I don’t know what Nokia is thinking about when it’s working on the launch of its MVNO network in Japan, but since they have the money and the knowledge they might just be able to pull it off. Although I am surprised that the Finnish mobile manufacturer wants to create it’s own network and, of all places, it has picked Japan. Sure Japan is a large market for cell phone users and on top of that NTT DoCoMo will be involved in the project. What Nokia doesn’t have in Japan is market share. A mere 1% of Japan has a Nokia phone. So that’s why they want to create their own network…

Nokia has tried before the whole MVNO thing but it hasn’t really worked out. Oh, and MVNO stands for mobile virtual network operator. Basically Nokia will use some cell phone lines owned by NTT DoCoMo.

via Reuters

Virgin Mobile, which recently bagged the Samsung Slash phone, officially announced the addition to its line-up. A slider phone available in a compact form-factor, the phone features a basic VGA camera (I remember my Nokia 3650 which had a VGA camera in 2004) as well as Bluetooth.

Other goodies on the phone include IM, text messaging and email capability. There’s also speakerphone capability and voice-activated dialing. Preloaded games include Gameloft Jukebox and Superscape Demo. The phone measures 3.8″ x 1.8″ x 0.7″, and weighs 3 oz.

Priced at US $79.99, the Virgin Mobile Slash by Samsung is now available.

via press

Helio’s Ocean is making more waves. This time around, the MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) will unleash a YouTube application for mobile phones. One of the key features missing in the iPhone’s YouTube application is the ability to login using your credentials and view your own videos or leave comments. With the Helio application, you can do that and more. In fact, the Ocean lets you not only capture video but upload it to YouTube directly.

You can also geotag your videos, letting viewers know where the video was taken. Helio is owned by SKT and EarthLink.

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