RIM, the maker of BlackBerry PDA, today announce BlackBerry® Smart Card Reader, an external part that is used authenticate and control users’ access to BlackBerry smartphones. The Smart Card Reader utilizes Bluetooth technology and advanced AES-256 encryption. It is lightweight and wearable, so users could either put it inside a pocket or wear the reader on a lanyard. This reader supports BlackBerry® Enterprise Server, allowing system admin to control access permissions over the wireless network.

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Nokia today broke the news that its Ovi Mail services hits 1 million users mark in just over 6 months. Ovi Mail is email services targeting users in developing countries. Users could set up their email accounts using Nokia phones without using a computer.

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INQ today announced two new cell phones called INQ Chat and INQ Mini for social networking addicts. INQ called the phones “Facebook phone”. These news phones have built-in social networking clients that automatically login user’s accounts when the phones are booted. Once user is logged in, the phone is always connected to Twitter, Facebook, Skype, instant messaging and other social networking tools.

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Verizon wireless today announced partnership with Qualcomm, a world leading mobile chip manufacturer, to form a joint venture to provide machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless communications and smart services offerings across a wide variety of market segments, including healthcare, manufacturing, utilities, distribution and consumer products.

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Motorola’s latest messaging phone, called Motorola Murano, is leaked in Brazil. This GSM messaging phone has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and a landscape LCD screen (320 x 240 pixels). Although it is not confirmed yet, the Moto Murano’s LCD screen is probably not a touch sensitive screen.

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Since Apple App store was released, those who were jealous of Apple’s successes launched numerous of their own App stores in the past two years. Now, we have LG join the App store bandwagon. LG today officially announced that its own application store goes beta testing. The LG Application Store (http://www.lgapplication.com) will first be introduced in Asia with the service being expanded to 24 countries. LG expects to offer up to 2,000 applications on its site by the end of year with at least 100 programs available free of charge to LG handset users.

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LG’s 3D S-Class User Interface that powers LG ARENA (LG-KM900) awarded Gold in the Product Interfaces category, which includes all graphic user interfaces. The 3D S-Class User Interface also powers some of the latest LG’s touch screen phones, including Viewty Smart (LG-GC900), LG-GM730 and LG-GD900 Crystal.

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Google moved a step closer to become one of the biggest players in the new mobile world. Today Google announced that its mobile search team has put together a new universal search for all mobile phones in over 60 countries and 38 languages. Searches performed on smartphone and feature phones alike will return Google’s universal search results, including news, blogs, images, videos and products. The results are also optimized for mobile use.

U.S. Cellular today announced the availability of Samsung Axle, an affordable flip style phone from Samsung. Although there isn’t any a sexy feature or specification about the Samsung Axle, the Axle phone provides simple features that are enough for users to place or receive calls. The bonus feature of the phone is its built-in VGA camera for snapping pictures for fun. Features of the phone include a built-in speakerphone, Bluetooth connectivity, and mobile internet support (require services with U.S. Cellular’s easyedge). The Samsung Axle phone will cost $50 after rebate with new agreement for new customers, and $40 for existing U.S. Cellular customers after rebate with new agreement.

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Samsung R460, also known as Samsung MyShot II, is a clamshell CDMA phone released for Cricket. There isn’t anything sexy and new about the MyShot II phone. Features and specifications of the phone include a 1.3-megapixel digital camera, MP3 music player, Bluetooth connectivity, and a microSD memory card that supports up to 8GB. This Samsung phone supports tri-band CMDA frequencies, operating on Cricket’s AWS 1700MHz network.

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TomTom, one of the world’s largest GPS device maker, announced its long-awaited iPhone app at the Apple Worldwide Developer’s Conference. The TomTom iPhone app supports turn-by-turn spoken directions and voice activation for the new iPhone 3G S, announced yesterday.

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BenQ, the soon-to-be-forgotten cell phone maker, is planning to launch an Android phone in 2010. Currently, BenQ is selling Symbian powered mobile phones (Symbian is an mobile operating system owned by Nokia). BenQ didn’t mention whether its Android phone will be sold in North America or not.