Mobile vendor strategies - 29/07/06

Motorola unveils five new handsets: two are Razr-inspired (the Krzr and the Rizr) with built-in music players and 2-megapixel camera. The Rizr is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE handset while the Krzr will support both CDMA2000 1x EV-DO and GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks; two are HSDPA (Razr XX and Razr Maxx) and one is for EV-DO networks (Slvr L7c). Motorola has also launched enhanced search capability with MOTOPRO Mobility Suite. For emerging markets, Motorola unveiled its thinnest handset, called Motofone.

NEC and Matsushita Electric plan to set up a 44/44 JV to develop cellphone Linux-based operating systems. The remaining 12% could be hold by Texas Ins. to create microchips for cell phones.

BenQ-Siemens has launched a new slider handset, the SL91.

Nokia will start shipping its Nokia N73 handset.

Samsung has introduced the first UMA phone into the market.