Apple iPhone can now record video

Ever since the Apple iPhone was released it has been (rightfully) criticized for the lack of video recording capabilities. Or so it was until today as a third-party solution seems to be just around the corner.

The guy from Monster and Friends has just posted a working beta of an application that can actually create videos using the iPhone's camera. What is even more exiting than that is the fact that the videos are captured at 2 megapixel resolution. Yeah, you heard that right - 2 megapixel.

As of now however the framerate is quite low achieving the miserly 10 fps but this is no surprise as at this stage the application is more proof of concept than something really useful. The author however promises that even videos of 40-45 fps could actually be captured with next versions.

Check out this YouTube video of how the beta works:

A bold promise by all means but we are yet to see if it can actually be fulfilled. As of now the application allows the iPhone to record a 5 second video and replay it right after it is captured. We are yet to see if the promise for a 15-30 fps video at unlimited length will also be kept with the final version.

You can download the iPhone video recording application here.

Gresso presents Black Diamonds

Gresso has announced a couple of new additions to their Avantgarde series. Besides Luna and Sol models, the series crafted from a mix of precious and rare materials will now be joined by the Black Diamonds collection. The collection will comprise of the Black Diamonds and the Royal Black Diamonds models.

The high-roller Gresso Avantgarde collection handsets are hand-crafted from the exotic African Blackwood. Gold elements cover the mobiles from head to toe. The back panel is made out of stainless steel but is covered by scratch-resistant hand-polished titanium. Attention has been paid to every detail and all the materials used - sapphire crystal glass surrounds the QVGA TFT 65K color display while the titanium-covered keypad comes with laser-cut Roman numerals. Other notable features include the magnetic lock of the battery cover and the use of gold for the screws and some of the keys.

Gresso Royal Black Diamonds • Gresso Black Diamonds

Much like the last two Avantgarde mobiles - the Luna and the Sol, the two Black Diamonds mobiles are truly unique with the Windows Mobile 6 Standard OS they were running on - something never before seen in the world of luxury mobiles.

The Gresso Avantgarde Royal Black Diamonds mobile has a full keypad made of gold - all 23 keys are encased with black diamonds. Since those diamonds are extremely rare only a limited series of 50 mobiles will be ever produced. The Gresso Avantgarde Royal Black Diamonds will be selling at EUR 30 000.

The Gresso Avantgarde Black Diamonds mobile will feature only four black diamonds. The rest of the keys are made out of gold only. The expected retail price of the Gresso Avantgarde Black Diamonds is EUR 9000.

Both mobiles have tri-band GSM/GPRS support and 2 megapixel cameras. The Russian-based Gresso company will make the handset available as soon as this December.

GSM phone in wrist watch disguise

Ever wanted to know how it feels for a secret agent to blow their cover by talking on their wrist watch? Well, if you did, the guys over at thinkgeek.com seem to have the right little something for you. The GSM wrist watch is a fool-around cool GSM phone/gadget that comes loaded with features.

The 1.3" 65K color TFT touchscreen display is probably the first thing to fascinate you (the tiny stylus is tucked inside the body). The GSM wrist watch also has a music and video player (MP3 and MP4) - unfortunately all you have is 60MB of integrated memory that's not expandable in any way.

The GSM wrist watch has a tri-band GSM/GPRS support, a WAP browser, it supports MP3 and MIDI ringtones, and also has a sound recorder, calendar and a notes application with basic handwriting recognition. There is also e-book support, calculator, currency and unit converter, plus the little fellow can tell the time out loud.

Sound like a yummy offer - it does all the regular low end GSM mobile stuff right off your hand, plus you get that cloak-and-dagger form factor. The watch has USB interface for transferring data to and from a computer, charges via USB or using a wall socket.

The retail package includes a wireless Bluetooth headset (a wired one is also supplied) and two batteries. The best thing is this nifty gadget costs only USD 199.99.

More info can be found here.

HOP1900 Graffiti: a simple CDMA phone

Hop-on has announced the release of a low-end phone HOP1900 Graffiti. The phone is meant for children, teenagers and travelers, says the company. This is a good solution for those who need an inexpensive handset, which can just call and is free from additional functions. However HOP1900 even lacks the display. On the other side the phone is available for $50 without signing a service contract. If you are an environment defender you’ll be pleased to know the phone is the subject to recycling. It will come to the markets of North and South America, Australia and Asia.

The specs of HOP1900 Graffiti:

• Networks - CDMA 1900 MHz
• Phone book for 100 entries
• 12 ringtones
• GPS-module (optional)
• Li-Ion 720 mAh battery
• Talk time - 3 hours
• Standby time - 240 hours
• Dimensions – 112x46x17 mm

Mixed Metal handset from Vertu Constellation series

Vertu has introduced a new version of the Constellation phone called Mixed Metall. The shell is coated with stainless steel with golden parts. The navigation pad, side buttons, speaker grates and screws are made of 18-carat yellow gold. It comes with the ceramic keyboard and the rear panel covered with black leather. In addition Vertu released a Constellation version of satin steel and burgundy colored leather coat.

I’d remind you that Vertu Constellation handsets debuted in fall 2006. These are candy bar phones equipped with 208x208 pixel displays and sapphire glass. Vertu Constellation works in GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, supports Bluetooth 2.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces, and lacks a camera.

Samsung SPH-W2400 with AMOLED-display release in Korea

Samsung Electronics has launched to the Korean market a special version of the SPH-W2400 with an AMOLED-display. I’d remind you that the SPH-W2400 hit the stores in Korea this June. This is a slider with a hinge display. It can work in GSM and supports 3G with HSDPA. The phone also features a 2.3” display, a 2-megapixel camera, an integrated MP3-player, a microSD slot, a TV-out and Bluetooth interface. Samsung SPH-W2400 supports T-DMB digital broadcasting.

Samsung SPH-W2400 Special Edition with an AMOLED-display is already available on the Korean market. The device comes in the limited edition – only 1000 models offered at the recommended price of 500-600 thousand Won (approx. $537-645).

Rumors: Dell smartphone to come put early in 2008

The Gizmodo with the reference to the Forbes reported that Dell is working on a smartphone. The device will be made by the Taiwan-based Quanta. Dell has been rumored long ago to enter the smartphone market after leaving the PDA market. According to the Forbes, the first Dell smartphone will be launched early in 2008. It features an MP3/video player and Internet access. Unfortunately the company hasn’t unveiled more details. Probably the Dell smartphone will be introduced at Mobile World Congress (known earlier as 3GSM World Congress) in Barcelona next February.

Nokia 6263 clamshell for American T-Mobile

Nokia has announced a new mobile phone Nokia 6263 for the American operator T-Mobile. This is a mid-range clamshell for 2G/3G networks. This August the device got the approval of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). However Nokia 6263 doesn’t support GPS, which is contradictory to the previous data. Currently the phone is available in T-Mobile stores and online.

The specs of Nokia 6263:

• Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA 850/2100 Mhz
• Series 40 platform
• Main display – 2.2” (240x320 pixels, 16M colors)
• External display – 1.36” (128x160 pixels, 256K colors)
• Camera - 2-megapixel 8x digital zoom
• Frontal CIF-camera
• Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP (stereo profile)
• Mini-USB connector
• Built-in player (MP3, MP4, AAC, eAAC+, MS-Windows Media Audio)
• 30 MB onboard memory
• microSD-slot
• FM-radio
• Battery - 1020 mAh
• Talk time – up to 3.3 hours (WCDMA), up to 6.3 hours (GSM)
• Standby time – up to 11 days
• Dimensions – 94x48x23 mm
• Weight - 105 g

Neonode to debut at CES

Neonode expects to participate at CES for the first time, the event will take place in Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2008. The company will exhibit its N2 mobile phone and new concepts. Neonode believes that CES is a good opportunity to showcase company’s new products and strengthen its position on the world market. At CES Neonode will hold a press conference to unveil its plans for the future and introduce new developments.

I’d remind you that Neonode N2 was released in the middle of 2007 in Europe. The device features compact size and light weight, a 2” touchscreen display and has no buttons. It works in GSM networks. According to Neonode the phone will come to several more countries by the end of 2007 – beginning on 2008.

Apple iPhone secretly monitors personal data

After all the restrictions that Steve Jobs has imposed on the owners of Apple iPhone, now it turns out that Apple is probably secretly collecting personal data from any iPhone.

A power user has found bits of code in the iPhone, that may collect and send personal data, such as IMEI, IP address, and companies you are interested in, to an Apple server via the Weather and Stocks applications. The sent information however is encrypted, so it is not that sure whether it holds the IMEI code of your iPhone. Some experienced users have already reverted the code so that it sends zeroes only. Data monitoring could provide valuable information of how many iPhones have been unlocked, how they are distributed around the world and also for studying user preferences and habits, for example.

Just before you put your tin foil hat on, remember that Apple have stated that "… when you interact with Apple, we may collect personal information relevant to the situation, such as your name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and contact preferences; your credit card information and information about the Apple products you own, such as their serial numbers and date of purchase; and information relating to a support or service issue." Regardless the legitimate issue of the case, it is definitely immoral for any company to collect personal information in such a secretive manner. Lately, Steve Jobs has been accumulating lots of negativism concerning the iPhone. The latest hot topic was the prosecution of all owners of sites with a domain name including iPhone in it, which led to a spirit of high discontent among the internet society.

The other hot news on behalf of the iPhone, announced by some major news sources, concerns the German unit of Vodafone Group, which has obtained a court order against Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile mobile carrier stating that the German telecommunications giant should start selling unlocked versions of the iPhone in Germany. Deutsche Telekom is selling the iPhone exclusively in Germany along with a mandatory 2-year contract and as such is accused of misuse sales practices. Specifically, Vodafone is questioning the iPhone's exclusive use in T-Mobile's network and the use of the device being limited to certain fees within T- Mobile's subscription offerings. A T-Mobile spokesman has confirmed that the restraining order will be disputed by the respondent.

Update 21 Nov: Point taken, iPhone isn't actually sending IMEI to the Apple web site. In the IMEI parameter it sends encoded data, identifying the application used, not the device, which runs it. However, not all iPhones are sending the same data, so yes, it can be used for some kind of tracking. Here's a list of different IMEI values, obtained here.

A021D9E9-28F3-4144-AC1D-D1344D703D39
EDF47604-CDF8-47D8-9BDF-F0E0E8E9A1D4
7D0A1F42-D3B4-481A-8430-F6F7C663083A

Now, this may not be a tin foil hat case, but it's hardly a night cap either. The fact that iPhone is accessing the Apple web site without its owner knowing is upsetting per se. It can be used for tracking, because the Apple web server knows your IP, which is to say your country and your approximate location. Besides, who knows what the IMEI will be carrying come the next iPhone firmware.

Nokia patent pumps up the megapixels

Seems like Nokia aren't wasting any time and have filed a patent application on an extraordinary new slider cameraphone. Besides the intriguing construction Nokia-N93-style, the fine print under the camera lens sounds tasty, as it says either 6 or 8 megapixels. Anyways, in both cases it is not something we see in mobile phones every day so at least it deserves a look.

The display will still serve as a viewfinder and photos can be still be taken in landscape mode, as the camera-part on top can be pulled up and rotated. When it's pulled up, the xenon flash unit gets revealed.

It seems that the worthy successor of Nokia N93 is already on its way. Unfortunately as of now there is not even the vaguest prediction about any of the other hardware specifications.

Nokia comes with free music now

Nokia managed to surprise everybody with their latest service called "Comes with music". Nokia users will be receiving a 1 year free subscription to the service which allows unlimited music downloads to your mobile phone and PC. When the year expires, you get to keep the music.

It's first of a kind service and has no competition. We are yet wondering where the trick is as it sounds too good to be true. It's not yet clear which Nokia handsets will receive the service for free.

Universal Music is the first partner of the Nokia service, more will follow later on. The music downloading fiesta will obviously begin somewhere in mid-2008.

The free access to music will undoubtedly create some pressure on Apple's iTunes Music Store. Universal Music pulled out of iTunes earlier this year.

Update: We finally got a hold on of the full story abut the Nokia Comes with Music service. The whole deal is that Nokia is paying Universal Music a 5-dollar-monthly-fee for every handset sold by Nokia with the service. Nokia may or may not charge the user with a premium price for the handsets. It seems that indeed, you can keep the tracks after the 1-year-free-subscription expires, however they are all DRM protected, so you can forget about listening these songs on other music players beside your Nokia phone. In case you want to transfer them to other media, you'll have to buy all the tracks.

Samsung U600 Limited Black Gold Edition

Another alluring Samsung Limited Edition phone is about to become a fact, as today a sleek and exclusive Samsung U600 Limited Black Gold Edition is to start selling.

As usually, there is no official information about the phone on the Samsung site. There is also no word on the special materials used in the phone but currently the Samsung U600 Limited Black Gold Edition can be found for around 320 EUR.

Samsung U600 Limited Black Gold Edition photos

Samsung U600, a phone we reviewed recently, had become a common favorite and till now it has been introduced in seven color variations. Samsung U600 is a 10.9 mm thin slider with a 262K QVGA display and is packed with multimedia extras such as a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, MP3 player, FM radio and even TV out. The business applications of the quad-band phone are on par, including business card recognition, document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF), organizer and Yahoo search. The integrated 60 MB of memory is expandable via the microSD card slot and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP support completes the worthy set of phone functions.