901am

New Media News Every Morning

Acer To Microsoft: Stop Micro Managing Me! (Tablets)

By

Microsoft is apparently taking cues from Android, as the company is attempting to micromanage manufactures in order to produce a tablet that can contend against the mighty iPad 2.

Unfortunately it seems as if one company is not too thrilled about being controlled, and is already voicing their displeasure to the press.

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is putting “troublesome” restrictions on makers of processors used to run the coming Windows tablet-computer operating system, Acer Inc. (2353) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J.T. Wang said.

“They’re really controlling the whole thing, the whole process,” Wang said at the Computex trade show in Taipei without identifying the restrictions. Chip suppliers and PC makers “all feel it’s very troublesome,” he said. (Bloomberg)

Acer (as well as other manufactures) are probably upset that Microsoft isn’t allowing them to customize the tablets in order to help differentiate them from the sea of Windows tablets that will hit stores in the not so distant future.

However the last thing Microsoft needs is to have their tablet end up being a flop (like Xoom), so it’s in Acer’s best interest to be micro managed as a successful Windows Tablet will help push the company to the forefront (or at the very least help them gain a foot hold in the US).

It’s still unclear what the price will be for Microsoft’s iPad challenger, but hopefully their Windows Tablet will not only match iPad 2’s “inexpensive price,” but battery life as well.

Originally posted on May 31, 2011 @ 5:09 pm

Google Maps Takes The Pain Out Of Bus Waiting

By

Google has just released an update for their 100 million plus mobile Map users (as well as desktop fans), which will please those of you who choose to commute via public transportation.

Starting now, Google Maps for mobile and desktop can tell you when your ride is actually going to arrive with new live transit updates. We partnered with transit agencies to integrate live transit data in four U.S. cities and two European cities: Boston, Portland, Ore., San Diego, San Francisco, Madrid and Turin. (Google Mobile)

Google has yet to announce when they will expand live transit to more cities throughout Europe as well as America, although hopefully the company will consider releasing this feature beyond the western world (as a few Asian economic powers could benefit from this as well).

Not surprisingly Google has blessed Android devices (running version 1.6 or higher) with the update while fans of iOS, webOS, etc. have to use their browser in order to receive similar functionality upon their device.

Note: I wonder if Google will consider expanding this service to the private transportation sector such as taxis and limo services?

Originally posted on June 8, 2011 @ 1:02 pm

Microsoft’s Lawsuits Against Android Are Paying Off

By

Apparently Google isn’t the only company benefiting from Android’s global dominance as it seems that Microsoft is also benefiting from Android’s rise (at least from one manufacture).

Microsoft (who has made it a quest to sue Android manufactures over patent claims) is ironically making more money off of Android than their own mobile OS.

A rough estimate of the number of HTC Android devices shipped is 30 million. If HTC paid $5 per unit to Microsoft, that adds up to $150 million Android revenues for Microsoft.

Microsoft has admitted selling 2 million Windows Phone licenses (though not devices.) Estimating that the license fee is $15/WP phone, that makes Windows Phone revenues to date $30 million. (Asymco)

Microsoft’s strategy of suing their competition is apparently paying off, as Windows Phone 7 sales have yet to witness blockbuster sales seen by iPhone and Android devices.

Currently other manufactures like Motorola have refused to pay Microsoft one cent and are ironically counter suing the software giant over patents they feel Windows Phone 7 (as well as a slew of other products) violate.

Google surprisingly hasn’t come to the aid of their mobile friends, despite the fact that lawsuits like these could hurt Android adoption by manufactures in the long run.

(Image via GreatEreader)

Originally posted on May 27, 2011 @ 2:30 pm

Blackberry Investors Seeking Coup Against RIM?

By

The RIM investors are restless, and apparently there are murmurings for a new CEO to replace the two co-CEO’s currently running the Blackberry empire.

“These guys are very emotionally invested, taxed for time, and feel the pressure of being left behind and seeing your market fade away,” said an investor at a top-30 fund that would likely support but not instigate an activist play.

In an open letter ahead of the BlackBerry conference, Northern Securities analyst Sameet Kanade asked RIM to consider dropping Balsillie as a co-CEO, among other recommendations. (Reuters)

Unfortunately for some of the investors, Balsillie and Lazaridis both share power not only as co-CEO’s, but also apparently as chairman of the board (note: do they rotate with each other?)

Forcing either of them out would require not only a large amount of cash (as one has to buy up a certain percentage of stock), but also a viable plan from the rebel investor to challenge Apple and Android in the upcoming smartphone wars.

Although it’s doubtful that RIM can recover from the blow Apple dealt them during the launch of the iPhone, Blackberry does have a shot of thriving in the tablet arena (as the company is beating everyone save iPad 2).

That latter fact might be Balsillie’s key towards silencing his critics (although if TouchPad steals the silver from Playbook, it might be over for both co-CEO’s).

Do you think RIM should replace their co-CEO, or should the company come up with a better strategy for their Blackberry phone?

(Image via Blackberry Insight)

Originally posted on May 30, 2011 @ 5:13 pm

Should Sony Launch A “Pwn2Own” Competition?

By

Right on the heels of patching up a security flaw from their last hack attack, it looks like hackers were once again able to break into Sony’s servers and embarrass the corporation even further.

Naked Security has more details regarding the hack, although truth be told this latest breach could cost the company millions (if not billions) of dollars in lost future revenue as consumers become weary of shopping upon the Play Station Network.

Although Sony has hired security organizations to help fix any future problems, the company might be better off by launching a Pwn2Own competition in order to help seal up any potential security holes. [Read more…]

Originally posted on May 24, 2011 @ 4:24 pm