Google shares useful mobile research:
As the home of the Android operating system, Google know a fair bit about mobile operating systems and mobile phone owners – perhaps a little too much given the recent concerns raised over location data collected by both Apple and Google! But if you’re looking to understand mobile users, then check out the following video with some highlights from their most recent research:
Worldwide mobile phone market grows 20% Q1 2011
Research firm IDC has revealed data that the total mobile phone market grew by almost 20% in Q1 2011, compared with the same period in 2010. Vendors shipped 371.8 million units in Q1 2011 compared to 310.5 million units in the first quarter of 2010, and although a large number of these are still feature phones, the growth is all coming from smartphones…
BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 announced – will include Near Field Communication
The new Blackberry Bold will arive this summer, and includes short-range Near Field Communication (technology which is currently being hyped for a number of purposes – essentially short range wireless connectivity for payments, smart tags etc), plus augmented reality features, and a 720p HD video camera. It was announced at BlackBerry World, along with a native Facebook app, and a Video Chat app for RIM’s new Playbook tablet.
Nokia cuts 4,400 jobs as Symbian is moved to Accenture:
After initial shocked reactions, many are suggesting that Nokia’s decision to ‘burn the boats’ and outsource Symbian to Accenture, along with transferring 3,000 employees over, was the right decision in light of the Nokia agreement with Microsoft to use Windows Phone 7. The fact that the decision has been praised by both Ewan MacLeod and Tomi Ahonen is a positive sign for a company which might be starting to turn around.
Developers? Nun better…
While we obviously employ the most talented and skilled developers, we may have missed out on one of the most unique. The Wall Street Journal has covered the story of HTML developer, and now iPhone developer, Sister Catherine Wybourne, a Bendictine nun who also tweets at @DigitalNun.