Steam comes to iOS and Android devices

Steam is one of the most popular gaming platforms on the PC. It’s become an extremely popular game distribution platform that’s used by Valve and a whole bunch of other game publishers and developers. Earlier in March, we talked about Steam possibly coming to iOS and Android devices in the near future, and that may now turn true. Valve has officially launched an iOS and Android app for phones and tablets. Of course, it’s not like you’re going to be able to play all your Steam games on it, but there’s a host of stuff you can do. 

A whole bunch of posibilities

The app allows users to chat with all the people in their Friends list and it even tells you which ones of your friends are gaming online right now. So, you no longer have to be on your PC looking at the Steam window. There’s also the option to browse the latest offers and buy games on the go. Valve has made sure that the look and styling of the interface is similar to that of the Windows application. To download the app for your device, head over to the app store on your iOS device or the Android Market. The app is still in a beta stage, but it’s already gathered a ton of downloads and plenty of fans.

Could even be leader of gaming apps on the Android

This is Valve’s first step onto the mobile space, but there’s a lot of scope for this app. The app could act like Steam’s own app store for games. Maybe Android games and titles could start being sold in this space. Maybe we can look forward to discounted games on weekends and the holiday season even on the Steam Mobile platform. The Google Market isn’t very organized and there are tons of half-assed games that end up on it. With Steam keeping quality control, this could boost Android’s position as a serious mobile gaming platform, by a lot.

Intel buys RealNetworks' patents for $120 million

RealNetworks announced that it has signed an agreement to sell a significant number of its patents and its next generation video codec software to Intel for a price of $120 million. However, RealNetworks will retain certain rights, which will allow it to continue to use the patents in their future products. According to Intel, the sale of the video codec software will help them deliver better video experiences on devices that use its chips. We know Intel is entering the smartphone segment this year and by doing so, they can officially provide additional format support in their phones without having to pay royalties. They could also block potential rival smartphone makers from using these codecs, which could give them an upper hand in the market.

Out shopping

In addition to the sale of the patents and next-generation video codec software, RealNetworks and Intel signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on future support and development of the next-generation video codec software and related products. Here’s what Thomas Nielsen, President and CEO of RealNetworks had to say, “Selling these patents to Intel unlocks some of the substantial and unrealized value of RealNetworks assets. It represents an extraordinary opportunity for us to generate additional capital to boost investments in new businesses and markets while still protecting our existing business.” RealNetworks businesses include a wide variety of SaaS products and services provided to global carriers, RealPlayer, the Helix streaming media platform, GameHouse online and social games, SuperPass and other media products and services sold both directly to consumers and through partners.

The RealMedia codec hasn’t exactly been the most popular one amongst users. Although it’s been around for a really long time, it hasn’t garnered very good interest the way AVI and MKV did. But given the fact that Intel has actually bought all the patents definitely means that there is something amongst the 190 patents and 170 patent applications that the chip giant is after. We guess we’ll know that in due time.

Tabplus Rio 7-inch Android tablet launched in India

Updated Backed by a one-year warranty from Digital Waves, the Tabplus Rio is now available at a lower price of Rs. 9,990. It is also available for purchase online through eBay.

Here’s yet another entrant into the low-end tablet market – Tabplus Rio. This desi tablet from Bangalore- based, Digital Waves runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform. Touted to meet consumer needs in the newly competitive market, the tablet has been priced at Rs.11,990. Following the ‘Get Tabbing’ philosophy, the key highlight of the Tabplus Rio is the 4-side, G-sensor 3G option. Recently, Mercury’s next iteration of tablet, the mTab 2, was introduced at a similar price.

Yet another sub-12k Android tablet in India

The Tabplus Rio is fueled with a 1GHz Cortex A9 processor, the device embeds a 7-inch screen, sporting rich HD quality with 800 x 480 pixels LCD and liquid flow 5 point capacitive touch. Tipping the scale at 350 grams and measuring 203 x 120 x 13 mm in dimensions, the processor promises high-speed multitasking. With a scoop of the Android 2.3, the built-in memory is 512MB DDR2 that can be extended up to 32GB using the microSD. The set of features claim to offer web browsing with flash support, swifter multi-tasking, 3G via USB dongle (on select models, sold separately), wireless internet connectivity, Video Chat on Skype and HD video play back. It has a 3.5mm jack, along with built-in mic and speaker, and also USB and HDMI ports.

A quick look through some of the specifications of the Tabplus Rio:

• 1GHz Cortex A9 processor
• 7-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touch screen
• 512 MB internal memory, expandable up to 32GB via microSD card
• Connectivity Wi-Fi, 3G USB dongle (select models)
• Android 2.3 operating system
• Audio files MP2, MP3, WAV, AAC, WMA
• Video files MPEG 1/2/4, H.264, H.263, VC1 (WMV9), RMVB, RM, 3GP, AVI, MKV, MOV
• 4-dimensional G-sensor
• USB and HDMI ports
• Weight 350 grams
• Dimensions 203mm x 120mm x 13mm

The Tabplus also comes equipped with gaming abilities such as 4-side, G-sensor and gives access to more than 300,000 applications. Digital Waves provides a one year warranty with the Tabplus Rio tablet, which will be shipping across India, free of charge.

Nokia profits dive as new phones slow to take off

Nokia Oyj reported a 73 percent fall in fourth-quarter earnings as sales of its new Windows Phones failed to dent the dominance of Apple Inc's iPhone or compensate for diving sales of its own old smartphones. The world's largest cellphone maker by volume unveiled a year ago a major strategy shift to Microsoft Corp software for its smartphones in an attempt to challenge Apple and Google Inc's Android. But Apple's phones in particular have proved far more popular.

Apple reported earlier this week sales of 37 million iPhones for the December quarter. Nokia has sold over 1 million Windows 'Lumia' Phones, since its launch in mid-November.

Not looking too good

"It is more than some were expecting, but it's not going to worry Apple or Google," said analyst Nick Dillon from research firm Ovum.
Nokia said it expected its phone business' underlying earnings to be around breakeven in the first quarter, well below analysts forecasts, with sales falling more than usual in the seasonally weaker quarter. "The report highlights that the start of the Windows strategy is slow, and we have very little concrete data to predict its success at this point," said analyst Michael Schroder from FIM Securities. "There are a lot of uncertainties. These are critical times for the future of the whole company. The next months will be extremely important".

Ben Wood, head of research at mobile consultancy CCS Insight, compared Nokia to a late starter in a marathon, saying it needed to move fast: "The reality is that it's going to have to be an exceptionally fast marathon if it wants narrow the gap with its rivals". To close the gap, Nokia will need to move quickly to push out the phone into more markets and with secure more partners. Windows Phones have only been released in 15 markets so far, meaning Nokia has yet to take full advantage of its worldwide sales force -- a presence that could help boost sales fast.

In the United States, it has partnered with No. 4 U.S. carrier T-Mobile to enter the U.S. smartphone market, and has yet to break into two of the other largest smartphone markets in the world -- China and Japan. A ramp up in those countries could help Nokia close the gap with rivals.

Analysts said Nokia also needed to focus on marketing and sales channel to drive Lumia sales volumes. "They need to market the hell out of it," said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi. "Android is still an easy sale. Nokia needs to convince the sales people in stores to sell Nokia."

Nokia's fourth-quarter core earnings per share of 0.06 euro were better than the market's expectation for 0.04 euro. The results were boosted by a $250 million payment from Microsoft as part of the Windows Phone sales deal. Shares in the Nokia were up 1 percent to 4.10 euros at 1526 GMT, regaining some ground lost over the past week following poor results from its suppliers. Nokia proposed a 0.20 euro-per-share dividend for 2011, slightly more than expected.

The board put forward Risto Siilasmaa as its next chairman replacing long-time leader, Jorma Ollila, who steps down in May. Nokia's quarterly net loss totalled 1.1 billion euros, or 0.29 euros per share, due to a 1.1 billion writedown for its digital mapping assets. Microsoft has tried to enter the mobile industry for more than ten years, but with little success. Its market share is 1-2 percent. Canalys analyst Pete Cunningham said Microsoft's deal with Nokia was make or break for its ambitions in this sector.

"Nokia gives Microsoft a chance to enter the big stage. If they cannot make it work, arguably this is the end of the road," he said.

Early build ICS ROM for Motorola RAZR leaks

Users of Android smartphones, out there can’t wait to get Google’s latest operating software, Ice Cream Sandwich on their Android handsets. Developers are working hard on this and have been creating their own custom ROMs for devices. However, as with alpha ROMs, one can expect a few hurdles along the way such as the the non-working of various functions. But for Motorola RAZR owners, here is some good news; a leaked build of Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3 has made its way online for the GSM version of the handset, a report by Droid-Life states.

Early version of the ICS ROM leaks

The website states that this is a very early build of the ROM and though there have not been many changes from the stock version of Ice Cream Sandwich, a major adjustment has been made to the lockscreen with the website terming it as a 4-option approach. The website states that the browser option is similar to the stock version found on the original build of Ice Cream Sandwich. The major change appears to be on the lockscreen itself with there being an option to put the smartphone on silent or vibration mode. A report by GSMArena, states that the camera app in this early build is the same as the current camera app, which is available on the Gingerbread ROM found on the Motorola RAZR.

Both websites go on to state that although this is an early build of Ice Cream Sandwich for the RAZR, one may expect to see a major change once the final version is released. Those brave enough can click here to download this early version of the ICS ROM for the Motorola RAZR XT910.

For those looking to purchase this handset, here is a quick look at the specifications of the Motorola RAZR:

• Android 2.3.5, Gingerbread
• 1.2GHz Dual Core Processor
• 1GB RAM
• Dimensions are 130.70mm x 68.90mm x 7.1mm
• 127g
• 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced display with a resolution of 540 x 960
• 8 Megapixel rear camera
• 1.3 Megapixel front facing camera for video calling
• 1080p HD video recording and image stabilization technology
• Bluetooth 2.0, HDMI, USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n
• 3.5mm audio jack
• 16GB internal memory, 16 GB microSD card preinstalled
• 1780 mAh battery