What a nice way to complete the week….press release from Nokia on Wednesday was wonderful and is still refreshing in my mind.
http://www.nokia.com/press/press-releases/showpressrelease?newsid=1358666
Nokia CEO sketches the plans/offerings to cheer mobile users.
Current and Projected Sales
Projected Cost and Sales Expectations
Per the press release, we can now expect Symbian 4 and Maemo 6 in the middle of 2010. Announcement of a new version release, ahead of completing global launch of Maemo 5 with N900, tells us that Nokia is serious on Maemo. I like the way Nokia addresses the market based on device capability (hardware and software) in terms of economic viability (cost).
In areas where we still need mobile devices below INR 2,000.00, S40 series phones does make sense. Not every body needs the delight of having their phone knowing which direction it is pointed at. The theme is still on emerging markets, which is a great thing, considering the 300 Million active users target that they have.
Continued…
Posted in Tech.
Tagged with Maemo, Mobile, Nokia.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– December 4, 2009
Great news for all mobile phone users for INDIA!!!. It was amazing to see the Gazette (Press release from TRAI) get published yesterday.
Mobile Number Portability regulation has been approved. It will be in effect from 31st December 2009 (31/12/2009).
Now, moving from one Telecom Operator to the other would cost only INR 19.00. The only constraint in this regulation is that the mobile user (the consumer) has to use services from the Telecom Operator for ninety (90) days.
Pros
With MNP scheduled:
- Telecom Operators would be forced to think different to retain customers.
- Some of the unreasonable charges that are forced on us today must be reduced, if not removed completely.
- Telecom Operators are already looking for some other ways to get some out of our wallet. I am sure one of you reading this already would have Ringtones set, for your mobile phone number, and pay them some money, as if they are a music store.
- New service providers in the mobile area are coming-up to bust the mythical situation of “Telecom Operator should get paid for this”
Continued…
Posted in General.
Tagged with Indic, Telecom.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– November 21, 2009
Sybase has launched their SQL Anywhere for iPhone (Beta) product. This is a great news for those looking for Enterprise Grade database, with commercial support, running in iPhone. I guess I didn’t get satisfied, though I liked SqLite, until I saw a Commercial Database option. You can enroll for the program beta here.
Sybase has gone one step further and has anounced their product “Afaria for iPhone” to also support the “SQL Anywhere for iPhone” product. I think it is good way to cross-sell the applications.
Posted in Tech.
Tagged with iPhone.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– November 11, 2009
We see quite a lot of our customers trying to take advantage of the current HTML/Browser based applications and have them run under these devices from local data stores. Google Gears is a very good option with this Widget SDK.
We all know that Cache would be/become a feature inside all the Mobile based browser implementations. It would be great to have the option, at an application level, to “Turn-off Cache”. This would be useful in one of those instances where the BlackBerry Widget application is trying to work mostly on the local data and is not always fetching data from the Internet.Cache and Rich Application using a wrapped/embedded browser features is a complex combination, if not managed carefully.
As always..we expect something solid from BlackBerry, both from the hardware and software standpoint. I am sure we will get it..
Ref: Browsing back and forward through a Widget
Posted in Tech.
Tagged with BlackBerry.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– November 7, 2009
I am back from Bangalore from SilliconIndia Mobile Developer Conference 2009. It was a very nice to see how mobile application development is picking-up to the mainstream audience. I wasn’t surprised to see that all exhibitors aren’t the same big names in the INDIAN software development industry. There was also a shortage of attention to Software Services Firms in the exhibitor hall, while the startups and mobile application developers grabbed more visitors. One exhibitor was a very early start-up with just two developers working their way out to make it big.
There were many Key Note sessions occupying the first half of the day, while speakers tried to engage everyone during the panel discussions. I liked the the Cool Applications Sessions after the lunch break. Around fourteen (14) exhibitors presented their applications along with some demonstrations using real devices.
I appreciate the leaders from Forum Nokia for the information and insights from Nokia’s prespective. Thanks for Forum Nokia and Sun Startup Essentials for sponsporing this conference. It goes without saying that SiliconIndia has done a very good job of pulling all of us together and orchestrating nicely.
Continued…
Posted in General.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– November 2, 2009
I am big fan of Microsoft Outlook, for it offers, apart from archiving my emails, a rich set of features that I can’t live without. For some reason Microsoft got STUCK to to a notion that it had to use a proprietary storage format for storing emails through the Outlook client. It missed to cross-sell Microsoft SQL Server Express and all the database embedding opportunities that it is selling to its customers and partners. It would be nice to see leaders show their commitment to their own products (I like VS 2010 use WPF).
I appreciate Microsoft’s initiative to “open-up” the PST file format. May be this would increase Thunderbird, Evolution and other email clients to support PST archives. Interoperability initiatives like these streamline user expectations and experiences out of commonly used software.
Continued…
Posted in Tech.
Tagged with Microsoft.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– October 30, 2009
I have been thinking after noticing the Common Criteria EAL4 certification awarded to Microsoft Mobile 6.1. This certification makes me think that Microsoft Mobile 6.1 based devices are secured better than the other Mobile OS implementations. In the market, we see more operating systems showing-up in the Mobile devices which are used for personal, enterprise and sensitive (gov) needs.
Its a given fact that some vendors have a very strong hold on what can be be deployed or even run (Apple’s ability to, preemptively, remote administer my phone and uninstall an application is a scary thought) on these devices. Most of OS vendors want our applications to be digitally signed by them, some force their own software delivery platform on us.
Continued…
Posted in Tech.
Tagged with Mobile, Security.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– October 29, 2009
I always look for some new product to try and I think this product is worth mentioning.
Please take a look at Divine. While still in BETA, this product tries to help you generate a Wordpress template out of a Photoshop Document.
Convert PSD into a Wordpress Template, without a need for HTML developers, is a great tool for pre-sale engagements. I would like this effort to succeed so it will help people save numerous hours of development work.
Posted in Tech.
Tagged with Review.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– August 9, 2009
What a great way to start the year to see Laptops with Android. Here are some new devices that are worth waiting for:
- REDFLY has already put a great product in the market extending Windows Mobile Phones. Now REDFLY working on Android proof-of-concept, trying to get their Laptop (Shell) running Android. Though still in prototyping status, this is a clear sign of emerging devices that can pair with a mobile phone.
- Now a member of the OHA, ASUS is looking into Android for Eee Phone and Eee PC. With ASUS’s R&D strength and ability to reach faster to market, this could push us in between some serious competition among Laptop/NetBook vendors. This could become a buyer delight, since competition brings more innovation and cost savings to the buyers. Note that the port of Android to ASUS Laptops have already produced successfull results.
- Intel Atom based Tablet…better a Convertible Tablet announcement by ASUS (visit here and here) is very interesting. They have managed to pack GPS and TV within this Touch Screen based Convertible Tablet. I would buy it without blinking, provided it comes preloaded with Android (Yes, I am becoming a serious Android fan).
- I always welcomed the idea of bringing computers to the living room. CES has showcased so many things including “Seamless Computing Vision” by Bill Gates in CES 2004. To my surprise, this time at CES 2009 ASUS (again ASUS, I know…) has announced a Home Entertainment variant in a Keyboard Profile. What an idea…take a look at the image gallery from Engadget here and see for yourself.
- Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Desktop (here and here) is a nice to have (could be pricy). I like the aspect ratio, keyboard (with the track pad placed on the right hand, should have been this way everywhere) and their motion sensitive remote control capable of acting as VOIP handset and regular remote as well.
CES 2009 is a great show. I am eagerly waiting for the CES 2009 Innovations and Tech & Engineering Emmy® Award winners list.
Posted in Gadget.
Tagged with Android, CES.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– January 8, 2009
I would like to see more innovations through Android. Just like Linux breaking the barriers into Desktops, I would love to see a Linux variant move into Mobiles and raise the bar on the mobile user expectations.
By looking at the new set of members joining the Open Handset Alliance this month (Ref: Open Handset Alliance announces 14 new members), there is a good chance for Android to make its in-roads into consumer electronics like a great virus (in a good way).
I am still worried about letting self-branded applications from the for-profit organizations (like Google) to come under this open source OS. From what I can see, this can be removed as long as the device manufacturers (ODM and OEM vendors) allows the device owners to load their own custom version of the OS to satisfy their individual needs.
Believe me freedom is like fresh air, where we are and will forever be addicted to it. Is it too much to ask for the freedom to load what we want in our mobiles/devices, just like the freedom we have with the Desktops?
Posted in Gadget.
Tagged with Android.
By Venkatraman Balasubramanian
– December 16, 2008
