GES LatAm- Panama City, February 21-23, 2012

Gaming Executive Summit Latin America is around the corner and this event is happening in Panama City, Panama, the home of the hottest nightlife in Central America. The cocktail reception sponsored by Codere kicks off on Wednesday, February 22nd at 5:30pm and that will be just the beginning, folks.

Have a look at my nightlife recommendations from last year’s conference for a sneak preview of what you’re in for…or you could tear up the city like Calvin Ayre does, its up to you.

iGA Congress- Macau, March 6-8, 2012

We all know that Asia is where its at these days and everyone in the online gambling world wants a piece of the Asian action. The next conference in the East is the iGaming Asia Congress and the Official Party is happening in Macau on Thursday eve March 8th at the brand new Hard Rock Café. Based on previous years’ experience at this annual event, the Hard Rock will be stop number one and stops number two, three, four and five will be…naughty.

Hyperion’s Online Gaming Links Drinks- London, April, 2012

Our friends at Hyperion have announced that the first Online Gaming Links Drinks of 2012 will be in April, exact date to be determined. As we’ve seen in the past, these socials serve as a great opportunity to meet some new people and get $hitfaced with old iGaming pals. Hyperion has already secured several sponsors and is happy to take on some more so we can drink for free, baby.

Join CalvinAyre.com at these events in person or check back with us throughout the coming weeks for an overview of all the adventures- either way your gonna get all the dirt.

Samsung

Talking of Google, they all but confirmed the main reason for the impending multi-million dollar acquisition of Motorola Mobility. A letter sent to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) stated they’re looking for a maximum 2.25% cut of sales on any device including Motorola technology. Chief among the devices utilizing Motorola know-how is Apple’s iPhone and according to the letter they’ll start collecting the money as soon as the acquisition has gone through (likely to be next week).

Apple is expected to unveil its new iPad in the first week of March. Sources told All Things Digital that the event will take place at the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco and it all makes perfect sense. They announced the iPad 2 this time last year and they like a year waiting time so they can do whatever it is they do in the 365 days preceding.

The market research and consulting company’s study, named Trends in Digital Gaming: Free-to-Play, Social, and Mobile Games, claims that 135 million people play at least one hour of gaming per month compared to the 56 million reported in 2008. That’s quite an impressive surge.

What’s more, the study investigates  how mobile and online gaming are transforming the video game industry overall – asserting that the number of gamers who have downloaded a game title on to their smartphone devices is also up, by 7% since 2008, to 17%. Undoubtedly there’s a distinct correlation here between these findings and that of online gambling – and the rise of people iGaming from their beloved phones, tabs and netbooks.

The analysis also suggests the change in the way we game, has changed the industry – focused less on packaged goods sold at retail and more on one that provides services to consumers.

Parks Associates research analyst and study author, Pietro Macchiarella, said in a report by GamesBeat: “Instead of ending support of customers after they buy individual game titles, game companies now focus on building gamer communities and developing ongoing relationships with their customers. The positive effect of this approach is that game monetization can be extended beyond the point of sale. Unlike traditional offline games, the online world allows the industry to earn revenue even when people play the same game repeatedly.”

The study concludes that due to the effortlessness of transactions of games on smartphones and tablets these days, mobile gaming will only expand further in years to come. And, we think, the same goes for mobile online gambling, too.

Check out the party review and pictures here.

Looking at the results in more detail, the study demonstrated that Android owners were more likely to be complete sluts have sex on the first date compared to owners of the fruit variety. A one-night stand was also more probable among owners of Android phones, the survey found. Oh-la-la!

Perhaps paying that premium for iOS devices can make you frigid? Or maybe it’s just that dessert-themed operating systems, such as Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich, are aphrodisiacs?

The results also suggested that more iPhone users were prudish professionals (too stressed over a heavy work load to get a leg over?) with office romances being more likely among such users. Almost 25% of iPhone users had had office based relationships in the last five years - probably starting off with a glance over the photocopy machine, or a promiscuous bend-and-snap to pick up the files they “accidently” dropped.

Even more interestingly, when owners of the iPhone did let their hair down and open their legs, they were  found to get back in touch much more quickly after a one night stand than users of other phone types – with Apple mobile owners calling or texting their lover-lovers the following day. According to the survey, BlackBerry and Android users were the most likely to play it cool and wait a few days. So, what does that tell us? Are iPhone owners just more efficient because they’re generally more tech-savy? Or are ‘Droiders just more cool? (Our bet’s with the latter.)

When it came to BlackBerry users – they were found to be more renowned for drinkin’ than fornicatin’, with the results proving 72% of RIM’ers prefer to neck a bottle of beer on a first date as opposed to necking anything else . More piss head than give head, then?

So, let’s extend the survey out of the lustful lands of Canadian dating websites and into the debauched dominion of the iGaming industry. We ask you – as a smartphone user – which best sums you up: An Ice Cream Sandwich slut? A prudish iPhone professional? Or a BlackBerry alcoholic?

Basham and Luik relate how numerous studies have shown that such campaigns ultimately fail because (among other things) consumers tend to avoid processing info that has negative self-implications. Worse, the fear inspired by such warnings prompts the consumer to develop a defense mechanism that rejects the truth of the warning. Even more damning, studies show that when an individual’s freedom to engage in a particular behavior is threatened or eliminated, the individual’s desire to engage in said behavior only intensifies.

Studies have also found that oversimplification and exaggeration of a supposed danger produces a ‘Reefer Madness Response’, named after the infamous 1936 film in which marijuana was depicted as leading to insanity, murder and extremely fast piano playing. Does anyone else hear echoes of the ‘click your mouse, lose your house’ mantra that spews from the mouths of anti-gambling crusaders? (If not, ask that reefer-smoking pianist to cool it for a moment.)

Basham and Luik recently penned a similarly themed op-ed in the New York Daily News examining that city’s fear-mongering campaign against Type 2 diabetes brought on by excess consumption of sugary sodas. Subway riders were confronted by posters of a man whose diabetes had supposedly led to his leg being amputated, except the absent leg turned out to be caused by Photoshop, not diabetes. D’oh. This would be more amusing if the journal Nature hadn’t published a position paper just this week suggesting that sugar was a toxic substance that required regulating in order to temper consumption. That’s right – you might soon have to produce photo ID to get your Krispy Kreme fix.

The dubious efficacy of fear-mongering consumer health warnings isn’t the only aspect that concerns Basham and Luik. The pair also suggest such efforts, which transcend simply relaying public health information to become instruments designed to influence public behavior, are “fundamentally at odds with three core democratic values: autonomy, respect and freedom of expression.” Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to freely express our desire to, uh, tinkle the ivories (nudge nudge, wink wink).

Assuming that your memory of evening activities is a hazy, hung over blur, here’s a little refresher of what happened with a highlight or two for your viewing pleasure.

Monday: International Gaming Awards
Picture this: real live grown up gaming professionals in black tie standing up, holding hands and singing “when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore”. Ya, it happened.

Tuesday: ICE ICE Baby
Hands down, we loved Marcus Richardson’s impersonation of Vanilla ICE including an epic performance of ICE ICE Baby TOO COLD!

Wednesday: Fire & ICE
Jodie and Michael’s ability to successfully switch venues with less than four hours notice was extraordinary. Oh and the live python was pretty cool too.

Thursday: iGB Affiliate Awards
Most impressive was Bet365’s two table presence and a massive accomplishment of winning three awards followed by their massive celebration with champagne afterwards.

Friday: Bodog Social
The contortionist performance that took place on the bar blew everyone’s mind, thankfully before the magnum of Cristal was released and all memory was tossed out the window.

Friday: LAC Day 1 Party
This party housed an abundance of male footwear so ugly that its cool plus a lot of random dance performances taking place on both floors of the spacious venue.

Saturday: LAC Day 2 Party
The electronic shisha was a big hit all the way- party guests smoked to their lung’s delight with out any scary damage from extracurricular substances. Cannot say the same for their livers, however.

As always, if you want more party details, pics and dirt, the CalvinAyre.com Party SINdex is your answer!

How many of you guys iGame on your smartphones? A lot of you, that’s who – so here’s today’s news from across the world of  smartphone tech.

An unnamed Samsung handset allegedly headed for launch at this year’s Mobile World Congress was leaked on Twitter today by a man notorious for leaking information about mobile phones; Eldar Murtazin. The picture illustrates a Samsung smartphone looking very similar to the SII but without the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS or the Samsung TouchWiz app on its display, giving off a strong whiff that it’s likely to be the rumoured Galaxy SII Plus. Then again, it could be the highly anticipated SIII. Or even just a fake? With the congress only a few weeks away, we don’t have long to find out. Have you started queuing up for one yet?

While Samsung keeps its beloved gadgets under wraps, rival Apple is not far behind. News today reveals that Apple has surged forward to claim the spot of the world’s third largest mobile phone manufacturer. In a table shown below from the latest IDC report, the Californian tech giant increased its market share by 128.4% when compared to its Q4 results back in 2010.

Apple is reported to now own 8.7% of the Market Share, putting it in third place behind Nokia (26.6%) and Samsung (22.8%). However, it’s still going to have to sell a pretty hefty amount of iPhones to shift before it could hit the top spot.

Speaking of iPhones, Apple’s long-awaited iPhone 5 is expected to be unveiled at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in just four month’s time. Yes, only FOUR. Like the wait hasn’t been long enough.

Nevertheless, Commercial Times has quoted Daiwa Securities as indicating a June 2012 release, with the phone using glass-to-glass touch panel technology. More smash-screen incidents we imagine, then?

Nokia might still be at the top spot as the world’s largest phone brand, but will it stay that way for long? After releasing disappointing fourth-quarterly earnings last month following up on somewhat below par Q3 results, some might not think so. However, Nokia Chairman, Jorma Ollila, is optimistic about the company’s future, stating that recovery might be slow.

“For a significant part of the year the transition will be seen in the results,” he said in a report by Finnish national broadcaster YLE.

Sony will probably need to share some of that optimism. The company posted its Q3 financial year earnings today, and they weren’t the best.

With an operating loss of $1.2 billion on revenue of $23.4 billion, let’s hope the appointment of new CEO Kazuo Hirai on Wednesday – and the approval of the Ericsson divorce by the EU last week – will be the steps needed to save the company from smartphone extinction.

Well, if you don’t mind unconfirmed hearsay, you’re in luck. Rumours are spreading across the online tech community that the iPad 3’s technical specifications have been leaked by a source who claims to have a prototype. According to BGR, the 3rd generation of the best selling tablet will sport a A6 quad-core processor and LTE options, making it the fastest iOS device to date.

However, don’t go counting your chickens just yet – remember, all the rumours surrounding the iPhone 4S before its launch, and how wrong many of them were. Nonetheless, if Japanese sources are correct – we could see the new iPad sometime this month, which would put it up against Samsung‘s rumoured new tablet set to be announced at the Mobile World Conference.

In other Apple news, thousands of Granny Smith haters have signed a petition to urge the company to change the way its suppliers treat workers who will make the iPhone 5, CNET reports.

The campaign was started by a group called SumOfUs and has asked people to sign a petition telling the iPhone maker that “the quality of working conditions matters as much as the quality of the products. Make the iPhone 5 and your other products ethically.”

The request comes after numerous reports that working conditions in factories where Apple products are made are unbearable.

However, Apple doesn’t directly employ the people who work in the factories. Instead – it pays suppliers to make its products. But that doesn’t go to say Apple is completely powerless in that respect. Lets hope the petition kicks Apple’s ass into gear and reminds it this is the 21st century we’re living in.

Another Apple rumour has cropped up among online reports today, with Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster reaffirming suspicions in a VentureBeat report that the company is on track to launch its own television set by the end of this year.

Allegedly named iTV, Munster affirms that Apple is in discussions with a “major TV component supplier” about display components, including a contact with Samsung to produce the chip set for the TV, and one with Sharp to produce the screen.

Munster has outlined three possible scenarios for Apple’s iTV:

• A TiVo-like DVR management system partnered with cable companies

• The delivery of live TV from network channels (either over the internet or over the air) to the Apple TV

• OR, the offering of monthly live TV content package subscriptions on an a-la-carte basis

So far, Apple has been in talks with at least one big media company the VentureBeat report states. And in November, CBS’ chief executive made a cock up when he accidently said his company had been in discussions with Apple regarding its TV streaming service.

With all the rumours on what kind of TV Apple could be launching our way, what form of service would you like to see the tech giant provide?

We know how important gaming gadgets are to the gambling industry – especially those who are madly devoted to mobile iGaming – so here’s a round-up of today’s smartphone and tablet news…

An image render of RIM’s brand new smartphone has been “accidently” leaked, with online reports showing the new BlackBerry London handset as long and thin with a narrow screen – much different to your bog stand BlackBerry, and to that which was previously “leaked” last month.

With RIM falling further behind in smartphone popularity, is this hype-building image really an accident? Who knows, but according to the bullet-points joining the image on the leaked RIM slide, the BlackBerry London is about “changing the game.”

The slide, which somehow found its way onto CrackBerry earlier today, also promises BlackBerry London will boast “exceptional” power and rich specification. Does this mean previous rumours that the handset will carry a mighty 1.5GHz dual-core handset with 16GB of internal storage and 1GB of memory are true?

Nobody really knows, as there has been no confirmation on either the phone’s existence or its release date. It will be all about the UK though, as RIM apparently have two other handsets in the works for the US – the BlackBerry Laguna and the BlackBerry Lisbon.

Whether the leak is real or not, let’s hope the new RIM CEO, Thorston Heins, is better at handling any future fruity gadgets than the last duo.

Another rumour swinging from the vines of the global tech tree include that of a new Samsung tablet. Those who just won’t make do with a good old 10 incher will be pleased to hear they might possibly be able to satisfy their size-craving urges with an 11.6 inch Galaxy Tab, which is believed to be on its way.

Samsung have pretty much established that we won’t see the Galaxy SII smartphone update, the SIII, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) show next month, but will we see them announce the much bigger tablet there instead?  MobileBeat seems to think so.

However, details are vague. German-language site TabTech gives the screen size but doesn’t provide a resolution. And other rumours state the tablet will be based on the 2GHz Exynos 5250 dual-core ARM chip that Samsung announced late last year. It’s all hearsay, but it doesn’t stop us getting excited over the thought of such a colossal mobile iGaming beast.

Would 11.6 inch feel like a good sizable slab in your palms? Or are you perfectly happy with Samsung’s 10 incher currently on offer?

Things at Sony may be looking up. After ditching Ericsson and announcing the appointment of Kazuo Hirai as its new president and chief executive today – replacing CEO Howard Stringer who looked after the company during its “seven years of losses” – the company has announced its newest smartphone is on schedule for a March release.

Sony contacted CNET UK to let them know that rumours stating its new Android phone was due for release this week were incorrect, and the phone was always planned for March, with Amazon and eBuyer estimated a 12 March release.

Are you excited for the launch of Sony’s Ericsson-less smartphone? Or do you think Sony smartphones won’t ever reach such heights of the iPhone? Let us know.

Mobile wasn’t forgotten by Cisco with the amount of devices expected to reach seven billion worldwide in three year’s time – 2015. This is in addition to Internet traffic increasing four fold as more people get connected to the net. It does present us with the question – what else will be different by 2020? Will we all live in the air like the Jetson’s? Are all the women going to be even hotter? We bloody hope so!

Those hot women, wherever they may be, are more likely to jump in the sack with you if they’re using an Android phone. A survey of Canadian users by dating site Match.com uncovered the facts about who wants nookie quickest and found Android users are far more likely.

Kimberley Moffit, holds the innuendo-filled title of “relationship insider” at the site and revealed 62% of Android singles bump uglies on the first date compared with 57% of iPhone users and a pitiful 48% on BlackBerry. The latter are more likely to go all puppy eyed with 67% believing in love at first sight… On that note we’ll finish it with Android users. In addition to the first night of sexy time, 55% are most likely to have a one-night stand. In future, always note what phone your blind date carries and you’ll know how hard to try.

Apple

For a second quarter in a row Apple took the number one spot from the Korean firm. That was despite Samsung market share showing a four-fold increase from 4.7% to 21.7% since Q1 2010. It goes to show why Apple is taking law suits out against their rival. Juniper’s report goes on to predict the lack of a new model will leave Apple back behind Samsung as they wait to release the long-awaited iPhone 5. We’re still waiting to hear whether it comes with an actual talking person as opposed to Siri.

BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) was mentioned in the same report and the steady rate of shipments – 14.4m in 2011 – was only 0.7% down compared with the year before. Add this to their claim that they’re the toast of the UK and they can keep telling themselves nothing’s wrong for a little longer at least. The market for the entire year swelled to 470 million and just goes to show why gambling industry firms are making sure a mobile strategy is one of the must have components for success.

The government in North Korea is clamping down on the use of any type of cellular handset inside the country, meaning anyone caught talking on mobiles will be branded “war criminals” and punished, The Telegraph reports.

Allegedly, this is because of fears of possible discontent among people if they come to know about conditions outside North Korea from any report sent into the country by mobile phones, the report said. Seriously guys…it’s 2012. What’s going on?

In other, far less worrying mobile phone news, Sony’s divorce papers have finally come through. That’s right, it has been granted takeover of the Sony Eriscsson brand by the European Commission.

After Sony bought out Ericsson in October 2011, this was the last major hurdle for it to overcome. We’re sure there’ll be plenty of champagne corks popping tonight as with this now out of the way, it means Sony can finally begin the sale of Sony-only branded handsets this year.

However, Sony Ericsson recorded big losses in Q4 last year. Will the name change be enough to turn this around?

In more surprising, perhaps astonishing “we-don’t-quite-believe-it” type news, BlackBerry manufacturer RIM claimed today it was  the most popular smartphone platform in 2011 for the second year running in the UK.

Quoting sales data from European market watcher GfK, the smartphone maker said it accounted for a 27.7% average of smartphones sales each month during 2011, which is pretty mind boggling when thinking back to the woes the company faced alongside the hype of the 4S and the success of Google’s Android OS last year.

However, GfK wouldn’t give the exact numbers of how far in front Rim actually were. Sounds a little dodgy to us…

Drunk people are still able to evaluate the venue and from what we heard Gilt Bar had its pluses and minuses, some loving the hip, relaxed atmosphere and some finding it a bit boring. Regardless, there were free drinks involved thanks to sponsor Casino Affiliate Programs and that was most certainly appreciated by everyone.

Gilt Bar itself is divided into two main rooms, the first more chilled out with tables surrounding an open space in front of the bar and the second room with a DJ and more upbeat atmosphere for those who want to get their groove on. Having a table at this party was definitely a plus, although the luxury was only available to those who arrived early enough because they filled up fast.

The coolest feature of Gilt Bar is their “Electronic Shisha” from which guests can inhale flavored water based vapor in leu of smoke. We saw a number of LAC delegates enjoying themselves “smoking” this rare device in between bullshittin’, swigs of beer and other party related goodness.

Just about everyone in attendance was very pleased with their experience at LAC and could not wait to celebrate with new contacts and old industry friends for one last big boozy night. Now that ALWAYS makes for a good party!

iGaming Business choose a perfect venue for networking and meeting new people, exactly what these LAC parties are all about. The vibe in the venue was high energy, fun and friendly with excellent music blasting through the high ceilings resulting in a lot of dancing for the camera. On the other hand we did spy a certain someone catching some zzz’s despite the vibe, but we’ll leave those details for the DAF Award.

Other than the usual drunken shenanigans, we noticed some very “special outfits”, everything from shiny white jackets to multicolored leather shoes, both worn by dance-happy males. The VIP table set up was a great touch, a perfect way to treat affiliates and clients in an otherwise hectic party situation when it comes to seating opportunities and getting yourself a drink for godsake!

Check out the party pictures here.

Well here they are once again for those who are suffering from exhaustion and hang over from hell. The CalvinAyre.com camera and I will see you there!

Friday, 27 January

What: LAC Networking Party
When: 20:00
Where: The Collection, 264 Brompton Road, SW3 2AS
RSVP: Open to all LAC delegates

Saturday, 28 January

What: LAC Closing Party
When: 20:00
Where: Gilt Bar & Lounge, 14 New London Street, EC3R 7NA
RSVP: Open to all LAC delegates

Sunday, 29 January

What: Sunday Session
When: 13:00-16:00
Where: The Paternoster, 2 Queen’s Head Passage, EC2M 7DZ
RSVP: Open to all LAC delegates

The study demonstrated that surfing on the net via tablets and smartphones is now the most dominant means of internet connectivity in key global markets: UK, USA, France, Germany, and Japan.

As you can see from Google’s graph below, the study, which looked at smartphone versus featurephone ownership rates throughout last year, found that smartphones were quickly pushing out featurephones. However, it also showed how 10% more people own these web-connected mobile devices over PC’s or laptops. Counted separately, tablets were reported as being owned by an average of 13% of people in these markets.

Does this mean mobile iGaming is only going to get more popular? Have a gander at Google’s report table below and tell us what you think:

Other smartphone news has revealed that Apple has raced ahead of rival Google’s Android, topping the US smartphone sales chart for the last three months of 2011.

As Reuters reports, Apple’s Q4 results demonstrated a double in market share to 44.9%, while the once US favourite  Android fell in shares. However, even though Android’s share saw a dip from 50%, it leaves it at a mere 0.1% below Apple at 44.8%. That puts them pretty much neck-and-neck if you’re not being an anal arsehole.

The news is not exactly a crushing blow for Android, especially considering it’s still heading market share results in the UK, and as market watcher Nielsen found last week – Google’s OS retained the top slot in Q4 2011 in bagging new smartphones owners.

One brand that can’t join in Apple’s Q4 achievement celebrations, however, is Nokia. The Finnish smartphone manufacturer released disappointing fourth-quarterly earnings today following up on somewhat below par Q3 results.

On the other hand, finishing 2011 with a little more than €10 billion in net sales, Nokia were 11% percent higher than Q3 but 21% lower than 2010 (when Nokia raked in about €12.7 billion).

Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop, said in a statement: “As a result of the changing market conditions, combined with our increased focus on Lumia, we now believe that we will sell fewer Symbian devices than we previously anticipated.”

The statement also revealed that Nokia expects to break even during the first quarter of 2012, because of lower than expected seasonal sales and what it calls “competitive industry dynamics.” But will the integration of Windows OS into some of its new devices save its ass in the long run? Let us know what you think.

As dedicated iGamers, there’s no doubt you’ve spent some time gambling online from the comfort of your mobile device, whether it be a smartphone or tablet, right? Of course! So here’s a dose of today’s mobile technology news.

If you were to have a stab in the dark as to which smartphone operating system is the most prevalent, most would probably say Apple’s iOS. With the sight of an iPhone never too far away in any environment – from brothels to business  conferences – and an app market more expansive than Silicon Valley’s assortment of patent infringement injunctions, you couldn’t be blamed for thinking Apple have the most solid grasp on the smartphone market over any other out there.

However, as highlighted by Android Authority, findings from two separate studies have found that this might not be the case, and if it is, it won’t be for long. Analyst group Ovum released results from its annual developer survey this week suggesting Apple’s influence in the mobile market looks set to decline within the next few years or so.

No prizes for guessing who the underdog might be. Yep, the report indicates that Google’s Android operating system could become the most important operating system to developers this year, overtaking iOS’s dominance.

Surprisingly, the study also noted the growing support behind the Blackberry and Windows Phone platforms, which at the moment aren’t really considered contenders in the Android/Apple battlefield.

Could it be that we’re to see the mobile market become even more competitive in the coming years as developers explore opportunities across all systems?

More bad news for Apple but good news for Android fanboys – yesterday marked yet another disappointing day in court for the Californian tech giant.

That’s right, Reuters reported today that Apple saw the loss of another bid to have Samsung tablet computers banned in the Netherlands.

The court ruling came from a Dutch appeals court after Apple appealed a Dutch ruling last year that Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 models didn’t infringe copyrights of its iPad tablet.

A Dutch appeals court dismissed Apple’s appeal, confirming the Dutch lower court’s ruling. Aww, our hearts go out to you, poor old Granny Smith.

One thing that Apple can look forward to, however, is Sony’s new camera development. As the iPhone 4S uses the Japanese gadget manufacturer’s current 8MP model, the iPhone makers must be pretty excited to get their greedy mitts on Sony’s new back-illuminated stacked CMOS image sensors. According to online reports, the camera is much smaller in size – allowing it to be used in thinner handsets while delivering higher quality images.

In a company statement, Sony claims the new sensors provide “higher pixel numbers, superior image quality, faster speeds and more highly-advanced functionalities”, while being more compact in size.

Sony’s announcement could put an end to rumours that the iPhone 5 will sport a thicker chassis than the most recent 4S model. Nevertheless, no matter what Apple do – there’s always going to be its diehard fans awaiting to buy whatever the company throw at them.

Yep, after 20 years the RIM’ers have stepped aside allowing former COO, Thorsten Heins, to take their smartphone throne. Though they’ll still have their keyboard-bashing fingers in some pots as Lazaridis will become vice-chair, and Balsillie? Just an ordinary director.

The news it’s not the most surprising in the world though, is it? BlackBerry’s just aren’t cool enough any more. Think back over the past year: there was the BBM outage, market share has depleted, the god-awful Playbook tablet has tarnished the BlackBerry brand helping losing sales, and customer respect. And there’s the blatent fact that BlackBerry phones just aren’t anywhere as cool as an iPhone.

However, Thorsten, the new guy, still holds plenty of hope for a turnaround. As The Globe reported, Thorsten believes that “everything is in place for the company to grow” and one of the first things he’s planned to do as CEO is hire a new Chief Marketing Officer to help fix the company’s dying fruit inspired brand.

Will he prove that one head is better than two? Will he finally prise the BlackBerry’s QWERTY keyboard out of RIM’s mits? Only time will tell, but with Android and Apple dominating the mobile phone landscape – a territory that BlackBerry was once the proud ruler of – will it have enough time to turn it around? Or has RIM already had its chance to shine? Let us know what you think…