Mark Bridge writes:
Nokia has had a busy few days. First came the Asha 501, a ‘smartphone lite’ that introduced developers to a new version of the company’s Asha platform. This was followed by the Lumia 928, which is a Windows Phone 8 handset exclusive to Verizon Wireless in the USA. It’s quite like the Nokia 920, so we’re not missing out too much. However, Nokia has yet another press event tomorrow... and this one promises a little more innovation.
Also feeling pretty good is Sony, which published annual results that showed a return to full-year profits. Critics may suggest there’s not as much of the family silver left as there once was, while supporters will point to its forecast of 42 million smartphones for the current financial year.
Here in the UK, there’s been a delay to the roll-out of smart metering. The government has delayed the installation of smart meters for gas and electricity supplies until autumn 2015, citing industry concerns. However, the rise of the machines continues regardless: ABI Research reckons wireless internet devices will outnumber people by a ratio of 4 to 1 within seven years.
On the subject of machine-to-machine communications, Telefónica Digital and Dell have signed an agreement to provide new Windows devices with built-in SIM cards. It means customers buying a Dell tablet or notebook computer will be able to set up an O2 ‘pay as you go’ data service immediately.
And finally to the world of Android, where television company ITV has launched a new version of its catch-up TV application. The free ITV Player is exclusive to Samsung for a while, with the broadcaster blaming Android fragmentation for its decision. Yes, fragmentation. Not a commercial decision made by a commercial broadcaster? No, no, definitely not.
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