Can Nokia compete with Apple's iPhone on music and ‘lifestyle?’

Can Nokia steal market share from Apple's iPhone? London-based market research firm Analysys thinks so. The firm believes that Nokia has laid down the gauntlet to the industry with the objective of being the service of choice for consumers looking to organize and get access to their social network and content from both the mobile and PC, according to a statement from the firm today.
Analyst Mike Grant at Analysys said that during Nokia’s recent three day industry conference in Amsterdam, senior management at the telecom giant outlined two major initiatives that accelerate a move by Nokia from being a pure device play into an integrated end-to-end consumer service organization in the shape of Apple.
First is Nokia’s introduction of “Comes with Music,” which is a service that allows buyers of certain Nokia devices with 12 months of free unlimited access to the Nokia music catalog, which Grant says is a clear nod from the manufacturer to Apple for its success in integrating music with mobile communications.
Grant said, “Clearly Nokia expects that users will find free music for a year a compelling alternative to iTunes on the Phone.”
Secondly, and more significantly to Analysys, Nokia has detailed the expansion of the its Ovi service into the Internet and PC worlds. Ovi currently provides users with access to music, games, social networking, content sharing, and mapping services through an on device WAP portal and going forward, Ovi.com is set to give users easy access to all of their content and the Ovi storefront through a personalized “dashboard” or web based portal.
The Ovi portal is also meant to allow easy integration with on-device data such as synchronized contact lists – all of which looks very similar to Apple’s current .mac service. As well, Nokia has announced the development of a PC version of the Ovi dashboard providing again integrated access to the same services and personal content.
“These moves are a clear statement that Nokia intends to compete head to head with Apple and others seeking to be consumer’s default personal information and entertainment destination…The implications for operators and other OEMs are significant. Should Nokia successfully execute these developments and attract even a small proportion of their current 1 billion customers to this service, both operators and other OEMs will have a mountain to climb to offer the same compelling proposition. Nokia is laying down the gauntlet, saying effectively that Apple has got it right, and they intend to compete for consumer loyalty across mobile, PC, and the Internet. Moreover, while Apple has a strong presence in the U.S., Nokia’s global market reach and scale make it a powerful competitor to all in this space.”
Interestingly, today Google announced the release of a new iPhone application that it says integrates its multiple services into a single interface, making it easy for iPhone users to find, use and switch between Google search, Gmail, Calendar, Reader, and more.
Google says its overall goal is to provide users with access to information, wherever they are, and is working to develop new mobile technologies.
With a number of players looking to take a bite out of Apple’s reign, the ones to benefit will be consumers.

U.S. Robotics Brings 802.11g to Middle East

U.S. Robotics will launch its 802.11g Wireless Turbo range in the Middle East market early next month. The system, powered by the company’s Accelerator Technology, is said to increase performance levels up to 100Mbit/sec., all on a single channel.
“The product is the first of its kind in the world, and will revolutionize the wireless industry, allowing users to send and receive data faster, more securely and with greater compatibility,” said Yusuf Syed, Regional Manager, U.S. Robotics. “The Wireless Turbo range functions on a single channel, to ensure greater network capacity and the highest data throughput.”
According to Tony Field, U.S. Robotics’ product manager EMEA, the Accelerator Technology, provides users with 54Mbit/sec. accelerated to 100Mbit/sec. performance.
“To ensure the fastest data throughput rates, U.S. Robotics designed the 802.11g Wireless Turbo line for compatibility with all 54Mbit/sec. 802.11g, 22Mbit/sec. and 11Mbit/sec. 802.11b wireless devices,” Field added. “And because security is a critical concern in any network, U.S. Robotics 802.11g Wireless Turbo products are designed to be up to 10 times more secure than standard wireless networking products. Users can work wirelessly with the confidence of knowing they have the highest level of security protecting their network data and communications.”
The U.S. Robotics 802.11g Wireless Turbo portfolio includes a router, multi-function access point, PCI adapter and PC card, all of which can be set up in an existing wired network without expensive infrastructure costs, Syed said.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology refers broadly to a field of applied science and technology whose unifying theme is the control of matter on the molecular level in scales smaller than 1 micrometre, normally 1 to 100 nanometers, and the fabrication of devices within that size range. It is a highly multidisciplinary field, drawing from fields such as applied physics, materials science, colloidal science, device physics, supramolecular chemistry, and even mechanical and electrical engineering.
Much speculation exists as to what new science and technology may result from these lines of research.
Nanotechnology can be seen as an extension of existing sciences into the nanoscale, or as a recasting of existing sciences using a newer, more modern term. Two main approaches are used in nanotechnology.
In the "bottom-up" approach, materials and devices are built from molecular components which assemble themselves chemically by principles of molecular recognition.
In the "top-down" approach, nano-objects are constructed from larger entities without atomic-level control.
The impetus for nanotechnology comes from a renewed interest in colloidal science, coupled with a new generation of analytical tools such as the atomic force microscope (AFM), and the scanning tunneling microscope (STM).
Combined with refined processes such as electron beam lithography and molecular beam epitaxy, these instruments allow the deliberate manipulation of nanostructures, and led to the observation of novel phenomena. Examples of nanotechnology in modern use are the manufacture of polymers based on molecular structure, and the design of computer chip layouts based on surface science.
Despite the great promise of numerous nanotechnologies such as quantum dots and nanotubes, real commercial applications have mainly used the advantages of colloidal nanoparticles in bulk form, such as suntan lotion, cosmetics, protective coatings, and stain resistant clothing. Modern synthetic chemistry has reached the point where it is possible to prepare small molecules to almost any structure.
These methods are used today to produce a wide variety of useful chemicals such as pharmaceuticals or commercial polymers.
This ability raises the question of extending this kind of control to the next-larger level, seeking methods to assemble these single molecules into supramolecular assemblies consisting of many molecules arranged in a well defined manner. These approaches utilize the concepts of molecular self-assembly and/or supramolecular chemistry to automatically arrange themselves into some useful conformation through a bottom-up approach.
The concept of molecular recognition is especially important: molecules can be designed so that a specific conformation or arrangement is favored due to non-covalent intermolecular forces.
The Watson-Crick basepairing rules are a direct result of this, as is the specificity of an enzyme being targeted to a single substrate, or the specific folding of the protein itself.
Thus, two or more components can be designed to be complementary and mutually attractive so that they make a more complex and useful whole..

FIRST unveils 16th annual robotics challenge

Dean Kamen's FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization has just announced the challenge for this year's FIRST Robotics Competition (see "Sportslike competition drives science and technology education," EDN, Sept 1, 2006, pg 12). The "Rack 'N' Roll" competition will challenge teams of high-school students to build a robot that can place inflatable tubes on pegs on a 10-ft-high rack. FIRST expects more than 32,500 students on more than 1300 teams from around the globe to participate this year. The organization is always looking for engineers to mentor the students in the challenge that can clearly lead kids to a technical career.
Beginning on March 1, the teams will compete at 37 regional events in the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Israel. The season will culminate at the FIRST Championship, April 12 through 14, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The events are free and open to the public.

Mobile phone market grows smarter

Mobile phone sales were up in Q3, no matter which research house you choose to reference.
Following sequential unit growth reports from IDC and Strategy Analytics late last month, The NPD Group this week released quarterly data that showed mobile phone sales to consumers in the U.S. reached 38 million units in Q3, an increase of nearly 16 percent compared to unit sales figures from the previous quarter. The firm noted, however, that Q2 is traditionally a slow sales quarter for mobile phone retailers. (See manufacture ranking below.)
NPD estimated total Q3 consumer sales of $3.2 billion, which is a 47 percent increase year over year. The percentage of smartphones sold during Q3 increased from 4 percent of all phone sales in Q3 2006 to 11 percent during the same timeframe in 2007, an increase of 163 percent year over year.
“The mobile phone market is not only growing, it is growing smarter,” said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for NPD, in a statement. “The nearly threefold increase in smartphones shows that this once negligible niche is becoming a more influential force in the consumer market -- attracting entrants such as Apple and the Open Handset Alliance.”
Indeed, Apple’s iPhone, released in June, continues to be in high demand, while the Open Handset Alliance, promoting “Android” as the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices and brought about by a partnership between Google, T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others, is expected to further the trend of smartphones as open devices and quenched rumors of a possible “gPhone.”
3G also on rise
In a separate report from Strategy Analytics’ ProductTRAX service this week, the firm broke out the top 10 selling consumer handsets in the U.S. market, stating that Motorola, with its RAZR and KRZR, and LG, collectively accounted for seven of the top best selling consumer handsets. (See handset ranking below.)
“Overall the average retail price paid for these top 10 handsets was 19 percent higher than the market average; and we continue to see strong upgrade dynamics continue to supplement U.S. market growth,” Barry Gilbert, VP of the ProductTRAX services said in a statement. “Motorola, however, despite selling four of the top 10 models in Q3, realized an ASP [average selling price] of only $80, nearly 40 percent lower than the group average.”
The firm went on to point to 3G as a high selling point.
“3G devices accounted for 55 percent of these top selling device volumes. That share will continue to grow during Q4,” Chris Ambrosio, a director in the wireless practice at Strategy Analytics said in the statement. “While the iPhone gets the headlines, the Sync from Samsung and the Chocolate from LG quietly stole the show in the category of iconic, 3G feature phones. Samsung, in particular, is well-positioned to dominate 3G sales during the critical Q4 holiday season.”
Top five handset manufacturers’ Q3 share of units sold:
Motorola 31% LG 17% Samsung 16% Nokia 11% Sanyo 4% Source: NPD
U.S. Q3 best selling consumer handsets:
1. Motorola RAZR V3 2. Motorola RAZR V3m 3. LG VX83004. Apple iPhone5. LG Chocolate VX8550/85006. Motorola MOTOKRZR K1m 7. Samsung SGH-A707 8. LG VX5300; 9. Sanyo Katana II 10. Motorola V323i/V325i

Spyware, Spyware Removal, Best Spyware Removal

The amount of spyware floating around the Internet has increased exponentially since it was first discussed in 2000. A 2005 survey conducted by AOL and the National Cyber-Security Alliance showed that 61% of computers were infected with spyware and 92% of users had no idea it was there. These programs are now the biggest danger to computers running Microsoft's Windows operating system.
The danger is even greater if you use Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browsers. Internet Explorer is the most widely used web browser so developers of malicious software will target it directly in an effort to reach as many computers as possible. Most of the weaknesses in Internet Explorer are well known as soon as their discovered and many times spyware will be created to exploit this weakness before it can fixed. Because of this, most computers don't just have one of these harmful programs running in the background, but many. This is why is extremely important to have an anti-spyware program that will automatically update itself periodically. The best programs will have this ability.
Once infected, a computer will can start to exhibit a range of unwanted behaviors. Things like pop-up advertisements, hijacking web session, and installing tool-bars and other add-ons to the web browser, which in turn invite more spyware to your computer. After multiple unwanted programs are installed, the computer will start to run more slowly as these programs use more resources. If you've installed a quality program, then you'll be able to schedule periodic scans of your computer.
The best spyware removal programs will employ both of the aforementioned features along with a plethora of other features to keep your computer running smoothly. There are a number of free scanners available, but these will generally just scan your computer for threats that are already installed, offering no protection from the initial infection. Relying solely on effective scanning and removal is dangerous as spyware is notoriously difficult to completely remove and can just reinstall itself if any remnants of it are left on the system.
If you own a computer then you should definitely have some sort of protection against these threats. The best spyware removal programs available will be proactive and constantly on the lookout for potential threats and take steps to neutralize those threats to keep your computer clean of dangerous programs.

bar-code scanners

Barcode scanners are light emitting hand held devices use to read barcodes. The device is attached to computer or laptop which stores coded message by the length and width of the bars and spaces that are printed in pattern. It has a code reader and decoder. The barcode scanners are on everything right from the groceries to auto parts. It is the biggest asset to run a business.
We have been using barcode scanners for many years and more advanced technology is being introduced to us every year. They are available in different varieties like the hands free, hand held, rugged, wearable, scan engines, laser or digital. The simplest device is the Pen-wand scanners which have to be kept in direct contact with the barcode and to be held at précis angle. To read the bars you need to move the pen-wand scanner over it. The general purpose scanner as the name indicates is used for general purposes, to process identification documents and checkout counters and hospitals. Other kinds of scanners are used in harsh conditions like rugged scanners.
Barcode scanners are available in many different varieties. They can be hand held and hands free, wearable, and rugged, scan engines, laser or digital. Pen-wand scanners are perhaps the simplest types of such devices. They have to be kept in direct contact with the barcode and held at a precise angle. A pen-wand scanner is moved over the bar to read it. General purpose scanners are generally used at checkout counters and hospitals and are also used to process identification documents. Certain other kinds of scanners, like rugged scanners, are generally used in harsh or extreme conditions.
The image scanner and laser scanner of the barcode scanner are the one with distinguishing features. The image scanner has a camera in it that captures the barcode images. These bar code images are then processed by sophisticated image techniques to decode the barcode. Generally most of the image scanners scan barcode data from a distance of five to ten inches away. In laser scanner lenses are used to read the bar codes. The application of the laser scanner helps in reading the barcode placed at any angle. The more advanced technology of laser scanner reads the barcode from the distance of 24 inches. Modern laser scanners have outwit the capacity of laser scanner by reading the data from the distance of 30 feet. Both the scanners are efficient in their own way but still have pros and cons in their use. The laser scanner being more advanced is more expensive but the lenses of such scanners are more prone to wear and tear. Whereas the image based scanner is less expensive but lacks internal movable parts making it less resistant to drops or knocks. Looking for more information on Bar Code Scanners check out www.BARCODE-SCANNERS.ORG your guide to Bar Code Scanners.

Samsung e90

Samsung E90 Electronics manages four strategic businesses in the Home, Mobile, Office Network and Core Components. Samsung offers to both consumer and professional markets wide range of digital cameras, camcorders, LCD TV etc. With this unique capability of Samsung Electronics as one of the world's best electronics companies, with maximized synergy of all its divisions, Samsung focus on these core businesses areas, and today enjoy the strongest competitive edge in the digital convergence era. Samsung E90 addition, its 2.5" LCD screen ensures optimal viewing the photographs as well as easy menu navigation of the camera. Designed for landscape photographers looking for a digital reflex camera that is both high performance and easy to use, the GX-10 from Samsung is a great combination of advanced technology, intuition and resistance. With its 10-megapixel CCD sensor, the GX-10 allows you to take fantastic photos in all situations, and has an optical image stabiliser that compensates for camera shake and ensures clear, bright photos, without a flash.
Samsung-E590The YP-P2JCB MP3 player from Samsung displays photos, film clips and even music videos on its 3" touch screen. Wireless Bluetooth 2.0 technology enhances user comfort, as the YP-P2JCB can be used with 2 stereo Bluetooth headsets, or with wireless headphones for watching films.
The SE-T084L external writer from Samsung has such a slimline and lightweight design. The Network of the GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900. Samsung E90 Display size 220 x 220 pixels, 1.8 inches. Display type TFT, 256K colors. Samsung E90 call recorded 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls. Please purchase online http://www.phoneandbeyond.com