BlackBerry firm Research in Motion hurt by tablet cost

It blamed the cost of developing its new tablet-format BlackBerry, as well as a migration of consumers towards cheaper handsets in its product range.
The share price fall came despite the Canadian firm reporting $934m (£579m) net profits for the last quarter, in line with expectations.

Profits were up 31% on a year earlier.
'Investments in the future'
Revenues of $5.6bn - up 36% - were slightly short of expectations, according to the results released after the close of trading on the Nasdaq exchange.

The company has seen its share of its core US market steadily eroded by smartphone rivals.

Some 48% of its business now comes from outside the key markets of the US, Canada and the UK.

But growth in these new markets has gone hand-in-hand with a shift towards lower-margin entry-point products, the firm conceded.

RIM is banking on its new tablet computer - the Playbook - to regain the initiative.
It will be half the size of Apple's iPad and will be compatible with Google's Android operating system.

"These are investments in the future," said co-chief executive Jim Balsillie, explaining the unexpected increase in money spent on research, development, sales and market.

"I have many corporate clients that have approached us about, you know, each wanting tens of thousands, several tens of thousands of Playbooks."

As well as the new product launch, the company is also revamping its operating system.

The firm lowered its profit guidance for the current quarter, and also broadened its range due to uncertainty over the possible impact of Japanese supply chain problems.

Recourse from：http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12856657

Understanding Smart Phone Battery Life

The price of smartphones can easily be about twice the price of a standard mobile phone, although many smart phones have a broad list of features that justifies that cost. There are some other expenses that you will have to consider as well, such as the data charges of your mobile network and any additional phone expenses. Most battery power on smart phones is consumed because of the heavy reliance on data from a mobile network. With many mobile networks rolling out 3G and even 4G data networks, the power that is required by a smart phone to harness this data has a huge impact on the battery life of a smart phone. Also, if you put into consideration that voice calls also consume a lot of battery power, you will find that a smart phone can have a poor battery life.

As clever and innovative as smart phones are, the one challenge that many smart phones have is their battery life. Despite manufacturer quotes of battery lives that can go on for days, the average smart phone will only last about 3 -5 days if used to a very minimal extent. A standard cell phone can last even longer, because it does not require the same amount of power and data that a smart phone needs. The way that most people who own a smart phone work around this problem is to either get a double capacity battery or an accessory that will allow them to charge their smart phone on the go.

Of course, the overall experience of a smartphone is one that can easily overshadow the problem of battery life. For example, having access to the internet on the go can prove indispensible to many people who appreciate and communicate in cyberspace a lot. If you are someone who does not need internet access regularly, you may decide to look elsewhere, although many run of the mill mobile phones are also being developed to include a few features that smart phones have had for years. These include the ability to connect to the internet on the go, email and other PDA features such as organizers and calendars among others.

Overall, the smart phone experience is one that has grown in momentum and it is possible that in the near future, most cell phones will be some kind of smart phone as the market continues to grow.

Types of Mobile Phones

Gone are the days when you were stuck in traffic but had no way to contact your family and friends who were waiting for you at home. Wherever you are and whatever you’re busy with, the mobile phone is your constant companion. It has gradually become part of our daily lives. A day without it seems impossible.

There are many types of mobile phones, each with its advantages and some with disadvantages too. A study of the different types of cell phones in the market shows the huge variety and styles available; some with great features, others with reasonable prices and affordable packages.

Let’s take a look at some of the available mobile phones in the market. The most common, and possibly the easiest to use, is the traditional mobile phone. Generally, it does not offer a lot of applications and is simple in build and style. Whatever applications come with the phone can’t be upgraded or changed. However, the newer generation of these phones does come with built-in browsers. These are cheaper and thus the first choice for many.

The second choice, which is becoming increasingly popular, is the Blackberry. It is a far more advanced system, in which you can upload new applications and browsers with ease. Even the design is sleeker and more sophisticated, but as can be expected the Blackberry is far more expensive than regular phones.

The third category of cell phones, the Smartphone, is a highly technical, advanced piece of equipment. That certainly does not mean that it is difficult to use though. On the contrary, a lot of people get used to the Smartphone in a matter of minutes. If you own a Smartphone, you don’t really need a computer. It’s a computer and a phone all in one, making it a very desirable device to own. It can easily download new and advanced applications, keeping it up to date with the latest trends. What’s more, all your work can be stored on it just like a regular computer. It is light in weight making it easy to carry as well. The price, of course, is considerable making it out of the reach of some.

The Apple iPhone is in a category all of its own. These smart phones, for the first time, allowed people to go to almost any website on the internet. It’s the ultimate favorite for people who spend a lot of time surfing the net. Initially, these phones were built in a way where you could not upload new applications on to it. But the newer generation iPhones can install the latest applications.

New BlackBerry due soon in North America

TORONTO — The new BlackBerry model should be coming to North America within a month now that Research In Motion Ltd. has started selling it in Germany and Chile.

The first major new BlackBerry model in more than a year, the Bold is a high-end BlackBerry that has twice the screen resolution of current models made by RIM. The Bold, or 9000, matches the resolution, but not the size, of the screen on Apple's iPhone, which has emerged as a potent competitor in the smartphone category.

AT&T Inc. says it will be the exclusive U.S. carrier for the Bold, as it is for the iPhone. An AT&T spokesman declined to say when the company will release it.

But Peter Misek, an analyst with Canaccord Adams, said he expects AT&T to start selling it on Sept. 15, and Rogers Communications in Canada to release it on Aug. 18.

Some stores in Canada have already unveiled a store model and fliers.

Genuity Capital Markets analyst Deepak Chopra also expects it will be released in the United States in mid-September.

RIM had announced a summer release for the Bold, but many people had expected the phone to be available in June. Misek said issues with chips and battery life caused a delay.
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The company has begun to roll out the BlackBerry Bold in some markets through partnerships with wireless carriers there. RIM unveiled the Bold in Chile on July 22, and in Germany on Aug. 6.

RIM had no comment about specific plans in North America.

Misek said the Bold will cost about $200 in the United States depending on the contract.

After enjoying years of success in the corporate market, RIM has targeted the consumer market with the Curve and the Pearl. Like those consumer-oriented phones, the Bold has a full-size headset jack and a camera that can also capture video.

The Bold has a glossy metallic look and adds corporate-strength Wi-Fi capabilities to third-generation cellular and Bluetooth radios. Otherwise it stays close to the formula of the Curve, with a horizontal screen above a trackball and a keyboard with one letter per key.

Many people consider BlackBerrys easier to use for e-mail and text-messaging than the iPhone because they have traditional keypads instead of touchscreens.

Misek said the Bold is the first of a series of new models that RIM plans on releasing, including a touchscreen BlackBerry called the Thunder. Misek said RIM has 5 million to 7 million people who have older versions than the Curve, Pearl and World phone and could be targets of an upgrade.

RESOURCE FROM:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26221153/

Don’t Let Your Cell Phone Get Hacked!

There are not too many people left in the world today who can say that they don’t possess a mobile phone. Cell phones have become as common today as wearing shoes. They are as ubiquitous as house keys, but they also contain important personal information and that leaves them as targets for people who steal information. Most of us are unaware of the danger or even that it’s possible to be so vulnerable to that sort of attack. These days cell phones are like mini computers that can be hacked into as easily as your home computer, sometimes even more so. The more popular cell phone operating systems like Microsoft’s, Google’s, or even Apple’s are all potential targets due to their wide spread use. Since these are the same systems that also run on our computers at home but with less of the security it was only a matter of time before criminals looked to exploit those weaknesses. For the billions of cell phones in use there are only a handful of companies responsible for the software on them. Nokia, which was once the leading smartphone supplier has recently signed a partnership agreement with Microsoft to use their system exclusively on Nokia phones. This means that there will be even fewer software platforms to choose from.

Along with the commonality and openness of most cell phone platforms, as they become more like computers they rely on wireless networking, Most come standard with 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, which allow for convenient access to networks, sharing between devices, and downloading new applications and content. This convenience also creates a door for these hackers to get through to wreak havoc on your phone without you even knowing it. There are not too many ways to fully protect yourself from these unwanted intruders, but the first step is being aware that they are out there. Many of these cell phone operating systems have advanced built in protections. That is part of the reason we find ourselves constantly downloading updates. The important thing is to stay up to date with your software, as well as not leave your personal information in an easy to get at form, like passwords, private emails, banking codes, addresses or ID numbers.

So next time you use your cell phone be aware of the hidden dangers that lurk in the wireless atmosphere. Know what to look for to see if your system is vulnerable to cyber criminals and insure the security of your favorite handheld device.

Microsoft says phone update failed 1 in 10 users

Microsoft has revealed that 1 in 10 users who tried to install a software update on their Windows mobile experienced problems.

The company had previously said that only a "small number" of handsets were affected.

Owners have reported a range of issues following the download, from phones crashing, to becoming completely unusable.

Microsoft pulled the update soon after the problem came to light.

On Microsoft's website, company blogger Michael Stroh wrote: "Has the update process gone perfectly? No—but few large-scale software updates ever do, and the engineering team here was prepared.

"Of course, when it's your phone that's having a problem—or you're the one waiting—it's still aggravating."

The problem appears to have affected only Samsung handsets, in particular the Omnia 7 model.

Bad connection

Microsoft said that most of those affected had either a bad internet connection or too little storage on the computer that the update was being installed from.

The company's blog posting directs users to an online troubleshooting guide, as well as suggesting they visit its Windows Phone forum.

Many of the postings on that site detailed users' attempts to restore their phones.

Lphilly79 wrote: "I disconnected the phone, removed the battery, and the phone booted up again into the original ROM (v7004).

"No obvious changes were made and everything is seems ok, exactly the way is was before the upgrade attempt."

One member, called Eliuzhi, appeared to have had less luck: "Now my phone is bricked I can not do anything!"

Microsoft has said that it will issue a new update as soon as it has identified how to fix the problem.

The company is currently trying to grow its share of the lucrative smartphone market, having lost ground to Apple, Google and Blackberry.

It recently announced a tie-up with Nokia that would see the handset manufacturer running Windows Phone on its smartphone devices.

Recourse from：http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12564651

Smart phones are available with many features

There are many mobile phone handsets currently available on the market that are able to provide a wide range of features. These features include a music player, high quality camera, internet browser and GPS services. This means that there are often plenty of options for the consumer when deciding on which phone to purchase. Many mobile phone companies now produce Smart Phones, which are able to offer all of the facilities and features that the user wants. In the smart phone market, many of the phones are produced by big-name brands such as Nokia, LG, Samsung, Apple and Blackberry.

Many different Smartphones can contain lots of additional features. Most smartphones possess a high quality camera and many of them have in-built GPS capabilities. Some mobiles are produced for entertainment purposes, whilst others are aimed at business-orientated users. Traditionally, Blackberry phones have been targeted at people who wish to use their phone for business purposes. Whilst this business plan has not always been successful, the more recent BlackBerry models, such as the Blackberry Storm 2, Blackberry Bold and Bold 9700, have utilized the most up-to-date technology and been a great success. These phones all contain the latest features, including GPS, 3GP, 5GP or a flash camera with up to 5MP, which can provide a much clearer photo than older phones were able to provide. The screens on these phones are a wide LCD touch screen, meaning you can access all of the phone’s features through a simple touch of the screen.

The touch screen facility also had led to new features, where you can access your file just through one touch of your mobile’s screen. Since its introduction, touch screens have become a hot sensation in the world of mobile phones and whole industry has strived to include this feature into many of their phones. This means that the consumer is able to possess the latest fashionable technology on their phone, all at an affordable price. With the increased use of 3G services, many phones can access internet faster than ever. Handsets that are equipped with 3G are now priced at a very affordable rate, which has resulted in 3G phones become available to much larger group of people. The cost of these phones are now much lower, especially when compared to other Smartphones.

Get latest mobile phones for business purpose

In today’s market, many cell phones are aimed at users which wish to use their phone for business purposes. Many users want cell phones that can allow them to conduct their business dealings and matters all through their phone. This has resulted in many mobile phone companies paying more attention to the needs and wants of business people when designing their phones. One of the biggest influences this has had on recent mobile phones are the increased wireless internet support found in phones. Many people want to be in touch with the internet, even when away from their computer. This allows people to be constantly aware of their work, no matter where they. The top phone brands such as Nokia, Apple, and BlackBerry companies are all making cell phones that hold more and business-related features, with all of them having excellent wireless internet facilities.

This means that many smart phones are designed especially for people who wish to use their phones for business purposes. Mobile phones differ a lot from cordless phones. Cordless phones need to be constantly located near both a signal and electricity point. Whereas, mobile phones are a lot more portable and are able to be transported easily, with no fears over a break in signal. The latest mobile phones are even more portable than ever before, meaning that users are constantly able to be in touch with not just other people, but with the internet too.

Whilst mobile phones were first revolutionary as a portable communication device, they have once again revolutionized technology as a wireless internet device. The newest mobile phone technologies are constantly becoming more advanced and allow users to do things they never dreamed of being able to do previously. The technology in mobile phones has advanced at an astounding rate. it is hard to imagine that only a few years ago, mobile phones were only available with black and white screens. This is very different from current mobile phones that are available with touch screens. The newest handsets are able to send or receive photo images and music files from one handset to another through wireless connectivity.

The Beautiful BlackBerry Bold 9700

When it comes to looking after your Smartphone, it’s best to focus on battery maintenance, as that is the key behind the powering of the Smartphone. Without it, you just have a useless inaccessible lump of fantastic technology in your hand Very frustrating. Caring for your Smartphone battery goes hand in hand with maintaining the device’s software and operating system. It’s also wise for you to look after the Smartphone’s keypad, which is pretty easy to use and nicely designed.

Smartphone software is fundamental to ensure the handset’s high performance, and to give you access to the impressive array of features that are found on these impressive device. It’s recommended to update your mobile operating systems as and when required. A wise move to keep battery levels up is to opt for using a standard ring tone as funkier, jazzier ones use up more energy. Another tip for keep battery consumption levels low is to make use of the corded headsets, similar to the Bluetooth headsets, rather than answering your Smartphone via the handset. To increase the working lifetime of your Smartphone battery, it’s best to recharge it often and rarely let it go completely flat.

The current king of the Smart Phones is the BlackBerry, specifically the Bold 9700 model. It’s a beautiful and attractive device, with a solid design and feel to it. Equipped with an on-screen keyboard, the Bold 9700 is very easy to use and feels comfortable in your hand owing to its well thought out design, shape and size. The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is a real step up from the Blackberry previous model, the Bold 9000, as it was rather large and not as simple to function. The Bold 9700 has a sleek design and works well, making it an impressive addition to the Smartphone market.

RIM's PlayBook tablet gets 7digital music store

Blackberry-maker Research In Motion (RIM.TO) will release its long-awaited PlayBook tablet computer with Britain's 7digital music store, the companies said on Wednesday.

The music store of 7digital, half-owned by HMV (HMV.L), which has some 13 million tracks, will be pre-installed on the tablet at its launch in the United States and Canada, with further international roll out in 2011.

The PlayBook, set for launch in March, was first announced in September last year, and will now join a booming market dominated by Apple's (AAPL.O) iPad and compete for attention with tablets from the likes of Samsung (005930.KS), Motorola Mobility (MMI.N) and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ.N). (Reporting by Tarmo Virki; Editing by Hans Peters)

Recourse from：http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/09/uk-rim-tablet-music-idUSLNE72801820110309

Finding the Best of Both Worlds

Regularly staying in touch with loved ones and colleagues is increasingly difficult in our hectic lives. But thankfully, a new device that is a combination of a mobile phone and a Personal Digital Assistant, or PDA Phone, can help make those calls and emails to our friends and family quicker and easier. Smartphones keep us connected to the world via the internet, as we can surf the internet and check our emails, as well as using these handsets for making calls and text messaging. Smartphones are a bit of an investment, so it’s best to look after your handset as much as you can, by updating software regularly, keeping it clean and dry, and also maintaining the battery, which powers it.

It’s advisable to keep Smartphones away from heat and liquid, as these can really damage the outer and inner workings of the device. The battery is especially affected by hot temperatures and moisture, and without a battery you effectively have no Smartphone. By looking after your Smartphone battery, the handset’s performance is not only improved, but the number of years you can use the battery goes up. There are all sorts of tips and advice available on website forums to help you out, if you have battery problems. However, if your battery does stop working and you need a replacement, the best place to look for one is on the internet. There are many genuine websites offering new Smartphone batteries at reasonable prices. If you are travelling to remote places, it would be an idea to have a spare Smartphone battery, just in case.

Smartphones are really a combination of a cell phone and the Personal Digital Assistant device, also known as a PDA Phone. Smartphone developers have brought together the impressive features and functions of the cell phone and the PDA Phone to create one handset; the Smartphone. An abundance of Smartphone models are on the market, available in many colors, patterns and styles like the Candy-bar, Flipper, Clamshell, and Slider.

PDA Phones are just like a mini computer or a laptop. Smartphones are equipped with many of the features seen on a PDA Phone but functions like a cell phone as well. One major benefit of this design combination is the larger screen seen on Smartphones, which was adopted from the PDA Phone. As the technology on PDA Phones is faster and more compact than on a standard computer, the Smartphone has followed suit, continuing to offer ever more useful applications and important functions.

An Overview of the Various Types of Smart Phones

If you are smart enough to examine the most recent trends in the mobile phone industry and realize that it’s not sufficient to have a cell phone which can make and receive calls and messages, then you can easily come to the conclusion that keeping up with fast-moving modern technology is essential. When you go through all the smart phones which are available in the market, you can understand that it is very important to have a mobile phone that can cope with all your needs. It should also enable us to browse the Internet, help in our work and take pictures wherever and whenever we want.

If we take a look at all the touch phones which are available for us in the market, we would definitely come to the conclusion that Apple touch phones are the best smart phones on the market. This particular company has shattered expectations of what a smart phone can do and provides us with the best facilities and features of any phone out there. However, there are other, cheaper phones that cost less and perhaps provide more value dollar for dollar. Here, the Motorola Droid also provides the fastest and the most powerful Google access despite a few design issues it has.

The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700, which is the first 3G mobile by BlackBerry, has preserved the status of the brand with its sleek and smart design and powerful battery. However, it should have been more enhanced in the terms of browsing to provide the best package. The Palm Pre is another promising touch phone choice for gadget lovers. Most of these smart phones are outfitted with GPS map software. This can help to locate a destination wherever one might be. However, some smart phones still do not offer this feature natively, and thus require the user to download a GPS application. Unmatched internet browsing is one of the best features of the smart phone, which opens the door to fast and continuous web browsing. Some smart phones even have wireless Internet access.