Business News Holding

Category: smartphone

  • Invitation To Exclusive Networking Event At The Broadband Business Forum


    Wireless and Smartphone.biz-news are hosting an exclusive networking cocktail event in conjunction with the Broadband Business Forum, being held in Rome, Italy.

    The event will bring together over 100 leading Wireless/Broadband industry figures drawn from exhibitors and decision-makers attending the Forum.

    To be held on December 2nd at 16:00, invitees will have the opportunity to exchange views, contacts, information and deals on the Wireless and Broadband market.

    If you would like to join us please confirm your participation here: www.bbfeurope.com/cocktail.html

    Broadband Business Forum 2008 is Europe’s premier tradeshow dedicated to analysing the evolution and regulation of fixed and mobile broadband. Last year’s event attracted more than 4,200 participants.

    Smartphone.biz-news provides wireless consumer electronic business news to professionals worldwide.

  • Inventory Problems Cloud Storm's Launch


    Whether the long, cold waits – and, for many, ultimately empty-handed departures – were down to a security issue or general inventory problems is still not clear.

    What’s certain is that the Blackberry Storm’s US launch didn’t go as either exclusive operator Verizon or maker Research In Motion would have wished.

    Lines of people formed outside Verizon Wireless stores on Friday to buy the Storm, the first touch-screen phone from RIM that aims to compete with Apple’s iPhone.

    Today, Verizon has placed a notice on its online ordering page stating that: "Due to limited availability of the BlackBerry Storm 9530 smartphone, orders will ship by 12/15".

    While Verizon has declined to give specifics on inventory levels, the shipping delays are being attributed in some quarters to a last-minute security glitch.

    The Storm was to have launched with OS version 4.7.0.82, but because of the security issue every handset had to be downgraded to .65.

    This time-consuming task is the most likely reason why so many fewer handsets arrived in-store and online for release.

    Just to make matters worse, some of those who did manage to buy a Storm were met with activation issues as Verizon’s servers seemingly met the same fate as AT&T’s and Apple’s on iPhone 3G launch day.

  • Sensor Doubles Camera Phone Low-Light Performance


    Aptina has launched a new sensor for high-end 5-megapixel camera phones that promises to double performance in low-light situations.

    Called the MT9P013 5MP image sensor, it also promises to provide high quality video recording capabilities supporting up to 720p HD video at 60 frames per second and full 5-megapixel resolution video at 15fps.

    To achieve this, the new 1.75-micron pixel, 1/3.2 inch optical format sensor leverages the same light-capturing technology Aptina is integrating into its 1.4-micron image sensors.

    Aptina expects mass production of the MT9P013 to begin at the end of January 2009.

    Other MT9P013 Key Features:

    • high frame rate
    • data output options include a high throughput 2-lane MIPI serial interface capable of 1500 Mbps or greater and a parallel interface with throughput of 96Mb/sec x 12 bits.
    • The output options combined with the sensor’s input clock for the PLL enable users to consider a variety of ISP solutions, including the MT9S311, Aptina’s ISP solution designed specifically for manufacturers integrating Aptina 5MP sensors.

  • Scalado Promises Next Generation Of Mobile Photography


    Shutter lag is one of the biggest gripes about taking photos on a camera phone – especially on higher resolution handsets.

    So it was interesting to hear first hand Scalado’s take on a solution to that particular problem.

    Appropriately called the Scalado Camera Solution, it enables zero-shutter lag, burst capturing and instant zoom/pan in the camera.

    The new technology also promises to improve JPEG image handling performance by effectively managing the large files produced by high-resolution images.

    Smartphone.biz-news was given a glimpse of the product by Mats Jacobson and Sami Niemi, respectively CEO and CTO of Scalado, at the recent Smartphone Show in London.

    Niemi demonstrated the possibilities the technology offers, including snapping three images in a row with no shutter lag and a speedy shot-to-shot time.

    As well as ensuring users don’t miss that "moment", his demo showed the product’s ability to instantly zoom into the resulting JPEG image to review the details of the photo in real-time.

    He said manufacturers would now be able to offer real-time viewing and capturing of high-resolution images, totally eliminating shutter lag.

    "This is the kind of user experience we want – where everything is instant," he said. "You can see all the details and have the shot you wanted. This is the next generation of imaging."

    This is all good news for phone manufactuers especially following research from Strategy Analytics showing that a quality camera is the primary mobile phone add-on for which consumers in the US and Western Europe would be willing to pay – and willing to pay the most – compared to other mobile device features.

    The Scalado Camera Solution is based on two products: the SpeedTags IP and the Scalado Camera Engine.

    The former is a minimal modification to the HW JPEG encoder that enables the encoder to produce modified JPEG images, referred to as SpeedTagged JPEGs.

    Several camera sensors and camera modules for camera phones are already embedding the SpeedTags IP, such as sensors from both Aptina, OmniVision Samsung and MtekVision.

    Jacobson said that as well as addressing the missed shots problem, the Camera Solution dealt with other !! usability problems !! including:

    • slow image browsing
    • slow zooming
    • inability to edit mpx images in full resolution
    • long shot-to-shot times

  • Forget Megapixels – Most Camera Phones Not Up To The Job


    When it comes to cameras – and that includes camera phones – many consumers are fixated by the megapixel count.

    Yet John Turner, product manager for multi-media at Symbian, said higher resolution was definitely no guarantee of quality.

    He said this was especially true since the majority of camera phone photos are taken in the darkened environs of bars and nightclubs.

    "There is a four to six megapixel sweet spot for camera phones," he said. "But customers have in their minds the idea that resolution equals quality, so they are always going to want more resolution.

    "The majority of pictures are taken in a pub or nightclub but only a quarter of all phones have in-built flash.

    "So camera phones are not catering for that primary use. That will change over the year to come and improve things a great deal."

    Camera Phone Sales Outstrip Cameras‘

    Camera phones have increased so rapidly in popularity since the first snap-on versions were introduced in Japan in 1999 that they now threaten the market for traditional digital cameras.

    So much so, that by 2009, more camera phones will have shipped cumulatively than "normal" cameras have shipped in the entire history of photography.

    Turner said the camera fitted well with the trend towards a convergence of digital devices, allowing it to be integrated with the cell phone, Internet and GPS.

    He said this was to the consumers’ benefit – with just one device to carry and charge, while allowing users to connect with social networking sites, tag photos with locations and so on.

    But this has also created a few challenges, according to Turner, because consumers now expect camera phones to function as well as cameras.

    So it’s now taken for granted that "standard" features, such as higher resolution, better storage performance, better battery life, smile detection and image editing, will also be on the camera phone.

    Megapixel Fixation

    The fact that consumers regard megapixels as a headline indicator of performance is something that retailers and manufacturers haven’t been quick to discourage.

    Indeed the megapixels count continues to climb rapidly, with 12 mpx expected to be offered on some handsets next year and 16 mpx the year after – putting them firmly in amongst the mid-range digital camera market.

    Ericsson AB of Sweden recently announced that through technologies such as “HSPA Evolution” and” LTE” (long term evolution), by the year 2012, they would develop mobile phones with cameras from 12-20 megapixel and Full HD video shooting capabilities.

    The future might also bring an XGA resolution display (1024×768 pixels) with a digital camera and new camcorder technologies to mobile phones.

    Turner said this striving for greater resolution didn’t necessarily translate into better photos, since issues such as shutter lag were making a "hard problem even harder".

    He said Symbian was working closely with partners such as Scalado to address these challenges.

    Symbian is also spending money on improving multi-media in general and making it easier for its partners to introduce new features, such as accelerometers and HD multi-media processing.

    Turner said this would be seen in big changes that were going to be made to the operating system by the end of the first half of 2009.

    So no more blurry, out-of-shot party pics then. What camera phones features do you regard as the most essential for developers to concentrate on?

  • Firmware Update May Limit Blackberry Storms


    A security issue could lead to shortages of Verizon’s Blackberry Storm on its US launch day today.

    The last minute hitch has forced both maker RIM and exclusive operator Verizon to update the firmware and reduce supplies of phones, according to a report on BGR.

    It says that one Verizon store due to receive 100 units is now to get only 40.

    While supplies are expected to be distributed nationwide, there will be less of them and shortages are expected in some areas.

    Third-party retailers, such as Best Buy, are now being given second priority and could have their in-store dates pushed back to reduce shortage problems at carrier stores.

    The hitch is hardly the start RIM would have wanted for its first touchscreen Blackberry – and now main rival contender to Apple’s iPhone.

    Apple racked up a million sales if its 3G handset worldwide in its first weekend alone.

    Aside from supply difficulties, advance reviews of the Storm have generally been very favorable.

    Aspects where the handset has advantages over the iPhone include features such cut-and-paste text, a "clickable" capacitive touchscreen, full turn-by-turn GPS navigation and removables such as the battery and microSDHC memory cards.

    The lack of WiFi is seen as a big disadvantage, as is the dearth of apps available compared to what is offered by Apple’s App Store.

    With both smartphones priced similarly – around USD $200 and USD $70 per month for service – price isn’t going to be a determining factor.

    If you’re heading out today to get your hands on a Bold, please let us know of any shortages you come across.

  • DeFi To Offer Global VoIP For iPhone


    DeFi Mobile is to make its Global Access VoIP service available to iPhone owners – possibly by the new year.

    Users will have access to unlimited global calling, roaming, and long distance for a monthly subscription fee.

    While calls will require a WiFi connection, DeFi says it has struck global partnerships that ensure an extensive network of private and commercial connections.

    The service will also offer voice-to-email, caller-ID, call-forwarding, call-hold, and call-transfer.

    Customers will be given a choice of countries from which their DeFi contact number will originate from.

    With packages starting from USD $40 per month there will also be the option to add three contact numbers from different countries for USD $10.

    DeFi claims its Global Access is superior to standard mobile VoIP solutions in several significant ways.

    Among them is the fact that calls are routed over its managed network, which is says delivers superior call quality by eliminating the “jitter” and dropped calls synonymous with other VoIP operators.

  • Threat To Gaming If Operators Don't Follow Apple's Lead


    Mobile game sales are "flatlining" across North America and Western Europe despite increased interest from consumers, according to a report from Juniper Research.

    It says that unless more operators adopt an Apple-like approach to rewarding games publishers, they will be driven away from the sector – and the number and variety of games available will decline.

    The report highlights the "universally positive" response with which mobile games publishers and developers greeted the arrival of the iPhone, but adds that the volume of paid-for mobile game downloads has nonetheless levelled off across North America and Western Europe.

    It found that although the retail value of the global mobile games market is expected to rise from USD $5.4bn in 2008 to more than $10bn in 2013, the potential for growth in many key markets is being dampened.

    This is attributed to a combination of limited on-portal revenue share for publishers – meaning that some are exiting the mobile games industry – and poor games marketing.

    According to report author Dr Windsor Holden, the revenue share offered by Apple to games publishers is incredibly attractive.

    "The danger is that if operators do not respond with a similar business model, publishers faced with low margins may simply exit Java completely, thereby reducing consumer choice in the longer term," he said.

    The report also found that while ad-funded downloads have increased markedly in popularity, the revenues accrued from advertising are unlikely to be sufficient to provide developers or operators with a primary revenue stream.

    It argued that, with cost per mille (CPM) rates likely to fall in the face of pressures on advertising budgets, advertising would be largely employed by most publishers as a means of monetising older content.

    On a more positive note, the Juniper study remained optimistic about prospects for growth in regions such as the Indian Sub Continent, Africa/Middle East and South America.

    It reports that in those regions, the combination of increased mobile adoption and low levels of penetration of both games consoles and fixed Internet means that the mobile handset has already become the de facto gaming device.

    Other findings from the Juniper report include:

    • China and the Far East will remain the largest regional market for mobile games throughout the period covered by the report.
    • Global revenues from in-game advertising will rise significantly from 2008 to 2013.
    • Operators need to reduce data charges further for out of bundle customers to encourage casual mobile Internet usage and thereby stimulate the mobile entertainment market

  • Teens Muscling In On Smartphone Market


    It wasn’t so long ago that smartphones such as RIM’s Blackberry were only toted by nomadic executives on the road.

    Now it would seem that even teens have their eyes on the high-end handsets that are as prized for their multimedia functionality as for their business tools.

    A Sprint Nextel survey into US consumers’ intended purchase plans showed that 35 per cent would consider buying a smartphone for someone between the ages of 13 and 17.

    Just how much credit Apple’s iPhone can take for this shift remains to be seen – but it has undoubtedly played a big part.

    There is also the question of how well parents understand the cost implications of buying junior the latest smartphone – not least the usual two-year contracts over and above the handset cost.

    It’s also worth noting that after last Christmas a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, showed that Smartphones (excluding the iPhone and Blackberry) were the most returned electronic technology products of the holiday season.

    Just over one-fifth (21%) of smartphone buyers returned their purchase to the retailer.

    Let’s hope that lessons have been learnt for this year.

  • Sagem Embeds GPS Receiver into SIM Cards


    Smartcard vendor, Sagem Orga has formed a partnership with BlueSky Positioning to integrate its A-GPS positioning technology onto conventional SIM cards.

    A GPS receiver and proprietary antenna are integrated into the SIM card, which the companies say then enables mobile operators to deploy applications without the need for software or hardware changes.

    The A-GPS provides accurate positioning information for the phone to emergency services in case of an emergency call as required by E112 and E911 legislation in the EU and the US respectively.

    It can also support generic location-based services such as navigation, "find a place or person" services, location-aware games, and many more.

    Navigations solutions are increasingly availabile on smartphones and mobile phones.

    Sagem Orga and BlueSky Positioning say the two broad technical approaches that can deliver the accuracy required for these services demand either significant investment in networks by the mobile operator or the purchase of new handsets by the end user.

    In a statement, they said the A-GPS SIM would allow mobile operators to significantly increase the cost effectiveness of their services and size of their marketing target when launching new LBS.

    François Blanchard, global account marketing manager at Sagem Orga, said the technology would help the mobile industry overcome the "key stumbling block" to the success of location-based services – affordable, accurate positioning technology.

    "The SIM is entering a new era where it can now be considered as a real service platform and a valuable device; the A-GPS enabled SIM card will reshape the way SIM card are perceived by MNOs and end-users," he said.