[Business] Nokia got (USD)250m from Microsoft to use Windows Phone OS

Nokia revealed in its Q4 Financial Earnings that Microsoft paid Nokia $250 million in the quarter for “platform support payments”. In other words, the payment is for Nokia to adopt Windows Phone 7. Some reports online suggested that Nokia will be receiving more, in the billion, to further promote and use Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.

“Our broad strategic agreement with Microsoft includes platform support payments from Microsoft to us as well as software royalty payments from us to Microsoft.  In the fourth quarter 2011, we received the first quarterly platform support payment of USD 250 million (EUR 180 million).  We have a competitive software royalty structure, which includes minimum software royalty commitments. Over the life of the agreement, both the platform support payments and the minimum software royalty commitments are expected to measure in the billions of US Dollars.” Nokia’s earning statement reveals.

Nokia said it had sales of 10 billion euros ($13.2 billion) in the quarter, down 21% from the same period a year ago. It had lost €954 million (about $1,260 million) this quarter alone or a total of €1,073 million ($1,413 million) for the whole 2011. [...]

[Video] Chinese New Year Greeting from U Mobile

Last week U Mobile CEO, Dr. Kaizad Heerjee was on ground at the U Mobile flagship store in Berjaya Times Square to serve, meet & greet customers. Check out this video greeting made specially for U Mobile customers and the public as we usher-in the year of the Dragon.

According to Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Year of Water Dragon. Expert says that people who born in dragon years (which include 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 and 2000) are imaginative and full of energy.

Based on the horoscope, Dragon is a legendary animal and it is symbol of emperor in China. Since the Dragon is coated with mysterious color, Chinese consider that the dragon is unpredictable, untouchable and people cannot see its head and tail at the same time. Therefore, we might see something unexpected happening in 2012.

P.s: MalaysianWireless would like to wish Happy CNY and Happy Holidays to all of you out there!

Android will replace iOS as the most important platform to developers

According to Ovum, Android has replaced Apple’s iOS in terms of importance to developers in the Asia-Pacific region in the last 12 months. However, it is clear that iOS and Android form the core of developer support and that although these two platforms may vie for ultimate supremacy almost all developers support both platforms.

In its second annual developer survey, the analysts firm reveals that while iOS and Android form the core of developer support, there is significant drive behind Blackberry OS and an increasing interest from developers in Microsoft’s Windows phone.

Adam Leach, devices & platforms practice leader at Ovum and author of the research commented: “The growing momentum behind Windows Phone indicates that Microsoft has managed to convince developers that its platform is worthy of investment. However, its main challenge now is to persuade consumers.”

In this year survey, the trends mirror closely changes in the wider smartphone market. Developers have been quick to respond to the exit of once-important smartphone platforms such as Windows Mobile, Symbian and WebOS and have embraced opportunities that have arisen through emerging platforms. [...]

[Video] Meet Thorsten Heins, the new President & CEO of RIM

Research In Motion (RIM) has named Thorsten Heins as the new President and Chief Executive Officer. The announcement comes with the resignation of Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie as co-CEOs and co-chairmen of RIM.

Mike Lazaridis is now the Vice Chairman of RIM’s Board and Chairman of the Board’s new Innovation Committee while Jim Balsillie will remain as board member. Barbara Stymiest a member of RIM’s Board since 2007, has been named the independent Board Chairman. [...]

Huawei Honor available in Malaysia at RM1099

Still remember the Huawei Honor that we wrote about last November? It is now available in Malaysia at the retail price of RM1099.

Huawei Honor is upgradable to the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, which will be officially released by Q2 of 2012. Specifications of the Huawei Honor below: [...]

U Mobile Prepaid Plan Refreshed

U Mobile has refreshed their current prepaid plan. New U Mobile prepaid users now can enjoy SMS for free in addition to the current Free Calls within the U Mobile network.

Every RM 1 top up will allow subscribers to be eligible for 1 Day of Free SMS. To get 20 free SMS, all users need to do is use 6 SMS in a day. However the free SMS promotion is not applicable to current U Mobile prepaid subscribers.

As for the Free Calls, new U Mobile Prepaid subscribers will not be charged for calls within the network from 12:00am to 6:59:59pm, up to maximum free 60 minutes daily. For users who exceed the free 6o minutes or calls during 7pm – 11.59pm, call chargers of 3 cents every 30 seconds(9sen/min) applies. Current U Mobile Prepaid subscribers will continue to enjoy the free calls all day long subject to a maximum 60 minutes a day. [...]

Nokia Belle update to start in February

Nokia announced that it will roll out the Nokia Belle operating system update(previously known as Symbian Belle) starting February.

Launched earlier this year with Nokia 701, Nokia 700 and Nokia 603 smartphone, the Nokia Belle will be available as a software update for the following devices- Nokia N8, Nokia E7, Nokia E6, Nokia X7, Nokia C6-01, Nokia C7, Nokia 500 and Nokia Oro. The Nokia N8, C7 and C6-01 will start shipping with Nokia Belle pre-installed. [...]

[Insider] iPad 3 is coming to Malaysia

A lot of people are excited as they expect Apple to release new products this year including iPad 3, iPhone 5, new Mac models besides several other products. One thing that is being awaited most impatiently is the next generation iPad. The rumor calls it iPad 3.

What we are about to reveal next is top secret. MalaysianWireless believes that iPad 3 will be announced sometime February/March and it will be available in Malaysia by the end of March. This information however is subject to change depending on Apple. [...]

[Insider] Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 RM2299 in Malaysia

After 1-2 months of delay, Samsung Malaysia has finally decided to make available the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. For those interested to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, it will be priced at RM2299 in Malaysia.

At the time of writing, all three Telcos are testing out the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, we believe that Celcom & DiGi will make it available in the 1st week of February. No news on Maxis yet. [...]

PR1.2 update coming to Nokia N9

Nokia last released a PR1.1 update for its Meego flagship device, the Nokia N9 last November. Now it appears that a new PR1.2 update is on its way.

Tamerbatar, a Talk Maemo forum member who managed to get the update revealed some screenshots of the PR1.2. Based on the changelog, the update comes with video calling support, app folders, improvements for the camera and gallery. [...]

Skype for Windows Phone coming soon

Microsoft appears to be working on Skype app with deep Window Phone integration. Skype’s VP of products, Rick Osterloh, revealed that Microsoft’s Skype division is “working on a Windows Phone product that will be coming out soon,” during an interview at CES 2012.

Based on unconfirmed reports, Skype integration in Windows Phone will arrive with Appolo, which is the next major version of Windows Phone. However Microsoft could still release release a Skype app for the platform through the Windows Marketplace for supported Windows Phone 7 devices.

Along with the Skype for Windows Phone, Rick Osterloh also said that Skype for Windows 8 and Xbox is coming soon. Check out the video interview below: [...]

Samsung Galaxy Nexus from Celcom

As MalaysianWireless reported two weeks ago, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is now available from Celcom. It has a retail price of RM2099 in Malaysia.

With a 24-months contract & Celcom Exec 250 plan, customers can purchase the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for as low as RM1368. Details of the Celcom-Samsung Galaxy Nexus plans below: [...]