Apple asserts iPhone meets eco standards

Facing a lawsuit for allegedly using toxic substances in the iPhone, Apple today told MacWorld that the device "meets the restrictions placed on hazardous substances."

"Like all Apple products worldwide, iPhone complies with RoHS [Restriction of Hazardous Substances], the world's toughest restrictions on toxic substances in electronics," an Apple spokesperson told Macworld. "As we have said, Apple will voluntarily eliminate the use of PVC and BFRs by the end of 2008."

The declaration comes in the wake of a report from Greenpeace accusing Apple is using phthalates in the plastic earphone wiring. Phthalates is considered a reproductive toxin.

Although the iPhone may meet ROHS standards, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) is asserting the Apple has violated California law, which says that products that can expose consumers to phthaltes or other such chemicals must carry a warning label.

The CEH has given Apple 60-days legal notice, which is the first required by California law before a lawsuit is launched.

via infoworld

Palm Treo 500v Launched in Singapore

Palm announced the availability of the Treo 500v smartphone in Singapore on the MobileOne network. The Palm Treo 500v runs on the Windows Mobile 6 standard platform and includes high speed 3G/UMTS Internet access.

The Treo 500v, is the first device in Asia to carry the new Vodafone user interface on Windows Mobile 6 Standard edition (formerly WM Smartphone edition). The new device delivers enhanced usability and ease of navigation to customers who want to keep on top of their work and social lives while on the go.

"The Treo 500v's sleek design and social-centric functionality, combined with M1's high-speed 3G/UMTS network, deliver a compelling solution to a new generation of customers that enhances their mobile experience," said P. Subramaniam, director of Enterprise and Alliances, M1. "The Treo 500v on the M1 network will appeal to a growing number of customers who are using their mobile devices to keep them in touch on the go, and helps balance work and leisure." "The new Treo 500v adds a third internet ready Vodafone live! and Microsoft Windows Mobile device to our recently announced Global Handset range," said Jens Schulte-Bockum, Global Terminals Director, Vodafone Group.

"When combined with our high-speed 3G/UMTS network and fast access to the internet, along with great browsing and messaging support, we are confident the Palm Treo 500v will appeal to the growing group of consumers looking for the same functionality and ease of use our business customers continue to enjoy from this type of premium device."

The Treo 500 comes with a full qwerty keyboard and a 240x320 Transflective display with support for 65k colours. It has a tri-band GSM radio supporting the 900/1800/1900 bands and UTMS 2100. It includes 256MB memory with 150MB available for user storage and a microSD expansion slot. It also features a 2 megapixel digital camera and a Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR and stereo headset support. A mini USB port is provides for charging and connectivity as well as a 2.5mm headset jack. A removable 1200mAh battery is present for a claimed 10 day stand-by rating with 4.5 hours of talk time. It has dimensions of 16.5mm (D) x 61.5mm (W) x 110mm (H) (.65" x 2.4" x 4.3" inches) and weighs 120 grams (4.23 ounces).

The Palm Treo 500v smartphone is available now from M1 shops and selected M1 dealers for S$498 (on a two-year plan, inclusive of GST). For a limited period, customers also will receive 6 months of free subscription to M1's 3G SunSurf 10 Plan/VAS (Value Added Service) which is bundled with 5MB of free local data monthly and valued at S$10.70 per month. The Treo 500v also will be available from major retail outlets in Singapore.

via pdasnews

Vertu Signature 18K ripoff

Here is the latest Vertu ripoff direct from China. Like all previous Vertu ripoffs/clone…they just don't look good and expensive like the real deal. They look cheap, tacky and even ugly. This one is marketed as a mini Vertu since it has smaller dimensions than the real one. It tries to look premium since it is constructed with metal and is 18K gold plated (it also has leather on the back) . Anyways, here are some specs.

- 1.8 inch 260K 176×220 touchscreen
- VGA camera
- microSD support
- A2DP
- measures 100×40×15 mm
- weighs 75 grams
- comes in two color versions
- metal construction with 18K gold

via mphonefrenzy

Fake Nokia N82 (CECT N82) spotted

Even though we still wait to see Nokia N82 released, China-based CECT has already made their “version” of the device. To be fair, there’s no Nokia branding on this phone — it’s just the name “Nxx” ala Nokia that bother us.



Anyway, the CECT N82 comes with a 2.6″ QVGA touchscreen, 1.3 MP camera, stereo speakers, stereo Bluetooth support, and the standard microSD memory slot. It measures 110×50x17 mm, weighs 80 grams and no, we don’t know how much it costs, though I would expect it to be quite cheap.

Check out two more photos after the jump.





via IntoMobile

Nokia N95 8GB pre-loaded with Spider-man 3 Movie

Nokia started to ship the Nokia N95 8GB smartphone pre-loaded with the full-length Spider-man 3 movie loaded on the phone.

Boasting up to 8GB of built-in memory, the Nokia N95 8GB has all the key features of its predecessor, including a 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, built-in A-GPS, WLAN, HSDPA and an 2-way slide mechanism.

You can watch Spider-man 3 on the 2.8" (240 x 320) QVGA display of the N95.
The Nokia N95 8GB started to ship from Nokia globally today and should be hitting a store near you soon. The Spider-man 3 movie is pre-loaded on the N95 *GB in Europe and selected countries in Middle East and Africa region.

The N95 8GB multimedia computer has an estimated retail price of EUR 560 (~$800) before taxes or subsidies.

via i4u

"Ship Me!" Says the Nokia N95 8GB

The stunning Nokia N95 8GB made its debut global shipments today, and will be hitting a store near you soon. The Nokia N95 8GB is the memory-packed big brother of the Nokia N95 multimedia computer.

"Our Nokia Nseries family has expanded with added pizzazz and performance with the Nokia N95 8GB, a device as personal as it is powerful," said Jonas Geust, vice president, Multimedia, at Nokia. "We've reached a pinnacle with the Nokia N95 and now with the addition of one of the largest ever displays, built-in Assisted-GPS and improved battery power, the Nokia N95 8GB takes entertainment enjoyment to another level."

Boasting up to eight gigabytes of built-in memory, the Nokia N95 8GB has all the key features of its predecessor, including a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, built-in A-GPS, WLAN, HSDPA and an innovative 2-way slide. The sleek black N95 8GB also boasts a luminous 2.8" (240 x 320) QVGA display, so watching videos, browsing the Internet or viewing maps is a real pleasure. With its expanded memory, the N95 8GB offers up to 20 hours of video or up to 6000 songs(i).

Entertaining yourself has taken on a whole new meaning with this multimedia computer, optimized for enjoying videos, playing games, or even locating your favorite destinations with A-GPS.

The ideal companion for any lull in your day, the Nokia N95 8GB supports services like Nokia Music Store and N-Gage Games(ii), so you can delve into a world of leisure. Access millions of music tracks from the Nokia Music Store or get a sneak-peak at N-Gage gaming - live later this year. Test out games like FIFA 2007 and Asphalt 3: Street Rules(iii). Once N-Gage goes live, you'll be able to try games for free before deciding on your purchase.

Now with A-GPS, Nokia N95 8GB connoisseurs can whiz to their locations on Nokia Maps faster and enjoy maps for over 150 countries. Explore the world, find specific routes or locate services such as restaurants and hotels, covering more than 15 million points of interest. Purchase additional features, such as city guides and voice guided navigation, is an option too.

The N95 8GB multimedia computer has an estimated retail price of EUR 560 before taxes or subsidies.

(i)Capacity based on 3:45 mins per song and 48kbps eAAC+ encoding. Capacity with 128kbps AAC encoding is up to 2000 songs.

(ii)The Nokia Music Store and the N-Gage Games Service are expected to be available during the fourth quarter 2007

(iii)Games will vary according to the region

For full technical specifications, visit http://www.nseries.com/n958gb
For more information about Nokia Maps, visit http://www.nokia.maps.com

via cnn

Greenpeace: iPhone Not Good For The Environment

International environmental group Greenpeace has launched an attack on Steve Jobs’ claims that Apple is a company with green credentials by releasing an analysis of the iPhone that finds toxic chemicals that have or are in the process of being eliminated by other mobile phone manufacturers.



According to Greenpeace, the iPhone contains toxic brominated compounds (indicating the prescence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs)) and hazardous PVCs.

Two of the “phthalate plasticisers” found at high levels in the iPhone headphone cable are classified in Europe as ‘toxic to reproduction, category 2′ and are banned from use in all toys or childcare articles sold in Europe.The report noted that Nokia is totally PVC free and that Motorola and Sony Ericsson already have products on the market with BFR free components.

Greenpeace called upon Apple to truly revolutionize the mobile phone by producing an environmentally friendly handset for the iPhone’s European launch.

via techcrunch