United Keys, Inc. announced today at DEMOfall the world’s first PC keyboard with user programmable display keys. The 205PRO PC keyboard has small, changeable LCD displays embedded in the keytops of all twelve function keys.

The limitation of traditional PC key programming, including “shortcuts,” is that users can’t remember them. As a result, tremendous usability and productivity advantages are lost. With United Keys 205PRO, users or software developers can create custom icons or other images that visually identify complex functions or next steps in software operation. The small displays change dynamically, updating as new software is loaded or new applications within programs are utilized.

“The bottleneck of PC computing is the laborious nature of hierarchical command structures," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of the DEMO conferences. “It limits the user experience and leads to feature underutilization. The 205PRO can dramatically change this. In commercial applications, the productivity improvement is direct and measurable. For the rest of us, it makes software more interactive and engaging.”

United Keys estimates the market for user programmable display keyboards at 15% of all PC shipments. The company’s patented and patent-pending technology also applies to other electronic input devices, such as mobile phones and automobiles.

The 205PRO keyboard is built by a leading manufacturer using internal metal frames and mechanical keyswitches. The enclosure is heavy and extremely durable. Keytop displays are 20 pixels by 20 pixels, in monochrome. The keyboard runs on USB 2.0, and comes with desktop software featuring a real-time Icon Editor and icon-to-hexadecimal Image Converter.

How It Works

The 205PRO keyboard offers three options for display key customization. One, users can create icons for shortcuts using the Icon Editor. In this way, they can have icons for shortcuts or macros they create or ones that come with third-party software. Two, Internet sites can embed hexadecimal code in web pages that will automatically launch images on users’ display keys related to site-specific content (in effect, creating “shortcuts for the Internet”). And three, software developers can use a free software API to create key display images that automatically load and display with their program implementation.

The retail price of the 205PRO is $299.99, and will be available in the first quarter of 2006. Special “friends and family” pricing of $199.99 is available until the end of the year.

Nokia Introduces Nokia 2652, fold design for new growth markets, Major milestone reached - one billionth Nokia mobile phone sold this summer



Expanding its wide range of elegant and affordable phones for consumers in emerging markets, Nokia today unveiled the Nokia 2652 phone. The stylish and functional Nokia 2652 fold model builds on the success of the award-winning Nokia 2650, adding two new design motifs, 'Cell' and 'Fleur' with dark gray and pearl white key mats for consumers to choose from. It is expected to be commercially available in October 2005 with an estimated retail price of 100 EUR before subsidies or taxes. The Nokia 2652 will be available in Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Greater China region.

Mobile subscriptions hit 2 billion

While the global mobile subscription base has now reached the significant milestone of two billion mobile subscriptions worldwide, Nokia sees plenty of untapped opportunities and is committed to drive growth in new growth markets, like Brazil, Russia, India, China and countries in Africa. In these markets, affordability of mobile communications for subscribers is the key factor.

"We are working with operators to offer affordable phones and solutions that reduce the total cost of ownership of the handset and mobile services," says Kai Öistämö, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "Nokia was the first vendor to focus on an extensive range of products and network solutions in fast growing markets, and we remain committed to introducing affordable, attractive phones with well-considered features and innovative network solutions to meet the communication needs of consumers in these markets."

"It is equally important for us to work closely with government bodies to overcome possible barriers that are preventing forward momentum. With the right combination of mobile phones, network solutions, services and a regulated environment, we envision a mobile landscape where operators can profitably offer mobile services to a broader range of consumers for as little as USD 5 per month. When the cost of mobile services becomes this affordable, we foresee the growth curve in growth markets accelerating sharply," adds Öistämö.

Nokia sells one billionth mobile phone

"The continued rapid growth in mobile subscriptions has exceeded even the mobile industry's own estimates. Since the early 1990's we have seen voice go truly wireless and mobile phones evolve from voice centric to feature driven devices. Earlier this summer, Nokia sold our one billionth mobile phone - a Nokia 1100 sold in Nigeria," says Öistämö. "It will be new growth markets like Nigeria that will fuel the growth towards three billion subscribers by 2010."

As the industry leader in mobile devices, Nokia has introduced hundreds of innovative mobile phone models since the early 1980's. The company has manufactured mobile phones in high volumes since the beginning of 1990's, when the first digital networks were introduced. In 1998, Nokia announced it had manufactured its 100 millionth mobile phone, and became the world's largest mobile phone manufacturer. In 2004, Nokia was the clear market leader in mobile devices with volumes of 207 million units.

Benny Har - Even has reviewed the Toshiba TS 921. Toshiba certainly isn’t the first name that springs to mind when it comes to mobile phones. But as one of those Japanese companies that seems to make almost everything it’s no surprise to find that it has turned its hand to 3G with the release of the TS 921, available exclusively on Vodafone, he says.

Pro: - large screen
Neg: - battery life
- confusing menu navigation

Read more here

Toshiba Corporation announced that it has developed two prototype direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) units and begun tests to validate their operation with mobile audio players. Each unit integrates the DMFC that Toshiba announced in June 2004, the world's smallest, bringing its practical use a major step closer.

The new fuel cell units have an output power of 100mW and 300mW and have been applied to a flash-memory-based digital audio player and an HDD-based digital audio player, respectively

The 100mW unit, similar in shape and size to a pack of gum at a compact W23mm x L75mm x D10mm, can power the flash-based player for approximately 35 hours on a single 3.5ml charge of highly concentrated methanol, the fuel that drives the electricity producing chemical reaction in the fuel cell. The 300mW unit is W60mm x L75mm x D10mm and delivers enough power to keep an HDD-based audio player running for approximately 60 hours on a single 10ml charge.

Both prototype players include components related to the testing and are W35mm x L110mm x D20mm (flash memory) and W65mm x L125mm x D27mm (HDD) with the fuel cell units. These sizes can be reduced substantially by removing the extra components and applying optimal design for commercial products.

The design of the fuel cell units reflects current moves toward international standardization of micro fuel cells and meets the International Electrotechnical Commission's draft safety standards now under review.

Toshiba's DMFC features a passive fuel supply system that is suited to smaller fuel cells and use with a highly concentrated methanol solution. Fuel cells usually mix methane with water in a concentration of less than 30%, a dilution that supports generating efficiency but which requires a fuel tank that is much too big for portable equipment. Through durability and reliability tests with the new units, Toshiba will accelerate technology enhancements, including development of production technology, to support integration of DMFC into commercial products expected to appear in and after 2007.

The two prototype players and their methanol cartridges will be exhibited at the CEATEC JAPAN 2005 which will be held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba Prefecture, from October 4 to 8, 2005.

by Mike Waters

Portable mp3 players have caught on in a big way despite the rants and disgruntled mumblings of certain millionaire recording acts. Not only are mp3 players becoming more and more affordable, but personal mp3 players are also being enhanced with greater features and functionality. With so many mp3 players to choose from, finding the perfect one for your lifestyle can be an overwhelming task--that is until now.

The first tip in finding the perfect portable mp3 player is to decide why you want the device. Do you want just a basic cheap mp3 player to upgrade from your old walkman? Are you a music groupie who needs unlimited space to download every domestic and import mp3 released by your favorite bands? Or are you simply looking for an affordable mp3 player to listen to music while you are exercising? Whatever the answer may be, there is a portable mp3 player out there that was made specifically with you in mind.

The second tip you need to know in finding the perfect portable mp3 player is to acclimate yourself with the types of portable mp3 players available. Although this list is constantly changing, the three main types of portable personal mp3 players are hard drive based, flash based, and cd based.

Basically what this means is that portable mp3 players use different types of hardware to store and read mp3s. Hard drive based mp3 players store mp3s on an internal hard drive. Flash based mp3 players store mp3s on some variation of a flash media card. CD based mp3 players read mp3 players off of a cd containing mp3s.

If you are looking for cheap mp3 players, your best bet will be to get a cd based mp3 player. Not only is it cheaper in price than the other portable mp3 players, it is also much more affordable to purchase a twenty pack of blank cds than a flash media card.

If unlimited space is your fetish, you will need to go with a hard drive based mp3 player. Many of the hard drive based mp3 players are not only affordable, but rival home computers in terms of their hard drive storage capacity.

If you are looking for added features such as recording capabilities and advanced tools in your mp3 player, then a flash media mp3 player will best suit your needs. However, you will be trading in storage capacity for those added features.

For everyone else, your best bet will be to get a lower model hard drive based portable mp3 player such as the immensely popular and sleekly designed iPod. You really can't go wrong with an iPod.

By understanding the different types of portable mp3 players and how they will be used by you, you can easily find the perfect affordable portable mp3 player for your budget and lifestyle.

About the Author
Mike Waters is owner of "Waters Rock" music studio and the senior technology columnist for "Media-Tech Entertainment and You." To learn more about the best portable mp3 players on the market, check out the informative resources at http://www.best-mp3-players.info

Nokia today announced the Nokia 6630 Music Edition, a special music version of the iconic 3G smartphone. The Nokia 6630 Music Edition has been designed with enhanced music functionality to make it convenient for you to take your music collection with you while on the move. Shipping later this month, the Nokia 6630 Music Edition is available for European, Middle Eastern and African markets.

"The Nokia 6630 Music Edition is a fantastic combination of music, smartphone and 3G," said Tuula Rytilä-Uotila, Director, Imaging EMEA, Nokia. "You can carry a good portion of your music collection with you where ever you go and with the Nokia Audio Adapter, you can quicky connect your favorite set of music headphones."

The updated music player makes it easier than ever to manage and play your music files. The included 256-megabyte memory card lets you store up to 15 CDs worth of music while support for up to 1 GB RS-MMC means you'll never have to be without your favorite tunes. You can transfer music to the Nokia 6630 Music Edition quickly and easily, with the included Nokia PC Suite software or with the bundled Nokia USB MMC/SD reader. Connecting your favorite headphones is a snap with the Nokia Audio Adapter and its 3.5 mm stereo jack.

Available in either Rustic Red or Aluminum Grey, the Nokia 6630 Music Edition is easy to personalize with a new selection of themes and ring tones pre-installed. You can also benefit from the wide range of smartphone features, including a 1.3 megapixel camera, mobile broadband access with WCDMA networks, mobile email, streaming video and much more.

Nokia today also launched the Nokia Music Pack, a bundled package of enhancements that makes it easy to enjoy your music collection on your mobile device. The package includes the Nokia Audio Adapter, the Nokia 256 MB MMC Card, the Nokia USB MMC/SD reader and Nokia Stereo Audio Cable. You can even share your mobile music experience by plugging your compatible phone - like the Nokia 6630 Music Edition -- into your home stereo with the audio adapter and stereo audio cable.*

* Compatible models include the Nokia 3230, the Nokia 6230, the Nokia 6230i, the Nokia 6260, the Nokia 6630, the Nokia 6680, the Nokia 6681, the Nokia 6682, the Nokia 7710, the Nokia 9300, the Nokia 9500, the Nokia N70 and the Nokia N90