More than 100 million users worldwide will use their mobile phone to make international money transfers by 2013, according to a new analysis by Juniper Research. Cross-border mobile money transfers is a new trend, but it is expected to gain traction during the net couple of years, especially on migration routes such as Philippines/Middle East and Mexico/ USA, according to Juniper. “The vast increase in migrant workers globally has fuelled the number of remittances being sent home to friends and families regularly,” said Howard Wilcox, author of the report. “The mobile phone will become a vital enabler in developing countries because often many more people have phones than have bank accounts. The GSM Association Mobile Money Transfer global initiative emphasizes the importance that is attached to this across the mobile industry as a whole.” The top three regions for international transfers by 2013 will be Western Europe, North America and Africa & Middle East, according to the report.

  Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) announced that volume of mobile phone shipments in Japan dropped by 47.9% year-on-year (YoY) to 2,084,000 units in August 2008. Shipment volume of PHS terminals decreased by 62.4% YoY to 82,000 units. JEITA pointed out that the summer selling season did not last long because of the small number of new functions equipped in mobile phones released in the summer. Another reason for the sluggish handset sales is that, due to a change in marketing method, users now have to pay more for a handset than before, according to JEITA. Shipment of mobile phones with a 1seg broadcasting reception function increased by 20.9% to 1,774,000 units, accounting for a record 85.1% of all mobile phone shipments in Japan. The cumulative shipments of handsets in Japan have reached 41,488,000 units since the research started.

The European Union already initiated a Battery Directive in 2006 that aimed to make it easier to dispose of and recycle old batteries, but it looks like it's now taking things one big step further with its "New Battery Directive," which proposes that batteries in all electronic devices should be able to be "readily removed" for replacement or disposal. New Electronics' Gary Nevison further adds that "the requirement is clearly intended to ensure that users can remove batteries by opening a cover by hand or after removal of one or two screws," which would obviously pose a bit of a problem for the iPhone, not to mention every iPod and even a few non-Apple devices. Then again, this wouldn't be the first time that Apple has tangled with the EU, and we have a sneaking suspicion that it won't be the last. Source

Samsung launched a new phone powered by T-Mobile and packed into a slider form factor. What amazes about the new SGH-T729 is the incorporated qwerty keypad. Which helps users to reply faster and in a more comfortable manner to e-mails, as the phone supports Yahoo, Gmail and Aol messengers and e-mail services. The Blast slider will be available in two color schemes and features EDGE technology, Bluetooth, a 1.3 MP camera, MicroSD slot and MP3 player.

Qt Software today announced that Qtopia, a platform for creating user interfaces and applications for advanced consumer electronics based on Linux, has been renamed and launched as Qt Extended 4.4.Qt enables developers to build innovative services and applications once and then extend the innovation across all major desktop, mobile and other embedded platforms without rewriting the code. Qt Extended extends the Qt application development framework, bringing increased functionality to embedded Linux. Qt Extended inherits the Qt WebKit Integration, which helps device manufacturers enrich applications with live web content such as online maps, music stores and instant messaging.Qt Extended 4.4 includes a new Video IP Desk phone reference design which demonstrates an Internet-connected video desk phone UI for finger touch interaction for 3.5" screens. The objective of the reference design is to illustrate the versatility of Qt Extended.Qt, originally developed by Trolltech, is a proven development framework for multiple operating systems. It is used by many leading consumer brands and is found in embedded Linux devices. In June 2008, Nokia completed the acquisition of Trolltech and it is now a fully integrated entity within the Nokia Devices unit, called Qt

Reliance Communications and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the first prepaid service for the BlackBerry® wireless solution in India. This first of its kind ‘pay as you use’ pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications’ strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, giving customers flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services. Reliance Communications has been on the forefront of offering a wide range of prepaid options to consumers across its data cards, mobile phones and fixed wireless phones offering. This prepaid service option is available on a range of BlackBerry smartphones including: The BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone, which operates on both CDMA & GSM networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone on CDMA networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone on CDMA networks, and  The BlackBerry® 8703e smartphone on CDMA networks For further query, customers can visit any Reliance World or Reliance Communications

Sybase 365 today announced it would team with Swisscontact to develop Mobile Money Transfer and Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMT and MMU respectively) services in emerging markets. Sybase 365 is a subsidiary of Sybase engaged in mobile messaging services and Swisscontact is a leading development organization. The cooperation of the two will make it possible to combine social interests and commercial ones and deliver innovative solutions for a great number of mobile users expected to reach 5 billion by 2012 due to fast growth in the markets under consideration. Less than 15% of the population in emerging markets use bank accounts and that is why mobile money services have the potential to integrate both the unbanked and the under banked into a single financial sector. For instance, the Sybase 365® end-to-end mCommerce solution enables mobile users to make transactions and pay for services via a mobile device. Undoubtedly, the mobile technologies are the most useful for development in these markets. Sybase 365 has already deployed solutions in such emerging markets as Columbia, Chile, Egypt, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, the UAE, and the United States. Sybase 365 will present its partnership with Swisscontact and mCommerce

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone is already available on the new HSDPA mobile network of Telecom New Zealand. The BlackBerry Bold smartphone comes with a stunning LCD display, Wi-Fi, and GPS. The keyboard is surrounded by a black exterior and the frame is finished with satin chrome. You can buy the BlackBerry Bold from Telecom New Zealand for $1,199. Source: GSMPress ® in cooperation with Research In Motion

Reliance Communications and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the first prepaid service for the BlackBerry® wireless solution in India. This first of its kind ‘pay as you use’ pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications’ strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, giving customers flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services. Reliance Communications has been on the forefront of offering a wide range of prepaid options to consumers across its data cards, mobile phones and fixed wireless phones offering. This prepaid service option is available on a range of BlackBerry smartphones including: The BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone, which operates on both CDMA & GSM networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone on CDMA networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone on CDMA networks, and  The BlackBerry® 8703e smartphone on CDMA networks For further query, customers can visit any Reliance World or Reliance Communications

Reliance Communications and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the first prepaid service for the BlackBerry® wireless solution in India. This first of its kind ‘pay as you use’ pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications’ strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, giving customers flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services. Reliance Communications has been on the forefront of offering a wide range of prepaid options to consumers across its data cards, mobile phones and fixed wireless phones offering. This prepaid service option is available on a range of BlackBerry smartphones including: The BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone, which operates on both CDMA & GSM networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone on CDMA networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone on CDMA networks, and  The BlackBerry® 8703e smartphone on CDMA networks For further query, customers can visit any Reliance World or Reliance Communications

Reliance Communications and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the first prepaid service for the BlackBerry® wireless solution in India. This first of its kind ‘pay as you use’ pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications’ strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, giving customers flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services. Reliance Communications has been on the forefront of offering a wide range of prepaid options to consumers across its data cards, mobile phones and fixed wireless phones offering. This prepaid service option is available on a range of BlackBerry smartphones including: The BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone, which operates on both CDMA & GSM networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone on CDMA networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone on CDMA networks, and  The BlackBerry® 8703e smartphone on CDMA networks For further query, customers can visit any Reliance World or Reliance Communications

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the availability of a new BlackBerry push API (application programming interface) that will enable developers to push real-time content to BlackBerry® smartphones. RIM is extending its existing, well-proven push technology from the enterprise into the consumer space, allowing developers to leverage push technology for BlackBerry® applications targeted at consumers. Push technology provides a proactive mechanism for developers to deliver data to BlackBerry smartphones as it becomes available. It brings immediacy to mobile communications with real-time content, preserves battery life, and minimizes data usage by eliminating the need for “poking” and “polling” servers. RIM’s unique push technology significantly enhances the user experience and provides a proactive mechanism for developers to deliver data to BlackBerry smartphones as the data becomes available. The BlackBerry push API is ideal for mobile applications that deliver value by providing real-time content and updates, including news, weather, banking, medical, IT services applications and games. The BlackBerry push API is available exclusively to BlackBerry® Alliance Program members. Source: Research In

RIM, Zain Malawi, and EMS (Emitac Mobile Solutions) yesterday announced the launch of the BlackBerry solution in Malawi underscoring Zain’s commitment in modernizing telecommunication industry in the country. At launch, BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service will be offered as well as the BlackBerry Curve 8900, the lightest and thinnest BlackBerry mobile device with QWERTY keyboard. Zain subscribers in Malawi will be pleased to enjoy easy access to multimedia, email and other services on the go. Source: GSMPress ® in cooperation with Research In Motion

Sybase 365 today announced it would team with Swisscontact to develop Mobile Money Transfer and Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMT and MMU respectively) services in emerging markets. Sybase 365 is a subsidiary of Sybase engaged in mobile messaging services and Swisscontact is a leading development organization. The cooperation of the two will make it possible to combine social interests and commercial ones and deliver innovative solutions for a great number of mobile users expected to reach 5 billion by 2012 due to fast growth in the markets under consideration. Less than 15% of the population in emerging markets use bank accounts and that is why mobile money services have the potential to integrate both the unbanked and the under banked into a single financial sector. For instance, the Sybase 365® end-to-end mCommerce solution enables mobile users to make transactions and pay for services via a mobile device. Undoubtedly, the mobile technologies are the most useful for development in these markets. Sybase 365 has already deployed solutions in such emerging markets as Columbia, Chile, Egypt, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, the UAE, and the United States. Sybase 365 will present its partnership with Swisscontact and mCommerce

Reliance Communications and Research In Motion (RIM) launched the first prepaid service for the BlackBerry® wireless solution in India. This first of its kind ‘pay as you use’ pricing model in India is in line with Reliance Communications’ strategy to extend BlackBerry services to customers who are looking for cost-effective options, giving customers flexibility and control over their expenses for wireless services. Reliance Communications has been on the forefront of offering a wide range of prepaid options to consumers across its data cards, mobile phones and fixed wireless phones offering. This prepaid service option is available on a range of BlackBerry smartphones including: The BlackBerry® 8830 World Edition smartphone, which operates on both CDMA & GSM networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone on CDMA networks The BlackBerry® Curve™ 8300 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8100 smartphone on GSM networks The BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone on CDMA networks, and  The BlackBerry® 8703e smartphone on CDMA networks For further query, customers can visit any Reliance World or Reliance Communications