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  • The Future Smartphone Designs Presented

    Changing trends and interests got a lot of influence over the smartphone design and features. This kind of situation is asking all the techies a question "How the future smartphone will look like?" What kind of role these future smartphone going to occupy in people’s lives? There are many astonishing and interesting answers to summarize. Some of the creative minds come up with more imaginations in this aspect.

    One creative idea mentioned that the future smartphone should be simple and small. It should be thinner to fit all the needs like in the above picture.

    Another creative imagination said this future smartphone should be a central device in the all people’s daily routines. Functionality is needed to be improved more than what it is now. It should replace successfully the tablet PC, smartphone and PC. It should also serve as a passport, credit card and universal key .

    There are many ideas to list out, a few of them are mentioning the necessity for the smartphones to be eco-friendly and a few suggest that the future smartphone should be a transparent tool for all the daily routines.

    Already some of the popular mobile phone manufacturers such as Ericsson and Nokia are on the latest designs and prototypes, but failing to reach the breakout products and endeavors of few such as Apple through their prototypes.

    There are two promising ideas that are truly captivating and promise something exciting for all the smartphone enthusiasts. Let us see whether Apple or some other manufacturer will come up with such kind of idea in the nearby future.

    There are two winning concepts we are interested to share with you. This first idea is showcasing a “Roundphone” concept which uses holographic projections as a screen.

    The device is described as "the future perfect smartphone idea for us all". We have to admit this is truly captivating to call through hologram.

    The second concept video is showcasing a “Flexphone”, which is a complete folding screen device. Flexible OLED technology would be most ideal for this concept.

    [via: eyeka]

  • Google Movies Blocked on Modified Versions of Android

    Google has decided to block the access to Google Movies for all devices running on any unofficial versions of the Android operating system, modified through the process known as Android root.

    This type of intervention provides users with administrative rights on the operating system installed on the phone, thus removing all the restrictions which protected the Android platform against any unauthorized interferences on system’s components.

    From the explanations given by Google Support results that the Google Movies is blocked for all unofficial versions of the Android operating system, due to restrictions imposed by the terms of copyright licensing for media content distribution. Thus, users who have modified their smartphone or tablet devices by installing an unsupported version of Android, will be welcomed by the error message "Failed to fetch license for [movie title] (error 49).", every time when trying to watch content distributed via Google Movies.

    The position taken by Google is somewhat ironic, considering the fact that Android is an open source, which, by definition, should have fewer restrictions than the alternatives of the competition. In contrast, Apple iPhone devices which passed through the jailbreak process can now easily download movies from iTunes.

    The users of Motorola Xoom tablet, running on the 3.1 version of the Android Honeycomb operating system, continue to have access to Google Movies as long as it does not interfere with the Android root process.

    Once the Google Movies service will also be released for the users of the Android 2.2 – 2.3 platform, during the coming weeks, the access will only be allowed for the devices running on the OEM version of the Android operating system, such as the one delivered when buying a smartphone or tablet.

  • Speedflow Offers Multifunctional Software for VoIP Providers

    Softswitch is a central device in a telecommunications network which provides management of voice, fax, data and video traffic and connects telephone calls from one phone line to another.

    Softswitches used for transit VoIP traffic between carriers are usually called Class 4 softswitches, whereas softswitches intended for work with end-users are called Class 5 softswitches.

    Speedflow Communications now offers a wide range of carrier-grade software products, including class 4 and class 5 softswitches. The company’s highly innovative and full-featured VoIP software solutions are designed for VoIP carriers and other IP telephony-related companies.

    Speedflow’s flagship solutions are MediaCore, proprietary Linux-based multifunctional carrier-grade class 4 Softswitch intended for transit VoIP traffic, and CallMax, multifunctional class 5 softswitch designed for VoIP companies providing services for end users.

    Among the main features of the MediaCore softswitch are:
    – Dynamic routing mechanism with high system capability;
    – Integrated billing module with advanced tools;
    – Guardian – revenue assurance system for traffic quality estimation;
    – Transcoding which supports all popular codecs used in the field of VoIP.

    According to Speedflow, user friendly and functional web-interface of the system is understandable even for the beginners.

    MediaCore Softswitch supports full signaling proxy and handles more than 30.000 concurrent calls/lines.

    Among the wide range of services available for CallMax customers are:
    – Residential/ Hosted IP PBX platform;
    – SIP-trunking;
    – Calling Card platform;
    – Authorization by PIN, ANI, SIP, etc.

    Both MediaCore and CallMax softswitches are available for rent and purchase. Speedflow Communications offers free trial period before buying the product.

    The company also guarantees 24/7 support for all the products.

    Get more information about MediaCore Softswitch and CallMax Softswitch.

    ***
    Speedflow Communications has focused on delivering quality services and products to the VoIP market since its inception in 2004. Their success in this field has resulted in an opportunity to service over 600 reliable customers varying from Tier-1 national and global carriers to ISPs, Corporate carriers and residential VoIP providers. Speedflow presents exceptional range of Carrier-grade products and solutions. Single Point of Control solutions from Speedflow include: Mediacore (Class 4), Callmax (Class 5), Guardian (Revenue Assurance), Routing and Billing. Each of these products will make your management extremely efficient and your business become more profitable with less effort from your side.

  • Nokia, At the Lowest Rate in 14 Years, on a Growing Market

    Nokia mobile phone market share dropped from 30.6% to 25.1%, reaching its lowest level since 1997, selling in the first quarter of 2011 107.6 million units, according to a study made by the research firm Gartner.

    At the same time, Samsung’s sales increased from 64.9 to 68.8 million units, and the producer has a market share of 16.1%.

    The list is completed by LG, which has sold in the first quarter of 2011 27.2 million mobile phones, representing 7.6% of market.

    Apple is ranked four in the mobile phones top, but also in the operating system top, with 16.9 million iPhones sold worldwide, double value than in the first quarter of last year. The company’s market share, both in smartphones and operating systems, increased from 2.3% to 3.9%.

    The sales of the Canadians from Research In Motion, the Blackberry manufacturer, have increased in the same period from 10.8 to 13 million units, the company having a market share of 3%.

    In the operating systems, Android has become the most popular platform in the world, increasing its last year market share from 9.6% to 36%.

    The market share of Symbian, at which Nokia will renounce in favor of Windows Mobile, has decreased in the last year from 44.2% to 27.4%.

    In total, in the first quarter of 2011 were sold 427.9 million mobile phones, an increase with 19% over the number recorded in the first three months of 2010. Gartner says that, despite this 19-percent increase in sales, would have been sold even more smartphones, but several companies have announced the launch of new terminals for the current quarter, and many customers have waited them and haven’t bought any phone in the first three months of the year.

    Smartphone sales have doubled up in the period mentioned, to 100.8 million units, according to the source.

  • Video Conferencing Becomes More Common Among U.S. Physicians

    Seven percent of U.S. physicians use online video conferencing to communicate with any of their patients, according the new Taking the Pulse study of physician digital adoption trends from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research.

    This year’s study of 2,041 U.S. practicing physicians includes a focus on how physicians are using technology in the practice, such as for electronic health records, electronic prescribing and interaction with patients.

    As video chatting becomes more common, this type of communication is emerging as a way for physicians to consult with patients about non-urgent issues, such as follow up questions from an office visit, or to connect with geographically dispersed patient populations that may not have nearby access to specialists. The study also found that certain specialties, such as psychiatrists and oncologists, are more likely to be using video conferencing with patients.

    “Telemedicine has the potential to open up consultations with top specialists, regardless of your location,” said Meredith Ressi, Manhattan Research President. “Combined with the impending shortage of primary care physicians, the implications of these technologies for how healthcare is delivered in our country are remarkable.”

    However, the study found that physician concerns regarding reimbursement, liability and HIPAA are still major barriers to communicating online with patients. Some of these issues are starting to be addressed as telemedicine solution providers such as American Well partner with insurance companies to facilitate payment and increase their security measures. “Despite these hurdles, we still expect to see more physicians use this model to improve practice efficiency and expand their patient base, without the overhead associated with only in-office visits,” Ressi said.

  • Information Leaks at 99.7% of Android Smartphones

    Researchers at the German University of Ulm have uncovered a vulnerability that exposes most of the Android mobile operating systems to attacks that may stole the personal data stored in the memory of the smartphone.

    The discovered vulnerability allows attackers to obtain authentication data needed to access the calendar function, the contacts and other information stored on Google servers.

    The blame for this security flaw is the poor implementation of an authentication protocol called ClientLogin used by all versions of the Android operating system, including the recently released Gingerbread 2.3.3.

    At each login, the relevant information to access Google Calendar and Contacts applications are sent in unencrypted format, with the possibility to be intercepted before reaching its destination, which can then be used to access the personal data of the targeted user for 14 days.

    Attacks carried out by stealing the authentication data are very easy, especially if the users targeted are connected to an unsecured wireless network, such as those found in public places. The systematic obtaining of the authentication data from multiple users is possible by creating a Wi-Fi access point with same SSID identification code as one of the nearest public network, where mobile visitors are already configured to connect automatically and the new entrants have no reason to doubt the security of the network.

    In most cases the applications installed on Android phones are configured to automatically synchronize with Google’s servers as soon as an Internet connection is available. While the syncing with such a hotspot phantom probably it would fail, the initiation of the operation being sufficient for attackers to obtain authentication data for any of the applications that have tried to contact Google’s servers.

    Given the facts that you probably are in the 99%-area of vulnerability, it’s good to know how you can protect:
    1. Temporarily disable the function of synchronizing contacts and calendar (Settings, Accounts & sync, choose the current account – and there uncheck Gmail or ActiveSync synchronization for contacts and calendar). Reactivate the sync when you’re confident that there aren’t any eyes that spies your traffic;
    2. Use as less as possible the free WiFi connections;
    3. Take a quick update to the newer version of Android;
    4. Even if more expensive, choose to synchronize via 3G.

  • Nokia’s Ovi Label Metamorphoses into Nokia Services Soon

    Nokia is planning to start services on some of the latest Nokia devices by July and August of this year. Also, the company is planning some more transition in the form Ovi label into Nokia services by the end of 2012. This is indicating that the current services under the Ovi umbrella will be soon branded as Nokia without affecting present service and the roadmap.

    Jerri DeVard, Nokia’s EVP and Chief marketing Officer said in this context: “We have made the decision to change our service branding from Ovi to Nokia. By centralizing our services identity under one brand, not two, we will reinforce the powerful master brand of Nokia and unify our brand architecture-while continuing to deliver compelling opportunities and experiences for partners and consumers alike”.

    The planned metamorphoses will be started from July this year and intended to complete all over the world including all services by the closing of year 2012. There is a possibility that the every latest Nokia smartphone purchased by the user will see the new branding procedure over it. Perhaps, future software updates might perform this new branding procedure for the old Nokia smartphones.

    Jerri also added that “the reasons for this decision includes the fact that nokia is a well-known and highly-loved brand the world over. Our mobile experiences are tightly integrated with our devices-there is no longer a differentiation. For example, if consumers want the best mobile navigation experience, they know it’s a Nokia that they can rely on. These last few years, and moving forward, our mission remains unchanged. We will continue our work to deliver compelling, unified mobile service offerings and next-generation, disruptive technologies”.

    The Finnish company’s sudden decision for the transition got many behind the screen reasons. Earlier this year, Nokia got hooked up with Microsoft. The vital parts of that agreement comprise for Nokia software, and Nokia maps are to be made available for all Windows Phone devices and over Microsoft’s range of services. Definitely, the latest decision from Nokia is making a lot of sense and serious about keeping its own name on all its wares. There will be no other structural changes or transformations from Nokia in this aspect, except the change of new name plate atop. Let us wait and see how much more benefit this act is going to gain for Nokia, but many existing users of Ovi Store are finding it wrong at the first place.

  • RIM Recalls 1,000 Playbooks for Repairs

    Research In Motion (RIM), the manufacturer of the popular Blackberry phones, has recalled from the market 1,000 copies of the new-released tablet, PlaybBook, because of problems with the operating system that could pose difficulties in the initial installation of the gadget, writes Reuters, citing overseas media.

    Even if it didn’t pass so much time from the launching of the BlackBerry tablet, it seems that they have been a little rushed. Although sales were not great in the first days or the PlayBook was not a revelation to most users, the gadget is now available worldwide.

    The problem is as follows: RIM factory called back about 1,000 tablets that would have some problems that cannot be solved with a simple firmware update. Through a press release in which are filled the series of all the 935 damaged BlackBerry PlayBook, RIM has defined very well the extent of the problem.

    Even so, BlackBerry phone manufacturer announced in a statement posted on CrackBerry.com that the most affected devices were in stores and have not yet reached the customers. "The company is working to remedy the defects," said RIM.

    According to information published in the weekend by Engadget, the damaged tablets were distributed through the network of Staples stores.

    RIM is facing major challenges to maintain its market share, after the strong competition from Apple and Android devices. The new PlayBook tablet would have to alleviate the competitive pressure, but the gadget has been coolly received by the analysts in this field.

  • Apple Gaining Control over Android’s Dominant Features Speech and Navigation

    Apple is nowadays concentrating high over the things that are really causing hindrances to overtake the acceleration of Android. Android’s major plus points are Speech and Navigation features that are really gaining upper hand over the Apple’s iPhone. These two features are always successful at keeping intact their customer base and helping to improve further too.

    Most of the major features on Android such as SMS, email, search box and many more are speech-enabled. Here, iPhone successfully enabled their devices with “voice control commands” which allows user to perform few functions such as making call, playing music etc. In fact, this narrower facility on iPhone is failing to result as a match for the facilities that are available with Android. Here, it is essential to recognize that the voice search facility on iPhone over Google and Bing is supported through Microsoft and Google technologies and nothing to do with Apple.

    Recently some rumors and news floating all around mentioning that Apple is under talks with popular speech firm Nuance in this aspect. Nuance was the front-end speech facility provider for Siri, which was recently acquired by Apple. Also, Nuance provided speech-enabled keyboard in FlexT9 for Android and Dragon Search apps for the iPhone. This is clearly indicating that the Apple is moving its cards safely towards the “speech enablement”, which has been a competitive weakness for the iPhone since very long. Pretty soon Apple is going to conclude a deal with Nuance in this aspect.

    Smartphones mapping and directions is another vital factor that is ruling the market currently. Currently, Apple is using Google maps for this purpose. Here, the Google maps and direction experience over the iPhone is quite anemic when compared with Maps and Navigation with Android. Also, Google withheld releasing a latest Navigation version for iPhone keeping in mind the prevailing competition.

    Apple is calmly witnessing every development in the Maps and Navigation spectrum and slowly moving its steps towards the right direction. Recently, apple bought Placebase, which is a Google maps current competitor. In June 2010, Apple bought Poly 9 which is almost similar type as Google-Earth and offers 3D mapping successfully. Recently, Apple announced its interest for “locationgate”, which is mainly emphasizes over “crowd sourced traffic database…and will be available within coming two years.

    So, the current scenario is clearly indicating the major interest of Apple and perhaps intended to announce these specialities along with upcoming iPhone 5. It is definitely indicating that the Apple is intended to achieve upper hand over the lacking Maps and navigation aspects and trying to achieve the next level in it.

  • Smartphone Sales Surge As Prices Plummet

    The smartphone market is on an upward surge, according to IDC, the market research firm. The market has witnessed an outbreak of cutthroat competition among the major smartphone companies, leading to a fall in phone prices. Low cost coupled with the innovative marketing strategies has led to the growth in the smartphone market.

    The first quarter of 2011 witnessed a sale of 99.6 million smartphones, which is almost double the quantity that was sold in the previous quarter. The sales figures registered a 79.6 percent growth in this period. Senior analyst of Mobile phone Technology and Trends team of IDC, Ramon L lamas, attributed this growth to the prevailing smartphone market conditions.

    Fall of smartphone prices is the major factor that has contributed to the rise in sales. The market is flooded with new models from different companies, which has forced a slash in the rates of even expensive models. The corporate rat race has benefited the consumer market as expensive models are now within the reach of more people.

    The upward trend in the purchase of mobile phones has given companies a fillip in taking their wireless expense management further. IT departments all over the country are concerned about their employees’ demands to provide high-end smartphones.

    The IDC report has forecasted a bright future for Android phones. Google’s Android technology reinstated itself on the top in the first quarter of 2011. The demand for Android based phones has encouraged several phone manufacturers to come with phones that work on Android technology. Samsung registered a profit of 350% and HTC recorded a 229.6% growth in its sales owing to their Android based phones.

    A report by Global Industry Analysts has named enterprise mobility as the force behind the surging smartphone market. By 2017, the smartphone sales are expected to go beyond 1.6 billion units.