Samsung receives 9 million pre-orders for Galaxy SIII (South Korea)
Samsung Electronics has received some 9 million pre-orders for its third-generation Galaxy S smartphone from more than 100 global carriers, according to a report by the Korea Economic Daily.
Samsung toppled Apple as the world’s biggest smartphone maker in the first quarter, helped by its line-up of Galaxy named devices running on Google’s free Android software. The latest version of its flagship phone, unveiled this month, will first go on sale on May 29 in Germany before being rolled out to other countries.
The newspaper, also said the company’s smartphone factory in South Korea was running at its full capacity of 5 million units per month.
Samsung is yet to make an official statement regarding the same.
Telefonica launches single pan-European mobile data tariff (Europe)
Telefónica banishes bill shock with the announcement of its first standard pan-European data roaming tariff – giving smartphone customers 25MB of high-speed Internet usage anywhere across the 27 European Union member states for just $2.54 a day.
Telefónica’s EU-wide tariff means mobile customers – on Movistar or O2 networks – will no longer have to worry about the cost of sending or receiving emails, updating their Facebook status or browsing the web on their smartphones when travelling or holidaying abroad.
For $2.54 a day, Telefónica is giving its smartphone customers travelling in the EU a data volume of 25 Megabytes – which translates to 250 visits to essential websites like Facebook, Twitter, Google or BBC Online and up to 500 emails.
Additionally, customers will only pay for days they choose to use data, and will not be charged should they wish to switch off their phone.
The Telefónica tariff weighs in at a fraction of new price caps announced by the European UnionFacebook, Twitter, Google – which ruled that as of 1 July, one data megabyte should cost no more than $0.9, or $22.25 for 25 MB. On a per megabyte basis, Telefónica’s European tariff works out considerably cheaper than the EU’s regulated rate.
José María Álvarez-Pallete, Chairman and CEO of Telefónica Europe, said that users no longer need to switch off their smartphones when travelling within the EU, and neither do they need to worry about bill shock when they get home. Further, their European data tariff gives smartphone customers great value while allowing them to do what really matters – to stay connected wherever they are in a simple and transparent way and with complete peace of mind.
Smartphone customers use on average around 6MB in a day, but any Telefónica customers exceeding 25 MB will be immediately notified. The Pan-European tariff launched in Germany in May and will be available this summer to O2 and Movistar customers in Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The real reason behind Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility (USA)
Google’s mobile operating software – Android – has resulted in it controlling a dominant position in the mobile phone market, beating rivals Apple and Nokia to the number one spot. The acquisition of Motorola Mobility further earned Google access to over 17,000 patents, enabling the internet giant to protect its Android software from patent infringements.
A report by CNET offers an insight into the possible opportunities offered by such a merger to users. As per the report, this deal may enable Google to be the first to offer smartphone devices that completely replace a user’s personal computer (PC).
In terms of smartphones, Apple and Samsung offer extremely competitive services. However, if Google was to make the jump towards a functioning PC on a mobile phone, Apple could find itself in a lot of trouble.
The report highlights the massive appeal such a gadget would offer business customers. Most companies are moving business apps to either the cloud or private browser-based apps. Webtop-enabled Android devices — if they are well-orchestrated — could take a big bite out of the corporate sales of Windows.
While the PC supported smartphone sounds very impressive, Google still has a long distance to cover before it achieves this feat.
Nokia Windows phone receives support from carriers (USA)
With the increasing dominance of iPhones and Android powered smartphones in the handset arena, wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon Wireless have been looking at phones from Nokia and Microsoft as alternatives, according to a report by BN.
As per the report, both carriers praised Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system, which powers the new Nokia Lumia phone, when they reported quarterly results this month. AT&T began offering the Lumia 900 for $99.99 on April 8, and Verizon is preparing to add a new Nokia model to its lineup soon.
The operators are hoping that these handsets act as an alternative for users as devices such as iPhone can be more costly to subsidize. The companies also face the risk that an Apple-Google duopoly will erode carriers’ ability to distinguish themselves and will further squeeze their profit margins.
AT&T Chief Financial Officer John Stephens told BN in an interview that they want the Lumia to succeed — they love to have competition in the handset market. It’s always better to have more choices for the customers.
Google to increase mobile internet speed, mobile commerce to go up by $600 million a year (USA)
Internet giant Google Inc. is working at ways to speed up mobile internet speeds for Web pages to load faster on mobile phones, according to a report by BN. Google Inc.’s engineering director Arvind Jain has been continually monitoring the internet access rates, across hotels, offices and airports around the world, in an attempt to identify ways to speeden things up.
As per the report, currently a page takes 9.2 seconds to load in the U.S., while Jain’s mission is to get websites to load over mobile- phone networks twice as quickly as they do now. The company aims to use faster mobile internet access to unlock billions of dollars in additional e-commerce and online advertising. The report reveals that when people are waiting for pages to load, they aren’t shopping or viewing ads. That’s hampering everyone from giant Internet companies to local businesses trying to reach customers.
Jain claims that there’s a clear correlation between speed and the success of one’s online business.
One of the reasons that makes a mobile web connection slow is the carriers’ network, especially if they are unable to get 3G or 4G service on their phones. Often, though, it’s because the Web page wasn’t designed to load quickly on a wireless device. The site may have high-resolution pictures or data-intensive effects. Beyond that, Internet protocols and software aren’t always optimized for mobile connections, which can lose some of the data they transmit.
The report says that in order to fix the problem, Google is tweaking its mobile browser and working with other companies on changing the way basic Internet technologies work. It’s also rolling out tools that help website owners see the connection between their sites’ performance and sales. That can prod businesses to spend the money needed to speed up their services.
Further, it has been highlighetd that faster mobile Web loads could increase mobile-commerce sales in the U.S. by 10 percent, or about $600 million a year.
Android controls 50 percent of smartphone market in the U.S. (USA)
Google’s Android operating software accounted for over 50 percent of the U.S. smartphone market for the first time in February, according to a report by Mashable.
The figures were a 17-point increase over February 2011. As per the report, Apple’s share for iOS for the month was 30.2 percent, which was up five points over the same time period. RIM’s BlackBerry platform claimed 13.4 percent vs. 28.9 percent in February 2011 while Microsoft had 3.9 percent of the market compared to the previous 7.7 percent.
The report reveals that overall, in February; 234 million Americans aged 13 and up used mobile devices. Some 69.5 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during that time. Meanwhile, the U.S. market appears to lag the rest of the world for Android adoption. Global market share for the platform approached 50 percent last August.
Google unveils first glimpse of internet goggles (USA)
Technology giant Google has provided the first glimpse of its internet glasses last week. The company posted a video of the glasses on its website, enabling viewers across the globe to get an idea of what to expect.
The company said in a statement technology should work for the user -be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don’t. Further, a group of people from Google X (Labs) started Project Glass to build this kind of technology; one that helps the consumer explore and share their world.
The glasses enable consumers to use navigation functions and view messages from friends amongst others. As per the company, Google claimed that they took a few design photos to show what this technology could look like and created a video to demonstrate what it might enable the user to do.
Google said that they’re sharing this information now because they want to start a conversation and learn from their valuable input.
Airtel Africa extends partnership with Google (Africa)
Airtel Africa has extended its existing partnership with global technology leader Google, with an aim to make internet products accessible to a greater number of consumers in Africa. The two companies have teamed up to launch Google+ and Chat SMS features across the 16 markets in which Airtel operates and have plans to continue deepening the strategic relationship to increase affordable and ubiquitous access to the Internet and Google products for its end users.
The two companies have teamed up to bring the value of Google products to SMS users. Users can now use Google+ Messenger and Google Chat to communicate between all mobile phones and platforms, even if they are offline or have an SMS and voice only phone. With Google+ SMS notifications and ability to post status updates via SMS, users are always connected with the people in their circles.
Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa, has said that they are extremely excited about taking this mutually-beneficial relationship to the next level. By extending their already existing relationship into the future, both Airtel and Google will work together to ensure that they can provide consumers with access to innovative products that will have a positive impact on how they experience the internet.
Mr. Beyers goes on to say that the telco is in the process of building the largest 3G network across the continent – which will directly support the partnership. 3G will transform how subscribers experience the web on internet-enabled cell phones.
Willie Ellis, Group Products & Innovations Director, Airtel Africa, has said that Airtel has always been committed to providing consumers with relevant and innovative products and services. Strategic partnerships – such as this one – will allow them to continue delivering mobile solutions that will improve customers’ internet experience.
There are currently about 400 million mobile subscribers in Africa, according to data from McKinsey & Co. Telecommunications is one of the continent’s fastest growing industries with a rapidly expanding cellular phone market that now includes internet access, mobile banking and mobile commerce.
With this in mind, the telco has remained committed to deepening its network coverage, bringing communication opportunities to rural populations that, until now, have been left out of the telecommunications boost. The telco will work in tandem with Google to provide consumers with internet solutions and products that will help bridge the digital divide.
