The mobile platform wars are in full swing. Android and Apple dominate the landscape. Network Effects: How Google & Apple Dominate Mobile article tells that a report from VisionMobile says that there will be no clear winner in the battle for supremacy over the mobile market. Android controls the numbers, Apple controls the profits and everybody else is fighting for scraps and third place in the ecosystem. The article has good figures that describe the mobile markets.
274 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple’s Lightning Authentication Reportedly Cracked, Unauthorized Third-Party Cables Coming
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/10/09/apples-lightning-authentication-reportedly-cracked-unauthorized-third-party-cables-coming/
Chinese firm iPhone5mod has introduced (via M.I.C. gadget) a new iPhone 5 Flash Lightning Dock, marking one of the first claimed efforts to implement Apple’s Lightning connector standard on a mass production basis. The move comes as Apple has been maintaining tight control over the standard and has yet to authorize any third-party manufacturing facilities to produce Lightning-equipped products.
Tomi says:
Google to co-brand 10-inch Nexus tablet with Samsung
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57528352-94/google-to-co-brand-10-inch-nexus-tablet-with-samsung/
Web giant will co-brand its first high-end tablet with Samsung, an analyst tells CNET.
The 10.1-inch tablet will boast a pixel density that is higher than Apple’s third-generation iPad, said Richard Shim, an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch.
The 2,560×1,600 display will have a PPI (pixels per inch) of about 299, said Shim. That tops the 264 PPI on the 9.7-inch 2,048×1,536 Retina iPad.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Eric Schmidt: Apple vs. Android is the defining fight in tech
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57530193-93/eric-schmidt-apple-vs-android-is-the-defining-fight-in-tech/
In an interview in New York, Google’s executive chairman says Android could be on 1 billion devices in a year.
The world has never seen a platform fight like the one now under way between iOS and Android, Google’s executive chairman said Wednesday evening in New York.
“The Android-Apple platform fight is the defining fight in the industry today,” Eric Schmidt said in an interview with Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher.
“The growth rate of mobile adoption exceeds everyone’s expectations every quarter,” he said. “The devices are becoming so useful that unless you’re a significant knowledge worker, you could probably live most of your life with your mobile device.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Reuters analyst poll, Samsung increased its lead over Apple in the third quarter of 2012. Samsung and Apple were also 10 major mobile phone manufacturers the only ones who were able to increase their market shares.
Analysts predict Samsung sold in July-September, as many as 54.9 million smartphones, while Apple is expected to have reached 26.6 million iPhone sales.
All in all mobile phone shipments are expected to have grown by 8.1 per cent.
In addition to Nokia’s biggest losers on Q3 2012 are LG, HTC, Sony and RIM.
Source: http://www.tietoviikko.fi/kaikki_uutiset/ennuste+samsung+hallitsi+q3lla+nokia+myi+37+miljoonaa+windowspuhelinta/a846613?s=r&wtm=tietoviikko/-11102012&
Tomi Engdahl says:
Google readying on-device malware scanner for Android
Could block bad apps from any source
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/10/13/android_ondevice_malware_scanning/
Android malware is on the rise, but the good news is that Google isn’t sitting still for it. The search giant is reportedly readying a comprehensive anti-malware system for its mobile OS that will soon be able to spot malicious apps not just in the Google Play store, but also on Android devices themselves.
According to a report by the Android Police fan site, the latest, as-yet-unreleased build of the Google Play shopping app contains code snippets that suggest links to a future onboard malware scanner.
Text strings included in the Google Play 3.9.16 APK package file include such tidbits as, “Allow Google to check all apps on this device for harmful behavior?” And, “To protect you, Google has blocked the installation of this app.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple rethinking Samsung chip partnership, say sources
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57531694-92/apple-rethinking-samsung-chip-partnership-say-sources/
Apple appears to be in the process of shifting chip production from Samsung to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.
Apple has begun the process of lessening its dependency on Samsung for chipmaking, an analyst told CNET.
“Apple is working with TSMC at 20 nanometers,” said Gus Richard, a chip analyst at Piper Jaffray, referring to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s most advanced 20-nanometer (nm) manufacturing process.
Another chip industry source contacted by CNET confirmed this. “The Apple-Samsung relationship has deteriorated to such a poor point that they’re just looking to fill contractual obligations, then make a change,” said the source, who corroborated the move to TSMC at 20 nanometers.
This shift will not happen overnight, though.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bill of Materials: Nokia’s Lumia 900 and Samsung’s S II Skyrocket
http://www.isuppli.com/teardowns/news/pages/nokia-900-carries-bill-of-materials-of-$209.aspx
The Skyrocket’s BOM amounts to only 43 percent of its retail price.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inside the Apple Lightning Cable
http://www.chipworks.com/blog/recentteardowns/2012/10/15/inside-the-apple-lightning-cable/
We couldn’t help but notice that there is a lot of speculation and discussion (and frankly, a few wild guesses) concerning the functions of the Apple’s new lightning connectors. We don’t normally give (a total of five blogs!) this much attention to a single electronics teardown, but since we haven’t seen it elsewhere yet, we figured the world needed “just one more thing” on the Apple iPhone 5.
We have confirmed that the Lightning cable does have four chips embedded in it, plus some passive devices. Two of these chips are very simple (only a couple of transistors), and the third is an NXP NX20P3. However, the fourth and arguably most interesting of these is the TI chip.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Foxconn Thinks the iPhone 5 Is a Pain in the Ass
http://motherboard.vice.com/2012/10/17/foxconn-thinks-the-iphone-5-is-a-pain-in-the-ass–2
Everybody has their own theory about the iPhone 5 shortage that’s been plaguing all of planet Earth since the device hit stores last month.
China’s largest electronics manufacturer, the already-loathed Foxconn, is now taking the fall for the iPhone 5 shortage that’s annoyed consumers and worried investors in recent weeks. What’s the holdup? They don’t have enough parts? They’re training new line workers? They’re too busy trying to regain control of their factories after employees started rioting? Nah. According to the company, the iPhone 5 is just a huge pain in the ass to put together. That bit about the riots is a little bit true, too, though.
Foxconn stepped forward to take the fall in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. “The iPhone 5 is the most difficult device that Foxconn has ever assembled. To make it light and thin, the design is very complicated,” an unnamed Foxconn executive told the paper. “It takes time to learn how to make this new device. Practice makes perfect. Our productivity has been improving day by day.” The executive added, “It’s always hard to satisfy both aesthetic needs and practical needs.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
A $99 Nexus tablet could spawn a new race to the bottom, but is it possible yet?
Yes, but not without compromises
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/17/3515494/google-nexus-99-dollar-tablet-rumor
Earlier today, perpetual rumor-mill DigiTimes reported that Google was readying a $99 Nexus tablet for release by the end of the year. It’s not the first time we’ve heard such rumors: DigiTimes has already mentioned a $99 Nexus in the past, and CNET last week cited an NPD analyst as confirming a $99 Nexus would go into production before the year’s end. Unlike some rumors, however, this one is fairly specific: it claims that Google is working with a trio of Asian manufacturers — WonderMedia, HannStar, and Quanta — to bring the tablet to market, and even goes so far as to name its processor, the WonderMedia PRIZM 8950. While there is a possibility that DigiTimes — which gets as many rumors wrong as it gets right — has this one nailed, it seems unlikely. Here’s why.
The biggest problem lies in the processor, which would make powering anything more than a relatively low-resolution 480 x 800 (WVGA) display problematic. It’s a single-core Cortex-A9 800MHz processor paired with a Mali-400 GPU
It’s probable that, should it be planning a cheaper Nexus tablet, Google would continue to turn to more-established chip makers like Qualcomm, Nvidia, or TI.
Would a lesser processor and screen really enable Google to halve the price of a tablet without compromising its Nexus brand? Unlikely; but with strong competition from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, the netbook-style “race to the bottom” is on, and the very existence of the Nexus 7 indicates Google’s willingness to play along.
Tomi Engdahl says:
iCloud: Sharing done wrong
http://www.macworld.com/article/2012139/icloud-sharing-done-wrong.html
Despite the prominent addition of sharing features in iOS 6 and Mountain Lion, the company’s concept of “sharing” is actually a narrow one. And in an increasingly interconnected era—when people are spending more and more time sharing words, images, files, and more with other people and among a variety of devices—that’s a problem.
Looking at iCloud in particular, it seems that Apple’s approach to sharing is almost antithetical to the concept itself. The online service rigidly defines what you can share and how you can share it; its primary directive often seems to be to keep you inside Apple’s ecosystem.
Indeed, Apple’s idea of making all of your files accessible to you from anywhere through iCloud overlooks two specific user needs: Sometimes you want to open files in multiple programs, and sometimes more than one person needs access to a file.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple resumes User Tracking with iOS 6. Here’s how to disable it
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/10/17/how-to-disable-apple-ios-user-tracking-ios-6/
Apple got caught with its hand in the cookie jar when privacy experts protested the use of a universal device identifier, or UDID, to track the online preferences of iPhone and iPad users.
Enough is enough, right? Well, maybe not.
It looks like device tracking is back with iOS 6, courtesy of a new tracking technology: IDFA, or identifier for advertisers.
Like the UDID, the IDFA uniquely identifies your Apple device.
Tomi says:
Bitten: Apple’s ‘blasphemous’ logo under fire in Russia
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57535567-1/bitten-apples-blasphemous-logo-under-fire-in-russia/
Some Russian Orthodox Christians see the iconic logo as a symbol of sin that they would like to see outlawed.
According to a translation of a Russian news report that’s been kicking around the Web, some conservative believers see the image of the bitten apple as a symbol of Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Bible. Some have gone so far as to cover up the logo and replace it with an image of a cross.
Now, new anti-blasphemy laws proposed in Russia’s parliament could conceivably prevent Apple from selling products with its own logo in the country.
Tomi says:
Is Google about to start scanning your Android for malware?
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/10/12/google-scanning-android-malware/
Do you still think that there’s no need for an anti-virus on your Android smartphone? Soon you might not have any choice.
Judging by a report on the Android Police website, a new edition of the Google Play app (Android’s equivalent to the iOS App Store) has put in place the foundations for some kind of anti-virus functionality.
Looking at the code seen inside the app, it appears that Google could soon have the capability to perform anti-malware scans on your smartphone.
Google attempts to keep malware out of its official Google Play Marketplace (with varying levels of success), but that doesn’t stop users from installing Trojans from unofficial sources.
Tomi says:
Sophos has a free anti-virus for Android which you can download (naturally enough) from the Google Play store.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sophos.smsec&hl=en
Tomi says:
Mozilla launches Firefox marketplace for Android
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2218602/mozilla-launches-firefox-marketplace-for-android
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Mozilla has launched a preview edition of its integrated Firefox marketplace for Android developers.
Available now in the Aurora development version of Firefox for Android, the feature includes a number of “showcase apps” in the areas of games, productivity and news and media that users can browse, install and use.
For now, the Firefox Marketplace is for free apps only, but Mozilla said it aims to build its store into a channel that enables developers “to build distribute and monetise rich, immersive apps that use Web technologies like HTML, JavaScript and CSS”.
Tomi says:
ZAP – Zscaler Application Profiler
How safe is your mobile application?
http://zap.zscaler.com/
Input the name of an iOS or Android application in order to view historical scan results.
For searching an iOS application enter the search term as “App name iOS”. Similarly, when searching for an Android application, enter the search term as “App name Android”.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Revealed: Everything that Google will unveil at its Android event on October 29
http://thenextweb.com/google/2012/10/21/revealed-everything-that-google-will-announce-at-its-android-event-on-october-29/
Diverting some of the attention away from Apple’s ‘iPad mini’ unveiling on October 23 and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 event on October 29, Google is to unveil a number of new devices and software improvements on the same day as Microsoft – and we have all the details.
Tomi says:
Samsung terminates LCD contract with Apple
http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/samsung-terminates-lcd-contract-with-apple-20121022/
Samsung has decided to terminate an ongoing contract with Apple to supply LCD panels for use in its growing range of devices. That means, come next year, there will be no Samsung panels used across the iPad, iPod, iPhone, and Mac range of devices.
The reason seems to be two-fold. On the one hand, Apple has been working hard to secure supplies from other manufacturers and therefore decrease its reliance on Samsung. On the other, Apple is well-known for demanding and pushing lower pricing meaning it just doesn’t make business sense anymore for Samsung to keep supplying Apple with displays.
Losing 15 million panels in a growing market and when you are introducing new devices like the iPad Mini could lead to a serious shortfall in supplies. The question is whether LG and Sharp can increase supply enough to compensate, or whether Apple has other suppliers ready to step in and help.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Samsung says it’s still supplying LCD panels to Apple
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57537773-37/samsung-says-its-still-supplying-lcd-panels-to-apple/
A Samsung spokesman refutes a report out of Korea that the electronics giant is ending its agreement to supply LCDs to Apple.
Tomi says:
Apple Introduces iPad mini
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/10/23Apple-Introduces-iPad-mini.html
“iPad mini is every inch an iPad. With its gorgeous 7.9-inch display, iPad mini features the same number of pixels as the original iPad and iPad 2
iPad mini features a front-facing FaceTime HD camera and a 5 megapixel iSight camera on the back
iPad mini features dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi support
iPad mini with Wi-Fi models will be available in black & slate or white & silver on Friday, November 2, for a suggested retail price of $329 (US) for the 16GB model, $429 (US) for the 32GB model and $529 (US) for the 64GB model.
iPad mini and fourth generation iPad both feature support for the Lightning™ connector that is smaller, smarter and more durable than the 30-pin connector.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple’s products: mostly hits, along with a few notable whiffs
http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/brians-brain/4399180/Apple-s-products–mostly-hits–along-with-a-few-notable-whiffs?cid=EDNToday
Apple’s top 10 worst: Are these more kludgy than the first?
http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/brians-brain/4399304/Apple-s-top-10-worst–Are-these-more-kludgy-than-the-first-?cid=EDNToday
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple’s Rubber Band Patent Tentatively Rejected on Reexamination
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20121023121611827
Apple’s patent #7,469,381, the notorious rubber-band patent it’s been going after Android with, has just been tentatively rejected by the USPTO on reexamination.
I believe that it’s claim 19 that Apple used against Samsung. So this is a significant development, should it become final. Claim 19, according to the communication, was “anticipated by” Lira and Ording. The jury found the same patent not only valid but infringed by Samsung and based damages on it (see amended verdict form[PDF]), just a little more proof that this was a jury that goofed every which way. But it’s up to the judge how to handle this new bit of news.
Samsung has already filed this news with the court in California.
That means there is prior art. The jury at trial didn’t recognize any valid prior art, if you recall. That’s one of the issues that Samsung has brought to the table in post-trial motions. And now, as you can see, the USPTO does not agree with this jury.
So, if this turns out to be an invalid patent after all, who makes Samsung whole for all its expense creating the workaround and also for the inability to sell devices during the injunction? And how is its good name restored? You tell me. That’s the court’s job to try to find a solution. And it’s a job for Superman. Once your reputation is smeared, it’s hard to get it back. Think of the loathsome headlines about Samsung being a copycat and a willful infringer.
In short, if I were Samsung, I’d be furious.
Would you like to know how to avoid this kind of inevitable harm from stupid software patents? Make sure no one can patent software. Period.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Samsung shipped a stunning 57M smartphones in Q3 — twice as many as Apple
Read more at http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/25/samsung-shipped-a-stunning-57m-smartphones-in-q3-twice-as-many-as-apple/#5bxZCWv7PoFjerq8.99
Tomi Engdahl says:
Google’s Android event had to be canceled because Sandy storm is expected to hit New York in a few days. Google’s event was scheduled to take place in an area have been evacuated
Source: http://m.tietoviikko.fi/Uutiset/Googlen+Android-tapahtuma+peruuntui
Tomi Engdahl says:
Android Captures Record 41 Percent Share of Global Tablet Shipments in Q3 2012
http://blogs.strategyanalytics.com/TTS/post/2012/10/25/Android-Captures-Record-41-Percent-Share-of-Global-Tablet-Shipments-in-Q3-2012.aspx
According to the latest research from our Tablet & Touchscreen Strategies (TTS) service, global tablet shipments reached 25 million units in the third quarter of 2012. Apple iOS slipped to 57 percent global market share, allowing Android to capture a record 41 percent share.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Slideshow: Apple iPad 3 Teardown
http://www.designnews.com/document.asp?doc_id=240862&cid=NL_Newsletters+-+DN+Daily
Mariano Manero says:
Really Appreciate this update, how can I make is so that I receive an email when you publish a new update?
Tomi Engdahl says:
iPad mini review
Apple takes on a new market with a smaller tablet
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/30/3576178/apple-ipad-mini-review
to think of the iPad mini as a companion to the 3rd or 4th generation iPad — some kind of secondary player to the bigger version — would probably be a mistake.
But regardless of market positioning, the iPad mini has to be viewed in a world with a $199 Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HD — two strong performers that are a far cry, at least in price, from the iPad mini. Even though Apple might want consumers to see these as separate product categories, consumers may only see that $129 gulf.
On the other hand, Apple has a lot to fill that gulf, including the absolute best software ecosystem for tablets on the planet right now. But is the iPad mini worth the stretch, or would you be smarter to save the cash and saddle up to another device?
Wrap-up
The iPad mini is an excellent tablet — but it’s not a very cheap one. Whether that’s by design, or due to market forces beyond Apple’s control, I can’t say for sure. I can’t think of another company that cares as much about how its products are designed and built — or one that knows how to maximize a supply chain as skillfully — so something tells me it’s no accident that this tablet isn’t selling for $200. It doesn’t feel like Apple is racing to some lowest-price bottom — rather it seems to be trying to raise the floor.
And it does raise the floor here.
The iPad mini hasn’t wrapped up the “cheapest tablet” market by any stretch of the imagination. But the “best small tablet” market? Consider it captured.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple settles with Motorola
Apple has provided a Motorola patent licensing some dollars per unit. The compromise comes just five days before the company is expected to take lawsuits puimaan the same subject.
The patents in question on UMTS, GPRS, GSM and WLAN standards and their use are necessary. Thus, licensing of patents shall comply with the so-called FRAND principle, that is, it must be of a “fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory.”
Motorola patents requires 2.25 percent fee per device.
Source: http://www.tietoviikko.fi/kaikki_uutiset/apple+sovittelee+motorolan+kanssa++maksaisi+jokaisesta+laitteesta+dollarin/a852412?s=r&wtm=tietoviikko/-01112012&
Tomi Engdahl says:
No iPad mini queue in London, you can walk in and buy one
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/48289/no-ipad-mini-queue-walk-in
Unlike the frenzied scenes outside the very same shop on iPhone 5 release day, today’s launch of the iPad mini is positively civilised. There’s no queue to speak of, no press lurking outside ready to pounce on fanboys as they emerge into the light with their new device, and there’s not a lot for the store security to worry about.
there’s plenty of activity around the iPad mini area, with eager shoppers checking out the 7.9-inch tablet’s curves
Tomi Engdahl says:
Android-based smartphone operating system share of a growing market rose to 75 percent in July-September. Symbian dropped dramatically to 4.1 per cent. It is a still higher Phone for Windows.
Source: http://www.digitoday.fi/mobiili/2012/11/05/oho-symbian-on-yha-windows-phonea-suurempi/201241362/66?rss=6
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple Sells Three Million iPads in Three Days
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/11/05Apple-Sells-Three-Million-iPads-in-Three-Days.html
Wi-Fi Only Models of New iPad mini & Fourth Generation iPad Double Previous First Weekend Sales
“Customers around the world love the new iPad mini and fourth generation iPad,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We set a new launch weekend record and practically sold out of iPad minis. We’re working hard to build more quickly to meet the incredible demand.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Android Tablets Gain Momentum in the Third Quarter, Expectations Remain High for the Holiday Quarter, According to IDC
https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS23772412
Worldwide tablet shipments totaled 27.8 million units in the third quarter of 2012 (3Q12), according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker. The tablet market grew 49.5% year over year in 3Q12 and 6.7% over the second quarter of 2012. Android shipments, led by Samsung and Amazon, surged during the quarter, at the expense of Apple, which saw its share slip notably during the quarter.
“We believe a sizeable percentage of consumers interested in buying an Apple tablet sat out the third quarter in anticipation of an announcement about the new iPad mini. Now that the new mini, and a fourth-generation full-sized iPad, are both shipping we expect Apple to have a very good quarter. However, we believe the mini’s relatively high $329 starting price leaves plenty of room for Android vendors to build upon the success they achieved in the third quarter.”
Apple’s slowdown put a sizeable dent in the company’s commanding worldwide market tablet share, which slipped from 65.5% in 2Q12 to 50.4% in 3Q12.
The remaining top five tablet vendors all gained share during the quarter as a result. Most notable was the impressive quarter turned out by Samsung
The top 5 was rounded out by Amazon, ASUS, and Lenovo; with all three vendors experiencing sequential growth over 2Q12
Tomi Engdahl says:
Teardown Shows Apple iPad Mini Costs at Least $188 to Build
http://allthingsd.com/20121103/teardown-shows-apple-ipad-mini-costs-at-least-188-to-build/
Previously known as iSuppli, and widely known for its so-called “teardown” analysis reports, IHS has just completed its teardown report on the Apple’s newest iteration of the tablet. The verdict: The base model, a Wi-Fi-only 16 gigabyte iPad mini, which sells for a starting retail price of $329, costs about $188 to build. Adding additional memory — the options are 32GB and 64GB — adds only incremental cost but a fair amount of profit, amounting to an additional $90 for the 32GB version and $162 per unit on the 64GB model.
Aside from the cost of materials — known in industry lingo as a Bill of Materials (BOM) — the teardown also revealed the identities of several key suppliers on the latest device.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Dear Apple, stop overcharging for extra iPad memory
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-57542985-243/dear-apple-stop-overcharging-for-extra-ipad-memory/
Yeah, Apple may end up selling a lot of iPad Minis, but the price for bumping the storage up to 32GB or 64GB is getting ridiculous.
You see, I’ve been around iOS devices long enough to know that 16GB of storage space just doesn’t cut it — throw a couple of high-res games and an HD movie or two on the thing, and you’re starting to hit the limit. That put me at $429 for the 32GB model. Tack on the extra dough for sales tax and suddenly I was over $450.
I can understand paying a nice premium over what you’d typically pay for flash memory, but it gets a little ridiculous when you’re paying five times what you’d normally pay.
The other thing that bothers me is why it costs $100 to bump up 16GB — going from 16GB to 32GB — when you get 32GB for the same price when you go from 32GB or 64GB. Yes, 64GB flash memory configurations used to be pretty pricey, but they’re significantly cheaper now. It just doesn’t add up.
As for Apple’s competitors, Amazon charges $50 — or half the price — to go from 16GB to 32GB with the Kindle Fire HD. Same goes for Google and its Nexus 7.
As for Apple’s competitors, Amazon charges $50 — or half the price — to go from 16GB to 32GB with the Kindle Fire HD. Same goes for Google and its Nexus 7.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Mary Meeker Gives Mid-Year Internet Trends Report: Android Adoption Ramping Up 6X Faster Than iPhone
http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/05/mary-meeker-internet-trends/
KPCB partner Mary Meeker usually publishes her famed Internet Trends report once a year, but gave a small San Francisco crowd a mid-year update tonight. The biggest new facts? Android phone adoption is ramping up six times faster than iPhone, and Android surpassed Windows as the #1 OS for Internet-enabled devices in Q1 2012.
Meeker noted that iPad adoption is now ramping up five times faster than iPhone adoption, up from 3X in her May report. Meanwhile Android adoption is increasing six times faster than iPhone adoption, up from 4X.
According to her research, there will be 1 billion smartphone users but 5 billion mobile phone users by the end of 2012, showing the massive popularity of the cheap feature phone. In May, Meeker reported that there were 953 million smartphone subscriptions and 6.1 billion mobile phone subscriptions, though those count multiple subscriptions by the same person.
Meeker says that in Q1 2012 the amount of Internet-enabled Android devices shipped surpassed the number of Windows Internet-enabled devices shipped. That was when Android was at around 90 million units shipped per quarter. By the end of 2013, Meeker expects there to be 160 million Android devices, 100 million Windows devices, and 80 million iOS devices shipped per quarter.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Last remaining reason to order an iPhone 5 disappears
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/09/25/iphone_5_fashionable_argument_disappears/
Opinion OK, so it’s well known that buying an iPhone 5 is a foolish decision if you want a fully-featured smartphone with any useful new technology in it (the new Apple phone isn’t one, and doesn’t have any).
Surely that’s worth coughing up a few hundred measly dollars (or equivalent) for? Especially as you also get a new phone, albeit one selectively crippled by its makers in order to enrich themselves at your expense.
If you wait until it can be had on a reasonable contract at a reasonable price (or until reasonable 4G coverage has been achieved, or until iOS 6 Maps is reasonably good, etc) … well. At that point nobody you know will care, or seek your opinion, or in any way big you up because you have the latest iPhone. Yes, you’ll save money on the actual purchase, but you might spend/lose it all again in some other (possibly less successful) attempt to get people to pay attention to you.
So, given that there is literally no other good reason to buy an iPhone 5 apart from its temporary and rapidly-decaying attention grabbing qualities, the time to get one (if you’re going to) is surely now – without the loss of a single moment.
Unfortunately you can’t. Delays to shipping dates have slipped in many regions to as far off as five weeks: and by that point the hysteria will be over and you will not get your ego-boosting halo effect.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Slideshow: Apple iPad Mini Teardown
http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1386&doc_id=253634&cid=NL_Newsletters+-+DN+Daily
Tomi Engdahl says:
Slideshow: Apple iPad 4 Teardown
http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1386&doc_id=254098&cid=NL_Newsletters+-+DN+Daily
Apple Inc.’s announcement of the iPad mini on Oct. 23 was widely expected. It was the second announcement that caught many industry observers off guard — going against the typical one iPad-per-year product cycle, Apple stunned reporters with the announcement of a fourth-generation iPad (or iPad 4), just over six months since the launch of the iPad 3.
Tomi Engdahl says:
“Android tablets pass the iPad next year”
Consulting company Finvista Advisors working Singh relies on a market researcher IDC’s figures.
Until two years ago, the iPad tablet sales accounted for 87 per cent, but this year’s third quarter, more hastily than 50 per cent. Android tablet sales have recently increased six times faster than iPad.
Android manufacturers have got serious about the contest by clicking the Amazon on the road: low price to attract buyers. Apple is still no reason for great concern
Surface and other Windows RT tablets RT does not seem to have chance in the race.
Source: http://www.3t.fi/artikkeli/uutiset/teknologia/android_tabletit_ohittavat_ipadin_ensi_vuonna
Tomi Engdahl says:
Steve Ballmer: Android Ecosystem Is Wild And Uncontrolled, Apple Is High Priced And Highly Controlled
http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/14/steve-ballmer-android-ecosystem-is-wild-and-uncontrolled-apple-is-high-priced-and-highly-controlled/
Now that Ballmer is talking about his competitors he let out a few bonzo words when it came to Google and Apple and the state of their phone ecosystems, especially when it comes to apps.
- On the Android ecosystem, Ballmer called it: “Wild”, “Uncontrolled”, and susceptible to malware.
- On the Apple ecosystem, Ballmer called it “High priced” and “Highly controlled.”
He truly believes that Microsoft can wedge itself in between the two to be successful with diversity and organization.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Nokia: We’ve Stooped In Smartphones To Conquer In Windows Phone 8 — “We Will Innovate, Out-Maneuver, Outsell Everyone”
http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/14/nokia-weve-stooped-in-smartphones-to-conquer-with-windows-phone-8-we-will-innovate-outmanoeuvre-outsell-everyone/
The 800lb gorilla in the room is of course Google’s Android OS — which owned a full three-quarters (75%) of the global market in Q3, according to IDC estimates
— versus a fractional 2% for Windows Phone (plus Microsoft’s older Windows Mobile OS combined). That figure incorporates all OEMs using Windows Phone, not just Nokia
Tomi says:
Android Hits 73% of Global Smartphone Market
http://news.slashdot.org/story/12/11/15/1823201/android-hits-73-of-global-smartphone-market
“Gartner’s released a report on worldwide numbers of 2012 3Q phone sales”
“t’s time to face the facts and realize that Android now owns 73% of the worldwide smartphone market.”
“the biggest growth market of them all is China, which is more than 90% Android.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
iPhone, iPad sales to surge over next two quarters, says analyst
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57550189-37/iphone-ipad-sales-to-surge-over-next-two-quarters-says-analyst/
Consumers’ appetite for the iPhone 5 and the new iPads will be higher than expected this quarter and on into 2013, a Morgan Stanley analyst predicts.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Woz Worries Microsoft Is Now More Innovative Than Apple
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/12/11/15/2340246/woz-worries-microsoft-is-now-more-innovative-than-apple
“According to a techcrunch interview, Woz believes that Microsoft is now more innovative than Apple. Per the interview, it seems as though Apple is now just doing newer versions of the iPhone, and are potentially headed into a rut.”
Keen On… Steve Wozniak: Why Woz Worries Microsoft Is Now More Innovative Than Apple [TCTV]
http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/14/keen-on-steve-wozniak-why-woz-worries-microsoft-is-now-more-innovative-than-apple-tctv/
Tomi Engdahl says:
High-flying Apple falls to earth as investors fret over taxes
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/16/us-usa-apple-stock-idUSBRE8AF18S20121116
Apple Inc, the largest U.S. stock by market value, was headed toward its eighth straight week of declines on Friday, as the rush to secure profits before a potential hike in capital gains taxes next year has investors dumping the market favorite.
Tomi Engdahl says:
This Trend Is Very Worrisome For Apple
http://www.businessinsider.com/mobile-market-share-2012-11?op=1
a major long-term risk for Apple, which is the gradual loss of mobile market share to the Android platform.
This trend has continued in recent months, to the point where Apple has now been reduced to a niche player in the global market.
The more market share Apple loses, the more worried Apple shareholders should become. And the more Apple should consider making a subtle but important shift to its product and pricing strategy.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Apple’s profits fetish could spell its DOOM
Mobile world will soon be like PCs
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/20/open_and_shut/
The other shoe is about to drop in the mobile market. For years Apple has dominated mobile, both in terms of market share and in terms of profits. It was an enviable position, and a unique one, borne of Apple’s commitment to out-innovating the industry, allowing it to consistently charge a premium for its products. But as the industry has matured, Apple has haemorrhaged market share to low-cost Android.
In turn, it is now also losing its hold on industry profits. Given Apple’s fetish for profits over market share, it is consigning itself to a repeat of its battle with Microsoft, wherein it ends up as a profitable, but niche, market player.
It was supposed to be different this time. Apple had supposedly learned from its Microsoft mistakes.
Yes, it has worked. For a time. But Apple’s hold on industry profits is starting to slip, even as its market share plummets.
Not only is Apple losing market share in established markets like North America and Western Europe, but it’s practically an afterthought in the world’s most critical market: China.
An Analysys International report, as detailed on BGR.com, shows Android with more than 90 per cent of the China market
That’s up from 58.2 per cent in 2011, and is even more interesting when you see Apple declining in China to 4.2 per cent (from 6 per cent in 2011). In a market with more than one billion subscribers, that’s market share Apple can ill-afford to lose.
Apple is a great company, consistently building products that I’ve been very happy to buy. But its manic desire to control its ecosystem, coupled with its insistence on sky-high margins at the expense of market share, all but ensure that it will soon be an important, but niche, mobile vendor. A few years ago, this seemed impossible, at least, to those who had no memory of the desktop market. But for those of us who lived through Apple vs Microsoft, it’s very, very familiar.
What’s surprising is that Apple doesn’t seem to have learned from its mistakes. It’s not enough to be a profitable niche company in a platform market, as Blodget argues.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Samsung to ship more than 60M smartphones in Q4, says analyst
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57553167-94/samsung-to-ship-more-than-60m-smartphones-in-q4-says-analyst/
The Korean smartphone maker could ship as many as 61.5 million smartphones, a 5 percent gain from the prior quarter, says a UBS analyst.
Samsung should enjoy a profitable quarter if one analyst’s smartphone projections are on the money.