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Source: Telegraph


Pocket computers

Phone makers launch Pocket computers ' to compete with iPhone

 

Mobile phone manufacturers are preparing to launch a wave ofincreasingly adaptable 'pocket computers' in an effort to see offthe challenge posed by the Apple iPhone.

 
iphone: Phone makers turning handsets in to 'pocket computers' in bid to compete with Apple iPhone
Two iPhone 3G handsets Photo:BLOOMBERG NEWS

Apple's hugely popular touch-screen device has proved a hit withconsumers, with more than 17 million sold worldwide, and has setnew expectation levels among mobile phone users about thecapability of handsets.

Next week at Mobile World Congress, a mobile phone technologyevent held in Barcelona, several major technology companies areexpected to announce details about how they plan to regain theinitiative in the market.

Microsoft, whose Windows Mobile operating system is used onmillions of handsets worldwide, is expected to unveil details of abrand new strategy for its mobile products. Steve Ballmer,Microsoft's chief executive, will launch several new services thatwill make it easier for phone users to synchronise data on theirphones with their computers, and to download and install additionalsoftware and applications for their device. The company is expectedto tie its mobile phone presence more closely to its Windowscomputing brand in an effort to turn its phones into pocketcomputers.

Nokia, the biggest mobile phone maker in the world, is set toannounce a series of partnerships with companies such as Facebookin a bid to make its handsets "more social". The move is expectedto integrate Facebook "friends" into the built-in address book onNokia's phones, and provide always-on access to the Facebookwebsite, so users are automatically alerted whenever a friendleaves them a message or updates their status.

But it appears the progress of Google's mobile phone operatingsystem, Android, has suffered a setback. Samsung, which was due tolaunch an Android-based phone early this year, has now confirmedthat the device has been delayed until late 2009. Although othermobile phone makers, including HTC, are expected to fill the voidby launching their own "Google phones" in the coming months, thatstill leaves T-Mobile's G1 as the only device on sale currentlyrunning the Android operating system.

The mobile phone space has become the new battleground fortechnology companies who are keen to ensure continuingprofitability despite the deepening financial gloom. With anestimated 48 million mobile phone users in the UK alone,manufacturers are aware that the ubiquity of mobile devicespresents them with new opportunities to exploit consumers' desirefor more software and services on their handsets.

Toshiba, better known for its televisions and DVD players, isset to launch its first ever mobile phone at Mobile World Congress.The touch-screen TG01 will run Microsoft's new-look mobileoperating system and place a strong emphasis on mobileentertainment.

Even iconic Danish toy maker Lego is rumoured to be launching amobile phone, based on its famous building bricks.

"Differentiation around user interface will continue to be a bigfocus at Mobile World Congress," said Geoff Blaber, an analyst withCCS Insight. "With margins on hardware getting tighter and formfactors becoming increasingly homogenous, manufacturers are lookingto software, applications and services in order to differentiateand add value."