Fourteen phone manufacturers have committed to using the new MicroUSB-based design when developing phone charging devices beginning in 2011.

References

1. ^{^} Esther Shein (www.informationweek.com)
2. ^{^} InformationWeek (www.informationweek.com)
3. ^{^} Download it now (www.informationweek.com)

SEOUL (Dow Jones)--Samsung Electronics Co. (005930.SE) and LG Electronics Inc. (066570.SE), the world's second- and third-largest handset makers by shipments, said Monday that they will launch their respective smartphones running on Microsoft Corp's (MSFT) Windows Phone 7 operating system on the global market next week.

This shows aggressive attempts by the two handset makers to take on Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) popular iPhone by expanding their line-ups with diversified software platforms, such as Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android and Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Windows Phone 7.

Samsung Electronics, the second-largest maker of cellphones by shipments behind Nokia Corp. (NOK), said it will launch its new device--Omnia 7--in Europe and Asia, including France, the U.K., Spain, Germany, Australia and Singapore, on Oct. 21.

It also said it will start selling the device through U.S. carrier AT&T Inc. (T) in November.

The new model features a 1-gigahertz processor, a 4-inch Super Amoled display, and a 5-megapixel camera, it said.

Similarly, LG Electronics said it will also launch smartphones powered by Windows Phone 7 in Europe and Asia next week.

The company's LG Optimus 7, will be launched in the U.K., France, Germany, Singapore and Australia on Oct. 21, while another model, LG Optimus 7Q, will be available for sale through AT&T in the U.S. market from Nov. 21, the company said in a statement.

LG, whose cellular phone business has come under sales and profit pressure this year, has only a small presence in smartphones and made its first global launch of a smartphone with Google's Android operating system just early this month.

LG's then-chief executive, Nam Yong, quit last month to take responsibility for the company's loss-making handset business.

LG said its new smartphone will offer a unique application, called Play To, which will allow users to easily send pictures, music and video content from their smartphones to other digital devices without having to access other menus.

The Optimus 7 features a 1-gigahertz processor developed by Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM), a 3.8-inch liquid crystal display and a 5-megapixel camera while the Optimus 7Q, will have a 3.5-inch touch-screen display with a Qwerty keypad, the company added.

-By Jung-Ah Lee, Dow Jones Newswires; 822-3700-1907; jung-ah.lee@dowjones.com

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9c4233/executive_analysis^[1]) has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Executive Analysis of European and North American Automotive App Store Concepts and Services^[2]" to their offering.

Executive Analysis of European and North American Automotive App Store Concepts and Services^[3] - Amidst Apps Ranging from Car Sharing to Navigation, Internet Radio is the Most Popular Brought-In App Being Developed by Automotive OEMs

This study focuses on the evolution of hybrid infotainment and telematics systems evolution in the European and United States automotive market. In particular the study analyses the upcoming trend of automotive OEMs focusing on allowing smartphone apps to run inside the car and using that connectivity to provide additional services, a method industry refers to as brought-in applications. The study also looks at business models, value chain analysis and revenue generation processes and strategies for OEMs using apps from smartphones. The study also looks at the different HMI types which OEMs are developing to allow app access inside the car.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Executive Analysis of European and North American Automotive App Store Concepts and Services^[4] provides a detailed analysis and potential of apps in the automotive space in Europe and North America. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine built-in, beamed-in, and brought-in technologies.

Internet Radio is the Most Popular Brought-in App Being Developed by Automotive OEMs

Brought-in apps such as Internet radio are the current developments in the automotive apps and services market. There is a gradual shift in the United States and European market from embedded to hybrid connected telematics market in terms of allowing features to run from the smartphone inside the car. In this hybrid connected space, vehicle manufacturers have significant traction to permit Internet radio apps to run inside the car from the smartphone and control it using the vehicle human media interaction (HMI). The Gen Y population and technology usage trends in the United States and Europe are veering towards increasing use of mobile Internet on new generation smartphones and accessing apps on popular app stores such as Apple, says the analyst of this research. This is driving vehicle manufacturers to allow smartphones to be accessed inside the car thorough safe HMI and create a superior brand image since consumers can continue to savour their digital experience inside the car. In Europe and the United States, Gen Y currently forms at least a quarter of the population and is expected to remain the same until 2030. On the other hand, Gen Y in the South Asian regions is likely to comprise of more than 40 per cent of the population by 2030. The common trend is the exposure to new generation mobile usage along with mobile Internet and app usages.

However, connectivity and driver distraction are the main challenges faced by the participants in this market. On one hand, vehicle manufacturers are looking to offer connectivity and services using consumers voice and data connection. On the other hand, telecom operators are objecting to this model and want vehicle manufacturers to put an additional security identity module (SIM) card with dedicated voice and data plan to power services inside the car. Furthermore, the regulatory committee is concerned about the safety and driver distraction aspects associated with permitting smartphones to function inside cars, explains the analyst.

There is increasing pressure from automakers to allow apps from smartphones to run inside the car for consumers to safely utilize apps using vehicle HMI. Although apps like Pandora Internet radio are available free in the mobile application stores, it is lucrative for automakers to provide specific HMI solutions that consumers can buy to access apps. This will let consumers manage everything through one communication module with a single bill. Future trends like the European eCall legislation might mandate the requirement of a dedicated SIM card inside the car for data and voice services, enabling the European telematics market to transition from a completely built-in model to a hybrid connected brought-in model, concludes the analyst.

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

By Automotive App Type:

• Built-in
• Beamed-in
• Brought-in

Key Topics Covered:

• Executive Summary
• Overview of Global Mobile Application Stores
• Overview of Automotive In-car Connectivity Concepts
• Automotive App Concepts and Services
• Automotive OEM Activities and Profiles in Apps
• In-Car Internet Radio Market
• Conclusions and Recommendations

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9c4233/executive_analysis^[5]

References

1. ^{^} http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9c4233/executive_analysis (cts.businesswire.com)
2. ^{^} Executive Analysis of European and North American Automotive App Store Concepts and Services (cts.businesswire.com)
3. ^{^} Executive Analysis of European and North American Automotive App Store Concepts and Services (cts.businesswire.com)
4. ^{^} Executive Analysis of European and North American Automotive App Store Concepts and Services (cts.businesswire.com)
5. ^{^} http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9c4233/executive_analysis (cts.businesswire.com)