Handset makers unveiled new phones at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week, but nothing that came anywhere near the fervor the Apple iPhone created last year. Here’s a brief rundown:
• LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A. displayed phones and accessories featuring the latest in touch screen technology, advanced music and TV capabilities and Bluetooth. Separately, the company named Jeff Hwang as president. For the past year, he led LG’s mobile communication business for the Korean market. As the top LG Mobile Phones executive in North America, Hwang succeeds Juno Cho, who was named executive vice president for LG Corporation.
• Motorola displayed its portfolio of new devices, including the MOTO Z10 that helps consumers create, edit, share and consume multimedia on the go. Motorola calls it a “pocket-sized mobile film studio” that plays and captures video and marries audio and video. The company also unveiled six new wired and wireless headsets and the ROKR E8, the first Motorola handset to use its ModeShift technology; the E8 also marks the debut to the FastScroll navigation wheel.
• Nokia announced it is optimizing the Nokia N95 8 GB for networks using 850/1900 MHz HSDPA in the Americas. Nokia says the new N95 8 GB “bridges the gap between traditional fixed entertainment centers and portable wireless devices,” with its 2.8-inch QVGA screen with support for up to 16 million colors, eight gigabytes of built-in memory, A-GPS for better location access and enhanced battery life.
• Samsung Electronics showcased its line of high-fashion mobile phones, including the Giorgio Armani-Samsung phone. Samsung teamed with the fashion company to develop the device, which is available in selected mobile phone stores and Giorgio Armani boutiques in major European countries, with plans for expansion to other markets in 2008. Samsung also showed off the Serenata, a luxury phone created between Samsung and home theater designer Bang & Olufsen, and the B’Phone, a limited edition music phone available only through Sprint; it’s an update to the UpStage.
• Sony Ericsson revealed the clamshell Z555 phone, as well as a collection of leather bags and three new Bluetooth headsets. The Z555 incorporates Sony Ericsson’s Gesture Control. When a call comes in, a movement of your hand back and forth over the phone mutes the ringtone. The company also announced the W760, a truly global Walkman phone with tri-band HSDPA.
