Tech archives

Market Trend Analysis Shows Smartphone Use Climbing

Filed Under: Blog, Mobile Security, Tech
Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

As I was doing my normal rounds of checking out the state of mobility, I ran across a post that discusses some new Smartphone market share trends and analysis. Nielson has come out with their most recent reporting on their interpretation of the US and global Smartphone market. Their analysis indicates that Smartphones now make up 28% of the entire US cell phone market.

In comparing these numbers to the Canalys’ reporting that was just released, there appears to be a bit of disparity between the two numbers. I’m curious how this happened? Regardless, here are the numbers:

Nielson says that of the consumers who acquired a new mobile device in the last 6 months, 41% of them opted for a Smartphone of one variety or another. That’s up from just 35% last quarter.

According to Nielson, Apple has nearly caught RIM (30%) in the US by capturing 28% of the US market, while Android hovers somewhere near 19%, but growing fast. Now here’s where the disparity comes into play. Nielson’s numbers don’t seem to agree with Canalys’ reporting. Canalys says that Android has stomped all over BlackBerry and Apple by capturing 44% of the US market, leaving Apple only 26%.

I don’t think it really matters all that much who owns what percentage of the market at this point. Attackers have found a weakness in the Android Market that they are looking to take advantage of. It’s the easiest, at this point, which means it’s going to attract the most attention. In the meantime, the extremely smart guys will continue to perform direct-style attack research against ALL platforms to see what is available to them.

If you’re a big number’s person and think I haven’t given enough to chew on, go ahead and check out the links to get the information from the source. I’m just the messenger.

BTW, did you vote today?



Apple Likely to Face Antitrust Inquiry?

Filed Under: Tech
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Some of you may have heard the news that the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are currently involved in discussions to determine which agency will begin an antitrust inquiry into Apple and a new policy that has been implemented. When I first saw the article from the New York Post discussing the DoJ/FTC inquiry, I immediately thought I was going to read an article about how government regulators were going to be looking into how Apple maintains an almost Orwellian control over the application ecosystem that is the App Store. An awful lot of “experts” in the industry spend a good amount of time debating whether or not Apple’s policy of restricting or approving applications for publication and use on the iPhone/iPad is acceptable. I have several opinions on that particular subject, but I’m only going to ask one question and then I’ll get to what is actually going on with Apple and the DoJ/FTC:

Let’s assume for a second that Apple were to decide to open the App Store for open development with no approval process (I know, it’s crazy, right?). Who are all of the talking heads and analysts going to go to when it gets overrun by malware? Will they blame Apple or the will they blame the developers who are creating the malicious apps? Think about that for a second…

As I read through the article, an entirely different case began to take shape…and it may have some merit. In the final months of 2009, Adobe announced that its Flash Professional CS5 would include the Packager for iPhone when it ships. From Adobe’s website, Flash Professional CS5 will benefit iPhone developers in the following ways:

“The Packager for iPhone allows developers to use Flash technologies to develop content for iPhone and iPod touch, devices that were previously closed to them. Developers can write new code or reuse existing web content to build applications for iPhone. Because the source code and assets are reusable across the Flash Platform runtimes,—Adobe AIR and Flash Player—it also gives developers a way to more easily target other mobile and desktop environments.”

Just like me, you may be wondering how this differs from the Adobe Flash Player 10 coming to the iPhone. Here is what Adobe has to say:

“The new support for iPhone applications included in Flash Professional CS5 will not allow iPhone users to browse web content built with Flash technology on iPhone, but it may allow developers to repackage existing web content as applications for iPhone if they choose to do so.Flash Player uses a just-in-time compiler and virtual machine within a browser plug-in to play back content on websites. Those technologies are not allowed on the iPhone at this time, so a Flash Player for iPhone is not being made available today.

Flash Professional CS5 will include a Packager for iPhone that will enable developers to build applications for iPhone that are then installed as native applications. Users will be able to access the apps after downloading them from Apple’s App Store and installing them on iPhone or iPod touch.”

I essence, Adobe has attempted to make an end-run around Apple’s policies that denied the ability to brows for Flash content on the web from an iPhone by creating a framework that would allow developers to first find that same existing content and then spit out a native iPhone application that uses the content. All is well and good and pretty darn ingenious, if you ask me. But, there’s one little problem.

Whether it be related to Steve Jobs’ well publicized dislike for anything related to Adobe, or that Apple decided that now was a good time to take a hardline stance by adding a new segment to the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement, section 3.3.1 of the developer’s agreement states that, “Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs”. This one little line prohibits the use of unauthorized code or using tools to act as an intermediary translation or compatibility tools.

In essence, Apple has stated that they will not allow applications to be published to the App Store that have been developed with any tool other than the Apple Software Development Kit (SDK), effectively pushing Adobe’s Flash Professional CS5 right out of the playing field for developing applications for the iPhone/iPad…Again! Whether we’re talking about Adobe or any other rapid-development application, Apple is saying to developers that they need to make a decision: either they can continue to try to use framework-like tools that can develop applications that are platform independent and use the translation capabilities to produce platform specific apps; OR they can develop applications for Apple products.

In the real world, developers are paid for their time by selling their apps. For a developer to be able to create a platform independent application and then be able to translate and compile it into multiple platforms is huge. Apple just told them they can’t do it on their platform. Thus, the decision that is necessary from developers and the decision from the DoJ/FTC.



Your own personal cell tower

Filed Under: Tech
Monday, April 12th, 2010

Maybe I’m just lucky, but somehow I’ve always managed to have decent cell phone coverage at home. Wireless carriers work hard to provide good coverage, but the nature of wireless communications makes that a very difficult task. Over the years, I’ve had many conversations with people who complain that their cell phone works great when they’re out and about, but when they return home, they’re greeted with poor coverage.

For years now, the carriers have been installing equipment that I’ve always called “micro cells” into large commercial buildings, due to the fact that the frequencies used for mobile phones aren’t great at penetrating building materials like steel and concrete. These micro cells are essentially small indoor cell towers, and help to improve signal strength inside of the building.

Fairly recently, carriers have been offering a device called a “Femtocell” that their customers can install in their homes. The devices are about the same size as a cable modem or router, and act as a personal cell tower. Calls are routed back to the wireless carrier over the users home broadband connection.

Unfortunately, these femtocell devices have been aimed at improving voice coverage and not data coverage. Luckily, that may be changing! I came across an article on Wired today that speculates (based upon documents files with the FCC) that Sprint is readying a femtocell that will provide 3G data service in addition to voice coverage to users on their network. If it’s true, this could be great for smarphone users who live in poor coverage areas.



What’s with the G’s?

Filed Under: Tech
Monday, March 29th, 2010

For a few years now, you’ve heard the term “3G” used to describe data services on cellular networks. Now, all of a sudden, there is a new term showing up. Ads on TV, in magazines and newspapers, web sites, billboards, and anywhere else you can imagine are starting to feature new “4G” service from Sprint.

You may find yourself wondering “Do we really need an additional G? What is ‘G’ and why do I need four of them? Are the other carriers going to roll out an extra G for their customers too?”

First and foremost, “G” stands for “Generation”. The first generation cellular technology was the original analog cell phone system that became popular in the 80’s and early 90’s. The second generation transitioned us from analog to digital cell phone service in the late 90’s. The third generation, or “3G” technology added support for higher data speeds that have enabled the rich mobile experience we have grown accustomed to on our smart phones.

Quite simply, “4G” refers to the fourth generation cellular network technology that is optimized for high speed internet traffic. I know, this is an extreme simplification, but I don’t want to get hung up on the formal technical definition of 4G as set forth by the ITU. For the overwhelming majority of cell phone users, this is a good enough working definition to understand what the carriers are talking about.

Sprint is rolling out a 4G technology called WiMax on their network. This network upgrade will allow new devices to connect to the internet at speeds up to 20 Mbps. What this really means is that WiMax will allow mobile connections at speeds comparable to, or faster than many people’s home internet connections.

Sprint won’t be the only wireless carrier in the US to offer 4G service. AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Tmobile are also planning to roll their own 4G network upgrades. The catch though, is that AT&T, Verizon, and Tmobile are planning to roll out a different 4G technology called LTE. LTE offers theoretical speeds of 56 Mbps, but real world connections will probably not reach this limit.

At this time, Sprint has a head start. They have already rolled out WiMax in a handful of markets around the US, and will expand their service throughout 2010. Verizon Wireless will be rolling out LTE starting this year, and plan to finish upgrading their network bo 2013. AT&T plans to start rolling out LTE on their network in 2011. Tmobile plans to launch their LTE network in 2011.



Considering Keyboards

Filed Under: Tech
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

As our smart phones get smarter, they become more and more like computers, and less and less like phones. One piece of equipment that we’ve had on computers for decades is now making its way onto our phones. That piece of equipment is the keyboard. The problem is, each handset’s keyboard is different from every other handset.

To me, the keyboard on the device should be one of the biggest deciding factors when selecting a new phone. Some devices have only on-screen keyboards, some have physical keyboards, and some have both.

My personal device, a Samsung Moment, has both an on-screen keyboard and a physical slide out keyboard. I find that if I’m simply entering a word or two, the on-screen keyboard will do. On the other hand, if I’m sending an text message, typing a quick email, updating twitter, entering a URL into the browser, or any other activity that requires more than a few keystrokes, I find the physical keyboard to be much more usable.

If you’re in the market for a smart phone, be sure to take time to try out the different keyboard options on different handsets. There will be differences between the onscreen keyboards and the physical keyboards from phone to phone, and there is no doubt, if you buy a smart phone, you will ultimately be using the keyboard on a regular basis to input data.

The folks over at PC PRO have an article comparing the usability of keyboards across a handful of devices. Check it out, and see their results. You’ll notice that the error rates for on screen keyboards are much higher than for physical keyboards. In addition to the higher error rates, the time required was also much longer.



7 questions about Apple’s suit against HTC

Filed Under: Tech
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

By Harry McCracken

I’m not a reflexive enemy of the U.S. patent system. But having spent the day mulling over Apple’s lawsuit against HTC over smartphone-related patents, it still feels like the move is bad for consumers, bad for any smartphone-related company that isn’t headquartered in Cupertino — and quite possibly bad for Apple, too.

Now that this shoe has dropped, you gotta think that lots of other shoes are poised to drop all over Silicon Valley and Asia. Here are some questions I’m scratching my head over tonight. I suspect some people will maintain that the answers are obvious, but they’re not (yet) obvious to me ..

Read the full article on Apple’s lawsuit against HTC



Android is not just for phones

Filed Under: Tech
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

At the risk of making my blog posts too Android heavy, I’m going to post this anyway. The truth is, I think that Google’s Android OS is probably one of the most exciting things happening in the tech world right now. Why do I think it’s so exciting? Aside from the fact that I absolutely love my Android phone, it’s an operating system that is going to find its way into many devices well beyond smart phones.

Network World has posted an article on their site, “7 Android devices that aren’t phones“. On the list are tablets, media players, and even Netbook computers.

While Android isn’t nearly as powerful as a full blown operating system like Microsoft Windows or Apple’s MacOS, it is certainly capable of allowing users to do the most common internet activities. It’s simplified interface lends itself very well to use on set-top boxes, TV’s, or other appliances. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Android begin to work its way into the automobile industry either, powering an internet connected in dash navigation and media system.’

Oh, and next week… no Android. I promise.



Mobile banking and investing coming

Filed Under: Tech
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

A growing number of investors have turned to their computers and online brokers for cheaper, more efficient handling of their portfolios. Will the smartphone be next in their arsenal of investment tools? Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce made a splash recently when it claimed to be the first major Canadian bank to offer a mobile banking application for Apple’s iPhone. The app lets customers check account balances, transfer funds, pay bills and arrange money transfers. The app also uses the iPhone’s GPS technology to locate nearby branches or banking machines.

Critics sniff that CIBC should first have chosen an application for the Canadian-developed Black- Berry, but it’s clear that’s only a matter of time — as is the entry into mobile banking by CIBC’s competitors.

If, a year from now, “all five [big banks] didn’t have an app you could download, I’d be utterly shocked,” says IDC Canada analyst Rob Burbach.



My new favorite podcast client: Mediafly

Filed Under: Tech
Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Smartphones really are amazing devices. They’re not just for making calls and checking your calendar anymore. I love the always on internet access and I love the multimedia capabilities of my phone. I also love that I can download all sorts of apps to take advantage of these capabilities and extend the functionality of my mobile device. I’m always on the lookout for a great new app.

I came across a podcast client called Mediafly the other day, and have been really impressed with it. I am using their application on my Android phone. They also have versions of their software for Blackberry, iPhone, and WebOS (from Palm). I was surprised to see that they do not list Windows Mobile and Symbian as supported platforms. As expected, they also can sync to MP3 players like iPods, Zunes, or Sandisk Sansa players through a desktop application. Not so expected though, is support for some set top boxes like Roku or Popcorn Hour.

A podcast is a show released for download on the Internet. Some are audio only, like radio, others are video. Some are even in HD! Podcasts are released through a feed that allows you to subscribe to them with special client software so that the newest episodes are automatically downloaded and ready for you to enjoy.

In my opinion, the best feature of the Mediafly software is the ability to manage my subscriptions via the Mediafly website on my PC. I can browse an extensive catalog of shows from many different sources. When I subscribe to a particular show, it shows up automatically on my phone so that I can listen to it on the go. I don’t have to sync my phone to my PC, the show is downloaded over the air through my data plan.

I listen to a number of different podcasts, and with Mediafly, I can always make sure I have the most recent episode with me wherever I am, no more forgetting to sync my iPod to my PC to get the new shows. If you’re interested in exploring some of the great content available as podcasts, some of my favorite shows come from the TWiT Network, CNet, and NPR.



Android is the Future of Mobile Devices

Filed Under: Tech
Monday, January 18th, 2010

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I think Google’s Android operating system is the future for mobile devices like smart phones. That’s not to say that Apple’s iPhone isn’t a great device. It is. Touch screen phones wouldn’t be what they are today without Apple pushing the envelope in the last few years, but, the iPhone has one big problem. Apple. Apple has created a closed system, and, while that closed system has allowed Apple to produce a great product thus far, it will ultimately be the reason that Android surpasses the iPhone.

Android is a great operating system for mobile devices. There are some aspects that aren’t quite as polished yet, but overall, It has significantly closed the lead that Apple has had in terms of functionality, quality, and user experience. The openness of the Android platform is what I think will propel it into the lead over the next two years.

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