Chief executive officer of Research In Motion, Mike Lazaridis, has confirmed that the company plans to launch BlackBerry phones that use its new QNX operating system and run on multi core processors.

Lazaridis says that Research In Motion is thinking long term though. He believes that due to battery life and cost issues, it will be best for RIM to wait for appropriate hardware before it launches BlackBerrys with multi core processors.
In an interview with PC Mag, RIM’s chief said the new smartphones will have a simpler version of PlayBook’s user interface. The QNX smartphones will probably run existing Java apps, so people will find it smooth to shift from their existing BlackBerrys.

Right now though, RIM seems to be focusing on its PlayBook. With iPad clearly leading the tablet market, and RIM’s PlayBook being hailed as a possible competitor, the company has a lot to accomplish. PlayBook’s Browser is built on open standards. It supports Flash and performs several tasks simultaneously.

Developers who want to write code for PlayBook may have to do it in three probable ways – either through an existing Java app, or on OpenGL, or using Adobe Air.

QNX was founded in 1982 as Quantum Software Systems, and was acquired by RIM specifically for its tablet business.

Although an Android smartphone can technically do everything an iPhone can, iPhones still score over the best Android devices because the device is more intuitive, tends to heat up a lot less and uses the battery more efficiently. One forum that says so though you could find more is an official Motorola site.

Despite the success of Android phones, there are some flaws in Android that still need to be addressed. Android may be getting things wrong because while iPhone owners are just enjoying their phone, people using Android device need to use a task manager app to kill tasks.

Even updating Android smartphones appears complicated to some. There are no Android user guides that don’t assume anything and explain step by step. People are confused by guides talking to them in technical jargon. Even when Android users love their phone’s specs, many replace their device before long…. something goes wrong.

First, carrying a huge smartphone might be a disconcerting feeling for many people. Android phones tend often to be large. The largest is the 5 inch Dell Streak which runs Android 2.2 Froyo. Further, those who are happy with the speed at which their phone operates are often uncomfortable with the heat it generates. Still others dislike the fact that some Android phones come pre loaded with apps they don’t want.

Although some cases of dissatisfaction don’t prove anything against all Android smartphones; nor against one smartphone model running Android for that matter; but when the criticism against Android is added up, the OS doesn’t look good to a potential smartphone buyer.

One tends to think one won’t get through a normal workday before the Android phone runs out of battery, which isn’t acceptable to business people. The turn by turn GPS application, particularly, uses more battery than expected.

These criticisms grow all the more relevant as personal computing is spread over multiple devices. Users may check emails using their Android phones, and use tablets for presentations and to share documents. In such a situation, if one device creates problems, it will be easier to shift to another device — there will always be a backup computer. It’s easier than ever for people to dump a product they dislike. So it becomes all the more necessary for Google to begin by making the user interface for Android simpler and more intuitive than it is.

The wait ends finally for the iPhone 4 lovers. Verizon Wireless has announced it will begin to the sale of Apple’s iPhone from February 10. The four year continuous run of AT&T as the sole carrier of the phone ends with it. The Verizon customers will be able to place their orders from February 3 itself.

The iPhone 4 itself is a modified iPhone 4, so it may run on the CDMA network of Verizon. Users will have to pay $199 and $ 299 for the 16 GB and 32 GB devices respectively. AT&T offers the phone at the same price.

The 4G LTE network is still new and hence slightly unreliable, that’s the reason Apple has decided to use the 3G CDMA network of Verizon to provide the phone, which means users will have to compromise with some aspects. Users won’t be able to use data and voice services simultaneously, which is not the case with the users on the AT&T network. The EV-DO 3G network is reliable, but 4G LTE is definitely faster.

The advantage on the Verizon network however is that iPhone on it can be used as wireless hotspot. Five additional devices can be connected to the device as well. The deal between the two companies, however, is not exclusive which means others carriers can also offer the service in future.

So it’s a phone which is usable on a real phone network, and hopefully dropped calls also would not be there. While we were listing the good things, the other side of the story also got piled up. It is not an iPhone 4G phone on the LTE network. The screen size is smaller than the other phones lined up for a release on Verizon network. iPhone does not have dual or even a faster Processor than earlier. If the users sign a two year contract and the better phone comes up after a few months, they would be ruing their decision.

iBuzz Mobiles, another home grown mobile phone company, has launched its first phone. The mobile phone dubbed the “i4 (SlimBUZZ)” is a slim profile (11mm) dual SIM phone.

It comes with features like opera mini browser, stereo Bluetooth, privacy protection, 1.3 MP camera.

Phone has a glossy finish with a 6.1 cm QVGA color display. Pre loaded Java applications, support for popular social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Nimbuzz.

The phone also has the ability to work as a Modem and a webcam via USB. The company claims that the new handset has a battery backup of 13 days on standby and 4.5 hours talk time.

Vertex Management Solutions, which is the parent company of the iBuzz mobiles, had earlier announced that it will launch five mobile devices across six states in India.

iBuzz mobiles will be available across key states like Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Commenting on the launch Sutikshan Naithani, director & chief executive officer, Vertex Management Solutions said “The idea for starting iBuzz came after an extensive research on the current mobile industry in India. There is a definite demand for professional mobile companies providing functionality in mobile devices at affordable prices.
He added, “We will be introducing five variants as part of our first phase and will be expanding our reach and portfolio in the coming year.”

The five models announced were i1800 (Big Buzz), i2200 (Picture Buzz), i3300 (Multi Buzz), i4400 (Music Buzz) and i4 (Slim Buzz). With the price range varying from Rs 2200 to Rs 4000.

All phones support key features like Dual SIM capability, color screens, multi language support and music players. Other features include security measures like phone trackers, panic button, and support for popular social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Nimbuzz.

Jabra has announced two new offerings Cruiser 2 and WAVE. Cruiser 2 is an in car handsfree solution and Wave is a premium handfree.

Jabra Crusier2 includes Caller ID which tells users who is calling based on contact records of the phone (for example, “Mom calling” or “Martin Work calling”) – and Voice Guidance also tells user about connectivity status and low battery levels.

It also has FM Transmitter which gives the ability to transmit and play MP3s from a mobile device to the car’s stereo system via the in-car speakerphone. Noise cancellation feature is also present.

The second new product launched by Jabra is the Jabra Wave, a Bluetooth headset featuring an enhanced behind-the-ear wearing style. Jabra Wave’s behind-the-ear fit emulates the design of earlier popular headsets including the Jabra EarWave boom and BT250. This Jabra style has sold more than 10 million units worldwide to-date.

Company claims that Jabra Wave is significantly slimmer and easier-to-use than its predecessors.

It informs you about the status with voice guidance system called StatusDisplayTM. The flexible shape of the headset molds to a user’s ear and distributes the headset’s weight evenly, providing a secure and discreet fit.

It also features a new microphone concept with significantly better immunity to wind noise. The headset’s boom tip features a microphone that is designed with rounded holes for smooth wind passage and less turbulence and the microphone is also wrapped in foam material developed to further reduce wind noise. This design, combined with Digital Signal Processing (DSP), allows for crystal clear audio.

Both Jabra WAVE and Cruiser2 can be connected to up to two devices at the same time via MultiuseT technology.

Jabra Cruiser2 is priced at Rs. 5999 and Jabra Wave at Rs. 3899.