Bridgestone to give up on e-paper production

Hardware News No Responses »
May 172012

2a Bridgestone to give up on e paper productionThe (usually monochrome) e-paper technology is used commonly in all kinds of e-readers due to the ultra-low power usage.

Bridgestone, one of the largest makers of these screens, now gives up on them:

Tokyo (May, 15 2012) — Bridgestone Corporation today announced plans to withdraw from electronic paper business.

The company has made this decision after careful consideration of its options and in accordance with its management principal of “selection and concentration” which Bridgestone is implementing to put an increased focus on its core businesses to provide maximum value to its customers and shareholders. Due to increasing competition and rapidly declining prices in the liquid crystal panel business, the company decided that the best course of action for its overall business is to exit the electronic paper market.

Exact timing for the withdrawal is still being determined but the company expects to conclude its production of electronic paper by the end of October 2012.

Even though thus sounds quite a bit strange at first glance, it does make sense – according to optometricists, the backlit OLED screens are more comfortable (read: more ergonomically) to read when looking at textual information. In addition to that, e-paper is unusable when it comes to creating smart tablets which are to run operating systems like Android – let’s see what this will lead us to…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 3:06 am

IDC: HTML5 “planned” by almost 80% of developers

Metrics Maid No Responses »
May 162012

When it comes to mobile development, religious wars can be fought about the question of web 2.0 vs native.

Mobile Business Briefing now brings us the following nugget:

Research house IDC said that 79 percent of surveyed mobile app developers plan to integrate HTML5 into products they launch this year.

The company said that by 2015, more than 80 percent of all mobile apps will be either wholly or in-part based on the web technology.

…

Even though I still believe that native apps are the way to go, this sounds interesting – stay tuned for updates as we get them!

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 3:37 pm

Telefonica: 2 € = 25MB, EU-wide

News No Responses »
May 152012

Roaming in the EU is quite a topic – given that Hutchison has used the communality across its network for great advantage, I have frequently predicted that it would be but a question of time when other carriers react.

According to Mobile Business Briefing, Telefonica has just done so:

Telefonica has launched a pan-European data roaming tariff offering smartphone subscribers to its European networks 25MB of data usage for EUR2 a day.

…

The Pan-European tariff launched in Germany in May and will be available this summer to Telefonica’s O2 and Movistar customers in Spain, UK, Ireland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. It will be applicable for roaming across all 27 EU member states.

Let’s see how this one plays out…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 7:43 am

EU reduces roaming fees further

News No Responses »
May 132012

450px La2 euro EU reduces roaming fees furtherThe EU intends to be a “super state” – in a super state, however, citizens can expect to pay no roaming fees when traveling from one substate to another (similar to the USA).

Sadly, the EU currently has not yet achieved this state. However, it remains work in progress. The Independent now repors the following:

Mobile phone roaming charges will fall again from July following a European Parliament vote today.

…

The cuts involve reducing the cost of making a mobile call from another EU country from about 30p a minute to 24p, while the cost of sending a text drops to just 7p. Overall, roaming costs have fallen by up to 75% since the campaign began in 2007, said the commission.

Stay tuned for further info as we get it!

Image: Wikimedia Commons / Lars Aronsson

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 8:57 am

PhoneGap for webOS updated

Development No Responses »
May 132012

When it comes to webOS, not much has been changed in the development arena recently. However, one developer has managed an update to its developer tools.

A post on the webOS developer blog contains the following update:

With Version 1.6.0, PhoneGap for webOS now supports the compass sensor found in the HP TouchPad. The initial work to enable the functionality in Phonegap was done by Markus Leutwyler, a webOS Developer Relations team member, and HP officially contributed to the project.

…

Not much to add here…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 4:23 am

HP to resume tablet production – with Windows 8

Palm News No Responses »
May 122012

HP has stopped the production of webOS tablets some time ago – sadly, the OS has now no manufacturers left. However, the firm originally planned to resume the manufacturing of webOS tablets in 2013 – which now seems to have changed slightly.


Bangkok Post reports the following:

: Hewlett-Packard (HP) has announced it will resume production of consumer tablets but says it will run them on Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system.

The world’s largest technology firm suspended its touchPad WebOS tablet production line last year on poor sales.

Restarting production is a strategic move aimed at capitalising on the extraordinary growth in tablet sales …

…

Not much to add here…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 10:22 pm

Krusell: top-sellers for April 2012

Metrics Maid No Responses »
May 112012

When it comes to data, Krusell’s once-monthly sales report are the staple food of our Metrics Maid section. In fact, we even have some explanation on our coverage as to why we are not breaking data down at OS levels anymore.

Krusell has now sent us the latest update:

1. (1) Apple iPhone 4/4S
2. (8) Sony Xperia S
3. (2) Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II
4. (-) Sony Xperia U
5. (7) Samsung Galaxy Note
6. (4) Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc/Arc S
7. (3) Samsung Galaxy Nexus
8. (-) Nokia E52
9. (10) HTC Sensation
10. (9) HTC Sensation XL
() = Last month’s position.

In April Sony’s new models Xperia S and U has made a significant race on the Top seller list from Krusell. It’s been a while since we had three phones from Sony, or previous Sony Ericsson, on our list, says Ulf Sandberg CEO at Krusell. In April it’s only Samsung who matches Sony in number of devices on the list, even if iPhone is still number one.

The Swedish manufacturer of carrying cases for portable electronics, Krusell, releases its “Top 10″-list for April 2012. The list is based on the number of pieces of custom made mobile- and smartphone cases ordered from Krusell during April 2012. Krusell’s list is unique due to the fact that it reflects the sales of phones on six continents and in more than 70 countries around the globe.

Not much to add here…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 4:38 pm

HP adds Jason Robitaille to enyo team – summer internship

Palm News No Responses »
May 072012

Jason Robitaille is well-known among webOS users – after all, he has provided a nice amount of open source products for the operating system.

Now, he has posted the following to Twitter:

I’m happy to announce that 7 days from now I’ll be on a plane to San Francisco to begin a 3 month Enyo internship with HP Palm!

Of course, hiring a single intern does not make an OS team flourish – but it definitely is good to see at least minimal activity from HP’s webOS division…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 2:12 am

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

Cases 1 Response »
May 012012

Before beginning this review, we must clarify that the definition for the small, medium and large phones has changed since the launch of the Galaxy Note. Those that were considered large are now medium.

We received an Overboard Waterproof case, courtesy of MobileFun iPad Accessories. Let us begin.

The case comes nicely packed and looks nice and shiny in the first go. Though Overboard has mentioned the case to be for small phones, We deem a device like the N8 not to fit the category. Rather, we term it as a medium sized device.

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

Upon opening, the contents of the package include the case, a hook, a lanyard. And No, the phone does not come inside the package Smile with tongue out

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

The case is made up of waterproof material that feels soft yet strong. We had to open these locks to get a look inside the case.

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

The phone can be slid through once the locks are open. These locks act a sealing barrier once the phone is inside.

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

Once securely locked, nothing can enter or exit the case save light Smile with tongue out

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

The case did not prove to be any hindrance while operating the phone. The phone responded as snappily as it did outside the case.

Overboard have made sure that the phone’s camera is not missed out. While the front has a larger transparent are to operate the phone to it’s fullest, the rear of the case makes sure that the camera is not covered.

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

A sample of the camera functioning inside the case

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

You can use the hook and and the lanyard to secure the phone while you are on the move.

Review–Overboard Waterproof case for Medium sized devices

In my opinion, the case is one of the best in it’s class. It can keep you phone safe from water damage. We definitely recommend this case if you device is small to medium in size. But if you have a Galaxy Note, then this case is not a choice as the Note would not fit in.

Posted by Jatinder Singh at 3:44 am Tagged with: , ,

On smartphone gaming in the EU

Metrics Maid No Responses »
Apr 282012

It is difficult not to notice the raise of smartphone games – what started with a few 8bit sprites, now endangers classic mobile gaming consoles.

ComScore has now sent out the following table – in some countries, more than 50% of all smartphone users use games at least once a month:

Frequency of Smartphone Users Playing Games on their Devices
3 Month Average Ending February 2012
Total EU5 (FR, DE, IT, ES and UK), Age 13+
Source: comScore MobiLens
  Penetration (%) of Smartphone Users Playing Games
EU5 France Germany Italy Spain UK
Almost every day 11.5% 7.4% 11.8% 10.0% 10.4% 16.4%
At least once each week 14.3% 9.7% 14.2% 13.8% 13.5% 18.8%
Once to three times throughout the month 15.9% 10.1% 16.2% 17.9% 17.8% 17.2%
Ever in month 41.7% 27.2% 42.1% 41.8% 41.6% 52.4%

In addition to that, we were also provided some data on the use of social features integrated into the games:

Smartphone Social Gaming Activities*
3 Month Average Ending February 2012
Total EU5 (DE, ES, FR, IT and UK) Smartphone Gaming Audience Age 13+
Source: comScore MobiLens
Penetration (%) of Smartphone Gamers
EU5 France Germany Italy Spain UK
Logged in via Email or Facebook 13.2% 13.1% 11.7% 15.5% 10.8% 14.2%
Played with other people 9.1% 8.6% 7.5% 9.4% 11.0% 9.1%
Invited friend to play 6.7% 5.6% 7.3% 8.2% 7.3% 5.4%
Shared score on leaderboard 7.6% 9.9% 9.3% 9.0% 7.0% 5.1%
Used chat 3.0% 2.8% 2.5% 3.2% 3.9% 2.7%
Sent/received gift 2.2% 1.9% 2.5% 2.7% 2.1% 1.7%

In addition to that, we also get the now-usual “usage metrics”:

Mobile Benchmark Data for the European Market
3 Month Avg. Ending February 2012
Total EU5 (DE, ES, FR, IT and UK), Age 13+
Source: comScore MobiLens
Penetration (%) of Mobile Subscribers
EU5 France Germany Italy Spain UK
Used Smartphone 46.9% 43.3% 40.1% 45.4% 53.9% 54.7%
Used Application (excl. pre-installed) 40.8% 36.6% 36.2% 35.4% 45.8% 52.0%
Used browser 40.5% 39.0% 33.8% 35.5% 43.7% 52.6%
Played games 29.1% 17.4% 27.0% 32.7% 32.3% 37.0%
Sent text message 84.3% 86.9% 80.0% 81.5% 80.9% 92.1%
Listened to music 28.1% 24.7% 27.8% 25.5% 36.5% 28.3%
Accessed Social Networking Site or Blog 27.6% 24.3% 21.3% 24.3% 30.3% 39.3%

Not much to add here…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 4:04 am

On press release timing

Public Relations No Responses »
Apr 232012

When it comes to press releases in the mobile space, the trigger events tend to be pretty clear: release, update and one million downloads. However, it can also make perfect sense to tie in with real-world events.

A company called BuddyCalc has now sent out the following release, mocking a recent US Government scandal:

Hookergate is obviously not an ‘event’ we would necessarily want to link to our Apple iPhone/iPad app ‘BuddyCalc’, but in this case it could have been a smart move to use BuddyCalc PRO in order to avoid any discussions afterwards over who paid what and who owes whom how much! BuddyCalc PRO handles cost sharing events, keeps track of expenses and makes dividing up costs between your friends easy. You can even allocate cost items to individuals if you do not want to share these specific expenses.

Brussels, Belgium – BuddyCalc PRO, released in January 2012 and last updated on 21 March, handles cost sharing events, keeps track of expenses and makes complex calculations among friends a thing of the past. Its little sister App, BuddyCalc Free with a 5 star rating in the App Store, can be used for simple cost-sharing calculations among friends and handles one event at the time.

…

Even though such a release is unlikely to ever run on a mobile computing news site, it has a realistic potential to be picked up by larger news media.

So, why not take a stab next time?

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 3:32 am

Amazon vs Google Play vs iTunes – the ARPU battle

Metrics Maid No Responses »
Apr 212012

From the days of the Palm, one rule was very clear for mobile developers: speak badly about the OS vendor, and bleed. Due to this, comparative information on marketplaces is difficult to come by – for example, Tamoggemon had to stop its monthly Ovi reports at Nokia’s request.

TinyCo, the developer of a mobile game, has now provided the following diagram comparing the average revenue per user across Android and iPhone:
tinyvillage infographic Amazon vs Google Play vs iTunes the ARPU battle

In addition to that, the following statement came along:

A chart-topping game on all three app stores, Tiny Village on Google Play has an Average Revenue per User (ARPU) of 65% of Tiny Village on iTunes, a number which increases to 82% when only smartphone users are compared. When comparing iTunes to Amazon, Tiny Village’s Amazon Appstore ARPU is 80% higher that of iTunes, and examining just tablets, the Kindle ARPU is 43% higher than the iPad. Contrary to popular belief, TinyCo has shown that social mobile games for the Android platform can have ARPU amounts that match and sometimes exceed the same title on iOS.

…

Additional notes: iTunes and Google Play show a similar Average Revenue per Paying User (ARPPU) for the game – the differentiating factor between the two stores is the percentage of people who pay. However, this percentage is predicted to shrink as more users enter their credit card information. Moreover, the title’s Amazon ARPU will further increase as IAP packages greater than $20 are introduced to the game.

Of course, this is but an individual developer – but it nevertheless is very interesting to read…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 2:56 am

Oracle- Palm union for the smartphone race ruined by HP

News No Responses »
Apr 182012

Oracle, the leader in Java development tools plans to enter the mobile space. Oracle founder, Larry Ellison revealed considering the purchase of Blackberry maker Research in Motion or Palm. The confident Larry added “I had the idea we could enter the smartphone business and compete”.

Plenty of companies were considering the deal and Larry Ellison confirmed in court testimony that his company- Oracle- had considered snapping Palm back in the day. While Oracle thought, HP purchased the Palm for $ 1.2 billion.

via

Posted by Jatinder Singh at 7:50 pm Tagged with: , , ,

Strand Consult: more carrier mergers to come

News No Responses »
Apr 172012

Strand Consult has identified five paths that smaller operators on a market can choose between:

1. Cost control – Use tight cost control and a close focus on all costs to ensure that your company is being run more cost efficiently than your competitors. This is a tough business strategy and is being used to a lesser or greater extent by all mobile operators every day.

2. Infrastructure sharing – An increasing number of operators are not only outsourcing smaller or larger parts of their business, they are also now signing network sharing agreements with their competitors, allowing them to create companies that deliver mobile traffic to multiple competing mobile operators.

3. An aggressive MVNO strategy – Using an aggressive MVNO strategy makes it possible to significantly reduce your sales and marketing costs. In practice mobile operators using this strategy will move away from purchasing expensive customers with a high margin, that will not be profitable for 12 – 24 months, to purchasing customers with a lower margin, but that are generating a positive cash flow from the first month.

4. A focused strategy – An operator can also have a focused strategy, where they avoid customer segments and products that they either do not have the resources to handle, or the ability to service. One way of doing business using this strategy would be to solely focus on SIM-only products and not subsidise any type of hardware. By using this strategy, an operator can profile themselves on the market with simple and clear messages and at the same time significantly reduce their distribution costs.

5. The capitulation strategy – Operators thinking about this type of strategy have most probably already tried one or more of the above strategies without much success and have therefore concluded that their business may have a larger value if they try selling it to a competitor, that will gain the advantage of being able to benefit from the synergies of merging two mobile operators. There have been numerous examples where we have seen very high “scrap” values for mobile operator. For many mobile operators that are number three or four on a mobile market, this model is probably the most profitable for their shareholders.

Not much to add here…

Posted by Tam Hanna, Site Founder at 12:10 am
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