KDDI thinks that you should change your cellphone when the season changes. So KDDI and Okinawa Cellular are introducing a new line of au cellphones for the autumn-winter season. The new lineup ranges from models with 12 megapixel cameras and high-quality videos, to slim and compact models, and models for designed for the elderly as well as junior users.

The lineup features 20 models in all and includes: Exilim Keitai CA003 with a 12.2 megapixel camera compatible with high-speed shooting of 20 photos per second and Dynamic Photo function; Aquos Shot SH003 which is capable of shooting super-high-quality photos easily with a 12.1 megapixel CCD camera and a 3.4-inch touch-panel display.

You probably already know that your cellphone leaks radiation into you while you’re on the phone. Of course you do. Though we try not to think about it, it is worth knowing which cellphones have the highest and lowest radiation levels. To that end, the Environmental Working Group has launched a website that rates cellphones on radiation output.

Here are the highlights: Ranking high on the list (in other words these phones put out the lowest levels of radiation) are the Motorola RAZR V8, and AT&T’s Samsung Impression. In fact, Samsung holds several spots at the top of the list. On the other end of the spectrum, some phones that rated poorly are T-Mobile’s myTouch 3G and the Blackberry Curve 8830.

This DIY gadget is dubbed the “smart charger” and it’s from two Kenyan students who reside in rural areas without electricity. They also use bikes to get around. Jeremiah Murimi and Pascal Katana use a dynamo attached to the bicycle in order to charge cellphone batteries. The whole process costs practically nothing.

They used parts from old discarded radio and television sets to assemble the small charger. The user is able to plug the dynamo lead right into the device. An hour of pedaling can fully recharge the battery in about the same time it would take if it was plugged into an electrical outlet. The idea is that the user would avoid paying $2 each time for battery recharges by making a one-time smart charger purchase worth about $4.50.

When you think about the homeless, you likely think about wool blankets, shopping carts and cardboard box shelters. Add the cell phone to that list. According to advocates who work with the district’s homeless, the proportion of homeless people who own and use a cellphone is 30% to 40%.

It seems bizarre, but the gadget once considered a luxury, is now being used by the homeless to keep up with food stamp programs, housing applications and checking emails. There’s also the obvious need for the 911 feature. It makes sense, as a pay as you go phone with 200 minutes can cost about $20 or $30. It’s a lifeline.

It’s time to get that Polyester out of the closet that you’ve been hanging onto for the past 30 years. Might as well put on the platform shoes too. While you’re at it, renew your crush on Olivia Newton John. Your time has come again Disco Stu.

This Sega Hitokara karaoke machine has two interesting features. it’s connected to a cloud-based database of 43,000 songs via cellphone and it’s got a spinning, light-up mirrored disco ball. ZOMG. It’s for those who love the night life and love to boogie. It will make you the new Dirk Diggler of Karaoke. Assuming of course that you really really love karaoke and disco lighting.

Disposable cell phones are everywhere. That’s nothing new. But disposable cells must have now reached critical mass if Bic, makers of disposable lighters for decades, is in the game. The company has teamed up with Orange France to launch their Bic disposable cellphone. It’s a prepaid phone that comes pre-charged and gives you an hour of free calls. It even comes with a SIM card already inserted, which needs to be activated to start making calls.

It’s manufactured by Alcatel and they kept it simple as the user can only make calls and send texts. You can get them in “Citrus Orange” or “Lime Green” for $80 starting August 7th in France. They probably should have thrown in standard Bic lighter for that price. It’s the least they can do. Then you would be covered for both making calls and lighting your smokes.

Sony Ericsson dropped a new Walkman mobile phone/media player to the market today with the W980, featuring 8GB of internal memory, included headphones and something the company is calling “Walkman On Top”.

The new Walkman On Top is a lot like it sounds. SE put the controls and the display of current playing tracks on the front of the device allowing complete navigation and viewing without having to open up the handset, hence the name “on top”. The new Walkman also comes with built-in stereo speakers and FM transmitter letting users share their tunes directly or through an FM radio on a home or car stereo. Sony Ericsson also wanted to make sure that listening to music alone was clear with quality sound and threw in Stereo Portable Handsfree HPM-77 headset. The headset allows listening to music and the ability to take calls hands free.