CRM News: Handheld Devices

Google Digs Up Old Direct-Sales Nexus Strategy
May 16, 2012

Two years after its initial attempt to sell Nexus smartphones directly to consumers flopped, Google is apparently trying to revive the strategy. This time, though, it's added a few new touches. It's going to work with up to five device manufacturers at a time to create a portfolio of Nexus-line devices that include smartphones and tablets.

Lenovo Shoots for Sexy With Svelt, Sleek Portables
May 15, 2012

Lenovo on Tuesday announced new Ultrabook ThinkPad laptops based on Intel's latest Ivy Bridge processor. Heading the procession is the upcoming X1 Carbon, which will use premium carbon fiber materials and is aimed head-on at the Apple MacBook Air. The lineup also includes new models in the ThinkPad T, X, L and W series aimed at small businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and large corporations.

Microsoft Sets Sail With Russian Pirate Hunters
May 15, 2012

Today in international tech news: Microsoft backs Russian startup "Pirate Pay," which claims it can track and thwart illicit downloads around the globe. Elsewhere, Renren, China's Facebook equivalent, releases a lackluster earnings report, while Baidu, China's Google equivalent, enters the smartphone market -- and taps into the void left by the country's block of Google Drive.

Code Clues Reheat Google Tablet Rumors
May 15, 2012

Murmurs about Google's supposed plans to launch its own tablet soon are growing to a roar. Source code from Google and Samsung indicate that a Nexus tablet is in the works, Slashgear reported. "It seems logical that it will be a Google Nexus device consistent with the Nexus smartphone, but the problem is there's nothing unique about the Nexus smartphone," suggested Andrew Eisner, director of community and content at Retrevo.

Facebook's Face-Melting Fast European Network
May 14, 2012

Today in international tech news: Ahead of its upcoming IPO, Facebook taps a Swedish telecommunications company to build and operate a massive pan-European optical network. Elsewhere, Change.org launches a UK platform, Apple decides to drop "4G" from the third-generation iPad, and Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin renounces his U.S. citizenship.

Windows RT and the Dastardly Browser-Exclusion Deed
May 14, 2012

Life is never dull here in the world of technology, but some weeks it's hard to remember that this is actually the real world, and not some epic tale of the battle between good and evil. We've seen plenty of examples of good pulling ahead in the struggle in recent weeks, of course -- but there's never any shortage of dastardly deeds being committed, either.

Mozilla and Google ARMwrestle Microsoft
May 12, 2012

Mozilla and Google are challenging Microsoft's decision to shut out all browsers other than Internet Explorer from Windows 8 devices that use ARM processors. This restricts user choice, reduces competition, chills innovation, and might have antitrust implications, among other bad things, Mozilla general counsel Harvey Anderson asserted.

Sprint's New Tri-Fi Hotspot Finds a Signal Any Which Way It Can
May 10, 2012

Sprint is launching a new type of mobile hotspot -- the Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot, the first device that will convert LTE, WiMAX and 3G networks into a WiFi signal. Via the portable device, users can access three networks -- Sprint's CDMA 3G network, its WiMax 4G network and its upcoming LTE 4G network.

iPad: Desperately Seeking Guest Mode
May 10, 2012

After you get over the worry that kids or grandmothers are going to drop your iPad and then accidentally trod on it or stab it with the leg of a walker, other problems quickly arise: For instance, what sort of iMessage or Reminder is going to pop up from your crass buddy and mortify your grandma? Which email from the friend who won't stop sending the joke emails is going show up in front of a kid?

Symantec on the Move With Enterprise Security
May 09, 2012

Antivirus vendor Symantec has announced enhancements to its enterprise mobile security product. These include capabilities for mobile application management, data loss prevention, certificate management and code signing for devs. The features will help IT cope with the burgeoning Bring Your Own Device trend, which has employees increasingly using their personal mobile devices for work, Symantec said.

AT&T Signs Up for House-Sitting Duty
May 07, 2012

As if the remote home monitoring and automation market weren't crowded enough already with players like ADT and utility companies with their smart meters, AT&T announced on Monday plans for entering the arena. It will offer consumers Web-based access to automation tools for their home energy and water controls, as well as professionally monitored security services.

The Un-Death of the PC
May 07, 2012

This occurred to me last Thursday when first-quarter PC sales came out. Apparently, sales are up 21 percent year-over-year and HP retook the lead from Apple in this segment. In this report, Apple's numbers include iPads, and sales for iPads collapsed in the first quarter. This got me thinking of the scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail when the cart is picking up dead bodies during the Black Plague and one "corpse" not only isn't dead but feels like dancing.

Tidal Wave of Tablets on the Horizon
May 05, 2012

By 2016, tablet PCs will reach an inflection point, a new study predicts: That is the year tablet shipments are predicted to outpace those of notebook PCs. That is one prediction in the quarterly NPD DisplaySearch Tablet Quarterly report. It also forecasts that shipments of tablet PCs will grow from 81.6 million units in 2011 to 424.9 million units by 2017.

The Samsung Galactic Empire
May 05, 2012

This past week has been especially kind to Samsung. Big sales numbers were followed by the unveiling of the Galaxy S III, the company's latest flagship phone and one that could very well own the market this summer. The S III runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Google's operating system and one that up to this point hasn't taken residence on a very large number of phones.

Galaxy S III Serves Up Big Dollop of Ice Cream Sandwich
May 04, 2012

Samsung launched the Galaxy S III smartphone in London on Thursday. The device will run Android Ice Cream Sandwich, version 4.0 of the mobile OS. The Galaxy S III's features include facial and voice recognition, voice command capability and eye tracking.

RIM Plays Devs for Dollars
May 03, 2012

Research In Motion has big plans for its next-generation platform, BlackBerry 10, expected for release later this year. However, in order to compete with market leaders iOS and Android, the company will need strong support from the mobile application development community. To do that, the company has reportedly offered a bounty.

The Sad 'Wake Up' Saga Just Gets Sadder
May 03, 2012

I'm often blown away by the pathetically misguided marketing campaigns that clearly out-of-touch executives in large corporations green light ... and then shell out millions of dollars to put into motion. But the "Wake Up" flashmob that tumbled out of a clearly expensive bus in Sydney, Australia, had me scratching my head while simultaneously clutching my belly to ease the pain of laughing so hard.

Target Throws Kindles Into the Brush Pile
May 02, 2012

Target has decided to stop selling anything carrying the Amazon and Kindle brands. "We still have some of the product in our stores, and we expect they'll be sold by the end of May," Target spokesperson Molly Snyder told the E-Commerce Times. There's been some speculation that this move is tied in with Apple's plans to open mini-stores in select Target retail locations, but Snyder dismissed that possibility.