Most of the news sites and blogophere are going crazy over the release of the much anticipated iPhone. Steve Jobs,CEO of apple inc. proudly announced a revolution in mobile phone technology as he would put it. After the official press release of iPhone by Job’s, Apple inc. stocks soared as you could very well imagine.

There has been many rumors going on about features one would expect from a phone designed by the company that brought us the revolutionary iPod.Apple being the tech giant it is, certainly kept it a secret by providing misleading prototypes to employees and even service carriers.

Steve’s new love,iPhone does resemble iPod in size and shape but thats just about the only similarity. iPhone comes with features that would blow your mind, especially if you are a diehard Mac/iPod fan. What better way to spend my spare time than to help my readers get the inside scoop. Here are the features you could look forward to when you are in line to get yourself one of these at your local apple store.

»Includes a new input technology called “Multi-Touch” the iPhone features only a single physical button, called “home”. You control the phone by sliding a finger across its touch-sensitive 3.5-inch display, which has a resolution of 320-by-480 pixels at 160 pixels-per-inch display.

»The 0.46-inch (11.6-millimeter) thick device weighs 4.8 ounces (135 grams) and sports a 2-megapixel camera, volume control, ring-silent switch, 3.5-millimeter headset/audio jack, SIM tray, “sleep-wake” switch, speaker, microphone, and a 30-pin iPod dock connector.

»The quad-band GSM (850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz) + EDGE phone also has 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities. Steve Job noted 3G capabilities will come in the future.

»iPhone uses its Wi-Fi and EDGE capabilities to automatically connect to the Internet. Internet connectivity includes HTML-capable e-mail that works with any IMAP or POP3 e-mail service.

The iPhone will come in two versions: a 4GB, $499 model and an 8GB, $599 model. Both will require a two-year contract with Cingular, the exclusive U.S. carrier. Both models will be available beginning in June from Apple Stores and from Cingular. That price will surely leave your wallet pretty much empty unless your one of the lucky few with millions to spare.

Apple has only recently filed a patent for a new cell phone concept.There has been many reports regarding apple’s desire to expand to the mobile phone industry.All though it is a late entrance,its launch would be strategic as it would be a step ahead of microsoft. 

The new concept enhances the IPod which already dominates the MP3 player market.Apple would definitely face much stronger competition in the cell phone industy.If not for further innovations such as this from Apple in the media player market it could possibly face loss in market share.

Consumers can expect the much anticipated Iphone available for sale early next year.Iphone has been said to cost something close to $300.

With the recent purchase of YouTube by Google,it’s set to be offered in cell phones. Verizon wireless users will be able to use YouTube along with their cellphones.The service is set to launch by early next month.

Full features of YouTube will not be available on the mobile service.Instead a portion of the videos available at the YouTube website will be approved by the company to be viewed.

The service is being offered to only those verizon costumers currently subscribing to the vcast feature.This service alone costs $15 dollars a month.

YouTube would be a great edition to the mobile network offered by verizon. However,the inability of users to view the videos of their choice would greatly limit the success of this feature.

[via New York Times]

Talkonaut is a java client that can be installed into your mobile phone to allow you to access Google talk.It is a completely free application that can be used to extent the abilities of Gtalk2VOIP,a service that enables google talk users to make phone calls around the world for cheap rates.

Talkonaut is compatible with almost any J2ME complient device.This applications can be used with any jabber account such as Google Talk. Using Talkonaut you may now talk from your mobile to other Google Talk or MSN/Live Messenger users or even to any SIP phone.You may even make VOIP calls to any mobile or landline phones using the application.

At present, Talkonaut utilizes “callback” technique to make voice calls. This means, when it is necessary,GTalk2VoIP gateway is utilized by the system to call back to your mobile phone, then to your recipient, afterwards it merges two voice calls in one.This seems to be similar to the way “Click to call” feature functions in Google Maps.

All though instant messages through the service is free,SMS and voice calls have to be paid.Another point to note is that IM voice calls and calls to SIP phones are free.There is also a official list of supported handsets at the website, which is constanstly updated.

[Download Talkonaut]    [via:Google operating system]

Sprint’s new hybrid phone ic502 is a combination of both sprint cell technology and nextel’s walkie-talkie services. It is a rugged, professional grade phone. Right now it is only available in black.

Its a rugged phone so even if you drop it a few hundred times it will most likely work. Also like I said its a combination of both Sprint’s CDMA technology and Nextl’s iDen technology. So if your calls are not going through you can still instantly reach someone with your Nextel walkie-talkie. Lookout for the new hybrid with a camera and mp3 player capability coming out in early 2007.

Features

Rugged Construction/ Military 810F Spec
Walkie-Talkie Service
Sprint PCS Voice Calling
Sprint PCS Vision
GPS Enabled
Direct Talk
Built-in Speakerphone
Vibra-call Alert

Sprint’s Motorola i880is a first from Nextel with a high resolution camera and music playing capabilities. Nextel and Sprint merged recently and they are now under one company Sprint/Nextel.

As the first iDEN handset with a 2.0-megapixel camera, the i880 provides users with entertainment features and Walkie-Talkie service. Walkie-Talkie which is a signature service of Nextel. The good thing about having a Nextel phone is that even if your call drops you can still instantly connect to your customers with the walkie-talkie. Some unique features of having Nextel service are listed below.

- Group Connect service enables group walkie-talkie conversations with up to 21 participants nationwide.
- Direct Talk service allows short-range walkie-talkie communications in areas without network coverage.
- Direct Send allows users to send contact information and pictures to another Direct Send-capable phone within seconds simply by pushing the walkie-talkie button.

i880 comes with a 2.0-megapixel camera / camcorder, picture resolution is sharp enough for quality 5×7 prints, as well as lifelike video playback with sound. The i880 also features an integrated music player with the ability to enjoy MP3s, audio files and audio podcasts through the front dual-ported speakers in stereo sound. Multimedia files are easily stored on the included 64 MB microSD removable memory card.
 

Verizon’s latest ultra-thin handheld, the Motorola KRZR K1m is superb. All the slimmer phone lovers should be more than happy to see this Verizon wonder. Motorola KRZR K1m is 17 mm thin, 44 millimeters wide and wrapped in a reflective, metallic gloss finish. For looks it gets a 10/10 and for funcionality there is no challenger out there.

Its got a cutting edge desing and looks sleek. With a 1.3-megapixel camera with 4x zoom, video capture and playback and optional expandable microSD memory, the KRZR K1m allows users to capture priceless moments on the go while staying in touch with Verizon Wireless’ PIX and FLIX Messaging. Also in addition to now-standard features like text messaging, Bluetooth compatibility, web browsing, and organizational applications, the KRZR offers both MP3 and video capabilities as well. Overall a good handset from Verizon.

Motorola KRZR K1m Features

•  Iconic ultra-thin clamshell form factor with precision detailing and premium materials within a distinctive metallic gloss front finish
• Built-in 1.3-megapixel digital camera with video capture and playback (H.263 / MPEG4)
• Convenient and innovative touch sensor music controls on the exterior to access music-on-demand services and the enhanced music player for music listening on-the-go
• Integrated GPS navigation for turn-by-turn functionality
• Bluetooth Class 2 technology, Over-the-Air Synchronization (OTA), and Mobile Phone Tools for wireless convenience
• EV-DO technology for high-speed data transmission with WAP 2.0 compliant browser
• Expandable memory up to 1 GB through optional microSD cards