Nearly half of UK businesses do not secure smart handheld devices to the same high level they secure laptop computers.

Read more at The Register

It’s pretty infuriating to receive a long email on a cellphone or PDA with a small screen. But Motorola has come up with an answer – software that automatically creates a synopsis of the long text.

The new summarising software first discards sentences that are less than 5 words or more than 50. Then it looks for sentences containing words that frequently crop up in the text, or which the owner has added to a preference list.

Finally it sifts sentences which contain telltale words and phrases like “all in all”, “so to sum up” and “for example”. The few remaining sentences that fit all the criteria are pulled from the long message, stitched together and shown on screen.

Via New Scientist

Verizon and Samsung today announced the first commercially available Windows Mobile device to support high-speed EV-DO technology and Wi-Fi.

Built to support EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) and certain Bluetooth profiles, the Samsung SCH-i730 makes working on-the-go a breeze. With the i730, Verizon Wireless customers get quick wireless access to the Internet via Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess and seamless data exchange with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Additionally, the Samsung i730 integrates an SD I/O expansion slot for memory expansion and additional productivity applications that easily can be loaded on the device.

The i730 slider device combines form with functionality, allowing for a 65,000-color touch screen as well as a fully integrated QWERTY keyboard. The screen is ideal for easy viewing of Pocket Excel, Outlook, Power Point, PDF files and Internet Explorer Web pages, while the keyboard enables consumers to complete tasks such as easily typing e-mail messages, taking notes or working on documents via Pocket Word.

Additional specifications of Samsung’s SCH-i730, featuring Microsoft’s Windows Mobile Second Edition software include:

• Comprehensive Windows Mobile Support: Pocket MSN® Messenger, Microsoft Reader 2.0 for Pocket PC, Windows Media Player 10, Microsoft Pictures, and ActiveSync
• Built-in Wi-Fi: Access the Internet from your local coffee shop orwherever you can find a hot spot
• SRS WOW(TM) Audio — Built-in speakers offer consumers a rich listening experience
• Advanced Voice Recognition — Voice technology allows consumers to dial numbers, find contacts and open applications with the sound of their voice
• Sprite Backup Application — Personal information is protected with the i730’s PIM software
• Personal Information Manager (PIM) Backup Application — Personal information is never lost with the i730’s PIM software
• Large Display — The 240 x 320 pixel, 2.8″, 65,000-color TFT touch- sensitive LCD display is capable of holding up to 17 lines of dynamically sized text
• Compact Design — Measuring only 5.2 x 2.8 x 0.6 inches and weighing 5.5 ounces with a standard battery, the i730 fits easily into a suit pocket, purse or briefcase
• MP3 Player and 3D Audio Equalizer — Plays digital music and provides rich bass and full sound with SRS WOW XT(TM) audio technology and built-in stereo speakers
• Advanced Memory Capabilities — 64 MB RAM/128 MB Flash and an SD I/O expansion slot allow for scalable memory expansion
• High-Speed Processor — The i730 is powered by an Intel® PXA 272 (520 MHz) processor
• Call Management — Caller ID, voice mail, call forwarding, call waiting and call logs mean consumers always know who’s on the line
• Removable Battery — Perfect for road warriors, the i730’s battery can be removed and replaced with a fully-charged battery while on-the-go, helping customers stay connected
• Built-in Bluetooth® Wireless Technology — Supported profiles include: Service Discovery, file transfer, generic access, HandsFree, Mono Headset, Human Interface Device — Bluetooth keyboard only, Object Exchange, Object Push, Serial Port and ActiveSync

Motorola today announced the launch of the FOMA M1000, the world’s first-ever WLAN-integrated W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS dual-mode smartphone.

Developed jointly by Motorola and NTT DoCoMo, the new handset is modeled on Motorola’s 3G A1000, which won high acclaim from consumers in Europe and Asia. The M1000 will be available in Japan from July 1, 2005 through NTT DoCoMo channels. “This is a breakthrough for the Japanese market because this goes beyond what was available to consumers here in the past. The fact they can now have 3G, business applications and multi-media functions makes this truly a seamless mobile experience and something Japanese consumers have been waiting for” said Michael Tatelman, Vice President and General Manager of Motorola Mobile Devices Business in North Asia.

The FOMA M1000 is designed to attract today’s increasingly mobile consumers who want connectivity with their workplace, their home, on the road and at play using one device.

Clearly distinct from conventional 3G mobile handsets, the FOMA M1000 provides features such as international roaming, full Internet browsing and high-quality voice and video communications, as well as the capability to send/receive e-mails to multiple addresses with attached files and view major business documents such as Microsoft® Word and Excel documents. The handset is also Bluetooth-enabled and contains Personal Information Manager (PIM) software and a large-capacity memory providing the flexibility to add applications.

The GC99 UMTS/EDGE/WLAN PC Card is the ultimate connectivity tool for your data communication needs from Sony Ericsson. It supports several network services all in one card and is capable of the highest possible data transfer over each network or Wi-Fi Hotspots. What this means is the ability to download heavy e-mail attachments, video streaming, access corporate networks and so much more quickly. In addition, the GC99 enables you extensive global coverage. You will enjoy convenient high speed global online access with GC99.

Features:

• Flexible access via UMTS/EDGE/GPRS/WLAN networks
• True Global Coverage - Quad Band GSM EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
• Local Support and Helpdesk around the globe

More details

To enhance the existing Sprint PCS Nationwide Network, Sprint will begin launching Wireless High-Speed Data services mid-2005. By year-end Sprint Wireless High-Speed Data service will be available to more than 130 million people. By early 2006, when the national build-out is complete, Sprint Wireless High-Speed Data will be available in approximately 60 metropolitan areas, encompassing more than 200 strategic urban and suburban markets—covering approximately 150 million customers.

Portions of many major metro markets, like major airports and dense business corridors, are expected to be available for Sprint Wireless High-Speed Data use by early summer this year. The nature of Sprint’s Wireless High-Speed Data implementation is one of a “rolling coverage launch” in key areas, with certain portions of a market coming online sooner than others.

Sprint

Today’s launch of the K608 3G UMTS mobile phone widens Sony Ericsson’s portfolio of 3G handsets, giving mass appeal to 3G and the vast range of services and applications it offers. This latest in the K600 family of 3G phones supports all the major operators’ 3G services, including video conferencing and fast downloads of music, games, videos and other multimedia content.

The K608 is a sleek, durable device that weighs the same as existing 2G phones, putting an end to the age of bulky 3G handsets. International 3G operator 3 (Hutchison 3G) has been confirmed as one of the first customers for the K608.

The K608 has sleek good looks and an aluminium feel and is easy to use and navigate around. Sony Ericsson’s latest intuitive dual front camera/phone design makes the handset vertical when it’s a phone, and horizontal when it’s a camera, and the fully featured 1.3 MegaPixel camera includes an active lens cover for swift activation and extra protection. For consumers getting used to the gripping idea of video telephony, handling video calls is done in just a few clicks with the use of the direct video telephony button. The world of applications the phone delivers, from exciting mobile content to video calling and personal creativity, are always crisp and clear with the large - 1.8 inch – 262.000 colour TFT screen

The K608 is fully featured with a suite of business applications that handle personal information management and PC-synchronisation via USB or Bluetooth™, making it the ideal executive work tool, providing business efficiency with high speed access.

As more content is delivered at faster delivery rates on the 3G UMTS network, the K608 effortlessly handles the latest 3D games and colour animations. To give consumers a taste of the level of quality entertainment delivered, Vijay Singh Pro Golf 2005 in 3D from Gameloft is preloaded in the phone. In the true to life golf game, players take on the role of a famous golfer, and play on the most spectacular 18-hole golf courses around the world. Further levels of this game and a host of others are available for download from operator portals or Sony Ericsson’s Fun & Downloads portal directly to the 32MB memory on the phone.

High quality audio coupled with an FM radio and the ability to import full track music downloads direct to the phone make the K600 a quality music player and ideal companion for travelling, the gym or simply relaxing. For consumers keen to exercise their creative muscle, a host of personal creativity tools allows them to personalise ringtones, wallpapers, still shots and video footage in new, inspiring ways.

The K608 will be commercially available in Q3 2005.

Full Press Release