Best Buy Connect has launched 4G mobile broadband connectivity service on an expanded selection of computing devices sold at Best Buy stores nationally.

The 4G service provides consumers with high-speed internet access on-the-go, with service activation, billing, hardware and connection support from Best Buy. The 4G service offering is available through a wholesale partnership with Clearwire.

Users can purchase Best Buy Connect 4G as mobile broadband option on 23 computing models from Asus, Dell, HP, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba at most Best Buy stores across the US. Initially, Best Buy Connect will offer unlimited 4G service for US$45 per month with a month-to-month or two-year contract.

With the purchase of a two-year contract, customers can waive the US$35 activation fee and receive up to an additional US$150 off select hardware devices.

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Tata Communications has announced an extension of its InstaCompute cloud service to Singapore and its surrounding countries in order to move further from its historical wholesale carrier services role.

The firm is seeking a larger slice of the crowded managed services market and positioning itself in competition with various telecoms operators, by reaching out directly to businesses.

Instacompute, which is being marketed as an infrastructure-as-a-service offering, was first launched in India last year in October. The expansion of the service to Singapore aims to cater to businesses in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Tata Communications’ cloud services for the region will be hosted out of the company’s data center in Singapore, and delivered over the firm’s IP backbone and MPLS networks. The data center runs Dell storage and compute infrastructure.

The firm aims to extend InstaCompute to Europe, the United States and South Africa by the end of the year.

According to Vinod Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Communications, the company was hoping to entice customers with what he terms a ‘hybrid’ offering a combination of cloud, hosting and co-location services.

Dell’s roadmaps for tablets and smartphones have apparently been leaked and the listings show that the devices will run on yet-to-be-released Google Android and Microsoft software.

The two tablets that the company is planning to release will both be Android 3.0 based – the H­oneycomb release, with a Windows 7 based tablet due later this year. The company then expects to switch back to Android for 2012, with a possible Windows 8 tablet slotted in for the end of 2012.

On the smartphone side of the equation, the company will deploy the Dell Venue, in both Android and Windows Phone 7 variants – but then stick to Android all the way through to 2012, with a possible Windows model later this year.

Of equal interest is that the slides show the next version of the Android OS being called ice cream. Although Android OS nicknames are alphabetical desert names, next iteration Ice Cream is not confirmed yet.

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Google has been named as the most reputed technology firm in the UK leaving Apple and Sony behind. The survey assesses organizations on their business success, favorability, trustworthiness and product / service quality.

Microsoft, BlackBerry, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Dell, Nokia and HP were also included in the list.

The dominance of these companies, along with Google in the rankings points to consumers’ high regard for technology brands.

­Traditionally a top company in such reports, Nokia, however languished down in 23rd place.

Other top line findings show:

  • Microsoft is seen as the most successful brand in the UK with 81% of people considering it to have either excellent or very good success. Also, scoring high are Apple and Google, with 80% and 79% respectively.
  • Google comes on top for its quality of service offering, with 70% of Britons rating the company’s service as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’.
  • Technology brands Samsung, Sony, Apple, Nintendo, and Microsoft are also in the top ten of the most highly rated companies in terms of quality.

The world of technology is fast paced, dynamic and innovative, and is undergoing fundamental category change. As a result, brands are required to continuously evolve in order to be at the leading edge of technology, or at least keep up with the competition. The prevalence of innovation and new product development gives rise to increased brand coverage and awareness through media buzz as well as marketing communications. This along with the integral role that technology plays as part of their daily lives leads to the surprisingly high number of technology brands featuring in the list of reputed organizations of UK.

Ranking
1. Google
2. Kellogg’s
3. Apple
4. Sony
5. John Lewis
6. Nintendo
7. Marks & Spencer
8. Tetley
9. Coca-Cola
10. Sainsbury’s
11. Microsoft
12. innocent
13. Morrisons
14. Samsung
15. Sony Ericsson
16. Kuoni
17. Tesco
18. The Body Shop
19. BlackBerry
20. Virgin Holidays
21. Dell
22. Asda
23. Nokia
24. Visa
25. Hewlett-Packard

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Gerard Kleisterlee, Philips’ Chief Executive is seen as the favorite to become the next Chairman of Vodafone.

If sources are to be believed, Vodafone, the world’s largest mobile phone group by revenue, has drawn up a list of three people to succeed John Bond and Kleisterlee is the British firm’s preferred candidate.

Sources revealed that Vodafone’s board will be asked shortly to approve Mr Kleisterlee’s appointment. He would initially join Vodafone as a non-executive director, and step up to the chairman’s role at the next annual meeting.

Vodafone has been looking for a new chairman with international experience, and like the UK group, Philips is focused on emerging as well as western markets.

Mr Kleisterlee, who joined Philips in 1974, is stepping down after 10 years as chief executive on March 31. He has transformed the Dutch company from a predominantly semiconductor business into a lighting, healthcare and consumer electronics group.

A key part of his strategy has been to offset slowing growth in Western Europe and North America with greater exposure to developing countries. He stated in 2009 that Philips could secure about half its revenue from emerging markets by 2015.

However, in 2008 Mr Kleisterlee abandoned profitability targets in his 2010 business plan because the economic downturn rendered then unattainable.

Mr Kleisterlee is Vice-Chairman of the European Round Table of Industrialists, and a non-executive director at Royal Dutch Shell. He is also on the boards of Daimler and Dell.

­dell streak
Dell has shown off a new tablet computer and a new smartphone – both based on the Android 2.2 release.

The tablet is the Dell Streak 7, and incorporates the Dell Stage user experience. Featuring an NVIDIA Tegra dual-core processor superchip, a 7-inch multi-touch screen with Corning Gorilla Glass and full Adobe Flash Player 10.1 support, the tablet also comes with two cameras.

It will be available initially in the US, with details on worldwide availability to come in the coming weeks.

The smartphone is the 1 GHz, 8 megapixel camera enabled Venue. The Venue also offers a vibrant, high-contrast 4.1-inch AMOLED display with curved Corning Gorilla Glass. In addition to a full array of entertainment features the Venue also comes fully equipped with support for ActiveSync and QuickOffice. No financial details were provided.

NTT DoCoMo, Japan’s mobile operator is reportedly planning to launch a tablet computer that will be produced by LG Electronics and run on software developed by Google.

According to reports, the device, which is scheduled to be released in Japan by the end of March, is expected to have a smaller than 9-inch screen, but other details have yet to be determined.

The tablet PC would compete with a slew of models from the likes of Dell, Samsung Electronics and Sharp to challenge Apple’s iPad in the new gadget segment.

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The executive in charge of Dell Inc’s mobile group is leaving the company as it commences a major push into the smartphone and tablet markets.

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ron Garriques, who joined Dell in 2007 as part of Chief Executive Michael Dell’s effort to turn around the Round Rock, Texas, computer maker, will depart in January.

According to the spokesperson of the company, Dell’s communications solutions group, which develops mobile phones and other devices like the Streak tablet, will be broken up and its products folded into other units.

According to the SEC filing, Mr. Garriques will remain at Dell until late January and he will serve as a consultant until the end of 2011. His severance payment will total $1.4 million and he will be paid more than $6 million for the consulting work.

Mr. Garriques, a Motorola Inc. veteran, was originally hired to oversee Dell’s consumer business. Under his watch, Dell gained share in consumer PC sales, but saw its profit margins shrink.

Clearwire Corporation , a leading provider of wireless broadband services and operator of the first 4G network in the country, today announced the availability of CLEAR(R) 4G, take-it-with-you internet service for businesses and consumers in Sacramento. With CLEAR, anyone can now use the internet at speeds four times faster than 3G* — whether at home, in the office, or on-the-go within CLEAR coverage.

In Sacramento, CLEAR covers nearly 1.2 million people. Regionally, service extends out to Davis to the West, to Elk Grove in the South, to Roseville/Folsom out to the East and Natomas to the North. A detailed coverage map of CLEAR 4G service is available at www.clear.com/coverage.

“Whether as a critical link for the Pony Express or for the first transcontinental railroad, Sacramento has long been at the forefront of this country’s ever-growing need to communicate. With today’s launch, Sacramento reinforces its historical position as a communications hub and becomes the anchor to Clearwire’s 4G network in the Central Valley,” said Allan Lamb, regional general manager for CLEAR. “For the first time, capital city consumers are able to access the content they normally enjoy at home or work wirelessly around Sacramento at an affordable price and without data limits.”

For a limited time, new customers can take advantage of CLEAR’s online-only mobile internet promotion to receive a 50% discount on their service plan for the first two months, with overnight shipping included and no activation fee. This promotion is available at www.clear.com/sacramento.

A CLEAR Difference

The CLEAR experience is similar to Wi-Fi but without the short-range limitations. CLEAR uses wireless 4G technology that differs from Wi-Fi because it provides service areas measured in miles, not feet. CLEAR also offers average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps.* Outside the CLEAR 4G service area, dual-mode 4G/3G modems keep users continually connected by leveraging Sprint’s 3G data network.

With CLEAR, people stay better connected and more productive. For example:

A travelling business executive no longer needs to seek out Wi-Fi hotspots or be constrained by the speeds and limitations of 3G modem cards; A college student can now have affordable internet service whether at home, on campus or on-the-go; A commuter can now work on large files or stream their favorite shows while riding the bus or train; A busy parent can now keep kids occupied studying or playing games in the back of the family minivan.

Unlike service plans from traditional wireless carriers which cap data usage, CLEAR offers unlimited 4G usage plans that do not require long-term service contracts. In most markets unlimited 4G coverage from CLEAR starts at $35 for the home while unlimited mobile plans start as low as $45. Bundled service plans such as Home and Voice start at $50 per month.

Simply Plug-In and Go

Clearwire offers several ways to connect to CLEAR 4G services — via a modem, mobile device, or a 4G-embedded laptop or netbook.

Clear Spots(R): Clear Spots are personal mobile hotspots that allow users to easily and securely share unlimited internet access anywhere CLEAR has coverage simultaneously with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The Clear Spot 4G brings 4G to Wi-Fi devices such as laptops, smartphones, and portable gaming devices. The Clear Spot 4G+ allows power users and road warriors to stay connected across the U.S. by automatically switching from 4G and connecting to Sprint’s 3G nationwide network outside the 4G coverage area. The iSpot(TM) is made exclusively for Apple mobile devices** including the iPad(TM), iPod touch(R) and iPhone(R). The Clear Spot 4G and iSpot each cost $99 or the Clear Spot 4G can be leased for $5 a month. The Clear Spot 4G+ costs $225 or can be leased for $9 per month. Clear Spots can be purchased at www.clear.com/spot and from CLEAR stores and authorized dealers.

Clear 4G+ Mobile USB: Mobile users simply plug-in the compact Clear 4G+ Mobile USB into their laptop to get online. This dual-mode 4G/3G modem gives users access to the 4G network in the CLEAR coverage area and to 3G coverage nationwide. The Clear 4G+ Mobile USB costs $115 or can be leased monthly for $6.

Home Modems: For residential service, CLEAR offers a wireless high-speed modem. Customers simply plug the modem into a power outlet anywhere in their home or office and connect the modem to their PC or wireless router. This enables consumers and businesses to easily install high-speed internet service without scheduling an appointment, drilling holes in their walls, or otherwise disrupting their day. The Clear Home Modem can be purchased for $85 or leased for $5 monthly.

Embedded 4G WiMAX Laptops: Customers can also select from more than 45 different 4G WiMAX-ready laptops and netbooks with Intel(R) Core(TM) or Atom(TM) processors and the embedded Intel(R) wireless module Advanced-N + WiMAX from leading manufacturers including Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba, Samsung, Gateway, and Asus. All of these operate on CLEAR, and more than 20 of these 4G WiMAX-ready laptops are now available at Best Buy stores and at www.bestbuy.com.

CLEAR 4G products and services are available for purchase by going online at www.clear.com/sacramento, calling 1-877-499-6681, or visiting a CLEAR retail store or other authorized CLEAR dealer. A CLEAR retail store is located at Market Square at Arden Mall in Sacramento. CLEAR service is also available from other outlets including Best Buy, RadioShack and Fry’s Electronics.

Clearwire’s 4G Network in 2010

CLEAR 4G service is currently available in 63 markets across the United States, including: Sacramento, Merced, Visalia, Modesto and Stockton, Calif.; New Haven and Hartford, Conn.; central Washington, D.C.; Wilmington, Del.; Tampa Bay, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Fla.; Atlanta and Milledgeville, Ga.; Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii; Boise, Idaho; Chicago, Ill.; Boston, Mass.; Baltimore, Md.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo.; Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, N.C.; Trenton and New Brunswick, N.J.; New York, Syracuse and Rochester, N.Y.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Salem, Portland and Eugene, Ore.; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Reading, Lancaster and York, Pa.; Providence, R.I.; Nashville, Tenn.; Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Waco and Wichita Falls, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Richmond, Va.; Seattle, Tri-Cities, Yakima and Bellingham, Wash. By the end of 2010, CLEAR 4G will also be available in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Denver, Miami, Cincinnati and Cleveland.

For more information about CLEAR, visit www.clear.com/sacramento or The CLEAR Blog www.theclearblog.com. You can also follow CLEAR information on Twitter at @Clear. Information about Clearwire is available at http://www.clearwire.com. For press and broadcast: images, video and company logos are available from the Clearwire Newsroom at www.clearwire.com/newsroom. To subscribe to Clearwire’s RSS news feed, click here.

About Clearwire

Clearwire Corporatio, through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of wireless broadband services. Clearwire’s 4G network currently provides coverage in areas of the U.S. where approximately 101 million people live, and the company plans to continue to expand its 4G coverage. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its 4G service through its own brand called CLEAR(R) as well as through its wholesale relationships with Sprint, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire is headquartered in Kirkland, Wash. Additional information is available at www.clearwire.com.

*Speed claims based on download speeds only. Actual performance may vary and is not guaranteed. CLEAR performance claim is based on average download user speeds achieved during tests performed on the CLEAR commercial network by CLEAR. Other carrier performance based on their advertised claims.

**Apple does not endorse Clearwire products or services and is not affiliated with Clearwire.

Unlimited plans subject to CLEAR’s Acceptable Use Policy, posted at www.clear.com/legal/aup.

Clearwire, CLEAR, and the CLEAR logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Clearwire Communications LLC in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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Dell launches Hi-end phones in India

dell

Dell has launched two hi-end 3G smartphones- the XCD28 and the XCD35 in India. The new smartphones will be available at Dell stores and leading mobile outlets. Both smartphones are based on Google’s android platform and are 3G-ready.

XCD35 is equipped with a 3.5 inch touchscreen display with 480 x 800 pixels of resolution. The handset runs on Android 2.1 operating system and is powered by 600 MHz processor. The phone features a 3 mega pixel camera, FM radio, MP3 player, 150 MB of internal memory, expandable microSD card slot up to 32GB, FM radio, MP3 player, 9 days of stand by time and 4 hours of talk time. Dell XCD35 smart phone supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, USB and SatNav connectivity options. The handset will be available from December and will cost US$383.95.

Dell XCD28 mobile is packed with a 3.2 mega pixels camera and 2.8 inch touchscreen display. The phone is preloaded with Android 2.1 operating system this Dell XCD28 mobile also poses Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. Micro USB port is also added to this Dell XCD28 mobile and will be available for US$248.59

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