Juniper Research predicts mobile augmented reality apps to touch $1.5 billion by 2015, to be facilitated by big mobile app developers.
Feb 7, 2011 Android Development, BlackBerry Development, Mobile Development, News, iPad Development, iphone development
A latest study by Juniper Research has predicted that global revenues from mobile augmented reality (AR) applications and services are expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2015. The report title- ‘Mobile Augmented Reality: Opportunities, Forecasts & Strategic Analysis 2011-2015′- says that a growing number of top retailers, brands, and mobile vendors are showing great interest in investing on augmented reality applications.
According to the study, the installed base of Augmented Reality capable smartphones has grown from 8 million in 2009 to over 100 million in 2010. AR applications which in the beginning were of interest of smaller application development companies and researchers at technological institutes are now increasingly facilitated by large mobile app developers.
Other key developments highlighted in the report are- release of AR-software development kit for Android by Qualcomm, Samsung’s pronouncement to preload AR browsers onto their handsets in select markets and advertising campaigns on mobile featuring AR elements from leading brands such as Carlsberg and Coca Cola.
According to report author, “One of the key benefits from this heightened activity is the fact that it generates press interest and public awareness: even if consumers don’t necessarily understand how it works, they can see real life examples of AR in action. Likewise, it serves to generate wider interest amongst brands and developers who can see potential applications for AR technology; it educates the market” says Dr Windsor Holden, author of the report.
However, the report also cautioned that both mobile application developers and customers are still not convinced about the exact benefits of AR in customer relationship as efforts in the past have either failed or delivered very little of benefits.
Tags: mobile app developers, mobile app development, mobile developers
RIM Is Buying Sweden’s The Astonishing Tribe (TAT)
Dec 6, 2010 BlackBerry Development
RIM, makers of BlackBerry smartphones is set to buy Sweden’s The Astonishing Tribe (TAT), which specializes in developing software that lets smart phone users personalize their device the way they like.
15% of smart phones globally use TAT software. Even Android smart phone users can make three dimensional icons on their screens by downloading this software.
It is not known yet how much RIM will pay for the Swedish software development company TAT.
Confirming the deal, David Yach, chief technology officer at RIM, said in a blog post, “Today we are pleased to confirm plans for The Astonishing Tribe (TAT) team to join Research In Motion (RIM). We’re excited that the TAT team will be joining RIM and bringing their talent to the BlackBerry PlayBook and smartphone platforms.”
He further added, “For those who don’t know, TAT is renowned for their innovative mobile user interface (UI) designs and has a long history of working with mobile and embedded technology.”
Let’s see if this latest acquisition by RIM can help BlackBerry put themselves at par with iPhone and Android phones.
Tags: blackberry, blackberry news
BharatBerry- India’s Alternative to BlackBerry?
Nov 19, 2010 BlackBerry Development, News
The Indian version of BlackBerry? Yes! and guess what it would be called…BharatBerry!! Data Infosys on Thursday said that it would offer an alternative to the controversial BlackBerry services- BharatBerry service to Nokia handsets.
The Indian Government and BlackBerry officials are still holding talks over the access to the BlackBerry encrypted messaging services.
“…. we are offering the software for Nokia handsets also, which offers more advanced push mail with over the air (OVA) backup of contacts, task, calendar and notes. It also provides sync to outlook,” Ajay Data, CEO of the company, said on Thursday. The company claimed that the monitoring issue would be fully solved with this service and they have designed keeping in consideration all the necessary Indian laws and works with all BlackBerry phones.
“The service is free up to February 2011, and after that, the users will be charged Rs. 100 per month. While to ensure just synchronisation of calendar and contacts, the user will have to pay just half of that (Rs. 50),” he said.
The service on BlackBerry or Nokia handsets ensures that the user remain connected to email, calendar and contacts through the servers hosted in India,” Data said.
The BharatBerry service was launched by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot last month.
Tags: blackberry news
Poynt- BlackBerry’s 2010 Super Apps Developer Challenge Winner
Nov 18, 2010 BlackBerry Development, News
BlackBerry created an application challenge for developers, BlackBerry Partners Fund “Super Apps” Developer Challenge in order to drive innovation in BlackBerry apps. This yearly competition are judged on the apps quality, user experience and how effectively they incorporate “Super App” characteristics.
The inspiration behind creating this challenge was to make sure that every BlackBerry app created is an outstanding app and ‘out of the box’. RIM is trying to make sure that every BlackBerry application developer should develop apps that shouldn’t be downloaded only once or few times, but but users should want more and more apps developed that become apart of people’s everyday lives.
2010 winner was Poynt, an app that uses location data to deliver information like weather, gas prices, local movies, restaurants and businesses. The folowing are the other finalists:
North American Finalists:
Poynt
Dictionary and Thesaurus
Vayyoo
Latin America Finalists:
Vlingo Plus – Voice App
Waze (LATAM)
Navita Sports
Europe / Middle East / Africa Finalists:
CamCard (Business Card Reader)
UbiNav EU
n-tv mobil
Asia Pacific Finalists:
Ramadhan Pocket Guide
Forum for BlackBerry®
Love Indonesia
Tags: blackberry, blackberry news
RIM Ready to Provide Live BES to India?
Nov 17, 2010 BlackBerry Development, News
RIM, manufacturer of BlackBerry and India are very close to agreeing over the monitoring of encrypted Blackberry corporate messaging services, it has been reported.
According to a website Mint, meetings took place between the Indian Government and RIM executives last week.
“They have in principle agreed to provide us recorded data from their servers. Now they have assured us that they will discuss the issue first among themselves and find a way to meet our demands. Later, they would be providing live access to BES [Blackberry Enterprise Server],” an Indian interior ministry official reportedly said, according to Reuters.
There were some increase pressure on RIM from countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE to provide them with access to some of its data and has faced criticism. All three governments requested access to Blackberry’s encrypted corporate e-mail service and messaging services, amid fears that these could be used by terrorists.
Tags: blackberry news
Malaysia Has No Problems with BlackBerry Services
Sep 27, 2010 BlackBerry Development
Malaysia would not be banning BlackBerry services as of now. A lot of Asian countries have banned or planning to ban the BlackBerry services due to security concerns, but the Information, Communication and Cultural department of Malaysia said that they have no issues with BlackBerry services, from security point of view as well as consumer complains.
While India, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates cited national security concerns, other Asian countries cited social concerns that services such as the encrypted messenger service could enable and spread pornography.
Many countries wanted to have the access to the encrypted BlackBerry communication, which has been linked to militant actions. In Germany, the government has banned politicians and civil servants using BlackBerry. The EUC has also rejected the BlackBerry in favor of iPhone and other smart phones.
Tags: blackberry, blackberry news
BlackBerry Maker RIM Buys Cellmania Inc.
Aug 25, 2010 BlackBerry Development
BlackBerry makers, Research in Motion (RIM) has purchased California based software company Cellmania Inc. This purchase of RIM, will definitely help them to build a stronger app store to compete against iPhone and Android apps.
Cellmania made softwares that allows owners of content to track its use, bill for subscriptions and integrate billing with customer accounts. This could be used by RIM in building app stores, which sell downloadable content.
“Our team has joined RIM’s global organization and will continue to bring our expertise in application storefront development to the BlackBerry platform,” Cellmania said in a statement on its Web site.
No financial details were released. RIM declined to comment, while Cellmania didn’t respond to a request for further comment.
Tags: blackberry, blackberry news
BlackBerry Paid Apps for Australian Customers is Now LIVE!
Aug 23, 2010 BlackBerry Development, News
RIM has pressed the ‘green’ button. From now, paid BlackBerry apps will be available from its BlackBerry App World for Australian users. They can purchase BlackBerry apps using PayPal and credit cards.
Local users this morning told TheAustralian.co.au they were able to make purchases from the BlackBerry App World Australia online store.
RIM has also confirmed that in addition to various free BlackBerry applications, Australian customers can also purchase a variety of additional mobile applications starting from US 99 cents (automatically converted to local currency).
In addition, QR barcode scanning is also supported, allowing users to scan a QR code associated with an application in order to find the related apps. It will also automatically open the application’s information and download page.
In 13 countries, since April 2009 BlackBerry users have been able to buy applications, while 42 countries had access to the free-only versions.
Tags: blackberry, blackberry news
In UK BlackBerry Torch 9800 Available from October 1st
Aug 23, 2010 BlackBerry Development, News
BlackBerry Torch 9800 will now be available in the UK market. British online retailer eXpansys has listed the smartphone on their website. BlackBerry Torch 9800 is already available in the US market.
eXpansys is offering OS 6 BlackBerry Torch SIM-free for £570. Its schedule date is from 1st October. But, no network provider in the UK has come up with any announcement, when it should start offering branded models on contract. In the US, the BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone is available on the AT&T network.
The BlackBerry Torch 9800 comes with a 624 MHz processor, a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display, portrait-sliding QWERTY keypad, an optical trackpad and a 5-megopixel camera with auto focus an a resolution of 640 by 480 pixels along with some other striking functions such as image stabilization, scene modes, geo-tagging and zoom.
An estimation that in US, 100,000-150,000 of BlackBerry Torch 9800 were sold during the first weekend of its launch.
Tags: blackberry, blackberry news
RIM Plans BlackPad Launch in November?
Aug 11, 2010 BlackBerry Development, Mobile Development, News
You will not beleive this! Another great opportunities for all mobile application developers…RIM is working on a tablet called BlackPad. Start believing, because Apple Daily is piling on with more unsubstantiated rumor. In addition to the information mentioned by Bloomberg’s sources, features like 9.7-inch display, Bluetooth, WiFi, and front- and rear-facing cameras, Apple Daily claims Quanta won the bid to manufacture the tablet with plans to ramp up for 2 million units starting in September (for a November retail launch). They also plan to launch another 8 million in 2011. Ummm….Price? $499 targeted. Same as the starting price for Apple’s iPad?
Tags: blackberry, blackberry news
