Rumours: Microsoft planning own smartphone.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Rumours: Microsoft planning own smartphone.

Microsoft is reported to be working on manufacturing its own smartphone to accompany its recently launched self-made ‘Surface’ tablet.

According to sources at the Wall Street Journal, the software giant is working with component suppliers in Asia on its own smartphone design.

The device under consideration is reported to have a four- to five-inch screen, which would pitch it in competition with the likes of the Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S III.  But sources warned that it was not certain that the phone would reach mass production.

Microsoft launched the ‘Surface’ tablet earlier this year. The move to manufacture its own hardware is seen as an attempt to mimic Apple, which is able to closely integrate software and hardware.

However, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Monday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer declined to comment on the speculation, saying he was committed to third-party vendors running the firm’s Windows Phone software.

"We're quite happy this holiday season going to market hard with Nokia, Samsung and HTC," said Ballmer. "Whether we had a plan to do something different or we didn't have a plan I wouldn't comment in any dimension."

Microsoft last attempted its own phone range in 2010 with the ‘Kin’ line of youth-oriented smartphones, though this was quickly killed off. 

HP return to smartphones is not planned for 2013.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HP return to smartphones is not planned for 2013.

Whitman sees a feeble economy and expects to weaken even more during the next year.

It could be 2015 before Hewlett-Packard Co.'s revenue growth begins to accelerate again, according to Whitman. By 2016, she envisions HP's revenue increasing as the same pace as the U.S. economy's overall growth, with earnings rising at a faster clip.

"It is going to take longer to right this ship than any of us would like," Whitman said.

In her shake-up of HP, Whitman has already reshuffled management and started to eliminate 29,000 jobs through employee buyouts, attrition and layoffs. She's trying to trim the company's annual expenses by more than $3 billion.

HP also is reducing the number of different printers that it makes. It is also rolling out a new line of personal computers and tablets running on Windows 8, an overhaul of Microsoft Corp.'s operating system that's designed to appeal to consumers and companies that want more mobile devices with touch-control display screens.

Whitman also is lacing big bets on "cloud computing" - a term that refers to the increasingly popular trend of storing software applications in remote data centers that are accessed over the Internet instead of installing programs on individual machines.

HP also is angling for a bigger piece of the "Big Data" market, a field devoted to helping companies and government agencies navigate through the torrent of information cascading through Internet-connected devices.

Finally, Whitman wants HP to design another smartphone, something it did two years ago after buying Palm Inc. only to scrap the device after a few months on the market. HP's return to the smartphone business isn't planned for next year, though, but will in some time in the future as she said before to fox business news. (video below)

"There are no silver bullets to solve our challenges," Whitman said Wednesday. "We will solve our challenges through consistency of leadership, focus, good blocking and tackling and, most importantly, great products and services delivered in the way that customers want to buy them."

Whitman delivered the disappointing forecast Wednesday at a meeting that the ailing Silicon Valley pioneer held for analysts and investors. The gathering gave Whitman the opportunity to persuade Wall Street that she has come up with a compelling strategy for turning around HP one year after being named CEO.

Investors evidently didn't like what they heard. HP's stock plunged 13 percent after Whitman's presentation, shoving the company's shares to their lowest level in nearly a decade.

AP.

LG Electronics unveils the Optimus L9 smartphone, Global launch September.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

LG Electronics unveils the Optimus L9 smartphone, Global launch September.

The Optimus L9 will sport a 4.7 inch IPS display which provides a crisp, clear picture, 1Ghz dual-core cpu, Android 4.0 ICS, 1GB DDR2 RAM/4GB eMMC,  5 Mpxls rear camera, front camera VGA, 2150 mAh battery with technology SiO + for maximize power efficiency by increasing the energy density , Size 131.9 x 68.2 x 9.1mm / 125g, ultra-slim thickness of 9.1mm, Square design and a sleek metal Corner Angle to emphasize the  feeling.

The smartphone will be available in late September in Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America on the global market, in a  sequential release.

The device has Q translators (Automatic translation) and a optical character recognition (OCR: Optical Character Recognition) technology, the camera scans through character recognition, and then translated through this electronic dictionaries or online translation engine. Translate word, sentence, paragraph, advance mode, line mode, paragraph mode, three modes quickly and easily, which for example, while traveling abroad, automatically translate signs and signs in a strange language of smartphone cameras only face-to-face translation helper acts. 

The Optimus L9 will be driving without a separate application on any screen handwriting notes / store / share with Q memo 

Also has a  keypad location conveniently divided into the left and right text can be entered in the My LG own distinctive style keypad (My Style Keypad function) user experience (UX).

Source: LG.

Press Release:

LG EXTENDS L-SERIES WITH GLOBAL DEBUT OF OPTIMUS L9
Premium Optimus L9 to Offer Best of L-Style with Innovative UX

SEOUL, Aug. 29, 2012 – The LG Optimus L9 will continue the stylish L-Series lineup of smartphones with its global debut. Following the successful launches of the Optimus L3, Optimus L5, and Optimus L7 earlier this year, the Optimus L9 is anticipated to continue in the success of the L-Series emphasizing premium design heritage developed from LG's design leadership.

Inheriting LG's premium L-Style design philosophy, the Optimus L9 has a 9.1mm thin body with a slimming metallic streak and modern square style that offers a comfortable grip from its slim and stylish design.

The largest-in-class 4.7-inch IPS display of the Optimus L9 offers clear and true-to-life images with incredible detail for comfortable viewing experience. The high-density 2,150mAh SiO+ battery allows users to enjoy the various new UX features all day long with maximized performance while retaining its incredibly sleek design.

The Optimus L9 was also developed to be a smarter smartphone through LG's differentiated UX features, such as the QTranslator and My Style Keypad function along with the ever-popular QMemoTM.

The QTranslator function instantly translates not only words, but also entire sentences and phrases with a simple scan from nearly 44 foreign languages to 64 user languages. Using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, it recognizes letters upon scanning with the camera and utilizes electronic dictionary or online translation engine to translate words, sentences or phrases.

The My Style Keypad function comfortably adjusts the key formation of the keypad according to whether the user is texting with one hand (right or left-handed) or two hands. Lastly, the Optimus L9 will also include the QMemoTM, allowing users to capture, memo and share their ideas with others using their fingertip or handwriting.

"The Optimus L9 is a great smartphone that appeals to every consumer," said Dr. Jongseok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. "LG will continue to offer differentiated value through the Optimus L9 and strengthen our position in the smartphone market."

Key Specifications:
OS: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Chipset: 1GHz Dual-Core
Main Display: 4.7-inch IPS Display
Memory: 1GB DDR2 (RAM) / 4GB e-MMC
Camera: 5MP rear / VGA front
Battery: 2,150mAh SiO+
Size: 131.9 x 68.2 x 9.1mm / 125g
Others: DLNA, QMemoTM, QTranslator function, My Style Keyboard function

Nokia looks to Europe operators alliances to drive WP8 new smartphone.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Nokia looks to Europe operators alliances to drive WP8 new smartphone.

Nokia is looking to work closely with a small group of operators for the launch of its first device powered by Windows Phone 8.

It was also suggested that the ailing device maker is set to offer its partner operators “a financial stake in the success of the range”, in order to provide an incentive to give devices as much sales and marketing support as possible.

According to the paper, Nokia has held talks with France Telecom about offering a smartphone through its Orange-branded businesses. This could also involve availability through Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile units, through the procurement joint venture of this company and France Telecom, the newspaper said.

It was also suggested that Nokia’s strategy “reflects recent success in the US, where it struck a similar sales agreement solely with AT&T”. However, it is not immediately clear how much of a success this has been – the operator has already cut the selling price of the flagship Lumia 900, and according to Nokia’s most recent results it only sold 600,000 devices across all of North America during the second quarter of 2012.

The proposed strategy contrasts with Nokia’s standard practice of making its devices available through the broadest possible sales channels.

According to reports last week, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 platform may not make it to market until November,  which could put the smartphones running the new software into an extremely tough fight with Apple's next iPhone, thus making Nokia's job even tougher.

World`s thinnest smartphone OPPO Finder works like a hammer

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

World`s thinnest smartphone OPPO Finder works like a hammer. Video.

In an attempt to test the resistance of Finder, latest model of "smartphone" Oppo company and only available in China, a YouTube account shows a video where you use the phone as a hammer.

The account "CN9999", which history shows video mostly technology issues and "testing" of products, shows how a man uses the Finder to hammer a nail into a wooden board.

Most impressive is that the cell does not happen absolutely nothing, not a scratch. How it does?

His 6.65 millimeters thick making it the world's thinnest iPhone 4S is 9.3 mm and the Galaxy SIII, 8.3 - do not seem to answer the question.

The company has not reported what makes into the device so tough, but it does show the phone's specifications, including a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED technology, a dual-core processor 1.5GHz, 1GB RAM and a price of $ 399 with contract.

Several Nokia and Samsung Galaxy also have the Super AMOLED, so that could also function as hammers, but just in case, better not try it at home.

ex-Nokia employees are looking to build a smartphone based on Nokia’s former MeeGo operating system.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

ex-Nokia employees are looking to build a smartphone based on Nokia’s former MeeGo operating system.

A Finnish start-up founded by a team of ex-Nokia employees are looking to build a smartphone based on Nokia’s former MeeGo operating system.

Jolla Ltd says it is in talks with hardware manufacturers and chipset suppliers with a plan to launch a MeeGo phone within the next six months.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, CEO Jussi Hurmola said the start-up needed to raise about EUR10 million from private investors to develop the smartphone – and would need to sell 50,000 to 100,000 to break even.

"We are seriously making a smartphone here, but we definitely can't do it alone," said Hurmola, who worked on MeeGo during his 12 years at Nokia.

Nokia launched the open-source MeeGo OS in partnership with Intel in 2010, but it was largely abandoned last year when Nokia adopted Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform for its smartphones. MeeGo's assets were subsequently transferred to the Linux Foundation.

MeeGo was used in only one commercial Nokia smartphone, the N9, which was well-regarded but suffered from Nokia’s withdrawal of support for the platform.

"There seems to be a sizable number of MeeGo enthusiasts," said Hurmola. "With all the respect to [Apple's mobile operating system] and Android, I'm quite sure that the market is ready for something new. As I see it, there are user segments that have been left unserved."

Rumours: Amazon preparing its own smartphone.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Amazon smartphone mock-up

Rumours: Amazon preparing its own smartphone.

Foxconn , the Chinese mobile- phone maker, is working with Amazon on the device, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. 

Amazon is seeking to complement the smartphone strategy by acquiring patents that cover wireless technology and would help it defend against allegations of infringement, other people with knowledge of the matter said. 

Amazon could have a smartphone on store shelves by the fourth quarter of next year, according to Citigroup analyst Mark Mahaney. 

“Based on our supply chain check, we believe Foxconn is now jointly developing the phone with Amazon,” Mahaney wrote in a research note. “However, we believe that Amazon will pay Foxconn but the device and multiple components will actually be manufactured by Hon Hai’s TMS business group.” 

Additionally, Mahaney said that Amazon will likely use a Texas Instruments OMAP 4 processor, and that it will adopt Qualcomm’s dual-mode 6-series baseband chip as well.

“For a normal brand like HTC, they need to price the product at $243 to make 30 percent gross margin,” Mahaney wrote.

“If Amazon is actually willing to lose some money on the device, the price gap could be even bigger,” he explained, noting that Amazon’s device could be sold for between $150 and $170, or about the price it will cost to build the phone.

Sources: Bloomberg and our  Before related article: 

Fox News: 4Q2012: Amazon planning Smartphone. Did they buy HP webOS already?

UK: Orange confirms Intel-powered San Diego smartphone launch

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

UK: Orange confirms Intel-powered San Diego smartphone launch.

Orange will launch its expected San Diego smartphone – powered by a processor from Intel – early next month, supported by a “multimillion pound” advertising campaign.

The high-profile introduction is significant for the processor giant, which has struggled to gain momentum in the mobile phone market, against competition from companies such as Nvidia, TI and Qualcomm.

The San Diego is the first Intel-powered smartphone to launch in Europe, Orange said.

Last month, Intel and manufacturer Lava International announced a device targeting the Indian market. And earlier this week, Chinese IT giant Lenovo debuted its first Intel-powered device, LePhone K800, for the Chinese market.

The company also has deals in place with Motorola Mobility and ZTE.

The San Diego was first unveiled at the GSMA Mobile World Congress earlier this year, under the codename Orange Santa Clara.

The Android-powered device will retail at £199.99 for prepaid customers in the UK, and will subsequently be free-of-charge for contract subscribers. Availability details for other markets were not confirmed.

According to reports from the original unveiling, it is manufactured by Taiwanese contract manufacturer Gigabyte.

Brazil: Telefónica to launch first Mozilla HTLM5 smartphone.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Brazil: Telefónica to launch first Mozilla HTLM5 smartphone.

CEO of web technology pioneer Mozilla had said that Brazil will be the first market to see the launch of an all HTML5-powered smartphone, following a partnership it formed with Telefonica at the GSMA Mobile World Congress earlier this year. 

The launch is likely to take place late this year or early in 2013, with the device likely to be priced at feature phone levels.

CES 2012: The world’s first real smartwatch: i´m WATCH.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

The world’s first real smartwatch.

Multi-tasking, easy to use and love:  touch, drag, swipe or pinch.

Get your intuitive interface in a complex world. 

Slick, thin and ergonomic, i'm Watch is made to be part of you. And it’s always with you by all means: phone, web, music, radio, organizer, photo, video, and whatever App you may come up with. Born for multi-tasking exploit, i'm Watch is so fast and simple to use that everything else will be left behind, likely on your car backseat.

Fox News: 4Q2012: Amazon planning Smartphone. Did they buy HP webOS already?

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Amazon planning Smartphone.  Did they buy HP webOS already?

Amazon plans iPhone rival

A smartphone from Amazon "may be coming next holiday season," noted Citigroup Global Markets analyst Mark Mahaney.

The war is for digital media sales against Apple and Google and with an smartphone could become an all-encompassing retail powerhouse. 

Our projection in this case is that Amazon who was reported in a negotiation with HP for the webOS software might be on a final phase. HP before said a decision for the fate of webOS will come in a couple of months in Oct 26, and lately in Nov 15th, Stephen DiFranco from HP also said  a decision will come shortly.

HP is holding  an earnings conference call in Nov 21st, and the inevitable question afterwards will certaintly be about webOS. And if HP is not keeping webOS for a new tablet. And if Amazon is going war with Apple and Google , they might be the new webOS owner for this next Monday or week.

Hold your horses, however we are expecting an HP official annoucement at this time.

Amazon's smartphone entry is uncertain but the device is expected to be manufactured at the same location -- Hon Hai's TMS business group -- where its Kindle e-reader and Fire tablet are made, the analyst reports.

Citigroup says a smartphone is the next logical step for Amazon to follow up its popular Kindle e-reader and new Kindle Fire.

 "We continue to believe Amazon has now set its eyes on the mobile (and tablet) media and product consumption frontier," Mahaney noted. The firm expects an Amazon smartphone to emerge around the fourth quarter of 2012.

Google Music's launch Wednesday turned up the heat against Amazon's digital music sales. The shot for a piece of the market dominated by Apple's iTunes underscores the three-way race.

According to Citigroup analyst Mark Mahaney. “Based on our supply chain check, we believe FIH is now jointly developing the phone with Amazon,” Mahaney wrote in a research note. “However, we believe that Amazon will pay NRE to FIH but the device and multiple components will actually be manufactured by Hon Hai’s TMS business group.” Additionally, Mahaney said that Amazon will likely use a Texas Instruments OMAP 4 processor, and that it will adopt Qualcomm’s dual-mode 6-series baseband chip as well. Read on for more.

“For a normal brand like HTC, they need to price the product at US$243 to make 30% gross margin,” Mahaney wrote. “If Amazon is actually willing to lose some money on the device, the price gap could be even bigger,” he explained, noting that Amazon’s device could be sold for between $150 and $170, or about the price it will cost to build the phone.

Sources: FoxNews via   BGR

Related posts: 

Breaking news: HP is negotiating the sale of its webOS platform to Amazon.