Category: Telecommunication

Telecommunication Category

Windows Phone 8

Takeaway: Information for and against Windows Phone 8.

The second generation Windows Phone was release in October 2012. Windows Phone 8 bundles essential functionality including navigation, storage, sharing and apps.

Windows Phone 8 runs Modern UI (Metro) which is typography-style layout also known as Swiss Style. Microsoft added several new colors as additional options for users such as Cobalt, Olive, Amber, Steel and many others.

The apps collection does not include popular apps such as YouTube, Flash, HBOGO and several others. Lastly, Windows Phone 8 does not have vocal turn-by-turn navigation.

Unlike iOS and Android, the core of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, are built-in to the operating system. Windows Phone 8 does not have a notification bar (Android) or disrupting notifications (iOS). Checking social media updates, e-mail and weather will be a simple task after setting up your home screen by arranging live tiles.

Android Dominates Apple & Microsoft

Takeaway: Canalys’ Market Shares for Quarter 1 of 2013 showing that Android is dominating the Worldwide Smart Mobile Market.

After being released in 2007, this Linux-based operating system is the most used platform for smartphones. According to BBC News, Android has 900 million activations.

Android has 59.50% Market Share for the first quarter of 2013, according to Canalys. Apple has 19.30% Market Share and Microsoft has 18.10%, together does not equal to the Android market. The Worldwide Smart Mobile Market includes Netbooks, Smarphones and Tablets

Surface 2 for 2014

Technology is a fast paced industry; current technology and devices are just making way for tomorrow’s new technology. With that said, Microsoft is developing their second generation tablet, Surface 2.

Although in the Top Five Tablets for the first quarter of 2013, Microsoft has not been as successful as planned with the Surface Tablets, only selling half of the units required for their intended goal.

To conquer the growing demand for smaller tablets, Surface 2 will have a 7-9 inch display with a higher screen resolution than its competitors, iPad Mini, Nexus 7 and Kindle Fir.. The iPad Mini offers 1024×768 resolution, the Nexus 7 offers 1280×800 resolution and Kindle Fire offers 1024×600 resolution. Microsoft expects Surface 2 to offer 1400×1050 resolution.

Partners from the Surface RT and Surface Pro development are working together including Pegatron Technology, Ju Teng, Samsung, LG, Corning, Intel and NVIDIA to build the second generation.

The rumored price of the Surface 2 will be approximately $400. Microsoft’s Build Developer Conference at the end of June will announce more information regarding the Surface 2 including a possible release date, specifications and features.

Apple iOS 7

On Monday, June 10, 2013 Apple exposed iOS 7 at the Worldwide Developers Conference. The new OS will be available for multiple devices including iPhone 4 and up, iPad 2 and up and the iPad Mini.

New features for iOS 7 include:

Control Center: By swiping from the bottom to the top will now allow you to adjust your settings

AirDrop: For Apps that allow sharing, AirDrop will encrypt data that a user shares to friends within a close distance.

Activation Lock: To prevent smartphone crimes, when disabling “Find My iPhone” the phone will be locked and only the correct Apple credentials will unlock the phone.

Multitasking: Apps can develop patterns based on usage. These patterns will allow the iOS 7 to update apps in the background based on network connections.

Car integrated iOS: For 2014, many car manufacturers are integrating iOS with the car display.

Safari: Safari has been updated with navigation, smart search and iCloud Keychain.

Siri: Siri can now operate more of the iPhone including voicemail, Wikipedia, Twitter, Bing and many others.

Camera: Photos are well-organized as Moments. Also, the camera has new photo filter options.

App Store: The App Store can organize Apps based on age and geographical location. Also, background updating will eliminate manual updating.

Music: Music, Movies and TV Shows are now stored together in your Library.

iTunes Radio: A streaming music service that will be available with iOS 7.

Apple: Larger Screens for iPhones & iPads

Apple, Inc. offers innovative products that continue to grow its customer base. Testing new designs for current products is a consistent task for Apple, Inc.

“Apple has been slow to react to consumer desire for larger smartphone screens, [and] entry level price points on new phones,” said BGC Financial’s Colin Gillis. “Waiting and waiting, for the new products to launch, has become painful,” he wrote.

Currently, Apple is testing various sizes for iPhone and iPad screens. Samsung has become the world’s largest smartphone maker because Samsung offers a variety of smartphones with display sizes that range up to 5.5-inches. Continuing to compete with Samsung, Apple is testing for a 5-inch iPhone screen expected to be released in 2014.

A new tablet design is also being tested by Apple with a display that is a little less than 13-inches. This would be a great addition to the iPad that has a 9.7-inch display and the iPad Mini that has a 7.8-inch display.

Lastly, Apple has been developing an iPhone that would be cheaper than the current iPhone. According to many articles, the cheaper iPhone will be made from plastic instead of the traditional metal casing that will be available in different colors.

Apple, Inc. could climb back to the top of both smartphone and tablet sales by releasing a larger display for the iPhone/iPad and releasing an iPhone that is reasonably priced.

Microsoft – What went wrong?

ET83-screen[1]Touch 10 Monitor Microsoft has always been key player in the Technology world. In 2009, Microsoft released Windows 7, for many users it became the best operating system yet. Not too long after the release of Windows 7, Microsoft predicted that “touch-screens” were the future of technology and focused all of their resources in one place.

On October 26, 2012, Microsoft released their Windows 8 OS and their first tablet, the Surface RT. Shortly thereafter, on February 9, 2013, Microsoft released the second tablet, the Surface Pro. For more information regarding the Surface RT or the Surface Pro, click here.

“A Windows 8-based PC is really a new kind of device, one that scales from touch-only small screens through to large screens, with or without a keyboard and mouse,” said Julie Larson-Green from Microsoft.

Apple and Android touchscreen devices have been very successful because they are useful on-the-go. Trying to compete with Apple and Android, Microsoft developed Windows 8, a touch-oriented OS. Many desktop and laptop users have had problems adjusting to the new OS. Also, the Surface Tablet users are having trouble adjusting to this device and OS because it is a touch-enabled laptop. Using the touchscreen features on a laptop is not convenient and very uncomfortable.

How long will it take for Microsoft to regain its position in the technology world?

Features the iPhone Could Use

iPhone 5 is the fastest, thinnest and lightest iPhone; nevertheless many features remain absent that are provided by Apple’s competitors.

NFS Built-In

Apple prefers to use Passbook system instead of Near Field Communication (NFC). Passbook is not capable of performing all tasks that NFC can handle such as the ability to beam content by touching devices or send money via PayPal wirelessly.

Swype

“Swype is a faster and easier way to input text on any screen.”

Swype gives your phone the capability to input text by sliding your finger from letter to letter accross the screen. Only Android smartphones offer this input ability.

SD Cards

iPhone’s are not built to extend device storage using external SD Cards, Micro SD Cards or Mini SD Cards.

Storage

Many iPhone user’s have replaced their iPod’s with their smartphone. The storage capacity for an iPhone (64GB) versus an iPod Classic (160GB) is not comparable.

USB

iPhones have never used a standard USB cable to sync. Currently, iPhone 5 uses a new MicroDock connection that will not allow older sync cables to connect without a specific adapter.

Micro HDMI

Android devices have a Micro-HDMI port for retrieving video from your phone. iPhone 5 requires a special adapter or an Apple TV to retrieve video.

Changing the Battery

Although, iPhone 5 provides a stronger battery, some users require more power but replacing an iPhone battery is challenging. To replace the battery it requires a special screw driver and special tools to lift the screen 90°.

Battery Life

While the iPhone 5’s battery is larger that the iPhone 4S, it produces the same battery life because of the bigger screen and power to run 4G LTE.

Implementing BYOD

Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) is permitting employees to bring personal devices (laptops, tablets, and smart phones) to their workplace, and use those devices to access company information and applications.

Create a Private App Store

Designing a private App Store provides the ability to manage custom and purchased apps. Businesses can manage apps by pushing mandatory apps, approving recommended apps and blocking rouge or unrelated apps.

Policy Compliance

Policies ensure security, productivity, protection of resources and reduce risks. Implementing a location-based service (LBS) such as Geo-Fencing and GPS will set limitations on access to data based on location.

Strong Security

There are many layers of security for a BYOD environment. Device enrollment can be a one-time passcode and/or Active Directory credentials. Applying user profiles will distribute policies, restrictions and Apps based on logical groups (department/location/device type). Other types of security are tracking device locations, Remote Lock, Complete Wipe and Corporate Wipe.

Track Usage

Usage thresholds can be monitored based on talk, text, data and roaming for each user. Setting up alerts and reports for misuse, excessive bandwidth, additional charges and security exposures will help track usage appropriately.

Banning Rouge Devices

Compromised devices such as “jail broken” iPhone or a rooted Android should be restricted from accessing enterprise data and resources. Compromised devices are susceptible to virus attacks.

For more information on Mobile Device Management

Contact us at 856-745-9990 or click here.

Top Smartphones for 2013 Holiday Season

iPhone 5s

The iPhone 5S was launched with iOS7. The updated camera with iPhone 5S has become popular against competitors. Also, the iOS 7 includes many new features including fingerprint identification on the home button, control center, multitasking, enhanced Siri and many more.

The iPhone 5S is available with all major carriers. Contract prices are $199-399 or without Contract prices are $649-$849.

HTC One

The HTC One runs Android 4.3, a quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, 1080p LCD displays and an ultra mega pixel camera. The most popular feature with HTC One is the front facing speakers and dual microphones.

The HTC One is available with all major carriers. Contract prices are as low as $50 or without Contract price is $550.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is the most prevailing Android device on the market. The Galaxy Note 3 includes many features, such as, the S Pen, 13 mega pixel camera (rear), microSD storage, a removable battery, LTE and many more.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is available with all major carriers. Contract price is$299.99 or without Contract price is $699.99.

Nokia Lumia 1520

The Nokia Lumia 1520 runs Windows Phone 8 OS. The 1520 offers a larger display, faster processor, and lower resolution camera than the Lumia 1020. Features of the Lumia 1520 include integrated Microsoft Office, 20 mega pixel camera, HD 1080p display and many more.

The Nokia Lumia is only available through AT&T. Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price is$584.99.

Google Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 runs Android 4.4. The Nexus 5 includes a Snapdragon 800 processor, 8 mega pixel camera, HDR+, wireless charging and many more.

The Nexus 5 prices are $349 (16GB) and $399 (32GB).

Moto X

The Moto X runs Android 4.4. The Moto X includes many features, such as, 10 mega pixel camera with quick capture, touch-less control, face unlock and many more.

The Moto X is available with all major carriers. Contract price is $99 or without Contract price is $499.

LG G2

The LG G2 runs Android 4.2.2. The LG G2 has 1080p IPS display, 13 mega pixel camera, power and volume rear keys , clip tray, knock on and many more features.

The LG G2 is available with all the major carriers. Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price is $603.99.

Samsung Galaxy S4

The Samsung Galaxy S4 runs Android 4.2. The Galaxy S4 has a 13 mega pixel camera with Dual shot and Drama Shot, Air View that allows you to control your phone with hovering instead of touch, WatchON, S Health and many more.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is available with all the major carriers. Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price is $627.99.

Motorola Droid Maxx

The Motorola Droid Maxx has outlasting power with a 3,500 mAh capacity battery. The Droid Maxx features include active notifications, always-on listening, Command Center, wireless charging, 10 mega pixel camera and many more.

The Droid Maxx is only available at Verizon Wireless. Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price is $499.99.

Sony Xperia Z1

The Sony Xperia Z1 is waterproof and dust resistant. The Xperia Z1 has man features that include 20.7 mega pixel camera, full HD TRILUMINOUS display, quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, microSD card slot, and many more.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is available without a contract for $649.99.