It has been long since I used a wrist watch, about five years ago since I started using a cell phone. Since that time, the desire to use a wrist watch disappeared. Why hung a chunk of metal and leather on your wrist for the purpose of checking time when your cell phone can do the same?

In an ongoing poll, it appears that nearly two-thirds of people prefer to check the current time on their cell phone rather than on a conventional wrist watch.

Whenever my friends asked me why I am not using a wrist watch, I will tell them that I am already surrounded by time devices. I carry at least two cell phones, an MP3 player which displays time, time in the dashboard of my car, time in my laptop, wall clocks in my office, living room and bedroom. Why do I need to spend money to read time on an extra device?

Other than fashion purpose, I see no need for a wrist watch. As I used to tell my friends, unless the wrist watch can perform a multiple functions of a wrist watch, a thermometer, stethoscope, wind vane, trek-o-meter, etc, (something like a James Bond’s type of wrist watch), then count me out.

Where do you stand? Are you reading time on your wrist watch or cell phone? Whatever your answer, the good news is that you can combine all available options. Ours is a world of convenience; Time devices are in everything and everywhere. Happy New and Prosperous Year to you all.

Read time on your wrist watch or cell phone

A Japanese company today unveiled a new device that will allow people “speak” through their ear so they can use their mobile telephones in noisy places.

The device named “e-Mimi-kun” (good ear boy) — doubles as an earphone and a microphone by detecting air vibrations inside the ear, developer NS-ELEX Co. said.

The earpiece and an accompanying device can be connected to a mobile phone, or wirelessly to a Bluetooth handset, so that users no longer have to cover their mouths when speaking in a loud environment, the company said.

Exterior noise is reduced six-fold by the earpiece, it said, while a chip developed by Sanyo Electric for the accompanying device reduces sound levels ten-fold, it added.

NS-ELEX believes the product would be useful for people working in places such as factories, restaurants and amusement parks.

Links:
physorg.com
engadgetmobile.com

Nokia now offers a world of virtual pet-care so your pet is never left alone again. Creebies, available through the N-Gage mobile games service, gives each player their own 3D Creebi to care for, entertain, feed and even breed!

Supplied with a trailer and some virtual cash, you can customize your new friend and home with various accessories. Soon, the 3D pet will take on its own personality and appearance based on the attention it receives.

With care, the pet will grow and become more independent. However, make sure to keep an eye on its individual health meters, which will let you know when its hungry or feeling ill.

“Nokia Games Publishing has brought a quirky game to N-Gage that appeal to all ages,” said Dr Mark Ollila, Director of Technology and Strategy and Head of Games Publishing, Nokia. “With Creebies anyone can have the pleasure of owning a pet without the trouble of cleaning up the mess.”

Your Creebi can also interact with other Creebies via Bluetooth technology - for instance, they can play games together or even breed. Players can show off their newborns to others or send them to new homes through the Adoption Center in the N-Gage Arena.

Creebies is expected to be available in early 2008.

http://www.symbian-freak.com/news/007/12/creebiesfindtheirwayontongage.htm

Watch It
This surely sounds quirky, the thought of creating a virtual personality that can have a mind of it’s own. Talk about creating your own monster. Well, for those who like something spooky or out of the ordinary, this may be the game to wait for.

You can breed this dog online

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and its eight regional subsidiaries announced today that the FOMAâ„¢ F801i, a new child-friendly 3G mobile phone loaded with special features for the safety and convenience of children, will go on sale December 20.

http://www.nttdocomo.com/pr/2007/001377.html

In an emergency, the child can quickly switch on the phone’s 100-decibel alarm, which produces two types of noise alternately. When the alarm is activated, the phone also emits a bright light (high-intensity LED) that is easily visible to people in the surrounding area.

The phone can be set to automatically notify loved ones when the alarm is activated, and provide the handset’s current location as well. Computer-generated phone calls can be placed to up to three registered numbers and messages can be sent to registered individuals who subscribe to the i-mode location service called imadoco search. In addition, the child can discreetly message their location to a registered imadoco search user by simply pushing a button on the side of the phone.

If the phone’s power is switched off, a presetting can enable the handset to automatically turn back on (in as little as five minutes) and message the incident and the phone’s location to a registered DoCoMo phone.

An amulet-style remote controller worn by the child can be used to make a misplaced phone beep if within a range of about 10 meters (may vary with usage environment). If the user moves even farther from the handset, the phone can automatically lock (requires presetting). If the handset remains out of the amulet’s range for more than five minutes, a message can be sent automatically to a registered DoCoMo phone.

FOMA F801i Handset & Amulet

The next episode of entertainment is literally in your pocket, thanks to a new video service called Medeo, delivering content fresh off the Hollywood vine straight to you every day. Accessed through www.nokia.mobi, Medeo tailors the best of entertainment and lifestyle media especially for your Nokia mobile device.

Developed by leading mobile services and software company Starcut, Medeo is your first stop for the latest on everything from red carpet news, interviews with your favorite TV and movie stars, film trailers, fashion and music. Better yet, enjoying all of this entertainment won’t stretch your pocket - Medeo is a video streaming service sponsored by ads.

“We’ve already paved the way for the mobile device to evolve beyond the traditional sphere of mobility into a device as personal as it is powerful. Bringing you the entertainment you want is part of that promise - and with Starcut’s innovative service, we are delivering entertainment straight to your Nokia device,” said Petteri Putkiranta, director of video experiences, Multimedia, Nokia.

“With Medeo, we’re able to bring our extensive experience and insight in mobile services and entertainment to the forefront. We are excited to have Nokia bring Medeo to a worldwide audience,” said Juha Tiihonen, CEO, Starcut.

The content available on Medeo will focus on popular entertainment centers like Hollywood, with additional content from hot red carpet events like the Berlin and Cannes Film Festivals. The service is expected to gain an even wider global audience with eventual outreach into other significant entertainment locations.

The service is available immediately for Nokia Nseries and Eseries mobile devices. Other Nokia devices with video streaming capability are expected to be supported shortly.