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Motorola has announced officially that they will be releasing several new handsets in the next month. They made the announcement at this year’s CTIA Wireless trade show which was late in March. The CTIA trade show is the largest wireless trade show of its kind, and Motorola is known for unveiling their new handsets there, and this year was no exception. Motorola announced 8 total handsets.

The W385 was one of the new models unveiled by Motorola. The model has a sleek, sophisticated design and was built on Motorola’s Krzr platform. The model is very Krzr-like although it was built to be a much lower-end model. The major differences between the W385 and the Krzr are that the W385 doesn’t have a color screen on the outside and has diminished camera resolution. The resolution of the W385 is VGA and the resolution of the Krzr is 1.3 megapixels.

The model was designed to be an entry level, but still has a fairly nice feature set including the camera/camcorder and Bluetooth. The models also sports voice-activated dialing allow the user to prerecord names of people they would like to call. They can later call these contacts by simply saying their names into the handset. It’s a really nice feature for people who drive a lot.

The model has a very slim design and is one of the smallest models around. The dimensions of the W385 are an astounding 45 x 99 x 18.2 mm. The screen size of the model is 1.8″. Motorola will be releasing the model with Verizon service later this month.

The W355 is another Motorola that was designed on the Krzr platform. Its dimensions are very similar to the W385. The W355 was created to be a true entry-level handset; the model doesn’t even sport a screen on the outside. It does, however have indicators on the outside that will show the user when they have received voice mails and text messages. There is also an outer indicator that shows the user the state of the battery.

Those interested in purchasing the W355 should expect the model to be free with service. Motorola created the model so that they could have a more powerful presence in the entry-level market. The model is quite sleek and looks amazing, but lacks the expensive features that drive up Motorola’s cost.

The model’s main features are its FM radio, speakerphone, and text messaging. The model can’t do picture and video messaging, however. As you can see, the model doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it was created for people that don’t want to pay for them.

Motorola has definitely shown that they are committed to taking a bigger share of the cell phone market. They have spent a lot this last year to develop some new handsets, and seem to be on the right track. In the past, their successful handsets have almost all been high-end. Now they have announced a series of low-end models that look just as good as the high-end, trendy ones. Watch for Motorola to gain market share on Nokia this year.

Courtney writes product reviews and publications relevant to the cell phones industry.

http://www.motorolacellphonespower.com/

Recently, I’ve seen increasing heat in the discussion of how mobile video will eventually be delivered to a mass market of wireless phones. The current discussion seems to be centered on the debate between two approaches: Broadcast of content or Unicast of content.

In the Broadcast model, content at a pre-defined schedule is sent out over shared airwaves, and any subscribing cellphone can watch the video much like TV was 10 years ago. Broadcast in the US cases seems to be achieved by deploying a new network across the country so as not to encumber the cellular network’s capacity.

The second approach, Unicast, is a way of using the 3G or better data networks to carry a streaming video to each individual subscriber. This more closely resembles the Internet video of recent years, and allows individuals to watch whatever they choose at their own schedule, but unfortunately this fills limited data network capacity with each incremental subscriber.

Vendors on the broadcast side (Qualcomm, Modio, Hiwire) are arguing that Unicast distribution over 3G doesn’t scale, and if mobile video is successful, unicast video streams will clog the 3G pipes. MediaFlo is on this side, and has got Verizon and Cingular on board.

But Sprint disagrees, saying that their experience with unicast mobile video indicates that their 3G network has the capacity to meet mobile video demand. That could be interpreted as a negative comment on the demand for video, or a positive statement on their network capacity.

But even though the unicast vs. broadcast debate is an important one, it’s not the real battleground for mobile video. It’s even old news. I wrote about precisely this Mobile vs. Unicast paradox in 2004: neither approach held all the right cards then, nor now (the linked 2004 story explains why). Meanwhile, under the radar the real threat to the carrier’s mobile video aspirations seems to get overlooked at all the conferences and boardroom strategy meetings: OTA vs. Sideloaded. Not sure why, but I think it’s a mix of wishful thinking, yes men, and Kool-aid drinkers.

Here’s what carriers should really worry about: OTA (Over The Air) vs. Sideloaded. That is, the carrier model vs. the iTunes or PVR sideload model. It’s like this: if I have content in my PC or PVR, which I’ve already paid for and chosen as desirable, why would I re-buy content over an expensive 700Kbps wireless network when I could use a free, 480Mbps network (a USB cable) to transfer it from my PC into my phone? Phones with flash memory are well-suited for this, and increasingly available. In fact, I seem to recall a rumor that Apple might even try something in this space…

The real threat to carrier business models is that consumers will learn to move video to their phones without ever passing the telco tollbooth. And Apple is about to educate the masses as to that possibility. Whether consumers buy an iPhone or not isn’t the point – the point is consumers will gravitate towards the cheap, simple solutions that are known to them.

Carriers need to have strategies that take this into account, or their strategies will be doomed. For example, a carrier that invests heavily in a DVB-H solution and subsidizes handsets may find they are losing subs to a carrier like Cingular that offers an iPhone with iTunes Music Store access to cheaper content through sync. Carriers would be better advised to use their handset control advantage in the same way Apple uses iPod control – to route customers to their web-store.

Yes, that’s right; try to control a piece of the inevitable sync market instead of the mythical OTA market.

The OTA solution may still be worthwhile, but only for live content, timely content, and impulse content purchases. So far, the music case has shown that to be a small share of the market. Video will be different, but that’s the reality-infused business model that should be considered before OTA investment is approved.

Derek Kerton is the Strategy Expert at The Kerton Group, a consulting firm specializing in wireless telecommunications. More online at http://www.kertongroup.com

There are situations in which sometimes we get in, that we feel rather helpless or without knowing exactly what to do or where to go for help. Having a personal cell phone lost or stolen may be one of these situations. In cases like these the following tips may be of some at least to minimize the potential problems you may run into.

1 – You should take care of your cell phone as if it were your personal wallet. The best way to avoid being liable with fraudulent charges is to do whatever you can within your means to avoid unauthorized calls in the first place. Check the user guide that comes with your phone set and start using the lock or password feature to potentially prevent a theft from making unauthorized phone calls. There are ways to get around passwords, but you will probably be buying yourself some time until you realize the loss of your cell phone and call your service phone provider.

2 – Call your cell phone service provider as soon as you discover the loss. Report your missing/stolen device and be sure to keep records of the date and time you called your phone carrier, the name of the person to whom you spoke to, and what you have been informed. Also take note of the state and the region of their call center, plus their telephone extension number. Finally ask for confirmation in writing that your device has been disabled. Some companies can even email this to you.

3 – File a police report. It may not be much of a help in getting your cell phone back, but it should provide an official record of the missing/stolen cell phone. Keep the police report number available while reporting the loss to the phone carrier. Also you may open an investigation with your carrier if necessary. If you are not getting an immediate response by working directly with your cell phone company, do not waste any more time. Contact your phone carrier and request an immediate investigation. Usually a formal request for an investigation will prevent formal collections filed by the phone carrier, not to mention that might delay reporting to any credit bureaus against the phone user.

4 – When requesting an investigation, let your phone carrier know that you will be filling a complaint with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), your state attorney general`s office, and your state`s public utility commission (PUC). After taking these steps, the phone carriers will most likely pay closer attention to you, once they become aware that you are an informed consumer. According to a 2006 AARP/ROPER cell phone survey, half of all cell phone users between the age of 18 and over, report not knowing who to call to in the event their cell phone carrier is unable to resolve a billing/service problem to the user satisfaction. Beware that FCC is going to forward your complaint to your phone service provider, requiring a return from them within a month.

5 – Contact your attorney general`s office. According to their website, state attorney general offices handles complaints about cell phone frauds and contract disputes. This office has lawsuits against phone companies based on phone user complaints, resulting sometimes in refunds to consumers and new agreements made by cell phone service providers on behalf of their cell phone users. Also contact your state`s PUC. Each state has a government agency, usually called utility commission, which handles consumer problems with telephone companies.

A missing or stolen cell phone may become a big problem if the user does not take immediate actions. Filing a formal missing/stolen report together the with cell phone service carrier and government agencies are the necessary steps one should take to make sure he will not have any more losses. Get to know your rights as a consumer and make sure the any loss you are going to have, in the event of a missing/stolen cell phone, will be the cell phone itself.

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/celular.php

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

After reading several opinions I became aware of how confusing and time spending it can be the simple task of going to the mall searching for a new cell phone. There are so many options, brands, models, deals and services available that one can get very confused when it is time to make a choice of which is the best deal to choose from all the options available. Thinking about this problem, I decided to point out a few suggestions and I hope it can be of good use for those who want to save some time, money and find better deals.

Before deciding to buy a cell phone handset it is wise to really know what your needs are and which type of service will serve you better. If you are an occasional user of a mobile phone, perhaps you may want to consider a service that offers the prepaid charges rather that the service that charges you by the month.

The prepaid choice seems to be very attractive for those on a low budget and also simply because it will give you total control of how much money you want to spend, let`s say in one month or during a certain time. This service is also known as pay as you go. It is by far the most popular plan available today. Keep in mind that with this plan, there is no contract to sign and therefore no penalties involved in case one decides to quit or use another service.

Don`t be an impulsive buyer, before you make any decisions on purchasing a brand or model, I strongly suggest you to look for the online deals available. I personally have found very attractive deals on the internet and the online deals have become very popular with most users. Carefully check the options, prices, features on each model and compare the final costs with the models available at your local shop. Keep in mind that the overhead expenses the traditional shops have are the main reason for the same product to cost much more than the similar product obtained from an online source. Always prefer payments with credit cards, which will offer more security for the online transaction.

Since there are several models and brands of cell phones available in the market today, you may want to choose what seems to be most appealing to you regardless of its size, shape or design. You are the one who will be using it and you should be pleased with your choice.

Many new features and gadgets have been added to the new generation of cell phones. Most major brands have a variety of models that will certainly satisfy from the simpler to the most sophisticated user. The latest mobile phones have capabilities which include video calling, video recording, digital camera, mp3 player, GPS tracking system and other features. So if you don`t need any of these features, you may just want to stick to the basic and no frills type of handset which is much less expensive to purchase and much simpler to use.

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/celular.php

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

Unless you’ve been living in an illusory world, without a mobile phone, you would in all probability have heard the term SMS. It is also frequently referred to as “texting.” It has become the rage of the 21st century as mobile phone users are constantly trying to find novel things to do their mobile phones. Today we live in a quick-paced world and more and more people are turning to texting as a means of relating to each other. The dating world is no exception. With the onslaught of online daters, and long distance romances increasing, SMS or texting has just become a very convenient way of getting in touch with your near and dear ones. Couple texting and SMS with emails and IM, you don’t even need to actually speak to anyone anymore to have a relationship or friendship. Enter the magical world of mobile phones – with all the familiar brand names: Samsung, Nokia, LG, Sony-Ericsson and what have you.

SMS and texting are known for their pithyness. Something like “Mt me @ 9PM, R spt” or “IM @11??” can change your entire routine in a few short seconds. There is no need for 2 calls, long drawn out emails, or any confusion about detailed exchanges. In fact, texting is a 13 for people with 7 lives that literally need to book time with each other.

How far-flung is SMS for dating? Mobile phone companies are making it more available to their consumers, because each SMS sent literally means cash in their pocket. Recently, Cingular Wireless conducted a survey to find out if mobile phones and SMS had really affected their customer’s romantic relationships. Their findings proved that SMS is in fact the new dating tool of the 21st century:

* 38% of users said one of their dates had responded to text messages sent during a dinner conversation. Of those 38%, 31% of them admitted to doing the same.
* 10% of users have texted someone out of their lives. This makes the Sex and the City “Post-It Note” episode look harmonious.
* 17% have texted to get out of an uncomfortable date.
* 12% used texting news reports as a conversation starter with their date or partner.
* 8% said a relationship has ended over offensive texting behavior.
* 28% would rather text their partner than get involved in a long conversation.
* 5% have used their mobile phone to text another love interest while on a date with someone else. 7% claimed they suspected their date of doing the same thing.
* 6% say they assess someone else by how they text
* 59% of regular daters use texting to communicate with their dates, and 30% of married couples do the same thing with their spouses.

It just goes to show, that SMS and texting are not only more far-flung in the dating world, it seems it is almost a requirement today. Go ahead, reach out and message someone. That is what mobile telephony is all about.

As is obvious Ajeet Khurana loves technology. Here are sites that he recommends: Send Text To Mobiles at http://www.mobile-sender.com Samsung U600 at http://www.mobiles.co.uk/samsung-u600.html and Video Site at http://www.vid-site.com