Skype at CES 2012

Skype's VP of Products Rick Osterloh talks about growth numbers, new product offerings and multi-platform integration. For full CES coverage, visit http://www.facebook.com/Microsoft.

Tablet PC with Windows 8 will be worth between $ 599 to $ 899

Company and Intel have Maicrosoft will soon announce the minimum cost of tablets running on Windows 8, and built on a platform of Intel Clover Trail. Since none of these company still does not want to reduce the cost of its component systems, it is now considering the current settings margin, we can assume that the price per tablet with Windows 8 will range from 600 to 900 dollars. This may have a negative impact on sales of devices, since the difference with ultrabukami, which relies on Intel and components for which it is prepared to lower the price is very low. The tablet will have the advantage of supporting a huge number of programs already written for the OS family of Windows, but will lose a number of parameters ultrabuku. Among the advantages of the latter it is worth noting a large screen size, the hardware keyboard and possibly a larger hard disk. Will they have greater mobility tablet in order to overcome these gains laptop is not clear. compete with the iPad and tablets based on Android operating system at a cost of over $ 600 apiece devices on Windows 8 with Intel chipsets will not. The difference in performance is not great, but the difference in price can negate the advantage of backwards compatibility with the desktop. Company Samsung, Acer, ASUS and Lenovo are ready to engage in the creation of such devices, despite the rather high price, but even reducing their own profits, they are unlikely to achieve the price at which most users would be willing to buy a tablet with Windows 8 and on the platform Intel Clover Trail .

Now Shipping, SAMSUNG SUR40 For Microsoft Surface Dazzles Retailers At National Retail Federation (NRF) Conference 2012

New PixelSenseTM Technology Enables SUR40 to See and Respond to Touch and Objects, Creating New Possibilities for Interactive Displays in a Variety of Settings

Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation and the number one worldwide brand of professional commercial display LCD products, is demonstrating its digital solutions leadership at a showcase event featuring the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface and a variety of applications from development partners at the National Retail Federation (NRF) conference, being held Jan. 16 and 17 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York in Room 1A17 (on Level One of the convention center).

Available now through Samsung channel and reseller partners, a CES Best of Innovations 2012 award-winner, the Samsung-Microsoft collaboration incorporates Microsoft Surface 2.0 software and touch technology into an interactive and engaging 40-inch Full HD LCD that can be used horizontally as a table, mounted vertically on a wall or embedded in other fixtures and furniture.

“Both retailers and consumers are adapting to ever-evolving ways of interacting with information and merchandise and have expressed a desire for technology that delivers information in an engaging and visually dynamic way,” said Todd Bouman, vice president of product marketing for Samsung Electronics America, Enterprise Business Division. “With the availability of the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface, Samsung is energizing the retail space and anticipates an all-new approach to customer engagement.”

Superior Screen, Smart Device
The Samsung SUR40 is an interactive, collaborative multi-touch device, offering a thin, 4-inch profile and a large screen size. It integrates Samsung’s LCD panel capability with touch technology, combining Microsoft’s massive multi-touch and object recognition software to maximize the performance of a brand new type of touch screen technology – PixelSense.

Microsoft’s PixelSense technology – which gives LCD panels the power to see without the use of cameras – and the Microsoft Surface 2.0 software, the premier touch-first experience for end users, have been combined with Samsung’s display leadership to create an industry-changing information display device. The new SUR40 makes it possible for people to share, collaborate and explore together using a large, thin display. Not only can the SUR40 recognize fingers and hands, but it can also detect other objects placed on the screen supporting up to 50 points of contact at one time.

The SUR40 features a 40-inch Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) LCD LED panel combined with one of the world’s largest piece of Gorilla protection glass for optimized screen durability and to protect from external shock and liquid ingress. It provides highly accurate touch interaction from multiple people at the same time and superior object recognition as each pixel has a camera element. Its natural interaction enables users to ‘grab’ digital information with their hands and interact with content through touch and gesture.

The SUR40 also provides developers with the opportunity to build apps that are specialized to vertical user-case scenarios as diverse as hospitality, retail, public sector, professional services, healthcare and finance to name a few. It offers a rich sound experience and can connect to a wide range of peripherals such as bar code scanners, cameras and printers through WiFi (802.11.n), Bluetooth or Ethernet connections to create a seamless digital entertainment environment. Surface 2.0 developers will showcase several never-before-seen solutions for the new device at NRF this week, with an emphasis on innovative retail experiences.

Major consumer brands and other technology partners such as FUJIFILM, Industrial Color, Le Métier de Beauté and Pepsico Beverages Canada have near-term plans to use the Samsung SUR40 to support immersive retail scenarios, professional tools and/or marketing efforts.

“The Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface is an intelligent, specialized device, that can deliver highly-customized, engaging experiences for retailers and their customers,” said Somanna Palacanda, director, Microsoft Surface. “We’re eager to see the impact this innovative technology will have on a variety of industries and to continue to learn about and address customer needs.”

Availability and Pricing
Shipments to customers will begin in January 2012. Estimated Street Pricing for the SUR40 for Microsoft Surface for U.S. customers will start at $8,400 (display only) and $9,049 (tabletop unit with matching stand). Pricing for other countries and/or regions may differ.

For more information or to find out how to order, call             1-866-SAM-4BIZ       or visit www.samsung.com/business.

Key Specs:


About Samsung Electronics America Enterprise Business Division
Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. The company markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American operations including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. Samsung is committed to serving the needs of consumers ranging from the home user to the Fortune 500 elite while supporting the valued channel partners who serve our customers. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com/business or call             1-866-SAM-4BIZ      .


About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LCD. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world’s most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com

Nokia Developer Newsletter confirms Nokia Lumia 900 March release

Thanks to Paul Thurrott we have been expecting the Nokia Lumia 900 to be released in March this year.  Nokia and Microsoft has however been very coy at CES, only talking in vague terms of ‘next few months’.

Now the official Nokia Developer Newsletter has blown the secret, confirming that the handset is expected in March this year.  Paul Thurrott pinned it down more specifically to March 18th, which would be the third Sunday of the month.

Unfortunately similar leaks have not accompanied the HTC Titan II, so we do not know when Nokia’s main Windows Phone LTE competitor will be hitting the network, but it is rumoured that it may be sooner than the Lumia 900.

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Nokia Lumia 900 and Lumia 710 videos

Nokia Lumia 900 and Lumia 710 videos

First Thoughts: Nokia Lumia 900

Learn more about the Nokia Lumia 900 here: http://nokia.ly/w1NOMV

Initial reactions to the announcement of the Nokia Lumia 900 on the ground at CES 2012 in Las Vegas! Feedback from Juan from http://www.yourtechreport.com/ - Richard from http://www.dotnetrocks.com/ and Chris from http://micronokiadev.wordpress.com/

LG and Microsoft have signed a license agreement relating to Android and Chrome OS devices

Microsoft and LG Electronics announced the signing of the patent agreement, affecting the portfolio of patents to Microsoft for the products of LG Electronics, has an operating system Android and Chrome OS.

Primarily this agreement affects the Tablet PCs and mobile phones, as well as other household appliances, which uses the above-mentioned software platforms.

The content of the agreement were not disclosed.

Samsung Omnia W v Nokia Lumia 800

A comparision of the Samsung Omnia W against the Nokia Lumia 800.

Official: Lumia 900 doesn’t use PenTile Technology

Some confusion raised about the Nokia Lumia 900′s display after it was introduced: it was not clear if like the Lumia 800, the Lumia 900 used a PenTile AMOLED display. The PenTile display technology shares green sub pixels with other RGB pixels, so you get one-third fewer sub-pixels in total due to the new arrangement. In fact, a 4.3″ screen would have the same resolution as a 4″ display using PenTile technology! In a full RGB panel, each pixel is made up with 12 sub pixels, whereas in a PenTile display, only 8 sub pixels are present. The effects a PenTile display produces are often noticeable by the end user: some colors look grainy and fuzzy, and whites have an odd tone to them. In summary, PenTile displays aren’t as sharp and accurate as a full RGB matrix display: they are cheaper versions of the real thing.

It has been officially confirmed to me by Nokia, that the upcoming Nokia Lumia 900 does not use a PenTile arrangement. This means the Lumia 900 is using a full RGB matrix display, which will result in a much better experience. It’s nice to see that Nokia is really trying to offer the best experience possible by improving the quality of the components and materials they use. A full RGB matrix display will ensure that images look nice and sharp on the Lumia 900′s screen.

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Nokia Could Sell 37 Million Windows Phones This Year

If 2011 was the year of Windows Phone’s slow slog to market, 2012 may be the year of its breakout.
With a decent selection of handsets in the marketplace — including Nokia’s newly announced LTE device, the Lumia 900 — Windows Phone is poised for some respectable market-share gains, particularly if Microsoft promotes it as aggressively as some expect it to.
Indeed, Morgan Stanley expects shipments of Nokia’s new Windows Phones to hit 37 million units in 2012, and 64 million units in 2013.
Add to this Morgan Stanley’s estimates for HTC’s Windows Phone handsets, and you get shipments of 43 million this year and 74 million the next. And that’s just those two OEMs alone. There are a few others for which the research house doesn’t provide estimates. Samsung, for example.
Pretty good, considering Microsoft’s smartphone efforts to date, and Windows Phone’s youth. One could argue that it’s unrealistic to expect blowout sales from these first Windows Phone smartphones, particularly given the market power of their competition — the iPhone and a growing array of Android handsets. Microsoft was never going to just stroll into the smartphone market with a slick OS and convert legions of consumers who have been ignoring it for years.
And the company knows it.
“We’ve got a lot of room to go in selling Windows Phones,” CEO Steve Ballmer said during his remarks at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this week. “But I feel very much like the work we’re doing is really going to pay off.”

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Samsung Omnia W Unboxing

An unboxing of the Samsung Omnia W Windows Phone 7,5 smartphone.

Free Las Vegas limo rides: Nokia Lumia 710 and Nokia Drive

In the true spirit of Las Vegas we hired a limo and gave out free rides to people all over town, during CES 2012. The rules were simple... 1. They can't tell the driver where they're going. 2. They need to input their destination into Nokia Lumia 710 using Nokia Drive. 3. Shout out turn-by-turn directions to the driver. 4. Enjoy the ride!

Find out more about the Nokia Lumia 710: http://bit.ly/ue2muh
For all the latest Nokia news from
 CES 2012 visit Nokia Conversations, the official Nokia blog - http://nokia.ly/wxVE9y

Nokia CES press conference: Nokia Lumia 900

Nokia introduces the Nokia Lumia 900 at a joint press conference with AT&T. Find out more about the Nokia Lumia 900: http://nokia.ly/wRetIt

Introducing Nokia Lumia 900 - The Amazing Everyday

Meet the new Nokia Lumia 900 http://nokia.ly/yKZpKw Find out how fast amazing can be. And social. And beautiful. Keeping in touch with friends, and the entire Internet, has never been so easy. Experience The Amazing Everyday.

How It Works

Congratulations on buying your new Lumia 800; we understand that choosing a new mobile phone can be a minefield of confusing jargon, technical terminology or simply there are too many different handsets to choose from. Taking this into account, we are that confident in the Nokia Lumia 800 handset that we are offering a full money back guarantee should you not be 100% satisfied with the performance of your new purchase. Simply follow the steps below to register your new Nokia Lumia handset today.

Purchase your new qualifying Nokia Lumia 800 handset either in-store or on-line.
Register your purchase within 10 days of the date on your receipt.
Use your new Nokia handset for up to 40 days.
If you are not completely satisfied with your phone’s performance return it to us for a FULL refund!

HTC Announces HTC TITAN II — HTC’s First 4G LTE Windows Phone

HTC’s LTE Portfolio Expands With Fourth LTE Smartphone; Latest Windows Phone from HTC to Run on AT&T’s 4G LTE Network in U.S.

Photo Caption: HTC announces the latest Windows Phone HTC TITAN II to run on AT&T's 4G LTE network in U.S. (From the left: AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets CEO Ralph de la Vega, HTC CEO Peter Chou, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer)

Photo Caption: HTC CEO Peter Chou introduced the HTC TITAN II as the company’s first Windows Phone to run on a 4G LTE network at the 2012 International CES. Available in the coming months to AT&T customers, the smartphone includes 4.7” touchscreen display, an advanced 16-megapixel digital camera and access to 4G LTE speeds.

Photo Caption: HTC announces the first 4G LTE Windows Phone HTC TITAN II at 2012 CES.
LAS VEGAS — Jan. 9, 2012 — At the 2012 International CES, HTC Corp. today introduced the HTC TITAN™ II as the company’s first Windows Phone to run on a 4G LTE network. Available in the coming months to AT&T customers, the smartphone includes the largest display among Windows Phones, an advanced 16-megapixel digital camera and access to 4G LTE* speeds.

“HTC’s history of innovation in 4G technology includes delivering the first 4G-powered devices to each major carrier in the U.S., so it is exciting today to continue that leadership with our first 4G LTE Windows Phone, the HTC TITAN II,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corp. “This full-featured smartphone combines HTC’s design with AT&T’s high-speed 4G LTE network and Microsoft’s powerful Windows Phone software, giving people more of what they crave.”

The HTC TITAN II comes equipped with a brilliant 4.7-inch super LCD capacitive touchscreen display for an optimized viewing experience when watching movies, playing games or enjoying photos and videos. The HTC TITAN II offers quick and easy access to the latest movies and TV shows via HTC Watch and on-the-go gaming with Xbox LIVE.

Packed with advanced imaging technology, the HTC TITAN II features a 16-megapixel camera with a wide-angle lens, autofocus, dual LED flash, red eye reduction, image stabilization, a backside-illuminated sensor and a physical camera button, offering a viable replacement for digital point-and-shoot cameras. The HTC TITAN II delivers a number of features that HTC has developed to help consumers capture photos in a variety of conditions; for instance, panoramic shot for sweeping landscapes and burst shot for action photography. The smartphone also enables 720p HD video recording with the rear-facing camera, as well as on-the-go video chat over Wi-Fi with its 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

Access to AT&T’s speedy 4G LTE network paired with Qualcomm’s 1.5 GHz Snapdragon™ S2 processor, enables the HTC TITAN II to deliver fast Web surfing, streaming and downloading. This new powerful smartphone will also feature a 1,730mAh lithium ion battery to support the robust mobile experience on one of the fastest 4G LTE networks.

Featuring the latest version of Windows Phone, the HTC TITAN II enhances connectivity, efficiency and productivity for busy consumers with its large on-screen keyboard and instant access to Windows Phone Office Hub, Microsoft Exchange 2010 and Outlook Mobile. The Live Tile display brings friend and family groups to life and delivers the latest updates and news from popular social networks directly to the home screen. HTC TITAN II customers will also be able to download a number of exclusive HTC applications for free within Windows Marketplace through HTC Hub.

The HTC TITAN II is expected to become available exclusively from AT&T in the U.S. in the coming months.
*Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network.


About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense™, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.

Chris Weber on Nokia Lumia 900, Lumia 710 and North America

Chris Weber is President of Nokia for North America, and in this interview with Nokia Conversations at the CES 2012 show in Las Vegas he talks about the new Nokia Lumia 900, Lumia 710 and Nokia's re-entry into North America.
Find out more about the Nokia Lumia 900: http://nokia.ly/wtO5m9

First LTE Windows Phones in U.S. Coming Exclusively to AT&T Customers

New 4G LTE Windows Phones from HTC and Nokia Planned to Arrive 1H 2012. AT&T Goal is to Deliver Customers the Industry's Best Mobile Broadband Experience With Leading 4G LTE Device Portfolio, Along with Best-in-Class Apps and Network

Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, and Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer, Microsoft, jointly announced from the stage of the annual AT&T Developer Summit -- a day before the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas -- that the first 4G LTE Windows Phones will be available exclusively from AT&T*.
De la Vega and Ballmer were joined by Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC, to introduce the HTC TITAN™ II and showcased the smartphone’s 4.7-inch display and industry-leading 16-megapixel camera, among other features.
Stephen Elop, chief executive officer, Nokia, also took the stage to announce that AT&T would be the exclusive carrier for Nokia’s first ever 4G LTE Windows Phone in the U.S.  De la Vega will join Elop at a Nokia press conference at 3:00 p.m. (PST) later today where more details will be shared.
The AT&T Developer Summit is a two-day event for software developers to participate in a Hackathon, hear the latest news on AT&T 4G devices and network and get technical news and marketing insights from industry experts.  Over 2,000 developers are attending. AT&T remains focused on opening up its network to developers and creating opportunities for collaboration. The two-day AT&T Developer Summit underscores this commitment.
At the Developer Summit, AT&T also provided an update on its 4G LTE network build and outlined the benefits of its blended network technologies approach, which offers customers with compatible devices consistently fast 4G speeds in and out of 4G LTE areas.
All news releases and related multimedia content are available in the AT&T online newsroom: att.com/aboutus. Customers can learn more about the devices previewed today at att.com/ces.
Windows Phone Leadership        

AT&T is the leader in Windows Phones—outselling all other carriers and planning to offer the first portfolio of 4G LTE-capable Windows Phones.  AT&T will exclusively offer the first two 4G LTE-capable Windows Phones in the U.S.  The HTC TITAN II, and a new Windows Phone from Nokia will run Windows Phone 7.5 and take Windows Phone users to a new level of mobile broadband with 4G LTE speeds backed by AT&T’s nationwide 4G-capable, HSPA+ network.

HTC TITAN™ II

The HTC TITAN™ II, the latest Windows Phone from HTC, runs on AT&T’s 4G LTE network and is powered by a 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S2 processor by Qualcomm.  TITAN II features AT&T’s largest-ever 16-megapixel camera with a dedicated image processor and a back-illuminated sensor for low light.  The device’s 4.7-inch screen, boasting the largest display among Windows Phones globally, is perfect for watching movies, playing games, emailing or surfing the web.

Exclusive to AT&T, the HTC TITAN™ II will be available in the coming months at AT&T company-owned stores and online.
Nokia Windows Phone

AT&T will be the exclusive carrier of Nokia’s first ever 4G LTE Windows Phone. More details will be shared during Nokia’s press conference in Las Vegas at 3 p.m. PST.
Quote

“We’re thrilled to extend our Windows Phone leadership by being the first carrier to bring 4G LTE Windows Phones to our customers,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Offering a best-in-class 4G smartphone portfolio, coupled with a fast, high-performing 4G LTE network and innovative, next-generation applications, is how we give our customers the best mobile broadband experience in the industry.”

“Windows Phone takes a different approach by putting people first.” said Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft. “We’re incredibly optimistic about the opportunity ahead and especially today’s announcement to launch the first LTE Windows Phones in the U.S. on AT&T’s network."

Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets.  4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available.  Deployment ongoing.  Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.  Learn more at att.com/network.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

AT & T introduced the first two Windows Phone smartphone to support LTE networks - HTC TITAN II and Nokia Lumia 900

The North American mobile operator AT & T jointly with HTC, Nokia and Microsoft to show 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, which opened in Las Vegas, introduced the first Windows Phone smartphones to support LTE networks - HTC TITAN II and Nokia Lumia 900.

HTC TITAN II :

This novelty is equipped with 1.5 GHz processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S2, a camera with 16 megapixel sensor with a backlit, and 4.7-inch LCD touch screen.

In addition, HTC TITAN II has a 1.3 megapixel front camera, support for Wi-Fi networks and capabilities to HD (720p) video. As the battery is used Li-Ion battery of 1730 mA / h.

Nokia Lumia 900 :

Lumia 900, except the opportunity to work in LTE networks, a 4.3-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display, optics Carl Zeiss, as well as equipped with the battery capacity of 1830 mA / h.

Among the other technical characteristics of the Nokia Lumia 900 indicates the following:

Support for communications standards: LTE Band 4 (1700/2100 MHz) and 17 (700 MHz); 3G/WCDMA 850/1900/2100 MHz; GSM / EGSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Dimensions: 127,8 x68, 5x11, 5 mm
Weight: 160 gr.
Platform: Windows Phone Release 7.5 - Mango
Processor: 1.4 GHz Snapdragon APQ8055 + MDM9200
Display: 4.3-inch, AMOLED ClearBlack, a resolution of 800x480 pixels
Main camera: 8 megapixels with autofocus and LED backlight, support for HD (720p) video
Front camera: 1 megapixel
Memory: 512 MB RAM, 16 GB of built-in (available to the user about 14.5 GB)
Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, USB 2.0 high-speed, A-GPS, 3.5 mm audio jack
Battery: 1830 mA / h

Nokia CES press conference: Nokia Lumia 900

Nokia introduces the Nokia Lumia 900 at a joint press conference with AT&T.
Find out more about the Nokia Lumia 900: http://nokia.ly/wRetIt