• Singapore-based StarHub announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NTT DoCoMo to explore a mobile wallet concept similar to Japan's Osaifu-Keitai wallet solution for a near future implementation in Singapore. Osaifu-Keitai is a trademark of NTT DoCoMo, which launched the service in July 2004. Phones with the contactless chip include information such as electronic money, identity card, fare card for bus and train rides, credit card and loyalty card. The mobile wallet application is also supported by other mobile service providers and accepted at more than 640,000 stores, making it the de facto standard for mobile wallet service in Japan. StarHub is also in talks with EZ-Link to explore the integration of the ez-link purse in the mobile wallet service. The ez-link purse is a contactless smart chip with a pre-paid function that is able to transact quick, secure and exact payments at over 20,000 readers and terminals on Singapore’s MRT, LRT, public buses and at retail locations such as McDonald’s Restaurants and 7-Eleven stores across the nation.
• Mobile TV solution provider DiBcom announced that its DIB9080-H chipset, which includes a tuner and demodulator, is being used by Huawei for its new HSPA card called the E510. The Huawei E510 is a wireless data card that adds DVB-T based Mobile TV functionality, which can be used free on any notebook throughout Europe and in parts of Asia.
• Motorola announced that it has been selected by TDF, a European provider of network services to broadcasters and telecom operators, to design and deploy 802.16e WiMAX networks for several regions in France where HDRR, a TDF subsidiary, holds WiMAX frequency licenses. The 3-year frame agreement with TDF follows an initial pilot at the end of 2006 and successful deployments in Loiret, Sarthe and Limousin regions.
• California and Washington will be the newest states to implement a law requiring drivers to use hands-free devices while behind the wheel to avoid being issued a ticket. In light of the California and Washington recent laws requiring drivers to use hands-free devices, LG will be hosting an event titled "Red, White & Bluetooth" on June 19, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. LG has partnered with actor Erik Estrada, who will conduct a press briefing and provide interviews regarding the significance of the new law. The briefing will be followed by a free giveaway, in which LG will give away more than 1,000 LG Bluetooth headsets.
• MontaVista Software has announced that MontaVista Mobilinux 5.0 has been optimized to develop low-cost, low-power consumer products on the Freescale i.MX31 processor. Designed for wireless devices running computationally intensive multimedia applications such as portable media players and portable navigation devices, the i.MX31 applications processor and MontaVista Mobilinux promise power-saving capabilities, as well as impressive performance. MontaVista said that the optimization will benefit mobile device users, such as smartphones, digital video recorders, digital cameras and mobile gaming consoles, with the ability to keep several applications running at once.