Apple and Google still dominate the smartphone space, but look out for Microsoft, which finally has some muscle behind its mobile strategy. Meanwhile mobile-browser developers went head-to-head with native apps, and Facebook continued to buy mobile expertise via acquisition. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Alleged details of Windows Phone 8 emerged on Thursday in a leaked video intended for Microsoft’s partners. Information from the video was written up by PocketNow and upon first glance, all the details seem feasible. More importantly, they’re what Microsoft needs to improve sales. Read more »
The past year in mobile has been even more eventful than most of us would have predicted. Our appetite for mobile data grew dramatically; Google’s Android continued its march to worldwide dominance; Amazon joined the tablet bandwagon; and AT&T tried and failed to acquire T-Mobile USA, among many other things. All of that activity lays the groundwork for a very promising — and very challenging — 2012. This research note serves both as a review of the major trends and events of 2011 as well as a forecast for the coming year. Companies mentioned in this report include Millennial Media, Quattro Wireless and Samsung. For a full list of companies, and to read the full research note, sign up for a free trial. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Nokia’s sales of Windows Phone handsets aren’t impressing at least one analyst, who has drastically cut quarterly estimates from 2 million to 500,000 sales. With the two-horse race between Google Android and Apple iOS, it’s tough for Nokia to gain traction, even with outstanding hardware. Read more »
While I like many aspects of the new Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5, or Mango, software, one key issue I have is lack of support for showing multiple calendars from a single Gmail account. Here’s a simple workaround to fix the problem for your Windows Phone device. Read more »
Nokia’s Windows Phone handsets were officially unveiled on Wednesday. The hardware is solid, as expected, but is missing at least one key feature. And there’s actually little to differentiate the Nokia phones from other Windows Phone handsets. Here’s my grading of the news for Nokia. Read more »
After throwing its lot in with Microsoft, Nokia is finally starting to ship its first Windows Phone handsets — the Lumia, a new range launched in London today. But while Stephen Elop knows everything’s at stake for the Finnish company, has he delivered? Read more »
On Wednesday in London, Nokia kicks off its anual Nokia World event with a keynote by CEO, Stephen Elop. Both his speech and the Nokia smartphones he’ll introduce will define the company’s next few years and tell the world if the Microsoft partnership will pay off. Read more »
The Mango software update will roll out to existing Windows Phone 7 devices starting today and should get to all devices within a matter of weeks. It sets up Microsoft to finally get into the smartphone game in its second year with WP7. Read more »
Microsoft’s newest Windows Phone browser, coming soon via the Mango software update, shows improvements, but tabs aren’t part of the redesign. The small screen of a smartphone limits what controls can be in the browser, but we’ve seen some clever ways to make it work. Read more »
Microsoft’s next major software update is nearly ready for Windows Phone handsets, expected in the next week or two. Windows Phone is set to gain momentum due to the improvements in the Mango software, making it a real contender for the No. 3 mobile platform. Read more »
Windows Phone 7 sales have been slow, but Microsoft is steadily building up the platform with more apps and features. The latest is the ability share a mobile broadband data connection in the Mango software update, but it appears carriers will have control over its use. Read more »
Microsoft’s hardware requirements for Windows Phone 7 Mango devices will add support for front-facing cameras, and Skype will support them. To help broaden the appeal of Windows Phone 7 smartphones, Microsoft should deeply integrate Skype into the platform and consider adding unique services. Read more »
Matt and Kevin are back with the weekly podcast, this time sharing hands-on impressions of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 Mango software update. Plus thoughts on the new Acer A100 7-inch Honeycomb tablet, HP’s TouchPad and Research In Motion’s smartphone strategy with several new handset models. Read more »
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform is set to improve with Mango, a software update coming soon. I’ve spent some time with Mango on my smartphone, and it didn’t take long to impress me. Microsoft has a tough road ahead due to competition, but Mango will help. Read more »
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 sales may be lagging, but the company is making sure it continues to develop the app ecosystem, which can help boost sales. Apps are now supported in more countries and developers have new Marketplace tools in preparation for the next software update. Read more »
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform is set to improve later this year, and part of the software improvements focuses on something rivals don’t have: a thriving Xbox Live game community boasting 35 million members who average 60 hours per month on the service. Read more »
Research firm IDC reiterated that it expects Windows Phone 7 to soar to number two by 2015 with 20 percent of the market, trailing only Android. But with the market moving so fast and competition so fierce, predictions like this seem premature. Read more »
With the smartphone market zooming ahead, Microsoft formerly announced the latest update to its new Windows Phone 7 operating system called Mango, which brings a host of features that leverage Bing, Facebook and rich use of the hardware. But the release is not scheduled until fall. Read more »
By fall, Microsoft will push the next Windows Phone 7 update, including an IE9 browser, developer access to the camera and motion sensors, improved performance, multitasking and support for an ever so slightly wider range of hardware. Where will competitors be and what’s taking so long? Read more »
