ZTE planning bigger, better Firefox OS phone for US release next year

ZTE planning bigger, better Firefox OS phone for US release next year 

ZTE planning bigger, better Firefox OS phone for US release next year 

ZTE is one of the few companies making a sly side-bet on Firefox OS, and next year it's planning to double-down on that initial wager with the launch of a second handset running Mozilla's smartphone platform. Speaking with IDG's Michael Kan at Expo Comm China 2013, ZTE's Executive VP He Shiyou expects the device to land first half 2014, with a larger display than its predecessor, a dual-core processor, a "revamped user experience" and, of course, a low price tag. The exec also said that, with approximately 100,000 units sold, demand for the ZTE Open "has exceeded supply," and he anticipates double that figure in total sales. ZTE deliberately manufactured the Open on a small scale, but is optimistic about future adoption of Firefox OS. Shiyou believes HTML5-based apps will become more relevant as speedy network technology like LTE reduces reliance on native software, stating: "In the future, the app store business model will be no more."

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BlackBerry Messenger app arriving on Android and iOS this weekend

BlackBerry Messenger app arriving on Android and iOS this weekend

BlackBerry's effort to extend its messaging service beyond its own failed hardware has finally come to fruition. After some awkward false starts, plus a detailed leak, BlackBerry Messenger apps for iOS and Android will soon be available for download at the respective app stores, allowing members of those more popular ecosystems to do... well, chat-related things that they could largely do already, except now through BlackBerry's BBM servers. The company has confirmed that the Android BBM app will launch at 7AM ET on Saturday, while its iOS equivalent will be available beginning at 12:01AM local time (in each market) on Sunday. More details : http://bit.ly/15Eo3II

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Micromax giving Samsung a run for its money, says report

Micromax giving Samsung a run for its money, says report

Domestic handset maker Micromax today said it aims to become the number one player in India in the smartphone category by Diwali on the back of excellent demand for its Canvas series. "As per the IDC figures for Q2, we are at number two with 22 per cent market share and given the growth we are seeing in the phablet category (Canvas series), we are aiming to be the top player by Diwali, which is Q3," Micromax Co-Founder Rahul Sharma said.

According to IDC figures for Q2 of 2013, Micromax stayed at No 2 spot and crossed the 2 million units mark in shipments. "The vendor is banking on the wave of phablet- driven smartphone adoption and is pushing the Canvas range of devices with bigger screens and compelling imaging capabilities," IDC said.

Sharma said IDC data substantiates its success, considering the fact that the maximum growth in Indian smartphone category has happened 5 inch-6.99 inch category which has grown 17 times year on year and the phablet share has steadily risen to 30 per cent of the smartphone market in Q2.

Micromax has increased its share from 18.8 per cent in the last quarter to 22 per cent.

"Micromax has crossed the 2 million units shipment mark in Q2 2013 and is poised to be the number one smartphone player in India by Q3. We hope to surpass USD 1 billion in revenues with our innovative product strategy, strong distribution and marketing focused on the Indian youth," Sharma said.

"We hope to cross 2.5 million units marks by third quarter of this year," he added. Without commenting on the number, Sharma said the company will continue launching new devices in third quarter also.

"With the kind of growth we are achieving, our strategy is working in right direction and going forward, we continue to stick to it," he added.

Sharma said not only in India, the company is among the top three players in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also and exploring new markets too.

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ET Review: BlackBerry Q10

ET Review: BlackBerry Q10

The Q10 is similar to the Bold 9900 in shape & size, but has a larger 3.1-inch super amoled touchscreen and improved keypad. The four-row keypad now has larger keys, a wider layout and feels more comfortable to type on. The display is fantastic but the 1:1 (square) aspect ratio sometimes ruins the video experience. Since most videos are 16:9, they run in a smaller frame on the phone. Performance is great — games and HD videos ran without any hitch even with multiple email and social networking accounts running in the background. It also shares the rear 8MP and front 2MP camera with the Z10. Like the Z10, the performance from the camera is fantastic — you get rich colours, sharp details and minimal noise. 

The Q10 has a 2,100mAh battery that easily lasted us over a day and half — impressive for a BlackBerry device. For those who love physical QWERTY keypads, the Q10 is the ultimate device. 

However at Rs 44,990 (850 USD), it's also insanely expensive. Because of the price, the Q10 has very stiff competition: the HTC One, Samsung's Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5.

Specifications 

3.1-inch super amoled (720 x 720 pixels) display, 1.5Ghz dual-core, 2GB RAM, 16GB + microSD, 8MP/2MP camera, BlackBerry 10, 2,100mAh, 139g 

Fantastic keyboard, stunning display, camera and audio performance, battery life 

Expensive, 1:1 aspect ratio not ideal for watching videos, not all apps compatible.

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