China Mobile could deactivate 3G / WiFi on iPhone 3G launch

Currently, over 400,000 unlocked iPhones are roaming around China. Now that China Mobile is about to officially launch Apple’s latest handset in the world’s most populous country, we can only imagine that figure going up. In a bizarre twist of trying to keep a homegrown 3G standard (TD-SCDMA) alive, the carrier has announced that it is intending to launch the mobile with WiFi and 3G disabled — a move that would make it less appealing to those who may be considering buying one, unlocking it and using it on the expected W-CDMA network from China Telecom. Uncool, China Mobile. Very uncool.

Connectland’s USB multi-cellphone charger is quite small, fragile

Compared to other cellphone charging pads out there, Connectland’s USB Multi-Cellular Phone Charger is mighty minuscule. The box gets power via a USB plug and then pipes it to eight different connectors that fit into mobiles from Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Nokia, etc. We dig that Brando throws in a “foam rubber” to keep this in while traveling, but honestly, would it really take more than two unanticipated jaunts to break every last prong from this thing? She’s $18 if you’re shaking your head from left to right.

Sony Ericsson’s GreenHeart in the environmentally friendly flesh

Now we’ve got a photo to go along with the announcement of Sony Ericsson’s GreenHeart concept phone — and if this is what saving the environment looks like, we approve. It looks sorta like a retooled W880, but you won’t find any brushed aluminum here; instead, the GreenHeart’s made with some crazy plastics that go easy on mother nature. It’s bundled with a new charger that shuts off when the phone doesn’t need any juice to save energy, but one think it’s not bundled with is a manual — the guide is entirely electronic to save paper. The granola candybar isn’t slated for production, but we’ll see a number of technologies developed for it come about in retail models over the next few years.

Nokia Tube coming next week?

Two sources have claimed that Nokia’s next XpressMedia device, the 5800 Tube, will be announced next week on October 2nd. at a London media event. This would jibe well with previous rumours, and give it some fine placement for the Christmas rush. As Nokia’s first touchscreen device and with a focus on media, the Tube will be their stab against the iPhone and other touchscreen competitors, but by dropping the price point they hope to undercut them and tap into emerging markets. A smart move, especially when the likes of the upcoming high-end HTC Touch HD will be aiming for the upper-crust. Bottom line: if the new S60 Touch operating system is up to scratch and the price is right, the 5800 will do alright for itself despite the crowding market.

Rumoured Nokia 5800 Tube specifications include:

• 640 x 350, 3.2-inch touchscreen display with 16 Million colors
• 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus
• Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM/EDGE radio
  • 3G UMTS/HSDPA
• Bluetooth 2.0
• WiFi
• GPS
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• TV-out port
• 140MB on-board storage
• 111 x 52 x 14.5 mm
• 104g
• End of 2008 launch

Adobe Photoshop.com Mobile Beta

When I first noticed this, I was stunned. ‘Photoshop for a mobile device huh?’ I thought. Seemed kind of impossible to me. I use Photoshop every day for my daily work. It’s an insanely powerful tool. However, after taking a closer look at it, the Photoshop Mobile Beta is more of a photo sharing app than anything else. No image editing or compositing tools here!

The new app lets you upload, view and share your photos online right from your phone. It has to be a Windows Mobile phone however. Supported devices include the MOTO Q Music 9m, MOTO Q 9h, Palm Treo 750w, Samsung Blackjack I and Blackjack II.

It looks like the app has a very stunning and easy to use interface. Certainly worth a look if you’re on one of the supported devices. For more info, or to get started with your free account, head on over to Adobe.