A universal charger for tablets and smartphones ... yes but in 2017

Finally, the European Parliament will impose a universal charger manufacturers of tablets and smartphones. But what connection type is passed? That of Apple?

For years, consumers juggle easily with their different chargers phones or tablets. So in order to reduce costs, massively reduce electronic waste (we're talking 50 000 tonnes) especially taking into account user dissatisfaction, Parliament and the European Council have agreed to impose a single charger to manufacturers.

"This agreement increases security. I am pleased that we have managed to agree on the introduction of a common charger, while the Council and the Commission were hesitant initially. Consumers can take advantage " said rapporteur Barbara Weiler, after successful negotiations with the Council.

Even if in recent months harmonization seems to point to the micro USB connection it is still impossible to recharge his iPhone with a Samsung or Sony charger. Because the firm at the apple still does not abandon his famous charger Lightning. The solution? Pay 19 euros for Apple Adapter "Lightning to Micro USB." A position that strongly dislike the European authorities.

The adoption of this text will thus unify all refills smartphones and tablets. But the tentative agreement must be formally adopted by all Member States in March 2014. And it will take another two years for manufacturers to adapt to the new rules. In short, nothing concrete before early 2017. But what connection is really adpotée? The micro USB preferred remains mainly with the presentation 

early December, the new USB "type-C" connector. Smaller USB ports that connect in both directions as the current connectors ... Apple!

And other equipment? This European directive concerns not only chargers mobile devices. The text provides for the harmonization of marketing of radio equipment such as devices for opening car doors and modems. Commendable measures will have to be debated next year but also that will arouse intense lobbying on the part of manufacturers.

Huawei Deploys A New Mobile R & D Center In Europe

The Chinese manufacturer Huawei and equipment supplier announced the deployment of a new R & D center in Finland for mobile software development on Android and Windows Phone 8.

The Chinese group Huawei, like its competitor ZTE, continues to focus on Europe for its brainpower and pursuing strategic investments (reflects the commitment of Huawei in the long term in Europe.) while Intel is making an R & D mobile in France, Huawei announced an investment of 70 million euros over five years which will allow to do the same in Finland with a structure that begins with 30 employees and the number will increase to 100 employees over the next few years.

This R & D center will focus on developing mobile software for smartphones and tablets, (optimizing the user experience of existing operating systems like Android and Windows Phone 8.) Huawei has big ambitions in mobile devices and now wants to exist as its own brand, having long been the supplier discreet international brands and operators.

The Chinese group logically offensive started by Android, with the first smartphones and tablets, but he showed a strong interest to partner with Microsoft on Windows Phone 8. He has not yet formalized its products but rumors abound. Huawei recalls its investment efforts in Europe, including the UK last September where two billion euros were invested in various resources, R & D subsidies. The group now employs just over 7,000 employees in Europe, 600 in France. These contributions in the European economic landscape is not without some problems of consciousness.

The Wall Street Journal reported the reluctance of the Commission to initiate proceedings against Chinese telecom equipment for dumping, despite strong elements considered, although no formal complaint has been made, fear of triggering voltages reaching consequences for the economy, employment and the position of European companies in China. Huawei is also a gateway to Europe on the west much easier than in the U.S. where it is discarded equipment programs network most sensitive and where each of its initiatives is scrutinized with suspicion.

Smartphones In 2013, It Will Move ... Behind Samsung And Apple

After several years of growth insane, the smartphone market will take a new direction in 2013 with growth this time driven by emerging markets and price segments below.

The growth of the smartphone market for several years is impressive and has been generated from established markets and for top models and in the middle range. But the volumes have become such that these markets are approaching saturation. It was therefore logical to emerging markets, which are in the process of deploying mobile broadband networks and show applicants for this class of devices that relay growth will play in 2013.

And is now on smartphones midrange and entry level that will be played on larger volumes, estimates research firm Digitimes Research. This will lead to developments in the ranking of smartphone manufacturers. In mind, Samsung and Apple continue to dominate the market and take advantage of their strong position in established markets. However, behind this is Sony, which benefits from the failure of Nokia and RIM, as well as Huawei and ZTE, which occupy the following positions in the Top 5 in the world, by bringing fermerment Chinese manufacturers atop the leaderboard after the regular incursions. These three manufacturers have very similar volumes, while in sixth position, another Chinese manufacturer Lenovo Group will be positioned in ambush. Inevitably, these movements pushing number of players currently placed on these positions later in the world rankings.

Digitimes Research forecasts and HTC, which is struggling to revive their strong growth in 2009-2010, will be found to seventh in the world in 2013, followed by LG Electronics in eighth place, then Nokia and RIM finally the tenth largest in the world. Next year, more than half of mobile phones sold during the year should belong to the category of smartphones.
Ranking manufacturers of smartphones in 2013 estimated by Digitimes Research:


1. Samsung
2. Apple
3. Sony
4. Huawei
5. ZTE
6. Lenovo
7. HTC
8. LG Electronics
9. Nokia
10.RIM

Bmw Tests The Connectivity Of Tomorrow With The Project Webinos

The German manufacturer participates in a European project consists of develop a application platform open source web-based and browser-based (Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome) to allow the use of the same services, from car on mobile devices and even at home on a connected TV. Codenamed: Webinos project.

Based on cloud computing, this system could allow for example of finding vehicle information (GPS position data on the remaining range, mileage) on your smartphone or on a connected TV.

Conversely, one could also make the trip on a tablet transmit information to the car and lock the guide to the desired destination, knowing that the last meters (Last Mile) may be driven through the software guide the mobile phone if the place final for example is in the pedestrian area. The browser also allows remote control of car parking in connection with the Park Distance Control function onboard the vehicle. The project, which includes thirty partners, including telecom operators, Samsung and Sony, will be completed in August 2013.

Source

Bada 2.0 update not making it to older Wave phones before 2012

We thought we would be bringing smiles all-round, when we posted back in early September that Samsung were on track to provide nearly every one of their devices bearing the 'Wave' name with a nice dose of Bada 2.0 before the year was out.

Of course alongside the likes of the Wave 3, which came running the latest iteration of Sammy's OS out of the box, it was also expected that users of all older Bada handsets would receive the gift of 2.0 by Q4 2011. Now however, it would appear that Samsung aren't quite up to the task as they first promised.

The likes of Samsung Spain and Samsung Italy have confirmed a delay on the Bada 2.0 upgrade to all expectant devices until Q1 2012, meaning you won't be able to ring in the new year with the update (if you haven't already depending on your time zone). Samsung Italy expanded on that explaining that software won't be available before March, so not exactly nailing a date down, but providing a new deadline with which patient users will have to wait for.

At the time of writing, there are some 8.1 million Bada-running handsets out there, with 2.0 only currently available on the aforementioned Wave 3, as well as the Wave M and Wave Y.

Users who opted for either the Wave 525 or 533, sadly won't be seeing any 2.0-goodness past March or any other time in fact, as these devices aren't up to the task of running Bada 2.0 due to hardware limitations. Assuming you're packing any other Bada device however, keep the March deadline in your calendars and hope that this presently fresh disappointment won't be prolonged.

Update: We've gotten reports that Samsung did in fact start rolling out updates just before the start of the new year in a limited capacity to Wave 1 users in both Hungary and Poland via their Kies update client. Subsequent updates have been rolling out to a number of other devices too. Follow Twitter username @SamKiesUpdate, to check whether you've got an update waiting, or conversely check in with your Kies client. Thanks to those of you who let us know.

Source 1 (Spanish) | Source 2 (Italian) | Source 3 | Via

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