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Android Embraces The Dark Side, Abandons Free Spirit

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Known for slaying Symbian and instilling fear within the heart of Steve Jobs, Android has apparently taken a turn for the worse.

In an attempt to squash fragmentation and speed up OS updates, Google is no longer allowing manufactures, carriers and the average hacker to modify Android without their express permission.

Over the last couple of months Google (GOOG) has reached out to the major carriers and device makers backing its mobile operating system with a message: There will be no more willy-nilly tweaks to the software. No more partnerships formed outside of Google’s purview. From now on, companies hoping to receive early access to Google’s most up-to-date software will need approval of their plans. And they will seek that approval from Andy Rubin, the head of Google’s Android group. (BusinessWeek) [Read more…]

Originally posted on March 31, 2011 @ 2:25 pm

Google Becomes The FTC’s Latest Whipping Boy

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In order to make the Internet more “fair and balanced,” the FTC is allegedly initiating an anti-trust investigation against Google over fears that the company holds too much power online.

Instead of punishing rivals for copying Google’s search results, the Feds are punishing Google for dominating the web due to launching superior features. [Read more…]

Originally posted on April 5, 2011 @ 2:56 pm

Blackberry Playbook: The Price Isn’t Right

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Blackberry fans will be excited to learn that they can finally pre-order the Playbook, which should arrive in the hands of users next month (April 19th at the earliest).

While the mini-tablet does boast a few features lacking upon iPad 2, RIM might want to rethink their pricing strategy if they want to thrive in iPad 2’s shadow.

The BlackBerry PlayBook will be available in Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, Best Buy Canada and Future Shop stores April 19th in the following models and price points:

    • 16GB Wi-Fi, $499
    • 32GB Wi-Fi, $599
    • 64GB Wi-Fi, $699

You can pre-order your BlackBerry PlayBook from Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores in the United States and Best Buy Canada and Future Shop in Canada right now[.] (Official Blackberry Blog)

While RIM’s prices are competitive against iPad 2, the problem is that the Blackberry Playbook is about half the size of Apple’s tablet which won’t appeal to consumers who often look at the price tag when shopping in stores.

RIM might want to consider shaving off the price by $50-$100 or even having carriers heavily subsidize the device in order to remain competitive against Apple.

Originally posted on March 22, 2011 @ 1:46 pm

Should BlackBerry Embrace Windows Phone 7?

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Dear RIM, we have a problem. Despite your best efforts at revamping your OS, launching a decent smartphone (not to mention a mini-tablet), people around you are predicting doom and gloom for your company.

Worse, developers are balking at creating apps for Blackberry and your flirtation with Android isn’t building much confidence in your mobile OS.

With market share declining and Apple constantly refining iOS, it might be time for RIM to consider taking a cue from Nokia and embrace Windows Phone 7. [Read more…]

Originally posted on April 18, 2011 @ 12:58 pm

Will Nokia’s Gamble On Windows Phone 7 Pay Off?

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While it’s no surprise why Nokia chose Windows Phone 7 over Android, what is surprising is the fact that the company is convinced that Microsoft’s OS will help them make a comeback in face of increased competition from iOS and Android.

Despite the fact that Windows Phone 7’s market share is not that impressive, Nokia believes they have an ace up their sleeve that will set them apart from other manufacturers.

But Nokia’s relationship with Microsoft is different from the other Windows Phone licensees, who launched the first crop of handsets, HTC, LG, and Samsung. Nokia alone has the right to customize the Windows Phone UI. […]

“Even if we have the right to change it, it would be unwise to change it in ways that cause problems,” he says. Instead, Nokia plans to exploit the underlying OS to leverage both on-device features and a range of Nokia services: imaging, cameras, maps and navigation, to name just a few. (PC World)

Truthfully Nokia is going to need more than a redesign in order to attract the attention of the masses, let alone convince consumers to purchase their smartphone over iPhone, Blackberry, or the army of Android OEM’s sporting customized UI’s.

It might be wiser for Nokia to take a cue from carriers and strike up exclusive deals with app developers in order to help distinguish themselves from rivals big and small.

Unfortunately Nokia is not launching a Windows Phone 7 device this year, which means the company may find themselves in 2012 competing against yesteryear’s devices instead of the next generation of smartphones.

Originally posted on March 24, 2011 @ 2:07 pm