Samsung i900 specifications and pictures leaked

A Chinese website has outed the specifications of Samsung's latest Windows Mobile creation, the i900. That is not all that they revealed, as they also scored some live pictures of the device. The i900 is an interesting move for Samsung, as it abandons a traditional keyboard, for a all touch interface. Call me crazy, but I think I am starting to see a trend.

Samsung may be dropping the keyboard on the device, but that is about all that they are dropping. The i900 is absolutely packed with features, and you better believe that they do not disappoint. The i900 has a 5 megapixel camera, WiFi, and the whole package is powered by Windows Mobile 6.1. It also packs HSDPA, FM radio, GPS, TV out, and is 13mm to boot.

It does not appear from the pictures that the device will have a customized user interface on top of Windows Mobile. It would have been nice to see a ported version of Croix make it to the device, but considering the features this thing has I am going to let that slide. It is not known when the i900 will be available, or if it will make it to the states. Here is to hoping though.

Samsung Reveals Its 3G iPhone Killer

Apple's much anticipated second generation handset hasn't even been announced yet, but Samsung's latest means it will face an immediate baptism of fire.

The 'SGH-i900' - on raw specifications alone - is the most powerful multimedia mobile phone we've seen to date, so I'm just going to cut to the chase:

HSDPA connectivity, a 3.5in 400 x 240 pixel touchscreen LCD, 16GB of onboard memory, GPS, 5MP digital camera with autofocus & front mounted VGAer for video calls, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.2 with A2DP, TV-Out, FM radio and a microSD expansion slot. The whole lot runs on the latest Windows Mobile 6.1 OS and at 112 x 56 x 13mm its no larger than Apple's pride and joy either. Missing elements? Erm... errr... you got me!

The snap above makes it appear that Samsung will stick with the basic WM 6.1 interface here, but given its a prototype on show here and we've seen what it can do with the F490 and F480 I'd be amazed if we aren't in for more of the same with the i900.
When can we expect to see this powerhouse hit the market? I suspect Samsung would like to see the i900 hit the market as close to the 3G iPhone/iPhone Black as possible, but my head tells me late Q3...

Samsung leapfrogs past Motorola as India's No.3 mobile player

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As Nokia maintains its lead in the Indian mobile phone market followed by Sony Ericsson, the South Korean company, Samsung took the third slot with considerable increases in its market share.

The latest ORG data reveals that Samsung is the only prominent player to have increased its market share in the January-March period. It has gained market share from 5.7 percent in January to 7 percent in March. Motorola India's market shares have fallen from 6.7 percent to 5.9 percent, while Sony Ericsson remained at the second slot with 8.1 percent market shares.

Samsung Telecommunications India's country head, Sunil Dutt said that the company has benefitted from the launch of new products and on roping in of Aamir Khan as their new brand ambassador.

Dutt said, "In January-March, we registered a good growth in our mobile phone business based on our channel expansion program, new product launches like the Guru 100, SGH-G800, Samsung i450 to name a few, as well as our brand activity involving Aamir Khan."

Even though Nokia had a considerable lead in comparison, the Finnish handset giant's market shares have dropped from 72.3 percent to 69.5 percent in India.

Nokia India managing director (mobile phones), D. Shivakumar declined to comment on the issue saying, "As a policy, we do not comment on market share."

Motorola India director (marketing, mobile devices), Lloyd Mathias said, "The only thing we can say is that there has been a rationalization of our portfolio in India. We are not competing in all segments and the focus has moved towards mid-to-high end phones. In fact, our average selling prices have increased in India," in response to reactions coming in after Motorola's recent announcement that its global handset shipment has dipped from 40.9 million phones in quarter four of 2007 to some 27.4 million handsets in quarter one of 2008.

Samsung, on the other hand, with this recent achievement has become the world's second largest handset vendor. Further, a series of new products at entry-level and premium segment are in the pipeline to further consolidate the company's Indian share. With existing vendors coming up with their plans in the mid-to-high end phone segment as Apple's much-hyped iPhone set to debut in India towards end of the year, Samsung has its sights on doubling its Indian market share by the end of 2008.

Sony unveils range of VAIO laptop computers
Mobile computing in Oman is all set to rise to new levels. Sony officially unveiled a range of VAIO laptop computers for the first time in the Oman market yesterday — a range which redefines computing on the move, while creating a lifestyle statement for its users.

VAIO is an acronym for Video-Audio-Integrated-Operations, and represents the analogue and digital capabilities of the product line, as well as Sony's vision of entertainment and technology convergence.

Dharmendra Lalai, head of the IT & B2B marketing division of Sony Gulf, said: "In the Middle East, the VAIO brand has shown consistent growth of about 40 to 50 per cent every year. We closed the financial year 2007 with a growth of approximately 90 per cent over the previous year."

"Judging from the success and acceptance of VAIO in other markets we are confident that this product will do extremely well in Oman too. We are introducing five series of VAIO laptops in this market, the highlight being the VAIO CR series, which is not only competitively priced but also available in colour variations to suit the individual needs of all consumers," he added

The five series — VAIO TZ, FZ, SZ, CR and NR — are part of the new VAIO line-up launched in Oman. The VAIO TZ premium mobile laptop features an 11.1-inch LCD screen which gives the luxury of free and easy mobility with full capability in a chic design. It's the ultimate all-in-one mobile PC offering ultra-light portability in a sleek compact body built rugged with superior carbon fibre construction.

The VAIO CR series is competitively priced and is aimed at providing noticeable, entertaining and fun personal computers to style-conscious youth who love to express themselves, whether at work or play. The VAIO CR series offers seven attractive colour options (Blazing Red, Champagne Gold, Lizard Brown, Luxury Pink, Indigo Blue, Pure White and Aroma Black) to suit the user's personality.

The VAIO FZ is a premium home laptop featuring a 15.4-inch LCD screen which creates an impact with its elegant design. It brings movies to life on a high performance LCD screen. High-end models in this series feature a Blue-ray disk drive enabling High Definition content editing, burning and playback.

The VAIO SZ series makes a powerful impression with an intelligent mobile design and a 13.3-inch high performance LCD screen. This series features a next-generation Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology for unparalleled performance, superior efficiency and enhanced multimedia power.

This series features a 15.4-inch LCD screen and is an ideal PC for day-to-day productivity needs. Enjoy great performance and wireless access with an available Intel Core 2 Duo processor and built-in wireless LAN technology. Prices for these laptops range from RO400 to RO1,000 and differ according to features and functions.
 

Microsoft to Put Windows on OLPC Laptops
After months of dilly-dallying, Microsoft has finally given the green signal to offering its Windows operating system (OS) on One Laptop Per Child's (OLPC) XO laptops for children in developing countries. So far, XO laptops have been using the Linux operating system.

Buyers of XO laptops will now have the option to choose the OS that is best suited to their requirements. The intention is to eventually create a dual-boot version of the XO laptop that has the ability to host both Windows and Linux operating systems. The XO laptops are being sold mainly to education ministries and governments familiar with Windows-based computing, hence the reluctance to buy machines that do not run Windows that could also be the reason for slow initial sales. The general belief among buyers is that Windows-based machines will open doors for students and educators to access Windows-based educational software and tools as also a broad ecosystem providing relevant content.

Trials of Windows-based XO laptops are slated to begin next month in key markets with general availability expected by September. The OLPC Project is also planning on getting a Windows version of its 'Sugar' educational software hitherto workable only with Linux.

But as is the case with everything much else, putting windows on the XO machines will increase their price by $10:$3 in terms of licensing fees Microsoft charges in some developing nations under a program called 'Unlimited Potential' plus the cost of extra hardware required. Which means the XO laptops will now cost more than the existing price of $200 each. The OLPC claims it will eventually bring down prices to $100 as preordained at the time of launch (we sincerely hope so!).

3G iPhone is on the Way!
Any which way you look at it, Apple's iPhone does manage to get around! Rumor has it that a Gen-Next 3G iPhone is on its way. Stoking the speculation are a couple of factors.

One, as reported by a leading tech Web site, a top-brass O2 (exclusive iPhone carrier in UK and Ireland) executive vaguely said that Apple and Telefonica (of which O2 is a subsidiary) will make a joint statement in 'the coming weeks'. Two, rather uncharacteristic of Apple -- the company has let its iPhone inventory go limp in recent weeks. The public announcement came earlier this week -- that Apple online stores in the US and UK have run out of iPhones -- with no indication whatsoever about re-stocking. O2 did much the same thing last month when it slashed iPhone prices leading to an erosion of inventory, giving no indication of renewing stock. Three, the much-publicized deals Apple is getting into with carriers across the globe. Take India for instance; apparently two carriers, Vodafone and Bharti Airtel seem set to market the iPhone in the country.

Meanwhile, Apple, in characteristic fashion, continues to keep mum about any such phone. For the showman he is known to be, Steve Jobs might be leaving the best for the last, i.e. the annual developers conference scheduled for June 9 this year. All eyes already on Jobs, have we?