Wednesday, August 5, 2009
China 3G devices
Mobile phone chipset cost to mobile device may ranged from US$25 to US$50 and it is 50%-70% of the total cost.
Qualcom is offering 2 major product line, MSM and QSC. MSM is for advanced chipset solution and QSC is single core for ecomonic user. MSM-7500DOrA is for CDMA1xEV-DORev.A, MSM-6800 is for EV-DO. HTC S900C is using MSM-7500 EV-DO for China Telecom.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Mozilla允许企业定制火狐 挑战微软
2009-06-10 PChome.net 类型: 转载 来源: 腾讯科技 责编: 潘翔城
火狐(Firefox)浏览器开发商Mozilla高管迈克·贝尔泽纳(Mike Beltzner)近日证实，下一款火狐浏览器3.5版本月底推出后，将允许企业用户以3.5版为基础，根据自身特定需求开发出相应定制版。业界人士 称，Mozilla此举意在向微软IE浏览器发起新一轮挑战。贝尔泽纳称，为实现上述目标，Mozilla将于近期内面向企业用户启动一项名为“组建你自己浏览器”的项目。利用Mozilla提供的工具，企业用户可在火狐中使用特定应用 程序，并在书签(功能相当于IE浏览器的“收藏夹”)中预置公司经常访问的网站链接，以方便员工使用。
贝尔泽纳还表示，利用Mozilla所提供的Personas技术，企业用户还可在火狐3.5版基础上，改变所定制浏览器的外观，同时可增加相应企业的名称 和标识。在上述工作完成后，Mozilla将向这些企业提供一款安装程序，以方便企业IT部门在公司所有台式机上快速安装定制版火狐浏览器。
挑战微软
美 国市场研究公司Forrester分析师谢丽·麦克莱什(Sheri McLeish)指出，目前在全球大型企业用户中，多数为微软IE用户；其部分原因是：微软向企业用户提供了IE浏览器安装程序，以方便大型企业IT部门 对IE的默认设置进行调整，并实现在公司所有台式机快速安装IE目的。
麦克莱什认 为，Mozilla还没有向企业用户提供火狐定制工具的先例，而Mozilla现在决定这样做，其用意非常明显：希望部分企业用户能够由IE转用火 狐，“Mozilla向企业用户提供火狐定制版工具后，企业用户肯定会比较感兴趣，毕竟在默认浏览器定制事宜上，企业用户又多了一个选择。”
贝尔泽纳表示，今后Mozilla向企业用户提供定制工具后，由于火狐本身为开源软件，因此在定制事宜上，企业用户将具备更多灵活性，而不像微软对IE的定制具有诸多限制。
目前火狐全球用户为3亿左右。贝尔泽纳称，火狐3.5版本月底推出时，将同时支持70多种语言。Mozilla上月初表示，已在着手开发能够支持多核处理器的新款火狐，以大幅提高火狐的运行速度和稳定性。
火狐(Firefox)浏览器开发商Mozilla高管迈克·贝尔泽纳(Mike Beltzner)近日证实，下一款火狐浏览器3.5版本月底推出后，将允许企业用户以3.5版为基础，根据自身特定需求开发出相应定制版。业界人士 称，Mozilla此举意在向微软IE浏览器发起新一轮挑战。贝尔泽纳称，为实现上述目标，Mozilla将于近期内面向企业用户启动一项名为“组建你自己浏览器”的项目。利用Mozilla提供的工具，企业用户可在火狐中使用特定应用 程序，并在书签(功能相当于IE浏览器的“收藏夹”)中预置公司经常访问的网站链接，以方便员工使用。
贝尔泽纳还表示，利用Mozilla所提供的Personas技术，企业用户还可在火狐3.5版基础上，改变所定制浏览器的外观，同时可增加相应企业的名称 和标识。在上述工作完成后，Mozilla将向这些企业提供一款安装程序，以方便企业IT部门在公司所有台式机上快速安装定制版火狐浏览器。
挑战微软
美 国市场研究公司Forrester分析师谢丽·麦克莱什(Sheri McLeish)指出，目前在全球大型企业用户中，多数为微软IE用户；其部分原因是：微软向企业用户提供了IE浏览器安装程序，以方便大型企业IT部门 对IE的默认设置进行调整，并实现在公司所有台式机快速安装IE目的。
麦克莱什认 为，Mozilla还没有向企业用户提供火狐定制工具的先例，而Mozilla现在决定这样做，其用意非常明显：希望部分企业用户能够由IE转用火 狐，“Mozilla向企业用户提供火狐定制版工具后，企业用户肯定会比较感兴趣，毕竟在默认浏览器定制事宜上，企业用户又多了一个选择。”
贝尔泽纳表示，今后Mozilla向企业用户提供定制工具后，由于火狐本身为开源软件，因此在定制事宜上，企业用户将具备更多灵活性，而不像微软对IE的定制具有诸多限制。
目前火狐全球用户为3亿左右。贝尔泽纳称，火狐3.5版本月底推出时，将同时支持70多种语言。Mozilla上月初表示，已在着手开发能够支持多核处理器的新款火狐，以大幅提高火狐的运行速度和稳定性。
Mozilla推出Firefox“插件收藏”服务
2009-06-12 PChome.net 类型: 转载 来源: 驱动之家 责编: 吴宏
Firefox的一个非常有用的功能就是允许用户在浏览器上自定义无数的插件，Firefox插件下载量已经接近15亿次，为了给插件用户和开发人员带来更完善的体验，Mozilla昨日推出了“插件收藏”服务，帮助用户从众多插件中找到自己喜爱的类型，为不同的用户提供更强的互动性。
访问插件网站的用户将见到全新的插件中心页面，这里整合了所有插件并且提供了收藏词典用以显示用户的所有插件收藏，虽然目前显示的大多是Mozilla提供的收藏，不过不久的将来Mozilla希望将其替换为社区创建的内容。
Firefox用户可以创建自己的页面，并对各种插件进行评级，也可以将自己喜爱的插件添加到收藏中，简单说该服务为用户提供了搜寻、管理、评论、分享、同步插件的简易方法，Firefox 3.0至3.5用户均可下载使用“插件收藏”服务。
Firefox的一个非常有用的功能就是允许用户在浏览器上自定义无数的插件，Firefox插件下载量已经接近15亿次，为了给插件用户和开发人员带来更完善的体验，Mozilla昨日推出了“插件收藏”服务，帮助用户从众多插件中找到自己喜爱的类型，为不同的用户提供更强的互动性。
访问插件网站的用户将见到全新的插件中心页面，这里整合了所有插件并且提供了收藏词典用以显示用户的所有插件收藏，虽然目前显示的大多是Mozilla提供的收藏，不过不久的将来Mozilla希望将其替换为社区创建的内容。
Firefox用户可以创建自己的页面，并对各种插件进行评级，也可以将自己喜爱的插件添加到收藏中，简单说该服务为用户提供了搜寻、管理、评论、分享、同步插件的简易方法，Firefox 3.0至3.5用户均可下载使用“插件收藏”服务。
Friday, June 12, 2009
Taiwan smartphone makers may switch focus to high-end multimedia handsets
Daniel Shen, Taipei; Steve Shen, DIGITIMES [Friday 12 June 2009]
Some Taiwan-based smartphone makers are planning to focus more on the development of high-end multimedia handsets, instead of concentrating on Windows Mobile- or Android-based smartphones, according to market sources within Taiwan's handset industry.
The overall production costs, including royalty payments and resources, for smartphones are over three- to four-times higher than those for high-end multimedia handsets, but the market for smartphones is much smaller, the sources indicated.
The production of high-end multimedia handset is also much easier as a multimedia model requires only 300-400 components compared to 1,000-1,200 needed for a smartphone, the sources added.
The increasing adoption of touch panels and touch user interfaces (touch UIs) in multimedia handsets has also minimized the difference between multimedia handsets and smartphones.
Some Taiwan-based smartphone makers are planning to focus more on the development of high-end multimedia handsets, instead of concentrating on Windows Mobile- or Android-based smartphones, according to market sources within Taiwan's handset industry.
The overall production costs, including royalty payments and resources, for smartphones are over three- to four-times higher than those for high-end multimedia handsets, but the market for smartphones is much smaller, the sources indicated.
The production of high-end multimedia handset is also much easier as a multimedia model requires only 300-400 components compared to 1,000-1,200 needed for a smartphone, the sources added.
The increasing adoption of touch panels and touch user interfaces (touch UIs) in multimedia handsets has also minimized the difference between multimedia handsets and smartphones.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Foxconn suffers revenue drop in May
11 June 2009]
Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has posted non-consolidated revenues of NT$91.67 billion (US$2.8 billion) for May, a drop of 2.9% on month and 11.2% on year. Company spokesperson Edmund Ding pointed out that May is the traditional slow season, and Foxconn's performance is still at an average level compared to its competitors.
With Apple launching its new iPhone and several new MacBook models expected in the second half of this year, market watchers expect Foxconn's revenue performance will start picking up after June.
Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has posted non-consolidated revenues of NT$91.67 billion (US$2.8 billion) for May, a drop of 2.9% on month and 11.2% on year. Company spokesperson Edmund Ding pointed out that May is the traditional slow season, and Foxconn's performance is still at an average level compared to its competitors.
With Apple launching its new iPhone and several new MacBook models expected in the second half of this year, market watchers expect Foxconn's revenue performance will start picking up after June.
Taiwan handset makers step into smartbook segment
11 June 2009
Taiwan-based handset makers, including Compal Communications, Inventec Appliances and Mobinnova, are venturing into the production of smartbooks, positioning themselves to compete with PC vendors for a slice of expanding netbook market, according to market sources.
Most Taiwan-based OEM notebook makers, including Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics, Wistron, Asustek Computer, Inventec as well as EMS giant Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), displayed their respective smartbooks at the recently concluded Computex 2009.
Nokia is definitely expected to step into the smartbook segment soon – a move which will push more handset vendors to climb on smartbook bandwagon, said the sources.
Instead of using Intel's mobile platform, most smartbook models rolled out by Taiwan makers are being built on platforms from Qualcomm, Nvidia and Freescale Semiconductor, noted the sources.
For example, Mobinnova exhibited two Nvidia Tegra-based ultra-portable computing devices, the élan and T8, at Computex. Mobinnova claims that the élan is able to power up instantly, connects directly a 3G wireless network, offers full page web browsing and delivers graphics performance never seen before on a mobile computing device.
Most smartbooks are currently available in 10-inch, but makers are likely to focus on 7-inch models in the future, asserted Stephen Chen, president of Compal Communications.
Taiwan-based handset makers, including Compal Communications, Inventec Appliances and Mobinnova, are venturing into the production of smartbooks, positioning themselves to compete with PC vendors for a slice of expanding netbook market, according to market sources.
Most Taiwan-based OEM notebook makers, including Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics, Wistron, Asustek Computer, Inventec as well as EMS giant Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), displayed their respective smartbooks at the recently concluded Computex 2009.
Nokia is definitely expected to step into the smartbook segment soon – a move which will push more handset vendors to climb on smartbook bandwagon, said the sources.
Instead of using Intel's mobile platform, most smartbook models rolled out by Taiwan makers are being built on platforms from Qualcomm, Nvidia and Freescale Semiconductor, noted the sources.
For example, Mobinnova exhibited two Nvidia Tegra-based ultra-portable computing devices, the élan and T8, at Computex. Mobinnova claims that the élan is able to power up instantly, connects directly a 3G wireless network, offers full page web browsing and delivers graphics performance never seen before on a mobile computing device.
Most smartbooks are currently available in 10-inch, but makers are likely to focus on 7-inch models in the future, asserted Stephen Chen, president of Compal Communications.
Arima Communications to ship 13 million handsets in 2009
11 June 2009
Despite the global slowdown, Arima Communications expects its handset shipments to reach 13 million units in 2009 as did in 2008, thanks to growing orders from LG Electronics (LGE), according to company chairman Stephen Lee.
Shipments to LGE alone will account for 8-9 million units this year, making the Korea-based vendor the OEM handset maker's largest client, replacing Sony Ericsson, estimated market sources in Taiwan.
Arima shipped 9.5 million handsets to Sony Ericsson in 2008, contributing 52% to Arima's total revenues for last year, company sources revealed.
Having shipped more than 10 models to LGE since 2008, Arima is also expected to ship 4-5 new handsets, which are all built on handset platforms from MediaTek, to LGE in the second half of 2009, noted the sources.
Despite the global slowdown, Arima Communications expects its handset shipments to reach 13 million units in 2009 as did in 2008, thanks to growing orders from LG Electronics (LGE), according to company chairman Stephen Lee.
Shipments to LGE alone will account for 8-9 million units this year, making the Korea-based vendor the OEM handset maker's largest client, replacing Sony Ericsson, estimated market sources in Taiwan.
Arima shipped 9.5 million handsets to Sony Ericsson in 2008, contributing 52% to Arima's total revenues for last year, company sources revealed.
Having shipped more than 10 models to LGE since 2008, Arima is also expected to ship 4-5 new handsets, which are all built on handset platforms from MediaTek, to LGE in the second half of 2009, noted the sources.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Inventec Appliances to roll out Android- and OMS-based smartphones
5 June 2009]
Inventec Appliances has teamed up with China-based Borqs International Holding to develop Android-based handsets, according to company sources, who added that the pair will also develop handsets based on China Mobile's in-house developed OMS (open mobile system).
Inventec plans to roll out English- and Chinese-version Android phones for both own-brand and OEM shipments. Shipments to OEM clients are expected to begin in the second half of 2009, the sources said.
OMS-based smartphones are to ship to China Mobile, a TD-SCDMA network operator in China, indicated the sources.
As a 3G handset supplier for China Mobile, Inventec began to ship its TD-SCDMA/GSM dual-mode smartphone, the OK982, to retail channels in China in March, noted the sources.
Inventec also plans to enter the production of Android-based netbooks at a later time, the sources added.
Inventec Appliances has teamed up with China-based Borqs International Holding to develop Android-based handsets, according to company sources, who added that the pair will also develop handsets based on China Mobile's in-house developed OMS (open mobile system).
Inventec plans to roll out English- and Chinese-version Android phones for both own-brand and OEM shipments. Shipments to OEM clients are expected to begin in the second half of 2009, the sources said.
OMS-based smartphones are to ship to China Mobile, a TD-SCDMA network operator in China, indicated the sources.
As a 3G handset supplier for China Mobile, Inventec began to ship its TD-SCDMA/GSM dual-mode smartphone, the OK982, to retail channels in China in March, noted the sources.
Inventec also plans to enter the production of Android-based netbooks at a later time, the sources added.
Acer Android netbooks will still ship with Windows, reveals chairman
5 June 2009]
The Android netbooks recently announced by Acer will actually ship as dual-boot systems with both Android and Windows, according Acer chairman JT Wang.
Wang pointed out that the dual-OS strategy is much safer for Acer since consumer acceptance of the Android platform is unclear for the time being.
Acer will cooperate with telecom providers to sell the netbooks and expects shipments to reach an average scale in 2-3 years, Wang noted.
Wang also noted that Acer will not rule out the possibility of launching Android-only models if there is enough demand from telecom providers.
The new details will come as a blow to GNU/Linux enthusiasts who took Acer's announcement earlier in the week as signs of a resurgence in support for open source software in the consumer space. The dual-OS compromise is unlikely to win support from die-hard alternative operating system supporters who will continue to cry foul of what they see as a "Windows tax" on their purchases.
For mainstream consumers, the addition of Android will have a limited effect as it will not translate to cheaper products as some market watchers anticipated. In fact, the second operating system increases the complexity of the netbook and my lead to increased support costs which Acer will need to account for in the purchase price. On the other hand, Acer will be able to promote Android as a value-added feature, similar to Asustek Computer's Express Gate, to account for any price premium.
In other news, Wang has estimated that Acer's notebook shipments in the second half of 2009 will grow 30-40% compared to the first.
The Android netbooks recently announced by Acer will actually ship as dual-boot systems with both Android and Windows, according Acer chairman JT Wang.
Wang pointed out that the dual-OS strategy is much safer for Acer since consumer acceptance of the Android platform is unclear for the time being.
Acer will cooperate with telecom providers to sell the netbooks and expects shipments to reach an average scale in 2-3 years, Wang noted.
Wang also noted that Acer will not rule out the possibility of launching Android-only models if there is enough demand from telecom providers.
The new details will come as a blow to GNU/Linux enthusiasts who took Acer's announcement earlier in the week as signs of a resurgence in support for open source software in the consumer space. The dual-OS compromise is unlikely to win support from die-hard alternative operating system supporters who will continue to cry foul of what they see as a "Windows tax" on their purchases.
For mainstream consumers, the addition of Android will have a limited effect as it will not translate to cheaper products as some market watchers anticipated. In fact, the second operating system increases the complexity of the netbook and my lead to increased support costs which Acer will need to account for in the purchase price. On the other hand, Acer will be able to promote Android as a value-added feature, similar to Asustek Computer's Express Gate, to account for any price premium.
In other news, Wang has estimated that Acer's notebook shipments in the second half of 2009 will grow 30-40% compared to the first.
BenQ reveals plans to launch Android-powered smart handheld devices and netbooks in 2010
June 2009]
BenQ, in the wake of the increasing popularity of Android-based products, plans to launch Android-powered smart handheld devices and netbooks in 2010, according to Peter Chen, general manager of BenQ's technology product center.
Chen noted that the company will initially start integrating Android into smart handheld devices and is currently evaluating platform solutions from Intel and Qualcomm. The company will later support Android on its netbooks.
Although Android has advantages over cost, the current ecosystem of available applications that can run on the platform is still limited and is therefore creating a barrier of entry for some smaller brand PC vendors. But as more vendors enter the market and more software is developed, the value of the Android platform will start to increase, Chen pointed out.
In addition to Android, BenQ will also launch Windows 7-based products in the fourth quarter.
BenQ, in the wake of the increasing popularity of Android-based products, plans to launch Android-powered smart handheld devices and netbooks in 2010, according to Peter Chen, general manager of BenQ's technology product center.
Chen noted that the company will initially start integrating Android into smart handheld devices and is currently evaluating platform solutions from Intel and Qualcomm. The company will later support Android on its netbooks.
Although Android has advantages over cost, the current ecosystem of available applications that can run on the platform is still limited and is therefore creating a barrier of entry for some smaller brand PC vendors. But as more vendors enter the market and more software is developed, the value of the Android platform will start to increase, Chen pointed out.
In addition to Android, BenQ will also launch Windows 7-based products in the fourth quarter.
ITRI and Datang Telecom to jointly set up a TD-SCDMA experimental network in Taiwan
8 June 2009]
Taiwan government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with China-based Datang Telecom Technology to set up an experimental TD-SCDMA network in Taiwan.
The planned experimental network will serve as a testing network to verify TD-SCDMA-compatible CPE products rolled out by Taiwan network equipment, so as to help local makers cut their time-to-market and costs for mobile devices designated for the China market, according to ITRI president Johnsee Lee.
ITRI and Datang will also join forces to develop TD-LTE (time division-Long Term Evolution) technology, Lee added.
The TD-LTE standard is being promoted by a number of China-based telecom equipment makers, including ZTE, Huawei Technologies, Datang and China Putian Information Technology, said market sources in China, adding that many players such as Motorola, Nokia, Alcatel-Lucent, LG Electronics (LGE) and Qualcomm have also climbed on the TD-LTE bandwagon.
Taiwan government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with China-based Datang Telecom Technology to set up an experimental TD-SCDMA network in Taiwan.
The planned experimental network will serve as a testing network to verify TD-SCDMA-compatible CPE products rolled out by Taiwan network equipment, so as to help local makers cut their time-to-market and costs for mobile devices designated for the China market, according to ITRI president Johnsee Lee.
ITRI and Datang will also join forces to develop TD-LTE (time division-Long Term Evolution) technology, Lee added.
The TD-LTE standard is being promoted by a number of China-based telecom equipment makers, including ZTE, Huawei Technologies, Datang and China Putian Information Technology, said market sources in China, adding that many players such as Motorola, Nokia, Alcatel-Lucent, LG Electronics (LGE) and Qualcomm have also climbed on the TD-LTE bandwagon.
HTC May revenues meet market expectations
Monday 8 June 2009]
HTC (High Tech Computer) has posted revenues of NT$12.48 billion (US$382.82 million) for May 2009, up 9.5% on month and 14.2% on year. The monthly figures were in line with market expectations.
For the first five months of the year, HTC's revenues totaled NT$55.48 billion, down 0.02% from a year earlier, the company said.
HTC (High Tech Computer) has posted revenues of NT$12.48 billion (US$382.82 million) for May 2009, up 9.5% on month and 14.2% on year. The monthly figures were in line with market expectations.
For the first five months of the year, HTC's revenues totaled NT$55.48 billion, down 0.02% from a year earlier, the company said.
Arima Communications see handset shipments up, but revenues down in May, says paper
Monday 8 June 2009]
Arima Communications saw its handset shipments increase 18% sequentially to 1.18 million in May, but revenues for the month showed an 8.6% sequential decline to NT$1.48 billion (US$45.4 million), according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.
The revenue decline amid rising shipments indicated that the low-cost handsets accounted for the bulk of the company's May shipments, the paper noted.
For the first five months of this year, Arima revenues reached NT$6.86 billion, down a 0.5% from a year earlier, according to a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE).
Arima Communications saw its handset shipments increase 18% sequentially to 1.18 million in May, but revenues for the month showed an 8.6% sequential decline to NT$1.48 billion (US$45.4 million), according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.
The revenue decline amid rising shipments indicated that the low-cost handsets accounted for the bulk of the company's May shipments, the paper noted.
For the first five months of this year, Arima revenues reached NT$6.86 billion, down a 0.5% from a year earlier, according to a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE).
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sprint Demonstrates 'Open' Leadership with New Programs for the Developer Community
Sprint's commitment to an open approach continues with the Sprint Developer SandboxSM, new open location platform enablers and upcoming open Sprint developer conference OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 01, 2009--
Continuing its leadership in employing an open strategy, Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today, from the JavaOne conference, its newest programs for application developers: -- Sprint Developer Sandbox will provide access to tools to let developers
quickly and easily create location-based services (LBS) applications,
messaging applications and more.
-- Three additional location aggregation providers, Alcatel-Lucent, LOC-AID
and Useful Networks, to help developers create new location-based
services for Sprint customers.
-- The ninth annual Sprint Application Developer Conference, Oct. 26-28,
2009, which, for the first time, will be open to all developers.
Sprint is the first U.S. carrier to offer the application developer community a free Developer Sandbox (http://developer.sprint.com/sandbox), open to all Sprint registered developers, that provides developers access to an expansive set of Sprint network, handset and product capabilities to use in creating applications.
Continuing its leadership in employing an open strategy, Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today, from the JavaOne conference, its newest programs for application developers: -- Sprint Developer Sandbox will provide access to tools to let developers
quickly and easily create location-based services (LBS) applications,
messaging applications and more.
-- Three additional location aggregation providers, Alcatel-Lucent, LOC-AID
and Useful Networks, to help developers create new location-based
services for Sprint customers.
-- The ninth annual Sprint Application Developer Conference, Oct. 26-28,
2009, which, for the first time, will be open to all developers.
Sprint is the first U.S. carrier to offer the application developer community a free Developer Sandbox (http://developer.sprint.com/sandbox), open to all Sprint registered developers, that provides developers access to an expansive set of Sprint network, handset and product capabilities to use in creating applications.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Worldwide handset sales decline about 9% while smartphones grow almost 13% in 1Q09, says Gartner (Digi Times)
Worldwide handset sales totaled 269.1 million units in the first quarter of 2009, a 8.6% decrease from the first quarter of 2008, according to Gartner. Smartphone sales surpassed 36.4 million units, a 12.7% increase from the same period last year.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
two best and free Open Source Twitter clone scripts
two best and free Open Source Twitter clone scripts build using PHP and MySQL and another one on ASP.net MVC platform.
Here is List of Twitter Clone Scripts
Laconica – Open Source Twitter
Laconica is free open source Microblogging and Twitter clone script.
Features of Laconica
Let you to subscribe to the updates from users on another site,
Support for Open ID
15+ server list for handling traffic
API support for building Tools and Apps for Laconica
And Good Developer Community
Setting up Laconica is bit tedious task but once setup then it works like charm. Read more about Laconica (Author) here.
See the Following website running Laconica
1. Identi.ca2. Cafeonica3. Bartle
Download Laconica Twitter Clone Script here.
Yonkly – Open Source Twitter
Yonkly is build on Asp.net MVC framework is another Free Open Source Twitter Clone and Microblogging script as well as Web service.
Features of Yonkly
Based on ASP.net MVC framework makes it really fast
Very Easy to setup and take very less time
Supports Timeline and Groups
Message Search like many other features
Active Developer community
Size of Yonkly Twitter Clone script is Just 1.3MB, if you have any questions about Yonkly or you wish to suggest new features then connect Yonkly Author here.
Download Yonkly Here.
Revou Commercial Twitter Clone/ Microblogging Script
If you are planning to have your own Twitter clone and do not want to rely on Free Script then Revou is good option for you. Revou is Commercial Twitter Clone script and cost apx. $400.
Revou is build on PHP and MySQL platform.it has SMS integration as well as API support and its fully customizable script.
See this Live Demo of this twitter clone script at Revou.
If you know any other Free Open source Twitter Clone script then let me know I will include in above List.
http://www.blogsdna.com/602/top-2-free-open-source-microblogging-twitter-clone-script-download-now.htm
Here is List of Twitter Clone Scripts
Laconica – Open Source Twitter
Laconica is free open source Microblogging and Twitter clone script.
Features of Laconica
Let you to subscribe to the updates from users on another site,
Support for Open ID
15+ server list for handling traffic
API support for building Tools and Apps for Laconica
And Good Developer Community
Setting up Laconica is bit tedious task but once setup then it works like charm. Read more about Laconica (Author) here.
See the Following website running Laconica
1. Identi.ca2. Cafeonica3. Bartle
Download Laconica Twitter Clone Script here.
Yonkly – Open Source Twitter
Yonkly is build on Asp.net MVC framework is another Free Open Source Twitter Clone and Microblogging script as well as Web service.
Features of Yonkly
Based on ASP.net MVC framework makes it really fast
Very Easy to setup and take very less time
Supports Timeline and Groups
Message Search like many other features
Active Developer community
Size of Yonkly Twitter Clone script is Just 1.3MB, if you have any questions about Yonkly or you wish to suggest new features then connect Yonkly Author here.
Download Yonkly Here.
Revou Commercial Twitter Clone/ Microblogging Script
If you are planning to have your own Twitter clone and do not want to rely on Free Script then Revou is good option for you. Revou is Commercial Twitter Clone script and cost apx. $400.
Revou is build on PHP and MySQL platform.it has SMS integration as well as API support and its fully customizable script.
See this Live Demo of this twitter clone script at Revou.
If you know any other Free Open source Twitter Clone script then let me know I will include in above List.
http://www.blogsdna.com/602/top-2-free-open-source-microblogging-twitter-clone-script-download-now.htm
Top 6 Mobile App Pricing Models
1. Pay-per-download Model
The most widely used pricing model for mobile apps today and is employed by most online application stores.
In this instance, the developer sets a fixed price for his or her application and the user downloads and has full, unlimited access to the application.
With this model, it is essential that the developer research what other, similar applications are being sold for to make sure they are not charging too much or too little for theirs.
Developers will also need to constantly monitor the sales of their application and be prepared to change the price as needed, which often may be required several times over the life of the product.
NOTE: Developers should note that the average sales price (ASP) for applications has been steadily decreasing over time due to fierce competition and the increasing number of “freemium” applications in the marketplace. Applications that might have sold for $14.99 or $19.99 a few years ago may now only sell for $4.99 or in some cases, even $0.99.
2. Subscription Model
With subscriptions, the developer typically provides access to one or more of their applications for a set period of time but the end user doesn’t actually own the application.
The subscription cost for access to 3-4 applications per month may be comparable to the pay per download cost of a single application.
Developers have the opportunity to distribute a larger number of applications and generate an ongoing revenue stream.
3. Demo or lite version Apps
Allows consumers to try an application with limited functionality or for a limited period of time, with the option to upgrade to a full version of the application at a later date.
There is little risk to the consumer because the application does not cost them anything to try and developers get to have their application trialed by a larger audience.
There are several success stories with this pricing model where developers first posted only a pay per download version of their application, did not get much traction and then later added a demo version and subsequently saw their sales skyrocket.
It is essential that the developer provide just enough functionality in the demo version to entice the consumer to give it a try and then advertise just how much more the user will get when they upgrade to the full version.
4. Ad-funded or subsidized apps
Generally allow consumers to enjoy the full benefits of the application at no cost.
Consumers are instead shown banner ads in and around the application as well as when the application is starting up or transitioning between screens.
The application developer in turn makes money based on the number of times each ad is viewed and/or when a consumer clicks on one of the ads within the application.In the mobile games industry, companies like Greystripe have had a great deal of success with this model.
5. In-application micropayments
A way for developers to offer their applications for free to consumers while generating income by giving consumers the option to purchase virtual content within the application..
Micropayments are widely used within free applications on social networks like Facebook and MySpace today and are just now starting to appear in the mobile space.
Companies like Zynga, one of the top game publishers for Facebook, is rumored to be making $100M per year using this format within their games.In games such as Mafia Wars and Street Racing, consumers can purchase reward points that can be used to accelerate or otherwise improve their standing within the games.
Consumers can buy these reward points using a credit card, PayPal, one of the popular virtual currency providers out there like Spare Change or Social Gold, or in exchange for accepting a promotional offer from one of several marketing partnerships that are featured within the game.
While not widely used today, carrier billing via premium SMS is likely to start gaining traction in the near future and will provide an enormous impact to the industry as vast numbers of consumers are given the ability to purchase in-application virtual content.
6. Combo of 2 or more models
Developers can for example offer an application that is free to consumers and then utilize both advertising and micropayments to monetize their creations.
This combo approach can provide developers with a diverse array of revenue streams from their application, which may also help fill the gap left by declining ASP’s as discussed earlier in this article.
The most widely used pricing model for mobile apps today and is employed by most online application stores.
In this instance, the developer sets a fixed price for his or her application and the user downloads and has full, unlimited access to the application.
With this model, it is essential that the developer research what other, similar applications are being sold for to make sure they are not charging too much or too little for theirs.
Developers will also need to constantly monitor the sales of their application and be prepared to change the price as needed, which often may be required several times over the life of the product.
NOTE: Developers should note that the average sales price (ASP) for applications has been steadily decreasing over time due to fierce competition and the increasing number of “freemium” applications in the marketplace. Applications that might have sold for $14.99 or $19.99 a few years ago may now only sell for $4.99 or in some cases, even $0.99.
2. Subscription Model
With subscriptions, the developer typically provides access to one or more of their applications for a set period of time but the end user doesn’t actually own the application.
The subscription cost for access to 3-4 applications per month may be comparable to the pay per download cost of a single application.
Developers have the opportunity to distribute a larger number of applications and generate an ongoing revenue stream.
3. Demo or lite version Apps
Allows consumers to try an application with limited functionality or for a limited period of time, with the option to upgrade to a full version of the application at a later date.
There is little risk to the consumer because the application does not cost them anything to try and developers get to have their application trialed by a larger audience.
There are several success stories with this pricing model where developers first posted only a pay per download version of their application, did not get much traction and then later added a demo version and subsequently saw their sales skyrocket.
It is essential that the developer provide just enough functionality in the demo version to entice the consumer to give it a try and then advertise just how much more the user will get when they upgrade to the full version.
4. Ad-funded or subsidized apps
Generally allow consumers to enjoy the full benefits of the application at no cost.
Consumers are instead shown banner ads in and around the application as well as when the application is starting up or transitioning between screens.
The application developer in turn makes money based on the number of times each ad is viewed and/or when a consumer clicks on one of the ads within the application.In the mobile games industry, companies like Greystripe have had a great deal of success with this model.
5. In-application micropayments
A way for developers to offer their applications for free to consumers while generating income by giving consumers the option to purchase virtual content within the application..
Micropayments are widely used within free applications on social networks like Facebook and MySpace today and are just now starting to appear in the mobile space.
Companies like Zynga, one of the top game publishers for Facebook, is rumored to be making $100M per year using this format within their games.In games such as Mafia Wars and Street Racing, consumers can purchase reward points that can be used to accelerate or otherwise improve their standing within the games.
Consumers can buy these reward points using a credit card, PayPal, one of the popular virtual currency providers out there like Spare Change or Social Gold, or in exchange for accepting a promotional offer from one of several marketing partnerships that are featured within the game.
While not widely used today, carrier billing via premium SMS is likely to start gaining traction in the near future and will provide an enormous impact to the industry as vast numbers of consumers are given the ability to purchase in-application virtual content.
6. Combo of 2 or more models
Developers can for example offer an application that is free to consumers and then utilize both advertising and micropayments to monetize their creations.
This combo approach can provide developers with a diverse array of revenue streams from their application, which may also help fill the gap left by declining ASP’s as discussed earlier in this article.
Mobile App Pricing Models
Pay-per-download Model
Subscription Model
Demo or lite version Apps
Ad-funded or subsidized apps
In-application micropayments- purchase virtual content within the application, game
Combo of 2 or more models
Subscription Model
Demo or lite version Apps
Ad-funded or subsidized apps
In-application micropayments- purchase virtual content within the application, game
Combo of 2 or more models
Motorola widget links
Motorola WebUI <— (Widget Technology)
Motorola Widgets <— (Widget Documentation)
Motorola MOTOMAGX <—-(Linux Platform)
Motorola MOTODEV STUDIO for WebUI <—- (Developer Studio Suite for Widgets)
Motorola Widgets <— (Widget Documentation)
Motorola MOTOMAGX <—-(Linux Platform)
Motorola MOTODEV STUDIO for WebUI <—- (Developer Studio Suite for Widgets)
Monday, May 25, 2009
China has close to 300 million Internet users: survey
China's online population, already the world's largest, rose to 298 million by the end of 2008, almost the same as the entire population of the United States
The figure is up 41.9 percent from a year ago and is still growing fast, the government-linked China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC) said in a report published on its website.
The CNNIC report said 117.6 million people accessed the Internet using their mobile phones last year, up 133 percent from 2007.
China, with 633.8 million mobile phone users, last week issued long-awaited licences for third-generation (3G) mobile phones, which enable faster data transmission and services such as wide-area wireless calls and web surfing.
Monday, May 18, 2009
SurfKit Mobile Internet Platform comprises SurfKit Home (idle screen), SurfKit Launcher, SurfKit Storefront and SurfKit Widget Runtime
http://www.surfkitchen.com
SurfKitchen delivers a mobile Internet platform used by mobile operators and their partners, to increase the uptake of mobile Internet applications & services. SurfKitchen’s platform enables operators to provide the optimum user experience when it comes to discoverability and usability of these applications & services - across the broadest device portfolio. The result? They’re able to offer subscribers a truly personalised, compelling and intuitive experience that builds operator brand loyalty, reduces customer churn and drives all important mobile data revenue.
VALUE PROPOSITION
Benefits to operators:
Proven experience with 20+ operator customers globally
Proven to increase operator data ARPU through optimum discoverability, access & usability to relevant services - more users buy more mobile internet services more often
Provides operator with a branded window to the mobile internet, on the home screen - one place for users to access priority services
Enables rapid low-cost/ low-risk development and deployment of applications and widgets across many devices
Proven scalability & unrivalled reach across broadest range of devices & operating systems including; Symbian, Microsoft, Java, Blackberry, BREW and Android*
Delivers insightful analytics that allow services to be measured and refined throughout their lifecycle – experience can also be tailored for specific market segments
Provides optimum channel to realise promotional and advertising opportunities
Benefits to users:
Delivers compelling, intuitive user experience - simple discovery and navigation promotes launch, usage & purchase of mobile internet applications & services - "Click & Go" not "Click & Wait"
Puts user in control: enables applications to be customised according to individual preferences - news, weather, sport, entertainment & social networks
Instills user confidence by providing free previews of mobile internet applications & services on the device prior to purchase
Automatically updates content resident on the device over-the-air keeping the experience fresh & compelling
SurfKitchen delivers a mobile Internet platform used by mobile operators and their partners, to increase the uptake of mobile Internet applications & services. SurfKitchen’s platform enables operators to provide the optimum user experience when it comes to discoverability and usability of these applications & services - across the broadest device portfolio. The result? They’re able to offer subscribers a truly personalised, compelling and intuitive experience that builds operator brand loyalty, reduces customer churn and drives all important mobile data revenue.
VALUE PROPOSITION
Benefits to operators:
Proven experience with 20+ operator customers globally
Proven to increase operator data ARPU through optimum discoverability, access & usability to relevant services - more users buy more mobile internet services more often
Provides operator with a branded window to the mobile internet, on the home screen - one place for users to access priority services
Enables rapid low-cost/ low-risk development and deployment of applications and widgets across many devices
Proven scalability & unrivalled reach across broadest range of devices & operating systems including; Symbian, Microsoft, Java, Blackberry, BREW and Android*
Delivers insightful analytics that allow services to be measured and refined throughout their lifecycle – experience can also be tailored for specific market segments
Provides optimum channel to realise promotional and advertising opportunities
Benefits to users:
Delivers compelling, intuitive user experience - simple discovery and navigation promotes launch, usage & purchase of mobile internet applications & services - "Click & Go" not "Click & Wait"
Puts user in control: enables applications to be customised according to individual preferences - news, weather, sport, entertainment & social networks
Instills user confidence by providing free previews of mobile internet applications & services on the device prior to purchase
Automatically updates content resident on the device over-the-air keeping the experience fresh & compelling
Telstra chooses Surfkitchen to improve user experience
Oz operator uses SurfKit Mobile Internet Platform to power idle screen, widgets and more.
Specifically, Telstra is using the platform to power its TelstraOne Experience interface. This will give subscribers one-click access to widgets, Internet applications, native applications and web links. “We know mobile users want a navigation experience that is intuitive and allows them to get to their favourite features quickly without having to hunt through endless submenus,” said Ross Fielding, executive director of Telstra Product Management. “TelstraOne Experience delivers on our one-click vision, giving customers greater control over the services they want to use on their mobile phone.
This means fast, easy access to the most popular applications and services like phonebook and calendar and social networking and search.”The SurfKit Mobile Internet Platform comprises SurfKit Home (idle screen), SurfKit Launcher, SurfKit Storefront and SurfKit Widget Runtime.SurfKitchen has been working with Telstra since 2004 and its technology is installed on over 1.5 million devices covering almost 60 different device models.
Source: MobileEntertainment - Tim Green May 5 2009, 2:10pm
Specifically, Telstra is using the platform to power its TelstraOne Experience interface. This will give subscribers one-click access to widgets, Internet applications, native applications and web links. “We know mobile users want a navigation experience that is intuitive and allows them to get to their favourite features quickly without having to hunt through endless submenus,” said Ross Fielding, executive director of Telstra Product Management. “TelstraOne Experience delivers on our one-click vision, giving customers greater control over the services they want to use on their mobile phone.
This means fast, easy access to the most popular applications and services like phonebook and calendar and social networking and search.”The SurfKit Mobile Internet Platform comprises SurfKit Home (idle screen), SurfKit Launcher, SurfKit Storefront and SurfKit Widget Runtime.SurfKitchen has been working with Telstra since 2004 and its technology is installed on over 1.5 million devices covering almost 60 different device models.
Source: MobileEntertainment - Tim Green May 5 2009, 2:10pm
Friday, May 15, 2009
Pleyo has released a development platform to support its WebKit-based, open-source browser for consumer-electronics devices
Apr. 21, 2009
Pleyo has released a development platform to support its WebKit-based, open-source browser for consumer-electronics devices. The new "Origyn Production" software provides a tool-chain and automated test environment that supports development around its Linux-compatible Origyn Web Browser (OWB), which was recently rev'd to version 4.0.
Origyn Production provides a software as a service (SaaS) production and test platform for OWB applications, using a virtual machine for cross-platform support, says Pleyo. The platform is offered both as a software-only service operated by Pleyo, called "Safe Production," as well as a hardware/software "Bring it Home" platform that is hosted by the customer and updated by Pleyo.
Features of both versions of Origyn Production are said to include:
Origyn Web Browser (OWB), meanwhile, was rev'd to version 4 in January, says Pleyo. Aimed at consumer devices such as phones, portable media players (PMPs), and set-top boxes (STBs), OWB now supports Windows (32-bit), in addition to its previous support for Mac OS and Amiga platforms. The original selection of Linux platforms has grown to now include Linux GTK, Linux SDL, Linux N 800, Openmoko, and Access Linux Platform (ALP).
OWB v4 features are said to include:
Montpellier, France-based Pleyo offers development and consulting services around OWB, together with Sand-Labs.org, which releases the lightweight browser under a BSD license. OWB was the first open-source browser based on WebKit, the open source HTML rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser for desktops and devices, as well as Nokia's browser for its Symbian-based S60 platform.
In addition to the WebKit rendering engine, the OWB browser includes an abstraction layer (OwBaL) aimed at simplifying ports to new software environments, and reducing footprint by enabling the use of existing system libraries. Touted features in last summer's v3 release included a merge capability with Apple WebKit, full NPAPI (Netscape Plugin API) support, a fully documented high-level API, and an automated tested abstraction layer.
OWB can be built with glibc or uClibc, for x86, ARM, and SH processors, says Pleyo. The two major Linux versions include a minimalist sample SDL release, and a full GTK implementation (based on WebKit community work). In addition, Pleyo offers commercial, closed-source extensions to OWB. Origyn Web Extensions is a mechanism to expose middleware facilities in Javascript or to introduce new features into the browser, says the company. The Origyn Suite, meanwhile, is a library of services, widgets, and applications. (For more information on OWB, see Pleyo's whitepaper, Introducing OWB, an open-source browser for consumer devices.)
Webkit is an open source HTML rendering engine best known for its use in Apple software, including the iPhone, the Safari browser, Dashboard, Mail, and other Mac OS X applications. Adobe uses it as the basis for its AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) web development suite. Nokia's Qt Software division, formerly called Trolltech, integrated it into its Qt cross-platform development framework.
Availability
Origyn Production is available now from Pleyo, with pricing undisclosed. OWB v4 is available now, with free downloads at the related open source project Sand-Labs.org, here.
Pleyo has released a development platform to support its WebKit-based, open-source browser for consumer-electronics devices. The new "Origyn Production" software provides a tool-chain and automated test environment that supports development around its Linux-compatible Origyn Web Browser (OWB), which was recently rev'd to version 4.0.
Origyn Production provides a software as a service (SaaS) production and test platform for OWB applications, using a virtual machine for cross-platform support, says Pleyo. The platform is offered both as a software-only service operated by Pleyo, called "Safe Production," as well as a hardware/software "Bring it Home" platform that is hosted by the customer and updated by Pleyo.
Features of both versions of Origyn Production are said to include:
- Automatic build
- Optimized porting delivery on-demand
- Automated testing, including unit tests, standard conformance, and performances
- Tests use customer environment and devices
- Supports four releases per year on demand (Safe version) or six per year (Bring it Home)
- Origyn Web Extensions (see below) upgrade license included
- Synchronized with public OWB roadmap and WebKit
- Test customizations (Bring it Home only)
Origyn Web Browser (OWB), meanwhile, was rev'd to version 4 in January, says Pleyo. Aimed at consumer devices such as phones, portable media players (PMPs), and set-top boxes (STBs), OWB now supports Windows (32-bit), in addition to its previous support for Mac OS and Amiga platforms. The original selection of Linux platforms has grown to now include Linux GTK, Linux SDL, Linux N 800, Openmoko, and Access Linux Platform (ALP).
OWB v4 features are said to include:
- Supplied interface and range of extensions
- Integrated, enriched abstraction layers, enabling fast porting on a variety of devices
- Performance optimizations, incorporating latest version of WebKit
- New, lean control API, using "thin interface" that enables to fast middleware proofs
- Full Qt implementation
Montpellier, France-based Pleyo offers development and consulting services around OWB, together with Sand-Labs.org, which releases the lightweight browser under a BSD license. OWB was the first open-source browser based on WebKit, the open source HTML rendering engine that powers Apple's Safari browser for desktops and devices, as well as Nokia's browser for its Symbian-based S60 platform.
In addition to the WebKit rendering engine, the OWB browser includes an abstraction layer (OwBaL) aimed at simplifying ports to new software environments, and reducing footprint by enabling the use of existing system libraries. Touted features in last summer's v3 release included a merge capability with Apple WebKit, full NPAPI (Netscape Plugin API) support, a fully documented high-level API, and an automated tested abstraction layer.
OWB can be built with glibc or uClibc, for x86, ARM, and SH processors, says Pleyo. The two major Linux versions include a minimalist sample SDL release, and a full GTK implementation (based on WebKit community work). In addition, Pleyo offers commercial, closed-source extensions to OWB. Origyn Web Extensions is a mechanism to expose middleware facilities in Javascript or to introduce new features into the browser, says the company. The Origyn Suite, meanwhile, is a library of services, widgets, and applications. (For more information on OWB, see Pleyo's whitepaper, Introducing OWB, an open-source browser for consumer devices.)
Webkit is an open source HTML rendering engine best known for its use in Apple software, including the iPhone, the Safari browser, Dashboard, Mail, and other Mac OS X applications. Adobe uses it as the basis for its AIR (Adobe Integrated Runtime) web development suite. Nokia's Qt Software division, formerly called Trolltech, integrated it into its Qt cross-platform development framework.
Availability
Origyn Production is available now from Pleyo, with pricing undisclosed. OWB v4 is available now, with free downloads at the related open source project Sand-Labs.org, here.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Handset heavyweight Qualcomm is set to butt heads with Intel as it readies its high-performance Snapdragon chip.
Qualcomm's three-year effort to design its first gigahertz-class processor for smartphones will come to fruition this summer. And if products roll out in the numbers Qualcomm claims, Snapdragon should solidify the San Diego, Calif.-based company's position as the preeminent maker of cell phone chips, while allowing it to challenge Intel's dominance in Netbooks.
From a business perspective and design win perspective, things have only increased since Q4 of last year. The Toshiba TG01 Windows Mobile-based phone was unveiled in February. It uses a 1GHz Snapdragon (aka the Qualcomm QSD8250 chipset), is only 9.9mm thick (versus 12.3mm for the Apple iPhone), runs Windows Mobile 6.1, sports a 4.1-inch WVGA 800x480 touch screen (versus 3.5-inch for the iPhone), and comes with support for 3G HSPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, and assisted-GPS.
Toshiba will be the first to bring out a Snapdragon-based smartphone. Qualcomm will see many more over the course of the year.
It took a long time for Qualcomm to reach this point. In November 2006, Luis Pineda, Qualcomm's senior vice president of marketing and product management at the time, told ZDNet UK that "chipsets based on Snapdragon should become available towards the end of 2007, with products appearing the following year." That didn't happen, of course.
Nevertheless, Qualcomm--as the leading provider of core silicon in cell phones--has a long history of providing chips for high-profile phones. The T-Mobile G1, which runs Google's Android operating system, is powered by Qualcomm's processor, for example.
One of Snapdragon's purported fortes is its performance. The chip runs at 1GHz, a milestone for the power-frugal ARM architecture, which typically yields processors that run at much lower speeds. (U.K.-based ARM licenses a basic chip design to companies including Samsung, Nvidia, Toshiba, and Panasonic, which take the design and modify it for their specific needs.)
Snapdragon boasts an ATI graphics engine, too. In February, Qualcomm acquired Advanced Micro Devices' ATI handheld chip technology, which includes intellectual property for "unified shader architecture" that has been used in Microsoft's Xbox.
Frankel said the ATI graphics engine will improve. "Going forward, you'll see more and more innovation done in-house," he said.
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Qualcomm is also going multi-core, an established trend at Intel and AMD for PC and server chips but not for handheld devices because of the power requirements. And even Intel abandoned--though this may change later this year--multi-core in its Netbook Atom line-up because it would make Atom too power hungry.
"It is possible to have multi-core versions just as there are multi-core versions of Intel and AMD processors," Frankel said. "We do have a pretty robust CPU road map. (A dual-core) chip has been in development for some time. And it's well under way. It's sampling this year. You won't see it product this year. You'll see version one of Snapdragon," he said.
The Qualcomm QSD8672 dual-core Snapdragon is expected to reach speeds of 1.5GHz.
So, how is all of this technology going to best the 800-pound chip gorilla, Intel? "There are certainly some very glaring differentiations with Atom...No matter how much the other architecture pounds its drum for power saving, I don't think you're going to see that architecture in handheld devices for a period of time," Frankel said, referring to mainstream smartphones.
(Intel announced in March that it would co-manufacture Atom chips with chip manufacturing giant TSMC, and LG Electronics said in February that it would bring out a smartphone based on the "Moorestown" version of the Atom processor.)
In response to a question about Intel's current line-up of Atom chips for handheld mobile Internet devices, or MIDs, he said: "Atom is a product looking for a home. It was a product not designed with the user in mind but with the socket in mind." (The socket connects the chip to the circuit board.) "Why do you want a MID? I don't think anybody was really able to answer that question."
And Frankel repeated what some analysts have claimed: that Intel needs to control the market segmentation of the lower-profit Atom processor so it doesn't cannibalize its higher-end chips. "Intel wants to encapsulate this because of the ramifications to the other aspects of its business," he said.
What about Netbooks--the space that Intel owns right now? "When we first came out with Snapdragon, there was a lot interest in the Netbook space. The thinking was: I'll take my traditional Netbook Linux OS that I have in desktops and laptops. (But) I think over time, OEMs (device makers) have come to the conclusion: why limit my differentiation to just the hardware componentry?"
Frankel continued, "(Device makers) have been pushing some of the OS vendors to have smaller, faster, lighter more rich platforms. I think that's happening in several different OS areas. Certainly Linux."
Analysts, however, are not too sanguine about Qualcomm's prospects for garnering a big share of the Netbook market.
"My opinion is that Netbooks with non-x86 (non-Intel) processors will not be nearly as successful as x86-based Netbooks--regardless of any advantages they have in power consumption or cost," said Tom R. Halfhill, senior analyst at the Microprocessor Report.
The problem is that ARM-based Netbooks run Linux not Windows, Halfhill said.
"Of course, the vast majority of users care nothing about CPU architecture--except when it visibly affects the product they're using. When the operating system is in-your-face visible, as it is with Netbooks, few users stray from their comfort zone. In a mobile computer that's still perceived as a PC, they overwhelmingly prefer Windows over Linux," Halfhill said. There have also been reports that ARM processors face challenges supporting Flash video.
Not surprisingly, Intel agrees.
"We believe the Atom processor family will continue to have a significant performance benefit over ARM-based designs," Intel spokesman Bill Calder said. "And it remains to be seen how a highly fragmented ARM ecosystem and lack of software compatibility will meet consumer expectations for a good Internet experience."
To date, the only announced Snapdragon-based Netbook is a prototype from device maker Wistron.
"We expect Snapdragon-based designs to be as light, as thick as (the Wistron Netbook)--if not more so as the design experience goes on. We expect significantly better battery life than other architectures can achieve," Qualcomm's Frankel said.
So, initially--even by Qualcomm's account--Snapdragon may be a bigger factor in smartphones than Netbooks. "We have quite a few Netbook design wins. But actually in number we have more design wins in the smartphone space--quite a lot of interest in Snapdragon for Windows Mobile. And certainly we have a great relationship with Google for Android-based devices as well."
So, how will this Intel-Qualcomm competition shake out in the next 12 months? Snapdragon may be the chip to beat in smartphones and MIDs, but the jury is out on Netbooks, where Intel is firmly in control--and it's Intel's market to lose.
From a business perspective and design win perspective, things have only increased since Q4 of last year. The Toshiba TG01 Windows Mobile-based phone was unveiled in February. It uses a 1GHz Snapdragon (aka the Qualcomm QSD8250 chipset), is only 9.9mm thick (versus 12.3mm for the Apple iPhone), runs Windows Mobile 6.1, sports a 4.1-inch WVGA 800x480 touch screen (versus 3.5-inch for the iPhone), and comes with support for 3G HSPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, and assisted-GPS.
Toshiba will be the first to bring out a Snapdragon-based smartphone. Qualcomm will see many more over the course of the year.
It took a long time for Qualcomm to reach this point. In November 2006, Luis Pineda, Qualcomm's senior vice president of marketing and product management at the time, told ZDNet UK that "chipsets based on Snapdragon should become available towards the end of 2007, with products appearing the following year." That didn't happen, of course.
Nevertheless, Qualcomm--as the leading provider of core silicon in cell phones--has a long history of providing chips for high-profile phones. The T-Mobile G1, which runs Google's Android operating system, is powered by Qualcomm's processor, for example.
One of Snapdragon's purported fortes is its performance. The chip runs at 1GHz, a milestone for the power-frugal ARM architecture, which typically yields processors that run at much lower speeds. (U.K.-based ARM licenses a basic chip design to companies including Samsung, Nvidia, Toshiba, and Panasonic, which take the design and modify it for their specific needs.)
Snapdragon boasts an ATI graphics engine, too. In February, Qualcomm acquired Advanced Micro Devices' ATI handheld chip technology, which includes intellectual property for "unified shader architecture" that has been used in Microsoft's Xbox.
Frankel said the ATI graphics engine will improve. "Going forward, you'll see more and more innovation done in-house," he said.
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Qualcomm is also going multi-core, an established trend at Intel and AMD for PC and server chips but not for handheld devices because of the power requirements. And even Intel abandoned--though this may change later this year--multi-core in its Netbook Atom line-up because it would make Atom too power hungry.
"It is possible to have multi-core versions just as there are multi-core versions of Intel and AMD processors," Frankel said. "We do have a pretty robust CPU road map. (A dual-core) chip has been in development for some time. And it's well under way. It's sampling this year. You won't see it product this year. You'll see version one of Snapdragon," he said.
The Qualcomm QSD8672 dual-core Snapdragon is expected to reach speeds of 1.5GHz.
So, how is all of this technology going to best the 800-pound chip gorilla, Intel? "There are certainly some very glaring differentiations with Atom...No matter how much the other architecture pounds its drum for power saving, I don't think you're going to see that architecture in handheld devices for a period of time," Frankel said, referring to mainstream smartphones.
(Intel announced in March that it would co-manufacture Atom chips with chip manufacturing giant TSMC, and LG Electronics said in February that it would bring out a smartphone based on the "Moorestown" version of the Atom processor.)
In response to a question about Intel's current line-up of Atom chips for handheld mobile Internet devices, or MIDs, he said: "Atom is a product looking for a home. It was a product not designed with the user in mind but with the socket in mind." (The socket connects the chip to the circuit board.) "Why do you want a MID? I don't think anybody was really able to answer that question."
And Frankel repeated what some analysts have claimed: that Intel needs to control the market segmentation of the lower-profit Atom processor so it doesn't cannibalize its higher-end chips. "Intel wants to encapsulate this because of the ramifications to the other aspects of its business," he said.
What about Netbooks--the space that Intel owns right now? "When we first came out with Snapdragon, there was a lot interest in the Netbook space. The thinking was: I'll take my traditional Netbook Linux OS that I have in desktops and laptops. (But) I think over time, OEMs (device makers) have come to the conclusion: why limit my differentiation to just the hardware componentry?"
Frankel continued, "(Device makers) have been pushing some of the OS vendors to have smaller, faster, lighter more rich platforms. I think that's happening in several different OS areas. Certainly Linux."
Analysts, however, are not too sanguine about Qualcomm's prospects for garnering a big share of the Netbook market.
"My opinion is that Netbooks with non-x86 (non-Intel) processors will not be nearly as successful as x86-based Netbooks--regardless of any advantages they have in power consumption or cost," said Tom R. Halfhill, senior analyst at the Microprocessor Report.
The problem is that ARM-based Netbooks run Linux not Windows, Halfhill said.
"Of course, the vast majority of users care nothing about CPU architecture--except when it visibly affects the product they're using. When the operating system is in-your-face visible, as it is with Netbooks, few users stray from their comfort zone. In a mobile computer that's still perceived as a PC, they overwhelmingly prefer Windows over Linux," Halfhill said. There have also been reports that ARM processors face challenges supporting Flash video.
Not surprisingly, Intel agrees.
"We believe the Atom processor family will continue to have a significant performance benefit over ARM-based designs," Intel spokesman Bill Calder said. "And it remains to be seen how a highly fragmented ARM ecosystem and lack of software compatibility will meet consumer expectations for a good Internet experience."
To date, the only announced Snapdragon-based Netbook is a prototype from device maker Wistron.
"We expect Snapdragon-based designs to be as light, as thick as (the Wistron Netbook)--if not more so as the design experience goes on. We expect significantly better battery life than other architectures can achieve," Qualcomm's Frankel said.
So, initially--even by Qualcomm's account--Snapdragon may be a bigger factor in smartphones than Netbooks. "We have quite a few Netbook design wins. But actually in number we have more design wins in the smartphone space--quite a lot of interest in Snapdragon for Windows Mobile. And certainly we have a great relationship with Google for Android-based devices as well."
So, how will this Intel-Qualcomm competition shake out in the next 12 months? Snapdragon may be the chip to beat in smartphones and MIDs, but the jury is out on Netbooks, where Intel is firmly in control--and it's Intel's market to lose.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Amdocs Anticipates Trillion Net Devices
Amdocs is offering consulting services that will help providers prepare for their operations becoming exponentially more complex, and potentially very costly.
For example, support costs for smartphones are 400 percent higher than regular phones, and their penetration is expected to climb from 30 percent today to 75 percent within five years, Amdocs noted, adding that some forecasters are predicting there might be more than a trillion devices connected to the net by as early as 2015 – what some are referring to as “the Tera-play.”
Amdocs announced consulting services that will address each of six concerns it said providers will need to address:
Profitably manage unique, personalized and contextual experiences across trillions of devices and global access points.
Surface and act upon customer intelligence to maximize revenue, profit and partnerships.
Ensure flexible pricing and dynamic offering composition, including bundling and blending, for on-demand customer experiences.
Adopt non-traditional business models and utilize data, infrastructure and customer interaction assets to attract third-party partners and incrementally increase partner-based revenue.
Contain the costs of supporting customers with their own portfolios of diverse networked devices.
Profitably manage network costs as the demand for capacity expands an order of magnitude, and adopt dynamic bandwidth allocation, intelligent network planning and rollout.
"There is an urgency, intensity and complexity about doing business in a Tera-play environment that service providers have to be thinking about – and considering – right now as they make decisions regarding the evolution of their BSS, OSS and SDP environments," said Mike Couture, head of Global Marketing at Amdocs.
"Smartphones are only one complicating factor we see today. Every day, new devices are being connected to the network – cars, book-readers, appliances, security systems, medical devices – and all consuming bandwidth,” Couture continued. “In terms of network connectivity and service complexity, the Tera-play defies imagination."
For example, support costs for smartphones are 400 percent higher than regular phones, and their penetration is expected to climb from 30 percent today to 75 percent within five years, Amdocs noted, adding that some forecasters are predicting there might be more than a trillion devices connected to the net by as early as 2015 – what some are referring to as “the Tera-play.”
Amdocs announced consulting services that will address each of six concerns it said providers will need to address:
Profitably manage unique, personalized and contextual experiences across trillions of devices and global access points.
Surface and act upon customer intelligence to maximize revenue, profit and partnerships.
Ensure flexible pricing and dynamic offering composition, including bundling and blending, for on-demand customer experiences.
Adopt non-traditional business models and utilize data, infrastructure and customer interaction assets to attract third-party partners and incrementally increase partner-based revenue.
Contain the costs of supporting customers with their own portfolios of diverse networked devices.
Profitably manage network costs as the demand for capacity expands an order of magnitude, and adopt dynamic bandwidth allocation, intelligent network planning and rollout.
"There is an urgency, intensity and complexity about doing business in a Tera-play environment that service providers have to be thinking about – and considering – right now as they make decisions regarding the evolution of their BSS, OSS and SDP environments," said Mike Couture, head of Global Marketing at Amdocs.
"Smartphones are only one complicating factor we see today. Every day, new devices are being connected to the network – cars, book-readers, appliances, security systems, medical devices – and all consuming bandwidth,” Couture continued. “In terms of network connectivity and service complexity, the Tera-play defies imagination."
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Easy Way to Create Web Application
http://www.tersus.com
Tersus is a Visual Programming Platform for creating rich web applications.Simply draw flow diagrams and Tersus will bring your application to life.Tersus is open source.
Tersus is a Visual Programming Platform for creating rich web applications.Simply draw flow diagrams and Tersus will bring your application to life.Tersus is open source.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Missing Sync 2.0 for IPhone, IPod Touch Released
As more and more mobile data usage, sync your iPhone is critical.
Try Missing Sync 2.0 for IPhone, IPod Touch
Mark/Space has released The Missing Sync for iPhone version 2.0 for Apple iPhone and iPod touch.
The Missing Sync for iPhone 2.0 helps syncs notes, tasks, documents and files between your Mac and iPhone or iPod touch.
The latest 2.0 version, adds true, two-way syncing between the Mac and iPhone or iPod touch via Wi-Fi.
You can now create and revise documents and files on your Mac for instance and The Missing Sync will recognise those changes and then syncs them in both places.
The Missing Sync for iPhone 2.0 works seamlessly with the Mark/Space's free iPhone apps Fliq Notes, Fliq Docs and Fliq Tasks says the company.
Sync your notes, documents and to dos and keep them updated and synchronised between your iPhone or iPod touch and Mac.
Version 2.0 is available as a free upgrade for current owners of The Missing Sync for iPhone 1.0.
For new users, The Missing Sync for iPhone 2.0 costs US$39.95, around £27, for a single user download, $89.95, around £61, for the Business Edition 2-Seat license, $69.95, around £48, for a Family Pack 3-Seat license and $49.95, around £34, for the The Missing Sync for iPhone and Fliq for the Mac bundle.
Try Missing Sync 2.0 for IPhone, IPod Touch
Mark/Space has released The Missing Sync for iPhone version 2.0 for Apple iPhone and iPod touch.
The Missing Sync for iPhone 2.0 helps syncs notes, tasks, documents and files between your Mac and iPhone or iPod touch.
The latest 2.0 version, adds true, two-way syncing between the Mac and iPhone or iPod touch via Wi-Fi.
You can now create and revise documents and files on your Mac for instance and The Missing Sync will recognise those changes and then syncs them in both places.
The Missing Sync for iPhone 2.0 works seamlessly with the Mark/Space's free iPhone apps Fliq Notes, Fliq Docs and Fliq Tasks says the company.
Sync your notes, documents and to dos and keep them updated and synchronised between your iPhone or iPod touch and Mac.
Version 2.0 is available as a free upgrade for current owners of The Missing Sync for iPhone 1.0.
For new users, The Missing Sync for iPhone 2.0 costs US$39.95, around £27, for a single user download, $89.95, around £61, for the Business Edition 2-Seat license, $69.95, around £48, for a Family Pack 3-Seat license and $49.95, around £34, for the The Missing Sync for iPhone and Fliq for the Mac bundle.
MOBIFORMS ADVANCED EDITION NOW OFFERS A COMPLETE MOBILE DEVELOPMENT SUITE
Release Date: 2nd May 2009
http://www.mobiforms.com/news.htm
The MobiForms Advanced Edition has now been released as a complete suite of tools for creating mobile apps and synchronizing data from any central database to any kind of wireless PDA. The MobiForms Advanced Edition consists of the globally successful MobiForms Developer and the new complementary MobiForms Sync Server. MobiForms uses Java, but the Java layer is totally hidden behind an intuitive drag and drop interface enabling any novice or expert programmer alike to create mobile business applications in minutes.
With the MobiForms Advanced Edition it is now possible to build a sophisticated mobile application synchronised from just about any master database server with bi-directional data replication. This gives MobiForms a true offline store and forward capability with sophisticated online synchronisation, replication and offline data buffering. Supported database servers include Oracle, SQL Server, Access, Sybase, IBM DB2, SQLite, HSQLDB and MySQL.
The MobiForms Advance Edition supports the full mobile development lifecycle including:
Definition of database replication rules from the master database
Creation and definition of mobile users
Building a seed mobile database based on a subset of the master database
Creation of a mobile application using the seed mobile database
Deployment of the mobile application and seed mobile database
Bi-directional data replication and status updates between the master database and the mobile client database
Unlike most competing products, the MobiForms Advanced Edition offers a total solution for a once off licence fee. The licence includes an unlimited number of MobiForms clients.
http://www.mobiforms.com/news.htm
The MobiForms Advanced Edition has now been released as a complete suite of tools for creating mobile apps and synchronizing data from any central database to any kind of wireless PDA. The MobiForms Advanced Edition consists of the globally successful MobiForms Developer and the new complementary MobiForms Sync Server. MobiForms uses Java, but the Java layer is totally hidden behind an intuitive drag and drop interface enabling any novice or expert programmer alike to create mobile business applications in minutes.
With the MobiForms Advanced Edition it is now possible to build a sophisticated mobile application synchronised from just about any master database server with bi-directional data replication. This gives MobiForms a true offline store and forward capability with sophisticated online synchronisation, replication and offline data buffering. Supported database servers include Oracle, SQL Server, Access, Sybase, IBM DB2, SQLite, HSQLDB and MySQL.
The MobiForms Advance Edition supports the full mobile development lifecycle including:
Definition of database replication rules from the master database
Creation and definition of mobile users
Building a seed mobile database based on a subset of the master database
Creation of a mobile application using the seed mobile database
Deployment of the mobile application and seed mobile database
Bi-directional data replication and status updates between the master database and the mobile client database
Unlike most competing products, the MobiForms Advanced Edition offers a total solution for a once off licence fee. The licence includes an unlimited number of MobiForms clients.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Keynote Offers FREE Desktop Tool to Help QA, Developers & Webmasters Improve the Mobile Experience
Test & Validate Mobile Content and Services Directly From Your Desktop with a Free Version of MITE (Mobile Interactive Testing Environment)
Free Access to Over 1,600 Device Profiles and 11,000 User Agent Strings
Keynote Also Announces an Advanced Version of MITE with Aircard Support for Connecting to Live Carrier Networks, Automated Script Testing and Advanced Technical Support
Free Access to Over 1,600 Device Profiles and 11,000 User Agent Strings
Keynote Also Announces an Advanced Version of MITE with Aircard Support for Connecting to Live Carrier Networks, Automated Script Testing and Advanced Technical Support
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sony Ericsson says Android phone to take time
HELSINKI, April 17 (Reuters) - Sony Ericsson will take some time developing a phone using Google's Android operating system, its chief executive said on Friday, but declined to say when such a handset would be available.
Most handset vendors are rushing out phones using Android software, hoping to benefit from consumer demand, but Sony Ericsson said it would be some time before its own offering was launched.
"It does require a lot of evaluation, as well as a lot of testing, a lot of acceptance from a consumer viewpoint, and there is still some time to go," Chief Executive Hideki Komiyama told Reuters in an interview.
"Looking ahead I think that we see this as one of the important operating systems, there is no doubt," he said.
Loss-making Sony Ericsson, a joint venture of Japan's Sony Corp and Sweden's Ericsson, has decided to use three operating systems in its high-end phones -- Symbian, Android and Microsoft's Windows Mobile.
"Our focus is on how can we differentiate from the competitors using the same operating system," Komiyama said, adding the firm was focusing its investments on user experience and user interface.
Sony Ericsson reported earlier on Friday a deep loss for January-March and said it aims to cut some 20 percent of jobs as it looks to return to profit.
Most handset vendors are rushing out phones using Android software, hoping to benefit from consumer demand, but Sony Ericsson said it would be some time before its own offering was launched.
"It does require a lot of evaluation, as well as a lot of testing, a lot of acceptance from a consumer viewpoint, and there is still some time to go," Chief Executive Hideki Komiyama told Reuters in an interview.
"Looking ahead I think that we see this as one of the important operating systems, there is no doubt," he said.
Loss-making Sony Ericsson, a joint venture of Japan's Sony Corp and Sweden's Ericsson, has decided to use three operating systems in its high-end phones -- Symbian, Android and Microsoft's Windows Mobile.
"Our focus is on how can we differentiate from the competitors using the same operating system," Komiyama said, adding the firm was focusing its investments on user experience and user interface.
Sony Ericsson reported earlier on Friday a deep loss for January-March and said it aims to cut some 20 percent of jobs as it looks to return to profit.
Samsung has adopted the VIA Nano processor
Samsung has adopted the VIA Nano processor, made by Taiwan's VIA Technologies, in the new Samsung NC20 mini-notebook.
Combining the power efficiency of the 1.3+GHz VIA Nano processor with the VIA VX800 system media processor, the Samsung NC20 also features a 1280×800 12.1″ display in a portable device that weighs 1.52 kilograms.
Mobility is enhanced by 802.11b/g and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a six-cell battery that provides up to 6.5 hours of use independent of any power supply, while storage options include either a solid state disk or a SATA hard disk drive.
Combining the power efficiency of the 1.3+GHz VIA Nano processor with the VIA VX800 system media processor, the Samsung NC20 also features a 1280×800 12.1″ display in a portable device that weighs 1.52 kilograms.
Mobility is enhanced by 802.11b/g and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a six-cell battery that provides up to 6.5 hours of use independent of any power supply, while storage options include either a solid state disk or a SATA hard disk drive.
Monday, April 20, 2009
JIL added Verizon
The development of mobile widgets has taken a giant step forward following the announcement that Verizon Wireless has joined the Joint Innovation Lab (JIL)--recently formed by China Mobile, Softbank and Vodafone--to focus on a single global platform for mobile widgets.
While the JIL has a broader remit than widget development, the group has decided to focus on this particular technology to encourage the expansion of new and innovative services. If successful, this move to a common platform should enable widgets and applications to run on different handsets and OSs across numerous mobile operators, while safeguarding customer security, data privacy and billing systems.
While this action will be seen as an attempt by four of the world's largest operators to put themselves in the driving seat in terms of mobile web apps, it will bring them into competition with the likes of Qualcomm, which is already pushing forward with its own widget application platform.
However, the JIL has stated that leter this year it plans to launch a range of tools including a common mobile widgets specification, developer kits, an online repository, and distribution and payment mechanisms to ensure developers can roll out their products to customers in more than 70 countries across North America, Asia, Europe and Africa.
Mobile widgets are capable of boosting handset functionality as well as transforming the look and feel of a device to give customers quick and easy access to valued content. They are personalized, always-accessible mini applications that sit on a handset to retrieve relevant information from the Web such as weather reports, sports updates and travel timetables.
The JIL mobile widgets specification is set to enrich these services further by enabling developers to access both handset and network functionality such as the address book, camera, location information and billing in a secure environment.
While the JIL has a broader remit than widget development, the group has decided to focus on this particular technology to encourage the expansion of new and innovative services. If successful, this move to a common platform should enable widgets and applications to run on different handsets and OSs across numerous mobile operators, while safeguarding customer security, data privacy and billing systems.
While this action will be seen as an attempt by four of the world's largest operators to put themselves in the driving seat in terms of mobile web apps, it will bring them into competition with the likes of Qualcomm, which is already pushing forward with its own widget application platform.
However, the JIL has stated that leter this year it plans to launch a range of tools including a common mobile widgets specification, developer kits, an online repository, and distribution and payment mechanisms to ensure developers can roll out their products to customers in more than 70 countries across North America, Asia, Europe and Africa.
Mobile widgets are capable of boosting handset functionality as well as transforming the look and feel of a device to give customers quick and easy access to valued content. They are personalized, always-accessible mini applications that sit on a handset to retrieve relevant information from the Web such as weather reports, sports updates and travel timetables.
The JIL mobile widgets specification is set to enrich these services further by enabling developers to access both handset and network functionality such as the address book, camera, location information and billing in a secure environment.
Making iPhone Apps Pay
Elizabeth Woyke, 04.17.09, 06:00 PM EDT
Analytics firm says developers should promote other apps, solicit reviews and send viral invites to make money.
As the iPhone App Store swells to more than 30,000 applications, mobile app analytics firm Flurry has some advice for iPhone developers: treat applications like songs.
Like a song, a standout mobile app needs a good artist, a good producer, a strong distributor and plenty of promotion, says Flurry President and Chief Executive Simon Khalaf.
On the iPhone, Apple ( AAPL - news - people ) ably fills the role of distributor. The developer is, of course, the artist. The other two roles--production and promotion--often get skipped as an app rushes to market. But Khalaf argues that expert guidance from firms like Flurry can make or break an app, much the way a seasoned A&R team guides the launch of a new musical act. The payoff is potentially huge. Khalaf says a developer with two best-selling apps can make as much as $10 million to $15 million over the life of the apps if they are well-marketed.
There are plenty of start-ups focused on making iPhone apps pay. Flurry differs from others in a few key ways. A former developer itself, it is smaller than rivals like AdMob and Pinch Media. Unlike those two firms, Flurry does not connect developers with advertisers. Instead, it focuses on "deep analytics" for apps. Khalaf, who likens the firm to a Google ( GOOG - news - people ) Analytics or Omniture ( OMTR - news - people ) for mobile content, says, "We enable developers to build better apps by helping them understand how people are using them."
So far, about 5,000 developers, representing 3,000 apps and several mobile platforms (iPhone, Google Android, BlackBerry and JavaME) have signed on. Flurry's main focus is the iPhone, as most of the applications it supports (about 72%) are iPhone-related.
Like songs on iTunes, sales in the App Store are hit-driven. Rapid turnover--around 130 new apps a day--means the average iPhone app or game sells strongly for just three months, often peaking four to six weeks after launch.
Flurry's job is to push that abbreviated "sales curve" up and out with its software, which is free and embeds easily into existing applications. "People mistakenly think of the App Store as a marketing machine because it's a virtual store," says Khalaf. "But just like in a store, consumers get fatigued and lose interest."
Reaching out to consumers is one way to increase sales. Flurry helps by telling developers when to contact their users to yield the best results. The developer of a free game could program a message to pop up at a certain point that would encourage players to purchase one of its paid games. Flurry's software assists by tracking when most users stop playing a particular game--on level 5 in a 10-level game, for instance. Developers can use that information to serve up an invitation at the appropriate moment. Flurry says some developers, including a videogame publisher with a casual puzzle game, have already adopted this tactic. Flurry estimates that a well-timed invitation could increase weekly revenue for a particular app by as much as 40%.
Developers with only one app could use the same tactics to promote other people's apps, for mutual benefit. In June, Flurry plans to add a feature to its service called AppCircle that would launch a menu of agreed-upon apps within the original app for this purpose.
Established publishers like ngmoco, Digital Chocolate and Gameloft ( GLOFF.PK - news - people ) do these kinds of cross promotions already. But small and mid-sized developers traditionally haven't had the resources to do this. Flurry also plans to provide its developers with additional data, such as which apps garner the most interest from users, even if they ultimately don't purchase them.
Flurry's second rule for success: get as many users as possible to rate and review apps. Currently, iPhone users are prompted to do so (by the App Store) only if they are deleting an app from their handsets. Peter Farago, Flurry's vice president of marketing, says developers should solicit feedback well before that point. Even a negative review, he says, is better than no review, reasoning, "You want to seem popular." (Another Flurry observation: most apps in the App Store are rated, overall, three out of five stars, with paid apps garnering slightly higher ratings than free apps.) Similar to the games invitation, Flurry's software will be able to help developers pinpoint the optimal time to ask users to write a review. The idea is to catch them in a good mood--after they finish a game level or complete a scheduled task, for instance.
Under the same philosophy--that getting noticed is the most important step--Flurry also plans to support viral invitations by June. Farago says developers could design apps that give users points or other incentives for inviting people to download and try the same app. Or they could just build in prompts, with Flurry directing where to insert them. Such tactics are rare now, but in the new, multi-tasking version of the iPhone operating system (3.0), slated for official release this summer, e-mailing friends from within an application will be easier than ever.
The iPhone's 3.0 upgrade will also enable developers to sell subscriptions to their apps. Farago says Flurry will help developers decide whether to offer subscriptions by measuring the size and loyalty of their audiences.
Flurry plans to support all these services with its analytics data, which measures everything from the number of times consumers use an app to how long they use it, and their location (by country). Several features go deeper, tracking how users navigate apps, logging each move they make in sequence while keeping the data anonymous.
Khalaf says Flurry's combination of data and recommended actions benefits developers (who stand to make more money), Apple (who will sell more applications) and Flurry itself (which plans to charge for data and research reports outside its basic analytics). But some of Flurry's competitors say the firm's service isn't complete without some type of advertising partnership. Says Greg Yardley, co-founder of Pinch Media: "If I didn't touch the ad world, I wouldn't be doing my job as an analytics provider."
Analytics firm says developers should promote other apps, solicit reviews and send viral invites to make money.
As the iPhone App Store swells to more than 30,000 applications, mobile app analytics firm Flurry has some advice for iPhone developers: treat applications like songs.
Like a song, a standout mobile app needs a good artist, a good producer, a strong distributor and plenty of promotion, says Flurry President and Chief Executive Simon Khalaf.
On the iPhone, Apple ( AAPL - news - people ) ably fills the role of distributor. The developer is, of course, the artist. The other two roles--production and promotion--often get skipped as an app rushes to market. But Khalaf argues that expert guidance from firms like Flurry can make or break an app, much the way a seasoned A&R team guides the launch of a new musical act. The payoff is potentially huge. Khalaf says a developer with two best-selling apps can make as much as $10 million to $15 million over the life of the apps if they are well-marketed.
There are plenty of start-ups focused on making iPhone apps pay. Flurry differs from others in a few key ways. A former developer itself, it is smaller than rivals like AdMob and Pinch Media. Unlike those two firms, Flurry does not connect developers with advertisers. Instead, it focuses on "deep analytics" for apps. Khalaf, who likens the firm to a Google ( GOOG - news - people ) Analytics or Omniture ( OMTR - news - people ) for mobile content, says, "We enable developers to build better apps by helping them understand how people are using them."
So far, about 5,000 developers, representing 3,000 apps and several mobile platforms (iPhone, Google Android, BlackBerry and JavaME) have signed on. Flurry's main focus is the iPhone, as most of the applications it supports (about 72%) are iPhone-related.
Like songs on iTunes, sales in the App Store are hit-driven. Rapid turnover--around 130 new apps a day--means the average iPhone app or game sells strongly for just three months, often peaking four to six weeks after launch.
Flurry's job is to push that abbreviated "sales curve" up and out with its software, which is free and embeds easily into existing applications. "People mistakenly think of the App Store as a marketing machine because it's a virtual store," says Khalaf. "But just like in a store, consumers get fatigued and lose interest."
Reaching out to consumers is one way to increase sales. Flurry helps by telling developers when to contact their users to yield the best results. The developer of a free game could program a message to pop up at a certain point that would encourage players to purchase one of its paid games. Flurry's software assists by tracking when most users stop playing a particular game--on level 5 in a 10-level game, for instance. Developers can use that information to serve up an invitation at the appropriate moment. Flurry says some developers, including a videogame publisher with a casual puzzle game, have already adopted this tactic. Flurry estimates that a well-timed invitation could increase weekly revenue for a particular app by as much as 40%.
Developers with only one app could use the same tactics to promote other people's apps, for mutual benefit. In June, Flurry plans to add a feature to its service called AppCircle that would launch a menu of agreed-upon apps within the original app for this purpose.
Established publishers like ngmoco, Digital Chocolate and Gameloft ( GLOFF.PK - news - people ) do these kinds of cross promotions already. But small and mid-sized developers traditionally haven't had the resources to do this. Flurry also plans to provide its developers with additional data, such as which apps garner the most interest from users, even if they ultimately don't purchase them.
Flurry's second rule for success: get as many users as possible to rate and review apps. Currently, iPhone users are prompted to do so (by the App Store) only if they are deleting an app from their handsets. Peter Farago, Flurry's vice president of marketing, says developers should solicit feedback well before that point. Even a negative review, he says, is better than no review, reasoning, "You want to seem popular." (Another Flurry observation: most apps in the App Store are rated, overall, three out of five stars, with paid apps garnering slightly higher ratings than free apps.) Similar to the games invitation, Flurry's software will be able to help developers pinpoint the optimal time to ask users to write a review. The idea is to catch them in a good mood--after they finish a game level or complete a scheduled task, for instance.
Under the same philosophy--that getting noticed is the most important step--Flurry also plans to support viral invitations by June. Farago says developers could design apps that give users points or other incentives for inviting people to download and try the same app. Or they could just build in prompts, with Flurry directing where to insert them. Such tactics are rare now, but in the new, multi-tasking version of the iPhone operating system (3.0), slated for official release this summer, e-mailing friends from within an application will be easier than ever.
The iPhone's 3.0 upgrade will also enable developers to sell subscriptions to their apps. Farago says Flurry will help developers decide whether to offer subscriptions by measuring the size and loyalty of their audiences.
Flurry plans to support all these services with its analytics data, which measures everything from the number of times consumers use an app to how long they use it, and their location (by country). Several features go deeper, tracking how users navigate apps, logging each move they make in sequence while keeping the data anonymous.
Khalaf says Flurry's combination of data and recommended actions benefits developers (who stand to make more money), Apple (who will sell more applications) and Flurry itself (which plans to charge for data and research reports outside its basic analytics). But some of Flurry's competitors say the firm's service isn't complete without some type of advertising partnership. Says Greg Yardley, co-founder of Pinch Media: "If I didn't touch the ad world, I wouldn't be doing my job as an analytics provider."
Friday, April 17, 2009
IPhone changes dynamics of game software industry
Electronic Arts is releasing 14 iPhone titles this year.
After years of building large, graphics-intensive blockbusters, developers are starting to make shorter, less expensive games for the iPhone and its phone-less sibling, the iPod Touch.
Only a few years ago, bigger guns, badder enemies and louder explosives mattered most in video games. Now, small is beautiful, and Apple Inc.'s iPhone is largely responsible.
iPhone and its phone-less sibling, the iPod Touch, as hand-held game consoles has started to change the dynamics of the $40-billion game software industry.
Neil Young, a game developer who last year left one of the industry's largest publishers, Electronic Arts Inc., to found Ngmoco, a San Francisco maker of iPhone games.
device
online marketplace
25,000 software applications
thousands of publishers
multitouch screens
accelerometers
Web connections
six to eight of the 10 bestselling apps are games.
shoppers submit their credit card information once at Apple's online iTunes store, they can start buying apps through a computer or directly on their devices with a single click.
Video games that cost less than $10 are a big change.
a console or PC typically sells for $30 to $60.
hand-held games on Nintendo Co.'s DS, games cost $20 to $35.
Nintendo recently announced that owners of its DSi hand-held console will be able buy downloadable games for as little as $2.
Nintendo executives said their pricing strategy was formed independently from the App Store, and they were quick to point out how their business was different from Apple's
Nintendo is definitely paying attention
more than 17 million iPhones and 13 million iPod Touches in the market
They're seeing that small shops with one or two people can make a hit game
IPhone has taught them that small bets can pay off big
The iPhone is also giving developers reasons to rethink their creative approach to designing games
Instead of spending two years and more than $25 million to develop a title, some developers are looking at releasing multiple episodes over time.
The idea of smaller, cheaper, faster game development isn't entirely new.
Decades ago, the Sims, from EA, pioneered the notion of selling expansion packs that contained several dozen virtual items such as outfits, pets and furniture, said Bing Gordon, partner with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a venture firm in Menlo Park, Calif.And sped-up game development has its roots in the mid- 1990s with Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University who taught his students to make lots of quick prototypes of their ideas, rather than trying to hone one perfect project."The real breakthrough is iTunes and the App Store," a section within iTunes, Gordon said. "It suddenly opens the floodgates" for consumers to buy smaller games in massive quantities.Lorne Lanning, president of Oddworld Inhabitants, a game developer in San Luis Obispo, said he liked
the iPhone's ability to reach millions of players who can give feedback on a game's features.
Developers can either take that information and refine current versions with software updates or build it into their next installment."As we head to the future, we need to start really small," Lanning said. "Get it out there, and let people help shape it. Learn from your audience."
After years of building large, graphics-intensive blockbusters, developers are starting to make shorter, less expensive games for the iPhone and its phone-less sibling, the iPod Touch.
Only a few years ago, bigger guns, badder enemies and louder explosives mattered most in video games. Now, small is beautiful, and Apple Inc.'s iPhone is largely responsible.
iPhone and its phone-less sibling, the iPod Touch, as hand-held game consoles has started to change the dynamics of the $40-billion game software industry.
Neil Young, a game developer who last year left one of the industry's largest publishers, Electronic Arts Inc., to found Ngmoco, a San Francisco maker of iPhone games.
device
online marketplace
25,000 software applications
thousands of publishers
multitouch screens
accelerometers
Web connections
six to eight of the 10 bestselling apps are games.
shoppers submit their credit card information once at Apple's online iTunes store, they can start buying apps through a computer or directly on their devices with a single click.
Video games that cost less than $10 are a big change.
a console or PC typically sells for $30 to $60.
hand-held games on Nintendo Co.'s DS, games cost $20 to $35.
Nintendo recently announced that owners of its DSi hand-held console will be able buy downloadable games for as little as $2.
Nintendo executives said their pricing strategy was formed independently from the App Store, and they were quick to point out how their business was different from Apple's
Nintendo is definitely paying attention
more than 17 million iPhones and 13 million iPod Touches in the market
They're seeing that small shops with one or two people can make a hit game
IPhone has taught them that small bets can pay off big
The iPhone is also giving developers reasons to rethink their creative approach to designing games
Instead of spending two years and more than $25 million to develop a title, some developers are looking at releasing multiple episodes over time.
The idea of smaller, cheaper, faster game development isn't entirely new.
Decades ago, the Sims, from EA, pioneered the notion of selling expansion packs that contained several dozen virtual items such as outfits, pets and furniture, said Bing Gordon, partner with Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a venture firm in Menlo Park, Calif.And sped-up game development has its roots in the mid- 1990s with Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University who taught his students to make lots of quick prototypes of their ideas, rather than trying to hone one perfect project."The real breakthrough is iTunes and the App Store," a section within iTunes, Gordon said. "It suddenly opens the floodgates" for consumers to buy smaller games in massive quantities.Lorne Lanning, president of Oddworld Inhabitants, a game developer in San Luis Obispo, said he liked
the iPhone's ability to reach millions of players who can give feedback on a game's features.
Developers can either take that information and refine current versions with software updates or build it into their next installment."As we head to the future, we need to start really small," Lanning said. "Get it out there, and let people help shape it. Learn from your audience."
Thursday, April 16, 2009
PLEYO Web-enabler for CE devices
PLEYO is an independent software editor, specialized on multi-device* end-to-end Web-based solutions.PLEYO is a Web-enabler for CE devices, providing an embedded web-browser and Web-services.
*Set Top Boxes (iTV decoders, PVR’s Mediacenters), Personal Multimedia Players, Mobile phones, wireless devices (GPS, ...), TV-sets, homegateways, etc...
http://www.pleyo.com/index.html
*Set Top Boxes (iTV decoders, PVR’s Mediacenters), Personal Multimedia Players, Mobile phones, wireless devices (GPS, ...), TV-sets, homegateways, etc...
http://www.pleyo.com/index.html
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Motorola Evoke QA4
With a 2.8-inch full touchscreen, a widget-based user interface, and a full HTML browser, the Motorola Evoke QA4 has some pretty impressive specs for a handset that doesn't qualify as a smartphone. The Evoke comes preloaded with seven widgets--
MySpace Mobile,
Follow Me Weather,
Google Quicksearch,
Google Picasa,
RSS Reader,
USA Today Mobile, and
YouTube--each of which has its own panel.
You can flip through the panels with a swipe of your finger.
Coverity® Unveils Industry’s First Software Integrity Center
“Coverity’s software integrity strategy is ambitious, unique, and forward thinking. The strategy complements existing application lifecycle management solutions and helps to identify the problems in software brought on by increasing complexity.“
Monday, April 6, 2009
Alcatel-Lucent won 3G-WCDMA for China Unicom
Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been selected by China Unicom, a leading fixed and mobile service provider in China, to deploy 3G W-CDMA networks in 14 Chinese provinces. This major contract, secured through Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell (ASB), Alcatel-Lucent’s flagship company in China, will enable the operator to provide its end users with new, advanced 3G mobile services including media streaming, ring back tones, video sharing and high-speed internet access.
Initial network deployments in the cities of Tianjin, Baoding, Wenzhou, Taizhou, Guiyang and Guilin are expected to be completed in May, 2009.
Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will provide its end-to-end industry-leading and future proof 3G/W-CDMA solutions, including about 11000 Node B (Base stations), Home Location Register (HLR) data base system as well network maintenance and optimization in 14 provinces -- Hebei, Fujian Guangxi, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Guangdong, Hunan, Shandong and Xinjiang.
By achieving a strategic breakthrough in the four provinces of Fujian, Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, and Jiangsu, Alcatel-Lucent has substantially expanded its position with China Unicom, adding 4 new 3G markets in addition to its existing 2G GSM base.
All the equipments supplied are ready to sustain the rapid increase of voice and data traffic and to smoothly evolve towards 3G/HSPA+ and 4G/LTE. Thanks to Alcatel-Lucent's multi-standard radio access solutions China Unicom will be able to significantly reduce the total cost of ownership of its networks. Furthermore, Alcatel-Lucent’s converged radio access solution will help China Unicom evolve rapidly from 2G to 3G networks and offer new generation services.
“China Unicom’s selection of our solutions in 14 provinces further highlights Alcatel-Lucent’s leadership in the W-CDMA market”, said Olivia Qiu, head of Alcatel-Lucent in East Asia and President of Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell. “Alcatel-Lucent is committed to partner with China Unicom and worldwide operators to deploy leading-edge next generation networks enabling advanced multimedia and Web services.”
With 56 commercial networks worldwide in 37 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading player in the W-CDMA infrastructure market. Known for its excellent reliability and quality, Alcatel-Lucent serves one out of every four networks worldwide, covering all regions and deployed in a wide variety of markets. The company is also a world leader in the provision of sophisticated project management, consulting and design services, applications and software integration and the design, deployment and maintenance of next-generation networks.
Initial network deployments in the cities of Tianjin, Baoding, Wenzhou, Taizhou, Guiyang and Guilin are expected to be completed in May, 2009.
Under the terms of the contract, Alcatel-Lucent will provide its end-to-end industry-leading and future proof 3G/W-CDMA solutions, including about 11000 Node B (Base stations), Home Location Register (HLR) data base system as well network maintenance and optimization in 14 provinces -- Hebei, Fujian Guangxi, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Inner Mongolia, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Guangdong, Hunan, Shandong and Xinjiang.
By achieving a strategic breakthrough in the four provinces of Fujian, Jiangxi, Heilongjiang, and Jiangsu, Alcatel-Lucent has substantially expanded its position with China Unicom, adding 4 new 3G markets in addition to its existing 2G GSM base.
All the equipments supplied are ready to sustain the rapid increase of voice and data traffic and to smoothly evolve towards 3G/HSPA+ and 4G/LTE. Thanks to Alcatel-Lucent's multi-standard radio access solutions China Unicom will be able to significantly reduce the total cost of ownership of its networks. Furthermore, Alcatel-Lucent’s converged radio access solution will help China Unicom evolve rapidly from 2G to 3G networks and offer new generation services.
“China Unicom’s selection of our solutions in 14 provinces further highlights Alcatel-Lucent’s leadership in the W-CDMA market”, said Olivia Qiu, head of Alcatel-Lucent in East Asia and President of Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell. “Alcatel-Lucent is committed to partner with China Unicom and worldwide operators to deploy leading-edge next generation networks enabling advanced multimedia and Web services.”
With 56 commercial networks worldwide in 37 countries, Alcatel-Lucent is a leading player in the W-CDMA infrastructure market. Known for its excellent reliability and quality, Alcatel-Lucent serves one out of every four networks worldwide, covering all regions and deployed in a wide variety of markets. The company is also a world leader in the provision of sophisticated project management, consulting and design services, applications and software integration and the design, deployment and maintenance of next-generation networks.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
H-P tests Google software for netbook PCs
By Justin Scheck and Nick Wingfield, The Wall Street Journal
Wednesday 01 April 2009
PC makers keen to evaluate Android operating system for use in small computers.
Hewlett-Packard Co. and other PC makers are considering using free software developed by Google Inc. to run some small computers, a move that would open a new front in the battle between the Internet giant and Microsoft Corp.
PC makers are testing Google's Android operating system-which has so far been used to power mobile phones-for use in new models of so-called netbooks, inexpensive laptops that have become the fastest-growing segment of the PC industry.
Google, which dominates Internet search, already challenges Microsoft on other fronts, including with its free word-processing and spreadsheet software, neither of which has succeeded in denting Microsoft's Office suite. The effort to move Android to netbooks targets Windows, which generated more than 60% of Microsoft's operating profit in its last fiscal year.
Moving Android to netbooks will be an uphill effort because the software does not run popular PC programs. That is one reason that Windows now runs on the majority of the low-end laptops, even though early models used the Linux operating system.
But H-P, the largest maker of PCs and a major Windows partner, has programmers testing Android for a potential netbook, said people briefed on the matter, though they said the company hasn't decided yet whether to move ahead with the project.
"We want to assess the capability Android may have for the computer and communications industries, and so we are studying it," said Satjiv Chahil, a vice president of H-P's PC division.
Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc., which is the leading seller of netbooks by units, has also said it is considering making an Android-based version. An Asustek spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.
Dell Inc. has been customizing Android software for a range of devices it may introduce in the coming year, including a cellphone and pocket-sized computers called mobile Internet devices, said people familiar with the matter. A Dell spokesman declined to comment.
PC makers' interest in Android is partly driven by the desire to maximize income on netbooks, which usually sell for less than $500. Companies like H-P can spend $15 or more per netbook for Windows, cutting into already-thin margins. Another driver is the possibility of offering netbooks at lower prices; industry executives predict that hardware without Microsoft's software could sell for less than $200.
In contrast to Windows, Google doesn't charge for each copy of Android. The Internet giant hopes to justify its development effort by driving more Web use from mobile devices.
A Google spokeswoman said Android was designed to be used in small gadgets like phones and bigger devices like the mini-laptops."We look forward to seeing what contributions are made and how an open platform spurs innovation," she said.
Market research firm NPD Group Inc. estimates that Windows comes on more than 90% of new netbooks. Microsoft said consumers returned Linux netbooks after discovering the PCs didn't easily work with popular programs and peripherals like printers-a challenge that could also be faced by Android, which is based on the core of Linux.
"With a Linux machine, it's a crapshoot each and every time," said Brad Brooks, a corporate vice president, for Windows consumer product marketing.
People familiar with PC makers' Android projects say they hope that netbooks that use the software would be embraced by cellular carriers, which already use Android for phones. Dell and H-P already sell some netbooks through the carriers, which subsidize them for customers who buy a long-term data plan.
David Young, the president of international business at Borqs Beijing Ltd., a Chinese programming company that customizes Android for phone makers, says he expects Android to make its way into larger devices. He says there is a "convergence" between smart phones and mini-PCs.
The notion of Android-based netbooks also could have sizeable repercussions for chip makers. Intel Corp., which helped popularize the term netbooks, has dominated the category with a microprocessor called Atom that can run software designed for PCs. Android, by contrast, is designed
Wednesday 01 April 2009
PC makers keen to evaluate Android operating system for use in small computers.
Hewlett-Packard Co. and other PC makers are considering using free software developed by Google Inc. to run some small computers, a move that would open a new front in the battle between the Internet giant and Microsoft Corp.
PC makers are testing Google's Android operating system-which has so far been used to power mobile phones-for use in new models of so-called netbooks, inexpensive laptops that have become the fastest-growing segment of the PC industry.
Google, which dominates Internet search, already challenges Microsoft on other fronts, including with its free word-processing and spreadsheet software, neither of which has succeeded in denting Microsoft's Office suite. The effort to move Android to netbooks targets Windows, which generated more than 60% of Microsoft's operating profit in its last fiscal year.
Moving Android to netbooks will be an uphill effort because the software does not run popular PC programs. That is one reason that Windows now runs on the majority of the low-end laptops, even though early models used the Linux operating system.
But H-P, the largest maker of PCs and a major Windows partner, has programmers testing Android for a potential netbook, said people briefed on the matter, though they said the company hasn't decided yet whether to move ahead with the project.
"We want to assess the capability Android may have for the computer and communications industries, and so we are studying it," said Satjiv Chahil, a vice president of H-P's PC division.
Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc., which is the leading seller of netbooks by units, has also said it is considering making an Android-based version. An Asustek spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment.
Dell Inc. has been customizing Android software for a range of devices it may introduce in the coming year, including a cellphone and pocket-sized computers called mobile Internet devices, said people familiar with the matter. A Dell spokesman declined to comment.
PC makers' interest in Android is partly driven by the desire to maximize income on netbooks, which usually sell for less than $500. Companies like H-P can spend $15 or more per netbook for Windows, cutting into already-thin margins. Another driver is the possibility of offering netbooks at lower prices; industry executives predict that hardware without Microsoft's software could sell for less than $200.
In contrast to Windows, Google doesn't charge for each copy of Android. The Internet giant hopes to justify its development effort by driving more Web use from mobile devices.
A Google spokeswoman said Android was designed to be used in small gadgets like phones and bigger devices like the mini-laptops."We look forward to seeing what contributions are made and how an open platform spurs innovation," she said.
Market research firm NPD Group Inc. estimates that Windows comes on more than 90% of new netbooks. Microsoft said consumers returned Linux netbooks after discovering the PCs didn't easily work with popular programs and peripherals like printers-a challenge that could also be faced by Android, which is based on the core of Linux.
"With a Linux machine, it's a crapshoot each and every time," said Brad Brooks, a corporate vice president, for Windows consumer product marketing.
People familiar with PC makers' Android projects say they hope that netbooks that use the software would be embraced by cellular carriers, which already use Android for phones. Dell and H-P already sell some netbooks through the carriers, which subsidize them for customers who buy a long-term data plan.
David Young, the president of international business at Borqs Beijing Ltd., a Chinese programming company that customizes Android for phone makers, says he expects Android to make its way into larger devices. He says there is a "convergence" between smart phones and mini-PCs.
The notion of Android-based netbooks also could have sizeable repercussions for chip makers. Intel Corp., which helped popularize the term netbooks, has dominated the category with a microprocessor called Atom that can run software designed for PCs. Android, by contrast, is designed
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
STMicroelectronics' MEMS Enables Motion Sensing in Openmoko Mobile Handsets
GENEVA, March 10, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM: 4.43, 0.1, 2.31%), one of the world's leading semiconductor companies and the number one supplier of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) motion-sensing chips for consumer and portable applications, has announced that its LIS302DL 3-axis accelerometer is being used by Openmoko, Inc to provide motion-sensing functions in Openmoko's Neo Freerunner LINUX-based mobile open platform.
Openmoko(TM: 60.51, 0.1906, 0.32%) is a project dedicated to delivering mobile phones with an open source software stack. The Company is currently selling the Neo Freerunner phone to advanced users and application developers.
"ST's accelerometers, such as the LIS302DL, and gyroscopes, such as the LY530AL, are widely used to enable advanced motion-sensing functions, such as portrait/ landscape rotation, pedometer, and menu browsing and now the Open Source community will be able to create even more new applications that exploit our motion-sensing technology," said Benedetto Vigna, General Manager of ST's MEMS and Sensors, Transceivers and Healthcare division. "This confirms our leadership in this exciting field and will further strengthen our position in handsets and mobile applications."
The Neo Freerunner is a GSM tri-band mobile phone with a VGA touch screen, 2D/3D graphics acceleration, 256 Mbytes of NAND Flash memory, Wi-Fi, AGPS, and Bluetooth 2.0, as well as 3-axis motion sensing. The Openmoko GNU/Linux-based software stack is 100% FOSS (Free Open Source Software), supported by GNU/Linux development tools.
"We chose the LIS302DL because we wanted to include reliable and accurate motion sensing in the Neo Freerunner," said Steve Mosher, VP of Marketing, Openmoko. "In addition to its role as a mobile phone, developers are embracing the open hardware, open software and open CAD of the Openmoko platform to create a wide range of new products in applications such as healthcare, industrial, tourism, communications, entertainment and scientific visualization and motion-sensing will play a key role in many of them."
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP: 6.34, 0.1714, 2.78%) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2008, the Company's net revenues were $9.84 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
SOURCE STMicroelectronics
Openmoko(TM: 60.51, 0.1906, 0.32%) is a project dedicated to delivering mobile phones with an open source software stack. The Company is currently selling the Neo Freerunner phone to advanced users and application developers.
"ST's accelerometers, such as the LIS302DL, and gyroscopes, such as the LY530AL, are widely used to enable advanced motion-sensing functions, such as portrait/ landscape rotation, pedometer, and menu browsing and now the Open Source community will be able to create even more new applications that exploit our motion-sensing technology," said Benedetto Vigna, General Manager of ST's MEMS and Sensors, Transceivers and Healthcare division. "This confirms our leadership in this exciting field and will further strengthen our position in handsets and mobile applications."
The Neo Freerunner is a GSM tri-band mobile phone with a VGA touch screen, 2D/3D graphics acceleration, 256 Mbytes of NAND Flash memory, Wi-Fi, AGPS, and Bluetooth 2.0, as well as 3-axis motion sensing. The Openmoko GNU/Linux-based software stack is 100% FOSS (Free Open Source Software), supported by GNU/Linux development tools.
"We chose the LIS302DL because we wanted to include reliable and accurate motion sensing in the Neo Freerunner," said Steve Mosher, VP of Marketing, Openmoko. "In addition to its role as a mobile phone, developers are embracing the open hardware, open software and open CAD of the Openmoko platform to create a wide range of new products in applications such as healthcare, industrial, tourism, communications, entertainment and scientific visualization and motion-sensing will play a key role in many of them."
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP: 6.34, 0.1714, 2.78%) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2008, the Company's net revenues were $9.84 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
SOURCE STMicroelectronics
Taiwan Mobile launches own netbook, W101
CHALLENGE: The telecom service provider is counting on its own-brand netbooks to help it secure 33 percent of the mobile Internet market by the end of this year
By Lisa Wang
STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009, Page 12
Taiwan Mobile Co (台灣大哥大), the nation’s second-biggest telecom operator, is venturing into the own-brand netbook computer market to boost data subscription in the face of falling voice usage.
The company yesterday showcased its first batch of own-brand netbooks made by local electronics maker RoyalTek Co Ltd (鼎天), a joint venture between the world’s top laptop computer maker, Quanta Computer Inc (廣達電腦), and Acer Inc’s (宏碁) mobile phone manufacturing subsidiary E-Ten Information Systems Co (倚天).
Taiwan Mobile is the first local telecom company to tap into the red-hot netbook market with its own-brand product.
“We have been looking into the netbook market for a while. We decided to make our own line in light of satisfactory sales of Acer and Asustek’s models,” chief operating officer Cliff Lai (賴玹五) told a media briefing.
Like its main rivals — the nation’s top telecom company Chunghwa Telecom Co (中華電信) and Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (遠傳電信) — Taiwan Mobile started by offering other netbook brands such as Asustek (華碩) and Acer bundled with its Internet mobile services to boost sales of 3.5G data cards.
The popularity of netbooks could help Taiwan Mobile gain market share in the fast-growing mobile Internet service area, Lai said.
He added that sales of the company’s first own-brand netbooks could help boost its number of mobile Internet subscribers to 250,000 by the end of this year, making it the nation’s top service provider with a 33 percent share of the market.
Taiwan Mobile is also in talks with HTC Corp (宏達電) to sell smartphones running on the Android open-source operating system, which has strong support from Google Inc, Lai said.
“We will consider providing any mobile devices that can boost mobile Internet subscription, including Android-based smartphones. Selling netbooks is just the first step,” Lai said.
Taiwan Mobile’s latest move came in the wake of its lagging performance compared with Chunghwa Telecom and Far EasTone Telecom in the data card area. Taiwan Mobile only had 80,000 data card users last year.
This year, Taiwan Mobile said it aimed to sell more than 50,000 own-brand laptops, as well as continue to push Acer and Asustek bundled netbook services at its outlets.
The telecom company’s new netbook, W101, will be available starting on Friday at a price of NT$6,990 plus a minimum monthly charge of NT$699 for a two-year service contract.
Last year, revenues from Taiwan Mobile’s mobile Internet service jumped 67 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter, while its overall mobile revenues declined 4 percent, the company’s financial statement showed.
By Lisa Wang
STAFF REPORTER
Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009, Page 12
Taiwan Mobile Co (台灣大哥大), the nation’s second-biggest telecom operator, is venturing into the own-brand netbook computer market to boost data subscription in the face of falling voice usage.
The company yesterday showcased its first batch of own-brand netbooks made by local electronics maker RoyalTek Co Ltd (鼎天), a joint venture between the world’s top laptop computer maker, Quanta Computer Inc (廣達電腦), and Acer Inc’s (宏碁) mobile phone manufacturing subsidiary E-Ten Information Systems Co (倚天).
Taiwan Mobile is the first local telecom company to tap into the red-hot netbook market with its own-brand product.
“We have been looking into the netbook market for a while. We decided to make our own line in light of satisfactory sales of Acer and Asustek’s models,” chief operating officer Cliff Lai (賴玹五) told a media briefing.
Like its main rivals — the nation’s top telecom company Chunghwa Telecom Co (中華電信) and Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (遠傳電信) — Taiwan Mobile started by offering other netbook brands such as Asustek (華碩) and Acer bundled with its Internet mobile services to boost sales of 3.5G data cards.
The popularity of netbooks could help Taiwan Mobile gain market share in the fast-growing mobile Internet service area, Lai said.
He added that sales of the company’s first own-brand netbooks could help boost its number of mobile Internet subscribers to 250,000 by the end of this year, making it the nation’s top service provider with a 33 percent share of the market.
Taiwan Mobile is also in talks with HTC Corp (宏達電) to sell smartphones running on the Android open-source operating system, which has strong support from Google Inc, Lai said.
“We will consider providing any mobile devices that can boost mobile Internet subscription, including Android-based smartphones. Selling netbooks is just the first step,” Lai said.
Taiwan Mobile’s latest move came in the wake of its lagging performance compared with Chunghwa Telecom and Far EasTone Telecom in the data card area. Taiwan Mobile only had 80,000 data card users last year.
This year, Taiwan Mobile said it aimed to sell more than 50,000 own-brand laptops, as well as continue to push Acer and Asustek bundled netbook services at its outlets.
The telecom company’s new netbook, W101, will be available starting on Friday at a price of NT$6,990 plus a minimum monthly charge of NT$699 for a two-year service contract.
Last year, revenues from Taiwan Mobile’s mobile Internet service jumped 67 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter, while its overall mobile revenues declined 4 percent, the company’s financial statement showed.
Foxconn to manufacture two million notebooks for Asustek this year, says paper
Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) is expected to manufacture around two million notebooks for Asustek Computer this year, calculated from Asustek's announcement of the release of 30% of its notebook production to makers other than Pegatron Technology from last year, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.
With the two million notebook orders from Asustek, Foxconn's total notebook OEM volume will reach four million units this year. In addition to notebooks, Foxconn is also aggressively trying to land manufacturing orders for Asustek and Garmin's co-branded handset, said the paper.
With the two million notebook orders from Asustek, Foxconn's total notebook OEM volume will reach four million units this year. In addition to notebooks, Foxconn is also aggressively trying to land manufacturing orders for Asustek and Garmin's co-branded handset, said the paper.
TechFaith Wireless, SIM Technology and Longcheer Group profitable in 2008
Three major China-based handset solution providers, TechFaith Wireless, SIM Technology and Longcheer Group, have all posted profits for 2008, according to financial reports released by the companies.
TechFaith
- a profit of US$8 million, or US$0.18 per share, a loss of US$3.3 million, or US$0.08 per share, in 2007.
- revenues climb 45.6% to US$208.9 million
SIM
- net profits of HK$144 million (US$18.56 million), or HK$0.095 per share, in 2008company data showed. decline of 40.3%
SIM's gross margin stood at 12.84% in 2008, a drop of 1.33 percentage points from 2007.
Longcheer
- net profit of 121 million yuan (US$17.7 million) for the first half of fiscal 2009 (from July-December 2008), down 36% from a year earlier period.
TechFaith
- a profit of US$8 million, or US$0.18 per share, a loss of US$3.3 million, or US$0.08 per share, in 2007.
- revenues climb 45.6% to US$208.9 million
SIM
- net profits of HK$144 million (US$18.56 million), or HK$0.095 per share, in 2008company data showed. decline of 40.3%
SIM's gross margin stood at 12.84% in 2008, a drop of 1.33 percentage points from 2007.
Longcheer
- net profit of 121 million yuan (US$17.7 million) for the first half of fiscal 2009 (from July-December 2008), down 36% from a year earlier period.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
MediaTek
聯發科技大中華區總經理喻銘鐸(喻铭铎)
微軟大中華區副總裁 廖慶豐 跳槽聯發科
2008年7月22日 聯發科任命廖慶豐(廖庆丰)為中國區首席代表
MTK have over 70% China market share. In 2008，MTK shipped 220 Million chip. China Market is about 250M. Of course, part of them(40%) were shipped to Asia and eastern Europe.
微軟大中華區副總裁 廖慶豐 跳槽聯發科
2008年7月22日 聯發科任命廖慶豐(廖庆丰)為中國區首席代表
MTK have over 70% China market share. In 2008，MTK shipped 220 Million chip. China Market is about 250M. Of course, part of them(40%) were shipped to Asia and eastern Europe.
Smartphone - Turnkey chipset solution
MediaTek, MT6516 smartphone SoC embedded with WM6.5
Huawei's HiSilicon, K3（Hi3611）- entertainment smartphone platform, reduce R&D time down to 3 months from 1 year.
Software porting completed and UI customized by customer
Both K3 and MT6516 are using ARM9 but not latest ARM11 or A8
K3 does not contain BB but using PMU and audio chipset.
MT6516 intergate both AP and BB and can be use with external PMU
Huawei's HiSilicon, K3（Hi3611）- entertainment smartphone platform, reduce R&D time down to 3 months from 1 year.
Software porting completed and UI customized by customer
Both K3 and MT6516 are using ARM9 but not latest ARM11 or A8
K3 does not contain BB but using PMU and audio chipset.
MT6516 intergate both AP and BB and can be use with external PMU
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Starting a Mobile Software Development Project for Handheld PDAs, iPhones and Smartphones
Questions that should be asked and pondered by the business user and software development teams before starting on a mobile software development project:
one mobile software application, or many?
One mobile software development platform that supports all of your mobile application needs, or will each mobile application be a separate IT project and use different development technologies and infrastructures (e.g. Windows Mobile, Google Android, RIM Blackberry, Symbian, iPhone, etc.)?
Fix solution and data requirements? needing to edit and adjust your mobile application as you learn from your field users and their experiences?
hard coded, or flexible and easily edited?
in-house software development capability, budget and helpdesk infrastructure to enable you to develop and support your own mobile application(s)?
Or outsourcing the development of your mobile software application's design, development and deployment to an experienced mobility company, or build it internally?
synchronizing field data with one back-office database, or multiple database applications? How? middleware solution?
how to integrate field data to your database applications?
Do you have your own DBA that can do this?
How can you ensure valid data is synchronized from the field?
secure mobile data synchronization? security->slower the data synchronization.
only a small part need to be secure or all of the data?
always internet connectivity, or run equally well disconnected?
Mobile solutions are often used on , and hardware requirements and user environmental requirements? laptops, Tablet PCs, Smartphones, PDAs,hot, cold, dry, wet, dusty, flammable or frozen
supporting just one mobile device, or many different kinds and sizes?
screen size?sufficient? manuals, maps, images, blueprints and drawings, or just click on a few buttons?
mobile device operating system(s) ?
How will the mobile handhelds or mobile devices be carried and stored.
wearing a suit, or wearing overalls in the rain.
Does the environment require a rugged case, or a suit pocket?
-> operating systems and screen sizes.
integrate with and support GPS, Barcode scanners, RFID radios, Digital Signatures, digital cameras and synchronize data bi-directionally across multiple databases?
What mobile database will you use?
own synchronization technology? If not, what mobile middleware?
Does the mobile database vendor support the operating systems you have chosen?
experienced in designing, developing and deploying mobile applications, or is this their very first mobility project.
Can you afford the steep learning curve, time and money developing a mobile application in-house with no experience?
Have you considered the implementation, training and support effort required to manage large mobile software deployments? project management and helpdesk software in place to manage it?
Have you made sure that your mobile software application's database and screen design will include the data fields required by the office database application you will sync with?
need to support a specific business process in SAP or other ERP?
create the right data model for your mobile application before you start development.
Often an appropriate data model for a simple mobile application, is not the appropriate data model once you start adding features and additional modules in future versions.
Is your database model designed to easily support additional components?
one mobile software application, or many?
One mobile software development platform that supports all of your mobile application needs, or will each mobile application be a separate IT project and use different development technologies and infrastructures (e.g. Windows Mobile, Google Android, RIM Blackberry, Symbian, iPhone, etc.)?
Fix solution and data requirements? needing to edit and adjust your mobile application as you learn from your field users and their experiences?
hard coded, or flexible and easily edited?
in-house software development capability, budget and helpdesk infrastructure to enable you to develop and support your own mobile application(s)?
Or outsourcing the development of your mobile software application's design, development and deployment to an experienced mobility company, or build it internally?
synchronizing field data with one back-office database, or multiple database applications? How? middleware solution?
how to integrate field data to your database applications?
Do you have your own DBA that can do this?
How can you ensure valid data is synchronized from the field?
secure mobile data synchronization? security->slower the data synchronization.
only a small part need to be secure or all of the data?
always internet connectivity, or run equally well disconnected?
Mobile solutions are often used on , and hardware requirements and user environmental requirements? laptops, Tablet PCs, Smartphones, PDAs,hot, cold, dry, wet, dusty, flammable or frozen
supporting just one mobile device, or many different kinds and sizes?
screen size?sufficient? manuals, maps, images, blueprints and drawings, or just click on a few buttons?
mobile device operating system(s) ?
How will the mobile handhelds or mobile devices be carried and stored.
wearing a suit, or wearing overalls in the rain.
Does the environment require a rugged case, or a suit pocket?
-> operating systems and screen sizes.
integrate with and support GPS, Barcode scanners, RFID radios, Digital Signatures, digital cameras and synchronize data bi-directionally across multiple databases?
What mobile database will you use?
own synchronization technology? If not, what mobile middleware?
Does the mobile database vendor support the operating systems you have chosen?
experienced in designing, developing and deploying mobile applications, or is this their very first mobility project.
Can you afford the steep learning curve, time and money developing a mobile application in-house with no experience?
Have you considered the implementation, training and support effort required to manage large mobile software deployments? project management and helpdesk software in place to manage it?
Have you made sure that your mobile software application's database and screen design will include the data fields required by the office database application you will sync with?
need to support a specific business process in SAP or other ERP?
create the right data model for your mobile application before you start development.
Often an appropriate data model for a simple mobile application, is not the appropriate data model once you start adding features and additional modules in future versions.
Is your database model designed to easily support additional components?
Commentary: Global slowdown takes tolls on EMS firms
10 March 2009]
The losses posted by the EMS firm Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), the Hong Kong-listed handset subsidiary of Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), for the second half of 2008 indicates that the latest global slowdown has also taken tolls from the EMS sector.
FIH has posted an after-tax loss of US$20.86 million for the second half of 2008, compared to a net profit of US$143 million for the first half. For all of 2008, FIH's net earnings tumbled 83.2% from a year earlier to US$121 million, according to company data.
The advantage of vertical integration and global deployment once enjoyed by EMS firms has now become heavy burdens amid the economic downturn, weighing down their competitiveness, observers with Taiwan handset industry commented.
The vertical integration had long been an advantage for FIH for the purchases of handset parts and components. However, a lack of flexibility for the procurements of needed parts from outside suppliers has prevented FIH from lowering its production costs recently, said the observers.
The large production bases FIH runs in Europe, Asia, and Latin America have also weighted down the company due to lower capacity utilization rates as handset customers reduced sharply their orders under the economic storm, added the observers.
On the other hand, ODM makers have recently strengthened their competitiveness in battles for orders with EMS rivals, leveraging their flexibility in production and design capability, said the observers.
Of course, FIH did not stay idle for long. The company has taken several measures addressing the problems it faces. It has poured more resources to strengthen its ODM capability for the production of smartphones, which will probably include Android-powered phones in addition to current Windows Mobile- and Palm Web-enabled models.
The company has also said that it will continue to consolidate its global production capacity by moving plants to inner China and India where overall production costs are lower.
The losses posted by the EMS firm Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), the Hong Kong-listed handset subsidiary of Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), for the second half of 2008 indicates that the latest global slowdown has also taken tolls from the EMS sector.
FIH has posted an after-tax loss of US$20.86 million for the second half of 2008, compared to a net profit of US$143 million for the first half. For all of 2008, FIH's net earnings tumbled 83.2% from a year earlier to US$121 million, according to company data.
The advantage of vertical integration and global deployment once enjoyed by EMS firms has now become heavy burdens amid the economic downturn, weighing down their competitiveness, observers with Taiwan handset industry commented.
The vertical integration had long been an advantage for FIH for the purchases of handset parts and components. However, a lack of flexibility for the procurements of needed parts from outside suppliers has prevented FIH from lowering its production costs recently, said the observers.
The large production bases FIH runs in Europe, Asia, and Latin America have also weighted down the company due to lower capacity utilization rates as handset customers reduced sharply their orders under the economic storm, added the observers.
On the other hand, ODM makers have recently strengthened their competitiveness in battles for orders with EMS rivals, leveraging their flexibility in production and design capability, said the observers.
Of course, FIH did not stay idle for long. The company has taken several measures addressing the problems it faces. It has poured more resources to strengthen its ODM capability for the production of smartphones, which will probably include Android-powered phones in addition to current Windows Mobile- and Palm Web-enabled models.
The company has also said that it will continue to consolidate its global production capacity by moving plants to inner China and India where overall production costs are lower.
Monday, March 9, 2009
FIH gross margins to remain weak in 1H09
9 March 2009
Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), the Hong Kong-listed handset subsidiary of Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), is unlikely to see its gross margins improve in the first half of 2009 due to lower demand and capacity utilization rates, and an unfavorable product mix, the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) quoted Merrill Lynch as indicating.
Merrill Lynch also projected that FIH will see its revenues decline 16% sequentially in the first quarter of this year. Overall, FIH is expected to book a net EPS of HK$0.15 (US$0.0193) for all of 2009, according to the report.
The projection came after FIH's report of net earnings of US$121 million for 2008, representing a net EPS of US$0.0172, the company said.
Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), the Hong Kong-listed handset subsidiary of Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), is unlikely to see its gross margins improve in the first half of 2009 due to lower demand and capacity utilization rates, and an unfavorable product mix, the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) quoted Merrill Lynch as indicating.
Merrill Lynch also projected that FIH will see its revenues decline 16% sequentially in the first quarter of this year. Overall, FIH is expected to book a net EPS of HK$0.15 (US$0.0193) for all of 2009, according to the report.
The projection came after FIH's report of net earnings of US$121 million for 2008, representing a net EPS of US$0.0172, the company said.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Mobile Internet: Man's games
新浪科技讯 2月18日下午，中国互联网络信息中心(CNNIC)今日在北京发布《中国手机上网行为研究报告(简版)》，CNNIC互联网发展研究部分析师池大治接受新浪科技独家专访，就该报告的热点话题进行解读。
精彩观点：
- 在无线互联网用户中，男性比例比较高是一个长期的历史问题，这行业最早是SP业务带动的，当时一些让男性更感兴趣的不良业务比较多。不过，如今移动互联网发展是越来越理性。
- WAP与Web是一种融合的过程，如果我们的带宽是足够宽，屏幕足够大，我们肯定是愿意以不同的终端去访问同样的内容，而且有很好的交互的过程。
- 对于移动互联网而言，投资在其中起到的作用是非常明显的。目前全球的经济有一定的波动，投资商的投资也非常谨慎，但这个市场还非常年轻，前景非常美好，需要踏踏实实去关注它。也只有在深入了解这个市场后，它才会给你更多的惊喜。
男性偏爱手机上网有历史原因
主持人马全智：各位新浪网友大家好，针对中国互联网络信息中心(CNNIC)最新发布的手机上网行为报告，新浪邀请了CNNIC互联网发展研究部分析师池大治来接受新浪科技的专访，为我们解读这报告中的一些热点话题，欢迎池老师。
池大治：各位新浪网友大家好。
主持人：先请池老师介绍一下，这次报告所发布的手机上网跟手机媒体的数据，都有哪些看点？
池大治：说到兴奋的话，其实对我们来讲，作为研究领域这么长时间，其实移动互联网是一直给我们带来兴奋的东西，所以慢慢已经变得习惯了，如果说数据化，其实我们这个像发布的手机媒体报告也好，移动上网报告里面都有一些具体的数据，大家可以通过互联网的方式去下载或者购买得到一些具体的数据，我想马上在后面逐步谈的过程当中引出来。
主持人：我们刚才报告也提到，目前移动互联网仍然是以男性的用户为主，占到了绝对大的一个比例，大概有74.6%，请您分析一下，这个情况可能过去是由于什么原因造成的？
池大治：确实像您所说的，中国的移动的互联网里面，我们男性用户的比例确实比较高，这也是一个长期的历史问题，我们大家可以想一想，最早从移动互联网推出来，从2001年、2002年的时候，我们最早经历的是一个由所谓的SP业务带动的一个互联网发展的过程。这个时候很多的用户当时就说，我们所谓的不良业务带来的男性的比例是特别特别的高。现在来讲，我们整体的移动互联网发展是越来越变得理性，包括我们的监管，我们的政策，我们各个方面的努力也好，得到的市场是趋于一个理性的发展过程，慢慢地就是接近了我们的整体的人口学的，网民的比例关系和人口学对应的关系会越来越好。
主持人：对，我们也确实注意到，这个报告也指出，女性用户的比例也是逐年的增长，这肯定是跟我们池老师所说的跟政策的监管还有行业的引导带来新的发展，都有关系。
池大治：没错。
主持人：可能也看到，还有一个比较有意思的点，可能五年内能够实现男女比例基本的平衡，这个预测，可能是按照目前这个数据来测出来的是吗？男女平衡以后，这个产业大概会是什么样子？
池大治：其实这个数据当然也是我们一个推测，按照目前的发展状况，当然具体是不是这个数字，可能还要具体看后面的发展情况，整体来看，市场慢慢理性，我们现在有一个大的观点，跟网友分享一下，将来我们的移动互联网其实是趋同于我们的互联网，它的业务上是有很大的符合性，而且在我们的数据里面也非常支持我们的观点，我们现代的像移动互联网里面的真正属于移动手机上网的用户的比例还是非常小，大概5.5%左右，那么大部分的用户是既使用移动互联网，也使用互联网，当然业务上也存在着很大的符合性，是这样的，将来女性比例增高的话，相对应的，我们原来的互联网这种体现业务的形式，在移动互联网里面体现得特别明显。
主持人：对，您刚刚讲到在未来无线互联网和普通的宽带互联网，其实差不多都趋于平衡。其实我们也很快想得到，在今年的年初，3G的牌照也正是发牌了，也想请您站在产业的角度来展望一下，整个对移动互联网的发展都会带来哪些方面的影响？
池大治：总体来说，我们认为3G对于移动互联网发展的这种作用还是非常明显的，当然我想提，之前先解释一下移动互联网的发展和3G之间的关系？其实3G对我们大家来讲，业内有一个特别好的比喻，就是高速公路的问题的它是一个高速公路，提供更好的一个带宽，让我们的移动互联网的应用跑得更快，用户的体验更好，但实际上在此之前，3G牌照发放之前，我们移动互联网已经走了很长一段时间，这样的话，我们移动互联网也是在逐步的发展，其实你看到我们(第二次)大报告的时候，我们这个数据，就是在2008年底的时候，我们的移动互联网网民达到1.176亿这么一个规模，这时候其实3G还没有发放，完全基于我们2.5G或者2.75G这么一个网络，在这种基础上，其实我们看到是我们的需求已经带领我们的用户去，不是带领我们的用户，带领我们应用也好，用户规模的增长已经到了非常好的规模，3G在这个时候推出来讲，我觉得有这么以下三方面的作用：
第一，它就像我们刚才说的，移动互联网的所谓高速公路，高速公路铺好了之后，让我们原来的车能够有一个更好的发挥空间，跑得更快，用户的体验是非常高的，在这个网络基础之上，我们又要考虑，有了这么一个好的网络，其实我们三家运营商，他们之间也会能够利用这个平台去提供更好的服务。
当然，与此伴随着，也产生了很多的竞争关系，包括我们的运营商以及我们相应的企业，我们以前叫做独立WAP，现在我们可能会有一些新的名词，WAP的概念会越来越削弱，他们之间竞争也会越来越强，可以这么说，但是这种强其实无论如何对于我们用户来讲是越来越好的一个事情，因为我们看到更多的更好的服务，我们去选择。
另外第三方面来讲，3G还有一个特别大的作用，首先它的直接效果，就是搭建了网络，实际上在我们业务层面来讲，我们可以利用3G牌照发放的时机更好去做一些相关的品牌宣传也好，这些文章，因为对于我们从业的这些人来讲，你说去讲3G也好，讲WAP也好，大家也容易理解，但是对于我们最终的用户，对于我们潜在的或者已经存在的手机网民来讲，其实他们不懂什么叫3G，他们只是知道，也不懂什么叫互联网，他们只知道当你要推出这项服务的时候，你给我打了一个很强的兴奋剂，说我们有一个3G的概念，有一个很大的平台的概念，让我们提供很丰富的产品的时候，那我们就会想，什么叫移动互联网？很多新用户这个时候就会引进来了，比如说我们看到了一个某运营商做的移动互联网，就是手机什么什么，很多这种类似的广告，其实对我们普通用户来讲刺激是非常大的，3G的牌照发放以后，我想这三方面的影响是非常大的，影响也是非常直接的。
主持人：可能最明显的一点，上网的速度提升了，刚才我们也讲到，两个网络可能以后会趋于平衡，其实就是这个网速的提升会发生很大的作用。
池大治：没错。
WAP与WEB未来出现融合趋势
主持人：刚才我们也讲到WAP，现在WAP跟Web两种，一直都是移动互联网的争论的比较多的焦点，您对此有什么样的看法？
池大治：WAP和Web来讲，我觉得也应该从几点上去看，WAP是所谓移动互联网发展的早期，我们只有很窄的一个通道去提供我们的业务，当时我们不可能把互联网上这么丰富的内容，一个图片有几百K放到移动互联网上去做，这不可能的，WAP在初期的话也是一个简单的文字链接的格式去推出我们一些简单的页面和简单的一些内容，到后来我们在05年左右的时候，已经有了Web2.0去支持我们的图片和音乐，等于是向前迈了一步，但事实上它距离我们理想中的互联网的概念还相差得非常非常远。所以说，从发展的角度来讲，我认为WAP本身的生命力不在于此，它是在于特定的历史时期所展现出来自己独特的特点，比如说当时WAP链接上面有电话号码，我直接去点击这个电话号码，我的电话联络呼出去，满足了一些特例的应用的需求，但是Web它是互联网上的一种，所谓的一种推广的格式，其实我们指的就是互联网上的格式，它的应用是真正符合我们现代发展的，它能承载大量的内容，当然我们互联网是可以承载大量内容的，不是语言本身的，这样的话，其实我们的观点说在将来，可能说，WAP与Web是一种融合的过程，当然我们不指望说，我们的每一家内容提供商都去把原来自己Web上面的内容全都转化成这种格式，然后以WAP的格式再向我们手机用户去推送，这样是非常浪费我们的成本，也没有意义这个事情，但如果我们的带宽是足够宽，屏幕足够大，我们肯定是愿意以不同的终端去访问同样的内容，而且有很好的交互的过程，你看我们现在，你把笔记本上网了，可以算成一个无线互联网，手机也是一样的上，为什么非要使用一个不同的内容去做呢？其实没有必要。
主持人：对，我这么理解，WAP能生存，也是说特定时期的一个产物，随着3G时代特别是高速网络的到来，可能这种转换会加速。
池大治：其实将来也可能在我们的Web网页上支持我们的WAP，就像我们现在移动普通的电脑上网的时候，我们有一些浏览器是支持WAP网页的，那同样在我们将来的手机上面的浏览器也可以支持各种各样的内容，我们的网页上面都支持WAP，我们也可以去点，去呼叫，这都是可能的。
主持人：对，其实我们都知道像业内的专家或者企业在谈3G的布局，在说爆发点的来到，可能都会说不是今年，都是在两到三年，我们按照这个来推测的话，WAP和Web之间的竞争，两个之间是不是可能也，交错状态是不是也还有几年的时间？不会说马上就取代掉了？
池大治：其实我刚才说的不是一个取代的关系，可能是一个融合的关系，这也是需要时间的，毕竟是我们现在的很多的WAP的从业者，当然大的网站会好一点，它有两个平台，但是对于很多很多的WAP的类似所谓站长的概念，给他们一个时间去慢慢学习新的东西，接受新的东西，这是需要时间的。
主持人：我们也是刚才也谈到了，08年年底的时候，手机网民的数量1.176亿，这个数字已经是非常的惊人，可能也请您预测一下，未来还有没有可能保持这么高的一个增长速度？
池大治：未来的增长，我们首先要看一下我们手机网民它的一个来源，它的来源什么呢？说白了大家都知道，来自于我们的手机用户，首先你是手机用户才可能使用移动互联网，就像我没有电脑，或者没有网吧，我使用互联网，也不太可能。我们现在能看到的数字就是说我们2008年底的时候，中国的手机用户已经到了6.4亿，而且在不断的高速增长过程中，这是一方面，我们的手机是提供良好的基础，因为我们现在你去算一下的话1.176亿的手机网民对于6.4亿的话，它的比例是非常低的，而同期的话我们看一下国外，邻近的国家比如日本或者韩国，他们手机网民占有手机用户的比例基本在50%左右，非常高的比例，从这个空间来讲，我觉得我们的成长性还是非常强的，这是第一点。
另外一点，从我们的应用角度来讲，现在我们已经有了3G，或者说我们有了一个非常广阔的平台，我们的应用将来会变得越来越丰富，大家现在能看到的普及率比较高的像集成性也好，将来还有手机电视，手机的直接的视频对话等等这些应用会直接刺激我们的用户去使用移动互联网。
还有一点，比较值得去说的，现在中国的情况还不太一样的，就是我们现在的所谓的固网的覆盖的能力还是有限的，包括我们也一直在推像网站的一些东西，其实是促进我们整个信息化的发展，手机在我们中国特殊的国情下面，我们的手机占有率是远远超过我们通话的占有率的，在这种情况下，我们用户还会有一部分用户是直接来自于我们移动的互联网的用户，是直接用手机去登录的，所以各种条件促使我们的未来的一段时间内，我们的移动互联网的网民的增长率还是会以非常快的增长，我们2007年底的时候，手机网民是5040，2008年的时候我们已经增长了一倍还要多，1.176亿，这个比例应该是能够继续，在目前的阶段来讲，还是能够保持比较快的增长，因为我们大家也都知道，产品的渗透理论，我们知道用户之间的渗透，还有前面应用的基础，这个增长率还是会在近期内保持一个比较高的增长。
主持人：对，特别像您刚才讲到的固网到不了的地方，现在可能很多的人在关注，可能通过手机这个方式是不是更可行，这一块空间也是非常大。
池大治：需要进一步探讨。
主持人：您感觉整个09年中国的手机网民用户的结构会出现哪些方面的调整？
池大治：用户结构的话，我想需要几方面去谈，刚才我们已经说过了，它包括的内容就是说有性别之间的差异，有年龄段之间的差异，还有所谓的从业的职业身份背景之间的差异等等很多方面，但这个男女比例之间的关系，刚才我们谈到男性的比例在70.6%，当然这个数字有一点儿高，当然我们是数据调查出来的，要尊重这个事实。那在未来的几年内，我们的男性比例的用户肯定会逐步下降，随着女性用户的增长，这是一个理性的过程，这个比例会发生一个调整。而从年龄结构上来讲，我们目前来看从20到29岁，这部分的手机网民的比例非常高，它大概达到60%多的这么一个水平，这是非常高的一个数字，其实我们可以对比互联网在这个年龄段的比例只有35%，这个比例差异非常大，而且从20到29岁向两端扩展的比例当中，它的比例也是下降得非常快，这与我们现在所谓的传统互联网之间的差异非常明显。
刚才我们提到一个观点就是说，你将来的移动互联网会和我们的互联网之间慢慢地…，甚至说大家都是互联网，只是不同的接入终端，但是我们网民的比例结构肯定会向着我们目前的这个互联网的结构去发展，因为很明显，我们现在是手机网民1.176亿，这个数字在2005年的时候，就是互联网的这个数字，互联网网民的这个数字，这个结构是沿着这种趋势发展下去的。包括另外一点，就是像我们年龄、性别已经说过了，像职业身份，现在大部分的比例还是在这些工作的人员，因为这个年龄段也是有一定对应的，工作人员以及学生，这是两个比较大的群体，工作人员的群体更大一些，因为他们在工作中已经有需要，它的渗透率肯定比学生要高一些，这样的话它一个基础。将来的话，我们觉得像这种在外务工人员这个增长比例会比较高，农民的增长比例也会比较高，但是它的绝对数值肯定没有这么大，但是它的增长比例会比较快一些，因为在我们2008年的不管是手机网民上网行为的报告，之前的(第二次)报告当中也提到一点，就是说我们的所谓的山寨机在2008年带动了移动互联网的发展，它是有一个很好的推动作用，因为我之前也做过一些深访，我们看到这些在外务工人员，他们的很多，也是年轻人，不光都是40岁以上的没有正式职业的农民，还有一些年轻化的，比如初中毕业之后，完成了九年义务制教育以后，他也没有什么事情可做，就去打工，打工他们就熬不住寂寞，因为大部分的工地都是在相对比较偏僻的地方，那我干吗呢？我只能，要么去跑很远的地方上网，要么就通过手机玩一些自己想玩的东西，包括手机上网。
主持人：其实我们刚才讲过年龄结构、用户的组成有它的特性，据您观察，现在手机网民在产品方面有没有对应的一些特色？
池大治：产品的话，现在来看，跟我们之前的管理还是有符合的地方，就是说它的很多的产品应用是基于互联网产品的延伸，但是最早的时候我们看到的手机上网无非是看一些梦网提供的新闻或者网站提供的一些图片或者铃声的下载，现在我们所有的应用都会在手机上去得以延伸。
无线互联网市场发展需去除浮躁色彩
主持人：我们看了这一次的报告，也会提到关于手机媒体这个方面的数据，想请您介绍一下，现在我国手机媒体整体发展的态势？
池大治：手机媒体就是我们通常会称为第五媒体或者其他一些名称，手机媒体如果从整体来看的话，还比较难谈，还比较复杂，它是由很多不同的产品构成的，比如说我们现在也是刚刚推出的报告里面，手机媒体包含了几个重要的内容，像手机报、手机小说、手机电视、手机上的一些音频广播，这些产品它是对应于不同的生命周期阶段，比如说像手机小说，做得就比较早，比较早期的时候就推出了这项业务，现在做得也基本成熟，但是有自己的发展特点，那像手机电视真正带来发展是从05年以后，包括奥运会以后取得了更大的进展，这些生命周期都是不一样，而且未来可预期的发展空间也是千差万别，总体来看，手机媒体它应该说在我们的移动互联网当中扮演着越来越重要的角色，包括我们也总结了一些它的一个所谓的特点，比如说将来你的用户基础非常庞大以后，它会趋于一种所谓的常规理论，因为目前我们集中用户还是高端用户，比如手机报基本上是在全球通推出了，后来动感地带上推出了手机报的内容，那将来我们会把它的用户慢慢更加扩散，包括我们的神州行用户，另外像它的产品内容上面也会趋于比较清晰的导向，比如说广告在流媒体里面还要扮演非常重要的角色，包括我们新闻内容和娱乐内容在里面角色上的转变，都是会有不同的变化，没法用一个统一的语言来定义它们的发展。
主持人：那刚刚我们也提到广告，您觉得广告费在手机媒体当中前景怎么样？
池大治：广告来讲，现在大家提的广告，基本上大趋势就是所谓的精准，都在提精准的概念，那只有精准的时候，才能找到真正的潜在的广告客户，这个广告客户未必你能促进它的销售，但是至少我从我的品牌上，或者从成品的概念上去影响它，这是一个很重要的过程。我们哪个广告主再有钱，也不会把这些钱投到无用功上面去，何况现在经济条件这么不好，所以说在手机上面我们去实现手机广告的时候，是非常好的手段，但是目前我们广告来讲也是面临着很多的问题，比如说如果你有一个非常好的广告平台的话，去做一些宣传，当然是好事情，但是现在我们很多非法的广告，一些垃圾广告什么的，其实影响了用户的使用行为。
主持人：这一块还需要行业慢慢发展、规范。
池大治：包括一些监管。
主持人：刚刚我们也谈到手机电视，在08年奥运会的期间，可能有不错的一个应用效果，可能您觉得在09年的话，会不会有一个更值得期待的发展？
池大治：手机电视来讲，其实是手机媒体里面非常重要的一部分内容，但手机电视又不得不说它有两大形式，一个是基于我们广电的传播形式，比如现在CMMB、TD等等，在这个网络上去传输的一些手机电视的应用，他们之间其实存在很大的竞争关系，现在我们看，包括移动也是在妥协这个时间，为了08年，自己也妥协了很多很多东西，去支持了广电一些协议的标准，首先把这个内容做出来，但事实上，我们这一块，作为我们CNNIC来讲，研究的还是来自于基于移动平台上的移动互联网上的手机电视，这个手机电视来讲，我们觉得首先你刚才也说了，我们的压力非常大，来自于广电总局的压力非常大，但另外一点，它其实更多的应该去体现出自己的优势出来，比如它有一个很好的平台，它能够实现用户之间的交互，能够实现很多精准的东西，比如说广播网你是不能实现精准的定位了，但是你的移动平台上是能够提供这一点的，把自己的优势更好地发挥出来的话，才是有利于我们基于移动运营商的平台上的手机电视的发展。
主持人：最后一个问题，现在整个大的经济环境，就是现在全球的经济确实都出现了比较大的波动，这也就导致很多的投资的行业最后变得比较谨慎，您观察，这会不会影响到众多互联网，移动互联网业务一个长期的发展，您感觉。
池大治：从这个投资的角度来讲，我们觉得确实对于移动互联网来讲，投资在其中起到的作用是非常明显的，整个的全球的经济现在是有一定的波动，投资商呢对于投资银行也好或者VC也好或者很多类型，他们投资的话也非常谨慎，大家都不愿意把这个钱投在无用的地方，但是我们必须要从两个方面去看：
首先一点，我们的移动互联网发展本身是不是应该有自己的思路，对吧！我们应该去吸收更多投资，这样是你快速成长的一个必要条件，你需要去投资，另外你自己的发展，它现在已经有一个非常好的趋势，刚才我们说到了，我们有用户基础，有3G的牌照发放，导致我们网络的进一步的加强，速度进一步的提升，我们有一个很好的成长环境，但是我们现在的很多的移动互联网的所谓的这种站长或者说包括大的网站小的网站也好，存在着一个问题，大家的投机心理特别强，实际上我们是看好移动互联网发展的，它将来很可能在用户的基础上，很有可能是超过我们的传统互联网，但是呢，我们现在的大部分的从业者，不能说大部分，这个数字我还不能定义大部分，但是有很多，他是没有理性的看待这个市场，他就是为了说，OK，我的互联网发展期，我没有淘到金，我现在有这么一个机会，我赶紧去做一个Web网站也好，做一个移动互联网网站也好，我赶紧赚点钱，吸引投资过来，我赶紧跑掉了，套现，这种心理其实一直在作怪的，你这个市场的发展再好，有你这种投机心理，也不可能…，现在的话大部分来讲，你看看基本上靠一些点点滴滴的广告，一个月赚一两万块钱维持自己的生存，但是从另外一个角度来讲，刚才也说投资对于移动互联网来说非常重要，投资业务其实是有自己的标准的，无线互联网你自己发展是非常好，也有一些特别拙劣的网站是慢慢的浮出来的，包括现在的一些大的网站自己去转型，作为移动互联网说，它是能够体现出自己的优势的，所以根本不用去担心这个投资的问题，因为什么呢？虽然行业不景气，但是做投资毕竟是做投资，它比如说在我筛选的项目里面，我会把一些以前我认为可以做的事情，而且不如移动互联网好的，我把它踢出去，但是我有自己的一套价值体系标准，如果你的东西好的话，我们还是会更多地去关注，更多地去培养它的成长，大家共同取得这个市场上的利益。
主持人：这个市场前景是非常美好的。
池大治：对，而且我们看刚才说的移动互联网浮躁的内容，其实特别明显，你看我们在，比如说都拿1亿做文章的话，1亿网民的时候，我们是2005年，2005年的时候，我们网站走的步伐基本上都算踏踏实实了，而且我们各个大的网站也好，都是开始去做很多的调研，去了解用户的行为，做了很多的咨询内容去调整产品结构，而我们现在的移动互联网，现在为什么说一直投机呢？你看到我们没有几家去关注这个研究，最多是我在网上去摘抄一些研究机构的研究成果，我看到这个内容就自以为说，我现在对它非常了解了，事实上不是这样的，我们和用户的研究也是无止境的内容，可能需要很长的时间自己去踏踏实实地去关注这个市场，投入自己更多的精力调研也好，研究也好，无论是你去购买报告也好，或者自己去做一个调研也好，是更需要我们去踏踏实实了解这个市场，这个市场肯定会在未来给你很多的惊喜。
主持人：这是一个全新的市场，其实说产业配套包括分析包括研究包括很多，可能都在跟着它一起来成长，也是需要大家一起来扶持，非常感谢池老师带给的精彩分析。
池大治：谢谢。
精彩观点：
- 在无线互联网用户中，男性比例比较高是一个长期的历史问题，这行业最早是SP业务带动的，当时一些让男性更感兴趣的不良业务比较多。不过，如今移动互联网发展是越来越理性。
- WAP与Web是一种融合的过程，如果我们的带宽是足够宽，屏幕足够大，我们肯定是愿意以不同的终端去访问同样的内容，而且有很好的交互的过程。
- 对于移动互联网而言，投资在其中起到的作用是非常明显的。目前全球的经济有一定的波动，投资商的投资也非常谨慎，但这个市场还非常年轻，前景非常美好，需要踏踏实实去关注它。也只有在深入了解这个市场后，它才会给你更多的惊喜。
男性偏爱手机上网有历史原因
主持人马全智：各位新浪网友大家好，针对中国互联网络信息中心(CNNIC)最新发布的手机上网行为报告，新浪邀请了CNNIC互联网发展研究部分析师池大治来接受新浪科技的专访，为我们解读这报告中的一些热点话题，欢迎池老师。
池大治：各位新浪网友大家好。
主持人：先请池老师介绍一下，这次报告所发布的手机上网跟手机媒体的数据，都有哪些看点？
池大治：说到兴奋的话，其实对我们来讲，作为研究领域这么长时间，其实移动互联网是一直给我们带来兴奋的东西，所以慢慢已经变得习惯了，如果说数据化，其实我们这个像发布的手机媒体报告也好，移动上网报告里面都有一些具体的数据，大家可以通过互联网的方式去下载或者购买得到一些具体的数据，我想马上在后面逐步谈的过程当中引出来。
主持人：我们刚才报告也提到，目前移动互联网仍然是以男性的用户为主，占到了绝对大的一个比例，大概有74.6%，请您分析一下，这个情况可能过去是由于什么原因造成的？
池大治：确实像您所说的，中国的移动的互联网里面，我们男性用户的比例确实比较高，这也是一个长期的历史问题，我们大家可以想一想，最早从移动互联网推出来，从2001年、2002年的时候，我们最早经历的是一个由所谓的SP业务带动的一个互联网发展的过程。这个时候很多的用户当时就说，我们所谓的不良业务带来的男性的比例是特别特别的高。现在来讲，我们整体的移动互联网发展是越来越变得理性，包括我们的监管，我们的政策，我们各个方面的努力也好，得到的市场是趋于一个理性的发展过程，慢慢地就是接近了我们的整体的人口学的，网民的比例关系和人口学对应的关系会越来越好。
主持人：对，我们也确实注意到，这个报告也指出，女性用户的比例也是逐年的增长，这肯定是跟我们池老师所说的跟政策的监管还有行业的引导带来新的发展，都有关系。
池大治：没错。
主持人：可能也看到，还有一个比较有意思的点，可能五年内能够实现男女比例基本的平衡，这个预测，可能是按照目前这个数据来测出来的是吗？男女平衡以后，这个产业大概会是什么样子？
池大治：其实这个数据当然也是我们一个推测，按照目前的发展状况，当然具体是不是这个数字，可能还要具体看后面的发展情况，整体来看，市场慢慢理性，我们现在有一个大的观点，跟网友分享一下，将来我们的移动互联网其实是趋同于我们的互联网，它的业务上是有很大的符合性，而且在我们的数据里面也非常支持我们的观点，我们现代的像移动互联网里面的真正属于移动手机上网的用户的比例还是非常小，大概5.5%左右，那么大部分的用户是既使用移动互联网，也使用互联网，当然业务上也存在着很大的符合性，是这样的，将来女性比例增高的话，相对应的，我们原来的互联网这种体现业务的形式，在移动互联网里面体现得特别明显。
主持人：对，您刚刚讲到在未来无线互联网和普通的宽带互联网，其实差不多都趋于平衡。其实我们也很快想得到，在今年的年初，3G的牌照也正是发牌了，也想请您站在产业的角度来展望一下，整个对移动互联网的发展都会带来哪些方面的影响？
池大治：总体来说，我们认为3G对于移动互联网发展的这种作用还是非常明显的，当然我想提，之前先解释一下移动互联网的发展和3G之间的关系？其实3G对我们大家来讲，业内有一个特别好的比喻，就是高速公路的问题的它是一个高速公路，提供更好的一个带宽，让我们的移动互联网的应用跑得更快，用户的体验更好，但实际上在此之前，3G牌照发放之前，我们移动互联网已经走了很长一段时间，这样的话，我们移动互联网也是在逐步的发展，其实你看到我们(第二次)大报告的时候，我们这个数据，就是在2008年底的时候，我们的移动互联网网民达到1.176亿这么一个规模，这时候其实3G还没有发放，完全基于我们2.5G或者2.75G这么一个网络，在这种基础上，其实我们看到是我们的需求已经带领我们的用户去，不是带领我们的用户，带领我们应用也好，用户规模的增长已经到了非常好的规模，3G在这个时候推出来讲，我觉得有这么以下三方面的作用：
第一，它就像我们刚才说的，移动互联网的所谓高速公路，高速公路铺好了之后，让我们原来的车能够有一个更好的发挥空间，跑得更快，用户的体验是非常高的，在这个网络基础之上，我们又要考虑，有了这么一个好的网络，其实我们三家运营商，他们之间也会能够利用这个平台去提供更好的服务。
当然，与此伴随着，也产生了很多的竞争关系，包括我们的运营商以及我们相应的企业，我们以前叫做独立WAP，现在我们可能会有一些新的名词，WAP的概念会越来越削弱，他们之间竞争也会越来越强，可以这么说，但是这种强其实无论如何对于我们用户来讲是越来越好的一个事情，因为我们看到更多的更好的服务，我们去选择。
另外第三方面来讲，3G还有一个特别大的作用，首先它的直接效果，就是搭建了网络，实际上在我们业务层面来讲，我们可以利用3G牌照发放的时机更好去做一些相关的品牌宣传也好，这些文章，因为对于我们从业的这些人来讲，你说去讲3G也好，讲WAP也好，大家也容易理解，但是对于我们最终的用户，对于我们潜在的或者已经存在的手机网民来讲，其实他们不懂什么叫3G，他们只是知道，也不懂什么叫互联网，他们只知道当你要推出这项服务的时候，你给我打了一个很强的兴奋剂，说我们有一个3G的概念，有一个很大的平台的概念，让我们提供很丰富的产品的时候，那我们就会想，什么叫移动互联网？很多新用户这个时候就会引进来了，比如说我们看到了一个某运营商做的移动互联网，就是手机什么什么，很多这种类似的广告，其实对我们普通用户来讲刺激是非常大的，3G的牌照发放以后，我想这三方面的影响是非常大的，影响也是非常直接的。
主持人：可能最明显的一点，上网的速度提升了，刚才我们也讲到，两个网络可能以后会趋于平衡，其实就是这个网速的提升会发生很大的作用。
池大治：没错。
WAP与WEB未来出现融合趋势
主持人：刚才我们也讲到WAP，现在WAP跟Web两种，一直都是移动互联网的争论的比较多的焦点，您对此有什么样的看法？
池大治：WAP和Web来讲，我觉得也应该从几点上去看，WAP是所谓移动互联网发展的早期，我们只有很窄的一个通道去提供我们的业务，当时我们不可能把互联网上这么丰富的内容，一个图片有几百K放到移动互联网上去做，这不可能的，WAP在初期的话也是一个简单的文字链接的格式去推出我们一些简单的页面和简单的一些内容，到后来我们在05年左右的时候，已经有了Web2.0去支持我们的图片和音乐，等于是向前迈了一步，但事实上它距离我们理想中的互联网的概念还相差得非常非常远。所以说，从发展的角度来讲，我认为WAP本身的生命力不在于此，它是在于特定的历史时期所展现出来自己独特的特点，比如说当时WAP链接上面有电话号码，我直接去点击这个电话号码，我的电话联络呼出去，满足了一些特例的应用的需求，但是Web它是互联网上的一种，所谓的一种推广的格式，其实我们指的就是互联网上的格式，它的应用是真正符合我们现代发展的，它能承载大量的内容，当然我们互联网是可以承载大量内容的，不是语言本身的，这样的话，其实我们的观点说在将来，可能说，WAP与Web是一种融合的过程，当然我们不指望说，我们的每一家内容提供商都去把原来自己Web上面的内容全都转化成这种格式，然后以WAP的格式再向我们手机用户去推送，这样是非常浪费我们的成本，也没有意义这个事情，但如果我们的带宽是足够宽，屏幕足够大，我们肯定是愿意以不同的终端去访问同样的内容，而且有很好的交互的过程，你看我们现在，你把笔记本上网了，可以算成一个无线互联网，手机也是一样的上，为什么非要使用一个不同的内容去做呢？其实没有必要。
主持人：对，我这么理解，WAP能生存，也是说特定时期的一个产物，随着3G时代特别是高速网络的到来，可能这种转换会加速。
池大治：其实将来也可能在我们的Web网页上支持我们的WAP，就像我们现在移动普通的电脑上网的时候，我们有一些浏览器是支持WAP网页的，那同样在我们将来的手机上面的浏览器也可以支持各种各样的内容，我们的网页上面都支持WAP，我们也可以去点，去呼叫，这都是可能的。
主持人：对，其实我们都知道像业内的专家或者企业在谈3G的布局，在说爆发点的来到，可能都会说不是今年，都是在两到三年，我们按照这个来推测的话，WAP和Web之间的竞争，两个之间是不是可能也，交错状态是不是也还有几年的时间？不会说马上就取代掉了？
池大治：其实我刚才说的不是一个取代的关系，可能是一个融合的关系，这也是需要时间的，毕竟是我们现在的很多的WAP的从业者，当然大的网站会好一点，它有两个平台，但是对于很多很多的WAP的类似所谓站长的概念，给他们一个时间去慢慢学习新的东西，接受新的东西，这是需要时间的。
主持人：我们也是刚才也谈到了，08年年底的时候，手机网民的数量1.176亿，这个数字已经是非常的惊人，可能也请您预测一下，未来还有没有可能保持这么高的一个增长速度？
池大治：未来的增长，我们首先要看一下我们手机网民它的一个来源，它的来源什么呢？说白了大家都知道，来自于我们的手机用户，首先你是手机用户才可能使用移动互联网，就像我没有电脑，或者没有网吧，我使用互联网，也不太可能。我们现在能看到的数字就是说我们2008年底的时候，中国的手机用户已经到了6.4亿，而且在不断的高速增长过程中，这是一方面，我们的手机是提供良好的基础，因为我们现在你去算一下的话1.176亿的手机网民对于6.4亿的话，它的比例是非常低的，而同期的话我们看一下国外，邻近的国家比如日本或者韩国，他们手机网民占有手机用户的比例基本在50%左右，非常高的比例，从这个空间来讲，我觉得我们的成长性还是非常强的，这是第一点。
另外一点，从我们的应用角度来讲，现在我们已经有了3G，或者说我们有了一个非常广阔的平台，我们的应用将来会变得越来越丰富，大家现在能看到的普及率比较高的像集成性也好，将来还有手机电视，手机的直接的视频对话等等这些应用会直接刺激我们的用户去使用移动互联网。
还有一点，比较值得去说的，现在中国的情况还不太一样的，就是我们现在的所谓的固网的覆盖的能力还是有限的，包括我们也一直在推像网站的一些东西，其实是促进我们整个信息化的发展，手机在我们中国特殊的国情下面，我们的手机占有率是远远超过我们通话的占有率的，在这种情况下，我们用户还会有一部分用户是直接来自于我们移动的互联网的用户，是直接用手机去登录的，所以各种条件促使我们的未来的一段时间内，我们的移动互联网的网民的增长率还是会以非常快的增长，我们2007年底的时候，手机网民是5040，2008年的时候我们已经增长了一倍还要多，1.176亿，这个比例应该是能够继续，在目前的阶段来讲，还是能够保持比较快的增长，因为我们大家也都知道，产品的渗透理论，我们知道用户之间的渗透，还有前面应用的基础，这个增长率还是会在近期内保持一个比较高的增长。
主持人：对，特别像您刚才讲到的固网到不了的地方，现在可能很多的人在关注，可能通过手机这个方式是不是更可行，这一块空间也是非常大。
池大治：需要进一步探讨。
主持人：您感觉整个09年中国的手机网民用户的结构会出现哪些方面的调整？
池大治：用户结构的话，我想需要几方面去谈，刚才我们已经说过了，它包括的内容就是说有性别之间的差异，有年龄段之间的差异，还有所谓的从业的职业身份背景之间的差异等等很多方面，但这个男女比例之间的关系，刚才我们谈到男性的比例在70.6%，当然这个数字有一点儿高，当然我们是数据调查出来的，要尊重这个事实。那在未来的几年内，我们的男性比例的用户肯定会逐步下降，随着女性用户的增长，这是一个理性的过程，这个比例会发生一个调整。而从年龄结构上来讲，我们目前来看从20到29岁，这部分的手机网民的比例非常高，它大概达到60%多的这么一个水平，这是非常高的一个数字，其实我们可以对比互联网在这个年龄段的比例只有35%，这个比例差异非常大，而且从20到29岁向两端扩展的比例当中，它的比例也是下降得非常快，这与我们现在所谓的传统互联网之间的差异非常明显。
刚才我们提到一个观点就是说，你将来的移动互联网会和我们的互联网之间慢慢地…，甚至说大家都是互联网，只是不同的接入终端，但是我们网民的比例结构肯定会向着我们目前的这个互联网的结构去发展，因为很明显，我们现在是手机网民1.176亿，这个数字在2005年的时候，就是互联网的这个数字，互联网网民的这个数字，这个结构是沿着这种趋势发展下去的。包括另外一点，就是像我们年龄、性别已经说过了，像职业身份，现在大部分的比例还是在这些工作的人员，因为这个年龄段也是有一定对应的，工作人员以及学生，这是两个比较大的群体，工作人员的群体更大一些，因为他们在工作中已经有需要，它的渗透率肯定比学生要高一些，这样的话它一个基础。将来的话，我们觉得像这种在外务工人员这个增长比例会比较高，农民的增长比例也会比较高，但是它的绝对数值肯定没有这么大，但是它的增长比例会比较快一些，因为在我们2008年的不管是手机网民上网行为的报告，之前的(第二次)报告当中也提到一点，就是说我们的所谓的山寨机在2008年带动了移动互联网的发展，它是有一个很好的推动作用，因为我之前也做过一些深访，我们看到这些在外务工人员，他们的很多，也是年轻人，不光都是40岁以上的没有正式职业的农民，还有一些年轻化的，比如初中毕业之后，完成了九年义务制教育以后，他也没有什么事情可做，就去打工，打工他们就熬不住寂寞，因为大部分的工地都是在相对比较偏僻的地方，那我干吗呢？我只能，要么去跑很远的地方上网，要么就通过手机玩一些自己想玩的东西，包括手机上网。
主持人：其实我们刚才讲过年龄结构、用户的组成有它的特性，据您观察，现在手机网民在产品方面有没有对应的一些特色？
池大治：产品的话，现在来看，跟我们之前的管理还是有符合的地方，就是说它的很多的产品应用是基于互联网产品的延伸，但是最早的时候我们看到的手机上网无非是看一些梦网提供的新闻或者网站提供的一些图片或者铃声的下载，现在我们所有的应用都会在手机上去得以延伸。
无线互联网市场发展需去除浮躁色彩
主持人：我们看了这一次的报告，也会提到关于手机媒体这个方面的数据，想请您介绍一下，现在我国手机媒体整体发展的态势？
池大治：手机媒体就是我们通常会称为第五媒体或者其他一些名称，手机媒体如果从整体来看的话，还比较难谈，还比较复杂，它是由很多不同的产品构成的，比如说我们现在也是刚刚推出的报告里面，手机媒体包含了几个重要的内容，像手机报、手机小说、手机电视、手机上的一些音频广播，这些产品它是对应于不同的生命周期阶段，比如说像手机小说，做得就比较早，比较早期的时候就推出了这项业务，现在做得也基本成熟，但是有自己的发展特点，那像手机电视真正带来发展是从05年以后，包括奥运会以后取得了更大的进展，这些生命周期都是不一样，而且未来可预期的发展空间也是千差万别，总体来看，手机媒体它应该说在我们的移动互联网当中扮演着越来越重要的角色，包括我们也总结了一些它的一个所谓的特点，比如说将来你的用户基础非常庞大以后，它会趋于一种所谓的常规理论，因为目前我们集中用户还是高端用户，比如手机报基本上是在全球通推出了，后来动感地带上推出了手机报的内容，那将来我们会把它的用户慢慢更加扩散，包括我们的神州行用户，另外像它的产品内容上面也会趋于比较清晰的导向，比如说广告在流媒体里面还要扮演非常重要的角色，包括我们新闻内容和娱乐内容在里面角色上的转变，都是会有不同的变化，没法用一个统一的语言来定义它们的发展。
主持人：那刚刚我们也提到广告，您觉得广告费在手机媒体当中前景怎么样？
池大治：广告来讲，现在大家提的广告，基本上大趋势就是所谓的精准，都在提精准的概念，那只有精准的时候，才能找到真正的潜在的广告客户，这个广告客户未必你能促进它的销售，但是至少我从我的品牌上，或者从成品的概念上去影响它，这是一个很重要的过程。我们哪个广告主再有钱，也不会把这些钱投到无用功上面去，何况现在经济条件这么不好，所以说在手机上面我们去实现手机广告的时候，是非常好的手段，但是目前我们广告来讲也是面临着很多的问题，比如说如果你有一个非常好的广告平台的话，去做一些宣传，当然是好事情，但是现在我们很多非法的广告，一些垃圾广告什么的，其实影响了用户的使用行为。
主持人：这一块还需要行业慢慢发展、规范。
池大治：包括一些监管。
主持人：刚刚我们也谈到手机电视，在08年奥运会的期间，可能有不错的一个应用效果，可能您觉得在09年的话，会不会有一个更值得期待的发展？
池大治：手机电视来讲，其实是手机媒体里面非常重要的一部分内容，但手机电视又不得不说它有两大形式，一个是基于我们广电的传播形式，比如现在CMMB、TD等等，在这个网络上去传输的一些手机电视的应用，他们之间其实存在很大的竞争关系，现在我们看，包括移动也是在妥协这个时间，为了08年，自己也妥协了很多很多东西，去支持了广电一些协议的标准，首先把这个内容做出来，但事实上，我们这一块，作为我们CNNIC来讲，研究的还是来自于基于移动平台上的移动互联网上的手机电视，这个手机电视来讲，我们觉得首先你刚才也说了，我们的压力非常大，来自于广电总局的压力非常大，但另外一点，它其实更多的应该去体现出自己的优势出来，比如它有一个很好的平台，它能够实现用户之间的交互，能够实现很多精准的东西，比如说广播网你是不能实现精准的定位了，但是你的移动平台上是能够提供这一点的，把自己的优势更好地发挥出来的话，才是有利于我们基于移动运营商的平台上的手机电视的发展。
主持人：最后一个问题，现在整个大的经济环境，就是现在全球的经济确实都出现了比较大的波动，这也就导致很多的投资的行业最后变得比较谨慎，您观察，这会不会影响到众多互联网，移动互联网业务一个长期的发展，您感觉。
池大治：从这个投资的角度来讲，我们觉得确实对于移动互联网来讲，投资在其中起到的作用是非常明显的，整个的全球的经济现在是有一定的波动，投资商呢对于投资银行也好或者VC也好或者很多类型，他们投资的话也非常谨慎，大家都不愿意把这个钱投在无用的地方，但是我们必须要从两个方面去看：
首先一点，我们的移动互联网发展本身是不是应该有自己的思路，对吧！我们应该去吸收更多投资，这样是你快速成长的一个必要条件，你需要去投资，另外你自己的发展，它现在已经有一个非常好的趋势，刚才我们说到了，我们有用户基础，有3G的牌照发放，导致我们网络的进一步的加强，速度进一步的提升，我们有一个很好的成长环境，但是我们现在的很多的移动互联网的所谓的这种站长或者说包括大的网站小的网站也好，存在着一个问题，大家的投机心理特别强，实际上我们是看好移动互联网发展的，它将来很可能在用户的基础上，很有可能是超过我们的传统互联网，但是呢，我们现在的大部分的从业者，不能说大部分，这个数字我还不能定义大部分，但是有很多，他是没有理性的看待这个市场，他就是为了说，OK，我的互联网发展期，我没有淘到金，我现在有这么一个机会，我赶紧去做一个Web网站也好，做一个移动互联网网站也好，我赶紧赚点钱，吸引投资过来，我赶紧跑掉了，套现，这种心理其实一直在作怪的，你这个市场的发展再好，有你这种投机心理，也不可能…，现在的话大部分来讲，你看看基本上靠一些点点滴滴的广告，一个月赚一两万块钱维持自己的生存，但是从另外一个角度来讲，刚才也说投资对于移动互联网来说非常重要，投资业务其实是有自己的标准的，无线互联网你自己发展是非常好，也有一些特别拙劣的网站是慢慢的浮出来的，包括现在的一些大的网站自己去转型，作为移动互联网说，它是能够体现出自己的优势的，所以根本不用去担心这个投资的问题，因为什么呢？虽然行业不景气，但是做投资毕竟是做投资，它比如说在我筛选的项目里面，我会把一些以前我认为可以做的事情，而且不如移动互联网好的，我把它踢出去，但是我有自己的一套价值体系标准，如果你的东西好的话，我们还是会更多地去关注，更多地去培养它的成长，大家共同取得这个市场上的利益。
主持人：这个市场前景是非常美好的。
池大治：对，而且我们看刚才说的移动互联网浮躁的内容，其实特别明显，你看我们在，比如说都拿1亿做文章的话，1亿网民的时候，我们是2005年，2005年的时候，我们网站走的步伐基本上都算踏踏实实了，而且我们各个大的网站也好，都是开始去做很多的调研，去了解用户的行为，做了很多的咨询内容去调整产品结构，而我们现在的移动互联网，现在为什么说一直投机呢？你看到我们没有几家去关注这个研究，最多是我在网上去摘抄一些研究机构的研究成果，我看到这个内容就自以为说，我现在对它非常了解了，事实上不是这样的，我们和用户的研究也是无止境的内容，可能需要很长的时间自己去踏踏实实地去关注这个市场，投入自己更多的精力调研也好，研究也好，无论是你去购买报告也好，或者自己去做一个调研也好，是更需要我们去踏踏实实了解这个市场，这个市场肯定会在未来给你很多的惊喜。
主持人：这是一个全新的市场，其实说产业配套包括分析包括研究包括很多，可能都在跟着它一起来成长，也是需要大家一起来扶持，非常感谢池老师带给的精彩分析。
池大治：谢谢。
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Nokia venturing into netbooks next year, Citi says
Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009, Page 12
Nokia Corp’s first netbook will likely come equipped with Intel Inc’s Atom processor and a Linux operating system and be manufactured either by Compal Electronics Inc (仁寶電腦) or the Hon Hai Group (鴻海集團), with a product launch scheduled in the first half of next year, global investment bank Citigroup said in a client note last week.
However, Citi was unsure whether it would be a regular netbook or a PC tablet, the note released on Friday said.
Last Wednesday, Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo confirmed the firm’s plans to enter the high-growth, low-priced laptop market in line with the trend toward cellphone and PC convergence.
In another Citi report, however, analyst Eve Jung (戎宜蘋) noted that handsets and computers have different network channels and expressed concern over the impact of razor-thin PC margins on Nokia.
Jung said netbook sales through operators remained low last year at between 5 percent and 10 percent, with operating margins of between 2 percent and 4 percent.
Citi global markets analyst Kevin Chang (張凱偉) said Nokia’s strategy of diversifying away from the smartphone competition was driven by telecom operators tightening subsidies this year.
Jung forecast that netbooks’ average selling price could decline to US$250 to US$400 in the second half of this year, aided by better “economies of scale and lean cost structure.”
However, she said that Nokia might not be a tough competitor in this segment until it has achieved greater volumes possibly in the second half of next year.
On technical specifications, Chang said he believed that instead of going with the trend and offering netbooks equipped with the popular Atom processor and x86 architecture combined with Microsoft Corp’s Windows operating system, Nokia could profit by favoring ARM-based processors and a Linux operating system.
Separately, Citi said that “Linux/ Qualcomm Inc’s first Snapdragon platform netbooks could hit the market in the third quarter of this year and retail for US$250.
The brokerage said it remained to be seen whether Microsoft would support the ARM-based processor in Windows 7, which would be crucial in the fierce netbook competition.
Citi said both Hon Hai and Compal were likely to be Nokia’s original design manufacturing partners in this project.
Hon Hai has strong Qualcomm capability and recently won notebook contracts from global PC brands, including Dell Computer Corp and Hewlett-Packard Co.
Compal currently mass produces cellphones for the Finnish company and has invested heavily in ARM-based solutions.
The two local companies did not return calls for comments yesterday.
Nokia Corp’s first netbook will likely come equipped with Intel Inc’s Atom processor and a Linux operating system and be manufactured either by Compal Electronics Inc (仁寶電腦) or the Hon Hai Group (鴻海集團), with a product launch scheduled in the first half of next year, global investment bank Citigroup said in a client note last week.
However, Citi was unsure whether it would be a regular netbook or a PC tablet, the note released on Friday said.
Last Wednesday, Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo confirmed the firm’s plans to enter the high-growth, low-priced laptop market in line with the trend toward cellphone and PC convergence.
In another Citi report, however, analyst Eve Jung (戎宜蘋) noted that handsets and computers have different network channels and expressed concern over the impact of razor-thin PC margins on Nokia.
Jung said netbook sales through operators remained low last year at between 5 percent and 10 percent, with operating margins of between 2 percent and 4 percent.
Citi global markets analyst Kevin Chang (張凱偉) said Nokia’s strategy of diversifying away from the smartphone competition was driven by telecom operators tightening subsidies this year.
Jung forecast that netbooks’ average selling price could decline to US$250 to US$400 in the second half of this year, aided by better “economies of scale and lean cost structure.”
However, she said that Nokia might not be a tough competitor in this segment until it has achieved greater volumes possibly in the second half of next year.
On technical specifications, Chang said he believed that instead of going with the trend and offering netbooks equipped with the popular Atom processor and x86 architecture combined with Microsoft Corp’s Windows operating system, Nokia could profit by favoring ARM-based processors and a Linux operating system.
Separately, Citi said that “Linux/ Qualcomm Inc’s first Snapdragon platform netbooks could hit the market in the third quarter of this year and retail for US$250.
The brokerage said it remained to be seen whether Microsoft would support the ARM-based processor in Windows 7, which would be crucial in the fierce netbook competition.
Citi said both Hon Hai and Compal were likely to be Nokia’s original design manufacturing partners in this project.
Hon Hai has strong Qualcomm capability and recently won notebook contracts from global PC brands, including Dell Computer Corp and Hewlett-Packard Co.
Compal currently mass produces cellphones for the Finnish company and has invested heavily in ARM-based solutions.
The two local companies did not return calls for comments yesterday.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
VMware: goes mobile - Run More than One OS on Your Phone
Source: Tom's Guide US
Over the last several days, the VMworld Europe conference has been taking place across the pond in Cannes. Along with a plethora of other virtualization demonstrations, VMWare came to show off its MVP, or Mobile Virtualization Platform.
MVP allows mobile devices to run multiple operating systems at once, creating a wholly unique experience for on-the-go users. For the debut, VMWare took a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet and loaded Windows CE 6.0 and Google's Android operating system. According to Julia Alston, who heads up the MVP team at VMWare, each operating system image is only 40 megabytes in size, and the MVP hypervisor is only 20K, leaving plenty of memory left over on one's smartphone or MID.
As for system resources, the MVP software can load one OS while using another. In a demo recorded by IT Pro over in Britain, Alston is playing solitaire in CE 6.0 while Android is loading up. Alston explains that one OS can be your "personal OS", while the other s used strictly for business purposes. When it comes to which OS makes and takes phone calls (assuming both operating systems have that functionality), that is also left up to the user, who can choose which OS stack is responsible.
Usually, we are stuck with whatever operating system a carrier decides to load onto a given phone, be it Symbian, Android, or Windows Mobile. With MVP, carriers and manufacturers can now give the customer a wide array of choices, including their own proprietary phone software. Plus, since these OS images take up so little space, a manufacturer won't be sacrificing performance for choice. This is great news for smartphone users everywhere. Every popular phone operating system has its pros and cons. With this new MVP hypervisor, the best hardware can always have the best software.
Over the last several days, the VMworld Europe conference has been taking place across the pond in Cannes. Along with a plethora of other virtualization demonstrations, VMWare came to show off its MVP, or Mobile Virtualization Platform.
MVP allows mobile devices to run multiple operating systems at once, creating a wholly unique experience for on-the-go users. For the debut, VMWare took a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet and loaded Windows CE 6.0 and Google's Android operating system. According to Julia Alston, who heads up the MVP team at VMWare, each operating system image is only 40 megabytes in size, and the MVP hypervisor is only 20K, leaving plenty of memory left over on one's smartphone or MID.
As for system resources, the MVP software can load one OS while using another. In a demo recorded by IT Pro over in Britain, Alston is playing solitaire in CE 6.0 while Android is loading up. Alston explains that one OS can be your "personal OS", while the other s used strictly for business purposes. When it comes to which OS makes and takes phone calls (assuming both operating systems have that functionality), that is also left up to the user, who can choose which OS stack is responsible.
Usually, we are stuck with whatever operating system a carrier decides to load onto a given phone, be it Symbian, Android, or Windows Mobile. With MVP, carriers and manufacturers can now give the customer a wide array of choices, including their own proprietary phone software. Plus, since these OS images take up so little space, a manufacturer won't be sacrificing performance for choice. This is great news for smartphone users everywhere. Every popular phone operating system has its pros and cons. With this new MVP hypervisor, the best hardware can always have the best software.
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