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.  

  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!  

  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…  

  Giorgio Armani, one of the world’s leading fashion and lifestyle design companies, and Samsung Electronics, a leading producer of mobile phones, today unveiled the Emporio Armani Samsung Mobile, NIGHT EFFECT. Designed by Giorgio Armani and made by Samsung Electronics, the Emporio Armani Samsung Mobile will meet the needs of young consumers with active and fashionable lifestyles for whom music is an essential part of everyday life. Equipped with AMOLED display and a LED light effect on the side of the bar, the Emporio Armani Samsung Mobile, is a sleek and slim music-dedicated mobile. A LED light on the side lights up in a fabulous red, green or blue color every time the user is called, or makes a call. Giorgio Armani, one of the world’s leading fashion and lifestyle design companies, and Samsung Electronics, a leading producer of mobile phones, today unveiled the Emporio Armani Samsung Mobile, NIGHT EFFECT. Designed by Giorgio Armani and made by Samsung Electronics, the Emporio Armani Samsung Mobile will meet the needs of young consumers with active and fashionable lifestyles for whom music is an essential part of everyday life. Equipped with AMOLED display and a LED light effect on the side of the bar, the Emporio Armani Samsung...

  Motorola added to its industry-leading portfolio two new, universal Bluetooth headsets that are the best for background noise cancellation. The new MOTOPURE H15 Universal Bluetooth Headset features an exclusive flip design and has the best background noise cancellation, based on independent testing of the top-selling dual-microphone Bluetooth headsets, and the Motorola H780 Universal Bluetooth Headset offers style and distinct audio sound. Both headsets allow users to silence the noise with Motorola’s improved CrystalTalkTM technology for headsets, ensuring that they can hear and be heard clearly. MOTOPURE H15: Hear the DifferenceDesigned for busy, mobile consumers who are on the go and in frequently changing noise environments, MOTOPURE H15 is the best Bluetooth headset for background noise cancellation1 to deliver pure sound quality. As surrounding background noise increases, users won’t have to adjust the volume manually, because H15 automatically enhances frequencies to improve call clarity in both loud and quiet environments.The exclusive Motorola flip design with RapidConnect™ technology makes it easy to use; just open to talk and close to save battery life. MOTOPURE H15 converts 15 minutes of charging time to over an...

  HTC Touch HD, an entertainment focused mobile handset that will transform how people experience multimedia on the move. Integrating a large 3.8 inch wide-screen VGA display (WVGA), a standard 3.5mm audio jack and a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, the HTC Touch HDTM is the perfect device for multimedia fans. “Today, Widescreen TV, Internet and video have become the standard so there is no reason to compromise when you leave the house, the Touch HDTM delivers that uncompromising multimedia and Internet experience,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO HTC Corporation. “We are living in a time where the concept of entertainment has radically changed. The internet is so much more than just email and our customers expect to be able to access the Internet and high quality multimedia content no matter where they are in the world.” AvailabilityThe HTC Touch HD will be available across major European carriers in Q4 2008 and be introduced in other global markets shortly following. Key Touch HDTM product specifications: Size: 115 x 62.8 x 12 mm Weight: 146.4 grams/5.164 oz with battery Connectivity: Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHzWCDMA / HSPA: 900/2100MHz. HSDPA 7.2 Mbps Software/Operating system: HTC...

  HTC today introduced the HTC TouchTM 3G and HTC Touch VivaTM.”The HTC Touch 3G and Touch VivaTM embody our commitment to build a family of touch phones that are powerful and stylish but also offer something to everyone,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corporation. “Whether you’re a professional or a student you can now get an HTC touch phone with a beautiful touch user experience.” HTC TouchTM 3G The HTC TouchTM 3G offers an uncompromising touch phone experience with powerful Internet capabilities including wireless download speeds up to 18 times faster than standard 3G.  As part of this browsing experience users can zoom and pan Websites with one-hand.  This true mobile broadband experience allows users to navigate more easily, leveraging the mobile Internet in a variety of ways.  With the HTC TouchTM 3G, customers can search for and watch streaming video from YouTube, get directions and mapping using Google Maps for mobile and stay updated on the latest news with the integrated RSS reader.  HTC Touch VivaTMThe Touch VivaTM blends an affordable touch phone with the benefits of HTC’s TouchFLOTM, an easy to use phone and an optimized mobile...

  "Today we are showing people how you can easily backup, sync and share your content using Ovi services on your PC, the web and your mobile device", said Jussi Nevanlinna, Vice President of Product and Portfolio Management in Nokia's Services & Software business. "Our stepwise approach to rolling out and integrating these and other elements of Ovi lets us learn and adjust according to the feedback we receive from people, so that we can constantly improve the user's experience of our services. We recognize that in the services business bringing something new to market is not the end of its development - it's only the beginning."  The latest version of Ovi.com, which is now available as a public beta, offers free functionality for syncing your calendar, contacts, notes and tasks between a Nokia mobile device and www.ovi.com. With this functionality Ovi.com users can now create an online backup of their important information that they can access and edit anytime when connected to the internet. Nokia believes this improves a customer's mobile experience by safeguarding their personal information in case their device is lost or stolen. With the Nokia Ovi Suite for PC application you can easily copy files and information from your Nokia mobile...

Get your own personal assistant with the new Sony Ericsson G705 mobile phone. The 2.4” screen enhances the premium web experience, whether you are searching Google™ direct from your idle screen, checking emails through the phone’s Exchange ActiveSync™ capabilities or using Wi-Fi™ to access the latest news. The G705 lets you juggle your day the easy way. This elegant slider phone, complete with large 2.4” screen, allows users to surf the internet at high speed with turbo 3G and its full HTML browser – just use the shortcut key and you’re straight through to Google™ search from the idle screen. Page a bit too small? Use the illuminated zoom web shortcut key or just tilt the phone and it automatically switches to landscape view. “The G705 is ideal for those who need a bit of help organising their busy life.” said Catherine Cherry, Global product marketing manager at Sony Ericsson. “This life-enhancing phone has everything you need to keep track of your daily activities and is perfect for keeping in touch with friends. It also allows you to stay fully up-to-date thanks to the full HTML browser, email support, and desktop RSS feeds - all delivered at turbo 3G speeds.” The G705 keeps...

  Samsung has announced a new portal for developers of software based on OS Symbian - Samsung Mobile Innovator. Unlike the standard programs creation opportunities for mobile platforms, Innovator desires that the special functions of the company’s smartphones to be used by the developers: for example, the sensitive "ring" from the i450 model. Besides this, Samsung promises to give a certain number of smartphones for remote testing; the devices will be controlled through the Internet, thus developers can check their programs not on software simulators, but on real devices. It is expected, that the beginning of registration (free-of-charge) on the portal will begin in October, and the official start of Samsung Mobile Innovator it is necessary to expect more close to the beginning of the Symbian Smartphone Show.  

  Today Sony Ericsson is proud to unveil the IDP-100 Digital Photo Frame, a convenient, stylish and easy way to store and share these important images with friends and family. Get snap happy 7” WVGA screen – the way they were meant to be seen Auto-rotation – no need to format your pictures the frame does it for you! Screen quality – brilliant and vivid colours Inbuilt Bluetooth™  – Bluetooth™ your images effortlessly M2 Memory Stick™ and USB compatible – versatile ways to download your images Store up to 500 images on the internal memory Active touch control on the frame – remotes are things of the past World clock – three time zones so you can set which time of the day it turns on or off Don’t keep your Cyber-Shot™ images under wraps. Share them with friends and family through the IDP-100 – sleek, stylish, easy and high quality. The IDP-100 is compatible with all phones featuring M2 card, micro SD, SD and MS Duo, USB interface or Bluetooth™. It will be available in selected markets in Q4 in dark...