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- Microsoft is prepping announcement that it will produce its own tablet
Microsoft is expected to disclose Monday that it will manufacture its own tablets -- designing the hardware and software -- to better compete against Apple's iPad, sources say. Industry observers say the effort would enable Microsoft to counter Apple's own tightly integrated process but would put the software giant into competition with the companies that make PCs that run on Windows. All Things D
(6/14), TheWrap.com
(6/14)      
| Company News | | |
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- Moody's downgrades Nokia to junk status
Moody's cited cellphone-maker Nokia's deteriorating fiscal condition in lowering its bond rating to junk status. On Thursday, Nokia's chief financial officer, Timo Ihamuotila, said the company might sell off a chunk of its large patent portfolio "at the right price" to raise cash, although he added that Nokia would retain a sizable trove of patents. Nokia has also canceled Meltemi, its budget-oriented project for Linux-based smartphones. CNET
(6/15), The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires
(6/14), All Things D
(6/14)
- Apple gets a second bite vs. Motorola in patent dispute
The federal judge overseeing the patent battle between Apple and Motorola has reversed course and will let Apple argue next week that the court should issue a permanent injunction against its rival for patent infringement. Judge Richard Posner did not say Thursday why he changed his mind just days after dismissing the case, although he did warn last week that he might do so. PC Magazine
(6/14)
- AT&T will sell 4G Sony Xperia Ion for $100 on June 24
Sony will launch its U.S. smartphone invasion June 24 when AT&T begins to market the Android-powered Xperia Ion, the first Long-Term Evolution-enabled device that Sony will introduce in the U.S. Priced at $100 -- the same as the Nokia Lumia 900, which AT&T also sells -- the Xperia features a 12-megapixal camera, a 4.6-inch screen and near-field communications technology. eWeek
(6/14), GigaOm/Mobilize
(6/14)
| Mobile Apps | | |
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- Amazon app upgrade makes Kindle more comics-friendly
Amazon has released an upgrade to its Kindle application that will add support for children's books and comics as well as graphic novels. The app will run on iOS, Cloud Reader and Android devices, the company said. It will display the works in a more art-friendly fashion, similar to that of graphic novels. Computerworld
(6/14)
- Apps will give more weapons to N.M. state troopers
The New Mexico State Police intends to arm its officers with custom-made iPhone and Android applications that will allow them to find important information in the field through their smartphones. Ordinarily, troopers have to search local and federal databases through Windows-based PCs when they want to conduct background checks or look up license plate information. Network World
(6/14)
| Technology | | |
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- Karma plans pay-as-you-go mobile hot spots for all
Karma will leverage Clearwire's WiMAX network to offer an open 4G on-demand mobile hot spot service that will cost users $14 per gigabyte once they buy the startup's $69 hardware. The system turns the user's hot spot into a public Wi-Fi network, offering free data to the original hot spot user for each user who signs on. "We want to give everyone a mobile, 4G hotspot that lives in their pocket. It's open to everyone, and lets you pay as you go. Best of all it works no matter what carrier or what device you're using," said Karma co-founder Robert Gaal. Karma is testing the service in New York. The Verge
(6/14), Electronista
(6/14)
- T-Mobile makes progress in iPhone upgrades
T-Mobile USA will retrofit 2,500 of its cell sites -- 7% of its network -- from GSM to HSPA+ by the end of July, which will make them compatible with all iPhone devices. Apple has not released its iPhone for T-Mobile, but the carrier could attract users with unlocked devices. GigaOm/TheAppleBlog
(6/14), EE Times
(6/14)
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| CTIA News | | |
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CTIA 2012's Boardroom Session II: Tablet Battles
At International CTIA WIRELESS® 2012, The Wall Street Journal's personal-technology columnist, Walt Mossberg, moderated a panel of wireless executives who discussed the future of tablets and the intense battleground for tablet market share. Topics included factors for a successful tablet strategy, the proliferation of tablet offerings and expert opinions on tablet successes and failures. See clips from the panel discussion at the CTIA Blog.
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Global demand for tablets will increase more than originally predicted this year, according to a forecast from the IDC research firm. Apple's share of the tablet market will grow larger than previously estimated, while second-place Android will slip a couple of points. The analysis find Apple's iPad controlling 62.5% of the market compared with 36.5% for Android devices; however, IDC sees Android gaining ground on Apple among IT and enterprise users. 
