Nokia launches new accessory for the Nokia N8, C7 and Symbian^3

Nokia  today launches a new accessory for the Nokia N8, C7 and their Symbian^3 stablemates: Nokia Digital Radio Headset, DAB. Like the DVB-H television adapter announced a few weeks ago, it makes use of the device’s USB-To-Go feature to add extra hardware and software features. Find out more about what it offers and how it looks after the break.

Why do you want this rather than the regular radio player that comes with your device? DAB digital radio offers a much clearer reception, less interference and better sound quality than traditional analogue radio and has proven a great success here in the UK and in other European countries. The device also supports the emerging DAB+ standard, which uses a more efficient audio codec.

The adapter works automatically when you plug it into the micro-USB port on the N8 and comes with ergonomic, in-ear headphones – it can also be used with your own headphones provided they have a 3.5mm jack. The device also offers call-handling, channel and volume controls. The adapter weighs 30.5g and measures 55 x 23 x 14.5mm.

Radio software on your mobile device allows you to choose and save stations, shows artist and track information and will show pictures when offered by the broadcaster. Using a feature called Smart Tuning, it automatically chooses the clearest reception in cases where your chosen station exists on alternative frequencies. The software will either be included on your mobile device or be downloadable from Ovi Store and the device’s support pages.

Note, though, that you should check whether the DAB service is available in your own country before purchase – it’s available across most of the world, though there are some notable exceptions, such as the US and South America.

The device works with the Nokia N8, C7, E7, C6-01 and future Symbian^3 devices that offer the USB-To-Go function. Device will become available in the fourth quarter 2010 stating from the UK

[Thx Stefanos]

Apple calls out Google after strong Q4

Apples fiscal fourth-quarter profit surged 70% as the company posted strong iPhone and Mac computer sales that pushed revenue above $20 billion for the first time. However, the company’s shares wilted in after-hours as gross margins and iPad sales numbers failed to meet analyst expectations.

Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs also used the opportunity to take a swipe at Google Inc.’s Android operating system and hardware partners producing devices running on it. The blowout earnings for the Cupertino, Calif.-based electronics giant underscore Apple’s continued transition to mobile devices. That shift started nine years ago with the iPod and has picked up pace with the iPhone and iPad, which Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said is being tried at a majority of the world’s top companies.

For the quarter ended Sept. 25, Apple reported a profit of $4.31 billion, or $4.64 a share, up from $2.53 billion, or $2.77 a share, a year earlier. Revenue jumped 67% to $20.34 billion, with 43% coming from the U.S.

In July, the company projected earnings of about $3.44 on revenue of about $18 billion. Wall Street’s latest expectations were $4.08 and $18.93 billion, respectively.

Gross margin fell to 36.9% from 41.8%, the second-straight quarter that metric dropped on year, and behind average analyst expectations of 38.1%. The company had previously indicated that it expected margin compression.

The company’s iPhone sold 14.1 million units, 91% more than a year ago. The line of smartphones had an average selling price of $610, which includes subsidies paid by wireless carriers, the company said. Apple also reported it sold 4.2 million iPad devices — below expectations — at an average selling price of $645.

Steve Jobs used a conference call after the earnings to bash Google and its hardware partners. At one point, he declared devices using Google’s Android mobile operating system would fail, particularly tablet computers competing with his company’s iPad.

[Via]

New Nokia C5

 

Finland – Nokia today launches the latest C5 device, an inexpensive touchscreen smartphone with a couple of neat features that may well pique your interest if you want a new device that’s simple to use but covers all of the essentials for modern-day phones. What’s new with the C5-03? Find out more and feast your eyes on the pictures after the break.

The device has a 3.2-inch touch display and now features Wi-Fi, for fast internet access without the need or expense of a data plan. It also features a compass and assisted GPS for use with the latest version of the free Ovi Maps hands-free navigation service, now featuring public transport support and location sharing through social networks. Like many recent Nokias, you can put your most important contacts directly onto the homescreen so you can call, message or chat them up in just two taps. The C5 has a 5-megapixel camera with 4X digital zoom, but no flash.

It measures 105.8 mm x 51.0 mm x 13.8 mm (L x W x H) and weighs 93g – that makes it a similar size to the (imminently) forthcoming C6-01, and quite a bit smaller than the Nokia N8 or C7. It comes with up to 40MB of user memory and support for MicroSD cards up to 16GB. The talktime is quoted at 11.5 hours for GSM use and 4.5 hours using 3G. Standby time is estimated at 24-25 days. The operating system is Symbian^1 (aka. S60 5th edition touch-edition).

The Nokia C5-03 allows for easy email set-up – either an existing webmail or POP3 provider through Nokia messaging. For business users, there’s also the option of Mail for Exchange. If that isn’t enough, you’ll also find a quick setup wizard for Ovi Mail for users either new to email or who want a different account for their mobile messaging. As you’d expect, there’s also access to Ovi Music and the Ovi Store so you can fill your device with fresh content on a daily basis.

Telecom Italia and Nokia sign agreement for Nokia Messaging

Nokia and Telecom Italia announced today the new offer of Nokia Messaging, an easy-to-use messaging service, to Telecom Italia customers in Italy. From the middle of September, Telecom Italia customers will be able to access the Nokia Messaging push email service and subscribe offers designed to send and receive email from the mobile phone at very affordable prices.

With the new offering MAXXI Mail, all TIM customers will have 1 GB of storage a month to check their email while on the move at a cost of EUR 4 per month including VAT. The offer is valid for those customers who choose the top-up option as well as the ones who have a contract

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For business customers, Telecom Italia has studied various formulas and made available various pricing plans: from the one at daily usage for EUR 1 a day, dedicated to those who use email “on the move” just occasionally, to the monthly subscription formula, ideal for those who use email regularly and who want to combine the use of email in complete tranquility (unlimited emails) with internet browsing, always through the mobile phone.

“This agreement contributes to the evolution of the mobile phone that will increasingly be a tool to access one’s ecosystem of private, family and professional content. TIM believes in this evolution and wants to experience it alongside its customers,” said Oscar Cicchetti, Head of Domestic Market in Telecom Italia.

“With this service, Nokia and Telecom Italia join forces to drive mobile messaging adoption for their customers using Nokia solutions and Telecom Italia special data plans. We are glad to satisfy the growing consumer demand to access email accounts directly from the device whenever they want, wherever they are. The objective is to bring mobile email to everyone and make it easily accessible to the largest number of users possible,” said Alessandro Mondini Branzi, General Manager, Nokia Italia

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Nokia Messaging simplifies the mobilization of email. This new solution allows easy access to multiple email accounts by simplifying the set-up process and removing complex steps. Push technology ensures a quick delivery of emails directly to the mobile phone.

Nokia Messaging makes the email accounts of Telecom Italia mobile as well as supports email solutions from thousands of other providers globally. Telecom Italia customers can have up to ten personal email accounts pushed directly to their Nokia device such as alice.it, TIN.it, virgilio.it, Gmail(TM), Yahoo!®Mail, and Windows Live (TM) Hotmail®.

Telecom Italia and Nokia have agreed to offer Nokia Messaging with some 30 Nokia Symbian devices, including Nokia E75, Nokia E55, Nokia N97 and other popular devices such as the Nokia E71 and Nokia N95 8GB *. 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 and download, read and attach files on the go.