Camera Phones Plaza

To personalize our gadgets we use to add cool backgrounds on computers' desktops, or change the cell phone interface’s theme entirely. Many cell phone content providers offer nice cell phone backgrounds, wallpapers or themes, for download directly on the handset, but now we have the chance to browse through unique images created by independent designers.
This happens via mixtART, a new SMS service launched by Hands-On Mobile, one of the top developers of games and applications for the cell phones.
Using this service, artists can sell their creations to mobile subscribers.

“More and more independent artists are discovering the benefits of digital media to promote their art to the public, and mobile delivery is the perfect opportunity for them to share their work with a vast, diverse audience,” said Michael Temkin, Chief Technology Officer of Hands-On Mobile. “The artists we are currently working with have exemplary portfolios, and we are looking forward to offering additional creative wallpapers to mobile customers on a monthly basis.”

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Artists who will provide cell phone backgrounds through mixtART will be present at Comic-Con International 2008 in San Diego from July 24 to July 27. Some of them are: Patrick Ma, Buff Monster, Jon Burgerman, Brent McHugh, Patricio Oliver, Alex Pardee, Ekundayo and Dave Correia, Noferin and Astro.
Comic-Con International is a nonprofit educational organization that promotes comics and similar forms of art, via the official conventions dedicated to the contribution of comics in art and culture.



Californian company Hands-On Mobile is known for its Guitar Hero III Mobile and WPT Texas Hold 'Em games, as well as the popular Astrology Zone Premier and Billboard Mobile applications. The company partners with entertainment brands such as Activision, Billboard, CBS, LEGO, Marvel, NBA, NBC Universal, Viacom, and World Poker Tour.

The price for an artistic wallpaper is of $1.99.

dreamGEAR branded two new cool digital products designed for the iPhone and iPod models. i.Sound is now the name of the stylish 2-in-1 Charger & Back Up Battery, which extends the operating time up to several hours. i.Sound high-quality mobile speakers and other accessories made in US are known worldwide, and the new external iPod battery is the smallest device of its kind and connects to the two high-end popular Apple creations via a 30 pin connector.



"Something as simple as a dead battery can become a serious problem, especially if you have an immediate need to be connected while you're on the go," says Richard Weston, COO of dreamGEAR, producers of the i.Sound brand. "The compact i.Sound 2-in-1 Charger & Back Up Battery ensures that consumers never have to be without their phone, music or videos while on the road or traveling, making it a versatile high-capacity charger and back-up option."

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The 2-in-1 USB AC adapter has the capability to charge the iPod and the iPhone, recharging itself simultaneously. The small 1000 mAh polymerized lithium-ion battery can be attached to the iPhone and iPod for wireless connectivity providing up to 30 more hours of cool music on the go, 6 hours of video or 3 hours of talk time. And these periods of time are in addition to the the standard ones offered by default.

The status indicator shows when you have to prepare and recharge the external iPod battery.
i.Sound 2-in-1 Charger & Back Up Battery costs $50, being compatible with all iPhone and iPod models.

The new product that Skyhook Wireless launched a few days ago is a combination of three advanced technologies to crate an advanced Hybrid Positioning System called XPS 2.0.
Using signals from Wi-Fi access points, GPS satellites and cell towers, XPS 2.0 delivers the best location to handsets’ users.

"XPS 2.0 introduces a major advancement in location technology," said Ted Morgan, founder & CEO of Skyhook Wireless. "By combining the underlying measurements from various systems, including our revolutionary WPS, into a seamless location output, Skyhook delivers the best overall location performance for device makers, operators and application developers."



It happens fast, in just 4 seconds, and with high precision, based on advanced positioning algorithms which helps in leveraging signals from just two GPS satellites to improve Wi-Fi location accuracy by 35%+.
While A-GPS systems can produce a location 70% of the time outdoors, XPS 2.0 reaches 100%, as it uses weak GPS signals with Wi-Fi. In addition, XPS is a better power conserver than A-GPS.
Users must get the location calculations regardless of the environment. For this to happen, XPS uses adds cell tower positioning.

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Wi-Fi used in cell phones allows these devices to connect to the Internet wirelessly but only when they are located in Wi-Fi covered locations.
The Global Positioning System consists of using satellites that transmit microwave signals, to enable GPS receivers to determine their location, speed, direction, and time.
A mobile phone communicates with its service network through a tower or a base station and these towers are dividing a town into smaller areas or cells. While the mobile phone’s signal is handed from tower to tower as the user drives down the street, the jamming device can transmit on the same radio frequencies as the phone, disrupting this way the communication between the phone and the base station in the tower.

XPS is a software-based solution enabling localization on all mobile devices with the help of Wi-Fi, GPS or a cellular radio (GSM/CDMA) technologies, determining the position with 10-20 meters accuracy, ad it works like this: when the user runs map navigation or a similar application, in searching for directions to a place, the application launches the XPS engine. It scans the area to detect Wi-Fi access points’ signals, GPS signals and those coming from cellular towers. These signals provide the unique IDs of each Wi-Fi access point, towers and GPS. The time it takes to get this information is of maximum 150 milliseconds.

Available over US and European areas, XPS 2.0 will cover worldwide cities by the end of this year, and according to Skyhook Wireless, headquartered in Boston, MA, XPS works indoors and outdoors, without requiring additional hardware to work.

Drivers have now access to a new tool based on an innovative technology designed to improve the driving experience. It was announced by BlueAnt Wireless, a top supplier of Bluetooth-enabled devices including handsfree, stereo audio streaming and wireless communication devices.
The new device is a Text-to-Speech Speakerphone called Supertooth 3 Bluetooth Handsfree which uses the Text-to-Speech technology providing voice guide and assistance for users.



For example, while you’re driving the car the device tells you who is calling, by reading the name of the person or the Caller ID, then asking you to answer or reject the call. This can happen in several languages set by you, from American English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and British English. Also, it offers the handsfree control of your calls in many dialects and languages native to the U.S.

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Supertooth 3 comes with a magnetic clip for setting in the car, and works perfect with up to 8 devices when paired, supporting voice dial activation, redial and call reject.
BlueAnt Wireless C.E.O, Taisen Maddern explains how useful is the new portable device:
"The Supertooth 3 has been designed with the safety of the driver in mind. The device allows you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, providing a safer and legal alternative to talking on your cell phone while driving. California Highway Patrol statistics show that cell phone use is the top cause of accidents triggered by distracted drivers. We are delighted to introduce the Supertooth 3, to provide a simple, cost effective and high-quality handsfree option for drivers."



Technologies used include Clear Voice Capture, Digital Signal Processor, both meant to raise the audio quality at highest standards. Cambridge Silicon Radio optimized the Clear Voice Capture for separating the user’s voice from background noise and to apply applies acoustic echo cancellation and noise suppression to the voices from both ends.



Other features of the Supertooth 3 are: Automatic Vibration Sensor Reconnection, full duplex speaker, Digital Volume Control, sun-visor mountable, wall/car charging support, USB charging support, up to 15 hours talk time, 800 hours standby, and 2-year warranty.
The BlueAnt Bluetooth Speakerphone’s cost starts at $129.95 and it is available at Buy.com.

Preparing for the new iPhone 3G, many cell phone accessories manufacturers are announcing new products. One of these is Marware, known for its Quick Vue, which launched the Sportsuit Convertible for iPhone 3G.

This cool case has 3 facilities in one single product: an adjustable sport armband case easy wearable on your upper arm while jogging, a Multidapt clip-on case type for carrying on your belt and shoulder strap, and a slim designed sleeve to fit in small bags.

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It is made of stretchable neoprene and vinyl, while the iPhone sport band is a Velcro armband with removable pouch, in which you can put even cash or other small things you have to carry with.



With the Sportsuit Convertible for iPhone 3G Marware provides a clear protective film and a microfiber cleaning cloth, together with the lifetime guarantee.

It is available in black and has a starting price of $35 for pre-orders, until July 1 when it will start shipping.