By Editor on March 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment
South Korea’s KT Corp has announced that it will be selling the 2G iPad in the Asian country from the next month.
KT’s hometown rival and the country’s largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom has stated that it is actively considering offering the tablet device in the domestic market.
From April, SK Telecom will begin selling four tablet computer models, including Motorola Mobility Holdings’ Xoom, Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Tab devices and LG Electronics’ Optimus Pad.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with 2G iPad, Apple, Galaxy Tab, iPad2, KT, LG Electronics, Motorola Mobility, operators, Optimus Pad, Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, South Korea, Xoom
By Editor on March 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment
LG Electronics India Private Limited’s business head (mobile communications) Vishal Chopra, claims that the company will be launching 40 new handset this year in the Indian market.
According to Chopra, as a part of their mixed product strategy, they are focusing on mid and high-end phones. Of the 40 new models that we are lining up for the domestic market, 10 to 12 models will be 3G-powered with a price tag between US$200 and US$778.
He added that the mobile phone as an industry is dynamic in nature and there is a shift from feature-rich phones to smart phones. Smart phones accounted for 2-3%of the total mobile phones sales in India, which would touch 15-20 per cent this year.
By Editor on February 8, 2011 · Leave a Comment
The data collected by International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker reveals that vendors shipped a total of 100.9 million smartphones during the fourth quarter of 2010 (4Q10), upto 87.2% from the 53.9 million smartphones shipped during 2009. For the full year, vendors shipped a total of 302.6 million smartphones worldwide, up 74.4% from the 173.5 million smartphones shipped in 2009.
Android continues to gain by leaps and bounds, helping to drive the smartphone market. It has become the cornerstone of multiple vendors’ smartphone strategies, and has quickly become a challenge to the market leader Symbian. Although Symbian has the backing of market leader Nokia, Android has multiple vendors, including HTC, LG Electronics, Motorola, Samsung and a growing list of companies deploying Android on their devices.
Adding to the competitive landscape is the entrance of two refreshed operating systems, Symbian3 and Windows Phone 7. In their first quarter of commercial availability, both Symbian3 and Windows Phone 7 ramped up quickly, just in time for the holidays. By the end of the quarter, Nokia had shipped five million Symbian3 units while Windows Phone 7 vendors shipped more than 1.5 million units. Now, with the holiday quarter over, both platforms will need to sustain this initial growth in the quarters to come.
IDC expect further gains for the smartphone market in 2011, as smartphone vendors deepen and broaden their offerings. The high-end of the market has been important to help grow the smartphone market in recent years. It also expects vendors to provide more mid-range and low-end smartphones at lower prices to reach the mass market. In the same manner, even high-end devices will become available at lower prices. This will result in greater competition and more selection for users.
Top Five Smartphone Vendors
Nokia noted the positive progress of its new Symbian3 smartphones during 2010: five million units combined from the N8, C7, and C601 worldwide, a strong showing given their recent introduction to the market. At the same time, Nokia’s volumes are largely comprised of older devices, while MeeGo-powered devices have yet to arrive on the market. In addition, Nokia continues to struggle in the North America market. The recent cancellation of the X7 smartphone at AT&T highlights Nokia’s challenges and a new device has yet to be revealed.
Apple’s iPhone gained more ground in the worldwide smartphone market, with shipment volume growth coming from Asia/Pacific and Japan. In addition, Apple made further inroads into the enterprise market, with more companies adding Apple to their approved smartphone list and increased development of corporate-centered applications. Rumors of an iPhone 5 have begun to heat up the blogosphere, with many expecting a new design and perhaps a mobile wallet.
Research In Motion reached a new shipment volume for a single quarter in 2010, and posted nearly identical year-over-year growth for both the quarter and the year. Driving growth was stronger interest from outside North America, with several markets posting double-digit gains. Meanwhile, RIM continued to enjoy market leadership in North America, but nonetheless saw mounting challenges from the competition. Popular devices for the quarter included the BlackBerry Torch and the BlackBerry Curve 3G.
Samsung took top honors for having the largest year-over-year improvement for both the quarter and for the year, an accomplishment largely fueled by its popular Galaxy S series smartphones. New Galaxy devices are expected to launch, including the Galaxy Fit, Ace, and Mini. Not to be overlooked are Samsung’s big-branded smartphones, as well as its emerging Windows Phone smartphones, both of which received a warm reception. Samsung has set its sights on growing market share at least 40% in 2011.
HTC reaped triple-digit growth for both the quarter and for the year, second only to Samsung. Driving its success were its increased brand awareness, market positioning, and a series of devices that have resonated well with users and carriers alike. Following its success in 2010, the company known for being ‘quietly brilliant’ aims to become a preferred brand for smartphone users in 2011, while leveraging its scalability to drive business in Asia/Pacific and other emerging markets.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with ACE, Android, Apple, Asia/Pacific, AT&T, Galaxy Fit, HTC, International Data Corporation (IDC), iPhone, Japan, LG Electronics, MeeGo, Mobile, Motorola, Nokia, Operating Systems, Research in Motion, Samsung, smartphone, Symbian, Symbian^3, Windows phone 7
By Editor on February 2, 2011 · Leave a Comment
LG Electronics is planning to launch a swipe payment system for product and service retailers in Europe next year.
According to Jin-Yong Kim, Vice President for business solutions at LG’s Home Entertainment division, the point-of-sale technology, which will be targeted at small and medium-sized businesses and will involve NFC or near field communications and cloud computing, is currently in beta testing.
He added that the plan is to launch it in Europe in 2012, noting that LG’s business customers operate in the hospitality, retail, corporate, transportation, education and public sectors.
Google’s Android OS is deploying NFC support, and it is widely expected that Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 5 will also support NFC capability. It is also possible to embed NFC into SIM cards and for an operator to roll out the service without the need for smartphone upgrades, although the SIM cards are more expensive and lack the deep integration in the handset menu options that a smartphone could offer.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Android OS, Apple, Europe, Google, Home Entertainment division, iPhone 5, Jin-Yong Kim, LG Electronics, Mobile, NFC, SIM Cards, smartphone, swipe payment system, Vice President for business solutions
By Editor on January 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment
The mobile internet is finally becoming a reality, urged on by the installment of new high-speed mobile data networks and the emergence of a new class of smartphones, slate-style tablets and other devices designed to take advantage of the new network capabilities and content geared to mobile users.
The chief US mobile network operators and makers of smartphones and tablet PCs used the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, as a launch pad for their new 4G services, software applications and devices boasting download speeds up to 10 times faster than current 3G networks.
The success or failure of the companies in persuading consumers and business users to trade-up to higher speed data networks and the next generation electronic devices that run on them will be closely watched elsewhere as mobile network operators worldwide prepare to invest in new infrastructure based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) and rival technologies.
At CES, Verizon Wireless, the joint venture between Verizon Communications and Britain’s Vodafone group, launched 10 new consumer products including four smartphones and two tablets designed to operate on its new LTE network which launched last month.
The new LTE devices, which will be available by mid-year, include Motorola’s new Droid Bionic smartphone and rival Google Android-powered handsets from HTC, Samsung and LG Electronics.
The two tablets, both powered by Google’s new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system, are Motorola’s Xoom and an LTE version of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab.
According to Dan Malone, Verizon Wireless Chief Technology Officer, the LTE network performance is already exceeding our expectations and promised that the network would be quickly extended from the initial 39 markets to more than 170 markets and two-thirds of the US population by year-end.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with 3G networks, 4G Network, Android, Britain, CES, Consumer Electronics Show, Dan Malone, Google, high-speed mobile data networks, HTC, Las Vegas, LG Electronics, LTE, Mobile, Motorola’s Xoom, Samsung, US mobile network, Verizon Communications, Verizon Wireless, Verizon Wireless Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Group
By Editor on January 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment
America Movil SAB, the mobile-phone carrier controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, is giving away 200 puppies in a raffle for Colombian customers, drawing criticism from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
According to Martin Mersereau, Director of the animal-rights group’s emergency response division, unless families who win these puppies spent months and months deliberating as to whether or not could make good homes for these animals, they have no business having them.
According to the website of its Comcel unit, America Movil, the biggest wireless company in Latin America, is registering buyers of LG Electronics Inc. phones for the raffle through Jan. 15. The dogs, provided by breeder Cachorros de San Luis, will be healthy and immunized. They include pugs, beagles, boxers, shih tzus and labradors.
Earlier last year, Mexico City-based America Movil had 28.8 million wireless subscribers in Colombia and Panama, or 13% of its total customer base across Latin America, the U.S. and the Caribbean.
According to Mersereau, Comcel told Norfolk, Virginia-based PETA last month that while it wouldn’t offer such promotions in the future, the company planned to continue with the current puppy raffle. The company is glad that Comcel vowed not to do this in the future, but there are 200 lives at stake right now.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with 200 puppies, America Movil, Caribbean, Carlos Slim, Colombia, Colombian customers, Comcel, Director of the animal-rights group’s emergency response division, Latin America, LG Electronics, Martin Mersereau, Mexico, Mobile, Panama, PETA, Telefonica Mexico
By Editor on January 3, 2011 · Leave a Comment
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.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Apple, Dell, Google, iPad, Japan, LG Electronics, Mobile, NTT DoCoMo, Samsung Electronics, Sharp, software developed, tablet computer
By Editor on December 17, 2010 · Leave a Comment
If sources are to be believed, Microsoft plans to launch a Chinese-edition of Windows Phone 7 (WP7) in the second half of 2011 and is currently soliciting China-based mobile device makers including Lenovo, Huawei Technologies and ZTE to jointly develop WP7-based smartphones targeting the China market.
According to the sources, Microsoft is expected to unveil the second batch of WP7 smartphones at the upcoming MWC 2011 trade fair with the showcase including Asustek Computer’s first WP7 model, the E600. Although HTC, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics (LGE) and Dell have all launched WP7-based smartphones, Microsoft still hopes to ignite a wave of demand for Windows Phone-based smartphones with the introduction of the Chinese-version WP7.
However, it remains to be seen if China-based mobile device makers will shift their focus to develop WP7 smartphones as most of them have put effort into Android-based models recently.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Asustek Computer, China, Chinese-edition WP7 platform, HTC, Huawei Technologies, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Mobile, Samsung Electronics, ZTE
By Editor on December 6, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Taiwan’s semi-official Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has sued LG Electronics, accusing it of infringing 22 of its US registered patents covering the fields of mobile phones, air conditioners, blue-ray discs, and LCD displays.
According to ITRI, if the court does not block LG’s actions, then it will suffer additional irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law and impairment of the value of its patent rights.
The case is similar to the IP litigation between Acer and HP three years ago, when the former successfully used the support of the ITRI to force the latter in accepting a settlement.
As per LG’s statement, it will act appropriately when it receives the official court documents, which it expects later this month.
The ITRI is a technology developer that was founded in 1973 and is partly funded by the Taiwan government.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Acer, air conditioners, blue-ray discs, HP, IP litigation, ITRI, LCD display, LG Electronics, Mobile, Mobile Phones, Taiwan, U.S
By Editor on October 29, 2010 · Leave a Comment
If reports are to be believed, Apple has for the first time outpaced Blackberry-maker Research in Motion in global smartphone sales thanks to the success of its iPhone 4.
According to Industry tracker IDC, Apple sold 14.1 million iPhone units in the third quarter while Canada’s Research in Motion shipped 12.4 million Blackberry devices.
As per the International Data Corporation (IDC), the company’s record shipment performance can be attributed to the introduction of the iPhone 4 in 17 new countries last quarter. Global mobile phone sales surged 14.6% to 340.5 million units in the third quarter from a year earlier, driven mainly by the strong appetite for smartphones. According to IDC, Apple’s rise to the top five showed the growth potential of smartphones
Apple ranked as the fourth largest mobile phone vendor in the third quarter with Research in Motion one place behind the US giant, according to IDC’s quarterly tracker of the industry.
According to Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst with IDC, the entrance of Apple to the top five vendors ranking underscores the increased importance of smartphones to the overall market. Moreover, the mobile phone makers that are delivering popular smartphone models are among the fastest growing firms…. Vendors that aren’t developing a strong portfolio of smartphones will be challenged to maintain and grow market share in the future.
Globally, Nokia remains the world’s top mobile phone seller with sales of 110.4 million units in the third quarter but the Finnish company continues to feel the pressure from handset makers in the highly competitive market.
According to Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team, Nokia still leads all vendors by a significant margin for converged mobile devices and mobile phones as a whole. However, Nokia’s grip on the traditional mobile phone market has been somewhat loosened, as multiple Chinese vendors have gained ground, especially within emerging markets. To bolster its overall competitiveness, Nokia has been focused on improving its smartphone offerings.
As per IDC, South Korea’s Samsung came second with sales of 71.4 million units followed by LG Electronics, which sold 28.4 million handsets.
If reports are to be believed, Apple has for the first time outpaced Blackberry-maker Research in Motion in global smartphone sales thanks to the success of its iPhone 4.
According to Industry tracker IDC, Apple sold 14.1 million iPhone units in the third quarter while Canada’s Research in Motion shipped 12.4 million Blackberry devices.
As per the International Data Corporation (IDC), the company’s record shipment performance can be attributed to the introduction of the iPhone 4 in 17 new countries last quarter. Global mobile phone sales surged 14.6% to 340.5 million units in the third quarter from a year earlier, driven mainly by the strong appetite for smartphones. According to IDC, Apple’s rise to the top five showed the growth potential of smartphones
Apple ranked as the fourth largest mobile phone vendor in the third quarter with Research in Motion one place behind the US giant, according to IDC’s quarterly tracker of the industry.
According to Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst with IDC, the entrance of Apple to the top five vendors ranking underscores the increased importance of smartphones to the overall market. Moreover, the mobile phone makers that are delivering popular smartphone models are among the fastest growing firms…. Vendors that aren’t developing a strong portfolio of smartphones will be challenged to maintain and grow market share in the future.
Globally, Nokia remains the world’s top mobile phone seller with sales of 110.4 million units in the third quarter but the Finnish company continues to feel the pressure from handset makers in the highly competitive market.
According to Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team, Nokia still leads all vendors by a significant margin for converged mobile devices and mobile phones as a whole. However, Nokia’s grip on the traditional mobile phone market has been somewhat loosened, as multiple Chinese vendors have gained ground, especially within emerging markets. To bolster its overall competitiveness, Nokia has been focused on improving its smartphone offerings.
As per IDC, South Korea’s Samsung came second with sales of 71.4 million units followed by LG Electronics, which sold 28.4 million handsets.
If reports are to be believed, Apple has for the first time outpaced Blackberry-maker Research in Motion in global smartphone sales thanks to the success of its iPhone 4.
According to Industry tracker IDC, Apple sold 14.1 million iPhone units in the third quarter while Canada’s Research in Motion shipped 12.4 million Blackberry devices.
As per the International Data Corporation (IDC), the company’s record shipment performance can be attributed to the introduction of the iPhone 4 in 17 new countries last quarter. Global mobile phone sales surged 14.6% to 340.5 million units in the third quarter from a year earlier, driven mainly by the strong appetite for smartphones. According to IDC, Apple’s rise to the top five showed the growth potential of smartphones
Apple ranked as the fourth largest mobile phone vendor in the third quarter with Research in Motion one place behind the US giant, according to IDC’s quarterly tracker of the industry.
According to Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst with IDC, the entrance of Apple to the top five vendors ranking underscores the increased importance of smartphones to the overall market. Moreover, the mobile phone makers that are delivering popular smartphone models are among the fastest growing firms…. Vendors that aren’t developing a strong portfolio of smartphones will be challenged to maintain and grow market share in the future.
Globally, Nokia remains the world’s top mobile phone seller with sales of 110.4 million units in the third quarter but the Finnish company continues to feel the pressure from handset makers in the highly competitive market.
According to Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team, Nokia still leads all vendors by a significant margin for converged mobile devices and mobile phones as a whole. However, Nokia’s grip on the traditional mobile phone market has been somewhat loosened, as multiple Chinese vendors have gained ground, especially within emerging markets. To bolster its overall competitiveness, Nokia has been focused on improving its smartphone offerings.
As per IDC, South Korea’s Samsung came second with sales of 71.4 million units followed by LG Electronics, which sold 28.4 million handsets.
Filed under Mobile ·
Tagged with Apple, Blackberry, Canada, Chinese vendor, Finnish company, IDC, iPhone, LG Electronics, Malta, Mobile, Nokia, Oman, RIM, Samsung, smartphone, South Korea, U.S
