Maybe AAS should launch 'The Observers Book of Smartphones'? Anyway, it's always worth a glance in all the phone shops in your local town. In this case (photos below), I spotted Vodafone heavily promoting their new data tariffs and the first appearance of the Motorola Z8 to the masses.
Yup, it must be Nokia Maps weekend.... Never mind their web/version problems from yesterday, there's now an official slick promo video for Nokia Maps, along with a err... amusingly contradictory explanation for the current 'is it out or isn't it?' position, check out the first para here.
[Updated] Smart2Go, in beta for months, is 'final', or as final as a first version can be. Although we were told that it's not available yet, the Smart2Go web site seems to show it. See the comments below, for example. Listed in the full story are most of the improvements, applicable to both the generic version and the 'Nokia Maps' brand within the N95 and E90. Lots that's new - I've made a few screenshots below...
Sony Ericsson has announced a new range of music accessories for their Walkman phones such as the W950i and W960. The new accessories include the HBH-DS200 Bluetooth headset (including music and call controls), two standard headsets (HPM-90 and HPM-83), the MMR-70 FM Music Transmitter (adjustable frequency and 10m range), and the MDS-65 Music Desk Stand (with both battery powered and AC modes).
Sony Ericsson today announced the MBW-150 Bluetooth Watch which it has developed in association with Fossil. The watch comes in three different versions, Classic, Music and Executive. The watch will alert you (with a vibrate function) to incoming calls and SMS, and allow basic all handling. The watch can also be used to control music playback on Walkman phones.
The Bluetooth SIG and Nokia yesterday announced that Wibree, the ultra low power wireless technology developed by Nokia, would be merged into the Bluetooth specification as Ultra Low Power Bluetooth. The first devices using the technology are expected on the market in 2008.
The story so far... Ewan's got himself a Nokia N95 and, while at Global Messaging 2007, heard the N95 denounced for having the grand total of 18 physical keys or buttons. After all, if the iPhone's only going to need one.... It turns out that Ewan thinks the aforementioned buttons are actually quite useful...
Carnival Of The Mobilists 77 has now appeared, this week hosted by the Symbian In Motion blog. In case you're new to the Carnival, it's a regular review of the week's best articles on mobile-related topics. Check out its main website if you want more information.
With surprisingly interesting interviews with Vodafone, 160characters and ShoZu, AAS audio podcast 25 is a bit of a must-listen. It's a full half an hour though, so store this one away for your journey home!
...that you've all been waiting for. I lost count of the number of people wanting this and have bitten the bullet. Photos, details and opinions are here in my blow-by-blow comparison of the Nokia E61i and Nokia E90.
