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  • LG Optimus L5II begins its global rollout

    LG has announced the gradual global launching of Optimus L5II, starting from Brazil and moving to South and Central America, Europe, Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Africa.

    LG Optimus L5II is considered an average-priced smartphone and it focuses on the emerging markets for the time being. It has a single-core 1GHz processor, it runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, it has a 4” display, an internal memory of 4GB, a 512MB RAM and a camera of 5MP.

    LG adds in their announcement:

    "New UX enhancements include Quick Button, which enables users to customize the Hotkey to launch various functions such as QuickMemo, camera, internet, music or any other app. Quick Button is a versatile feature that eliminates the need for tapping repetitively through menus. For example, the Quick Button can be programmed so that in camera preview mode, pressing the button captures the photo and activates QuickMemo at the same time so editing and sending images can be performed with less time and effort."

    According to  Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company:

    “We believe that the Optimus L5II will prove to be irresistible to people looking for a feature-rich smartphone that complements their unique and individual styles.”

    Although there are no details about its pricing, we can tell from the specifications that it would be quite affordable, which make it ideal for customers with the basic expectations from a smartphone. If you are among them, this phone is for you.

    Optimus L5II key specifications:
    • Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2
    • Processor: 1 GHz Single Core
    • Display: 4.0-inch WVGA
    • Memory: 4 GB / 512 MB RAM
    • Camera: 5.0MP with LED Flash
    • Battery: 1,700mAh
    • Size: 117.5 x 62.2 x 9.2mm (Single SIM) / 118.4 x 62.2 x 9.2mm (Dual SIM)
    • Colors: Indigo Black, White, Pink, Titan

  • Samsung to launch a 5.9-inch Galaxy Note III?

    Samsung is already planning the release of the following Galaxy Note, hoping that it will be another big success, coming slightly bigger than the previous one.

    According to The Korea Times, Galaxy Note III will be of 5.9 inches, while Galaxy Note II was 5.5 inches, and it is expected during the year. Phablets are very popular lately, with an expanding group of customers looking for a gadget that is not just a phone, but is also not a tablet. Hence, Samsung knows very well that the very successful Galaxy Note II needs to be replaced by an equally successful gadget. Still according to The Korea Times, Galaxy Note III will sport an 8-core Exynos processor, in order to meet with all our needs for speed and performance.

    Although we are not sure yet whether the rumors are true, we can assume that there is a need for a competitive Galaxy Note, while there is also a trend of creating slightly bigger gadgets. After all, there was another rumor that the Galaxy Note III will feature a 6.3-inch screen. It wasn't that long ago when Samsung launched Galaxy Note II, selling within a few months 10 million units. This was a great accomplishment for the company, which gave them even bigger credit in the phablet market, but this won't necessarily last forever. The competition is higher than ever, with ZTE and Huawei having already released phablets of similar size, trying to win the customers that are looking for more affordable gadgets. Thus, except for the constant threat of Apple, there are also new competitors, who seem ready to claim their percentage of the market.

    It is now Samsung's turn to prove us one more time that they know how to create impressive products. And the first rumors that are related to Galaxy Note III don't seem bad at all. Let's wait for the announcements.

  • New rumor about a cheaper iPhone coming out in August

    We never run out of iPhone-related rumors and this month could not be an exception. Although we have heard of various rumors lately, some of them keep coming around, which might actually show a sign of validity in them.

    According to the Chinese tech site "EMSOne", Apple is planning to release a cheaper version of the iPhone during August, in order to attract the emerging markets and eventually increase their reach. It is rumored that this affordable version of the iPhone will cost almost half the usual price of the popular smartphone, around $330, which makes it very appealing to a wider audience. Of course it won't be exactly the same as the more expansive version, but this doesn't mean that it still won't be an iPhone. In fact, the only rumor that we currently hear is that it will be made of polycarbonate, which is not a significant disadvantage, at least not for those that anticipate to buy their first iPhone at a lower price.

    Although we are not certain yet about this rumor and whether Apple really plans to release a cheaper version of an iPhone, the arguments are taking placing all over the Internet. The advocates of this rumor believe that iPhone was overpriced for no obvious reason up to now, which makes this release ideal for them. On the other hand, Apple's big fans wouldn't be keen on such a release, since they feel that iPhones are losing their value by becoming cheaper.

    Even if Apple really intends to release a cheaper iPhone, Apple's fans should not worry. They won't be neglected, since a new iPhone is on its way too, sooner or later. Thus, Apple could target some big new markets and also maintain their loyal fans throughout the world. It does make sense to us, but what about Apple's point of view?

    We just have to wait and see.

  • HTC partners with Facebook for HTC Myst

    HTC has decided to collaborate once again with Facebook and AT&T, in order to create another smartphone that focuses on the use of Facebook. It will be known as HTC Myst and its rumored specs are already online.

    It's not the first time that HTC collaborates with Facebook and AT&T, since they had already cooperated two years ago, for the release of HTC status, the smartphone with its own button for quick Facebook access. This was just the beginning, since HTC Myst plans to gain an even bigger part of the smartphone market. According to UnwiredView, HTC Myst is expected during the spring with its rumored specs already being online. Thus, if we want to have a first look at HTC Myst, it will have a 4.3-inch screen, a 1.5GHz dual core MSM8960 processor, a RAM of 1GB, a 16GB storage (without microSD),a rear camera of 5MP and a front one of 1.6MP. What's more, it will have all the latest apps by Facebook already preloaded, such as the typical Facebook app, the Facebook Messenger, Instagram and others, while it will run on Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2.

    Although Facebook seems reluctant for the time being to create their own unique phone, this collaboration might be attractive for the customers that want to stay connected as much as possible. Facebook as a brand name is powerful enough to target some significant attention for HTC Myst, not to mention the power of AT&T and the decent smartphones by HTC. Hence, even though Mark Zuckerberg doesn't think it is necessary to have a Facebook smartphone, he still thinks that he can keep an eye at the smartphone market for future reconsideration. HTC Myst will not be the only phone that connects you on Facebook, but we still want to see its performance on the smartphone market. We are waiting for more details about its release, then.

  • Jabber now available for virtual desktops

    Cisco has announced that Jabber, its unified communications (UC) product, is now available for virtual desktops. Cisco says based on an estimate by research and advisory firm Gartner, there will be around 77 million Jabber users on virtual desktops by 2016.

    How does Jabber integrate with virtual desktops?

    Through a new piece of software called the Virtualisation Experience Media Engine, Jabber is now available for Cisco thin clients and will soon be rolled out to other thin platforms as well as to mobile devices.

    What is Jabber?

    Jabber is a sophisticated communication solution that builds on Voice over IP (VOIP) technology popularized by video calling products like Skype. Its enterprise users have the opportunity to access their preferred method of communication to collaborate with others anytime, anywhere. Enterprise users can take advantage of Jabber's voice, video, presence, web conference and instant messaging capabilities to get the job done and can exchange information swiftly and securely. Users can arrange virtual meetings, work collaboratively on documents or simply stay in touch, regardless of whether they are using a mobile device, virtual desktop or a traditional PC. Jabber increases productivity by linking seamlessly with Microsoft Office.

    Jabber is an ideal solution for telecommuters or businesses whose employees travel frequently – it is in many ways the closest thing to being in the office in person, and is flexible enough to adapt to all kinds of workplaces and working situations.

    Cisco has so far sold 1.4 million Jabber 'seats' or licenses.

  • Mobile World Congress 2013: The End of Apple Dominance Is Near

    The annual meeting Mobile World Congress, ongoing this week in Barcelona, seems to mark more than any other event the end of Apple dominance in the global market for smartphones and tablets and the rise of some rivals with more open operating systems.

    Mozilla has opened the event in Barcelona unofficially. The nonprofit organization, which used Firefox a decade ago to fight Microsoft control in the online search engine market, wants to change totally the smartphone market as well.

    The industry is currently unnaturally controlled by a few companies, said general manager of Mozilla, Gary Kovacs, during the presentation of the first generation of mobile devices with Firefox operating system.

    More than 20 telecom industry executives who brought their support to the launch of Firefox OS had similar views.

    “We change the industry for the common good,” said Cesar Alienta, general manager of Telefonica, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. Spanish company chief criticized the closed operating systems, such as iOS, and warned that “the smartphone market is making a step back from the internet’s opening feature”. Telefonica wants to introduce shortly Firefox OS devices in Spain, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.

    America Movil, controlled by Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world, committed to launch Firefox OS in Mexico “and in all possible markets” soon.

    The outgoing General Director of Deutsche Telekom, Rene Obermann, called the Firefox OS release “an important step towards more competition between different systems”. Deutsche Telekom will launch Firefox OS devices starting from this summer in Poland.

    Mozilla is not the only company that wants to change the market for smartphones and tablets. Samsung and Intel are also developing an operating system called Tizen, which would be even more open and will allow software developers more important changes compared to Apple's iOS and Google's Android.

    Mobile operators are strongly attracted by the prospect of being able to strongly change the operating systems, for an interaction as direct as possible with the user.

    The irony in this case is that the success of Samsung with Tizen would make the South Korean company less dependent on Google and stronger in the smartphones and tablets market.

    The rest of the world seems to recover the distance to Apple's platform for mobile devices, and the American company must innovate again or will be cannibalized by rivals with cheaper and more accessible devices. Smartphone market seems to have matured, so that real opportunities could be in the expansion in emerging markets.

  • Mobile World Congress 2013: Nokia launches a $20 phone – Nokia 105

    Nokia has decided to create a lower cost phone, Nokia 105, aiming at those that still purchase a phone for calls and texts.

    While we are all discussing the latest smartphones by Apple and Samsung and whether we should prefer iOS, Android, BB10 or WP8, Nokia is approaching a different type of customers, the ones that are unwilling to pay a fortune for a phone. Thus, they created a $20 device, which was presented at this year's Mobile World Congress and has already been discussed a lot..

    Nokia 105 does not impress you with its specs, but you can use it for calls, texts, alarm, FM radio and flashlight. What's more, its battery life lasts for 35 days, which is really impressive on its own, and it has a resistant keypad to endure in scratches and dust. Nokia 105 is expected during the following months in many countries, starting from China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, Vietnam and other markets in Africa, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

    As you may notice, their target audience is not the U.S., they are not even including them for now, but the emerging markets that are still not under the hype of the latest trending smartphones. Hence, they are trying to win a new territory, hoping that they will remain loyal to Nokia for their future purchases, too. After all, there are still so many people out there, even in Europe, that do not use their phones extensively and would find the price of the Nokia 105 tempting.

    According to Stephen Elop, the CEO of Nokia:

    "There's a very large number of inexpensive and largely undifferentiated devices. We believe we have to offer differentiation at each price point."

    It seems like smart move for Nokia and it could be the chance for them to rebound on the smartphone market.

  • GSMA Announces Winners Of The 2013 Global Mobile Awards

    The GSMA today announced the winners of the 18th Annual Global Mobile awards, held at the Mobile World Congress 2013 in  Barcelona. The winners were honoured in an afternoon ceremony hosted by writer, actor and comedian, David Walliams.

    Walliams entertained nominees and attendees with a comic introduction to the ceremony. He was joined on stage by representatives from sponsors McAfee, Myriad and Telmap, and media partners CNBC, Fortune and Time, who co-presented awards, as well as John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA and members of the judging panel.

    In total, more than 170 independent analysts, journalists, academics and subject matter experts and 13 representatives from mobile operators throughout the world participated in the judging of the 2013 awards.

    The winners of the 2013 Global Mobile Awards are:

    Best Mobile Health Product or Service
    MIPsoft for BlindSquare

    Best Mobile Education or Learning Product or Service
    Mobilink for SMS Based Literacy program

    Best Mobile Product or Service for Automotive
    BMW i, MINI, Sixt and Vodafone Group for DriveNow Premium Car Sharing

    Best NFC /Mobile Money Product or Service
    Etisalat for Flous – The Etisalat Commerce Programme

    Best Mobile Publishing Product or Service
    Ver Se Innovation for NewsHunt

    Best Mobile Innovation for 'Smart Cities'
    Streetline for Parker

    Best Mobile Enabled Consumer Electronics Device
    Samsung Electronics for Samsung GALAXY Camera

    Best Enterprise Mobile Service
    Mobilelron for Version 5 Complete Enterprise Persona

    Best Consumer Mobile Service
    Comviva for Mahindra Comviva's mobiquity™ MFS platform powering mTicketing service for Bangladesh Railways

    Best Advertising or Marketing on Mobile
    McCann Worldgroup (Hong Kong) for Chok! Chok! Chok!

    Best Network Product or Solution for Serving Customers
    NTT DOCOMO for Hanashite Hon'yaku, world's first automatic voice translation service

    Best Product, Initiative or Service in Emerging Markets
    Ericsson for Amazon Connection– a digital inclusion program in the Amazon

    GSMA mWomen Best Mobile Product or Service for Women in Emerging Markets
    Asiacell for Almas Line

    Best Use of Mobile in Emergency or Humanitarian Situations
    Vodafone Foundation for Vodafone Instant Network

    The Green Mobile Award
    Indus Towers for Green Sites Project

    Best Mobile App for Consumers
    Facebook

    Best Mobile App for Enterprise
    Evernote

    Judges Choice – Best Overall Mobile App
    Waze

    Most Innovative Mobile App
    McCann Worldgroup (Hong Kong) for Chok! Chok! Chok!

    Smartphone Application Challenge
    AT&T for Application Resource Optimizer (ARO)

    Best Application using Network APIs
    Bharti Airtel Limited for my airtel app

    Best Smartphone
    Samsung Galaxy S3

    Best Feature phone or entry level phone
    Nokia Asha 305

    Device Manufacturer of the Year
    Samsung

    Best Mobile Tablet
    Google and Asus for Nexus 7

    Best Mobile Infrastructure
    Samsung Electronics for Smart LTE Networks

    Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough
    Accuris Networks for AccuROAM Wi-Fi: Making Wi-Fi a carrier driven extension of GSM for Offload and Roaming

    Best Cloud Based Technology for Mobile
    Jasper Wireless cloud-based connected devices platform for machine-to-machine (M2M) and consumer electronics

    Best Mobile Safeguard & Security Products and Services
    AdaptiveMobile and Syniverse for Messaging Trust

    Outstanding LTE Contribution
    SK Telecom for 4G LTE with PETA Solution

    Outstanding Overall Mobile Technology – The CTO's choice
    Samsung Electronics for Smart LTE Networks

    Spectrum for Mobile Broadband Award
    Government of New Zealand

    Mobile for Development Award
    U.S. Agency for International Development

    m-Government Award
    Government of Moldova

    "Through these awards, we are proud to shine the light on the mobile industry's many innovators and leaders, from all corners of the world," said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd. "This year's new categories reflected the industry's reach into many new sectors and we received more than 600 high-quality entries from across the mobile ecosystem. We would like to congratulate all Global Mobile Awards winners and thank the many hundreds of companies and organisations that support these awards by entering each year."

  • Mobile World Congress 2013: Nokia presents Lumia 520 and Lumia 720

    Nokia has presented two new smartphones at the Mobile World Congress, the Lumia 520 and Lumia 720, aiming at customers with lower budget.

    Lumia 520 is the cheapest Windows Phone 8 for Nokia, starting at $184, with a 1GHz dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage, a 4-inch WVGA screen and a 5MP camera. It weighs 124g, it has a 2D hardened glass and it is also ideal for touch while wearing gloves. It will be released in five colours (cyan, yellow, red, black and white) and it is expected during the next quarter. It seems like a pretty decent phone for its money, with Nokia's experience and Micorosft's ambitious Windows Phone 8 being a great combination.

    As for Lumia 720, it is a bit more sophisticated, with a 6.7MP camera, a 4.3-inch screen, a 1GHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM, 8GB of storage and it will be priced at $329. Lumia 720 will also have a Carl Zeiss lens and f/1.9 aperture, also focusing on the front camera with an f/2.4 aperture, which makes it an ideal choice for everyone that loves taking decent pictures with a smartphone.  It supports NFC and it also allows wireless charging with a snap-on cover. Lumia 720 will also be released in 5 colors and it is expected mostly in Asia and some countries in Europe. There are already some users from the U.S. that found Lumia 720 attractive, although it seems that it won't be available for them.

    Nokia is trying to recover on the smartphone market, targeting for now the low and mid budget users who used to purchase affordable Android devices. It's up to them to persuade them to trust them.

  • Survey Reveals Mobile Users Prefer Voice Over IP

    A study conducted by BroadSoft revealed greater than 2/3 of mobile device users showed a preference for voice over IP or UC services and regarded it the most worthwhile application. BroadSoft surveyed 700 people who work in assorted industries located in Sweden, Spain, and in the United States.

    The primary issue users had with communication was lack of speed at 78%. The next two issues were finding and contacting a person (68%) and email problems (58%). Other issues users experienced included travel interruptions, internal meetings, and telecom problems.

    The survey found that users of voice over IP preferred internet collaboration, instant messaging, and mobile incorporation. Leslie Ferry, vice president of marketing for BroadSoft concluded operators of mobile devices are in a better position to make their investments earn them the most profit quicker in LTE networks and they can furnish users with excellent service business users need regardless of location and device. This is because of the greater revenue produced by each user through UC services.

    A white paper issued by BroadSoft indicated there are still professional employees who communicate with smartphones and laptops more than desktop computers. Other professional employees still communicate with desktops and standard telephones perhaps because of limited finances. Desktop computers are among the most used deice for communication proceeding laptops and office telephones. Desk tops and office phones tied as a commonly used communication device for the health industry.

    Other studies and BroadSoft agreed with other studies that observed the developing enterprise adaptation of UC services. The study also concluded that a lack of UC applications may cause a 'production gap' amid employees onsite and mobile device users of nearly 2.5 hours weekly. The trend of voice over IP and other UC services will proceed to expand as employees continue to take their mobile devices to work and more services for mobile communications are provided by UC vendors. Vendors will need to stay ahead of trends.