Pay for parking via SMS

A transportation authority in Italy has release a great new service that enable drivers to pay for parking via an SMS message. Not only does this service allow you to pay via SMS, you can receive an alert about when your parking is going to expire.

Drivers wishing to use the services provided by Atac must provide credit card or bank account info via their website before using the service.

And yes, this is only available in Italy through Atac, but you can bet your butt that it’ll be coming soon to a parking garage near you!

[Read more here.]

Now you can be James Bond - Control your car with your phone!

Ever wanted to control your car via your computer, or even cell phone? Well, you guessed it, it’s here.

Before you even get to your car, you can have the windows down, radio on your favorite station, and the car started for you. Talk about impressing your friends - and now you can do it a with a few pushes of some buttons.

Technology from Connect2Car has made all of this possible, and even more. You can control everything in your car with their device, here is a short list of some of them; windows, putting the top down, radio on/off, start the car, honk the horn, and more. Even better, if you have a custom car with hydraulics, lambo doors, TVs (they’re almost standard now though), or anything else, you can probably control it with your phone using the Connect2Car device!

Best of all, the pricetag isn’t unreasonable. Starting at $219 (USD) and up to $539 if you want more advanced controls.

[Check out more info @ Connect2Car.com]

Email to SMS is becoming a great new service

Ever been writing an urgent email and wanting to send it to your pal, who you know isn’t near his computer and isn’t going to be for a few hours. Well the solution is here, and it looks to have a great outlook.

Recently domain and web hosting providers have been offering a new service free of charge to anyone using their primary services. One is VoxDomains.com and another is Bonphire.com, both of which seem to work the exact same way. When you are composing your email, you can choose whether you want the email to go to email only, SMS / text messaging only, or both. From there you can enter the email addresses and/or phone numbers. There’s also a function that allows users to keep the email within the 160 character limit for text messages.

[To check out more on this, take a look at VoxDomains.com and Bonphire.com]

iPhone this time around? Perhaps something even better?

The web is humming once more with iPhone rumors in the lead up to Apple’s upcoming media event in California that coincides with the launch of Apple Expo in Paris on Tuesday 12 September.

With it’s media invitations issued under the teaser-title “It’s Showtime” many expect the rumored addition of feature films to the iTunes movie store. Additionally, commentators anticipate upgrades to Apple’s flagship laptop range and possibly a new iPod.

MacNN, however, has a load of intriguing information surround a patent application that Apple lodged in March and the details of which were published by the US Patent & Trademark Office just last week. Instead of a new iPod or iPhone, Apple MAY be set to release a feature-filled multi-function device which combines those two features but adds a whole lot more, including features such as a camera, GPS, PDA and more. We’ll see…roll on Tuesday!

[More from MacNN]

Bluetooth and motorcycle helmets combine for a great combo

Now motorcycle riders can enjoy phone conversations while on their bike without even removing their hands from the handle bars. Not only that, they can be listening to the FM radio from their bluetooth headset and decide whether to take the call, ignore the call, or mute the call as well - still without touching their phone.

The SCALA-RIDER FM Headset released by Cardo Systems, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of wireless Bluetooth devices for the consumer market, is a safe alternative for bikers. The SCALA-RIDER can be placed and any helmet within a few minutes, and removed from any helmet in minutes without leaving a trace. The headset is fully weather protected, so rain or shine, this device will perform. Chairman and CEO of Cardo Systems, Abraham Glezerman stated:

“Motorcyclists can have comfortable, secure, hands-free wireless communication, and enjoy their favorite music. As with all other versions of the SCALA-RIDER, this product too puts safety first: Automatic volume adjustment and voice controlled receipt of incoming calls allow users to keep their hands on the handlebars.”

More…

MMS your pic to your online dating profile! EasyDate

The UK’s largest online dating service, EasyDate, boasting almost a million singles across its network of online dating sites, last month introduced a new facility to help their customer’s upload images of themselves direct from their mobile phones, via MMS, to their online dating profiles.

The idea has first been implemented on - youcangetme.com. Sean Wood, EasyDate’s Marketing Manager explains:

We realised by the number of photos we received in the post that not all our members had access to a scanner or a digital camera, so we looked at options that would give them the easiest possible method of completing their profile and increasing their chances of finding a date online. It occured to us that most mobile phones had integrated cameras so this was definitely the way to go.

Our initial trials have proven very successful so we are now implementing this technology across our network of sites.

Youcangetme.com also provides “SMS Text flirting” between it’s registered members, making further use of mobile technologies in the implementation of its matchmaking services.

I think this a great idea. Nearly all handsets have a built-in camera these days, and sending a pic by MMS is a snap. Camera’s in mobile phones are improving in quality every month. Mind you, it could work to your advantage having an older handset with a lower quality camera. A bit of low-light noise introduced into your dating profile pic maybe helps disguise some of the blemishes…!

If you are single and in need of a date - check out their services.

[Full details of EasyDate’s press release at PRWeb]

Cingular offers BlackBerry Connect for Palm Treo 650

This week saw the joint announcement by Cingular Wireless and RIM of the introduction of BlackBerry Connect for users of the Palm Treo 650. Push email services are critically important for many mobile professionals and this new service will be welcome news for all Treo 650 fans.

Among other things, BlackBerry Connect provides:

• Push Corporate Email Services
• Wireless Calendar Synchronization
• Attachment Viewing
• Remote Address Lookup

Tim Roper US Region Vice President of Palm said during the announcement:

“Treo 650 already is one of the most compelling mobile-computing devices available today for business users, and the BlackBerry Connect functionality gives Cingular customers another great reason to adopt Treo as a vital business-productivity tool.”

Cingular has unlimited BlackBerry Connect services starting at $44.99 per month. The Palm Treo 650 with Cingular can be bought on Amazon starting at $44.99 on a new plan. More information on the services are available from PalmOne and Cingular.

[Source Cingular Press Release]

7th International Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships

Saturday 26 August saw the 7th International Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships wrap up 340km north of Helsinki in Savonlinna, Finland and this year the Gold was taken out by a Finn. Finland is of course the home of Nokia, the world’s largest manufacturer of mobile phones, and so it is only fitting that such an important event also be held there.

The new champion is Lassi Etelätalo, Finland with result 89,00 m. In the Original individual category, second was last year’s champion Mikko Lampi with 87,17 meters and the third was Tomi Kurvi with a result of 80,20 meters.

The new world champion in the Women’s category is Eija Laakso with a new world record of 50.83 meters. The men’s world record of 94.97 meters (more than 100 yards), set by Mikko Lampi from Vilppula, Finland during the 2005 World championships remains unbroken.

There are officially two categories in the Mobile Phone Throwing. Traditional style ie. over the shoulder throw, where the length of the throw is crucial. In Freestyle the style is free and the contestant gets points for aesthetics and creative choreographics from 4 to 10. In both categories the contestant with the highest score wins.

Mobile Phone Throwing is light and modern Finnish sport that suits for people of all ages. It combines recycling philosophy and fun spirit in active sport. A part of the philosophy is also a spiritual freedom from being available all the time.

Feeling inspired, but a bit out of shape? Not to worry, you have a year to prepare. The next championships will be held on the 25th of August next year - expect registrations to open around April.

Interesting fact about Nokia: In addition to being the world’s largest cell phone manuacturer, Nokia also takes out the honors as the world’s largest digital camera manufacturer on account of the number of cell phones they sell equipped with cameras, outselling any other traditional camera manufacturer.

[Get all the latest mobile phone throwing world championships news direct from savonlinnafestivals.com]

CBS TV clips via Bluetooth courtesy of Kameleon at Grand Central, NYC

Kameleon Technologies announced Friday a partnership with CBS television to provide clips of upcoming CBS TV shows from interactive billboards to commuters passing through Grand Central.

The system, which makes use of Kameleon’s MobiZone technology, enables those with Bluetooth enabled handsets to receive short clips of CBS’ fall lineup at no cost. The clips can either be played instantly, stored or passed onto friends. No additional software/applications are required on the user’s handset.

According to Kameleon, here is how it works:

Each Billboard invites the mobile user to open his Bluetooth connection and make it discoverable. Then the user is invited to accept a free clip from the particular Show. If he accepts, the clip automatically downloads and plays on the screen of the mobile.

The interactive billboards will start appearing in several locations at New York’s Grand Central Station from September. Something to while away the time on those long and busy commutes…

[Read the full text of the release at PRWeb.com]

Cell phone emergency tricks and tips

Blogcritics.org has a short list of interesting things that cell phones are (apparently) capable of doing.

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a lifesaver or an emergency tool for survival.

In no particular order…

1. Dialing 112 will contact emergency services in ANY country around the world.
2. Unlock your car with your keys over the phone (er…what? Seriously??)
3. Release extra battery power (at the expense of call quality)
4. IMEI code can be used to disable a stolen phone (Nokia handsets only apparently)

Full details available at Blogcritics.org.  I’m highly skeptical of point 2 (I mean, c’mon…) - but if you’ve tried it and know it to work (or otherwise!) post a comment here and let us know!

Samsung ‘Super music phone’ SCH-B570 - released in Korea

Korean electronics manufacturer, Samsung today announced the launch of it’s feature packed ‘Super Music Phone’ the SCH-B570. Complete with advanced audio, picture in picture video and multimedia support the B570 also sports *ahem* Golf Manager (?) a tool for managing golf scores and driving distances on Korean golf courses (using its built-in GPS).

With a whopping 8Gb of memory, this has to be the largest built-in storage facility on any cell phone to date. Samsung claims the massive drive can hold:

• 1,600 mp3 files (at 4Mb per song) or
• 16 Personal Media Player (at 400Mb per movie)
• or more than 20,000 x 300kb digital photos

Specifications:

• 1xEV-DO Mobile broadband
• 2 Megapixel Camera
• 1.98“ Display 240×320 resolution, 262K Color
• Size: 112 x 48 x 19.9 mm
• Weight: 130 g

The phone sports a myriad of other features including:

8GB Hard drive disk, Satellite DMB / Picture In Picture / Personal Media Player, Motion Recognition Technology, GPS, VOD/MOD, MP3, Document Viewer, Mobile printing and TV out.

And if Golf Manager wasn’t enough, Samsung’s also revealed another curious feature:

Samsung also presented the ‘motion recognition capability’ by introducing the new ‘morning call motion detector snooze alarm’. When the alarm clock rings, users can turn it off simply by shaking the phone, then alarm will automatically alert again a few minutes later.

Other features aside, it’s hard to believe that this device doesn’t have Apple’s rumored iPod/Phone in its sights, and maybe THIS will be just the device to rattle Apple’s cage and make them announce something. Just how much storage will the new iPhone have?

The SCH-B570 will be released in Korea for around USD800 in the next few days.

Sprint’s Palm Treo 700wx with GPS - Vodafone/Cingular Treo 750 on the way?

Sprint are expected to release the new Palm Treo 700wx next week with a host of great new features included double the RAM from the 700w and built-in GPS. sprintusers.com has what looks to be an official specs sheet. This new PDA will operate on the Sprint EV-DO Mobile Broadband network and have access to Sprints Power Vision network services.

The 700wx is expected to be released to business customers from 27 August with an offering at retail sales outlets from 3 September.

Treo 750…

In other Treo news, the Treo 750 is expected to be released in just two weeks time 12 September for the European market on Vodafone’s 3G network. As expected, the 750 will run Windows Mobile 5.0. While no official details have been released, it is hoped that the 750 will be an antenna-less design and have built-in wifi - something that has been lacking from all Treo handsets to date.

Reuters reports:

Palm is to launch the new handset to Vodafone customers in a number of European countries including the U.K., Germany, Spain, Italy and Netherlands as it attempts to win back the confidence of a market it once dominated with its Palm Pilot device.

PDAStreet is speculating that shortly after it’s release, Cingular users should expect a US version…

Phone Friday! News & reviews on some phones

HTC release the Excalibur, better than the Q?

The Excalibur is HTC’s version of the Q, but appears to blow the Q out of the water. This thin smart phone comes with Windows Mobile and a full QWERTY keybaord. It also will have Mi-FI and Bluetooth, and like the Q it will have a method for one handed navigation. The Excalibur will have a touch sensitive scroll pad including home and back keys as well.
The Excalibur is rumored to launch with Sprint in the US by the end of the year, but no word on an exact date or price.

[Thanks for Geek.com for the pictures, and check out HTC’s website for more of their sleek phones.]

LG releases some white chocolate

Although this may not be the Chocolate, the LF1300 certianly has some flavor. The LF1300 comes with a 2-inch QVGA display, 1.3 megapixel camer, SD expansion, Bluetooth, and of course, an MP3 Player.

This slider measures 98 x 48 x 16.9mm and will be available through CYON. The LF1300 is said to be released only in Korea, and no word on pricing as of now.

[Picture and story from I4U.com]

Milk chocolate from Sony Ericsson?

Well this also isn’t the Chocolate, but Sony Ericsson has released a milk chocolate colored phone, calling it the K800i. It comes with a brilliant 3.2 megapixel camera, UMTS high-speed data, and and MP3/MPEG4 player.

The K800i will be released in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

[Picture from Gizmodo.com]

Bluetooth watches, what next?

Chronotech may make everyones dream come true on November 8, 2006, they will be releasing a watch that doubles as a bluetooth headset. Ok maybe not everyones dream, or even anyones dream, but Chronotech hopes that their product will be the next big hit to consumers.

The bluetooth watches will be available in analog and digital, retailing for $127.95 USD and $119.95 USD, respectively. They will come in a combination of colors as well, black, black/white, gray, navy, green sparkle, white sparkle, blue and pink.

[Check out Bluetooth Watches for more info]

Blackberry’s Precious Pearl - 8100, no longer just a number

Employees at RIM have let details slip of the soon to be released Blackberry 8100 a.k.a Blackberry Pearl. The Pearl has a number of features that people have been longing to have included in their Blackberry’s - a camera, external storage and other multimedia goodies - the perfect mix of business and pleasure.

Features include:

• EDGE mobile broadband data services
• Bluetooth
• microSD card support
• Camera with built-in flash

Engadget has scooped the leaked RIM internal release (officially under embargo until 18 September) and has the full details. Here’s a snippet describing the new unit:

The BlackBerry Pearl is a very cool, incredibly small, easy-to-use smartphone. It comes complete with digital camera, multimedia capabilities and expandable memory. And it, of course, offers the full BlackBerry experience – including email, phone, web browser, text messaging, organizer applications and much more. This year, give your loved one the gift of freedom – with the BlackBerry Pearl they can do all the things they “have to do” and more of the things they “want to do.”

This adds just a few more reasons that will prevent “crackberries” from kicking the habit!

Due for release next month through T-Mobile first and then presumably Cingular some time later, the Pearl will have a retail tag of US$199.

[More from Engadget]