Asia-Pacific smartphone market to double by 2016

The Asia-Pacific smartphone market is expected to double to 200 million by 2016, with Google's Android operating system the leading platform, an industry analyst said Thursday.

The growing popularity of the hand held devices, which allow users to surf the Internet and access emails, will mean they will account for almost a third of all mobiles in the region in that time, telecoms consultancy Ovum said.

And despite the continuing success of Apple's iPhone, Ovum added the Android platform will be by far the most used system because it is used in so many devices.

Smartphones, which numbered 100 million in the region last year, are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.5 percent between 2010 and 2016 and make up about 32 percent of all mobiles in Asia-Pacific, according to a statement from Ovum.

At the same time global sales are expected to hit 653 million, with Asia-Pacific accounting for 30.7 percent of the total, it said in a statement. More than 288 million smarthphones were sold worldwide in 2010.

"The smartphone market will see significant growth over the next five years, once again outperforming the wider mobile phone market," said Ovum principal analyst Adam Leach.

"We will see dramatic shifts in dominance for smartphone software platforms, with Android storming into the lead with 38.7 percent market share, compared to Windows Phone with 22.6 per cent," he said.

Leach added that Apple's iOS would account for 19 percent of the operating systems used by 2016, followed by BlackBerry's platform with 9.2 percent.

In 2010, Android held an 8.9 percent market share, while Apple's iOS had 13.3 percent, BlackBerry's operating system 7.9 percent and Windows Phone 0.15 percent, Ovum data showed.

Leach said Android's success "is being driven by the sheer number of hardware vendors supporting it at both the high and low ends of the market."

But he also said he expects at least one other platform to achieve mainstream success within the forecast period.

"This could be an existing player in the market such as Bada, WebOS, or MeeGo, or it could be a new entrant to the market place," Leach said.

The alliance between Nokia and Microsoft "has redrawn the smartphone market and will result in a significant reduction in shipments of (Nokia's) Symbian-based handsets as Nokia transitions to Windows Phone as its primary smartphone platform," he said.

Nokia in February joined forces with US giant Microsoft in a major strategy shake-up aimed at regaining market share from Apple and Google.

"For Microsoft the deal provides a committed handset partner that has the potential to make Windows Phone a mainstream smartphone platform," added Leach.

"The risk to Microsoft is that other handset makers may choose not to compete with Nokia and may turn their backs on Windows Phone."

Google keeps tightgrip on tablet software

Google on Thursday said that it would be keeping a tight grip on its Honeycomb software crafted specially for tablet computers.

The California technology giant known for letting outside developers and gadget makers have their way with its Android software for powering mobile devices wants them to keep their hands off Honeycomb for a while.

Google optimized Android 3.0, known as Honeycomb, for champions fielded in a tablet arena dominated by Apple iPads and was concerned that it might wind up used in smartphones where it wouldn't shine.

"Honeycomb was designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes and improves on Android favorites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization," a Google spokesman told AFP.

"While we're excited to offer these new features to Android tablets, we have more work to do before we can deliver them to other device types including phones."

Google planned to release Honeycomb as "open source" code for developers and gadget makers "as soon as it's ready," according to the spokesman.

HP's board purge cleared but pay packages scolded

Just as Hewlett-Packard Co. seemed to emerge from one controversy, it has found itself immersed in two others.

HP won investors' approval on Wednesday for its deep boardroom makeover that came the wake of the company's CEO scandal. At the same time, however, shareholders formally scolded HP over how much it pays top executives, and HP waded into a fresh round of sniping with Oracle Corp., a public bickering that adds a new dimension to the longtime partners' new found antagonism.

That HP could land at the center of three public quarrels on the same day illustrates the tumult that has engulfed one of Silicon Valley's most storied companies.
The decision by shareholders to approve the 13 directors that HP put up for election is a big step toward the company moving beyond the scandal over the ouster of CEO Mark Hurd in August.

Yahoo puts its spin on real-time search results

Yahoo Inc. is updating its search engine with a feature that attempts to answer Web surfers' questions before they even finish typing.

Search Direct, which is still in "beta" test mode, is Yahoo's answer to a similar Google Inc. feature called Instant Search. Both start making suggestions with the first keystroke, and Google and Yahoo both suggest a list of possible search terms that changes as people type.

But while Google immediately populates a search results page with blue links, Yahoo displays a box with instant information and answers for some types of searches at search.yahoo.com.

For example, start typing "Berlin." By the time you get to "berl," Yahoo has put together an information box with the current local time, things to do in the city, links to pages about hotels, restaurants and flights, a photo of a city landmark and a small map.

This trick doesn't work for all cities -- search "Beijing," and Yahoo gives you a box with three links, two of which are for the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Several city searches, including Seattle and New York, yield links to the local newspapers' sites.

Yahoo searches for the word "weather" and a ZIP code yield a three-day forecast. Search a brand name such as Nike or Bumble and Bumble, and a handful of product images appear with prices and star ratings if available. Clicking through takes you to a retailer's website.

Searching for "Obama" prompts links to top news stories. Searching for "Matthew McConaughey" gets links to his Wikipedia and IMDb pages.

NATO agrees to take command of no-fly zone in Libya

Tripoli:  NATO member nations approved Thursday evening a plan under which the alliance will assume command of the no-fly zone over Libya, while allied warplanes delivered a ferocious round of airstrikes on Libyan ground forces that seems to have begun to shift momentum from the troops loyal to Colonel Moammar el-Gaddafi to the rebels opposing him.

The secretary general of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, told reporters that the NATO action did not mean an end to the coalition's operations. "At this moment, there will still be a coalition operation and a NATO operation," he said.

A decision on NATO assuming broader authority for the campaign may come in a matter of days, he added.

The groundwork for the deal was reached after a four-way telephone call between Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the foreign ministers of Turkey, France and Britain, the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, told Turkish reporters in Ankara.

Japan faces its next chore: Cleaning up

Higashimatsushima, Japan:  Where do you even start?

Do you start by carting away the Chokai Maru, the 150-foot (45-meter) ship that was lifted over a pier and slammed into a house in this port town? Do you start with the thousands of destroyed cars scattered like discarded toys in the city of Sendai? With the broken windows and the doorless refrigerators and the endless remnants of so many lives that clutter the canals?

In the first days after a tsunami slammed into Japan's northeast coast on March 11, killing well over 10,000 people, it seemed callous to worry about the clean-up. The filth paled beside the tragedy. Now, nearly two weeks later, hundreds of communities are finally turning to the monumental task ahead.

The legacy of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coastline in 2005, gives an idea of both the immensity of the job and the environmental hazards Japan could face for years to come.

Did this 15-yr-old kill the couple that gave him a home?

Edmonton:  A Kentucky couple who took in an incorrigible 15-year-old relative now accused of killing them had put their foot down when he wanted to date a 12-year-old girl, police and family members said.

An adult son found Gary and Barbara Holloway dead in their bed Tuesday. Soon after, police issued an Amber Alert for the teen who was living with them and for the girlfriend the couple had forbidden him to see. Police said they feared both might be in grave danger.

A day later, in one of the strangest cases to arise from the system designed to find abducted children, the 15-year-old was charged with murdering his cousin and her husband, who welcomed him into their home three months ago when his mother said she could no longer control him.

"They gave him everything in the world," said Elizabeth Osborn, a friend of the Holloways' son, Stephen. "He kept getting suspended from school, and they still gave him everything."

The teen now faces juvenile charges, but prosecutors said on Thursday that they plan to ask a judge to have him tried as an adult. The adult charges would carry harsher penalties if he is convicted.

Family members said the boy was an eighth-grader at the local middle school and habitually got in trouble for bringing cigarettes to school, bullying other children and talking back to his teachers.

Death toll from Japan quake, tsunami tops 10,000

Tokyo:  The official death toll from Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami passed the 10,000 mark Friday and was still climbing two weeks after the magnitude-9 quake struck off the northeastern coast and unleashed a cascade of disasters.

Hundreds of thousands of survivors are still camped out in temporary shelters. Some 660,000 households do not have water more than 209,000 do not have electricity. Damage could rise as high as $310 billion, the government said, making it the most costly natural disaster on record.

The total death toll from the disaster could rise much higher as the National Police Agency said more than 17,400 people are still missing. Those tallies may overlap, but police from one of the hardest-hit prefectures, Miyagi, estimate that the deaths will top 15,000 in that region alone.

Japan has been grappling with an avalanche of miseries that began with the March 11 quake, which ravaged the northeastern coast and damaged the critical cooling system at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, located 140 miles (220 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo.

Strong quake in Myanmar kills more than 40

Yangon, Myanmar:  A strong earthquake that toppled homes in northeastern Myanmar has killed more than 40 people, and there were fears Friday the toll would mount as conditions in more remote areas became known.

The Thursday night quake, measured at a magnitude 6.8 by the U.S. Geological Survey, was centered just north of the town Tachileik in the mountains along the Thai border, but was felt hundreds of miles (kilometers) away in the Thai capital Bangkok and Vietnamese capital Hanoi.

Myanmar state radio announced Friday that 41 people had been killed and 48 injured in the quake. It said 244 houses, 14 Buddhist monasteries and nine government buildings were damaged.

An official from the U.N.'s World Food Program said there were many casualties and serious damage in Mong Lin village, five miles (eight kilometers) from Tachileik. State radio said 29 were killed there and 16 injured.

The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that 15 houses collapsed in the village of Tarlay, where state radio said 11 were killed and 29 injured. Another U.N. official said a small hospital there was partially damaged as well as a bridge, making it difficult to access the village.

The newspaper said another two people were killed in Tachileik, including a 4-year-old boy. It said six people were injured in the town, which is just across the border from Mae Sai in Thailand's Chiang Rai province.

Islamist group is rising force in a new Egypt

Cairo:  In post-revolutionary Egypt, where hope and confusion collide in the daily struggle to build a new nation, religion has emerged as a powerful political force, following an uprising that was based on secular ideals. The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group once banned by the state, is at the forefront, transformed into a tacit partner with the military government that many fear will thwart fundamental changes.

It is also clear that the young, educated secular activists who initially propelled the nonideological revolution are no longer the driving political force -- at least not at the moment.

As the best organized and most extensive opposition movement in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood was expected to have an edge in the contest for influence. But what surprises many is its link to a military that vilified it.

"There is evidence the Brotherhood struck some kind of a deal with the military early on," said Elijah Zarwan, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. "It makes sense if you are the military -- you want stability and people off the street. The Brotherhood is one address where you can go to get 100,000 people off the street."

Japan worries of breached nuclear reactor

Tokyo:  Japan's effort to contain the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant suffered a setback, an official said on Friday, citing evidence that the reactor vessel of the No. 3 unit may have been damaged.

The development, described at a news conference by Hidehiko Nishiyama, deputy director-general of the Japan Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, raises the possibility that radiation from the mox fuel in the reactor -- a combination of uranium and plutonium -- could be released.

One sign that a breach may have occurred in the reactor vessel, Mr. Nishiyama said, took place on Thursday when three workers who were trying to connect an electrical cable to a pump in a turbine building next to the reactor were injured when they stepped into water that was found to be significantly more radioactive than normal in a reactor. The No. 3 unit, the only one of the six reactors at the site that uses the mox fuel, was damaged by a hydrogen explosion on March 14. Workers have been seeking to keep it cool by spraying it with seawater along with a more recent effort to restart the reactor's cooling system.

In another development on Friday, the Japanese government said it would help people who wish to leave the area around the crippled plant, a sign that effort to reassure frightened residents have failed to persuade people to stay.

Look around and you might find the Apple iPad 2 in stock at some stores

Good news for those who have been shut out of buying the Apple iPad 2-inventories are being replenished in some U.S. retail stores. And the good news isn't limited to those who shop at brick and mortar stores. The delivery time for orders placed online has dropped from 4 to 5  weeks to a slightly quicker 3 to 4 weeks.

While all of the empty store shelves and longer delivery times following the initial launch point at a successful release for Apple, no figures have been revealed yet by the manufacturer. And as we reported, the international launch of the tablet is today with 25 countries including France, Germany and the U.K. on tap to get the Apple iPad 2. Other countries like Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea are due to receive the tablet next month.

source: BGR

Many U.S. retailers are getting their inventory of the Apple iPad 2 replenished

Cobra's iRadar detector-and-app combo coming to Android on April 4th

If you're unfamiliar with Cobra, then you're either not a driver, or you're one of those abnormally law-abiding motorists. Cobra is the largest radar detector company in world, and is responsible for preventing untold millions of traffic tickets.

Their smartphone app/radar detector combination, called iRadar, has been available for the iPhone since October, 2010. It uses Bluetooth to connect your detector and device, allowing you to integrate your GPS navigation with various traffic alerts. Now, predictably, they're expanding iRadar to Android devices on April 4th. The iPhone and Android versions both cost $129.95.

Using AURA, a verified database of traffic threats, the driver will be made aware of speed traps, red-light cameras, hazards, and dangerous intersections. The crowd-sourcing feature also allows users to report their own findings, creating a real-time picture of potential threats.

The Cobra iRadar app also allows you to monitor your car battery's status, view your compass heading, and configure the radar detector itself. While radar detectors are legal in many states, we're curious to see if legislators will begin to attack such crowd-sourced traffic evasion, after they're done with the D.U.I. checkpoint apps.

source: Virtual Press Office via IntoMobile

NAVTEQ launches Destination Maps for indoor navigation

NAVTEQ, the company behind Nokia's Ovi Maps, has launched their new Destination Maps indoor navigation system, which was demonstrated at Nokia World 2010. Destination Maps is unlike other basic navigation apps in that it provides detailed 3D guidance and information within indoor structures.

To complement the unique experience of navigating a shopping mall, for example, Destination Maps will indicate escalators, elevators, bathrooms, emergency exits, and multiple levels. Additionally, Destination Maps will include area-specific information like movie times and special promotions within your current building.

But of course you're asking, "Won't my device lose GPS signal when I'm inside the building?" To remedy this, NAVTEQ has placed transmitters within the structures that communicate with either your Bluetooth or Wi-Fi antennae. And Ovi Maps, reportedly, will seamlessly transition between this and standard GPS navigation.

Tom Fox, VP of Maps and Content Americas at NAVTEQ admitted that "The concept of interior mapping and navigation is still relatively new." But he proposes that, as the technology evolves, we will be able to execute more complicated functions, like viewing how many users are within a restaurant, before you make the trek across the mall.

Destination Maps is currently available in "200 of the largest shopping centers in the U.S.," but we couldn't seem to find a list of those locations. NAVTEQ says they plan to expand to more shopping centers and other types of structures in North America, Europe, and Asia.

source: NAVTEQ via All About Symbian

RIM reports earnings, lowers forecast and shares plunge more than 10% after-hours

Despite a 32% increase in profits in its latest quarter, shares of BlackBerry manufacturer RIM dropped more than 10% in after-hours trading after the Canadian based company lowered its forecast of future earnings. With the company expecting to spend heavily to promote the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, RIM said to expect lower profit margins ahead which translates into lower profits. As Matthew Thornton, an analyst at Avian Securities said Thursday, "The February quarter was fine. The May quarter guidance -- shocking might be too strong a word -- but it was very weak."

RIM's co-CEO Jim Balsillie said that the short-term hit to earnings is a necessary little bump required to get the company back on the fast track. During a conference call, Balsillie said, "We believe the launch of new handsets beginning in Q2 and into the second half of the year, as well as the positive halo from the PlayBook launch, (will provide) an opportunity for improved growth in North America." The executive also said that early in 2012, most of the BlackBerry smartphone line would be powered by the same QNX platform that drives the PlayBook tablets.

Analyst Ed Snyder from Charter Equity thinks that RIM is biting off more than it can chew. He said, "What people are worried here is you've got one company, albeit a really good company, but they're trying to take on all the OS development, all the ecosystem development, work with the developers on apps, build the hardware, work with the carriers. ... Any one company that tries to do this by themselves will probably lose."

BlackBerry has been losing marketshare in the U.S. smartphone business to the Apple iPhone and the Android OS. Despite a new OS that includes a WebKit based browser and the launch of the BlackBerry Torch which combined a touchscreen display with the usual highly thought of 'Berry QWERTY keyboard, RIM's phones have been seen as stodgy, boring and behind the curve (no pun intended). The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, with the QNX platform and a dual-core processor, has been winning over those who have had the chance to test it out. The device will launch in the U.S. on April 19th.

For its fiscal fourth quarter, RIM reported net profit of $934 million, or $1.78 per share on revenue of $5.56 billion. That beat analyst's estimates of $1.76 per share and revenue of $5.64 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. The problem is in the current three month period. RIM sliced it's forecast of earnings for the period to $1.47-$1.55, well below what analysts had forecast. The company shipped 14.9 million handsets in Q4 and that is expected to slip to 13.5-14.5 million in the current three month period.

source: Reuters

In-app purchasing on Android Market to debut next week

Next week, in-app purchasing is set to debut on the Android Market. According to the Android Developers web site, the Market is opening up to allow developers to upload and do end-to-end testing of their apps that will be using the new feature. Developers can now upload apps to the Developers Console, create a catalog of in-app products, and set the prices for them. Test accounts can be set up to make sure that all is in working order prior to the launch of in-app purchasing. Although developers can upload these apps, they cannot be published until the day that the new service debuts next week.

Developers seeking more info on how to set up in-app purchasing should click on this link. The Android Developers site says it is essential for developers to read the security guidelines and if you have an app that will take advantage of the new in-app purchasing feature, the site encourages you to upload and test it "right away".

source: AndroidDevelopersBlog via Gizmodo

The Android Developer's Blog suggests that developers with apps that use in-app purchasing should upload and test the software now, prior to next week's launch of the festure

BlackBerry PlayBook to support Android apps in App World

A press release put out Thursday by RIM brought news that has been quite expected. The approximately 250,000 apps in the Android Market will be available for use by those who buy the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. This was a possibility we reported on back in January. Thanks to a high degree of API compatibility, those who have developed Android apps should have an easy time porting their work over to the QNX platform that RIM is using on the PlayBook's OS and leaves open the possibility of having Android apps appearing on QNX flavored BlackBerry smartphones in the future.

Besides adding an app player for Android v2.3 apps, RIM is adding another app player for Java based apps for BlackBerry, which numbers about 25,000. The BlackBerry PlayBook, as we have told you, is expected to launch in the U.S and Canada on April 19th.

According to the press release, Android developers will have to repackage, code sign and submit an entry to RIM for approval.  PlayBook users will be able to download the apps and necessary app players from the BlackBerry App World. With a 1GHz dual-core processor, an open GL solution and the QNX software, RIM is able to bring Android apps to buyers of its first tablet.

Those attending BlackBerry World this May in Orlando (May 3-5) will be able to see demos of the new Java and Android app players. The app players will be available for the PlayBook sometime this summer

source: BGR

Microsoft prepares an iOS, Android, Symbian, and WP7 management tool

Individual consumers might have their disagreements about which OS is superior, but they do agree on one thing: the power to choose is wonderful. But IT professionals might disagree. The divergent systems make their job of securing and managing employee devices even more complicated.

Not to be left in the cold, Microsoft has announced a beta of System Center Configuration Manager 2012, which will be able to manage iOS, Android, Symbian, and Windows Phone 7 devices, i.e. any OS that supports Exchange ActiveSync.

There isn't much information to go on, but the SCCM 2012 overview states that it will "Drive organizational efficiency for IT with improved visibility and enforcement options for maintaining system compliance." We interpret that to mean that SCCM 2012 will at least be able to enforce password complexity, and remotely wipe employee devices.

One might think that this is a step backwards for Microsoft's mobile development, but they have often reached out to other operating systems. And, to their credit, they're relying on Windows Phone 7 to make a name for itself, rather than become a success only because Microsoft railroaded IT departments in its direction.

source: Microsoft via TUAW

T-Mobile will power the Phrazer telehealth device

T-Mobile has announced that they will be powering the Phrazer telehealth device. And if you don't know what a telehealth device is, don't worry. Due to hit the market in mid-2011, Phrazer will greatly improve the communication between a doctor and patient that speak different languages.

The portable touchscreen interface communicates with the patient regarding their symptoms, in their language of choice, while it also downloads the patient's medical history. During this virtual interview, the handles will monitor the patient's vitals. After doing so, it translates the and collates the symptoms, vitals and history, so the doctor can give the most accurate care possible.

John Horn, national director of M2M at T-Mobile explains that "the quality of healthcare can improve for all individuals regardless of language or culture." Phrazer would be an essential tool for hospital admissions where the doctor might know the patient's language functionally, but not well enough to diagnose them.

With the flexibility of T-Mobile's wireless network, first responders and emergency medical services can also make use of Phrazer in the field, where accurate and timely communication might mean the difference between life and death.

source: Phrazer via T-Mobile

HTC to allow third party developers to use its "Scribe" technology

When HTC introduced its Flyer tablet, it included a technology called "Scribe" which powers a pen-like device used to draw, color and write on the tablet's screen. In a interview on Read, Write and Web sponsored by Sprint, HTC spokesman Keith Nowak explained the difference between a stylus and a pen. "A stylus is just a dead stick," said Nowak, and is used for navigation. A pen is used to write or draw. In other words, using the "Scribe" technology allows one to create using a pen rather than simply navigating with a stylus.

With third part developers having access to the "Scribe", it should make for some interesting game-play. Can you think of any video games that use a pen that you would like to see on your tablet?

source: ReadWriteWeb

Samsung working on ultra high resolution displays for selected future tablets

When it debuted last year and grabbed everybody's attention with its impressively sharp Retina Display, the iPhone 4 actually set the path for ultra high resolution screens to start rolling into the mobile device market. Apparently, Samsung may be determined to follow Apple's steps after adding a twist of its own. At a preview of ts LCD display strategy yesterday, Samsung outlined its plans to start equipping its future tablets with screens sporting ultra high resolutions – anything from 200 up to 400 pixels per inch, with first models expected to launch as early as 2013.

To give you an idea how much 400 pixels per inch is, we have to mention that the Samsung Galaxy Tab has an LCD standing at only 170 DPI, while the screens on both generations of the iPad sport the modest 132 DPI. The iPhone 4, in comparison, has a pixel density of 326 dots per inch, which is what makes its screen look so sharp and beautiful. Samsung promises that its next generation high resolution displays will not have a negative effect on battery life as they will most probably consume just as much power as their present-day counterparts. It was also mentioned that a glasses-free 3D display may also find its way to a future Samsung tablet as long as market demand for such technology grows high enough.

Of course, it will probably take at least a year until Samsung's ultra high resolution displays finally make an appearance on a tablet since nowadays the technology behind them is still anything but cost-efficient. Who knows, maybe another company is planning on beating Samsung to it?

source: Engadget via Electronista

Angry Birds Rio flying to Symbian^3 and webOS devices, to land on April 8

Two days ago we told you that Angry Birds Rio is available in Apple's and Amazon's app stores, and now it's announced that the game is to land on two more platforms - Symbian^3 via the Ovi Store and webOS via the Palm App Catalog on April 8.

As we informed you, the game is to offer 60 new levels and new nemesis - the pigs are replaced by some evil monkeys. That, reportedly, is a result of the fact that Angry Birds Rio is based on the upcoming movie RIO from Twentieth Century Fox, which is to make its debut in the theaters on April 15.

We don't know about you, but we are most eager to watch RIO - if it's only half as good as the Angry Birds games, then we will have plenty of fun come April 15.

source: Geek.com via Symbian Freak

Solar charging your phone through its screen to enter retail devices a year from now

The French company Wysips has found a novel way to use the transparent solar cell films that have been around for a while. The thing that picked our interest is that Wysips's commercial application is for touchscreens like those on smartphones and tablets.

They've placed solar cell strips under a lenticular overlay directly over the glass, but below the touch layer, so the phone can continue to register touches, as if nothing happened. The claimed energy conversion rate is 9%, which is on the low side, but probably the best transparent solar cells can do in such circumstances. The drawback is that the lenticular technology used to absorb light and direct our eyes to the display at once, meddles with the screen's brightness and clarity a bit.

Wysips promises that these issues won't be noticeable in the next prototypes, but we are positive something will have to give. The company is in talks with manufacturers and carriers for commercializing the technology in products about a year from now.

Charging your phone while it's just lying on its back somewhere, or in use, but absorbing light through the screen seems like a rather svelte idea to us, although it will only play a supplemental role, most likely to extend your battery mileage, not replace it. For now you can fully top up your charge for six hours in the sunlight, and more indoors, but the version next year should offer 30 minutes of talk time for an hour of your phone just sitting somewhere lit.

Sounds pretty, we will keep an eye on the developments in the solar charging screen phenomenon, as we can see it adding great benefits to devices like tablets, for example, which are all screen, and which you don't carry around in your pockets, thus blocking the light source.

source: LaptopMag

Color us surprised: this unknnown app attracted $41 million

If you think an unknown Android and iOS app accompanying a pre-launch website is not worth a penny, you may be one of millions. But Color, as this app is called, attracted the mind-boggling not one, but $41 million of venture capital without much effort. The investment comes from Sequoia Capital in conjunction with Bain Capital and Silicon Valley Bank and is the largest ever invested by them in a website that's not yet released. The secret? The application promises to link you with other people based on the location of images you have taken. Cool? Yes. $41-million worthy? We doubt it.

The real secret, though, might be in the people standing behind this project, not the actual product they currently have. There are 7 founders including Bill Nguyen, famous for the Lala music service, which he managed to sell to none other than Apple and Peter Pham, ex-VP of business development in Photobucket. The whole project seems just like a regular social network, except for the fact that it relies largely on your location. The distance between you and other possible connection should be up to 150 feet, but this doesn't seem like it's going to spur a massive social network does it? If you're interested check it out on the Android Market and the App Store – it's free.

source: iTunes and Android Market via mocoNews

Amazon Appstore may soon be available to AT&T users as well

The Amazon Appstore is already up and running, providing an alternative to Google's Android Market with its growing selection of applications. As our loyal readers may already know, Amazon's software marketplace offers some tempting bargains and is also the place where you can get Angry Birds Rio for your Android-powered smartphone.

Some of AT&T's subscribers, however, have probably noticed that they are unable to get any applications from the Amazon Appstore – a limitation imposed by the carrier itself. Apparently, AT&T would not allow applications that do not originate from the Android Market to be installed onto its Android smartphones. Fortunately, it seems like all of that is about to change soon – AT&T has launched a web page, where it has announced its efforts to allow purchases and downloads through the Amazon Appstore in the near future. Everyone who is interested can leave their e-mail address on the web page and subscribe for a notification, which they will get as soon as the Appstore becomes available to AT&T users.

AT&T has probably decided to lift its restriction once it noticed that the Amazon Appstore proved to be getting popular. It is not exactly clear whether AT&T's Android devices will require a software update before gaining access to the Appstore, but be sure that we will let you know as soon as we find out.

source: AT&T via Unwired View

AVG presents Mobilation, an antivirus app for Android tablets

AVG, a well-known antivirus maker, has released an app that aims to guarantee the security of your Android tablet.

Called AVG Mobilation, this antivirus program scans your tab for malware - apps, files and even settings are checked. Moreover, if your tablet gets lost or stolen, AVG Mobilation can locate it and even wipe its content using cloud based security technology, so your personal privacy is not compromised.

The antivirus app backs-up contacts, call logs, bookmarks, messages and installed applications to an SD card, so you don't lose any valuable information if something happens with your tab. You also have the "app locker" option that allows you to put a password on any application.

The app is already available in the Android Market, so you can check it if you are interested.

Because smartphone security is becoming such a hot topic lately, we are preparing an article on the subject, which will be released in the coming days, so stay tuned!

source: AVG via AndroidGuys and LAPTOP Magazine

Opera Mobile 11 Hands-on

Opera kept the latest version of its Opera Mobile browser for one of the biggest events in the industry – CTIA Wireless 2011. But does it bring any substantial new features? We took some time to figure out what's changed in the latest 11th version of the browser and used one of the most powerful devices around – the LG Optimus 2X and the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab to test its Flash performance and improved speeds.

The first thing you notice when you fire up the browser is the slight polish of the interface including the removal of the Opera title bar freeing up space. But you'll also see the iconic huge red “O” which will take you to the settings menu. And in terms of settings, Opera is one of the richest browsers out there most notably with its Opera Turbo mode, compressing webpages by up to 80% - now that's what we call a real speed boost! One welcome addition to settings is the share button allowing you to share pages to your social networks of choice in just two taps. Nicely done!

Pinch-to-zoom is also present and works flawlessly. When you go for an up-close look it also wraps the text around the page for your reading comfort. Opera claims that scrolling, panning and zooming have all improved, and while we didn't go for a direct test, we could indeed notice their unflawed performance. Adobe Flash is also supported and it worked just fine, but don't expect wonders – heavy banners or videos will slow down your browsing significantly.

In its tablet version, Opera Mobile 11 is even more convenient with the menu bar located in the upper part of the screen, unlike the bottom menu stripe on phones. You also get quick access via a pop-up to your tabs – an elegant solution, we should admit. Support for platforms includes Android, Symbian, Windows Phone 7, MeeGo and Maemo, so if you have one of these on your device why don't you check out our quick hands-on video and grab the browser from the Android Market – it's a free download after all.

Opera Mini 6 Hands-on

Opera Mini is not nearly as powerful as the Opera Mobile browser, but its latest 6th version brings a lot of exciting features to a great many platforms. We went for a quick hands-on on two Android-based devices, but the browser supports other platforms as J2ME, BlackBerries and Symbian as well.

First thing you should know about the browser is that unlike its Opera Mobile sibling, it doesn't store its core engine locally, but rather on Opera's servers, which is why the size of the browser is much smaller. While this has some advantages and allows it to run on lower-end handsets, with Opera Mini you don't get support for Adobe Flash. If you can overlook this, you'll be happy to see that it adds support for pinch-to-zoom gestures as well as quick sharing to the most popular social networks out there.

Just as with Opera Mobile, the Mini automatically recognizes the type of your device (phone/tablet) on the Android Market and downloads a proper version. The main difference is in the looks – the tablet optimized version has a conveniently located menu bar on top, not the bottom, and a simple yet effective implementation of tabbed browsing via a small pop-up. It's key advantage lies in its traffic-savvy nature – you can customize your browsing experience through the Opera Turbo mode, which compresses web pages and saves you precious bytes and bits. Check out the video below to see it in action!

More than 100 million apps downloaded from Samsung Apps

Samsung is obviously doing something right when it comes to its mobile app store, aptly named Samsung Apps, since it's reported that as of now over 100 million apps have been downloaded from it.

Samsung Apps, which was launched back in June 2010, has 13 000 apps (available for bada, Anroid and J2ME) and is available in more than 120 countries. According to the Korean company, users from France, Spain and Germany have downloaded a healthy 40% of these over 100 million apps, while the most popular titles are named as Magic Torch, Need for Speed Shift, Asphalt 5, London Traffic and Ndrive France.

Moreover, Samsung has some good news for users of its native mobile OS - bada. These folks can win some Samsung Apps vouchers, USB flash drives, Galaxy Tabs and Galaxy Players if they download an application from Samsung Apps - the promotion runs for every week from March 25 until April 30 and a few lucky guys will be selected on a random basis.

via: Samsung Hub

Microsoft reveals the NoDo update schedule, T-Mo WP7 handsets to receive the update within 10 days

Microsoft is really struggling with the updates of its mobile OS, isn't it? The first update that was rolled out last month and which, as you surely know, didn't add any additional features, bricked some WP Samsung handsets. Then, it has been quite a few months since Microsoft first announced it's to release NoDo in the "coming weeks" - a quick reality check shows that the first major update of the platform is yet to reach our WP-powered phones.

That's why the Redmond-based giant has decided to post a "where's my phone update" page (check the source link) on its official site, and according to it, T-Mo is "scheduling" the Dell Venue Pro's and the HTC HD7's updates. Apparently, this scheduling thing lasts 10 days or less, so we can expect it pretty soon - or at least we hope so.

Things look a bit grimmer for the owners of AT&T WP handsets. According to Microsoft, the carrier is still testing the update on its phones or, to put it less delicately - no one knows when NoDo will reach the HTC Surround, the Samsung Focus and the LG Quantum.

Microsoft is planning to update this page once a week, so you can check it from time to time - who knows, some good news may be coming (at last).

source: Microsoft via WMPoweruser

ZTE Style S and V11-LTE tablet to land on US soil

They're made in China. But so is your clothing and pretty much everything around you, so why not give these ZTE-made devices the benefit of doubt? At least, you should be able to save a buck, with the ZTE Style S and an upcoming LTE tablet, expected to land on a U.S. carrier sometime around the second half of 2011.

The ZTE Style S, also known as the ZTE Skate, is an Android 2.3 Gingerbread handset running on a modest Qualcomm MSM7227 chipset. The screen is 4.3 inches in size with a rather standard resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. In the photographic department, the Style S offers a 5MP camera on the back and a VGA front-facing shooter.

But even more exciting is word about the V11 4G LTE-capable tablet with a 10-inch screen sporting a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Don't mistake the reason for our excitement – it's the low price we are looking forward to, not the ground-breaking specs. Actually, the slate is expected with a 1.2GHz CPU and a 5-megapixel camera on the back, while the front holds a 1.3MP shooter. Nothing impressive if you add its hunger for energy – it will last only 5.5 hours! We have no further details, but we're sure to hear more about these as their launch approaches, so stay tuned.

source: CTIA and Electronista

App measuring the level of radiation the iPhone emits is rejected because there is "no interest" in it

The possible adverse effects from radiation on human health is one of the most talked about topics following the (ongoing) situation in Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. The fact is, our phones emit a certain level of radiation too, although many studies from various respectable sources claim there is no health risk from everyday phone usage.

That's why it's a bit strange that an app measuring the level of radiation originating from your iPhone was rejected. After the CEO of the company that created it mailed Steve Jobs to ask why, he received a simple "no interest" answer.

We are not convinced this is the sole reason why the app was rejected, but it's useful to take into account that tawkon's team has had talks with senior Apple executives. These lads praised the app's functionality and graphic appeal, not to mention that they gave the tawkon guys some tips how to bypass API restrictions and get an App Store approval. In their own words:

"We tried the front door via Apple’s App Store, including great discussions with senior Apple executives at their Cupertino headquarters who praised our app functionality and graphic appeal, and explored various technical solutions with us to overcome API restrictions and get tawkon onto the App Store."

Radiation is a natural phenomenon and some places (like Ramsar in Iran, which is, by the way, a popular tourist destination) have a natural radiation levels that are considered to be dangerous - and yet, people live in there. Despite that, we surely have the right to know what level of radiation our phones emit, and it's a bit unsettling when an app like this one is rejected because there is "no interest".

The app is available for jailbroken iPhones. To find it, open Cydia and type "tawkon".

source: tawkon via 9 to 5 Mac

The letter from tawkon's CEO to Steve Jobs

FCC may not approve AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile that easily

Since its somewhat unexpected announcement, the proposed merging between AT&T and T-Mobile has caused a number of headlines and plenty of comments regarding the potential effects that the market may suffer from such a move. Opinions on the deal's outcome seem to be mixed for now, but according to people familiar with the matter, getting the FCC's permission to initiate the acquisition process may turn out to be a great challenge for AT&T.

The Federal Communications Commission is expected to give the green light to AT&T's proposal only if it concludes that such a coalition is going to serve the public interest and will not have deteriorating effects on competition. However, we are not expecting to hear the FCC's final decision anytime soon since the FCC has reportedly not even started formally evaluating T-Mobile's acquisition yet. In fact, it has been estimated that it may take up to one year until the commission's final verdict gets announced.

Competing carrier Sprint has already stated its negative position against the merging between the two carriers as this would render smaller carriers unable to compete with their more powerful counterparts. On the other hand, AT&T expressed its confidence that the deal would actually result in lower service costs for its subscribers while competition would continue to “flourish.”

If AT&T succeeds in acquiring T-Mobile, it will emerge as the nation's largest wireless carrier with more than 129 million subscribers. However, if the deal does not receive regulatory approval, AT&T may be forced to compensate Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile's parent company, with a break up fee of $3 billion.

source: The Wall Street Journal via AppleInsider

* T-Mobile G2x benchmarked

We managed to score a Quadrant synthetic benchmark test with the T-Mobile G2x, the first dual-core phone on T-Mobile, at the CTIA 2011 wireless industry trade show.

The handset is powered by a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset, which promises way faster performance than single core handsets, especially visible while loading pages and browsing (check our comparison here). The T-Mobile G2x is sporting NVIDIA's Tegra Zone app, which is a hub for news, apps and games that are tailored to the mobile Tegra chipset, so it is important to measure the dual-core might.

We got 2100+, which is very good, but on the low end of what we've been achieving on the G2x's inspiration - the LG Optimus 2X, which is basically the same phone. With the Optimus 2X we consistently scored around 2500, and even managed to eke out 2777 once. Bear in mind that the T-Mobile G2x we tested is probably not a finalized unit, and, what's more, we ran the test just once. Not to mention Quadrant should be optimized further to measure multicore chipsets performance.

So far it seems that the dual-core chipsets can be arranged in this way - OMAP4>Tegra 2>Snapdragon in terms of performance, at least according to the benchmarks, but we will have to wait until all units hit retail to make some more in-depth tests.

Nokia to release new low-priced Symbian^3 handsets soon?

Nokia might be surprisingly planning to release some new handsets featuring the Symbian^3 operating system, which might not break ground with specs, but rather with their low price, according to inside information by Russian tech analyst Eldar Murtazin. He claims that the company's Russian head office has received prototypes of the new models, so a launch could follow in the recent months if we are to judge from this fact alone.

Information is rather scarce, but it's nevertheless interesting to see how Nokia attempts to fulfil its goal of selling nearly 150 million Symbian phones in the transition period to Windows Phone 7 over the next few years. The Symbian OS was deemed a “burning platform” by none other but Espoo's chief executive officer Stephen Elop just a month ago. But could a low price tag buy you into getting a Nokia handset despite that somewhat dated user interface? Sound off in the comments below!

source: Eldar Murtazin (Twitter)

Taking 3D video with the HTC EVO 3D

Self-made 3D footage sounds exciting and even more so when shooting it with a device you always have in your pocket. The HTC EVO 3D is one handset capable of exactly this and we didn't miss our chance to test its recording capabilities at CTIA.

Video captures is aided by the dedicated shutter button which activates the camera. Transition between your standard 2D and the third dimension is performed by a simple move of a switch located right next to the shutter. And when it comes to the quality of 3D videos, we're looking at up to 720p HD resolution. On-screen controls allow you to control what you see, and you also have auto-focus. You can find a quick walkthrough of some of the recording features of the EVO 3D below, so why don't you check it out for yourselves?

LG Optimus 3D camera samples

We couldn't resist snapping a few images and a video with the 3D mode on the LG Optimus 3D at the CTIA show. Having control over the third spatial dimension from a phone in your hand that is commercially available to purchase just as you would any other phone, is a sci-fi addict dream come true.

While the frame was only of the booth and the expo floor, the 3D imagery can give you a hint what to expect from the stereoscopic dual lens 5MP camera on the back. Who would have thought that 3D can be as noisy in low-light conditions as plain vanilla 2D pictures and video? We kid, but the heritage itself is somewhat comforting, easing our way into the unknowns of the third dimension.

We uploaded some 3D stills taken with the stereoscopic camera for your viewing pleasure, which you can download from here.

Bear in mind they are in the .JPS format, so you have to Google for one of the free .JPS viewers out there in order to see the 3D photography in its full swing. On a side note, the LG Thrill 4G that is coming for AT&T is a rebadged version of that same Optimus 3D we are testing here, so expect its camera samples to look quite similar to these.

Have a look at the 3D video we shot with the LG Optimus 3D below, and prepare to watch cross-eyed, or with your old pair of red&blue paper glasses we are sure is tucked somewhere in your drawer. It's not perfectly superimposed, but the quality is more than acceptable, considering the conditions we shot the video at.

GarageBand for iPad Review

If you’re a causal lover of music and aspire about making your own set of tunes, but you don’t necessarily think you have the talent in composing fresh tracks from the heart, you’ll be impressed with the kind of stuff that you can create with GarageBand for iOS. Available to both the original iPad and iPad 2, this $4.99 app might seem similar to its full featured Mac version, but it’s developed specifically for touch. Naturally, you don’t need to be a music prodigy to lay out your own set of tunes, but for those who are musically gifted, there’s even a bevy of advanced and manual controls to perfectly give you control of all aspects in the music making process.

In terms of the available instruments with the app, you find the typical set you’d come to see out of any band that’s trying to get their start at their own, or parents' garage. These include things like a piano, guitar, drum set, and bass. Obviously, those set of instruments are the required key ingredients to properly recipe your very first track, however, it still would’ve been nice to see other traditional wind and brass instruments thrown into the mix. Regardless, each of the available ones mimics their real life counterparts perfectly and we’re amazed at the level of interactivity with each.

In fact, the guitar and bass allows you to either pluck each string separately, or if you prefer stringing a chord for something more harmonious, you’ll also have that at your disposal. With the piano, it’s laid out exactly like what you’d expect – with a range of different pianos to choose from to better suit the specific genre you’re trying to attach yourself to. And finally, you’ve got the virtual acoustic drum set that tacks along things like a snare, kick, hi-hat, and cymbals. Depending on how hard you tap on each item in the drum set, it’ll appropriately exhibit a specific tone, which goes to show the kind of interactivity seen with GarageBand. Tap it lightly, the response is blatantly low, while tapping on something hard with your finger, you’ll be presented with stronger tones. Very nice indeed!

As we mentioned already, not everyone will know how to playfully interact with each instrument and compose something that sounds pleasant, and in that instance, the smart instruments come to the rescue. Without a doubt, it’s hard to properly tap on multi items with the drum set without losing your focus, but that’s where the smart drum set comes to mind as it provides you an automatic process of keeping a specific beat. The chart like interface allows you to drag your instruments in areas that will provide you combinatorial tones that will either be quiet, simple, loud, or complex. Simply, we’re able to better get a continuous beat that sounds as if we masterfully did it ourselves.

Again, the same enjoyable process is found with the other smart instruments, and in our short time of actually using them, we’re just floored by the wonderful tones we’re able to string together. Likewise, we’re able to record our instruments as we’re playing with them – which are then saved to the recording studio. In the recording studio interface, it lays out all the instruments separately and shows the timeline of when and what they play. From here, we can do a variety of mixing to better produce a masterful cut by specifying, arranging, and trimming each particular instrument.

Amazingly, we’re just impressed with the outcome with our short mix – especially when we classify ourselves as novice users. However, those who are naturally gifted in music will be able to better appreciate all the control and precision they’ll be presented with in GarageBand.  After finding ourselves content with the final track, we can share our creation by exporting it to our iTunes library or send it as an attachment with an email. 

Come to think of it, the $4.99 pricing of GarageBand for iOS is worth every penny when you factor in the depth of creativity it has to offer. Moreover, you don’t need to be a music legend in order to make some sort of slick track that sounds as if it was professionally made. In the end, GarageBand for iOS will undoubtedly keep iPad owners busy with its balanced mix of instruments, quick & easy cutting process, and ingenious functionality that will appease both to novice and advanced users.