New Mobile Camera Module Standard Released
GENEVA, Switzerland – Cell phone giant Nokia, in conjunction with STMicroelectronics, released a comprehensive standard for mobile camera modules earlier this month. The companies hope the standard will be adopted industry wide, enabling handset manufacturers to work with multiple suppliers of the technology.
The specification, dubbed Standard Mobile Imaging Architecture (SMIA), will cover all aspects of the modules, including their electrical, mechanical, and functional interfaces, and also address other key areas such as characterization, optical performance, and reliability. The SMIA specification is offered for free to the mobile imaging industry and is available at SMIA-forum.org.
The mobile-phone camera-module industry has developed rapidly in terms of technology, with dramatic increases in image quality and higher resolution. SMIA is a standardization effort to fulfill the emerging new requirements. SMIA attempts to address the task of specifying functional and optical behavior of camera modules and therefore enable cost-efficient multiple sourcing of the module at the phone level.
"The camera phone market will increase rapidly with cameras entering into key product segments of mobile devices," said Janne Haavisto, director of the Camera Entity within Nokia Technology Platforms. "Nokia recently estimated that the camera phone market would exceed 200 million units this year. SMIA's target is to streamline and accelerate the camera module development, ultimately contributing to creation of the state-of art imaging mobile devices, independent of vendors,"
Marc Vasseur, general manager of ST's Imaging Division, added, "ST and Nokia have worked on this specification for more than two years, and both companies are contributing significant intellectual property into SMIA. ST has been immensely successful in this market. Now, the standardization of interfaces and system partitioning, via SMIA, will enable us to address significantly more opportunities in the mobile phone industry."
The demand for higher image resolution to megapixel and beyond has prompted the need for increasing bandwidth on the interface, while keeping the pin count low and EMI consistent with mobile phone design constraints. In addition, significant cost reductions are made possible by optimizing the architecture of the camera phone as a whole, as opposed to viewing the camera as a peripheral subsystem. SMIA proposes a framework for defining the related metrics.
SMIA specifies imaging sub-element partitioning that will enable independent technology evolution and optimal design development. Based on a partitioned architecture approach, the optics and sensor will be implemented on the SMIA camera module and imaging processing will be executed, for example, by the mobile phone's main application processor engine.
SMIA has six chapters that cover all key aspects of a camera module:
The electrical interface specifies the physical layer (voltage levels, pin-count, timing), data rate (up to 650Mb/sec), EMI (electro-magnetic interference) performance, and output image format.
The functional specification specifies frame and field formats, register maps for set-up and control and has three profiles that help easy video usability with high resolution sensors.
The mechanical interface proposes a family of set of modules that provide mechanical outlines specifically designed for volume manufacturing.
The characterization chapter provides for optical-performance metrics and sensor noise standards.
The reliability chapter includes environmental-test and drop-test standards.
Finally, a software model is also provided in the SMIA specification, including reference-device drivers and software architecture.
While Nokia and ST hold key patents and other intellectual property in the SMIA specification, both companies have decided to open these up to any third party and will not assert their rights against anyone implementing a fully compliant SMIA module. No fee, nor royalty, will be levied.
One-Third of UK Subscribers at Risk Due to Poor Service
LONDON – Mobile operators risk losing 35 percent of their customers who feel the service they are receiving is not up to scratch, according to research conducted by Coleman-Parkes Research Limited andTNS Market Research in March and announced by IT consultancy LogicaCMG this week. This could cost the recovering telecoms industry in the UK an estimated £3 billion this year in customer churn as operators focus on growth and expansion strategies over improving quality of service. The UK's mobile subscriber base is estimated to be 54.7 million people.
The survey highlights a disparity between operators and their users as mobile network providers focus on business expansion at the expense of improving the systems key to providing better customer service. An alarming 86 percent of senior managers surveyed across UK mobile operators admitted quality of service was not their number one priority in 2004. Instead, 22 percent of mobile industry managers emphasized company expansion as the most important business issue this year. The figures represent a stark contrast to last year, when 35 percent said customer service topped the agenda.
In addition, 28 percent of unhappy customers will contact their service provider before potentially taking action to leave the network. This represents a growing burden on network call center services, which in turn need to focus on service excellence to stem additional customer churn.
Derek Kemp, managing director for UK telecoms at LogicaCMG, said, "Mobile operators need to carefully balance the desire to acquire new customers against the quality of service delivered, particularly if you consider the maxim that it costs four times as much to attract a new customer than to retain an existing one. Whilst a more buoyant mobile market offers great opportunities for growth, our research illustrates that quality is the key for consumers, and vast numbers of subscribers are ready to change operator if they don't feel it is up to scratch. With £3 billion of the market up for grabs, there are clearly significant rewards for operators that prioritize improving business processes and systems around quality of service and customer Service Level Agreements at the top of their business agenda."
Consider Courtesy During 'Wireless Etiquette Month'
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – July of each year is "Wireless Etiquette Month," and AT&T Wireless is reminding cell phone users that it's not always "the other guy" who's out of line when he's on the line.
In a recent survey of wireless phone subscribers, 42 percent responded that most Americans rarely or never use their cell phone in a courteous manner. Yet a whopping 95 percent claimed they personally are courteous cell phone users, at least most of the time.
The non-scientific "person-on-the-street" survey was conducted during the last week of June among 200 wireless phone subscribers, half in New York City and half in Los Angeles. AT&T Wireless commissioned the survey to see if attitudes had changed since it released similar findings one year ago.
"It seems we may still judge our own cell phone use as being more courteous than those around us consider it to be," said Mark Siegel, vice president of public relations for AT&T Wireless. "Perhaps courtesy is in the eye – or rather the ear – of the beholder.
"But the good news is that most wireless subscribers do believe others are courteous users at least most of the time," Siegel continued. "And wireless subscribers are becoming familiar with phone features that can promote courteous use."
In fact, an overwhelming 94 percent of survey respondents agreed that in some situations it is courteous to set a cell phone ringer to "silent" or "vibrate" – and 89 percent claimed to have done so.
In addition, 69 percent of survey respondents agreed that in some situations sending a text message would be more courteous to those around them than making a voice call. Nearly half the respondents (46 percent) reported that they use text messaging.
Moreover, while 42 percent of respondents apparently believe their fellow cell phone users need a lesson in wireless etiquette, 58 percent agreed that most Americans are courteous cell phone users at least most of the time.
So what can be done to raise America's cell phone courtesy quotient? AT&T Wireless recommends that cell phone users take a fresh assessment of their own behavior and consider the following tips:
Avoid "cell yell." You typically don't need to shout to be heard.
Remember that your turn-offs may be pleasing to others. If you're in a location where a ringing phone may disturb others – such as a restaurant, museum, library, theater, or on public transportation – turn off your phone and let any calls go to voicemail. Alternatively, simply set your ringer to "silent" or "vibrate."
Take it outside. If you need to place a call while in a public place, step outside before doing so. Some public places, such as movie theaters and trains, may have designated areas where cell phone use is permitted.
Thumb it. In some situations it may be more courteous to those around you if you quietly send a text message rather than place a voice call.
Ask before you click. As with any other form of photography, don't use a camera phone where taking pictures is prohibited. And ask permission before snapping someone's picture.
New Mobile Browser, SDK Debut
TOKYO – Access, a global provider of Internet access technologies, on Wednesday announced the availability of NetFront v3.2, the latest version of its widely deployed and actively used browser for the beyond-PC market including mobile phones, PDAs, set-top boxes, digital television, automobile telematics, and more. Access also announced the release of the NetFront 3.2 Software Development Kit (SDK), a development solution that provides sophisticated new tools for user-interface (UI) development while enabling the rapid integration of NetFront browser technology to Internet devices beyond the PC.
NetFront v3.2 contains an integrated set of advanced technologies, including Rapid-Render, a sophisticated incremental rendering technology that dramatically accelerates the presentation of Web pages, and Smart-Fit Rendering, a rendering technology that intelligently renders Web pages to fit the screen width of mobile devices. Also included is NetFront Dynamic Menu, a sophisticated UI framework that enables the dynamic delivery of advanced mobile services over the air (OTA), providing end-users with continually refreshed menus and content and a mobile Internet experience that is dramatically more compelling than today's static content. NetFront v3.2 also supports Macromedia Flash and XTHML Voice.
Further empowering handset vendors and mobile operators, NetFront v3.2 SDK contains new capabilities that simplify and speed user interface creation and deployment across a variety of Internet-capable devices. Among its new features, NetFront v3.2 SDK allows developers to create one UI and automatically adapt it to the differing screen sizes and formats of multiple Internet access devices and home appliances.
More information is available at Access.co.jp/english or Access-us-inc.com.
palmOne Introduces Mac Resource Center
MILPITAS, Calif – palmOne Inc. on Wednesday introduced an online resource center for Mac enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their palmOne handhelds and smartphones. New Web pages at palmOne.com/us/macintosh help the Mac community take its digital lifestyle on the go with tips on wireless connectivity, an array of photo album opportunities, and other informative features.
The Mac resource center, featuring "Web Resources" and "Support Resources" sections on its home page, also offers specific help under the categories "Photo Albums & iPhoto," "Syncing w/iSync," "Go Wireless," and "Software."
"We count thousands and thousands of Mac enthusiasts among our valued customers," said Page Murray, vice president of marketing for palmOne Inc. "We created this new Mac resource center to build on the idea of the Mac as a digital hub and the palmOne handheld as your portable digital life."
The latest mobile professional and entry-level devices from palmOne, the Zire 72 and Zire 31 handhelds, are featured on the new Web pages. With color screens and photo capabilities these devices are compatible with favorite Mac applications, such as iPhoto, iCal, Address Book, and iSync.
Vodafone live! Subscribers to Get Square Enix Games
LONDON – Vodafone and Square Enix Co. Ltd. on Thursday announced a joint collaboration for the launch of new mobile content on Vodafone live!. Best known for the popular Final Fantasy video game series, Square Enix marks it entry into the European mobile gaming market with the move.
The initial titles available for download via Vodafone live! will be Aleste and Actraiser, both of which will debut for Vodafone Germany subscribers in July. The games then will be rolled out across other Vodafone live! European regions over the summer, including the UK, Spain, and Italy. A mobile version of Drakengard, released in May for PlayStation 2, also is planned for release during the summer.
"The addition of Square Enix's quality game titles to the Vodafone live! portfolio is a real win for our European customers," said Tim Harrison, head of the games division at Vodafone Group Services Limited. "This agreement marks just the start of an exciting new relationship with Square Enix, with more classic titles to come."
"Our relationship with Vodafone in Europe allows us to offer mobile gamers the highest-quality original content Square Enix is famous for," said Yoichi Wada, president of Square Enix
In Aleste, the mobile version of the 1980s home console classic, players become the pilot of an ultra-advanced attack craft, codenamed Aleste. The mission sees them fearlessly flying through enemy-packed stages, collecting weapon power-ups on their way to the explosive end-of-level boss battles. Each level ramps up the challenge.
Actraiser challenges players to fight their ways past centaurs, goblins, trolls, and a menagerie of other mythical creatures in a side-scrolling action game. Armed with a mighty blade and plenty of determination, gamers must cleanse the landscape of hordes of evil monsters. Based on the classic Super Nintendo game of the same name, Actraiser brings classic console gaming to the mobile phone.
Drakengard, Square Enix's new role-playing game, was launched in Europe on the PlayStation 2 on May 21, 2004. The mobile version of this console game sees players battling across four different locations, fighting evil Empire forces on the ground and in the air. Each level combines fantastic sword-slashing action and dragon-riding combat.
