Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G QWERTY Smartphone Headed to T-Mobile

There has been a great deal of speculation behind the Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G (formerly known as the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze Q). The QWERTY-enabled handset was first rumored to debut last month, but now it appears we finally have an official release date, or at least a launch time frame.

The Korean tech firm announced today that the Galaxy S Relay will appear on T-Mobile's network sometime over the coming weeks. Samsung also announced that T-Mobile will initially have exclusive rights to the new handset; which makes sense for the pair as T-Mobile is the number one brand operator in Samsung Galaxy S sales.

A Closer Look

The Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G will sport the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system, a 4-inch super AMOLED display with 1280 x 720 resolution, a 5-megapixel camera in the rear and a 1.3-megapizel camera in the front. The handset will be powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor, and will offer 4G HSPA+ and Wi-Fi calling supporting up to five devices by acting as a mobile hotspot (pending your data plan). Of course the handset will also support its full 5-row QWERTY keyboard.

The Relay 4G is also a Samsung SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise) designated device, meaning that the device will release with a full portfolio of enterprise-ready features and capabilities. This will include a comprehensive IT Policy support for top-tier MDM solutions, an on-device AES-256 bit encryption, and enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync.

"Consumers are increasingly looking for a powerful device that makes it easy to integrate their busy work and personal lives," said Andrew Morrison, vice president of product management, T-Mobile USA. "The Galaxy S Relay 4G is the perfect addition to T-Mobile's popular Galaxy smartphone lineup, providing our customers with a reliable and business-centric Android experience -- and the easy access to entertainment for which Galaxy devices are known."

Consumers can expect the device to hit shelves in T-Mobile retailers and online at T-Mobile.com soon. No price has been set yet, but we can expect more information as we draw nearer to the device's launch.


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Nokia Lumia 920 & Lumia 820 Preview

Earlier today, Nokia unveiled its first two Windows Phone handsets, the Lumia 920 and the Lumia 820. But later on, the Finnish phone company and Microsoft teamed up to hold an event an in New York City where the new smartphones were on display. Brighthand was on the scene to get a glimpse of the devices firsthand, and although some aspects of the new operating system were still under wraps, we got to see the Nokia hardware in action, and we were impressed with what we saw.

The Lumia 920

Like Nokia's last flagship Windows Phone handset, the Lumia 900, the Lumia 920 is a bit on the larger side, weighing in at 185 grams and measuring 10.7 millimeters thick. The device's three buttons (power, volume rocker, dedicated camera button) are all located on the right side, while the micro USB charging port is on the bottom and a headphone jack and pop-out SIM card slot are on the top edge. Like some of the previous Lumia models, a pin-like key is required to pop open the SIM card tray. But Nokia is touting the Lumia 920 as its flagship Windows Phone 8 device, and put simply, on the hardware front, it lived up to that title.

For starters, the Lumia 920 has some impressive specs, many of which are shared with the Lumia 820, including a dual-core, Snapdragon S4 processor clocking in at 1.5 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, NFC support, and LTE connectivity.

Beyond that, however, the rest of the Lumia 920's specs have an edge over those of the 820, including a 4.5-inch, PureMotion HD Plus display with a 1280 x 768 resolution (and the same ClearBlack technology that's found on current Lumia models), 32 GB of onboard storage, and, perhaps most importantly, an 8.7-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and Nokia's Pureview technology.

After seeing the camera of the Lumia 920 in action, we can safely say that it's much, much better than the underwhelming camera found on the 900 and other Lumia models. At first, we were shown pictures that were previously taken at night by the Lumia 920, and given how bright they looked, it was easy to write them off as being a product of an ideal setup, or perhaps even being doctored since we didn't actually see them being taken.

But Nokia had just the solution to address skeptics like us, and had an area where we could try taking a picture of a pot of flowers in a poorly lit booth with our own phone, after which a rep would do the same with a Lumia 920. Nokia made a believer out of me the moment I saw the Lumia 920's photo next to the one I had taken with my HTC Trophy, pictured right. Even though it's an off-screen shot of the two images, you can still see that it absolutely schooled our apparently weak competition.

The OIS worked well too; it's activated once the user performs a half-press of the shutter button, at which point motion blur seems to vanish. To see that the addition of OIS performed well is a relief on a personal level, since I couldn't tell you the number of times the camera on my phone has left me with blurred pictures that came as a result of the slight shake that occurs when fully pressing the shutter button.

The impressive camera of the Lumia 920 went beyond the hardware itself, though. Both the Lumia 920 and 820 feature different "lenses" that users can utilize for different types of shots: standard, panorama, Smart Shoot, and Cinemagraph. Smart Shoot takes a handful of images with a single press of the shutter button, which, in turn, allows users to mix and match certain elements of the photos to create a single, ideal image. So for instance, if you were taking a picture of your friends and everyone was smiling at different times or someone blinked during the photo, you could take the good shots of everyone's faces from the series of photos that were snapped and put them in a single image.

The Cinemagraph function, meanwhile, also takes multiple pictures with a single press of the shutter button, but they aren't individually viewable by the user. Instead, they're put to a different use than they would be with Smart Shoot; Cinemagraph lets users animate their pictures selectively. In other words, what users see is a still picture, but then they are able to highlight the aspects of the image that they want to see animated. By rubbing the area they want to see animated, users will then see that part of the photo move (assuming the subject in that area was in motion while the shutter button was being held down) while the rest of it remains static.

One of the more unique uses of the Lumia 920's (and 820's) camera is Nokia's City Lens feature, which is an augmented reality app that shows users nearby points of interests by marking them on the screen when viewing the area around you through the phone's camera. Using a combination of information gleaned from the phone's GPS, compass, and camera, the City Lens creates an overlay that marks different locations like restaurants, movie theaters, and stores on the screen to show where they are relative to your location.

There is also a radar screen in the upper right-hand corner to show how many POIs are located around you, and what direction they're in. And aside from the fact that the notations on the screen tell you how far each POI is from your current position, locations that are further away will appear smaller or minimized (though minimized icons can still be maximized to provide more information) so the screen doesn't get too cluttered. In fact, each marking on the City Lens display can be tapped, which subsequently pulls up an entry for that location through Nokia Maps -- which is preloaded on the phone, along with many of Nokia's other proprietary apps, like the recently-launched Nokia Music -- to provide more information.

Navigating the Lumia 920 is made especially convenient thanks to its Synaptics screen, which allows users to operate the capacitive touchscreen with items other than their fingers. It works while touching the screen with gloves on, and as well as with fingernails and even metallic objects. We expressed concern over the display getting scratched as a result of being touched with foreign objects, but were then reminded that both the Lumia 920 and 820 sport Gorilla Glass 2 screens.

The Lumia 920 also features built-in Qi wireless charging, which is a nice touch, but it does not actually ship with a wireless charging base. Users have to pay extra to be able to capitalize on that feature, and Nokia is not currently saying how much it will cost.

As a result of the built-in wireless charging (as well as the camera's OIS), the Lumia 920 has a curved back that adds to the device's thickness. Beyond that, however, the phone's unibody design (combined with rounded edges and sharp corners) was highly reminiscent of the Lumia 900. The only other noticeable difference was that the Lumia 920 does not have a matte finish, but rather a glossy casing.


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Apple Sets Sights on Banning Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note

Just when it appeared that the dust might settle after the two tech behemoths Apple and Samsung clashed in court ten days ago, Apple resumed the attack, this time going for the Korean tech firm's jugular.

After claiming a decisive $1.05 billion victory in court, Apple early last week requested an injunction, asking that eight Samsung smartphones be banned in the U.S. Later that same week Apple has once again upped the ante, filing an amended patent infringement complaint with the U.S. District Court of Northern California. The new claim (which is completely separate from the earlier request) accuses a total of 21 Samsung mobile devices of infringing on its designs for the iPhone and iPad, including the Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note.

The company's lawyers wrote:

"Since then [April 2011], Samsung has continued to release new infringing products, including its current flagship device, the Galaxy S III. While Samsung's new products infringe many of the same design patents, utility patents, trademarks, and trade dress rights that are at issue in the Earlier Case, Samsung's new products also infringe additional utility patents, some of which issued after Apple filed the Earlier Case."

The interesting thing about this new amended claim is that it actually differs from the previous one presented in the case. The new list of mobile devices are being called into question for allegedly infringing on Apple's patents related to the iPhone/iPad user experience, instead of physical attributes and feel. The amended claim examines such patents as the slide-to-unlock and word recommendation search features, with a total of eight patents being included in the new claim.

Samsung refuted Apple's claim this weekend going on to state to the Associated Press:

"Apple continues to resort to litigation over market competition in an effort to limit consumer choice. We will continue to take the necessary legal measures to ensure the availability of our innovative products in the United States."

Three of Samsung's most popular mobile devices the Samsung Galaxy S III, the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Tab 10.1 reside among the 21 devices being called into question in Apple's new claim, but not the upcoming Galaxy Note II. Having any of those three banned in the U.S. would be a significant blow to Samsung.

Should Apple successfully prove it has suffered irreparable harm as a result of these 21 devices, a preliminary injunction preventing the U.S. sale of these devices could be put into place. However, seeing that the court hearing regarding Apple's earlier request, asking for 8 Samsung smartphones to be permanently banned in the U.S. has been pushed back to December, it might be some time before we see this dispute come to fruition.

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AT&T Getting Sony Xperia T Cutting-Edge Android Smartphone

A retailer in the U.K. has let slip that the recently-announced Sony Xperia T is on the way to the U.S. courtesy of AT&T. This is going to be Sony new flagship Android smartphone, and will be be packed with high-end features.

The Xperia T is going to sport a 4.6-inch display with a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution (720p). It will also boast a 13MP camera that Sony says will be able to go from off to taking a picture in an instant.

The smartphone will run Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) but an upgrade to OS 4.1 (Jelly Bean) is already in development. On the inside will be a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260A Snapdragon S4 processor, with 16GB of on-board storage.

Sony is also building in 4G HSPA+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, an FM radio, and a 1,850mAh battery.

Phone4u has begun taking orders for the Xperia T in the U.K., and posted several images of the device. One of these clearly shows the AT&T logo, all but confirming that this smartphone is headed for the U.S.A. The price and release date remain unknown, however.


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Apple sets September 12 event, latest iPhone expected

(Reuters) - Apple Inc distributed invitations to an event in San Francisco on September 12, setting the stage for what is widely expected to be the release of the iPhone 5.

The typically cryptic invitation said "It's almost here", sported a number 12 - corresponding to the date of the event - and cast a large shadow of the number 5, a clue that the fifth version of the popular smartphone could be in the pipeline.

Apple's iPhone launches are among the most-watched events on the tech industry calendar. The latest version of the company's main product -- generating more than half its revenue -- may sport a larger, higher-end screen, sources have said.

The new screen could measure 4 inches from corner to corner, one source has said, an increase from the 3.5-inch display that has been held constant since the smartphone began selling in 2007 and revolutionized the mobile industry.

Some analysts say the larger screen may be a response to rival Samsung Electronics, whose larger, Google Android phones have helped it become the world's biggest smartphone maker.

Speculation had also arisen in past months that the company might offer details about a smaller version of its iPad, but the emailed invitation offered no hint of that on Tuesday.

The event will take place at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the preferred venue for the unveiling of past products such as the iPad.

The new iPhone will hit store shelves in time for the crucial holiday season. Shares in the company edged 0.6 percent higher to $669.44.

(Reporting By Alexei Oreskovic; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)


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Nokia's new Windows phones, key to its future, disappoint

(Reuters) - Samsung Electronics has built global leadership in mobile phones, but in a fickle industry looks more vulnerable than its nemesis Apple Inc without an 'ecosystem' - software, services, content and customer support - to keep its users loyal.

"They need to move out of that mentality of just selling people a device," says Rachel Lashford, Singapore-based managing director of mobile for Canalys, a consultancy. "They need to get their head around the idea that they're no longer just a hardware company."

The ecosystem standard has been set by Apple: offering mobile users downloadable programs and content - such as iTunes for music and the App Store for programs - which are best, and often only, accessible via and across Apple devices. This binds users to Apple and makes them more likely to buy another Apple device - an iPhone user buying an iPad, say.
(Reuters) - Nokia's new Lumia smartphones drew a quick thumbs-down from investors looking for transformational handsets to rescue the struggling Finnish company, sending the firm's shares tumbling 13 percent.

Nokia and partner Microsoft Corp showcased the Lumia 920 phone on Wednesday in what may be their last major shot at reclaiming market share lost to Apple Inc, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Google Inc.

Microsoft and Nokia hope the device - sporting bright colors from red to yellow, a bigger screen, and technology that reduces blur and shakiness in pictures and video - will become a potent weapon in an escalating global war to dominate the mobile industry.

But investors said it lacked "wow" and some analysts said Nokia's reticence about dates, prices or carrier partners also did not help.

Nokia shares traded in Helsinki began sliding midway through the New York launch and ended down 13 percent at 1.99 euros, their biggest single-day loss since June. But the stock had gained 67 percent since mid-July as anticipation built ahead of Lumia's unveiling.

Its U.S.-listed stock closed down 16 percent at $2.38.

Many of the industry analysts who saw the phone up close in New York deemed it a solid device with a few differentiating features. But it did not push the envelope as Nokia CEO Stephen Elop had promised.

"The challenge is that the world is working on the 4th, 5th and 6th editions of their devices, while Nokia is still trying to move from chapter 1. It still has quite a bit to catch up," said RBC analyst Mark Sue.

"People were looking for something that would dazzle. Most investors will view it as evolutionary, not revolutionary. Nokia has made some good progress, but investors were looking for quantum leaps. We didn't get that."

The Lumia was the first in a flurry of planned mobile-device launches expected ahead of the holiday shopping season. Google's Motorola Mobility also showed off three new smartphones based on Android software on Wednesday. Verizon Wireless the top U.S. mobile provider committed to sell all three of the Motorola phones.

Amazon.com Inc will unwrap its new Kindle Fire tablets on Thursday and Apple is expected to unveil the latest version of its seminal iPhone on September 12.

The Lumia runs on the latest Windows Phone operating system, which Microsoft - the world's largest software maker - hopes will rival Apple's iOS and Google's Android to become a third mobile platform.

Nokia announced no partnerships with wireless service providers, leading some analysts to worry this was a sign of weak carrier support. The Finnish handset maker said it would announce pricing and roll-out dates for the new Lumia later on a country-by-country basis.

"It is impossible to assess this launch without price and roll-out info. This is disappointing," said Bengt Nordstrom, CEO of telecommunications consultancy Northstream.

For Microsoft, successful Lumia sales could convince more handset makers and carriers to support Windows Phone 8, which promises faster performance and a customizable start screen. Samsung last week became the first to announce a smartphone running that software, which it said it would begin selling as early as next month.

If the new phones do not appeal to consumers, it could spell the end for money-losing Nokia and deal a serious blow to Microsoft in its attempts to regain its footing in the market.

"We're working with our carrier partners to finalize our plans," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of smart devices for Nokia.

Windows phones have captured only 3.7 percent of the global smartphone market, according to Strategy Analytics.

Asked about estimates that Windows phones might account for 10 percent of the market by the end of 2013, Harlow said: "With momentum, if we're at 10 percent at the end of 2013, I'd be a happy girl."

ECOSYSTEM WARRIORS

Nokia badly needs a hit. It has logged more than 3 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in operating losses in the past 18 months, forcing it to cut 10,000 jobs. Its share of the global smartphone market has plunged to less than 10 percent from 50 percent during its heyday, before the iPhone arrived in 2007.

The Lumia 920 - billed as the flagship Windows phone - uses "PureView" and floating-lens technology for its 8.7 megapixel camera to reduce blurring and shakiness from hand motion, and has wireless charging capability.

Powered by Qualcomm Inc's Snapdragon processor, it comes with augmented reality technology that lets users see details of their surroundings through the camera. And it sports a bigger, brighter, 4.5-inch screen than Nokia's previous smartphones, taking a page from rivals such as Samsung, which has backed larger displays.

But marring Wednesday's marketing effort, news emerged after its New York launch that one of the "PureView" online ads misled viewers. TheVerge.com first reported that a video ad coinciding with the Lumia's unveiling -- showing two juxtaposed shots of a young woman on a moving bicycle, one jerky and the other smooth -- was in fact not shot with the 920.

The report prompted hundreds of comments ranging from indignant to amused, led Nokia to apologize for what it called a "simulation", and later to release footage actually shot by a 920 on YouTube.

"Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but we should have posted a disclaimer stating this was a representation," Nokia spokeswoman Heidi Lemmetyinen wrote on its "Conversations" blog.

"This was not shot with a Lumia 920. At least, not yet. We apologize for the confusion we created."

Attendees at the New York event did not see the Lumia as a significant threat to the iPhone, the device that revolutionized the mobile industry and popularized the model of a third-party developer "ecosystem," today considered pivotal to the success of any operating system.

Part of the reason for the limited success of Windows phones is that they support only 100,000 or so apps, compared with about 500,000 or more for Android or iPhones.

Apple's and Google's entrenched positions - where consumers have already invested heavily in apps and content - discourages switching to a new mobile system.

Windows Phone 8, however, might have several factors in its favor. It is similar to the Windows 8 desktop and tablet software to be released October 26, making it easier for developers to write apps for both. Microsoft hopes this will boost the platform's popularity.

"The big difference versus Android is that there is a big Microsoft developer base that will catch on quicker, once there is a sufficient customer base," said Magnus Jern, founder and chief executive of Barcelona-based Golden Gekko, which has created Windows Phone apps for Heathrow Airport and for Yellow Pages in many European countries.

Many developers already working on iOS and Android may look to support Windows via HTML5 - a Web programming standard intended to work across different mobile platforms - to avoid having to fund a third or fourth development team.

"HTML5 apps require less skilled resources to achieve a minimum level of service. And although it's a compromise, it works and is usually an acceptable compromise," Jern said.

The new Lumias could also benefit from the continuing decline in Research In Motion Ltd's BlackBerry and from a recent legal setback for the Android operating system.

A California jury decided last month that some of Samsung's hot-selling Android smartphones copied features from the iPhone, which might result in import bans and drive handset makers to put more resources into making Windows-based phones.

But for Nokia and Microsoft to exploit that window of opportunity, they must first win over consumers, who so far have shown little enthusiasm for Windows smartphones.

"If you were looking for an iPhone knock-out punch, this isn't it. That's not going to happen with one product," said Ross Rubin, an analyst at Reticle Research.

($1 = 0.7947 euros)

(Additional reporting by Nicola Leske in New York, Jussi Rosendahl in Helsinki and Bill Rigby in Seattle. Writing by Edwin Chan; Editing by Tim Dobbyn, Maureen Bavdek, Gary Hill, Andre Grenon and Edwina Gibbs)


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Samsung challenge: sold the phone, how to keep the customer

(Reuters) - Samsung Electronics has built global leadership in mobile phones, but in a fickle industry looks more vulnerable than its nemesis Apple Inc without an 'ecosystem' - software, services, content and customer support - to keep its users loyal.

"They need to move out of that mentality of just selling people a device," says Rachel Lashford, Singapore-based managing director of mobile for Canalys, a consultancy. "They need to get their head around the idea that they're no longer just a hardware company."

The ecosystem standard has been set by Apple: offering mobile users downloadable programs and content - such as iTunes for music and the App Store for programs - which are best, and often only, accessible via and across Apple devices. This binds users to Apple and makes them more likely to buy another Apple device - an iPhone user buying an iPad, say.

"Apple's greatest achievement beyond the design of the device has been the development of its ecosystem," said Scott Bicheno, UK-based senior analyst at Strategy Analytics.

While Apple has been slow to make some of these services available in some parts of the world - it only recently unveiled its iTunes Store across much of Asia, nine years after its U.S. launch - it is still ahead of rivals.

Samsung's efforts to build something similar have been at best halting.

Music Hub, a service combining downloaded music and streaming, was launched in July but is only available for U.S. users of its new top-end phone, the Galaxy S III. Early reviews are mixed. It is also building an ad network via a partnership with OpenX, a service that Mar Pages, Singapore-based principal at Delta Partners, likens to Apple's iAd. These services allow application developers to embed adverts in their software.

DILEMMA

But there's only so much Samsung can do to build on top of Google's open platform Android operating system, which already offers users well-established services such as Dropbox, which moves files seamlessly between devices and users.

"I wonder what Samsung could do which would offer conspicuous value over the likes of Dropbox," said Strategy Analytics' Bicheno, noting Apple's ecosystem is largely a way to sell hardware. "This is the dilemma they face."

It wasn't always so. In 2010, Samsung launched its own mobile operating system called bada, and wooed developers and users with tools and an app store. Bada has steadily gathered users but accounts for less than 3 percent of devices shipped, according to technology consultancy Gartner. Android accounts for nearly two thirds.

The company's efforts to make bada more popular were hampered by its own focus on hardware sales, said Karthik Srinivasan, who worked as a product manager at Samsung's Media Solutions Center in Bangalore. His team would submit proposals for services and apps only "to be stumped when the question came back from Korea: How many more devices can you sell next year based on these services?" he told Reuters.

Samsung has not abandoned bada, but its emphasis on Android alienated its fan base and developers. "The top management may have had focus," said Srinivasan, who quit the company last year, "but it was dispiriting to see the company was making very good Android devices and promoting them more than bada ones."

Samsung said in January it planned to merge its operating system with Tizen, an open source platform promoted by Samsung and chipmaker Intel Corp. It hasn't issued a press release about bada since November 2011.

Samsung declined to comment for this article.

OLYMPIC SPRINT

Samsung can be fast and decisive where it senses an opportunity that fits its broader strategy of brand building.

When Bangkok-based start-up Fingi turned to Galaxy smartphones for its hotel concierge service this year, Samsung's local operation was quick to help. Fingi's software allowed a Thai hotel to offer guests a Galaxy on check-in which they could use to open doors, control air conditioning, lighting and TV and order room service.

When Samsung's UK operations heard about Fingi they decided to use it to help promote the Galaxy S III at the London Olympics, said Carl Rubin, Fingi's vice president of business development. Within weeks, he said, Samsung had struck deals with hotels and helped set up the technology to make it work. "They turned on a dime and got this done," he said.

The Fingi initiative made use of the near-field communication chip inside some Galaxy devices, a hint of where Samsung sees more opportunities. Delta Partners' Pages says Samsung recently hired one of Visa Inc's mobile payments executives and patented the words "Samsung wallet."

SAMSUNG STORES

But its efforts to build a direct and binding relationship with users in the way Apple has done have been less convincing.

It has flagship stores in several countries which share Apple's light tones and open invitations to play with devices, but a recent lunchtime visit to Singapore's main store saw only a handful of visitors and a couple of staff. A cleaning woman was mopping the floor.

Singapore has also pioneered improved customer service where staff will pick up an errant device from the user and offer a loan unit while it's under repair. But a member of staff at one of the two service centers said loan units weren't always available.

Similar issues can be found online. An important part of keeping mobile users happy is ensuring their device's core programs are up to date. The most popular feature on one Samsung fan website, SamMobile, is a twitter feed alerting users to when such software updates are due. It has 20,000 followers and is updated more than a dozen times a day. Samsung's official equivalent feed has only 3,307 followers, and was last updated in December.

The owner of SamMobile, Rotterdam-based Danny Dorresteijn, says he has tried in vain to forge a closer relationship. "Samsung is not a big fan of us," he said. But he's hopeful. "Everything takes time."

Indeed, there are signs that Samsung is learning it needs to use social media better. When two Indian bloggers flown by Samsung to a technology show in Berlin last week complained online that they had been stranded because they refused to wear a Samsung uniform and tout Galaxy phones, the company was quick to apologize.

Last month, Samsung hired Damien Cummings, Dell's former Asia online director, for a new social media marketing role. In a blog post, Cummings said he aimed to "help transform Samsung into a digital powerhouse."

BRAND LOYALTY

Samsung does appear to be slowly winning people over.

Surveys of users in Britain and the United States by Strategy Analytics concluded that while 51 percent of Apple users would replace their Apple device with an Apple device, they were only slightly less likely to switch and buy a Samsung.

A bigger problem for Samsung, says David Mercer, the co-author of the Strategy Analytic surveys, is that there's little sign that user loyalty to Samsung phones translates to buying other Samsung products. A Samsung phone user may buy another Samsung phone, "but they won't automatically buy a TV," he says.

Given that Samsung is the world's largest TV maker, that's a significant miss. "That indicates those important branches of the company have continued to do their own thing," says Mercer.

It also raises questions about Samsung's efforts to build an ecosystem beyond mobile phones to embrace other parts of its consumer electronics business, especially so-called smart TVs - Internet-connected TVs that can work more like computers, running apps, storing and downloading content and, crucially, interacting with other consumer devices.

It's not that Samsung isn't busy working with TV stations and other service providers to build smart TV services. In the past week, it has announced deals with TeliaSonera and France TV in Europe, and Alt Media Sdn Bhd in Malaysia. The problem, Mercer says, is that consumers need to be convinced its useful. "Once they have it, they love it," he says.

At the heart of Samsung's challenge is to weave these products together with content and services that make it hard for users to jump elsewhere when they tire of their devices. While Samsung has long mastered engineering, it's only recently woken up to the fact that users want something more.

"Samsung will start to realize, if they haven't already, that they have to lock people in with some kind of ecosystem," said Napoleon Biggs, head of digital integration for Asia at Fleishman-Hillard. "How else will you keep people's loyalty?"

(Reporting By Jeremy Wagstaff; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)

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Motorola unveils three phones for Verizon Wireless

(Reuters) - Google Inc's Motorola Mobility unveiled three smartphones to help compete with bigger rivals Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co for the holiday shopping season.

Verizon Wireless, the biggest U.S. mobile provider, will sell all three devices - the Droid Razr HD, the Droid Razr Maxx HD and the Droid Razr M - the companies said on Wednesday.

The smartphones will use Google's Android software. Motorola showed off the phones at a press event in New York, its first big media gathering since Google bought Motorola in May. Google has said that the handset maker will remain a separate subsidiary and will make fewer phones than before.

The unveiling was part of a flurry of mobile device launches ahead of the holiday season throughout the industry. Earlier on Wednesday, Nokia Oyj and Microsoft Corp unveiled their flagship phone, the Lumia 920, which uses the latest Windows Phone operating software. Nokia did not announce any wireless operator partners for its device.

Amazon.com Inc is expected to unwrap new Kindle Fire tablets on Thursday, and Apple is expected to unveil the latest version of its seminal iPhone on September 12.

Motorola Mobility's Droid Razr HD boasts a 4.7 inch screen with a sharper picture than Motorola's previous phones. Verizon Wireless did not announce pricing but said the device will be available in time for the holidays.

The Razr M is a smaller phone for more cost-conscious consumers, with a 4.3 inch display that covers most of the front of the phone. That device will be available for $99.99 when it goes on sale at Verizon Wireless stores next week.

The Droid Razr Maxx HD will have similar features to the Razr HD but will boast a longer battery life. Motorola promised that the device could run for 21 hours of phone calls or 13 hours of video viewing.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt told the audience that consumers are now activating as many as 1.3 million Android phones every day. Motorola rival Samsung is the biggest maker of phones based on Android.

Verizon Wireless is a venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc.

(Reporting by Sinead Carew and Nicola Leske in New York; editing by Matthew Lewis)


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Microsoft, Nokia pin hopes on new Lumia as mobile war escalates

(Reuters) - Nokia and Microsoft Corp will take the wraps off the struggling European company's most powerful smartphone on Wednesday, in what may be their last major shot at winning back a market lost to Apple, Samsung and Google.

The world's largest software maker and the Finnish company that once dominated the cellphone market will showcase the device in New York on Wednesday morning and demo it for industry insiders about the same time in Helsinki.

Microsoft and Nokia hope the new Lumia will become a potent weapon in an escalating global mobile industry war.

Google's Motorola Mobility intends to show off its latest smartphone on Wednesday, Amazon.com Inc will unwrap new Kindle Fire tablets the day after, and Apple is expected to unveil the latest version of its seminal iPhone on September 12. Samsung Electronics says it will sell its own Windows phone as early as next month.

The Lumia 920 and smaller Lumia 820 will run on the latest Windows Phone operating software, which Microsoft hopes will rival Apple's iOS and Google's Android to become a third mobile platform. If the new phones do not appeal to consumers, it could spell the end for loss-making Nokia and deal a serious blow to Microsoft's attempts to regain its footing in the market.

Leaked pictures of the two models show a similar look to Nokia's previous Windows phones, but analysts say these alone will not be enough to turn the corner.

"There have to be more devices, and their features have to stand out more. There has to be a 'wow' device," said Hannu Rauhala, analyst at Pohjola Bank, who cut his recommendation on Nokia's shares to "reduce" on Tuesday.

The stakes are high for both Nokia and Microsoft.

The Finnish handset maker has logged more than 3 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in operating losses in the past 18 months, forcing it to cut 10,000 jobs and pursue asset sales.

Its share of the global smartphone market has plunged to less than 10 percent from 50 percent during its heyday, before the iPhone was launched in 2007.

Windows phones have only captured 3.7 percent of the global smartphone market, according to Strategy Analytics. Android phones have 68 percent, while Apple has 17 percent.

For Microsoft, successful Lumia sales could convince more handset makers and carriers to support its Windows Phone 8 software, which promises faster performance and a customizable start screen.

Last week Samsung became the first to announce a smartphone running Windows Phone 8, at the IFA trade show in Berlin. But it was not able to provide the model to visitors at the show.

ECOSYSTEM WARRIORS

Apple's first iPhone revolutionized the mobile industry, popularizing the model of a third-party developer "ecosystem," today considered pivotal to the success of any operating system.

Part of the reason for the limited success of Windows phones is that they support only 100,000 or so apps, compared with about 500,000 or more for Android or iPhones.

There is also the interconnection between apps and content, typified by Apple's iTunes and iCloud, which share content across devices, that acts as a powerful disincentive to switch between vendors.

"Much has been made of Windows Phone emerging as ‘the third ecosystem' in mobile. This is a huge task in itself, but Apple's and Google's entrenched positions where consumers have already invested heavily in apps and content makes switching platforms less attractive," said Ben Wood from mobile sector research firm CCS Insight.

The new phone software is similar to the Windows 8 desktop and tablet software to be released on October 26, making it easier for developers to write apps for both, and Microsoft hopes this will boost the platform's popularity.

But the Windows operating system is by no means universally popular in the PC market, so consumers will not necessarily come to the mobile phone equivalent with unalloyed goodwill.

"Consumer perceptions of the Windows brand have been shaped by PC usage. Although Windows 8 will help, there is still plenty of work required to overcome historical prejudices in the transition to mobile," said Wood.

The new Lumias could, however, benefit from the continuing decline in Research In Motion Ltd's BlackBerry, and also from a recent legal blow to the Android operating system.

A California jury decided last month that some of Samsung's hot-selling Android smartphones copied features of the iPhone, which may result in import bans and drive handset makers to put more resources into making Windows-based phones.

But for Nokia and Microsoft to exploit that window of opportunity, it must first find favor with consumers, who so far have shown little enthusiasm for smartphones with Windows software.

($1 = 0.7947 euros)

(Additional reporting by Bill Rigby in Seattle; Editing by Will Waterman, Edwin Chan and Tim Dobbyn)

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Apple sets September 12 event, latest iPhone expected

(Reuters) - Apple Inc distributed invitations to an event in San Francisco on September 12, setting the stage for what is widely expected to be the release of the iPhone 5.

The typically cryptic invitation said "It's almost here", sported a number 12 - corresponding to the date of the event - and cast a large shadow of the number 5, a clue that the fifth version of the popular smartphone could be in the pipeline.

Apple's iPhone launches are among the most-watched events on the tech industry calendar. The latest version of the company's main product -- generating more than half its revenue -- may sport a larger, higher-end screen, sources have said.

The new screen could measure 4 inches from corner to corner, one source has said, an increase from the 3.5-inch display that has been held constant since the smartphone began selling in 2007 and revolutionized the mobile industry.

Some analysts say the larger screen may be a response to rival Samsung Electronics, whose larger, Google Android phones have helped it become the world's biggest smartphone maker.

Speculation had also arisen in past months that the company might offer details about a smaller version of its iPad, but the emailed invitation offered no hint of that on Tuesday.

The event will take place at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the preferred venue for the unveiling of past products such as the iPad.

The new iPhone will hit store shelves in time for the crucial holiday season. Shares in the company edged 0.6 percent higher to $669.44.

(Reporting By Alexei Oreskovic; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)


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Apple Sets Sights on Banning Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note

Just when it appeared that the dust might settle after the two tech behemoths Apple and Samsung clashed in court ten days ago, Apple resumed the attack, this time going for the Korean tech firm's jugular.

After claiming a decisive $1.05 billion victory in court, Apple early last week requested an injunction, asking that eight Samsung smartphones be banned in the U.S. Later that same week Apple has once again upped the ante, filing an amended patent infringement complaint with the U.S. District Court of Northern California. The new claim (which is completely separate from the earlier request) accuses a total of 21 Samsung mobile devices of infringing on its designs for the iPhone and iPad, including the Samsung Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note.

Samsung Galaxy S III vs. Apple iPhone 4SThe company's lawyers wrote:

    "Since then [April 2011], Samsung has continued to release new infringing products, including its current flagship device, the Galaxy S III. While Samsung's new products infringe many of the same design patents, utility patents, trademarks, and trade dress rights that are at issue in the Earlier Case, Samsung's new products also infringe additional utility patents, some of which issued after Apple filed the Earlier Case."

The interesting thing about this new amended claim is that it actually differs from the previous one presented in the case. The new list of mobile devices are being called into question for allegedly infringing on Apple's patents related to the iPhone/iPad user experience, instead of physical attributes and feel. The amended claim examines such patents as the slide-to-unlock and word recommendation search features, with a total of eight patents being included in the new claim.

Samsung refuted Apple's claim this weekend going on to state to the Associated Press:

    "Apple continues to resort to litigation over market competition in an effort to limit consumer choice. We will continue to take the necessary legal measures to ensure the availability of our innovative products in the United States."

Three of Samsung's most popular mobile devices the Samsung Galaxy S III, the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Tab 10.1 reside among the 21 devices being called into question in Apple's new claim, but not the upcoming Galaxy Note II. Having any of those three banned in the U.S. would be a significant blow to Samsung.

Should Apple successfully prove it has suffered irreparable harm as a result of these 21 devices, a preliminary injunction preventing the U.S. sale of these devices could be put into place. However, seeing that the court hearing regarding Apple's earlier request, asking for 8 Samsung smartphones to be permanently banned in the U.S. has been pushed back to December, it might be some time before we see this dispute come to fruition.

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AT&T Getting Sony Xperia T Cutting-Edge Android Smartphone

A retailer in the U.K. has let slip that the recently-announced Sony Xperia T is on the way to the U.S. courtesy of AT&T. This is going to be Sony new flagship Android smartphone, and will be be packed with high-end features.

Sony Xperia TThe Xperia T is going to sport a 4.6-inch display with a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution (720p). It will also boast a 13MP camera that Sony says will be able to go from off to taking a picture in an instant.

The smartphone will run Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) but an upgrade to OS 4.1 (Jelly Bean) is already in development. On the inside will be a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260A Snapdragon S4 processor, with 16GB of on-board storage.

Sony is also building in 4G HSPA+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, an FM radio, and a 1,850mAh battery.

Phone4u has begun taking orders for the Xperia T in the U.K., and posted several images of the device. One of these clearly shows the AT&T logo, all but confirming that this smartphone is headed for the U.S.A. The price and release date remain unknown, however.


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LG Intuition Taking Its 5-Inch Screen Exclusively to Verizon

LG and Verizon Wireless today announced the upcoming release of the LG Intuition, which will be sold exclusively in the U.S. by Verizon Wireless. LG's newest handset is part of the ever growing movement toward large smartphones that look to blur the line between tablets and handsets.

The LG handset is going to offer a 5-inch 650 NIT display, with a 4:3 aspect ratio. It will house a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, and it will run on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

The device will offer 4G LTE connectivity, and will be able to offer wireless service with up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices. The handset will have a 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and 1080P HD video recording, and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chatting.

In addition to those specs the LG Intuition will also offer two NFC (Near Field Communications) stickers that allow users to switch between phone modes with a single tap. The stickers can be placed at specific places such as an office cubical or home's entrance to allow users to quickly tap the NFC sticker with their phone to activate a mode such as Car Mode, Office Mode, and Sleep Mode.  The different will be customizable, while tapping a sticker again will return users to their original settings.

The Intuition will be be a re-named  LG Optimus Vu, which is seen as one of the top competitors for the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Both these Android models are going to have displays larger than typical smartphones.

Price and Availability

The 5-inch handset will be available online at VerizonWireless.com starting Thursday, Sept. 6 and will be available in stores at Verizon Wireless retailers starting Sept 10. It will sell for $200 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Additionally, to purchase the LG intuition customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless data plan, and customers who purchase the device online between Sept 6 and 10 will receive a free LG Tone Stereo Bluetooth as a special promotion.

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Nokia Launches Free Music Streaming Service

Lumia owners who also happen to be music lovers will be happy to know that Nokia has officially launched its Nokia Music streaming service today, bringing free music to the Lumia 900 and 710 Windows Phones.

There are currently over 150 playlists available for streaming, all of which are "curated and kept up to date by an expert team of US based musicologists," according to Nokia. The playlists not only cover a wide range of musical genres, there are also celebrity playlists created by popular artists such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Those users who are looking for something a little more personalized can also use the "create" function and have a playlist generated based on their favorite artists, with songs being pulled from a library of millions of songs.

Other features include the ability to pin playlists for offline listening and the "Gig Finder," which finds nearby concerts and shows based on the user's current location.

Free and Free

The Nokia Music service is not only free of charge, but is also advertisement-free and requires no registration or subscription. It is available now in the Windows Marketplace.

Nokia says that Nokia Music is a service "exclusive to Nokia Lumia handsets," but it only listed the Lumia 900 and Lumia 710 specifically when addressing which models can download the app from the Marketplace right now.


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IBM's Rumored RIM Takeover: The End of BlackBerry?

There are surprising plot twists, cunning moves by key players and even secret formulas and ingredients. No, it is not the best (or worst!) of reality television, but the drama and angst that has plagued Research in Motion and its BlackBerry platform for well over a year.

Now comes the rumor of a possible acquisition by the mighty IBM no less, but would this provide salvation and redemption, or a quick end to the highly-recognized BlackBerry brand?

RIMOnce the high-flying darling of Wall Street and the smartphone standard, BlackBerry now seems to be in a tailspin with the rugged ground fast approaching. The worldwide market share for the BlackBerry platform dropped from 13.6% of the world's smartphones in the first quarter of 2011 to roughly 6.4% of the world's smartphones in the first quarter of this year, according to International Data Corp. (IDC). Meanwhile, Google and its Android platform just seem to be getting stronger every day, with a 59.0% worldwide share and 89.9 million units shipped just during the first quarter this year.

A Slow Connection

Critics blame RIM for being too slow to expand its line with fancy new phones as a wealth of competing devices flood the market. They also blame RIM for keeping too tight a rein on its BlackBerry Messenger service, one of the most secure and closed systems in the world.

The real turning point for RIM came last year when the service was hit with major outages that restricted services worldwide. It was at this point that users began to question the value of the service and heed the siren's call of the competition.
The fact is that BlackBerry still has a lot of life and potential in its technology platform, and a dedicated cadre of users -- especially in the government market where there is still some incremental growth. However, even RIM execs admit government users are starting to take a serious look at Android devices as BYOD activities continue to spread.

An IBM acquisition of RIM would definitely change the dynamics of the company and the technology platform. IBM is clearly only interested in the BlackBerry Messenger service and RIM's network of highly-secure servers worldwide. This plays in well with IBM's own mobile device management (MDM) strategies and has a significant potential for revenues since IBM would likely open up the platform to its third-party developers.

RIM, the company, has very little to gain from the acquisition except for a quick influx of cash. Once IBM cuts out the pieces it wants, all that's left are the most unprofitable parts including the smartphone development and sales division. Bottom line: It is the end of BlackBerry as we know it.

BYOD Brings on an Early RIP

There are a number of questions surrounding such an acquisition and fate, so we asked our own resident expert and editor of Brighthand.com, Ed Hardy.

1. Would/Does the RIM service, separate from the BlackBerry phones, work with other devices?

Right now, BlackBerry services like BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) are currently not available for rivals like the iPhone and Android. There are licensing restrictions, as well as technical roadblocks. Palm Computer... a pioneer in the development of personal digital assistants or PDAs took the same course initially, but later spun off its software operations and tried the third-party route. However, by that point, had pretty much missed the boat as devices became more communications-centric and smarter cell phones began emerging.

Some experts have suggested that RIM give up hardware and operating systems and just offer BBM on a variety of platforms, like iOS and Android. This theoretical company might still be profitable, but it would be much smaller.

2. Have security capabilities of third-party software vendors made the need for the RIM service obsolete?

This is a bit like asking "in a price-conscious world filled with cars from Kia and Hyundai, is there a point in having a Lexus?" Answer is "yes", since this represents a new level of quality and user experience. RIM's enterprise security systems are the best. They are the ones that third-party developers wish they could be, and that many companies prefer. The BlackBerry Messenger encryption technology is still the elite platform in the market in terms of security -- so far, anyway.

3. How might an IBM acquisition impact the BYOD part of the market, given IBM's other capabilities?

Surely, it would open this instant messaging service up to rival platforms, like iPhone and Android. So those companies that use BBM and give BlackBerrys to all its employees wouldn't have a problem with those who prefer to bring their Droid from home, as these employees could still access BBM.

The basic success of BYOD (or consumerization) in the enterprise or government markets hinges on breaking down the barriers between devices, improving user interfaces, and making it easier for IT to service and support these varied devices.

AnalysisIn the end, the fate of BlackBerry really hinges on the demands of users, who right now are increasingly hooked on flashier and more full-featured smartphones. If the BlackBerry messenger technology and security are cut loose from the RIM anchor, then the personal sentiment related to the BlackBerry quickly begins to fade.

An Interview

I recently was interviewed on Washington D.C.'s Federal News Radio about the possibility that IBM will acquire some, or all, of RIM. This interview is available on the radio station's website.


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Horn for iOS Review: This Game Will Blow You Away

Horn, a new action adventure game app developed by Phosphor Games, takes us one step closer to closing the gap between gaming on mobile and console platforms, a divide that's also being bridged by the development of new and more powerful smarphones and tablets. Taking many of the steadfast elements that we expect in our console experiences and translating them seamlessly on to iOS devices, Horn is sure to blow fans away. 

Overview

After playing Horn, there's one thing of which I'm sure. Phosphor Games loves the Legend of Zelda series as much as I do. Horn pays homage to the iconic action adventure series, emulating a number of the mechanics including its interesting concoction of action, puzzle solving and sparse RPG elements. However, that's not to say that Horn is a mere copy of the past. While outside influences are certainly noticeable, Horn combines those elements with its own unique narrative filled with imaginative characters and witty banter, giving this title a life of its own.

Story/Narrative

HORN for iOS ReviewHorn follows a number video game tropes. To begin with, players assume the role of Horn, an orphan with a convoluted past who has taken to being a blacksmith's apprentice. Through a series of unknown events, Horn awakens to find his world and its inhabitants transformed. With all of humanity now cursed to take the form of golem-like creatures known as Pygons, it falls upon Horn to reverse the curse and save his world.

Yet while Horn may start out like so many action adventure games before it, once the story matures, it reveals its own identity. Without a doubt, the driving force of the narrative lies in the dialog, particularly the relationship between Horn and his begrudging Pygon companion Gourd. Unfortunately for Gourd, he lost his head (literally) in his first encounter with Horn. He now finds himself an unwilling companion on Horn's journey. The sharp jagged edges of Gourd's skull are only matched by the cutting wit that emanates from the creature's mouth. It quickly becomes apparent to players that Horn and Gourd aren't particularly fond of each other, as each will take any chance he can get to make a jape at the other's expense.

However ,through their banter, both characters show a great deal about themselves and their respective worlds. In addition to fantastic writing, the dialog is matched by superb voice acting that is sure to make players tune in. Accompany all of this with beautifully crafted static cut scenes (similar to Fable) and you get a narrative experience unlike any other seen on the mobile platform. Never before have I found myself so invested in what characters had to say in a mobile game.

Performance

HORN for iOS ReviewAnother catalyst for this epic adventure is its serene dystopian art style. The crumbling wasteland offers an interesting contrast between majestic skylines and crumbling ruins. Though this is a land in great peril, the colors are vibrant, breathing life into the world and adding to an ongoing dichotomy between the struggles of humanity and the current peaceful state in which the world resides. A great level of detail has been placed in the world's atmosphere. Coating every corner are beautiful lighting effects and minute details, such as falling foliage. The only down side is that the environments become somewhat repetitive as the game continues. Players will find themselves entering rooms or areas that feel all too familiar as the same design concept is iterated more than once. However, while not ideal, the somewhat repetitive level design can be forgiven considering how wonderful everything looks.

Players will also find a wide array of Pygons which beautifully complement the toppled ruins of humanity. Breathing creativity into the world, the Pygons span a wide spectrum, from the small bird-like chopper Pygons whose darting patterns decorate the skyline, to the larger than life leviathans who make the world tremble in their wake. Best of all, though, despite their varied natures, each Pygon seems fully at home within the scenery, further augmenting this immersive experience.

In addition to the gorgeous scenery, players can also expect a masterful soundtrack from Austin Wintory (composer of PS3 title Journey). Much like the old action titles that Horn draws its inspiration from, the soundtrack is used to add an emotional element. The backtrack reiterates the magnitude of this grandiose tale. When players find themselves cornered by enemies, the soundtrack highlights the severity of the situation.

Gameplay

Horn suffers from split personalities, but I mean this in best sense possible. One minute, it pushes you to explore and solve puzzles. The next, you are locked into an epic battle with a giant armored Pygon. The two different game modes complement one another quite nicely and also serve to add great pacing to the gaming experience.

Horn is able to bring these two distinct styles of play thanks to its natural touch interface. When in exploration mode, players will be able to fully explore the 3D environments. Clicking on the screen sends Horn to that location. Swiping up at a ledge will cause Horn to scale it. Jumping across wide gaps requires players to quickly tap the edge for Horn to grab hold of it. Every action meshes with the corresponding control, making navigation feel natural.

Combat controls differ a bit, as Horn will only be able to navigate right or left by dodging via the two corresponding buttons that appear on both sides of the screen. Players will also be able to throw bombs and consume potions thanks to the two additional buttons placed at the top left of the screen. Swiping your fingers across the screen will cause Horn to attack in the direction swiped.

Overall these controls work quite nicely. However, due to the lag that can occur with touchscreens players, will sometimes find they are unable to dodge incoming attacks. Also, with some attacks (specifically from bosses or difficult opponents), depleting large portions of Horn's life can become somewhat problematic. Still. for the most part, the controls are well thought out, as the fluidity of the touch controls is actually a huge advancement over simply placing an awkward d-pad for players to use on the touchscreen.

Although the controls are occasionally problematic, when everything is going smoothly the combat is a pleasure. It is simplistic in that all the players really need to do is to dodge incoming attacks and land attacks on their enemies. Yet reading the enemies' attack patterns to land devastating combo slashes can be very rewarding.

Additionally, some enemies will be adorned in crystalline armor that makes them impervious to attacks from certain directions, meaning that players need to be even more tactical about how they approach each fight. Finally, each Pygon has its own weak spot. When HORN is able to attack that area enough times, this will reveal the enemies' weak points, allowing players to drop enemies exponentially faster. Again, while somewhat simple, the core combat mechanicss will have players frantically swiping their fingers to vanquish foe after foe.

Another area where the game opts for simplicity is in its puzzle design. Old-school gamers will be rushed with feelings of deja vu, as many of the puzzles are reminiscent of the similar puzzles found in the first few temples of most Legend of Zelda titles. In fact, the game even has its own magical instrument, a horn that when played alters the world using an old and mysterious magic. (I'm looking at you, Ocarina of Time.)

Unfortunately, while the game does offer some interesting puzzle mechanics, the puzzles never progress beyond a rudimentary level. The horn, for instance, is used in a great deal of puzzles, but it can only be used at certain pedestals and the game automatically chooses the corresponding song needed to solve the puzzle.

Players, though, will find themselves enticed to explore the beautiful landscapes and fanciful creatures players in Horn's world to unveil the game's numerous unlocks. Thanks to Horn's blacksmithing abilities, players will be able to create and wield new weapons and equipment, all of which harbor their own unique stats and abilities. However, to build these powerful upgrades. Horn must collect blueprints along with the required resources. Players will find these blueprints and resources scoured across the land in dark caves and reclusive recesses, giving them just one more reason to extend to every corner of the map.

The numerous unlocks can also add some replay value to players. With loads of trinket and weapon blueprints sprinkled throughout the world, not to mention a number of available character costumes, there's plenty for players to unlock. Chances are that players will still find plenty to do even once they've completed this 10-hour epic.

Conclusion

To say the least, I was surprised by Horn. I still find myself skeptical that mobile gaming can fully reach the same heights of its console counterpart, but titles like Horn might come to change my stance.

Is Horn perfect? Of course not. The controls are still a bit clunky and the simplistic puzzle design will leave many gamers wanting more. Regardless, Horn offers an unrivalled level of production value for the mobile platform. The static cut scenes and landscapes are beautiful, and Gourd and Horn's relationship serves as a great catalyst for telling this epic tale.

While Horn certainly has its faults, players will be hard pressed to find a better 10-hour experience for the price of $7 on any platform. If you're an old-school gamer who's looking to relive the glory days of action-adventure titles and epic quests, do yourself a favor and pick up Horn.


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Samsung Makes Smartphones Safe for Driving with Drive Link App

Samsung hasannounced a new in-car smartphone application that aims to make roadways a little safer by eliminating a cluttered interface, making handsets running the platform ideal for quick and intuitive use when in in a car.

Dubbed Drive Link, the app is equipped with several shortcuts to useful driving applications, targeting the three most popular uses of smartphones while driving: texting, navigating to a destination, and talking hands-free. Meeting the Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association's standards, the app gives drivers all the information they need at a glance thanks to enlarged buttons and interactive elements.

Drive Link displays information, such as weather, time, and appointments, with oversized keys to make quick tapping without looking easier. Guaranteeing that drivers keep their eyes on the road, Samsung's latest app works nicely with Android's text-to-speech engine, and can read all incoming text messages, emails and social media updates.

The Drive Link application also lets drivers select preset, recent or favorite destinations using their smartphone's GPS features. Taking it one step further, users who receive a text message with address information inside while using Samsung Drive Link can set that address as their destination with just a single tap.

While Samsung did not say whether the application will be made available in the Play Store, Drive Link is currently available from Samsung Apps on the Galaxy S III. Sammy promised that the app will be coming to other smartphones running 4.0 in the near future, so until then, drivers keep your hands off your phones and eyes on the road!


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Samsung Galaxy Stellar Could Land at Verizon this Week

It looks like another Samsung Galaxy smartphone will be landing at Verizon Wireless soon, although the Galaxy Stallar won't offer all the bells and whistles like Sammy's latest flagship model, the Galaxy S III, its $100 price tag might get some tongues wagging.

Samsung Galaxy StallarAccording to information that has leaked out ahead of the launch the Galaxy Stellar 4G LTE is going to be aimed at the budget-minded consumer, as well as first-time smartphone adopters, thanks to its "easy-to-use" Starter Mode, which will supposedly simplify user interaction with Access apps and controls. Shipping with Android 4.0 under the hood, the Stellar 4G will pack an unnamed 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU, a reasonable processor considering the cost of the device.

With a compact design that is said to fit comfortably in hands, the 4-inch smartphone is going to weigh in at 4.73 ounces and will measure 121.92 x 63.75 x 11.94mm. Samsung's next mid-range handset will feature dual cameras, with a 3.2-megapixel shooter that will be housed in the rear and a 1.3-megapixel one in the front, and will sport an 800 x 480 WVGA display.

The Stellar made a short-lived appearance on Best Buy's website, before being quickly taken down, though potential customers be warned, it's probably best to get the device on a Verizon plan, rather than pay the $450 contract-free price from the electronic retailer. Amazon Kindle, Audible and Zappos apps will also be offered on the handset, which will have 4GB internal storage and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.

With rumors pegging the Galaxy Stellar 4G LTE with a Sept. 6 release date, it looks like this is heating up to be an exciting month for smartphone fans, as the highly-speculated Apple iPhone 5 is expected to launch Sept. 12.



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Ericsson in pole position to buy Nokia Siemens unit: report

(Reuters) - Ericsson, the world's top mobile network infrastructure supplier, is in pole position to buy the business support systems (BSS) unit of rival Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), Dow Jones Newswires reported on Monday.

In addition to Ericsson, U.S. telecoms equipment maker Amdocs is also interested in the BSS unit, which provides billing and charging systems for telecoms operators, Dow Jones quoted a source familiar with the matter saying.

A source familiar with the situation told Reuters the unit was among assets NSN was considering selling, but could not confirm a deal was imminent.

Ericsson and NSN, a joint venture between Nokia Oyj and Siemens AG, declined to comment. Amdocs was not immediately available for comment.

NSN is in the middle of a slimming program that will also cut 17,000 of the group's workforce - or almost a quarter of the total - in an effort to improve its finances.

Sweden-based Ericsson has been expanding rapidly in BSS and operations support systems (OSS), last year buying Telcordia in the United States for $1.1 billion.

A recent survey by consultancy Gartner ranked Ericsson top globally by revenues in OSS and BSS services, including sales acquired with Telcordia.

NSN made a profit of 27 million euros on a non-IFRS basis in the second quarter on sales of 3.3 billion.

(Editing by David Holmes)


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U.S., Canadian zoos use apps to teach apes

(Reuters) - Humans aren't the only species on the planet with a penchant for electronic gadgets. Zookeepers across the United States and Canada are discovering that apes also get excited about apps.

As part of a program called Apps for Apes, 12 zoos across the two countries have been incorporating iPads into the enrichment time allotted for orangutans, the giant furry red primates native to Indonesia and Malaysia.

"We're finding that, similar to people, they like touching the tablet, watching short videos of David Attenborough for instance, and looking at other animals and orangutans," said Richard Zimmerman, founding director of Orangutan Outreach, the New York City-based non-profit that runs the program.

Twice weekly, orangutans are provided with access to the tablets. The animals spend from 15 minutes to a half hour using different apps depending on their attention span.

Apps geared towards children that stimulate activities such as painting, music and memory games are among the most popular apps with the apes.

At the Toronto Zoo, zookeeper Matthew Berridge uses apps such as Doodle Buddy for drawing, Montessori Counting Board and Activity Memo Pocket, a memory game, in addition to playing YouTube videos for the apes.

"It's a lot like when we're showing children pop-up books," said Zimmerman, adding that the orangutans are among the most intelligent primates, with the intelligence level of a young child.

Zookeepers are also investigating how communication apps, such as those for the autistic, can help the animals to express themselves better, according to Zimmerman.

"Let's say an orangutan has a toothache. He or she would be able to then tap on the iPad on a picture of a tooth and communicate it that way," he explained.

One very intelligent, but armless, orangutan at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida is so intent on using the device that she uses her feet to navigate through the touchscreens.

"When you see the enjoyment and focus on their faces it's special, especially for orangutans who are in an enclosure all day and you're providing enrichment for them," said Zimmerman.

Because the tablets are so fragile the zookeepers handle the apps while the animals navigate the touchscreen, but the organization is investigating creating larger, more rugged casings.

The program, which is not meant to replace physical stimulation or climbing, also aims to raise awareness about the threats orangutans face in the wild.

"We're hoping that in that moment we can make a breakthrough with (zoo visitors] and say, 'Listen, these are beautiful animals that are obviously curious and intelligent and not too far from us and this is what they're dealing with in the wild,'" said Zimmerman.

Orangutans are critically endangered because of the rapid deforestation and expansion of palm oil plantations into their rainforest homes, he added.

The program, which relies on donated iPads, will soon be expanding to zoos across Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Europe.

More information about the project can be found on redapes.org/

(Editing by Patricia Reaney and Cynthia Osterman)


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Samsung's crisis culture: a driver and a drawback

(Reuters) - In his 1997 book, Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee wrote that a successful company needs a "heightened sense of crisis", so that it always looks ahead even when it's doing well, and needs to be able to respond to change.

It's a credo that has driven Samsung Electronics to become the world's biggest technology firm by revenue - it sells more televisions, smartphones and memory chips than anyone else - and makes the group a must-visit case study for a stream of Chinese firms seeking to tap the secrets of Korean success.

But, in the wake of last month's damaging U.S. patent ruling, which Samsung has said it will appeal - the Korean group was fined more than $1 billion after a jury found it had copied key features of Apple Inc's iPhone - the group's top-down command structure and decision-making process are blamed for stifling creativity.

What's been good for getting things done quickly, such as making bold decisions on big investments in chips and display screens, may not now best suit a company that needs to shift from being a 'fast follower' - quick to match others' products - to an innovator.

Within Samsung, where some designers feel overlooked and undermined, there are calls for a change of tack.

The 'constant crisis' has worked well, helping Samsung overtake Japanese technology brands Sony, Sharp and Panasonic in chips, TVs and displays, end Nokia's decade-long supremacy in handsets and overtake Apple in smartphones.

But that has come with a big reputational hit - that Samsung makes knock-off products.

MOVING HEAVEN AND EARTH

"It's a crisis of design," JK Shin, head of Samsung's mobile division told staff in February 2010 as Samsung worked on its first Galaxy phone in a panicky response to the iPhone's smash-hit debut, according to an internal memo filed to a U.S. court as part of Apple's lawsuit.

"Influential figures outside the company come across the iPhone, and they point out that 'Samsung is dozing off.'

"All this time, we've been paying all our attention to Nokia, and concentrated our efforts on things like 'folder', 'bar', 'slide,' yet when our UX (user experience) is compared to the unexpected competitor Apple's iPhone, the difference is truly that of Heaven and Earth."

The sense of crisis and urgency to catch Apple drove Samsung designers and engineers to opt for a concept that best matched the look and feel of the iPhone, according to one Samsung designer, who isn't authorized to talk to the media and didn't want to be identified.

"Designers have lots of unique and creative ideas, but these have to be loved by the top decision-makers. The problem was, because they were so fascinated by the Apple design, these ideas weren't really satisfactory to please the top level," said the designer.

"I think elsewhere top managers respect their chief designer's decision, but at Samsung, they overrule designers and have the final say about what design we go with. That limits our capability. To be better than a good fast follower, Samsung needs a more horizontal culture and to empower designers."

A Samsung executive, who didn't want to be named, countered that the group had started out with little innovation - it struggled even to make simple black and white TVs - but now drives new ideas internally through incentives and bonuses, with Lee himself very interested in new technology and design.

MORE WOW

One recent example of that top-heavy command structure came less than a fortnight before the launch of Samsung's Galaxy S III smartphone in May, when vice chairman Choi Gee-sung ordered half a million blue phone cases to be thrown away as the design, with thin, silver stripes, was unsatisfactory, according to a person familiar with the matter.

After a number of tweaks, Choi approved the final design on a Sunday just 10 days before launch, triggering an initial supply bottleneck and delaying shipments of some 2 million units, according to some analysts.

Similarly, when Choi visited Samsung's U.S. telecoms operation a year ago, internal documents filed to the court during the U.S. patent battle with Apple showed managers there were worried about a lack of initiatives to impress him.

"Overall plan is OK, but we are lacking a WOW idea to share with GS (Choi). Generally, lacking confidence in our plan to 'beat Apple'."

The react-fast philosophy is a far cry from how Apple worked. Christopher Stringer, a 17-year Apple design veteran, told the U.S. court that around 16 "maniacal" individuals from all over the world used to brainstorm around a kitchen table to come up with the company's mobile products.

By contrast, Samsung's design sanctum looks much like any other Samsung department, a Dilbert sprawl of desks and cubicles with framed aphorisms from the founding family on the walls: "Be with Customers", "Create Products that Contribute to Humanity" and "Challenge the World, Create the Future."

"It's pretty much a top-down, hierarchical culture that doesn't do any good in inspiring creativity," the designer added. "I don't think it's a unique Samsung problem, but one that plagues South Korean society as a whole. Samsung is making efforts to change it, but it's still very much top-down."

"Probably what we need now is the creative environment that Silicon Valley boasts."

"SAMSUNG MEN"

Living up to its reputation for moving swiftly and nimbly in an increasingly competitive market, Samsung's mobile product life cycle is getting shorter - it introduces a new product around every six months. In a surprise last Wednesday, Samsung unveiled a smartphone using Microsoft's latest mobile software, rushing the announcement just days before the highly anticipated launch of Nokia's version.

"Regardless of any hindrance, Samsung will continue to provide outstanding, innovating and unique products that stand out in the industry," Samsung's mobile chief Shin said at Europe's biggest electronics show in Berlin.

Shin has also praised the company's "diligent and exemplary" elite workforce, the so-called "Samsung men" trained in the 1990s with a textbook called "New Samsung Management" that summarized chairman Lee's remarks and his sense of crisis.

Lee, who took over as chairman from his father and group founder in 1987, stepped down in 2008 after he was convicted of embezzlement and tax evasion, but returned within two years following a presidential pardon. He marked his return with his familiar refrain.

"We're in a real crisis. Top global companies are reeling and (I'm) not sure what will happen to Samsung. Most products and businesses that represent Samsung today will be gone in 10 years time. We should start again. There's no time to waste."

That summer, Samsung saw its telecoms profit halved as Apple captured consumers' hearts and wallets. But it swiftly rebounded with its Galaxy line-up and has posted record profits each year since. Annual profit this year is likely to top $22 billion, up 45 percent from 2010.

But the crisis culture is wearing thin for some.

"It does keep people agile and alert, but people joke that once you work more than five years at Samsung you've probably heard it more than enough and think it more of a repetitive cycle," said a Samsung chip developer, who wasn't authorized to talk publicly about the company. "You just get used to these things."

Even 70-year-old billionaire Lee may be mellowing.

Briefed after the bruising Apple defeat, Lee said only: "Deal with it well," according to a person familiar with the matter.

($1 = 1133.9500 Korean won)

(Reporting by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Ian Geoghegan)


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Apple and Google CEO in Talks, Could a Compromise be Near?

With a major victory behind him, it appears Apple CEO Tim Cook is ready to put his weapons down, or at least begin talks to find a resolution, as he is rumored to have held preliminary discussions this week with Google CEO Larry Page.

While Google has not been the direct target of Apple's numerous lawsuits, which span the globe from America to Asia, and Europe too, its Android operating system has felt the impact of last week's court ruling that found Samsung guilty of infringing upon multiple innovative smartphone features from Apple. Despite claims that the patents at issue in the case were not generic to Android, Google is the real target for Apple's suits, as the Internet giant has a strong hand is the smartphone scene, from its support for OEM partners' legal campaigns to its acquisition of Motorola Mobility, in which it inherited a slew of Apple-charged lawsuits.

Yet, if Apple were to hold Google solely responsible for the alleged harm Android has caused the Cupertino-based company, it would be a much more difficult argument to convince the jury of, as Google does not compete with Apple directly. Since Google only creates and then gives its operating system away for free to manufacturers, which then produce the handsets that have supposedly violated Apple's creative license, it doesn't serve as a direct competitor to the iPhone. So while Apple may have a lot of ammunition after its win against Samsung, it is more challenging to get an injunction against a company that doesn't compete directly.

According to reports, Cook and Page have already spoken by phone and will hold further talks soon. With a Japanese judge ruling in favor of Samsung earlier this week, it seems that there is major subjectivity when it comes to judgments on software and design patents, which could work against Apple again in the future. Perhaps talks to stop further escalation, while protecting the Android operating system, is the best option for the two technology giants.

While the iPhone-maker is not likely to drop its current cases, a compromise with Google could affect its outstanding fights with HTC, Motorola and other individual vendors, and also stall Apple from further lawsuits. It remains to be seen if such talks will produce a favorable settlement for all, so keep informed on Apple's and Google's on goings with Brighthand.


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