ROW Short Takes

Zi Corp. launches latest handwriting recognition solutionZi Corp.’s latest incarnation of its handwriting recognition software, Decuma Version 4, is expressly designed for mobile devices, particularly phones and gaming consoles. Its predictive text capabilities allow it to better recognize and convert shaky handwriting. "Standard handwriting on mobile devices has never quite worked for some consumers," said Zi Corp.’s COO and chief technology officer, Milos Djokovic in a news release. "Conventional methods are too awkward, and the process is too slow and frustrating." Version 4 also more than doubles the language capabilities of past Decuma software to 31 languages. Robotech coming to mobile phonesAirborne Entertainment reached an exclusive deal with Harmony Gold USA Inc. to offer content from the anime series Robotech for mobile phones. The content will include ringtones, ringback tones, wallpaper and eventually a mobile game. "Airborne has been extremely successful in mobilizing many highly recognized brands," said Christy Pawlak, director of business development for Harmony Gold, in a press release. Robotech was one of the first Japanese cartoons to gain acceptance in North America and has retained its popularity here for over 20 years. Enhanced subscriber experience to come from MobiTV, IPWireless partnershipCalifornia-based companies MobiTV Inc. and IPWireless have joined forces to deliver MobiTV over TDtv to mobile handsets. "Our partnership with IPWireless to develop a high-efficiency multicast solution that will utilize existing cellular infrastructure is a natural complement and extension to the growing reach of our mobile television and music services," said MobiTV’s CEO and chairman Phillip Alvelda in news release. IPWireless is expecting that TDtv networks will be rolled out in mid-2007, following a successful trial phase. Grammy winners got RideTonesIf the prestige of the award wasn’t enough, winners at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards received RideTones supplied by Waterloo-based Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc. in their gift bags. RideTones personalize cars by adding audio tones to various vehicle functions, like locking or unlocking the door, setting or turning off the alarm and starting the ignition. Instead of the standard beep accompanying most remote systems, owners can hear their favourite song when they unlock their door or pop the trunk. Getting in the Grammy gift bag is a public relations coup for IMS; it puts RideTones in the same company as past gifts like Apple’s iPod, Siemens cell phones and Logitech’s digital camera. Telesat to be exclusive satellite provider for AurorasTelesat, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Inc., has been named the exclusive satellite provider for Auroras Entertainment. The Montana-based Auroras is an end-to-end infrastructure, service and content provider for Internet Protocol television. "Auroras share Telesat’s vision of enhancing and advancing the frontiers of television," Telesat’s VP for broadcasting and corporate development, Paul Bush, said in a news release. "We’re excited about the possibilities of on-demand entertainment, and eager to play a key role in providing it to consumers – with exceptional reliability." Auroras’ service will be available across the US including Alaska and Hawaii, and the company has already completed a successful trial run with Wealth TV, NFL Network and Oxygen. Nortel, Vodafone demonstrate 3.6 Mbps mobile serviceAt the 3GSM World Congress 2006 in Barcelona, Nortel and Vodafone Spain demonstrated mobile calls at 3.6 Megabits per second, much faster than most fixed European broadband connections, which run at 2 Mbps. Nortel upgraded the network covering the location of the congress in Barcelona so it could deliver high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) to select customers’ mobile phones and laptops at the event. "As we lead the transition of HSDPA from the laboratory into live, commercial, deployments, we are working hard with operators such as Vodafone to highlight the personal and work benefits increased broadband mobile coverage can bring," said the VP of Nortel’s GSM/UMTS portfolio, Alain Biston, in a news release. Infowave releases Echo mobile product suiteVancouver-based Infowave Software Inc. has released Echo by Infowave, its new mobile product suite for enterprise customers with mobile workers. Echo’s application options include: mobile spare parts and truck stop management; mobile inventory and materials management; service order management and processing; mobile asset tracking and condition monitoring; and a mobile data collection toolkit. The product can be updated after installation and a configuration tool is provided so the administrator can make any required form changes. Nokia acquires IntellisyncNokia’s acquisition of Intellisync has been completed, enhancing Nokia’s ability to respond to customer needs and better positioning the company to provide mobility solutions for businesses. "The acquisition puts Nokia in an unparalleled position in the business mobility market," said Mary McDowell, executive VP and general manager of Nokia’s enterprise solutions business group in a press release. "By combining the existing Nokia offerings with the leading software, synchronization and device management solutions from Intellisync, we are able to connect practically any device built on any platform, to any data source, application or network." Intellisync’s platform-independent wireless messaging and applications for mobile devices will continue to be sold under the Intellisync name, but as part of Nokia’s enterprise solutions business group. CSI reduces staff, investment in Telematics product lineCalgary-based CSI Wireless Inc., a designer and manufacturer of wireless and GPS products for the agricultural, marine, automotive and other industries, has announced it will be reducing staff, expenses and the overall investment within its Telematics product line. Historically, Telematics, a vehicle tracking/locating application, has been the weakest performer financially for CSI, and the company’s focus will now shift towards its Hemisphere GPS and Fixed Wireless product lines, which show greater earning potential. "Our decision was not taken lightly but we view it as beneficial overall for the company, and it ensures that our resources are allocated to maximize performance and growth for the corporation," said CSI president and CEO Stephen Verhoeff in a news release. Sierra Wireless embedded module selected by Fujitsu Siemens ComputersFujitsu Siemens Computers has chosen Sierra Wireless’s MC8755 PCI express mini card modules to provide integrated HSDPA/UMTS network connectivity in its Lifebook Professional notebook series. The Sierra Wireless product will simplify access to online information and corporate applications for mobile professionals. "We see great potential in UMTS embedded professional notebooks and with the Sierra Wireless mini card we can now offer our customers data access anytime and anywhere the UMTS network is available," said Andreas Thimmel, VP business clients at Fujitsu Siemens Computers. The Aircard Enabled Lifebook notebooks will be available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as of the second quarter 2006. Web based software platform Bosstrak deployed by BulldogBulldog Technologies Inc. has released Bosstrak, a web based mapping and device control software application to manage Bulldog’s MiniBoss and RoadBoss GTS wireless cargo security and tracking devices. Bosstrak promises to break through the barriers put up by companies reluctant to surrender any IT security measures to enable access to real-time data within supply chains. The product allows access to data without compromising any IT security, and features a mapping engine that places an icon at the precise location of the device. Additionally, a FleetView application allows companies with numerous devices to check on the status of each one. "Customer approval of Bosstrak has been tremendous as it has put the true power of the MiniBoss and RoadBoss GTS directly into the customer’s hands," said Bulldog’s CEO, John Cockburn, in a news release.

ROW Short Takes

News | 02/23/2006 5:00 am EST

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