The push towards mobile games

At a time when most of the handset makers are offering similar features to their users, the companies are looking at mobile gaming to differentiate themselves.

Even the hardcore gamers have started converting towards the mobile games — partly due to sheer need, after all the consoles cannot be carried everywhere, and second, the mobile gaming segment is being taken seriously by even the handset makers.

It's good to be a part of the market which is being pampered by the mobile companies, right?

Sony Ericsson has launched a dedicated gaming phone, called Xperia Play, which has dedicated slide out keys for gaming. Since users are also able to make calls on the same device, gaming turns out to be an added bonus.

Mango update for Windows Phone demoed

The update shows Windows Phone multitasking beautifully, easily switching from one app to another. The browser, Internet Explorer 9, is also zippier compared to other phones' native browsers.

The much talked about Mango update for Windows Phone has finally been announced officially by Andy Lees, president of Microsoft's Mobile Communications business. 

He said the main idea behind the Mango update is to make Windows Phone operating system smarter and easier to operate.

Nokia's Oro smartphone to hit market in July

Keeping Symbian alive, Nokia has announced the launch of its latest smartphone encrusted with 17 carat gold and the latest Symbian Anna preloaded.

Finnish handset maker Nokia has launched its latest Symbian based smartphone named Oro, which is a Spanish word meaning Gold. 

Built on Symbians' latest Anna operating system, Nokia Oro had revealed just about a couple of months back. The phone has been named Oro because it is 18 carat gold plated while the center key is made up of a sapphire crystal. The back panel is made up of pure Scottish leather and is available in two, light and dark colour variants. 

Smartphones getting more powerful

Phones are now evolving into multi core devices that can be connected to large monitors and then work like media players or computers.

The most common of these processors are Qualcomm's Snapdragon, Texas Instrument's OMAP 4 and Samsung's Hummingbird. The main advantages that smartphone users can expect from multi-core chips include faster web page loading, better performance, a better gaming experience, smooth user interface and better multitasking. Increasingly, smartphones can be used to watch television, and can play and capture full high definition, or 1080p resolution video. 

Location tracking basics

Despite controversy about the location tracking service of Google and Apple, this is a useful and essential feature.

The recent controversy surrounding Apple's location tracking services has shone the spotlight on these services.

Location tracking is a service through which one can find the current position of a mobile phone. The phone needs to contact the closest antenna, which it constantly does even while it is moving, and the strength of the signal is also used to determine where the phone is located.

Nokia Windows phones to feature new processor

The upcoming and highly anticipated Windows Phone devices from Nokia will feature processor sourced from ST Ericsson.

The new league of Windows Phone based smartphones from Nokia will be feature the all new Novathor U8500 processor from ST Ericsson, according to the chief executive officer of STMicroelectronics Carlo Bozotti, who shared this information with Forbes.

St Ericsson is a joint venture between Geneva based STMicroelectronics and Swedish mobile equipment manufacturer.

Plants Vs Zombies coming to Android

Android users can download the game for free within 24 hours of its launch from Amazon AppStore, which has exclusive rights to distribute the game.

Plants Vs Zombies, a popular mobile game of PopCap, is all set to hit Android and Windows Phone 7 platforms. The game is already a big hit on iPhone, and is available on gaming consoles as well.

Android users can download the application of the game starting May 31 from Amazon Appstore, which has the exclusive right to distribute it. The game will be free for download for the first 24 hours but will cost nearly $3 (about Rs 135) after that.

No Windows Phones soon: Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson is looking to triple its market share in USA with Android phones, particularly those that run PlayStation. The new Xperia series is likely to lead growth for the company.

Sony Ericsson, which had dumped the Symbian platform, is not likely to come out with a Windows phone anytime soon, according to the company's chief technology officer Jan Uddenfeldt.

However, Uddenfeldt's words can also be interpreted to mean that Sony Ericsson's doors are still open for Windows Phone 7, though the company will start making products only if the platform picks up pace.

Sony Ericsson is looking to triple its smartphone market share in the USA, which currently stands at 5 per cent.

After Symbian, it was widely speculated that the company would go for Windows Phone 7. However, it went for Google's Android operating system and has seen reasonable success with the decision.

Videocon to launch 8 mega pixel full touch screen phone

The touch screen phone will have an 8 megapixel camera and is expected to be available within Rs 7,000. The phone will be launched over the next 15 days along with 4-5 dual SIM phones.

Videocon is all set to launch a new phone featuring an 8 megapixel camera and a 2.8 inch touch screen.

Sources said to 'The Mobile Indian' that the phone will haveoptical zoom, just like Spice S12 and that the company has also planned 4-5 other phones which will be in different price ranges and will use two SIM cards. Pricing has not yet been disclosed but the 8 megapixel handset is expected to be available within Rs 7,000.

The company recently launched upgraded versions of its Android phone, called Zeus Evolve, and Videocon V7500. It also released five other phones, one of which is called V 1755 and features a 3.2 inch touch screen; while V 1665 has a 3 inch touch screen along with a 2 megapixel camera.

The company has aggressive plans and has tied-up with electronic retail chain Next and several other stores to sell its phones. It is also expanding its service network beyond the 450 service centers it already operates.

Microsoft to buy Skype, claim reports

The possibilities of Windows Phone and Skype complementing each other might be endless, with the use of Skype on Windows phones to making video calls with Kinect received on mobile devices or vice versa.

On the backdrop of reports of Google and Facebook partnering with Skype, reports have now claimed that Microsoft intends to buy the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) company for close to $8 billion.

Wall Street Journal has said this in a recent report citing its own sources, which in a way confirms the rumours earlier published by GigaOm.

The Microsoft-Skype deal would be a big push for the Windows based smartphones. The possibility of making free calls using Skype on Windows Phones may prove to be tempting for many users, though phone to phone VoIP calls are not allowed in India yet. Only those calls which originate from computers are allowed in India right now.

Another interesting possibility for users may be use of Kinect, another Microsoft product which helps in making video calls, in combination with Skype. The Kinect-Skype combine would enable users to talk to their friends and family through high quality video calls using their televisions. These calls may originate from TV sets and end up on devices such as iPhone, iPad, Android, and of course Windows Phone 7 phones. The reverse may also be possible.

Skype was founded in 2003 and was later bought by eBay in 2005, which then sold its stake to a private investment group. Even earlier, Microsoft has revealed that Skype would soon be available on Windows Phone 7 devices. So one thing's for sure, the interest from the company is already there.

Top five music phones in India

Music phones are becoming more relevant with increasing digital options including app stores, streaming websites and more.

Many people would not buy a phone unless it had FM or an MP3 player as these users are not satisfied with just the ability to make calls. If you are one of them, here are a few phones that will keep you humming all the time.

Nokia N8 (Rs 22,699)

Nokia N8 makes a great music player, especially since it organises tracks efficiently. Scrolling is smooth and the user interface is visually attractive.

Music lovers want a loud speaker and it's there in the Nokia N8, so users can enjoy music even if they don't have a headphone handy.

It is possible to use either Bluetooth stereo headphones or wired 3.5 mm jack headphones with this Nokia device, which even has an FM player. One great feature of the phone is that it has an FM transmitter with which users can transmit songs loaded on the phone to an FM radio nearby, such as the one in a car audio system.