Games teach awareness

To commemorate World Environment Day on 5 June, Dr RK Pachauri, director-general of TERI and Nobel Peace Laureate 2007, and Shri Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Industry and Commerce in India, have released a new cellphone games initiative on climate change awareness, says Free Press Releases.

The initiative is called Connect-2-Climate, a joint initiative of ZMQ Software Systems and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The initiative was released on 13 May in New Delhi during the 7th TERI corporate awards gala.

Under the first phase of the initiative, three mobile games are being launched: Polar Teddy Quiz, Mission Lighting and DeCarbonator. The programme is supported by Reliance Communications, Philips Electronics India and Intel.

A start-up called Ozmo Devices is taking on the popular short-range wireless technology Bluetooth with a new flavour of WiFi, says CNet.

Recently the company, which has raised $12.5 million since 2005, officially introduced a new low-powered WiFi chip and software that will allow device makers to connect accessories like headsets, computer mouses, speakers, and keyboards to laptops, cellphones, and other consumer electronics using WiFi.

For laptop and device manufacturers, using Ozmo's software means not having to include a separate Bluetooth radio in these devices to connect peripherals. With the Ozmo software installed on their devices, these manufacturers can simply use the WiFi chips that already exist in laptops, gaming consoles, mobile handsets, and other devices.

In recognition of the Boston Police Department's (BPD) CrimeStoppers mobile programme, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis received The Wireless Foundation's VITA Wireless Samaritan Award at the 14th annual Achievement Awards Dinner held on 2 June, at Union Station in Washington, DC, says CNNMoney.

The BPD received the VITA Award recognition for its Text-a-Tip programme, the first system in the US to provide a text messaging-based method for citizens to deliver anonymous tips to law enforcement agencies.

Designed by mobile marketing firm Hill Holliday and powered by VeriSign Messaging and Mobile Media Division, Text-a-Tip was created to take advantage of texting's privacy and its familiarity to many youths, who may be less inclined to pick up the phone and call police.