Kingston has announced it is shipping the 8GB Multi-Kit and 4GB microSDHC card plus USB reader. The company says these two new products make transferring and saving files between mobile phones and multiple devices much easier and convenient as well as increasing storage for music, photos, videos, ringtones and other files. "The 8GB Multi-Kit is a terrific all-in-one solution that combines a large capacity microSDHC card with dual adapters and a USB reader", said Wendy Lecot, flash business manager, Kingston. "The 4GB microSDHC card plus USB Flash reader bundle makes transferring or 'side-loading' content between a PC and mobile phone easy. Consumer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive on our ultra-small USB reader. It is the perfect accessory to attach to a phone via the included loop, making it handy for quick data transfers." Kingston’s 8GB Multi-Kit features an 8GB microSDHC card along with mini- and full-size SD adapters as well as a USB reader and will cost £18.30 plus VAT while the 4GB micrSDHC card plus USB reader is £10.60 plus VAT.

  Oh, what's this, NTT DoCoMo? Your eye movement control for phones -- which isn't even commercialized, may we add -- is so 2050 compared to NeuroSky's mind control system. The company has already shown non-mobile applications for its seriously sci-fi tech, but it used CTIA recently as a venue to demonstrate how it can be used to do cool things on phones, too, bringing along a mental relaxation app, a math quiz where your brainpower is actually measured (no pressure), and a simple game. There aren't any shipping products yet, but the company says that it has nine development partners working on integrating its goods, and meanwhile it's slaving away on repackaging the discrete components translating brainwaves into commands into a single chip that's more easily soldiered onto something consumers would actually want to wear and use.  

  UK digital media college Qantm has announced plans to offer an iPhone games development course. Starting next year, 'the course is tailored specifically for designers aspiring to produce work for Apple’s iconic instrument'.The London-based college has added the course, it said, in response to employment demands.The lessons will run alongside its established Game Design & Development Course and in time will also be offered at its colleges in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Amsterdam, Berlin and Munich. The iPhone Course will be open as evening and weekend classes from February 23rd 2009, costing £3,950.      

  Nothing is quite official about this ASUS phone just yet, but the current speculation is that it's actually the ASUS P565 and, judging from some newly-detailed specs, it looks like it shouldn't have much trouble attracting its share of interest. Leading the way is a speedy 800MHz Marvell Tavor processor (apparently a first for any phone), and a still relatively uncommon 2.8-inch VGA screen, which should go nicely with the VGA camera for video conferencing (you'll get 3-megapixels for still mages). Otherwise, you can expect European HSDPA connectivity, built-in GPS, a 1300mAh battery that promises 3.5 hours of 3G talk time, and Windows Mobile 6.1 for an OS (with ASUS' Glide software on top of it), of course. No word on a price just yet, but word is this one is on track for a release as soon as October.  

  The company introduced a new Plantronics Bluetooth-headset Voyager 835. The main features of the device manufacturer of the use of multiple technologies that provide high quality transmission of audio and noise reduction. This dual microphone Plantronics AudioIQ, using a combination of DSP-algorithms provide the optimum volume level as for the user's headset, and for his interlocutor. Two microphones are as follows: The first of these "captures" the voice, and the second - background noise and, consequently, reduces it. In addition, the technology Plantronics WindSmart reduce wind noise. Also Voyager 835 supports QuickPair technology for fast connection to a Bluetooth-phone and Multipoint to operate simultaneously with two devices. Time autonomous work headset during a call - about 5 hours and standby times - up to 5 days. Weight device does not exceed 12 grams. Sales Bluetooth-headset Plantronics Voyager 835 in the U.S. will begin in October this year. The recommended value of new items - $ 119.95.  

  Palm’s upcoming OS, named Nova is right on track to get to completion before the end of 2008. However, the sad news is that Palm might not have a finished device base to run the new OS until several months into 2009. Palm has hinted the release could come as late as June of 2009. What a crime… OS is ready to go, but no devices! This could be it for Palm in my opinion. If they don’t get Nova right, it could spell bad, bad, bad things. Losses have been mounting high on the company. They achieved some success with the Centro, but that has been the only somewhat bright spot for the company for quite some time. Good luck to Palm, I hope they polish up Nova and get that new device lineup ready as soon as they can.  

  Germany based Digital Imaging Systems (DIS) has announced the launch of the first ever 9 Megapixel camera module for mobile phones. Its new camera modules provide rich features such as auto-focus, high quality lenses, mechanical shutter and ND-filter with integrated actuators and an easy to access platform software, enabling high-end digital still camera (DSC) quality in mobile phones. "We wanted to maintain our leadership in digital still camera (DSC) quality modules for mobile phones to create new market opportunities for handset manufacturers. With our ultra fast AF (auto-focus), the fastest mobile click-to-capture time and excellent picture quality, we are in a strong position to drive the convergence of mid-range DSC’s into mobile devices,” said Roland Pudelko, CEO of Digital Imaging Systems. The DIS6931 is an all in one DSC quality camera module with a command interface. It incorporates a high resolution CMOS sensor, advanced optical lens system with mechanical shutter and ND-filter, a proprietary interface / control DSP, miniaturized and proprietary low power actuators and a common firmware platform. The common control interface allows seamless upgrades between different DIS camera modules such as higher resolution or optical...

  Leaders in music, retail and flash memory technology today announced they’re bringing consumers an innovative, new physical music format, dubbed “slotMusic™.” microSD™ cards will soon be made available with pre-loaded, high quality, DRM-free MP3 music of top artists from EMI Music, SONY BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group. A selection of slotMusic cards will first be available at brick-and-mortar and online stores throughout the U.S., including Best Buy and Wal-Mart, with Europe to follow. A complete list of slotMusic albums, availability and pricing will be announced in time for the coming holiday season. SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), inventor of the ubiquitous microSD format, is leading the technology development behind slotMusic. slotMusic cards enable consumers to instantly and easily enjoy music from their favorite artists without being dependent on a PC or internet connection. Users simply insert the slotMusic card into their microSD-enabled mobile phone or MP3 player to hear the music – without passwords, downloading or digital-rights-management interfering with their personal use. "slotMusic offers consumers an immediate, tangible, and high quality alternative...

  NTT DoCoMo, and four other Japanese Mobile OpCos, have announced they will start to block access to certain Internet content for subs younger than 18. That content will be assumed to be things like (obviously) adult sites, and dating sites. However, the block will be able to be lifted by the parents of said younger subscribers. I have to admit I found this all slightly surprising - there is a well established (although largely hidden) adult entertainment “sector” in Japan (like most other countries), and these things are self-perpetuating, through any channel(s) that can carry them - given Japan is SO advanced in the area of mobile interweb, I couldn’t envisage this kind of action having any effect whatsoever. But, having said that, if moves are made to protect the minors in any country, that’s a good thing.  

  A new report suggests that texting whilst driving is, in fact, even more dangerous than driving whilst under the influence. The RAC Foundation, and the Transport Research Laboratory, carried about the tests following on from a poll conducted through Facebook that took in 3000 drivers earlier this year. It found that nearly half of drivers aged between 18- and 24-years-old texted while driving. And the follow-up tests suggest that these drivers' average reaction times could be slowed by as much as 35%. The team put 17-24-year-olds in a simulator and then got them to write or read texts whilst driving. The results were shocking and blew away previous reports that had suggested that reactions were 21% slower among those who had taken cannabis and 12% slower among those who had drunk to the legal limit. This latest report also found that the texters also drifted out of lanes more than normal drivers and also had less control of the steering wheel. Dr Nick Reed, senior human factors researcher at TRL, told the BBC: "When texting, drivers are distracted by taking their hand off the wheel to use their phone, by trying to read small text on the phone display and by thinking about how to write their message". "This combination of factors resulted in the...

  The world’s thinnest 5 megapixel cameraphone, LG Secret aka KF750, will be soon available in new colors. LG has announced that users will be able to grab their DivX-enabled handset in either Titan Gold, Ruby Violet, Aqua Blue or Dark Silver. That’s in addition to the original black version, of course. The violet and gold versions should be already available across South Korea, while the device in gold will be released in other Asian markets, too. Finally, the LG Secret in blue, violet and silver should reach Europe in the near future. We’re guessing that means Christmas season, or maybe even before…  

  EA (Mobile) and Eidos have done a deal whereby Eidos will give EA the rights to mobile versions of some of its big name titles, such as Tomb Raider and Minesweeper. The complete list of (current) games also includes California Games X, and Just Cause 2. As well as this (!), EA will also get options on Mobile versions of upcoming Eidos titles for the next 3 years. Given Eidos’ pedigree, this could yield some good stuff. Wow. California Games. That was like my favourite title on the Sega Master System, and that IS going back some years. How many times did I try and hit a 720 on the surfing, only to be cruelly dashed in to the waves with some fabulous 8-bit GFX!  

  Market research group Strategy Analytics are estimating that Google, together with T-Mobile will be able to sell around 400,000 units before the end of the quarter. This would account for around 4% of all smartphones sold during that period. That’s kind of huge for a first quarter in the market. Executive Director Chris Ambrosio, of Strategy Analytics said: “Google has the brand power in the USA to make a big impact at launch. The main issue will be operator subsidies. As seen with the iPhone and smart devices in general, retail prices need to be well below $200 to be competitive. Longer-term success will, of course, rest on Android vendor ability to create designs with wow factor and an intuitive user-interface. Google will do its part to drive growth, and we expect Android will eventually offer a compelling range of mobile applications emphasizing Google’s online assets, such as advertising, mapping, and search.” I personally can’t wait to get my hands on an Android device. However I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Google takes some more time and launches in the new year. All kinds of recent iPhone news, new devices from RIM, HTC, Nokia and others will make the mobile device market tough for the last quarter of...