Microsoft unveiled ‘Mango’ their latest mobile OS today. This essentially means that their partners get a chance to begin testing it on their handsets which Redmond had better hope offer a formidable challenge to Apple’s iPhone and/or Google’s Android OS or it might be over before it even begins (as far as any chance that they stand to continue being nothing more than an ‘also-ran’ within this consumer market segment).
From CNET: http://goo.gl/hnkHS
If the enclosed report is true; Samsung may have passed Apple (in Q2) thereby moving into the top spot within the Smartphone space (for the very first time). And, if it’s true they most certainly owe a debt to Google for radically changing their fortunes within this market segment (in less then two years!)
From Bloomberg: http://goo.gl/tLPyz
Allowing AT&T and T-Mobile to merge ‘could’ bridge the digital divide. Yes, it could… as ‘could’ simply innovating vs. consolidating; or what ‘could’ actually help is building out / fixing the existing network vs. simply adding on to it; providing better customer service and/or lowing rates vs. being focused on just profits, etc. ‘could’ also go a long way towards just spurring the actual ‘free-hand of the market’… which ‘could’ allow for better digital / mobile access for consumers of all walks of American life…
However, that ‘could’ upset the status quo (within the US Telecommunications’ Industry) which ‘could’ result in shareholder value taking a hit (initially due to embracing a longer-term perspective). And, the likelihood of that ‘could’ not come at a worse time for a now inept firm (AT&T) that was once a leader within this space (as the nearly 60% increase in lobbying DC in Q2 has got to pay-off).
From PC World: http://goo.gl/YHDlp
HTC’s rapid-rise might be radically curtailed due to litigation (most notably over patent infringement) spurred on by Apple.
Protecting patents is one thing; suing everyone else (akin to Microsoft both getting sued and going after every other firm that threatened their dominance) essentially equates to the ‘cost of doing business’ (i.e., whatever it takes…)
From The Electronic Times: http://goo.gl/gYHZm
Apple’s roll continues as the firm has now passed Nokia (and Samsung which looks to move into the number 2 slot) for the top-spot in the Mobile / Smartphone space. This is not only bad news for Nokia but by extension for Microsoft as the company pinned their (essentially convoluted) Windows Phone 7 (or whatever it is being called this quarter) aspirations on their partnership with the (now) former market leader.
Long story short; a lot can happen by the time that the first Microsoft / Nokia-phones are released (projected to be late this year and/or in early 2012) and by the time that date arrives… the iPhone 5 should be out; Android’s latest OS will probably also be the next iteration of Gingerbread; Samsung will probably have newer models within the marketplace (certainly in S. Korea at a minimum) and, HTC will in all probability continue their rapid ascent… all of which do not bode well for Nokia / Microsoft.
From Tuaw: http://goo.gl/IKBEx
On the heels of a banner day; Apple released their newest OS, Lion (as well as other updated products). This will be the first operating system that the firm has released directly on the Mac App Store (thereby eliminating the ‘middle-man’ yet again). Moreover; this is / was an inevitable step. Why? Why not; given that they have direct distribution in 123 countries (and counting) now!
From the WSJ: http://goo.gl/GWR8e
Buoyed by today’s record-setting profit; revenue; sales report, and stock price, Apple is now the world’s most valuable tech company (that’s growing like a start-up)… impressive!
From the LA Times: http://goo.gl/O0SOH
As America’s last Shuttle prepares for a final (hopefully safe and sound) return to Earth; the nation has gained in many ways from our exploration of space.
Perhaps after some time has passed… people will come to understand what is now (mostly) considered ‘much to do about nothing’ was anything but that.
From the AP: http://goo.gl/V9cOS
Japan’s current slow-awakening to the merit(s) and ‘power’ (i.e., profitability) of software has the potential to create a huge-surge in application development from outright innovation to value-added services (in areas ranging for mobile handsets to appliances to transportation to health care… among other avenues) domestically and abroad.
Think about it this way: with a fascination and historical focus on hardware (which resulted in the importance / value of software being largely dismissed) a highly educated (and graying workforce) a history of crafting, high-quality goods and a mature economy (that’s been struggling under deflationary challenges for a decade-plus) these realities are fertile ground for change and pushing the boundaries on the conventional wisdom (again, largely dismissive regarding the upsides of software development) that manufacturing is supreme (especially when like other OECD nations that sector continues to be moved to emerging economies).
In sum, profit margins on software are much higher than on hardware – so if ‘economic determinism’ is the impetus for pursuing a new orientation there should be no shortage of individuals / start-ups willing to make a move in said direction.
From the Economist: http://goo.gl/yqadh
The preliminary ruling that HTC is infringing on two Apple patents is the latest in a very contentious legal-battle that the company is pursuing against the vendors that have done more than just be a ‘copy-cat’ / ‘me-too’ offering within the smartphone / tablet-space.
With all due respect; it in all probability should not come as a surprise that two firms Samsung (with their aim of being the overall worldwide leader) and, HTC (a company that has literally come out of nowhere in less than 2 years (within this space on a global basis) are being diligently hammered (by Apple) as they’re clearly making in-roads / challenging their market dominance (by any means necessary… including what looks to be patent infringement).
Finally; in light of Google losing out on the treasure-trove of Nortel’s patents (to the likes of Apple and Microsoft no less) perhaps it’ll only be a matter of time before they’re dragged into a legal-scrum too.
From the International Business Times: http://goo.gl/2wxmG
