Microsoft Previews Next Release of Windows Phone

24 May 2011 15:00 Africa/Lagos


Microsoft Previews Next Release of Windows Phone
"Mango" to deliver smarter and easier communications, apps and Internet experiences and bring Windows Phone to more customers around the world.

PR Newswire

REDMOND, Wash., May 24, 2011

REDMOND, Wash., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. today previewed the next major release of Windows Phone, code-named "Mango," through a series of media events around the world. "Mango" will deliver more than 500 new features to push the boundaries of the smartphone experience around communications, apps and the Internet. The "Mango" release will be available for free to Windows Phone 7 customers and is scheduled to ship on new phones beginning this fall. More details on device update timing will be provided closer to availability. Windows Phone will also add support for additional languages, expand access to apps by launching Windows Phone Marketplace in new countries, and partner with new OEMs to enable expansion to new markets.*

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

"Seven months ago we started our mission to make smartphones smarter and easier for people to do more," said Andy Lees, president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. "With 'Mango,' Windows Phone takes a major step forward in redefining how people communicate and use apps and the Internet, giving you better results with less effort."

Communications: Easier to Connect and Share

The smartphone experience can be complicated by a sea of disconnected apps and accounts as people attempt to keep pace with all the ways they communicate — from calls, texts, email and instant messages (IM) to status updates, Tweets, check-ins, photo posting and tagging. To help people stay on top of that growing complexity, the "Mango" release organizes information around the person or group people want to interact with, not the app they have to use.

* Threads. Switch between text, Facebook chat and Windows Live Messenger within the same conversation.
* Groups. Group contacts into personalized Live Tiles to see the latest status updates right from the Start Screen and quickly send a text, email or IM to the whole group.
* Deeper social network integration. Twitter and LinkedIn feeds are now integrated into contact cards, and "Mango" includes built-in Facebook check-ins and new face detection software that makes it easier to quickly tag photos and post to the Web.
* Linked inbox. See multiple email accounts in one linked inbox. Conversations are organized to make it easy to stay on top of the latest mail.
* Hands-free messaging. Built-in voice-to-text and text-to-voice support enables hands-free texting or chatting.


A Smarter Approach to Apps

Windows Phone will challenge the way people think about apps. Today their usefulness is measured by what can be done within the app, but Microsoft sees the promise of apps in how they can be integrated directly into the core experiences of the phone. In addition to making it easy to get timely notifications and updates from apps right from the Start Screen, the "Mango" release also will surface apps as part of search results and within Windows Phone Hubs. As a result, a useful app is more likely to be right there when needed.

* App Connect. By connecting apps to search results and deepening their integration with Windows Phone Hubs, including Music and Video and Pictures, "Mango" allows apps to be surfaced when and where they make sense.
* Improved Live Tiles. Get real-time information from apps without having to open them. Live Tiles can be more dynamic and hold more information.
* Multitasking. Quickly switch between apps in use and allow apps to run in the background, helping to preserve battery life and performance.


Taking the Internet Beyond the Browser

In addition to including Internet Explorer, the "Mango release will connect the power of the Web to the unique capabilities of Windows Phones, such as location awareness, camera and access to apps, to present a way of viewing the Web that is more localized, actionable and relevant.

* Internet Explorer 9. A browser based on the powerful Internet Explorer 9 and including support for HTML5 and full hardware acceleration.
* Local Scout. Provides hyper local search results and recommends nearby restaurants, shopping and activities in an easy-to-use guide.
* Bing on Windows Phone. More ways to search the Web, including Bing Vision, Music Search and Voice so it's easy to discover and decide.
* Quick Cards. When searching for a product, movie, event or place, see a quick summary of relevant information, including related apps.


Strengthening the Ecosystem

The Windows Phone ecosystem has grown steadily since Windows Phone 7 first launched in October, with more than 17,000 apps currently available on Windows Phone Marketplace and Windows Phone handsets available from a range of partners worldwide, and Microsoft's recently announced partnership with Nokia. "Mango" will further expand and strengthen the Windows Phone ecosystem through new partnerships with Acer Inc., Fujitsu Ltd. and ZTE Corp., which today announced plans to deliver new Windows Phone devices in markets around the world. Furthermore, Microsoft announced it will support additional languages, including Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish, and will greatly expand the list of countries where consumers have access to apps via Windows Phone Marketplace. As well, a beta release of the free Windows Phone Developer tools, which will be used to create the next generation of "Mango" apps and games, will be posted for public download to Microsoft's website within 24 hours of today's events. More information about what "Mango" means for developers, the tools and a link to the public download page is available at http://windowsteamblog.com/windows_phone/b/wpdev/archive/2011/05/24/developer-news-beta-mango-tools-available-today.aspx .

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Some information relates to pre-released product that may be substantially modified before it's commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here.

*Data plan required; carrier fees apply. Apps from Marketplace. Features and services vary by area, phone, carrier and service plan.

.

SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx

CONTACT: Rapid Response Team of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com

Web Site: http://www.microsoft.com

Mavs AR Mobile Application Now Available Via Android Market

Mavs AR Mobile Application Now Available Via Android Market

— Qualcomm and Big PlayAR Team with the Dallas Mavericks to Launch Augmented Reality Application Unveiled at American Airlines Center during First Round of NBA Playoffs —

DALLAS — April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) and Big PlayAR are working with the Dallas Mavericks to add a unique twist to the NBA Playoffs by bringing game tickets to life through augmented reality (AR). Mavs AR, a game developed by Big PlayAR using augmented reality technology pioneered by Qualcomm, is now available for download in the Android Market. This marks the first commercial AR application released based on Qualcomm’s vision-based technology. Mavs AR is designed for Android-based smartphones and tablets, and creates a virtual basketball court in the palm of your hand. Fans attending the Mavs playoff games at American Airlines Center can point their smartphone or tablet running the Mavs AR application at their ticket to play the game.

“Augmented reality is an exciting new feature for mobile devices and Qualcomm has developed technology that takes ordinary 2D surfaces, such as game tickets, and brings them to life with rich 3D graphics,” said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Qualcomm. “We are pleased to work with Big PlayAR and the Dallas Mavericks to bring the first Qualcomm vision-based AR application to market and enrich the NBA Playoff experience for Mavs fans.”

As part of the launch, “AR Phone Zones” will be positioned throughout American Airlines Center during the Mavs’ first-round playoff series, beginning April 16th. At the AR Phone Zones, Mavs fans can learn more about and play the Mavs AR game. The Zones will also feature experts to demonstrate the Mavs AR application on the latest Android devices and a large-scale game ticket replica.

“Some of us still keep our tickets in scrap books, so imagine the fun of bringing your scrap book to life as well,” said John Robison, founder and president of Big PlayAR. “Big PlayAR is thrilled to be launching this Qualcomm-enabled technology with great names in entertainment like the Mavericks and Mark Cuban. This is only the beginning of a fun way to interact with fans, and I think they’re going to love it.”

“We are excited to bring this new, fun technology to our fans and add to the Playoff experience,” said Mavs owner Mark Cuban. “Augmented reality will allow our fans to become one of our players through the ticket. Using AR technology from Qualcomm, the app was designed by Big PlayAR specifically for the Mavs and is now available for download through the Android Market. We anticipate using this AR technology in future projects and expect to have all platforms supported.”

Leading device manufacturers are providing handsets and tablets based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon™ processor for fans to use at the AR Phone Zones, including the Dell Streak 5, HTC Inspire™ 4G, HTC ThunderBolt™, and Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY.

For more information about Qualcomm and Augmented Reality, please visit:

www.qualcomm.com/ar
www.mavs.com/ar
www.bigplayar.com

About Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are part of the 30 team National Basketball Association (NBA). The club, which plays at American Airlines Center, began as an expansion franchise in 1980 and competes in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team’s 2010-2011 record of 57-25 was the tenth consecutive season with more than 50 wins, which is the third longest streak in NBA history. In addition to on-court success, the Mavs are also committed to making a difference in North Texas through community outreach programs and the Dallas Mavericks Foundation. More information on the Dallas Mavericks and their community involvement can be found at mavs.com.

About Big PlayAR
Big PlayAR, Inc. was formed to bring the best Augmented Reality (“AR”) functionality available to the market by providing compelling interactive games allowing users and brands to Awaken the Mobile Device. The Big PlayAR business eco-system strives to integrate next generation CRM with AR for lead generation that grabs, retains and closes the marketing loop. It seeks to unite teams and fans, buyers and sellers, members and organizations and many others using the Big PlayAR games like Mavs AR. Look for more campaigns like the Mavs “BRING THE TICKET TO LIFE” from Big PlayAR as a part of its AWAKEN YOUR PHONE ™ program. For more information, visit us at the following websites:

www.facebook.com/bigplayar
www.twitter.com/bigplayar

About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of wireless communications, connecting people more closely to information, entertainment and each other. Today, Qualcomm technologies are powering the convergence of mobile communications and consumer electronics, making wireless devices and services more personal, affordable and accessible to people everywhere. For more information, visit Qualcomm around the Web:

www.qualcomm.com
Corporate Blog: www.qualcomm.com/blog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/qualcomm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/qualcomm


Qualcomm is a registered trademark and Snapdragon is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Other trademarks are property of their respective owners



Big PlayAR Contact:
John Robison
1-310-300-4033
jrobison@bigplayar.com
Dallas Mavericks Contact:
Gina Calvert
1-214-658-7177
gina.calvert@dallasmavs.com


Qualcomm Contacts:
Emily Kilpatrick
Corporate Communications
1-858-845-5959
corpcomm@qualcomm.com
Warren Kneeshaw
Investor Relations
1-858-658-4813
ir@qualcomm.com

Gray-Market Handsets Continue to Plague AME Mobile Markets, Pyramid Finds

• Gray-market handsets are cell phones manufactured in China that are not recognized or licensed by government regulators. Makers of these products generally do not pay China’s value-added taxes and, therefore, profit illegally from their participation in the market.

• China’s gray-market cell phone shipments will amount to 255 million units in 2011, up 11.8 percent from 228 million in 2010. This compares to a rise of 43.6 percent in 2009.



13 Apr 2011 18:00 Africa/Lagos


Gray-Market Handsets Continue to Plague AME Mobile Markets, Pyramid Finds

PR Newswire

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 13, 2011

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of gray market handsets sold across AME will remain steady through 2015, however the sharp increase in legitimate handset sales during that period will reduce the percentage of gray market handset units sold in AME to 13 percent, according to a new report from Pyramid Research (www.pyr.com).

Squashing Gray Markets for Mobile Handsets describes the reasons behind the emergence of gray markets in the African handset markets and addresses some initiatives by handset manufacturers, network operators and government agencies to counteract these trends. It observes that concerted efforts are necessary if gray markets are to be challenged and provides examples from Turkey, Nigeria and South Africa to illustrate the arguments in more detail.

Download an excerpt of this report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PRN041311_INSAME3.3

Purchase the report here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/ins_ame_110407.htm?sc=PRN041311_INSAME3.3

"Pyramid believes that shrinking gray markets in Africa depends on manufacturers and operators providing the right incentives for end users to buy authentic handsets, rather than solely branding gray markets as illegitimate," says Kerem Arsal, Analyst at Pyramid. "This requires handset manufacturers to work with network operators to develop affordable handsets, while government agencies should implement policies to encourage the sale and domestic distribution of legitimate handsets," he indicates.

Many African end users can afford only the cheapest of handsets. "Even in cases where income is not an immediate obstacle, limited mobile network capabilities in most markets suggest that phones that are rich in features are not urgently needed," says Arsal. "In response to the gray market handsets, handset manufacturers are aiming for clever combinations to appeal to end users by providing affordable and simple phones, while staying more in touch with the usage realities of the African markets when coming up with relevant features," he adds.

"In African markets where mobile operators have a degree of subscriber loyalty, they should be employed as the primary channel for handset distribution," Arsal says. "Where mobile operators achieve some degree of loyalty, then handset manufacturers are better off using network operators' channels at the expense of sharing some revenue," he notes. "In fact, any loss of revenue due to selling indirectly can easily be counteracted by the scale and certainty provided by powerful mobile operators, as well as by recovering the loss of market share to gray markets," Arsal adds.

Squashing Gray Markets for Mobile Handsets is part of Pyramid Research's Telecom Insider Report Series and is priced at $595. Download the excerpt here: http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=5&sc=PRN041311_INSAME3.3. It can be purchased online here (http://www.pyramidresearch.com/store/ins_ame_110407.htm?sc=PRN041311_INSAME3.3 ) or by emailing us at info@pyr.com.

Contact: Jennifer Baker, +1-617-871-1910, jbaker@pyr.com

SOURCE Pyramid Research

Web Site: http://www.pyramidresearch.com

The Most Popular Phones in Nigeria

BlackBerry is most popular among upwardly mobile young men and women in Nigeria, but Samsung Mobile with 6,136,648 monthly active users on Facebook and also winning the Sowambe Award for the best use of Twitter is like a superstar and the new Samsung Ch@t322 Phone with dual sim is currently the most popular phone in Nigeria.

About Samsung Ch@t322 Phone
The first mobile to offer a QWERTY keypad with DUOS, Samsung Chat 322 gives traveling business people and communicating heavy texters better mobile options on the go. Whether you’re juggling two phone numbers or taking advantage of different tariff plans, access to two SIM cards helps you stay in touch with double the convenience! Access 2 SIM cards at the same time! Harness the power, convenience and connectivity of two mobiles in one handset! Staying connected is so important – for business and pleasure! That’s why this phone comes with access to y! our favour es like Facebook and Twitter. Not only is Samsung Chat 322 powered with great functions to keep you in touch socially and while doing business on the go, the enhanced user interface makes it easier to use! Optical trackpad makes you to navigate menus smoothly and to expedite functions. Carrying and managing 2 SIM cards is not easy, but with Samsung Chat 322, it’s hassle free.

Details from Samsung Mobile




Access 2 SIM cards at the same time! Harness the power, convenience and connectivity of two mobiles in one handset! Whether you want to keep your personal and work phone calls separate, have greater coverage when traveling to different regions, or take advantage of the most advantageous calling rates, this DUOS feature makes it all easier and more accessible. Why manually switch back and forth between SIM cards when your phone does it all for you…automatically?!


Staying connected is so important – for business and pleasure! That’s why this phone comes with access to your favourite social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. You can even chat on instant messenger. With easy shortcuts and live updates from the home screen, you’ll always be socially up to date. Email is easier than ever – the mobile auto pulls so you don’t need to constantly check for new email! With Samsung, it’s so easy to keep up with your social life!


Not only is Samsung Ch@t 322 powered with great functions to keep you in touch socially and while doing business on the go, the enhanced user interface makes it easier to use! Optical trackpad makes you to navigate menus smoothly and to expedite functions. Explore mobile world more intuitive and comfortable.

Customised UX for DUOS


Carrying and managing 2 SIM cards is not easy, but with Samsung Ch@t 322, it’s hassle free. Direct SIM switch key on sid, and the Smart home offers you to check all the info and the update status from SNS or IM, email, schedules and more as you need.


3.5mm Ear jack

When you want to listen to the music, just plug in your headset to Samsung Ch@t 322, 3.5mm Ear jack fits your regular earphones, headphones and portable speakers.

Bluetooth v2.1

Bluetooth v.2.1 handles wireless file sharing and free-of-charge messaging with nearby users.





Surveys show that majority of Nigerians love smart phones, but they only go for the phones they can afford. That is why majority of the fanciful smart phones you see in town are not original BB or Nokia, but the imitations made in China.

Advantages of Nokia messaging devices over BlackBerry

Nokia E72




No additional fee for data on top of service plan; works with any service plan/data provider.

Average cost of paid app $3.47
Easy set up of work and personal email in only 3 steps
Out of the box access to consumer email accounts such as Hotmail and Gmail
Stay connected to 10 personal email accounts at once
Immediate access to most popular IM communities
(Yahoo, Microsoft Live and Gmail)
High-quality 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss lens and one touch auto focus
Free Ovi Maps with Walk and Drive navigation
Ultra slim line design with Stainless Steel and Brushed Aluminum
Create separate, customized home screens for work and personal life.


BlackBerry Bold 9700




Must have additional BlackBerry data plan
($4+ for RIM vs $1.85 for Nokia)
Average cost of paid app $8.26
Over 10 steps to set up email on BlackBerry
Dedicated app needed for instant messaging
3.2MP camera
No free maps and navigation
BlackBerry 8mm thicker than Nokia E72
No ability to separate/tailor home screens





Advantages of Nokia messaging devices over BlackBerry




It is important that everyone in Nokia is aware of advantages of Nokia messaging devices so that we as ambassadors of the messaging range can engage in discussions about the difference between the BlackBerry and Nokia offering. Here’s where we think we are stronger:


• While BlackBerry wants you to be a BlackBerry person with their own communications tools, Nokia lets you to be you and work the way you like by using your choice of messaging solutions - Nokia offers a wide variety of ways to communicate including email & instant messaging and to update social networks. Wide range of devices in a variety of styles. Nokia’s portfolio carries over 100 email-enabled models. The BlackBerry range of devices only includes six QWERTY devices in the UK, and one touch device. For smaller budgets BlackBerry offers nothing.





• Affordable and predictable pricing - With Nokia Messaging, all consumer email and IM is included into the operator data plan There are no hidden costs, taxes, license fees like there are for BlackBerry. Research has shown that companies can save an average of £215 per year per employee by using a Nokia Eseries handset with Mail for Exchange or IBM Lotus Notes Traveler instead of BlackBerry. (Source Nokia Internal Research).



• Easy Email and IM set-up - Nokia messaging devices have an easy 3 step email set up, directly from the home screen of the device. No downloading the application, installing it and configuring the account like on BlackBerry. With Nokia you can directly access 90% of the world’s corporate email and IM through partnerships with Microsoft Mail for Exchange and IBM Lotus Notes.



As an example, the Nokia E72 wins over the BlackBerry Bold 9700 in some important areas: It has easier email setup with more email and IM service options, it’s less expensive, has a better camera, comes with OVI Maps with free walk and drive navigation and premium travel guide content, has faster web browsing speed, features a thinner design and stainless steel build, and allows for two tailored home screens.

More Than Half of Workers Admit to Checking Their Smart Phones While Driving

How many times do you do this while driving?

10 Mar 2010 13:00 Africa/Lagos


More Than Half of Workers Admit to Checking Their Smart Phones While Driving, Finds New CareerBuilder Survey

-- One-in-Five Workers Report They Check Their Device Every Time it Vibrates or Beeps --

CHICAGO, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- While smart phones have made it easier for workers to stay connected to the office, they may not be a good idea for every commute. According to a new CareerBuilder survey, more than one-half (54 percent) of workers who have a smart phone or similar device said they check it when driving a vehicle. Comparing industries, sales workers (66 percent) used their smart phones while driving more than any other group surveyed, followed by 59 percent of professional and business services workers and 50 percent of health care workers. The survey was conducted among more than 5,200 workers between November 5 and November 23, 2009.


Some workers admit they may be risking safety on the road to check their phones because they feel pressured to do so. Twenty-one percent of workers say they check their mobile device every time it vibrates or beeps and 18 percent report they are required by their company to be accessible beyond office hours via mobile device. Also, 14 percent of workers said they feel obligated to constantly stay in touch with work because of the current tough economy.


In addition to driving, workers with smart phones said they are checking in with the office on their smart phones from virtually anywhere and everywhere, including:


-- During a meal - 62 percent
-- On vacation - 60 percent
-- While in the bathroom - 57 percent
-- Lying in bed at night - 50 percent
-- At a movie, play, musical, etc... - 25 percent
-- On a date - 18 percent
-- Working out at the gym - 17 percent
-- At a child's event of function - 17 percent
-- At church - 11 percent



"It is challenging for workers to maintain a good work/life balance when they are constantly connected to the office, so turning their devices off is important for their health and safety," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. "The lines between work and life can be very blurry these days - 17 percent of workers said they feel like their work day never ends because of technology connecting them to the office. To reduce burnout and avoid potentially risky behavior, workers should allot technology-free time when away from work."


Haefner offers the following advice on how to disconnect from the e-leash:
-- Turn off your smart phone when driving: Not only is it illegal in many
states, but using your mobile device while driving is dangerous to you
and others on the road. If it's necessary to leave your smart phone on
and a conference call or other urgent matter comes up, pull over to
safely handle the situation.
-- Set priorities for outside of work: Twenty-three percent of workers
who are required to be accessible beyond office hours report that
being too connected to their jobs via technology has caused issues or
arguments with their friends and family. Discuss the e-leash with your
loved ones so that they are aware that sometimes you may need to be
connected to work.
-- Have a backup plan in place: If you anticipate being needed outside of
the office, plan to have an out-of-office message or voicemail up, or
leave contact information for others familiar with your area of the
business. That way, any emergency can be handled appropriately if you
can't get to it.


Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder.com among 5,231 U.S. employees (employed full-time; not self-employed; non-government) ages 18 and over between November 5 and November 23, 2009 (percentages for some questions are based on a subset of U.S. employees, based on their responses to certain questions). With a pure probability sample of 5,231 one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 1.35 percentage points, respectively. Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.


About CareerBuilder®


CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset - their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 23 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 32 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world's top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and data analysis. More than 9,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder's proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) , Tribune Company, The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) , CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.


Media Contact:
CareerBuilder
Allison Nawoj
773-527-2437
allison.nawoj@careerbuilder.com
http://www.twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR


Source: CareerBuilder

CONTACT: Allison Nawoj of CareerBuilder, +1-773-527-2437,
allison.nawoj@careerbuilder.com


Web Site: CareerBuilder

Laptops and Smart Phones - the Most Common Mobile Computing Products Used by CXOs in Europe, Finds Frost & Sullivan

Sony Ericsson Vivaz, a smart phone in vogue.


9 Mar 2010 11:30 Africa/Lagos

Laptops and Smart Phones - the Most Common Mobile Computing Products Used by CXOs in Europe, Finds Frost & Sullivan

LONDON, March 9, 2010/PRNewswire/ --


Laptops and smart phones are the mobile computing products most commonly used by European chief executive officers (CXOs). However, web-based collaboration tools, valuable particularly for business travel, are gradually gaining importance. Mobile-based applications, both location-based and multimedia contents, are relatively new concepts offering significant potential for service providers.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO)


New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.wireless.frost.com), 2009 European CXOs' Choice: Computing Products and Services, finds that the European CXOs expect the mobile communication as well as the computing products and services they use to be utilitarian rather than full of frills.


"Of the various mobile communication and computing products and services, all European CXOs surveyed in this research use or own laptops/notebooks," says Frost & Sullivan Research Manager Krishnendu Roy. "They perceive reliability as the core function of their laptop/notebook with all other features being secondary."


Smart phone ownership increased dramatically from 2008 to 2009, with the number of European CXOs now owning a smart phone doubling. This significant increase has directly affected standard feature phone ownership rates. Nearly all European CXOs perceive smart phones to be strictly business phones, while standard feature phones are seen as personal use phones. In either case, battery life and ease of use are perceived as the most important features.


"Overall, among those using web-based collaboration tools, 70 percent consider ease-of-use as the most important feature," concludes Roy. "Interestingly, having a powerful feature set is least important to European CXOs as few of them use mobile multimedia content applications or mobile location based applications."


If you are interested more information on this study, please send an e-mail to Joanna Lewandowska, Corporate Communications, at joanna.lewandowska@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.


2009 European CXOs' Choice: Computing Products and Services is part of the Mobile & Wireless Growth Partnership Services programme, which also includes research in the following markets: Mobile Payments Markets, The Evolution of Mobile Location Based Services in Europe, Mobile Communications Markets in Eastern Europe, Mobile Communications Outlook, European Mobile Broadband - Melee between Mobile WiMAX and 3G LTE. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.


About Frost & Sullivan


Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.



2009 European CXOs' Choice: Computing Products and Services
M482-65

Contact:
Joanna Lewandowska
Corporate Communications - Europe
P: +48-22-390-41-46
E: joanna.lewandowska@frost.com

http://www.frost.com


Source: Frost & Sullivan

Joanna Lewandowska, Frost & Sullivan Corporate Communications - Europe, +48-22-390-41-46, joanna.lewandowska@frost.com


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