Camera phones could gain PC mouse function

A group of UK researchers are currently developing software that will allow a mobile phone with built-in camera to work as a 3D mouse for PC screens or other types of displays. A prototype of the software has been integrated into a camera phone and works with a desktop computer. It uses a Bluetooth connection with the computer operating the respective screen.
The phone successfully substitutes a conventional mouse, therefore it can be used to control any function that is normally accessible via the PC's screen. The new software works with Windows Mobile and Symbian and will probably be customized for other mobile operating systems too.

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Sony TransferJet wireless connection

Sony are working on a new wireless file transfer and device communication system that promises speeds of up to 560Mb/s over very short distances.
TransferJet relies on two devices being only 3cm apart to deliver its maximum speed, but if conditions for transmission deteriorate it will maintain the highest possible connectivity by automatically lowering the data transmission rate.
Sony sees TransferJet being ideal for exchanging photos and HD images between electronic devices including mobile phones, digital cameras, digital video cameras, computers and TVs. For example, just touching a TransferJet enabled TV with a digital camera will instantaneously display photos on the TV screen.

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Bluetrek launches new Bluetooth headset range

Bluetrek's 'Fashion for Heads' range features headsets for the sporty, fashionable and techie types. Two in particular stand out for their innovation.

Hot on the heels of the splash and shock resistant phones the BlueTrek X3 is aimed at the outdoor sports and services markets. It is a rugged Bluetooth earpiece that manages to be dust, shock and water resistant whilst remaining compact and easy to use.

The Bluetrek BIZZ is the first Bluetooth headset to include a flash memory drive, as well as a 2.0 USB connection that is compatible with microSD cards (up to 8GB). It promises to ensure those important files are always at hand.

All headsets in the Fashion for Heads range will be rolled out throughout Spring 2008, with the X3 costing £29.99, and the BIZZ £39.99.

Mobile wireless broadband moves one step closer

Under a United Nations agreement endorsed on Friday valuable UHF radio spectrum is to be freed up for use by mobile networks to provide high speed broadband services.

"For the first time, the decision will provide a common chunk of spectrum for mobile broadband services globally, boosting the market for new wireless technologies" reports FT.com

The 790-862 Megahertz band is going to be made available in Europe and offers the prospect of good quality, higher speed service for downloads of data and video in the future. It will also mean better coverage and cheaper wireless network set up costs due to the fequency travelling further and requiring less base stations.

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Free Wi-Fi at any McDonald's restaurant

McDonald's will be introducing free high speed wireless internet to most of its 1200 UK restaurants by the end of 2007. The move will make it the UK's biggest provider of such a service.

Customers with laptops, PDAs, mobiles and consoles will be able to surf for as long as they wish, saving money over some coffee shops and cafes which offer a similar service but charge users a fee - maybe up to £260 for someone who uses just an hour a week.

McDonald's say the service is aimed at both casual and business users.

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