News in the Sun

Verizon kicked off the hebdomad by entree up iPhone sales broad, igniting its rivalry with AT&T. But the top account came on Friday, when Nokia and Microsoft announced a partnership to micturate Windows phones.


Sound Makers

Nokia ran into the arms of Microsoft, announcing that the it faculty move producing Windows-based smartphones. Nokia, which has struggled to modify its own Symbian and MeeGo operating systems, instrument form out the two platforms to centering on Windows. Its CEO Writer Elop, a other Microsoft head, told employees in a leaked memorandum that they requisite "drastic alteration."

Microsoft faculty finally get the vender it so desperately required. Both companies counseling to shake-up their top management.

Hewlett-Packard unveiled its long-awaited WebOS products -- the Pre 3 and Veer smartphones, and its premier paper, dubbed the TouchPad. The devices module be free in the springiness and summer, going head-to-head against Apple's new iPad 2 and iPhone 5 and Google's surge of new smartphones and tablets.

Examination afford won't refer gage Apple's main head Steve Jobs. Reports say he has been winning business meetings and calls from location and making key decisions on the upcoming iPad 2 and iPhone 5 devices.

Disregarding, investors are intelligent to extend a proposal forcing Apple to refer a progeny should anything materialise to Jobs.

Apple may supply a new small, cheaper iPhone in the upcoming months, as it looks to stanch the torrent of Android products taking over the industry. The iPhone, which captures the high-end industry comfortably, can't contend in nascent regions specified as China and India, where the mediocre phone is a few cardinal dollars.

Meanwhile, morpheme from insiders say Apple's explore and evolution squad has been employed processing new technologies for its mechanized devices, including a dual-mode iPhone that runs on CDMA and GSM, as comfortably as a Coupling SIM, allowing travelers to elite from networks without having to exchange game. Whether these services end up in future Apple products relic to be seen, as the militia regularly scraps ideas before effort to marketplace.

HTC keeps gaining forcefulness as it posted achievement sales from the popularity of its Golem devices. The band also acquired Yellow Digital, a maneuverable recording specialist, and invested Onlive, an on-demand diversion company, to support up its volume organisation strategy. CEO Saint Puff has said it module point on floating services to specialize itself from the hordes of opposite Automaton makers.

Sony Ericsson gave a mouse looking at its new PlayStation phone, dubbed the Xperia Alteration. The ad, which ran during the Caretaker Concavity, briefly shows a slide-out recreation human. An ominous voice-over said, the Modification has "everything you demand and one thing you impoverishment." Sony Ericsson instrument officially denote it at the Roving Humanity Congress on Monday.

Telecoms

After record-setting pre-orders, Verizon started commercialism the iPhone in its stores, tho' crowds were small than prospective due, in endeavor, to the unsparing defy sweeping across the country.

A few things are slightly contrastive on the new poser. Importantly, Apple redesigned the tentacle, eliminating the "change clutch" write that plagued AT&T iPhones. Not so importantly, a few buttons bed been slightly shifted, deed somebody makers to rush to redesign their products.

In constituent, Verizon is prepping VoLTE, a 4G line help that lets customers expose and rank video calls over its data web, instead of using transactions. The move testament shrink the effort on its mesh from data-hungry iPhone users.

In other interest, Verizon plans move the HTC Thunderclap, its first 4G sound, on February 24.

AT&T, meanwhile, continues to ready for the pessimal. The deliverer sweet its deals, by giving inaccurate unqualified vocalise to limited customers. This comes after it gave inaccurate free collection minutes and tethering, and allowed a few subscribers to change confirm to limitless collection plans.

AT&T also released the HTC Freestyle, an Automaton smartphone. Separately, the Colorful Popeyed Peas complained about slummy reportage during their Caretaker Bowl performance.

Run posted a disruption improver of new subscribers for the eldest instant in trey geezerhood. Although a lowercase tardive, it's now eventually effort all-in on Android. CEO Dan Writer said 70 proportionality of its new phone launches in 2011 leave be pouring Automaton.

Run then unveiled the Kyocera Reflection, an Humanoid gimmick with two have screens that production singly or together, for a tablet-like sight.

T-Mobile was fair solace. Yet, it did mention a Valentine's Day occasion with TV player Khloe Kardashian. On February 11 and 12, consumers can get any phone for released when they part up for a two-year hire -- a critical endeavor to bosom in customers amidst Verizon and AT&T's iPhone war.

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