Samsung’s Braille mobile phone for the visually impaired won the Gold Award at the Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA).

The Touch Messenger is a product designed by Samsung Design China based in Shanghai, China, a country with about 9 million visually impaired people. It gives them a user-friendly cell phone experience on par with sighted users.

The innovative Touch Messenger enables the visually impaired users to send and receive Braille text messages. The 3×4 button on the cell phone is used as two Braille keypads and text messages can be checked through the Braille display screen in the lower part. Current text messaging devices for the blind convert text to speech via a text reader. With the Touch Messenger’s innovative screen and keyboard for Braille text messaging, blind users can now take advantage of this rapidly growing form of communication.

Once this product is commercialized, it is expected to dramatically boost the quality of life for visually impaired people, numbering as many as 180 million worldwide.

The Touch Messenger is considered by Samsung a demonstration of the future design direction, “human-oriented high-tech products.”

By Samsung

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, announced today that it has developed the industry's highest density MMC card (popular removable MultiMediaCard for portable electronics) based on its most advanced MLC (multi-level cell) NAND flash memory. It also has developed the highest performing MMC card, based on SLC (single-level cell) NAND flash, in rounding out its large portfolio of MMC memories. With added density and higher performance, the new Samsung MMCplusTM cards are designed to greatly enhance user convenience for a variety of mobile applications.

Based on Samsung's 8-gigabit (Gb) NAND flash memory, the MMCplus card will be introduced with an 8-gigabyte (GB) density, allowing it to store 2,000 MP3 music files or eight hours of DVD-quality movies. The 8GB card will be part of a full line up of MLC-based MMCplus cards that also will include 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB offerings.

Samsung also is introducing a separate card advancement: a higher performance MMC that more than triples the performance of conventional small-form-factor memory cards. The higher performance version makes use of SLC NAND flash memory, providing a read-speed of 40Mbytes/s and a write-speed of 25Mbytes/s. The advanced MMCplus card can save six MP3 songs per second, or two hours of DVD-quality movies in less than a minute. The high-performance card will be available in two variations: a 1GB and a 2GB density.

Samsung's new high-density and high-performance MMCplus cards are expected to be available in the second half of this year.

According to market research firm, Semico Research, the worldwide high-density memory card market is expected to show substantial growth from 115 million units in 2006 to 750 million units by 2009.

 by samsung.com

Looks like Motorola is till high on its “RAZR” cult. After V3i, Motorola has introduced another foray, the RAZR XX, which looks like HSDPA 3G infused version of the tried and true RAZR V3. The GSM/EDGE flip phone includes a 1.3MP camera for imaging as well as VGA camera for video calls. it features a QVGA screen with 256k colors, Bluetooth connectivity and microSD slot to make room for you r digital content.

The new addition continues to remain beautifully sleek with the dimensions of 102.9 × 53.0 × 14.9mm. Motorola expects to begin shipping the RAZR XX in the second half of the year.

 Features of the RAZR XX include:

• WCDMA: 2100 GSM: 900/1800/1900 plus EDGE
• QVGA screen with 256k colors
• 1.3 megapixel camera for imaging plus VGA camera for video calls
• microSD card slot
• Stereo Bluetooth
• Size 102.9 × 53.0 × 14.9mm

BenQ Mobile continues to sharpen its brand profile with the introduction of three new mobile telephones and a music accessory. The devices, which will come on the market in the third and fourth quarter of this year, are launched under the BenQ-Siemens brand name and represent the fusion of premium technology, consumer lifestyle, and surprising design innovations. Thus the Taiwanese company continues its consistent portfolio policy with the aim of clearly positioning its young brand, BenQ-Siemens. The new devices are true eye-catchers and are made to surprise:

The new BenQ-Siemens SL91 is a luxury slider mobile and an exceptional design object at the same time. Only when touched does it reveal an innovative sensor keypad under its opaque, black surface. Apart from exceptional design, the BenQ-Siemens SL91 also offers up-to-the-minute multimedia functionality. With the built-in 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, atmospheric photo shots and video recordings are easy to achieve any time of the day or night. A second VGA camera that can be directed towards the speaker during video calls is particularly well protected by the slider mechanism. When making video calls, you can look at your calling partner in 16.7 million authentic colors on the 2-inch QVGA mobile display – almost as if you were standing opposite one another. Picking up on the unusual design theme of the SL91, the stereo headset that comes with the phone affords mobile luxury for aural enjoyment when used with the mobile’s integrated MP3 player and stereo RDS FM radio. Music can effortlessly be downloaded directly onto the mobile from a PC via Bluetooth, via UMTS download or streaming. The BenQ-Siemens SL91’s internal storage capacity can be extended using Micro-SD memory cards. Together with the SL91, the base station is not merely a designer accessory that is guaranteed to cause a stir. It also turns the mobile into a portable stereo and can furthermore be used as a handsfree speech system for telephone calls or video conferencing.

With the BenQ-Siemens E71, BenQ Mobile continues to bring new materials to mobile phones manufacturing. Thanks to an innovative non-stick coating, fingerprints are kept to a minimum on the surface of this precious device; also, the BenQ-Siemens E71 sets new standards in terms of design with its rounded, fluid shape. Multimedia functions like an MP3 player, a stereo radio or a 1.3 megapixel with 5x zoom camera make sure that using the BenQ-Siemens E71 is a fun thing to do.  The BenQ-Siemens E71 is a shapely design mobile of the special kind: Its contours invite the user to touch it. The harmonious proportions without any sharp edges seem to caress the hand. The design idea was inspired by naturally fluid forms and took its cue from the elements: The round, soft design of the BenQ-Siemens E71 was modeled on fluid, floating metal. In accordance with this, a unique surface material was chosen for the E71: Thanks to an innovative non-stick coating of the color variant “Dark Silver”, fingerprints on the glossy surface are kept to a minimum. No matter how often you touch and handle this mobile, the high-gloss surface in a precious metallic finish remains radiant.

The E81 is the first BenQ     - The BenQ-Siemens E81 is a UMTS powerhouse in its most compact form. Measuring a mere 99.8 x 46.7 x 16.7 millimeters, this exceedingly small mobile boasting extensive UMTS functionality will fit into even the smallest pocket. Thus, BenQ Mobile for the first time fits UMTS power into a mobile phone in the classic bar shape – in mini size. For all those who wish to be flexible and mobile, the BenQ-Siemens E81 is the perfect combination of function, design and state-of-the-art technology for day-to-day communication. Packed full of entertaining media and practical business functions, the BenQ-Siemens E81 is ideally suited to discovering the diverse potential the UMTS mobile network has to offer.

With the music accessory Mobile Sound Set Bluetooth, BenQ Mobile furthermore presents a compact sound system for wireless music pleasure. 

With the new devices launched internationally today on Mallorca , BenQ Mobile leaves its mark on important fields of mobile communication. By focussing on design and the use of extraordinary materials combined with technological innovations, the company intends to differentiate itself from its competitors. CEO Clemens Joos therefore considers presenting new products as another important step towards further positioning the BenQ-Siemens brand: “Our development engine is running at full speed. The new devices show: We pave the way for a new, comprehensive product perception surrounding the mobile phone. All 19 new products launched since the company took up operation last October tie in to our philosophy of combining cutting-edge technology with lifestyle know-how and design.”   

by benqmobile.com

The MOTOFONE handset redefines wireless communication with high design, smart features and easy functionality at a low price.  Combining Motorola’s award-winning design sensibility with intuitive and easy-to-learn functionality, the MOTOFONE enables even the newest phone users to embrace mobile communication with confidence and style.  

Connecting the Unconnected
Billions of people around the world have yet to make a phone call – and billions more have only just begun to explore wireless technology. The need for communication is growing and the demand for cost-effective phones keeps increasing. The MOTOFONE is designed to specifically meet the universal desire to stay connected -- with friends, family, and business associates, old and new.

Speaking Your Language
To help bridge literacy gaps, the MOTOFONE offers a redesigned user interface with innovative voice prompts in local languages* to guide the user quickly and easily through menu navigation, messaging, and other functions. In addition, graphical icons visually demonstrate the menu features as well as network status and battery strength. For pre-paid customers, the MOTOFONE automatically reports the status of their pre-paid account after each call or message*, allowing consumers to stay in control of use and expense.

Looks Good, Sounds Good, Built to Last
Surprisingly thin and easy to carry, the MOTOFONE features a revolutionary ClearVision display that leverages Electrophoretic Display (EPD) technology to provide users with a large, high-contrast screen viewable even in bright sunlight.  The ClearVision display combined with a flush-fitting keypad and dust-resistant design makes the MOTOFONE durable in active everyday use. And it sounds great too – with polyphonic ringtones, speakerphone and powerful volume – communication is loud and clear.

SUMMARY OF FEATURES:
• Voice prompts in local languages
• Intuitive icon-based user interface
• Stylish thin design
• Extended battery life
• Durable housing for optimal performance despite dust and sun
• High-contrast screen using new ClearVision display
• Large font size for easy readability
• High-volume for call clarity in loud environments
• Automatic notification of current prepaid balance
• Embedded polyphonic ringtones in eight voices
• Ability to download ringtones
 
The MOTOFONE is expected to be available in Q4 of 2006.  For more information regarding pricing and product availability in your region, please contact your local Motorola representative. 

by motorola.com