After an overwhelming number of pre-orders, Cellular South has announced that the HTC Hero is now available for customers who have booked pre-orders. Pre-order customers can get their HTC Hero through Saturday while the official availability for the public will be on Monday, November 9.

Among the features of the Android-powered HTC Hero include built-in Google mobile services, as well as thousands of applications built for the Android platform. The HTC Hero will carry an introductory price of $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

(Source) Press

Tags: Cell Phones, cellular south, Google, Google, Hero, HTC, introductory price, mail, Mobile News, mobile services, overwhelming number

Even with the standard mobile services we have today, voice mail options are included if we subscribe to them. Apparently, the people from Hong Kong have found something different to offer and this is the visual voicemail service that is now being offered by 3 Hong Kong.

Instead of dialing in for voice messages, users can see information about each voicemail in a message inbox, such as sender, time of call and message length and then click and listen to any message. Users also can delete and reply to any message.

The adjustments seems to be minor but compared to the conventional way of retrieving voice mails, this seems better since they are similar to receiving the usual SMS messages. Unfortunately Hong Kong is the only country that has offered this service for now although expect other countries to try and do the same soon.

(Source) Press

Tags: Cell Phones, hong kong, message length, message users, Mobile News, mobile operator, mobile services, sms messages, voice mail options, voice mails, voice messages, voicemail service

To help increase the class of the Blackberry, HP and RIM have come together to deliver a portfolio of solutions for business mobility on the BlackBerry platform. The solutions, which include support for BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0, are focused on increasing service levels, reducing operations costs and improving productivity for customers.

HP and RIM plan to design and launch offerings to increase the productivity levels of the growing number of global mobile employees, enabling businesses to extend the return on their investments in mobility.

“RIM and HP are working together to deliver solutions to customers that weave mobility into their daily operations – from innovative new services in the cloud to managed mobile services for the enterprise,” said Jim Balsillie, co-chief executive officer, Research In Motion. “Through our collaboration with HP, businesses will have access to an expanded set of applications and services for their BlackBerry smartphone deployments.”

(Source) Press

Tags: BlackBerry, Business, business mobility, Cell Phones, chief executive officer, collaboration, enterprise server, HP, HP, investments, mobile employees, mobile services, Research In Motion

Singapore Airlines has given people a better and convenient way to make sure that they don’t go through the hassles of booking their flights. Singapore Airlines has introduced a new service which will allow customers to check in for their flights with their mobile phones.

Passengers can check in using their handsets in the two days before their scheduled flight, and up to two hours before their departure time. The service is compatible with a wide variety of devices, including iPhones and BlackBerrys, and has been tipped to make travelling more convenient and hassle-free.

Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it is planning to expand its mobile services further down the line, possibly allowing people to book tickets with their handsets. The application can used by most web-enabled mobile phones and can be accessed anywhere in the world.

This comes shortly after SAS Scandinavian Airlines started a trial which involves passengers using their handsets to check in via text message and obtain a mobile boarding pass.

(Source) Velti

Tags: blackberrys, Boarding Pass, Cell Phones, departure time, flights, handsets, hassle, iphones, mobile check, Mobile News, mobile phones, mobile services, Mobile Software, sas scandinavian airlines, singapore airlines, text message

Business today are embarking on embracing technology and it looks like two groups have partnered up to provide customer care, technical support and inbound sales services to Peek’s rapidly growing customer base. Services will be delivered by email, chat and voice from one of eTelecare’s U.S. delivery centers.

“In Peek we have created a remarkably simple pocketsize device that offers straightforward and inexpensive mobile email,” said Amol Sarva, Peek co-founder and CEO. “We believe the market for Peek is huge given the number of people who crave simplicity, not typically found in all-in-one smartphones.”

“Our goal is to achieve the very best in customer satisfaction,” added Sarva. “eTelecare, with its wealth of experience in providing a full spectrum of customer interaction services, will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goal. By partnering with eTelecare we are ensuring that the entire Peek customer experience — from the initial sale to after-market support — is outstanding.”

“We are pleased to be able to help this innovative client achieve its high-quality customer experience and significant growth goals,” said John Harris, President and CEO of eTelecare. “eTelecare’s portfolio of process-driven service offerings deliver real and quantifiable value for our clients. Our deep domain knowledge developed through years of relevant experience, especially in the communications sector, allows us to customize solutions that fulfill each client’s needs.”

For Peek, eTelecare has implemented a multi-channel, integrated customer relationship management (CRM) solution complete with comprehensive knowledge management, email and chat support services.

(Source) Press

Tags: Business, business today, Cell Phones, customer interaction, customer relationship management, customer satisfaction, delivery centers, Mobile News, mobile services

Vertu, the luxury brand of Nokia is set to open mobile services in Japan. They will become the first mobile phone maker to encroach on the Japanese service provider domain, which has been dominated by domestic companies.

This new service will allow subscribers to access a host of mobile services including ‘Club VERTU,’ which includes a special members-only concierge. This new service will be supported by the Nokia Siemens Networks’ hosted Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) solution.

“Meeting the needs of customers in this segment requires a specialised approach. Vertu users the world over are discerning individuals who are willing to pay a premium for the right experience,” Tagore Ramoutar, Vertu’s director of business development for Japan and Korea, said in a statement.

(Source) AFP

Tags: Business, luxury brand, mobile phone maker, mobile services, mobile virtual network operator, Nokia, Nokia, nokia siemens networks, nokia vertu, Siemens

Nokia added yet another phone to their growing N-series portfolio. The new Nokia N79, like many of the other phones, is a multimedia computer. With integrated navigation, FM transmitter and HSDPA connectivity, the phone comes pre-loaded with 10 N-Gage games. You also get a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics.

The N79 features Xpress-on covers that let you customize the phone to your tastes, with the following colors being available: Light Sea Blue, Espresso Brown, Olive Green, White and Coral Red. With the phone, you get a combo of 3 of these covers. Along with HSDPA, the phone also supports Wi-Fi for times when you don’t want to incur data charges.

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Tags: Cell Phones, HSDPA, mobile services, multimedia, navigation, Nokia

In addition to the 3G iPhone, Apple announced MobileMe, a new Internet service that delivers push email, contacts and calendars from the service onto native apps on the iPhone, iPod touch, Macs and PCs. With a suite of ad-free web applications for a desktop-like experience, MobileMe includes Mail, Contacts and Calendar, as well as Gallery for viewing and sharing photos.

It’s essentially the corporate schtik for those not connected to an Exchange server - that’s what Steve Jobs is promising us. With push email, push calendars and push contacts, you get status indicators whether checking email on the iPhone, iPod touch or computer. New messages are pushed instantly over a cellular network or Wi-Fi, so you won’t have to do it every time. The push technology also ensures that your contacts and calendars are always updated.

With 20GB of online storage, the MobileMe service will be available starting July 11 - same day the 3G iPhone hits the shelves - and costs US $99 per year for individuals and $149 for Family Pack. A free, 60-day trial is availble at www.apple.com/mobileme.

Tags: 3g iphone, Apple, Cell Phones, exchange, mobile services

Want live NFL game coverage on your cell phone? Well, it looks like you have to be a Sprint customer to enjoy that. The National Football League and Sprint announced that Sprint subscribers will have access to key moments, including red zone drives, of all games in 2007. You will get to know when a team enters a red zone, and catch updates during :15 and :45 scheduled time slots as well as other critical moments.

Live telecast of NFL Network is available to Sprint subscribers on Sprint TV, and if you decide to go in for Sprint Power Vision pack, you get unlimited access to NFL Mobile as well. Getting it is as easy as texting NFL to 7777 on your Sprint phone.

Sprint

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Tags: Cell Phones, mobile services, national football league, nfl, Sprint, Sprint

You want to add style to your already stylish device? Well, you can do so with the all new ringtones and caller tunes for your Apple iPhone. In today’s hi-tech world, the tone on your phone certainly speaks a lot about you, that is why Ambrosia Software has launched iToner for Apple’s iPhone mobile device.

At present, the iToner is in version 1.0.0. Developed for the Mac OS X platform, Ambrosia’s new utility for the iPhone will help the device’s owners to create and install custom ring tones on it.

Using this application is extremely simple. Users need to just drag and drop audio files (MP3, AAC)onto the interface and click the Sync button. This would allow the application to install that audio file as the ring tone on the iPhone.

Perhaps the most important point that Ambrosia made was that the iToner application does not work as a hack and would be compatible with all future iPhone firmware updates from the company. They claim to say that the iToner is “the proper way, without any hacks”.

The iToner is currently available for the Mac OS X for US$15. The application is a 2.7 MB download. It can be used for free during a 30 day trial period.

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Tags: iPhone, Mobile News, Mobile News, mobile services

LG manufactures devices that literally shines. First they have their Shine phones, now they have this diminutive device coming out of their factories. The LG T54 is a slim mini-PMP in a shiny metal box measuring 54.4 x 92.6 x 11.5mm. It boasts a 2.4-inch 260k-color TFT LCD screen. Besides tuning in to DMB broadcasts, this LG plays games like a true made-for-China gadget. The battery on this one lasts 25 on music playback, 5 hours on video and 4 hours tuning in to digital TV.

The miniature device plays AVI at 30fps and MP3, OGG, WMA and WAV audio files. It also supports JPG, BMP and TXT, in case you want a quiet read instead of listening to music or watching TV.

However, no price has been announced as of the moment for this particular device.

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Tags: LG, Mobile News, mobile services, MP3 Player, portable, Portable Devices

Connecting to the internet and going online just got a lot easier with Verizon Wireless‘ Mobile Web 2.0. The biggest wireless provider for the US unveiled its new, redesigned service that makes it easier to get the information you want when you want it with new features and functionalities.

Mobile Web 2.0 can be self-provisioned, eliminating the need for customers to call customer service or visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store to sign up for the service. Verizon Wireless customers with Mobile Web 2.0- capable handsets automatically view the new redesigned portal when they navigate to Mobile Web 2.0.

Mobile Web 2.0 is available for $5.00 monthly access, plus airtime, if purchased as a standalone service from the phone, or as a part of the V CAST VPak, which also includes unlimited basic V CAST Video clips and
access to ESPN MVP for $15.00 monthly access. Subscribers to the V CAST VPak do not incur airtime charges when using V CAST Video or Music, Mobile Web 2.0 or Get It Now applications.

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Tags: mobile, Mobile News, Mobile News, mobile services, Verizon, wireless

Now, BlackBerry users can look forward to a new service from Nuance, called the Nuance Voice Control, a one-click mobile search and messaging service. Driven entirely by voice commands, it is a subscription-based application that integrates with the built-in GPS of the BlackBerry 8800 series smartphones.

With this, the user’s input is simply a set of voice commands. You can dial a contact, search the web for business listings (411 service), get driving directions and even weather, news and more - all at the click of a button. The Nuance Voice Control service is deployed in North America with Sprint and Rogers Wireless networks. So, if you are a customer and want to try it out, the applicatino can be downloaded through Handango.

Here’s a sample of the service usage offered:
GPS-based 411 by voice
Press a key on your BlackBerry 8800 and say “Find Business Pizza near me” - and get a list of nearby pizza restaurants on the phone screen, including the address, phone number and map links.

GPS-based driving directions
Press a key on the handset and say “Get directions from here to 1500 Broadway New York, NY” and you receive door-to-door directions from your current location. Avoids keying in your source and destination addresses, it’s easy as that. We haven’t tried out the service yet, but hopefully we will and report you on our findings.

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Tags: Cell Phones, GPS, lbs, location based service, Mobile News, mobile services, Research In Motion, smartphones, voice control

Nokia and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced a joint venture to create mobile services for the association, as well as some of the most important basketball championship events in 2007.

The new service is targeted at basketball fans giving them a convenient way to access the latest news, scores and interviews on the go. The service will be accessible on any internet-enabled phone. The FIBA mobile content will also be available through the Nokia Video Center available on the Nokia N95.

Nokia will also be providing reporters with the Nokia N93i multimedia computer for recording high quality video and photo, which will then be made available on the FIBA mobile websites.

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Tags: association, basketball, Cell Phones, fansite, fiba, Mobile News, mobile services, Nokia, Nokia