What do you think of Windows Mobile 6.1 So Far?

Right, I know that not many have devices in their hands with 6.1, but you’ve seen the screenies and videos. What do you think from what you’ve seen so far?

Taking up for Microsoft a bit here… Those that expected a dot release to be a full blown OS revamp to  “compete” with new operating systems out there, understand that WM 6.1 for the most part was developed before some of these new operating systems were publicly available. I am pretty sure about this at least. I don’t see how Microsoft could scrap a pending update such as 6.1 and start over just because someone came out with something different. If I sound like an apologist with this, I am. Some of the reports I’ve seen out of CTIA seem to show disappointment in this offering. Maybe Microsoft should speed up their process of development? Maybe.

Across the board in Windows Mobile 6.1, I don’t see much change that will affect the way I do business. So I am going with a C here.

Who is Velocity Mobile? Windows Mobile Phone Maker?

So, we have a new comer to the Windows Mobile phone market. Yeah! I like it. I can’t wait to see what other companies can do. Maybe become the next HTC? Engadget Mobile said it pretty nice about Velocity Mobile…

Riding the Windows Mobile 6.1 wave at CTIA, new player Velocity Mobile officially came out of stealth mode today to reveal its very first two devices: the creatively-named “103″ and “111.”

Check out these photos of the two offerings from this new company. (yes, click em for bigger views)

The “103″ is on the left and the “111″ is on the right.  The 103 is expected in Q2 and the 111 in Q3. They have very similar specs despite the different styles and looks. The 111 is looking quite Moto Qish right now.

Read on for more info about these new devices. You can also check out the press release here.

[Read more]

Verizon Updates 5 Phones

Gizmodo has their usual spin on what would be good news from Verizon Wireless at CTIA. It can be summed up in one picture that they created…

• HTC Touch (VX6900) - Added to the the Verizon line up. Previously, Sprint users could enjoy this model, now Verizon gets their turn.
• BlackBerry Curve 8330 - Verizon Wireless’ high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized.
• Samsung Alias - I don’t know much about this one, but Giz said it’s slimmed, i’ll believe that.
• MOTO Q9c - Gps in all black.
• LG enV2 - A new, updated LG enV. I enjoyed playing with the enV at CTIA last year.

To read the press releases accompanying these announcements, head over to Gizmodo.

Cricket Brings the Declaration of Independence to CTIA Wireless 2008

Underscoring the growing importance of technology and mobile communications in the 2008 election process, Cricket Communications, Inc.,  today announced that the company is showcasing the United States Declaration of Independence next week at CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Attendees at CTIA Wireless 2008 will be able to view and take photographs of the Declaration of Independence in Hall C2 near the VIP and registration areas on April 1, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Declaration is an official copy that belongs to television legend Norman Lear and is part of the Cricket-sponsored Declare Yourself campaign. Founded by Lear, Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit youth voter initiative aimed at empowering and encouraging America’s 18-year-olds to register and vote in the 2008 primaries and general election.

[Read more]

CallWave to demo FUZE at CTIA Wireless 2008

CTIA Attendees Can Preview FUZE from CallWave, An Easy-to-Use, Personalized Communication Service for the Mobile Professional

CallWave, Inc., a leading provider of Internet-based telephony applications and services that integrate mobile phones and computing, announced today that it will demo FUZE, an easy-to-use, personalized communication service for today’s mobile professional, at the CallWave booth # 808 at CTIA Wireless 2008 in Las Vegas, April 1-3. CTIA attendees are encouraged to stop by and see first hand how FUZE lets users communicate and collaborate in any way, from anywhere, from a computer or mobile phone.

What is FUZE? Keep reading after the break!

[Read more]

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Showcases Mobile Lifestyle Innovations

Exhibits and Conference Tracks Featuring 4G Innovations, Emerging Technologies, Green Business Practices and the Mobile Lifestyle to Attract More than 40,000 Attendees from 125 Countries

CTIA WIRELESS 2008, the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, will welcome more than 40,000 attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 1-3. The international show will feature more than 1,200 exhibitors showcasing offerings that span the device, infrastructure, enabling technology, entertainment and business application sectors. CTIA attendees from more than 125 countries will experience the evolution of wireless technologies – and what that means for subscribers – throughout the show, from panel discussions to exhibits.

Keynote speakers will include mobile operator CEOs Arun Sarin of Vodafone, Lowell McAdam of Verizon Wireless and Dan Hesse of Sprint Nextel, as well as Sir Richard Branson, founder and chairman of Virgin Group; Marco Boerries, president of Yahoo! Mobile; Robert Bach, president of Microsoft’s entertainment and devices division; and chief executives from Alcatel Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Nortel.

[Read more]

CTIA Wireless 2008 Infrastructure Roundtable to Feature Industry Leaders Discussing the Path to 4G

The international CTIA WIRELESS 2008 tradeshow, the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, today announced the participants and agenda for its Infrastructure Roundtable, scheduled to take place Tuesday morning, April 2 in the Barron Room at the Las Vegas Hilton. CEOs from Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Nortel will discuss real-world plans and technology developments hastening the availability of 4G services for mobile subscribers.

The roundtable discussion will feature the following executives:

• Patricia Russo, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent;
• Carl-Henric Svanberg, CEO, Ericsson;
• Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO, Nokia Siemens Networks;
• Mike Zafirovski, CEO, Nortel

[Read more]

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Answers the Call for Wireline Convergence

Alliance with IEC Brings Emphasis on Fixed Mobile Convergence to the International CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Trade Show

CTIA WIRELESS 2008, the premiere global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, today announced an alliance with the International Engineering Consortium (IEC) to bring a greater focus on fixed mobile convergence to the CTIA Educational Program. The IEC will host its first panel at the International CTIA WIRELESS 2008 event, which takes place April 1-3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The IEC has developed high-level programs for the communications industry at SUPERCOMM (now NXTcomm) for a number of years. The IEC will now bring its expertise to CTIA WIRELESS with a panel of industry leading technology officers from top international service providers in Europe and Asia.

“CTIA will continue to provide a home, platform and venue for the wireline community,” said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director of CTIA WIRELESS. “Our alliance with the IEC represents the migration to a new way of communicating as the wireless, telecom, Internet and cable industries converge. The International CTIA WIRELESS event is one of the few shows to bring these industries together for true convergence and change.”

During the IEC panel at CTIA WIRELESS, leading global CTOs will tackle issues surrounding the convergence of fixed and mobile networks and the implications this convergence has for traditional operators, specialized carriers, equipment vendors, application developers and content providers.

“Operators are looking for ways to maximize the wireline business and capitalize on the opportunities in wireless,” commented IEC Vice President of Conference Development Tom Costello. “We have served the telecommunications industry since 1944 and we feel that CTIA is one of the most ideal places to bridge these audiences and to share the ideas and insights of key international carrier executives. We look forward to bringing some of the IEC’s world-class education to CTIA.”

The 90-minute fixed mobile convergence session developed by IEC will take place Wednesday, April 2^nd, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Speakers will soon be announced. For more information visit http://www.ctiawireless.com/events/event_details.cfm?calID=676.

Source: CTIA Wireless press release

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 Makes the Desert Green

Attendees at Las Vegas Event to Enjoy Opportunities to Protect the Environment, Reduce Carbon Footprint

CTIA WIRELESS, the premier global event representing the $500 billion global wireless industry, is doing its part to reduce waste and promote green business practices with its new eco-friendly initiatives.

As part of CTIA’s overall commitment to the environment, this Spring’s tradeshow, to be held in Las Vegas April 1 – 3, will include a number of opportunities for attendees to do their part. Programs will include:

• Ways to Recycle Your Retired Phones—Attendees can bring their retired cell phones and accessories to CTIA WIRELESS 2008 for recycling, and support the CALL TO PROTECT program. Wireless phones donated to the program are refurbished and sold to raise funds for domestic violence organizations. Phone recycling stations will be located throughout the convention center. Attendees will also be able to take a postage-paid envelope home to send retired phones for recycling, at no cost.
• Recycling Bins for Badges—CTIA reduced its three-part badge (paper badge, plastic e-Business card and badge holder) to a single recyclable badge. At the end of their visit, attendees will be able to recycle their badges in specially marked bins located throughout the convention center.
• Paper, Plastic and Glass Recycling—CTIA is working with the Las Vegas Convention Center to ensure that paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, wood and aluminum products as well as carpet padding are being sorted and recycled.

[Read more]