Monthly Archives: September 2011

Samsung is Microsoft’s Latest Android Cashcow With Cross Licensing Settlement

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

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Samsung and Microsoft have settled on an agreement for patent royalties and cross licensing. In short, Samsung pays Microsoft money for every Android smartphone sold to use their patents and Microsoft also gets free access to Samsung’s patents. Kind of lopsided if you ask me.

Microsoft also has HTC to bring money in for every Android smartphone of theirs sold. If you don’t remember, elementary math once suggested that Microsoft is making more money on Android phones sold than Windows phones sold. That’s probably a good thing for Microsoft, but the rest of the industry prefer to see it the other way around. It’s almost embarrassing for them, in fact. A statement from Microsoft:

We recognize that some businesses and commentators - Google chief among them - have complained about the potential impact of patents on Android and software innovation. To them, we say this: look at today’s announcement. If industry leaders such as Samsung and HTC can enter into these agreements, doesn’t this provide a clear path forward?

What did I get out of that statement?

Patent lawsuits won’t end Android. In fact, we don’t want it to end! We’d rather make money on the countless OEMs using Android due to the patents we own! Surely that’ll help ease the sting of our own smartphone operating system currently at the bottom of the totem pole. Oh, and we don’t know how long it’ll take for Windows Phone 7 to be successful, if ever. So yeah, we’re capitalizing on you now and forever. Thanks for your money!

I’m sorry for my satire, but it’s really annoying to see this. Microsoft’s seemingly strong-arming their own partners into these lopsided patent agreements for no reason other than to make money. It’s not about innovation for them. They’re aiming to ruin what was so attractive about Android to OEMs in the first place, and that was that this operating system was free not only in the sense of open software, but in licensing. Shame on you, Microsoft. [Source]

LG Esteem Officially Announced and Now Available for MetroPCS

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

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MetroPCS has officially announced their high-end LG Esteem smartphone. Specs start off with a 4.3 inch WVGA display, a 1GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, a 5 megapixel HD rear camera with a 1.3 megapixel front camera, 8GB of internal storage, a micro-HDMI port and more.

We’ve also got 4G radios inside. Metro’s offering this thing for $250 with no contract ($100 mail-in rebate pending).  That price is available through January 1st and if you go ahead and activate the $50 4G data plan, you’ll get 90 days of rhapsody access for free. Can’t really beat that. Head to your local store or go online at MetroPCS.com to get started. Read on for full press details.

MetroPCS Unveils the LG Esteem, the latest 4GLTE Android Smartphone for Entertainment-Minded Consumers

Feature-rich smartphone and 4GLTE services combine to deliver extreme value with no contract

DALLAS - (September 28, 2011) - MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS), and LG Mobile today introduced the latest addition to MetroPCS’ line-up of 4GLTE – enabled smartphones with the entertainment-packed LG EsteemTM. Available this week in stores and online, the chic new LG Esteem 4GLTE Android smartphone delivers an incredible entertainment experience for customers including music and multimedia applications like Rhapsody Unlimited Music and MetroSTUDIOTM. Powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), LG Esteem features a sleek, modern design for style-conscious consumers looking for the latest smartphone technology.

"Our customers want more entertainment services and multimedia, and the LG Esteem delivers all of the multimedia they desire right at their fingertips with the easy access afforded by our 4GLTE network," said Tom Keys, president and chief operating officer of MetroPCS. "By pairing a premium handset with the latest features and our unbeatable service offerings, we are providing our customers with a tremendous value. We’re the only no-annual contract, pay-in-advance carrier providing 4GLTE service today, and with our latest 4GLTE smartphone, consumers can take full advantage of our network and the exploding array of Android market applications available today."

At about half the cost of other 4G smartphone service plans today, consumers can truly have it all with MetroPCS’ $50 and $60 4GLTE plans, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees. For just $60, consumers can choose between unlimited music with Rhapsody or video entertainment with MetroSTUDIO - on top of unlimited Internet access, voice and texting services. With the vast music library provided by the new Rhapsody Unlimited Music service, music lovers can play, download and store or stream as many songs as they want, free from the per-track charges that come with most other music download services.

"LG Esteem is the ideal device for entertainment savvy consumers looking for on-the-go content and the latest Android technology," said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. "Together with the MetroPCS 4GLTE network, LG Esteem provides users with a wide variety of features not previously accessible to no-annual-contract mobile consumers and delivers a truly enhanced user experience."

Capturing and sharing personal multimedia has never been easier with a front-facing camera and 5MP rear camera with flash, 720p HD video recording, allowing users to watch videos and view images directly from the handset’s brilliant 4.3" WVGA screen or use the micro-HDMI port and DLNA streaming capability to transmit HD content directly to home entertainment units, as well as face-to-face video calling using the Esteem’s pre-loaded Google Talk Application. In addition, LG Esteem is equipped with a 1GHz processor, 8GB of internal memory and Dolby® Mobile Surround 7.1 and a Corning® Gorilla® Glass Screen Protector. Combined with MetroPCS’ 4GLTE service, LG Esteem provides an unparalleled Internet and entertainment consumer experience.

LG Esteem will be available for $249 plus tax, after mail-in rebate, through January 1, 2012. Plus, customers purchasing the LG Esteem will receive Rhapsody Unlimited Music FREE for 90 days through a limited time promotional offer when they activate the $50 4GLTE service plan. Consumers interested in purchasing the LG Esteem can visit their local store or go online to purchase the phone and sign up for service.

For more information, please visit:
Details on rate plans and service features: www.metropcs.com/plans
MetroPCS Terms and Conditions of Service: www.metropcs.com/privacy/terms.aspx
Press resources: www.metropcs.com/presscenter
Follow MetroPCS on Twitter: www.twitter.com/metropcs
Become a fan of MetroPCS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/metropcs
View MetroPCS’ latest videos: www.YouTube.com/metropcs

About MetroPCS Communications, Inc.
Dallas-based MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS) is a provider of no annual contract, unlimited wireless communications service for a flat-rate. MetroPCS is the fifth largest facilities-based wireless carrier in the United States based on number of subscribers served. With Metro USASM, MetroPCS customers can use their service in areas throughout the United States covering a population of over 280 million people. As of June 30, 2011, MetroPCS had approximately 9.1 million subscribers. For more information please visit www.metropcs.com.

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units - Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit http://www.lgmobilephones.com.

ISIS Adds LG, Motorola, HTC, Samsung and Sony Ericsson to List of Supporters for NFC-Based Mobile Payments

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

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ISIS – the mobile payment NFC-based joint venture between T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon – have added a stable of new OEMs to the list of those who will implement ISIS technology into their future NFC-enabled phones. Even with how exciting Google Wallet looks, ISIS seems to be generating a ton of carrier and OEM support. The thing is we don’t know what ISIS has been working on behind the scenes as they haven’t come forth with any details.

The press release doesn’t mention whether or not these deals are exclusive so this doesn’t mean Google Wallet is ruled out on any of these manufacturers’ phones. After all, Sprint and Google have to have someone to help promote these services. Currently only the Nexus S 4G is supported, and while that phone is made by Samsung it is still under the Nexus brand.

For the time being, though, it seems ISIS is making all the moves and attracting all the excitement and we still don’t know why that is. Let’s hope they actually detail their technology and services sometime soon. Read on for full press details.

HTC, LG, Motorola Mobility, RIM, Samsung Mobile, Sony Ericsson and DeviceFidelity to Implement Isis NFC and Technology Standards

Mobile Device Makers to Accelerate Adoption of Mobile Commerce; NFC Architecture Provides Security and Convenience

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Isis, the joint venture between AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, announced today that HTC, LG, Motorola Mobility, RIM, Samsung Mobile and Sony Ericsson will introduce NFC-enabled mobile devices that implement Isis’ NFC and technology standards. For consumers who have or purchase smartphones that are not NFC-enabled, Isis is working with DeviceFidelity to add NFC functionality to the mobile device, ensuring a wide range of consumer choice.

“Working together with the device makers and our founding mobile carriers, Isis can provide the consumer choice and scale necessary for widespread adoption of mobile commerce.”

“Isis’ technology standards provide the direction and certainty needed for the development and deployment of NFC devices and the mobile commerce ecosystem,” said Scott Mulloy, chief technology officer, Isis. “Working together with the device makers and our founding mobile carriers, Isis can provide the consumer choice and scale necessary for widespread adoption of mobile commerce.”

NFC-enabled phones will allow Isis consumers to securely make payments, store and present loyalty cards and redeem offers at participating merchants with the tap of their phones.

“Today’s announcement signals the growing acceptance of NFC technology by some of the world’s leading device makers,” said Kouji Kodera, chief product officer, HTC Corporation. “At HTC, we see tremendous opportunities for consumers and merchants as we move beyond traditional payments to a future of NFC-enabled mobile commerce.”

“NFC technology on LG devices will provide consumers with an all-in-one mobile experience that delivers convenience without comprising security or piece of mind,” said Jeff Hwang, president, LG Mobile Phones. “Creating the ideal mobile wallet, LG NFC enabled devices will help change the way consumers shop, pay and save.”

“NFC is the future of mobile payments and will ensure that transactions are done securely from mobile devices,” said Christy Wyatt, corporate vice president of software and services product management, Motorola Mobility. “Through working with Isis as well as the broader Android ecosystem, we look forward to providing consumers with NFC-enabled handsets that make mobile commerce a reality.”

By using NFC-enabled smartphones, Isis will enhance how consumers, banks, payment networks and merchants interact, significantly modernizing the payment experience.

“RIM is working in close collaboration with Isis to help make the concept of mobile commerce a reality,” said Andrew Bocking, vice president of BlackBerry Software, Research In Motion. “The new line-up of BlackBerry® 7 smartphones include various models that are NFC-enabled and demonstrates RIM’s commitment to enabling NFC-based experiences on BlackBerry.”

“The key to widespread adoption of mobile commerce will be the broad availability of NFC-enabled handsets,” said Dale Sohn, president, Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile). “Samsung Mobile will be working with Isis and the mobile carriers to ensure NFC-enabled handsets are widely available to consumers.”

Isis is committed to developing a comprehensive, open mobile commerce platform that aligns the interests of all key stakeholders and provides consumers with freedom of choice and security.

“NFC offers consumers the ability to broaden their communication experience beyond the phone, and common standards and best practices are key to a secure and convenient mobile commerce experience. Sony Ericsson is poised to be part of this movement and to drive the development of new, exciting and creative experiences to deliver the most entertaining smartphones,” said Jan Uddenfeldt, chief technology officer, Sony Ericsson.

“DeviceFidelity is proud to be among those chosen by Isis to power its NFC mobile wallet offering,” said Deepak Jain, chief executive officer and co-founder, DeviceFidelity. “Working side-by-side with Isis and leading handset makers, we aim to provide the scale and choice of consumer preferred devices to ignite the industry and assure continual mass adoption of mobile commerce.”

Firefox 7 Now Available, Still No Flash

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

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Firefox 7 has been released, and while we’re always glad to see Mozilla making progress, I can’t help but to point out that many people aren’t using this browser due to the lack of Flash. It’s still not quite as smooth as other browsers. The features, while nice, are quite useless to me if I have to move over to another browser to access flash content. This update adds a few new things, but we’re not sure if a list this small warranted a major version increase. Check them out below:

  1. Improved copy and paste: Copy any site content and paste to other applications, SMS, or text fields
  2. Built-in language detection on first run
  3. WebSockets API: Powerful tool for Web developers to build responsive Web apps and sites

If you’re a fan of Firefox in its current state, go ahead and have at it. The rest of us will continue bugging Mozilla to add the one feature that could get everyone to switch over. [Market]

Firefox 7 Now Available, Still No Flash

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

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Firefox 7 has been released, and while we’re always glad to see Mozilla making progress, I can’t help but to point out that many people aren’t using this browser due to the lack of Flash. It’s still not quite as smooth as other browsers. The features, while nice, are quite useless to me if I have to move over to another browser to access flash content. This update adds a few new things, but we’re not sure if a list this small warranted a major version increase. Check them out below:

  1. Improved copy and paste: Copy any site content and paste to other applications, SMS, or text fields
  2. Built-in language detection on first run
  3. WebSockets API: Powerful tool for Web developers to build responsive Web apps and sites

If you’re a fan of Firefox in its current state, go ahead and have at it. The rest of us will continue bugging Mozilla to add the one feature that could get everyone to switch over. [Market]

Better Amazon Kindle tablet to arrive early in 2012?

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

2nd tab incoming?
Better Amazon Kindle tablet to arrive early in 2012?

A second, better Amazon Kindle tablet could land as early as the first quarter of next year.

That's according to to gadget site gdgt - the chaps behind reports that the Amazon Kindle Fire, the tablet that is expected to be unveiled in a matter of hours, would be more of a "stopgap" and, as a result, a "pretty poor" device.

Its report states that the Fire, which could be a PlayBook lookalike thanks to the involvement of ODM Quanta, has been delayed - throwing Amazon's release schedule into disarray; apparently the plan was never to launch two tablets in such a short time frame.

The second tablet is described as "the device Amazon really believes in".

The claims tie in with what was being reported back in May, just after Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, confirmed that the online retail giant was looking to get in on the tablet market.

Reports at the time circulated suggesting that Amazon had a quad-core tablet monster lined up, codenamed the Amazon Hollywood, packing an Nvidia Tegra 3 chip. This was to sit alongside a 7-inch Tegra 2 packing device, codenamed the Amazon Coyote.

There's nothing official and this is merely speculation at this point. But it wouldn't surprise us one bit to see Amazon take a bite at the tablet market initially with the Coyote, followed up by a blockbuster premi?re in the way of the Hollywood next year.

Read

Tags: Tablets Amazon Hollywood Amazon Kindle Fire Amazon Kindle Tablet Amazon Kindle Kindle

Better Amazon Kindle tablet to arrive early in 2012? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:11:00 +0100

Toshiba Thrive 7-inch model landing before Christmas

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

Small tab "done right"
Toshiba Thrive 7-inch model landing before Christmas

Toshiba has announced a 7-inch version of its Thrive tablet, complete with Android 3.2 and an Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset.

Over in Berlin at IFA, Toshiba was walking round with its chest fully pumped out, telling anyone who'd listen that it had the skinniest tab in town with the Toshiba AT200.

Well, the 7-inch version is more AT100 (the UK name for the original Thrive) than AT200. At least in terms of thickness. It measures almost 12mm thick and weighs in at 400g.

The display is an LED backlit AutoBrite one with a 1280x800 resolution and it packs Tosh's Adaptive Display and Resolution+ technologies. The cameras are of the 5-megapixel and 2-megapixel variety, although Toshiba is stating that both are "HD".

Connectivity is via mini-USB, micro-HDMI, microSD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS and there's 16 or 32GB of onboard storage for you to play with.

There are mixed messages about when the 7-inch Thrive will be landing though. The press material says December, the landing page on Toshiba's website states November.

No word on a UK release as of yet - remember, the original Thrive took a few months to reach our shores after its US launch.

We'll keep you posted.

Tags: Tablets Toshiba Toshiba Thrive Toshiba Thrive 7-inch

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Toshiba Thrive 7-inch model landing before Christmas originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:33:00 +0100

ZTE T98 Is the First Tablet With Nvidia Tegra 3 CPU, 7 Inch Display

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

This was bound to happen: witnessing the debut of a quad core tablet based on Nvidia chipset. I’m taking about the ZTE T98, a Nvidia Tegra 3-based slate with a 7 inch display and Kal-el technology on board. As you might remember, according to a recent Nvidia announcement, the 4 cores will actually be 5.

Last I heard, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer 2 was supposed to be the first quad core tablet, but now here comes this ZTE unit stunning us. Shown as the PT/Expo Comm in China, this Tegra 3 model uses a 1.3GHz CPU of the quad core kind, a 7 inch display with impressive resolution and Android 3.2 Honeycomb. There’s also 1GB of RAM on board, 16GB of internal memory and a 3G modem.

A 4000 mAh battery will power the device, that also packs the generic 5MP cam at the back and 2MP cam upfront. ZTE T98 supports a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and measures a pretty hefty 11.5mm in thickness. This is also another premiere: the first ZTE tablet with Honeycomb and if you’re wondering, we have no idea about the availability and the price just yet, but this is a supposed to be a budget slate, I know that much.


7 Inch Toshiba Thrive Coming in November, Priced at Under $400 (Video)

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

Toshiba Thrive was a bit of a rough product, having an anti Apple ad campaign, a problem with its sleep mode and some other bugs. Now, the 10 inch device gets a follow-up, through a 7 inch model that will be priced under $400 and come in November.

The result will be a slate that weighs 14 ounces, is less than half an inch thick and comes with a couple of useful ports, but not as many as on the original Thrive. I’m talking about a 3.5mm audio jack, a mini HDMI, mini USB, a microSD card slot and a docking port. Toshiba also upgraded the resolution to 1280 x 800, which is impressive for a 7 inch diagonal.

As far as the rest of the specs are concerned, we get a dual core Tegra 2 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 5MP rear camera, a 2MP front camera and 16 or 32GB of internal storage. And here’s the 7 inch Thrive in action in the following hands-on experience. Wonder if we’ll see Android 3.2 on this puppy, since it would make sense, considering the diagonal of the display.


Android Overload: 10 New SE Devices Add CyanogenMod Support, Qualcomm Announces Dragonboard and More

Posted by on September 28, 2011 No comments

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Bing, bang, boom. It’s time for another great episode of the Android Overload! This is the place where we drop all the news stories we couldn’t get to throughout the day (we’re only human). Don’t worry, in a few more weeks those chimps with type writers we ordered online will arrive soon and help out. Until then — enjoy!

  • CyanogenMod adds official support for 10 new Sony Ericsson devices. [XperiaBlog]
  • Adobe AIR for mobile devices now supports NFC. [RWW]
  • The US International Trade Commission agrees to investigate HTC’s September dispute with Apple. [Electronista]
  • Qualcomm has announced the Dragonboard, a full set of Android development reference hardware based around the APQ8060 S3 Snapdragon.
  • Japan’s KDDI has announced a trio of waterproof Android handsets in the Sharp AQUOS IS12SH, NEC MEDIAS BR, and Kyocera Digno. Also headed for KDDI are the Fujitsu-Toshiba Arrows Z, HTC EVO 3D and Motorola Photon. [Engadget]