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Tuesday 23 August 2011

HP Claims webOS Is Far From Dead [ 23-08-2011 19:20 ]

Author: Serge Novikov Source: via Pocket-lint Translation by: Paul Smith

webOS is in a bit of a flux at the moment. On the one hand we have HP's announcement that it won't be developing any more smartphone sor tablets that use the platform. That sort of announcement naturally has people thinking that the platform is all but dead. On the other hand we have HP saying that this is far from the case with the company paraphrasing Mark Twain "... reports about the demise of webOS have been off the mark". So what exactly does HP mean?

Well HP appear adamant that even though they aren't releasing new phones etc the platform is not being killed off. Indeed they came out with the following statement:

HP has made these tough decisions to ensure that our efforts with webOS remain tightly focused. Far from burying webOS, our goal is to ensure the platform's evolution as a robust operating system for an increasingly mobile and connected world ... we intend to enhance the platform as we explore the options for webOS in today's marketplace.

Again I come back to the question; what does this mean? Richard Kerris, vice president of webOS Developer Relations explained "We will continue to support,innovate and develop the webOS App Ctalog. Our intent is to enhance our merchandising and presentation of your great products and to continue to build our webOS app ecosystem". Ok ... this statement seems illogical. For one, webOS devices have been selling pretty poorly so on a basic level who is there to develop for? On another level the fact that HP isn't planning any new devices raises the same question; who is their to develop for? Whatever the answer to that question it still doesn't answer the more fundamental question; what does this mean?

Looking through various comments from HP execs I could list more quotes telling us how webOS will continue to be supported, or how it can be a success, etc. However, despite all the corporate speak coming out of HP there isn't an answer to the question I've been asking. In short I don't think thy know themselves how they are going to proceed.

That view isn't just mine either. Microsoft have been reaching out to webOS devs to offer them a place in the Windows Phone dev community. Microsoft clearly see this as a tipping point for webOS and one that HP probably can't comeback from in terms of having a meaningful presence in the smartphone market with webOS.

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Cheaper 8 GB iPhone 4 To Launch Within Weeks? [ 23-08-2011 19:00 ]

Author: Serge Novikov Source: Reuters Translation by: Paul Smith

Reuters are today reporting that Apple are prepping a lower tier version of the iPhone to launch alongside the forthcoming iPhone 5. The lower tier iPhone sounds essentially like a paired down iPhone 4. Two anonymous sources that Reuters described as being knowledgeable in this issue told them that the handset would be a cheaper iPhone 4 with an 8 GB flash drive instead of the usual 16 GB base model on sale at the moment. The sources indicated that it would be on sale within the next few weeks.

In terms of the iPhone 5 itself though the sources were talking up new featues such as a larger touchscreen and a better antenna. Thre will also be an 8 MP camera according to Reuters' sources, a rumour that has been reasonably consistent of late. Late September was pegged as the launch date with Apple apparently having asked its parts suppliers to prepare themselves for producing a very hefty 45 million units.

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No Pre3 For The U.S. [ 23-08-2011 18:15 ]

Author: Serge Novikov Source: PCMag Translation by: Paul Smith

With the news that HP were to discontinue work on webOS smartphones and tablets many were wondering what would become of the Pre3's U.S. launch. Well the simple answer is 'nothing'. HP confirmed to PCMag that the handset would not see the light of day in the U.S. The Pre3 has gone on sale in various European countries where it looks like it will be heavily discounted. Indeed stock in Germany has already run out. Good news for Europeans looking to pick up a bargain, but not so good for our American cousins.

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Microsoft Wants Motorola Android Phones Banned From Sale [ 23-08-2011 16:08 ]

Author: Irina Turina Source: Bloomberg Translation by: Paul Smith

Today brings yet another round of legal action in the apparently never ending cycle of patent disputes that currently afflict the tech world. The latest is Microsoft's attempts to have the Motorola Droid 2, Droid X, Cliq XT, Devour and Backflip banned from sale in the U.S. Microsoft claims that these devices infringe upon patents Microsoft holds relating to user interaction with calendars, contacts, email and other features.

Defending their decision to take legal action Microsoft's deputy general counsel David Howard explained "We have a responsibility to our employees, customers, partners and shareholders to safeguard our intellectual property. Motorola is infringing on our patents and we are confident that the ITC will rule in our favor".

Motorola, as you might expect, aren't taking it lying down and a spokeswoman told Bloomberg that Motorola is "... vigorously defending against Microsoft's patent attack business strategy". Motorola has launched its own legal action in response in both the U.S. and Europe.

Motorola Mobility, the subject of Microsoft's lawsuit, is currently in the midst of a deal to be bought by Google. This latest round of legal action perfectly illustrates why Google is buying the company; Motorola's patents will help Google fight these sorts of attacks on Android, and let's be clear here, Apple and Microsoft are taking legal action against Android manufacturers, not against each other. With Android as successful as it is Google is going to need all the help it can get to fend of the wolves at the door.

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