The arrival of camera-enabled mobile phones from the world’s top three handset manufacturers; the MotorolaA820, the Nokia7560 and SonyEricsson’s P800 provides new opportunities to access information, services and graphics. Using new technology from a partnership between International Wireless and Bango.net, users can now simply point a seeing handset at a bar code and content is delivered straight to the mobile phone creating an instant transaction.“I could purchase theatre tickets by scanning a code on a poster or download a train timetable simply by scanning a bar code at the train station,” said Anil Malhotra, Director of Alliances at Bango.net. “There are endless possibilities such as this for people to receive highly targeted and up-to-date information when they are on the move.”

Content providers register the bar codes as Bango Numbers and then link these to specific content such as pictures, text, video and sound, located on mobile-enabled web sites and data servers. International Wireless’ CodePoint software interprets these symbols and sends a coded number to Bango.net where it is mapped onto a specific URL.

Nokia Game, an interactive adventure provided by Nokia, will be played from 11 to 29 November in nine languages across all 25 countries simultaneously. During the game, players receive a mission that they must complete within the next 20 days. Those players who complete the mission to the fullest (i.e. score the most points) will win. Compared to previous versions of Nokia Game, this year offers both active and casual players the opportunity to play at their own level. Due to a new game concept, players can enjoy the experience 24 hours a day, if they want to, and upload and share their own created content to amaze and impress fellow players.

In addition, players are challenged to create a new game identity and investigate - using their game identity - the borders between fiction and reality. Close cooperation with the world’s largest music publishing companies has resulted in a game theme that will teach participants the ins and outs of today’s music business.Nokia Game uses the Internet, SMS, chat, interactive voice response (IVR) calls and mini-movies distributed over the web to share information and provide clues and instructions to the players. There is no participation fee to participate in Nokia Game. To play, participants need to have access to the Internet, an e-mail address, and a mobile phone with the capacity to receive short messages.

There is no age limit to play the game, but minors need their guardian’s permission to participate.At the end of the game, the top 10-100 players in each country will each win a special new Nokia 3650 phone with integrated camera, video player and camcorder. The winners will be among the first in their region to own and use this new phone.

The Hutchison Whampoa Group yesterday unveiled the brand identity 3 for its 3G services worldwide. A name, a number and a logo, 3 represents the company�s commitment to deliver on the promise of the 3G medium.The new brand name was chosen for its brevity and simplicity. It is easy to remember, ubiquitous, and transcends language, cultural barriers and even technology.

In numerology, three is a lucky number, and is associated with entertainment, optimism and clarity.Behind the name lies a new adventure - 3 is the door to a brand new medium that offers much more than 2G or 2.5G.Lisa Gernon, strategy and marketing director, Hutchison 3G UK, said, “We are building a brand which will resonate with consumers across the UK. 3 will offer customers an experience without precedent � it is unlike anything else on the market.

We are beginning a step-by-step rollout of our services over the next few months, and our research tells us very clearly that people can already see the excitement.��The core idea behind 3 is about delivering usefulness and enjoyment at the same time�, continued Ms. Gernon. �Thanks to 3G technology, we no longer have to choose between fun and functionality. Now, 3 enables us to have both at the same time�Doug Hamilton, Global Creative Director, who led development of the brand, added: �For customers 3 represents the natural next step. A step on from where we�ve been but most importantly the first step of something new that has never existed before, bringing information, communication and entertainment to people on the move.�

Ericsson secures additional 3G projects for J-PHONE’s WCDMA network build-out in Japan.In support of J-PHONE’s strategy to aggressively build-out nationwide 3G coverage, Ericsson will deploy its 3G macro base stations as well as its newly developed 3G micro base stations which are especially efficient for urban areas, hotspots and for example subways and in-building coverage. Ericsson’s 3G system has been in operation since June 30 this year, when J-PHONE began its 3G trial service.

“It was a natural for us to choose Ericsson, a long-term partner, as one of the vendors to smoothly facilitate our rapid and cost-efficient roll-out of 3G,” said John Thompson, CTO of J-PHONE. “J-PHONE is part of the Vodafone Group, and with Ericsson as a strategic supplier to the Vodafone Group, we already have agreements, product plans and processes in place to run operations in a cost efficient way,” added Thompson.“We are delighted to participate in J-PHONE’s 3G rollout and look forward to help make the network a successful high-quality service network,” said Morgan Bengtsson, President, Ericsson Japan.