Netcrawl

Can RIM's BBX OS plans reverse BlackBerry's fortunes?

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:49:50 PST

Canadian-based BlackBerry maker Research in Motion faces an uphill battle for increased revenue and BlackBerry market share. The company is making a radical bet on mobile strategy, its planning to launch a host of new devices running its BBX OS as a way to regain the market initiative, but they could face serious trouble. Can RIM's BBX plans reverse its BlackBerry's fortunes? Major changes or overhaul is needed, but whether the determination is there to make large scale changes remains to be seen, the alternative may be the decline of the BlackBerry as it now exists. RIM’s leaders have been fighting a losing battle in the mobile space-making minor changes to address specific ill rather than opting for deep seated changes. The question is whether a fundamental solution is in the works and what alternative RIM has on the table. RIM promised a strong and coordinated response to address the renewed challenges the company the company facing dynamics are shifting fast, putting immense pressure on BlackBerry market share.

RIM BBX OS

RIM Headquarters

Who will save RIM? RIM is at a crossroad, there is a desperate need for major changes and global growth, and investors need to know here it sis coming from and what will drive it, however, the source of market growth totally unclear. Does RIM’s focus on current issues mean it has no possibility of spurring market growth? Will the new RIM’s “superphones” plan boost RIM’s engine? And crucially-do RIM have enough firepower and skills at their disposal to pull the company out of a major downturn? RIM does still have some formidable resources at their disposal. The company is betting hard on its new BlackBerry OS powered smartphones- the upcoming, much anticipated BBX OS 7 powered smartphones. RIM believes that it could reverse BlackBerry fortunes, and possibly make a strong hit in the market and give the company a big boost.

Coordinated moves to shore up RIM’s market share would be a crucial first step in saving BlackBerry. Despite such cautious optimism about the upcoming RIM “superphones”, recent figures is less encouraging. RIM market share is under siege. The company is already at the penalty box, analyst argue that launching the costly product line –“RIM superphones” could ultimately be the tipping point that will push the company into tailspin once again. And if RIM missed it target and it plan failed, the company might place in a very serious trouble, and it’s a life-threatening situation. The failure could push the company into brink of absolute collapse.

Signs of damage could be seen everywhere, the company’s share of U.S. mobile-phone subscriber in the three months through November dropped to 6.5 percent from 7.1 percent in the previous quarter. RIM also lost ground among the top U.S. smartphone operating systems, its share fell to 16.6 percent from 19.7 percent, according to comScore.

RIM was affected over the course of 2011 by major disruptions in the mobile market-disruptions made by intense competition from rivals like Google Android and Apple iOS. Staying in the game won’t be an easy task-it’s a very challenging time for RIM. It’s not just about resources and marketing muscles, RIM must have the determination and focus to stay in the mobile market.

Nokia Lumia 800: Signs of life at Nokia-Microsoft mobile partnership?

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:06:31 PST

What happen when you cross a Finnish handset maker and an American software behemoth? The answer until recently was a $1 billion money pit- a blockbuster mobile deal. But months after Nokia an Microsoft gave birth to a billion dollar mobile partnership, a new breed Windows Phone 7 powered Nokia phones -the Lumia lines, and it has now beginning to show some signs of life. The Lumia is Nokia’s first new breed of handsets to run Microsoft Windows Phone 7 mobile platform. It’s the result of the multi-billion dollar partnership between Nokia and Microsoft; the two have agreed to enter into a mobile deal, a partnership which sees Symbian being dropped as the main mobile OS for Nokia handsets, in favour of Microsoft’s WP7 platform. There was much anticipation at that time to see the first new breed of WP7 powered handsets from Nokia, the wait didn’t take so long, as June this year a video leaked online, caught on this video was to be the first Nokia run Windows Phone 7 mobile phone, which had a codename “SeaRay”.

Windows Phone 7 Experience

Nokia Lumia 800 Camera

Last month sales were up and profitable- a good sign of life for Nokia. On paper the future for the two companies have always looked great- a dream combination of two superpowers-Microsoft’s software expertise, and Nokia’s delicate nose for consumer demands. When the first phone was launched, the two’s goals hasn’t changed-to become a major player in the highly competitive mobile space. But getting there won’t be an easy job. It’s a place full of hungry sharks! The presence of these competitors makes life for Nokia much tougher, these “hungry sharks” are the growing army of Android-powered handsets that currently hitting the market. This is competition at its extreme point.

Nokia Lumia 800

So what went right? Overcoming cultural difference between the Finnish and the great American workforces also helped, but the biggest plus was Lumia handset, launched on time to catch a wave of consumer frenzy, its quickly gained traction. The popular handset helped boost Nokia’s brands, and months of good news has changed some opinions and game in favor of Nokia. They’re definitely on a positive track; I think the two will make it to the top. Growth could come from Asia and emerging markets. And even bigger opportunity for Nokia could come with 4G and LTE networks. These are high-bandwidth system designed to carry out the massive bandwidth requirements for video calls, social networking and advanced online gaming. Sign of life at Nokia-Microsoft mobile venture could now be see, it’s now a three-horse race-Apple, Android and Microsoft-Nokia mobile alliance.

Nokia Lumia 800

Image Courtesy of:

Ubergizmo

But the Nokia phone had trouble gaining traction in some Asia parts; its market share is still under siege. Samsung and LG are getting stronger in some part of Asia and rising fast in some part of the world, and these handset makers are threatening Nokia’s position in the market. But the real challenges for Nokia and Microsoft is keeping up with the fierce competition. Apple and a growing army of Android powered smart phones led by powerful nomads: Samsung, Motorola and HTC, are constantly increasing pressure on Nokia. Wall Street is expecting Nokia’s operating profit to improve dramatically next year, analyst hopes that the partnership with Microsoft would boost and power Nokia “engine”, and will keep it running.

LG launched its latest assault in the mobile market-LG Nitro HD.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:04:00 PST

LG Nitro HD

There’s a lot of buzz in the mobile world, the assault of the current crop of high end smartphones hogging the spotlight- Galaxy Nexus, HTC Rezound and Motorola Droid Razr, and then there’s also the AT&T’s LTE assault, which consists of the Samsung GS II Skyrocket and HTC Vivid. And finally the newest member of the AT&T‘s “wolfpack” – LG Nitro HD. Consumer could easily recognize this device from its former life as the Optimus LTE, except that the phone’s has been rebranded and overhauled with an awesome features that more astutely conveys its blazing 4G purpose, but the handset launch is not on time. The mobile world is currently ruled by the powerful “nomads”, these are powerful companies consists of Samsung, Motorola and HTC making their huge presence in the mobile space trying to challenge Apple’s mobile hegemony. The so-called “nomads” (I named it after the great nomad Lions of Africa which has a fearsome reputation for invading another’s Lion territory and dethroning its leader-male Lion.)are consists of very powerful gadget made by some of the most powerful hardware companies on Earth- Samsung Galaxy Nexus , Motorola Droid Razr and HTC Rezound, these phones are currently making inroad in the hotly contested mobile market. LG has just find itself fighting a brutal mobile war, there may be a tough times ahead for the LG handset, considering the presence of the top three” nomads” –Galaxy Nexus, HTC Rezound and Droid Razr.

LG Nitro HD

But the new LG handset has something you don’t want to miss; and I think it can make a strong stand against the competition, with its 4.5 inch 1280 x 720 AH-IPS displays and a 1.3 front-facing 8 megapixel rear cameras, this gadget got something and ready to compete. Powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm APQ8060 processor, the handset has a lot of power on board. The LG Nitro HD measured in at 5.27 x 2.67 x 0.41 inches (133.9 x 67.8 x 10.4 mm) the LG Nitro is 0.04 inches thicker than its LTE rival the Samsung GS II Skyrocket and just 0.1 ounces lighter at 4.5 ounces or 128 grams. The new LG handset lacks any striking visual elements and not so light and doesn’t have the impression of cheapness, despite of its unimpressive appearance it still feel great to hold. The new LG Nitro HD runs the aging Google Android Gingerbread OS , but AT&T LTE offering make it top mobile contender, the LG beat the competition in benchmarks, weight and the quality of its AH-IPS display, it has the hardware spec “winning things”, there’s no question about the device’s greedy power consumption- a seven hours power endurance. LG decided to outfit Nitro with a 1280 x 720 AH-IPS panel to boost an awesome 329ppi that could easily bests Apple’ Retina display. A $250 two-year contract price makes the LG Nitro identical to the ubiquitous, longer-lasting Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket.

LG Nitro HD hands-on

Image by:

Engadget

Microsoft's Windows Store announced.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:56:40 PST

Microsoft Windows Store

Microsoft has finally announced Windows Store, and its coming to Windows 8 platform in February, where developers can submit apps starting at $1.49 and charge as much as $999. There’s something great about Microsoft’s Store- great news for developers when it comes to revenue share. The software company will take 30 percent of the proceeds at first, but Microsoft will reduce its cut to 20 percent after developer’s app does $25,000 in sales, there’s also an awesome 70-30 split for in-app transactions, but only works if developers use the software giant’s billing system. The Windows Store will start offering free apps, and a developer decided to submit an app, it cost only $49. The Store sports a new Metro-like UI, and comes with some new content from Disney, digital books, magazines and also games. On board is Microsoft’s Bing to provide search works and make all the content easy to find, and to index the whole store catalog. Microsoft provide a very creative works in their store, the store features a mechanism for integrating app purchases from company websites that being built directly into the Windows Store infrastructure.

Microsoft Windows Store coming in February

Microsoft‘s Windows Store isn’t just for consumers market, enterprise apps will also be available to fulfill every business requirements, where an IT personnel can easily deploy apps in local version of the store. For the full coverage and information about Microsoft’s new app store, there’s a video explaining the complete features and details, there’s also a Windows Store Blog that being ready to hit the web soon. The Microsoft’s Windows Store is set to open its door for developers and the web by February 2012. Right now, Microsoft accepts only free apps submitted by invitation only.

Microsoft Windows Store

Microsoft had spent significant time and effort in detailing some neat features of their Windows Store, its new Windows 8 slate will set it apart from the pack, which provide the ability to test trial version of an app, then pay for and install the full l upgraded version from within. I’m truly believe now that Microsoft understands what it really need to survive and succeed in this post -PC world, everyone harps at Microsoft for being late in the post-Pc world party, but I think Microsoft are making up for it in many ways, they’re making a huge comeback.

US wireless giant Verizon plans to add additional firepower to its arsenal.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:09:32 PST

US giant Verizon has just made thing serious by announcing its intent to buy additional spectrum from SpectrumCo. Verizon will spend $3.6 billion to acquire 122 AWS spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo, the deal covers 259 million Americans.

It was the buzz of the wireless world, US wireless giant Verizon Wireless has announced Friday that it plans to acquire some 122 advanced wireless service (AWS) spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo, a joint effort formed by tech giants such as Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House Networks, for a whopping $3.6 billion. The spectrum covers a massive 259 POPs. Telco giant Comcast owns 63.6% of SpectrumCo and Comcast will take massive $2.3 billion from the spectrum sellout. Media giant Time Warner Cable owns 31.2% of SpectrumCo and will make approximately $1.1 billion. And Bright House Networks which owns 5.3% of SpectrumCo will take $189 million on the spectrum deal. As a part of this monstrous deal, Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House Networks will have the option to sell Verizon wireless service through wholesale channels. This monstrous deal, together with Comcast’s Wi-Fi strategy, will enable Comcast to better execute a comprehensive, long-term wireless strategy and expand Comcast’s focus on providing mobility on its own Xfinity services. Verizon Wireless will buy the spectrum to add additional firepower to its arsenal, the wireless giant has been building out its own LTE network, trying to outflank and surpass rival like Sprint and AT&T. Spectrum is a very serious matter, it’s the raw material on which wireless network are built, buying the spectrum will give Verizon a knock out punch in the highly competitive wireless space and solidifies its network leadership, it will also allow Verizon to bring even much better 4G LTE products and services in the market.

Verizon to spend$3.6 B to acquire 122 AWS spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo.

The timing is great for Verizon, the massive deal comes at a time when market demand for wireless services and bandwidth is increasingly rapidly, reaching a record high, pushing company like Verizon to its limit. This spectrum sale is an important step forward ensuring that the massive needs and desires of consumers for additional services will not be interrupted by the industry’s current spectrum shortage, Verizon need this deal because it has the industry's expectation that the company need to sustain.If Verizon want to stay on power they need to make some bold move to power its advances in the market.

The companies also announced that they have agreed and entered into several commercial agreements involving the sale of various products and services. Under these deal, the cable companies, on the other hand, and Verizon on the other part, will become agent to sell one another’s products and services. The cable companies also will have the option of selling Verizon’s service in the market on wholesale basis. The two camps: the cable companies and Verizon have formed an innovation technology joint venture for the development of wireless technology to better integrate wireline and Verizon’s products and services.

Maps provided by Phonescoop

Cable companies are always looking for better ways to provide new and exciting product offerings and services in the market, they expect that the spectrum deal will just make this possible and will help them achieve that goal to add additional value to it customers, and provide a much better services. This is a major game-changing event for the whole wireless industry, why? because its involve some of the most powerful in the tech world, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Network and wireless powerhouse Verizon. With this deal Verizon will now able to leapfrog some of its major rivals on the market. The deal will also give Verizon a major weapon on its bid for supremacy in the highly competitive wireless space.

The deal is subject to approval by the US federal Communications Commission and review under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act and other customary conditions, so consumers will have to wait, and the SpectrumCo’s transfer of its advanced wireless spectrum to US wireless giant Verizon will take more time and effort.

NewNet take over Nokia Siemens Networks WiMax Division.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:49:32 PST

It’s the buzz of the telecom industry; Nokia Siemens Networks plan to unload its WiMax Division to another major tech player-NewNet Communication Technologies. Nokia Siemens Networks is reportedly shedding itself of the extra fats. The company was forced to shed fats to survive and adapt to the changing market. The move is a follow up or a continuation of the company’s cost cutting efforts. Nokia Siemens Networks has been trying to bring stability to it bottom line; the company is currently facing tremendous challenges and spinning out of control.

Nokia Siemens Networks

NewNet Communication Technologies, a Skyview Capital company, announced today that it has plans to acquire the struggling WiMax Division of Nokia Siemens Networks, under the term of agreement; NewNet will take over the complete WiMax product portfolio, and related assets, including employees. NewNet Communication Technologies and Nokia Siemens Networks have reached an agreement; NewNet will bring the castoff WiMax arsenal to its turf, along with the remnant- an approximately 300 NSN employees-all deal in undisclosed price. The telecom deal is expected to be finalized before this year’s end or early days of 2012. The addition of NSN’s WiMax portfolio to NewNet Communication Technologies makes strategic sense, it would add extreme firepower and enhance the breadth and depth of NewNet’s “kill zone”, the company will now able to reach for every provider of wireless infrastructure solutions and wireless carriers on a global basis. Currently the company is heavily committed in serving the mobile market with industry’s game-changing roadmap and leading, highly innovative product migration options.

The deal represent a significant milestone in NewNet’s wireless strategy in building a strong global brand, the deal also make a major shift in the wireless industry. Part of this blockbuster deal is the transition of approximately 300 NSN employees to NewNet Communication Technologies, most of these employees are based in Chicago and China. Both companies believes that the monster deal would provide employees with attractive professional growth opportunities and some productivity boost.

Russian Search giant Yandex make a huge smart acquisition

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:07:24 PST

Last week, Russian search and advertising giant, Yandex, has announced that it would be teaming up with some of the tech’s most powerful companies-HTC, Microsoft, Nokia, and Samsung, on a the deal will put Yandex as a default search engine on Microsoft upcoming Windows Phones in Russia.

A month ago, Yandex scored a major hit when Samsung pick the company to become the search engine provider for its Bada-powered smartphones in Russia and the CIS, the company has steadily grown its market share- about 62.7 percent of the Russian search market in Q3 2011 much higher than Google.

Yandex

SPB Software

Today, the Russian search giant launch another major salvo when it announced another strategic manuever and acquisition, the move is part only of Yandex’s big plan for its mobile strategy. Yandex has acquired SPB Software, a mobile software maker; the price was set at approximately $38 million. The mobile software company SPB Software makes its home in Russia, Taiwan and Thailand, it was founded in 1999 and originally focused on making mobile software for Android-based and Windows powered devices.The company build software and apps like games and mobile productivity software. Today, SPB Software offer a much robust and powerful sute of mobile applications, which include data traffic analytics, web TV integration, mobile wallet and a mobile UI builder.

But according to some analyst and IT experts, Yandex was particular interest was the SPB’s mobile UI platform for both smartphones and tablets- the so-called SPB’s “Shell 3D” product line,this one can make an important play and power tools for Yandex’ cloud services. SPB’s “Shell 3D” could give Yandex something it needs, it will allows the company to effectively integrate their search and ad services into a UI which can be distributed across a multitude of mobile platforms from Android to Windows mobile. Using SPB’s mobile UI builder, OEMS can now customize skins, layout and also 3D animations, it’s a game-changing event. It’s a very smart acquisition for Yandex.

Yandex is a search and online company, its one of the world's leading internet company. It operates in Russia and CIS and the biggest search engine in Russia and the world’s seventh-largest search engine, Yandex provides services for desktop and mobile users, it’s specializes on highly-targeted sophisticated web search and information retreval services. Its cutting-edge serach technology is based on proprietray machine-learning system called MartrixNet.

Content delivery giant Akamai reportedly buying Contedo.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:56:32 PST

It’s the buzz of the tech industry; Content delivery and web services giant Akamai is reportedly poised to acquire one of its competitors; rival mobile acceleration technology vendor Contendo, for a massive $300 million to $350 million. The deal will give Massachusetts-based Akaimai a boost in its mobile content delivery platform. Contendo has already raised over $36 million in funding from tech investors like Benchmark Capital, Sequoia Capital and Tenaya Capital. Contendo was founded in 2008, its customers include social-gaming powerhouse Zynga, Vistaprint and supersite Facebook. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, it has also R&D lab in Israel, and the company are founded by three Commtouch Software veterans.

Contendo

Akamai

Cotendo also has raised $17 million in new funding from its previuos investors. Contendo has very strong financial backings, Citrix Systems and networking stalwart Juniper Networks are strategic investors, and Akamai’s strategic partners also include some of the tech world’s powerhouse AT&T, Google and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation.

Contendo help companies with mobile development platform, it specializes in acceleration services for dynamic Web Apps, static and dynamic web contents. Contendo’s technology is also good in performance monitoring and automatic failover as well as real-time reporting and analytics. Massachussets based Akamai also provides such acceleration services to its customers, but is much bigger and deeper than Contendo.

Massachussets-based Akamai is a leading content delivery and web services provider. It’s the overwhelming world leader in content delivery space. Akamai started to use advanced computing techniques to deliver a streamlined web experience to the end user in 1998, its first customer was online giant Yahoo. Akamai has maintained content delivery as its core business and golden goose, but the company has managed to branch out in professional Internet consulting services along with related digital media and site delivery solutions.

Microsoft's Skype buyout could threaten Cisco and other big players.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:35:37 PST

Can Microsoft compete with big enterprise conferencing companies like Cisco? Yes, of course it can, Microsoft’s blockbuster bid for Skype is part of the company’s big plan to empower people and business with new technologies that will bring them closer together. Unified communications is the new frontier; it has become a key target area for a growing number of companies. Companies like Alcatel-Lucent, Avaya, Cisco, Mitel, NEC, Shoretel, Siemens and HP are making huge plays in the UC space. Its one of the fastest growing market, it has grew 7 percent in the past few months; vendors like Cisco and Microsoft are aggressively pushing their portfolio.

Microsoft-Unified Communications. If your business is expanding

Business Solutions for Microsoft Platforms

Microsoft is one of these companies that kept its sight on this market; it wants a piece of unified communications action. And it believes that it has the product that could revolutionize the workplace as much as PC did. Microsoft’s recent smart moves-Skype acquisition- indicates its strong desire to boost its presence in the UC market. For Microsoft, communications is the most fundamental sector in which technology can be transformative. And Microsoft’s Skype acquisition will help define that future. The software giant has several areas in both consumer and corporate sectors that will benefit from this high profile acquisition; we’re atlking about top notch VOIP, video and sharingsolutions. I’m pretty sure that there will be synergy here. The Skype’s capacity is a key differentiator for Microsoft’s UC effort as it competes wih the likes of enterprise networking stalwart Cisco Systems.

For Microsoft the move to software driven UC platform is the single most important thing to happen in the UC space and it could be a game changer, UC jumped out as one of those great opportunioties o integrate something into trhe software. In Microsoft’sstandards it’s a huge market, a potential “golden goose”.

The Skype acquisition could be the company’s first move in creating a UC platform that has been the Holy Grail for so many vendors. Microsoft’s Skype acquisition could radically alter the VOIP and UC market and put massive oressure to leader Cisoc. Skype’ VOIP technology will be meshed with a variety of products in the company’s portfolio, including Microsoft’s Lync platform, Outlook and its online gaming effort-Xbox Live. Expect Microsoft to weave functionality into its portfolio from Windows Phone, Lync, Xbox Kinect and other software offerings. It will give the company the opening salvo itneed to maintain its grips in the enterprise market and maintain its relevance with the new breed of enterprise.

Skype has potential to bolster Microsoft recent partnerships with enterprise sector, its also fit in perfectly with it srecent partnership with another ailing big tech company like Nokia, the partnership makes sense because of its incredible reach and huge brandname. With the blockbuster transaction goes through, Microsoft will dramtically expand its addressabl market by making available its corporate solutions to enterprise world, combining the world’s best software company with the world’s most powerful VOIP platform, Microsoft and Skype to bring remarkable benefits of mobility and UC platform to market.

Skype’s VOIP technology is already revolutionizing communications and will bring a pradigm shift to communications. The combination is a transformative event in the UC industry and enterprise world, it could also disrupt the current trajectory of the uC market. This will drive a new wave of enterprise prodctivity, their combined strengths will be able to provide a software offering that enable customers to transform their businesses in a data-consumer, post-PC and mobile-centric world-it’s a game changer event.

Acer's tablet assault.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:04:51 PDT

Welcome to the future of the mobile technology, Acer combines top quality ingredients like Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and the latest Google Android- Honeycomb OS. The result is a tablet with functionality that will stun and amazed you.

Acer Iconia Tab A501

The Acer Iconia Tab A501 Honeycomb tablet stands out from the rest of the thin crowd by featuring a speedy Nvidia Tegra 2 mobile 1GHz dual-core processor, integrated GeForce GPU and excellent wireless performance backed by one of industry’s trusted name-AT&T. US carrier AT&T is selling the Acer Iconia Tab A501 10.1 inch 4G enabled Android tablet for $479.99 or $329.99 on contract. Acer’s latest tablet packs graphics power and good looks. The Acer Iconia Tab A501 is the speediest Acer Honeycomb OS tablet yet, equipped with a 4G radio to run on AT&T’s massive 4G HSPA+ network. Acer Iconia Tab could provide users an endless connectivity. The Acer Iconia Tab A501 is powered by Nvidia Tegra 2 mobile dual-core processor; it has an integrated GeForce GPU.

The combination of Acer’s hardware strength and AT&T’s HSPA+ 4G networks provide an extremely powerful processing for fast web browsing, high definition video play and also smooth digital media playback. It can also do some extreme Adobe flash processing.

AT&T sells the Acer Iconia Tab A501 for a flat fee of $479.99. But consumers may get the Acer tablet for $329.99 if they subscribe to an AT&T’s $35, 3GB monthly data plan for just a two year period. AT&T provides some great options on how to get Acer Iconia Tab A501. AT&T provides a post paid option of $14.99 for 250MB or $25 for 2GB. However, if users on the 2GB plan exceed their monthly data limit will be charged an additional $10 per 1GB of coverage, and users on the 250MB data plan who also exceed their monthly data limit will be charged $14.99 per 250MB of coverage. AT&T is coming strong in the tablet market, its Acer Iconia Tab A501 tablet is the latest product on it arsenal. And it was designed to compete with some of the industry’s best.

Specifications:

Operating System: Google’s Android “Honeycomb OS”

CPU: 1GHz, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor

Carrier: AT&T

Bands: HSPA+ 4G

Camera: a rear 5MP camera with Flash LED and 2MP up front for those video conference users and a slew of ports as well.

Display: a standard 10.1 inches

Memory: 1GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage.

Sprint launched two pronged attack.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:36:39 PDT

US wireless giant Sprint unveiled two Android-based smartphones the rugged Motorola Admiral and HTC Evo Design 4G Worldphone. Sprint unveiled two $99 Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphones –Motorola Admiral and HTC Evo Design 4G. Although the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Motorola Droid Razr smartphones captured the most headlines and buzz in the market, Sprint has something in its arsenal it want to steal the firestorm by launching a two pronged attack specifically designed to target the low-end segment of the mobile market. The two smartphones- the Motorola Admiral and HTC Evo Design 4G have two things in common, they’re both run Google’s Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Both handsets cost $99 on contract after $50 mail-in rebates, and both run and harness the power of Sprint’s massive 4G WiMax network.

Motorola Admiral

Motorola Admiral will go on sale this coming Nov. 13 on all sprint stores and retail channels, the price tag appeal to most of consumers wary of paying huge amount for the high-end smartphones. Motorola Admiral sports a speedy 1.2 GHz processor; it has a 3.1 inch VGA touchscreen display. One thing Motorola get right here is the QWERTY keyboard, I find it more spaced-out and roomy, and it has a soft-touch feel. It will leverage the Sprint 3G network for push-to-talk capabilities. Motorola Admiral sports a Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen to fend scratches; it also meets the 810G military standard for dust, shock, vibration and solar radiation which make it a decent choice for road warriors. Admiral’s strength lies with its business applications and connectivity. It support push delivery of Microsoft Exchange email and manageability via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync server, making it a top choice for business-oriented users.

Motorola Admiral

It also supports data encryption PIN, password lock support, data encryption for the device and expansion memory such as micro SDcard. The Admiral features a 5-megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture and has a 3G Mobile Hotspot capability for up to five WiFi devices. It support up to 4GB of internal memory and expandable for up to 32GB micro SD card. The phone’s requires activation on Sprint’s unlimited data plan starts at just $59.99 per month and with the $10 per month premium smartphone surcharge. The Sprint’s mobile hotspot is available for an additional $29.99 per month with up to 5GB data; it’s a good choice for mobile users.

HTC announced it one more CDMA cell phone named HTC Evo Design 4G

Sprint unveils the HTC EVO Design 4G, available Oct. 23 for $100

HTC Evo Design 4G will go on sale by Oct. 23; it has a 1.2GHz processor. It was designed to run on Sprint’s 4G WiMax network and the good thing about this model it’s a worldphone, which means users may make and receive calls, texts and emails anywhere. It has a very awesome design, a huge touchscreen display encased in an aluminum unibody design. HTC Evo Design 4G sports a 4-inch qHD (Quarter High Definition), its HTC Sense user interface facilities social sharing. On board is a 5MP rear-facing camera with HD video recording and a 1.3MP front shutter for video chats, it’s roughly the same size to its Evo predecessors. Ownership of HTC Evo Design 4G requires subscription to the Sprint Everything Data Plan, which priced at $69.99 a month, plus a $10 smartphone data charge. The handset will also works with the Sprint’s mobile hotspot-$30 a month on 3g.4G mobile hotspot, but good for only 8 devices.

Google's Motorola buyout could make the company billions by making Android exclusive to Motorola.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:08:17 PDT

With Google announcing the acquisition of Motorola Mobility and the emergence of a fierce battle to become the leading mobile platform in the market, It now increasingly clear that Google was aiming toward rival Apple. The acquisition has already been the subject of endless talks and debates. Pundits are debating whether Google has plans to take Android and make it proprietary, offering the platform solely on Motorola phones, copying Steve Jobs’ Apple closed platform stack. According to some analyst if Google take Android and make it proprietary, the search giant could make as much as $10 billion in profit by making Android OS platform exclusive to Motorola phones, following in Apple’s current hardware and software stack.

Google buy Motorola Mobility

Google Aug. 15 agreed to acquire mobile powerhouse Motorola Mobility for a whopping $12.5 B, a deal that many industry experts believe is a bid to gain the company’s 17,000 plus patents and with over 7,500 more pending in the US Patent Office. The search giant Google is in great need of rich IP portfolio to defend itself against massive lawsuits from Apple, Oracle and Microsoft. One popular theory emerged lately in the web, what if Google remove Android from open source mode and makes it the proprietary platform for Motorola. While a majority of tech analyst believes that Google wants Motorola purely for the patents, some experts suggests how Google could make profit with Motorola’s hardware and Android, if it take Android platform proprietary, following Apple’s footstep which is to build and control the handset from the software to the hardware, making Android exclusive for Motorola handsets. If Google makes Android exclusive to Motorola, the company will definitely cut its mobile relationships with various mobile vendors such as Samsung, HTC, Huawei, Sony Ericsson, LG Electronics and the legion of OEMS all over the world. That would also put Google on a collision course with some of its hardware partners, and it could make things much complicated for Android.

Better still, Google have also implemented Street View into Android

Android’s strength lies on its distribution partners- hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC and a growing family of Android vendors, these companies proved to become the driving force behind Android’s global advances and rise to power. The loss of these Android hardware partners could results in a sudden drop to Android market share. Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster has already crunched some math figures and makes some analysis that Google’s Android proprietary could make the company some $60.3 B in smartphone revenue and a massive $12 B in operating profit by 2015. But it would take years to get there; it would take Google an estimated 5 years to catch Apple, pursuing the same mobile strategy with a proprietary mobile OS. I really don’t believe that Google I swilling to weaken its mobile position as the ultimate leader of all mobile ecosystem. It will try aggressively monetizing Android, throwing everything in its arsenal, pushing the platform war to the new height. Motorola would definitely play a “crucial role” to Google’s mobile ambition –that would be to become the true master of the digital and mobile-connected world.

Tech companies leading the acquisitions and mergers activity.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:53:07 PDT

Big IT corporations are making a strong deal making in the market. Corporations are using their huge warchests to make acquisitions and driving M&A activity into a new height, in the US alone there are 73 deals valued at billions of dollars. Last year there were 60 deals totaling $225 Billion. According to the latest financial reports there were 349 outbound deals in the US soil in the month of January –May this year totaling a massive $84 Billion. The rise of outbound deals is increasing fast due to high growth expectations in emerging markets, and there’s still more to come. Global tech companies are leading the M&A attack; tech firms are in good position to launch transactions-multi-billion dollar acquisitions and mergers. Top corporations like Google have good financial flexibility, healthy appetite owing to significance cash balances and little leverages.

Skype office

The rapid rise in technology mergers and acquisitions was driven primarily by industry transformations-ongoing disruptive innovation in hot areas such as mobile computing, cloud computing, Internet and mobile video are fueling billion dollar mergers and acquisitions. And tech companies such as Google, HP and Microsoft are leading the M&A charge. Witnessed Redmond-based Microsoft‘s $8.5 Billion acquisition of Skype, the VOIP service powerhouse, it’s the biggest ever payout in Microsoft’s history. The company plans to use Skype’s technology in online telephony and unified communication platform to compete better with rivals and to make a strong push in the consumer electronics sector.

Google buy Motorola Mobility

Google Buy Motorola Mobility

Google’s $12.5 Billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility, an Android smartphone vendor, Google paid a 63% premium to get Motorola’s 17,000 patents, which will help Google to better protect Android OS platform from anti competitive threats and lawsuits. It’s the largest in Google’s history. But it makes strategic sense because Motorola is a market leader in Android smartphones and devices, it also a major player in home devices and video solutions.

HP To Buy Enterprise Software Autonomy

Hewlett-Packard is buying Autonomy - and UK startups should be happy.

HP, the world’s largest IT Company is making a big $11.7 Billion acquisition of Autonomy, which will help HP in providing IT services, HP is currently making a strong push into IT services. It’s a 79% premium price, HP is making a deep plunge in IT services and Autonomy will give them momentum to do it. Increasing globalization and the growing volume of overseas cash accumulated by big IT companies enable these companies to make a supersize acquisition, driving the M&A activity to the next level. .

Nokia's trouble could hurt Microsoft-Nokia mobile partnership.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:28:35 PDT

Microsoft’s mobile business could suffer if Nokia becomes unstable, since Nokia will gives the software giant scale in its battle against Apple and Google in the highly competitive mobile space. The Redmond-based software company is apparently very worried about making sure that there is a stable Nokia.

Nokia's Microsoft deal

The Finnish-based Nokia has been the subject of endless talks and speculations its market share is under siege. The company has lost its credibility in the market. If Nokia find itself in serious trouble and can’t do something to fix its problem, then the effects could be devastating. It would ripple to its mobile partner Microsoft, most immediately in its desperation attempts to regain traction in the mobile space.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 OS provides arguably the smoothest user experience in the industry

Brutal competition, poor decisions, economic slowdown and stocks going nowhere, Nokia is in great trouble. The new are so bad that there’s even rumors’ coming out that Nokia could be the next target of the next blockbuster takeover bid. Was the Finnish company really at risk? If so, what should it do? Today’s playing field is increasing fast, competitive and global, and that requires ever-greater adaptability, efficiency and knowledge of market, which Nokia has misread and headed in a wrong way. The brutal competition is so tough for Nokia that it push the company into verge of collapse. As the mobile competition intensifies, Nokia officials are forced to look for better ways on how to battle increased competition in the market. Nokia CEO Stephen Elop found himself steering a troubled company in one of the tech world’s worst company’s downturn.

Nokia Microsoft alliance

Redmond: Microsoft headquarters

The rise of mobile stalwarts such as Apple’s iPhone and a growing army of Android-based smartphones such as Samsung, Motorola, HTC, LG and Sony Ericsson have caught Nokia flatfooted. Nokia is clearly underestimated the increasingly highly competitive mobile space, its lack of “competitive nature” during the most challenging time has contributed to gross pressure to its main products. Nokia have already been criticized for lack of innovation, critics said the company clearly misread where the industry was headed and was not doing enough to battle competition in the market, where rivals like Apple’s iPhone and a slew of Android-based smartphones are making inroads. As a result Nokia’s market share dropped fast its position as the dominant force in the market has finally come to an end. The latest figures from Nielsen speak for themselves; it’s quite hard to argue against concrete evidences. A latest report from research firm Nielsen has clearly shows how Google’s Android-based handsets beat Nokia in the global market race. To make matters worse, the boom in market share that both Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android have enjoyed seems to have been cut directly from Nokia’s market share.

Nokia's head office in Espoo, Finland

If Nokia can’t fix its major problem it could hurt and jeopardize its mobile partnership with another ailing tech company Microsoft. Since Microsoft depends on Nokia’s global reach for scale as it seeks to compete against Apple and Google. The uncertainty of the market together with the”Nokia mess” could damage Microsoft’s resurged push in the hypercompetitive mobile space. A weak Nokia could not help Microsoft-Nokia mobile efforts; instead it could slowdown and might jeopardize the partnership and send the two companies into a tailspin.

Getting Nokia on its track it’s not an easy fix, it requires incredible focus and energy. To remain a profitable business and stay relevant in the market, Nokia need to refocus on its core market. Nokia need to launch an “internal shakeup”, they need to find solutions to their problem. “They need to drill holes in the crust” to find a better ways to fight extreme competitions in the market. The mobile space is the lifeblood of the company’s business model. With its market share dropping fast, the company and its investors have every reason to be alarmed. Nokia has seen a deep corrosion of its core business over the past few years, especially in the highly lucrative US smartphone market.

For Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop a big job awaiting him- the daunting task of overhauling Nokia and steering it, the troubled mobile giant that had once symbolized the rise of the Finland in the global playing field, and once considered as the celebrated king of all wireless things, Nokia has become an analog company in today’s high-tech, mobile-centric world.

RIM in serious trouble.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:33:41 PDT

Times are tough for Canadian-based Research in Motion, the BlackBerry maker. Sales and profits are down, stock price is slipping and in bad shape. The company reported declining revenues in its earning call; they are facing tough battle in the market place. Times are tough for the mobile company that once ruled the enterprise area of the world’s smartphone market. The company’s earning call, a 15 percent decline from its $ 4.9B earned during the previous quarter, it shipped some 10.6 million BlackBerry smartphones and 200,000 PlayBook tablet during that period. Time may be running out for RIM’s management to reverse the decline in sales and make some power moves. When RIM issues its quarterly revenues, they also unveiled a 10 percent decline from the year-ago quarter where RIM made only $4.6B. But even RIM is making the recapture of market share top priority shareholders are not in a forgiving mood, they feel the heat.

Layoffs at RIM? Is the company in serous trouble?

RIM has already acknowledged that they are feeling the pressure of increased competition. Shareholders are not satisfied with the recent development over the last couple of months; the management remains bullish on its prospects for its BlackBerry themed PlayBook and its new BlackBerry OS 7 powered smartphones. The company is not making any bones on it. They have this we call “execution problem”, RIM’s lack of “competitive ecosystem” is a key contributor to the company’s sagging sales. RIM seems to have been in a long drift and going nowhere.

The company said that demand has slowed for older BlackBerry handsets, but the company insisted that it new BlackBerry 7 OS powered models are selling extremely well in their first few weeks of release, and the company believe that the new OS 7 powered handsets would reverse the decline in the company’s sales. RIM still believe that BlackBerry has good brand name and still a powerhouse in the mobile space, they’re pretty sure that they are going to bounce back. But an army of analysts and pundits have already predicts a much tougher road ahead for the company. Current mobile competition is going to be tough for the company, it will force RIM to move into the mid-range and low-end market, and this one could spell trouble for RIM. The company’s products are not designed for low-end market.

BlackBerry’s market decline and costly product launch demonstrated why simplifying RIM’s business comes down to just one goal-more focus, hands-on and strategic management of brand named. The company’s has already announced major software updates for its PlayBook tablet, which will include native email, calendar and a new QNX powered superphones on the works, but no precise date was given.

RIM BlackBerry reveal three next-generation smartphones with OS 7

Pictured on the top is RIM'slatest model

Given the company’s high profile problem on its BlackBerry and PlayBook products, it’s also easy to forget that RIM still in good shape. Analysts embraced RIM’s more positive news of its prospects RIM is still capable and motivated enough to solve its problems. Even with the recent share losses, RIM remains a major player in the mobile space, especially in the enterprise area where they still considered a major player.

Google's Motorola Mobility buyout makes strategic sense.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:19:38 PDT

Motorola Droid 2

Motorola Droid 3

Yes, I know there are so much writings about Google buying Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion. The pundits are debating whether this bold move by Google makes strategic sense, but that’s the wrong way to look at it. The better one is to wonder what would have happened had Google not acquired Motorola Mobility? Based on the price tag alone- a whopping $12.5 billion- well’ I’m fairly confident that Google felt that it had no choice but to acquire Motorola mobility- It’s a do or die scenario for Google.

Google buy Motorola Mobility

In fact I’m fairly certain that Google felt not buying could have doomed the search giant. Google bought Motorola Mobility to keep rivals from buying Motorola Mobility and keep competitors at bay. By snatching up Motorola, Google also prevent another major player in the mobile space such as Apple from making its own acquisition attempt-it’s a quick and a dead game. Apple is seen by Google as the immediate threat, and Google does not want Apple or Microsoft to get Motorola’s patent rich portfolio.

Analysts believe there’s synergy in Google’s Motorola buyout. Crossing the two mega companies could provide something big, product-wise; this could be a nice fit for Google. The search giant get an armory of patents that will help Google fight litigations, the search company also get good phone company. In terms of pure performance, I’m talking about financial matters, Motorola isn’t worth anything like that-$12.5 B. but today’s corporate game has changed quite a bit in the past few years so it is possible now to see whether this massive acquisition might makes strategic sense to Google. Google and its Android OS platform are already in the penalty box. Currently the company is facing a barrage of patent lawsuits pose a serious threat to Google and its Android platform. The search company no longer believes that it control or can control the mobile game. Worse still, they don’t know exactly what the future holds. So Google adopted a defensive strategy and move to counter the threat, and this Motorola buyout is a more of a block than anything else. It’s undeniable that Google has executed a bold move, it’s the biggest in Google’s history as fundamentally in keeping with the search giant’s DNA: this high profile Motorola acquisition is entirely in keeping with the company’s ambitious, irrepressible and forward-looking nature. It also a matter of survival game for Android OS platform.

Android OS platform

If Google is to continue to grow and have an existence post-PC then it has to be first or second in the mobile space. Acquiring Motorola Mobility doesn’t guarantee a complete victory or success, but not buying Motorola would have practically guaranteed Google’s Android failure.

Can HP survive?

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:25:50 PDT

HP Headquarters in Palo Alto, California.

The question now is whether HP’s journey trough turmoil has made it strong enough to thrive. It’s the buzz of the tech world. Palo Alto –based HP has new CEO, its Meg Whitman; Whitman replaced former CEO Leo Apotheker, who holds the hottest seat in the giant IT Company which currently employs 324,000 strong people globally. Meg Whitman has the caliber and experience to run a multinational company, Whitman has served on the HP board since January 2011, Meg made her name in the world of high technology as president and CEO of e-commerce stalwart eBay in a 10-year tenure that ended in 2008.

HP officially names Meg Whitman as new President and CEO

Whitman is known for her strong communication skills, she is customer-focused with deep leadership capabilities. Meg is also a technology visionary, she has the ability to seek a market opportunities. Meg also has a proven track record of execution. She was former president and CEO of eBay from 1998 to 2008, during her term; she led the company into stardom and grew it from 30 employees with only $4 million in annual revenue to more than 15,000 strong employees and a massive $8 billion in revenue.

HP former CEO Leo Apotheker

Although Meg Whitman has an extensive experience in online business particularly the consumer sector but HP is a very different story. Whitman might find herself steering a troubled hardware company, it’s also a shift away from her “consumer sector experience” to a sharper focus on enterprise hardware, software and services, and that’s doesn’t align to Whitman’s management background. Whitman’s previous works with eBay and her current works at HP are quite different; the two companies have vastly different cultures.

HP's PC Business

Whitman’s strategy for HP is simple: to focus on the hardware business gain-retool the hardware division readies it for battle that may include also keeping the company’s PC business. Past CEO were distracted by corporate issues, fierce competition and poor execution. Now with the arrival of Whitman we expect that those problems could be address and fix quickly, and Whitman can now apply her energy and skills where it is most needed.

Whitman’s biggest challenges at HP could be how to find a way to change HP’s thinking. Right now, Whitman got problems, HP’s stocks is going nowhere. Its internal management is in great need of overhaul. The company is in trouble. Can Whitman do it? Of course, she can. HP can do it! Well, I’m not really sure. But with few exceptions, there’s haven’t been enough signs and evidences to convince the entire industry that the new CEO is a winner. Well all the ingredient needed to drive the company is there, but they have to be successfully mobilized and properly deployed for HP to thrive and succeed.

I’m quite sure that there is a competitive spirit inside HP, the only question here is, Can HP bring it out? Meg Whitman will try her best to get the big IT Company on its track. It takes more than skills and survival instinct to survive these tumultuous times, Meg got a big homework on her first job. It won’t be an easy fix; success depends on an in-depth understanding of the company’s business model and market. Every piece of information and decision must be prepared with obsessive attention and careful analysis, and unleashed it with utmost dispatch. The stakes are high for HP: HP’s survival in the market depends in one man’s decision- Meg Whitman. First thing Meg need to do here is to outline a major battle plan. Meg needs to be faster, without any stumbles. It’s a new HP now under Meg, with a new attitude. The old cocky, Leo Apotheker’s style of thinking is beginning to disappear. We got new one here folks-its Meg Whitman Company now. In the end, Whitman’s success or failure may depend on one thing-timing and execution. The final judges, of course, will be the industry. If HP manage to return back on its track and starts selling hardware and consumers click on it, then HP’s stock could be on fire again and Meg stay on power.

Can Yahoo get a second shot?

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:00:15 PDT

Yahoo Fires Its CEO Carol Bartz.

Days after news broke out that Yahoo’s board of directors fired its CEO Carol Bartz, the stocks started to climb fast-it’s a good sign of life at Yahoo. The ousting of Carol Bartz as CEO of Yahoo provides some confidence on Wall Street. With a fast and furious start, Yahoo’s board of directors have made a drastic, bold decision, a massive internal shakeup, in a move to rescue the company from verge of collapse and remake the face of Yahoo, they reached a decision- to oust Carol Bartz. They want a new CEO; someone that could run the company better. But will Yahoo get it right?

Yahoo Head office complex

Yahoo is already racing against the clock; there is a breadth and breathlessness to these undertakings, a frenzy of strategy that will reshape the contours of Yahoo’s future. For Yahoo’s board the ousting of company’s CEO is not an easy task, it require courage, terrible knowledge and teamwork. It’s quite risky too, mind-boggling piece of action that could spell trouble or good fortune for the company. The move must be carefully planned; a bridge can be built in the wrong place, so they need to make it in the right way. These are long-term decision that could affect the company for years to come.

Yahoo had trouble regaining a strong footing in the US market, the company has seen a deep corrosion of its core business, and it’s still losing market share. To make matters worse, the boon in online market that Google and other competitors have enjoyed seems to have been cut directly from the company’s market share. This is a fatal scenario for a company like Yahoo-it’s a slow kill.

Wall Street had a number of fears here, the reality is that Yahoo, once considered by pundits and tech world as the crown jewel and web icon is actually on the verge of absolute disaster. The company is already in the penalty box. To remain competitive in the market, Yahoo needs to refocus on the search market, they need to sell off its products and web services and then vertically integrate them within its core business just like what Google really doing on its services. They need to reassess its resources and eliminate services that doesn’t complement on its core business. Yahoo has spent a lot of time maintaining services with a huge, financially unjustified overhead, and without clear vision or roadmap on the table.

All the while, its search market share continues to drop like rock. The company is in chaos, they seem to be everywhere at once, investing in some sort of web services that do little to enhance or improve its revenue. A good example of this is Flickr. The company has no idea what exactly they got on Flickr; they have one of the industry’s best photo-sharing site something that could compete with Facebook or any high-flier dot com company. Flickr has a lot of potential; they simply don’t know how to monetize it, they clearly have no innovation on works. Yahoo has no idea on how to integrate Flickr to its core business- online advertising.

What was very important here was to decide that key areas Yahoo needs to prioritize. For years and now, the online company has seemed to miss every major industry turn even as major rivals like Google and Facebook somehow anticipated just about everything. Yahoo simply has no high-tech big projects with big money on the table, they’re going nowhere.

Yahoo’s board of directors sees both the ousting of Carol Bartz and the possible merger with another web stalwart AOL as just the first steps in their prolonged road to recovery and war against increased competition in the web. Such move is a good start for the company. The next Yahoo CEO must get Yahoo to act with the coherence, laser focus and speed Yahoo’s investors and shareholders now demand. Yahoo’s situation is clearly unsustainable and unacceptable, they need to respond fast. In their rush to action, Yahoo’s board doesn’t mind leaving critics on the road side they don’t care what ever they say. For Yahoo officials they want a complete makeover. These have been a more urgent time to have a kind of leadership inside Yahoo who can cope with these mounting challenges. The next CEO need to drive the company to new heights and straight past the brutal competition in the web.

Can Nokia get a second chance?

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:07:02 PDT

If Nokia doesn’t get it right and hasn’t come up with much better ideas to battle extreme competitions in the marketplace, it has the potential of going the way of the dinosaur decline. Can Nokia get a second chance?

Wall Street is expecting Nokia’s market share to improve dramatically next year. Shareholders are still smarting over CEO Stephen Elop’s highly controversial decision to partner with Microsoft in a strategic alliance, a key component of which adopting Microsoft’s WP7 platform in place of Nokia’s aging Symbian platform and MeeGo platform.

Nokia Head Office

Elop has some serious catching up to do as Nokia’s market share rapidly falter. The CEO is convinced that undertaking technologically daunting works with Microsoft is the only way Microsoft will be able to counter Google and Apple in the mobile space. With the overall plan now revealed, the remaining question include whether it’s the right decision. Elop has high hopes for this high profile deal with Microsoft; Elop has been looking to gain tractions in the much contested smartphone space currently dominated by Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android. For Elop it’s not impossible, but it’s highly challenging. Nokia believe this is good start; it represents a next generation platform upon which the company can attach innovation. It will gives the two companies huge opportunity to jointly lead a new and leading mobile ecosystem in the mobile space; unmatched and beyond anything currently exist. It could also give Nokia a faster path to the US mobile market- which currently the most important mobile market. Bound together, the two mega companies will attempt to challenge Apple’s iPhone and a growing family of Google’s Android running smartphones that control a huge swath of the mobile market.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop

I had a number of fears; the reality is that Nokia is on the verge of an absolute disaster and collapse. I remember vividly when the great Xerox company‘s market decline, that was an incredibly scary experience something that might happen also to Nokia. What was very important here was to decide the key areas the company needs to prioritize.

Times are tough for the mobile titan that once ruled the world’s mobile aisles. Sales and market share are down, the company is going nowhere. The stock price is slipping. And its entire market structure is under attack and in desperate needs of major makeover. Such radical, bold and risky step seems inevitable in the coming months. But whatever it is, Nokia is not right now close to being what we call the world’s leading mobile company, they need to display all the single-mindedness of, getting Nokia’s mobile business back on track. Only then will Wall Street and investors know that Nokia is finally serious about having a great comeback. And doing that will require incredible focus and bountiful creativity; it will also require a different style of leadership and heart.

Nokia lost altitude: Rough WP7 Transitions sent Nokia into tailspin.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:58:58 PDT

Technology titans Nokia and Microsoft are combining forces to create smart ecosystem.

Delays, management shakeup and rough transitions to WP7 platform have sent Nokia into a tailspin. The Finnish-based company is losing altitude; it is now in the middle of serious trouble. The once undisputed master of all wireless things seemed to hit a wall or simply slept in the dawn of mobile revolution.

Nokia Microsoft Windows 7 Phone Concept.

When it comes to building consumer gadget such as smart phones, speed is crucial. Nokia must move fast to catch up to rivals like Apple and Google. Nokia’s global market share had already slipped-despite the fact that the mobile industry keeps on growing. A few months ago has issued bad news, its quarterly earnings fall short of analysts’ estimates. A key contributor to Nokia’s sagging is its inability to innovate, and the company clearly misread the industry headed and its lost direction, and missed market turns. Analyst thinks that placed too much emphasis on low-priced entry- level handsets, this leave Nokia’s US smartphone market share under attack from rivals. The company hasn’t devoted enough time and effort to develop high end products such as smartphones for the mid and high end segments of the market, this is crucial because the “big money” is here. As a result of these poor executions Nokia find itself under attack from Apple, Samsung, Sharp, Google, LG, Motorola, HTC, Sony Ericsson and RIM. The company didn’t have the coolness factor the users want, simply put, it can’t handle the competition. Nokia has just read the marketplace a bit wrong, they missed the storm. The result was devastating for the company, pushing the company into brink of self-destruct.

Microsoft Head Office

Nokia’s blockbuster deal with Microsoft has already made buzz in the tech world. The two hopes that the mobile partnership would provide incredible scale, vast expertise in hardware, software innovation and unmatched global reach. It could also create great opportunities beyond anything that currently exists. The mobile partnership with another ailing tech company Microsoft is Nokia’s desperation attempt to save the company from the brink of collapse, a key component of this high-profile; strategic alliance involves adopting Microsoft’s WP7 platform as Nokia’s primary mobile platform. With the broad plan finally revealed, the remaining questions include what are the risks and whether it’s the right decisions. The two companies shared the same cultures, they even shared the same enemies-Google and Apple. They’re in the same boat with the same goal- to regain its lost ground in the highly competitive mobile space.

Microsoft whose company like Nokia has also been looking to make a great comeback in the hypercompetitive smartphone space currently dominated by Apple’s iPhone and an army of Google’s Android powered smartphones. Nokia has probably made its biggest decision and the most risky when it’s decided to pick Microsoft’s WP7 platform over Google’ Android platform.

Nokia is already racing against the clock; its first and major problem right now is how fast it can get a product to market. Screw-ups and missteps could jeopardize Nokia’s transitions to Windows Phone 7 platform, the delay in product rollout could expose the company from “heavy bombardment” from it rivals, which could seriously damage Nokia’s already eroding market position. Analysts have already predicts that it will take years before Nokia WP7 running handsets actually arrive in the market. By the time it reaches the market rivals have already cornered the entire mobile market- it could be too late for Nokia to respond.

With the Microsoft-Nokia deal unlikely to yield any handsets this year, Nokia got no choice but to remain reliant on it’s poorly designed, already obsolete and aging Symbian platform. With no contingency plan on the table, Nokia is in great trouble and total confusion. It got no choice but to get back to its Symbian platform.

Can Cisco get great again?

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sun, 29 May 2011 01:05:25 PDT

Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers has two major goals: to get this giant growing again and return Cisco to greatness. In his years at the top of the company, all Chambers had done was change its focus, rebuild it, and expand Cisco’s business. But now thing started to change for the networking giant, the company is in great trouble. The company has been facing disappointing financial numbers and forecasts, as well as criticism from various analysts and investors. According to those analysts, Cisco misread where the industry was really headed and was not doing enough to shore up its core business against increased competition such as networking, where rivals such as HP and Juniper Networks are making inroads. CEO Chambers has already acknowledged execution problems at the networking giant, and Chambers has promised to make some major changes to restore its prominence. Despite of those major problems the company have been facing, CEO Chambers remains confident, he believes Cisco could make it. Chambers waste no time, he ordered a massive realignment of the company’s core business to improve performance and accountability. Chambers makes some drastic move to save the troubled dinosaur, Chambers has already spoke about the company’s reorganization and massive layoffs, the goal is to shore up his company as it struggles with a weakening consumer PC market, economic uncertainty and an underperforming service units. Last May 5 Cisco announced plans to streamline its sales, services and engineering units to help the company focus on key business areas such as routing, switching, collaboration, cloud computing and data center virtualization. Cisco also simplified its management structures by reducing the numbers of councils from 9 to 3, the moves are the latest in what the industry called the lengthy and costly rehabilitation of the $40 billion tech company. Cisco thinks that with these actions it would simplify its business model and improve customers, partners, and public relations. Today’s changes will make it easier for customers and partners to work with Cisco. Chambers have one thing on his mind, to increase the company’s focus on its core businesses, raise accountability within the company and reduce bureaucracy, its Cisco’s first step in the right direction. Such moves are a good start for Cisco, Chambers must get Cisco to act with the coherence and speed, and of course with excellence of execution, these exactly what his customers really want. For Chambers it’s a daunting task, teaching an elephant to dance is a very different story. Chambers need to teach Cisco a whole new set of moves and inject new culture and ideas. Think that’s enough for one CEO like Chambers to tackle? Well, Chambers has heaped one more huge demand on himself- and this one’s could be intense and something personal. Chambers want to return Cisco to the dominant role it once played in the industry. In those days nobody could touch Cisco; it had essentially invented networking business and was the kind of company that could set gold standards for corporate world that others though were absolutely crazy. Chambers knows that for his multi billion dollar behemoth to gain become the most important company in the industry, it must do more than sell ever greater quantities of routers and servers- it also must lead the whole industry to new sources of growth. Chamber’s strategy is quite simple: to expand company’s tech borders by pushing the market toward radically different business models. Cisco strongly believes that video cloud will dominate internet traffic in the years to come, Cisco thinks that it s high profile $2.9 billion acquisition of WebEx last 2007 could plays a key role in today’s increasingly changing business environments, it continues to be used by an important segment of the market. Other major companies, mostly Cisco rivals have been aggressively pushing a video collaboration strategy of their own.

Cisco's San Jose, California Office

Cisco's Unified Wireless infrastructure

Switching and Routing

Cisco networking equipments

Secure Wireless Network Access for Small Offices

Cisco Hardware

When Chambers launched wide-ranging changes within the company, it includes dumping the very popular Flip video camera business. It also sent tons of buzz to the blogosphere when Cisco announced it was paring back its consumer business, including shuttering the popular Flip video business that the company had inherited from its high profile $590 million acquisition of PureDigital in 2009. The tech industry applauded Chamber’s announcement that Cisco was pulling back on its consumer efforts, analysts said that such efforts had distracted the company’s attention away from its core businesses and opened it up to incursion and sneak attacks from rivals such as HP, Brocade, Juniper Networks, Avaya and Huawei. In a May 11 conference call, CEO John Chambers said that the company would pare $1 billion in operating expenses this year though such drastic moves as shutting down underperforming business units and making strategic layoffs. But Cisco didn’t elaborate on the number of job cuts, analysts estimated that that number could hit as high as 4000 jobs. Rebuilding Cisco is not an easy job for Chambers it requires bold leadership, focus and tenacity, plus obstacles larger than just the law of large numbers stand in Cisco’s path. For one thing, the IT industry remains sluggish only a handful number of IT experts expect it to grow this year or in the near future. Meanwhile, the competitors that Cisco faced in the early days are getting bigger and battle-hardened from winning in the tech boom and surviving in the tech bust, and Wall Street crash, HP, the closest rival Cisco has to an across-the-board-rival, is now at $130 billion a year, And there’s Juniper Networks at $4.5 billion a year on sales. Attacking from Texas, the $62 billion Dell keeps making it tougher to sell hardware, hawking more and more sophisticated products at margin busting prices. For All the impressive changes John Chambers is bringing, Cisco faces brutal competition. On its own turf- the networking space, it must compete with the likes of HP, Brocade, Avaya, Dell and many more. In today’s playing filed anything could happen, it could be a steep hill for a company to climb or reclimb. Looking ahead, it’s easy to list threat, though most come with countermeasures. CEO Chambers just wants one thing here; he wants Cisco to be the world’s most important tech company-hardware, software, networking, data center, service and everything.

Dell XPS 15Z the thinnest notebook ever.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:44:15 PDT

Dell XPS 15Z

With its $999 price tag, I could say that the Dell XPS 15Z laptop is the most expensive budget laptop in the arena. Even so its sleek design, it’s the thinnest 15-inch notebook on the planet, topnotch multimedia components and strong dual-core performance set it apart from the rest of the pack. The Dell XPS 15Z laptop is one of the most attractive systems you can buy at this price $999.

Dell XPS 15Z

The 4.54 pounds Dell XPS 15Z features an optional 15.6 inch Full HD resolution of a standard HD display and an optimized touchpad. The new models comes with an slot-loading DVD+/RW drive, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0 capabilities, up to 8GB of DDR 3 (double data rate3) 1333 MHz memory and up to 750GB of hard disk storage and with a 9-in 1 media card reader. At the heart of the beast is a second generation Intel Core i5 or i7& processors, it runs Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium. The Dell XPS 15Z has more than enough chops to handle your everyday workloads, graphics options include the Nvidia GeForce 525M with a massive 15GB or 2GB of graphics memory, graphics had no problems with Nvidia 3DTV Play capabilities. Battery life was quite good, the laptop features Nvidia Optimus technology, which switches the laptop into saving power mode when faced with lighter workloads, thus extending battery life up to 8 hours. The keyboard decks, also done up in a chicklet-style, keyboard is roomy and comfortable with an optimized touchpad and a backlit. On the plus side, for video calls and video conferencing works, a 1.3 megapixel webcam is perfectly paired with dual-array microphones and stereo speakers. The Dell XPS 15Z’s clean aluminum design along with its polished, brushed finished with sophisticated accents gives luxurious appearances yet sporty look. At first glance, the Dell XPS 15Z’s aluminum design with a magnesium alloy enclosure appears like it floats above the surface, it’s quite impressive and extremely powerful.

Measuring at 15.15 by 10.25 by 0.97 inches, the XPS 15Z provides a glimpse into a series of visually stunning and extremely powerful laptops. Dell is truly committed on introducing next generation products with its new Dell XPS 15Z, is bringing slicker design to its traditionally solid business devices. Its one of the coolest product ever, Dell is making a major assault in the PC arena. It has launched what the PC maker’s call the thinnest 15-inch laptop on the planet, this one set it apart from the competition.

Dell Streak Pro coming in June.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sat, 28 May 2011 08:02:25 PDT

News of the business-focused Dell Streak Pro tablet may have leaked weeks ago, but that didn’t stop the PC maker from giving a proper, enthusiastic welcome to the tablet, Dell called its one of the most awaited and interesting product ever. Rumors are rife in the tech industry that the Texas-based Dell is set to roll out its newest tablet, the business-focused 10. 1inch Streak Pro. Scheduled to arrive this June, it will run Google’s Android 3.0 “Honeycomb OS”. The Dell Streak Pro represents Dell’s latest mobile efforts; it will join a growing numbers of media tablets set to roll out this summer. The Dell Streak Pro further extends the company’s enterprise mobility reach, it’s the latest example of the company’s commitment in helping companies and organizations of all sizes increase business velocity. The new tablet will be Dell’s third tablet; it will join the Streak tablets currently in the market: the 5-inch tablet and the 7-inch Streak 7. Dell Streak pro will be powered by a slower Nvidia 1.0 GHz Tegra 2 T20 processor, which gives the tablet a major drawback- it lacks 3D capabilities.

Dell Streak Pro

Dell Inc.

Weighing 1.59 pounds, it offers a 1280x800 pixel glossy touchscreen. It has 5-megapixel camera on the front and will include Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. In an increasingly crowded tablet space, the Dell Streak Pro will compete most directly with the likes of iPad and RIM’s PlayBook, Dell is one of the several tablet vendors that doing a hard works to gain tractions in the rapidly growing tablet space currently dominated by Google and Apple. The new device will comes in a number of colors, it will includes black, blue, pink and red, Dell just want to give consumers a great choice and makes them happy. Dell Streak Pro also includes accessories such as on-car charger, a folding cover with an integrated keyboard and a productivity dock, making the device perfect for road warriors. Dell Streak Pro could give the company an additional mobile component to its growing business-focused mobile ecosystem. For a company that moving aggressively into enterprise world having this kind of product always makes sense, Dell’s most recent earnings reports was made most on the enterprise-focused side of the company, it helped the company grow and perhaps it was considered the largest single year revenues increase in Dell’s history.

For the Texas-based Dell, tablets are a great way of expansion, extending the company’s reach in the industry beyond its core business-the PC. Dell is one of those high tech companies that recognized the tablet’s massive impact in the industry. Dell believes that tablets are the third device of choice-after PCs and smartphones, and Dell want to be the only company on Erath that will have these three devices for all their consumers. Dell hopes that this newest tablet may change things for the Texas PC maker and could alter the current trajectory in the tablet market, and Dell hopes that they can do it.

Apple new Mac OS X 10.7 Lion coming next month.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Sat, 28 May 2011 08:12:00 PDT

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

Apple is making a big headline next month. The Cupertino-based Apple is set to unveil the much awaited Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, which according to reliable sources will feature multi-user sharing. Apple’s much awaited Mac OS X 10.7 Lion offers business-friendly multi-user sharing; this feature will allow multiple users to work on a machine concurrently, through their individual graphical sessions. The tech company has already announced that it will talk about the future of its Mac OS X operating systems at its annual WWDC this June in San Francisco. The Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is the newest incarnation of the Apple OS, its Steve Jobs next big hit. Apple’s multi-user sharing could be similar to Microsoft’s remote desktop services, which allows users access to a remote computer over a network. Speculation abounds that Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will feature the new Mac App Store, with apps purchasable through the user’s iTunes account, Apple is making a serious maneuver here. The Mac App store launched last Jan. 6 with more than 1000 free and paid applications on board, Apple is trying to bring its unbridled success in the mobile market to PC market. Apple has one goal here, to create a new paradigm for installing and running applications. The company doesn’t focus only t consumers it also think more about business oriented people. Apple hopes that the upcoming Mac OS X 10.7 Lion’s features could make it popular for business-centric users. Although the company faces tough competition in OS market, Microsoft’s Windows platform continues to dominate the world’s market for traditional PC operating systems. But Apple continuing to gain tractions these past few months, Mac has seen increased adoption among enterprise and SMB customers. Apple plans a completely new interface for new version of Mac. Last February, Apple released the first developer built preview of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, with features such as Mission Control and LaunchPad. According to Apple, Mission Control will give users a “bird’s eye view of every single apps and window running on users Mac” while LauchPad will display all Mac apps in a full screen layout providing users with better navigation and ease of use. Then there’s the new AirDrop, will enable users to copy files wirelessly from one Mac to another computer. I’ll already expect a major revamp of the Apple OS, a good example of this is a revamped FireVault, which pairs full disk encryption for local and external drives and with ability to wipe a Mac’s data instantly, thus providing users which much better flexibility and security.

Apple's new Mac OS X 10.7 Lion interface
(image courtesy of: Applesheet)

Mac OS X 10.7 Lion: Screenshot Preview

(image courtesy of: Products Review)

No one knows exactly what an ordinary Mac user could see on the upcoming Mac OS X 10.7 Lion partly because Apple was too simply secretive, they never talks about what’s next at Apple. The company will almost certainly talk more details about Mac OS X 10.7 Lion at its WWDC event in San Francisco. Apple’s latest version of Mac OS could be the company’s best launch ever, and it will bring plenty of innovative features onboard. Apple’s new OS is pretty tempting, with some great features. Apple’s forthcoming Mac OS could be Steve Jobs’ real legacy, its launch could be gigantic, and it could drive the whole industry and disrupts everything on its path.

Extreme Networks makes a strong push into Networking space.

noreply@blogger.com (Erwin) — Tue, 24 May 2011 22:14:58 PDT

Extreme Network’s roll out of its Open Fabric portfolio is the company’s first giant leap in an aggressive strategy to take on rivals like Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks. At the recent InterOp 2011 shows in Las Vegas, Nevada. Extreme officials made a big announcement, the launch of their Open Fabric solutions portfolio, designed to address data center pressures created by such trends like mobile computing and cloud computing. Extreme Networks has been increasingly flexing its muscles as its look to make itself a clear alternative to Cisco and battle rivals in the brutal environment of the datacenter space. Extreme Network’s new Open Fabric solutions are designed to address the current problems the business demands for greater scalability, higher performance and cost efficiency. These portfolios of cloud-scale data center switches could provide lower cost, higher performance and better options to Cisco’s proprietary offerings. The Extreme’s data center switches includes the BlackDiamond X8 modular chassis, Summit X670 top of rack switches and BlackDiamond 8900 high-density Gigabit Ethernet blades, these tools according to Extreme officials is far more superior than its competitors and could be a generation ahead in terms of raw capacity. The Open Fabric portfolio is a key part of the company’s larger converged data center networking strategy. This new Open Fabric and its accompanying products are squarely aimed at Cisco and other vendors.

Extreme Networks Open Fabric Data Center Solutions

Cloud-scale architecture enables managed hosting and cloud service providers to deploy best-of-breed network solutions. (Image Courtesy of Extreme Networks)

Extreme Networks Introduces Open Fabric Data Center Architecture for Cloud-Scale Networks

Product Family Offers Market-Leading Capacity of 20 Terabits in a 1/3 Rack, With Support of Virtualization, OpenFlow and Storage Convergence

(Image Courtesy of: Extreme Networks)

For Extreme Networks the data center equation has become a larger issue, there are certain areas need to address and handle those massive data center pressures created by these trends in cloud and mobile computing. The Extreme’s BlackDiamond X8 chassis offers up to 768 non-blocking 10 GbE port , it also offers a 192 non-blocking 40GbE ports in a third of a rack space, and this Extreme stuff could also evolve to support the upcoming 100GbE ports. This thing is a monster; it has the power, a massive 20 terabits per second of switching capacity. The BlackDiamond X8 chassis can support up to 128,000 virtual machines, and it also offers virtual machine lifecycle management capabilities and automated configuration. When it comes to storage, it has no problem. Extreme’s BlackDiamond X8 chassis supports storage standards including FCoE (Fiber Channel on Ethernet) and iSCSI. While the Extreme’s summit X670 switches offer up to 64 ports of 10GbE or 48 ports of 10gbE, and it coupled with four ports of 40GbE uplinks. Summit X670 could also support up to 128,000 virtual machines. Extreme networks, though a small player was well known in the networking industry for its high-quality, scale-out capacity and thin provisioning, and virtualization-ready capabilities. Extreme’s new Open Fabric portfolio provides on-demand provisioning, automation and open architecture. These offerings is designed specifically to address the growing challenges companies facing with cloud computing. The Open Fabric solutions could also support both 10Gigabit Ethernet and 40Gbe, and has energy-efficient power management capabilities. This new Extreme Networks offerings is designed to enabled companies to leverage the benefits of such technologies as mobile computing, virtualization and cloud computing, while avoiding being locked in to a single vendor environment. These tools are designed to be an alternative to what industry pundits called a proprietary offerings or single vendor tools. Extreme has basically solved this “proprietary issue” by embracing openness, its Open Fabric portfolio support the Open Flow initiative to simplify network provisioning. Its accompanying products also support Data Center Bridging. I’ll guess Extreme just want to be really tough in the data center battle, it Open Fabric portfolio is a key differentiator. It part of the company’s significant step in their deep plunge into the already crowded networking space and in ramping up the competition with the likes of Cisco, HP, Juniper Networks and Brocades, which are also pushing Ethernet fabric and making inroads in the networking space. Extreme Networks believes that there’s a great opportunity waiting for them in the networking and data center space. And the company has the target on it sight and this could be the shot the company has been waiting for.

Summit X670 Series*

Summit^® X670 series switches are high density, low latency 10 Gigabit Ethernet stackable switches with optional 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks.

(Image Courtesy of: Extreme Networks)