Exciting and Emerging Products at CTIA 2008

Table of ContentsBy Noah Ouellette, Aug/Sep 2008

Velocity Mobile 103/111 smartphones

Velocity Mobile is a new smartphone manufacturer that will be offering two smartphone models: the 103 and 111. The 103 is a 3G Windows Mobile 6.1 device that includes a high-resolution VGA (640 x 480 pixel) screen. The 103 features two cameras: a 2 megapixel camera for taking photos and a 0.3 megapixel forward-facing camera for video conferencing. The devices are similar in size and capabilities, but the 111 has an enhanced Today screen, a QWERTY thumb keyboard, and a trackball. The projected release dates are July 08 for the 103 and August 08 for the 111.

Parrot NFC-enabled wireless speakers

parrotshopping.com

Parrot is one of the first companies to take advantage of the new Near Field Communication (NFC) spec—a short-range wireless technology that enables data exchange between devices over approximately four inches. Credit card companies are already taking advantage of NFC, and you may have seen the Visa "payWave" ads, which show consumers swiping their card near a "secure reader" to quickly and safely pay for something. Parrot was demonstrating NFC's potential by using a yet-to-be released, NFC-enabled Nokia cell phone to play music through an NFC-enabled version of their "Party" wireless speakers (available Q2 2008).

PowerFilm Rollable Solar Charger

powerfilmsolar.com

The PowerFilm Rollable Solar Charger is a flexible plastic solar panel that can be rolled up for storage and easy transport, and unrolled to provide your smartphone with plenty of power. This eco-friendly charger is available in sizes varying from 25.5 x 11 to 60 x 42 inches, producing power ranging from 0.3 to 3.6 amps (operating voltage 15.4 volts). With all of these options, you're likely to find the perfect size and power output to fit your needs.

SRS—WOW HD and Mobile HD

srslabs.com

SRS Labs is one of the world's leading audio companies, and their WOW sound enhancement software has been built into the PC version of Windows Media Player for a long time. They were demonstrating their new WOW HD technology at the show, which builds on WOW and "brings clarity to high frequencies and dynamic extraction of dialog in relation to ambient stereo information." To put it simply, WOW HD makes your standard MP3s playing on your smartphone come alive with 3D sound that pops out at you instead of sounding flat and dull. The features they list are 3D stereo imaging impression, psychoacoustic bass enhancement, and high "definition" control, all of which add to your pure listening enjoyment. SRS Labs makes this technology available to Windows Mobile device manufacturers through SRS Mobile HD software.