Entry Level Phones Are Not Fun Anymore

Users feel that mobile phones have become easier to use, have better voice clarity and longer battery life. The handsets with higher memory and good entertainment features are still priced quite high. The entry-level phones are relatively poor on these parameters contributing to decline in user satisfaction.

The ‘incremental spend’ for the next handset has grown to Rs 3,200 indicating that the experienced users are willing to spend higher amount for purchase of their next handset. The average price, an Indian mobile user is willing to spend has declined from Rs 6,900 to Rs 3,700.

Source: The Hindu

Sony Ericsson Topped User Satisfaction

Sony-Ericsson mobile phones ranked first on overall satisfaction by users in 2007, while Motorola was ranked as the 'most improved' brand on satisfaction for the last 3 years. According to ‘India Mobile Handset Usage and Satisfaction Study 2007’ conducted by International Data Corporation's, the overall satisfaction among mobile handset users declined. The two features responsible for this decline are Internal memory and entertainment.

Motorola was in the second slot in overall satisfaction, displacing Nokia to the third place, while barring the top three vendors (Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia) all other brands fared below the industry average.

"The mobile handsets with higher memory and good entertainment features are still priced quite high. The entry-level phones are relatively poor on these parametres contributing to decline in satisfaction scores,” IDC India Country Manager Kapil Dev Singh said.

The study pointed out 3 main features that drive users to upgrade their handsets-

• Integrated digital camera
  
• Music player
  
• Stereo FM radio

These features are available in mid-range and high-end handsets so far, but the common user now demands these features in the more affordable handsets.

Source: Business Standard

Bharti to Launch IPTV

Telecom major Bharti plans to initially launch its IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) service in Delhi and the NCR region. The company will position it as a premium service which is likely to be priced on the higher side.

Bharti Airtel GM (IPTV) Puneet Garg said: “We have launched our pilot service in Gurgaon. We would be launching them in stages. Initially, we will target Delhi & the NCR region and study consumer response before we launch pan-India.”

Source: Economic Times

Mobile Gmail 1.5

Google's mobile Gmail has been updated to version 1.5 which is faster, uses less data and is more like Gmail! Mobile Gmail now has the same functions and look and feel as Gmail on the internet. Gmail for mobile devices allows you to search through your entire Gmail archive in seconds. Simply click on the search menu option and input your query.

Mobile Gmail now uses about half as much data as before, thus reducing access time and data cost. Your Gmail account now stays in sync whether you access it from your PC or your cell phone. Send an email from your mobile device and you'll find it in the 'Sent Mail' folder on your PC.

Source: Cell Phone Digest

Nokia Adding Touch Screen to S60 Phones

Nokia has plans to add touch-screen capabilities to its Series60 (S60) front end for Symbian based mobile phones. Touch user interface in S60 software offers licensees the opportunity to develop devices with a variety of input methods, whether it is a touch screen with a traditional keypad, touch screen with a qwerty keyboard or touch screen alone, supporting both finger or stylus optimized input, in addition to the range of access options that already exist today.

The software will also support tactile feedback, which means that there is a physical pulse and feedback when the user taps on the screen.

Source: Cellular News

iPhone is Toxic

Environmentalist lawyers are threatening to sue Apple in 60 days if the iconic US company doesn't make iPhones greener or warn buyers of toxins in the devices.

In a YouTube video posted at the Greenpeace website, scientist David Santillo claims that iPhones contain dangerous levels of bromine, chlorine and “phthalates,” chemical compounds used to increase the flexibility of plastic. The level of phthalate esters, a chemical linked to birth defects, in plastic coating of iPhone earphones wires is greater than that allowed in toys or childcare items sold in Europe, according to Greenpeace.

Source: Cellular News

Pay per Day Mobile Broadband From T-mobile

T-Mobile UK is coming up with 3G mobile broadband for laptop users on a pay per day basis from November 1. Users will be able to log onto the web at 3G speeds via a T-Mobile USB modem and their laptop, without any monthly commitment, for £4 per day.

Source: Telecoms.com