All new Nokia smartphones to pack NFC support from 2011

The Near Field Communication technology isn't as popular as anticipated but, it seems that, Nokia is about to change that really soon. So far, there have been only some NFC compatible devices but as of 2011 all Nokia smartphones are expected to come with NFC support on board.

This was announced by company's executive vice president for markets, Anssi Vanjoki, at the 10th anniversary meeting of Mobey Forum in Helsinki, Finland.

The Near Field Communication technology (or just NFC) is a short-range wireless communication technology that enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 cm distance.

The Near Field Communication technology is an upgrade of the existing proximity card standard (RFID) that combines the interface of a smartcard and a reader into a single device. It allows users to seamlessly share content between digital devices, pay bills wirelessly or use their cell phone as an electronic traveling ticket on existing contactless infrastructure already in use for public transportation and payment.

The connection between two NFC devices is established at once (under a tenth of a second). Another major advantage of the NFC is its reliability. Due to its shorter operating range, NFC provides a higher degree of security than Bluetooth.

According to Anssi Vanjoki, the upcoming devices are expected to feature support for all open business models, including SWP as well as other element formats (microSD cards and probably an embedded secure element). Third party app developers will soon get the needed tools so they can start work on applications.

The news comes only several months after Nokia have decided to give up on their latest NFC compatible phone, the Nokia 6216 classic which was unveiled back in April 2009.

Clearwire introduces new WiMax 4G modems

Clearwire and Sprint are plowing forward with the build out of their joint WiMax network. Both companies already have several different devices that can be used to access both the WiMax 4G and Sprint's EVDO 3G network. Now they have added to the pile of 4G modems, three new products.

The first is the Clear Spot 4G. The Clear Spot 4G is a WiMax-only personal mobile hotspot. It lets users share Internet access anywhere there is 4G WiMax coverage with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The Clear Spot 4G is being made by InfoMark. It can be purchased outright for $100, or leased for $5 per month.

The second device is the Clear Spot 4G+. This device can access both the WiMax 4G network and the EVDO 3G network. The Clear Spot 4G+ will switch between 4G and 3G depending on what coverage is available. It will let users share Internet with up to five Wi-Fi devices. The Clear Spot 4G+ is being made by Sierra Wireless. It costs $225 if you want to buy it outright, or it can be leased for $6 per month.

Last, we have the Clear 4G+ Mobile USB Series S. This awkwardly named device is a 4G/3G laptop dongle that is the first to support Macs. Same as the Clear Spot 4G+, the Clear 4G+ Mobile USB Series S will use WiMax when available and EVDO 3G when it's not. The Clear 4G+ Mobile USB Series S is compatible with MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops using Mac OS X Versions 10.5.x and 10.6.x. (It also supports most versions of Microsoft Windows.) It is also being made by Sierra Wireless. It costs $115 to buy, or $6 per month to rent.

All three devices have pros and cons, so if you're looking for some WiMax 4G action, be sure to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each. The Clear Spot 4G, for example, can only connect to WiMax 4G and not 3G. That means if you aren't covered by WiMax, it won't work. The Clear Spot 4G+ adds support for 3G, too, but costs a lot more to buy/lease. The USB modem will only let one device connect to the Internet, and can't share with others.

The devices can be pre-ordered starting today, but won't be available in retail stores until July.

Nintendo unveils 3DS 3D gaming

Nintendo has unveiled its 3D handheld video games console at its keynote briefing at the E3 expo in Los Angeles. The Nintendo 3DS is the first ever portable gaming console to offer players a 3D gaming experience. Users also don’t need to use 3D glasses to be able to see the device’s 3-D visuals.

The 3DS comes equipped with two screens – one 3D screen and one touch screen – a motion sensor, a gyro sensor, and analogue pad and a 3D depth slider so players can toggle between 3D and 2D screen settings. The device also comes equipped with two cameras which allow its user to take 3D pictures.

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata unveiled the 3DS alongside a planned list of launch titles for the device, by both Nintendo and third party developers. Nintendo titles included Kid Icarus: Uprising and Nintendogs + cats. Third party developers included Ubisoft, EA, Konami, Square Enix and Capcom and Iwata said 3DS owners could expect titles from the Final Fantasy, Assassin’s Creed, Fifa, Street Fighter and Metal Gear Solid franchises. He also said that the new console would be able to play titles made for the Nintendo DSi.

Nintendo didn’t say when it plans to release the 3DS or how much it would cost consumers.

Verizon Wireless adds cell site in Wyoming County

US wireless communication services provider Verizon Wireless announced that it has activated a new cell site in Arcade, Wyoming County.

Verizon Wireless said the new site improves coverage and capacity along Route 78 from Minkel Road to Pit Road and in the village of Java.

During 2009 the company invested more than USD100m in Upstate New York to expand its network capabilities.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone.

TRENDnet outs first 450Mbps wireless router

Wireless-N routers with the ceiling speed of 450Mbps (as opposed to the existing 300Mbps) were first talked about at CES 2009. Trendnet announced Tuesday that it's set to ship the TEW-691GR, the very first 450Mbps Wireless-N Gigabit router on the market.

The TEW-691GR comes with three antennas; each broadcasts in three spatial streams and produces a ceiling throughput speed of 450Mbps, which is 50 percent faster than exciting dual-stream Wireless-N routers.

The TEW-691GR, however, is just a single-band router, supporting only the 2.4GHz band. It also shares a similar set of networking features as other Trendnet routers, such as the TrendNet TEW-673GRU and the Trendnet TEW-639GR .

To totally take advantage of the new speed, users need adapters that support the same three-stream standard. Currently, only Intel's integrated 5300 wireless chip (used in laptops) offers this. Nonetheless, the router is compatible with all existing 2.4 GHz WI-FI clients.

Trendnet says it will also launch new USB and PCIe-based three-stream Wireless-N adapters by the end of the year. The company claims, however, that the new TEW-691GR also helps in maintaining high throughput speeds when used with multiple dual-stream wireless-N and legacy Wireless-G clients.

The TEW-691GR router will be available for purchase shorty for an estimated price of $199.

Verizon Wireless launches LG Ally

US wireless communication services provider Verizon Wireless and mobile communications and information company LG Electronics MobileComm USA Inc (LG Mobile Phones) announced on Thursday that LG Ally is now available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores.

According to the company, the Ally, LG's first Android device, features: silver-and-black outer case; 3.2" tempered glass touch screen featuring touch vibration; microSD slot for up to 16GB of memory; slide-out QWERTY keyboard; Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 2.1 capabilities; built-in MP3 and WMA music player and one-touch speaker phone and speaker-independent voice commands.

The device also offers: five customizable home screens with shortcuts to text messages, apps, e-mail, social networking sites and widgets; access to up to 38,000 apps in Android Market; luminous sensor designed to adjust LCD backlight brightness; proximity sensor; S-GPS support; 3D App launcher and Live Wallpaper; and 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera and camcorder with flash.

The handset is priced at USD99.99 after a USD100 mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card with a new two-year customer agreement. LG Ally customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk Plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at USD39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at USD29.99 for unlimited monthly access.

Blackberry Bold 9650 available on Verizon’s website

BlackBerry Bold 9650 has been launched on its network on June 3 by Verizon. The Bold 9650 can be ordered from Thursday with the device showing up in stores on June 10.

Features on the BlackBerry Bold 9650 include an optical trackpad, WiFi that can connect to 802.11b/g networks and Push to talk functions.

The phone itself measures 4.4 x 2.44 x 0.55 inches and weighs 4.8oz. It has a glossy black finish with chrome highlights. As can be expected from all BlackBerry devices, there are mobile and messaging capabilities on this smartphone allowing users to easily have access to emails whilst on the move.

The screen is quite small and measures 2.45 inches which is common among BlackBerry devices due to the lower portion of the device being taken up by a QWERTY keyboard. The screen has a resolution of 480 x 360 pixels that display at 245ppi.

The camera on the back is 3.2 megapixels and has a flash along with variable zoom and image stabilization. Auto focus is also built-in as well as the ability to capture video.

Storage wise it has 512MB of flash memory that can be expanded by a further 16GB via a microSD card slot. A 2 GB card is included with the device when you purchase it.

GPS is built in along with Bluetooth 2.1. It has voice activated dialing and a speakerphone.

Price wise, it will cost $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. The price also requires that a 2 year agreement is signed.