Microsoft and Nokia Demand EU Action Against Google For Antitrust Violations

Google is on the hot seat with the EU over alleged antitrust violations related to its Internet search practices on both the desktop and on mobile devices. After a two-year investigation that appears to find Google at fault, several of the complainants have voiced their displeasure at the pace of the European Commission’s action or lack thereof.

Reuters says that over a dozen companies have complained, including heavy hitters Microsoft and Nokia, even as European Union Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said he plans to achieve a settlement with Google before the end of the year.

The length of the investigation may be due in part to the fact that it began with the desktop version of Google’s search engine but expanded to examine mobile search, as well.

"Google is using its Android mobile operating system as a 'Trojan Horse' to deceive partners, monopolize the mobile marketplace, and control consumer data," said FairSearch's lawyer Thomas Vinje in a statement to Reuters. Essentially, the allegation is that Google is driving traffic to itself through Android, by directing users to its search engine (not to mention YouTube, Maps, and other services) and also bumping up its own products in search results.

On the one hand, it seems a little silly to bang Google for shipping its services on devices running its operating system; on the other hand, complainants have a very good point. And it’s not like this is a new issue--just ask Microsoft about whether or not it’s cool to include your own Web browser with your operating system.

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Intel Clover Trail+, Advancing Atom In Mobile

When we covered Intel’s first significant foray into the smartphone arena, early in January 2012, there was little doubt in our minds that the company had set its sights on the mobile market with a plan and roadmap for execution.  Though Medfield and Lexington, now known as the Atom Z2460 SoC, and its lower cost sibling Atom Z2420, looked solid enough on paper, we expected Intel would have an uphill battle versus already well-established players like Qualcomm, Samsung, NVIDIA and the like.  As it turned out, Medfield and Lexington Atom SoCs never really made it to smartphones marketed in the US, but they did gain some traction in about 10 design wins for Intel, primarily in emerging markets, Latin America, APAC and the UK.  Regardless, market penetration on a more global scale just wasn’t what we assume Intel had hoped for.

Today, however, Intel is keeping on track for execution of their roadmap plan in the mobile space, with the release of their follow-on to Medfield, code-named Clover Trail+.  Clover Trail, as you’ll remember, is powering many a Windows 8 tablet these days.  Intel's latest Atom-based SoC is a more natural fit here, with the intrinsic advantages of being able to run full X86 compatible software on a tablet or convertible device, while still offering strong battery life and performance.  That said, Clover Trail+, Intel’s new performance and feature-optimized version of Clover Trail for the smartphone and tablet market, has that same long row to hoe versus incumbents, at least in the highly competitive handset arena.

What’s more than interesting this time around is that Clover Trail+ seems to really have the chops (at least on paper) to keep pace with, and even exceed, certain performance characteristics of current, best-of-class ARM-based architectures that have been so dominant in smartphone designs thus far.  And on the power consumption front, Intel is claiming their long-beloved “HUGI” (Hurry-Up and Get Idle) approach to clock gating will afford them a platform power advantage like no other smartphone architecture on the market currently.  A tall order.  Big claims.  Is Intel just getting warmed up?  Let’s take a look.

Intel Clover Trail+ Specifications & Features

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Intel's Smartphone Reference Design

Clover Trail+ is another 32nm design for Intel, though their next generation Bay Trail architecture will migrate to 22nm.  Bay Trail will be the first quad-core Atom design, offering twice the compute performance as Clover Trail and should arrive in time for the 2013 holiday shopping season, so we are told.  Intel is already claiming good traction with major OEM partners for Bay Trail tablet designs as well.  But I digress, what is immediately obvious with the Clover Trail+ platform reference design specification, versus Intel's previous generation Medfield architecture, is that Intel has beefed up almost every major functional block.  Let's dive in a little deeper...

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Refurbished 27-inch Apple iMacs Selling for Up to $400 Off Retail

If you've been waiting to score a deal on an Apple iMac system, now is your chance, provided you're not opposed to buying a refurbished model. Apple just filled its store with a handful of refurbished iMac models that are marked down anywhere from 15 percent to 20 percent, which translates into savings of up to $400 off the normal selling price.

All three discounted models are 27-inch iMac systems. The biggest savings is for an Intel Core i5 3.1GHz quad-core system that's listed at $1,599, or $400 off its normal selling price. That system comes with 4GB of RAM, 1TB hard drive, 8X DVD burner, and AMD Radeon HD 6970M graphics. It also has a FaceTime HD webcam, two Thunderbolt ports, a FireWire 800 port, four USB 2.0 ports, SDXC card slot, 802.11n Wi-Fi, stereo speakers, and a few other odds and ends.

The other two reduced systems sell for $1,529 (2.9GHz, 8GB memory, GeForce GTX 660M, 1TB HDD) and $1,699 (3.2GHz, 8GB memory, GeForce GTX 675MX, 1TB HDD). Refurbished systems come with a wireless keyboard, mouse, power cord, and documentation.

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A fresh new look for Google Play

Whether you’re in the mood to listen to Justin Timberlake’s new album, read Harlan Coben’s latest bestseller or discover a new game to play, you want the experience of finding and making your purchase to be quick and easy. Today we’ve started rolling out a redesigned Google Play store on Android phones and tablets that is simple, clean and — most importantly — helps you find great entertainment, fast.

The new design focuses on bigger images that jump off the page. Similarly themed content is grouped together so you can hone in on a magazine to read or an app to try. As you move down the page, new recommendations continue to appear so there is always more to see and explore. We’ve also simplified purchasing so you can breeze through checkout and get to enjoying your movie rental or other content.

The redesigned Google Play store app starts rolling out today for Android phones and tablets running Android 2.2 (Froyo) and above. People around the world should see it over the next few weeks. Get ready for a simpler Google Play.

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Windows Phone 8 will support 1080p displays by the end of the year

Microsoft is planning to update Windows Phone 8 to support 1080p resolutions. Sources familiar with Microsoft's Windows Phone plans have revealed to The Verge that the company will issue an update later this year that brings support for the 1080p resolution and new 5-inch and higher devices. Windows Phone 8 currently supports WVGA, WXGA, and 720p resolutions. 

The update, known as a General Distribution Release (GDR3) for Windows Phone, will set the stage for new devices set to debut for the holidays. HTC had originally planned to release a "Zenith" flagship device with a 4.7-inch display and quad-core processor, but the company reportedly cancelled its plans as the device would have a lower resolution than its competing Android models. We understand that the GDR3 update will also provide support for new Qualcomm processors, allowing manufacturers to opt for quad-core devices with Windows Phone.

Microsoft's update will arrive as part of the new devices, but we understand that it's not directly related to the company's Blue plans for Windows Phone — a codename for a future upgrade. Windows Phone Blue is tentatively scheduled for early 2014 and will help bridge the gaps between Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system and Windows Phone 8. The software maker is planning to enable additional points of synchronization, including the browser, to further integrate both operating systems.

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Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3 Specifications Confirmed

Earlier this week, we have reported that Samsung is working on two new smartphones. The Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Galaxy Mega 6.3 are designed to cover the empty range between smartphones and tablets.

According to leaked information, the specifications of the devices are finally confirmed. The Galaxy Mega 5.8, codenamed GT-I9152, comes with a 5.8-inch qHD TFT display. The display does not come with high screen resolution, supporting only 960 x 540 pixels resolution. The device comes with two cameras, an 8-megapixel rear-facing and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

The processor is a dual-core clocked at 1.4 GHz, and there will be 1.5 GB of RAM. The Galaxy Mega 5.8 sports Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n and a GPS. The dimensions would be 164 × 83.8 × 9.7 mm, and it will have a 2,600 mAh battery.

The 6.3-inch phablet uses the same dual-core with somewhat higher clocks (1.7 GHz vs. 1.5 GHz) as well as the same amount of RAM. Among Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n and a GPS, Samsung will release the Galaxy Mega 6.3 in two versions, one with and one without LTE. Due to bigger dimensions, which are 88 × 167.6 × 7.9 mm, Samsung will use the battery with 3,200 mAh capacity as well as the same 8-megapixel rear-facing, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

The two devices are running Android 4.1.2 / 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with Nature UX interface on it. Samsung expects to sell them sometime in June.

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Apple may see single-digit shipment growth for MacBooks in 2013

Apple MacBook shipments may only see single-digit growth in 2013, as related upstream component suppliers still have not yet seen any major increases in orders, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

The orders may increase slightly after Apple releases its new MacBook products at the end of the second quarter.

Apple was confident about its 13-inch MacBook Pro performance for 2013, but the device's actual sales turn out to be weaker than expected, leaving the company still digesting its inventories in the first quarter.

The sources pointed out that Apple's MacBook Pros have strong attraction to consumers, but the devices' high prices are instead pushing consumers away. In addition, shipment delays last year due to weak panel yield rates also impacted shipment performance. However, Apple claimed its Mac series' weak sales are due to the iPad.

Apple shipped 13.03 million MacBooks in 2012, up 7.98% on year.

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