Windows phones overtake Apple iPhone in China (China)
The Chinese market has been showing great acceptance for Windows phones over other operating systems. According to a report by mobile and apps, just two months after the first set of Windows Phones entered the Chinese market, the platform made giant strides to take 7 percent of the market. In doing this, Windows has overtaken Apple and is now second only to Google’s Android based smartphones.
Microsoft’s ultimate target is to overtake Android to be the dominant player in the smartphone arena. As per the report, another 7 percent growth in similar time frame would propel Windows Phone to be viewed as a viable alternative to Android, which would boost growth more significantly.
Michel van der Bel, COO Greater China Region at Microsoft said that their smartphone and tablet-pc are hybrid, making them suitable for the consumer, but also easy to insert within an existing company infrastructure. This will allow them to better anticipate the consumerization of IT than many competitors.
IPneo receives the IMS Industry Award for best IMS client framework (Egypt)
In IMS World Forum 2012, the industry leading IMS event, held from April 24th to 26th in Madrid, Spain, IPneo’s IMS Client Framework has been chosen to receive the IMS Industry Award for the Best IMS client Framework.
IPneo’s IMS client framework is designed to grant a generic and flexible architecture allowing both, seamless integration with new IMS services and easy selection of pluggable IMS services based on the customer and market needs. Being highly modular and scalable, provides a fully customizable framework ready for the development of an unlimited number of IMS applications and services including: PoC, Presence, instant messaging, image share, file share, video share, VoIP, RCS, RCS-e (Joyn), VoLTE and VCC. The framework is also platform independent thanks to the environment adaptation layer which allows the framework to run on a wide range of platforms including Android (both Phones and Tablets), iOS (4.0 and 5.0), Windows Mobile, Symbian, Windows, Linux and Mac.
The framework also has repeatedly proved to be the best-in class through extensive bilateral Interoperability Testing (IOT) done for several years with major IMS network vendors and operators. IPneo is committed to continuously enhancing its IMS Client Framework to keep it always in this leading position.
LG favours Android over Windows (USA, South Korea)
Microsoft’s chief executive, Steve Ballmer has recently announced that the company is planning to focus on smartphones running on Google’s Android mobile operating system. According to a report by KoreaHerald, the executive also said LG is taking a step back from Windows phones powered by Microsoft’s platform, adding that it will continue research and development efforts on Windows Phones.
As per the report, a spokesperson for LG revealed that the total unit of Windows Phone sold in the global market is not a meaningful figure. Further, the company currently has no plans of rolling out another LG-manufactured Windows phone soon.
The report reveals that Ballmer may holding a meeting with the chief of LG Electronics, as the U.S. software giant chief is expected to visit Seoul this month. Microsoft Korea spokesperson Lee Seung-yeon said that Ballmer, who will speak about the ‘new era of technology,’ will be staying for a day in Seoul.
Nokia plans marketing blitz for the Lumia 800 (Finland)
The Nokia Lumia 800, based on Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 7.5 operating system (Mango), is being considered as the best Windows phone yet. Reports suggest Nokia has taken extra care while designing this handset, offering customers a worthy substitute for an iPhone or an android.
According to reports, Nokia has taken care that the polycarbonate shells for phones have been dyed instead of simply being sprayed over, so as to maintain the colour of the phone even if it is scratched. The phone has been designed in such a way that the sides of the device are curved while the top and bottom of the phone is flat. The phone enables users to experience vibrant colours through its version of the Super AMOLED Plus screen. Also, the camera is the same as in Nokia’s N9 handset, providing users with great results. Further, as per sources, on the software side, Microsoft has offered its users a new feature enabling them to pin certain functions of an application to their handset’s home screen. Priced at $590, the device is expected to be available in Europe by next month.
As per sources, Stephen Elop, CEO, Nokia said that he managed to beat expectations by delivering the first Windows smartphone before Christmas. However, he added that winning over customers will require a marketing blitz. He has reportedly claimed that the amount spent on marketing the Lumia series will be triple as compared to the previous product launches. Sources also suggest that Nokia has tied up with some of the biggest phone companies including Vodafone Group PLC, in an attempt to bring back customers who have shifted their allegiance towards the iPhone and Android based devices. Further, Nokia plans to make use of Windows distinctive interface which comes with big, colourful tiles as compared to the smaller icons offered by Apple and Android.
However, Industry analysts state that even with a technically good phone and enhanced marketing strategies, Nokia may need to wait a while for Apple loyalists and Android users to switch to a Windows phone.
Sony Ericsson incarcerate Japan smartphone incising Apple’s lead
Sony Ericsson is acquiring the Japanese market with its new and attractive handsets. According to MM Research Institute Ltd, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB’s Xperia captured 21% of Japan’s smartphone market in the six months ended September, cutting the share of Apple Inc.’s iPhone.
As per Tadayuki Shinozaki, an analyst at the Tokyo-based research, devices running on Apple’s software accounted for 60% of all smart phone shipments in the nation during the period, down from 61% a year earlier. Xperia, which runs Google Inc.’s Android software, went on sale in Japan on April 1.
According to reports, Sharp Corp., which introduced its first Android model in June, had 6.3 % of the shipments. Toshiba Corp. and handsets made by Taiwan’s HTC Corp., which run on Android and Microsoft Corp.’s Windows software, had the same share of 4.5%.
Softbank Corp., Japan’s third-largest mobile-phone operator, is the exclusive provider of the iPhone in Japan. Xperia operates only on the network of NTT DoCoMo Inc., the country’s largest wireless carrier.
O2 unveils new Mi-Fi hotshot technology
Telef³nica O2 Ireland has launched O2 Hotshot, which would enable the users to create a mobile Wi-Fi zone (MiFi) wherever they go and connect up to five devices at the same time, from smartphones to iPads.
According to Alan Fox, head of Consumer Marketing, Telef³nica O2 Ireland, the new O2 Hotshot is a simple way for consumers and business customers to get instant Wi-Fi and stay connected across a range of devices. Now you don’t need to seek out a designated area to access the internet, with the O2 Hotshot you bring your Wi-Fi with you.
The O2 Hotshot is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux and has a micro SD memory card, supports Wi-Fi-enabled devices like iPhones, iPads, iPods, laptops, netbooks, notebooks, PSPs and digital cameras.
The O2 Hotshot Mi-Fi device will be available for US$27.91 per month for 15GB, on O2′s 18-month mobile broadband plan, with a once-off cost of US$68.42 for the device. Prepaid customers can buy the device for US$138.25.
According to Fox, it differs from other mobile broadband dongles in that it does not require a physical connection via a USB port, for example – to enable internet access but rather works with all Wi-Fi enabled devices, including laptops and netbooks. Because users phone or laptop connects to the O2 Hotshot device using Wi-Fi, which in turn then connects to O2′s broadband network, devices that do not have USB ports can still connect to the internet.
Google ditching Windows amid security concerns.
(Wireless Federation) Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is phasing out Windows from its operations worldwide reports the Financial Times.
According to the FT, several Google employees have revealed that Google is not encouraging the use of Windows since it is not secure and Google appears to be encouraging Linux, MAC OS and Chrome OS over Windows.
It is also reported that in order to get a new Windows machine now requires CIO approval.
It appears to be a move hastened by the hacking attacks in China. FT reports that there is some discontentment among employees over such a basic choice in computing, but it also claims that employees would be more un-happy if MACs were banned rather than Windows!
Google’s Chrome OS is a direct competitor to Windows and this may also be a strong reason for the Google’s dislike of Windows.
Google phasing out Windows, cites security concerns.
(Wireless Federation) Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is phasing out Windows from its operations worldwide reports the Financial Times.
According to the FT, several Google employees have revealed that Google is not encouraging the use of Windows since it is not secure and Google appears to be encouraging Linux, MAC OS and Chrome OS over Windows.
It is also reported that in order to get a new Windows machine now requires CIO approval.
It appears to be a move hastened by the hacking attacks in China. FT reports that there is some discontentment among employees over such a basic choice in computing, but it also claims that employees would be more un-happy if MACs were banned rather than Windows!
Google’s Chrome OS is a direct competitor to Windows and this may also be a strong reason for the Google’s dislike of Windows.
Handy SMS for Windows Mobile unveiled by Paragon
Paragon Software has launched Handy SMS, an advanced text manager for Windows Mobile. This service makes the access and exchange of messages on a Windows Mobile phone easier and more convenient. It offers full integration with Outlook and a user can easily see incoming messages and access it directly from the Today†screen.
The app has a filter feature as well. For security and privacy reasons an individual can add messages to Gray and Black lists. While in the Gray list the messages are protected by password, the Back list include all the unwanted messages that are required to be blocked immediately. Auto-reply can also be set up to notify senders of incoming messages that the user is temporarily unavailable with a pre-written text message.
The app is available in the following languages: English, German, Italian, French, Russian, and Spanish and works on Windows Mobile 6.5/6.1/6.0 Standard, Classic and Professional; and Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC & Smartphone device. The cost of the application is $14.95 (£9.90).
