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
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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.
loadUniversalPlayer({playerType: 'small',lumiereQueryType: 'id',lumiereQueryValue: '50005859 ',useCurrentPageUrl: true,relatedVideo: false,preRollAd: true,hideLeftTab:true,wrapperFloat:'right'});
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.
loadUniversalPlayer({playerType: 'small',lumiereQueryType: 'id',lumiereQueryValue: '50005859 ',useCurrentPageUrl: true,relatedVideo: false,preRollAd: true,hideLeftTab:true,wrapperFloat:'right'});
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)