Android devices lead the way on Christmas
Smartphones have steadily been gaining popularity as the consumers’ preferred choice for a mobile device. According to reports, Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President (Mobile), Google, has reportedly revealed that over 3.7 million Android devices were activated during the Christmas weekend. Further, sources claim that the combined activation of Apple and Android devices have doubled as compared to the last year.
Industry analysts believe that a major reason for the success is the availability of affordable smartphones in the market. Also with Apple offering its earlier versions of the iPhone at discounted prices, the number of people using these devices has gone up considerably. Further, a large amount of mobile operators across the globe have introduced special data tariff plans keeping such devices in mind which have helped in the adoption of these handsets.
Nokia partners with T-Mobile to launch Lumia 710 (USA, Finland)
Finalnd based handset maker, Nokia is hopeful of re-establishing itself in the U.S. by collaborating with mobile operator T-Mobile for the sale of its Lumia 710 smartphone. According to company reports, the smartphone powered by Microsoft’s Windows software is expected to be sold for US$ 50.
With the smartphone market being largely dominated by Apple’s iPhones and Google Android powered smatphones, Nokia hopes to capture some of the market share through its low-priced smartphone. The company reportedly aims to position the Lumia 710 as the affordable smartphone for all consumers. Further, the company has hinted that users will also be provided with unlimited calls to a special concierge line which would help them set up as well as adapt the handset to suit their needs.
iPhone sales help AT&T achieve record sales (USA)
U.S. based mobile operator AT&T is hopeful of achieving record smartphone sales in the fourth quarter with Apple’s latest iPhone 4S leading the way.According to reports, the company almost equaled its sales of 6.1 million in Q3 of last year, within the first two months of the same period this year. Further, with the festive season coming up, the company is expected to see a significant rise in its sales.
Apart from offering the iPhone 4S, AT&T is also giving users the iPhone 3GS free with a contract of two years, enabling many more users with different budget levels to own an iPhone. The operator also offers Samsung smartphones powered by Google’s Android software along with handsets from Motorola.
RIM plans new business solution supporting multiple devices (Canada)
BlackBerry maker, Research In Motion (RIM) has reportedly come out with a new software solution for its business customers which will enable them to manage different devices running on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android along with BlackBerry devices.
According to reports, Alan Panezic, vice president (platform product management), RIM, has said that the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, as the device-management software is known, will be available in the first quarter and can run alongside or replace the BlackBerry Enterprise Server networks, RIM now operates for companies and government agencies. He added that this is a really, really important strategic move and that RIM is conducting trials with financial- services, manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies.
However, as per sources, industry analysts believe that while this is a very good solution for the corporate houses, where the BlackBerry is rapidly being replaced by iPhones and Android powered smartphones, to manage their services from a single web console; the solution may still not address RIM’s primary concern of declining sale volumes.
RIM stock stumbles 6.1 percent as analysts reduce profit estimates (Canada)
Canada based BlackBerry manufacturer, Research In Motion (RIM), received yet another blow as industry analysts have reportedly cut their profit estimates for the company on the basis of increase in competition and problems regarding the BlackBerry Bold device.
According to reports, analysts have lowered their price targets on the stock citing lesser sales and reduced earnings projections. The news has caused RIM’s stock to fall 6.1 percent to $17.09. As per sources, the BlackBerry Bold introduced in September, is RIM’s main competitor against Apple’s iPhone and Android smartphones.
Further, while there have been reports suggesting that users have been facing problems with the BlackBerry Bold device wherein some of the users haven’t been able to turn on their device, analysts have also said that low priced and affordable smartphones, powered by Google’s Android software, have been causing a steady decline in RIM’s revenues.
Vodafone raises full year profit forecasts as results beat estimates (Europe)
Vodafone Group PLC, a global telecom leader, has reportedly raised its full year profit forecast from US$ 18.3 billion to $18.9 billion, on account of increased sales in India and new internet based tariff plans. According to reports, England based Vodafone aims to improve data sales from smartphones including Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android based smartphones in an attempt to counter its declining revenues in Europe.
As per sources, Vittori Colao, CEO, Vodafone has said that they have been gaining market share in most of their major markets and are achieving sustained growth in the key areas of data, emerging markets and enterprise. Further, reports suggest that Vodafone has shifted its focus towards tiered pricing for data billing with a larger emphasis on consumption-based tariffs.
According to industry reports, Vodafone’s sales for the first half rose by 4.1 percent to US$ 37.7 billion as compared to the estimated $ 37.5 billion. Further, it has been reported that while service revenue has been high in Turkey and India, at 28 percent and 18 percent respectively, Spain and Italy saw a decline in the same amounting to 9.3 percent and 3 percent respectively. Consequently, it has been reported that Vodafone plans to reduce its tariffs in Spain in order to counter the competition.
Google’s Android software to remain free even after Motorola deal (USA)
According to reports, Eric Schmidt, Chairman, Google Inc., has said that the company will keep the Android software free for mobile-phone makers even after completing a planned acquisition of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. He added that the deal to buy Motorola Mobility would not violate the openness of Android, and that the company will be run independently.
As per sources, Google and Motorola Mobility entered into an agreement in August wherein Google agreed to buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion, considered to be its largest acquisition. Industry sources claim that this deal will further empower Google to expand its market share as well as better compete with rival Apple Inc. Further, this deal is expected to bring over 17,000 patents that can be used by Google to protect the Android software platform.
Samsung unveils the new Galaxy Nexus smartphone (Hong Kong)
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first smartphone to run on Google’s latest Android 4.0 operating system also known as the Ice Cream Sandwich, was unveiled earlier this week. The Galaxy Nexus is quite thin at just 8.49 millimeters and comes with a 4.65 inch screen display. The smartphone is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual core processor and a 1GB RAM.
However, the Nexus comes with a 5 mega-pixel rear camera, as compared to the 8 megapixel camera offered by most of its competitors. The Galaxy Nexus seeks to defy the Android norm of including the four standard buttons for menu, home, search and back; and will not feature any physical buttons on the device. Further, the Ice Cream Sandwich introduces a new font called ‘Roboto’, specifically designed for improved clarity on the smartphone’s display screen.
The smartphone is also expected to include a screenshot feature, improved keyboard, and facial recognition technology termed ‘face lock’ for users to secure their phone. Further, Google’s ‘Android Beam’ based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, will enable users to share data between devices in a more secured manner. The smartphone is expected to be available in Asia, Europe and the U.S. by November this year.
Google Android emerges as top choice for US customers (USA)
Handsets running on the Google Android operating software have emerged as a strong force to be reckoned with in the US smartphone market, with it powering as much as 42 percent of the smartphones, as of July 2011. According to reports, market share of the Android smartphones in US, has gone up from 36.4 per cent in April to 41.8 per cent in July. While the same period saw the iPhone market share rise slightly to 27 per cent, BlackBerry’s share went down by 4 per cent, coming to 21.7 per cent.
The US smartphone market accounts for 82.2 million of the 234 million mobile phone users. Samsung emerged as the leading handset maker with a market share of 25.5 per cent followed by LG with a market share of 20.9 per cent.
