Is text messaging becoming obsolete? New study shows texting drop in Q3

The number of text messages sent in the US has seen a drop in this year's third quarter. Could services like iMessage and Facebook Messenger replace texts?

Text messaging has arguably eliminated the need for phone calls on a day-to-day basis. It has enabled users to communicate concise messages without sitting through forced (and sometimes painful) conversations. But with texting alternatives such as Apple’s iMessage are gaining popularity, will text messaging soon become obsolete? According to a report published Monday, American cell phone carriers are seeing a decline in the number of text messages sent by each customer on a monthly basis.

The data comes from Chetan Sharma, an independent mobile analyst and wireless carrier consultant, who wrote that the number of text message exchanges in the U.S. had dropped by about 2 percent in the third quarter. This may not seem like a significant drop, but it’s a sharp difference from the steady growth that text messaging had previously seen. Sharma says it’s too early to tell if this is the beginning of a decline, but it is the first time that text messaging has begun to dwindle in the United States.

Texting saw a noteworthy boost in 2011, when 2 trillion texts were sent in the U.S. by the year’s end. This marked a 14 percent increase from 2010, according to Forrester Research, which also notes that 6 billion messages were sent per day throughout the country last year.

This current decrease in SMS usage, which stands for “Short Message Service,” a service enabled by cell phone carriers, can largely be attributed to the rise of text messaging alternatives.

One such platform is Apple’s iMessage, which operates almost exactly like a text message but only communicates between Apple devices. Therefore, iMessage completely bypasses the carrier when sending text messages between iPhones.

Another perpetrator could be Facebook’s Messenger app, which essentially exists as the mobile presence for the social network’s instant messaging feature. Unlike iMessage, Facebook’s Messenger app can be used across multiple platforms, which could give it an advantage when it comes to text messaging alternatives.

Does this mean the era of texting is coming to an end? Not exactly. Texting is still a huge part of the way people communicate via mobile devices, but the emergence of these new messaging options could hopefully lead the way toward cheaper texting plans.

Source : http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/text-messaging-obsolete-dropped-q3/

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Android and Samsung build on their market shares in Q3 2012

Android's market share increased significantly during the third quarter of 2012, with the Google OS powering 72.4% of all smartphones sold in the three months' period. Apple's iOS came a very distant second with a market share of 13.9%.

This is an impressive accomplishment for Google's mobile OS, considering Android's market share was 52.5% in Q3 of 2011.

Samsung saw its position as the leading mobile manufacturer increase to 22.9% after selling almost 100 million phones in the three month period ending in September. This was mostly at the expense of Nokia, which saw its market share slide almost 5 percent points year-over-year.

The holiday season should see Apple take back some of both of those pies, as many iOS-faithfuls held off on replacing their smartphones until the iPhone 5 came around. Apple's new smartphone top dog is expanding its availability to many new markets in Q4, which should help Apple arrest the fall in iOS market share.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_and_samsung_build_on_their_market_shares_in_q3_2012-news-5082.php

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Analyst: Apple to sell 46.5 million iPhones this quarter

Supply woes are easing, says analyst

Apple could sell as many as 46.5 million iPhones in the quarter ending Dec. 31, according to one analyst.

Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu brings word from supply chain sources that the Foxconn plant has been able to up its manufacturing capacity for the new iPhone 5 handset.

The Chinese factory had experienced difficulties in the large scale manufacture of the new 4-inch handset, due to component shortages and assembly troubles, leaving Apple less able to fulfil demand.

Earlier this week Foxconn chairman Terry Gou reportedly admitted: "It's not easy to make the iPhones. We are falling short of meeting the huge demand."

Issues resolved

However, the easing of these issues, Wu told investors, will clear the way for Apple to quickly replenish stocks and sell an ungodly amount of iPhones in the run up to, and immediate aftermath of, Christmas.

If Apple achieves the lofty 46.5m prediction, it would represent a gigantic leap of well over 50 per cent year-on-year, compared with the 26.9m sales it racked up during the final quarter 2011.

With Apple's share price taking a beating after missing sales expectations during the last quarterly financial report, a solid Christmas season could be the key to stocks crashing through the roof once again.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/computing/apple/analyst-apple-to-sell-46-5-million-iphones-this-quarter-1111210

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Analyst: Apple to sell 46.5 million iPhones before end of year

Supply woes are easing, says analyst

Apple could sell as many as 46.5 million iPhones in the quarter ending December 31, according to one analyst.

Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu brings word from supply chain sources that the Foxconn plant has been able to up its manufacturing capacity for the new iPhone 5 handset.

The Chinese factory had experienced difficulties in the large scale manufacture of the new 4-inch handset, due to component shortages and assembly troubles, leaving Apple less able to fulfil demand.

Earlier this week Foxconn chairman Terry Gou reportedly admitted: "It's not easy to make the iPhones. We are falling short of meeting the huge demand."

Issues resolved

However, the easing of these issues, Wu told investors, will clear the way for Apple to quickly replenish stocks and sell an ungodly amount of iPhones in the run up to, and immediate aftermath of, Christmas.

If Apple achieves the lofty 46.5m prediction, it would represent a gigantic leap of well over 50 per cent year-on-year, compared with the 26.9m sales it racked up during the final quarter 2011.

With Apple's share price taking a beating after missing sales expectations during the last quarterly financial report, a solid Christmas season could be the key to stocks crashing through the roof once again.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/computing/apple/analyst-apple-to-sell-46-5-million-iphones-before-end-of-year-1111210

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Apple drops out of Top 5 in China, Galaxy S III tops iPhone 4S in Q3

The iPhone is the most common smartphone almost everywhere in the world... almost. According to analysts at Canalys, in the third quarter this year Apple dropped out of the Top 5 smartphone makers in the Chinese market.

And it's an important market - according to Canalys again, China became a bigger market than the US earlier this year.

Samsung maintains a tentative lead in China holding 14% of the market, with local maker Lenovo breathing down its neck with 13%.

To rub salt in the wound, Samsung's Galaxy S III took the title of "World's best-selling smartphone in Q3 2012," according to Strategy Analytics. There were 18 million Galaxy S III units sold and "only" 16.2 million iPhone 4S phones. Of course, iPhone 4S sales were down in Q3 because everyone was waiting for the iPhone 5 to launch.

Anyway, back to China. The third place there is surprising - it's held by Yulong, who are not known outside of China, but managed to score partnerships with the country's to major carriers - China Telecom and China Mobile.

Two better known brands round up the Top 5 - ZTE and Huawei. The last three companies have around 10% market share each. Apple is currently sixth with 8% (it had 9% in Q2).

In Q3 this year, there were around 50 million smartphones shipped in China, which is over a third of all smartphones shipped in the whole world for the three month period.

The growth in China comes primarily from cheap models ($70-$120) and the iPhone 4S can't compete with its price of $713 (the iPhone 5 is yet to launch in China, probably in December).

Source 1 • Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_drops_out_of_top_5_in_china_galaxy_s_iii_tops_iphone_4s_in_q3-news-5058.php

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Samsung profits double year-on-year thanks to Galaxy S3

The Galaxy S3 has been raking in the cash for Samsung

Samsung has posted another successful quarter of earnings, as the Korean firm reveals profits have almost doubled since last year.

The electronics manufacturer revealed it had generated $47.5 billion (around £29.5 billion/AU$46 billion) in revenue during the third quarter of 2012, with an operating profit of $7.4 billion (around £4.6 billion/AU$7.2 billion) and a net profit of $5.97 billion (around £3.7 billion/AU$5.8 billion).

It notes that the profit represents a 91 per cent increase on earnings during the same period in 2011, which is sure to thrill Samsung's bosses and investors alike.

Mobiles lead the way

The company says its smartphone business has played a large part in its huge profit gain this year, with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 proving very popular around the world, with the mobile division accounting for almost half of Samsung's total revenue.

Samsung also highlighted its Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) and Liquid Crystal Display panels as contributing factors to its strong financial results, with the displays appearing in a variety of smartphones, tablets and TVs.

For the final quarter of the year Samsung predicts strong sales in the tablet PC market, plus the impending holiday season will boost demand for technology, however it expects its PC memory sector to witness a weak quarter as demand diminishes.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-profits-double-year-on-year-thanks-to-galaxy-s3-1107591

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Samsung Q3 report: Operating profits reach $7.4 billion

Samsung has released their quarterly earning figures and once again has come up with some impressive numbers. Their total revenue last quarter was 52.18 trillion won ($47.5 billion), a 26 percent increase over last year, and the operating profits were 8.12 trillion won ($7.4 billion), a 91 percent increase over last year.

Samsung's mobile communication department has seen some strong growth, contributing to 26.25 trillion won ($23.9 billion) to the overall revenue of the company. The display department also did well this time, with revenue of 8.46 trillion won ($7.7 billion) and operating profits of 1.09 trillion won ($1 billion), a 19 percent increase over last year.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_q3_report_operating_profits_reach_74_billion-news-5000.php

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Apple Q3 report: iPhone sales down, but profit still strong

Apple has just posted its report for the third quarter of the year and things are looking healthy for the Cupertino-based company. The revenue was $36 billion and the net profit stood at $8.2 billion, both of those comparing very favorably to the numbers from the same period of last year ($28.3 billion and $6.6 billion).

Somewhat surprisingly Apple didn’t manage to better its achievement from the second quarter of this year, when the company made $8.8 billion in profit from just $35 billion revenue, despite the launch of the iPhone 5. The supply shortages are probably a part of the explanation as Apple is still struggling to cope with the demand for its new smartphone.

The iPhone sales were somewhat disappointing at 26.9 million units, compared to 35.1 million in Q2. The iPad shipments stood at 14 million units, compared to 17 million in the previous quarter, while Mac sales grew from 4 million to 4.9 million. Despite the refresh of the lineup, the iPod sales slid to 5.3 million units from 6.8 million in Q2.

The lowered profits, despite the higher revenue can also be explained with the fact that the iPhone accounted for a smaller percentage of the Apple revenue this quarter (the smartphone is the Apple product with the highest profit margin).

The financial markets didn’t respond very well to the posted results and the Apple Inc. shares slid to 1.43% in after hours trading (they were 1% up before the results were posted) and are close to falling below $600 after reaching . Still, the drop is pretty minor and a strong holiday quarter, fuelled by the launch of the iPad mini, the 4th generation iPad and the extended availability of the iPhone 5 will probably bring the company back to the right track.

You can find the complete Apple report by following the source link below.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_q3_report_iphone_sales_down_but_profit_still_strong-news-4999.php

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Nokia posts another loss as Lumia fans hold out for Windows Phone 8

Lumia - not so hot

Nokia has announced another steep loss of €969 million (£786 million, US$1.2 billion, AU$1.2 billion) for the third quarter of 2012.

Revenue was down 19 per cent after the July to September period, thanks in part to a 22 per cent drop in sales of Symbian handsets, Nokia's traditional cash-cow.

Sales of its Lumia line-up for the three months, including the Nokia Lumia 900, came in at 2.9 million devices – that's quite a dip compared to the previous quarter during which it sold four million handsets.

Lumia line-up

This may be less dramatic than it sounds, though, as eager Nokia-loving beavers hold out for the Nokia Lumia 820 and Nokia Lumia 920 handsets that form the company's Windows Phone 8 line-up.

Both handsets were announced during the disastrous quarter, but won't go on sale until November 2012.

Stephen Elop remained his usual bullish self when announcing the results, commenting that, "Next year is going to be a very interesting year."

He sees the Lumia line as a "credible third alternative" to Android and iOS, which is a little harsh on its previous BFF Microsoft and the other Windows Phone manufacturers.

Nokia is no doubt still smarting after Microsoft chose HTC to produce its flagship Windows Phone 8 device in the shape of the HTC 8X.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/nokia-posts-another-loss-as-lumia-fans-hold-out-for-windows-phone-8-1105348

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RIM outs Q2 results, reports loss of $235m and a $2.9b revenue

RIM has released its financial results for Q2 2013 (the company has a shifted financial year) and despite reporting a loss of $235 million, it's not as bad as last quarter, when the loss of the Canadian company was double that.

Revenue was $2.9 billion, which is 31 percent down year-over-year. RIM managed to ship 7.4 million smartphones and 130,000 PlayBook tablets and has a total of 80 million BlackBerry subscribers.

The company reports $2.3 billion in cash and assets on hand. This is a slight increase from last quarter's $2.2 billion. The Canadian smartphone manufacturer says everything is going as planned for the future BlackBerry 10 launch early next year and is looking forward to better times once the refreshed OS hits the market.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/rim_outs_q2_2013_results_reports_loss_of_235m_on_a_29b_revenue-news-4873.php

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Nielsen: Android growth in US continues, iOS stays strong

It's Nielsen's turn to post its report on the US smartphone market in the second quarter of this year. The numbers show that Android continues to dominate while iOS is a very solid second. The two platforms combine for a total of 86.2% of all smartphones in the States.

In the second quarter of the year, Android powered 51.9% of US smartphones, while 34.3% ran on Apple's proprietary iOS. RIM's faltering BlackBerry OS came a very distant third, taking 8% of the Stateside smartphone market .

The gaps are even more pronounced among recent acquirers. Of all the US citizens who bought a smartphone over the past three months, a whopping 58.6% chose Android and another 33.0% went for iOS. The trend is understandable, given that the iOS flagship - iPhone 4S was already nine-months old at the end of that quarter, while the Android-powered One X had just made it to the market.

Given that the Samsung Galaxy S III only made it to the US market in Q3 and the next iPhone is expected to debut at the very end of the quarter, we expect the two leading platforms to expand their market shares even further by the time the next report rolls around.

As you see from the graph, the BlackBerry sales were down to 2.7%, while all other platforms, including Microsoft's Windows Phone managed a combined 5.8%. We don't expect Windows Phone to make a significant impact before the holiday season, as we are still waiting for the new WP8 devices to launch.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nielsen_android_growth_in_us_continues_ios_stays_strong-news-4785.php

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