Blazing-Fast 4G MiFi Could Replace Your Home Connection

The MiFi mobile wireless hotspot is set to get a 4G makeover. Novatel Wireless, the company behind the MiFi, has just completed testing of the WiMAX version of the MiFi.

The tiny MiFi box, which has proven very popular, does one very simple thing: It takes an incoming 3G signal and turns it into a pocket-sized, battery-powered Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing up to five devices to share a single data connection. Up until now, the bottleneck has been the network speed of the 3G connection.

In testing, Novatel’s new 4G WiMAX box has achieved actual, sustained throughput of 18Mbps. The theoretical maximum speed for the new 4G modem is 30Mbps down and 10Mbps up.

There are two ways to look at this, and at 4G in general. It could be a huge breakthrough in mobile connectivity, freeing us from home internet connections in the same way cellphones freed us from the landline. Or it could just be a way to hit your monthly 5GB bandwidth-cap that much quicker. Price and availability to be announced.

Msi motion-sensing wireless Air Keyboard

Micro-Star International has unveiled their motion-sensing Air Keyboard, a wireless keyboard best suited for home theater PC’s. It’s basically a wireless keyboard that connects via a USB dongle, good for a range of 50 meters, and comes with a game pad and gyroscopic sensors for navigation.

The keyboard is mini-QWERTY, and measures 14.2 inches wide, 8.8 inches deep, and 3.3 inches high. It was originally introduced by Cideko last year, but will be co-branded with MSI when it lands in Germany next month. It’s powered by two AA batteries, providing 50 hours of use so a pair of rechargeable batteries would probably be a good investment. At this point, it’s only compatible with Windows (from 98SE up) and Mac OS X (10.2 and up).

What’s nifty about the MSI Air Keyboard is its gyroscopic sensors meant for navigation, which reminds users of the Wii.

Pricing and availability information might leave most people wanting, though — it sells for approximately US$107, but plans are only set for a Germany release. Neither MSI nor Cideko has any plans for releases in other parts of the world at this point.

Three new Microsoft Mice with Bluetrack Laser Sensor

Two years after it debuted its first Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack sensing technology, Microsoft is back with another update to its line of pointers. This time around we get three more devices: the Wireless Mouse 3500, the Wireless Mouse 2000, and the Comfort Mouse 4500, all available for presale on Amazon on Wednesday, February 24.

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 ($29.95): Like the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 that came before it, this update pairs your computer with a small USB plug called a "Nano Transceiver" and features a symmetrical shape with ambidextrous access to the rubber side grips. Available in "Loch Ness Gray" and "Dragon Fruit Pink."

Wireless Mouse 2000 ($29.95): This full-size mouse is slightly larger than the Mobile 3500 and comes in gray only. It also includes the same Nano USB Transceiver that actually snaps into a spot beneath the mouse in a hidden undercarriage when you travel.

Comfort Mouse 4500 ($24.95): This is the first wired mouse to feature BlueTrack, designed for the stationary user who doesn't want to deal with the hassle of changing batteries. Available in black, "Sea Blue," "Poppy Red," and "Strawberry Pink."

The technical highlight of all three mice is BlueTrack, which combines the precision of laser tracking with the wide coverage of a standard optical mouse to let you use it on virtually any surface, with the exception of glass.

Rogers Wireless to carry Acer Liquid e

Rogers Communications , a provider of wireless communication service in Canada has succeeded in becoming the first mobile carrier in the North American marketplace to be licensed to carry the new Acer Liquid e smartphone, the first Acer phone available.

The new smartphone is expected to launch this Spring making it the first and only Android 2.1 device available in Canada at this time, although this fact may change as the Motorola Milestone which runs on Android 2.0 could be upgraded to Android 2.1 through the Telus network at any time.

The Acer smartphone comes with a 768MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 3.5-inch WVGA high-definition capacitive touchscreen, 5MP digital camera with video recording capabilities and has a maximum memory capacity of 32GB using microSD card. Other features include full HTML support, wireless 7.2Mbps 3G, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Acer device comes in with measurements of 116×54×12.75mm and has a weight of 135 grams.

Rogers anticipates that additional information including the pricing tiers will be available closer to the official launch date.

Windows Phone 7 News On Wireless OS For Mobile Devices

Microsoft Steve Ballmer revealed the news of Windows Phone 7 and how it workes with multiple wireless mobile cell devices.

Windows Phone 7 was unveiled by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The new cell phone operating system Windows 7 will also incorporate with Zune to provide a better user experience. However, Microsoft will maintain control of wireless devices, so Windows handsets will be locked down.

Phone 7 comes with a slick UI. It doesn't have all the clutter that came with the previous Microsoft Windows Mobile OS. Also, the company removed the "Start" button. The new UI seems to be a separate entity than Windows 7.

The Windows 7 mobile phone operating system will also integrate with Xbox Live. This allows the wireless user to keep track of their buddy list and friends. The UI titles in Windows 7 are also grouped into theme "hubs."

For example, a page of contacts is called "people." In addition, a page of photos or images are called "pictures.' Overall, Windows 7 mobile it seems like a very nice cell phone operating system with plenty of eye-candy and features.

RIM announces enhanced web browser for BlackBerry devices

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion on Tuesday introduced a new browser for its devices, which runs on WebKit, the rendering engine behind Apple's Safari browser. The New BlackBerry browser is touted as easier and faster to use, and will be available later this year.

The Internet browser on BlackBerry devices has been lagging behind competitors such as Google Android, Palm's WebOS and Apple's iPhone. But faced with consumer pressure, Research In Motion bought Torch Mobile last year, a browser-design firm, to pursue its competitors in the race for the best mobile browser.

The new WebKit-based BlackBerry browser was showed scoring 100 percent in the Web-rendering Acid 3 test, and can handle AJAX, CSS and HTML5. The browser can also pan, zoom and scroll through websites loaded, and RIM claims that it's more network-efficient than other mobile browsers.

Last year it was rumored that the new BlackBerry browser would support Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight, though this has not been mentioned in Tuesday's announcement. Adobe announced this week that it will launch the AIR platform for the Google Android OS, and RIM devices are expected to be next on the list.

RIM has been very allusive though on availability details for its new browser, which is expected sometime later this year. It is unknown yet whether it will come as part of an updated BlackBerry OS or whether it will come as a downloadable upgrade from its website or the BlackBerry App Word.

Deal brings Skype to Verizon 3G phones

Skype and Verizon announced a partnership Tuesday to bring the Internet-calling technology to a number of 3G BlackBerry and Android phones starting in March.

Under the deal, the Skype mobile software will be available on a variety of smartphones: RIM's BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition, and Tour 9630 and Motorola's Droid, Eris, and Devour. Customers will need to have a data plan to use the application, the companies said in an announcement at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona.

Skype, independent once again after an eBay spinoff last year, is a top company providing voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services that let people talk over the Net. For a fee, Skype also lets members call ordinary phone numbers through its Skype Out service or receive such calls through Skype In, and it's added video chat as well.

Through the Verizon deal, Skype members will be able to make unlimited Skype calls to other Skype members, call international phone numbers at Skype Out rates, and send Skype instant messages, the companies said.

Skype offers applications for iPhones and Android phones, but the data-access demands of voice chat have imposed compromises.

On the iPhone, the application works only over Wi-Fi connections for now, though AT&T approved VoIP applications in 2009. And on Android, the application connects the call conventionally over a local number rather than through VoIP.

Sony Ericsson Launches Android and Symbian Touchscreen Phones

Sony Ericsson on Sunday introduced three new phones at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The Vivaz Pro, running on the Symbian platform, and the X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro, running on Google Android, together with the previously announced X10 and Vivaz model, are dubbed as the "fabulous five" by the company.

The Xperia X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro are basically smaller, more compact versions of the X10 model, announced in November last year. Both new phones run on the Google Android mobile operating system with a special interface developed by Sony Ericsson.

Sony Ericsson's X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro feature similar specifications, albeit with a few differences. They have a 5-megapixel camera with auto focus, flash and video recording, Bluetooth (A2DP), A-GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, Wi-Fi, and 2.55-inch touchscreens with QVGA (240 by 320 pixels) resolutions.

Unlike the Xperia X10 Mini, the X10 Mini Pro features a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and is slightly larger and heavier. Don't expect the latest and the greatest version of Google Android on these phones just yet, as they come only with the 1.6 version.

To make up for the older software delivered with these phones, Sony Ericcson developed the Timescape interface for Android, which brings together on the home screen status updates from Facebook, Twiter messages and replies, incoming text and picture messages, and missed calls.

The 3G phones also come only with 128MB of internal memory (expandable up to 16GB via microSd cards), a problem plaguing most Google Android phones, The Xperia X10 mini and X10 pro are expected sometime in Q2, for a yet-unannounced price.

Also announced on Sunday was the Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro, which adds a QWERTY keyboard to the previous touchscreen-only offering announced in January. The Vivaz Pro runs on the Symbian platform from Nokia and features a 3.2-inch display (360 by 640 pixels) in a 16:9 aspect ratio.

The Vivaz Pro also features a 5.1-megapixel camera with auto focus, face detection, flash and image stabiliser, together with video recording capabilities. Bluetooth A2DP, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, and a 3.5mm audio jack also present.

Sony Ericsson's Vivaz Pro comes with an 8GB microSD card included (75MB internal memory), expandable up to 16GB. The 3G phone is expected to arrive in the second quarter as well, again at pricing to be announced.

Creative's World of Warcraft Headset Spotted

Creative is known for it's audio technology based products and most gamers recognize the Fatal1ty Edition gaming gear from it. World of Warcraft gamers would be delighted to discover that Creative Labs will come out with planned New Creative Labs Sound Blaster World of Warcraft Wireless headset , whivh was spotted for pre-order at Amazon as well as Logic Buy for $160 (Rs. 7,700 approx.). Wired version of the same headset is available for $110 (Rs. 5,300 approx.).

Massively multiplayer online role playing game enthusiast can head to world of Azeroth wearing these new WoW-centric Blizzard Entertainment branded headsets. Creative has added THX TruStudio PC technology that enhances audio with greater surround sound effects for the best audio experience. The 40mm neodymium drivers in the headset promise to deliver higher bass impact and full-range of sound.

Boasting of 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, this headset claims to offer promising performance without compromising on the nature of connection. Its built-in lithium polymer batteries can offer up to eight hours of aural bliss with four hours of charging. To charge the headset, Creative bundles USB Power cable.

For the WoW fans, this headset's mic features VoiceFX technology that allows masking the human voice to sound like one of the characters of the game. Falling under the Sound Blaster brand, this microphone also has noise-cancellation features. During a real crucial session, the gamers can quickly access volume and mute controls directly on the headset.

Gamers can also remove and change their lenses to Horde and Alliances with a promise to make more lenses available in future. This headset also offers customizable software to adjust the audio settings in a PC. WoW Headset is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP and Mac OS X 10.5 or above. Creative offers a one-year limited hardware warranty on this headset.

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Toshiba to launch 500GB Freeview HD PVR in the UK

Toshiba on Wednesday said it will bring its first Freeview HD-compatible PVR to market this summer. The HDR5010 will be capable of recording the digital over-the-air transmissions in the UK onto its 500GB hard drive. Thus far, only two channels send the broadcasts, BBC HD and ITV HD, but both can be recorded simultaneously.

The drive can record 120 hours of HD programming and users can also plug in external hard drives through two USB ports. The PVR will also have an Ethernet port, two HDMI inputs and one output, as well as an SCART connection (European standard). Internet access gives the player as many as eight days of program schedules. Outside of broadcasts, the HDR5010 can play DivX and MP3, but more are likely to be announced by the time the device is launched.

The HDR5010 will cost the equivalent of $545 when it arrives in the UK in June. Freeview is a UK-only service launched by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and transmitter operator Arqiva; a North American PVR would need ATSC to catch local HD broadcasts.

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Sony Creates 11Gbps Wireless Technology

The new tech and high data rate mean that Sony TVs are going wireless, but not in the way you might think.

Sony announced today that they’ve created a new wireless technology capable of sending data at eleven gigabytes per second over short ranges. Very short ranges, in fact.

The new tech is able to shoot data up to a distance of fourteen millimeters through the air at an incredibly fast rate. That’s not far enough to do us much good for sending wireless video or even connecting our Blu-ray players and our TVs, but Sony says the new tech isn’t made for external use.

By utilizing this wireless technology, Sony says they’ll be able to make televisions slimmer and cheaper than ever before. Wireless transmissions improve the life of the product too, according to Sony’s press release. “Because the data transfer occurs without contact, this enhances the reliability of movable and detachable parts within the product.”

The press release also states that a range of 50mm can be achieved with high directivity antennas. Since the antenna and receiver are so close together, it seems unlikely that interference could be a problem.

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NETGEAR introduces mobile broadband router in collaboration with Ericsson

Networking solution provider NETGEAR Inc and Swedish telecoms products supplier Ericsson have entered into a 3G mobile technology collaboration, the two companies said today.

The partnership combines Ericsson's experience in 3G mobile networks with NETGEAR's expertise in routing, firewalls, wireless and IP networks, resulting in the development of a new router with integrated 3G mobile broadband modules from Ericsson.

This new product, is the NETGEAR MBRN3300E 3G Mobile Broadband Router with internal 3G HSPA radio, 802.11n wireless and 10/100LAN. It is intended to provide cost-efficient Internet access for locations that lack wire line infrastructure, including trains, buses, cars and boats.

No pricing details were announced.

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Verizon Wireless outs VZ Navigator 5.0

Verizon Wireless' latest release of VZ Navigator 5.0 has taken mobile GPS navigation to a whole new level. They have integrated the VZN service with Facebook, what this means is you can update your status from the app, and even share your locations with friends. This is an option of course, you don’t have to share your location when you post to your FB status.

On the other end of things, they have enabled a Roadside Assistance service. You can send your location to a dispatcher who will send out help much faster then in the past.

VZ Navigator 5.0 is available today on select smartphones and handsets, including the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone, LG enV TOUCH, HTC Touch Pro2 and Samsung Omnia. More device support will be added in the coming weeks. If you already use VZ Navigator you should be getting a message to upgrade to the new version. Download it from the Get It Now/Media Center and VZ Start or can add the feature through My Verizon.

The price, including continuous map updates and points of interest (not including downloads) is $9.99 a month for unlimited access or $2.99 for a one-day/24-hour.

Other new features of VZ Navigator 5.0:

• Improved Customer Experience – No need to wait for the entire route to download before starting their voyage because data will now be streamed, causing display screens to populate more quickly
• Enhanced Points of Interest – Access to premium places of interest with detailed descriptions, clearly branded by Map Icons
• Traffic Crowd Sourcing – Opt-in to anonymously send real-time location and speed to the VZ Navigator traffic reporting service, allowing quicker notifications and improved accuracy for all VZ Navigator users
• Alerts for Other Road Attributes – Graphic notifications for tunnels, U-turns, traffic circles and toll plazas
• “Say it Mode” – Select BlackBerry smartphones and Windows Mobile handsets allow customers to verbally search for and update destinations

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Fingerprint identification coming to Android smartphones

Sagem Wireless (maker of the Porsche P’9522 phone) recently announced that it has teamed up with California-based UPEK, in order to develop mobile phones with fingerprint identity capabilities.

More importantly, it looks like Sagem will launch Android phones pretty soon – joining the continuously growing list of big, medium and small handset makers that are embracing Google’s OS (Alcatel, Gigabyte and Hisense are among the latest).

Obviously, Sagem’s upcoming Android phones will have fingerprint identity capabilities, too.

Sagem’s devices will provide:
• a simplified user experience (users don’t need to remember user names and passwords, since they’ll be able to identify themselves with a simple touch gesture)
• quick and easy purchases from mobile application stores
• fast and more secure mobile payment and mobile banking services

Sagem Wireless and UPEK will be present at MWC 2010, where they’ll showcase fingerprint identity capabilities for Android.
Back in October 2009, Sagem also announced that it would launch a Puma phone ahead of Fifa World Cup 2010.

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Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless (Sprint)

The new Overdrive, from Sierra Wireless, can connect any Wi-Fi device to Sprint's 3G and WiMAX networks. Ideally, this means that anything you own with Wi-Fi will now connect to the Internet anywhere—whether it's an iPod touch, a digital camera Eye-Fi card, or a netbook. The Overdrive can also share connections and files among five users at a time. But WiMAX's weak coverage and speeds mean you often get less than Sprint promises.

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TDK outs new Kleer wireless over-ear headphones

TDK Japan on Monday released its TH-WR700 headphones that use Kleer's wireless technology. A sender unit connects to an iPhone, iPod or other device with a 3.5mm headphone jack and transmits 16-bit/44.1KHz audio using the 2.4GHz frequency to a built-in receiver in the folding headphones. Both phone calls and music will pass through from any compatible products.

The transmitter can also send the audio to up to four users at a time. The headphones need four AA batteries, on which they are said to last as long as 40 hours. The wireless range is about 33 feet. Each ear cup has a 34mm driver, and the set's sound pressure sensitivity is set at 108dB/mW. Frequency response is 20~20,000Hz, while impedance is 32 Ohms.

The TH-WR700 will ship in Japan on March 1st, though pricing hasn't yet been set. The headphones should arrive in North America soon after.