(PRWEB) July 20, 2010

Designed to help curb the increase in accidents caused by distracted driving while texting or emailing, Text’nDrive™ (www.TextnDrive.com) enables drivers to listen to and respond to text and email messages by voice using any hands-free device, so they can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. No other app allows drivers to reply by voice. BlackBerry app users can enjoy these features for both their emails and SMS texts while the SMS text feature for the iPhone app will be added shortly. In the meantime iPhone users can use the Text’nDrive™ app to read and respond to their e-mails.

In-car speakerphones, wired connections, Bluetooth headsets, and manufacturer-installed hardware are all supported. Text’nDrive™ marries road safety and text and email connectivity for the first time.

Many countries and jurisdictions have adopted legislation prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving unless a hands-free device is used. In North America, 19 states and six provinces have already enacted these laws while most others are applying partial bans or are in the process of passing similar legislation. Text’nDrive™ (www.TextnDrive.com) offers an easy-to-use solution for drivers who wish to stay connected and avoid costly fines and the dangers associated with texting while driving.

A recent study from the University of Utah found that each time a driver writes or reads a text message they take their eyes off the road for almost five seconds and increase their risk of a collision by up to 23 times. “Texting and emailing while driving has unfortunately become commonplace and is the cause of numerous accidents. These incidents alone prove the danger of texting and emailing while operating a motor vehicle” said Text’nDrive™ CEO, Daniel Robichaud. “We are thrilled to present Text’nDrive™ as the innovative solution which we hope will entice more responsible driving habits and ultimately make the roads safer for everyone.”

Users may download two versions of the Text’nDrive™ app (a free version and the $19.95 pro version) from the Apple iTunes App Store, BlackBerry App World or from the Text’nDrive™ website at http://www.textndrive.com/install. For more information on Text’nDrive’s features and benefits, please visit www.TextnDrive.com.

About Text’nDrive
Text’nDrive™ is the leading innovator in software solutions that prevent distracted driving and reduce the risk of accidents. Text’nDrive™ is the safest way to use your phone while driving and is uniquely designed for today’s highly mobile, text-happy, and hyper-connected society. Text’nDrive™ offers safe driving solutions for consumers, corporations, and government organizations.

The BlackBerry and Research In Motion (RIM) families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

El Segundo, Calif., July 7, 2010—Short supplies of small-sized Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) displays, used most notably in Android smart phones, are slowing the display technology’s bid to challenge the dominance of the incumbent AMLCD technology in the smart phone market, according to iSuppli Corp.

Shipments of small-sized AMOLEDs used in cell phones and other applications are projected to reach 184.5 million units by 2014, up from 20.4 million units in 2009, for a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 55.1 percent during the period, according to a revised forecast from iSuppli. While such growth is impressive, the AMOLED shipments pale next to small-sized AMLCDs, which are forecasted to rise to 1.75 billion units by 2014 from 1.3 billion in 2009.

The attached figure presents iSuppli’s forecasts for both small-sized AMLCDs and AMOLEDs from 2009 to 2014. iSuppli defines small-sized displays as those having a diagonal dimension of 9-inches and smaller.

“Starting with the Nexus One introduced in January, Android-based smart phones have aggressively adopted high-quality AMOLED displays as a competitive differentiator against the advanced-technology AMLCD screen used in the iPhone,” said Vinita Jakhanwal, principal analyst for small and medium displays at iSuppli. “However, rising demand—combined with a limited supply base—has led to the constrained availability of AMOLEDs.”

AMOLEDs offer a number of advantages compared to AMLCDs.

First, AMOLEDs use no backlights, so they offer potential power-savings benefits compared to AMLCDs—a particular advantage in battery-powered smart phones. Second, the elimination of backlights also makes AMOLEDs very thin relative to AMLCDs. Finally AMLCDs also offer superior performance, with better fast motion display and a richer color gamut compared to AMOLEDs.


Sole-supplier issues

At present, Samsung Mobile Displays (SMD) and LG Displays represent the only sources for AMOLED panels.

SMD is investing $2.2 billion in its AMOLED facility by 2012 to ramp up production, while shipments now are limited at LG as the company has yet to increase production. In addition to the South Korean players, Taiwan-based AU Optronics Corp. and TPO Display Corp. are planning to introduce AMOLED products at the end of 2010 or early 2011, but both companies are not shipping any significant quantities at this time.

Given the small pool of available AMOLED suppliers, manufacturers of volume applications such as mobile handsets understandably are concerned about the potential for disruptions in production if a part or component becomes delayed or ceases entirely. This is especially true with a company like Samsung, which has special relationships with its own internal brand, giving it preferential treatment over outside customers.

If the demand for AMOLEDs is so strong, why aren’t other manufacturers building production facilities and starting production more rapidly?

First, AMOLED is a newer technology compared to the well-established AMLCD, whose fabs are mature and mostly depreciated in full. This currently gives AMLCD fixed-cost advantages compared to AMOLED fabs that have been around only for the last few years. Second, newer technology means that establishing manufacturing processes could be prone to yield losses, leading to slower production ramp-ups. Third, with AMLCD improving its performance and simultaneously exerting pressure on display prices, competing with the moving performance

as well as price target of LCDs not only is challenging for a new technology like AMOLED but also delays return on large investments.



Korean initiatives in play

With Samsung and LG spearheading the development of AMOLED, what the two companies do will determine whether the technology moves beyond its current niche status into a position in which the technology becomes a viable competitor for mobile handset displays.

To increase supply, Samsung is heavily investing in AMOLED and plans to have an additional Gen 5.5 fab up and running at the end of 2011. For its part, LG is starting a new Gen 4.5 fab that will manufacture both LTPS and AMOLED panels.

Overall, handset makers are pushing to make displays available in mass-volume production from AMOLED suppliers. In a market that is becoming highly competitive with a perceptible emphasis on distinctive features and improved performance, AMOLED may offer manufacturers crucial and much needed choices with which they can achieve product differentiation.

Learn more about the mobile display panel market with Jakhanwal’s new report, entitled: Seasonal Slowdown Impacts Mobile Display Shipments in Q4 2009.

Ottawa, Ontario, June 23, 2010 – Chipworks (www.chipworks.com), the world’s leader in reverse engineering and patent infringement analysis for semiconductors and microelectronic systems, has done a silicon level teardown on the Apple iPhone 4. For complete details and links to in-depth reports, visit http://www.chipworks.com/iPhone-4-teardown.aspx.
Key design win findings:
- The Apple A4 remains unchanged from the iPad
- TI has won the touch screen controller
- OmniVision is the suspected main image sensor – more analysis to follow
- STMicroelectronics scored two big inertial sensor wins for the accelerometer and gyroscope
- AKM has updated the magnetic sensor with a new device that promises better performance
- Broadcom continues to have success with Apple with its low power 802.11n with Bluetooth® solution

This teardown goes beyond just the package markings of the chips found inside and includes a consumer-level description of what makes the chips inside the Apple iPhone 4 so amazing. It also includes die photos and die markings where necessary to show the manufacturer of unmarked chips.
For semiconductor companies looking for more in-depth analysis, a full suite of reverse engineering reports is available on many of the key chips.
Chipworks has more information including package and die markings at: http://www.chipworks.com/iPhone-4-teardown.aspx

MGN is just passing this on, we have not verified the claims.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 22, 2010 – For the first time since its inception, Android based smartphones outsold iPhones in the first part of 2010. Consumers who purchase these smartphones are downloading millions of Android-based applications, and, according to a new SMobile Systems analysis of the Android market, putting their personal and professional data at risk.

SMobile System’s Global Threat Center (http://threatcenter.smobilesystems.com/) has performed an in-depth analysis of over 48,000 applications currently available on the Android market and discovered the following threats:

20 percent of applications in the Android market grant a third party application access to private or sensitive information that an attacker could use for malicious purposes, such as Identity Theft, mobile banking fraud and corporate espionage; 5 percent of applications have the ability to place a call to any number, without requiring user intervention;
Dozens of applications have the identical type of access to sensitive information as known spyware
2 percent of market submissions can allow an application to send unknown premium SMS messages without user intervention.

“The Android operating system and the Android Market are quickly becoming the most widely used mobile platform and app store in the world. There are individuals and organizations out there right now, developing malicious code designed to capture your most personal information and use it to their advantage,” said Neil Book, Chief Executive Officer of SMobile Systems.

To help protect Android and other smartphones, SMobile has incorporated a new patent-pending spyware detection technology into its Security Shield solution. This revolutionary capability analyzes an entire device in seconds and immediately identifies and mitigates known and unknown spyware threats, all with virtually no impact to the user experience or device performance. Built from SMobile’s extensive history of protecting BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Palm devices and originally released for Android at the launch of the first Android-phone, Security Shield was the first commercially available mobile security solution specifically developed to protect devices utilizing the Google Android operating system. To view the complete SMobile Android Market whitepaper, please visit http://threatcenter.smobilesystems.com/.

“The open-source architecture that drives Android phones and the abundance of application stores available for all smartphone devices have allowed developers to quickly create and post thousands upon thousands of new applications. As a result, applications are currently available that have the potential to cause serious harm to devices, customers and to the broader cellular network,” said Daniel V. Hoffman, Chief Technology Officer for SMobile Systems. “SMobile’s eight year history of providing industry-leading mobile device security and management solutions, coupled with the robust features included with SMobile Security Shield provide the highest level of security in the market to Android and other smartphone devices, protecting against Malware threats, Identity Theft, and lost and stolen devices

SMobile’s Security Shield for Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian provides complete mobile device protection for consumers and enables Enterprise and SMB customers to manage, protect, audit and report on their entire heterogeneous mobile device population via the SMobile Management Console.

Sprint and Sierra Wireless today announced the availability of Sprint 3G/4G=
USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wireless, bringing customers l=
ightning fast speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G in any of the 33 Sprint =
4G markets and dependable 3G speeds virtually everywhere else. It features=
a compact size, round design and 180-degree rotating hinge, which can acco=
mmodate both horizontal and vertical USB ports and provide an ideal fit for=
virtually any laptop.

Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U is available now through Business Direct and Business=
Solutions Partners followed by full channel availability by mid-July. Cus=
tomers can purchase Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U from Sprint for free (excluding t=
axes) after a $50 mail-in-rebate, a $49.99 instant savings and with a two-y=
ear service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade. Sprint'=
s 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Connection plan is priced at $59.99 per month for =
unlimited use on the Sprint 4G Network and 5 GB of data on the Sprint 3G Ne=
twork (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).

Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U supports Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP a=
nd Mac OS®. It is Sprint's first USB modem with dual external antenna po=
rts, and it is equipped with separate LED displays that make it easy for a =
user to know whether they are connected to Sprint's 3G or 4G network.

The release and fact sheet are attached. If you have any question, please =
let me know.

Thanks,

Mark J. Elliott
Communications Manager -- Wireless Devices
Sprint
E-mail: mark.j.elliott@sprint.com
Office: (603) 621-4511
Mobile: (248) 981-3825

Attractive Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem 250U
from Sierra Wireless Makes it Easy to
Get Lightning Fast Wireless Access On the Go

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and VANCOUVER, British Columbia - June 22, 2010 - Spri=
nt (NYSE: S) and Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR; TSX: SW) today announced th=
e availability of Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra =
Wireless, bringing customers lightning fast speeds up to 10 times faster th=
an 3G1 in any of the 33 Sprint 4G markets and dependable 3G speeds virtuall=
y everywhere else. Whether customers are streaming Hulu live, surfing the I=
nternet or downloading huge files, they will appreciate its compact size, r=
ound design, and 180-degree rotating hinge, which can accommodate both hori=
zontal and vertical USB ports and provide an ideal fit for virtually any la=
ptop.

Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U is available now through Business Direct and Business=
Solutions Partners followed by full channel availability by mid-July. Cust=
omers can purchase Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U from Sprint for free (excluding ta=
xes) after a $50 mail-in-rebate, a $49.99 instant savings and with a two-ye=
ar service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade. Sprint's=
3G/4G Mobile Broadband Connection plan is priced at $59.99 per month for u=
nlimited use on the Sprint 4G Network and 5 GB of data on the Sprint 3G Net=
work (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).2

"Sprint continues to lead the 4G revolution and is proud to expand its grow=
ing portfolio of devices with the addition of 3G/4G USB 250U from Sierra Wi=
reless," said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development for Sprint. "C=
onsumers, businesses and industries such as construction, government, healt=
hcare and transportation will be able to extend their Internet experience b=
eyond the home and office and benefit from the constant connectivity and re=
al-time access at lightning fast speeds."

Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U supports Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP a=
nd Mac OS®. Customers will appreciate its integrated GPS capability, whi=
ch provides location, navigation and mapping solutions when connected to th=
e Sprint 3G network. It is Sprint's first USB modem with dual external ante=
nna ports, and it is equipped with separate LED displays that make it easy =
for a user to know whether they are connected to Sprint's 3G or 4G network.=
This unique, dual-mode device delivers faster speeds that can help busine=
sses move ahead with their business goals - such as improved customer satis=
faction, increased productivity and increased revenue.

"Following on the success of Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, we are ext=
remely pleased to offer Sprint customers a unique new 3G/4G device, combini=
ng the speed of 4G with the reliable coverage of Sprint's 3G network," said=
Mike O'Brien, vice president-Operator and Distributor Sales for Sierra Wir=
eless. "The Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wirele=
ss is made for road warriors, providing flexibility, high quality and top-n=
otch performance."

Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G=
technology. Sprint 4G is currently available in 33 markets, covers 50 mill=
ion people and is expected to cover up to 120 million people by the end of =
2010. Sprint 4G is available today in Georgia - Atlanta, Milledgeville; Haw=
aii - Honolulu, Maui; Idaho - Boise; Illinois - Chicago; Maryland - Baltimo=
re; Missouri - Kansas City; Nevada - Las Vegas; North Carolina - Charlotte,=
Greensboro (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with =
Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon - Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania - Har=
risburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, York; Texas - Abilene, Amarillo,=
Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubboc=
k, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; and Washington - Belli=
ngham, Seattle. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G<http://www.sp=
rint.com/4G>.