Top stories from around the web (July 19, 2006)

– Push-to-talk Sony Ericsson Z525a arrives on Cingular Besides its new PTT capabilities, the Z525a is essentially the same handset as the older Z520a. Measuring 3.2 by 1.8 by 0.9 inches and weighing in at 3.3 ounces, the new clamshell features a VGA camera, Bluetooth, quad-band support for world-phone service, a media player, MP3 ringtones, instant messaging, and mobile e-mail. InfoSyncWorld – Motorola officially launches i670 Motorola launched their new feature-packed i670. The sleek clamshell-type device features an all black design, a large internal 65536 color 130×130 display. The iDEN handset measures 3.5 x 2.0 x 1.0 (88 x 51 x 26 mm) and weighs 4.1 oz (115 g). The major drawback of the phone is that it lacks Bluetooth support. PhoneArena – Mobile phone-controlled washing machine Whirlpool are testing a new smart washing machine that you can control using your mobile phone. Part of an innovative combination of home network, mobile phone, PC and other communication technologies, the ‘Laundry Time’ concept is designed to let you control your washing machine no matter where you are, to ensure your clothes don’t just sit in the washing machine all wet and slowly rotting. MobileMentalism – MMS usage up 40% in the US Messaging company Mobile365 says the number of mobile-originated MMS messages it processed in the US increased 40% from the first to the second quarter, a pretty significant jump. MobHappy – Review: Sony Ericsson W300i music phone Delivering music on the cheap, Sony Ericsson’s W300i delivers something of a contrast-filled out-of-box experience with a first-rate interface and sound quality – offset by low storage and an otherwise anemic feature set. Fortunately, memory expansion and a friendly price tag saves the day, making this an excellent alternative for those desiring a mix of solid call and message handling and excellent music capabilities. InfoSync