Samsung Elec considers $40-50 phone to fight Nokia

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world's No. 2 mobile phone maker, is considering a low-cost phone model worth $40-50 to fight bigger rival Nokia, a company spokesman said on Monday.

"We are considering a $40-50 phone, if such a model can be cost-competitive," said the spokesman, adding that a decision has not been reached. "It targets Nokia in the emerging markets." (Reporting by Rhee So-eui; Editing by Sei Chong)

http://www.guardian.co.uk

Tiscali to go mobile in 2008

Tiscali is set to relaunch the Toucan Mobile brand it acquired as part of last year's Pipex buyout, though it's still talking to the networks about which lucky operator gets to carry Toucan customers.

Toucan Mobile was part of Pipex, and currently runs on T-Mobile's network. That contract is up for renewal within the next 12 months, so Tiscali could look for a cheaper carrier or just renegotiate its rates with T-Mobile. The the Telegraph puts the Toucan customer base at 7,000 and suggests that the re-launch will be a SIM-only service without subsidised handsets.

Much has been made of companies being able to offer pay-TV and fixed broadband, along with fixed and mobile telephony - the so-called "quad play". Very few companies currently offer all four communications options, though where a component is missing it's either being planned or the company is attempting to make it redundant - such as offering mobile broadband as a replacement for ADSL, or replaced fixed telephony with GSM connections.

A SIM-only offering would put Toucan in the more cost-sensitive end of the market, but the power of cross-selling can be considerable, especially if companies can offer access to the same services over different technologies.

For companies lacking cellular infrastructure being a virtual operator is the only real option, though there are many degrees of virtuality and it remains to be seen if the newly polished Toucan is just a sticker on an existing offering or if they decide to take on some of the service themselves, and integrate it with their existing products.
Source:http://www.theregister.co.uk

Mobile Phone Orange Survey Users Store Old Numbers

According to Orange Mobile phone surveyNearly two thirds of people keep their ex-partner's number on their mobile phone "just in case".

Some do so because they want to feel the number is close to hand, however unlikely or inappropriate it is to ring it, a survey from the Orange company found.

But others keep numbers as if compiling a "little black book" which they can show to friends to boast of their conquests.

The survery of 1,487 people also showed that 63% of people use only half the personal numbers stored in their phones.

Some admitted hoarding old text messages and also keeping embarrassing video clips that they never watch or pass on.

An Orange spokesperson said: "The New Year is a great time to start afresh.

"As the makeover shows say, clear the clutter and you'll be able to see the wood for the trees.

"We should apply the same rules to our lives, our desks and even our mobile phones."
Source:http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews

Apple in Talks to Launch IPhone in Japan

Apple Inc. is negotiating with Japan's top mobile phone carrier to launch the iPhone in Japan, though the cut of subscriber revenue that Apple wants has been a sticking point, according to a report published Tuesday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, reported Tuesday that Jobs and Nakamura discussed launching the iPhone in Japan.

Apple has said it plans to launch the device in Asia in 2008 but has not provided details.

Apple and NTT DoCoMo are still negotiating the terms of a deal, with one stumbling block being Apple's demands to receive the same percentage of subscriber revenue from NTT DoCoMo that it receives from other carriers, according to the Journal.

Apple has sold more than 1.4 million iPhones since they went on sale June 29 in the United States. Subsequent launches in Europe have boosted sales and sparked a legal fight over Apple's exclusive use of T-Mobile, part of Deutsche Telekom AG, as its wireless provider in Germany.

Apple's strategy thus far has been to pick an exclusive mobile operator for each region: AT&T Inc. in the United States, O2 in Britain, T-Mobile in Germany and France Telecom's Orange wireless arm in France.

Mobile users, beware of 'Ringxiety'

NEW DELHI: If you have a persistent feeling that your mobile phone is ringing or vibrating even when it is not, chances are high that you might be suffering from a condition called 'Ringxiety.'

Considered more to be a psychological disease rather than a physical one, experts say the condition, in which those affected feel a compelling urge to keep frisking pockets and recheck their phones because they feel that their phones are ringing or vibrating, is becoming more prevalent.

A study by scientists at the Los Angeles-based university has proved that excessive use of mobile phones causes 'Ringxiety,' popularly known as 'Phantom Ringing.'

Though there is no sample study on the incidence of 'Ringxiety' in India, doctors say given the large chunk of people visiting psychiatrists with such kind of problem at least 25 per cent of all mobile phone users may be those who can hear 'virtual' rings 'Ringxiety' a disease is all out of one's thought and imagination.

The more frequently a person uses a cell phone, the more frequent the Likelihood they hear the phantom ring, says the study. Majority of mobile users are reportedly patients of cardio-vascular and neurological disorders as well, the research concludes.

The study undertaken by Alliant International University involved participants in the age group from 18 to 26, all of whom were heavy mobile users, spending a considerable chunk of time talking or sending text messages.

The result showed that 67 per cent of people suffered from this phenomenon and Japan tops the most affected list. The study also discovered that users who rely on text messaging to be in touch with their friends and loved ones faced a higher level of loneliness and social anxiety.

Orange signs movie deal with MGM

Orange has signed a multi-year deal with MGM to add a range of films to its digital TV service. The agreement will see Orange include movies made by the US studio to its 24/24 Video package, which allows Orange customers with a broadband digital television package or a broadband Internet package to rent a film for 24 hours.

Orange has similar deals in place with four other US studios and boasts a catalogue of 3,000 films and 6,000 TV programmes.

Rental prices start from 1€ (72p) per film and customers can watch a movie as many times as they want inside 24 hours. The service is available in France, Spain, Poland and the UK.

MGM’s movie catalogue includes box office hits like Silence of the Lambs, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Rocky and Platoon.
Source: http://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk

TAG Heuer to make watch phones? Or that's a Bluetooth-enabled watch?

Roughly 10 days ago, we reported TAG Heuer is working with Modelabs to design its own mobile phone. Now, we have some mockups suggesting the famous watch maker is working on a watch phone. Or that’s a Bluetooth-enabled watch?

Whatever the answer to that question is - we don’t like it. Somehow I can’t imagine TAG ruining its brand with such products. Their watches are known for reliability, and both Bluetooth and cell phone radios would kill the battery of such watch pretty quickly, hence making us change our minds about TAG products. Nah, this is just some designer’s mockup. I hope…

Source:http://www.intomobile.com