Vodafone Neverfail High Availability Service for BlackBerry

Europe : Vodafone UK announced that it has completed a deal with Neverfail, a leading global software company providing affordable continuous availability and disaster recovery solutions.

Vodafone will now offer business customers a high availability and disaster recovery service for mobile email using the Neverfail software.

In today’s business environment access to email whilst on the move is a key requirement for many organizations.


Losing email access, even for a short time, can have drastic consequences for businesses. The Vodafone Neverfail High Availability Service for BlackBerry will provide uninterrupted availability of BlackBerry services to Vodafone business customers.

The Vodafone Neverfail High Availability Service for BlackBerry monitors the health of the entire email environment, including the server hardware, the network infrastructure, the application and the operating system. If any anomalies are identified, Neverfail will immediately take action to prevent loss of service. It will either automatically attempt to restart applications before they fail, switch over to a secondary server, or alert the IT staff so that no downtime or loss of service is experienced. Once the issue is resolved, they are automatically switched back to the main servers and neither users nor administrators are required to restart their applications.

“As market leader in the UK in providing BlackBerry services, it was important to be able to offer robust access to email. By adding Neverfail’s solution into our Managed Service portfolio, we can offer enormous service expertise to protect critical parts of our customers’ IT infrastructure,” said Curt Hopkins, Head of Enterprise Mobility Solutions, Vodafone UK. “Neverfail has an enviable reputation for protecting mission-critical systems with its continuous availability solutions and we have selected them as our preferred provider for high availability and disaster recovery for BlackBerry and email implementations.”
“Vodafone as a company relies on continuous mobile access to email and we have also selected the Neverfail solution to use within our own organization,” continued Hopkins. “Having complete confidence that email will be available 24/7 365 days a year is a significant advantage as many key staff depend on access via Blackberry devices in order to fulfil their roles.”
“Vodafone is well ahead of the general telecommunications market. Rather than just providing handsets and airtime minutes, Vodafone is offering strategic services, such as high availability, to support the entire BlackBerry platform,” said Richard Ruddlesden, EMEA Channel Director, Neverfail. “We are very pleased that Vodafone has selected us to offer its customers an exceptional communications experience that is the best in the industry.”
Vodafone Managed Services will work in partnership with Neverfail in the UK to offer customers advanced capabilities such as continuous availability for mobile devices and communications solutions from RIM, MicrosoftÒ and IBMÒ LotusÒ NotesÒ.

Sony Ericsson Adopts New Nomenclature System

Sony Ericsson Adopts New Nomenclature System

If you've been wondering about the unusual model numbers of some of Sony Ericsson's latest products it is because, as announced today, they are using a new nomenclature system that will implement several major changes.

For starters, the "i" -symbol will no longer be used as a suffix on any devices. In fact, the full Sony Ericsson portfolio already has eight different handsets without the "i" tag. The "a" and "c" suffixes will remain to designate model versions for the American and Chinese markets respectively.

Model names will begin with a capital letter that denoting the type of phone. "C" denotes the popular Cyber-shot series that consists of camera-centric phones. "S", which formerly denoted slider/swivel phones will now mean "Snapshot", phones that are less well equipped than the C-series. No new models have been designated S so far. "G" stands for "Generation Web" and will denote the lower end of the smart phone line while the XPERIA series will denote the upper echelon. "W" will denote the Walkman line while "R" will denote the lesser Radio series.

The number following the initial letter denotes the status of the phone as high end, mid-range or low end, with 9 being the highest. The next number is the version number, followed by a number that describes the phone's style, 0-2 is a candy bar, 3-5 slider, 6-8 clamshell, 9 other.

There is no word as to what will happen to the K, T, M, Z and P series yet but there is supposed to be a P5 announcement this summer

Mobile Java Games

New age mobile phones offer communications as well as entertainment features. Apart from music and digital functionalities, mobile games play an important role in the communications media. In the recent times, mobile games have gained much popularity in the digital mobile world. There was a time when only some simple and default games, precisely called as embedded games were available. Now, with technological advancement, new and feature rich mobile games, often called as Mobile Java games have been incorporated in the latest mobile devices.

With tremendous development in IT sector, computer games came into picture. Now, mobile games have become a new buzz. Mobile game developers with their innovative mind are developing games that are supported by Java – that's the reason why they are called as mobile Java games. These games are quite different from the conventional mobile games. With 3D effect and Java support – new age mobile games add more twist and tango with easy-to-use operations. Simply read the help manual and start playing the game.

From the developers perspective, mobile Java games are getting much popularity and for them its a better platform to earn money. On the other hand, from consumers perspective, mobile Java games are one of the entertainment options – with more innovative and challenging games, users can exercise their mind anytime. Whether you are in and out of the office, on-the-go – you can play mobile games. Easy availability is another thing that adds to its popularity.

Easy accessibility of mobile games via mobile Internet is another plus point for consumers. Now, mobile users can download latest games online. Network service providers on the other hand also offer latest games in their network services. Play mind boggling Java games and keep your mind fresh and cool – relax your mind from your hectic lifestyle and feel the difference.


 

Mobile Inner Decoration


There are three main components of mobile inner decoration.


1. Mobile Wallpapers
2. Mobile Screensavers
3. Mobile Themes

1. Mobile Wallpapers

Let's start with wallpapers. Each and every mobile phone has this option, either new or old. Like desktop wallpapers, mobile wallpapers are stilled images which can be set as background of the mobile screen. Some mobile manufacturers provide options for animated wallpapers too to be used as background in mobile phones. Large numbers of varieties are available for mobile wallpapers; either you talk in size or in category.

2. Mobile Screensavers

After mobile wallpapers here comes the mobile screensavers. Not all but many mobile phones have this option. Mobile screensavers are animated images consists of set of different images. These screensavers displayed when you leave your mobile phone screen still for a long time.

3. Mobile Themes

Finally after mobile wallpapers and mobile screensavers we have mobile themes. Many mobile phones have option of themes available. Mobile themes are set of images and colors which are used on different places in mobile phone. Color combination remains same but images may vary in different sections of mobile phone. Some themes consist of only two images; one image is used as main wallpaper while the other one is used for navigation.

Hope you will find this article informative for the cause of inner decoration of your mobile phone. You can find wallpapers, screensavers and themes for your mobile phones very easily on web.


 

What is Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce)?

Companies can use Mobile Commerce (m-commerce) to increase sales of their products and services. Mobile commerce can bring huge buyers for companies.

Overview : Internet now can be browsed by PDA and Mobile devices. Mobile Screens are increasing day by day. Mobile users love to check e-mails and many other applications on their mobile devices. e-business or e-commerce turning into mobile commerce.

What is Mobile Commerce (m-commerce)?

E-commerce will coming soon become Mobile Commerce (m-commerce) because mobile devices are more user friendly than computer. Peoples checking movies details and many other useful information on their mobile devices. Many companies accepting payment by SMS payment system. In future Mobile Commerce (m-commerce) will be sales and marketing showcase, educational application for companies.

Why Mobile Commerce (m-commerce)?

Companies can use Mobile Commerce (m-commerce) to increase sales of their products and services. Mobile commerce can bring huge buyers for companies.

Benefits of Mobile Commerce (m-commerce)
Buyers can access products catalog on their mobile devices.
Companies can do promotions
Companies can show products.
Customers can price details from any palce.

How Mobile Commerce (m-commerce) can help Companies?

Companies can make websites for mobile devices, which is popularly known as WAP or Wireless Application Protocol. Companies can make online catalogs of products and services so that mobile users can access that catalog from their mobile devices. Companies can offer their services for mobile users bigest community.

 

Mobile Phone Messaging: A Technological Souvenir

Instant messengers are very popular on computers. With the mobile technology advancement, it is possible to connect your mobile phone to yahoo messenger and MSN. Java enabled mobile devices and Internet has made mobile phone messaging a reality. Small screen of mobile phone is a problem because it is difficult to type in message s very fast.

Nevertheless, there are mobile phones with large screens and QWERTY keypads. To avail Internet facility, you will be charged by your service provider for the Internet usage on your mobile. Software called ‘Agile Messenger’ is used for establishing the connection and is not a freeware anymore. So, you have to shell out from your wallet to install it.

Most of the new mobile phones are available with built in chat client based on the wireless village technology (often called OMA IMPS). It is known as “My Friends” on Sony Ericsson phones, “My Presence” on Nokia AND IM on Motorola Phones. The major drawback is that the phone has to be connected to the server every now and then get the new status of online contacts. That is the reason the messages are not instant.

Jabber technology is around for sometime, this allows users to contact to multiple instant messenger networks simultaneously. Like other networks, it consists of a client and a server. The server stores the usernames and passwords for all networks. You can login to the server as a jabber client.

E-messenger is the most popular method used for messaging. No java support or anything else is required. You only need a phone that support mobile internet. This service is available on their official website. There are commercial solutions too. But it is recommended to use free methods of chatting on mobile because you will never get the same experience as you get on a computer. Mobile phone messaging is an integral part of our life – a true technological souvenir.


 

Mobile TV

Mobile TV involves bringing TV services to the mobile phones. It combines the services of a mobile phone with television content and represents a logical step both for consumers and operators and content providers. Mobile TV over cellular networks allows viewers to enjoy personalized, interactive TV with content specifically adapted to the mobile medium. The services and viewing experience of mobile TV over cellular networks differs in a variety of ways from traditional TV viewing. In addition to mobility, mobile TV delivers a variety of services including video-on-demand, traditional/linear and live TV programs. Another exciting opportunity for users is Mobile TV pod casts, where content is delivered to a user’s mobile on demand or by subscriptions. Stored locally on the handset, this content can then be viewed even when there’s no network connection. And a service provider can schedule the delivery to “off-peak” hours, for example during the night.

Technically, there are currently two main ways of delivering mobile TV. The first is via a two-way cellular network and the second is through a one-way dedicated broadcast network. These include digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H), digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), TDtv (based on TD-CDMA technology from [IPWireless]), 1seg (based on Japan's ISDB-T), DAB and MediaFLO. None is ideal as all have drawbacks of one kind or another: spectral frequencies used or needed, signal strength required, new antennas and towers, network capacity required, or business model.

Using the existing 3G (WCDMA/HSPA) network is the fastest and easiest way to get Mobile TV off the ground. It allows for the quick start an operator needs to grab the initiative and develop relationships with both customers and content providers. There is more than enough capacity in 3G networks to scale up for a mass market of Mobile TV services, particularly if an operator has HSPA as this will provide for several steps of capacity increases. And MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service), which means broadcast over 3G networks, will soon allow a traffic channel to be shared by all the users that are simultaneously watching the same program in the same area. MBMS complements HSPA to support higher loads in dense areas and ensure efficient network utilization.

However out of the 120 plus commercially launched mobile TV services worldwide, more than 90% of these are based on existing two-way cellular networks, using unicast. With unicast, content is transmitted separately from a single source to a single destination, like from a server to a mobile handset. And that is how each individual can get the content they want. With broadcast, the same content is delivered to a very large number of mobile handsets in a single transmission.

By using a combination of unicast and broadcast, network capacity and investments can be optimized. Broadcast bearers can be used for the most popular programs, and an unlimited number of additional programs and on-demand content can continue to be delivered efficiently using unicast. In the combined unicast–broadcast scenario, the user will not notice any difference in how content is delivered. The user will have a single user interface (TV client) in the terminal to access all content. This combination unicast and broadcast provides the best way to meet personalization and mass market.

Move over iPhone, this phone has a foldable screen!

A Dutch company has squeezed a display the size of two business cards into a gadget no bigger than other mobile phones — by making a screen that folds up when not in use.

The 5-inch display of Polymer Vision's "Readius" is the world's first that folds out when the user wants to read news, blogs or email and folds back together so that the device can fit into a pocket.

Polymer Vision, spun out of Philips, whetted the appetite of gadget fans more than two years ago when it showed off a prototype. Now the gadget is in production and will go head-to-head with Apple's iPhone and Amazon's ebook reader Kindle when it hits stores mid-2008.

"You get the large display of e-reading, the super battery life of e-reading, and the high-end connectivity, and the form factor and weight of a mobile phone," said Karl McGoldrick, chief executive of the venture capital-funded firm, in which Philips still has a 25 percent stake.

"We are taking e-reading and bringing it to the mobile phone." He would not say how much the Readius would cost, but said it would be comparable to a high-end mobile phone. McGoldrick said his "dream device", which the company planned to build within 5 years, was a mobile phone with an 8-inch colour display that could show video.

Like Amazon's Kindle, the Readius has a so-called electronic paper screen, which displays black-and-white text and images that look almost like they have been printed on paper. The device — which will also just make phone calls — connects to the Internet using the third-generation mobile phone networks with high data speeds.

The company said it was talking to retailers as well as mobile operators to sell the device. Like Apple's iPhone, the gadget offers the chance for operators to boost data usage, which is more profitable than voice revenues.

Users will be able to set up their email accounts, news sources, podcasts, audio books and blog feeds at home on their computer, and the data is then pushed to the device whenever it is updated. McGoldrick said the company opted to use this approach — which rules out quickly browsing the Web on the go — because it was simpler in a mobile environment.


"I see these devices with 50 buttons on them. We have eight," he said, adding that the company plans to add a keypad to future models.

YouTube available on more mobile phones

Popular video Web site YouTube.com is opening up its service to run on millions more phones which are capable of using high-speed wireless links, the company said on Thursday.

YouTube, a unit of Google Inc, says it is extending its service from a handful of phones to a broader range of devices used by 100 million consumers worldwide that rely on high-speed links to stream videos to mobile screens.

"It's basically the full YouTube experience you can get on the desktop -- on the phone," said Dwipal Desia, YouTube's mobile product manager. "We expect it to get fairly popular from our past experiences."

The Web video sensation now only provides a full mobile video service to users of Apple Inc's iPhone and to devices sold by Helio, a small U.S. wireless provider that targets young, tech-savvy consumers. Helio is a unit of SK Telecom Co Ltd and EarthLink Inc.

A scaled-down version of YouTube with selected clips is also available to subscribers of the No. 2 US mobile service, Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc.

Desai said in an interview that most of the phones sold by Verizon Wireless would not support the full-fledged streaming service and that it was not yet clear when this might change.


The company is also testing software that will make it easier for mobile phone users to upload videos from phones onto YouTube.com, potentially allowing for far greater use of video to document people's everyday lives.


Desai did not say how YouTube plans to make money. Typically, YouTube and other Google services wait until they have found a large audience before the company seeks to introduce advertising to help pay for the service.


"Right now we are focused on building a user base on alternative screens and we'll look at monetization in the future," he said. Monetization is a code word among Internet companies for running advertising alongside Web content.


The service will run on select devices from U.S.-based Motorola Inc, South Korea's LG Electronics, Finland's Nokia and Sony Ericsson, jointly owned by Japan's Sony Corp and Sweden's Ericsson.


YouTube for Mobile will be available in 17 countries and 11 languages.

Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism

After recently revealing two under 100 USD handsets, Nokia announces its latest addition to the Prism Collection, the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism. Opposite to the earlier mentioned low-end phones, Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism is aimed at design-conscious consumers. With its seamless diamond-cut design with a crystal center key, the latest Prism device continues to highlight the geometric shapes and personalized style of the Prism Collection.

Nokia worked in collaboration with the creative designer Frederique Daubal, which resulted in unique laser-etched graphic designs, distinctive wallpapers as well as exclusive accessories to the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism. The wallpapers inspired by Daubal communicate the reflection of light and capture the feel of angular prisms and triangles.

The graphic design of the aluminum back cover, together with intriguing light effects, makes each handset unique and complements the glamorous appeal of the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism.


Combining special design and technology, the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism features an eye-catching large OLED display, with organic, modern digital art wallpapers inspired by Daubal. From a technical standpoint, the Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism comes with a 2 megapixel camera, 3G technology for fast and easy downloads and browsing, 1 GB of internal memory and a music player with matching headset. The user can also personalize the color of the light in the keymat, choosing from 49 different colors.

The latest addition to the Prism Collection, Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism comes to stiffen the market success of the series. If anyone has ever doubted that a phone with such a weird design can be attractive, then the simple fact that the Collection already counts three handsets should tell them they were so wrong.

Nokia 7900 Crystal Prism will be available in the first quarter of 2008 with an estimated retail price of EUR 375, before taxes and subsidies.

Affordable 3G Samsung: J400

After the slim and handsome L170 that Samsung unveiled these days, the South Korean company brings a new entry-level 3G phone, a clamshell dubbed Samsung J400 (or SGH-J400). The J400 doesn't come with an awesome design, like Samsung L170, but it's not a bad looking phone either – it kind of looks like an upgraded Samsung E700 from back 2004.

The new J400 is a tri-band GSM phone (900, 1800 and1900 MHz) with UMTS 2100, EDGE and GPRS Class 10. The phone weighs only 99.5 grams and, when closed, it measures 99 x 49.5 x 15.9 millimeters, which is not much for a clamshell. It packs an internal 2 inch TFT 262K color display with an 128 x 220 pixel resolution and an external monochrome 96 x 96 pixels display. The small internal memory of just 8 MB won't be enough for storing too much data, but the device also supports microSD cards, for probably another 1 or 2 GB.

Samsung J400 has a basic built-in camera that brings only 1.3 Megapixels and video capture. No Auto Focus or other features of this kind, so the pics made with it won't manage to impress anyone (not with their quality at least). There's also a secondary video calling camera, which is kind of logical since the phone is a 3G one. Other nice (although basic) features of Samsung J400 include Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, USB 2.0, MMS, E-Mail capabilities, Java MIDP 2.0 and Dictaphone. The phone's battery will provide 3 hours of talk-time and up to 10 days of stand-by time.

We don't have details about how much the J400 clamshell costs, nor about the markets where it will be available. However, the handset is clearly an affordable one and I'm pretty sure that its 3G capability makes it a good device for both Europe and North America.