New generation Zune players in stores

Microsoft has announced the sales start of 3 new Zune players from November 13 – based on 80 GB HDD, and 8 and 4 GB flash ROM. In addition the company has launched Zune Marketplace and Zune Social online services and Zune software update (the free version available here). You can buy the new Zune players at Zune Originals online and in the US stores. The users can choose among 27 design versions created by 18 popular artists. There is the Tatto series comprising players with 20 kinds of laser engravings on the shell.

The manufacturer says the all players are equipped with a sensor navigation button – Zune Pad, an integrated FM-tuner and bright and wide display, and support wireless synchronization and sharing. There is the support of podcasts. The price for Zune 80 GB makes up $249.99 and for ultra compact Zune 4GB and Zune 8GB - $149.99 and $199.99 respectively. The HDD Zune comes in black shell only and the flash Zune – in Black, Red, Rose and Green colors.

Apple to unveil its new ultra portable notebook at Macworld Expo 2008

According to Appleinsider, Apple plans to introduce a new ultra portable notebook. The new 13” device is 50% lighter and slimmer than the current 15” MacBook Pro. Among other reasons this is achieved due to the absence of an optical drive.

At the same time the Apple sub-note comes with a solid-state drive featuring lower power consumption and higher protection. Its display has a LED backlight, which ensures higher color saturation and effective light dispersion on the screen surface.

The Appleinsider reports that the new generation MacBook Pro will be unveiled at Macworld Expo in San Fransisco, January 15-18.

Two premium handsets of Nokia 8800 Arte

Nokia has introduced two mobile phones of the premium class – Nokia 8800 Arte and Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte. The first one is know as Nokia 8900: its molds were is online sale at eBay auction in September. Both handsets have attractive design: they are placed in a stylish slide shell of polished steel. Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte is decorated with sapphires and leather. They have a peculiar capability: the sound can be muffled by a single move: turn the handset screen down. In addition Nokia 8800 Arte and Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte come with exclusive content – audio and video tracks by Kruder & Dorfmeister.

The specs of Nokia 8800 Arte:

• Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 MHz and WCDMA 2100 MHz
• Platform - Series 40 3rd Edition
• Display – 2” OLED 240x320 pixels, up to 16M colors
• Camera – 3.2-megapixel with 8x digital zoom
• 1 GB of onboard memory
• MicroUSB-connector
• Bluetooth interface
• Accelerator
• Battery – Li-Ion 1000 mAh
• Talk time – up to 3 hours
• Standby time – up to 12.5 days
• Dimensions – 109x45.6x14.6 mm
• Weight - 150 g

Nokia 8800 Arte is scheduled for 4Q 2007 with the price tag of some €1000. Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte will come out in 1Q 2008 at about €1150 (taxes and discounts excluded).

Garnet VM: Palm OS application on Nokia’s tablet PC

ACCESS has announced the beta-version of Garnet VM for Nokia N770, N800 and N810 tablet PC. This is an emulator of Garnet OS (previously Palm OS). The developer says that with Garnet VM over 3000 applications for Garnet OS could work in Linux environment, for example, Google Maps, Snappermail, DateBk5 and Bejeweld, PacMan and Sudoku games.

According to ACCESS currently Garnet VM beta ensures 50% compatibility with Garnet OS applications. For higher results the developers asks the users to leave comments on the program. At this page you can download your free version of Garnet VM beta for Nokia N770, N800 and N810 till the end of 2007.

HTC Touch Cruise – the first TouchFLO communicator with GPS

HTC has officially announced the Touch Cruise communicator, the third device of the HTC Touch series with TouchFLO finger-oriented interface. The device previously known as HTC Polaris has been rumored much for a long time. Last week O2 operator released its version of HTC Touch Cruise – O2 Xda Orbit 2 (with different design). The European sales of HTC Touch Cruise are set for this month.

The specs of HTC Touch Cruise:

• Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 MHz
• CPU - Qualcomm MSM7200, 400 MHz
• OS - Windows Mobile 6 Professional
• Display – 2.8” touchscreen
• Memory - 256 MB ROM and 128 MB DDR SDRAM
• microSD-slot
• Built-in GPS-receiver
• FM-radio
• 3-megapixel camera with auto focus
• VGA-camera for video calls
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• HTC ExtUSB connector
• USB 2.0
• Built-in microphone and speaker
• Battery – Li-Ion 1350 mAh
• Talk time – up to 7 hours (GSM), up to 4 hours (UMTS)
• Standby time – up to 400 hours (GSM), up to 450 hours (UMTS)
• Video call time – up to 2.3 hours
• Dimensions – 110x58x15.5 mm
• Weight - 130 g

Sony Ericsson P5i concept

The Sefanatics has posted an interesting concept of Sony Ericsson P5i smartphone. The device is rumored to be on its way, however the manufacturer hasn’t made any official confirmation or provided official images. Taking into account (unconfirmed) info on an upcoming user’s interface UIQ (UIQ 4?) with figer control, the concept looks like to be true. It is equipped with a big display and has no keyboard. Most likely the mysterious Sony Ericsson P5i will be of this kind.

HTC Touch enhanced version for Hong Kong

HTC has announced the release of HTC Touch Enhanced Version in Hong Kong. The device is available in 2 new color solutions – Burgundy red and Immaculate White. In addition to refreshed design the new version got larger memory: 128 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM (the original HTC Touch comes with 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM onboard). HTC notes that since the debut in June HTC Touch has become the best seller in Hong Kong. Due to the everlasting demand the manufacturer decided to launch HTC Touch Enhanced Version.

Haptikos technology by Nokia – hardware keyboards in the past

Reportedly, after 10 years Nokia is almost ready to introduce its new technology Haptikos. It provides more tactile sensation when you touch the screen, not just vibration. Thus while you type you feel the same as when you work with ordinary buttons.

Roope Takala, Senior Program Manager at Nokia’s research labs, has demonstrated the technology on Nokia N770 Internet tablet. He explained that the technology is simple enough, they inserted two small piezo sensor pads under the screen and engineered in a 0.1-mm movement in the screen itself. It took time to fine tune the movement and response to mimic exactly the sensation of pressing a real key. The source said the new Nokia’s smartphones with S60 Touch interface will support Haptikos.

Sony Ericsson K660i Internet phone

Another SE product announced on November 6 is the K660i, an heir of the K610i. This stylish handset is packed in a candy bar form-factor and designed for the young people. The vendor notes that the K660i is optimized for Internet work. It can view web-pages in landscape mode, besides there are dedicated buttons for quick access to the function. There is the support of Google Maps for Mobile. The sales of Sony Ericsson K660i in some market is set for 1Q 2008. The device will be available in 2 bright color solutions: white with green and black with crimson.

The specs of Sony Ericsson K660:

• Networks - GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and UMTS/HSDPA 2100 MHz
• Display – 240x320 pixels, 262K colors
• 32 MB of onboard memory
• Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards
• 2-megapixel camera
• Frontal camera for video calls
• Bluetooth (A2DP profile)
• FM-radio with RDS
• Dimensions – 104x47x14.7 mm
• Weight - 95 g

Sony Ericsson W890i: slim Walkman phone

As it was expected Sony Ericsson has made an announcement of several new products on November 6 – the W890i being one of them. This Walkman phone is a successor to the W880i. The device is packed in a 9.9 mm thick metallic shell. It features the following functions: SenseMe (creates playlists based on user’s mood), TrackID (identifies track title and artist’s name), PlayNow service and so on.

The specs of Sony Ericsson W890i:

• Networks - GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and UMTS/HSDPA 2100 MHz
• Display – 240x320 pixels, 262K colors
• 26 MB of onboard memory
• Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards
• 3.2-megapixel camera
• Frontal camera for video calls
• Bluetooth (A2DP profile)
• FM-radio with RDS
• Walkman Player 3.0
• Dimensions – 104x46.5x9.9 mm
• Weight - 78 g

Sony Ericsson W890i will come to several markets in 1Q 2008. It will be available in 3 color solutions: Black, Brown and Silver. In addition Sony Ericsson will release the W898c modification without 3G support for the Chinese market only.