Oem Archive

  • Microsoft helping OEMs develop unique Windows Phone 7 apps

    Microsoft helping OEMs develop unique Windows Phone 7 apps

    Posted on June 11, 2010 | No Comments
    Here's the simple truth about touchscreen smartphones: it's the software, dummy. Just look around at all the flagship handsets... other than a choice of with or without a QWERTY, today's handsets all look pretty much the same and are built using the same off-the-shelf components with very few exceptions. That's why we see so much skinning on Android handsets -- that's how manufacturers like Motorola (Motoblur), Samsung (TouchWiz), and HTC (Sense) differentiate themselves with consumers. But how's that going to work for Windows Phone 7 devices with Microsoft boxing OEMs in with a narrow set of hardware and software guidelines that restrict them from modifying the user interface? Easy, Microsoft is going to help them write unique apps. At least that's what this June 1st Microsoft job posting for a senior Windows Phone software developer says:
    "We are looking for a strong and experienced developer to help the OEM to design and develop applications that make their devices stand out in the marketplace. You will also help them to bring new phones to market."
    The position would be "working directly with a top Korean cellular phone manufacturer, who has made a large commitment to Windows Phone." Uh, would that be LG or Samsung, we're guessing the former. It'll be interesting to see if these apps are enough to differentiate one touchscreen handset from another. Even more exciting will be watching the homebrew community attempt to hack the manufacturer-specific apps into different handsets in order to create the ultimate Windows Phone 7 superphone... or Frakenphone as the case may be. Regardless, it's clear that Microsoft isn't leaving anything to chance as manfacturers prepare to launch their first devices running Redmond's virgin OS.

    [Thanks, Abed]

    Microsoft helping OEMs develop unique Windows Phone 7 apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • ComScore: Samsung edges out Motorola in US mobile market share

    ComScore: Samsung edges out Motorola in US mobile market share

    Posted on May 7, 2010 | No Comments
    Well, it doesn't look like the news is getting any better for Motorola these days --- ComScore's latest report finds that the company has slipped from its top spot in US market share among mobile OEMs into a virtual tie with Samsung and LG, with Samsung edging out Motorola by just "a fraction of a percent." They're followed by RIM and Nokia, who are now in a tie for a distant fourth place at 8.3%, and Apple, which is said to have a five percent share. Of course, these stats are just part of a broader report, but the rest of the results are a bit less surprising -- Verizon and AT&T are virtually unchanged in their position as the number one and two carriers at 31.1% and 25.2%, respectively, and the total number of subscribers in the country now stands at 234 million, of which 63.7% send text messages, 30.1% use a web browser, and 28.6% use downloaded apps.

    ComScore: Samsung edges out Motorola in US mobile market share originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 May 2010 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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