Motorola has introduced the MOTO Q 8, the GSM version of the original CDMA-based MOTO Q, as well as the flagship, quad-band 3G QWERTY, the MOTO Q 9h, in India. The MOTO Q 9h, based on the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, features a dual-processor HSDPA/UMTS engine, enabling downloads at up to 3.6Mbps. Moto Q 8 is a quad band GPRS/EDGE1 QWERTY device that is also based on Windows Mobile 6 operating system.”

Motorola is expanding its range in the enterprise segment in India with the launch of  MOTO Q 8 and MOTO Q 9h’” said Lloyd Mathias, Director Marketing, India & South West Asia for Motorola Mobile Devices. “The MOTO Q 9h was developed as a multi-purpose communication device that is easy to use and doesn’t compromise on experiences. This smartphone offers state-of-the art voice quality technology, messaging, and speed, processing power, keyboard and display packaged within a sleek design for the modern consumer.

A complete productivity and entertainment-on-the-go device.” Both MOTO Q 8 and MOTO Q9h are preloaded with Documents To Go application which enables user to create, edit and view Word documents, Excel spreadsheets and Powerpoint slides and view PDF files.

Samsung’s latest iteration of its popular Blackjack Windows Mobile phone is getting ready to hit the spotlight. The Samsung SGH-i617 BlackJack 2 (II) is said to have an integrated GPS module – the SiRF III GPS receiver that’s apparently hardware-based. No word yet on what software will be used though. We do know that the phone will run on Windows Mobile 6.0 OS and is a Quadband, GSM, HSDPA-enabled phone. Price and release date haven’t been announced, nor have any detailed specs come to light.

Considering the fact that it is an upgrade, the SGH-i617 BlackJack 2 will presumably retain a familiar design, with QWERTY keypad and Wi-Fi connectivity. Hopefully it should also have Bluetooth with A2DP, and microSD support for external memory. No word yet on what camera it’ll sport, though being an upgrade it should have at least a 2 megapixel camera. But then again, this is only speculation… as soon as we know you’ll know, so stay tuned.

Sony Ericsson is delighted to announce that its W910 Walkman phone has been awarded Best Handset at the GSM Association’s 13th Global Mobile Awards 2008. Launched last year, the W910 Walkman phone is designed for entertainment; whether music, 3D games, video, or high-speed Web access. It’s also geared to let consumers choose their music just the way they want it. Applications such as Shake control enable them to flick the phone to control games or skip and shuffle between music tracks while SenseMeTM lets them discover music to match their mood and tempo.

With its 1GB Memory Stick Micro™ provided in box, the W910 Walkman phone can hold over 900 songs with room for plenty more thanks to its expandable memory.“We are very proud to receive such a prestigious award for what has proved to be a very popular product,” says Dick Komiyama, Sony Ericsson President. “The W910 Walkman makes it quicker and easier to transfer or download music. It’s also about thinking beyond music, to games, videos and the Web.Since the launch of the W800 Walkman phone in August 2005, more than 57 million Walkman phones have been sold worldwide. The Walkman phone range has seen rapid expansion, most recently with the launch of the W980 Walkman phone at this year’s Mobile World Congress. This latest Walkman phone promises to get the most out of consumers’ music with superior clear audio sound, storage for 8,000 songs, and Walkman on Top experience that allows users to control all of their music from the outside of their phone.

Everyone at Samsung probably hates it when people compare their devices to the Apple iPhone. But when you officially announce a cell phone like the Samsung F490, the comparisons are inevitable. Previously, we caught a sneak peek at this handset through a random Ukrainian source, but at the time, nothing was set in stone nor did we have any idea whether this device was even for real. Samsung has now officially revealed the Samsung F490 and, yet again, comparisons to the iPhone are popping up. The F490 features a large 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen display that covers nearly the entire front face of the phone.

Underneath are a few touch sensitive controls for basic stuff like initiating and ending a call. The display can also be used in landscape for video watching. Core features include 130MB of internal memory, Bluetooth, USB, tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, and HSDPA. Look for the Samsung F490 to drop in Europe next month for $780.

Cellcast plc announced that its subsidiary, SUMO.tv, UK’s video sharing community, has extended its overseas network by signing important new mobile distribution agreements with Mobibase in France and Tapuz Mobile in Israel on the Orange networks in those countries. Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with more than 100 million customers on five continents. The mobile distribution agreement with Mobibase in France means that SUMO.tv is now part of the One TV bouquet of Mobile channels on the Orange Gallery. Orange has over 3.5 million high-speed users (3G, 3G+ and EDGE) and the agreement with Mobibase is a significant opportunity for SUMO.tv to grow its community of European users.

In Israel, SUMO.tv will be available via the Orange Network portal through an exclusive agreement for mobile distribution with Tapuz Mobile. Since its establishment in 2001, TAPUZ MOBILE has gained vast experience in development, deployment, production and adaptation of mobile content specific for 3G, GSM, CDMA and TDMA cellular networks. Discussions are progressing on further mobile distribution deals in a number of markets including Australia, Malaysia and South Africa, where SUMO.tv participated in a three-month DVB-H Mobile TV trial in partnership with MTN. SUMO.tv is the world’s first media network to seamlessly integrate user-generated content (UGC) into television programming, internet and mobile services, using its proprietary technical services architecture.

Ericsson and T-Mobile International signed a general agreement for the delivery and integration of MMS technology for the T-Mobile group. Ericsson is selected by T-Mobile to supply and install Multimedia Messaging technology in their GSM/GPRS/UMTS-network. After the successful launch of MMS by Westel in Hungary (an affiliate of T-Mobile International), T-Mobile plans to roll out MMS in Germany, Austria and the UK this summer with more countries to follow.

Core of the network MMS ability is the Multimedia Messaging Service center (MMS-C). The MMS-C is the essential part of the network to administer, store, transmit and transform the multimedia messages and create billing data. MMS offers an increase in mobile-to-mobile messaging capabilities by enabling colour pictures, animations, audio and video clips to be sent along with text. This opens the door to content-rich applications and services such as electronic postcards, animated cartoons and multimedia presentations.

Nokia brings new mobile technologies to life at CTIA Wireless 2002 Eleven new products feature innovations such as color displays, Java(TM), GPRS, CDMA2000 1X, Bluetooth, MMS and XHTML ORLANDO, FLA - Kicking off day one of the Cellular Telephone and Internet Association (CTIA) Wireless 2002 show, Nokia showcased 11 new products incorporating the latest wireless technologies.

Included were two dual-band GSM/GPRS 850/1900MHz handsets, two CDMA2000 1X phones, a combination GPRS/802.11b wireless LAN PC card and a new machine-to-machine (M2M) terminal and gateway. Two handsets being shown for the first time in the Americas are a pair of tri-band GSM/GPRS products that will be offered in GSM markets globally, which launched during last week’s CeBIT fair in

Germany. Two new fashion category phones, the CDMA Nokia 8270 phone and the TDMA Nokia 8265 phone will be shown to the general public for the first time along with the world’s first GAIT compliant handset, the Nokia 6340 phone. Integrated within this diverse new product line are a number of new wireless technologies including Java, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and next generation XHTML browsers.

Evolution to new GSM networks supporting the transition of operators in the

Americas to GSM/GPRS networks on both the cellular (850MHz) and PCS (1900MHz) networks, Nokia spotlights a pair of new dual-band GSM/GPRS handsets designed to facilitate this network evolution. The ‘expression’ category Nokia 3590 phone combines innovative customization options with an XHTML over GPRS wireless Internet browser, while the ‘classic’ category Nokia 6590 phone, also with an XHTML browser, integrates a number of features for the connected businessperson. Introduction of CDMA2000 1X handsets A new line of Nokia-designed CDMA2000 1X chipset-based handsets are being showcased to demonstrate Nokia’s commitment to CDMA operators transitioning their networks toward the next generation.

The Nokia 6370 and Nokia 6385 phones are CDMA2000 1X handsets with a full suite of business-focused applications, including an extensive calendar, phonebook and to do list as well as a wireless Internet browser. The Nokia 3585 phone is designed for the self-expressive mobile user with new cover designs, and the ability to personalize content with downloadable Java applications. Tri-band phones with a global focus Two new tri-band (GSM 900/1800/1900MHz) GPRS handsets unveiled at the CeBIT show last week will be marketed and operated in the

Americas and around the world by using the global reach of GSM networks. The business-minded Nokia 6310i phone features a high-speed GPRS data connection for the global business traveler, while the fashionable Nokia 7210 phone boasts a vibrant color screen to complement is unique design and palette of new changeable Xpress-on covers. 

Aeroflex announced that it has added a new option to its highly successful 6113 base station tester for GSM base stations with an A5/3 encryption capability. The Aeroflex 6113’s support for the latest A5/3 GSM encryption algorithm provides a field portable and easy-to-use base station test solution for installation and commissioning, routine maintenance and fault finding, as well as final unit production testing. Support for the A5/3 encryption algorithm complements the 6113’s existing support for the A5/1 and A5/2 algorithms.

The A5/3 encryption algorithm supplies signaling protection so that voice calls, user-generated data and other sensitive information, such as telephone numbers, are protected over the radio path. The algorithm was designed by the Security Algorithms Group of Experts (SAGE) within the European Telecommunications Standards Institute rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP)’s (ETSI), based on the requirements of the 3 Working Group SA3.

A5/3 was further developed with the support of the GSM Association, 3GPP and the U.S. T1 Standards Committee.“With over 2,000 units already deployed worldwide, the Aeroflex 6113 base station is regarded by most GSM operators as the industry-standard base station test tool,” said Ross Broadhurst, product marketing manager, Aeroflex Test Solutions, Wireless Division. “The addition of A5/3 algorithm support further extends the wide range of test and measurement functions available on the Aeroflex 6113 that facilitate the fast manual or automatic testing of all major base station types.”