20 best mobile phones in the world today : Updated

Number 20: HTC Wildfire S

20. HTC Wildfire S

The HTC Wildfire S might only be an evolution of the popular Wildfire, but it’s proven to be an attractive handset in its own right.

It was a little bit too pricey when it first launched at over £200, but subsequent price drops have seen it come in at a much more palatable £130.

It’s got the same Sense UI as it’s bigger brothers, and a neat-enough screen too. It’s not the fastest handset in the world, but we’re still fans.

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Quick verdict

Not a behemoth by any stretch of the imagination, the Wildfire S is definitely worth considering if you want a smartphone experience without shelling out the cash.

• HTC Wildfire S review
• Compare HTC Wildfire S offers

Number 19: HTC ChaCha

19. HTC ChaCha

The glut of Facebook phones promised at Mobile World Congress last year might not have materialised, but the ones we have been given aren’t half bad.

Our favourite is the HTC ChaCha, with a highly-usable keyboard and a dedicated Facebook key for publishing whatever it is you’re doing to the social network.

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It’s not the most advanced smartphone around, but one that’s nicely entrenched at the cheaper end of the scale and still runs the latest version of Android.

Quick verdict

The HTC ChaCha is primarily a Facebook phone, but even if you’re not a huge fan of the blue social network you’re getting a decent BlackBerry rival and a snappy OS to boot.

• HTC ChaCha review
• Compare the best HTC ChaCha offers

Number 18: HTC Rhyme

18. HTC Rhyme

When deciding on the top 20 best mobile phones in the world, it’s sometimes tempting to only look at the super-skinny, action-packed expensive phones that promise you unlimited power and status just by owning them.

But equally, there are those that serve another purpose, which is to provide a half-decent smartphone at a more than half-decent price – and the HTC Rhyme achieves that.

Maybe it will only appeal to women (which appears to be the focus), although a second non-purple colour might save it from that fate. Still, we have a lot of love for HTC and even for ‘mid-range’ phones they have a lot of capability – the HTC Rhyme simply displays that to a tee.

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We liked the solid build and swish soft-feel/aluminium unibody design. We even liked the purple colour, which we think looks pretty classy.

The Sense 3.5 update had some nice touches, such as the lockscreen shortcuts. The camera is only 5MP but still produces some nice shots, and the phone is essentially a capable blank slate with some cool accessories that you can customise to your heart’s desire.

Quick verdict

While the HTC Rhyme is a stylish version of a phone that’s already great in its own right, this mid-range smartphone doesn’t bring anything new to the table except a few fancy accessories – but will attract those stylistas looking for something that isn’t yet another iPhone clone.

• HTC Rhyme review
• Compare the best HTC Rhyme deals

Number 17: Google Nexus S

17. Google Nexus S

The first Android 2.3 phone to land on the market was also one of the first with NFC capabilities and a curved chassis with Super AMOLED screen from Samsung.

It’s a ‘Pure Google’ experience, which means no messing about waiting for networks to bring you the update; if Google likes it, you’ll have it (for the foreseeable future, with the Ice Cream Sandwich update landing).

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The build quality might feel a little suspect at first, but it’s robust enough and sits in the hand well, and that screen is just superb for the internet and media.

It’s now a darn sight cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Nexus too – so if you’re hankering for a pure experience on a budget, it’s definitely worth checking this out.

Quick verdict

It’s not the best handset on the market by any stretch, and it’s not much better than a simple update to the Samsung Galaxy S. But what we do like about this phone is the simple Google experience – if you’re after Ice Cream Sandwich on a budget with no frills, then this will be the way to do it.

Plus the NFC chip means you can do some cool stuff in the future too, like using Android Beam to send links or YouTube videos to friends by bumping phones.

• Google Nexus S review
• Compare Google Nexus S offers

Number 16: Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini / Mini Pro

16. Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini / Mini Pro

Sony Ericsson managed something of an underground hit with the original Xperia X10 Mini range, and has predictably brought the line-up back with a powerful refresh.

The new line-up (the Mini Pro features a keyboard, but is otherwise pretty much identical to the Mini) has a 1GHz processor under the hood and a much bigger 3-inch screen compared to last year’s model, which makes a big difference.

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That improved processor also means things like Flash player support too, and while HD video recording isn’t the best on test, it’s still a decent option to have over other smartphones.

Quick verdict

The Xperia Mini range is a quirky offering that will appeal to those that love the idea of a teeny smartphone.

The price tag is a little too high to dub it truly budget-busting, but if you’re after a phone that will fit in any pocket, with or without a keyboard, then this duo is definitely worth checking out.

• Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini review
• Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro review
• Compare the best Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini offers
• Compare the best Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro offers

Number 15: iPhone 4

15. iPhone 4

The iPhone 4 was the most impressive iPhone ever when launched, and a big step up from the iPhone 3GS.

The iPhone 4′s 960×640 Retina Display was a revelation when it was launched in 2010. It’s got 326 pixels per inch, and we’re talking tiny pixels, only 78 micrometers wide.

The Retina Display, especially, is hands-down one of the clearest, most enjoyable screens we’ve seen on a handheld, and the sheer amount of technology packed into the device might no longer be surprising, but it’s still worth a gander.

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The 3G reception disappearing problem is gone now with newer builds (although Apple would never admit to it being a problem) and you can finally get the darned thing in white.

But the big win for the iPhone 4 is the fact it runs so much better in the new iOS 5 – it’s faster and the battery lasts longer, with a whole heap of functionality making it feel like a brand new phone.

Quick verdict

While the iPhone 4S is clearly the superior device in terms of technology, the lower price of the iPhone 4, plus the fact it looks almost identical to the new version, means this is still a fantastic phone.

Sure, you don’t get the likes of Siri’s voice recognition on there, but iOS 5 is still a fantastic upgrade to the handset, so if you don’t want to splash the cash but want to stay in Hotel Apple, this is a great phone to check out.

• Apple iPhone 4 review
• Compare iPhone 4 offers

Number 14: Samsung Galaxy Note

14. Samsung Galaxy Note

Is it a phone? Is it a tablet? Samsung wants us to believe it’s a whole new category of device – but let’s be honest, it’s essentially just a really big phone. Or a really small tablet – depending on how you like your gadgets.

Given the penchant for so many to browse rather than make calls on their pocket device, something with a huge 5.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with industry-leading internals (1.4GHz dual core processor, no less) is always going to impress.

There are very few things we can complain about with the Galaxy Note. Samsung has taken what is already a brilliant handset (the Galaxy S2) and built on it to make an even better one.

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Quick verdict

We can’t see Samsung successfully creating a new product category with the Galaxy Note though – we just don’t imagine that many businesspeople who hate paper and love media enough to consider carrying this around, even if it doesn’t replace a smartphone.

However, if you’re a fan of smartphone brawn or can’t handle the larger screen sizes of today’s tablets, then this device is likely to please on many levels – and we haven’t even mentioned the opinion-polarising S-Pen stylus either.

• Samsung Galaxy Note review
• Compare the best Samsung Galaxy Note deals

Number 13: BlackBerry Curve 9360

13. BlackBerry Curve 9360

The Curve range has been something of a saviour for RIM in the last few years, with the immensely popular Curve 8520 still selling years after its launch.

The new Curve takes things to another level though, with the new handset offering a superbly sleek chassis, a well-designed keyboard and next-generation functionality thanks to the inclusion of NFC to connect up to other BlackBerry devices, as well as letting you pay for goods on the go.

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It’s not got the fastest processor nor the biggest battery on the market, but that doesn’t stop it being a cost-effective and useful device, especially when it comes to messaging.

Quick verdict

You’d be forgiven for thinking the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is a premium handset, and we wholeheartedly recommend you consider this if you’re looking for a half-decent messaging device. It’s not as cheap as the other Curves out there, but a definite contender for those not looking to splash £40-odd a month on a contract.

• BlackBerry Curve 9360 review
• Compare the best BlackBerry Curve 9360 deals

Number 12: Orange Monte Carlo

12. Orange Monte Carlo

We’ve had the Orange San Francisco down as our favourite budget handset for ages now, but it’s time in the sun has finally come to an end with the announcement of the Orange Monte Carlo.

Also made by ZTE and badged by the citric network, the Monte Carlo is a superb effort for not much dollar, with a well-integrated processor and a large 4.3-inch screen seeing it fit in well with the current crop of massive smartphones.

The Orange San Francisco 2 surprisingly doesn’t make it onto the list – the much-vaunted upgrade lacks the clout of the original.

That screen isn’t the best on the market though, especially in bright sunlight, and the camera has been downgraded a little to lower the cost too.

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However, for the price we’re more than happy to forgive this, and the Monte Carlo still delivers a decent large-screen viewing experience (if you’re indoors…).

Quick verdict

Not every phone needs to cost thousands of pounds to use, and for those that want the latest version of Android, a big screen for movies and a few pounds left over at the end of each month, the Orange Monte Carlo is one of the best phones to go for.

• Orange Monte Carlo review
• Compare the best Orange Monte Carlo offers

Number 11: Sony Xperia Arc

11. Sony Ericsson Arc S

When we talk about a Phoenix Phone, it will forever be the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, and despite only being a few months old, it’s already been upgraded to the Xperia Arc S, which makes things even better.

It’s taken a right old tumble down our rankings thanks to now being usurped as a flagship device by the Sony Xperia S – but given it’s now got a lovely low price, it’s only just outside the top ten still in our eyes.

From the beautiful Reality Display with Bravia Engine to the powerful-yet-simple 8.1MP camera with Exmor R technology, this is one of the phones that people actually want to hold and play with when you show it off – plus it now boasts a 3D panorama mode, although you have to hook it up to a compatible big screen TV to view.

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The Sony Ericsson overlay has cool features like an ‘exploded widgets’ view, and the integration of YouTube searching for videos of songs currently playing is super cool too – plus the Xperia Arc S is now rocking deeper Facebook integration and the latest version of Android: 2.3.4.

OK, it’s not dual-core powered, but Sony Ericsson has looked to fix that with a boost to a 1.4GHz processor, and until we start seeing some applications that really start to challenge these smartphones, we’re happy to recommend a phone that is slick under the finger, slim in the pocket, satisfying in the hand and kinder than many on the wallet to boot.

Quick verdict

The hardware is extremely impressive, both in terms of looks and performance. Forget the fashionable dual-core phones – when done right, a single-core processor can still do it all, nearly a year after the tech was announced, and it costs a whole lot less.

As it is, we’re prepared to overlook the Xperia Arc S’ minor flaws thanks to its stunning good looks, superb screen and very decent photo performance. You can’t help but love it once you’ve held its magically thin body and gazed adoringly into its dazzling Reality Display – but it’s best checking out the new HD display on the Xperia S before deciding if this is the phone for you.

• Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S review
• Compare the best Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S offers

Number 10: Motorola Razr

10. Motorola Razr

Don’t be thinking you’ve got caught in a time vortex – the Motorola Razr of old is back, but in a totally new form factor.

The Motorola Razr is one of those phones that, like the Atrix, we instantly looked forward to when we saw it launched.

A super thin body, oodles of RAM, Kevlar casing and a top end processor are all things we want to see in a phone of this ilk, and it’s good to see Moto attempting to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple.

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Motorola needed a phone like the Razr in its arsenal, and now it has one to be proud of. It’s got all the dual-core power of the Atrix, plus a superior screen; more importantly, it’s jumped from a squat chassis to a sumptuous slimline affair that glides into the pocket.

Quick verdict

The Motorola Razr is something of a Galaxy S2 clone in a number of ways – but that’s no bad thing for a smartphone. It has a decent identity of its own, with Smart Options in particular automating your phone in clever ways.

It’s a trifle expensive and doesn’t really offer too much in the way of a unique selling point – but it functions well in all areas and those looking for a slightly sharper screen will find a decent pocket-mate here.

• Motorola Razr review
• Compare the best Motorola Razr deals

Number 9: HTC Desire S

9. Desire S

The Desire S has surprised us all with its popularity – decent price drops already have seen it become a valuable proposition and place it as a good HTC alternative to the dual-core power of the HTC Sensation.

Excellent call quality, a decent camera, strong build and clever-as-ever social networking integration make this a class-leader once more, despite it no longer being the HTC top dog since the Sensation has landed.

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Quick verdict

The HTC Desire S is a slick, compact and attractive handset that’s an improvement on its predecessor with more compact lines and an improved Sense experience – which has now been updated to the Sensation-matching Sense 3.5 offering.

It may only have a 5MP camera, but it’s got a budget-busting £20 price tag, so that means it’s still going to have a decent customer uptake even though the HTC Sensation has arrived – and we rate it ahead of the Incredible S thanks to a smoother design, greater pocketability and more advanced software upgrades, even though the camera is poorer.

• HTC Desire S review
• Compare HTC Desire S offers

Number 8: Nokia Lumia 800

8. Nokia Lumia 800

The Nokia Lumia 800 is the Finnish firm’s first handset to use Windows Phone, and it’s been a quite success – a million devices have been sold worldwide so far.

The size, shape and weight of the Nokia Lumia 800 provides a quality feel, and is a unique shape compared to many other phones on the market.

The GUI feels intuitive with a very impressive speed of response, providing a continuity of feel between applications.

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Essentially, the Nokia Lumia 800 takes the best of Windows Phone – Xbox Live integration, fantastic Office tools and a clever tile-based user interface – and adds in a great quality screen with a nice-feeling chassis.

Quick verdict

The Nokia Lumia 800 certainly isn’t an iPhone 4S or Samsung Galaxy S2 beater – but it’s the best Windows Phone device out there. If you’re a fan of a simple interface with some quality add-ons, then you should definitely look at Nokia’s new flagship.

• Nokia Lumia 800 review
• Compare the best Nokia Lumia 800 deals

Number 7: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

7. Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The first ‘Google phone’ to come without the search giant’s branding, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is meant to be the device that preaches the power Ice Cream Sandwich to the awe-struck Android masses.

There’s something great about having a ‘pure Google’ phone and the show-off factor is strong here since few will be able to get their hands on this. It’s got a fantastic screen, a superb new OS and extra elements like Android Beam for sharing photos, contacts or (in the future) connecting to peripherals.

And as a smartphone or even mini computer, it’s a great size with a nice weight that doesn’t feel too cumbersome to carry or use.

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The screen, when lit up, looks fantastic. Its 4.65-inches with a resolution of 720 x 1280, giving a ppi of 316. It really is super sharp. We would have expected nothing less with Samsung’s mobile displays among the best out there but it’s cracking for internet and video.

Quick verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is mostly buoyed by the presence of Ice Cream Sandwich, but the high quality screen, slim chassis and fast processing speeds make it a top device in our eyes. It’s not worthy of the top spot, but it’s a great pre-cursor to the Samsung Galaxy S3.

• Samsung Galaxy Nexus review
• Compare the best Samsung Galaxy Nexus deals

Number 6: BlackBerry Bold 9900

6. BlackBerry Bold 9900

RIM’s been in the doldrums a little in 2011, but that hasn’t stopped it doing what it does best: bringing out the industry’s top messaging devices.

The Bold 9900 is the best BlackBerry ever created, with a solid chassis, easy to use keys, a superbly hi-res screen and touch capabilities too.

BB OS 7 might not be much of an upgrade, but it still just works on a phone with a QWERTY keyboard / smaller screen combo.

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The internet is faster (although not market leading), the camera has been improved and NFC capabilities push the Bold 9900 into next generation territory.

Quick verdict

If you’re a BlackBerry fan, this is the phone for you without doubt. Well, that is if you can afford the oddly high price tag – it’s only this that’s stopping us ranking the Bold 9900 higher in our definitive guide.

• BlackBerry Bold 9900 review
• Compare the best BlackBerry Bold 9900 offers

Number 5

5. Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray

Sony Ericsson has had something of a smartphone reboot in 2011, with the likes of Xperia Arc and Xperia Mini proving big hits.

But there’s another winner from the soon-to-be-just-Sony brand, with the Xperia Ray winning more than a few admiring glances.

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It’s got the innards of the Arc, plus the same pixel count – in a much smaller screen. That means the display is pin sharp, and while a little small compared to the competition, it’s a very pocketable affair indeed.

The 8MP camera isn’t as strong photographically as its rivals, but it still delivers quality snaps for a cheaper price tag.

Quick verdict

Well-packaged and packing in a host of top-end Sony tech, the Xperia Ray is a smaller smartphone that squeezes a large amount of power into a pocketable package.

• Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray review
• Compare the best Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray offers

Number 4

4. Sony Xperia S

We used to love the Xperia Arc S – but we’re a fickle bunch, and now Ericsson has been cast aside, we’re all over the new brand like a cat on a fresh set of curtains.

The Xperia S almost has too many positive points to list, with a new HD screen, 12MP camera and dual core processor all combining to make one of the finest smartphones of 2012.

If you want to see the new phone in action, you can check out our fancy hands on video as well:

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As you may have gathered from our review, the Sony Xperia S has both an amazing screen and a dual core processor that never slows down – plus that 12MP camera is really one of the best out there.

Sony has also very kindly bundled lots of software with the Xperia S out of the box, which saves you having to dash to Google Play as soon as you turn on to grab vital apps.

Battery life is the only slight wobble (if you don’t mind a plastic casing) but it will generally last a day under normal conditions, and that’s a solid enough benchmark for is.

Quick verdict

There are still some niggles with the Xperia S but we think it says a lot that when deciding on the pros and cons for the device, we really struggled with the cons section.

This handset may not be the cheapest (although still costing less than the likes of the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2 when it launched), and it may feel like a Sony Ericsson without the Ericsson bit printed on the front, but we are really impressed with what Sony has done for its first solo foray.

• Sony Xperia S review
• Compare the best Sony Xperia S deals

Number 3

3. HTC Sensation XE

We know it’s terribly geeky, but the battle between the HTC Sensation and the Samsung Galaxy S2 was one we were salivating over.

Both are dual core powerhouses, both have cutting-edge software and both the brands behind them have been enjoying success with Android in recent times.

The HTC Sensation is a cracking piece of kit despite being behind the S2 (and now the iPhone 4S), with Sense 3.0 being a real joy to use.

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The camera is quality, browsing and UI speeds are lightning fast and the overall build quality is sure to entice a number of users to pick up the Sensation and play with it in their local phone outlet.

And HTC has now added a faster processor into the mix, boosting it to 1.5GHz and increasing the battery size – and more importantly adding Beats Audio processing into the mix.

Quick verdict

The HTC Desire was the phone that showed the world what HTC could do, and the Sensation is a big step change once more. The dual-core power really shows, and the HTC Watch service is one to, well, watch as bringing movie downloads to a phone on the go could be the next big thing.

A Beats-style upgrade brought red flashes and helped make up for the disappointment of the HTC Sensation XL – and cements its place as the third best phone in the world.

• HTC Sensation XE review
• Compare the best HTC Sensation XE deals

Number 2

2. iPhone 4S

You might have noticed that Apple recently announced a new phone – it’s the iPhone 4S though, and not the iPhone 5 as many were expecting.

But a phone by any other name would smell as sweet, and despite being identical in looks to the iPhone 4, there’s enough here to warrant its high place in our rankings.

Siri voice recognition has shown itself to be more than a novelty, the dual-core processor has made phone operation even slicker and we’re salivating over what the seven times more powerful graphics chip will be able to do.

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We were hoping for a larger display and things like a lack of Bluetooth transfer, no Flash integration with the internet browser and an uninspiring contacts app still grate – but they’re no match for the sheer ease of use and general operation of Apple’s best smartphone to date.

Quick verdict

OK, so it doesn’t feel different in the pocket, and the updates don’t seem to be that ground-breaking – but that doesn’t matter for Apple, and the amazing camera, slick iOS 5 platform and superb display are still the things other phones should benchmark themselves against.

It’s one of the most expensive phones on the market, so have a think whether you really want the latest features, as the iPhone 4 and 3GS are cheaper alternatives… but make no mistake, this is another cracking smartphone from Apple, and while many will be undoubtedly upset it’s not number one, if you’re an Apple fan: this is your number one phone.

• iPhone 4S review
• Compare the best iPhone 4S offers

Number 1

1. Samsung Galaxy S2

Did you think it could hold onto the crown and see off the challenge of the iPhone 4S? Well, despite Apple releasing its best smartphone to date, we still have to recommend Samsung’s challenger for its mix of good looks and functionality.

What we love about the Samsung Galaxy S II is the sheer amount of stuff that’s packed in under the chassis – but more important is the way Samsung has used all that tech to create a phone that just works near-flawlessly.

Check out our Samsung Galaxy S2 video review:

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The dual-core 1.2GHz processor, the Super AMOLED plus screen and the excellent sonic performance of the media player all combine to make a real doozy of a mobile phone.

Recording in 1080p is a nice touch (given that it actually works most of the time) and the camera is more than enough to take great shots in a short space of time – although we suggest you check out the iPhone 4S, as we rate the camera on Apple’s device that little bit higher if you’re not bothered about tinkering with a number of settings.

In short, be it internet browsing, navigation, media, or social networking- the Samsung Galaxy S2 is our pick of the bunch for all those functions in one phone.

Quick verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S2 is a phone we’re excited to whip out in a pub and show off to our friends – and millions of people already are.

It’s the ultimate media mobile, the next generation in web browsing thanks to slick Flash integration, a very good replacement for a pocket camcorder and, goshdarnit, it makes calls pretty well too.

The Samsung Galaxy S II not only set a new bar for smartphones in 2011; it smashed the bar, recreated it in its own image and even managed to see off the competition of an Apple smartphone that doesn’t drop signal all over the place.

Indian Call Centres selling personal data

 

Indian call centres are selling confidential personal data, including credit card details and medical records, of over 500,000 Britons, a media report said Sunday.

Citing an undercover investigation by The Sunday Times, the Daily Mail said the data is being sold by “corrupt Indian call centre workers” to criminals and marketing firms.

The report said that two Indians, claiming to be information technology workers at call centres, met undercover reporters and boasted of having 45 different sets of personal information on nearly 500,000 Britons.

The data included names, addresses, and phone numbers of credit card holders, start and expiry dates as well as the three-digit security verification codes, the report said.

Much of the information is related to customers at major financial companies, including HSBCand NatWest.

An Indian named Naresh Singh, who met the undercover reporters in a hotel room in Gurgaon near Delhi, was allegedly carrying a laptop full of data, it said.

“These are ones that have been sold to somebody already. This is Barclays, this is Halifax, this is Lloyds TSB. We’ve been dealing so long we can tell the bank by just the card number,” Singh was quoted as saying.

He said much of the data would be less than 72 hours old.

Other information being sold was about mortgages, loans, insurance and mobile phone contracts.

According to the report, call centres are a $5 billion industry in India, with an estimated 330,000 people employed by them. Many British companies outsource services to India.

Conservative MP and member of the House of Commons’ public accounts select committee,Richard Bacon said this was not only a matter for the organisations involved but also the authorities.

What I’ve Learned: Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and Wikia

Jimmy Wales is most famous for being the founder (and omnipresent face) ofWikipedia but is also the co-founder of Wikia, a for-profit business that supports the creation of wikis communities on any topic.

What advice would you give to younger self?
Fail faster. Try more things, and don’t be too emotionally tied to any one idea. I wasted nearly two years in the start of Wikipedia with a previous site called Nupedia, a project which was plodding and slow and which I wish I had been faster to cut short.

What is the most common mistake you see entrepreneurs make?
Assuming that a small dream is easier to achieve than a big one. Particularly in the internet world, I see people doing really interesting work, but with a narrow scope, when everything online should be thought about from the beginning as potentially global and potentially universal.

Do you have any advice for dealing with investors?
Ha, I’m probably not a good person to ask about this. By the time I was raising money for Wikia.com, Wikipedia was already in the top 20 of all websites. So, I sometimes joke that to impress venture capitalists, first launch a charity on a shoestring budget that gets to be one of the most popular sites in the world, and then raising money is easy.

But more serious advice involves something that I did right with Wikia, and think is really important: find a venture capitalist with a long term view, a long term investing vision that matches what you are trying to do. Jeremy Levine atBessemer has been an incredible addition to our team, and in no small part because he understood that Wikia is a genuine community site and would take several years to mature, just as Wikipedia before it did. Today, according to Quantcast, Wikia.com is in the top 50 of all websites, we are also profitable, and doubling down on our growth strategy. Jeremy has always been there helping us take the long view.

What can you learn from the emerging talent?
One of the things I’ve learned repeatedly is that despite my good fortune in the world causing people to ask me all this sort of “deep guru of the internet” stuff, I’m as excited and astonished by new technologies and very simple but genius ideas that I did not see coming. I think we’re still in the early years of the internet and that emerging talent will do things with technology that, in retrospect, we’ll see was obvious — but we won’t see it coming. People always ask me: what’s the next big thing on the Internet. If I knew that, trust me, I’d build it.

What — in your career — have you been most proud of?
I think it is Wikipedia’s impact on the developing world of which I’m most proud, even though I think it many ways it is just beginning. During my travels, I often take detours to visit schools in poor areas, and sometimes I meet students whose lives have been transformed by the internet, and by Wikipedia. Access to knowledge is the first step to building a better society, the first step to healing in conflict zones, the first step to genuine progress.

What has been your worst business decision to date?
Andrew Mason of Groupon tells a story about how he contacted me before he set up Groupon, asking me about a precursor project to Groupon… a political site. I don’t remember it now, but he tells me that I wrote him a long email with lots of advice that he found valuable. Based on what I know about how I usually write those kinds of emails, I probably told him that I was too busy to do more than write a single email. I should have asked to be on his board and for some stock. Ha ha. Every journalist should bug him to dig through his email archives looking for that email. I haven’t been able to find it yet, but I’m really hoping to find out that I would have become accidentally wealthy in the Groupon IPO.

Which transformative technology or market force did you not predict?
I think the most important was Youtube. I remember hearing about Youtube, and watching their growth in the pre-Google days. I thought they were bonkers; I thought their investors were bonkers. I remember hearing at one point that they were burning through a million dollars a month in bandwidth bills, and I thought they were going to be yet another of the long history of disastrous video startups. Then, like 15 seconds later, Google bought them for billions and of course they’ve become a part of the overall infrastructure of our world.

What keeps you awake at night?
Let me be really simple about this: the baby! She’s nearly a year old now, and she went through this astounding lovely period of sleeping through the night but now she’s back to her old ways.

Which single device could you not live without?
My laptop. You could take away my phone, and I’d have trouble but I could make calls with Skype or in a fit of being old school, I could get a landline (haven’t had one for years). You could take away my television, and I’d hardly even notice. I love my iPad with a passion that almost frightens me, but honestly, I would survive in a damaged state without it.

Which startups are you most excited about?
I’m sure it’s dreadfully self-serving to say Wikia, but I’m going to do it anyway. For Wikia, it’s been hard breaking through to the mainstream press and getting the attention that it deserves. By the time Wikipedia was this size, I was getting global press coverage about it. The key is that the product is just really good and people really like using Wikia. I think it’s really exciting that a site most people haven’t heard of has grown from 25 million users a month to 60 million users a month in a little more than a year without the press particularly noticing.

Shifting out of self-serving mode, I’m really excited about Dropbox (it just works, and has a sensible business model), Pinterest (massive adoption by people who aren’t normally tech early adopters), and Badoo (fascinating game-like business model and astonishing growth).

Google To Resurrect GMail Drive

 

Cloud storage has been gaining wider acceptance as internet speeds have risen and costs have dropped. Googleseems to be getting ready to take advantage of this opportunity by endorsing GMail Drive in a new avatar now simply known as Drive. Interestingly, this new version will have Dropbox-like features.

GMail Drive is a free, third-party Windows Shell namespaceextension that has been in existence for over 7 years. It associates with a Google account and creates a virtual drive on the user’s PC using space in the account. This drive can be used just like a normal storage drive with nominal restrictions.

According to the report, it will be possible to store any type of data including photos, videos, and documents on the Drive through a web browser or a dedicated app. This can then be sent to and accessed from any internet-enabled device as a link, rather than a huge file, and users will be able to decide whether to download the file or not. With cloud-storage getting hotter, this new service might take off the way Google expects it to.

Sony And Ericsson Part Ways

 

Soon after Valentine’s Day, one of the most famous couples in the tech industry, Sony and Ericsson have finally parted ways. The company will now be renamed to Sony Mobile Communications.

Sweden-based Ericsson had come together with the Japanese company Sony in 2001. The partnership went well until 2009, when the joint venture posted a yearly loss of over 800 million euros. After that, it was a bumpy ride for the company. In October 2011, Sony had announced that it will buy out Ericsson’s stake. Reportedly, Sony paid around EUR 1.05 billion for complete ownership of the mobile business.

With the new name and some promising dual-core Android devices just around the corner, let’s hope that Sony Mobile Communications will make a strong comeback.

Samsung’s HOPE Project Will Benefit Kids

Samsung seems to be on a roll with several products beinglaunched in India of late. Now it seems that they have a big heart too. In a press release, the brand has announced a new HOPE Project to provide better quality education to underprivileged children in certain regions of the country. It aims to spread the initiative across 100 villages in Tamil Nadu with the help of Aid India, and in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh through SMILE Foundation. For funding this initiative, the company will contribute Rs 100 for everyGALAXY Note sold between February and June 2012.

Ranjit Yadav, Country Head-Mobile & IT said, “Our objective is to promote the cause of education for children as widely as possible and encourage more people to join this movement. So while Samsung India will support the Project through the sales of its flagship Galaxy Note, consumers can even support our partners directly and make the Program stronger”.

Looks like the Note, which is a notch higher in its specs as compared to its GALAXY S II, isn’t doing as well as the brand had initially anticipated. Moreover, considering that it’s priced in excess of 30K, the amount does seem paltry for a good cause. However, for once, inflated shipping and sales figures will help benefit a noble cause.

Angry Birds Officially Launches on Facebook

Angry Birds fans have a special gift this Valentine;s Day — the wildly popular pig-flying game made its official debut on Facebook.

The Facebook app is similar to the original mobile version, with the addition of social components, brand new power-ups, and exclusive new levels. The added social aspect allows players to compete with their Facebook friends for gold, silver, and bronze crowns in any level. Players can also brag about their scores on the social network and give their Facebook friends “mystery gifts” of power-ups.

The Facebook version includes four new power-ups, including “sling scope” (for better targeting), “king sling” (for more power and velocity), “super seeds” (to supersize your bird, turning it into a “pig popping giant”), and “birdquake” (to shake the battlefield and bring down pigs’ defenses). Besides being gifted with power-ups, players can earn them through game play or purchase them.

And — even better — anyone who plays the game between now and Feb. 16 will receive 14 free power-ups as a special Valentine’s Day gift from Angry Birds developer Rovio.

Rovio said it is lining up even more features and gameplay for the Facebook version of the game in the coming weeks.

“This launch is just the beginning for Angry Birds on Facebook,” Petri Järvilehto, Rovio’s senior vice president of game publishing, said in a statement.

The mobile version of Angry Birds has garnered more than 700 million downloads to date, making it one of the most popular games in history.

Apple unveils Mac OS X Mountain Lion for developers

Apple has released details of Mac OS X Mountain Lion, its next generation operating system for Mac computers.

Mountain Lion has been released to developers today and should be available for consumers this summer.

new OS incorporates a number of features that jive nicely with iOS, including iCloud sign up and a Messages app that takes the place of iChat, allowing       you to continue conversations started on Mac on any iOS device.

As well as the iOS-style messaging app, Mountain Lion includes reminders, notifications and Twitter apps that bring the desktop system more in line with mobile products.

Extreme

Perhaps the most exciting element of the upgrade is AirPlay Mirroring – you’ll be able to mirror your computer screen on another TV wirelessly with 720p HD support and supposedly amazing realtime response rates for gamers using the mirroring app.

Security-wise, there’s a new feature called Gatekeeper that allows for personalised security settings, working as a kind of safety net for less confident users by offering a setting that allows the Mac to accept only software downloaded from the Mac App Store.

After Apple’s massive success at distributing Lion through the Mac App Store, we’re expecting to see it follow suit with Mountain Lion in the summer months.

EU seen approving Google’s Motorola deal – sources

 

 

Google Inc is expected to win approval next week from European regulators, as well as from U.S. antitrust authorities, for its planned $12.5 billion (7.9 billion pound) purchase of Motorola Mobility, according to people familiar with the matter.

Web search leader Google, which is buying the handset maker to boost its patent portfolio, is seen winning unconditional EU clearance for the deal, two people with knowledge of the matter said on Friday.

The deal was announced last August.

The U.S. Justice Department is also expected to approve the acquisition next week, two separate sources who are close to the antitrust review told Reuters on Thursday.

After U.S. and European approval, the companies would still need approval from China. Regulators in China have until March 20 to decide whether to approve the deal or start a third phase of review, according to source close to the situation. It was not immediately possible to contact China’s Ministry of Commerce for comment on this story.

Regulators in Israel and Taiwan also have not yet signed off on the deal.

The European Commission is scheduled to decide by Monday whether to clear the deal or embark on a more in-depth review.

“The Commission is expected to clear this deal without requiring any concessions from Google,” one of the sources said.

The European regulator is expected to say the deal will not stifle competition, two of the sources said.

One source said it was possible the Commission could decide on Monday to open an in-depth investigation into the deal instead of clearing it, but that this was highly unlikely.

While the U.S. Justice Department and the Commission are coordinating their actions, it is possible their decisions may not come on the same day, another source familiar with the matter said.

Representatives for Motorola and Google declined comment.

Google announced in August that it would buy Motorola for its 17,000 patents and its 7,500 pending patent applications as it looks to compete better with rivals such as Apple Inc and defend itself and manufacturers using its Android phone software in patent litigation cases.

The legal patent war among technology and smartphone makers has prompted the Commission to open an investigation into legal tactics used by Samsung Electronics against Apple and whether these breach EU antitrust rules.

Earlier this week, Google pledged to license Motorola patents on fair and reasonable terms if the deal succeeds.

In letters to standard-setting organisations around the world, it promised to keep a cap on the fees it charges for licensing its technology. That cap would be 2.25 percent of the net selling price for each phone. Google also outlined the conditions under which it would sue companies for patent infringement.

Microsoft Corp also promised on the same day not to seek injunctions to ban products based on standard-essential patents.

In 2010, U.S. business software maker Oracle Corp won unconditional EU approval for its $7 billion takeover of Sun Microsystems, a month after a public pledge to rivals and users aimed at easing regulatory concerns.

Google shares were down 6 percent at $605.45 in afternoon trade on Nasdaq, while Motorola Mobility shares were up 6 cents at $39.41 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Mark Zuckerberg cannot build ‘another’ Facebook

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, along with his three top leutinants, will get about $2 million in just salaries and bonuses, but cannot work on creating a rival to the social networking giant.

This has been disclosed in Facebook’s amended registration document for its upcoming IPO, filed with the US market regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last night.

As per Zuckerberg’s employment agreement with Facebook, his job can be terminated “at any time for any reason or no reason”, either by him or by the company.

Besides, the company’s employment agreement does not allow Zuckerberg to “assist any person or entity in competing with the Company, in preparing to compete with the Company or in hiring any employees or consultants of the Company.”

Similar clauses apply to Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) David Ebersman and Vice President (Engineering) Mike Schroepfer, for the period these people are rendering their services to Facebook.

The agreements are silent on whether these people, including Zuckerberg, can help create a rival of Facebook after leaving the company.

In addition to in-cash salary and bonus, the pay package of the top four Facebook executives includes millions of dollars in form of stock options, performance pay and other payments.

Besides, the value of shares owned by Zuckerberg and many others at the company could also make them billionaires after the listing of Facebook, which is currently in the process of its USD five billion IPO (Initial Public Offer).

The company said that Zuckerberg, as President and CEO, would get USD 500,000 of base salary and up to 45 per cent of this amount as bonus every year. While the basic wage would be paid in two equal payments a month, he can “over-achieve” the bonus target pursuant to the company’s bonus plan.

Sandberg and Ebersman would get an annual base salary of USD 300,000 each, while the same for Schroepfer would be USD 275,000. All the three executives would be entitled for a bonus payment of up to 45 per cent of their base earnings.

The collective base salary and bonus of the four executives stand at USD 1.99 million (about Rs 10 crore).

In addition to generally common no-conflict obligations, Zuckerberg cannot bring with him to Facebook, or disclose to any person associated with the company, any confidential or proprietary information belonging to any former employer or any other third party.

Noting that his job at Facebook was not any specific period time, the agreement says that the employment would be on an “at will” basis, meaning that either Zuckerberg or Facebook can terminate the employment at any time for any reason or no reason.

While the job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the company’s personnel policies and procedures, might change from time to time, the ‘at will’ nature of Zuckerberg’s employment can be changed only after a written agreement approved by the Facebook board.

The employment agreement of Sheryl Sandberg also carries an ‘at-will’ clause.