PDA technology
Blue Impact
Blue Impact, a partner of CellPoint, introduced a combined GSM/global positioning system (GPS) module for the Handspring Visor called Tellmen. The Tellmen module is compatible with CellPoint’s location platform and services, allowing the Visor to access all CellPoint location services offered by GSM network operators, the company said. www.cellpt.com
Sagem
French manufacturer Sagem announced the WA 3050 wireless Pocket PC with GSM/GPRS technology. The product is based on Microsoft’s Windows Powered Pocket PC platform. The “Wireless Assistant” enables users to take advantage of the features of a wireless phone in addition to a mobile device that features wireless Internet browsing, the ability to listen to MP3 audio files, the option to read eBooks with Microsoft Reader, and caller alert functions while using Pocket PC applications. The product will compete with similar products using the Symbian operating system that is expected to be released in 2001. www.sagem.com
Xircom
Xircom introduced a personal digital assistant (PDA), about the size of a credit card, called a MicroPDA. The REX 6000 is about 7.62 centimeters long, 5 centimeters high and 0.5 centimeters thick with a black-and-white screen resolution of 240 by 120. It features 2 Megabits of memory, a touch-screen stylus, five navigation buttons, Intellisync software and a battery life of up to six months. Xircom developed the REX 6000 in conjunction with partners KPMG Consulting and Brience. The latter provided its Brience 2.0 Framework as the key component for adapting Web-based content for the device. Users may synchronize the device with their personal computers. Currently, the REX 6000 has no wireless capabilities, but Xircom said it plans to add such functionality in the next year. www.rex.net or www.xircom.com
Handsets
Ericsson
Ericsson introduced an i-mode phone designed for use on NTT DoCoMo’s PDC network in Japan. The i-mode phone, Ericsson’s first, is dubbed the ER209i. In addition to Internet access, the phone offers both Japanese and English options, weighs 77 grams and features 130 minutes of talk time with 310 hours of standby time.
Ericsson also announced its new R380 World Smartphone, an integrated device that combines the features of a mobile phone and personal digital assistant with Internet access. The R380, a standard-sized mobile phone based on the Symbian operating system, features a touch-sensitive screen offering a range of communications and personal organization tools. A touch stylus offers access to e-mail, the Internet and an organizer through a virtual on-screen keyboard or natural handwriting recognition. The phone is compatible with desktop business applications and offers data synchronization from one device to another, as well as text messaging. The product offers international roaming in more than 120 countries and WAP services for Internet access. www.ericsson.com/r380
GEO Interactive Media Group and Samsung
GEO Interactive Media and Samsung launched a streaming video mobile phone, based on GEO’s Emblaze A2 video chip. To access video, a user dials into the Emblaze video server and chooses the video content that is then displayed on the screen of the handset. The Emblaze technology enables encoding and playback of live and on-demand video messages and content through several modes-personal computers, PDAs, video cell phones and television. Samsung has launched the phone in Asia and is intending to bring it to Europe, followed by the United States. www.emblaze.com
Motorola
Motorola introduced the AccompliT Personal Communicator 009, a wireless communications device that incorporates tri-band GSM and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) protocols, phone functionality, Internet access, e-mail and short message service. The product is about as big as a pack of cards and is a virtual mobile office, the company said. It has an infrared data port, POP3 e-mail, and 8 Megabits flash memory. www.motorola.com
Telular
Telular announced the development of its fixed wireless terminal (FWT), a product that provides wireless voice, fax and data communications. Designated the Phonecell SX4e GSM 1900 FWT, the product is based on GSM technology that operates in the 1900 MHz band. Volume production of the FWT is slated for May 2001. www.telular.com
Wireless Internet technology
AOL
America Online announced its e-mail and Instant Messaging services will be available wirelessly through the company’s Mobile Communicator device. www.aol.com
Jataayu
Jataayu Software, a subsidiary of Integra MicroSystems, announced the launch of ZAP2WAP, an automatic HTML to WML conversion service. ZAP2WAP converts a Web site to WML and allows a user to browse the content through a mobile device. The WAP2ZAP is India’s first Palm-based browser. www.jataayusoft.com
Nokia
Nokia announced its new TETRA Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser, which will bring WAP applications to TETRA digital mobile dispatch radio networks. The company said the browser will operate on a PC or laptop and will provide access to new applications for TETRA users. www.nokia.com
Wapprofit
Mobile commerce company Wapprofit launched Cellulize, its new wireless Internet content creation software, which the company said can work in i-mode, HDML, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and AvantGo languages. The company said the new product offers a graphical interface, a syntax checker to correct discrepancies among United States, European and Asian formats, and a flexible architecture. The product release follows Wapprofit’s English-based i-mode emulator and editor launch. www.wapprofit.com
SnapTrack
SnapTrack has released its SnapCore multimode global positioning system (GPS) wireless location product. SnapTrack, a subsidiary of Qualcomm, said its SnapCore product provides accurate location information both inside and outside wireless network coverage; supports a range of location service infrastructure implementations; and enables on-demand location services. SnapCore can operate in three modes: SmartServer, which allows position calculations to be performed by a location server; ThinServer, which allows calculations to be done by the mobile terminal with some assistance from a server; and Autonomous GPS mode, in which the mobile terminal requires no server help. www.qualcomm.com
Network equipment
Radio Frequency Systems (RFS)
RFS has launched a series of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) base station kits designed to minimize UMTS base station rollout time. They are composed of a single RFS cross-polarized UMTS base station antenna, four superflexible 1.3-centimeter jumpers, two Cellflex feeder cables, cable connectors, earthing kits and other accessories. The UMTS kits are scheduled for launch across Western Europe during 2001. www.rfsworld.com
Galleon
Galleon has introduced the Point-to-Multipoint Hub for broadband wireless access (BWA) communications. The product features coverage capability of two, four, eight or 16 sectors, as well as 360 degrees of coverage for up to 16 sectors and 22.5 degrees to 180 degrees of azimuth for additional sector subsystems. The 46-centimeter tall, 40.6-centimeter wide, 9-kilogram unit also features weather-proof casing. www.galleonwireless.com
Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems (HNS) announced the availability of a new model of its AIReach Broadband 9000 local multipoint distribution system (LMDS). The new model, which features a 26 GHz format, is offered in Asia, Europe and other countries that have frequency allocations in the 24 GHz to 26 GHz format band for broadband fixed wireless access. www.hns.com
Tecore
Tecore has moved into General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and introduced the AirCore GPRS Home Locati
on Register (HLR). The compact GPRS HLR supports multiple data profiles per subscriber, has a scalability from 100 subscribers to 1 million, and h
as concurrent General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and GSM service. The HLR can also be integrated into existing AirCore GSM switching platforms or used as a stand-alone product. The AirCore platform enables high-speed data transmission, video conferencing, wireless Internet and mobile commerce. www.tecore.com
Wireless messaging
Tecnomen
Tecnomen released the eZoner, a multimedia messaging system that features four services. The first is the voiceZone, which includes two messaging options. The options are Multimessaging System, a carrier-grade voice and fax mail system with internal short message service (SMS) notifications, and Telephonic Access System, a voice and fax mail system with e-mail, which can also be used as a stand-alone service. MailZone provides access to e-mail via mobile handsets and funZone is an entertainment suite featuring mobile chat and picture messaging. The timeZone system features personal desktop services. www.tecnomen.fi
Applications
ART
Advanced Recognition Technologies (ART) reported availability of smARTcar software with a user interface that provides ways to naturally control and command many of a vehicle’s electronic systems. SmARTcar features voice interface to activate and control embedded automotive systems-lights, wipers, windows, air conditioning and heating, as well as accessories, such as the radio, cassette or CD player. As an option to voice activation, smARTcar will also deploy natural handwriting recognizers that work through fingertip writing. Handwriting recognition also works for ignition security-lock control activated by a personal signature. www.artcomp.com
Cable & Wireless
Global telecommunications group Cable & Wireless announced the availability of Mobile Internet Solutions, a service that enables Internet service providers and mobile operators to offer customers access to Internet services through mobile devices. Mobile Internet Solutions also gives providers the ability to offer content, such as e-mail, scheduling and news. The service is available in the United States and will be introduced in other parts of the world in the near future. www.cwusa.com
