The SMS text messaging application FishText (www.fishtext.com) has attracted more than 100,000 registered users since its launch three weeks ago. FishText is used to send text messages to destinations across the globe, bypassing the mobile operators’ networks and thus dramatically reducing text messaging charges. FishText subscribers profit from the lowest messaging rates available anywhere and can also send free messages to other subscribers. (more…)

CardBoardFish (www.cardboardfish.com), the low-cost SMS specialist, has developed a mobile application that dramatically reduces the cost of national and international texts from your phone: FishText. This bypasses the operator’s network and thus dramatically reduces SMS fees. FishText is free when texting other subscribers and costs from 1p for all other texts globally (over 200 countries). (more…)

Microsoft confirmed it is planning to release a subscription-based “value box” of low-end productivity software code-named Albany, and has sent an early version of the product to thousands of beta participants for private testing. (more…)

A new report from ABI Research hits the rather obvious note that customers are loyal to good service, not a particular carrier. As geographic boundaries for telco services erode thanks to unlimited wireless pricing plans and potential femtocell deployments, services and service are key. (more…)

Samsung announced the launch of its entry level mobile handset - the under 50 dollars Samsung Guru100. Equipped with features such as MP3 ringtones, mobile tracker and 9-hour long battery, Samsung Guru100 offers a strong value proposition to its users with its consumer relevant features and affordable pricing. Samsung Guru100 is a stylish bar-shaped handset that offers unrestricted talktime of 9 long hours. The handset is armed with mobile tracker feature that helps users track their phone in case they happen to lose it .This compact entry level handset enriches consumer’s mobile experience through its MP3 ringtones feature. It allows users to download their favorite ringtones/ songs. In fact the Guru 100 comes with two popular Bollywood hits already stored as ringtones. (more…)

PocketNow says HTC launched the HTC P3470, an entry level, low-end navigation phone that operates on Windows Mobile Professional and tops out on EDGE data speed. The device will feature 256/128 MB ROM/RAM, microSD expansion, and Bluetooth, and closely resembles the HTC T-Mobile Wing, currently available on sale in the United States. (photo bellow). (more…)

NXP Semiconductors, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, and Purple Labs, a leading supplier of embedded Linux solutions for mobile phones, jointly announced today the release of a 3G Linux reference feature phone offering video telephony, music playback, high-speed Internet browsingand video streaming at a transfer price below US$100. The new Purple Magic phone serves as a reference design for phone manufacturers creating entry-level 3G handsets, including those targeting mobile markets such as Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. (more…)

Taiwanese laptop computer maker Micro-Star International (MSI) is working on an ultra-low cost notebook PC based on Intel’s Diamondville microprocessor to compete against rival Asustek Computer’s Eee PC. (more…)

Sony Ericsson announced the launch of the T270 and T280, a stylish duo of affordably priced phones set to appeal to differing audiences. ”We have developed two phones that meet the needs of two distinct audiences,” said Howard Lewis, Vice President and Head of Entry Level products at Sony Ericsson. ”The T270 and T280 build on the appeal of iconic Sony Ericsson phones like the T610. They are good looking and tick all of the right boxes; whether it’s for the business user wanting a compact work phone or the everyday user looking for a classic, stylish camera phone.” The T270 and T280 offer classic pocket-sized style. At less than 13mm slim and built using brushed light metal with a glass finish, they offer premium design without the premium price tag. Take the T280 to the fashion mall and snap a picture of a possible new purchase or use the T270 at work to send a calendar appointment to a colleague via Bluetootha technology. (more…)

The Vizio 32″ LCD HDTV cost around $500 or so, depending on where you buy it. I bought mine at around $520. I also purchased the wallmount for it. This is my first HDTV LCD TV that I have ever owned and I love it. It has dual HDMI output connections as well as VGA output connection to hook it to your PC or what not. I have hooked this up to my PC via DVI connection and the quality isn’t as good as I thought it would be, but still very good. If you get the perfect resolution set for this TV it would look flawless, especially with HDMI. The max resolution for the Vizio 32″ is 1366 x 768 resolution. The HDMI cables run about $100, thats why I have not hooked this up via HDMI yet. (more…)