Samsung Electronics plans to release a mobile handset next month designed for watching video that supports the DivX video codec.The Ultra Video is a candy bar-shaped handset with a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that offers 262,000 colors and resolution of 240 by 320 pixels. The screen can also swivel, allowing users to find the optimal screen angle for watching video in one of several formats: DivX, MPEG4, H.264 and Windows Media Video.Samsung claims the phone, which goes on sale in January for US$350, is the first to support DivX, a video codec based on MPEG4 that allows a DVD to be compressed to a much smaller size, allowing longer videos to be easily downloaded over the Internet.Along with video, the Ultra Video handset supports several digital music formats: MP3, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), AAC+, e-AAC+ and Windows Media Audio (WMA). AAC is the file format used with Apple Computer’s iTunes music download service. In addition to playing a range of music file formats, the Ultra Video can be used with music download services that support WMA digital rights management and Microsoft’s Media Transfer Protocol. Other features include a microSD (Secure Digital) slot for a removable memory card, support for Bluetooth version 2.0 and a 2-megapixel digital camera.The handset was on display at the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU’s) Telecom World 2006 exhibition and conference in Hong Kong. However, the phone was not switched on, and visitors were not able to test its features. Samsung also showed off its upcoming Ultra Audio handset, which will hit the market in January, priced at $250. Shaped like a candy bar, the Ultra Audio does not support third-generation networks and has a slightly smaller screen than the Ultra Video. The Ultra Audio’s screen measures 2.1 inches across the diagonal.Ultra Audio supports the same audio file formats as the Ultra Video. It also supports playback of MPEG4 and H.263 video files. Information on where Samsung will sell the handsets was not immediately available.Telecom World runs through Friday, Dec. 8.-Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service (Singapore Bureau)Related Links: Samsung, Microsoft Team on Ultra Messaging i600 Smart Phone Samsung Promises World’s Thinnest Phone LCD Samsung Debuts Combined Mini-PC Phone Samsung Offers Glimpse Into Future of Mobile PhonesCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content feature Red Hat embraces hybrid cloud for internal IT The maker of OpenShift has leveraged its own open container offering to migrate business-critical apps to AWS as part of a strategy to move beyond facilitating hybrid cloud for others and capitalize on the model for itself. By Paula Rooney May 29, 2023 5 mins CIO 100 Technology Industry Hybrid Cloud feature 10 most popular IT certifications for 2023 Certifications are a great way to show employers you have the right IT skills and specializations for the job. These 10 certs are the ones IT pros are most likely to pursue, according to data from Dice. By Sarah K. White May 26, 2023 8 mins Certifications Careers interview Stepping up to the challenge of a global conglomerate CIO role Dr. Amrut Urkude became CIO of Reliance Polyester after his company was acquired by Reliance Industries. He discusses challenges IT leaders face while transitioning from a small company to a large multinational enterprise, and how to overcome them. By Yashvendra Singh May 26, 2023 7 mins Digital Transformation Careers brandpost With the new financial year looming, now is a good time to review your Microsoft 365 licenses By Veronica Lew May 25, 2023 5 mins Lenovo Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe