Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has announced the launch of system software update for PS3 /PlayStation 3. The new software update Version 2.20 adds Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE) to the gaming console. This update is aimed to enable PS3 owners to experience interactive features including downloadable video content, ringtones, games and more for their console. The 2.0 Profile requires the player to have 1GB of local storage, a secondary audio decoder, a secondary video decoder more »

Tags: blue-ray disc profile, ps3, update

The Israeli company has developed a new concept where a modular cell phone can be placed into its changeable shell. This is an evolution to change a phone cover on its appearance and functionality of the handset. The module weighs only 1.5 grams and has 2.8 by 1.4 by 0.3 inches in size, smaller than a credit card. There is only a tiny display, a couple of controls, a mini-USB port, and a charger jack on the module. After inserted into its jacket, functions on the phone are activated such a color screen, a keyboard, and a full set of navigation controls and other functions even though actually this module can be used without its jacket.

This module supports in quadband networks GSM (850/900/1800/1900) with gprs feature. Equipped with bluetooth technology and music player, this phone module has 1 GB memory where you can save data and songs. Unfortunately this module is not equipped with camera feature but several design concepts of this module could be inserted into a car stereo to play music, or combined to make a gaming, or GPS device.

~via cnet.com~

Tags: lightest phone, modular cell phone

LG will offer their latest LG LH2300 touch-based multimedia handsets in Korea market. This phone offer great web browsing experience like Apple iPhone. With its 3 inch, displaying 26 million colors and having 800 x 480 pixels WVGA LCD display made by Sharp, the LG LH2300 is targeting the Internet phone market. The LG LH2300 has a unique, drag-and-drop user interface that uses icons in order to use them such drag and drop contact’s icon to the call button on the same screen.

The LG LH2300 is also equipped with a 3 megapixel camera with auto focus, image stabilization, and face detection. This is a good feature that user can use to take pictures you can display on its screen or save on its memory. There is also a DMB tuner to enjoy mobile TV on the go, Bluetooth 2.0 and a microSD card slot to store pictures and other data. This phone also support 3G connection for high speed access data connection. This phone will be available in Korea market in April 2008.

~via koreatimes.co.kr~

Tags: edge, lg-lh2300, touchscreen

Emirates airline has announced the first commercial airline policy on allowing passengers to make cellular phone calls during flights. Emirates said that the policy was decided after experiencing high demand for the phones already installed in aircraft seats. With the approval to adopt the system from international air safety organisations, Emirates has implemented the policy on Airbus A340 aircraft during a flight between Dubai and Casablanca. The system was developed by the AeroMobile company which stops mobiles from interfering with a plane’s electronics.

Passengers will be able to access mobile service only when the aircraft is at cruising altitude and the cabin crew will monitor and control the use of the system. Not only for calls, Emirates plans to extend the system to allow data service and blackberry service on the fleet. Passengers are requested to keep their phones in “silent mode” so other passengers will not be disturbed.

Australian carrier Qantas also have announced plans to permit passengers to use their cell phones in flight. They has tried out its plan for nine months on one airplane to collect passenger’s reaction as well as the reaction of the aircraft systems. Later this year, Qantas will expand the program to other Boeing 767s and Airbus 330s in its fleet. Qantas so far allow to use mobile service for text messages and email but not voice calls, during flights.

Tags: flight phone call, phone call on flight

Exciting application of global positioning system (GPS) technology services has been launced to help golfers to aim their tee-shots better. With a virtual golf caddy program, its users are able to measure the distance from their location to the tee box. In most cases, the system has a 5-meter accuracy range and also shows the location of fairways, greens, sand bunkers and water hazards.

The KTF said that the phones carry the geographic information of some 250 golf courses in Korea and receive real-time data from satellites. KTF also plans to expand the service to other countries, since WCDMA phones can also be used in other nations such as China and the Philippines, two favored destinations of Korean golf lovers but the firm didn’t specify when it would be. This year, about 2 million car navigation systems are expected to be sold in South Korea. But more exciting applications of GPS technology are being developed for mobile phones these days.

~ via koreatimes.co.kr

Tags: gps, gps application, wcdma phone