Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Samsung Unveils Smallest Satellite DMB + EV-DO Phone

Samsung Electronics introduced its fourth and smallest satellite DMB + CDMA2000 1x EV-DO (800MHz) phone, featuring a pivotal LCD screen that rotates 90 degrees into landscape mode. With the new B250, users can make phone calls or send and receive text messages even while watching TV. The DMB broadcast received by the phone can also be relayed to a regular TV.


The B250 has external buttons that allow users to play MP3 files without opening the phone. A 128-polyphonic sound chip has been built in to provide exquisite ring tones.


The B250 is also equipped with a 2 megapixel camera. The File Viewer function provides access to Microsoft Office or PDF files, and a 330,000-word dictionary is included in the software.


The B250 also supports external memory of 256MB, IrDA, and mobile banking capabilities. The phone is available in Korea at around US$700.
http://www.samsung.com

  • In May 2005, SK Telecom launched a satellite DMB service that delivers high-quality video broadcasts to a mobile phone or car-based video entertainment system. SK Telecom is initially delivering 11 video channels, 25 audio channels, and 3 data channels. Consumers in South Korea are able to receive the broadcasts either on mobile phones or in-car displays. The video uses MPEG-4 H.264 system and the music channels are furnished through a MPEG-2 AAC+ system.

    In areas where the satellite view may be obstructed, such as alongside tall buildings, SK Telecom will boost its service using a signal "gap filler" from its mobile base stations and existing towers. The Ku-Band (13.824~13.883GHz) is used between the Signal Transmission Center and the satellite (which is positioned at 144 degrees east longitude), and the S-Band (2.630~2.655 GHz, 25MHz) is utilized between satellite and the mobile terminals. The Ku-Band (12.214~12.239GHz) is used between satellite and base stations providing supplemental signals.