Apple dethrones Nokia, becomes No.1 Smartphone Maker

Even as Apple gets crowned as the new global no.1 Smartphone maker it leaves many wondering as to how the once-mighty Nokia capitulated so meekly, and also so early!

Didn’t Nokia see the Apple hurricane coming its way? Was the Finnish mobile phone giant too occupied with its internal troubles that it got blindsided by the coming external shock (read: Apple iPhone)? Or, did it simply overlook the writings on the wall?

Indeed, Nokia’s shockingly spectacular slide has left many questions than answers in the minds of millions or perhaps billions of mobile phone users and analysts alike across the globe.

According to the latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC), Apple shipped 20.3 million handsets compared to 16.7 million handsets sold by Nokia, during the second quarter ending June 30, 2011. In fact, not only Apple dislodged Nokia from the no.1 ranking, but even the South Korean electronics major Samsung too made the merry by shipping more handsets than Nokia during the said quarter, thereby further rubbing salt on the Finnish major’s wound. Samsung, riding high on the huge success of its flagship Galaxy S Smartphones, shipped 17.3 million handsets, during the June quarter. “The smartphone market crowned a new leader in 2Q11, and its name is Apple,” said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends team. He added, “Ever since the first iPhone launched in 2007, Apple has made market-setting strides in hardware, software, and channel development to grab mindshare and market share.” He further quipped, “Demand has been so strong that even models that have been out for one or two years are still being sought out. With an expected refresh later this year, volumes are set to reach higher levels.”

It was inevitable though. Ever since Apple hit the market with the revolutionary iPhone, which can easily be termed as the most innovative Smartphone the world has seen, it has just raised the bar so high that rivals have struggled to scale it till date. Surprisingly, on its part, instead of cranking up its own innovation machine, Nokia chose to rest on its past laurels and relied on its hunch of challenging rivals in the low-cost yet fast growing emerging markets such as India and China.

Awfully, and perhaps expectedly too, Nokia’s strategy seems to have doomed, at least for now. In the last few of years since iPhone debuted in 2007 while the Finnish phone maker continued to wrestle with its own internal troubles, in the Smartphone segment, top foes Apple and Samsung were attacking its turf in the US and Europe, it has been ceding ground to nimble-footed rivals like Micromax and Gfive in low-end handset segment in its traditionally strongholds like India and China.

While the iconic iPhone has driven fans crazy, the credit for soaring sales also goes to meticulous distribution strategy by Apple as it allowed the maverick Steve Jobs-led firm to lock in subscribers for long term. According to IDC, “Apple’s success can be directly attributed to its distribution (more than 200 carriers in more than 200 countries), increased manufacturing capacity, and solid demand within emerging and developed markets from both consumers and business users.”  

It’s not over, yet

However, the battle for the supremacy of the global handset market is far from being over. Given the strong demand for Smartphones worldwide, driven by rising disposable incomes and changing lifestyles fueled by new, much more powerful Smartphones, which double up as an entertainment and gaming device. Nokia still stands a chance to bounce back, provided it comes up with an equally compelling Smartphone model as iPhone or Samsung Galaxy or at least something near to that. “The Smartphone market leadership change signifies the parity that comes with a fast-growing market such as Smartphones,” said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker. He added, “There is no runaway leader in the market, which means there could easily be further Top 5 vendor changes to come.”

While no one is writing off Nokia for now, it’s surely celebration time at Apple and for iPhone fans.

Apple: The New Smartphone King

Top Five Worldwide Smartphone Vendors, Shipment Volumes, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, 2Q11 (shipments in millions) 

Vendor	2Q11 Shipments	2Q11 Market Share	2Q10 Shipments	2Q10 Market Share	2Q11/2Q10 Change
Apple	20.3	19.1%	8.4	13.0%	141.7%
Samsung	17.3	16.2%	3.6	5.6%	380.6%
Nokia	16.7	15.7%	24.0	37.3%	-30.4%
Research In Motion	12.4	11.6%	11.2	17.4%	10.7%
HTC	11.7	11.0%	4.4	6.8%	165.9%
Others	28.1	26.4%	12.8	19.9%	119.5%
Total	106.5	100.0%	64.4	100.0%	65.4%

Note: Vendor shipments are branded shipments and exclude OEM sales for all vendors

(Source: IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker, August 4, 2011)

Image Source: Apple, Inc

Amit

Chief Editor

www.addonviews.com; www.businessviewsreviews.blogspot.com

Google+ Games: Raising the Heat for Facebook

Google seems more determined than ever now to pose a potent challenge to supremacy of Facebook in the social network space. The move to add search engine giant adds games to Google+, its new social network, is a further affirmation.

If ever Google needed a tagline nothing could be as better as – Google Never Sleeps (or shall we say, Google Never Slips!). It definitely looks like that the search engine giant is greatly inspired by the famous byline of a large US bank as ever since it came into existence it has continued to mesmerize surfers with one innovative product after another at regular intervals. The doggedness with which it has pursued its foray into online social network space despite past failures including the latest disaster Buzz, yet the Mountain view, California-based company has continued to push through its social network initiative.

And by adding games to Google+, the search major is taking the game one more step closer to the social network leader Facebook with a massive userbase of over 750 million users; games are among the most popular features on the world’s top social network. “With the Google+ project, we want to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to the web. But sharing is about more than just conversations. The experiences we have together are just as important to our relationships. We want to make playing games online just as fun, and just as meaningful, as playing in real life,” the company says on its official blog. Some of the games available currently on Google+ include Diamond Dash, City of Wonder, Bubble Island and of course, the hugely popular Angry Birds. A member of Google+ has greater control over with whom to play and how to play. Another feature is that, the games will not appear if a user does not want them at any time. The Internet giant has begun rolling out the games in a gradual manner and they will be available to all the members soon.

By July 14^th, Google+ had already signed up 10 million users within less than a month of its launch in late June 10^th. And if estimates by Paul Allen of Ancestry.com are to be believed, Google+ had garnered an eye-popping number of eight million users in the very next week i.e., by July 20^th. Now according to an estimate by The Christian Post, if the average daily addition of 763,000 new users as noticed last month to be considered, it would take just 4-5 months for Google+ to reach the 100-million user mark.

While numbers surely matter, for Google and Google+ more than the numbers it is much more than the users’ affirmation that would come as a moral victory and push it further to launch that final assault to grab the social network crown. But for now, that seems a long way away.  

(Images source: Google; gamesreviews2010)

Amit
Chief Editor
www.addonviews.com; www.businessviewsreviews.blogspot.com

SBI’s Q1FY12 Consolidated PAT falls 25%

State Bank of India’s consolidated net profit registered a decline of over 25% y-o-y during Q1FY12, hit by higher provisions.

       

State Bank of India, the country’s largest commercial bank in terms of profits and assets, continues to be plagued by rising provisions as it posted a decline of 25.3% in its consolidated net profit to Rs. 2,512.47 crore during first quarter ended June 30, 2011, compared to Rs. 3,365.26 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. Higher provisioning had nearly wiped out the banking behemoth’s net profit in the preceding quarter ending March 31, 2011 when a sharp erosion of 99% led the bank post its lowest net profit in the last 12 years at Rs. 20.88 crore, from Rs 1,866 crore in Jan-March quarter of FY 2010.

The bank’s total provisions grew at a hefty 168% to Rs. 4,157 crore, during the April-June quarter of FY 2011-12. The provisions for NPAs (Non-Performing Assets) formed a large chunk of the overall provisions at Rs. 2,782 crore, jumping sharply from Rs. 1,733 crore in the same quarter last year. The sharp rise in provision was led by new provisioning norms issued by the RBI in April’11 which require banks to raise provisioning norms to 15% from 10% earlier on all sub-standard assets (an asset is classified as sub-standard where the repayment is due for more than 60 days), besides the apex bank also hiked the standard asset provisioning requirement on teaser loans by 5 times to 2%; SBI, which withdrew its teaser loan schemes on housing and auto loans some time back still had an exposure of nearly Rs. 25,000 crore at the April-end. The bank’s NPAs stood at 1.61% in the June quarter, against 1.63% in the preceding March quarter of the previous fiscal year, while its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 11.6%. 

The PSB behemoth’s consolidated total income grew by 19.25% to Rs. 39,126 crore from Rs. 32,808 crore, during the said period. Also, its consolidated Net Interest Income (NII) surged about 33% to Rs 9,699 crore.

The consolidated result of India’s largest lender also includes results of its five associate banks viz. State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT), besides other subsidiaries.

On a standalone basis, the bank posted a decline of 45.7% in its net profit to Rs. 1583.6 crore in the April-June 2011 quarter, against Rs. 2914.2 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Its total income, however, grew by 25.24% to Rs. 27,731.67 crore from Rs. 22,142 crore, during the period under review.

The bank’s shares, which closed at Rs. 2,197 on August 12, are hovering near their 52-week low of Rs. 2,120 touched on June 20 this year.

Amit
Chief Editor
www.addonviews.com, www.businessviewsreviews.blogspot.com

Now TATA Manza clocks 46.33 Kmpl to enter Limca Book of Records

Tata Motors seems to be having a good time, firstly for launching the world’s cheapest car — TATA Nano, and is already creating buzz as bookings cross 10,000 units in April 2011, as its sophisticated Sanand Plant at Gujarat, churns out A Nano Car per Minute, yes you heard it right or for its New Indica V2 that clocks 25 kmpl of diesel.

Now, Tata Manza, the latest sedan from India’s most trusted brand, has added another feather in its cap, after one of its car — TATA Manza, Quadrajet Aura ABS, diesel version, achieved a stupendous mileage of 46.33 Km per litre to make it into Limca Book of Records.

Narayanan R Menon, a proud owner of the Tata Manza, who is also the Managing Director of Aromen Engineering Company drove the car on the Coimbatore- Avinashi by-pass on 25th of May 2011, where the car zoomed on the 72.3 Km highway, while burning just 1.58 litres of diesel.

Now, truly a remarkable feat!

Keep coming back for such interesting news from the auto world.

Until then,

Venky, Signing Off!

Cholesterol Levels: Diet and Treatment!!!

What Is Cholesterol? We may associate cholesterol with fatty foods, but most of the waxy substance is made by our own bodies. The liver produces 75% of the cholesterol that circulates in our blood. The other 25% comes from food. At normal levels, cholesterol actually plays an important role in helping cells do their jobs. But cholesterol levels are precariously high in more than 100 million Americans. Symptoms of High Cholesterol High cholesterol does not cause any symptoms. But it does cause damage deep within the body. Over time, too much cholesterol may lead to a buildup of plaque inside the arteries. Known as atherosclerosis, this condition narrows the space available for blood flow and can trigger heart disease. The good news is high cholesterol is simple to detect, and there are many ways to bring it down. Cholesterol Testing People older than 20 should have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years. This is done with a simple blood test known as a fasting lipoprotein profile. It measures the different forms of cholesterol that are circulating in your blood after you avoid eating for 9 to 12 hours. The results show your levels of "bad" cholesterol, "good" cholesterol, and triglycerides." "Bad" Cholesterol Most of the cholesterol in the blood is carried by proteins called low density lipoproteins or LDL. This is known as the bad cholesterol because it combines with other substances to clog the arteries. A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats tends to raise the level of LDL cholesterol. For most people, an LDL score below 100 is healthy, but people with heart disease may need to aim even lower. "Good" Cholesterol Up to a third of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoproteins or HDL. This is called good cholesterol because it helps remove bad cholesterol, preventing it from building up inside the arteries. The higher the level of HDL cholesterol, the better. People with too little are more likely to develop heart disease. Eating healthy fats, such as olive oil, may help boost HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides The body converts excess calories, sugar, and alcohol into triglycerides, a type of fat that is carried in the blood and stored in fat cells throughout the body. People who are overweight, inactive, smokers, or heavy drinkers tend to have high triglycerides, as do those who eat a very high-carb diet. A triglycerides score of 150 or higher puts you at risk for metabolic syndrome, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes. Total Cholesterol Total cholesterol measures the combination of LDL, HDL, and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) in your bloodstream. VLDL is a precursor of LDL, the bad cholesterol. A total cholesterol score of under 200 is considered healthy in most cases. People who score in the "high" range have an increased risk of developing heart disease compared to those who score below 200. Cholesterol Ratio To calculate your cholesterol ratio, divide your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. For example, a total score of 200 divided by an HDL score of 50 equals a cholesterol ratio of 4 to 1. Doctors recommend maintaining a ratio of 4 to 1 or lower. The smaller the ratio, the better. While this figure is useful in estimating heart disease risk, it's not as important in guiding treatment. Doctors look at total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol to determine treatment. Cholesterol in Food Cholesterol-rich foods, like eggs, shrimp, and lobster are no longer completely forbidden. Research shows that the cholesterol we eat has only a small effect on blood cholesterol levels for most people. A few people are "responders," whose blood levels spike up after eating eggs. But for most, saturated fat and trans fats are bigger concerns. Daily cholesterol limits are 300 mg for healthy people and 200 mg for those at higher risk. One egg has 186 mg of cholesterol. Cholesterol and Family History Cholesterol comes from two sources -- the body and food -- and either one can contribute to high cholesterol. Some people inherit genes that trigger too much cholesterol production. For others, diet is the main culprit. Saturated fat and cholesterol occur in animal-based foods, including meat, eggs, and dairy products made with milk. In many cases, high cholesterol stems from a combination of diet and genetics. What Boosts Your Risk? Several factors can make you more likely to develop high cholesterol: A diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol A family history of high cholesterol Being overweight or obese Getting older Cholesterol and Gender Until menopause, women typically have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. They also have higher levels of HDL cholesterol, the good kind. One reason is estrogen: The female sex hormone raises the level of HDL cholesterol. Estrogen production peaks during the childbearing years and drops off during menopause. After age 55, a woman's risk of developing high cholesterol begins to climb. Cholesterol and Children There's evidence that cholesterol can begin clogging the arteries during childhood, leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease later in life. The American Heart Association recommends kids and teenagers with high cholesterol take steps to bring it down. Ideally, total cholesterol should be below 170 in people ages 2 to 19. Why High Cholesterol Matters High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. It also appears to boost the risk of Alzheimer's disease. As we saw earlier, high cholesterol leads to a buildup of plaque that narrows the arteries. This is dangerous because it can restrict blood flow. If the blood supply to a part of the heart or brain is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol Buster: Eat More Fiber Diet changes offer a powerful way to fight high cholesterol. If you've ever wondered why some cereals claim to be heart-healthy, it's the fiber. The soluble fiber found in many foods helps reduce LDL, the bad cholesterol. Good sources of soluble fiber include whole-grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, and legumes such as kidney beans. Cholesterol Buster: Know Your Fats No more than 35% of your daily calories should come from fat. But not all fats are equal. Saturated fats -- from animal products and tropical oils -- raise LDL cholesterol. Trans fats carry a double-whammy, boosting bad cholesterol, while lowering the good kind. These two bad fats are found in many baked goods, fried foods (doughnuts, french fries, chips), stick margarine, and cookies. Unsaturated fats may lower LDL when combined with other healthy diet changes. They're found in avocados, olive oil, and peanut oil. Cholesterol Buster: Smart Protein Meat and full-fat milk offer plenty of protein, but they are also major sources of cholesterol. You may be able to reduce LDL cholesterol by switching to soy protein, such as tofu, at some meals. Fish is another great choice. It's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week. Cholesterol Buster: Low-Carb Diet There's growing evidence that low-carb diets may be better than low-fat diets for improving cholesterol levels. In a two-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health, people who followed a low-carb plan had significantly better HDL (good cholesterol) levels than those who followed a low-fat plan. Cholesterol Buster: Lose Weight If you're overweight, talk to your doctor about beginning a weight loss program. Losing weight can help you reduce your levels of triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol. Shedding even a few pounds can also boost your good cholesterol level -- it tends to go up 1 point for every 6 pounds you lose. Cholesterol Buster: Quit Smoking Giving up tobacco is tough, but here's one more reason to try. When you stop smoking, your good cholesterol is likely to improve by as much as 10%. You may be more successful if you combine several smoking cessation strategies. Talk to your doctor about which options are best for you. Cholesterol Buster: Exercise If you're healthy but not very active, starting an aerobic exercise program could increase your good cholesterol by 5% in the first two months. Regular exercise also lowers bad cholesterol. Choose an activity that boosts your heart rate, such as running, swimming, or walking briskly, and aim for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. It doesn't have to be 30 continuous minutes; two 15-minute walks works just as well. Treatment: Medications If high cholesterol runs in your family, diet and exercise may not be enough to get your numbers where you want them. In that case, medication can give your cholesterol levels an extra nudge. Statins are usually the first choice. They block the production of cholesterol in the liver. Other options include cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile acid resins, and fibrates. Your doctor may recommend a combination of these medications. Treatment: Supplements Certain dietary supplements may also improve cholesterol levels. These include flaxseed oil, fish oil, and plant sterols, such as beta-sitosterol. Prescription niacin, a b-complex vitamin, has been found to raise good cholesterol while reducing bad cholesterol. Niacin found in ordinary supplements should not be used to lower cholesterol. Herbal Remedies Some studies suggest garlic can knock a few percentage points off total cholesterol. But garlic pills can have side effects and may interact with medications. Other herbs that may reduce cholesterol include: Fenugreek seeds Artichoke leaf extract Yarrow Holy basil How Low Should You Go? Many people are able to lower cholesterol levels through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. But how low is low enough? For people with diabetes or a high risk of developing heart disease, an LDL score of less than 100 is desirable. If you already have heart disease or coronary artery disease, some doctors recommend reducing LDL to 70 or lower. Can the Damage Be Undone? It takes years for high cholesterol to clog the arteries with plaque. But there is evidence that atherosclerosis can be reversed, at least to some degree. Dean Ornish, MD, has published several studies showing that a low-fat vegetarian diet, stress management, and moderate exercise can chip away at the build-up inside the coronary arteries. Other research supports the idea that big drops in cholesterol can somewhat help open clogged arteries.

Good (HDL) Cholesterol: What's Your Target?

Good (HDL) cholesterol can help protect your heart from a heart attack. Is your HDL cholesterol where it should be.

watch goals and guidelines you should be targeting for your good cholesterol.


http://www.nidokid

New Fluidic Verna: The hot 'chic' in India

As the new fluidic Verna mesmerizes the views with its teaser ad during the ongoing DLF IPL 4 this season, the company stated that the bookings for this new beauty has already clocked 5,000 Pan India. The company is working round the clock to meet the whopping demand  of the customers in India.

Check out the various features of the car, the first in its segment, is sure to turn on the heat on its competitors like Ford Motors, Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors.

Photos:

Features:

    * Front map lamps with Sun glass holder

    * 4 Speakers

    * Illuminated P/Window switches with Drv side Auto Down

    * Electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors

    * Keyless entry - integrated on folding key

    * Air conditioner

    * Driver information display

    * Electric power steering with tilt function

    * Front seats back pockets

    * Driver & Passenger vanity mirror

    * MT shift indicator

    * Alternator management system

Exteriors:

    * Full Wheel Cover

    * Body colored outside mirrors with LED turn lndicators

    * Chrome front grille

    * Door black out tapes

    * Chrome tipped dual mutfler

Luxury Interiors:

    * Rear Center Armrest w/ Cup Holder

    * Full Cloth Upholstery

    * Blue interior illumination

    * 2 DIN MP3 player with AUX-in & USB

    * Audio hand remote

Safety Features:

    * Central locking system

    * Front Fog Lamps

    * Clutch lock system

    * Immobiliser

Check out the various variants available in India

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.4 VTVT

CC: 1396cc Petrol

Transmission: Manual            

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 7,04,943

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 VTVT

CC: 1591cc Petrol

Transmission: Manual

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 7,70,992

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.4 CRDI

CC: 1396cc Diesel

Transmission: Manual

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 8,15,891

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 VTVT SX

CC: 1591cc Petrol

Transmission: Manual

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 8,31,502

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 CRDI

CC: 1582cc Diesel

Transmission: Manual

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 8,81,942

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 VTVT SX Opt

CC: 1591cc Petrol

Transmission: Manual

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 9,02,096

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 CRDI SX

CC: 1582cc Diesel

Transmission: Manual

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 9,42,451

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 VTVT SX Opt AT

CC: 1591cc Petrol

Transmission: Automatic

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 9,72,691

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 CRDI SX Opt

CC: 1582cc Diesel

Transmission: Manual

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 10,13,411

Hyundai Verna Fluidic 1.6 CRDI SX Opt AT

CC: 1582cc Diesel

Transmission: Automatic

Ex-Showroom Price: Rs. 10,84,025

Watch out this space as we bring you the latest from the auto world.

Venky, Signing Off!