Canada’s newest national GSM carrier, Harmony Mobile today launches CityHarmony, the first truly combined Wi-Fi/GSM dual mode service in Canada. Developed to provide Canadians with an integrated wireless phone for their home, office or mobile calling needs, CityHarmony combines the power of WLAN (aka Wi-Fi) and the company’s next generation of cellular network.

If you are in Canada, you can use CityHarmony on an unlimited local and long distance calling within the boundaries of North America. Calling is done over Wi-Fi for free. Unlike other proprietary systems, CityHarmony would allow its customer to make and receive phone call in any Wi-Fi network that they have access to.

Jonathan Richards, president and founder of Harmony Mobile was very pleased to announce the official launch of its flagship service, CityHarmony.

“This service has three major benefits for our founder of customers, In addition to eliminating North American long distance charges and expensive international roaming fees, this service also enhances in-building mobile coverage in places where traditional GSM signals are weak or unavailable, such as conference rooms or basements,” says Richards.

CityHarmony service includes a Cisco Linksys Wi-Fi router and a Harmony SIP VOIP account. If you are a user of HP iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger and Nokia E61/E61i smartphones, the CityHarmony is available on those three smartphones.

With these free calling features, your regular mobile phone bill would certainly go down. Aside from the fact that with CityHarmony, you can make a call on areas where the GSM signal is poor, using Wi-Fi connectivity.

CityHarmony is indeed a great service which lets users be connected and easily reachable no matter which number users are being contacted on. CityHarmony’s integrated home, mobile and texting feature is really beneficial to Harmony Mobile customers.

The GPS 810 is one the three latest portable navigation device from Harman Kardon. The other two less powerful GPS devices are the GPS-310 and GPS-510. The GPS- 810 has all the features of the GPS-310 and GPS-510 such as:

• An integrated navigation and digital music player that works simultaneously together,
• An integrated text-to-speech technology that provides spoken identification of roads and highways,
• Easy-to-use, highly intuitive touchscreen interface
• 4-inch widescreen WQVGA LCD which enables high quality viewing of maps
• Small pocket sized car mount which is very secure for automotive use
• 2 GB of internal flash memory with U.S. and Canada maps
• Fast USB 2.0 interface compatible with both PC and MAC
• Real-time traffic information services that gets updated regularly
• A video player with WM-DRM10 decoding
• Compatibility with SD/SHDC cards and supports MP3, AAC, WMA, WMV9 and MPEG4 file formats

Aside from those features which are also present in the GPS-310 and GPS-510, the GPS-810 also boost of nifty features such as an intuitive wireless rotary controller. This controller allows easy in-car operation of the GPS device. It can be mounted on a location inside the car which is most convenient and accessible to the car driver. The GPS-810 also has Bluetooth capability that lets you navigate and do voice call at the same time. It is also equipped with a picture viewer for jpeg file formats. You can even search for through thumbnail previews or view a slideshow of JPEG images. And lastly, to complete the features of the GPS-810, a wireless FM transmitter was also included.

Indeed Harman Kardon’s GPS-810 is a worthy addition to the growing catalog of Harman Kardon’s wireless portable devices.

Motorola is set to launch its newest In-Car Bluetooth device sometime in Q1 2008, the MOTOROKR T505. This latest Motorola in-car solution is a road-ready, music-oriented ROKR accessory which would enable you to connect Bluetooth enabled phone into your car’s sound system. While listening to music, you also get to answer calls hands-free.

The MOTOROKR T505 is portable and can be easily clipped on your car’s sun visor. To listen to your favourite music just connect the Bluetooth device into your MOTOROKR Phone or any compatible mobile phone and mp3 players via Motorola’s EasyPair technology. When you’ve reached your destination, you can easily take it out of your car sun visor, then bring it with you where ever you may go.

Another feature of this soon to-be released Bluetooth device is a Station Finder, an innovative FM transmitter that announces where the best FM connection can be found on your car’s radio. The T505 automatically mutes the music whenever a call is coming in and announces the caller’s ID so driver’s can keep their eyes on the road instead of looking into their phone to know who is calling them. This is certainly a breakthrough and innovative feature.

With the T505, you can connect wirelessly to Bluetooth enable device up to 10 meters away. Battery time has a maximum 20 hours talk time. So, the T505 is a perfect device to go with you on a long drive to the country.

And last but not the least, the T505 has an internal speaker that is loud enough for in-car use. You can you it with the car stereo or by itself. With full duplex feature, you can talk with your caller and still hear each other in the same that you engaged in a face-to-face conversation.

Sharper Image’s Monophonic One-Speaker System is not your ordinary speaker system. Its wireless features make it an ideal speaker system outdoors. Sharper Image’s wireless outdoor monophonic one-speaker system answers your need for a sound system on poolside, deck and backyard events.

Sharper Image’s speaker system works on a wireless transmitter’s 2.4GHz system which extends up to 50 meters on open area. You can control all its function via a remote control powered by a CR2032 lithium battery. So, you can place your audio source inside your house and place the speaker system anywhere you want outside for as far as 50 meters.

Don’t be discouraged by the speaker systems monophonic tag, mono stands for one speaker. But despite the lack of a partner speaker system, Sharper Image’s actually produces crisp and sharp sound with the help of advanced audio-enhancement electronics from SRS Labs, Inc. Sharper Image® speaker systems deliver superior sound with the help of advanced audio-enhancement electronics from SRS Labs, Inc. SRS expands the music’s “sweet spot” and also improves your perception of acoustic space and clarity. It gives a deeper and richer bass response.

If you still need to get that stereo feel, Sharper Image’s speaker system can be upgraded with an Auxiliary Wireless Outdoor Speaker which can be connected just by sliding a switch. This would give the speaker system a sound boost.

Sharper Image’s speaker system works well with your iPod, MP3 or CD player or any other audio device via Auxiliary IN Jack. Measuring at 14”x10”x6” and weighing a mere 6.75 lbs., you can also bring Sharper Image’s speaker system inside your car and use it if you are going on a long drive. And then use it later on, during a picnic or any outdoor event on a beach.

Sharper Image’s Wireless Outdoor Monophonic One-Speaker System is a great all around outdoor speaker that you would certainly like to have.

If you are looking for a GPS navigation system that answers your simple needs of finding your way through busy streets without hurting too much your budget, Jensen’s NVX225 is the right device for you. The NVX225 is a simple and yet powerful navigation packed with text – and voice-guided directions and other navigation tools.

The NVX225 is your usual car GPS navigation device with a simple and yet not ugly look. Its squarish shape and simple black and silver color combination may not be as appealing as other competing GPS devices in the market, but the NVX225 is banking on its usefulness as a navigation device and not as a car display accessories.

The NVX225 is loaded with 1 GB of flash memory and full U.S. and Canada mapping coverage. It has a 3.5-inch diagonal TFT touch screen, with QVGA display that is decent enough to display maps and directional routes.

As a GPS navigation device, the NVX225 is an entry-level navigation system that is loaded with SiRFStarIII GPS chip and Telenav maps of the United States. A companion CD is also included which contains maps of Canada should you be need it. The NVX225 calculates directions by the fastest, shortest and most economical route. You can also change settings depending on the mode of transport you are using. These modes of transport include car, bus, bicycle and pedestrian.

The NVX225 gives turn-by-turn, text- and voice-guided directions. It would have been better if the voice commands actually say the exact street names but it does not. Instead a more generic term is used to state directions and measurements.

Overall, the Jensen NVX225 is a decent GPS navigation device which answers your most basic navigation needs. For a price which is less than $200 dollars, you wouldn’t mind the lack of high end feature and sleek design that is lacking with the NVX225.

Soyo’s FreeStyler 500 is nifty Bluetooth device that is compatible with all Bluetooh-enabled mobile phones and PDA. Ergonomically designed and lightweight, the FreeStyler500 weighs only 3g (0.46 oz). It can connect to another mobile phone or PDA up to 33 feet away.

If you are the type of individual who enjoys an active life, then Soyo FreeStyler500 is the right kind of Bluetooth device for you. The FreeStyler500 was efficiently engineered for long lasting durability that could withstand even the most rugged environment on any environmental conditions.

The FreeStyler500 uses a 3.7V Li-Polymer battery 120mAh that can have as much as 180 hours of standby time for the headset and talk time of up to 6 hours. That’s enough time to last you for a couple of days if the headset is in standby mode. Charging time of the battery is fast at 1.5-2 hours at full charge capacity.

The FreeStyler500 is your standard Bluetooth headset which is designed with simplicity. The design follows traditional and simple Bluetooth headset. The sleek silver and gray finish gives the headset a touch of class and elegance.

The ergonomic design of the FreeStyler500 makes it easy to use. Add to that the fact that it is so light weight that you may sometimes forget that you are actually wearing one. Initially available in China, the FreeStyler500 is available for online sale via Amazon.com.

Other features of the FreeStyler500 are pairing, authentication and encryption technology which prevents hacks and wireless attach on the FreeStyler500.

Ever wanted to play your mp3 collection while driving your car? The new Kensington LiquidFM Plus for MP3 players lets you play mp3 tracks from your media player or mobile phone by connecting the MP3 player to the radio system of your car.

The LiquidFM Plus is a simple device with some nifty and useful features which adds new dimension into your car’s stereo. LiquidFM plus utilizes ClearFM technology, which produces great sound quality. It also QuickSeek that can find clear radio station in a flash.

You’re listening experience will never be the same again once you installed Kensington’s LiquidFM Plus. It is a powerful device which has three radio station presets for instant tuning. It works with any type of phone device since it uses a 2.5mm adapter. The LiquidPlus even works with the iPhone.

To ensure continued streaming The LiquidPlus FM Transmitter charges power via USB Connection to a desktop or a laptop.

With the LiquidPlus FM-Radio Transmitter, you can tune in to any FM station from 88.1 – 107.9 So with the LiquidFM Plus you don’t have to plug out the transmitter from your PC. You can directly listen to radio song s

As a follow up to its successful KR1 Mobile Router, Kyocera is introducing its latest mobile router, the Kyocera Wireless KR2 Mobile Router. KR2 is touted as the next generation mobile routers with its support for Wi-Fi 802.11n, the latest Wi-Fi standard issued by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The 802.11n international Wi-Fi standards allow users to connect laptops or cellular phones to a wireless LAN used in home, office and some commercial establishments. This standard also allows the creation of mobile hotspots.

The KR2 Mobile Router support PCMCIA, ExpressCard and USB devices by providing wireless connectivity that is fast and long range in coverage. A neat thing about the Kyocera KR2 mobile router is its ability to act as a traditional router that you can plug into a DSL modem or cable for internet connectivity.

Sleek and elegantly design, the KR2 also provides users with four Ethernet LAN ports for connecting non-Wi-Fi-enabled devices. It also provides a secured Wi-Fi Protected Setup Mode via a dedicated button user during pairings.

And the best part about the Kyocera KR2 mobile router is that it is so easy to install. Aside from the Protected Mode Setup it also features VPN-LT2P and an enhanced security features ensuring that your network is safe from network hacks and other attacks.

Indeed, the Kyocera KR2 mobile router is a great addition to the growing list of mobile routers in the market. With the success proven by the KR1 router, there could probably no wrong when you get yourself this mobile router.

Researchers from IBM and MediaTek are said to be working on a new wireless transmission protocol that is sure to beat the speed of Wi-Fi one hundred times better. The new wireless technology will make use of the 60GHz spectrum which is part of the millimeter wave spectrum that runs from 30GHz to 300GHz.

Both IBM and MediaTek have developed their expertise on millimeter wave (mmwave) radio technology which is the highest frequency portion of the radio spectrum. This combined with both companies’ expertise on digital chipsets manufacturing is a lethal combination which can create revolutionary multimedia wireless products.

The new media chip will be capable of transmitting files at 2.5 gigabits per second which is one hundred times faster than the Wi-Fi’s 11 to 54 megabits of transmission capacity. So, when the new wireless transmission protocol is successfully developed, what is usually accomplished in minutes when transmitting 10GB of files can be completed in five seconds.

The new chipset employing the mmWave wireless technology is being geared towards a wide home and office applications which requires faster wireless technology. That simply means that you can soon download video contents, uncompressed HDTV streaming from the web into your multimedia devices.

Dr. T.C. Chen, vice president, Science & Technology of IBM Research said the collaboration between IBM Research and MediaTek will enable a world where users can have entertainment anywhere, anytime.

“This collaborative effort will enable consumers to wirelessly transfer large multimedia data files around their home and/or offices in seconds,” says Dr. T.C. Chen

The Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) has approved the inclusion of WiMAX technology into the IMT-2000 Set of Standards. This decision will pave the way for the escalation of opportunities for global deployment specifically within the 2.5-2.69 GHz band. The wireless mobile industry and mobile consuming public will definitely benefit from the inclusion of WiMAX technology into the IMT-2000 standards.

So, what’s in this development for you and for all of us? Faster and more options for wireless mobile computing through mobile operators’ enhanced services. Mobile operators have been waiting for this decision before fully developing infrastructure that will support the WiMAX technology. With the ITU-U’s approval, the already low cost broadband wireless service can now easily carry out VOIP and other multiple wireless broadband services.

Mobile operators across the globe can now have the freedom to choose which technology to adapt that will bring greater benefit to their operations. And WiMAX is definitely one of the technologies that has been a major candidate for further exploration and adaptation of mobile operators.

For us, mobile subscribers, this would certainly give us more options in choosing which mobile wireless services to avail of at a more affordable rates and prices since mobile wireless operators would certainly vie out in coming up with competitive pricing scheme for their services.