Honeycomb for Tablets

Google’s announcement about the availability of the full software development kit for Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) was met with great excitement at Mobile World Congress.

 The developers as well as users are excited as Android 3.0 will enable the creation and publishing of Android apps targeting the tablet-oriented Android variant. Additionally, Android 3.0 platform introduces many new and exciting features for users and developers. As per Google, “Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform that is specifically optimized for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. It introduces a brand new, truly virtual and “holographic” UI design, as well as an elegant, content-focused interaction model.”

Google further added, “Android 3.0 builds on the things people love most about Android — refined multitasking, rich notifications, Home screen customization, widgets, and more — and transforms them with a vibrant, 3D experience and deeper interactivity, making them familiar but even better than before”.

Looking at way Android is doing wonders for the Smartphones, can we assume it will be great for the Tablets too? Though I am optimistic about it, but still lets wait and see.

Google supports LTE & offers Android to Nokia

It will definitely be sweet music for the supporters of LTE!! In a special keynote session at Mobile World Congress, Google CEO Eric Schmidt remarked, “LTE will provide the platform for a set of new mobile applications that we can only begin to imagine”.  He further added that the rollout of LTE networks and new cloud based services this year will mark the start of a new era for mobile innovation.

 Eric mentioned Android OS as being at the forefront of this change, and added that Android phone activations were now running at more than 300,000 a day with 170 Android-based handsets currently available from 27 device vendors - making it the “world’s fastest-growing mobile platform.”

Although he did not talk much about the Nokia- Microsoft tie-up, but he did say, “We would have loved Nokia to have chosen Android and our offer remains open.”

Ericssion tie-up with Akamai for mobile cloud acceleration solutions

Speaking at company’s annual Mobile World Congress  media event, Ericsson’s CEO Hans Vestberg predicted, "By 2015 today’s global mobile subscriber base will increase dramatically from the current 5.3 billion to a staggering 7-8 billion".

Another topic emphasized on was what Vestberg dubbed as the‘The Networked Society’. He further added that for its success three things are required:

• Mobility
• Broadband (and increasingly this will be mobile broadband)
• Cloud

 “Mobile broadband is the key driver” said Vestberg, “In ten or twenty years the networked society will mean that everything that can benefit will be connected.”

In support of Ericsson view on the importance of the cloud in future development, Vestberg unveiled a strategic alliance with internet giant Akamai which will be focused on bringing to market mobile cloud acceleration solutions. A press releases from the company informed that as a part of the alliance, "the companies will jointly develop solutions for the fast-growing market of content and applications delivered to mobile devices. As leaders in their respective fields, Ericsson and Akamai bring together the power of mobile networks and the cloud to open new business opportunities for both operators and content providers by creating a new business model built around quality of experience and premium services".

Nokia & Microsoft Optimistic, Google Unpertrubed

Sounding optimistic about the tie-up, Nokia and Microsoft Chiefs, Stephen Elop and Steve Ballmer wrote an open letter in Nokia Conversations, the official Nokia blog.

They specifically mentioned, “We each bring incredible assets to the table. Nokia’s history of innovation in the hardware space, global hardware scale, strong history of intellectual property creation and navigation assets are second to none. Microsoft is a leader in software and services; the company’s incredible expertise in platform creation forms the opportunity for its billions of customers and millions of partners to get more out of their devices.
Together, we have some of the world’s most admired brands, including Windows, Office, Bing, Xbox Live, NAVTEQ and Nokia. We also have a shared understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a mobile ecosystem, which includes the entire experience from the device to the software to the applications, services and the marketplace.

Today, the battle is moving from one of mobile devices to one of mobile ecosystems, and our strengths here are complementary. Ecosystems thrive when they reach scale, when they are fueled by energy and innovation and when they provide benefits and value to each person or company who participates. This is what we are creating; this is our vision; this is the work we are driving from this day forward.
There are other mobile ecosystems. We will disrupt them.
There will be challenges. We will overcome them. Success requires speed. We will be swift.
Together, we see the opportunity, and we have the will, the resources and the drive to succeed.”

Google’s Response to the Tie-Up
Google as a whole did not seem much perturbed with the development. But the Googlers did respond in their typical manner. Vic Gundotra, Vice President of Engineering of Google wrote (though indirect, the hint was direct):

It went viral in the online world and has been picked up by almost all the online media.

Drastic changes in Nokia, which also include jobs cut, are inevitable. Google EMEA (emerging and middle-east market) recruiter Aidan Biggins went for the jugular and tweeted, "Any Nokia software engineers need a job? We're hiring: www.google.com/jobs".

Conclusion
At the present, the analyst and the market experts are divided about how the tie-up would make a difference to the telecom world in general and the Smartphone world in particular. But there is no denying the fact that the war for the Smartphones and Smartphone OS dominance will get even interesting. We can only watch and see!!!

Google Android makes Nokia & Microsoft to partner

The internal memo from Nokia chief was indicative of the fact that drastic changes were coming. But even the most well informed sources and industry experts were taken aback about the Nokia-Microsoft tie-up since Symbian was still doing fine (but it was clearly not enough). Android was on high surge, and to fight it out alone was not an option. Hence the two biggies, Microsoft and Nokia came together.

So what would be the benefits of the tie-up?

• Nokia would adopt Windows Phone as its principal smartphone strategy, innovating on top of the platform in areas such as imaging, where Nokia is a market leader.
• Nokia would help drive the future of Windows Phone.  Nokia would contribute its expertise on hardware design, language support, and help bring Windows Phone to a larger range of price points, market segments and geographies.
• Nokia and Microsoft would closely collaborate on joint marketing initiatives and a shared development roadmap to align on the future evolution of mobile products.
• Bing would power Nokia's search services across Nokia devices and services, giving customers access to Bing's next generation search capabilities.  Microsoft adCenter would provide search advertising services on Nokia's line of devices and services.
• Nokia Maps would be a core part of Microsoft's mapping services.   For example, Maps would be integrated with Microsoft's Bing search engine and adCenter advertising platform to form a unique local search and advertising experience
• Nokia's extensive operator billing agreements would make it easier for consumers to purchase Nokia Windows Phone services in countries where credit-card use is low.
• Microsoft development tools would be used to create applications to run on Nokia Windows Phones, allowing developers to easily leverage the ecosystem's global reach. 
• Nokia's content and application store would be integrated with Microsoft Marketplace for a more compelling consumer experience.

The tie-up looks compelling enough for the industry experts to get excited about it. But will it really be still able to give a good fight to Android who seemed to have conquered the Smartphone market. What do you think about it?

Android on top -- Reportedly mentioned in Nokia CEO's memo

Android is definitely on the move. Within a couple of years, Android became one of the most popular platform.

As per a recent Gartner report, ''Android grew 888.8 percent in 2010 and moved to the No. 2 position". 

 

Already picked up by the major telecom players, Android will definitely outsell its competitors and will become the most preferred platform.
 

Even Nokia CEO Stephen Elop have taken notice of Android's growth and have mentioned about it in an internal memo.

Do check out the story in Engadget and also read the memo.As per the memo (that appeared in Engadget too), Stephen specifically mentioned, "And then, there is Android. In about two years, Android created a platform that attracts application developers, service providers and hardware manufacturers. Android came in at the high-end, they are now winning the mid-range, and quickly they are going downstream to phones under €100. Google has become a gravitational force, drawing much of the industry's innovation to its core".

Do you too think Android will be on the top?

Smartphones outdating PCs

As per Gartner recent report, worldwide Smartphone sales were up 72.1 percent from 2009 and accounted for 19 percent of total mobile communications device sales in 2010. In fact, the Smartphones outsold the PCs by a comfortable margin. Even in India, the Smartphones sale has gone up tremendously.


The current Smartphones are far technologically advanced and also convenient to store and carry. In addition, there are enough features to use it for all your personal and official tasks. In fact, you can do almost all the computing work that you have been using the PC for.

Desktop Sales Downward

Major telecom companies are selling Smartphones with amazing features and capabilities. For example, just check out the Smartphones launched by Dell. You will be amazed with the stuff you can do using these products. And even more exciting news is that there are plans to launch Smartphones with even more attractive features.

Smartphone Sales Upward

The Smartphone can do almost everything and more than the PC. From what I see, Smartphones are poised to make PCs outdated. What’s your take on it?

Cloud Security Still Clouded

Cloud computing seems to be everybody’s favorite topic. Well, the buzz and interest about it is understandable. Even Gartner has listed Cloud Computing as one of the top strategic technologies for 2011. A large number of companies have already shifted to the clouds, and quite a large number are contemplating about it.

But the security issues are still creating a hindrance towards large adoption of cloud computing. That’s the reason why even the large corporations are adopting a combination of private and public cloud approach. But that might prove to be an expensive option for many.

The major fear is whether cloud computing security measures can really prevent data loss or breaches. In the cloud, companies will be sharing databases and the fear is what would happen if a competitor access my business strategic data? How can I prevent hackers or intruders from hacking into my systems which are spread over in the common cloud? How do I put in a really effective security measure to prevent my data from falling into wrong hands?

There are great security solutions for the cloud, and the security companies are even predicting that the cloud security would be better than the physical or on-premise network security. But the fear is still there.

Organizations are fully aware of the benefits that cloud computing can offer. If the security fears can be allayed, there will be a rush to adopt the cloud. Let’s wait and see! But it is imperative for the organizations to be cloud ready, as it is clear that is where the future will be!!