Study Says Mobile Browsers doing a lot of Socializing
While we like to think that most smart phone users are involved in checking stock quotes, putting together power point presentations, and exchanging emails with the "higher ups", a new study concludes that mobile users are doing a whole lot socializing!
comeScore, Inc., a company that measures activity in the digital world, released the results to its study on social networking access via mobile browsers.
The study found that 30.8 percent of smartphone users accessed social networking sites via their mobile browser in January 2010, up 8.3 points from 22.5 percent one year ago. Access to Facebook via mobile browser grew 112 percent in the past year, while Twitter experienced a 347-percent jump!
In January 2010, 25.1 million mobile users accessed Facebook via their mobile browser. Myspace attracted 11.4 million users (approximately half that of Facebook) while Twitter attracted 4.7 million mobile users in January.
Even more unbelievable is that these figures do not include access of the social networking services by the nearly 6 million mobile phone owners who do so through mobile applications.
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comeScore, Inc., a company that measures activity in the digital world, released the results to its study on social networking access via mobile browsers.
The study found that 30.8 percent of smartphone users accessed social networking sites via their mobile browser in January 2010, up 8.3 points from 22.5 percent one year ago. Access to Facebook via mobile browser grew 112 percent in the past year, while Twitter experienced a 347-percent jump!
In January 2010, 25.1 million mobile users accessed Facebook via their mobile browser. Myspace attracted 11.4 million users (approximately half that of Facebook) while Twitter attracted 4.7 million mobile users in January.
Even more unbelievable is that these figures do not include access of the social networking services by the nearly 6 million mobile phone owners who do so through mobile applications.
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It Appears As Though Microsoft's New OS Will Demand New Hardware
Smartphone users getting revved up for the new Windows Mobile 7 operating system may be surprised to discover that they will not be able to upgrade to the new platform- even if they're currently runningWindows Mobile
Windows Mobile 6 and the previous Mobile systems provided device makers a whole host of options, but this next version is a major departure from the previous strategies as in Microsoft is enacting some rigid hardware requirements. Requirements that just so happen to exclude every model on the market today!
So just what kind of specs are we talking here? Devices hoping to run Windows Mobile 7 will demand a capacitive multi-touch display, Wi-Fi, a 5-megapixel camera , a GPS receiver, and FM radio, and a set number and arrangement of physical buttons on the unit.
Further alienating Windows Mobile 7 from previous versions is the fact that it apparently won't run applications written for the earlier versions either.
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Windows Mobile 6 and the previous Mobile systems provided device makers a whole host of options, but this next version is a major departure from the previous strategies as in Microsoft is enacting some rigid hardware requirements. Requirements that just so happen to exclude every model on the market today!
So just what kind of specs are we talking here? Devices hoping to run Windows Mobile 7 will demand a capacitive multi-touch display, Wi-Fi, a 5-megapixel camera , a GPS receiver, and FM radio, and a set number and arrangement of physical buttons on the unit.
Further alienating Windows Mobile 7 from previous versions is the fact that it apparently won't run applications written for the earlier versions either.
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Nokia vs Apple: Round 3
After Apple filed its countersuit against Nokia following the latter's patent infringement suit against Apple, we all knew this was leading to a long drawn legal battle. In the latest update, Nokia has Moved to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate into Apple's infringement of Nokia's patents in all of its phones, computers and music players. This is an entirely new case and the patents involved this time round are different from those in contention earlier.
According to Nokia, the patents infringed upon include parts of the the user interface, camera, antenna and power management technologies. While we knew that Nokia had already sued Apple over patent infringements, this latest move by Nokia is for an entirely different set of patents. Additionally, these patents apply to a wide range of Apple's products.
The Press release from Nokia says, "Apple infringes Nokia patents in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers. The seven Nokia patents in this complaint relate to Nokia's pioneering innovations that are now being used by Apple to create key features in its products in the area of user interface, as well as camera, antenna and power management technologies. These patented technologies are important to Nokia's success as they allow better user experience, lower manufacturing costs, smaller size and longer battery life for Nokia products."
It has been noticed that cases solved via the ITC have, on average, seen a faster resolution time compared with mainstream courts of justice. Will this be any different in case of this high profile legal battle? Only time will tell.
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According to Nokia, the patents infringed upon include parts of the the user interface, camera, antenna and power management technologies. While we knew that Nokia had already sued Apple over patent infringements, this latest move by Nokia is for an entirely different set of patents. Additionally, these patents apply to a wide range of Apple's products.
The Press release from Nokia says, "Apple infringes Nokia patents in virtually all of its mobile phones, portable music players, and computers. The seven Nokia patents in this complaint relate to Nokia's pioneering innovations that are now being used by Apple to create key features in its products in the area of user interface, as well as camera, antenna and power management technologies. These patented technologies are important to Nokia's success as they allow better user experience, lower manufacturing costs, smaller size and longer battery life for Nokia products."
It has been noticed that cases solved via the ITC have, on average, seen a faster resolution time compared with mainstream courts of justice. Will this be any different in case of this high profile legal battle? Only time will tell.
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Revealed: Sony Ericsson Turned Down Google
Google wanted Sony Ericsson to make the Nexus One, but Sony Ericsson politely refused.
In a recent interview to a Swedish newspaper, Sony Ericsson CEO Bert Nordberg revealed an interesting piece of information.
Apparently, Google had chosen Sony Ericsson as the handset maker to make the Google phone - now known as the Nexus One.
However, thanks to the brand value that Sony Ericsson commands, they (Sony Ericsson) thought it wouldn't be nice to be rendered to the slot of just a contract handset maker. For the same reason, Sony Ericsson politely declined the kind offer and well, as they say, the rest is history!
HTC went on to make the Google Nexus One. It has also made the Desire, its own version of the Nexus One giving it enviable leverage as far as the Android platform is concerned. Considering the problems Sony Ericsson was facing, was it the right decision? Would the brand value of Sony Ericsson be "diluted" if they turned contractors for THE Google phone?
Well, the damage has already been done. Sony Ericsson is yet to release its own Android phone, the X10 soon and by the time it arrives, it will have the Nexus One and the HTC Desire pose formidable competition - both devices that they could have manufactured.
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3G Auction: Only 3 Slots Up for Grabs
The DoT is likely to issue the NIA this week
Due to lack of immediate availability of radio waves from Defence, the Indian government has decided to allow only three private players to offer 3G mobile services for which the spectrum would be auctioned next month.
"In the case of 3G auction, the government has decided to assign by auction up to 3 blocks of 5x2 Mhz of paired in the 2.1 Ghz band in each of the 22 circles," said the draft Notice Inviting Application -- which is the legal document containing all relevant information for the bidders.
This spectrum will be in addition to the one 2x5 Mhz block already allocated to BSNL and MTNL.
Winning bidders will be required to deposit 25 percent of the bid amount within five calendar days from the date of auction and remaining (75 percent) within 15 calendar days, according to the draft NIA. The auction is expected to he held on February 12.
The NIA is believed to have stipulated September 2 as the date for commercial launch. In view of spectrum being vacated by the Defence, the successful bidders would be allotted the air waves simultaneously in September to start 3G mobile services.
The Department of Telecom is likely to issue the NIA this week.
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Due to lack of immediate availability of radio waves from Defence, the Indian government has decided to allow only three private players to offer 3G mobile services for which the spectrum would be auctioned next month.
"In the case of 3G auction, the government has decided to assign by auction up to 3 blocks of 5x2 Mhz of paired in the 2.1 Ghz band in each of the 22 circles," said the draft Notice Inviting Application -- which is the legal document containing all relevant information for the bidders.
This spectrum will be in addition to the one 2x5 Mhz block already allocated to BSNL and MTNL.
Winning bidders will be required to deposit 25 percent of the bid amount within five calendar days from the date of auction and remaining (75 percent) within 15 calendar days, according to the draft NIA. The auction is expected to he held on February 12.
The NIA is believed to have stipulated September 2 as the date for commercial launch. In view of spectrum being vacated by the Defence, the successful bidders would be allotted the air waves simultaneously in September to start 3G mobile services.
The Department of Telecom is likely to issue the NIA this week.
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