Google Talk for the iPhone

Google has just released in the US a new version of Google Talk designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch browsers. In addition to sending your friends Gmail messages from your iPhone, you can now chat with them while you're on the move.

[Google Mobile Blog via Techmeme]

Mobfindr gets your phone to text home

Navizon's Mobfindr lets you find the location of an iPhone just by sending an SMS to it.

In their own words:To set it up, just install the latest version of Navizon and enter the passphrase that will need to be sent in order to access the location. Turn the service on... and that's it.

If you plan on giving this passphrase to other people, make sure it is different from your Navizon password. Otherwise, if it's just for you, it can be just anything.

[via engadget:mobile]

iDial iPhone Retro

How cool is that? An iPhone retro dial mobile ap. From SOSiphone.

[via Ubergizmo]

Software monitors Mobile Text Messages for Objectionable Keywords

An application for mobile phones called MyKidisSafe.com aims to do just that and uh, more (poor kids!)

The software can restrict mobile phone use while driving as well as restrict use during sleeping hours and school.

Another interesting feature looks for a list of 1500 objectionable words in text messages and more. When one of the objectionable words is found in text messages parents are notified. Phones with GPS enable the software to block use while driving.

[via About Cellphones]

SMS2.0: Texting in technicolor

According to Crave, we will soon be able to send text messages in color.

A company called Affle has developped an application that enables mobile users to change the foreground and background color of text messages to suit their whim.

Called SMS2.0: , the app will be free, but supported by tiny ads that run fairly unobtrusively through the ticker.

Affle

Most Not Using Mobile Apps

Despite 74 per cent believing that the services offered have improved more than half (57 per cent) of UK mobile phone owners use their phone for the same things that they did in 2003, according to a study by telecom application connectivity specialist AppTrigger.

[via 160characters.org]

Want iPhone Apps? Get Ready to Shop in iTunes

Apple's upcoming iPhone software development kit will do more than enable programmers to create new software for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Wired reports.

"It will also turn iTunes into a software store, because Apple will probably use iTunes as the primary distribution vehicle for what's likely to be a massive community of iPhone software developers. In so doing, it could usher in a new way of buying low-cost software that's both easier and faster than downloading shareware or purchasing shrink-wrapped boxes."

Infinitely Charged built-in cell phone charger

Spotted on Gizmag, a patent-pending design that enables a cell phone to plug directly into a powerpoint.

"Infinitely Charged is equipped with an electrical plug-in (120v AC power) directly located in the back of the cellular phone. It is designed to flip the plug prong up to store when not in use and flip down when charging is needed.

It’s claimed to be the only product of its type by Californian inventor Ronald Kearns who has a patent pending on the design and is keen to discuss serious production and marketing enquiries. "

Free Wireless Application Delivers Up-to-the-Minute News, Stocks, Videos and Podcasts from WSJ, MarketWatch and Barrons

The Wall Street Journal Digital Network today launched a free, downloadable application for Windows Mobile phones that provides consumers with mobile access to WSJ.com, MarketWatch.com, and Barrons.com.

[Press release]

MacWorld: Apple iPhone Update v1.1.3: SMS multiple people at once

It was a major drawback of the iPhone text messaging feature, only being able to send messages to one person at a time, But at Macworld yesterday, Apple broke the news of new features included in it's free software update (available through iTunes), including one enabling users to text multiple contacts.

More on the v1.1.3 firmware from Engadget's live reporting of Steve Job's keynote.

The v1.1.3 firmware is available for download through iTunes.

[via Product Reviews Net]

Mobile Ap: Weapons of mass seduction

AdWeeks reports on a digital campaign launched by Unilver's Lynx brand, known as Axe in the US - titled "to get to know girls".

"A half-dozen mobile applications have neen developed to aid the Lynx 18- to 24-year-old target market in a singular pursuit: breaking the ice with girls.

The "weapons of mass seduction" include a "Fit Girl Finder" soundboard that can be used, for example, to play the sound of a car being unlocked while standing next to an expensive vehicle. Another converts a phone into an on-the-go Spin the Bottle device. A third is a soundboard that guys can transform into a harmonica or "body-piercing scanner."

They can be downloaded at www.lynxeffect.com or by texting a short code.

... At the Web site, users can watch four YouTube videos of the "Lynx Guys" with their seduction tips and submit their own footage showing them using the mobile applications. It also includes pick-up items like a business card generator and magic tricks primer."

CommitteeCaller: phone an entire Congressional committee with one click

CommitteeCaller.com allows one person to target an entire congressional committee over the phone.

The web application utilizes an open source system to connect you to every senator or house member on a particular committee.

No more digging around the 'net entering zip-codes to retrieve phone numbers of representatives -- CommitteeCaller.com automates the tedium of repetitively dialing your favorite politicians.

[via boingboing]

Nokia N95 can be turned into a pedometer

The Nokia Research Center has made available, as a technology demonstrator, the Activity Monitor for the Nokia N95 and N95 8GB which turns the phones into a pedometer.

"It uses the accelerometer built into the phone to count the number of steps you take in a given period of time. It then uses the collected data to display various statistics including energy consumed, steps taken and distance travelled. "

[via All ABout Symbian]

New Mobile Recipes Application

Mobio Networks has launched a new recipes application in the GetMobio portal, providing instant access to hundreds of thousands of recipes.

You can search by keyword, occasion or course, save them to your handset for quick access and even create detailed grocery lists for last-minute shopping trips.

[via press release]

Color-scheme your iPhone chat-bubbles

Spotted on intomobile, iPhone Matte to color-scheme your iPhone chat-bubbles.

"Joshua Bryant has released his iPhone Matte to change the shiny-finish of the text-bubbles to a “matte” finish.

iPhone Matte even gives you the option to change the color-scheme of your chat-bubbles - with 9 flashy colors to choose from."

Google unveils application for iPhone

Google is releasing a new application for Apple's iPhone that combines the Web leader's services such as e-mail, search and calendar into a single interface.

"... The company is also working to develop new mobile technologies that are faster, easier to use, and available on more devices but Google did not give details."

[via Reuters]

Mobile Secretary

One of the more eyecatching mobile applications on show at Nokia World today, according to TechDigest, is called Mobile Secretary, from Chinese firm InterGrafx. It's basically a 3D avatar that acts as your virtual secretary, residing on your phone.

""It's very fun," says InterGrafx's Charles Chiang. "Your secretary handles things like SMS and incoming calls. You can choose different types of secretary from our server side, you can fire them and download a new one, or train them to be smarter. And you can even take a photo of someone, and put their picture on the avatar."

Mobile Secretary is available now in China, but Chiang says he's trying to drum up interest in Europe in the app too - hence his attendance at Nokia World".

Check your carbon footprint -- on your mobile phone

Do you have a big carbon footprint? Get out your mobile phone and check. Reuters India reports how.

"European scientists have devised an online application to measure how much greenhouse gas people emit from the way they travel, light their homes, choose dinner or watch television.

"The idea is to help people be aware of the impact that their personal behaviour can have," said Antonia Mochan, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, whose scientists came up with the new application.

"Climate change seems such a big story, people think 'Where can I start?' This can help," she said.

The application, which requires users to input information on their behaviour, is available via the mobgas Web site and is free of charge.

Turn your mobile into a (non sexual) masseuse

Massage Vibra is an application that turns your mobile phone to a portable massaging device - not the sexual kind. Pocket Picks reports.

"The application has pre-installed massage programs for almost every region of the body so if you choose ‘Neck’ for example, you then simply follow the onscreen instructions about how to use your phone as a massage tool for that area."

Self-Help for Cellphones

Niche software companies want to help mobile-phone customers help themselves. The Wall Street Journal reports.

"While large wireless carriers pour hundreds of millions of dollars into answering their subscribers' needs and solving their problems, companies like LogMeIn Inc, which allows problem smartphones to be taken over remotely by technology professionals, and SNAPin Software Inc. , which automates most of the common customer complaints, are finding an opening.

"The calls are getting more complex and taking longer," said Bob Lewis, chief executive of SNAPin. "Customers basically have little PCs in their hands. Guiding them through [their problems] is a very compelling value proposition."

For the cellphone industry, costs from customer complaints can add up quickly. On average, a customer will call four or five times a year, at a cost of $12 a call, according to Roger Entner, head of the communications practice for IAG Research."

Screenshots of first Googlephone app

A source has leaked screenshots of a secret project from WhatsOpen.com, the company that may have written the first wireless app for Google's new Android operating system. A News.com exclusive.

Japanese cell phones ward off gropers

Did you just grope me? Shall we head to the police?

That's the message women are flashing on their cell phones with a popular program designed to ward off wandering hands in Japan's congested commuter trains. The Associated Press reports.

Although "Anti-Groping Appli" was released in late 2005 by games developer Takahashi, it has only recently climbed up popularity rankings, reaching No. 7 in this week's top 10 list of cell phone applications.

The application flashes increasingly threatening messages in bold print on the phone's screen, which the person groped can show to the offender: "Excuse me, did you just grope me?" "Groping is a crime," and finally, "Shall we head to the police?"

Users press an "Anger" icon in the program to progress to the next threat. A warning chime accompanies the messages.

The application, which can be downloaded for free on Web-enabled phones, is for women who want to scare away perverts with minimum hassle and without attracting attention, according to Takahashi's Web site."

TimeTranslator translates cellphone numbers into local time

Time Translator provides an easy to use time translation service for those calling around the world on their cell phone and wishing to know the local time is before the call is put through.

The Time Translator program can be downloaded to a cell phone through a PC. The program, once installed, will provide a visual local time for dialed phone numbers via an on screen notice directly before the call connects.

This allows users to view the local time, and disconnect before the call is put through if the time is not appropriate for the call.

Press release

Six Apart launches iPhone/iPod Touch specific Movable Type 4/Typepad

Blogging company Six Aart, makers of Movable Type and Typepad, have announced a plugin for Movable Type 4 that makes it possible to blog from your iPhone using a very nice iPhone specific interface. They are also offering up the same interface for Typepad.

[via TUAW.com]

New Alt News iPhone App

The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies rolled out a new application for iPhone users later today. It may be accessed at http://iphone.altweeklies.com.

You’ll find headlines and links to the freshest content from more than 100 alternative newsweeklies in the U.S. and Canada. If you don’t have an iPhone, it works fairly well on other mobile devices, as well as most browsers.

[via Cyberjournalist ]

Girls are made up over phone application

A system that lets you get the right look without the hassle of a make-up counter queue is currently sweeping Japan. At the moment it works in terminals placed in 30 department stores across the country.

The terminals use simulator software to asses the shape of a person’s eyes, lips and even eyebrows.

They then advise on make up ranges using a simulated facial image, giving an immediate view of how the make-up will look – saving time, money and embarrassment at the bar.

Cosmetics brand Shiseido is developing the technology to reach mobiles in the not too distant future.

[via Absolut Gagdet]

Nokia Handsets to Come With Microsoft Services

According to the WSJ, Nokia said it will start preloading Microsoft Internet applications onto handsets in 11 countries, as part of its plan to boost revenue by offering Web services.

The applications are Windows Live Hotmail, Messenger, Live Contacts and Live Spaces software for Nokia devices.

The mobile Internet applications will be available for download today to owners of five of its multimedia phones."

Netvibes and Facebook for iPhone

Customizable home page site Netvibes released a pre-beta version of their site for the iPhone on Tuesday at m.nv1.netvibes.com/.

And yesterday, A pairing of the two most hyped tech products of the year: Facebook released what is arguably the single best iPhone-customized website to date at iphone.facebook.com.

[via TechCrunch]

iPhone now speaks foreign languages

The Apple iPhone can now translate phrases and speak in several foreign languages, thanks to a new talking translator application from lastminute.com, reports Technology news first.

"The Talking iPhone Translator is a free service providing travellers with text and audio translations from French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and German (with a Greek translation version to follow shortly).

Users can select a phrase and the application will display a written translation as well as provide a spoken translation recorded by a native speaker. Users can choose to let the iPhone do the talking for them, or use the correct pronunciation to help them communicate with locals."

AT&T rolls out mobile backup service

AT&T today provided a helping hand to some of its subscribers with Mobile Backup, a new online service meant to assuage cellphone users that may store valuable contact info only on their handsets.

[via electronista]