When users search for a place on Google Maps, whether it’s a specific address, cross-street, or restaurant name, there’s a new button called “share this place” that posts the location info to Google Buzz, Facebook, Twitter, or via e-mail or SMS. Users can also send a snapshot of Google Maps indicating their current location. Google is stepping up to the new trend of location-sharing, in a way that’s simple and appealing to users who no longer have to download a third-party app to do the same thing. Additionally, the update adds biking directions to the list of driving, walking, and public transit info. Biking directions are similar to walking directions but it also includes topography information and calculates routes with specialized bike lanes where applicable. And finally, Google has pulled out its “Navigation” (GPS directions) feature from Google Maps and turned it into its own app. The new Navigation app lets users create “starred” destinations, allows them to easily get directions to contacts stored in the phone, and offers a voice command option to speak the address or name of the destination.

Resource:
http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-brief/49730-google-maps-android-update-adds-location-sharing-bike-routes

The Nokia C3 (pictured) is the vendor’s first Series 40 device to feature a QWERTY keyboard. It allows for Facebook, Twitter, and other network access directly from the home page. It also features Ovi Mail, Ovi Chat, Wi-Fi, a 2-megapixel camera, and a 2.4-inch screen. It will be available in a variety of colors.

The Nokia C6 runs full-blown Symbian, and features a 3.2-inch touch screen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It also includes a 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and flash, Ovi Maps with free walk and drive navigation, and access to Nokia’s Ovi Store for browsing, buying, and downloading thousands of third-party apps, assuming it works.

Finally, the Nokia E5 is a business-focused smartphone in the vein of the E72. It features numerous productivity apps, Mail for Exchange, and Lotus Notes Traveler, plus access to the Ovi Store.

All three are due for release in the second and third quarters overseas; no word yet on U.S. versions. But Nokia seems to have finally figured out how to get carriers to subsidize its handsets; my money is on at least one of these appearing here.

Resource:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2362564,00.asp

The patent, titled "Group Formation Using Anonymous Broadcast Information," which was filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, outlines details of a proposed location-aware mobile application delivered via token-based system that would enable iPhone and other mobile device users to discover each other and ultimately congregate when in the same physical space, such as a business meeting, tradeshow, wedding or concert.

"During private or public events, a typical individual may have many brief contacts with individuals for which they would like to have further correspondence post event," Apple said in its patent.

The Tokens would be received and stored locally on the users’ iPhone or mobile device with corresponding timestamps, which would enable a service to match or correlate the tokens with other tokens of users in the same geographic location. The service would then perform an analysis on the tokens and timestamps to hone in on the locations of other iPhone/mobile device users.

"Modern wireless devices can operate in an ad hoc mode, which allows wireless devices within range of each other to discover and communicate in peer-to-peer fashion without involving central access points," Apple said in its patent. "A group can be created based on results of the analysis. Users can be identified as members of the group and invited to join the group."

In its patent, Apple uses the example of users at a rock concert, in which various attendees set their Bluetooth-enabled devices to Token Exchange mode. The devices within transmission range begin exchanging and storing tokens. Then during or after the concert, the device holders upload their tokens to a trusted service that maintains a database of device data secured by authentication and encryption technologies. Device holders can then set up accounts through the service’s Website portal in order to post or relay personal information and secret data, including physical location, to other device holders with the aim of forming live groups.

However, the tentative ad hoc networks only exists while the users’ devices are within close proximity, as in a concert hall, hotel, or convention center. "There is no facility for regenerating the network at a later time to allow users to continue discussions or exchange content," Apple said.

With its tentative foray into location-aware mobile applications, Apple is attempting to play catch-up in the social networking arena, while putting itself on a competitive playing field with Facebook and microblogging site Twitter, the latter of which already enables users to specify exact geographic locations for their "tweets," which appear on the Twitter site or through other third party applications.

Resource:
http://www.crn.com/networking/224000222

Tata Docomo subscribers in Gujarat will be able to use the ‘pay-for-what-you-use’ model, which includes per-second pulse as well as several applications and services. They will also benefit from special SMS tariffs, wherein the first SMS of the day will be charged at 60 paise and the next 200 SMS in that day, local or national, will be free. The company will also offer its mobile community service – Buddynet, within which members will be able to make local calls at one paisa per six seconds and STD calls at one paisa for two seconds. Buddynet members in Gujarat will also be able to access social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Orkut, LinkedIn and Nimbus free of cost.

Deepak Gulati, president, Tata Docomo said in the statement, “Our customers in Gujarat will also enjoy a special calling rate of three paise per second on international calls to the US and Canada (and to UK landlines), without any pack. We will also offer a per-second pricing model for everything, be it voice calls, value added services or IVR (interactive voice response) interactions.”

The company claims that it has already covered 487 towns and 770 villages in Gujarat along 1,969 km of the state’s highways, airports, along 1,700 km of rail routes and places of tourist interest. Coverage in the districts of Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Jamnagar will be provided soon after the receipt of spectrum from the Government of India.

Resource :
http://telecomyatra.afaqs.com/news/?sid=595_Tata+Docomo+launches+operations+in+Gujarat+circle

The phones will be made available in July exclusively on Verizon, the largest cellphone carrier in the U.S., and will be aimed at heavy users of social networks, said the report, which featured what it said were leaked images from the phones’ marketing campaign. The two phones are codenamed Pink and Pure, and will be manufactured for the software giant by Sharp, the report said.

The report came after Microsoft last month unveiled a new mobile operating system that was widely praised by technology pundits.

Microsoft used to enjoy a leading position in the smartphone arena but has seen its position severely eroded by Apple’s iPhone, by the Blackberry and by numerous devices running Google’s Android operating system.

Resource: http://beta.thehindu.com/sci-tech/internet/article201251.ece