Swedish mobile communication company launching cell phones in Asian market

Neonode, the Swedish mobile communication company that develops touch screen technologies and designs mobile handsets, today announced that Excel Field International LTD, a major privately held Asian distributor, has placed an initial $1.1 Million order for the Neonode N2 handset for April.

Excel Field International has direct reach to 4,000 retail outlets in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand throughout which the Neonode N2 will be distributed.
"We are delighted to add Excel Field International to our growing list of global partners. They will play an important role when we now enhance our focus of moving into the Asian market and the relationship also represents an important step forward in achieving our 2008 sales target of 200,000 phones," said Per Hellberg, Vice President of Sales at Neonode.

"The interest for our phones and technology has been strong in these markets and through Excel Field's relationship with key carriers and retailers within the region, we are now well-equipped to establish Neonode as a niche player and not only compete against the big established players in the region, with Nokia and Samsung in top, but also the smaller local players on their home markets," Hellberg continued.
Source: scandasia.com

Cell phone firms to redial North plans

A cellular phone company has dialed down its plans to construct a 120-foot wireless phone tower on property behind the Allen Avenue School - at least for now.

Lightower Wireless, a company that builds and operates cell phone towers and rents them to carriers and Metro PCS, a company in the process of building a wireless network, have withdrawn their proposal to build the tower on property at 346 Allen Ave., which abuts the elementary school.

However, the companies intend to come back to the zoning board again later with another plan.

"It has come to our attention another wireless company has a service gap in that area," said Ricardo Sousa, an attorney representing the phone companies.

Sousa said the companies will work together to compile information and coordinate for another application from the zoning board.

The tower is being proposed for the property, which currently has a three-family home, due to coverage gaps for cellular phone service in the Interstate 295 area.

The proposal has drawn a mixed reaction from residents of the neighborhood. Some looked forward to the tower because it would improve telephone service in the area.

Other residents argued against the idea, saying that a cellular phone tower does not belong in a residential neighborhood.

Source: thesunchronicle.com

Motorola W230 Cell Phone

Unveiled on CES last January and showcased on the recently concluded MWC 2008 is Motorola's new low-end music phone -- the Motorola W230. The phone is part of the W-series along with the W161 and the W181. The Motorola W230 is a phone which goes straight to the nitty-gritty. No frills, no added layers of useless fat. In short, it only has basic features. A candybar, it has 1.6” 128 x 128 color screen, 9 hours of talk time, and the CrystalTalk audio technology. It also features support for Hinglish (Hindi + English), as well as seven different African languages. Its main attraction though, is the dedicated music key, which audio (iMelody, MIDI, MP3, AMR) listening easier. The Motorola W230 comes with two color faceplates: manadarin-bordered dark titanium gray and lustrous silver-bordered licorice. It's now currently available in some countries for around US$50-75, depending upon the market. Yes, that's 50 to 75 bucks. And that's not the price after a mail-in rebate either. The phone costs just that, without plans of any sort whatsoever.

Cell phone radiation may make it harder to get good night's sleep

Add cellular phones to the list that includes caffeine and hormones as culprits that interfere with a good night's sleep, according to a new study released Sunday.

Led by a Wayne State University professor, the study found that radiation from cell phones delayed the onset of sleep and shortened deeper stages of sleep, which can hinder the body's ability to repair itself and possibly lead to long-term health problems.

The study also showed radiation from cell phones caused headaches.

"We can conclude cell phones do have effects on the body," said Bengt Arnetz, a WSU professor and lead author of the study. "If you feel like you have problems sleeping, you can always consider moving the phone away from the bed."

Or not talking on it at night before going to sleep, Arnetz added.

The study, considered one of the most comprehensive measuring cell phones radiation and sleep, involved 36 woman and 35 men, aged 18-45.

Some received radiation volume similar to cell phone signals, while others did not.

Inadequate sleep is associated with a number of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lack of sleep is also cited in some motor vehicle accidents.

The study was published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium and funded by the Mobile Manufacturers Forum, an international association of radio communications equipment manufacturers.

According to its Web site, the MMF was formed in 1998 to facilitate joint funding of research projects and cooperation on standards, regulatory issues and communications concerning wireless technology and health.

Members include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Mitsubishi Electric, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips, Sagem, Samsung, Nokia-Siemens Networks, Sony Ericsson and TCL & Alcatel Mobile Phones.