Worldwide sales of mobile phones reached 294.3 million units in the first quarter of 2008, a 13.6 per cent increase over the first quarter of 2007, according to Gartner. Sales of mobile phones in Western Europe decreased 16.4 per cent from the first quarter of 2007, the first decline in this region since Gartner began tracking the mobile devices market in 2001.

Nokia sold 115.2 million mobile phones in the first quarter of 2008, as its market share slipped slightly to 39.1 per cent (see Table 1). Nokia was able to maintain market leadership thanks to the richness of its portfolio, which appeals to users in both emerging and mature markets. Sales in the ultra-low-cost segment remained strong due to Nokia’s distribution strategy, economies of scale and brand power. However, competition in this segment and at the high end is increasing. To stay ahead, Nokia will have to continue to integrate new technologies in its handsets and improve usability and design.

Samsung maintained its momentum in the first quarter of 2008 with sales reaching 42.4 million units. The South Korean vendor not only held on to its No. 2 position worldwide, but it also widened the gap from third-placed Motorola as its market share grew to 14.4 per cent. Samsung is reacting quickly to the focus on touch-screen devices. “Samsung’s choice to be a quick follower has paid off so far, but it needs to focus on diversifying its designs and strengthening its lower-end portfolio to increase sales in emerging markets,” said Ms Milanesi.

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Tags: mobile, Mobile gadgets

We’ve got your summer crapcamcorders right ‘ere — three new RCA Small Wonder cams to make your Flips flop. Check ‘em out:

• Small Wonder MyLife, EZ200 (black) - 1.5-inch flip-out display, microSDHC with with 1GB microSD that does up to 30 / 60 minutes in high quality and web quality modes, $89 and due this summer
• Small Wonder Pocket, EZ205 (white) - 1.5-inch flip-out display, microSDHC slot with 1GB microSD that does up to 30 / 120 minutes in high quality and web quality modes, $100 and due this summer
• Small Wonder Traveler, EZ210 (green) - 2.4-inch QVGA display, SDHC with 2GB SD card that does up to 60 / 240 minutes in high quality and web quality modes, $150 and due this summer

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Tags: Digital Cameras, Mobile gadgets

Remember last year just before the initial iPhone launch? EDGE dropped off for a while and then came back with a vengeance. Prior to the iPhone waterfall that clogged up all of AT&T’s shiny new pipes, we were seeing data speeds of up to 200 - 250 kbps on AT&T’s EDGE network in the New York area. Then the iPhone dropped. Here we are again, getting close to the inevitable iPhone 2 release and oddly enough, AT&T’s 3G services started getting spotty yesterday afternoon in the New York area. Outages sometimes lasted several hours at a time. This morning however, 3G seems to be live again in and to the west of New York City. What’s more, it looks like HSDPA speeds have received a nice little boost since coming back up. For the past few months we’ve been seeing average download speeds between 500 - 800 kbps with a spike here and there. This morning’s tests however, are yielding between 1400 - 1500 kbps. Nice. We’re now hearing that AT&T 3G is still down to the north of the city so one can only assume we’re in the midst of some rolling upgrades. Enjoy it while it lasts people; the iPhone 2 will be out soon enough and AT&T’s networks will be hammered just like last year.

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Tags: Att, edge, iphone, Mobile gadgets

No need to connect a chord to your iPod to hear a favorite track. EOS is just the right thing for lazy bumps like me. You can simply lie on bed and select the track you want to hear and listen on the huge wireless speakers. Isn’t that cool? The Eos system, which is compatible with any iPod with a docking connector, consists of up to 4 self-contained remote speaker/receivers and a base unit/transmitter and can broadcast over 150 feet, inside and out, upstairs, downstairs, through walls, doors, ceilings. Both the Eos base station/transmitter and wireless speaker/receivers feature full 2.1 Stereo with left + right channel audio as well as a ported subwoofer and the incorporation of SRS WOW! Technology. While the dock on the base unit can house any iPodIPod with a docking connector or iPhone, support for any other audio source comes courtesy of an auxiliary analog input on the back. The Eos’ amplified wireless speakers are ready to go right out of the box – once they are plugged in they automatically link with the base station/transmitter making moving a speaker as simple as unplugging it from the wall, moving it and plugging it in again. Since the speakers feature an integrated power supply, they can hang right on the wall outlet with no mounting bracket required or the integrated power supply can be removed and Eos speakers can be set on a countertop or a bookshelf. Each Eos speaker features an individual volume control, so the sound level can be adjusted at the sound point so perfectionists can customize the listening level to their hearts content right from their iPod. Eos is available as a Core System bundle, which includes the base unit and one additional speaker, for US$249.99. EOS wireless stereo speakers are also available separately for US$129.99.

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Tags: gadgets, ipod, Mobile gadgets

The Samsung Instinct for Sprint will be huge. From back when it was still referred to simply as the M800, the device has shown tons of potential. It is very clear this device is aimed squarely at the iPhone. Sprint has shown ads, and even licensed visual voice mail for the device, which is a iPhone only affair.

Even this screen shot shows Sprint is aiming the device at the iPhone, it has the features to back it up as well. With its speedy EV-DO Rev. A connectivity , it blows the iPhone’s EDGE out of the water. Also, the device features true GPS, and most other features are comparable between the devices. We have already known the device would launch in June, this ad of course confirms that.

Until now we did not know when in June the device will be launching. It seems now that the device will be launching on June 20th. It is pretty much a nationwide launch, with the device launching on most channels that day. Sprint said not all stores will be stocked though, and some retailers will not carry it. As far as online, and in corporate stores, the device will be ready to wow us on June 20th.

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Tags: mobile, Mobile gadgets, samsung, sprint

Talk about a multi-purpose USB hub - this model not only offers you connectivity options for another four USB 2.0 devices, it also features a warmer/chiller plate that helps keep your favorite beverage hot/cold no matter what the temperature is like in the room. Definitely an office-worthy gift for a new (or leaving) colleague, and the $25 price tag certainly makes it all the more appealing. If dad happens to work from home all the time, then he would certainly do well to own one of these too.

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Tags: gadget, mobile, Mobile gadgets

Tags: blockbuster, gadgets, Mobile gadgets, netflix, on demand

Have you ever wished that your MP3 player, Gameboy, or DVD player had BlueTooth (BT) so you could use a BT wireless stereo headset with it? I know I have. I first just originally wanted to review the Plantronics P590 Bluetooth (BT) stereo headset to use with my Sprint PPC-6800, but soon realized that the P590 can add BT capabilities to anything that has a standard sized earphone jack! Plantronics did not hold back with throwing in more extras in the box than I have ever seen, let alone would have even begun to imagine.

But of course, all the advanced features and add-ons mean nothing if the headset itself cannot deliver. what totally caught me off guard after I opened the box, and to see how well it actually does perform, read my review of this BT stereo headset that made me feel warm and fuzzy all over.

» Read the rest of "Review: Plantronics Pulsar P590E Bluetooth Stereo Headphones"

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Tags: bluetooth headphones, gadget, mobile, Mobile gadgets, plantronics

It looks like you might have to think twice before flipping that old iPhone on eBay when the 3G version finally hits — it appears that restoring the phone doesn’t actually erase the contents of the flash, meaning that your data is available to anyone with the proper tools until it’s overwritten. Making matters worse, it appears that Apple doesn’t do a low-level format when refurbishing iPhones either — an Oregon State Police detective was able to use forensic software to pull files, emails, and screenshots off an out-of-the-box refurbished iPhone. This actually shouldn’t be surprising to anyone — we’ve seen Several Utilities that access “deleted” portions of storage — but since Apple doesn’t provide users direct access to the iPhone’s filesystem, it’s basically impossible to clear your personal data off the device short of restoring and filling the disk with junk data. Hopefully iPhone 2.0’s Exchange based Remote Wipe feature is a bit more secure, eh? [Source: Jonathan Zdziarski's Domain via TUAW]

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Tags: cell phone, gadgets, iphone, Mobile gadgets, personal information

While Microsoft has seen it fit to keep XP around as its “relatively non-bloated OS” alternative to the Linux that has dominated this new category of “ultra low-cost PCs” (ULPCs), they’re certainly not giving away the farm. Microsoft doesn’t want this version of XP Home creeping into mainstream laptops and desktops, where it might compete with Vista sales and high-margin machines from PC manufacturers. To that end, Microsoft is setting the limits for ULPCs at 10.2-inch screens, 80GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, 1GHz processors (with some exceptions) and no touchscreens. The upshot is that licenses for XP will go for $26 in developing nations and $32 elsewhere. Too bad the XP faithful among us will need to try a bit harder to wrangle XP onto new machines of theirs that don’t fit these narrow specifications

Tags: gadgets, laptop, low cost pc, Mobile gadgets