Wednesday, March 30, 2011

iNO Mobile F12 with GprX

Foresight Technologies, iNO Mobile (M) Sdn. Bhd., Mobile Concepts (M) Sdn. Bhd. and leading navigation-and location-based services company AGIS are joining hands to unveil Singapore’s first elderly friendly mobile phone built with innovative location-determining GprX® solution.

iNO Mobile F12 The introduction of iNO Mobile F12 is an immediate response to the increasing need for the elderly population to be better cared for and fully assisted in times of emergency. Where connectivity is key as consumers become increasingly mobile and busier, the safety of loved ones, especially elderly family members, is paramount.

Internationally recognised as Singapore’s newest mobile phone manufacturer and system integrator that caters to the silver hair community, Foresight Technologies' complete range of elderly friendly iNO Mobile phones with their key practical functions and low cost of acquisition, are specially created for the elderly and the children of the elderly.

Commenting on the iNO Mobile F12, Mr. Kenneth Lau, Managing Director, Foresight Technologies Pte Ltd, said: “iNO Mobile phones will not only improve the lives of the silver hair group, they will set a new standard in the way we think, care and connect with our elderly parents or grandparents."

‘Innovation through the Heart’, the brand’s mission statement frames Kenneth’s vision for a Singapore brand to be innovative, functional and socially responsible all at the same time. Marked with an OLED display panel and a large keypad and buttons, the new iNO Mobile F12 comes with a 2-megapixel camera, Micro SD, dual SIM slot, FM Radio and MP3 and the emergency SOS heart button located on the back of the phone.

“Space or location as others call it, is the universal glue that connects all businesses and social activities together. Nothing happens outside space. Space and time forms a symbiolic relationship that shapes our lifestyles in both succinct and nebulous ways. With connected devices, the world is waking up to a new era of space management. Welcome to the world of “Location-Based Services!” said Associate Professor Goh Pong Chai, Chief Scientist, AGIS Pte Ltd.

This special emergency function allows an elderly person to press the SOS button located on the back of the phone, which will release a loud siren and alert the people nearby for help. At the same time, it will activate an emergency call and text message to five designated mobile numbers in its pre-programmed list. These designated recipients will receive information denoting the location of the iNO phone owner.

How to use the GprX solution provided by AGIS?

Besides the embedded SOS features, i.e. sending emergency SMS and emergency auto dial on the preset numbers – the location-based services provided by AGIS called NAVFZone can be activated using the SMS commands. To have a better accuracy of location information feedback to the recipient, user are advised to use the Celcom network.

3 simple steps to setup and use the AGIS LBS on iNO Mobile F12:

  1. Register – Insert a Celcom SIM card into the F12 SIM 1 and send SMS by typing gxsos<space><the controller mobile number> i.e. gxsos 0193120000 to 0193986708 (*Credit pre-loaded on new registration are 25 only)
  2. Add SOS contacts – Send SMS by typing gxadd<space><mobile number> i.e. gxadd 0122134567 to 0193986708 (repeat the step 2 to add more numbers, max. 4 contacts)
  3. Use the SOS – Press and hold the SOS button (at the back) for 7 seconds

Note: You will have a total of 25 credits upon a successful registration. Each SMS commands sent to 0193986708 and SOS contacts requires credits usage (gxadd, gxdel, gxhello and SOS).

More information on the iNO Mobile F12 and AGIS GprX.

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Value for money Bluetooth headsets from i.Tech: MyVoice 312 and VoiceClip 310

MyVoice 312 is not only a traditional over-the-ear headset. It features a unique attachment that allows the ear hook to rotate 360 degrees to comfortably fit all users. Outstanding radio frequency performance on MyVoice 312 ensures secure, reliable mobile phone connections and clear calls.

MyVoice_312 In addition, the headset is easy to use thanks to a multifunction button that controls power, pairing, picking up and ending calls. The device also features a micro-USB charging socket and a status indicator light that shows when the headset is connected or low on battery power.

· Supports Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR Class 2

· Headset and hands-free Bluetooth profiles

· Talk time: Up to 6 hours

· Standby time: Up to 145 hours

· Dimensions: 1.63 (L) x 0.77 (W) x 0.41 (T) inches / 41.5 (L) x 19.5 (W) x 10.5 (T) mm

· Weight: 0.32 ounces / 9 grams

· Micro-USB charging cable (Charging adaptor are not included)

 

While VoiceClip 310 is a clip-on variant for consumer who prefers wired headset over the MyVoice 312. It features an in-line microphone (similar to VoiceClip 604 wire) for best voice capture performance, design for user friendly, the one touch button for power on/off, call pick up and hang on.

· Supports Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR Class 2

· Headset and hands-free Bluetooth profiles

· Talk time: Up to 6 hours

· Standby time: Up to 145 hours

· Dimensions: 1.63 (L) x 0.77 (W) x 0.41 (T) inches / 41.5 (L) x 19.5 (W) x 10.5 (T) mm

· Weight: 0.32 ounces / 9 grams

· Micro-USB charging cable (Charging adaptor are not included)

 Sales packaging - Front Sales packaging - Back

Always insist on purchasing a genuine i.Tech products for better after sales services and peace of mind solution on using i.Tech Bluetooth products. All authorized i.Tech products will bear Mobile Concepts (M) Sdn. Bhd. sticker on the packaging (see picture below).

Authorized Distributor sticker

Pros: Pricing for MyVoice 312 (RM88) and VoiceClip 310 (RM99), ideal for consumer who looking for budget and branded Bluetooth headsets. Small and lightweight with decent talk time of 6 hours. Standardized charging connector – micro-USB, can use the compliant charger of your existing mobile phones (5.0V~<500mA). Note: Higher than 500mA of a travel charger output may not be suitable for charging the MyVoice 312 and VoiceClip 310

Cons: No volume rocker button on the headsets (need to adjust using the mobile phone). Limited LED lights notification – no FULL charge indicator light.

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

MiPow: Funky Binder for iPad

MiPow™ leather Funky Binder Case for iPad is made with custom-fit plastic backing and mounted with specially-chosen colour matte cow split which provides stiff protection for your iPad yet keeps the authentic look of the iPad and shows a luxurious vision.

A simply tongue opening design allows you to view your iPad horizontally on a desktop without physically holding your iPad. You can also type on your iPad with a comfortable position with our leather case.

Colours

Note: Colours shown above are subjects to stock availability. The Apple iPad used in the illustration above are for pictorial and reference purposes only. The MiPow™ Funky Binder Case does not includes the Apple iPad.

You can purchase the new MiPow™ Funky Binder Case at Mobile Enhancement Store, Plaza Low Yat (03-2145 2829) for RM130.00 each.

Stay tune on MCM’s blog for more information on MiPow™ products.

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Monday, February 7, 2011

iNO Mobile 1st CSR Campaign in Malaysia

Tuesday 18 January 2011, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – iNO Mobile Malaysia, Mobile Concepts and Persatuan Kebajikan Ci Hang Chempaka Selangor, joined hands to organize the first iNO Mobile Malaysia CSR project to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the less fortunate senior citizen that is residing at Persatuan Kebajikan Ci Hang Chempaka old folk home.
 
The opening event was graced by Mr Alan Chua, Managing Director for iNO Mobile Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Mr Steven Yap, Hon. Secretary for Persatuan Kebajikan Ci Hang Chempaka Selangor. During the opening event, Mr Alan Chua had highlighted how important are the old folks to the current society. Without them, we won’t be enjoying the fruits now.



Not only that, Mr Alan Chua also mention "Home is one of the most emotive words in any language".
To be homeless is a tragedy that reaches beyond the simple lack of bed and board, especially when one is in their twilight years and staying in the nursing home without the love one to take care for them.

Understanding the fundamental needs of home and being lonely, iNO Mobile together with Mobile Concepts and Persatuan Kebajikan Ci Hang Chempaka old folk home, had joined hands to organize a Chinese New Year lunch celebration with the resident of the old folk home to let them know that, they are not alone! The society still cares and remembers them.

During this event, Red Packet and Chinese New year goodies bag, kindly sponsored by iNO Mobile & Mobile Concepts, will be giving out by Mr. Alan Chua (MD Of iNO Mobile Malaysia) and Mr. Gary Law (COO of Mobile Concepts) to the resident of the old folk home.







Monday, January 24, 2011

Sony Ericsson LiveView™: Your window to the world

Sony Ericsson LiveView Sony Ericsson has just announced a clever new device recently which lets you control some of your Android phone features remotely. This tiny sub-display, for remotely-controlling your Android smartphone and sneaking glances at incoming messages when you probably should be paying attention in class, in meetings or in the midst of romantic dinners.

Mobile Concepts (M) Sdn. Bhd., the authorized distributor for all Malaysia’s genuine Sony Ericsson mobile accessories has brought this little gadget and are vastly distributed throughout all the local retailers and Sony Ericsson’s chain stores.

The new Sony Ericsson LiveView™ will let owners read Facebook, Twitter, and SMS messages, RSS feeds, calendar reminders, and show the time and date. It will be compatible with devices running Android 2.0+ including handsets from other manufacturers.

nylon wrist-strap and a plastic frameMeasuring in at 35 x 35 x 11 mm, the plastic-bodied LiveView™ is a lightweight if somewhat thick black square, fronted by a 1.3-inch 128 x 128 colour OLED display. On the back there’s a metal clip, sturdy enough to keep the LiveView™ fixed snugly to your lapel or the shoulder-strap of your bag; Sony Ericsson also supply a nylon wrist-strap and a plastic frame assembly to turn the LiveView™ into a chunky watch. Hardware controls are limited to a power button with integrated multicolour LED on the top left corner and a second button on the top right; on the bottom edge there’s a microUSB port for charging, covered with a somewhat fiddly rubber flap.

metal clip As far as notifications go, the LiveView™ vibrates and flashes an icon at the top whenever new items arrive, and you'll also see the number of new items indicated above the corresponding app icons. You can tweak the update frequency -- from every 15 minutes up to every 3 hours or never -- and select sources in the phone's app, but there's no giant sync button to feed your LiveView™ straight away. More disappointingly, the apps only show you alerts as they come along, rather than letting you browse through, say, upcoming calendar events or old text messages that arrived when the LiveView™ app was closed. Okay, maybe the text messages aren't essential, but we think it'd be super useful to have a more powerful calendar app on the LiveView™, considering how often we access the calendar while on the move.

Sony Ericsson get points for not making the LiveView™ an accessory solely for their own range of XPERIA smartphones, and more again for opening up the SDK for third-party developers. Instead, it’ll work with most Android smartphones running OS 2.0 or above, and the LiveView™ application – which runs in the background on your phone – is freely available in the Android Market.

navigation Navigation, felt more convoluted than it should be. The menu layout should be straightforward – cycle through the top level of Sony Ericsson’s native apps with the left/right touch keys, select with the right-hand physical button and then move up and down lists of RSS headlines or missed calls with the up/down keys – but all too often presses would fail to be recognized. We also found the LiveView™ would often stall, refusing to back out to the main menu and instead leaving us either looking at a blank screen or simply the status bar of time and battery life.

The concept behind the LiveView™ is brilliant: offsetting alerts and updates to a secondary screen, allowing you to keep on top of them without having to constantly pull out your phone. That demands consistency, however, and it’s there that the LiveView™ stumbles. We experienced far too many random disconnects or apparent crashes for comfort, and all too often had to resort to power-cycling Bluetooth on our phone in order to get the LiveView™ working again.

Sony Ericsson LiveView™ Sony Ericsson deserves credit for the concept and flexibility with a range of Android devices, and the price – at around what you’d pay for a mid-range Bluetooth headset – is considerably less than the company’s earlier Bluetooth watches. Unfortunately the day to day experience simply doesn’t live up to the promise but don’t worry, this review is based on a prototype unit. Sony Ericsson also has confirmed that the LiveView™ firmware is to be upgradable to solve all the future connectivity issue.

Source: Engadget

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LiveView™ is a trademark of Sony Ericsson. Other names may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks.