Palms risky game with the Pre.

Saturday is the Palm Day: In the U.S. at the weekend is the new smartphone in the U.S. producer in the sale. Critics give the device high marks, fans eagerly wait for it. The success is still not secured.

 

San Francisco - Just over a year ago, some experts have hardly anything left on the pocket computer pioneer Palm to. The computer-phones from the Palm Treo series were at that time with modern smartphones like the iPhone, Apple does not keep pace.

And the big announcement
Foleo project for a new ultra-mobile PC in the autumn of 2007 was again stopped. Now Palm prove that the legendary company to product successes, such as the PalmPilot, the first "personal digital assistant (PDA) for the masses, can once again pick up. Together with the U.S. mobile provider Sprint Nextel launched the company in California this Saturday (June 6) the marketing of the smartphone Palm Pre.

Behind the design of the Pre is Jon Rubinstein, who was previously at Apple in the development of the iPod music player was responsible. For the development of pre Rubinstein canvassed some 250 experts mainly from Apple and other Silicon Valley companies. With this team, he wanted an Internet mobile phone design, which makes it not only with the iPhone or the new Google mobile phone record, but the models in some areas also have to be taken. Funding will be the last burst of Palm from venture capitalists Elevation Partners, in July 2007 more than 300 million U.S. dollars into the ailing company invested.

Integration of Social Networks

The result can be clearly seen: Known IT journalists in the U.S. such as David Pogue of the New York Times "or Walter Mossberg from the Wall Street Journal was the Palm before pre launch test and distribute good marks. "The Palm is a spectacular success. From zero to a hundred in the first version," writes Pogue. Mossberg looks at the pre an "intelligent and sophisticated product that will appeal especially those who (for a smartphone) want a physical keyboard."

Unlike the iPhone, the Palm is not only pre on a virtual keyboard, with the large number of recorders can not be friends. Furthermore, the pre run multiple programs simultaneously, resulting in the iPhone it is not possible.

Furthermore, the Palm Pre scores with a successful integration of social networks like Facebook or web services like Google Calendar.

Europe must wait again

Whether the Palm Pre laurels after the advance of the critics also a major sales success, is still out. For one can not pre anywhere with the iPhone to keep up. Since the Palm software developers only an extremely short lead time has to be the launch of the Pre little add-on programs available.

For the Apple cellphone, however, are now in the iTunes store more than 40,000 "Apps" are offered. Extensive games from the iTunes bestseller list, it will be for the Palm do not pre enter, since the Palm device for grafiklastige programs is not suitable.

The Sprint Nextel in the U.S. offered Pre Palm is outside the U.S. can hardly be used because it is based on the U.S. CDMA mobile standard running. A variant for Europe (GSM / UMTS) Palm has at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. For Germany, however, has neither a start date nor the partner for the mobile market announced.

Apple could make trouble

Palm also inconvenience threatens foes from Apple. Two days after the launch of Apple's pre gathered on Monday in San Francisco software developer for the World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC). There could be Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller a new version of the iPhone imagine the Palm Pre immediately from the wind takes the sails.

In addition, Palm Apple to take legal action. The Palm Pre used not only by Apple's patented multi-touch technology "to control the smartphone with multiple fingers. A week ago Palm announced a surprise, precisely
the iTunes software from Apple to have chosen to download music tracks, videos and photos between a computer and the Palm Pre exchange. Thus the comparison between the pre and iTunes works, camouflages the Palm device technically seen as a music player from Apple. And how it works, knows the former iPod product manager Jon Rubinstein only too well.

Sony Ericsson painted with watercolors.

Mobile phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson has always had a green logo. Now, with years of delay compared to the rest of the industry, the group tries to get a matching green zuzulegen image - but is only moderately ambitious to work.

 

With two new phones, the Group intends to implement its goal, "the ecological footprint of the company to reduce." The German translation is slightly stupid-sounding phrase stands for the environmental damage caused by an activity occurring - from the mobile phone production to barbecue at the weekend. A large "footprint" stands for large loads and the environment is a matter for the image not at all good. The race for small footprints is part of the industry-wide competition. Now Sony Ericsson is also part of it - a Spätstart.

Only in September 2008 Sony Ericsson had the goal postulated to be a green future, and will now begin with the implementation. Very radical but it will probably not proceed: Until 2015, the CO2 balance of Sony Ericsson mobile phones by 15 percent.

How protects the environment while saving, Sony Ericsson wants its customers to show that they will no longer be bothered with printed manuals will be. Their task will be, at least for two on Thursday introduced mobile phones, electronic, pre-loaded on the mobile phone manuals assume. The paper consumption would be reduced by 90 percent, says the manufacturer. That is certainly true, but holds pitfalls - such as when the battery is empty or someone with the user needs exactly why, because he deals with mobile phones really do not know.

By eliminating the paper inserts can however also be smaller packaging. On this rotation is also Nokia have come - in a while. The waiver of packing material improves not only the LCA, but also the profit margin. Finally, smaller packages cost less, can be shipped cheaper. In addition to the environment also seems to be Sony Ericsson from the savings benefit.

Water color and recycled plastic

In addition to such cost-cutting measures, however, there is also real environmental improvements. Thus, the new model C901 Green Heart with a water color and painted with a headset that you almost completely from recycled plastic is produced. The model presented simultaneously Nait is opposed by a particularly economical charger.

Both phones is common, according to Sony Ericsson that their housing about half from recycled plastic. Furthermore, a very sensitive light sensor, the brightness of the display particularly sensitive to the ambient light and adjust as helping to save energy.

Apart from these changes and eco-supplied applications such as a CO2 calculator, it is two devices in order to completely normal mobile phones. While the Nait with its price of 159 euros apparently little more to users, is intended to the C901 Green Heart, with its 5-megapixel camera with xenon flash mobile photographers seem to address. Very interesting is the choice of storage media: When C901 is Sony's Memory Stick Micro for use, the cheaper Nait uses the Sony Ericsson long spurned microSD cards.

Good is not good enough

The idea of mobile phones more environmentally friendly, is quite understandable and encouraged. Just as Sony Ericsson is trying to take out, but remains the bland taste that only the bare minimum has been done. If it is an economical power supply, why are not all equipment delivered? And when a method has developed, environmentally friendly paints to use, then why not the same as in the manufacture of all products?

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Maybe because it is enough to set itself to achieve objectives. Total is supported by the innovations in both products' CO2 emissions by 15 percent, "reads a press release. This is sometimes good, is still half-heartedly. Perhaps we should simply aim to savings of 15 percent CO2 and revise rephrased into "as much as possible."

Sony Ericsson would have at least the eco-balance the nose before Nokia. The Finns have it that even with a mobile eco-tries, but the first model, the Evolve 3110, stuck. Also because there is pent-up demand.

Phones are used for electrical wallet.

Soon, phones could be credit cards as a cashless payment replaced. Simple, cheap and fast payment will be via phone - when there are so-called Mobile Payment not a few practice problems.

 

Berlin - Every second German hopes, with the mobile phone is not only, but also pay them. The scientists at the University of Augsburg found. "Consumers want it and do not understand why it still does not work," says the head of the Research wi-mobile at the University of Augsburg, Key Pousttchi. It would be so handy in a vending machine, or in a taxi at the supermarket checkout only to the mobile zücken and all payments from one hand to do.

Trial of a Dutch supermarket chain in any case governed by the Mobile Payment been enthusiastic, says Pousttchi. In this experiment, however, have to work, so far only a few mobile payment methods offered: "You held the phone to a station at the box office, it made 'Beep' and that's it," says the scientist.

Ease of use is for the customers of A and O, because there are already other payment methods, whether in cash or by credit card. "Since M-Payment must at least be easier or nicer to use. If you click here, and yet there's something to select, the procedure is dead," he knows from experience with other experiments.

How can you make money?

It would be too cumbersome, for example, at the box office only an SMS reply to the merchant and the payment trigger. Again, this possibility has already been tested, but could not be enforced.

When payment is only for the SMS mobile services like ring tones in use. One reason is that all payments to these so-called Premium SMS-third of the money to the mobile operator, and another third is still often to other service providers, which the payments.

Reason for the slow deployment of mobile payment is Pousttchi according to the complexity of the technology. You will still underestimated. Difficult is the business itself: How can one with M-payment money? And how will the security be ensured? Which procedure is the best and who will introduce it? Of the few suppliers of mobile payment methods, two at the beginning of this year: Crandy - a word created from credit and cell phone - and LUUP. This company made the sending of money between individuals possible.

"NFC is the future"

At the moment exists only MPASS, a system for customers of Vodafone and O2, which is based on the payments in the Internet is limited, and "Call & flexible pay" from the telecoms, with the machines can be paid. Success is a promising technology, which is also the Dutch supermarket was trying to basically says Pousttchi. It is based on wireless technology RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). An RFID chip in a piece of clothing could be the price of the phone display and send a payment request. RFID implementation for mobile is close-range communication (NFC, Near Field Communication) called.

RFID and NFC

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. An RFID system consists of a transponder, the incoming radio signals and answer to an object is located. Moreover, a reader of them. The transponder can be as small as a grain of rice.

The implementation of RFID for mobile is a Near Field Communication (NFC) refers. This is a transmission standard for contactless exchange of data over very short distances. It was developed by Philips and Sony. With an NFC mobile consumers will be comfortable and cashless ticketing, for example, by touching or solve a so-called tags, information from a poster on their phone can.

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"In three years there will be no new phones without NFC give" expected Pousttchi. "What mobile payment at close range, it is the future of NFC." With an NFC mobile phone of Nokia, for example, were customers of the Rhine-Main transport association in a pilot project by touching a stop on the radio chips attached information and ticket purchase.

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How long it will take to the Mobile Payment prevails, depends on the behavior of participants, says Key Pousttchi. Still, it would be possible with a really good method to market quickly aufzurollen ". If this does not happen, American corporations could win the race, just as in the credit card was. In the Netherlands in any event, every second customer specified, for a mobile phone with mobile payment function, the network provider to another. Actually an unbeatable argument in the hotly competitive mobile market.

Startup problems with Nokia's software shop.

Software, games, ring tones: Nearly a year after Apple announced on Tuesday Nokia's Ovi Store opened its doors. Million mobile phone users can get with extensions for their mobile phones supply - in theory. Indeed, shortly after the opening of the first problems showed.

 

With plenty of delays are now also the Finns to the starting line: On Tuesday opened the world mobile phone leader Nokia's Ovi-Store, an online store, where mobile phone users with software, games and amusing little person. At the opening of the online shop Nokia fans have waited a long time. Finally, Apple has been almost a year before, how to successfully market mobile phone software: Within the first nine months were from the App Store for the iPhone one billion programs downloaded.

This figure has now topped Nokia begun. Actually, the task of the Finns can easily be overcome. That at least put the sales figures closely. While Apple's market researchers Gartner that in the first quarter of 2009, not quite four million iPhones to sell could put Nokia in the same period, nearly 15 million smartphones - and also sold around 82 million less powerful mobile phones.

Despite this advantage is the market leader is not easy to catch up with its competitors. This shows itself in the scope of supply. In Apple's App Store are now more than 35,000 applications, games and fun programs to find. Many of them free, the bulk of the pay programs at prices of 0.79 and 1.79 euros.

Rates up to 40 euros

Nokia's shop has plenty of growth there. Currently, he offers, for example, 471 for the current touch-screen mobile phone Nokia 5800 XpressMusic on. The share in the areas of programs, audio and video, games and personalization on. The percentage fee deals is considerably higher than for Apple. Thus, the store on Wednesday for the 5800 model only 34 free title, on the other hand, has 437 paid listings.

Only rarely stumbles man rummaging through a software available for 0,99 Euro is offered. Even for simple tones should be 2.99 berappen, Wallpapers for mobile phones cost 1.99 euros. Games, such as the card game "Omar Sharif Bridge, beat most with 4.99 Euros. True it is expensive but when you get to seriously hunt usable applications. A tool that is available Wi-Fi networks in the area indicates, has a price of 9,99 euros. Dictionaries and cities leaders are 15 to 25 euros, office utilities and security software costs up to 40 euros.

A "total disaster"

But at least the first approximately 24 hours after the opening of the Ovi Store, it was not even sure if we ever found admittance. Apparently the systems were not designed to rush to the start of worldwide sales followed. Partial receipted Store logon attempts with error messages, sometimes the pages were just white. Unusually, these performance problems with the introduction of such online services, however, does not and it is expected that the situation calmed once the great early interest has resolved.

But many laurels could Nokia software does not yet store einheimsen, neither Nokia nor fans of technology journalists. The high-tech blog Techcrunch called about the opening as "
total disaster, "criticized the inconsistent user guide and noticed that some have recommended applications in the morning a few hours later, no longer in the store were found.

Similar criticism is based on the Symbian mobile operating system specialist website
Ovi Allaboutsymbian with the store to court. Also there is the criticism hakelige operation. Above all, you disturb the specialists that the Store does not distinguish between different applications based on Java on and those that are directly adapted to Symbian.

However, there is, however, that the Ovi Store still far with Apple's App Store or the Android Market for mobile phones with the Google Android operating system can absorb. But still, there is widespread agreement that the Finns still around the rudder cracks Ovi from the store but still a successful model can tinker. Tech Digest has even already have a
Five-point plan.

Jesus programs, beer glass simulations fart and software are not among them - this is precisely such a fun-time applications to the burners at rival Apple. Whether Nokia users should not have joy?

The iPhone, which is none.

Success attracts imitators to. Just like designer clothes and expensive watches are also increasingly sophisticated mobile phones copied. blogs ONLINE has a Chinese iPhone copy under the microscope. If the cheap model, what the manufacturer promises?

 

What is that? It just looks like an iPhone, clearly. But it's smaller, much smaller. If there's an iPhone nano would be, then it would probably look like this - or something like that. Because what happened to me because in the hand is pressed, is no iPhone, it only does so.

Indeed, it is by its manufacturer as m888a means, but by that name on the device is no trace to be seen. Instead, there is great "mini" on the back, next to the Apple logo.

An Apple logo? Well, almost, because as the metal was shaped, how does an apple that also recalls Apple Crest fruit, but is somehow wrong, almost as if someone had the wrong template placed on the copier. But so have the curious failure of the Chinese Nachbauer still no end.

Especially nice is the lettering on the back cover has succeeded. Just like the original there are a serial number and the reference to the country of manufacture to China. Where Apple makes it clear however that the device was designed in California, is on the clone to read: "Made by USA". Aha, produced by the U.S. also. Whether the know?

Not every icon keeps what it promises

Hardly, because the developer and manufacturer of the mini, the
CisCam Electronics Co. LTD., Has its headquarters in the Chinese industrial city of Shenzhen. Originally, the company had engaged in the manufacture of network surveillance cameras and specialized. Meanwhile, the engineers seem but copies of successful mobile phone as lucrative field of activity to have discovered. Besides iPhone replicas offering the company openly Nokia, Samsung and Sony-Ericsson clones. Even phones in the style of Nokia's Vertu brand Nobel Ciscam has on offer.

Which has been used as "mini iPhone" device advertised, however, precious little to do. Apart from its aluminum rear of the device is not noble to be found. However, the software developer an honest effort, the Apple-imitated look. The main menu presents itself with smaller versions of the iPhone icons. They have, however, often quite different features than the originals. A click on the Google Maps logo carries around in a file manager.

Where is the hidden pen?

Anyway reveals immediately that the pretty icons are only aufgeflanscht. Directly below, the graphical splendor to an end, shows a text-only menus. The show also that they do not actually touch screen for mobile phones designed. Next to each menu item is emblazoned a number between 0 and 9 Had a keyboard, you could probably order the functions by pressing a button control.

In the small iPhone but you have to try each line of text with a finger to take what is tricky. The only 2.6 inch screen is small for the many lines of text presented simply too little space. Well, that Ciscam pen as a pointer operator assistance mitliefert. Pity that the design was apparently not taken into account, completely under the back lid is hidden. To join the mini-pen, you must first commercially the phone partly disassembled and then put back together.

Everything except Internet

But there are also highlights. Thus, the two m888a Sim card slots, can therefore two providers simultaneously einbuchen. This is handy when you call for voice and data provider uses different holiday or a SIM card of the country in addition to the trip home would like to insert. Moreover, the battery is replaceable and the Bluetooth feature allows you to transfer music. One such feature is Apple's first with the next software update in due course.

The musical abilities of the device itself, however, are on MP3 files, which are but not many can be accommodated. Although the product is stamped indicating 8GB is only 1 GB of memory installed. Internet functions do not exist. Neither a Web browser or an e-mail program are available. Given the slow data rate of the built GPRS module, this is probably better that way.

Is there a copy of his cult?

A real iPhone is the replacement m888a or "iPhone mini" so little. With Apple's cult-mobile announced it just a little appearance, nothing else. However, not even the price. For 85 dollars, about 62 euros, praises the manufacturer's device. For a simple GSM mobile phone with dual sim touch screen feature and not a bad price.

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But who wants to save the mobile phone, is now no longer on such replicas instructed. Only on Tuesday, for example, entry-level Nokia phones that have similar favorable as the iPhone clone, but was technically far superior. These include the Nokia 2720 fold, a folding mobile phone, which still go online via EDGE may not look sick and even 55 Euro cheaper than Apple's clone.

Similar low-cost mobile phones is available from various manufacturers, quite legally and with warranty, if something breaks. Whether this is recognized by the "mini iPhone" can expect? Doubts are appropriate.

More protection against pushy salesmen.

"Phone number is suppressed" - Callcenter may no longer hide behind the claim, if they call unsuspecting citizens to newspaper subscriptions or perceived Glückslose for sale. And who ordered something on the phone, can easily reverse order soon.

 

Berlin - Telefonvermarktern be closer limits. The industry, which often unwanted calls to customers by surprise and pushing operations, it will be difficult. After the Bundestag voted on Friday, the Chamber of countries for stricter regulations in the fight against illicit phone advertising.

DPA
None Advertising: Consumers will be better protected from unwanted sales calls protected

With the new rules should be easier for citizens by telephone contracts may resign. A comprehensive Widerrufsrecht enables them to place orders again to reverse. Moreover threatening call centers that work with suppressed numbers, sentences of up to 10,000 euros. May be called only those who previously expressly for such calls has given his consent ( "opt-in" procedure). In cases of infringement, so-called Cold Calling, threatening a fine up to 50,000 euros.

In practice, this approval is connected but often, even if this does not realize is that appropriate consent ergaunert the industry is happy with tricks such as the notorious among the small games. Or it connects a service - for example the award of interest-free loan to the Electric Discounter - on the agreement, the address "to others for advertising purposes." Even in cases where the consumer to share their data freely, there is the phone advertisers such thing as approval.

Many companies call whistle, however, to such formalities: they harass consumers without a permit and provide data from which you can close, who is on call, preferably only when it becomes clear that an interest of the customer.

Consumer Protection Minister Ilse Aigner (CSU) said: "The prohibition of unauthorized advertising telephone calls in the past, some have been systematically ignored. The air is thin for now advertising annoying callers." The agreed package of measures specifically put there to indicate where problems had arisen: in the most affected by telephone advertising industries such as gaming and lottery services in the enforcement of consumer rights and in conflicts over untergeschobene contracts in connection with telephone advertisements.

The most significant changes at a glance

Contracts for the supply of newspapers, periodicals and magazines as well as gaming and lottery services can be without giving any reason, as has been the case with all other contracts on the phone is possible. It is for the right of withdrawal does not matter whether the advertisement call was illegal.
If the consumer time revoke a contract has, he needs him to fulfill. That means he must not pay back orders. The deadline for a timely withdrawal is - depending on the circumstances of the case - two weeks or a month. You will only begin when the consumer a notice on his right in text form (such as your e-mail or fax) received. For illicit advertising calls, the minimum time a regular month.
The right to call for promotional lotteries or magazine and newspaper subscriptions is now a month.
If the consumer about his right not taught in text form, it may Contracts for services, which he on the phone or on the Internet has, henceforth revoked. That right there is not, if a company with the execution of the service without the express consent of the consumer or the consumer started the execution itself has been held.
Phone contracts, with those so-called "circuit in the background", such as for example electricity, gas or telephone company bills, will only be effective if the consumer has confirmed in writing.

Who is poor, does tend to the fixed network.

It sounds paradoxical, but is detectable: in particular low-income households with affordable waive fixed line and rely solely on the mobile phone. Approximately nine percent of all German households have no regular phone line anymore.

 

Berlin - In almost every tenth household replaces the traditional fixed-mobile. Around four million households in Germany were only the beginning of 2008 with mobile phones equipped with additional fixed lines in place. That, the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden on Thursday, relying on results of current income and consumption sample. In more than nine percent of all German households there is no traditional phone line, 2003, the proportion of households with mobile phones and no landline phone even at four per cent.

DDP
No G1 no iPhone, but works: phones are sometimes not a luxury, but rather the opposite of that

The fact that it is primarily low-income households are the mobile phone before the fixed preference affects irritating at first sight: Mobile telephony is still significantly more expensive than the classical variant.

To explain the figures anyway. The cost argument is valid only if the phone also uses to make a call. In principle, can be a prepaid mobile telephone on the purchase price of the card to reduce - if you can just call. A monthly fee is for prepaid mobile is also irrelevant. Payment is only, which is also used.

This is the advantage that mobile phones offer, if you change the place of residence more often than usual: The re-registration of the trouble is fixed line. Similarly, the typical cell phone-only household then from there are especially very young households whose members are clearly moving more often than older and to low income people.

In more than every third household (35 percent) of under 25-year-olds, there was only the beginning of 2008 mobile phones and no fixed phone line anymore. The percentage of exclusive mobile user households increased with increasing age of main income recipients and recipients from the inside. In the 25 - to 34-year-olds, there were still 19 percent of households in the 55 - to 64-year-olds only six percent and the 70-year-olds about two out of 100 households.

The cell phone rings, even if you can not pay more

The highest proportions of households with mobile phones and no fixed for low-wage earners: while the proportion of households with a net income to 900 euros for 23 percent, was he in the income groups from 2600 euro only three percent. This structure blogs, according to Federal Statistical Office, even to the possible employment of the residents will geblickt: 21 percent of unemployed households, eleven percent of workers and six percent of households of the self-employed households had only cell phones and no fixed phone line anymore.

And this is not an expression of failed preferences, but a form of defense against the costs: poor shifting the cost of telephony to the people who call them. And they prefer price models, where it costs an absolute control down to Einzelgespräch have. The mobile phone is also certain that it is still achievable, even if it costs for the next prepaid card can no longer bear.