Microsoft and Nokia join forces in smartphone market

Of all the analysts who publicized their reactions to the Microsoft-Nokia smartphone deal announced on February 11, Blue Badge Insights founder Andrew Brust seemed to be the most rational I have seen so far. He said (in an interview with http://www.eweek.com/), "The two companies are on their respective back feet."

Brust added, "But they can certainly help each other: Microsoft gets global reach and market share from Nokia; Nokia upgrades from the somewhat stunted Symbian OS to something modern, touch-centric and contemporary in design value, through Microsoft's WP7."

Nokia president and CEO Stephen Elop and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer

Now, compare that with the vitriol and beratings mouthed by some other analysts, industry rivals and partners, and even consumers. These people seem to remain unable to forgive Microsoft for its role in the Wintel homogeny during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Smartphones for budget-smart people

Without a doubt they’re all smart. But without any doubt too, only the superrich or non-smart people can afford them.

Smartphones may indeed enhance your ability to take charge of personal information. These mobile tools are supposedly designed to help you become more organized, more efficient than before you purchased these phones. However, these phones cost so much, they can drive you to the poorhouse.

The Smart from HTC, one of the most affordable smartphones in the market

Coming with prices that range between Php25,000 and Php45,000, these smartphones also would require budget-draining monthly fees that you have to pay for you to enjoy their full range of smarty features.

Optimus Android One Sale by LG Mobile Philippines a Success,Too Successful for Some

Judging from the number of people who formed huge crowds before LG Mobile Philippines' concept stores nationwide, the Korean mobile vendor's November 13 50-percent discounted sale for the Optimus One Android smartphone proved to be a huge success. Apparently, Nokia's surprise (and announced-without-warning) 60-percent-off sale of its C6 phone failed to rain too much on LG Mobile's parade.

As this photo (which I "stole" from LG Mobile Philippines) shows.

Hundreds of consumers and smartphone enthusiasts did not mind the long lines, and some people's "inability to stay in line" just to get their hands on one of those Optimus One Android smartphones on sale at 50% discount. 

There were reports of lack of discipline among some consumers who could not wait in line. This prompted some smartphone enthusiasts to post their complaints on Facebook, the most popular networking site in the country.

Without a doubt, however, this one-day, one-hour event created lots of noise (mostly positive) (mostly negative, unfortunately) for the Korean mobile phone vendor.

P.S. We were told recently that both the LG and Nokia sales became case studies on how not to do sales promotions. Unfortunately (or was that fortunately?), I was not able to cover the event. I met an accident at home the week before the sales.

So, for Nokia and LG (and for their frustrated customers): better sale next time; and next time, can we do it properly?

LG Optimus One Android Phone at Half the Price

LG Mobile Philippines will sell the LG Optimus One Android smartphone at 50% discount on Saturday, November 13. The sale will last for an hour only, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, at the Korean electronics company's concept stores in these shopping malls – SM Megamall, SM North EDSA Annex, SM Cebu, and Gaisano Davao.

The LG Optimus One, LG Electronics' Android 2.2-powered smartphone

The omnipresent phone: TerraStar Genus smart/satellite handset

When I think of satellite phones, I always think of the movie "Jurrasic Park 3." Those scenes involving a yellow satellite phone -- on the plane that eventually crashed, of the protagonists sifting through a mound of dino-crap and looking for the same satellite phone -- somehow convinced me that having a satellite phone means having a constant access to a dependable means of communication. (Although, it could also mean potential bad luck for whoever is holding the phone.)


TerraStar Genus smart/satellite phone

Now come media reports that a relatively unknown tech company has convinced a major U.S. mobile service provider to sell its satellite phone that moonlights as a smartphone (or is it a smartphone doing part-time work as a satellite phone?).

Gadgets on my wish list

Christmas is barely a couple of months away, and this early, people are getting ready with their lists -- of the people (family, friends, and coworkers) they would give gifts to and of the goodies they would buy for them. This happens every year.

And on these islands, the effects seem more pronounced than they are overseas. Somehow, whenever the "Ber" months come, people transform into clones of Santa Claus and his helpers, combined. Manufacturers and sellers, meanwhile, are crossing their fingers too. After all, the holiday season accounts for a large portion of their annual sales.

Lack of iPhone 4: Apple's pleasant problem that hurts nevertheless

I know many electronics vendors would love trading places with Apple right now. After all, who would not want this scenario: thousands of consumers lining up at your retail outlets, eagerly awaiting their turn for the chance to part with their hard-earned money in order to lay their hands on your latest product.

Hell, I know several people who would sell their own mothers for the remotest opportunity to land in the vicinity of that scenario.

Apple to recall iPhone 4?

A story that appeared in the online edition of the U.K. newspaper Daily Mail said that Apple CEO Steve Jobs might have no choice but to recall the iPhone 4, the latest edition of the Cupertino company's smart phone. Apparently, consumer concern about the diminishing radio signal quality of the handset, and the uncharacteristic mishandling of initial customer complaints by Jobs and company might have painted the normally cool company into a corner.

Nokia fights for smart-phone turf with the N8

(Nokia's N8 smart phone)

Nokia has got news for all smart-phone enthusiasts out there. The Finnish mobile phone vendor wishes to remind you all, it is the number 1, numero uno, the big boss, in the smart-phone arena. And Nokia might have a soft voice right now, it is nevertheless holding a very big stick -- the N8.

Cherry Mobile's Eclipse smart phone

(Cherry Mobile Eclipse)

Local mobile phone company Cherry Mobile is raring to enter the smart phone market by launching its MS Windows Mobile-powered Cherry Mobile Eclipse.