Orange and Research In Motion announced the launch of the BlackBerry® solution in Kenya. The BlackBerry solution brings together smartphones, software and services to allow easy wireless access to email, phone, calendar, web, multimedia and other business and lifestyle applications. Orange customers in Kenya will now be able to enjoy the freedom and productivity benefits of using BlackBerry® smartphones to stay connected and have easy access to information on the go.
At launch, Orange will be offering subscribers the BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone as well as BlackBerry® Enterprise Server. The BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a communications and multimedia powerhouse. It supports tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and comes with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi® (802.11 a/b/g), as well as a rich set of multimedia capabilities, including a 2 megapixel camera with video recording and an advanced media player for music, videos and pictures.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server is designed specifically for organisations that manage their own email servers. The BlackBerry Enterprise Server software tightly integrates with IBM® Lotus® Domino®, Microsoft® Exchange and Novell® GroupWise® and uses advanced encryption and IT policy controls to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.
Source: Research In Motion

NTT DOCOMO announced it has developed the mobile phone prototype made with the surplus wood of trees culled during thinning operations to maintain healthy forests. The prototype was created in collaboration with Sharp Corporation, Olympus Corporation and "more trees," a reforestation project founded by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and others.The authentic cypress wood body of the prototype, which is named TOUCH WOOD, features excellent durability and resistance to water, insects and mildew thanks to special three-dimensional compression molding developed by Olympus Corporation. Conventional natural wood is not suitable for use as mobile phone bodies because they tend to wear out quickly.Each TOUCH WOOD handset features its own distinctive grain patterns and natural coloring. No artificial colors or paints are used, so the cypress retains its original natural appearance and aroma. The wood also has an attractive shine that is created during the compression process.The TOUCH WOOD is made from the surplus wood of trees culled during forest-thinning operations. This new commercial use for thinned wood, which traditionally has only limited applications, helps to preserve other wood resources while strengthening the health of overgrown forests. So far, TOUCH WOOD production has used wood culled from the Shimanto forest in Japan’s Kochi Prefecture. The forest is managed by the more trees project.The prototype phone’s graphical user interface (GUI) is based on the photographic art of Mikiya Takimoto, a more trees advocate.A mockup of the TOUCH WOOD handset will be exhibited at ITU Telecom World 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland from October 5 to 9 and CEATEC JAPAN 2009 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba Prefecture, Japan from October 6 to 10.Source: NTT DOCOMO

Orange and Research In Motion announced the launch of the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 smartphone for customers in Romania.
The slim new BlackBerry Curve 8520 is an approachable smartphone for people who like to be connected."It provides easy mobile access to email, messaging and popular social networking sites (including Facebook® and MySpace) and features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. It also features rich multimedia capabilities and easy access to music, games and other mobile applications for entertainment on the go. The BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone runs on Orange’s EDGE network and is Wi-Fi®-enabled, providing customers with faster web browsing and extended data coverage.
It introduces an innovative touch-sensitive optical trackpad, which makes scrolling and selection smooth and easy for a great navigation experience. It is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature dedicated media keys, smoothly integrated along the top of the handset, giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos.
In addition to the standard accessories available with the BlackBerry Curve 8520, Orange is offering a free BlackBerry smartphone skin in a variety of colours for customers purchasing the new smartphone.
Source: Research In Motion

LG Electronics announces its second New Chocolate phone, BL20, featuring a sliding keypad. The newest addition to the Chocolate series follows the launch of the stylish New LG Chocolate phone (BL40) at the start of September.
Available in the UK in Q4 at O2, the BL20 features a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash in a slim casing measuring just 12.3mm in depth.
The handset also features touch-sensitive controls which are discretely concealed on the sides of the phone. Users can instinctively feel their way around functions such as volume control and camera zoom for quick adjustments.
Widget Hotkeys enable users to personalise the phone to directly access favourite features for weather, news or personal updates. A new feature includes Clear Memo Capture which captures text, handwritten notes and drawings with maximum clarity, offering a different way to record information.
The New LG Chocolate BL20 is referencing the original Chocolate’s design characteristics such as glossy black surface accentuated with red highlights but reinterpreted them in a sliding keypad handset. Notably, the handset has refined its red navigation keys – part of LG’s overall design language – which are revealed when the phone slides open. It has evolved from the iconic design of its predecessors combining enhanced interactive features with a sleek minimalist look aimed at style-conscientious consumers.
Source: LG Electronics

LG Electronics a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications, today announces its latest handset to join LG’s rapidly expanding social networking range. The new LG GW300 brings a fresh form factor to its line-up of handsets with a full QWERTY keypad, 2.4” landscape display and a five-way navigational pad for simple browsing.The made for messaging handset features a designated Facebook application similar to the LG GW520, providing instant and direct access enabling users to maintain their all important online social statuses in real-time. The LG GW300 contains LiveSquare, which allows all your favourite contacts to show up on your homescreen as avatars, so when a friend sends you a message, their avatar will immediately let you know. With a 3.5mm headphone jack, FM radio, Bluetooth and expandable memory up to 4GB the LG GW300 is also ideal for storing multimedia files.Available from O2 in electric blue and in vibrant red on Orange the LG GW300 is a bright addition to LG’s social networking range.Source: LG Electronics

Research In Motion introduced the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 smartphone in Indonesia.
The new BlackBerry Curve 8520 introduces an innovative touch-sensitive trackpad which makes scrolling and selection smooth and easy for an exceptional navigation experience. It is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature dedicated media keys, which are smoothly integrated along the top of the handset giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos.
The user-friendly BlackBerry Curve 8520 provides easy access to email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking sites (including Facebook® and MySpace), and features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. It is also Wi-Fi®-enabled and includes rich multimedia capabilities with easy access to music, games and other mobile apps for entertainment on the go.
Source: Research In Motion

Research In Motion introduced the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 smartphone in Indonesia.
The new BlackBerry Curve 8520 introduces an innovative touch-sensitive trackpad which makes scrolling and selection smooth and easy for an exceptional navigation experience. It is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature dedicated media keys, which are smoothly integrated along the top of the handset giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos.
The user-friendly BlackBerry Curve 8520 provides easy access to email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking sites (including Facebook® and MySpace), and features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. It is also Wi-Fi®-enabled and includes rich multimedia capabilities with easy access to music, games and other mobile apps for entertainment on the go.
Source: Research In Motion

Research In Motion launched the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520 smartphone in Thailand.
The new BlackBerry Curve 8520 features an innovative touch-sensitive trackpad which makes scrolling and selection smooth and easy for an exceptional navigation experience. It is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature dedicated media keys, which are smoothly integrated along the top of the handset giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos.
The BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone provides easy access to email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking sites (including Facebook® and MySpace) and features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. It is Wi-Fi®-enabled for faster browsing and extended data coverage, and includes rich multimedia capabilities with easy access to music, games and other mobile applications for entertainment on the go.
Source: Research In Motion

Research In Motion introduced the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8520, a new addition to the BlackBerry® Curve series of smartphones.
Designed to be efficient and convenient, the new BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone introduces an innovative touch-sensitive trackpad, which makes scrolling and selection smooth and easy for a great navigation experience. It is also the first BlackBerry smartphone to feature dedicated media keys, smoothly integrated along the top of the handset, giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos.
For Singaporeans who like to be connected, the slim new BlackBerry Curve 8520 smartphone provides easy mobile access to email, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and popular social networking sites (including Facebook® and MySpace) and features a highly tactile full-QWERTY keyboard for comfortable, accurate typing. It is also Wi-Fi® enabled, features rich multimedia capabilities and easy access to music, games and other mobile apps for entertainment on the go.
Source: Research In Motion

Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc (SMART) has recently signed a deal with Nokia to offer Nokia Messaging on selected Nokia Nseries and Eseries devices.
Nokia Messaging mobilizes email from thousands of internet and email service providers globally. Customers can have their personal email accounts pushed directly to their Nokia device from email service providers such as Ovi, Yahoo!®Mail, Gmail(TM), and Windows Live (TM) Hotmail®. Customers simply need to enter their email address and password to get emails pushed directly to the homescreen of their device. They can then read, send, forward and reply to emails as well as download, read, forward and attach files on the go. Small medium enterprises (SMEs) with their own POP/IMAP compliant email servers can also enjoy push email service with Nokia Messaging.
The Nokia E75 is the first Nokia device to ship with a horizontal slide-out QWERTY keymat and offers a unified messaging interface that combines email, MMS and SMS into one application.
SMART Gold subscribers will be able to enjoy unlimited Nokia Messaging push email service at an affordable price of P299 per month on the Nokia E75.
Source: Nokia

Nokia and Dopplr announced today that Nokia has acquired Dopplr Oy, a privately-held mobile service provider for international travelers. Dopplr has a team of seven people with offices in London and Helsinki. The Dopplr team brings to Nokia’s Services unit unique know-how in creating internet-based communities and showing their journeys, experiences and tastes collectively on the web.
The acquisition does not change the current Dopplr service which is available at Dopplr.com and on platforms where Dopplr is integrated.
Source: Nokia

Verizon Wireless and Motorola announced the availability of the Motorola Entice™ W766. Designed for one-touch access to popular features such as a music player, camera and speakerphone, this feature-packed phone offers a classic flip design that will keep customers entertained and connected while on the go. Because the phone runs on Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, customers can expect to make data downloads and transfers quickly and reliably in more places.Key features: External touch sensors for easy access to popular features such as the music player and speakerphone Flip design with large and bright displays for easy reading Built-in 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder Support for up to 8 GB of optional removable memory (microSD™ card sold separately) Bluetooth® capabilities supporting A2DP, HSP and HFP profiles Supports a wired USB 2.0 connectionLifestyle features: Supports a multitude of Verizon Wireless services, including VZ NavigatorSM, Family Locator, Mobile Email, Mobile IM and Dashboard Backup Assistant SM to keep a copy of the phone’s address book on a secure Web site IM-style texting for a simple view of text trails by contacts, so it feels like having a natural conversationPrice and availability:Motorola Entice W766 is available online today for $39.99 after a $50 rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. It will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores later this month for the same price after a $50 mail-in rebate. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.Source: Motorola

Nokia Corporation, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Image™, Sony Corporation and Toshiba Corporation announced the formation of a Mobile High-Definition Interface Working Group that intends to create an industry standard for an audio/video interface to connect mobile phones or portable consumer electronics (CE) devices directly to high-definition televisions (HDTVs) and displays. This new mobile connectivity standard, based on Silicon Image’s Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL™) technology, will be defined, promoted and marketed by the Working Group as an industry standard open to anyone desiring to be an adopter and enable the development of mobile products that adhere to this new standard across a broad connectivity ecosystem.The Working Group’s vision for the next generation of mobile connectivity is to provide an easy and cost-effective implementation for manufacturers while offering consumers a simple and reliable mobile connectivity experience. A single-cable with a low pin count interface will be able to support up to 1080p high-definition (HD) digital video and HD audio in addition to delivering power to a portable device.The Working Group is expected to organize a Consortium of founding members who will develop a mobile connectivity technology standard specification that governs transmission and reception of high-definition content between portable devices and display devices, to support connectivity in accordance with the new specification.Source: Toshiba

T-Mobile USA announced the Motorola CLIQ™, the first Android™-powered device from Motorola Inc. and the first device to feature the innovative MOTOBLUR™ solution, will be available for pre-sale for existing T-Mobile customers starting Oct. 19 at http://www.t-mobile.com/CLIQ.Customers who order the CLIQ during the pre-sale period, Oct. 19–Nov. 1, will have an opportunity to be one of the first in the U.S. to experience T-Mobile’s latest Android-powered phone, which automatically syncs and streams social messaging updates, text messages, and work and personal e-mail directly to the home screen. Devices ordered during pre-sale will be shipped to customers as orders are received and will include a complimentary car charger. The CLIQ will be available exclusively to eligible T-Mobile customers for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement.Beginning today, customers can visit http://www.t-mobile.com/CLIQ to register for CLIQ updates, learn more about the phone and check out a demo of MOTOBLUR. Those that register to receive CLIQ updates are entered into a grand prize sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip with five friends to one of four select destinations. In addition, those that register before Oct. 19 will also have the opportunity to instantly win a new CLIQ.About Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLURCLIQ is Motorola’s first Android device and the first to feature the innovative MOTOBLUR solution that manages and integrates communications — from work e-mail to social messaging activity — all to your home screen. Updates to contacts, posts, messages, photos and more are streamed together and synced from sources including Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace®, Gmail™, and work and personal e-mail. MOTOBLUR automatically delivers these updates to the home screen in easy-to-view streams so there is no need to open and close different mobile applications to keep up with the latest content.CLIQ is Motorola’s first Android device and the first to feature the innovative MOTOBLUR solution that manages and integrates communications — from work e-mail to social messaging activity — all to your home screen. Updates to contacts, posts, messages, photos and more are streamed together and synced from sources including Facebook®, Twitter™, MySpace®, Gmail™, and work and personal e-mail. MOTOBLUR automatically delivers these updates to the home screen in easy-to-view streams so there is no need to open and close different mobile applications to keep up with the latest content.In addition to the unique MOTOBLUR experience, the CLIQ features a premium design with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1-inch HVGA full touch-screen display. The phone delivers a powerful mobile Web experience by harnessing the strength and speed of T-Mobile’s 3G network and Wi-Fi. Additional CLIQ features include a 5 megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture, a 3.5mm headset jack, a music player with pre-loaded Amazon MP3 store application, Shazam, iMeem Mobile, AccuWeather, MySpace Mobile, Quickoffice and a pre-installed 2GB microSD memory card with support for up to 32 GB of removable memory. TeleNav GPS Navigator is also preloaded on the device with a free two-week trial, including voice-activated turn-by-turn directions.With integrated Google technology, CLIQ brings one-touch access to the popular Google™ mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search™ by voice, Google Maps™ with Street View, YouTube™ and Picasa™. CLIQ also provides easy access to both personal and corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts supported by Exchange Server and Gmail. E-mail is also supported by Yahoo!, Windows Live Hotmail, and other POP3 and IMAP e-mail services.T-Mobile’s 3G network is currently available in 222 cities nationwide and covers more than 160 million people. By the end of 2009, T-Mobile USA expects its 3G network to be available to approximately 200 million people across the U.S.Pricing and AvailabilityMotorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR will be available exclusively to T-Mobile customers in both Titanium and Winter White beginning Oct. 19 at http://www.T-Mobile.com/CLIQ or by calling customer care. CLIQ will be available in stores nationwide and online beginning Nov. 2 for $199.99 to eligible customers with a two-year agreement.* Customers can visit http://www.T-Mobile.com/CLIQ to learn more about CLIQ and MOTOBLUR and register for updates.Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR will be available exclusively to T-Mobile customers in both Titanium and Winter White beginning Oct. 19 at http://www.T-Mobile.com/CLIQ or by calling customer care. CLIQ will be available in stores nationwide and online beginning Nov. 2 for $199.99 to eligible customers with a two-year agreement.* Customers can visit http://www.T-Mobile.com/CLIQ to learn more about CLIQ and MOTOBLUR and register for updates.Source: Motorola