Recent News Headlines - Industry
Nokia Q2 2009 results, generally positive in economic context
Nokia has released their Q2 2009 results. Profits were down 66% year on year, but this was ahead of market expectations. Nokia cut its prediction for H2 2009 profitability and market share for 2009, which has driven down its share price. However the underlying results are encouraging, given the economic climate, although some concerns remain in the high end of the market. Converged devices sales (smartphone) were up at 16.9 million, compared with 15.3 million units in Q2 2008 and 13.7 million units in Q1 2009. The 5800 shipped 3.7 million units, while Eseries and Nseries shipments were 4.7 and 4.6 million respectively.
Symbian Foundation opens Japan office
The Symbian Foundation today announced it is establishing a new office in Japan. The aim is to improve its support for it Japanese members (who include the operators NTT DOCOMO and Softbank Mobile and the manufacturers Sharp and Fujitsu) and bolster engagement with the developer community. The Symbian Foundation also have offices in London, San Fransisco and Helsinki.
AAS Insight 79 - Symbian EPL, Europe and Competitions
In All About Symbian Insight 79 (AAS Podcast 141), we share news of Symbian^2's release and the first Symbian package to move from SFL to EPL. Then there's a mention of Nokia Android rumours, leading into a discussion about Maemo positioning and Qt. Finally we talk about a recent post from Robert Scoble. You can listen to AAS Insight 79 here or, if you wish to subscribe, here's the RSS feed.
Head to head: the Nokia N86 8MP and the Apple iPhone 3GS
In their own different ways, the Nokia N86 8MP and the Apple iPhone 3GS represent the pinnacles of their form factor. The one is the classic one-handed 'phone', the other is the classic two-handed 'PDA/tablet. Yes, never mind that over-simplification, in the feature below I look in detail at every aspect of the two devices and try to see where comparisons can be drawn. I'm not looking for an overall winner, but am genuinely interested in the areas in which each device and form factor wins out. [Updated with notes on the N86's 'real' digital zoom and a demo link]
AAS Podcast #138: Interview with Daniel Rubio
In All About Symbian podcast 138, Rafe talks to Daniel Rubio, Chief Architect of the Symbian Foundation, about his role (Daniel also heads up the Symbian Foundation Architecture Council) and the importance of SHAI (Symbian Hardware Abstraction Interface).
Top Twitter Tips for smartphone users
With Twitter the latest buzzword that doesn't want to go away, how can you get started using Twitter on your mobile? Ewan explains in great detail for anyone who doesn't 'get' Twitter or know where to start. Tweeting can be fast, fun and (yes) it's free too.
No truth in Nokia-Android rumours (of course)
What a silly game of Chinese Whispers. The Guardian newspaper in the UK quotes 'industry insiders' as saying that Nokia is going to introduce an Android device, something which I thought made no sense, and then half the Symbian ecosystem blogs jump up and down giving credence to the story. Nokia has stepped in, thankfully, and firmly quoshed the bloggers' fun and games, with a press statement via Reuters. For the record, I think the 'insider' was confused - no doubt they were thinking of the upcoming Maemo tablets and thought that this was in some way linked to Android.
AAS Podcast 138: Interview with Lee Williams, Symbian Foundation
In All About Symbian Podcast 138, Rafe talks to Lee Williams, Executive Director of the Symbian Foundation. The interview covers a wide range of topics, including the Symbian Foundation's planned application arena, the universal web runtime, the forthcoming Symbian Exchange and Exposition, Qt and the Symbian Foundation, the challenges of openness and open governance, and more.
AAS Insight 77 - Truphone, Intel, HTC Hero, Developers
In All About Symbian Insight 77 (AAS Podcast 137), there is news of Truphone's extended support for Nokia and the 5800 continues its best selling streak. Rafe talks about Nokia and Intel's strategic tie up and reports back from the launch of the HTC Hero. Ewan shares news of AdSense for applications, which leads to a general monetisation discussion. You can listen to AAS Insight 77 here or, if you wish to subscribe, here's the RSS feed.
Developing world mobile financial services "worth $5 billion by 2012"
As mobile phone sales have exploded and handset prices have tumbled, even people in the poorest parts of the world usually either own a mobile phone or have easy access to one in their community. The latest estimates from CGAP suggest that by 2012 there will be 1.7 billion people who have access to a mobile network but not a physical bank, and that the developing world's mobile banking sector may be worth US$5 billion by then. Could banking be the way forward for network operators who don't just want to be "dumb pipes"? And could this be a key weapon in the war against poverty?
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