Microsoft Rumored to show off “Turtle” and “Pure” at CES

By Sean Sarian

Every couple of months, the usual rumors of a Microsoft branded phone swirl around. Sometimes they are just rumors, sometimes they are backed up by supposed leaked roadmaps and/or marketing material. It was learnt in July that Microsoft was working on a device or a range of devices with the working title Project Pink, the rumor at the time, as always, was that this was going to be a Microsoft branded phone running the latest Windows Mobile 7.

More rumors have now surfaced, with reports that Microsoft will display not one but two handsets from Project Pink at CES in January, these reports go on to say that the two phones have been given the codenames “Turtle” and “Pure”. Engadget scored leaked pictures of the phones and they are both slider phones with full qwerty keyboards. The “Turtle” is described as being a “Squircle” shaped device with buttons that would remind you of the latest Zune. The “Pure” on the other hand is shaped like a candy bar and appears to be more in the mould of a traditional phone.In terms of carrier, rumors are that both phones will be available on Verizon and will use the same app store model used by the sidekick.

While this initially seemed like just another rumor, now that we have seen pictures of the devices it is starting to seem real now. However, we will still have to wait till CES to get a first proper look.

Radiation Levels in Mobile Phones

By Sean Sarian

Most users of mobile phones do not give it a second thought, but with all the electronics and transmitting circuitry in your phone, there is a the constant worry that the radiation levels can and will cause some damage when placed on your ear. There is no direct connection or proof between the radiation levels in mobile phones and any specific ailments, however, it might be wise to be cautious now, and avoid any regret in future. The following is a list published by the Environmental Working Group on the radiation levels in popular mobile phones, have a look and consider how much radiation your phone generates versus other models. Phones made by Samsung for example show the lowest levels of radiation compared to any other manufacturer.

The list displayes the name of the phone along with the carrier followed by the amount of radiation.

Samsung Impression (SGH-a877) – AT&T 0.15 – 0.35 W/kg
Motorola RAZR V8 – CellularONE 0.36 W/kg
Samsung SGH-t229 – T-Mobile 0.38 W/kg
Samsung Rugby (SGH-a837) – AT&T 0.22 – 0.46 W/kg
Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627) – AT&T 0.14 – 0.47 W/kg
Samsung Gravity (SGH-t459) – CellularONE, T-Mobile 0.49 W/kg
T-Mobile Sidekick – T-Mobile 0.50 W/kg
LG Xenon (GR500) – AT&T 0.52 W/kg
Motorola Karma QA1 – AT&T 0.55 W/kg
Sanyo Katana II – Kajeet 0.22 – 0.55 W/kg
Blackberry Storm 9530 – Verizon Wireless 0.57 W/kg
Motorola W260g – TracFone 0.57 W/kg
Motorola Stature i9 – Boost Mobile, Sprint 0.61 W/kg
Samsung Magnet (SGH-A257) – AT&T 0.62 – 0.64 W/kg
Motorola Renegade V950 – Sprint 0.66 W/kg
LG CF360 – AT&T 0.68 W/kg
Samsung Saga (SCH-i770) – Verizon Wireless 0.69 W/kg
Helio Ocean – Virgin Mobile 0.72 W/kg
Samsung SCH-i760 – Verizon Wireless 0.73 W/kg
Sony Ericsson W518a Walkman – AT&T 0.73 W/kg
Samsung SGH-t339 – T-Mobile 0.73 W/kg
Samsung SGH-a137 – AT&T GoPhone, AT&T 0.20 – 0.76 W/kg
LG LX400 – Sprint 0.36 – 0.77 W/kg
LG Voyager (VX10000) – Verizon Wireless 0.77 W/kg
Samsung MyShot (SCH-r430) – Cricket, MetroPCS 0.78 W/kg
Samsung Exclaim (SPH-m550) – Sprint 0.29 – 0.78 W/kg
Samsung Access (SGH-a827) – AT&T 0.24 – 0.78 W/kg
Sanyo KATANA LX (SCP-3800) – Sprint 0.53 – 0.78 W/kg
Motorola W175 – TracFone 0.79 W/kg
LG Rhythm (UX585) – U.S. Cellular 0.80 W/kg
Motorola MOTO W755 – Verizon Wireless 0.80 W/kg
Samsung SGH-t109 – T-Mobile 0.80 W/kg
Sony Ericsson W760a – AT&T 0.81 W/kg
Nokia 5610 – T-Mobile 0.81 W/kg
Samsung Eternity(SGH-a867) – AT&T 0.11 – 0.82 W/kg
Nokia 7510 – T-Mobile 0.84 W/kg
LG 225 – TracFone 0.85 W/kg
HTC Touch Diamond (DIAM400) – Verizon Wireless 0.85 W/kg
HTC Touch Diamond – Verizon Wireless 0.85 – 0.86 W/kg
HTC Touch Diamond (DIAM500) – Sprint, Alltel 0.86 W/kg
ZTE C79 – MetroPCS 0.87 W/kg
Sony Ericsson W200a – CellularONE 0.87 W/kg
Nokia 6301 – T-Mobile 0.71 – 0.87 W/kg
Samsung Gleam (SCH-u700) – Verizon Wireless 0.87 W/kg
Samsung Slash (SPH-m310) – Virgin Mobile 0.87 W/kg
LG CU405 – AT&T GoPhone 0.88 W/kg
Motorola Rapture VU30 – Verizon Wireless 0.88 W/kg
Sanyo Katana – Kajeet 0.68 – 0.88 W/kg
T-Mobile Sidekick LX – T-Mobile 0.89 W/kg
Motorola RAZR V3 – AT&T GoPhone, AT&T, T-Mobile 0.89 W/kg
LG Tritan (UX840) – U.S. Cellular 0.89 W/kg
HTC Touch PRO – Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless 0.91 W/kg
Sanyo KATANA Eclipse X – Sprint 0.60 – 0.91 W/kg
Palm Pre – Sprint, Verizon Wireless 0.92 W/kg
Nokia 6650 – AT&T 0.92 W/kg
Samsung SGH-t439 – CellularONE, T-Mobile 0.92 W/kg
Samsung Mantra – Virgin Mobile 0.93 W/kg
LG VX5500 – Verizon Wireless 0.95 W/kg
LG 600G – TracFone 0.96 W/kg
Samsung Re-wn (SCH-u810) – Verizon Wireless 0.96 W/kg
Sony Ericsson Z310a – AT&T, AT&T GoPhone 0.96 W/kg
Nokia 6205 – Verizon Wireless 0.96 W/kg
LG LX150 – Kajeet 0.76 – 0.96 W/kg
Samsung Propel (SGH-a767) – AT&T 0.26 – 0.97 W/kg
Samsung Behold (SGH-t919) – T-Mobile 0.99 W/kg
ZTE C78 – MetroPCS 0.99 W/kg
LG Neon – AT&T, CellularONE 1.00 W/kg
Samsung SGH-T101G – TracFone 1.00 W/kg
Nokia 6085 – AT&T, AT&T GoPhone 1.00 W/kg
Nokia 2600 – AT&T, AT&T GoPhone 1.00 W/kg
Samsung MyShot II – Cricket 1.00 W/kg
Nokia 3600 Slide – CellularONE 1.01 W/kg
Samsung Rant (SPH-m540) – Sprint 0.70 – 1.01 W/kg
Blackberry Curve 8900 – AT&T, T-Mobile 1.01 W/kg
Nokia 3220 – CellularONE, T-Mobile 0.71 – 1.01 W/kg
Helio Ocean2 – Virgin Mobile 1.02 W/kg
Motorola MOTOROKR E8 – CellularONE, T-Mobile 1.02 W/kg
Motorola i580 – Sprint 1.02 W/kg
Samsung JACK (i637) – AT&T 0.42 – 1.04 W/kg
Samsung Delve (SCH-r800) – U.S. Cellular, Alltel 0.80 – 1.04 W/kg
Samsung SGH-T349 – T-Mobile 1.05 W/kg
Samsung JetSet (SCH-r550) – Cricket 1.05 W/kg
Samsung Byline (SCH-r310) – MetroPCS 0.63 – 1.05 W/kg
Samsung SCH-R311 – U.S. Cellular 1.06 W/kg
Nokia 1680 – T-Mobile 1.06 W/kg
Samsung SCH-u430 – Verizon Wireless 1.07 W/kg
Samsung Glyde (SCH-u940) – Verizon Wireless 1.08 W/kg
Motorola W490 – CellularONE, T-Mobile 1.08 W/kg
Samsung SPH-m220 – Sprint 0.75 – 1.08 W/kg
Blackberry Curve 8320 – AT&T 1.08 W/kg
Nokia 7205 Intrigue – Verizon Wireless 1.08 W/kg
Motorola Hint QA30 – Cricket, U.S. Cellular, MetroPCS 1.08 W/kg
Samsung Smooth (SCH-u350) – Verizon Wireless 1.09 W/kg
Blackberry Curve 8310 – AT&T 1.09 W/kg
LG Dare (VX9700) – Verizon Wireless 1.09 W/kg
Motorola i365 – Sprint 1.09 W/kg
Samsung SPH-m300 – Kajeet, Sprint 0.79 – 1.09 W/kg
UTStarcom GTX75 (aka AT&T Quickfire) – AT&T 0.36 – 1.10 W/kg
Blackberry Curve 8350i – Sprint 1.10 W/kg
Nokia 2610 – AT&T GoPhone, CellularONE, T-Mobile, AT&T 1.10 W/kg
Nokia 2760 – CellularONE, T-Mobile 0.74 – 1.10 W/kg
Samsung SGH-a437 – AT&T GoPhone, AT&T 0.72 – 1.11 W/kg
Samsung Step (SCH-r470 Two) – U.S. Cellular 1.00 – 1.11 W/kg
T-Mobile G1 with Google – T-Mobile 1.11 W/kg
Samsung SPH-M320 – Sprint 0.81 – 1.11 W/kg
Nokia 2605 Mirage – Verizon Wireless 1.12 W/kg
LG 3280 – TracFone 1.13 W/kg
HTC Fuze – AT&T 1.13 W/kg
HTC Fuze (RAPH110) – AT&T 1.13 W/kg
UTStarcom CDM7126 – Cricket, MetroPCS 1.13 W/kg
Motorola Evoke QA4 – Cricket 1.13 W/kg
LG VX8360 – Verizon Wireless 1.14 W/kg
Samsung Knack (SCH-u310) – Verizon Wireless 1.14 W/kg
Samsung SGH-a237 – AT&T, AT&T GoPhone 1.07 – 1.14 W/kg
Blackberry Pearl Flip 8220 – T-Mobile 1.15 W/kg
LG Lotus (LX600) – Sprint 0.90 – 1.15 W/kg
Motorola Krave ZN4 – Verizon Wireless 1.16 W/kg
Samsung Tint (SCH-R420 – MetroPCS 0.68 – 1.17 W/kg
Motorola Clutch i465 – Boost Mobile, Sprint 1.17 W/kg
LG CP150 – AT&T GoPhone 1.18 W/kg
LG 410G – TracFone 1.18 W/kg
Samsung SGH-t819 – T-Mobile 1.19 W/kg
LG LX160 – Kajeet, Sprint 1.19 W/kg
Apple iPhone 3G S – AT&T 0.52 – 1.19 W/kg
Samsung BlackJack II (SGH-i617) – AT&T 0.61 – 1.20 W/kg
Samsung SCH-U440 – U.S. Cellular 1.13 – 1.21 W/kg
Sanyo PRO-200 – Sprint 0.41 – 1.21 W/kg
LG CE110 – AT&T, AT&T GoPhone 1.22 W/kg
Samsung Finesse (SCH-r810) – MetroPCS 1.22 W/kg
Samsung Solstice (SGH-A877) – AT&T 0.67 – 1.23 W/kg
Sony Ericsson C905a Cyber-shot – AT&T, CellularONE 0.67 – 1.23 W/kg
Motorola MOTOACTV W450 – T-Mobile 1.23 W/kg
Motorola MOTORAKR Z6m – MetroPCS 1.23 W/kg
Motorola The Buzz ic502 – Sprint 1.24 W/kg
Samsung SGH-t219 – T-Mobile 1.24 W/kg
Sanyo PRO-700 – Sprint 0.54 – 1.24 W/kg
Blackberry Pearl 8110 – AT&T 1.24 W/kg
Nokia 5310 – T-Mobile 1.11 – 1.25 W/kg
Nokia 5310 Xpress Music – CellularONE 1.25 W/kg
Sanyo SCP-2700 – Sprint 1.16 – 1.25 W/kg
Motorola RAZR V3i – CellularONE, AT&T, T-Mobile 1.26 W/kg
Samsung SCH-r211 – Cricket 1.26 W/kg
LG VU (CU915) – AT&T 1.26 W/kg
LG Chocolate 3 (VX8560) – Verizon Wireless 1.26 W/kg
Nokia 3606 – Cricket 1.27 W/kg
Helio Fin – Virgin Mobile 0.53 – 1.27 W/kg
Samsung SGH-a637 – AT&T 0.45 – 1.28 W/kg
Samsung SGH-a737 – AT&T 0.43 – 1.28 W/kg
Samsung Sway (SCH-u650) – Verizon Wireless 1.28 W/kg
LG enV Touch (VX11000,Voyager 2) – Verizon Wireless 1.28 W/kg
Blackberry 8820 – AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless 1.28 W/kg
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic – CellularONE 1.29 W/kg
Motorola Moto Q Global – AT&T 1.29 W/kg
LG 200C – TracFone 1.30 W/kg
Motorola MOTO Q 9m – Verizon Wireless 1.30 W/kg
Cricket TXTM8 – Cricket 1.30 W/kg
Verizon Wireless CDM8975 – Verizon Wireless 1.30 W/kg
Verizon Wireless CDM8975PTT – Verizon Wireless 1.30 W/kg
LG INCITE (CT810) – AT&T 1.30 W/kg
Samsung Epix (SGH-i907) – AT&T 0.52 – 1.30 W/kg
LG LX290 – Sprint 1.04 – 1.30 W/kg
Motorola i880 – Sprint 1.30 W/kg
LG enV 3 (VX9200) – Verizon Wireless 1.31 W/kg
Samsung SCH-u410 – Verizon Wireless 1.31 W/kg
Samsung Juke (SCH-u470) – Verizon Wireless 1.31 W/kg
Nokia Surge 6790 – AT&T 1.31 W/kg
Samsung Omnia (SCH-i910) – Verizon Wireless 1.31 W/kg
Motorola Tundra VA76r – AT&T 1.32 W/kg
Motorola W376g – TracFone 1.32 W/kg
Motorola V176 – TracFone 1.33 W/kg
Samsung Instinct s30 – Sprint 1.05 – 1.33 W/kg
Nokia 6555 – AT&T 0.93 – 1.33 W/kg
LG enV 2 (VX9100) – Verizon Wireless 1.34 W/kg
LG Invision (CB630) – AT&T 1.34 W/kg
Samsung Trance (SCH-u490) – Verizon Wireless 1.34 W/kg
Motorola MOTORAZR VE20 – Sprint, U.S. Cellular 1.34 W/kg
Verizon Wireless G’zOne Type S – Verizon Wireless 1.34 W/kg
Samsung SCH-u540 – Verizon Wireless 1.34 W/kg
Verizon Wireless G’zOne Type S PTT – Verizon Wireless 1.34 W/kg
Palm Centro – AT&T, CellularONE, Sprint, Verizon Wireless 1.09 – 1.35 W/kg
Motorola MotoEM330 – AT&T 1.35 W/kg
LG LX370 – Sprint 0.90 – 1.36 W/kg
Samsung ACE (SPH-i325) – Sprint 1.00 – 1.36 W/kg
Samsung SPH-z400 – Sprint 0.72 – 1.36 W/kg
Motorola MOTOROKR U9 – CellularONE 1.36 W/kg
Verizon Wireless CDM8950 – Verizon Wireless 1.38 W/kg
LG Versa (VX9600) – Verizon Wireless 1.38 W/kg
Nokia 1606 – Cricket, MetroPCS 1.38 W/kg
Samsung SCH-u340 – Cricket, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless 1.38 W/kg
Motorola C261 – TracFone 1.38 W/kg
Apple iPhone 3G – AT&T 0.24 – 1.39 W/kg
Samsung SCH-u550 – Verizon Wireless 1.39 W/kg
Helio Mysto – Virgin Mobile 1.21 – 1.39 W/kg
Nokia E71 – CellularONE 1.23 – 1.40 W/kg
Palm Treo PRO (T850EWW) – Sprint 1.40 W/kg
Motorola W370 – TracFone 1.40 W/kg
Samsung FlipShot (SCH-u900) – Verizon Wireless 1.40 W/kg
Motorola RAZR V3s – MetroPCS 1.40 W/kg
-kia E71x – AT&T 1.41 W/kg
Samsung Messager, Mister Cartoon (SCH-r450) – Cricket, MetroPCS 1.42 W/kg
Sony Ericsson Z750a – AT&T 1.42 W/kg
Motorola C139 – TracFone 1.43 W/kg
Blackberry 8703e – Verizon Wireless 1.44 W/kg
Motorola Adventure V750 – Verizon Wireless 1.45 W/kg
Motorola Boost i776 – Boost Mobile 1.45 W/kg
Samsung High-te (SPH-m630) – Sprint 0.74 – 1.45 W/kg
Motorola i576 – Sprint 1.45 W/kg
Motorola i776 – Sprint 1.45 W/kg
Sony Ericsson TM506 – T-Mobile 1.46 W/kg
Blackberry 8830 World Edition – U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, Sprint 1.46 W/kg
Samsung SGH-a777 – AT&T 0.63 – 1.46 W/kg
Samsung Instinct (SPH-m800) – Sprint 1.16 – 1.46 W/kg
Firefly GlowPhone – CellularONE 1.46 W/kg
Samsung Spex (SCH-r210) – Cricket, U.S. Cellular 1.46 W/kg
Kyocera Neo E1100 – U.S. Cellular, MetroPCS 1.46 W/kg
Blackberry 8700g – T-Mobile 1.46 W/kg
Helio Heat – Virgin Mobile 0.85 – 1.46 W/kg
Blackberry Pearl 8130 – Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless 1.48 W/kg
Motorola MOTOSLVR L9 – CellularONE 1.48 W/kg
Sanyo S1 – Sprint 1.46 – 1.48 W/kg
Blackberry Pearl 8120 – T-Mobile, AT&T 1.48 W/kg
HTC SMT 5800 – Verizon Wireless 1.49 W/kg
Kyocera S1300 – Cricket 1.11 – 1.50 W/kg
Kyocera Melo S1300 – MetroPCS 1.11 – 1.50 W/kg
-kia 1006 – MetroPCS 1.50 W/kg
Blackberry Bold 9000 – AT&T 1.51 W/kg
LG Rumor2 (LX265) – Sprint 1.04 – 1.51 W/kg
Motorola V365 – AT&T 1.51 W/kg
Blackberry Curve 8300 – T-Mobile, AT&T 1.51 W/kg
Motorola MOTO VE240 – Cricket, MetroPCS 1.52 W/kg
T-Mobile Shadow – T-Mobile 1.53 W/kg
Motorola i335 – Sprint 1.53 W/kg
Motorola C290 – Kajeet, Sprint 1.53 W/kg
Motorola W385 – U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless 1.54 W/kg
Blackberry Curve 8330 – Sprint, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, MetroPCS 1.54 W/kg
Motorola MOTO VU204 – Verizon Wireless 1.55 W/kg
Kyocera Jax S1300 – Virgin Mobile 1.55 W/kg
T-Mobile myTouch 3G – T-Mobile 1.55 W/kg

New Zealand Banning the use of Navigation Aids on Phones While you are Driving

Society in general and law enforcement frown upon the practice of using your mobile phone while driving, it could be sending a text message or answering a call and putting it on speakerphone. The problem is that, unless you are stationary, any such acts put you and other motorists in danger. Nowadays, almost every new phone that is released features some form of GPS, with every smartphone guaranteed to have it, and users of older phones buying external GPS devices. Now, the New Zealand transport authority has outright banned the use of them while driving.

In the US, using your phone while driving is still legal, unless of course you are constantly entering data into the device. The New Zealand authorities on the other have taken a much more grim view of the situation. The transport ministry has placed a ban on looking at the navigation aid on a mobile phone when you are driving, along with using an form of in-car navigation on a phone. Under the new law, even if you have a turn-by-turn navigation system, mounted to the dashboard, it would still be illegal.

The only acceptable form of use of a mobile phone in a car is to mount the phone on a crade and to only send and recieve calls with it, using either speakerphone or some form of hands free system for the car. The penalties for violating these new laws has not yet been disclosed, however, it would be safe to assume that from now on, the wisest course of action would be to get a car with a built in navigation system or have one installed.

AT&T Starts Enabling MMS on U.S. iPhones

By Sean Sarian

After what must seem like an eternity to all the owners of Apple’s iPhone, AT&T has finally enabled the MMS feature on their network.

AT&T is finally making good on its pledge to enable the service by the mid to late summer, a service which has been available on iPhones in other countries since June.

Most users will recieve a message from AT&T, the message read “AT&T Free Msg: Picture and video messaging (MMS) is now available for iPhone. Your existing messaging plan includes unlimited send and receipt of text, picture & video..”.

If, for some reason, you have not recieved the above message, you can still turn the service on. Heres how:

1. Connect the iPhone to the computer.
2. Click on the “Check for Update” button.
3. You should get a dialog that will alert you to a new carrier file that is available.
4. Download and install the carrier update.
5. Click OK when you are done.
6. Reboot the iPhone.