All smartphones brands with NFC differentiate their products, where iPhone 5 lacks.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

All smartphones brands with NFC differentiate their products, where iPhone 5 lacks.

Although Apple's iPhone 5 is expected to enjoy strong sales, the lack of NFC (near field communication) functionality in the latest iPhone model will allow rival brands to differentiate their products and to become priority partners for launching NFC-enabled applications and services in cooperation with financial and telecom service companies, according to industry sources.

Most industry watchers believe that the reason Apple rolled out the iPhone 5 without built-in NFC functionality is that Apple aims to promote its in-house developed Passbook technology, which has already integrated a number of functionalities, including the processing of boarding passes, membership cards, tickets, value-stored cards, and various kinds of coupons, but not yet credit and debit cards.

Since a number of smartphone platforms, including Android, BlackBerry, Symbian and Bada as well as the forthcoming Windows Phone 8, all support NFC technology, financial firms, telecom carriers and advertisement agencies, among others, are likely to tie up with non-iPhone vendors to launch NFC-enabled services, said the sources.

Samsung Electronics has won the largest number of NFC-related cooperation projects in Europe and Asia, while RIM, HTC, LG Electronics and Nokia have also engaged in a number of cases, revealed the sources, noting that RIM has led rivals in establishing ties with the business sector for NFC applications.

HTC has recently launched three NFC-enabled models, the HTC Desire C, One XC and One X (16G-version), in cooperation with China Merchants Bank, supporting electronic wallet functionality launched by China UnionPay as well as payment systems of China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, the sources commented.

HTC launched the Windows Phone 8X and 8S smartphones. Pictures and specifications. Video promo.

HTC launched the Windows Phone 8X and 8S smartphones. Pictures and specifications. Video promo.

In a press conference at New York , HTC and Microsoft introduced two new smartphones , the Windows Phone 8X and the Windows Phone 8S with beats audio and  in a wide range of colors. Pictures and specifications all the way down:

Windows Phone 8X:

The Windows Phone 8X (above) sports a a 4.3-inch Super LCD 2 display with Gorilla Glass 2 protection and 720p resolution, a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 16 GB of storage, and two amazing cameras: The 8MP rear camera shoots full 1080p video, while the front has a 2.1MP, 1080p-capable camera with an 88 degree viewing angle. The 8X comes in California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red, and Limelight Yellow.

Please click on the images to enlarge the view:

Windows Phone 8S:

The Windows Phone 8S has a 4-inch Super LCD display with Gorilla Glass, dual-core 1GHz processor, 5MP rear camera, and 4GB of internal storage. Its two-tone polycarbonate body comes in four color combinations.

Please click on the images to enlarge the view:

Video: 

What is HTC counting down on Windows Phone Facebook photo albums?

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

What is HTC counting down on Windows Phone Facebook photo albums?

Confirmed HTC is going to announce a new Windows Phone 8 smartphone tomorrow September 19th in a press conference, meanwhile Windows Phone facebook photo albums uploaded some pictures of before different brands devices. The ad content says: HTC is counting down their top Windows-based devices of all time. What are they counting down to?

Facebook

 Palm III, Kyocera 6035 Palm Phone, Compaq XDA, Samsung i700, Samsung i830,

HTC to hold press conference tomorrow Sept. 19.

HTC to hold press conference tomorrow Sept. 19.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HTC to hold press conference tomorrow Sept. 19.

HTC  has a press conference scheduled for Wednesday, September 19th, and while the announcements coming at the event are a mystery, odds seems pretty good that we can expect new handsets to be unveiled. ”When beautiful hardware meets stunning software,” is the only official word we have to go by, but rumors suggest some new Windows Phone 8 phones might be in store. Nothing is official until HTC makes it official though.

Source: Facebook

Rumours: Nokia and HTC to launch Windows Phones 8 in September.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Rumours: Nokia and HTC to launch Windows Phones 8 in September.

Nokia is expected to unveil its next-generation Windows Phone 8-based Lumia phones at Nokia World scheduled to be held in early September.

HTC is expected to roll out multiple Windows Phone 8-based models in September covering the entry-level, mid-range and high-end segments.

Source: Digitimes

Apple,Google, Microsoft, Samsung, LG , HTC eyeing Kodak patents.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Apple,Google, Microsoft, Samsung, LG , HTC eyeing Kodak patents.

Apple, Google, Microsoft and Samsung are among the big names reportedly eyeing an acquisition of the patent portfolio of troubled imaging company Eastman Kodak.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Apple has partnered with Microsoft and patent licensing firm Intellectual Ventures Management to make a bid, while Google and Samsung have partnered with two more companies from the Android ecosystem – LG Electronics and HTC – as well as patent aggregation firm RPX.

The initial deadline for bids is today.

Kodak has previously accused a number of mobile phone companies of infringing its digital imaging intellectual property, including Apple, RIM, Samsung and HTC. It has struck licensing deals with others.

However, last week the US International Trade Commission ruled that a patent asserted by Kodak against RIM is invalid.

According to the WSJ, this setback has stopped Kodak from securing a “stalking horse” – a bidder prepared to commit to buying the assets at a set price, creating a minimum bidding level.

It has previously been noted that any buyer would end up with a portfolio that is already at the heart of numerous ongoing legal disputes, and which has in many cases already been licensed, limiting its strategic appeal.

This could mean that the auction starts off with a low valuation.

Kodak filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. Its patent portfolio is seen as its most significant asset, due to the inclusion of digital camera features in a range of devices, including smartphones and tablets.

The company picked up clearance to sell its assets via an auction earlier this month, after Apple and FlashPoint Technologies “asserted ‘ownership’ interests in a small number of the 1,100 patents in the portfolio”. This objection was overturned by the Bankruptcy Court.

Intellectual Ventures, the suggested partner of Microsoft and Apple, was co-founded by former Microsoft executive Nathan Myhrvold. It is said to have a portfolio of “more than 35,000 assets”. 

Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, and HTC will have Windows Phone 8 devices .

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, and HTC will have Windows Phone 8 devices 

Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, and HTC will have Windows Phone 8 devices running on Qualcomm chips. The announcement was made on todays Windows Developer Summit 2012.

Microsoft released some details on software updates for its future hardware — all software updates will be pushed over the air, and all Windows Phone 8 devices will get "at least" 18 months of software support after launch. 

Microsoft and its partners are ready for a global launch: the company announced that it'll launch in more than 180 countries in 50 languages, more than Apple announced last week.

HTC becomes first to join Sony PlayStation Certification program.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HTC becomes first  to join Sony PlayStation Certification program.

HTC is becoming the first non-Sony handset manufacturer to join its PlayStation Certification program. The program is designed to ensure handsets are capable of delivering PlayStation quality graphics and sound on games and other content branded from Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). The move to partner with HTC will expand the circulation of Sony content on Android-powered devices.

Previously called "PlayStation Suite," the company just changed the working title of the embedded software used by certified devices to "PlayStation Mobile," which marks the shift in focus to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

“Consoles, tablets, phones, there are more ways to play games,” says Sony Computer Entertainment president and group CEO Andrew House at an E3 press conference. “We will be bridging an experience to smartphones and tablets with PlayStation Suite next year. PlayStation Suite is about bringing the best gaming to mobile tablets.”

PlayStation certification guarantees a level of performance on par with PlayStation content, and makes it attractive for developers to produce PlayStation-like game experiences for Android devices. PlayStation Mobile content will also be compatible with PlayStation Vita, for cross-platform content. PlayStation Mobile offers store navigation and handles purchases of content on the Sony end, so publishers can focus on developing content for the platform.

HTC's PlayStation-certified devices include the HTC One X, HTC One S and HTC One V.

“HTC is focused on delivering innovative mobile experiences for people everywhere and SCE’s immersive world of gaming will bring compelling entertainment to HTC One customers across the globe,” said Kouji Kodera, chief product officer at HTC.

Third-party publishers and developers have agreed to develop content for PlayStation Mobile, as well as Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. Games are the forefront of PlayStation Mobile offerings.

While HTC is the first handset manufacturer to gain PlayStation Certification status, others are likely to follow. Sony says it will accelerate the expansion of PlayStation Certified devices to reach a broader audience.

Source: SONY

HTC struggling to stay afloat in South Korea.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HTC`s one series.

HTC struggling to stay afloat in South Korea.

HTC Korea’s country manager Lee Chul-hwan was sacked, mostly due to the Taiwanese smartphone maker’s failure to make an impression on the local market according to local sources Tuesday.

HTC Korea confirmed Lee’s departure from the top post but declined to elaborate further. It has been rumored that the company will completely fold its business in South Korea, though officials currently insist that it will continue operating here.

The firm is struggling to find an alternative option as Korea, dominated by Samsung and LG Electronics, is a ``tomb’’ for foreign handset makers, said officials. 

Lee, who headed HTC’s Korean office from October, left the post last month ― domestic operations are currently being supervised by the manufacturer’s headquarters in Taiwan.

“The manager left for personal reasons,” said a company spokeswoman. “The top post is currently vacant, but internal discussions are being held to find a replacement for Lee.” 

She added it is undecided when the position of country manager will be filled again. She also strongly denied rumors of the Taiwanese manufacturer withdrawing from the Korean market.

Lee’s six month tenure was met with repeated failure to change the firm’s minimal local presence.

Foreign phone manufacturers including HTC are being hammered by Korean companies here. 

Their combined market share, including that of HTC, only accounts for one percent of the domestic market, according to data provided by Samsung, a figure that HTC also confirmed.

Pantech, Samsung and LG Electronics together hold 99 percent. HTC sold a mere 30,000 handsets here in the first quarter. 

Foreign companies have had difficulties challenging Samsung and LG as the two handset giants invest heavily on marketing and have an extremely strong brand image. 

Domestic mobile carriers also strongly back Korean handsets, as they sell better than their foreign counterparts. Experts say the gap between foreign and domestic companies won’t narrow anytime soon.

HTC’s Sensation XL, released last year to rave reviews, failed to help the company gain any headway here.

The Taiwanese handset maker is struggling on the world stage as well. According to market research firm Gartner, HTC had a 1.8 percent global market share for the first quarter, a decline from an already low 2.4 percent for the previous quarter. 

The global leader is Samsung Electronics, which had 20.7 percent to move past Nokia at 19.8 percent for the first time. Samsung sold 86 million handsets, while HTC sold 7 million in the same period. Samsung and Nokia are the only manufacturers with a double-digit market share.

The Taiwan-based firm announced that it plans to release a new model, as yet unnamed, in Korea within the year. It is currently discussing the matter with telecommunications companies and features of the new phone are also yet to be revealed.                                 

Worldwide Smartphone Market Continues to Soar, Carrying Samsung Into the Top Position in Total Mobile Phone and Smartphone Shipments, According to IDC .

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Worldwide Smartphone Market Continues to Soar, Carrying Samsung Into the Top Position in Total Mobile Phone and Smartphone Shipments, According to IDC.

Source: IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, May 1, 2012

Note: Vendor shipments are branded shipments and exclude OEM sales for all vendors.

The worldwide mobile phone market declined 1.5% year over year in the first quarter of 2012 (1Q12), as Samsung ousted longtime leader Nokia to become the world's top mobile phone vendor. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, vendors shipped 398.4 million units in 1Q12 compared to 404.3 million units in the first quarter of 2011.

Nokia has been the global market leader in total mobile phone shipments since the inception of IDC's Mobile Phone Tracker in 2004. Samsung's ascension to the market's top spot is largely a reflection of its gains in the smartphone market over the past two years. "The halcyon days of rapid growth in the smartphone market have been good to Samsung," said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker program. "Samsung has used its established relationships with carriers in a mix of economically diverse markets to gain share organically and at the expense of former high fliers such as Nokia."

Meanwhile, the worldwide smartphone market grew 42.5% year over year in 1Q12, as Samsung overtook Apple for the smartphone leadership position. Vendors shipped 144.9 million smartphones in 1Q12 compared to 101.7 million units in 1Q11. The 42.5% year-over-year growth was 1% higher than IDC's forecast of 41.5% for the quarter, and lower than the 57.4% growth in the fourth quarter of 2011.

"The race between Apple and Samsung remained tight during the quarter, even as both companies posted growth in key areas," said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends program. "Apple launched its popular iPhone 4S in additional key markets, most notably in China, and Samsung experienced continued success from its Galaxy Note smartphone/tablet and other Galaxy smartphones. With other companies in the midst of major strategic transitions, the contest between Apple and Samsung will bear close observation as hotly-anticipated new models are launched."

Smartphone Vendor Highlights

Samsung reclaimed the smartphone leadership position and established a new market record for the number of smartphones shipped in a single quarter. Propelling the company forward was continued expansion of its Galaxy portfolio in nearly all directions - new and old smartphones, product and market segmentation, and multiple price points, screen sizes, and processor speeds.

Apple slipped to second place in the worldwide smartphone market, but nonetheless posted strong year-over-year growth to reach 35.1 million units shipped. Apple's gains in the market benefited from iPhone availability at additional mobile operators worldwide, as well as sustained end-user demand among both consumers and enterprise users.

Nokia's Symbian phone shipments declined precipitously last quarter as demand dropped in key emerging markets, such as China. The company's current smartphone woes make a speedy transition to products powered by the Windows Phone operating system, upon which it has bet its smartphone future, critical.

Research In Motion's BlackBerry unit decline continued last quarter, reaching levels not seen since 2009. Like Nokia, RIM is a company in transition. Smartphones running on its new platform, BB 10, will be released later this year. Until then, results like these may be a sign of things to come.

HTC's struggles in the U.S. market once again negatively affected its overall performance. However, its relatively strong performance in Asia/Pacific still allowed the company to maintain its position among the top 5 smartphone vendors. The company is staking future success in large part on its One X and S products.

Source: IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, May 1, 2012

Notes: Vendor shipments are branded shipments and exclude OEM sales for all vendors. Unbranded phones, also referred to as "white phones", previously not counted by IDC, are included under Others in 1Q12 and 1Q11 total mobile phone shipments.

For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com.

About IDC

IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries worldwide. For more than 48 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

Contact

For more information, contact:

Ramon Llamas

rllamas@idc.com

508-935-4736

Kevin Restivo

krestivo@idc.com

416-673-0419

Michael Shirer

press@idc.com

508-935-4200

2H 2012: HTC partners with for Polycom´s RealPresence Mobile video conferencing service.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

HTC has announced it will cooperate with Ploycom to implement Polycom's RealPresence Mobile software in new smartphones and tablets that are scheduled for launch in mid-2012.

"Video collaboration is a critical application within mobile platforms, and offering Polycom's RealPresence Mobile on HTC smartphones and tablets will provide tremendous value and opportunities for our customers," said David Jaeger, executive director of Global Enterprise and Services for HTC.

As part of the agreement, these select HTC devices will be certified Polycom-ready and optimized for RealPresence Mobile, which is expected to be available for download on HTC devices via the Android Market in mid- 2012.

RealPresence Mobile, powered by the Polycom RealPresence Platform, is a secure, enterprise-grade video software solution for mobile devices that extends the reach of video collaboration beyond the conference room, allowing users on the go with a mobile device to easily connect with other standards-based video systems including immersive video rooms, group/desktop systems, laptops, tablets, and smartphones in HD quality, HTC indicated

MWC 2012: Samsung,HTC, Nokia and LG to unveil new smartphones models, but to launch in Q2 2012.

WorldWide Tech & Scince. Francisco De Jesús.

With the iPhone 4S launched globally in the fourth quarter of 2011 and expected to be selling well in the first quarter of 2012, other international vendors including Samsung Electronics, HTC, Nokia and LG Electronics are expected to launch their new smartphone models in the second quarter to avoid competing too directly with the iPhone 4S, according to Taiwan-based smartphone supply chain makers.

Mainly due to hot sales of the iPhone 4S, Apple recorded the largest global smartphone market share of 23.9% in the fourth quarter of 2011, followed by Samsung with 23.5% and Nokia with 12.6%, the sources cited Strategy Analytics statistics as indicating. Based on previous experience, sales of iPhone 4S will remain at peak in the first quarter of 2012 and then begin to decline.

In consideration of advantageous timing, Samsung, HTC, Nokia and LG will unveil new models of smartphones at the 2012 Mobile World Congress to take place in Barcelona, Spain, during February 27-March 1 for launch in the second quarter of 2012.

2012: HTC,RIM,Sony and Motorola to limit new smartphone models.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Smartphone vendors including HTC, Research in Motion (RIM), Sony and Motorola Mobility all are likely to adjust their strategies by reducing the number of new models launched each year, while focusing their resources and marketing on designated models.

The strategy shifts come after Apple and Samsung Electronics have apparently managed to widen their market share against rival vendors by focusing on a single or some flagship models each year.

For example, quarterly sales of a designated iPhone model could reach as high as 30 million units, while Samsung managed to sell 10 million units of its Galaxy S II smartphone within six months after the product launch.

The new strategies will not only help vendors save development and marketing costs, but also enable makers in the supply chain to reach economics of scale in production as well as better control raw materials and shipments.

However, competition among handset ODMs may also become fierce due to a reduced number of new projects released from branded handset vendors.

Kodak goes after Apple and HTC in court.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Troubled photography company Eastman Kodak filed lawsuits against Apple and HTC, alleging the infringement of patents related to digital imaging.

In a complaint filed with the US International Trade Commission, it was claimed that “certain of Apple’s iPhones, iPads and iPods, and certain of HTC’s smartphones and tablets, infringe Kodak’s patents that relate to technology for transmitting images.” It also said that some HTC products infringe a patent that covers technology related to a method for previewing images, which is already the subject of pending actions against Apple (and RIM).

Separately, suits were filed against Apple and HTC in the US district court for New York, alleging the same infringement.

Kodak is seeking an exclusion order from the ITC, preventing the importation of affected devices. In the district court, it is seeking to permanently bar Apple and HTC from further infringement, as well as the recovery of damages.

In a statement, Laura Quatela, president and COO of Eastman Kodak (pictured), said: “We’ve had numerous discussions with both companies in an attempt to resolve this issue, and we have not been able to reach a satisfactory agreement.”

Kodak has struggled to capitalise on the move to digital imaging, and earlier this year received a warning from the New York Stock Exchange after the closing price of its stock was less than US$1 per share for a period of 30 consecutive days. The Wall Street Journal said that there are rumours the company is preparing for a possible Chapter 11 filing in the coming weeks.

Kodak has long been reported to be looking to monetise its patent portfolio, to compensate for weakness elsewhere in its business. A sale of its intellectual property was mooted mid-last year, when the patent gold rush was in full swing, but this has not so far come to fruition.

The company has licensed its patents to more than 30 partners, including mobile device players such as LG, Motorola, Samsung and Nokia. It already has a legal action open against Apple and RIM, alleging infringement of a patent which has now also been asserted against HTC.

Reuters: HTC says ITC decision in Apple case "a win for HTC"

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwanese smartphone vendor HTC Corp said on Tuesday a U.S. trade panel's final determination was a win for HTC and it is very pleased.

A company official told Reuters that HTC will launch new phones to bypass the infringed patent very soon and it sees limited impact to the company.

"This decision is a win for HTC and we are gratified that the commission affirmed the judge's determination on the '721 and '983 patents, and reversed its decision on the '263 patent and partially on the '647 patent," the world's No.4 smartphone company said in a statement.

"We are very pleased with the determination and we respect it. However, the '647 patent is a small UI experience and HTC will completely remove it from all of our phones soon."

The International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that HTC had infringed on one of Apple's patents and imposed a formal import ban on any HTC phones that infringe on the patent, starting April 19, 2012.

1Q2012: Acer, Lenovo to launch quad-core tablet PCs

WorldWiode Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

It did not take too long to see the reaction  to the ASUS Eee Pad Tramsformer Prime worlds first quad-core tablet, by Acer and Lenovo, who are going to launch Android 4.0 Tegra3 quad-core tablets, in the 1Q2012 as well. HTC have been reported to focus in quad.core tablets and smartphones in 2012.

We will see a wide range of quad-core tablets and smartphones brands in 2012.

Here the report from Digitimes:

Acer and Lenovo are set to launch quad-core tablet PCs featuring Google's Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and Nvidia's Tegra 3 in the first quarter to compete against Asustek Computer, which has already launched its latest Eee Pad Transformer Prime with Tegra 3 and Samsung Electronics, according to sources from notebook players.

The sources pointed out that the competition over the quad-core tablet PCs will be difficult as these quad-core devices will only see improvements over their performance and design, but will still feature the same concept as their dual-core predecessors.

Therefore, these players may need to battle it out before being able to enter competition against players such as Amazon or Apple.

The sources noted that although these players' performance in the dual-core tablet PC competition were not as good as expected, they will continue to advance and launch new quad-core devices to defend their brands.

 

The new quad-core tablet PCs from Acer and Lenovo are expected to be priced between US$459-599.

Since non-Apple players' machines have no advantage to compete against Amazon or Apple's tablet PC devices, the sources believe non-Apple players will together account for only 10-15% of the total tablet PC market. 

4Q2011: HTC cut sales forecast.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

One of the largest suppliers of  smartphones in the world, HTC has cut its sales forecast this year and expected to recover in the second half of next 2012.

HTC has cut its earnings forecast for the fourth quarter of 2011 by 23%, expecting these to be $3.4 billion, which equals the previous year.

One reason experts say could be a loyal consumer demand for Apple iPhone and the rise to first place in the world market from Samsung, at least for the third quarter 2011. 


Samsung has reached the level of offering high-performance phones like Galaxy Galaxy S II and Nexus have been stolen from the film to HTC.

For us one of the reasons could also be the continuous bombardment of Androids models  leading to saturate the market to the point that if a consumer decided to purchase a phone  a year ago or not decided  to renew the device for now, but will when his contract for 1 or 2 years is over, or  does  seem enough for now to keep the current phone that gives you everything you need without having to get excited by the arrival of a new model almost exactly the same but with more power of processing speed and dual-core or quad-core, 1GB RAM and 4G LTE.

If in the case of Androids vast majority of previous models to those of today may be updated to the new Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) probably will not see the need to buy a quad-core phone, 4GLTE, at least until the 3G service operators keep it  working.

Also remains concerned about global macroeconomic recession that continues still and also affect any outcome.