So long as we have mobile technology, we have to be concerned with batteries. Researchers at NTT DoCoMo have completed development of an intelligent lithium-ion battery that monitors its own health (and charge status) and assembles reports that are accessible by users.

How is this possible you ask? Why through a digital brain of course. Each unit would contain an embedded 8-bit microcomputer inside the battery itself that records and stores the data. The information can then be called up to the handset by the user to see how the battery's feeling (and whether or not it's time for repaire or replacement).

Maybe you're saying to yourself "big deal, my phone does that now". Here's the real benefit to the smart battery- The information stays with the battery and not the handset, which means even if it is swapped out into another phone, the information will still be available.

NTT DoCoMo says the batteries will be ready for phones next year. For more details, click here.

Samsung announced today its first 8.0-megapixel camera phone, the Innov8 (i8510). This handset is designed to capture and stores high-resolution photos and will naturally come equipped with the latest in imaging applications such as smile shot, blink shot and face recognition.

With a 2.8-inch 16.7 million color LCD is designed for photography and external dual speakers and 3D surround sound, it's clear that Samsung is taking the video viewing and video gaming markets into consideration with the i8510 as well.

Depending on the package, the unit will come equipped with either 8GB or 16GB of flash memory, and an external memory slot for up to an additional 16GB. Both versions will be running Symbian OS v9.3, S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2. HSDPA high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi connection, and GPS all come standard.

Users will be able to personalize and edit photos, videos and music with Movie Maker and Story Board applications. The Innov8 also acts as a digital photo frame for those users who like to show off their work on the go.

The Innov8 will hit Europe in August and should be available in the States come September.

While the concept of watching television on today's handsets is nothing new thanks to wireless web and streaming video apps, WRAL and CBS are testing a new mobile digital TV technology that can potentially turn a cell phone into a literal mobile television set.

This technology would send specially encoded signals to receivers built into devices such as cell phones (and PDAs). The digital waves would be sent over the same signals as local HDTV broadcasts (openly over the air).

The early field tests are currently supported by a number of companies, including Harris Corporation, LG Electronics and Zenith. They, along with WRAL and CBS, are hoping to deploy mobile digital TV as early as next year. This technology would provide access to local digital TV on your handset: A little piece of home even when you are not.

For more information, click here.

Losing a cell phone sucks. I've been lucky enough to not do it myself, but I know what a pain it can be.

This Mobile Superhero software from YouGetItBack.com helps mitigate some of the pain caused by this. Install the software on your phone. If it is lost or stolen, the phone can be remotely locked from the website. You can also back up your phone contacts to their secure server.

If someone finds the phone, they can use the phone to report it lost or stolen. That's it. The phone is inaccessible. I did find that on a power cycle, the Nokia N95 I was testing with was briefly accessible until the security software activated. However, it's about as locked down as it gets.

Mobile Superhero can be downloaded for free and it supports a number of Blackberry, Nokia, and Samsung handsets. After the 30 day trial, it costs $19.95 a year. You can also opt for physical asset tags for $9.95 that are good for three years, but they do not protect the access to your phone. The tags can be used on any item, though.

Crossposted from The Gadgets Weblog

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Sony, originator of the vastly successful Walkman portable music devices, has resurrected the title for use in their new series of phones intended to do a little bit of everything. The new W902i Walkman phone is a music-oriented handset that plays tunes, takes photos, and displays video on a scratch-resistant 2.2-inch QVGA display.

The W902i will deliver music through Sony Ericsson's audio service and will come packaged with Sony Ericsson premium headphones (HPM-77) right in the box.

In addition to the 5.0 mega pixel W902i (shown), Sony will be simultaneously releasing two more affordable models: The W595a, which will offer a 3.2 mega pixel camera, and the W302i with a 2.0 mega pixel.

All of the units are set for release in the 4th quarter of 2008.