Apple iOS 5 features showdown

Several features have been allegedly "inspired" from existing ones on other platforms and third-party applications available on App Store. 

At the Worldwide Developers Conference 2011, Apple executives gave a sneak peek into the upcoming iOS 5 update that is scheduled to arrive later this year. The iOS 5 update boasts 200 new features and 1,500 new application programming interfaces (APIs) to support the iPad 2, iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod touch 3rd and 4th generations. Several new features were demonstrated on stage and many found those features similar to ones offered by other mobile operating systems.

Android continues to suffer from malware

Despite removing several malicious applications researchers find nefarious DroidKungFu malware that can take control of the device and even turn it into a bot.

A few days ago we reported that Google had removed more than two dozen malicious applications from Android Market. This number now turns out to be far from sufficient.

According to North Carolina State University researchers, assistant professor Xuxian Jiang, and Ph.D. student Yajin Zhou, a new malware called DroidKungFu has been found in certain apps being circulated outside Android Market. DroidKungFu malware possesses advanced techniques that make it capable of bypassing mobile anti-virus software and also enable it to install a backdoor that allows the hacker to take complete control of the device.

Free cross-platform messengers for smartphones

Sending text messages, sharing multimedia and staying connected with friends who use a different operating system from your own is easily done with the apps we've picked.

Research In Motion's BlackBerry smartphones have become quite popular in India in recent months. While the dispute between RIM and the Government of India persists, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) has become a popular application that keeps the majority of BlackBerry owners busy, texting their contacts, friends and relatives.

The primary reason for BBM's popularity is that it is integrated with the BlackBerry operating system and is a light-weight app that is economical in its consumption of resources. Users can send and receive text, photos, audio and video, and can receive real-time delivery confirmations. BBM's chief purpose is that it enables people to converse with their contacts live at minimal cost.

Samsung rolls out Gingerbread update for Indian Galaxy S users

Next in line is Android Gingerbread update for Galaxy Tab & other family smartphones - Gio, Fit, mini & Galaxy S LCD.

Samsung had begun rolling out Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for its Galaxy S GT-I9000 smartphone earlier this month in several regions. However, due to some bug with the update, Google stopped this roll out process. Most Gingerbread updates rolled out for the Galaxy S via forums and other sites have problems related to battery life and WiFi connectivity etc.

From today onward Galaxy S users in India are getting the Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread update through Samsung Kies desktop software. Nitish Kumar, IT infrastructure professional and Galaxy S owner, shared via Twitter the image of Kies, showing the new Gingerbread build for Galaxy S GT-I9000 devices.

Windows Phone 7 Marketplace coming soon

Users can browse the full app catalogue on the marketplace, look at the app screenshots, and read app reviews as well. They can also share their favourite apps through Facebook, Twitter and through emails.

Windows Phone 7 has got yet another boost from Microsoft which will soon be coming up with the web based version of its app store for the platform.

The web based Windows Phone 7 Marketplace is likely to be released along with the Mango update of the smartphone operating system from Microsoft. The WP7 application store is likely to be built along the lines of Apple's iTunes store and the Android Marketplace. The marketplace will allow the users to browse app screenshots, complete catalogue of the apps and app reviews.

Google Wallet is first off the mark — Now What?

At this time, it is just a pilot run in which two cities and some retailers are participating, but if it succeeds, the potential is huge.

Like every other new idea, Google Wallet also has attracted its fair share of detractors who don't think the service will succeed. This is obvious as in case of any new service as most people don't know how it works, and how it may go on to succeed.

Many companies were thinking of using mobiles for making payments, but with Google Wallet, Google turned out to be the first company to make a major move on it. 

Naaptol application now on Android

The app enable users to browse more than two lakh products from more than 500 categories and garner detailed information, reviews, specifications of the products and experts' reviews.

Naaptol, a virtual home shopping brand, has come up with an application for Android-based devices, the users of which can use it for quick and convenient shopping.

The application will enable users to browse more than two lakh products from more than 500 categories and garner detailed information (image review, MRP), reviews, specifications of the products and experts' reviews. This procedure helps the user to do a comparative analysis of the available products and can avail the products at the best price point.

Huawei eyes Windows Phone 7 smartphones

Huawei would be the eighth original equipment manufacturer to join the WP7 league, besides HTC, LG, Nokia, Samsung, Acer, Fujitsu and ZTE.

In yet another boost for Windows Phone 7, Chinese smartphone maker Huawei has expressed its interest in the operating system.

"We are in discussions with Microsoft and will probably bring a Windows Phone to market next year," chief strategy and marketing officer of Huawei, Victor Xu was quoted as saying by a UK website.

Popular video game emulators disappear from Android Market

Following complaints from game manufacturers, Google acts against console emulators on Android Market.

Popular video game emulators like the Nesoid, Snesoid, Gensoid, Ataroid and many others have reportedly been removed from Android Market by Google.

Google had in the past also removed a few emulators from the marketplace following a complaint by game and device manufacturer Sega.

Easy to check in and easier to rate: Google Places

Google's latest Google Map update for the Android devices adds easy check in facility for the users along with a one touch access to rate the place as well.

Google has announced yet another update for its Maps service which enables easier check in and rating of places. Google Places is a service in which users can access Google Maps to find out information about a particular place or places near them. 

The new Google Maps 5.5 allow users to get one touch access to check in and rating the place in Google places with up to 5 star rating.

The location history database, which was added to the Google latitude check in sometime back, has also been improved. Also included in the history dashboard are buttons that allows users to quickly change their office and home location with just a single touch. 

Windows Phone 7 may have more quality apps

Microsoft is aiming for quality over quantity for its marketplace, so that its apps may command higher price from the consumers.

Notwithstanding the popularity of Android, primarily due to its free applications, Microsoft wants its developers to sell quality apps at higher price points for its Windows Phone 7, Bloomberg has reported.

It's not that Microsoft wants the developers to charge more for the same apps, it actually wants them to create better and more feature rich apps, and then charge more. 

MTNL launches push email services in Delhi, Mumbai

It can run on any Java enabled, GPRS-enabled handsets including platforms like Blackberry, Symbian, Android, and Windows Mobile.

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), which provides GSM telecom services in Delhi and Mumbai, has announced Push- email services for all its mobile subscribers in the two metro cities. The service was launched first in Mumbai on May 27.

With the service, users can automatically get new emails on their mobile phone. Much more preferred than the "pull email" option, "push email" are generally device dependent and are provided by the device manufacturer. MTNL has tied- up with Bharat Berry Technologies to provide the services.

Micromax launches the Bling-2

It comes in a white leather carry case enclosed with a compact mirror and special pouch where ladies can keep their lip gloss, making it easier for them to retouch their make-up anytime, anywhere!

In a move to win the hearts of fashion-savvy women mobile users, Indian handset maker Micromax has launched Bling 2, a successor to Bling Q55.

With its glossy finish frame made with Swarovski Zirconia, Bling 2 has an Android 2.2 Froyo operating system and numerous pre installed apps. 

To add to its design and features, it comes in a white leather carry case enclosed with a compact mirror and special pouch where ladies can keep their lip gloss, making it easier for them to retouch their make-up anytime, anywhere!

Acer BeTouch E210 touch and type Phone

After BlackBerry Acer unveils it's Touch and Type smartphone for the Indian market based on Android.

After Nokia and BlackBerry, Acer has announced a new touch and type interface based Android smartphone for India, named as BeTouch E210.

The new Acer BeTouch E210 is a 3G capable phone based on Android 2.2 Froyo and has a full Qwerty keypad along with a 2.6 inch big capacitive touch screen that supports multi touch gestures like pinch to zoom and more. 

Xperia Arc, Play get Android update

Sony Ericsson rolls out first update for Xperia play and Xperia arc fixes bugs, adds Facebook Inside and updates the core system to Android version 2.3.3.

Sony Ericsson has officially announced the launch of its first update for the users of Xperia Play and Xperia Arc smartphones, which will now be upgraded to Android Gingerbread version 2.3.3.

Besides, they will also get the recently launched feature 'Facebook inside Xperia' that was introduced during the launch of the new range of Xperia Mini's. The feature allows users to share, like and connect on Facebook in a faster and easier way that is not possible through an application or through website. 

Nokia to support Symbian till 2016

The users who are more concerned about third party apps will face some difficulties since app developers would be more interested in developing apps for those platforms which have longer term potential.

Finnish handset maker, Nokia will support Symbian based devices till 2016, two years more than its previous deadline.

Chief executive officer of Nokia, Stephen Elop said in an official blog, "Even as we go through a transition towards our primary smartphone platform, Windows Phone, you will see that continued investment, software updates to Symbian devices are expected until at least 2016." 

Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone debuts in India

The Galaxy S2 is based on Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system and has a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) Plus display, which is better than the conventional AMOLED displays in terms of contrast ratio and colour reproduction.

Samsung Mobiles India today unveiled its latest creation, the Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone, which is the upgrade of Samsung Galaxy S announced last year. The phone will be hitting the markets next month and is priced at Rs 32,890 for the 16 GB version.

Although there are both 16GB and 32GB versions available internationally, but for reasons untold, the Galaxy S 2 will only be available in 16GB capacity in India. There is no official word from Samsung on the future availability of the 32 GB version.

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.

Google set to introduce mobile wallet in Android devices

Apart from Android phones, iPhones are also likely to have mobile payment technology embedded in them. Analysts believe that near field communication based mobile payment systems are likely to be the next big thing in commerce.

Google is set to reveal its digital wallet feature in New York on May 26. The digital wallet will allow users to pay for items through their Android phones. According to a Reuters report, the service will initially be available on phones from Sprint Nextel Corp.

The mobile payment system from Google will be powered by Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and will help users reduce dependence on credit cards for shopping. The technology enables mobile phones to transmit data to other devices from a distance of about four inches. 

TouchPad will be better than the No 1 tablet: HP

HP has tasted immense success in the personal computer market and wants to emulate the same in the mobile devices market as well.

Hewlett-Packard's TouchPad will be better than the number one tablet computer, the company's European head Eric Cador has said. 

While speaking at press conference in Cannes, Cador said that there are ample opportunities for HP to get the top spot and that the company would call its position "number one plus". 

HP has tasted immense success in the personal computer market and wants to emulate the same in the mobile devices market as well.