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.

3G Mobile Phone for Kids
- From NTT DoCoMo and Fujitsu

While in India the government doesnt allow children under 16 to use mobile phones at all, Japan kids are gifted with handsets specially created for them, as NTT DoCoMo, the largest mobile operator in the country, will launch the new FOMA F801i. After the successful SA800i model, also designed for children, now NTT DoCoMo brings another child-friendly phone, packed with safety and convenience features and available starting December 20.

FOMA F801i is manufactured by Fujitsu and offers a high level of security as well as a facile usability. It is ergonomically designed to be used by small hands and its body is waterproof, withstanding accidental contacts with water. The phone comes with an amulet-style remote controller, a 100-decibel safety alarm, a high-intensity, easily visible LED, and GPS functions that allow parents to know exactly where their kids are. Furthermore, the handset provides a pack of child-orientated applications, including a safety training quiz, a dictionary and a map.

All the handsets released in the FOMA series by NTT DoCoMo are 3G-enabled, meaning the F801i is also a 3G device. The phone measures 105 x 48 x 17.8 millimeters and weighs 120 grams. It can provide up to 185 minutes of talk-time and up to 570 hours of stand-by. The display is a 2.7 inch QVGA one, perfect for the not so perfect 1.3 Megapixel camera. There are four colors available: white, black, light blue and orange, and we have to admit that the orange model looks cool. For a kid. A little girl, more exactly.

There's no word about pricing yet, nor about a possible release in other countries, although European an American kids would like to have this sort of handset too.

Nokia 7390: Highly Stylized 3G Technology
Description" content="A bundle of 'top of the line' features in a highly fashionable outfit ? thats Nokia 7390 in one line. Owing to its relation with the highly fashionable L'Amour collection, the Nokia 7390 is an eye-candy. The clamshell sports the iconic curves and design elements that separates the ethnic and traditionally inclined L'Amour handset from the clutter of the 'futuristic' designs."

A bundle of 'top of the line' features in a highly fashionable outfit ? thats Nokia 7390 in one line. Owing to its relation with the highly fashionable L'Amour collection, the Nokia 7390 is an eye-candy. The clamshell sports the iconic curves and design elements that separates the ethnic and traditionally inclined L'Amour handset from the clutter of the 'futuristic' designs.

The external TFT screen with 262k vibrant colours is one of the best in business but do not compare well with the brilliant 16 million colour deliverable, primary QVGA display. Its weight of 115 gm and smaller dimension makes it very easy to carry in any pocket. The Nokia 7390 is available in two colour solutions ? bronze black and powder pink, each has a distinct personality of its own.

One of the compelling feature of the Nokia 7390 is its 3.0 megapixel camera. The high resolution camera module is well complimented by digital zoom, flash and most importantly, autofocus. These features goes a long way in capturing any moments of your life with actual colours and great details, irrespective of unfavorable shooting environments. Just like any other cameras, video recording is supported too, but in higher resolution.

The Nokia 7390 has a secondary VGA camera module for video calling. The 3G technology of the Nokia 7390 allows it to make video calls across WCDMA networks. High speed mobile Internet is also possible within 3G network with the Nokia 7390. You can also opt for a 'slower' speed of around 236 kbps with EDGE and GPRS in case 3G connectivity is absent.

Audio file formats like MP3, AAC, eAAC+, M4A and videos in 3GPP, H.263 and MPEG4 formats coul be played on the integrated media player of the Nokia 7390 . You can also stream in Videos with its high data transfer speeds. Other than available internal memory of about 21 Mb, up to 2GB of external memory card is supported.

3G-Technology

3G, short for? Third Generation Wireless? Is the next generation high speed mobile system based on GSM. 3G supports broadband, packet-based transmission of voice,text, multimedia, and video data at rates from 384kpbs to 2mbps. At the heart of 3G is the aim to provide mobile users, wherever they may be, with the same high speed, services offered by broadband. With 3G, mobile users can access high speed internet, video conferencing, and basic video/ TV services.

3G can support a minimum of 2 Mbps for stationary or slow-moving users (walking) and 384 kbps for fast-moving vehicles (in an auto or train). Compare this to rates of 9.6-40 kbps for 2G and 2.5G systems.

3G was developed to address the ever-growing consumer demand for mobile network capacity and services. From the youth-inspired excitement for SMS to a need for seamless connectivity to the corporate network while traveling, consumers have embraced the benefits of mobility. The ITU (International Telecommunication Union) started the process of defining the 3G standard back in the mid-1980s. In 1998, the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) was established to continue developing the 3G specifications. The 3GPP is a global body that brings together several telecommunications standards bodies from Europe, Japan, the United States, Korea, and China.

3G supports the needs of a growing mobile workforce, including the typical ?road warrior,? as well as those working from home, a satellite office, or commuting. 3G extends the office LAN to these mobile workers, providing access to email, corporate networks, and the Internet. There are many personal-use applications as well, ranging from ?smart? appliances to e-commerce and multimedia applications. And as 3G technology evolves, advanced applications beyond those envisioned today are sure to be developed.

Here are just a few of the benefits of 3G technology:

- While on the road, a manager can conduct a teleconference with colleagues to discuss an upcoming presentation. He can download the latest version, make edits online, all while talking.

Users can take advantage of mobile video on demand to watch news, sports highlights, and video clips anytime on their mobile devices.

- 3G gives mobile staff access to critical applications like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications. For example, field engineers can view a customer?s profile from the road, update their files, and even close the trouble ticket while onsite. Sales people can create and place orders while still at the customer?s location.

- 3G-enabled vehicles are beginning to enter the market. These provide access to traffic-view cameras, Internet access, gaming, and video-streaming