Google Maps for Android v5.9 brings Bubble Buttons and Transit Navigation for Tablets

Google Maps for Android has been updated to version 5.9.0. This version brings Bubble Buttons lab feature, Transit Navigation support for Tablets and Voice and Ringtone Notification for Transit navigation. Previous Google Maps update v5.8.0 last month had features like photo uploading for places and My Places.

New Features in Google Maps v5.9.0 for Android

• Now you can add voice and custom ringtone for the Transit navigation (beta) from the transit notification options
• Transit Navigation (beta) is now supported in Android tablets
• Enable Bubble Buttons lab feature to call or navigate to the places on the map easily

Download Google Maps v5.9.0 for Android phones from the Android Market for free.

MIUI phone with 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon processor launched in China

Xiaomi Phone with MIUI ROM and 1.5GHz Dual Core Snapdragon processor has been launched in China. This phone has 4 inch capacitive touch screen with capacitive touch keys, 8MP camera and a whopping 1930mAh battery.

Specifications of Xiaomi

• Android 2.3.5 pre-loaded (MIUI ROM)
• 11.9mm thick and weighs 149g
• 4 inch (480 x 854 pixels) capacitive touch screen
• 1.5GHz Dual-core Snapdragon S3 (MSM8260) processor
• 266MHz Adreno220 GPU
• 1GB RAM and 4GB ROM
• 8MP Camera with LED Flash
• Noise-cancelling microphone
• 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS
• 1930mAh battery

The phone comes with Unlocked bootloader and there is a MI-Button on the side instead of a camera button that could be used to launch the application of your choice. It also comes with 7 interchangeable back covers.

The phone would be available for pre-order on August 29th at ¥1,999 ($310) and would be available this October. There will also be a 1.2GHz version at cheaper price.

Source | Via

Nokia N9 Kazakhstan launch on September 9th

While the  US , UK and Germany will not be getting the MeeGo powered Nokia N9 , Kazakhstan will. Yes you heard that right , if the flyers and billboards are to be believed then the first country to get the Nokia N9 will be Kazakhstan.

Starting September 9th , it will be possible to purchase the Nokia N9 for 99,990 Kazakh Tenges which translates to about $679.

The Nokia N9 comes with a revolutionary new Swipe UI which focuses on one handed usage. A 1Ghz processor runs the show here coupled with 1GB of RAM. The phone will be available in two configurations , 16GB in Cyan , Magenta and Black while the 64GB version will only be in Black.

[Via-Engadget]

FIFA 12 coming to Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Sony Ericsson has announced that they have made limited time agreement with EA Mobile to offer FIFA 12 game optimized for Xperia PLAY. This would offer the Xperia PLAY owners to experience the FIFA 12 exclusively, before it comes to the Android Market. They launched Battlefield: Bad Company 2 last month.

The FIFA 12 has improved gameplay depth, authentic commentaries, updated teams from the world’s top leagues and all new replay systems. The dedicated Adreno 205 Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), optimized memory bandwidth and 60fps rendering would enhance the football gameplay experience on the Xperia PLAY.

The FIFA 12 would be available to download worldwide this holiday season, which is this September, via Games app on the Xperia PLAY smartphones.

GSMA announces MWC 2012 Keynote Speakers and Exhibitors

The GSMA which runs on the annual Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona has just announced the list of keynote speakers for the 2012 edition . The event will take place in Barcelona, Spain from Feb 27 2012 – Mar 1 2012.FoneArena will be reporting from the show floor.

The big names which will be taking center stage are as follows. Familiar names from the Mobile space include HTC CEO Peter Chou , Bharti Airtel CEO Sunil Mittal and Ryuji Yamada of NTT DOCOMO.

• Ben Verwaayen, CEO, Alcatel-Lucent
• Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO-AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, AT&T
• Sunil Mittal, CEO and MD, Bharti Airtel
• RenÈ Obermann, CEO, Deutsche Telekom
• Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson
• Peter Chou, CEO, HTC
• Ryuji Yamada, President and CEO, NTT DOCOMO
• Franco BernabÈ, Chairman and CEO, Telecom Italia Group
• Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO, Telenor Group

Talking of exhibitors , looks like Nokia is going to exhibit in a 2,300 square metre space in App Planet. Other exhibitors are the usual suspects Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Google, HTC, Huawei, IBM, Intel, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, NTT DOCOMO, Qtel, Qualcomm, RIM, Samsung, SK Telecom, Telefonica, Telenor, Vodafone and ZTE.

We can’t find HP , Sony Ericsson in the list above , may be they are still putting together their plans.We are already excited about MWC 2012 and looks like we gotta start packing our bags soon.

Nokia and Polar Mobile to launch over 300 mobile apps for Symbian , Meego and Windows Phone

Looks like Nokia is still supporting Meego and Symbian as it plans to launch over 300 apps for Symbian , Meego and Windows Phone devices over the next 12 months. The handset maker has entered into an agreement with mobile app developer Polar Mobile to launch apps for top media brands. The first 50 apps will be available on Nokia Ovi Store for Symbian phones.All these apps are expected to use the Qt framework which enables developers to reuse code across various mobile platforms. It’s not clear what is the strategy for Windows Phone as there Qt does not support the platform as of now.  
Press Release

TORONTO, ONTARIO (Aug. 17, 2011) – Nokia has entered into an agreement with Polar Mobile to launch over 300 mobile apps for Nokia smartphones over the next 12 months. Polar Mobile will be launching apps on Nokia smartphones for over 300 top tier media brands globally, including the likes of Wired UK, Kompas, Advertising Age, Globe and Mail, Shanghai Daily and 7DAYS. The apps will be made available to consumers of Nokia’s Symbian smartphones, the recently announced Nokia N9 and future Nokia with Windows Phone devices.

“Nokia is excited about the opportunity to team up with Polar Mobile to bring hundreds of quality apps to consumers around the world. Polar Mobile’s ability to scale and attract a global set of brands is strategic in supporting Nokia’s efforts in offering compelling apps and experiences for our users,” said Richard White, General Manager, Nokia Canada.

The first set of 50 apps under this new partnership will be available on Nokia’s Symbian devices by next month and will be available globally through Nokia’s Ovi Store.

“We are thrilled that Nokia has chosen Polar Mobile to provide top tier media apps for their devices. Nokia’s global consumer reach is important for many of our customers, especially in Europe, Middle East and Asia,” says Kunal Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Polar Mobile. “Partnering with Nokia helps our media customers continue to grow their mobile audiences”.

Polar Mobile provides a software Platform to top-tier media companies to make it fast & easy to launch mobile Apps across multiple smartphone and tablet operating systems. Using Qt as the basis for its Platform on Nokia smartphones, Polar Mobile can deliver rich user experiences for their customers. To date, Polar Mobile has launched over 1,200 mobile apps across other major smartphone devices for more than 300 media brands in 10 countries. Now, in partnership with Nokia, Polar Mobile can extend support for Nokia smartphones reaching consumers in 190 markets.

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120,000 Units of LG Optimus 3D Sold in South Korea

An LG spokesman announced that LG has done very well globally as well as in Korea. The LG has managed to sell over 120,000 units of the Optimus 3D since its launch last month on the SK Telecom network.

LG also managed to sell 6.2 million smartphones worldwide in the second quarter of 2011 which is up 590 percent on year.

The successful sales could be attributed to entry level models such as the Optimus 1 and the high end models like Optimus 2x and the Optimus 3D.

source