mark800:
Thank you for your question regarding cell phones featuring cameras,
Bluetooth, and IR.
As you requested, I have structured my Answer along the lines of a
presentation, in bullet-point format. I have also included references,
where appropriate, with each bullet so that you can read up on the
details if you so desire.
===========================
What is Bluetooth?
+ a way for electronic devices to communicate wirelessly at
short-range (personal area wireless network)
+ designed to replace simple cable connections
+ automatic connections when devices in range
+ supports multiple devices/connections at same time
+ up to 1 Mbps
"What is Bluetooth"
http://www.swedetrack.com/images/bluet00.htm
---------------------------
What is Infrared?
+ allows serial communications using very-short-range infrared
transmission at up to 4 Mbps
+ based on IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standards
+ requires line of sight between devices
+ automatic connections supported for some devices, computer operating systems
+ limited to two devices communicating at a time
"Using IrDA"
http://www.irda.org/use/index.asp
---------------------------
How do Bluetooth and Infrared compare?
+ Bluetooth and IR are complementary technologies
+ IR has higher bandwidth, shorter range, line-of-sight requirement
+ Bluetooth supports multiple simultaneous connections, greater range
---------------------------
What applications are there for Bluetooth and IR for cell phones?
+ both allow use of cell phone as data modem for laptops, PDAs, eliminating cable
+ both support synchronization of phone list, calendar, data with PCs
+ Bluetooth also supports wireless headsets, keyboards for text messaging
+ Digital pictures can be transferred from phone to PC using Bluetooth or IR
"How could Bluetooth be used?"
http://www.swedetrack.com/images/bluet01.htm
"O'Reilly Network: Sony Ericsson T610 Camera Phone Review"
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2003/12/11/sony_t610.html
---------------------------
Why use a camera phone?
+ because a picture is worth a thousand words
+ easier to have on hand than a digital camera
+ instant access to e-mail, multi-media messaging to send pictures
+ keeping a record of your life
"A new use for camera phone: Agents safety - Chicago Tribune"
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/chi-0312140287dec14,0,6422529.column
"Why camera phones are so darned popular - ZDNet AnchorDesk"
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/AnchorDesk/4520-7298_16-5108423.html
---------------------------
How many camera phones are there in the US?
+ first available in 2002
+ approximately 7 million sold in US in 2002-03
+ estimated 51 million sold in US by 2007
"New Phones Raise Privacy Fears - PC World"
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,113632,00.asp
---------------------------
How many camera phones are there worldwide?
+ 18.2 million shipped worldwide in 2002
+ 7.8 million shipped in Q1 2003 alone
+ est. compound annual growth rate of 53.2% in camera phone shipments through 2007
"Market for Smartphones and Camera Phones Heating Up - In-Stat/MDR"
http://www.instat.com/newmk.asp?ID=754
"Why camera phones are so darned popular - ZDNet AnchorDesk"
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/AnchorDesk/4520-7298_16-5108423.html
---------------------------
Bluetooth gaining in popularity
+ Radio-frequency based communications system such as Bluetooth have
greater potential than line-of-sight IR as they are easier to use
+ Bluetooth being integrated into more cell phones than ever
"Bluetooth Growing in Popularity - MobileMag"
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/344/C2200/
---------------------------
How many cell phones are available with integrated cameras and Bluetooth or IR?
+ Samsung offers 7 different models
+ Sanyo has 3 models
+ LG has 7 available worldwide
+ Audiovox has 1 model available
+ Kyocera has 4 available in Asia
+ Sony Ericsson has at least 5 models
+ Nokia has at least 4 models
+ Motorola has only recently released their first model
"America Zooms In On Camera Phones - BusinessWeek"
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_51/b3863060.htm
Samsung Phones
http://www.samsungtelecom.com/recommend/View_All.asp?sort=f5
Sanyo Phones
http://www.sanyo.com/wireless/handsets/index.htm
LG Electronics Phones
http://www.lge.com/products/mobile/mobile/mobile.jsp
Audiovox Phones
http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GenProductListCmd?categoryId=596&type=nprev&langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&pageSize=10&beginIndex=20
Kyocera Phones
http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/telecom/consumer/index.html
Sony Ericsson Phones
http://www.sonyericsson.com/us/spg.jsp?page=start
Nokia Phones
http://www.nokia.com/nokia/0,8764,73,00.html
Motorola Phones
http://commerce.motorola.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=256528&prmenbr=126&phone_cgrfnbr=1&zipcode=
(Also use these links to obtain direct links to pictures of camera phones)
---------------------------
What are the performance capabilities of camera phones?
+ camera phones range from 352x288 to 2 megapixel
+ typical unit has VGA (640x480) resolution
+ some units have up to 16x digital zoom
+ capabilities constantly improving, rivaling many digital cameras
"Innovation powers the camera phone - EE Times"
http://www.eetimes.com/design_library/ad/pm/OEG20030502S0034
"Atmel Releases new Digital Imaging Processors - Mobile Mag"
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/336/C2069/
"Cell Phone Cameras Share Blotchy Moments - Yahoo! Finance"
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/040116/cell_phone_cameras_1.html
---------------------------
Additional Links:
"Camera Phones"
http://www.shortcourses.com/sharing/camera-phones.htm
"Cell Phones Wed Digital Cameras"
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,104090,00.asp
"The Latest Camera Phones - MobileShop.com"
http://www.mobileshop.com/mobilephones/cameraphones/paymonthly/index.php
===========================
I hope that you find this information useful, and please do not
hesitate to ask for any clarification!
Regards,
aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher |
