Nokia Teases New Product at Nokia World

How unoriginal is Nokia? They launched a new teaser website with a count down clock. Engadget is predicting Nokia will launch a major new product at Nokia World in Barcelona.

Robert Scoble is saying Nokia execs are walking around bragging that the blogosphere has no idea what they are going to announce. Engadget is guessing they will launch a touch device similar to the touch communicator that was leaked earlier. Whatever they launch I hope its more creative than their buzz campaign.

Apple Sued Over iPhone

When the Apple iPhone launched Steve Jobs said it had over 50 different patents, but it looks like they failed to file a really important one. EMG Technology is a company that holds patents of Elliot Gottfurcht and others who claim that the iPhone infringes on patent 7,441,196. In a press release, EMG Technology, claims that the iPhone uses the same method as their invention to display a Web page on a mobile device. EMG is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction against Apple.

Since Apple entered the cell phone business more than two years ago, the iPhone has gotten a lot of critical acclaim and has sold over 10 milllion units. This may be one of many lawsuits and come up because of its growing popularity. If the claim has any merit, my guess is Apple will settle for an undisclosed ammount. They have a track record of keeping things quite and paying off the people they need to.

Nvidia to Power Next Windows Mobile Device?

A few months ago Nvidia (NVDA) demonstrated their new Tegra processor platform. This chip set was targeted at the mobile device and MIDs (mobile Internet device) space. The interesting thing is Nvidia has integrated everything onto one piece of silicon, which makes in very compelling to smaller form factors and mobile devices. The entire chip is smaller than a penny. Nvidia made it clear that they were targeting Windows Mobile devices.

Recently CNET interviewed a product manager from Nvidia showing off a new protype. I have to say that the power of this little chip is really compelling. It has some amazing 3D rendering capabilities which deliver a really cool visual experience. It can also output HD quality content and even has a HDMI port. They claim that the battery can output HDMI content for 10-12 hrs of playback. These types of features open up endless possibilities for delivering an incredible user experience. I think we are going to see these types of chips used in many more devices in the future.

Apple Updates iPhone Firmware

Apple (AAPL) released an update to their iPhone firmware (2.2) to fix a dozen security vulnerabilities and added a few new features like Google Street View and podcast downloads.

Most of the attention was given to the update center on GPS and Google Maps. Now a user can see a 360-degree view of locations taken by Google car’s with cameras mounted to them. It also added walking directions in Google maps with information on public transportation.

In addition the iPhone can now download podcasts over the air using a Wi-Fi or 3G network. Previously users had to rely on syncing their content in iTunes. User can also now turn off the auto-correct feature on the virtual keyboard, which is helpful if the iPhone can’t guess what you are typing. Other additions include several bug fixes to the email and web browsing experience. It also includes fixes on phone quality to reduce dropped calls and improve sound. But with all these fixes how come no one in Cupertino created a “Copy and Paste” feature. This has been one of the most requested features from the iPhone community. I guess Steve Jobs in going to wait until MacWorld for that one.

Verizon Wireless Launches RIM BlackBerry Storm

Verizon Wireless (VZ) launched the Blackberry Storm with the first touch interface from Research in Motion (RIMM). In the two years since the iPhone was first announced, virtually every major mobile manufacturer has been racing to touch screen party. Not RIM, the BlackBerry manufacturer has been biding its time, and is only now releasing its first touchscreen.

For the company that created the “crackberry” and popularized the qwerty keyboard creating a touch screen in a sense goes against their DNA. In a time where the Apple (AAPL) iPhone outsold the entire BlackBerry mobile line of devices in the third quarter, I guess RIM is a little scared about the traction Apple seems to be getting.

Jerry Yang Steps Down

Jerry Yang’s return to Yahoo has been an utter failure. When Jerry assumed the reins in June 2007 it was hyped as the return of the “chief” Yahoo. The savior had returned, the one that bleeds purple would restore the company back to prominence. Boy were they wrong.

Unfortunately, the hype came and went. Jerry spent months trying to just figure out what Yahoo had become in the post Semel era. Is Yahoo a media company? or Is Yahoo a search and advertising company? I don’t think Jerry ever figured it out.

The botched Microsoft deal will go down in history as the worst played Texas Hold’em game ever played. Yang tried to bluff Microsoft to go all in for the low price of $47 billion. If Yang would have truly understood his business, he would have realized he had really no other options. Yahoo was/is being pinched by two titans with deep pockets and they are right in the middle. In the the high scale, multi billion dollar fixed cost business of search you are either fully committed or you are not in the game. Microsoft knew that Yahoo could not afford to get into an arms race with Google. Read more

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