A look at gadget, game and geek happenings in the week ahead.
More budget iPhone rumours and a possible MobileMe revamp
The rumours of a smaller, budget iPhone have been gaining speed, with sources for the Wall Street Journal giving more details on the potential device.
One of the code names of the phone is apparently the N97 and it could cost about half the price of the main iPhone.
It could have an “edge-to-edge” screen which could be “manipulated by touch”, as well as a virtual keyboard and voice-based navigation.
Apple may also revamp MobileMe, its online storage service, allowing users to store mail, contact and calendar details in the cloud. The company may make this a free service which can save personal memorabilia, such as photos, music and videos.
It could also be integral to Apple’s potential online music service or for social networking.
Nokia Windows Phone 7 devices to see light of day in 2011?
Jo Harlow, head of Nokia’s Smart Devices department, has hinted that there could be Nokia Windows Phone 7 devices in 2011.
At a Nokia talk at the Mobile World Congress, Harlow noted teams were deciding when the first Windows Phone 7 product would be released.
“My boss has told me he would be much happier if that time was in 2011,” she said.
Nokia announced on Friday it would make Windows Phone 7 its primary operating system, after admitting its struggles in the smartphone market.
Qualcomm announces new Snapdragon chipsets
Qualcomm has announced its next-generation Snapdragon processor family, code named Krait.
The range includes the single core MSM8930, the dual core MSM8960 and the quad core APQ8064.
The new processor micro-architecture will offer up to 2.5GHz per core and will deliver 150pc higher overall performance and 65pc lower power than current ARM-based CPU cores.
They will have a new Adreno GPU series with up to four 3D cores and integrated multi-mode LTE modem.
All the chipsets will integrate Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and FM connectivity and will support NFC, stereoscopic 3D video and photo capture.
