Korea Developed a New Technology for 4G

Korean researchers developed a new mobile telephony communications protocol and the new system is seven times faster than HSDPA of 3.5G.

"...The technology used in the system is cellular-based 3.9G and is highly likely to be adopted as the standard for 4G. ETI will hand over the technology to Samsung and Samsung will release related products from the end of next year. "

[via The Electronic Times Internet]

Porn to spice up cell phones

Size matters in pornography, except when it comes to tiny mobile phone screens, the next frontier for erotica. Reuters reports.

" If the adult entertainment industry has its way, Americans will soon get a choice of free porn on cell phones -- or at least some photographs of good-looking girls in bikinis.

Unlike in Europe, mobile porn has yet to take off in North America as carriers have been afraid of offending political and religious groups and parents concerned about children being exposed to adult content.

That may change this year as phone companies plan to loosen control on their networks to allow a wider variety of gadgets and services, while introducing new tools to shield minors. More advanced phones with better Web browsers like Apple Inc's iPhone also offer higher quality pictures and video."

Casio Shows off Waterproof Cameraphone

Casio has shown off a waterproof cameraphone (Casio W61CA) aimed at the Japanese market which can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. [via Cellular News]

Other waterproof phones:

-- Durable and water resistant phone from China

-- DoCoMo launches F704i waterproof cell phone

-- Fujitsu Launches World's Thinnest Waterproof Mobile

-- First waterproof 3G phone - FOMA

-- SO902iWP+ Waterproof Cellphone From Sony Ericsson

-- LG Water-Proof Cell Phone Unveiled (canU 502S)

Why camera phones were the centre of attention at Davos

One of the talking points to emerge from Davos this year is the use of online video to report instantly on events, with little mediation through traditional channels. The BBC reports.

LG Phones to Appear in Hollywood Blockbuster

The The Korea Times reports that SK Telecom said it is bringing more than 200 Hollywood blockbusters, such as "Spiderman 3'' and "The DaVinci Code,'' to its mobile phones under a contract with Sony Pictures Entertainment.

"The largest mobile service company, with some 22 million subscribers, said Monday that it inked a four-year deal with Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) to provide between 50 and 60 old and new movie titles every year for mobile phones.

... "We have already been offering several Korean movies on mobile phones, but this contract is different because of the brand value of Hollywood films,'' he said. He added that it is a comprehensive contract and SK Telecom will not pay additional commission to Sony Pictures."

Photograph Your Polling Place

The image left by “Anonymous” captures a scene at a primary election polling place in Reno, Nevada and illustrates The Polling Place Photo Project, a nationwide experiment in citizen journalism launched by The New York Times that encourages voters to capture, post and share photographs of this year’s primaries, caucuses and general election.

By documenting local voting experiences, participants can contribute to an archive of photographs that captures the richness and complexity of voting in America.

[via SmartMobs]

Beyond Bar Codes

Bar codes as art.

Beyond Bar Codes by Jheon Soocheon is a a site-specific installation title. The floor's bar code functions as a platform on which viewers will, by osmosis, become consumer products themselves.

[via del.icio.us/régine]

Cell phone porn scandal hits U.S. school

Police tried to stop the spread of pornographic video and photos of two U.S. high school girls, images that were transmitted by cell phone to dozens of the girls' classmates and then to the wider world. MSNBC reports.

"... One of the girls in the images is shown engaging in a sex act with an unidentified boy, Martin said. The other girl took and transmitted a photo of her bare breasts, he said.

Students interviewed at the school Thursday said the pictures were circulated about two months ago, and that the images have been distributed well beyond the high school and even to people outside the state — including to Harvard University."

« Live from Davos on my phone »

Robert Scoble is blogging « live from Davos on my phone » from the WEF. So interesting. More great coverage in both writing and video on Jeff Jarvis' buzzmachine.

Interesting post today on Swiss Television's blog (TSRBlog) also present at Davos, pointing out that the WEF's rules and regulations are somewhat out-dated. TV crews and cameramen are only allowed in the sessions one by one so as not to create a disturbance, while dozens of participants are videoblogging the conferences live - like Scoble.

Nokia virtual keyboard patent uses cellphone’s camera

Spotted on Phonemag, "a new Nokia patent look like yet another virtual keyboard, but it uses the camera already found in the cellphone to recognise where the user’s fingers are stabbing on the table behind the handset itself.

Aside from using the camera, the phone design also has sensors which recognise the sounds and vibrations of the user’s fingers impacting the table and converts them into inputs."

YouTube expands mobile video service

YouTube is expanding its mobile service to include virtually all of the videos available on its Web site.

"Beginning Thursday, most people equipped with the latest generation of mobile phones will be able to peruse tens of millions of YouTube videos. YouTube first began showing videos on phones in 2006, but only a few thousand clips had been available until now.

Besides opening up its vast video library available on so-called "smart" phones, YouTube also is providing mobile access to many of the same features that have become staples of its Web site. The additional mobile features include the ability to rate videos and share clips with friends."

[via The News Tribune]

Murderer may have captured death on his cameraphone

File under heinous and stupid. The man accused of bludgeoning a Madera teenager to death may have taken photographs with his cell phone afterward to prove to his girlfriend that he had done it, authorities said Tuesday.

[via FresnoBee]

SnapTell Launches Mobile Movie Explorer

SnapTell made its Mobile Movie Explorer available for general consumer use today.

Consumers can now use their camera phone to easily Snap a picture of a DVD cover, send the picture to SnapTell using MMS messaging and get back information about the movie on their cell phone.

The information consumers receive about movies on their cell phones includes reviews, DVD prices, run times, description of the movie and a link to Amazon to buy the movie.

[press release via NewTeeVee]

Zoom lense for the iPhone

Spotted on Cameraphone Report, a 6x18 zoom lens lens for the iPhone by Conice.

USA. Multimedia cell phones are mainstream

As of November 2007, camera phones represented 79% of U.S. handset sales, cameras that capture video accounted for 56%, and 52% of phones could play music, according to NPD Group's Mobile Phone Track.

[via RCRWireless News]

MMS realtor

A new application for house sellers enables them to create and send virtual property tours to a home buyer's mobile phone using MMS. 160characters.org reports.

"The new web application called Cellyspace from Boston based Skycore enables realtors to compose property slideshows using images, audio, video and text.

They then choose a unique keyword for their content which can be promoted on signs and print advertising. When home buyers text this unique keyword to Cellyspace's SMS shortcode, the slideshow is sent to them phone using MMS."

Researchers Use Camera Phone as a Mouse

Researchers in the U.K. have developed software that loads camera phones with mouse capabilities, allowing users to swivel a camera phone to scroll or move items on a PC screen, reports PC World.

"While the software is in its infancy, the technology could enable people to use camera phones to scroll public displays to get further information on products or purchase items like plane tickets.

Communicating with a PC via Bluetooth wireless technology, users can either move the cell phone or use a stylus on the cell phone's screen to also scroll through a computer screen, said Patrick Olivier, an associate professor at Newcastle University.

Olivier is working on developing the technology with researchers Nick Pears of York University and Dan Jackson of Newcastle University."

Golf Champ to sue over injury due to cameraphone snaparazzi

Golf champ John Daly is considering filing a lawsuit against the insurance company that represents the Palm Beach County-based Honda Classic because of an injury he suffered last March when a female fan snapped a picture of him in the first round. the Pallm Beach Post reports.

"Daly was injured on his third hole when the woman took a picture while Daly was hitting his drive. When he heard the clicking, he tried to stop his swing and injured his ribs and shoulder. He didn’t finish the hole, leaving to seek treatment in the medical trailer.

Daly reportedly believes the PGA Tour event didn’t provide proper security because 1) fans are not supposed to have cameras on the course during the tournament and 2) the woman who took the picture didn’t have a ticket to the tournament, instead walking onto the Champion Course from a nearby condominium at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens."

Related articles on unruly golf fans:

-- Woods Experiences Golfing in China: Click, Ring, Take a Swing

-- Golf Rules leave fans pining for phones

-- Call for Cameraphone ban on Golf Tournaments

Students Traded Nude Photos Over Cell Phones

According to a Fox news report, police are questioning a group of teenagers accused of trading nude pictures over cell phones.

"Farmington Police Lt. Shane Whitaker says six or so Farmington Junior High School students took pictures of themselves and then shared the naked images.

A parent of one of the kids found the pictures on their child's cell phone and called police. Detectives say the 13- and 14-year-old boys and girls questioned said they took the pictures as a joke, but it's potentially a crime."

Cameraphone used to control computers in 3D

A camera-equipped cellphone can be used to control a computer as if it was a three-dimensional mouse, thanks to prototype software developed by UK researchers. New Scientist reports.

"The software makes it possible to move and manipulate onscreen items simply by waving a handset around in front of a screen, a bit like the motion-sensitive Nintendo Wii controller.

To control a screen, a user simply aims their cellphone's camera at it. The handset then connects, via Bluetooth, to the computer that operates that screen.

The current prototype, which can be used to control a desktop computer, is just the first step."

Sex offender banned from owning cameraphone

A sex offender in the UK has been banned from owning a cameraphone after he admitted keeping indecent images of girls as young as nine.

[via The Bolton News]

Mobile porn on Telus phones upsets archbishop

The Roman Catholic archbishop of Vancouver is considering cancelling contracts with Telus after the phone company began making pornography available through its cellphones. The Star reports via SMS Text News.

"Canada's second largest phone company now offers pornographic photos and videos to its customers and confirms it has been receiving complaints from upset customers.

Archbishop Raymond Roussin is upset, saying the move takes the "accessibility of pornographic material further into the public realm.

"Given the increasing awareness about the problem of sexual addiction to pornography through Internet access, and the abuse that this perpetuates of vulnerable persons, Telus's decision is disappointing and disturbing."

LG Mobile, Paramount and Marvel to promote technology for "Iron Man" launch

LG Electronics ahs announced its partnership with Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios to launch a multi-faceted campaign to promote the role of technology in the upcoming Marvel Studios film "Iron Man," to be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Prior to the film's May 2, 2008 release date, LG will unveil advertising, as well as retail, online and consumer electronics industry initiatives to showcase the company's high-tech expertise and "leading role" in developing sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing multimedia devices.

[via Just Aother Mobile Phone Blog]

TV glasses connect to cell phones

Spotted on The Guardian, technology correspondent Bobbie Johnson at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas watching a movie projected inside a pair of glasses.

The glasses connect to any kind of media device- iPod, cell phone or Zune and enable you to watch big screen TV privately.

Teenager lies under train in YouTube stunt

Video footage of a teenager lying face down on a railway track as a speeding train passes a few inches above him has been posted on the internet. The Telegraph reports.

"The video, which appeared on the YouTube website, shows the boy picking himself up after the train has passed and waving his legs in the air to show that he has not been injured.

It is not known where the footage, which is believed to have been captured on a mobile phone, was filmed.

British Transport Police have given warning that anyone in Britain caught performing such a stunt would face prosecution."

Hubei man killed for recording protest with his camera phone

A story has sparked outrage throughout the Chinese blogosphere and revived talks of disbanding the chengguan - the urban pseudo-police force used to scare away migrant workers and DVD salesmen.
Shangailist reports.

"Clashes started last Monday over a failed promise by the city government to move a garbage dump away further away from a residential area. About fifty or so chengguan (城管) or 'city managers' were called in to control the crowd.

Wei Wenhua, a manager at a local government-owned construction company with no apparent connection to the protest, was driving through the area when he stopped to get a better look. At this point he took out his camera phone and began recording the incident.

Once the chengguan noticed his presence, he was yanked out of his vehicle and then brutally beaten unconscious over a period of ten minutes. He was carted off, along with other injured protesters, and died en route to the hospital."

Hollywood studios in video talks with Apple

Apple is in advanced talks with Hollywood’s largest movie studios about launching an online film rental service to challenge cable and satellite TV operators, reports the FT.

"... Apple already sells films that can be downloaded and owned, and has distribution deals with Walt Disney and Paramount.

... A film would cost $2.99 for a 30-day rental. Its digital rights-management software would allow films to be moved from a computer to at least one other device such as the video iPod or iPhone. The software would prevent movies being copied.

Apple, which declined to comment, is believed to be aiming for an autumn release. "

[via NewsBlog]

Hand-washing RFID monitor

A system that tracks hospital staff using RFID tags could ensure better hand-washing procedures and cut infections that spread among patients, say inventors who illustrated their patent application with the above diagram.

[via New Scientist]

Howard Rheingold launches video blog

Howard Rheingold has launched a video blog. Spread the word!

I’ve launched a video blog at http://vlog.rheingold.com and plan/hope to update it weekly.It all started when I started thinking about updating A Slice of Life in My Virtual Community, which I wrote twenty years ago. It didn’t take long to realize that a description of how I spend my time online these days would be conveyed more effectively via video/screencast than plain text. Once I got rolling, I realized that it would take more than one episode to show how and why I spend time reading RSS, scanning blogs, blogging, gardening wikis, posting in virtual communities, Twittering, teaching, etc.

So the first month or so will feature episodes of A (re)Slice of Life Online. However, once I started including my indoor and outdoor offices in the videos, it occurred to me that I ought to explain something about the parts of my life that haven’t been so visible to my readers — the painting, gardening, sculpting that are as important to me as the publishing activities that are most visible to others.

Motorola Z10 features in-phone video editing

One of the best innovations spotted at CES so far by Eric's Cell Phones Blog, the Motorola Z10 which features in-phone video editing: Add a soundtrack and text to your videos right on your cell phone.

You can even send the final cut directly to YouTube.

Image and more specs on intomobile.