http://www.informationweek.comInformationWeeken-usCopyright 2012, UBM LLC.2013-06-19T11:55:00ZFacebook wants to be "the second Google," but Samsung doesn't want to help it get there.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-denies-zuckerbergs-facebook-phon/240156942?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-4-11-clever-tricks/240153554"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/983/galaxy-s4-keyboard_tn.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" title="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is doing some globetrotting this week and recently met with executives from Samsung. Zuckerberg spoke with Samsung's heir Lee Jay-Yong and mobile phone head Shin Jong-Kyun. The meeting took place only after much cajoling on Facebook's part and was the reason behind Zuckerberg's trip to Korea. It didn't turn out as Zuckerberg hoped. <P> In the meeting, Zuckerberg asked Samsung to follow in HTC's footsteps and create the next "Facebook phone." He wanted Samsung to create a device that would use Facebook's user interface, likely its Facebook Home launcher. <a href="http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130618000716">Samsung shot the idea down</a>, according to <i>The Korea Herald</i>. Why? Because Facebook wants to become the second Google. <P> "Samsung doesn't want to help nurture a second Google, which is now becoming a formidable rival for Samsung in the handset business," said the <i>Herald</i>'s source. Google purchased Motorola in 2012 and is preparing to release a wave of new devices, including the Moto X, later this year. <P> Further, Samsung doesn't see how Facebook could give Samsung any extra value. Facebook does not have the "premium image" with which Samsung would like to associate itself. Partnering with Facebook won't benefit Samsung. <P> The denial has to sting something fierce. <P> <strong>[ Apple and Samsung continue to duke it out in the mobile arena. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-outsells-iphone-5/240156177?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Samsung Galaxy S4 Outsells iPhone 5</a>. ]</strong> <P> Facebook has had a bit of a rough year in the mobile space. In April, it introduced the First, an HTC-made smartphone that shipped with the Facebook Home launcher preinstalled. The First itself was a decent piece of hardware, but it has not sold well. It initially cost $99 on contract, but AT&T was forced to drop the price all the way down to 99 cents to generate any interest in it. Facebook and HTC later decided to delay the planned European launch of the First. <P> Facebook Home has not gotten much traction, either. Though the First had Home preinstalled, Facebook also offered Home as a separate download to a number of Android smartphones. Though the launcher, which replaces the traditional home screen with Facebook content, was downloaded more than a million times, it was <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/facebook-home-draws-early-interest-lousy/240153334">rated poorly</a> and most people stopped using it or uninstalled it not long after downloading it from the Google Play Store. <P> The company is working to spruce up Facebook Home and make it more customizable. Facebook has already provided some small updates to Home, but has yet to ship the major redesign it committed to doing. <P> "We've listened to feedback from users on their experience using Home," Facebook said last month. "While many people love it, we've heard a lot of great feedback about how to make Home substantially better. As a result we're focusing the next few months on adding customization features that address the feedback we received." <P> Fresh off <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/facebook-kills-htc-first-european-debut/240155509">these two flops</a>, Zuckerberg was surely hoping for a different answer from Samsung. Given Facebook's lack of success so far, Samsung's answer shouldn't be all that much of a surprise. It doesn't want any part of the egg currently being worn by Facebook and HTC.2013-06-19T11:02:00ZButterfly S smartphone steals features from the popular HTC One.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/htc-butterfly-s-boasts-big-screen-big-ba/240156922?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-ios-7s-dramatic-design-visual-tour/240156512"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1005/one_tn.png" alt="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" title="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> HTC took the wraps off a new smartphone Wednesday called the Butterfly S. It resembles last year's Butterfly J, but adds a healthy dose of the HTC One's best features. <P> The Butterfly S is not made of metal in the same way that the One is. Instead, it uses polycarbonates to form the outer shell. The shell houses a 5-inch 1080p HD Super LCD 3 display. It has an eye-popping 441 pixels per inch and is coated with an optical lamination that makes it easier to see outside under the sun. The display is also scratch resistant thanks to Gorilla Glass 3. <P> The Butterfly S is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor with four cores running at 1.9 GHz. It is paired with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. The Snapdragon 600 is one of the fastest processors available. It comes with a bevy of other radios, including GPS/GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi. <P> Like <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/htc-one-gains-share-smaller-version-comi/240156845">the One</a>, the Butterfly includes an ultrapixel camera, which has larger individual pixels for better low-light performance. It uses back-side illumination and an f/2 aperture, and it's powered by HTC's dedicated ImageChip. The camera has five different levels of flash, with intensities that vary based on the distance between the subject and the phone. The user-facing camera rates 2.1-megapixels and has a wide-angle lens with HDR video capture. HTC also ported the One's Zoe feature to the Butterfly S, which captures short bursts of video and images to create "moments." It can also capture slow-motion video. <P> <strong>[ Google mobile device makers and users are looking for an Android update this fall. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/android-50-what-to-expect/240156775?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Android 5.0: What To Expect</a>. ]</strong> <P> The device is a media powerhouse. It can play back full HD video on the display, or send it to an HDTV using Miracast, DLNA or an HDMI cable. It also includes an IR blaster and can act as a remote control for home theater equipment, such as TVs, cable boxes, receivers and DVD players. The Butterfly S also features HTC's BoomSound, which is enhanced sound that comes from two speakers on the front of the phone, and Beats Audio. <P> In terms of software, it is running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and includes the newest version of HTC's Sense user interface overlay. Sense comes with BlinkFeed, which is HTC's social newsreader. BlinkFeed pulls in Facebook and Twitter posts, as well as news and headlines and creates a digital magazine on the home screen. <P> The phone is kept running thanks to a large 3,200-mAh battery. <P> HTC did not sell the Butterfly J in the U.S. Instead, it brought a variant of the phone called the Droid DNA to Verizon's network last fall. There's no word yet if or when HTC will offer the Butterfly S to U.S. buyers.2013-06-18T11:33:00ZHTC sits in third place behind Apple and Samsung. Meanwhile, the company is developing a smaller version of the One, called the One Mini.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/htc-one-gains-share-smaller-version-comi/240156845?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-4-11-clever-tricks/240153554"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/983/galaxy-s4-keyboard_tn.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" title="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Apple and Samsung still lead the smartphone pack at U.S. wireless stores. Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S4 are the top two sellers, according to R.W. Baird's William Power, who spoke with all four major carriers. HTC's One, the company's comeback bid, ranks third. <P> "At AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, the HTC One continues to be noted frequently as the third best-selling device behind the iPhone and S4," said Power <a href="http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2013/06/17/apple-samsung-maintain-u-s-phone-lead-sags-baird-htc-third-bbry-modest/">in a note</a> to investors. "At Verizon, the Motorola Razr HD and other Razr models are frequently highlighted as alternative options to the iPhone 5 and S4. The Samsung Note II, LG Optimus G, and LG Nexus 4 also received honorable mentions from several reps we spoke with." <P> Power's checks reflect data from other analysts in recent weeks, which show that Apple and Samsung continue to battle for the number one spot in the U.S, with players such as HTC following their lead. Given HTC's performance in the market over the last 18 months, third place for the One isn't a bad place to be. In fact, it's a laudable achievement in the face of tough competition from the iPhone and GS4. HTC should also be thanking the smartphone-powers-that-be it isn't in last place. <P> <strong>[ Samsung's S4 led the pack earlier this spring. Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-outsells-iphone-5/240156177?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Samsung Galaxy S4 Outsells iPhone 5</a>. ]</strong> <P> Sales of BlackBerrys, for example, are "modest," according to Power. "The BlackBerry Q10 launched at Verizon last Monday and the results were very similar to what we saw at T-Mobile and AT&T two weeks ago," he noted. "The device is popular among diehard fans and enterprise users, though the vast majority of stores we contacted did not sell out of the product on launch day, and most reps indicated that sales were modest. As we noted last week, our checks reflect only the consumer channel and we expect that many Q10 sales are going through the B2B channel." <P> A handful of other analysts say that overall <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/blackberrys-turnaround-hinges-on-q10/240156777">sales of the Q10 are off to a good start</a>. For example, Wells Fargo analyst Maynard Um, who thinks the Q10s keyboard is appealing to loyalists, said that the Q10 is selling much better than the Z10 did at launch. <P> While the One is HTC's flagship device for the year, its third-place ranking doesn't mean that HTC can rest on its laurels. In fact, the company is planning a successor to the One, <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/06/18/the-mini-htc-one-will-be-called-the-htc-one-mini/">called the HTC One Mini</a>. Images of the One Mini have been floating around the Internet for several weeks. It looks nearly identical to the One, but smaller. It has the same aluminum chassis with gapless construction. The screen is smaller, probably measuring 4.3 inches rather than the One's 4.7-inch display. It also dials down the resolution from 1080p to 720p HD. <P> There's no word on when the HTC One Mini might make its debut.2013-06-18T11:15:00ZLG's phablet device is popular in its home market of Korea. Elsewhere? That's another story.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/lg-racks-up-1m-optimus-g-pro-sales/240156844?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-4-11-clever-tricks/240153554"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/983/galaxy-s4-keyboard_tn.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" title="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> LG said Tuesday that it has sold more than 1 million Optimus G Pro smartphones in its home market of Korea since the device launched four months ago. It is the fastest-ever selling LG smartphone, according to LG, and has reached daily sales of more than 8,000 units. <P> Before the Optimus G Pro, the Optimus LTE held the record for speedy sales in Korea. The Optimus LTE took seven months to reach the 1 million mark, which means the G Pro is selling nearly twice as quickly. The G Pro is LG's phablet and mimics the Samsung Galaxy Note II in both appearance and features. <P> The defining characteristic of the Optimus G Pro is its display. The screen measures 5.5-inches across the diagonal and packs in 1920 x 1080 pixels. It is a full HD smartphone and is no doubt an impressive screen. LG uses in-plane switching LCD technology, which is what Apple puts in its screens. By way of comparison, Samsung uses Super AMOLED screens. <P> The G Pro's large screen needs some serious horsepower, and the device includes a 1.7-GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, which is paired with 2 GB of RAM. Other features include a 13-megapixel camera, 32 GB of storage, microSD support and a huge 3,140-mAh battery. The G Pro runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and includes many of LG's user interface customizations. <P> <strong>[ Google is prepping its next mobile operating system. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/android-50-what-to-expect/240156775?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Android 5.0: What To Expect</a>. ]</strong> <P> The Optimus G Pro is sold in the U.S. by AT&T. Speaking of the U.S., LG has not said how many G Pros it sold outside of Korea. If LG has sold a measurable quantity of the devices, surely it would have said so. The device has been available in the U.S. since early May. <P> Tuesday's news from LG tells us just how much the company struggles in the shadow of country-mate Samsung. <P> In stark contrast to the four-month period it took LG to sell 1 million G Pros, Samsung announced earlier this month that it shipped 10 million <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-outsells-iphone-5/240156177">Galaxy S4s</a> in just four weeks. The GS4 sold like gangbusters out of the gate, though some analysts say that sales are already slowing. To be fair, the G Pro does not compete with the GS4. Instead, it competes with the Galaxy Note II. Samsung has not shared details about how many Galaxy Note IIs it has sold. <P> The Note II has been available from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless since late 2012. Over the first six months of 2013, the Galaxy Note II was routinely one of the top five handsets at each of those carriers. It typically ranked behind the Apple iPhone and Galaxy S III (until the GS4 went on sale in May). <P> Samsung does not offer a breakdown of its smartphone sales, so there can be no direct comparison among the different handsets.2013-06-17T10:53:00ZStrong early sales of the keyboard-packing Q10 give BlackBerry's resurrection a chance.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/blackberrys-turnaround-hinges-on-q10/240156777?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_securityA few analysts say that sales of the Q10, BlackBerry's QWERTY-equipped smartphone, are off to a good start. The phone launched in over a dozen countries in May and reached the U.S. this month. It turns out the Q10 is the smartphone the BlackBerry faithful have been waiting for. <P> Wells Fargo analyst Maynard Um recently had some positive things to say to investors with respect to the Q10. Um's channel checks at U.S. retail stores show that <a href="http://allthingsd.com/20130614/keyboard-loyalists-to-the-rescue-q10-sales-boost-blackberry/">it is selling well</a>. <P> "[There has been] good Q10 customer interest and demand," said Um. "The Q10's launch has been much more successful than the Z10 launch, which is consistent with our view that the diehard BlackBerry installed base of 76 million loyal to the keyboard presents a strong upgrade opportunity." <P> <strong>[ Apple's release of iOS 7 will make the smartphone market more competitive than ever. Read <a href=" http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/ios-7-changes-smartphone-battle/240156718?itc=edit_in_body_cross">iOS 7 Changes Smartphone Battle</a>. ]</strong> <P> Um isn't the only one who thinks the Q10 is doing well. Societe Generale analyst Andy Perkins believes BlackBerry will sell as many as one million Q10s during its first fiscal quarter. Correspondingly, Perkins raised his rating of BlackBerry stock from "sell" to "buy." <P> The Q10 has the famous BlackBerry keyboard and a 3.1-inch touchscreen with 720 x 720 pixels. The smartphone boasts an 8-megapixel camera, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor from Qualcomm, 16 GB of storage plus support for microSD cards, NFC, LTE, and the BlackBerry 10.1 operating system with <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/blackberry-brings-bbm-to-android-ios/240154828">BlackBerry Messenger</a>. <P> The device's early success matches BlackBerry's expectations for the smartphone. Last month, chief operating office Kristian Tear said that 60% of Fortune 500 companies are testing BlackBerry devices, including the Q10. Business customers have been BlackBerry's traditional core subscriber base. In recent years, enterprises have been switching to Apple's iPhone. <P> "There are a lot of very loyal BlackBerry keyboard users out there who have been waiting for this, and I think with the Q10, we will also be able to win back prior BlackBerry customers who are now trying other platforms," said Tear. <P> BlackBerry has more hardware on deck for later this year. Next up will be the Q5, a low-cost QWERTY-equipped BlackBerry that will fill the role once held by the Curve series of devices. It has the same display that the Q10 does, but it drops the dual-core processor to 1.2 GHz, lowers the camera resolution to 5 megapixels, and halves the internal storage to 8 GB. BlackBerry is also prepping a new high-end smartphone for later this year, called the A10. <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/blackberry-a10-leaks-as-q10-marks-us-deb/240156169">The A10 will be an all-touch device</a> more akin to the Samsung Galaxy S4 than to BlackBerry's Z10, which debuted earlier this year. Most of the A10's features have yet to be ferreted out.2013-06-17T10:45:00ZNext version of Google's smartphone and tablet OS debuts this fall, along with new Nexus-branded smartphones.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/android-50-what-to-expect/240156775?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/cloud-computing/software/google-io-10-key-developments/240155051"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/995/Google_IO_01_tn.jpg" alt="Google I/O: 10 Key Developments" title="Google I/O: 10 Key Developments" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Google I/O: 10 Key Developments</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span></div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Google has been mum on when it might debut a new version of its wildly popular Android platform. News on the Android update front was expected to arrive during last month's Google I/O developer event, but it never showed up. At this point, the next iteration of Android likely won't show its face until October. <P> Some of the key changes that will arrive with the next-generation platform, called Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, will include <a href="http://vr-zone.com/articles/exclusiveandroid-5-0-to-come-in-late-october-will-be-well-optimized/36950.html">optimization for entry-level devices</a>. Google has already done this to some degree with Project Butter, an optimization effort that was baked into Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It will take things much further, however, with Key Lime Pie so that Android devices won't necessarily require dual-core processors and 1 GB of RAM. This will allow hardware makers to create smartphones that have an even lower cost than they do today, which will help further Android's push into emerging markets. <P> Today's best devices have dual- and quad-core processors in order to power the high-end features such as 1080p HD displays and 1080p HD video capture. These require a significant amount of processing oomph. <P> The timing of Key Lime Pie's arrival suggests that Google has slowed down the development of Android to one major release per year. Google unveiled Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in October 2011 and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean in October 2012. Releasing Android 5.0 in October 2013 only makes sense. <P> <strong>[ Apple also has a new mobile OS in the works for this fall. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-ios-7s-dramatic-design-visual-tour/240156512?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour</a>. ]</strong> <P> Google may not have showed off a new version of Android at I/O, but it did update many of the core apps and features, such as <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/software/productivity-applications/gmail-inbox-update-hopes-and-fears/240155803">Gmail</a> and <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/software/productivity-applications/google-io-3-misses/240155061">Google Play Services</a>. One could say Google updated Android without actually updating it. <P> The timing also plays well with Google's annual release of Nexus-branded smartphones. When Google introduced Android 4.2 Jelly Bean in October 2012, it also debuted the Nexus 4. Developers and fans alike will be anxious to learn about new Nexus-branded hardware come the fall. It is possible that Motorola will play a role in this year's Nexus device, considering comments made by Google's Eric Schmidt, Larry Page, and <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/motorola-to-make-moto-x-phone-in-texas/240155766">Motorola's Dennis Woodside</a>. All three have suggested that Motorola's new hardware will be impressive. <P> We won't have to wait much longer for a new Nexus tablet, however. Signs over the last few months have pointed to a July release of a new Nexus 7 tablet come July. The new version of this low-cost tablet is expected to have a better display and dual cameras, among other updates and improvements. Google will also begin selling <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/google-adds-stock-android-smartphones/240155849">stock Android versions</a> of the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 through the Google Play Store later this month.2013-06-15T09:06:00ZApple's new iOS 7smartphone and tablet operating system will push market competition to a new level, which is good news for users.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/ios-7-changes-smartphone-battle/240156718?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-ios-7s-dramatic-design-visual-tour/240156512"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1005/one_tn.png" alt="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" title="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div><!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference has come and gone, leaving iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, and new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/aroundtheweb/windows/microsoft-surface-pro-vs-macbook-air/6b6c6642303345614834783234786e754f53557a6e773d3d">MacBook Airs</a> in its wake. Of the many new products shown off during the week, iOS 7 is the one that will have the biggest impact. <P> iOS 7 itself introduces a fresh design on what was becoming an aging operating system. Apple and its design team, led by <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/personal-tech/mobile-operating-systems/ios-7-undergoing-ive-led-transformation/240155511">Jony Ive</a>, took pains to modernize the look and feel of its smartphone and tablet operating system. In order to do that, they ditched the 3-D textures, flattened everything, and changed up the colors. The result is a more modern-looking operating system that no longer feels antiquated when compared to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and Windows Phone, both of which have clean, current designs. <P> Apple didn't just update the way iOS looks. It added more than 200 new features. Many of them, such as easily-accessed radio controls and improved multitasking, were long overdue. The new operating system makes changes to Siri, Safari and core apps such as email and calendar, and does things such as support Mobile Hotspot 2.0 and Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy. <P> All the <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/personal-tech/mobile-operating-systems/apple-ios-7s-best-features/240156348">changes made to iOS 7</a>, even the new design, were evolutionary, not revolutionary. That doesn't mean iOS 7 won't play an important role in shaping the future of the smartphone market. It will. <P> <strong>[ With each new release iOS becomes more like a social network. Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/social-business/social_networking_consumer/5-ways-ios-7-will-change-social/240156511?itc=edit_in_body_cross">5 Ways iOS 7 Will Change Social</a>. ]</strong> <P> First, Apple's competitors will respond. Though none has so far made public comments about iOS 7, you can be sure that BlackBerry, Google and Microsoft, each of which makes its own smartphone platform, will spend the next few months picking iOS 7 apart for insight and ideas. (To be fair, Apple was called out for stealing some of iOS 7's features from Android, BlackBerry OS, webOS, and Windows Phone.) <P> Will they match the features of iOS 7 in their own platforms? Probably, at least to some degree. Though iOS 7 itself doesn't bring anything particularly game-changing, it will push the companies that design mobile operating systems to do more, to be better, to surpass it if they can. That benefits everyone. <P> Google, for example, is on the cusp of releasing a new version of Android. Android 5.0 "Key Lime Pie" is expected to debut this fall, at about the same time iOS 7 will leave beta and become available to everyone. Although Google provides minor system and app updates for Android fairly regularly, it hasn't announced a major new version of Android since October 2012. <P> It won't be just the platform makers that choose to respond to iOS 7. Hardware makers will, too. Companies such as HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony will look at iOS 7 and see how they can each make their own products better competitors, perhaps by including similar features. <P> Perhaps the biggest statement made by iOS 7 is that it clearly shows that Apple can and will rethink things, even its most successful product lines. iOS and its associated devices account for huge portions of Apple's revenue. The company is taking a big but very necessary risk by making such a big change to its money-maker. Others, such as Palm with webOS, have done so and failed. It's not clear yet where <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/blackberry-a10-leaks-as-q10-marks-us-deb/240156169">BlackBerry 10</a> and Windows Phone will land in the history books, but at least BlackBerry and Microsoft took the risks to bring them to market. <P> Given how static Apple has been with iOS over the years, iOS 7 marks a new beginning in many respects for Apple. It's a new launching point. A new angle of attack. The question is, will Apple's competitors swerve to avoid the attack, or bring their own weapons to the fight? Either way, it will be exciting to watch the battle continue to unfold.2013-06-14T09:08:00ZApple iPhone owners can now create and edit Microsoft Office documents, as long as they subscribe to Office 365.http://www.informationweek.com/software/productivity-applications/microsoft-office-comes-to-iphone-1-hitch/240156694?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-ios-7s-dramatic-design-visual-tour/240156512"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1005/one_tn.png" alt="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" title="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Microsoft quietly slipped Office Mobile for Office 365 into the iTunes App Store Friday. The application, which itself is free to download, brings Microsoft's productivity suite to the iPhone. In order to edit Word documents on the iPhone, however, Microsoft is requiring a subscription to Office 365. <P> The new application is optimized for the iPhone 5, but will work on other iOS devices such as the iPad. <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/office-mobile-for-office-365/id541164041?mt=8">Office Mobile for Office 365</a> lets iPhone users create, open and edit Office documents, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. <P> The new mobile Office documents look and function similar to the way they do in Office for Microsoft's Windows Phone platform. The iOS app includes support for charts, shapes, animations and SmartArt, and formatting will remain intact. Within PowerPoint, iPhone owners can use the Slide Navigation tool to zoom through large presentations faster, and it offers speaker notes, too. <P> All three document types can be edited on the iPhone, but only Word and Excel documents can be created; it cannot be used to create new PowerPoint documents. Microsoft did not say why. Edits can be made offline, but thanks to Microsoft's SkyDrive and SharePoint services, changes made to documents on the iPhone are synced back to the online versions when a network connection becomes available again. That means you can work on documents when sitting on a plane for several hours and everything will sync up when you land. <P> <strong>[ Want hands-on info about switching to Office 365? See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/cloud-computing/software/google-apps-to-microsoft-office-365-10-l/240154989?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Google Apps To Microsoft Office 365: 10 Lessons</a>. ]</strong> <P> Office Mobile supports collaboration, which is good news for businesses. It allows users to add and review comments in Word and Excel documents, as well as share documents via email, SkyDrive or SharePoint. It is not immediately clear if the documents can be printed easily, if at all, from the iPhone. <P> Office Mobile for Office 365 supports a number of languages, including English, Catalan, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian. <P> In terms of device compatibility, it requires iOS 6.1 and up. It works well on the iPhone 5, 4S and 4 and on the iPod Touch 5th generation. It will also run on the iPad and iPad Mini, but make no mistake, this is an iPhone app. That means if used on an iPad, it will appear in shrunken form, in the middle of the screen. Microsoft Office 365 will perform better on an iPad when used directly from the browser. <P> While the app itself is free, Microsoft is really only offering it to Office 365 subscribers, which is Microsoft's Web-based productivity service. That means Microsoft expects its business customers, and not necessarily consumers, to adopt and use this software. Businesses are more apt to spend the money to keep their employees productive when on the go. <P> The new app also renews Microsoft's fight with Apple and Google over productivity. Google offers both online and offline document, spreadsheet and presentation editing via its Google Drive product. Google Drive is only available to Android and iOS devices, however, and not Microsoft's Windows Phone platform. Apple offers its own suite of productivity apps, with Pages, Numbers and Keynote. All three apps work on Mac computers and iOS devices, and the recently announced browser-based version of iWork can be used on Mac and Windows PCs. <P> Enterprises and consumers alike can now pick the service they like best from Apple, Google and Microsoft, though there are trade-offs and advantages with each. For example, Apple's mobile version of iWork is only compatible with the iPhone and iPad and not Android or Windows Phone. <P> The cost of an Office 365 subscription varies, as does the cost of storage in Microsoft's SkyDrive service.2013-06-13T11:08:00ZSamsung said that AT&T will soon offer an LTE-equipped version of its Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet. Also, sales of the Galaxy S4 are just fine, thank you.http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/att-adds-lte-equipped-galaxy-note-80/240156619?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-4-11-clever-tricks/240153554"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/983/galaxy-s4-keyboard_tn.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" title="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> AT&T has agreed to sell the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet, the companies announced this week. Unlike the version of the Note 8.0 that went on sale earlier this year, this new variant will come with support for AT&T's LTE 4G network. <P> The Note 8.0 is a midsized tablet that is equal parks work machine and play device. It fits right in with Samsung's line of Galaxy smartphones in terms of design and basic functionality. Samsung used glossy plastics to construct the Note 8.0, which is in keeping with its current crop of phones and tablets. <P> The Note 8.0 includes an 8-inch TFT LCD display with 1280 x 800 pixels. That gives it a pixel density of 189 ppi, which means it is not the sharpest display ever. The tablet is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex A9 processor with each core rated at 1.6 GHz. The processors are paired with 2 GB of RAM and up to 32 GB of onboard storage. The tablet has two cameras: a 5-megapixel main camera and a 1.3-megapixel user-facing camera. The main camera doubles as an HD videocamera for Google Hangouts. <P> <strong>[ Samsung's main competition is touting its new mobile operating system. Check out <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-ios-7s-dramatic-design-visual-tour/240156512?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour</a>. ]</strong> <P> Looking past the hardware, the Note 8 includes a wide range of Samsung's software and applications that take advantage of the S Pen, or stylus. Awesome Note, for example, provides power users with a to-do list on steroids. The Note 8 also supports true multitasking, which allows users to run two apps on the screen at the same time. Users can employ the S Pen to pull up secondary menus and use Air View to see previews of links and other content. The Note 8 also boasts an IR blaster and Samsung's WatchOn software. Together, these let people control their television sets and search for content worth viewing. <P> AT&T said the device will <a href="http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=24391&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=36619&mapcode=consumer%7Cwireless">go on sale in the coming weeks</a>, but it didn't disclose pricing. If you're wondering where you'll be able to use the Note 8.0, AT&T's LTE network covers more than 200 million Americans in more than 270 markets. AT&T's HSPA+ network reaches 97% of all Americans, which means even when LTE isn't around, you'll still have speedy Internet access. <P> In other Samsung news, the company has responded to reports about slowing sales of the Galaxy S4 smartphone. Though it <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-outsells-iphone-5/240156177">stormed out of the gate</a> with shipments of 10 million phones during the first 30 days it was available for sale, analysts the world over believe Samsung can't maintain that pace. <P> "I can say sales of the Galaxy S4 smartphone are fine. It's been selling well," said Samsung CEO Shin Jong-kyun <a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2013/06/133_137361.html">at an investor meeting</a>. <P> JPMorgan said in a note to investors that it initially expected Samsung to sell 100 million GS4s by this time next year. Based its own sales data, JPMorgan downgraded that estimate by 40% to just 60 million units. <P> "The report was based on its own analysis," said Shin. "Probably, the bank may have corrected its previous bullish estimate about the S4 sales."2013-06-13T09:18:00ZApple iPhone 5S is on track for fall 2013 debut, while Apple tests iPhones with 4.7- and 5.7-inch screens for next year, reports say.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/apple-weighs-larger-iphones/240156614?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-ios-7s-dramatic-design-visual-tour/240156512"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1005/one_tn.png" alt="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" title="Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Apple iOS 7's Dramatic Design: Visual Tour</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Apple is looking to join the phablet fray. The company is testing larger iPhones for a 2014 debut due to growing market pressure from the likes of Samsung. Further, Apple's 2013 roadmap may include not one, but two new iPhones. <P> Apple is currently testing larger iPhones, according to a handful of sources cited by <i>Reuters</i>. There are <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/13/us-apple-iphone-idUSBRE95C05Q20130613">two models being considered</a> at the moment: one has a 4.7-inch screen and the other has a 5.7-inch screen. Phones with displays this large are often called phablets, because they bridge the gap between smartphones and tablets. <i>Reuters</i>' sources, which include Asian component suppliers, believe that Apple is still researching these models and hasn't made any final decisions on whether or not to bring them to market. This report echoes similar reports from earlier this year. <P> If Apple were to bring either device to market, it would represent a departure from Apple's long-held belief that the iPhone needs to be operable in one hand. The reason the iPhones 1, 3G, 3GS, 4, and 4S all had 3.5-inch screens is because the late and former Apple CEO Steve Jobs believed that was the perfect sized screen for consumers. <P> The crux is reach. With all the earlier iPhones and even the iPhone 5 (which has a 4.0-inch display), consumers can easily reach the entire screen with their thumbs. Larger screens often require users to reposition their hand or the phone in order to reach the far corner of the display. This is what Jobs wanted to avoid. <P> <strong>[ Is the market saying Jobs was wrong? Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-outsells-iphone-5/240156177?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Samsung Galaxy S4 Outsells iPhone 5</a>. ]</strong> <P> Earlier this year, when asked directly if Apple would introduce larger iPhones, CEO Tim Cook said Apple would not sell devices that have a compromised user experience. He reiterated Apple's position that larger phones are often harder to use. He didn't say, "No." He left the door open for the possibility that there might one day be larger iPhones without confirming the company's plans. <P> Samsung has sprayed new products into the marketplace with the ferocity of a firehose. In the last several months, it introduced the Galaxy S4, S4 Mini and S4 Zoom, as well as the Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 -- all hard-hitting smartphones with larger screens. Apple needs to respond with more than one phone per year. <P> It might do just that this fall with the next-generation iPhone. <P> Both <i>Reuters</i> and <i>The Wall Street Journal</i> suggest that Apple will release a new iPhone that is nearly identical to the iPhone 5. It will be called the iPhone 5S. It will be similar in most respects, the only real difference being a fingerprint scanner. (Apple bought a fingerprint company called AuthenTec several years ago.) With the 5S, Apple will follow the pattern it has followed for years by offering an incremental update to an existing chassis. <P> Apple's ace-in-the-hole this year will be a new, less expensive iPhone. Long rumored, this lesser iPhone will have most of the same features as the iPhone 5/5S, but will trade the slim aluminum body for a plastic one. Further, Apple will offer this plastic iPhone in several different colors rather than the black or white models it typically offers. The device is expected to have a price point of $99 rather than the $199 - $399 of the iPhone 5/5S. What's not clear is how Apple will treat the existing iPhone 4S and 4, which it still sells at lower price points.2013-06-12T11:42:00ZPalm's former CEO wishes the company had never been sold to HP.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/palms-rubinstein-laments-wasted-sale-to/240156513?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/tablet-buying-demystified-10-tips/240155502"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1002/Pick-a-tablet_01_tn.png" alt="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" title="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" class="img175" /></a><br /><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips</div></div><!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Just one year after it launched its comeback bid, Palm was in trouble all over again. Distribution deals with Verizon and Vodafone fell through at the last minute, and the Pre, its first webOS smartphone, didn't sell as well at Sprint as the company had hoped. Desperate to save itself, Palm agreed to sell the company to HP, which promised to keep it alive. It wasn't too long before HP broke its promise and killed off Palm's smartphone and tablet hardware businesses. <P> Palm's former CEO, Jon Rubinstein, regrets the decision to join HP. In a telling interview with <i>Fierce Wireless</i>, <a href="http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/rubinstein-hps-purchase-palm-talk-about-waste/2013-06-11">Rubinstein lays bare</a> his thoughts on how things turned out. <P> "I'm not sure I would have sold the company to HP," said Rubinstein. "That's for sure. Talk about a waste. Not that I had any choice because when you sell a company you don't get to decide that. Obviously, the board and shareholders decide that. If we had known they were just going to shut it down and never really give it a chance to flourish, what would have been the point of selling the company?" <P> HP closed its acquisition of Palm in July 2010. It was just over one year later, in August 2011, that HP shuttered Palm's hardware business. Palm launched the webOS-based TouchPad tablet in July of that year and the device, although interesting, did not sell well. <P> <strong>[ Read more about Palm's demise. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/business/webos-failure-palm-insiders-blame-manage/232301170?itc=edit_in_body_cross">WebOS Failure: Palm Insiders Blame Management</a>. ]</strong> <P> The big problem was HP's change of CEOs. Former CEO Mark Hurd signed the deal with Palm, but resigned a few months later after a scandal forced him out. HP hired Leo Apotheker to replace Hurd in the fall of 2010. It was Apotheker who left Palm to die on the vine and sealed Palm's fate. It's really a shame, because Apotheker himself was ousted after about a year on the job once the board of directors realized its mistake. Even so, Apotheker's replacement, now-CEO Meg Whitman, didn't reverse Apotheker's course on Palm and webOS. <P> According to Rubinstein, though, it appears as if Palm's failure to negotiate distribution deals with the wireless network operators is what really sunk webOS. <P> "We almost had deals with Verizon and with Vodafone, and in the last minute both of those guys decided not to go through with the deal, so we had a deal with Sprint," explained Rubinstein. "It wasn't like we made a choice of, 'Oh, we're going to go with Sprint.' We were negotiating with everybody. And the Sprint deal was the best deal we could get at the time. Palm was dying when I got there. It wasn't like we had the pick of the litter. Everybody forgets that Palm was pretty much dead when we did the recapitalization. It had no future at the time." <P> Palm released the Pre in June 2009 and it wasn't until much later that year that other carriers began to sell webOS-based devices. In total it brought the Pre, Pre+, Pixi, Pixi+, and Veer to Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T. <P> One reason it had trouble with the carriers was due to is refusal to add carrier-based apps and services to its devices. So far, Apple is one of the few hardware makers that's been able to avid this pitfall. Carriers love to put their own applications and services on their smartphones, but Palm wanted none of it. <P> "We always argued with the carriers," said Rubinstein. "They wanted to have their specific goofy services and stuff, and they would pressure to try and support their stuff when we didn't want to. All of that stuff has gone away. No one uses that stuff anymore." <P> Carrier deals are essential for hardware makers. If the wireless network operators won't sell a device, it has little chance of success in the market. Look at Sony. The company can't convince most U.S. operators to sell its high-end Xperia Z smartphone. Instead, it is selling the device directly to consumers at the full retail price of $649. As good as the Xperia Z is, most people won't ever know that it exists if it isn't on the shelves of a carrier retail store. <P> With few carrier deals, it is no wonder that Palm struggled to sell webOS smartphones. Had the company struck better arrangements with Verizon and AT&T, and found a more committed buyer, the company might have had a better shot at gaining traction in the market. <P> WebOS isn't entirely dead now, but it might as well be. HP's Whitman decided to give the operating system to the open source community. It and associated developer tools can be downloaded from HP's website. <P> Rubinstein should feel slightly vindicated, though. Apple recently showed off iOS 7, and the new platform clearly took a page from Palm's webOS.2013-06-12T11:03:00ZSamsung's Galaxy S4 Zoom targets users who care more about a top-notch camera than a cutting-edge smartphone.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-zoom-camera-phone-to-new-level/240156509?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-4-11-clever-tricks/240153554"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/983/galaxy-s4-keyboard_tn.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" title="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Samsung's Galaxy S4 Zoom is equal parts smartphone and point-and-shoot camera. The device is meant to appeal to users who care more to have a good camera and a lesser smartphone than the other way around. <P> At a glance, the GS4 Zoom looks more like a camera than a smartphone. It has a large lens array and a bulge towards the bottom with big camera button. From a distance, few will mistake it for a smartphone. The camera itself has a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor. Because the Zoom uses a more traditional lens setup, it offers 10x optical zoom (hence the name). Most smartphones offer digital, not optical, zoom. Optical zoom provides for much higher-quality close-ups. The Zoom also includes optical image stabilization and a Xenon flash. <P> Aside from the hardware, Samsung has added some novel software features to the Zoom. It has what Samsung calls the Zoom Ring, a new app to control the camera and its features. For example, the Zoom Ring can be used when in an active voice call to take a picture and send it via MMS to the person on the other end of the call. The camera includes SmartMode Suggest, which lets users choose a shooting mode based on the scene at hand. The Zoom Ring also lets users navigate through the settings and shortcuts for customizing the camera's behavior. <P> <strong>[ Samsung has gained the market edge on Apple, at least for now. Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-outsells-iphone-5/240156177?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Samsung Galaxy S4 Outsells iPhone 5</a>. ]</strong> <P> The Zoom comes with a handful of the camera-specific apps that Samsung has sprinkled across its smartphone portfolio, such as Story Album, Paper Artist, and links to Samsung's online hubs and services. <P> As for the smartphone portion of the device, the GS4 Zoom's specs mirror those of the GS4 Mini, not the top-of-the-line Galaxy S4. It features a 4.3-inch super AMOLED qHD display, which has 960 x 540 pixels. The device is powered by a dual-core 1.5 GHz processor, but Samsung said the exact processor model will vary by region. (The full Galaxy S4, for example, has an 8-core Exynos processor outside the U.S., and a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor in the U.S.) Expect a similar variation for the Zoom. <P> Other hardware features include support for various LTE 4G networks, NFC, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It includes 8 GB of internal storage and is compatible with microSD cards up to 64 GB. Various sensors are on board as well, including an accelerometer, compass, proximity, gyro and light. At 7.33 ounces, it is fairly heavy. The standard GS4 weighs just 4.59 ounces. <P> Samsung has not announced plans to bring the Galaxy S4 Zoom to the U.S., nor did it announce pricing details.2013-06-11T11:06:00ZApple introduced a complete rethink of its smartphone and tablet OS Monday. Though iOS 7 has 200 new features, it doesn't reshape the OS game.http://www.informationweek.com/software/operating-systems/apple-ios7-whats-missing/240156418?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/top-ipad-5-rumors/240153565"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/984/iPad5_NextGen_01_tn.jpg" alt="5 Apple iPad 5 Wishes" title="Top iPad 5 Rumors" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">5 Apple iPad 5 Wishes</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span></div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Apple has finally revealed iOS 7, the first major redesign of its smartphone and tablet operating system since the original iPhone's 2007 debut. Not only does iOS 7 bring with it an entirely new look and feel, it adds hundreds of features to the operating system. The new platform is in beta testing right now and will reach iPhones, iPads and iPods later this year. <P> Some of the changes are unique, while others were culled from the best of what's offered by the competition. Now that we know what iOS 7 looks like and what it can do, let's assess just how much progress Apple made. Does iOS 7 go far enough with this redesign, or did Apple take things perhaps a bit too far? <P> One word that describes iOS 7 is "polarizing." The Web showed a strong reaction to the new design of iOS. Some like it, some don't; either way, iOS 7 generated a heated response from people who watched as Apple unveiled the new operating system. Apple changed the fonts, the color palette, the size of the text and the icons, and removed the 3-D textures that have long been a part of iOS. Apple calls the new look "modern," a term Microsoft uses to describe its own Windows Phone platform. In fact, many of the changes to iOS were likened to some of Windows Phone's features, such as the new lock screen. <P> <strong>[ Apple is bringing its productivity software suite to the browser. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/software/productivity-applications/iwork-in-the-cloud-5-things-to-know/240156414?itc=edit_in_body_cross">iWork In The Cloud: 5 Things To Know</a>. ]</strong> <P> iOS was in dire need of a refresh. iOS 6 looked and functioned nearly identical to the way iOS 1 looked and functioned back in 2007. It was time. Whether or not you like the new design, it was something that had to be done. <P> In some areas, Apple clearly played catch-up. The weather app, for example. It has been the same, boring, static app since Day One. The iOS 7 weather app adds animations and an easier way to look at your list of favorite cities. Of course, HTC had animated weather apps as far back as its Windows Mobile smartphones in 2007. <P> Multitasking, too, takes a page from the competition. In iOS 6 and earlier, a double-tap to the home button brought up a dock along the bottom of the screen that showed recently used apps. Tag the app you want to jump to and away you go. The new multitasking screen looks like a mishmash of Palm's webOS and Windows Phone, with cards -- each representing an open app -- that float across the screen. This is another area where Apple needed to catch up. <P> Same goes for Control Center. Android smartphones have for years had easy access to toggles for the wireless radios, brightness settings and other system tools. The new Control Center in iOS 7 adds these in addition to some app shortcuts and music controls in a translucent screen that can be accessed by swiping up from the bottom of the display. <P> All these and other changes bring Apple's smartphone and tablet operating system up-to-speed with the likes of Google and Microsoft in areas where it was behind. <P> But there was little "wow." There was little to put Apple leagues ahead of the competition. <P> Despite the complete visual overhaul of the operating system, iOS 7 does not add any truly revolutionary features. There was nothing buried in Apple's WWDC keynote that made everyone's jaw drop with excitement. One might argue that there's little left that smartphone makers can do to truly wow people, but if there's one company that could do it, it's Apple (or, at least it used to be). <P> Apple also failed to touch on a wide number of features that could (should) have been added to iOS, but weren't. iOS 6 brought us PassBook last year, an app that fell several steps short of becoming an iWallet. Apple did not announce any new features for PassBook or a new mobile payments app for iOS 7. Apple may be reserving these for when it introduces the next-gen iPhone, but the chances are slim. Apple didn't talk about support for Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy or NFC; it didn't talk about running two apps on the screen at the same time; it didn't talk about using both cameras a the same time; and so on. <P> In other words, iOS 7 may be good, and it may even put Apple slightly ahead of its competitors, but it doesn't change the game completely.2013-06-11T09:35:00ZApple hopes to take on Microsoft Office 365 and Google Drive with its own iWork in the Cloud.http://www.informationweek.com/software/productivity-applications/iwork-in-the-cloud-5-things-to-know/240156414?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/cloud-computing/software/google-apps-to-microsoft-office-365-10-l/240154989"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/993/GoogleApps_Office365_01_tn.jpg" alt="Google Apps To Microsoft Office 365: 10 Lessons" title="Google Apps To Microsoft Office 365: 10 Lessons" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Google Apps To Microsoft Office 365: 10 Lessons</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span></div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Apple introduced iWork in the Cloud on Monday, a new browser-based version of its productivity suite that will work not only on Macs, but on Windows PCs as well. It's a clear shot across the bows of both Microsoft and Google, which offer their own cloud-based productivity tools, Office 365 and Google Drive, respectively. <P> iWork in the Cloud encompasses Pages, Numbers and Keynote, Apple's clones of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Before this week, iWork worked only on devices running Apple's OS X and iOS platforms. Now, it will work on at least one, if not two, more platforms. This is a significant strategy shift for Apple, which has rarely ported its own software and services to non-Apple hardware (iTunes and Safari for Windows being the major exceptions). <P> Apple didn't share too many details, but here's what we know so far. <P> <b>1. Limited Beta</b> <P> iWork in the Cloud is part of the OS X Mavericks beta program. Right now, only registered Apple developers have access to Mavericks and iWork in the Cloud. That means most businesses and customers won't be able to test it out until the fall, when Mavericks is expected to debut. <P> <b>2. Limited Functionality</b> <P> Thanks to the beta nature of the service, it doesn't support nearly as many features as Office 365 or Google Drive. Apple demonstrated how easy it is to drag-and-drop files from Microsoft Office into the browser and edit them, but there are plenty of collaboration tools missing. For example, files can't be easily shared with others. iWork in the Cloud doesn't yet support printing, or version history, or editing tables in Pages and Keynote. Important functions such as these will be added later. Apple didn't say if or how iWork in the Cloud would support documents created in Google Drive. <P> <strong>[ Want to learn more about the key updates from WWDC Monday? Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/apple-macintosh/8-apple-changes-that-matter/240156400?itc=edit_in_body_cross">8 Apple Changes That Matter</a>. ]</strong> <P> <b>3. Not All Browsers Supported</b> <P> iWork in the Cloud will work in Apple's own Safari browser (6.0.3 or later), as well as Chrome 27.0.1 or later, and Internet Explorer 9.0.8 or later. If you use Opera or Firefox, you're out of luck; iWork in the Cloud won't work. Businesses and consumers who use Windows PCs will eventually be able to take advantage of iWork in the Cloud, and, presumably, so will people who use Google's Chrome-based machines. <P> <b>4. Syncing Features Unknown</b> <P> Apple said that integration with iCloud will be major part of OS X Mavericks and iWork in the Cloud, but it left out plenty of details. Will iWork in the Cloud be free to all, or just free to people who've already downloaded iWork for their desktop? Will it sync documents, along with their changes, seamlessly between multiple machines? Where does iOS fit into the picture? And what will Windows users do who want or need to download their files to an actual machine? Speaking of machines, Apple didn't say if iWork in the Cloud supports local storage at all. <P> <b>5. Questionable Reliability</b> <P> Apple's success rate with cloud-based services is not all that great. The MobileMe launch several years ago was an absolute disaster. The late and former Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously screamed at Apple staff when MobileMe fell flat on its face. <P> Further, iCloud's launch wasn't trouble-free, either. Developers are still grumbling about its problems, which Apple did not address during its WWDC keynote at all. It is entirely possible that Apple will have all of iCloud's kinks worked out by the time OS X Mavericks and iWork in the Cloud launch later this year, but it will have to prove that the system works as advertised. Some may adopt iWork in the Cloud with blind trust in Apple's servers, but businesses should be wary. <P> Considering all the unknowns, Apple has a lot to prove here, especially considering how strong the entrenched players are. Microsoft and Google, for their part, won't give up without a fight.2013-06-10T16:22:00ZAt WWDC 2013 on Monday, Apple announced iOS 7 for the iPhone and iPad. Check out the new mobile platform's advantages.http://www.informationweek.com/personal-tech/mobile-operating-systems/apple-ios-7s-best-features/240156348?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-iphone-5s-the-hot-rumors/240150387"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/960/iPhone-rumors_tn.png" alt="Apple iPhone 5S: The Hot Rumors" title="Apple iPhone 5S: The Hot Rumors" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Apple iPhone 5S: The Hot Rumors</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span> </div><!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Apple Monday revealed the next-generation version of its mobile operating system, iOS 7. The new platform has undergone a major transition since last fall's debut of iOS 6. iOS 7 has a whole new look and feel, as well as tons of new features under the hood. Speaking Monday during the keynote address at Apple's WWDC, CEO Tim Cook called iOS7 "the biggest change to iOS since the introduction of the iPhone." <P> Here are the things we like the most. <P> <strong>New Look</strong> <P> iOS 7 is a radical departure from every generation of iOS that came before. Designer Jony Ive's influence is clear. All of the 3-D elements and natural textures that have given iOS its signature look over the years are gone. That means no wooden bookshelf in iBooks, no felt tabletop in Game Center, no leather-bound calendar and so on. <P> <strong>[ What's coming in the next version of Microsoft's phone software? Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/windows-phone-8-rumors-sharpen/240156353?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Windows Phone 8 Rumors Sharpen</a>. ]</strong> <P> The new operating system has a much more modern look thanks to cleaner lines, more use of white space, modern fonts, and a different color palette. There's no denying that it is a big departure, but Apple was sure to keep many of the platform's elements the same, such as the home screen layout and icon shape. <P> <strong>Sliding Gestures</strong> <P> Apple added a new sliding gesture to a number of apps, including Safari, Messages and Email that make it easier to move between messages, in-boxes or open tabs. The gesture is activated by swiping to the right or left when viewing messages. <P> Further, Apple added a new control screen that is accessible via swiping up from the bottom of the screen. This control screen provides quick and easy access to the wireless radios, brightness settings, a flashlight and music controls. (Users of Google's Android platform will likely find it familiar.) <P> <strong>Lock Screen Notifications</strong> <P> The lock screen has a new look and feel to match the rest of the operating system. More important than the appearance, however, is the new support for notifications. iOS 7 allows users to see more notifications directly on the lock screen as well as to take action on those notifications. Further, notifications will sync across devices, so if you mark something on an iPad or Mac computer, it will be marked read on the iPhone as well. <P> <strong>Multitasking</strong> <P> Apple has made significant improvements to the way multitasking functions within iOS. Chiefly, multitasking is now supported by all apps available to the operating system. Previously, only select apps could function in the background while users were off doing other things. In addition to expanded support, iOS 7 is smarter about multitasking. It uses a new set of parameters to define when it should and shouldn't update calls in the background, all of which are meant to help maximize battery life while also making sure users have the most up-to-date information.<strong>Car Integration</strong> <P> Apple showed off new integration between the iPhone and in-care infotainment systems. Beginning with 2014 model-year vehicles, iOS 7 will be able to fully connect with cars. Apple demonstrated how it would look to use iOS through a car's screen to make phone calls, play music or navigate via maps. At least a dozen car makers pledged support for the feature, including Chevy, Jaguar, Mercedes, Tesla, Ferrari and others. <P> <strong>Siri</strong> <P> Siri will be able to do a lot more than before, thanks to new integration with Microsoft's Bing search engine and Wikipedia. Siri is better at understanding natural language requests, and can interact with more applications on the iPhone or iPad. For example, users can request that Siri play back voicemails or read SMS messages. Siri also gets a new voice, both male and female, with support for both in French and German. <P> <strong>Safari</strong> <P> Apple's mobile browser sees a wide number of changes, many of which reflect changes being made in Apple's OS X Mavericks desktop operating system. The browser is much faster at rendering Java, and has a new look that lets people see more of the content on Web pages. It supports better keychain access for storing passwords and credit card information across devices, as well as better parental controls for managing content. Last, it has a new user interface for interacting with multiple tabs. It supports more than eight open tabs at a time, and lets users reorder and close tabs with the flick of a finger. <P> <strong>Music and iTunes Radio</strong> <P> Apple updated not only the iTunes store, but the general appearance of the music player with iOS 7. It has a cleaner, simpler look, but still offers plenty of features. Perhaps the biggest new feature is support for iTunes Radio, a new streaming service that will allow iOS device owners to create and listen to radio stations based on artists, songs and so on. iTunes Radio is ad free to subscribers of iTunes Match, but shows ads for those who don't. Apple has created hundreds of its own radio stations, but also lets users share their own. <P> iOS 7 will be made available to registered iOS developers later Monday. The full operating system won't be available to consumers until the fall, probably closer to when Apple launches the next version of the iPhone. Apple typically offers a new iOS beta every few weeks leading up to the final release.2013-06-10T11:45:00ZAT&T changes its policy regarding device upgrades, requires customers to wait a full two years between new phones.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/att-makes-customers-wait-longer-for-devi/240156285?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-wwdc-2013-8-things-to-expect/240155960"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1004/wwdc-2013- WWDC-logo_tn.jpg" alt="Apple WWDC 2013: 8 Things To Expect" title="Apple WWDC 2013: 8 Things To Expect" class="img175" /></a><br /> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view)</span><br/> <div class="storyImageTitle">Apple WWDC 2013: 8 Things To Expect</div></div><!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->AT&T pulled a fast one on its customers over the weekend. The company announced Sunday afternoon a change to its device upgrade policy. The change is sure to be unpopular with customers, who now must wait until their 24-month contract expires before they can upgrade to a new device at a discounted price. Here are the specifics. <P> Customers will no longer be eligible to receive promotional pricing at 20 months. They <a href="http://blogs.att.net/consumerblog/story/a7790084">need to fulfill all 24 months</a> of their two-year contract before they will be able to buy a new phone at the lowest cost. AT&T says that people will still be able to share their upgrades as long as the upgrade is used on the same account and within the same device category (e.g., smartphone or feature phone). <P> After customers have completed six months of their contract, they'll be eligible for a small discount on new gear, but in order to get it they'll have to sign a new two-year agreement. AT&T didn't say how much this discount would be, but don't think it is anything like the advertised price of new phones. You'll still be on the hook for the lion's share of the new device's cost. <P> Remember, the prices that carriers charge for their devices are subsidized. AT&T might sell the iPhone 5 for $199, but it really costs much, much more. Most new smartphones cost between $550 and $650 unsubsidized. AT&T offers the iPhone 5 for $199 to convince you to sign a two-year contract, during which it recoups the other $449 of the iPhone 5's cost through service fees. <P> <strong>[ Want a new iPhone 5? See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/iphone-trade-in-could-aid-apple-in-emerg/240156188?itc=edit_in_body_cross">iPhone Trade-In Could Aid Apple In Emerging Markets</a>. ]</strong> <P> AT&T said of the change, "This aligns device upgrade eligibility with our standard two-year wireless agreement." Verizon Wireless <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/verizons-earnings-jump-but-policies-draw/240153113">made the exact same change</a> to its upgrade policy in April. <P> Of course, AT&T pointed out that customers are still able to take advantage of its trade-in program. AT&T is offering at least $100 for old smartphones that are traded in when customers buy new devices. The trade-ins have to be newer than three years old, and have to function properly. <P> AT&T noted that customers can upgrade their device at any time as long as they don't mind paying the full retail price. AT&T customers also can use any unlocked GSM handset on AT&T's network. <P> Who does this policy apply to? Any customer whose agreement expires in March 2014 or later. That means if you bought a new iPhone 5 in September 2012 and expected to be able to grab a new device in May 2014, you're wrong. You'll have to wait until September 2014. <P> Here's why this policy change stinks. Although the difference of four months might seem insignificant, it isn't. By forcing customers to sit in their existing contracts for another four months, AT&T is guaranteeing itself that cash. It is raking in another four months of revenue per customer between device upgrades. That will add significantly to its already generously padded profits. <P> What's doubly frustrating is to see AT&T and Verizon moving ahead with customer-unfriendly policies while Sprint and T-Mobile attempt to do the opposite. <P> T-Mobile recently dropped contracts altogether, and changed the way it accounts for device subsidies so everyone knows how much they are paying for their device and how much they are paying for their service. T-Mobile sees itself as a challenger, and in many ways it is. AT&T and Verizon might not have anything to worry about right now -- their networks are much bigger -- but if T-Mobile's coverage is ever able to rival the two biggest market players, its more consumer-friendly policies could pay off big time.2013-06-08T09:06:00ZApple takes the stage on Monday at its own conference to address developers. Here's what we really want to know.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/wwdc-5-questions-apple-must-answer/240156193?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-wwdc-2013-8-things-to-expect/240155960"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1004/wwdc-2013-WWDC-logo_tn.jpg" alt="Apple WWDC 2013: 8 Things To Expect" title="Apple WWDC 2013: 8 Things To Expect" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Apple WWDC 2013: 8 Things To Expect</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span></div><!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference kicks off with a keynote address on Monday, June 10. Although the conference runs for four days, most of the excitement will take place during Monday's 90-minute presentation. Apple hasn't introduced new products since last year, so anticipation for this year's keynote is high. <P> The company is expected to show off two new operating systems and perhaps announce new laptops. It might also introduce a streaming music service and an iPhone trade-in program. But here's what we really want to know: <P> <strong>1. What Is The Future Of Apple TV?</strong> <P> Apple CEO Time Cook continues to refer to Apple TV as a "hobby." The product is great for streaming movies, television shows and other content to television sets. It hooks into iTunes and allows people to access all their iTunes purchases in the place they most like to consume content: their living room. <P> <strong>[ Is it time for Apple to lower the walls protecting its OS? Read <a href=" http://www.informationweek.com/software/productivity-applications/apple-must-look-beyond-its-platforms/240156115?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Apple Must Look Beyond Its Platforms</a>. ]</strong> <P> Though Apple TV has gotten smaller over the years, Apple hasn't added much to it. Aside from occasional user interface redesigns, it's been pretty much the same product for ages. But it has tons of potential. What's next for Apple TV? Will it ever do more than stream content? What about apps? Games? Adding support for apps and games could really make Apple TV an interesting proposition, and make it a better product that Apple can position as a competitor to Xbox or PlayStation. <P> <strong>2. Is The Mac Pro Necessary?</strong> <P> Apple's Mac Pro, its gigantic desktop computer, also hasn't seen a significant overhaul in years. Its hulking metallic shell is essentially unchanged from the old G5s of 10 years ago. The innards have been updated with new chips, ports and the like, but it hasn't offered any breakthrough features for as far back as anyone can remember. <P> Is this dinosaur of a machine worth updating? It is no doubt a workhorse that many businesses use on a daily basis. Its modular design allows it to be updated as users' needs grow, and its incredible horsepower offers plenty of oomph for tasks. But Apple's iMacs are excellent machines that cost about half as much as the Mac Pro. They provide more than enough computing power for most people. The Mac Pro needs to either be reborn or left to die. Which path will Apple choose? <P> <strong>3. What's The OS X And iOS End Game?</strong> <P> The last two versions of Apple's desktop operating system, Lion and Mountain Lion, have incorporated some elements of Apple's iOS platform. The Notification Center, for example, takes cues from iOS, as do some of the swiping gestures used to move from screen to screen and app to app. Some of these additions to OS X have been welcomed, while others have not. <P> Apple is expected to show off OS X 10.9 and iOS 7, the next generation of both platforms. How much more of iOS will Apple push into OS X? Certainly some features, such as Siri, would be a nice addition. If Apple isn't considering that, it should be -- Google recently beat Apple to the voice-search punch with its latest version of the Chrome browser, which now accepts natural-language searches. <P> Beyond simple features, though, Apple needs to define the future for its two operating systems. How long will they be kept separate? When will the line between the two begin to blur? How can Apple simplify developing for both platforms? <P> <strong>4. Can Apple Continue To Thrive With Just One iPhone?</strong> <P> Apple's executives are asked repeatedly if or when the company will make a bigger iPhone. Apple's answer has been that it doesn't want to sacrifice the user experience -- i.e., one-handed operation -- just so it can sell another version of the iPhone. The company offers only one new phone per year, while its competitors debut wave after wave of new products. Samsung alone sells dozens of models in various sizes and price points. Its army of Androids has made Samsung successful, and it recently pushed the iPhone 5 out of the top-selling-handset spot at U.S. carriers. <P> Many users consider the iPhone 5's four-inch screen too small. Half of today's leading devices, in comparison, offer screens ranging up to six inches with full HD resolution. Apple's Cook recently said that the company weighed the iPhone's screen size and resolution very carefully, and there's no arguing with the fact that Apple has sold tens of millions of iPhone 5s even with its smaller screen size. More than a larger iPhone, however, Apple needs a less expensive iPhone. COO Phil Schiller has said that the company will never make a "cheap" product, but it could make an inexpensive one if it wanted to; for example, the iPad Mini. Will Apple stick to its guns or bend to market pressure? <P> <strong>5. Will The Changes To iOS 7 Be Enough, Or Go Too Far?</strong> <P> It's no secret that Apple will show off iOS 7 during WWDC. It will probably provide a beta version of the operating system as early as next week, with the final version expected to land in September or October. Apple ousted long-time iOS leader Scott Forestall last year and put its hardware design guru, Jony Ive, in charge of giving iOS a much-needed refresh. <P> Change is good, but sometimes too much change can be problematic. The new operating system is expected to have more black-and-white elements, take on a flatter look, and lose the textures that have defined iOS's personality for six years. Apple needs to tread carefully. It needs to revitalize the operating system without making it unattractive or unintuitive. Ive can design attractive hardware, there's no denying that, but can his hardware prowess translate to success with software and the user interface of iOS? It's hard to predict. <P> Beyond the general look and feel, though, it is important to know what Apple is going to do for developers. Will the changes to the appearance have any effect on how developers code applications? Further, what new tools will Apple give to developers for writing those apps? Apple is famous for maintaining strict control over its ecosystem. Will iOS 7 mark a change in that respect? Is Apple ready to open up, even just a little bit? <P> The keynote begins at 10 a.m. (1 p.m. EST). <i>InformationWeek</i> will be covering developments live.2013-06-07T12:01:00ZApple retail stores are set to offer a trade-in program: your old iPhone for a new iPhone 5. http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/iphone-trade-in-could-aid-apple-in-emerg/240156188?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/apple-iwatch-vs-smartwatches-past-and-pr/240148629"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/949/image001_tn.jpg" alt="Apple iWatch Vs. Smartwatches Past And Present" title="Apple iWatch Vs. Smartwatches Past And Present" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Apple iWatch Vs. Smartwatches Past And Present</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span></div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Apple is prepared to launch a program that will allow customers to trade in their old iPhones at the company's retail stores. In exchange for an old iPhone, those customers will be able to receive an immediate discount on a new iPhone 5. <P> The program will fill two roles for Apple. First, it will help boost sales of the iPhone 5; and second, it could give the company a way to sell cheaper iPhones in emerging markets. <P> The first role is an important one for Apple. Now that it is nine months old, sales of the iPhone 5 are beginning to sag. There's always been a large secondary market for used iPhones, but some consumers might be averse to selling their devices on Craigslist or eBay, and the legit online trade-in programs often require people to wait several weeks for checks to arrive in the mail. <P> <strong>[ Apple is not the only smartphone maker targeting emerging markets. Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/windows-phone-primed-to-surge-canalys-sa/240155991?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Windows Phone Primed To Surge, Canalys Says</a>. ]</strong> <P> Wireless network operators have already seen the writing on the wall and many of them have launched their own trade-in programs. AT&T, for example, will give customers up to $200 for an old iPhone. Rather than force customers to wait for a check to arrive or deal with buyers through Craigslist and eBay, the retail store trade-in programs provide an instant and hassle-free reward that can be applied toward the purchase of new gear. It's high time Apple began to take back some of the value that its used gear holds onto. <P> Apple is <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-06/apple-said-to-start-trade-in-program-to-boost-new-models.html">partnering with Brightstar</a> to make the program happen, says Bloomberg. Brightstar works behind the scenes to provision devices for wireless network operators. It already handles trade-ins for AT&T and T-Mobile USA and refurbishes devices for later resale. <P> Putting this program into place could help Apple sell more iPhone 5s in the months ahead of the next-generation iPhone's debut. <P> It can also help solve Apple's low-cost iPhone problem. <P> North American and European smartphone markets are saturated. Most people have smartphones already. The real growth regions are in emerging markets where huge percentages of consumers don't have a cell phone at all, let alone a smartphone. Google's Android platform has seen great success in these markets because hardware manufacturers, such as Samsung, can offer very low-cost devices to those consumers. In fact, it is the low-cost segment that represents Android's reach. Apple's $649 iPhone 5 can't compete with smartphones that cost $99. <P> If Apple can resell its own iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S at a lower cost in emerging markets, it has a chance of converting people to iPhone users before they jump onto the Android bandwagon. That would be a win for Apple. <P> The company has not acknowledged plans to run a trade-in program, but it is one of many possible announcements that Apple might make come June 10 during its Worldwide Developer Conference keynote speech.2013-06-06T13:03:00ZGalaxy S4 beat the iPhone 5 at three U.S. carriers in May. Other top sellers: HTC One and Nokia Lumia 928.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-outsells-iphone-5/240156177?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-4-11-clever-tricks/240153554"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/983/galaxy-s4-keyboard_tn.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" title="Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Samsung Galaxy S 4: 11 Clever Tricks</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for slideshow)</span></div><!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Samsung outsold Apple last month in the U.S., according to data compiled by Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley. The Galaxy S4, Samsung's top device, bested the iPhone 5 at three of the nation's top four carriers during the month of May. <P> The data from Canaccord Genuity <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/samsungs-s4-helps-it-beat-apple-in-us-sales-2013-6">looks at the top-selling devices</a> at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless and shows trends across the last four months. In April, for example, the Apple iPhone 5 held the top spot at all four carriers. At both AT&T and Sprint, sales of the iPhone 5 were followed by the Galaxy S4 and HTC One. At T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, the iPhone 5 was followed by the Samsung Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II. Canaccord didn't provide a breakdown of hard sales figures. <P> In May, however, sales of the Galaxy S4 picked up dramatically and surpassed those of the iPhone 5 at Sprint, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless, where Apple's iconic device slipped to second place. The iPhone 5 remained the best-selling device on AT&T's network, however. The HTC One filled the third-place berth at AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile USA. <P> <strong>[ Which phone has the better screen? Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/galaxy-s4-vs-iphone-5-display-shoot-out/240153722?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Galaxy S4 Vs. iPhone 5: Display Shoot-Out</a>. ]</strong> <P> The Nokia Lumia 928, which is only available from Verizon Wireless, was the third-best-selling phone on Big Red's network. Why wasn't the HTC One in third place as with the others? Verizon Wireless doesn't yet sell the HTC One. It won't until later this summer. <P> The bottom line? Samsung's phone outpaced Apple's during the month of May -- but it has never been all that far behind. <P> During the months of February and March, for example, the top three phones at AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless were the iPhone 5, the Galaxy S III, and the Galaxy Note II. The iPhone 5 wasn't available from T-Mobile during February and March, so T-Mobile's top three devices were the Galaxy S III, Note II, and LG Nexus 4. Apple's iPhone 5 might have ridden a strong wave of adoption during its first few months of availability, but Samsung has always been nipping at its heels. <P> The Galaxy S4 was just released and interest in the device was high. It's no surprise that the GS4 bested the iPhone 5 during its debut month. The same thing happened in 2012 when the Galaxy S III launched. Samsung's smartphone outsold the iPhone 4S during August 2012 ahead of the iPhone 5's debut. <P> "We believe dominant sales of the S4 versus other Android smartphones was driven by Samsung's extremely strong Galaxy consumer brand and well-executed marketing campaign," said Walkley, "as our surveys indicated store representatives often recommended the HTC One ahead of the Galaxy S4." <P> It's good to see that HTC's device is popular at the three carriers selling it. As it has been for the last two years, though, Apple and Samsung are the top contenders.2013-06-06T10:43:00ZBlackBerry claims most Fortune 500 firms are testing its devices, and details emerge about the successor to BlackBerry Z10.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/blackberry-a10-leaks-as-q10-marks-us-deb/240156169?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/blackberry-10-visual-tour-of-next-gen-pl/240147378"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/944/01_P1080161_tn.JPG" alt="BlackBerry 10: Visual Tour Of Smartphones, OS" title="BlackBerry 10: Visual Tour Of Smartphones, OS" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle"> BlackBerry 10: Visual Tour Of Smartphones, OS</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span></div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Things are shaking at BlackBerry. The company's Z10 debuted earlier this year, the Q10 launched in the U.S. this week and now the A10 appears to be on deck for a fall introduction. Beyond that, BlackBerry claims that most Fortune 500 companies are testing the Z10, Q10 and BES 10, and that it's in talks with its rivals to get its new BlackBerry Messenger app preinstalled on other devices. <P> The BlackBerry A10 is slotted to replace <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/blackberry-z10-my-first-week/240151664">the Z10</a> later this year. It will be an all-touch device and come in the familiar slab-style form with a large screen. Multiple reports suggest that it will be a classier, top-tier device when compared to the Z10. The A10's codename is Aristo. The device will look similar to the Samsung Galaxy S4, say those who've seen it, and isn't as square as the Z10. It will ship with BlackBerry OS 10.2, which is already in beta. Most other details about the device are still cloaked in secrecy, but the phone will have 2 GB of RAM and a revised Menu screen, <a href="http://forums.crackberry.com/rumored-devices-f150/astro-a10-exists-held-one-today-813716/">according to</a> CrackBerry.com. There's no word on the screen, the processor, camera or other vital specs. <P> Sprint will be <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57587829-94/blackberrys-next-flagship-phone-the-all-touchscreen-a10/">the first carrier to offer the A10</a>, reported CNET. Sprint spurned the Z10 smartphone and is instead offering only the Q10 from BlackBerry right now. Apparently Sprint chose to wait for the A10's arrival because it believes the device will have better prospects. Expect the A10 to be available before Thanksgiving. <P> Meanwhile, the BlackBerry Q10, which has a QWERTY keyboard and full touch screen, reached most U.S. carriers this week. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless are all offering the device through their websites for $199.99 with a new contract. <P> <strong>[ BlackBerry and Google have expanded their messaging services to competing platforms, but for different reasons. Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/messaging/bbm-vs-google-hangouts-whats-at-stake/240155072?itc=edit_in_body_cross">BBM Vs. Google Hangouts: What's At Stake</a>. ]</strong> <P> BlackBerry's BB10 devices are beginning to get traction in the enterprise, a significant development for the company, according to chief operating officer Kristian Tear. Speaking to <i>Reuters</i>, Tear said that <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/05/us-blackberry-us-idUSBRE95418L20130605">60% of Fortune 500 companies are testing</a> its new devices and services. Business customers have been BlackBerry's traditional core subscriber base. In recent years, enterprises have been switching to Apple's iPhone. Tear thinks the Q10 may swing things back around. <P> "There are a lot of very loyal BlackBerry keyboard users out there who have been waiting for this, and I think, with the Q10, we will also be able to win back prior BlackBerry customers who are now trying other platforms," said Tear. <P> Tear also noted that the company is negotiating with other handset makers in the hope that they will agree to preinstall BlackBerry Messenger on their devices. "There is interest from other handset makers," said Tear. <P> BlackBerry Messenger is one of the defining features of BlackBerry smartphones. It is an over-the-top messaging service that lets BlackBerry users message one another directly and avoid carrier-based messaging fees. Though it has always been popular on BlackBerrys, it has <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/messaging/8-messaging-tools-that-are-burying-sms/240143054">plenty of competition</a> from the likes of WhatsApp, ChatOn, iMessage, Skype, Viber and myriad others. BlackBerry announced in May that it will soon be <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/blackberry-brings-bbm-to-android-ios/240154828">available to Android and iPhone</a> devices. Tear didn't specify which handset makers have expressed interest in including the service on their own phones.2013-06-05T12:35:00ZSamsung debuts beach-ready version of Galaxy S4 that can take pictures underwater.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/samsung-galaxy-s4-gets-waterproof-twin/240156142?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/7-slick-siri-alterna tives/240155490"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/997/siri_alterna tives_composite_image_01_tn.jpg" alt="7 Slick Siri Alternatives" title="7 Slick Siri Alternatives" class="img175" /></a><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">7 Slick Siri Alternatives</div> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Samsung hopes that people will be interested in a somewhat tougher version of its flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone. On Wednesday, it introduced the Galaxy S4 Active, a waterproof variant that promises to take a dunk and keep on working. <P> The most significant difference between the Galaxy S4 and the GS4 Active is the outer shell and hardware itself. The GS4 Active has a new exterior that provides protection from dust, water and other liquids. The GS4 Active has an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code">IP67</a> rating, which allows it to sit in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes without any risk of damage. <P> The Active can also withstand coffee spills, rain and sand. The screen can function both when wet and with gloves on. In other words, the GS4 Active would make a good companion on a construction site, on the slopes or at the beach. <P> Samsung didn't make any specific statements about the GS4 Active's ability to take more physical abuse. The regular Galaxy S4 is a delicate phone that, when dropped, may break. With the changed exterior, the GS4 Active appears to better protected against drops, but Samsung didn't say just how much punishment the GS4 Active can withstand. <P> <strong>[ Samsung lodged a big win Tuesday against Apple's iPhone and iPad. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/3g/apple-faces-iphone-ban-in-us/240156106?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Apple Faces iPhone Ban In U.S.</a>. ]</strong> <P> Samsung also added some new software to make the Galaxy S4 Active stand out. There's a new "Aqua Mode" feature in the camera that can be used to increase visual quality and clarity for enhanced underwater images and video. The volume button doubles as a camera button, too, which is a change when compared to the regular Galaxy S4. The camera's LED flash can be used as a flashlight, as well. Samsung did dial down the camera quality, however. The GS4 Active has an 8-megapixel sensor instead of the GS4's 13-megapixel sensor. <P> Most other features of the Galaxy S4 Active are the same as the Galaxy S4. The Active has a 5-inch 1920 x 1080p HD display, a 1.9-GHz quad-core processor with 2 GB of RAM, support for 3G/4G networks around the world, and Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and other radios and sensors. Further, the GS4 Active has all of Samsung's customized software and services, such as S Health, S Translator, WatchOn, Samsung Hub, Samsung Apps, Story Album and so on. <P> The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active will go on sale soon. It hits the U.S. and Sweden this summer, with other markets to follow thereafter. Samsung did not say which carriers will sell the Galaxy S4 Active, but AT&T and T-Mobile USA are dead ringers. Pricing wasn't disclosed.2013-06-05T10:50:00ZITC grants Samsung's request to block the import of older iPhones and iPads due to patent infringement.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/3g/apple-faces-iphone-ban-in-us/240156106?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/top-ipad-5-rumors/240153565"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/984/iPad5_NextGen_01_tn.jpg" alt="5 Apple iPad 5 Wishes" title="Top iPad 5 Rumors" class="img175" /></a><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">5 Apple iPad 5 Wishes</div><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span></div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Apple was dealt a significant blow in its ongoing patent battle with Samsung on Tuesday. The U.S. International Trade Commission upheld a ruling that found Apple guilty of infringing on a patent owned by Samsung. The result? Apple may not be allowed to import some older iPhones and iPads into the U.S. <P> The patent covers standard essential 3G technology. Because it is labeled as such, Samsung will have to license the patent for fair and reasonable terms. It requested the ban, claiming financial harm due to Apple's sales of the infringing devices. <P> The ban affects the AT&T versions of iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, as well as the AT&T 3G versions of the original iPad and iPad 2. Though a ban is a tough hurdle for Apple to surmount, the good news is that the company's newest devices aren't affected. The iPad Mini, iPad 3rd and 4th generation, as well as the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 are all in the clear. <P> Apple was unhappy with the ruling. <P> "We are disappointed that the Commission has overturned an earlier ruling and we plan to appeal," said Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet. "Today's decision has no [immediate] impact on the availability of Apple products in the United States. Samsung is using a strategy which has been rejected by courts and regulators around the world. They've admitted that it's against the interests of consumers in Europe and elsewhere, yet here in the United States Samsung continues to try to block the sale of Apple products by using patents they agreed to license to anyone for a reasonable fee." <P> <strong>[ Is it time for Apple to lower the walls surrounding iOS and OS X? Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/software/productivity-applications/apple-must-look-beyond-its-platforms/240156115?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Apple Must Look Beyond Its Platforms</a>. ]</strong> <P> The U.S. Department of Justice has cautioned courts, including the ITC, against the use of product bans. It believes such bans are harmful to consumers and not in the best interest of competition. The ITC appears to have forgotten the Justice Department's warning in this case. The ban can only be overturned by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or the <a href=" http://www.informationweek.com/government/policy/white-house-declares-war-on-patent-troll/240156078">White House</a>. <P> At least one analyst believes <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57587741-37/apple-would-survive-ban-on-older-iphones-ipads-says-analyst/">Apple will survive the ban</a> mostly unscathed. Perennial Apple bull Gene Munster pointed out that the iPhone 4 is the only one of the iPhones still available for sale in the U.S. It is offered for free by some carriers and amounted to less than 8% of Apple's revenue over the last two quarters. <P> "The actual impact will likely be less than 1% [on its revenue] given AT&T customers that would not have a chance to purchase an iPhone 4 could buy an iPhone 4S or 5 instead," said Munster. "Given the iPhone 4 will likely be retired at the end of September, there should not be an impact after the September 2013 quarter." <P> Samsung is, understandably, elated about the ITC's ruling. <P> "We believe the ITC's Final Determination has confirmed Apple's history of free-riding on Samsung's technological innovations," said Samsung in a statement. "Our decades of research and development in mobile technologies will continue, and we will continue to offer innovative products to consumers in the United States." <P> It's not clear if or when the ban will go into effect. Apple has yet to officially file its appeal of the ITC's decision.2013-06-04T11:30:00ZMay was a mixed month for beleaguered HTC, which saw its best revenue of the year along with a number of key executive departures.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/htc-one-sales-strong-but-execs-depart/240156026?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --><div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/tablet-buying-demystified-10-tips/240155502 "><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1002/Pick-a-tablet_01_tn.png" alt="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" title="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" class="img175" /></a><br /><span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span><br /><div class="storyImageTitle">Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips</div></div><!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE -->Sales of the HTC One helped balance out an otherwise rough month for HTC. The smartphone maker recorded revenue of $971 million during May. Although that number is down 3.35% compared to the year-ago period, it is up 48% over April's revenue figures. HTC can thank brisk sales of the One, its new flagship smartphone, for the boost. HTC says it shipped more than five million units during the first month the One was available. <P> In the U.S., the One is being sold by AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile USA. On Monday, Verizon Wireless announced that it will also offer the device, later this summer. The One's arrival on Verizon Wireless will come months after its debut with Verizon's competitors. Verizon didn't offer a reason for the delay, but it likely has to do with the HTC Droid DNA, a device similar to the One that is already being sold by Verizon. Verizon might have been trying to give the DNA, which went on sale in late 2012, more time to sell. Either way, scoring a place on the shelves of the nation's largest wireless network operator is a much-needed win for HTC. <P> The One's early successes are tempered by a spate of departures at the company, including several executives. <P> <strong>[ It's back to the drawing board with Facebook Home. Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/facebook-kills-htc-first-european-debut/240155509?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Facebook Kills HTC 'First' European Debut</a>. ]</strong> <P> HTC's chief operating officer Matthew Costello <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-06-04/htc-operations-chief-steps-down-as-profit-slumps-on-phone-delays">has stepped down</a> after less than three years with the company, reports <i>Bloomberg</i>. Fred Liu, who serves as HTC's president of engineering and operations, has assumed Costello&#8217;s responsibilities. Liu's role has been expanded to cover quality, sales operations and services. Costello departed at the end of May. His departure follows a handful of others. <P> HTC's chief product officer, Kouji Kodera, left the company in the middle of May. Kodera's main responsibility was to oversee HTC's product strategy. Kodera's departure was oddly timed, considering that HTC recently launched its flagship device for the year. "Kouji Kodera has left HTC to pursue other interests," said HTC in a statement. "We appreciate his contributions and wish him all the best. Scott Croyle will take over his duties." <P> HTC also lost Jason Gordon, VP of global communications; John Starkweather, director of digital marketing; Eric Lin, product strategy manager; and Rebecca Rowland, global retail marketing manager. <P> HTC's Jason Mackenzie, president of global sales, <a href="http://allthingsd.com/20130529/whos-at-d-htc-president-jason-mackenzie-on-the-facebook-phone-expansion-plans-video/">downplayed the departures</a> in a recent interview with <i>AllThingsD</i>. He said the "mass exodus has been way overblown. We've lost some key people; some were planned, some were not. But it's not masses of people." <P> HTC's fortunes have sagged over the last two years in the face of fierce competition from Samsung at the high end of the smartphone market, and Huawei and ZTE at the low end. HTC shares are down as much as 76% from two years ago. At the close of 2012, HTC owned 4.6% of the market, down from 10.3% the previous year. HTC hopes the One will reverse its slide, both in financially and in market share.2013-06-04T09:56:00ZWindows Phone platform will surge from 2.4% marketshare in 2012 to 12.7% in 2017, putting it right behind Apple's iOS platform, analyst firm Canalys predicts.http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/smart-phones/windows-phone-primed-to-surge-canalys-sa/240155991?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/tablet-buying-demystified-10-tips/240155502"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1002/Pick-a-tablet_01_tn.png" alt="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" title="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" class="img175" /></a><br /> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips</div> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Low-cost smartphones will have a significant impact on the market during the next few years, says analyst firm Canalys. Canalys believes smartphone makers will ship a staggering 1.5 billion devices in the year 2017, as the market grows at a compound annual growth rate of 18% between now and then. Google's Android platform will be responsible for the lion's share of those shipments, but there will be a surprising shift in the rest of the market, led by Microsoft's Windows Phone, Canalys says. <P> Last year, Google's hardware partners shipped approximately 470 million Android smartphones. Canalys says that number will hit 1 billion by 2017, giving Google a commanding 67% of the smartphone market worldwide, which is the same percentage it has now. Though the number of devices shipped will double, most of the growth is coming from first-time smartphone buyers converting from feature phones. Android may have a solid grip on the low end of the smartphone market right now, but that's going to change. <P> "The price of smartphones has fallen dramatically over the last few years and this has helped increase penetration," said Chris Jones, Canalys principal analyst. "As component prices continue to fall, vendors will be able to deliver great experiences on smartphones at low price points, which means that in many markets, feature phones will become extinct." By 2017, Canalys believes smartphones will represent <a href="http://www.canalys.com/newsroom/over-1-billion-android-based-smart-phones-ship-2017">95% of all cellphone sales</a>. <P> <strong>[ Tired of Siri? See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/7-slick-siri-alternative-apps/240155490?itc=edit_in_body_cross">7 Slick Siri Alternative Apps</a>. ]</strong> <P> One company that will benefit from the shift to low-cost devices is Nokia. Its Asha series of devices, which are billed as smart feature phones, will eventually go away in favor of low-cost devices using Microsoft's Windows Phone. By default, as Nokia benefits, so will Microsoft. <P> "The scalability of Microsoft's platform will be critical to its success and it has made progress here by enabling Huawei and Nokia to deliver Windows Phone products at aggressive price points," said Jessica Kwee, Canalys analyst. "Nokia is the most active vendor in the Microsoft camp and it continues to make steady progress with its Lumia portfolio. It has had some major carrier wins recently in the two largest markets of China and the U.S., which will help it build momentum in the short term." <P> This is part of the reason why Canalys expects the Windows Phone platform to surge from its 2.4% marketshare in 2012 to 12.7% in 2017. It will be right behind Apple's iOS platform, standing as the number three smartphone platform. A five-fold increase for Microsoft during a five-year period is a solid outlook, indeed. <P> Despite the smartphone market's overall growth, Apple's iOS platform will grow at a slower rate. The net effect will be that it loses marketshare. Canalys predicts that Apple's share will slip from 19.5% in 2012 to 14.1% in 2017. It will be just 1.4 percentage points ahead of Windows Phone. <P> "Apple's growth will be curtailed by the fact that momentum in the smartphone market is coming from the low end, and Apple is absent from this segment," said Kwee. "Android's continued dominance is due to the scalability of the platform." Toss in low-cost Windows Phones, and Apple may want to rethink its strategy of building only high-end devices. <P> But what of BlackBerry? BlackBerry managed to retain 4.8% of the smartphone market during 2012. Like Apple, shipments of BlackBerry devices will increase, but at a slower rate when compared to the market as a whole. Canalys thinks BlackBerry will still have about 4.6% of the market in 2017. In order to do that, however, BlackBerry needs to ditch its BlackBerry 7 handsets and get some entry-level BlackBerry 10 devices into its portfolio quickly. <P> <i>Mobile technology is changing the way we live, work and play. Attend <a href="http://www.mcommworld.com/sanfrancisco/?sourceCode=MP_BTMEDIWKAXE">Mobile Commerce World </a>, June 24-26 in San Francisco, to learn how to develop and deploy your company&#8217;s mobile commerce strategy. Spend three days learning from key players at Walmart, Amazon, Zappos, 1-800-FLOWERS, Advance Auto Parts, Alex and Ani, Groupon, REI, Vegas.com and more who are harnessing the power of mobile commerce. Register with code MP_BTMEDIWKAXE and save $200 on an All Access pass.<i>2013-06-03T10:15:00ZWatch out Google: Asus makes a play to own the entry-level Android tablet space, blurs line between smartphones and tablets.http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/asus-debuts-129-android-tablet/240155926?cid=SBX_iwk_related_commentary_Encryption_security<!-- KINDLE EXCLUDE --> <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/tablet-buying-demystified-10-tips/240155502"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/1002/Pick-a-tablet_01_tn.png" alt="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" title="Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips" class="img175" /></a><br /> <span class="inlinelargerView">(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</span><br /> <div class="storyImageTitle">Tablet Buying Demystified: 10 Tips</div> </div> <!-- /KINDLE EXCLUDE --> Asus introduced a handful of new devices at the Computex trade show taking place in Taiwan Monday, including a tablet with a 10-inch screen, a tablet with a 7-inch screen and a phablet with a 6-inch screen. With the screen sizes so similar, Asus is further blurring the line between what constitutes a tablet, a phablet and a smartphone. It is also making a play against Google for the entry-level tablet space. <P> The first tablet, called the MeMo Pad HD7, follows the path set by last year's Nexus 7. The device comes with a 7-inch in-plane switching LCD display with 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by a quad-core Cortex A7 processor. The HD7 includes a user-facing 1.2-megapixel camera and the option to add a 5-megapixel main camera, one feature sorely missed on the Nexus 7. The MeMo Pad HD7 has a similar form factor and appearance to last year's device, but will be sold in multiple colors at the low price of just $129 for the 8 GB version and $149 for the 16 GB version. It will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. <P> The larger tablet steps things up a bit in terms of specs and performance. The Asus MeMo Pad FHD 10 boasts a 1,920 x 1,200 pixel display, which gives it a better-than-HD resolution. As with Samsung's 10-inch tablet also announced Monday, the MeMo Pad FHD 10 is powered by an Intel 1.6 GHz dual-core Clover Trail+ processor from the Atom series. Score another win for Intel. The device also includes 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 and GPS. It offers dual cameras and comes in 16 GB and 32GB variants. Pricing for the MeMo FHD 10 was not revealed. It will ship with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. <P> <strong>[ What else popped up at Computex Monday? See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/hardware/handheld/samsung-galaxy-tablet-to-use-intel-proce/240155949?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Samsung Galaxy Tablet To Use Intel Processor</a>. ]</strong> <P> In addition to the two tablets, Asus introduced a device that's prepared to take on Samsung's Galaxy Note and LG's Optimus G Pro. The Asus FonePad Note includes a pocket-busting 6.0-inch 1080p full HD display. That bests both the Note II and G Pro by half an inch. <P> The FonePad is powered by a 1.6 GHz Z2560 Clover Trail Atom processor that is paired with 2 GB of RAM. Other features of the FonePad Note include a stylus for interacting with applications on the screen, dual front speakers, and of course Wi-Fi, HSPA+, Bluetooth and GPS, but no LTE. It offers an 8-megapixel main camera and a 1.2-megapixel user-facing camera, as well. It will ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. <P> The MeMo Pad HD7 and FDH 10 will both be available in July. Availability of the FonePad Note wasn't immediately revealed. The two tablets will likely be sold in the U.S. through select electronics retailers but the FonePad probably won't be. <P> Asus is clearly looking to own the entry-level tablet space. The Nexus 7, sold by Google, was one of the best Android tablet deals for 2012. With such a low price point, the HD7 will surely be a hit with budget-minded shoppers. The FHD 10's success will depend a lot on its price. Asus doesn't have a lot of wiggle room, but if it keeps the cost to under $299, it has a fighting chance against devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 8 and Tab 3 10.1. <P> <i>Mobile technology is changing the way we live, work and play. Attend <a href="http://www.mcommworld.com/sanfrancisco/?sourceCode=MP_BTMEDIWKAXE">Mobile Commerce World </a>, June 24-26 in San Francisco, to learn how to develop and deploy your company&#8217;s mobile commerce strategy. Spend three days learning from key players at Walmart, Amazon, Zappos, 1-800-FLOWERS, Advance Auto Parts, Alex and Ani, Groupon, REI, Vegas.com and more who are harnessing the power of mobile commerce. Register with code MP_BTMEDIWKAXE and save $200 on an All Access pass.<i> <P> <P>