Next Tuesday Sony Ericsson is going to launch its first Android device, the Xperia X3 aka Rachael. Although most people are busy pre-ordering the Droid from Verizon, they should really stop and see what this Rachael phone is all about. The teaser above has been officially leaked and the handset looks pretty interesting. Sure 20 seconds of video featuring a turned-off device isn’t enough for us, is it? But at least we know the Rachael looks better than expected. All we need now are some decent specs and a matching personality and we might just have a Droid competitor on our hands!

Tags: Android, Droid, Ericsson, leak, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola, Portable Devices, rachael, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Teaser, video, x3, xperia

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Tags: Mobile News, Today On Mobilewhack

Due to security reasons, India has issued an order to ban all pre-paid mobile phones in Kashmir. Apparently, these pre-paid mobile phones were being used by militants for other means such as using them to trigger bombs and hide their identities. Launched in 2003, these pre-paid mobile phones are said to be the reason for some attacks since they are easier to get a hold of compared to post-paid mobile handsets which require a more scrutinized check before they are issued.

Other regions suffer the same ordeal since getting a pre-paid card and a mobile phone can be done easily. With this move however, countries such as the Philippines may do well to follow India’s lead to counter terrorists attacks which make use of technology for all the wrong reasons.

(Source) Press

Tags: bombs, Cell Phones, india, kashmir, militants, mobile handsets, Mobile News, mobile phone, ordeal, philippines, pre paid card, pre paid mobile phones, security reasons, terrorists attacks

Personalization for mobile phones has become a common need but the problem is not all phones may have that privilege. And while we have heard personalized MailTones for the iPhone some days ago, the Blackberry smartphones now have a version of its own. This was made possible by Electric Pocket, providing an array of tones which should help Blackberry phone owners assign preferred tones for people located in their address book who send them emails.

MailTones is compatible for the BlackBerry Storm, Tour, Curve, Bold and Pearl, and is now available at MailTones.com and all MobiHand-powered stores for $2.99.

(Source) Press

Tags: address book, array, BlackBerry, Cell Phones, Curve, iPhone, Mobile News, mobile phones, personalization, privilege, storm tour

November 6 is the day when the Droid will be available in Verizon Stores. In case you want to avoid hassles and lines, you can always pre-order the Droid from Best Buy. But if you’re decided to walk into an actual Verizon Wireless store and get your Droid from there then you should know that Big Red plans to open stores at 6AM on November 6. The hour is not confirmed yet but we expect Verizon to take all the measures necessary in order to accommodate as many customers as possible next Friday. So what do you say, are you ready for an early start?

And don’t forget, the Droid Eris will also be available on Friday. You’ll actually have to get this phone from a Verizon store since it’s not available for pre-order.

Tags: Android, best buy, Droid, Droid Eris, HTC, HTC, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola, store, Verizon, Verizon Wireless

The new iTunes terms & conditions have a new paragraph which reveals more details about Apple TV 3.0. You’ll be happy to know that Apple TV 3.0 will offer support for iTunes LP and Extras viewing as soon as it becomes available. These features will be available only on those computers running iTunes 9 or higher and Apple TV 3.0 or higher.

Apple announced the iTunes LP format back in September and in case you forgot, iTunes LP will let you access a lot of bonus material about your favorite artists. iTunes Extras does the same thing with movies so you’ll probably enjoy both features once they become available. We have no idea when Apple TV 3.0 will become available but we’re expecting it to arrive soon.

via appleinsider

Tags: Apple, Apple, Apple TV 3.0, iTunes, iTunes Extra, iTunes LP, Mobile News, Mobile Software

There’s a new player in the eBook readers business. Asus has confirmed that it will launch new eReaders in March 2010. The company confirmed that these devices will come with features like WiFi, 3G and WiMAX connectivity. Why would we need WiMAX in an eBook reader anyway? We don’t have all the specs but it looks like Asus plans to launch two eBooks, a 6- and a 9-inch model. Asus will test those readers in Taiwan before they become available in Europe and the U.S. Unfortunately it’s too early for pricing details so you’ll just have to wait a while for them. Of course you could pick a Nook or a Kindle in the mean time and get your reading on.

via cens

Tags: 3G, ASUS, ASUS, ebook, Kindle, Mobile News, nook, Portable Devices, reader, WiFi, wimax

Stop dreaming about an HTC HD2 capable to run Android. HTC will not make it for you as the company wants to give Windows Mobile a fighting chance. According to Peter Chou, HTC could make an HD2 smartphone running Android but it won’t as it wants to “get excitement about Windows Mobile back.” I estimate excitement to return sometime next year when Microsoft will launch the all-new Windows Mobile 7.

In the mean time we will focus on Android phones, iPhones and new BlackBerry handsets out there. Wouldn’t you agree? And don’t worry, HTC will launch new Android phones soon, even if they won’t look like the HTC HD2.

via Forbes

Tags: Android, BlackBerry, Google, hd2, HTC, HTC, iPhone, microsoft, microsoft, Mobile News, Research In Motion, Windows Mobile

In the strict area of Egypt they have released a code of ethics for mobile phone users, and it consists on 16 important points.

This guide is suppose to teach people on how to use their mobile phone properly, without interfering with the life of others. For example, taking photos of other people and posting them on the internet is punishable by law, so that’s a big no no. Another example is calling people at late hours when they are at sleep. A stricter example is the legal action that will be taken against cellphone users that send text messages with inappropriate content.

Quotes from code of ethics:

- “This Ethics Code aims to regulate the users’ behaviours on using mobile phones especially with the increasing and intense problems and irresponsible behaviour of some users of mobile technology,”

- “Use your mobile phone to report something or receive important information.”

Tags: Cell Phones, Cellphone, Code, egypt, Mobile News

HTC has announced today via Twitter that their Hero handset will be getting an Android 2.0 update. There was no word on exactly when we will be seeing the update but chances are it will be when HTC finished tweaking the Sense UI for the updated OS.

Below is the tweet:

The rumors are true! Hero will be getting an Eclair update. We ask for your patience as we update Sense for the fancy new Android OS.

Tags: Android, Cell Phones, Eclair, Google, Hero, HTC, HTC, Mobile News, Sprint, twitter, Update

Linux heads will be happy to hear that Ubuntu version 9.10 has been released to the public. This build is entitled Karmic Koala and will feature a faster boot sequence, updated audio framework and an all new Software Center that will make it easier to add/remove applications.

The developers have said this build makes it easier for the general public to adapt to Linux as it simplifies a great deal of the OS.

Head here to download it.

Tags: 9.10, Desktop PCs, karmic koala, Laptops, Linux, Mobile News, Mobile Software, software, ubuntu

Early last month Sony officially announced that they were working on several low cost ereader offerings. Today, the company has let us know that the PRS-300 (Pocket Reader Edition) is now available for $199.

This eBook reader features a 5-inch screen USB 2.0, 512MB of internal memory and comes in blue, silver and rose.

Sure, it’s no Kindle but if you’re on a budget you should definitely check this out.

via e-reader info

Tags: eBook Reader, eReader, Mobile News, Mobile Software, pocket reader edition, prs-300, Sony

Here is a cost-friendly solution for the people looking at great deals for their mobile communication needs. VoxOx by TelCentris has announced their special monthly unlimited plans for making calls and two-way texting for an introductory domestic (U.S. and Canada) offer of $2.45 a month. The rates offered by VoxOx is 15% lower than what Skype is offering to its customers and for the people who avail of this special plan will enjoy an ongoing subscription at a highly discounted rate. Domestic and worldwide plan options are also available and should be the solution for people who are heavy mobile phone users (voice and text).

(Source) Press

Tags: Business, Canada, Cell Phones, great deals, mobile communication, Mobile News, mobile phone users, plan options, text source, texting, worldwide plan

Technology has been known to perk up businesses and this time around, Vocera has unveiled its own batch of smartphones, aiming to assist medical professionals and staff in rendering efficient patient care and flexible mobile communication as well. The Vocera smartphone was jointly developed with Motorola, offering a one-touch voice-user interface running on the Mobile 6.1 operating systems.

With this new device, doctors and clinical personnel will be able to access business applications as well such as clinic system alerts, asset tracking and medical reference. It even allows them to communicate since it has corporate e-mail provisions as well.

(Source) Press

Tags: asset tracking, business applications, Cell Phones, clinic system, doctors, e mail, healthcare professionals, medical professionals, medical reference, mobile communication, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola, operating systems, Other Brands, patient care, provisions, smartphone, smartphones, user interface, vocera, voice user

If you’re a T-Mobile UK customer packing a Nokia phone then you’ll probably be more than happy to find out that your carrier is going to offer you Nokia’s Comes With Music service. The offer is only available if you get a new Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone with it too. The service will be available free of charge for a whole year once you chose a new 2-year plan of at least £30 per month. Besides unlimited music downloads you will also get unlimited mobile Internet and unlimited SMS messages so the bundle doesn’t sound bad at all, does it?

via pocket-lint

Tags: 5800, comes with music, Mobile News, music, Nokia, Nokia, Portable Devices, service, T-Mobile, UK, XpressMusic

The HTC Hero will soon fade away from our minds as the Motorola Droid will be the hottest phone in town. But that doesn’t mean that HTC will let that happen without a fight. The company has confirmed that Android 2.0 will be coming soon to HTC Hero owners. Here’s what HTC had to say:

Yes, we are working on an Eclair update for the HTC Hero. Because Eclair is a significantly enhanced release, it will require some time to update Sense for this new version of the Android OS. Please be patient while we work to provide you with a tightly integrated experience like the one you are already enjoying on your Hero.

That magic HTC Sense UI is also going to be ported to Android 2.0 in the near future and all the Hero versions out there will get it. Just check back with your carrier for more information once Eclair becomes available from HTC.

Tags: Android 2.0, Droid, Eclair, Hero, HTC, HTC, Mobile News, Motorola, Motorola

The FCC is investigating Google’s Google Voice application but apparently that’s not enough for Google to stop blocking numbers. The Commission is interested in how Google Voice works and it wants to know exactly how and why the app blocks certain numbers.

Google has raised the number of blocked numbers to 100. That’s a lot more numbers than it used to block. Google thinks that these numbers are “engaged in… schemes” which happen to raise carrier costs. So it seems that Google saves you some money. Is that going to be enough for the FCC? Will Google have to unblock all these numbers soon?

via Washington Post

Tags: Blocked Numbers, fcc, Google, Google, Google Voice, Mobile News

A few years ago more precisely on 2005, the number of devices shipped with a WiFi system was only 59 million, but that small number has been multiplied by 7 and the forecast for 2009 of devices shipped with WiFi is set at 409 million.

As you can imagine, the 409 millions include all kind of devices, notebooks, cellphones, smart phones, gaming consoles, GPS navigation systems, and more.

Peter King, Director of the Connected Home Devices Service at Strategy Analytics, comments:

Now that IEEE 802.11n has received ratification as a global standard, Strategy Analytics expects to see strong sales of 11n-enabled devices. By the end of 2010 they will ship in more than half of all Wi-Fi systems,

Tags: mobile devices, Mobile News, WiFi

It was announced today that the app store for the Symbian platform, entitled Horizon, has today gone live in beta form. There isn’t much to choose from right now with only 50 mobile apps currently available but the Symbian Foundation promise thousands of choices in 2010.

While this is great news for Symbian users its also great news for app developers as they now have another platform to infiltrate.

Check out more here.

Tags: App Store, Beta, Cell Phones, horizon, Mobile News, Mobile Software, symbian

We just learned that Google Maps Navigation would be featured on the Motorola DROID and now Google has taken the time to detail the service.

First and foremost, Google Maps Navigation is that it is a free turn-by-turn GPS mobile application. This free application allows you to input addresses with both text and voice, it will show you traffic data, For now, it’s available only for Android 2.0 and is in beta but hopefully it will make its way onto other platforms such as the iPhone.

You can check out a 7 minute video demonstration of Google Maps Navigation above, check it out.

Tags: Accessories, Cell Phones, data traffic, free, Google, google maps, GPS, GPS, Mobile News, Mobile Software, navigation, turn-by-turn