuration of the hardware, allowing software developers to focus on rapid development and deployment of their 3G algorithms. (604) 421-5422.
Cellmania.com
Wireless commerce solutions provider Cellmania.com introduced Mfinder and Mstore, a suite of wireless solutions for businesses pursuing mobile customers. Mfinder, a directory of wireless Internet sites, provides reviews of each site and organizes them in mobile-friendly categories. Mfinder also allows users to go to their desktop computer to bookmark mobile Internet sites for their wireless devices. Mstore, a Web service for wireless devices, helps consumers make educated purchases by providing comprehensive reviews of the product and of the service provider, reviewing service coverage maps and comparing prices among devices and plans, according to the company. (800) 750-3569.
Invertix
Invertix Corp. launched its Mercury software, designed to deliver intelligence technology to wireless and wireless Internet carriers. Invertix said that by unifying and organizing data within an operational wireless network, Mercury promises new levels of revenue assurance, aggressive customer care and highly focused marketing campaigns. Using a software engine to build a warehouse of data from diverse billing, operations and engineering subsystems, Mercury is designed to offer wireless carriers a single point of access to their business and operational data, according to Invertix. (703) 813-2100.
Rent Express Communications
Rent Express Communications Inc., a provider of wireless communications for overseas travelers, launched its World Service/Motorola TimePort package, giving North Americans the ability to travel with the same international phone number with added features. Rent Express said the program allows European clients to call a number that gives the traveler a “local” presence. In addition, the service saves the traveler from having to incur extra charges from calls that travel back and forth across continents. The Tri-band TimePort used in the service is designed for global roaming with access to Global System for Mobile communications networks in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies, and features data compatibility, a lithium ion battery, travel charger and adapters for use around the world. (888) 622-7368.
Alegna
Alegna Inc. introduced its PowerLink 572 Power Management Unit, a universal, portable battery power unit designed to provide up to ten times the internal battery power of cellular telephones and other handheld devices, as well as portable charging capability when an AC outlet or an appropriate AC plug is not available. Alegna said the PowerLink 572 facilitates up to 30 hours of talk-time or up to 60 days of standby time and provides five amps of power through 7.2 volts. The unit consists of a lithium ion battery in a charger unit, and comes with a removable belt clip, an AC and DC adapter and an adapter cable. The company noted that all components for the PowerLink 572 are manufactured in ISO-9000 certified facilities. (703) 716-4600.
IFR Systems
IFR Systems Inc., a designer and manufacturer of test solutions for wireless communications, released a software test suite for testing cellular and personal communications services phone bat
teries allowing mobile phone original equipment manufacturers and cellular phone service providers to dynamically assess battery life. The Battery Test Suite dynamically exercises any phone based on the ANSI-136 Time Division Multiple Access standard in a manner closely emulating the way the phone will actually be used by consumers, IFR said. The phone can be camped on a digital-control channel and the tester will periodically register the phone to simulate a standby mode with various levels of mobility. IFR also said the suite gives test engineers the ability to switch the phone to a digital-traffic channel and monitor the phone’s signaling to accurately test talk time or data transfer time. (800) 835-2352.
Zucotto Systems
Java semiconductor solutions supplier Zucotto Systems Inc. unveiled its XpressoBoard Z1010 hardware development toolkit for integrating Java wireless applications. The company said the kit allows users to further integrate, validate and test wireless applications on Xpresso, Zucotto’s Java wireless chip for the wireless Internet on mobile devices. (858) 551-4222.
NowSpeed
Wireless Internet application service provider NowSpeed Inc. introduced its Mobile E-Mail Portal giving users access to e-mail messages from almost all wireless devices including mobile phones, browser-enabled mobile phones, pagers, Palm computing devices and other personal digital assistants. NowSpeed claims the portal delivers device-independent and network-independent mobile e-mail service giving users a single view of their e-mail messages regardless of their access choice. The portal is available in a Professional Edition for individuals and departments and an Enterprise Edition for organizations. The company also announced that the first 5,000 subscribers to its Professional Edition service will receive free service for the first year. (508) 879-2700.
Ophir RF
Ophir RF introduced its 4020 amplifier, a narrowband, high-gain class A amplifier with applications in the multichannel multipoint distribution service frequency range. With an operational bandwidth of 2.5 GHz to 2.7 GHz, Ophir said the 4020 can be used in both EMC and communications applications. In addition, the 4020’s AC input is auto-switching so the amplifier can be used in either a 120 VAC or 220 VAC environment. Available options include a microprocessor-based controller complete with a liquid crystal display and various communication port options. (310) 306-5556.
Decibel Products
Decibel Products unveiled its DB788QM5N-XS Quad Band Omni Antenna, designed to offer broadband wireless operation in multiple bandwidths simultaneously, including Advanced Mobile Phone Service/Time Division Multiple Access, Global System for Mobile communications, personal communications services, wireless local loop and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System bands in the 800 MHz to 2.5 GHz range. The company said the antenna is designed for convention centers, amphitheaters, concert halls and parking garages, and can withstand wind speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. Decibel also introduced its DB794CM5N-KU Indoor/Outdoor Antenna, a ceiling-mount, single monopole, corner reflector antenna. Decibel said the DB794 is designed for high directional gain and coverage of up to three bands, including GSM 1800, PCS 1900 and UMTS frequencies in the 1710 MHz to 2200 MHz range. The DB794 antenna features 100 watts of maximum input power and weighs less than one pound, according to Decibel. (214) 631-0310.
Optikos
Optikos Corp. launched its Surface Measurement Instrument, employing wavefront-sensing technology for measuring ball lenses used in fiber-optic devices. Optikos said the SMI provides full surface mapping, allowing evaluation of radius of curvature and surface irregularities. Optikos said the SMI includes a graphical user interface for Windows 95/98/NT operating systems allowing data generated to be shared between applications. Also included with the SMI software is an ActiveX programming interface for integration into manufacturing databases and quality assurance systems. (617) 354-7557.
RF Connector
RF Connector released a new adapter bridging the subminiature type A and MMCX interfaces. The RSA-3408-1, SMA Jack to MMCX Plug adapter is designed for optimal performance in the 0 GHz to 6 GHz frequency range, and features a gold-plated machined brass body, gold contacts and PTFE insulation. (800) 233-1728.
Trimble
Global positioning system product developer Trimble Navigation Ltd. unveiled its FirstGPS architecture, a GPS receiver for mobile devices specifically developed for power-sensitive mobile information devices, such as laptop computers, personal digital assistants, digital cameras, smart phones, pagers and automobile navigation systems. Trimble said its architecture requires only 30 milliwatts to 50 milliwatts of power at 3.3 volts when updating position every second. For devices that only need location on demand, several sleep and low-power modes allow further power savings. Trimble said samples for original equipment manufacturers would be available by the end of the third quarter. (800) 827-8000.
Tellabs
Tellabs released a home location register lookup feature for its Salix 7000 series of class-independent switching solutions, enabling mobile service providers to route calls and migrate to next-generation networks. Tellabs said the HLR lookup directs calls to mobile subscribers on the correct mobile switching center from the public switched telephone network gateway and takes over a major call-routing function in Global System for Mobile communications networks. (630) 378-8800.
