Techorati

VoIP Provider, Skype has released an updated version of its mobile client for Symbian OS adding support for high-end mobiles like N8, C7 and E5.

It uses SILK support which is company’s high quality audio codec. SILK ensures that voice calls are crystal clear even when subscribers are in low-bandwidth area.

New version promises to bring along interface changes, easier way to add contacts & photo to profile and set mood message. Improved menu navigation and user interface updates to fit larger screens are also among the enhancements.

Given below are the salient features of Skype VoIP client with snapshots of application running on Symbian^1 (S60v5 OS 9.4) Phone:

• Free Skype-to-Skype calls and IM on 3G or WiFi (Mobile to PC & vice versa are also supported)
• Save money on calls and texts (SMS) to phones abroad.
• Share pictures, videos and other files from your phone.

Call & IM to Skype Contacts Free

If you already use Skype on a computer, you’ll see your full contact list when you sign in to Skype on your Nokia or Sony Ericsson. Call free Skype-to-Skype on your mobile, and send and receive instant messages (IMs) one-to-one or with a group.

Calls & Texts to Phones Abroad

Call and text people who don’t have Skype at really low rates. It’s especially great value if you’re calling or texting people who live abroad. Simply dial the number in Skype and pay with Skype Credit or talk unlimited with a subscription. When you’re abroad, connect to a Wifi zone and avoid roaming charges on calls and texts. This applies to Skype-to-Skype calls, plus calls and texts to phones.

File Sharing

It’s also free to send and receive pictures, videos, and other files so you can share your experiences and stay in touch when you’re away from a computer. Take a picture with your built-in camera and send it to friends on Skype.

Change Log:

• Added support for the new Symbian phones, including the Nokia N8, C7 and E5,
• Included SILK, high quality audio codec, which should help make sure your calls are crystal clear, even when you’re on a low-bandwidth connection,
• Number of interface improvements, making it easier to add contacts, navigate, add a photo to your profile and set your mood message
• Updated the interface to better fit larger screens.

Mr. Shaikh Abdul Hai, Service Representative Samsung Electronics, Mr. Inam Ul Haq, National Manager Customer Support, Mr. Asif Javed – Senior Manager and Mr. Arslan Amjad, Assistant Manager Customer Support Inaugurating the Samsung Mobile Service Centre in Rawalpindi.

Samsung’s Mobile Service Center is located at following address in Rawalpindi:

94/C, Block-E, Satellite Town,

Near Holy Family Hospital,

Rawalpindi

The government has decided to ban official use of BlackBerry cellphones to plug leakage of sensitive information to hostile parties, citing sources in Interior Ministry.

Paper said that Pakistan Armed Forces ie Army, Air Force and Pakistan Navy have already banned the use of Blackberry for official business. Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Ministry of Information Technology and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs are backing this proposal, wrote the paper.

This ban must be viewed in the context of WikiLeaks revelations that shook the world including Pakistan through the release of thousands of secret cables sent by US embassies to the State Department. The sources said it has been observed that some federal and provincial departments’ functionaries are using BlackBerry cell phones for communication of official voice/data.

There are following two fundamental problems in the use of BlackBerry:

• Its encryption/decryption keys are controlled by a foreign-based company. Therefore, a subscriber using BlackBerry is outside our communication security regime
• The moment a BlackBerry is switched on, it is automatically connected to the Internet. Voice/data being transmitted by the set is thus available to interested/hostile parties based abroad and can, therefore, be used/exploited for ulterior motives. In fact, a BlackBerry is a security threat even if it is in an idle state.

Business recorder said Chinese and French governments have imposed ban on Research in Motion (RIM). There are also reports that Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have undertaken initiatives to place restraints on BlackBerry services.

The US and European countries have vital interests and troops in Afghanistan. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that there can be attempts to monitor communication traffic originating from Afghanistan and surrounding countries.

The possibility of some foreign states supporting their security partners to facilitate access to the communications traffic originating on BlackBerry network in the region cannot be ruled out.

Cabinet Division has recommended that any communication which has control outside Pakistan should not be used in view of high risk of cyber espionage.

Since BlackBerry is a brand of a foreign company whose services are controlled from outside Pakistan its use by government functionaries at all levels for official business poses a credible threat to national security and needs to be banned immediately, sources quoted the Cabinet Division as recommending to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, noted the paper

Warid brings you the new BlackBerry® Curve™ 9300 smartphone, the latest in the line. The enhanced functionality of Curve™ 9300 combined with sleek and refined design makes this device highly user-friendly. The amazing features of the Curve™ 9300 allow its users to balance their work and life in an entirely new way!

Price:

The handset price is Rs.29,999/-

Size & Weight:

• Height 4.29in,
• Width 2.36in
• Depth 0.55in
• Weight 104 g

High Resolution Display

The BlackBerry® Curve™ 9300 smartphone has a high resolution 320×240 pixel color Transmissive TFT LCD, Light-sensing screen, creating a vivid viewing experience for all your photos, videos, files and websites.

Typing & Navigation

• Trackpad
• Full QWERTY
• ESC key to right of trackpad
• Menu key to left of trackpad
• Keyboard backlighting

Multimedia

Enjoy music, videos, photos and documents in great color and sound. Easily sync data and audio files from your desktop to the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9300, and get up to 15 hours of music playback time.

Memory

256 MB flash memory expandable with support of microSD cards.

Video Recording

Along with a 2 MP camera, the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9300 smartphone features video camera functionality. Record and view videos on the hi-res screen, and share them through email, text messages or social networking sites.

 
Pakistan's mobile banking has gained immense prominence in the world as it is considered as a model to follow for different developing countries seeking to establish advanced financial system.
For instance, a delegation of National Bank of Tajikistan is on its week-long official visit at State Bank of Pakistan to understand regulatory framework for branchless and microfinance banking sector.
The purpose of the visit is to understand regulatory framework for microfinance sector and mobile financial services, which include different issues such as supervision of agents; technological requirements; legislative provisions for payment system and oversight of electronic banking; experience of pilot financial institutions and development of a road map for introducing mobile financial services in Tajikistan.
Tajik's delegation comprising 6 members mostly heads/directors of supervisory, payment system and microfinance departments held discussions with senior officials from different departments of the State Bank of Pakistan, Tameer Microfinance Bank, United Bank Limited, and MCB Commercial Bank.
It held meetings with technology experts and observed demonstration of different technological instruments for routing transactions. The delegation also visited different agent locations to see how agents are providing different financial services to unbanked clients.
The study visit was facilitated by Development Finance Group of the State Bank of Pakistan and sponsored by M/s Deutsche Gesellschaft fürInternationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – German International Cooperation under its "Regional Program in Support of Microfinance in Central Asia" to draw up a road map for starting mobile financial services in Tajikistan.
Pakistan has been declared as laboratory of innovation for branchless banking with a variety of business models are emerging that involves a wide range of players, including mobile network operators (MNOs), technology companies, and even a courier business.
The World Economic Forum' global report on Mobile Financial Services gave extensive coverage on Pakistan, praising the country for its fast developing branchless banking.
The CGAP report said that Pakistan has been showed as one of the fastest developing market for branchless banking in the world.
Presently, the two major branchless banking models have emerged in Pakistan "Easypaisa" by Tameer Microfinance Bank and "Omni' by United Bank Limited and marked a success story with a span of just two years, the combined daily transaction volume of the two services already averages over 175 thousand, with an average size of Rs 3,700.
In addition to them, there are different banks and mobile operators have introduced their branchless banking services such as First Microfinance Banks collaboration with Pakistan Post, and Dubai Islamic Bank pilot project. MCB Bank and Askari Bank are both expected to roll out their pilot tests shortly.

 
wi-tribe today announced that it has extended the volume limit on all packages to enable all existing wi-tribe customers to enjoy endless volumes in December.
Customers don't need to do anything, their accounts will be credited with endless volume automatically.
They can check their updated volume limit in their account information on my-tribe.
According to fair usage policy, new volume limits will be as following:

• 512 Kbps package will get 30 GB limit
• 1 Mbps package holders will get 30 GB limit
• 2 Mbps package holders will get 40 GB limit
• Volume limits for Endless packages will double up

This offer is valid for December 2011 only.
For any further information you can call wi-tribe helpline.

Google is looking to develop the features of its Street View and further enhance it by refreshing the images every year from now on. This decision was prompted by the fact that urban landscapes are in a state of flux at all times. To be able to keep up with this constant changes happening in the cities, this move was decided upon by Google.

In the same vein, the European Union is reviewing certain regulations concerned with the way Google is trying to make images of the cities of the world available on the World Wide Web for everyone to see. The EU want to know more about Google’s retention policy concerning the Street View Image.

According to Google, the Street View Images should be retained for a year. However, according to the European Union, the officials think that the period of one year is too long and want it to be shortened to six months. Also, the EU wants Google to put out notices in the media so that people know when the company will send their Street View cameras to take the pictures of the cities in general.

In its latest Customs General Order 22/2006, the CBR had announced the removal of two telecom equipment from the list of other products that could be imported without paying a penny as duty, industry sources said.

“It appeared that the government privileged the Chinese products on grounds that some of the Chinese companies are manufacturing telecom components locally and duty-free import would not hurt the local industry’s business scope.”

“Before the fresh order, only China’s ZTE remained the main beneficiary of the duty concession, which has been operating as vendor for the PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Company) for the past two years and fulfilling its almost all telecom equipment supply orders.”

“The PTCL has hired a Chinese firm to computerise its billing and customer care operations at a cost of Rs 1.8 billion almost a year ago,” said the source. “Under that contract, ZTE will be responsible to automate the whole system within 18 months and complete the task in accordance with international telecom standards.”

Press Release
High-Zoom HX100V and HX9V Models Offer 3D, New Intelligent Sweep Panorama High Resolution Mode and GPS/Compass

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Sony today unveiled two new 16.2-megapixel Cyber-shot® digital still cameras that offer Full HD video shooting capability at the touch of a dedicated movie button. Recording video at 60 progressive frames per second (1920×1080 60p), both cameras can capture fast-moving action with exceptional smoothness and clarity.
The DSC-HX100V and DSC-HX9V Cyber-shot cameras are the company’s first compact digital still cameras to include a 27mm Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonar T* lens with 30x optical zoom and a 24mm Sony® G lens with 16x optical zoom (respectively) combined with full HD (1920 x 1080/60p) video capability.
Another Cyber-shot camera first, the 16.2-megapixel “Exmor R” back-illuminated CMOS sensor inside both cameras supports a brand-new Intelligent Sweep Panorama™ HR (High Resolution) mode. Just press the shutter button and sweep the camera, and it captures up to 42.9 megapixel panoramic images with crisp 10480×4096 resolution. Images can be viewed on the cameras’ 3-inch 921,000-dot Xtra Fine LCD™ display with wide viewing angle.
“These new H Series cameras are a great addition to the already explosive high zoom market, loaded with cutting-edge innovations by Sony to shoot stills and video,” said Kelly Davis, director of the digital imaging group at Sony Electronics. “With these unique Sony technologies, including GPS, 3D, AVCHD™ video as well as increased zoom, Sony is offering consumers the best of both worlds.”
High Zoom for Stills and Videos
Ideal for travelers and photo enthusiasts, the flagship DSC-HX100V packs an ultra-powerful Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonar T* lens with 30x optical zoom range for crisply-detailed close-ups of distant subjects. Comfortable to hold and carry, its design echoes the style and control layout of larger DSLR models. Smaller and lighter still, the DSC-HX9V offers a high-performance G Lens with powerful 16x optical zoom range with 24mm wide angle to accommodate virtually any photo opportunity.
Borrowed from the Handycam® camcorder line, the new cameras feature Dual Record mode which can shoot video, while simultaneously capturing 3-megapixel digital still pictures (2-megapixel in 4:3 ratio when recording in MP4). The cameras also offer a dedicated still image button and a dedicated movie capture button to make it easy to use for consumers (Dual Record feature is not compatible with 60p mode).

Despite their powerful zoom range, DSC-HX100V and DSC-HX9V can capture crisp, blur-free images with significantly reduced handshake, even while you’re walking along. Featured on both cameras, Optical SteadyShot™ with Active Mode image stabilization is a powerful image stabilization system with ’3-way shake cancellation’ as found on premium Handycam® camcorders by Sony. You’ll be rewarded with clearer results when you’re shooting handheld, even at telephoto settings where camera shake is most pronounced.
Create Personal 3D Content
Sony makes it easy to create personal 3D content that can be viewed on an HDTV with 3D home theater system. 3D images are captured using 3D Sweep Panorama™ mode or the 3D Still Image mode. In this mode, the camera takes two consecutive shots in different focus positions to calculate the depths, and then it creates left-eye and right-eye images to produce a 3D effect. These images can be enjoyed in 2D or stunning 3D on compatible 3D televisions (3D-compatible HDMI™ cables and 3D glasses are also required and are sold separately).
The 3D Sweep Panorama feature lets you take panoramic pictures in one press-and-sweep motion. The high-speed burst of frames is stitched together using innovative processing techniques to automatically create detail-packed 3D panoramas.
These 3D images can also be saved and viewed on a PlayStation3, using the “Play Memories™” application software downloadable from the PlayStation® Network.
The new models will let you view images in a completely different way. Unlike 3D Sweep Panorama mode, which lets you view 3D images on compatible 3D television systems, Sweep Multi Angle™ technology lets you view images in simulated 3D on the cameras’ LCD screen. This shooting feature captures 15 images at different angles and then compiles them into one photo. By tilting the camera back and forth, it creates a 3D-like effect on the display.
DSLR Speed
With the high-speed auto focus feature, these cameras provide a smarter way to focus with DSLR-like speed. High-speed autofocus locks onto subjects in as little as 0.1 seconds, letting you grab the most fleeting photo moments with ease.
In addition to speed, these cameras’ GPS/Compass function makes them ideal for travel and holidays. The enhanced GPS/Compass function captures your location and shooting direction and allows you to enjoy the results after shooting as online maps with any Internet-connected PC.
The Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V camera also features a manual control ring that can be assigned as desired to adjust focus or zoom. It’s ideal for applications like macro photography, where focus can be adjusted precisely while viewing a magnified portion of the image.
Easy Menu Selection Technology
The advanced imaging possibilities of both H Series cameras offer fuss-free operation. Superior AUTO mode recognizes a wide range of shooting conditions, automatically adjusting settings and shooting a high-speed burst of multiple frames as required in low-light conditions. These are automatically combined within the camera to create beautifully-exposed, low-noise results with virtually any subject-even in challenging low light conditions without flash.
While most cameras compile two images in Backlight Correction HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode, enabling crisp details in difficult lighting, these models utilize an HDR feature that compiles the highlights, mid-tones and shadows from three separate shots to create one realistic-looking photo. With Backlight Correction HDR in the Scene Selection Shooting mode, getting the best shot in difficult lighting conditions is simple.
Designed to help users learn about the cameras’ features and how to use them on the spot, the “In-Camera Guide” is accessible from the menu button on the camera. Users can search by purpose or keyword and easily access the functions they seek.
The cameras also have Background Defocus mode, which highlights your subject like a DSLR; Soft Skin mode, which reduces visible blemishes and wrinkles, and Natural Flash, which corrects color balance for more natural shots. They also offer fast capture with up to 10fps at full 16.2-megapixel resolution.
Images and videos can be easily viewed on the cameras’ 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display with TruBlack™ technology, which provides deep blacks and more color variation on the thin display.
New accessories for Cyber-shot Cameras
There’s a choice of elegantly styled carry case options for the DSC-HX100V and DSC-HX9V models. Giving easy access to your camera, the design avoids electromagnetic interference with the GPS/Compass function of both cameras. Both cases feature a quality leather-like finish, with a handy pocket for a spare memory card – ideal if you’re shooting lots of HD video. Crafted to protect the Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V, the LCS-HG case offers extra carry space for an additional battery.
Compatible with the DSC-HX9V camera and several other Cyber-shot models, the Party-shot™ IPT-DS2 dock automatically captures smiling, relaxed portraits of everyone in the room – including you. Just touch a button and the Party-shot™ dock starts ‘on demand’ shooting. There’s also support for Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode with compatible Cyber-shot models. The Party-shot IPT-DS2 dock comes supplied with a protective cover and dedicated stand.
All new Cyber-shot models are compatible with the latest range of premium-quality SDHC cards by Sony. The perfect partner for your Cyber-shot camera, they’re also a great match for SD/SDHC-compatible cameras, camcorders and devices from other manufacturers. The affordable Essential Series and value-added Experience Series are joined by the flagship Expert Series (Class 10) for photo users who demand class-leading capacity transfer speeds.
Personal, Secure Online Sharing with Personal Space Site
The Personal Space™ site is the network service by Sony that makes it easy and secure to share photos and video clips captured on your Cyber-shot camera. Upload your images from any Internet-enabled PC with the cameras’ supplied Picture Motion Browser software, or using pre-installed PMB Portable software. An email sent with an embedded link ensures that invited family and friends can view your pictures. Videos and photos shared via the Personal Space site can also be viewed on Android™ smartphones such as the Xperia™ X10 by Sony Ericsson or iPhone®, via a dedicated application that can be downloaded from Android Market™ or iTunes® app store. Xperia users can also upload images directly to their own Personal Space account from their smartphone.
Pricing and Availability
The cameras and a range of accessories will be available in April online at Sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores (www.Sonystyle.com/retail) and at authorized dealers nationwide. Presales will begin in February. The DSC-HX100V and DSC-HX9V cameras will be available in black and will cost about $450 and $350, respectively.

Everyone has heard about Blackberry or knows someone using the services and praising them incessantly. I was never a supporter, till I started using a Blackberry and let me tell you, it is addictive.

Briefly, Blackberry is a product of Research in Motion, a Canadian company and it prides itself in letting you access your e-mails ‘on the go’. Currently, the Blackberry services on offer are BIS (Blackberry Internet Services) for individual as well as Corporate customer, BES Express (Blackberry Enterprise Server Express), BES (Blackberry Enterprise Server) and BPS (Blackberry professional Server) for Corporate users.

The basic services that are available for all of the above mentioned solutions are as follows:

Push Mail	Phone
24 hour web access	SMS
Instant Messaging	Organizer Features
Attachments	Multimedia Features

Blackberry Internet Service (BIS): This service is oriented towards individual users to meet all their professional, business as well as multimedia needs. It supports all basic e-mail protocols like POP3, IMAP, ISP, OWA, and offers wireless email synchronization, wireless Calendar and Contacts synchronization (through data cable) as well as attachment viewing and editing. The advantages offered as easy mail set-up, access to popular IM & social networking apps, Blackberry browser and messenger.

Blackberry Professional Server (BPS): This is a solution for small business organizations with up to 30 devices. This can be upgraded to the other versions as well. It has all the advantages of BIS and can simply be installed on an existing mail server and has predetermined IT policies which are easy to setup.

Also supports MS Exchange as well as IBM Lotus Domino. Startup prices are $499 for 5 users and the Blackberry Data Plan. Pricing for additional licenses to be purchased are 1 CAL (Client Access License) is $99, 5 CALs is $429 and 10 CALs is $699. It has all other features except Attachment viewing and editing option.

Blackberry Enterprise Server Express (BES Express or BES+): A great option for small and medium size businesses which require BES but cannot afford the cost involved. The best feature is the fact that there are no additional costs for CALs, no cost for server and if users remain below 70, the same e-mail server can be used. It supports MS Exchange as well as IBM Lotus Domino and in case the users exceed 70 and upto 200, a separate server needs to be installed. All other features such as wireless email synchronization, wireless Calendar and Contacts synchronization (through data cable), access to Intranet as well as attachment viewing and editing are available.

Blackberry Enterprise Server: BES provides a complete solution to all the communication needs of a large organization. All possible features are available and your local IT department can also make IT policies to restrict information sharing, if need be.

It supports MS Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino as well Novell GroupWise. It can support more than 2000 users per server and the start cost is $4041 which includes licenses for 20 users besides the BES data plan.

The pricing for licensing is the same as BPS with another option of 50 CALs for $3299. Supports all other features which are present in the other Blackberry options.

All the costs mentioned above are besides the Blackberry Data Plan that you will need from your local service provider.

Blackberry’s USP (Unique Selling Proposition) has always been their simplicity, the security they offer with encryption for e-mails as well as Blackberry messenger and using Triple DES (3DES) for their Blackberry Enterprise Server. It is compatible with almost all commonly used E-mail servers as well as web based servers. You can also use Intranet applications on your Blackberry handset as well as manage your user’s settings remotely through the server.

No matter if you are a professional, a small Business owner or a CEO of a large organization, Blackberry is there to meet all of your communication needs.

Hopefully, this little article helped you choose the solution you require which best matches your needs.

And before I forget, in case of any issues in configuring your blackberry services on your device, you can also go to http://www.troubleshootingtoolkit.com/ which is a really neat utility provided by RIM.