THE MOBILE HORNET … for those who get turned on by mobile devices

Over 100+ millions smartphones are sold every year and according to UMPCPortal, 95% of the market share goes to Nokia Symbian (65%), Windows Mobile (13%), Blackberry (10%), and Apple (7%).  LiMo, Android and others (mostly Linux offsprings) formed the balance 5%.

If you look at the above statistics, and if you are a developer (hardware or software), it will be wise for you to focus on the top 4.   You cannot be wrong there.  Open source OSs like Linux and Android will take sometime to create any impact. 

Linux is making a mistake by creating so many versions (LiMo, Moblin, Meamo, Mobilinux, OpenMoko etc) of their mobile OS.  Now that Nokia has taken over 100% control of Symbian, you can expect to see further increase from their present 65% share. And if Nokia Symbian become an Open Source OS, the rest can kiss goodbye.  Microsoft cannot sit down and watch.  Their focus on their Windows Enterprise OS will definitely slow down their Windows Mobile growth further.

Isn’t TAD a blessing for ladies?  I never knew someone can come out with the idea of a fingernail protector.  Such a simple accessory and it save you from the ordeal of broken nails.  And with those tiny keypad and small screen icons of today’s mobile devices, it is definetly a No-No for you guys too who have big fingers.  Sometimes I wonder, how small these devices are going to go.  I mean you can’t shrink the keypad or the screen icons until it result in you pushing 2 or 3 buttons or icons at the same time.  Fret no more, here comes TAD to the rescue.

TAD Accessories has come out with three different plastic pointers. These can be selected according to device and function: for example, the pointy one might be best suited to touchscreens, while the rounded pointer is best used for texting.  It is made of rubber and all you got to do is wear it like how you wear a ring.  Easy to use and very handy.

Coolsmartphone has an interesting video on how to use the TAD.  Just click below:

More details can be found at  TAD website .

The PDAEXPERT chain store in Malaysia has thrown in some freebies for their range of PPCs from HTC, HP, Toshiba, LG and O2.  All come with memory cards from 1GB to 4G and a few with the additional Bluetooth Headset.

You can find their Kuala Lumpur stores at MidValley, Sunway Pyramid, The Curve, Digital Mall, IOI Mall, and LowYat.  It is also available in Johor Baru at Jusco Terbau City.

Meraj Chhaya of Phone Report v2.0 reported:

“At the HTC Touch Diamond launch in South Africa, I had the opportunity to have a little chat with Kevin Chen, General Manager of HTC for MEA and CIS. Besides having an in-depth explanation on the innovations that the Touch Diamond brings, Chen told me that HTC is planning to unveil a device with Google Android Operating System by Q4 of this year, and a Windows Mobile 7 by Q1 of next year, at least that’s what’s on the planned release schedule from HTC.”

THE US$199-iPHONE 3G HAS CAUSED HAVOC TO SMARTPHONE PRICES!

Apple’s announcement of a US$199 price for the new 3G iPhone has shaken up smartphone makers.

HTC’s stock, which is listed in Taiwan, plunged after Apple’s announcement over fears the iPhone’s price will undercut HTC’s smartphone prices.

Do not be misled that the iPhone is so very US$199-cheap.  It is not, when you add the 24-month contract you have to sign to get the iPhone.  Anyway, HTC Asia is going for a price reduction with immediate effect on the following models to combat the share price slide. 

• HTC TyTN II – S$998/- (RM2,599)
• HTC Touch Cruise – S$968/- (RM2,599)
• HTC Touch Dual – S$848/- (RM2,299)
• HTC Touch – S$588/- (RM1,499)
• HTC Shift – S$2,048/- (RM5,499)
• HTC P3300 – S$588/- (RM1,599)

Note: The Malaysian price (RM….) indicated is not a currency conversion price from the Singapore price (S$).  It is the actual revised selling price for Malaysia.

All the above are effective immediately for the Asian market.  There might be some variants in pricing in each country. 

THE PRICE WAR HAS JUST BEGUN…LETS SEE HOW IT WILL END.

Do you want to be truly mobile?
Get yourself the NUBRELLA, the ultimate weather protector

The Nubrella is designed for the 21st century. Nubrella exploits the fundamental limitations of today’s traditional umbrella while introducing a long awaited feature of hands free usage. Nubrella turned to the award winning design firm, Continuum. The result is an eye catching new aerodynamic design that many are saying is simply a better “mousetrap”.

The umbrella was invented some 3000 years ago and has seen no evolution. We continue to rely on the umbrella for protection against all inclement weather conditions until now. Let nubrella be your new item in your arsenal of weather protection gear and “stay outdoors”!

• New aerodynamic oval design - Tested up to 50mph
• State of the art clear Thermoplastic Polyurethane
• Lightweight and strong aluminum alloy ribs
• Extremely durable rip-stop waterproof nylon.
• Easy “pop” spring loaded opening and closing mechanism
• Weighs just 2.6 lbs
• Lightweight over the shoulder carrying case
• Adjustable shoulder straps

Functional
With its new aerodynamic oval design with extended coverage wind now flows over and around the canopy thus completely denying the possibility to invert. No more struggling to maintain your umbrella in the proper position. Simply strap on the shoulder support and walk completely hands free even in significant winds. Also with the extended coverage you will be completely protected from wind chill and extreme cold. You will be amazed on how much warmer you will feel while using your nubrella.

Stylish
With its sleek futuristic oval design, nubrella will be seen as the new “must have” fashion accessory around the world. Nubrella has removed the pole from the middle so now you can be in the best position for maximum coverage. Again, with this new revolutionary sleek design, say goodbye to the “bobbing” effect on the busy sidewalks of metroplitan cities.

Easy to use
Just push the button and pull the handle towards you and nubrella will simply “pop” open. With nubrella’s patent pending “shoulder supports” nubrella simply rests on your shoulders and can be held with one finger. With nubrella’s clear transparent material there is no more need to tilt your umbrella down and quickly back up to see while fighting the elements. Just walk straight away and see where you are walking all of the time.

WHY NUBRELLA?

• The nubrella promise: “it can not and will not invert in any wind”
• More extended coverage keeping you drier all the time.
• Nubrella blocks windchill!
• A far safer and more reliable product! No more sharp points, poles or rods
• Can be used completely hands free! Even in significant winds.
• No more “bobbing”. See clearly all the time.
• New oval, streamlined and aerodynamic design!
• The Nubrella is retailing at US$49.99 (RM 165.00) each.

Imagine, the HTC TOUCH DIAMOND has already received orders from 5 to 10 telecom service operators around the world.  AND THE DEVICE HAS NOT EVEN BEEN LAUNCHED YET!

According to Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN), Goldman Sachs was cited as saying it estimates that HTC will begin shipping the HTC Diamond in May with monthly shipments likely to reach 400,000-500,000 units later on and to top about four million units in its life-cycle.

Europeans will be able to buy the Touch Diamond THIS JUNE.  Asia should have the Touch Diamond before the end of June 08.  In case you are not aware, Europe form 40% of HTC global sales.  So now you know why the 6 May is in London.

Have a feel of London with more details about what’s happening on Launch Day - Tuesday 6 May 2008:

11:00am 
Registration

11:30am
The Launch (Peter Chou will dazzle you with The Touch Diamond)

3:30-4:00pm
Briefing from HTC CIO Horace Luke

5:00pm
Cocktail with HTC CEO Peter Chou

7:30pm
Dinner (where HTC’s Chief Designer will be attending)

NewsMobile is ahead of everyone with the real photos of the HTC TOUCH DIAMOND:

You can distinguish the Touch Diamond with its “diamond” cut design on the back.  It is indeed a beautiful looking device.  Add VGA, Manila, Accelerometer and you have a strong competitor to the iPhone.

Watch out for HTC Manila (aka HTC TouchFlo), the software-mainly extension of Windows Mobile that improves finger-based navigation and usability.

Here’s the latest specs:

• 2.8-inch VGA display
• WinMo 6.1 Pro
• WiFi,
• Bluetooth 2.0
• eGPS,
• FM tuner
• Quad-band HSDPA 7.2 4GB internal flash,
• microSD slot 528MHz CPU
• 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus
• 10.7mm (0.47-inches) thick
• Supposedly also features an orientation sensor / accelerometer

WHO WILL BE THERE ON 6 MAY 2008 to witness 
THE NEXT WAVE OF HTC INNOVATION?

According to MsMobiles, many, many HTC employees, including:

HTC

• Taiwan : Peter Chou - CEO of HTC
• Taiwan : John Wang - boss of magic lab at HTC where various innovations are cooked (motto of this event is “HTC innovation” after all)
• UK: Florin Seiche - top manager of HTC Europe
• USA : Jason Gordon
• USA : Eric Lin - one of few HTC employees with personal blog - see here: blog of Eric Lin
• Will the Chief Innovation Officer at HTC, Horace Luke be there?

Microsoft employees:

• UK: Jason Langdrige who runs Windows Mobile blog for non-developers - hosted on Microsoft’s blogs.msdn.com subdomain for Microsoft bloggers
• UK: James Blamey

Microsoft MVPs in Windows Mobile area:

• UK: Paul O’Brien from MoDaCo
• UK: Chris Brunskill from MoDaCo
• UK: Leigh Gears from Cool Smartphone

Various journalists and bloggers, including:

• UK: Matt Davis from Tracy and Matt blog (Tracy is pregnant so might not be able to make it to this event)
• UK: Steve Lichtfield from The Smartphones Show but who also works as contributing editor for UK’s “PDA Essentials” print publication and for AllAboutSymbian
• UK: Rafe Blandford from AllAboutSymbian - we have no idea why this Symbian supporter is coming to HTC events (HTC has no plans to use Symbian in their phones)

LAST FEW DAYS !

The chance for you to get a FREE COPY of the the iFITONE software from DeveloperOne has been extended to 8 May 08.

This is a fantastic Diet, fitness and weight loss tracking software  that works!   Hurry and submit your comments and be the lucky few to get a FREE COPY of the iFITONE.  All you got to do is to offer your comments of the iFitOne software here.

Neonode today announced the availability of Neonode N2, its highly acclaimed touch screen phone, in a NEW RANGE OF COLORS on the company’s web shop.

The new color portfolio holding the lively mix of the colors Lime (green), Azure (blue), Rubine (red) and Roza (pink), will initially be available through the company’s web site, www.neonode.com, and is expected to be rolled out to current markets during the course of the year.

The Neonode N2 has been available in black since its launch in August 2007 and sold 31,000 units in Q4 2007. Due to increased customer demand, Neonode decided to move up the launch of a new specially designed color portfolio.

“The color portfolio is an important part of our strategy to spread the brand and product awareness as well as ramp up the production and reach our sales targets,” said Daniel Stålbo, Director of Marketing at Neonode.  “These new colors will be a natural part of several upcoming promotional campaigns and we also expect them to be a powerful tool when entering new markets.”