Recent Articles
AT&T to acquire T-mobile USA.
AT&T Inc. and Deutsche Telekom AG have entered into an agreement under which AT&T will buy T-Mobile USA. The deal is valued at approximately $39 billion.
“This transaction represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation’s future,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T Chairman and CEO, in a press release.
“It will improve network quality, and it will bring advanced LTE capabilities to more than 294 million people. Mobile broadband networks drive economic opportunity everywhere, and they enable the expanding high-tech ecosystem that includes device makers, cloud and content providers, app developers, customers, and more. During the past few years, America’s high-tech industry has delivered innovation at unprecedented speed, and this combination will accelerate its continued growth,” he further added.
Stephenson continued, “This transaction delivers significant customer, shareowner and public benefits that are available at this level only from the combination of these two companies with complementary network technologies, spectrum positions and operations. We are confident in our ability to execute a seamless integration, and with additional spectrum and network capabilities, we can better meet our customers’ current demands, build for the future and help achieve the President’s goals for a high-speed, wirelessly connected America.”
René Obermann, Deutsche Telekom Chairman and CEO said on the occasion, “After evaluating strategic options for T-Mobile USA, I am confident that AT&T is the best partner for our customers, shareholders and the mobile broadband ecosystem. Our common network technology makes this a logical combination and provides an efficient path to gaining the spectrum and network assets needed to provide T-Mobile customers with 4G LTE and the best devices. Also, the transaction returns significant value to Deutsche Telekom shareholders and allows us to retain exposure to the U.S. market.”
As part of the agreement, Deutsche Telekom will receive an ownership interest in AT&T of approximately 8 percent and representative of Deutsche Telekom will join the Board of Directors of AT&T.
App developers concerned over game piracy in Android Market.
Mar 18, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a comment
Guardian reports that Android app developers are concerned that Google is not doing enough in its regulation of the Android Market. The Android Market is Google’s applications store where apps compatible to Android OS are distributed. The developers are worried that the lax policing by Google is causing copyright violations as well as rise in malware-laden applications.
Mobile app developers are also finding it hard to get discovered on the app store. They feel that Google’s own apps or port of an iPhone app mostly get prominent place in the Android market.
The Guardian quotes Kevin Baker, an Android developer, as saying :
“I have a game on the market called Sinister Planet which was released about eight months ago. Sales have been pretty slow, although picking up slowly over the months, despite a lot of great reviews. The main problem is that Android Market discoverability is very poor, and Google themselves don’t help the situation by only featuring apps there are either (1) created by Google, or (2) iPhone ports. Independent developers like me hardly ever get a look in.
“One of my customers emailed me three weeks ago, and informed me that another company was selling a version of my app – pirated and uploaded as their own. Of course I contacted Google right away. It took Google two days to take the app down. This publisher was also selling other versions of pirated games. I contacted the original developers of those games but they were still being sold a week later. You’d think [Google] might have a hotline for things like that!
“I would also note that the publisher selling the pirated games is still trading on the Android Market. They didn’t even get their account suspended. If there’s going to be malware hidden inside apps, it’s that the exact place where it would be? Why are these accounts still allowed to be trading? It’s negligent as far as I’m concerned.”
Source- Guardian
Oracle releases new development tools for mobile app developers.
Oracle has launched a new mobile development kit which makes it easier for developers to develop Java-based apps on various platforms.
Oracle’s mobile development kit which has new Application Development Framework Mobile Client is an extension of its ADF. By using this new ADF, mobile app developers can build enterprise applications for a wide range of mobile devices.
“It simplifies application creation and deployment using a single, standard Java user interface (UI) framework and tooling for all supported devices. Developers can build once and deploy to multiple devices – and as support for new devices is added in Oracle ADF Mobile Client, applications can be deployed to the new platforms without redevelopment,” Oracle said in a statement.
The special features available in the kit such as deep data service integration and access to real-time and offline data makes it easier to develop enterprise apps.
The software is compatible to Oracle Fusion Framework but can also be used with other web services. By using this mobile client, extra functionality can be provided for the hardware devices like camera, GPS or barcode scanner using natively embedded Java code.
Playbook on March 27, HP Touchpad to be released in June.
Mar 16, 2011 News Leave a comment
Tablet release dates of some major players have come-up courtesy a leaked document from a leading retailer. The document provides release dates for HP TouchPad , Motorola Xoom and BlackBerry PlayBook.
A post on eweek reports that a document (a price sheet from a retailer) which shows the release dates has been leaked. According to the document, HP TouchPad (10 inch) is slated to be released in June at a price of $499. HP will also release a 7-inch version in September at $599.
According to the document, Motorola Xoom will go on sale on March 17 for $649, followed by RIM BlackBerry PlayBook on March 27. The PlayBook will be priced at $499, $599 and $699, for different versions.
Nokia launches “ideas Project” for mobile app developers.
Mar 16, 2011 News Leave a comment
Nokia has launched a new web site “Idea Project” during SXSW (South by South West), held in USA. ‘Idea Project’ will endeavour to connect innovative thinkers with application developers and will create mobile applications that will help users solve “challenges.” in day-to-day life.
A blog post on the website reads” We are inviting people, developers, influencers and stakeholders to come together to share ideas and co create an app that can have a positive impact on the world. “
In this website, mobile app developers would be able to create ideas, build on other people’s ideas, evolve current ideas to ensure they meet their potential, review other people’s ideas and provide constructive feedback, customize your profile and personal interface, learn from experts and one another and find people with similar interests. There are strict terms and conditions to safegaurd developers ideas.
“Apps that change the world” is the first challenge on the website and interested mobile app developers can submitt their ideas at ideaproject. Selected ideas will be turned into apps and distributed through Nokia’s Ovi Store.
Forrester analyst says Amazon can challenge Apple’s Tablet Dominance.
Mar 14, 2011 News Leave a comment
Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps is of the opinion that Amamzon could challenge Apple in the Tablet market. In a blog post, she writes “It would be easy to call the game for Apple as the second inning is starting, but we won’t, because we see a market that’s ripe for disruption by Amazon in particular.”
She further lists three advantages that Amazon has over Apple’s other rivals. According to her, Amazon has the motivation to counter Apple’s threat
- The motivation to counter Apple’s threat to its business model.
- A pricing model that could work.
- The brand, content, and channel to pull it off.
However, she says that Amazon isn’t the only potential challenger to Apple in tablet market. Sony, Microsoft, and Vizio could also disrupt the tablet market but these companies have to come up with robust product strategies to counter Apple’s iPad.
iPad 2 on retail stores from today.
iPad 2 will be available from today at 5 p.m. local time at all 236 retail stores of the company in the US. Apple’s next generation device will be available for online ordering through the Apple Store starting at 1 a.m. PT. Apple has some exciting services for iPad 2 buyers including a free Personal Setup service to help you personalize the device and make it up for running from the store itself. The service is available for every customer who buys an iPad 2 at an Apple retail store. In addition to Apple’s exclusive stores, the device will also be available at AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Verizon Wireless, Walmart and Apple Authorized Resellers starting at 5 p.m. local time. The suggestive retail prices for iPad 2 are as-
• $499 for the 16GB model.
• $599 for the 32GB model.
• $699 for the 64GB model.
• $629 for the 16GB model (Wi-Fi + 3G)
• $729 for the 32GB model (Wi-Fi + 3G)
• $829 for the 64GB model (Wi-Fi + 3G)
On Verizon network, iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for $629, $729 and $829 for the 16 GB, 32 GB and 64GB model.
iPad 2 could burst a bubble, says JP Morgan.
Mar 10, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a comment
The Tablet market has heated up in last 6 months with the entry of many handset and PC manufacturers. The Mobile World Congress saw a slew of Tablet announcements from Apple’s competitors. However, according to a blog post on Apple Insider, Analyst Mark Moskowitz of J.P. Morgan Research has warned investors that build plans for tablet shipments from Apple’s competitors may be too high putting them at “increasing risk of a bubble burst” in the second half of 2011.
“In our view, the technical and form factor improvements of the iPad 2 stand to make it tougher for the first generation of competitive offerings to play catch-up, meaning actual shipments could fall well short of plan,” Moskowitz wrote to the investors, according to the post.
Apple is expected to occupy the lead position in the tablet market and Moskowitz estimates that the Cupertino based company could see as much as a 100 percent jump in sales year over year.
Component suppliers may lose the most in a bubble burst. “Based on our research inputs, tablet makers eager to emulate Apple’s meteoric start are trying to secure components with inflated build plans,” Moskowitz wrote. “Of note, glass displays, processors, and, to a lesser extent, NAND Flash are the components that could be most at risk” he added.
Commenting on the Apple’s rival’s offering he writes “Aside from Motorola’s Xoom and HP’s TouchPad (price not specified yet), the competitive offerings appear to be light on attraction, in our view.”
Access Flash games amd videos on your iPad 2 with iswifter.
Mar 9, 2011 News, Uncategorized 4 Comments
In a couple of day’s time, iPad 2 will be in the market. Many people have been waiting to lay hands on the next generation iPad. However, one of the major weaknesses of the recently launched Apple’s iPad 2 is that it doesn’t support Flash based games and videos. So, if you are planning to buy an iPad 2 but also want access to Flash videos and games then iSWiFTER browser app can be of help to you. The app will provide you access to unlimited Flash games and videos on your iPad.
According to iSwifter “The app uses the iSWiFTER Flash game streaming service to bring the most popular casual and social Flash games from the biggest online gaming portals on the internet, such as Yahoo! Games, AOL’s Games.com, Facebook, Kongregate and others. The iPad app showcases the capability, flexibility and benefits of using the iSWiFTER platform to instantaneously enable Flash games on mobile platforms such as iOS, without any incremental work by developers.”
Sony wants app developers to bloom on PS Suite.
Mar 8, 2011 News Leave a comment
President of SCE Worldwide Studios (WWS) Shuhei Yoshida, in an interview to PlayStation, says that he wishes app developers to thrive on NGP. To a question on how does NGP open up the portable PlayStation experience to new genres, he replied “Various unique user interfaces and digital distribution will help developers experiment with many different types of games, whether they be intuitive, casual games using dual touch; augmented reality games; location based fun activities or network only, free to play, online games. The possibilities are endless for creative developers. “
He also said that he is looking forward to see seeing how the location based info will be used to enhance games and is excited to think how you can integrate your location data into the actual gameplay.
When asked, whether he is planning to provide bespoke games for PlayStation Suite, Shuhei Yoshida said “Yes, we are looking to provide short form games on PS Suite, which will run on both PlayStation Certified Android devices and NGP. However, the true heroes on PS Suite will be small, independent developers, who are much more nimble and have some creative ideas that have never been seen before. I’m very excited to see what kinds of game these small developers will provide via PS Suite later this year.”
In response to a question on the types of game for future, he replied “We are working on our popular series as well as brand new concepts, large games and short form games, augmented reality games, touch only games and network only games. We are also looking to expand over time from hardcore to casual games, games for younger consumers and non-game applications as well. We understand traditional games are not the only entertainment that people look for, and NGP allows us to develop various types of entertainment on the same hardware platform, which is very exciting.”
