Free Skype to Skype calls – now on your Nokia handset

Nokia & Skype have announced that Skype’s VOIP software is now available for the Symbian operating system.

“What can it do?”

Now you can make Skype to Skype calls, send and receive messages, share images and video files (via data connection). Users will also be able to receive calls (to an existing Skype number), import your contacts directly from your phone address book into the Skype app and see when other Skype users are online.

Symbian for Skype will work over a 3G data connection as well as a Wi-Fi connection, providing your handset supports Wi-Fi.

“Which handsets are compatible?”

A bunch of Nokia handsets are compatible, including (but not limited to):

• Nokia E-Series – E63, E71, E72, E90
• Nokia N-Series – N79, N78, N81, N95, N96, N97
• Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
• 6210 Navigator

Further down the track Skype plans on extending the Skype client to other Symbian platforms (Sony Ericsson) as well as for Blackberry and Android platforms.

“Where Do I Get it?”

You can download the Skype app through the Nokia Ovi Store.

Nokia’s SVP for smartphones, Jo Harlow said

“Symbian is enabling us to bring smartphones to more and more people and ensures scale for our solutions and compelling services, such as Skype. We’re seeing around 1.5 million downloads a day through Ovi Store now and believe that the Skype client for Nokia smartphones increases the amount of downloads further.”

If you’d like more information, check out the Nokia or Skype sites.

Nexus One – the brainchild of Google (for software and hardware design) and HTC (hardware) was officially launched early this week.

It’s the latest Android Smartphone to wow the non-Apple crowd, or perhaps sway the less loyal Apple fans. Those who are already Android phone or HTC fans may jump straight onboard.

Nexus One Specs

Sporting a fast 1GHz processor and a larger than iPhone (3.7 inches) 680 x 800 pixel high resolution widescreen

5MP camera with LED flash, autofocus and digital zoom

4Gb micro SD card (expandable to 32Gb) and removable 1400 mAH battery.

As well, there’s lots of options for image, video and audio format.

• Height: 4.68″ (118.9 mm)
• Width: 2.35″ (59.8 mm)
• Depth: 0.45″ (ultra slim 11.5 mm)
• Weight: 4.69oz (~130 gms)

Where to Buy

Not in Australia!

Whilst it is being launched in the US this week, with Europe to follow – and its availabe for sale on the new Google web store for those in the US – it will be some time before (actually, if) Aussies see it here.

But still, why not take a sneak peak of the Nexus One 3D tour.

Mobile Phone Radiation – is it safe exposure?

The jury is still out a little on the answer to that and more research is needed. The Environmental Working Group (Washington) think that mobile phone users should be warned about levels of radiation until such time as scientists know much more.

Recent studies find significantly higher risks for brain and salivary gland tumors among people using cell phones for 10 years or longer. The state of the science is provocative and troubling, and much more research is essential.”

The EWG have created a database ranking more than 1,000 mobile phones in terms of the amount of radiation they emit, so that consumers can factor radiation emissions into the purchase decision.

Top 5 phones (least radiation)

1. Samsung Impression
2. Motorola RAZR V8
3. Samsung SGH-t229
4. Samsung Rugby (SGH-a837)
5. Samsung Propel Pro (SGH-i627)

Of course, being an American database, some models are different to what is released here. Don’t fear though, mobile phone users can input their mobile phone models to check against the EWG database how much radiation they may be exposing themselves to.

Most radiation?

So which handset is the highest rated?

You can see here that Samsung ranks 4 out of the Top 5 (and actually had 5 out of 10 for the lowest radiation exposure), which sounds like a big win for them, but don’t be caught out by that.  Looking at the entire table, there are also some Samsung in the extremely high levels.

Although Motorola came in the at No2, Motorola handsets were also sprinkled all the way down the table, along with the Blackberry.

And well, there’s no mention of the Apple iPhone in the Top 10 table … Apple fans (or non-fans who want to gloat) need to search quite a way down the online database to see how it ranked.

Reduce your Risk

Check out their tips for how you can reduce your exposure – for example more texting than talking. Yay, justification for not having to take any more phone calls?

Originating source: How much radiation does your mobile emit?

KC910: everything at your fingertips

LG’s KC910 Renoir is proving very popular.  Being one of the slimmest touchscreens on the market and boasting a 8Mp camera, it’s not hard to see why…

Features

8Mp camera: The LG Renoir’s exceptional camera features helps you get the best out of photos, with auto focus, face tracking and beauty shot.

Customisable Widgets: Personalise and customise your display, have quick access to your favourite friends contact details, calendar, photos and more.

Edit photos & video: LG Renoir’s Editing Suite means you can edit both pictures and movies on the go. With pictures you can add text, morph images and much more. With movies you can edit the length and merge your clips together.

MP3 player: LG Renoir is the first handset to include Dolby Mobile – powerful bass!

Assisted GPS: The in-built A-GPS Receiver and GPS mapping application has text based navigational assistance.  It also allows you to create an interactive map using your own photos – and features ‘Jogging Buddy’ which uses GPS technology to help track workouts.

Special Offer

With features like this, you’d expect to pay a packet.  Wrong!  It’s $zero upfront on the Virgin Your Cap $29 plan, plus they’re offering a bonus $29 credit for online sales only. This offer is only valid until 30 June

Where to Buy mobile phones

Click here to check out all Virgin’s deal for yourself: