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  • RIM Fires 2000 Employees and Announces Two New Smartphones

    Research in Motion, the company producing Blackberry devices, has announced yesterday that is to fire 2000 employees. The measure taken by RIM represents another proof of the delicate situation of the Canadian company. RIM has also announced yesterday on Twitter that today will post new about the two Blackberry smartphones running on the OS 7.

    Personnel cuts, which amount less than 10% of the total number of employees, has decreased the number of employees from Research in Motion to about 17,000 workers. The main reason for the dismissals remains the disappointing sales and the loss of a significant segment of customers who switched to Apple or Android devices.

    RIM said that these redundancies are, however, part of a program of internal reorganization, in order to focus the company’s direction on future projects. The program of "costs optimization" will focus on meeting the strategic plan to become again a serious trademark on the smartphone market.

    The current objective of the Canadian company is to launch 7 Blackberry smartphones, running on the OS 7, by the end of the year and it seems that two of them are about to be launched sooner as expected.

    Research in Motion has announced on their official Twitter page that will post, on Tuesday, details about the new Blackberry devices running on OS 7. The tweet in cause said “You got it! New Blackberry devices are coming with our new OS Blackberry 7!” The other message posted on Blackberry’s official Facebook page was saying the same thing, but in a more enigmatic way.

    These two messages have put on fire the company's fans community in Canada and started a stream of rumors on the sites of specialty. However, one thing is certain: the new Bold and Torch smartphones are on the horizon, most likely the models BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry Torch 9810.

    Stay connected on www.smartphone.biz-news.com for the latest details of the BlackBerry 7 smartphones.

  • HTC Sensation vs. Samsung Galaxy S 2

    With so many top smartphones it’s getting tougher and tougher to pick the right phone, so we propose to you a comparison between two smartphones that are successfully representing the class of smartphones: HTC Sensation and Samsung Galaxy S 2, two smartphones launched in the same period, the first quarter of 2011.

    HTC Sensation weighs 148 grams, having the dimensions 126.1 x 65.4 x 11.3 mm and a 4.3-inch S-LCD capacitive touch screen. Galaxy S II weighs 116 grams, has 125.3 x 66.1 x 8.5 mm and features a 4.3-inch super AMOLED touch screen, which means the last one is slightly thinner and lighter than HTC Sensation.

    Galaxy S II has an internal memory of 16 GB / 32 GB with microSD card slot up to 32GB, one of 8GB being included. Sensation has a 1GB internal memory, microSD card slot up to 32GB and one of 8GB included.

    Both phones are equipped with two cameras, one of 8 megapixels, going to 3265×2448 pixels, with autofocus and LED flash, the Sensation having a dual LED flash.

    The cameras offer the possibility of geo tagging, focus touch, image stabilizer and face detection. In addition, Sensation allows instant image capture.

    Both phones can feature video recording at 1080p with 30 fps and on HTC we must point, in addition, stereo recording. On the other hand, the second camera of Samsung Galaxy S 2, for video calls, is slightly better, going up to 2 megapixels. Yet this detail does not matter too much, but there will come a day when will really matter: what’s good in making video calls if you cannot make them in terms of high quality?

    The operating system for both smartphones is Android 2.3 Gingerbread that are running on a 1.2-GHz dual core.

    We don’t even have to mention the radio, EDGE, 3G (there’s a HTC version of 4G), of course, present on both phones. Both come in one color, black.

    Galaxy S II's battery last up to 18 hours and 20 minutes in 2G (8 hours and 40 minutes in 3G), while Sensation’s only last up to 8 hours and 20 minutes in 2G and 6 hours and 40 minutes in 3G.

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  • Viber 3G VoIP Mobile App Coming to Android

    Viber, a mobile application that offers users free phone calls and text messaging to other Viber users over 3G and Wi-Fi, announced the official launch of the Android version of the app, bringing Viber to millions of additional users.

    Viber also announced that it has acquired over 12 million active users (last 30 days) and has an impressive call traffic volume of over one billion minutes of calls per quarter.

    Viber was released for iPhone just seven months ago and it now has over 20 million registered users and 12 million active users who currently talk on Viber for 11 million minutes every day, with an average of 6 minutes per call.

    The Android version of Viber features the same easy setup process and high-quality calls that drove its success on the iPhone. The Android version of Viber includes several exclusive features:

    • Full call screen whenever a Viber call is received;
    • Popup text message notification, which lets users respond to text messages without having to open Viber;
    • Tighter integration with the phone, which allows users to see their regular call logs and messages within Viber;
    • A default dialer setting that enables users to use the Viber dialer for all their phone calls, not just for Viber calls.

    "We have been looking forward to launching our Android app, especially after having received a staggering number of requests from Android users asking us to bring Viber to the Android market. Our latest user numbers are the best indicator of how much our users love to talk and send messages for free with Viber," said Talmon Marco, Viber CEO.

    You may also want to read:
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    [Originally appeared on VoIP.Biz-news.com]

  • Viber 3G VoIP Mobile App Coming to Android

    Viber, a mobile application that offers users free phone calls and text messaging to other Viber users over 3G and Wi-Fi, announced the official launch of the Android version of the app, bringing Viber to millions of additional users.

    Viber also announced that it has acquired over 12 million active users (last 30 days) and has an impressive call traffic volume of over one billion minutes of calls per quarter.

    Viber was released for iPhone just seven months ago and it now has over 20 million registered users and 12 million active users who currently talk on Viber for 11 million minutes every day, with an average of 6 minutes per call.

    The Android version of Viber features the same easy setup process and high-quality calls that drove its success on the iPhone. The Android version of Viber includes several exclusive features:

    • Full call screen whenever a Viber call is received;
    • Popup text message notification, which lets users respond to text messages without having to open Viber;
    • Tighter integration with the phone, which allows users to see their regular call logs and messages within Viber;
    • A default dialer setting that enables users to use the Viber dialer for all their phone calls, not just for Viber calls.

    "We have been looking forward to launching our Android app, especially after having received a staggering number of requests from Android users asking us to bring Viber to the Android market. Our latest user numbers are the best indicator of how much our users love to talk and send messages for free with Viber," said Talmon Marco, Viber CEO.

    You may also want to read:
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  • Samsung Out from Apple’s Suppliers List of Components for iPad

    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a Taiwanese company producing chips, began manufacturing a new generation of components for Apple’s mobile devices, which could mean that the manufacturer of iPad tablet will break the contract with its supplier of Samsung Electronics chips, according to several sources close to the situation.

    Samsung is the only supplier of A5 chips used for the iPad 2, but Apple has suggested that wishes to depart from the Korean company.

    The two companies have each other filled a complaint in court accusing of infringement of patents, while Samsung has proven to be the fiercest competitor of Apple in the battle on the smartphones and tablets market. Apple is faced with several obstacles if would want to make a transition to TSMC.

    "Apple is trying to diversify its source of components, but will continue to be some way in a relationship with Samsung," said William Wang, an analyst at Fubon Securities.

    "I believe that TSMC will receive orders for the new chips, but the problem is how many. Apple will not provide 100% of the orders of a single supplier, such as TSMC. Maybe will allocate only 20-30% of the orders", he completed.

    The analysts and other sources have previously said that TSMC, the largest manufacturer of chips under contract, will become the supplier for the next generation of chips for Apple devices, probably starting from next year.

    TSMC is an obvious candidate to win the future business with Apple, because it has budgeted 7.8 billion dollars this year to update the technology and to add capacity of production.

    The company has experience with the architecture of the British ARM Holdings chips, widely used by Apple to make efficient mobile chips in terms of energy consumption.

    "Taiwanese company already has all the details and authorizations in place," said another source.

    Tablet market, which last year was aggressively dominated by Apple's iPad, is expected to grow to 108 million devices next year, from 70 million as estimated for 2011 and 17.6 million as it was in 2010, according to Gartner.

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  • LG Optimus Launches Pro C660 and Optimus Net P690

    LG Electronics launches on the global market two smartphones – LG Optimus Pro C660 and LG Optimus Net P690 – two budget smartphones specially created for the masses.

    LG Optimus Pro C660 is a new smartphone, equipped with a 2.8-inch screen and 4-row QWERTY keyboard.

    Based on a format already promoted by the HTC ChaCha and Motorola Pro, Optimus Pro is trying to combine the advantages of a physical QWERTY keyboard with the versatility of a touch screen.

    Configuration is similar to the HTC Chacha model, based also on a processor clocked at 800 MHz and 512 MB RAM, running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Measuring 2.8 inch, the 4:3 screen is slightly larger than in the ChaCha and oriented in portrait mode. Resolution offered is 320 x 480 pixels, so the space would not be a problem.

    Equipment list also includes a GPS, 3-megapixel  camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi N and 3G HSDPA. The space available for installing applications is limited to 150 MB, and for storing the user can attach a microSDHC card.

    The 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery should be sufficient for the screen and the chosen configuration, so you should not worry too much about the autonomy.

    LG Optimus Pro C660 will come soon in Europe, the price being around 170 euro.

    LG Optimus Net P690 – a faster Optimus One with Android 2.3

    LG Optimus Net P690 is the no-keyboard version of the Optimus Pro and a replacer for the popular Optimus One.

    If Optimus One was providing us only a 600MHz processor and just over 400 MB RAM, the configuration of Optimus Net raises CPU frequency up to 800 MHz and supplements the RAM memory to 512 MB. Increased processing power is used effectively, running the new 2.3.3 version of Android Gingerbread, whose interface is displayed on the surface of a capacitive TFT 3.2-inch screen with a 320×480-pixel resolution.

    Optimus Net is shooting at VGA resolution and the pictures obtained with the 3-megapixel camera are organized using the geo-tagging function, provided by the integrated A-GPS receiver.

    Connecting to the Internet can be achieved by 3G HSDPA connectivity at 3.6 Mbps or using the network card Wi-Fi N. The phone also features a Bluetooth 3.0 module for data transfer and connection of various accessories, microUSB connector for attaching to a PC and a 3.5 mm jack connector for the headset supplied in the package.

    The space available for installing applications is limited to 150 MB and you can use a 2GB microSD card for storing – also included in the package.

    In the case of 113.5 x 59 x 12.1 mm and 122 grams perfectly fits a 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery, which should provide a reasonable autonomy.

    LG Optimus Net P690 is available from just this month at a price of 200 euro.

    You may also want to read:
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  • Ciscos Cius Tablet Coming to Verizon LTE

    Cisco Cius, the first Android tablet aimed at enterprise customers will be launched by Verizon Wireless later this summer. According to Verizon, the company is combining the power of its 4G LTE network with the Cisco Cius to improve "Mobile Enterprise Collaboration."

    The Cisco Cius will be available to Verizon enterprise and government customers around the world later this summer, and those located domestically will be able to combine the device with a Verizon Wireless 4G LTE mobile hot spot.

    Designed for the enterprise, the Android-based Cisco Cius combines voice, video, collaboration and virtualization capabilities on one device. When powered by Verizon's 4G LTE network, mobile workers will be able to easily use bandwidth-intensive video applications – including between devices – for more effective collaboration.

    "Mobile applications over intelligent high-speed networks will continue to eliminate barriers in the workplace," said Mike Smith, vice president for Verizon enterprise communications, network and mobility sales. "We're forecasting a perfect storm where advanced enterprise tools such as the Cisco Cius mesh with the speeds made possible by 4G LTE to make the virtual office a more robust reality than ever."

    Putting Tablets to Work

    In general, industries such as retail, financial services, healthcare and government can employ tablets to change the pace of their business.

    Retail: Sales associates can employ tablets while out on the floor to look up product and inventory information for customers, in addition to processing transactions on the spot.

    Financial Services: Bankers and financial advisors can take advantage of the video capabilities of tablets for face-to-face meetings with clients, saving the time it takes to meet up at physical locations.

    Health care: Medical professionals can use tablets to collaborate on patient care and speed critical decision-making.

    Government: Tablets can increase productivity of government users – from military to civilian government field workers to emergency first responders – allowing them to enter information or share it quickly with remote offices to complete the business of government more efficiently.

    Through Verizon's Managed Mobility portfolio, enterprise customers can securely deploy a wide range of devices to employees. Capabilities include device management; expense tracking management; lock and wipe features for protecting sensitive data; and mobile delivery of popular business and consumer apps from the cloud. In addition, the company offers a full suite of professional services to help organizations create policies and design mobility programs to suit varied requirements.

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  • Level 3 Delivers SIP Trunking with Nomadic E-911 Solution for Microsoft Lync

    Level 3 Communications has announced that it is working with Microsoft to provide SIP Trunking with nomadic E-911 (enhanced 911) designed to integrate with Microsoft Lync.

    Nomadic users in the enterprise space are those who migrate workspace locations, taking advantage of VoIP services that allow phone calls to be made anywhere Internet access is available. Due to the nature of VoIP, it has traditionally been very difficult to offer E-911 solutions, which identify the physical location of the caller to the appropriate emergency response centers.

    "Enterprises expect their 911 voice services to connect them with the appropriate emergency contacts," said Warren Barkley, general manager, Microsoft Lync. "Microsoft Lync is able to offer enterprises the benefits of a unified communications deployment with an easy-to-manage, dynamic and reliable 911 routing solution through Level 3, even as workers change locations."

    SIP trunking allows enterprises to converge voice and data on a single network, creating tangible network and operation expense savings while laying a foundation for next-generation communication and collaboration tools. The solution takes advantage of Level 3's SIP Trunking and E-911 networks, enabling Microsoft Lync users to move throughout the workplace while still providing location-specific 911 information to the correct emergency responders. 

    While the inherent mobility of VoIP solutions can increase productivity and reduce costs for UC users, it also introduces 911 risk and management overhead since users can change locations frequently. Level 3's solution allows a user's location to be provided at the time of the emergency call, enabling routing to the appropriate first responders, compared to alternative nomadic 911 solutions which can only provide pre-registered locations. This allows enterprises to garner the productivity and cost advantages of VoIP and UC while efficiently managing emergency services' calling needs.

    "Leveraging Level 3's SIP and 911 networks with Microsoft Lync, which was designed for next generation SIP networks, enables enterprises to enjoy the full benefits of unified communications without unanticipated management headaches," said Sara Baack, senior vice president of Voice Services for Level 3. "Effective emergency services are the cornerstone of ensuring a safe work environment, and Level 3 is dedicated to continually improving the network capabilities that these services rely on every day."

    Using the Microsoft Lync platform, the new solution enables emergency services to receive current information on a user's location, offering workers a safe work environment, gaining compliance with strict safety codes and simplifying enterprise IT management. Level 3 offers this nomadic capability for Microsoft Lync as part of its enterprise SIP trunking offering in the United States, allowing customers to benefit from the functionality built natively into the Microsoft platform and helping avoid the need to purchase additional hardware or services.

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  • Ericsson: LTE Advanced – Mobile Internet 10 Times Faster

    Ericsson chose the Swedish city of Kista to demonstrate the next stage of development of the LTE communications technology, called LTE Advanced, which can provide data transfer speeds over 10 times higher than those currently available of the LTE users.

    LTE Advanced provides improved speed and capacity needed to transform the vision of a permanently connected society into reality. The technology is in accordance with the 3GPP Release 10 global standard. Recently, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) confirmed that the LTE Advanced are among the technologies that meet the International Mobile Telecommunications criteria and it’s estimated that the first implementations of LTE Advanced will become commercially operational in 2013.

    The system, fully supported using commercial equipment, was operated on a frequency of test offered by PTS. This fact allowed Ericsson to demonstrate the different features of LTE Advanced, such as expanding the bandwidth available for data transmission through a technique called "Carrier Aggregation" with 3 x 20 MHz (resulting in a total width of 60 MHz) for the first time in a mobile environment.

    The improvements introduced by LTE Advanced include the possibility of extending the bandwidth for data transmissions by carrier aggregation type techniques or the MIMO functionality (multiple-input multiple-output). From the user point of view, this means that the information will be obtained and transmitted more quickly, even during periods when the network is busy, which, along with higher speeds of data transfer will significantly improve the final experience.

    The demo was supported by the multi-standard Ericsson RBS 6000 radio base station and the data were transmitted in real time between the station and a van in motion which could effectively measure network performance. For this demonstration they used a bandwidth of 60 MHz wide, compared to 20 MHz maximum amount allowed at present to LTE. For downlink was used 8×8 MIMO.

    In 2010, the first year the technology was operational, the number of users with access to the LTE network grew to 150 million people. Ericsson has supplied most of these LTE commercial networks and has signed contracts with six of the seven largest operators by revenue in 2010.

    Ericsson is one of the leading supporters of the development of LTE and holds approximately 25% of the patents needed for LTE, making it the largest holder of patents for this technology throughout the industry.

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  • Apple Ready to Launch the Production of the New iPhone

    Apple is close to launch the next generation of iPhones in an attempt to stay on top of their rivals from Samsung, says WSJ.

    The company has ordered some important components for a new iPhone in order to launch the next generation in late September, according to several people close to the matter. Sources say that the new iPhone is expected to be much like the current iPhone 4, but thinner and lighter, plus an 8-megapixel camera.

    One source claims that the new iPhone will run on Qualcomm chips. iPhone 4 uses chips from a former division of the German company Infineon Technologies AG, which is now owned by Intel. Apple officials declined to comment on the data.

    The rumors on the appearance of the new iPhone version, the product that brought the most revenues for Apple, have increased after the company chose not to reveal a new model of smartphone at the CNDC held in early June, as they did in the past.

    Apple said at that time that the new version of iOS 5 will be available in this fall. This has fueled the speculations that the latest generation of iPhones will be introduced at the same time. A well- informed person said the American company initially planned the launch this summer, but the device was not finished on time.

    iPhone businesses have generated almost half of company’s revenues of 24.7 billion dollars in the quarter ended on March 26. The rivalry between Apple and Samsung has intensified in recent years, both companies being directly involved in a legal battle, both Samsung and Apple being accused of violating intellectual property.

    Tuesday, Apple filed a complaint against Samsung at the Commission on International Trade in the United States by trying to stop the importation of Samsung smartphones and tablets after the Koreans have asked the Commission to de-market certain models of iPhone and iPad in the United States.

    Wall Street projections for the new iPhone are relatively conservative because the analysts are not expecting the device to have major improvements and design changes to convince the current iPhone owners to buy the new version.