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ZTE to Launch Mozilla Mobile OS based Smartphones

Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE Corp. plans to launch smartphones using a mobile operating system it developed with Mozilla, the U.S. software company behind the Firefox web browser, in the first quarter of next year.

The move is the latest indication that handset makers are looking beyond Google Inc.s dominant Android mobile operating system as they try to diversify the software platforms for their smartphones and other mobile devices. While Apple Inc.s iPhone uses its own iOS software, most other smartphones currently sold around the world are powered by Android.

ZTE Executive Vice President He Shiyou said at a press briefing Wednesday that the company, one of Chinas largest mobile handset makers, will also launch smartphones using Microsoft Corp.s Windows Phone 8 operating system at the end of this year or early next year.

Along with Microsofts Windows Phone 8, the new mobile operating system from Mozilla and ZTE will fuel discussions world-wide about possible alternatives to Android. Potential alternatives are drawing more attention as the technology industry is closely watching Apples patent war against rival smartphone makers using the Google software.

ZTEs smartphone launch plans also come after Taiwanese personal computer maker Acer Inc. last week postponed its release in China of a new smartphone using Alibaba Group Holdings Aliyun mobile operating system, after Google objected to the phones launch.

Google said Alibabas Aliyun "was derived from Android" yet it isnt compatible with Android. Acer, a handset maker that is part of the Android ecosystem, isnt allowed to ship non-compatible Android devices, Google said. Alibaba, Chinas biggest e-commerce company, strongly disagreed with Googles view, saying that some of Aliyuns key software components were developed by Alibaba and are different from those used in Android.

According to market research firm IDC, 68.1% of smartphones shipped worldwide in the second quarter used Android, while 16.9% were Apple products running on iOS. Microsofts Windows Phone mobile operating system accounted for only 3.5%.

ZTE, whose main business is providing telecommunications infrastructure and equipment, entered the mobile handset business in 2002. ZTE accounted for 5.2% of all the smartphones shipped worldwide in the second quarter, up sharply from 1.8% a year earlier, according to IDC, ranking the company fifth after Samsung Electronics Co., Apple, Nokia Corp. and HTC Corp. of Taiwan.

via - wsj

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Yezz Mobile A US based Company Launches Into Nigeria Mobile Market

Yezz Mobile was designed and birthed in Miami USA five years ago and has experienced tremendous success in the Latin American markets over the last few years. This success has led the US based company Yezz to expand its distribution footprint into Europeand also Africa, a key growth focus region for the company.

“The African market offers considerable growth prospects, says Robert Schiano,Yezz Managing Director in EMEA.

Studies show that the number of smartphones sold by 2017 will double to 350 million units. With Yezz brand, we have the ambition, portfolio and capabilities to be a major player in Africa in the mobile phone sector. With Nigeria being one of the most significant markets in Africa as well as globally, we are highly motivated to showcase the Yezzbrand offering to the discerning Nigerian consumer.

Yezz is proud to announce that TD Mobile has been selected as the preferred and exclusive distributor of Yezz in the Nigerian market. TD Mobile, a subsidiary of Technology Distributions, has an exemplary track record in terms of software, hardware, accessories and peripherals and enjoys prime status as one of the biggest distributors of mobile devices across the West African region. We believe that the partnership between TD Mobile and Yezz is well placed for success. TD Mobile will make the product range available for sale exclusively online via Konga.com for the launch period, as well as through key partnership with Yudala and Key Opcos into selected open channel retail outlets throughout Nigeria.

Whilst Yezz has a broad product range, much research has gone into selecting the key devices which will appeal to the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian target consumer. This research has been validated by key operators, distributors and consumers.

Based on this, Yezz will spearhead this charge with key smartphone products which provide the right balance of features, value for money, performance and design to win their hearts. To do this the company will be giving consumers a choice of Yezz devices to suit whichever operating system the consumers prefer, starting off with Android and Windows phone devices, and to be followed shortly thereafter by a Firefox range of devices. In addition, most of the Yezz devices coming into market will come standard with between 3 to 4 additional colour covers. This will give consumers confidence that their device looks fresher and newer for longer.

Some Of The Yezz Mobile Smartphones For Nigeria Market

YezzBilly 4.7

This device offering is the thinnest Windows phone on the market, packed with solid performance features and quality Qualcomm chipsets that establish this Windows phone as a quality device to the discerning consumer. This combined with a super-light-weight of 120 grams and a 4.7 inch screen will be a winner for the consumer looking for an alternative Windows phone to the current offerings in the market.

In addition to this there will be a YezzBilly 4 device for consumers looking for great value for money. This is a great entry level Windows smartphone device packed with class leading features including a 4 inch screen and quality at a highly competitive price to the end consumer.

As weight and thinness are key design differentiators for the Yezz brand, the company will be leading the Android Kit Kat charge with two very key super thin and superlight devices positioned to consumers who want a product they can confidently showcase to their friends, family and associates.

YezzAndy 5T

An ultrathin Android 5T at 6.9mm and 123 grams really provides a unique coolness factor in terms of its design. Packed with a powerful 13MP main camera and 5MP selfie camera, combined with a highly useable 5 inch touchscreen, this as a highly desirable alternative to the existing offerings in the market, particularly in terms of design.

YezzAndy 6M

The Andy 6M is the perfect answer to consumers who want a device that is the perfect balance of value for money and gaming capabilities. With its 6 inch screen, 13mp main camera and 5mp selfie camera, as well as 2400 mAh battery, it ticks all of the right boxes for the target consumer.

In addition to the above devices, the company promises to offer a broader range of products into key channels to cater for differing consumer demand and affordability requirements; this includes devices such as Yezz entry-level C21 feature phone which is part of its mainstream smartphone device offering.

More information on these devices can be obtained at Konga.com

Yezz Mobile handsets will come with a sweet price spot, it will retail between N30,000-N37,000 and come with a 24-month warranty.

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