London Museum Exhibit Shares Magic of 'Rings'

The London Science Museum can be added to the growing list of establishments banning picture phones, as organizers of the "The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy -- The Exhibition", running from September 16 though January 11, has banned all cameras and mobile phones to prevent the technology - the figures from the films replete with uniforms and weapons, costumes and props - from being copied.

Sony Ericsson delays 3G handset

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications plans to delay the launch of its first multimedia third-generation (3G) mobile phone by several months to early 2004 to complete more tests.

The company had earlier targeted the launch of the 3G handset in the three months ending September or the October to December quarter, depending on when operators had completed their tests. According to CNN via Moco News.

Nokia launches MMS Postard service in Denmark and Norway

Nokia is entering the MMS postcard fray with the launch of their own "MMS Postcard" service to over 750,000 subscribers in Denmark and Norway, according to Cellular News.

"On Friday 12th September, Club Nokia emailed all 750,000 subscribers detailing the MMS Postcard solution, and offering two free postcards to every subscriber. To use the system, the subscribers simply log into a website and enter their mobile number. They are then sent a Vcard (business card for their mobile phone) which contains the service name and details, which they save to their handset. To send a postcard they simply send a picture, by MMS to that service name."

For other MMS postcard services in Europe, cf previous entries in Picturephoning:

- MMS postcards sent by the post office(Germany)
- MMS postcards sent by the post office (Netherlands)
- MMS postcards from Swisscom (Switzerland)
- Vodafone sends postcards by mobile phone (Portugal)

Lack of Interoperability Hurting MMS in US

The lack of interoperability across major mobile network operators (MNOs), which have different technologies and varied business interests, is hampering the growth of the North American multimedia messaging services (MMS) markets.

“The market for MMS services is in its infancy today, hampered by the lack of applications, devices, and services,” says rost & Sullivan Industry Manager Kshitij Moghe. “However, phenomenal growth is expected within a timeframe of 18 months from now; somewhere in 2005, as market participants expedite their efforts to roll-out MMS and MMS-enabled handsets.” [Frost & Sullivan] via [Moco News].

Update 06.10.03 cf MMS interoperability in the USA to improve .

The next big thing in mobile land

According to an article in The Guardian written by Brad Rees who works for T-Mobile, picture messaging is catching on and the next big thing will be personalised multimedia content delivered directly to these phones.

"Since T-Mobile introduced viral-style alerts (pictures, sound and stuff you get automatically once you've signed up) they have seen a 15% rise in person-to-person usage, which suggests folks who subscribe to these new services like the idea of it and are replicating that viral instinct of sending on pictures of hamsters breakdancing, plate-spinning, etc. "

It's early days yet but help is at hand with the vibes from the networks looking promising. For instance every day, T-Mobile is launching a fresh picture alert in five far-reaching categories with a selection of content providers offering Football, Gossip, Babes, Hunks and a viral offbeat cousin called Wildcard. The service will only be relayed to customers who actively use or seek picture messaging. Customers will receive a teaser, inviting them to try before-they-buy, free for a limited period".

Are you involved in the Iraq demo?

Jeff Jarvis on BuzzMachine agrees with Harry's complaint with good right, "about the BBC once again soliciting viewers' photos from an anti-U.S./anti-U.K. Iraq demonstration". Have they ever asked for, say, photos from the soldiers who are off in Iraq defending freedom? asks Jeff Jarvis?

Interesting, the BBC request Harry is offended by; "Share your pictures of the demonstration, by sending them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk" is no longer on the BBC page.

Motorola counters report of phonecam delays, halts stock slide

Motorola, its shares temporarily jolted by a report of U.S. camera-phone shipping delays, insisted Friday it is well-positioned for the holiday season thanks partly to a dozen new camera phones being introduced worldwide, reports USA Today.

The WSJ reported on Friday that Motorola would miss delivering its first camera phones in the U.S. in time for the Christmas season, making the stock drop.

Bag and body searches at screenings

Here's a first hand account from movie critic Mary F. Polls of measures taken at a private screening to avoid what has become the Motion Picture Association of America's number one foe - movies that bomb at the box-office notwithstanding - piracy. "The MPAA calculates the movie industry loses $3 billion annually to piracy, and that's not even counting Internet downloads of bootleg films, by far the fastest-growing segment".

"I only realized how serious the situation had become when security guards started showing up for screenings at the Variety Preview Room in San Francisco, where the media goes for private advanced screenings. No one gets in without an invitation, and with the exception of a few friends and the publicist, the audience is typically made up of professional journalists. It's one thing to be frisked for secret camera equipment on the way into "The Hulk," but for a press screening of the latest Merchant-Ivory flick, "Le Divorce"? I even got the wand treatment -- a scan for electronic equipment, including cell phones, which in some cases have been turned into recording devices -- at "Under the Tuscan Sun" last week".

One can't imagine camera phones and video phones doing much harm at this point - you can only view short clips. But still, the potential for ill use exists and can only get worse as technology improves.

More Camphone Stats

More numbers. "In Japan, 96 percent of the phones for sale include a camera, said Michael King, an analyst with Gartner Group, a technology research company. In the United States, no more than half of the cell phones include a camera phone, meaning that if a cell-phone carrier offers 10 types of cellular phones, no more than five of them would include a camera".

Even worldwide, camera phones account for just an estimated 8 percent of cellular phone sales. This year, 36 million camera phones are expected to be sold worldwide, out of 462 million cellular phones, according to a projection in August 2002 by Dataquest/Gartner Group. [Newsday]

More Camphone Stats

More numbers. "In Japan, 96 percent of the phones for sale include a camera, said Michael King, an analyst with Gartner Group, a technology research company. In the United States, no more than half of the cell phones include a camera phone, meaning that if a cell-phone carrier offers 10 types of cellular phones, no more than five of them would include a camera, King said".

Even worldwide, camera phones account for just an estimated 8 percent of cellular phone sales. This year, 36 million camera phones are expected to be sold worldwide, out of 462 million cellular phones, according to a projection in August 2002 by Dataquest, a technology research company. [Newsday]

Upscale UK Hair Salon Chain launches MMS Hairstyle Gallery

The Toni&Guy chain of upmarket hair salons in the UK is offering their customers the option to download pictures of hairstyles from a large gallery of photos online, onto their mobile phone. This way they can discuss their potential new look with family and friends before visiting a hairsalon, according to 160characters.org.

This is not the first time Ton&Guy has used cell phones in a clever way, to promote their salons and bring in customers. To boost sales in the quiet month of January (2002), they offered clients a chance to download a money off-voucher to "trim the price down of a haircut". And according to the BBC article at the time, Toni & Guy was thinking of using text messaging to remind regulars when they were due for a trim, or when their highlights needed touching up.

And just for fun, because it's related to hairstyles, remember the Brylcreem MMS interactive campaign entitled Send in a picture of your friends' worst hairstyles?

Cell Phones Meet TV

Several new products from the world's biggest consumer electronics companies could allow mobile-phone users in the near future to tune into their favorite TV shows, from soap operas to the latest Broncos game, reports RCRNews.

Of note, Sony's new mini digital broadcast tuner module that would allow mobile phones to act as televisions. The tuner would be the size of a postage stamp and will ship in December. "The moves follow the introduction of several high-end wireless devices capable of picking up TV signals. NEC Corp. recently introduced a mobile phone/TV device, as did Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd."

For more on Sony's digital TV tuner, see TV in a Phone- Now It's Digital, by Eric Lin for TheFeature.com. And related post on Picturephoning, J-Phone to launch cell phones with TV tuner.

Nokia takes camphone design to a new level

Nokia's new 7600 camera phone model takes phone design to a new level. Launch planned in the 4th quarter of 2003.

The Nokia 7600 enables people to capture pictures and videos, send and receive multimedia messages and mobile email and listen to music. Opening a new door to the world of multimedia communications, people can view pictures taken with its VGA camera on an illuminated display with over 65,000 colors, as well as capture video clips, with audio, of up to 2,5 minutes each.

A limited edition series of 1000 phones in special sales packages will be available through a selection of high-quality lifestyle shops in Europe, including Conran Shop (London), Asplunds (Stockholm), Colette (Paris), Corso Como 10 (Milan), Vincon (Barcelona), Quartier 206 (Berlin), and Wittgenstein (Munich).

More in Nokia Press Release.

Motorola to Miss Key Season to Sell Its Camera Phone

Delays in delivering its first camera phones in the U.S. will cause Motorola Inc. to miss most of its opportunities for sales of these hot products in the crucial U.S. holiday season, reports the WSJ.

The Motorola spokesman said the company would launch at least one camera phone in the U.S. during the holiday shopping season but declined to say which carrier would sell it.

Nokia's Image Wear

Nokia on Thursday announced that it's planning to launch new products that will let consumers take pictures from camera phones and and transfer them onto tiny digital lockets and bracelets, according to News.com. See pictures.

MP Conference Snaps Requested

The Backbencher, a weekly insider's guide to Westminster from the Guardian Unlimited, is asking readers to send in their conference snaps, adding "sightings of Gordon Brown in sympathetic company are particularly welcome", for publishing in a special Labour conference edition on Wednesday.

Gordon Brown is a Member of Parliament Party: Labour Chancellor of the exchequer.

Motorola to launch Cameraphone for $ 150

Motorola is launching new camera phones in time for the Christmas season that are focused on the mass market, potentially costing as little as $150, reports Newsfactor.

Video Phones Outlawed in SA Parliamentary Chambers.

A South African backbencher from the Labor party drew ire from fellow MPs, as he was seen with a mobile video phone switched on in the chamber. Speaker Peter Lewis has warned MPs that they could lose parliamentary privilege by using camera phones in parliamentary chambers, according to ABCnet

Camera Phone Boom a Pretty Picture for Lens Makers

The increasing demand for digital cameras and camera phones has been a great boon for the optical lenses business. Good news for anyone who owns stock in lenswhich have been one of the hottest categories in Taiwan this year, with shares for some top suppliers rising more than 70 percent since late April, according to Reuters.

Indeed sales have been so strong, there is even concern about a potential shortage of lenses.

"Demand for camera lenses is growing at a very fast pace that is beyond our imagination," said Major Li, a project manager at the parent of Largan Precision, Taiwan's largest maker of lenses for camera phones.

"Picture of the Day" on Upoc.com

Favorite mobile community Upoc invites camera phone users to submit their pictures for review by their editorial staff. The best ones are featured online as "Picture of the Day".

Camera phones find role in art

When picture phones meet the Arts. On September 13, the Norwegian Theatre in Oslo held the opening of the what is the first exhibition of photo art, Bromkameratenes Nokiagalleri, featuring photos taken by means of camera phones in Norway - and possibly also the first of its kind throughout Europe.

The exhibition is comprised of approximately 80 pictures taken with a Nokia 7650 smartphone, and combines new technology with older photographic techniques, according to InfoSync World via wireless savvy Techdirt.

"Compared with professional camera equipment, such cameras do of course have their very distinct limitations. Nevertheless, it is the eye of the photographer which determines the opportunity for a good photo" said Rune Jensen, another photographer featured at the exhibition. "Camera phones also have their advantages, however. They can, for instance, operate silently - and of course there is the benefit of always having the camera available and ready for use."

On a related note, cell phone ringtones have inspired artists too, musicians. cf Ringtone Concerts.

Free Noodle Fortune Reading!

I think this picture phone service can be filed under, well, unusual or amusing, take your pick!

Use your phone camera while at the noodle house for your fortune. Three easy steps:

Eat some noodles (yum!)
Take a picture of noodles in your bowl
Email picture of your noodles to noodle@bedope.com

A fortune-teller will study and interpret your noodles image. You will receive a return email with your fortune (in less than a day, maybe within minutes - very fast!).

Checking out traffic cams on your cell phone

MTN South Africa launched “for fun” in July 2002, a camera placed on a cellphone tower in Johannesburg, enabling MMS enabled mobile users to check on live traffic at 4 major hi-way interchanges, by typing *155# on their mobile phones, reports ITWeb.

The free service was so successful - 3'000 users access Traffic Cam daily - that feeds were then later added to the .mtnice.co.za Web site and MTN is looking to add additional cameras and features to the service, including live video streaming of traffic.

With an increased MMS base expected after the Christmas period, added content to the site and the introduction of a commercial platform, the service is expected to exceed 100 000 hits a day.

MTV clips on mobile phones

MTV Europe has signed a deal with the mobile phone network 3 to show clips from programmes including 'Jackass' and concert footage from performers including Radiohead and Bjork, reports Revolution Magazine.

Content will include: Daily News, including showbiz gossip; MTV What's Hot, with reviews of live performances; Best of MTV, including clips 3 and MTV Live Lounge, with selections from the network's archive of live performances.

French children experience with moblogging

In a reader's club project, French children aged 10 to 13, experience with moblogging by posting their feelings about new books they are reading on clublire.textamerica.com. [boingboing.net]

Picture Phones Surpass Sales of Digital Cameras

Though it wasn't predicted until 2004, global sales of cellphones with built-in cameras surpassed sales of conventional digital cameras in the first half of 2003, a milestone in the mobile-phone industry.

Driven by surging demand in Japan and South Korea, mobile-phone makers shipped 25 million handsets with built-in cameras world-wide in the first half of the year, compared with four million in the year-earlier period, according to Anglo-U.S. research firm Strategy Analytics, reports the WSJ.

Why go 3G?

According to The Guardian via Moco News mobile operator 3 is banking on football and better quality video to lure subscribers to 3G. But will it be able to succeed when Vodafone is offering most of the same video services for existing 2.5G mobile phones? A detailed story on the current UK value-add wireless market...

Competition Between Camera Mobile Phones, Digital Cameras Becomes More Fierce

"A survey conducted by Nikkei BP Consulting Inc found that many users expect camera mobile phones to have performances and capabilities as high as those of digital cameras.

Thus market observers expect that competition between camera mobile phones and digital cameras will be much more fierce. In fact, the number of units of mobile phones with a built-in camera produced is growing much faster than that of digital cameras.

The survey also showed that users take an average of 4.7 pictures per week using a built-in camera mobile phone. The higher the resolution camera phones they have, the more picture they take, the survey said. Users of a camera mobile phone with 300,000 pixels take pictures twice as much as users of a phone with less than 100,000 pixels". [NE Asia].

See graphs 1, 2, 3.

J-Phone to launch cell phones with TV tuner

Japanese mobile phone operator, J-Phone, a subsidiary of Britain's Vodafone Group, said it is hoping to launch cellphones featuring a built-in television tuner as early as December. The new service would be the first of its kind in Japan.

J-Phone was the world's first company to offer mobile phones with built-in digital cameras, which can transmit images directly using the company's 'sha-mail' service. The function has proved so popular that virtually every new handset model for the Japanese market now includes a camera. [Yahoo Biz] via [Mobile Media Japan].

Pictures of alleged gang rape circulate

Allegations have been made against 3 members of a Parachute Regiment in Dover on the gang rape of am 18 year-old girl in their barracks, according to The Mirror.

Another four paras are being investigated over claims they took pictures of the rape with their cell phones and sent the pictures to others inside and outside the barracks.

This is the second incident involving a rape captured by onlookers armed with camera phones. Previously, a woman raped in the men's room of a British pub was filmed by onlookers using their video mobile phones (cf Ignominy).