2012: place smart entry phones

The success of smartphones is greatly linked to the visibility of the top models in range in the established markets where the richness of their features and the use of the latest technologies in fact showcases for the mobile market.

But as these markets to saturate and attractiveness for smartphones overflows to emerging markets, the next relay of growth will play on the entry, with smart phones for $ 100 or less, promise many analysts, including the latest is the firm of Deloittestudy.

The sector is now mature, with of cross-country skiers able to offer hardware platforms for the design of basic smartphones that can supply markets such as China or the India, very dynamic, where they replace the feature phones.

Deloitte assesses 500 million the installed base of $ 100 smartphones end 2012, against 200 million end of 2011 (which the majority was delivered this year), leading also to an acceleration of demand for mobile applications.

It is particularly related to need to decline applications localized version (languages, content), which will also complicate the task of developers if they want to have a global reach.

Rise of the NFC
Analysts also suggest that compatible terminals NFC (Near Field Communications) will reach a volume of 200 million units end of 2012, against 90 million units delivered in 2011, with a double the volume of data exchanged through technologies wireless short-range (NFC, Bluetooth...).

This vision of the rise of smartphones of entry could pose problems for some manufacturers. Apple responds in part by repositioning its previous generation iPhone in lines of entry-level price while cultivating his high range niche.

For its part, HTC, in refusing to descend too low in range to preserve its image and quality of the user on its experience, takes the risk of Miss this next growth engine.

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Band 800 MHz / 4 G: Arcep issues permissions

The second part of the process of allocation of frequencies to be used as support to future 4 G networks comes to an end with the issuance of authorizations to diffusion byArcep, the telecom regulatory authority.

After a first step which had allowed to assign the spectrum available in the 2.6 GHz band, and for which four operators had obtained lots, it was the turn of the resources of the 800 MHz band, from the digital dividend, subject to an auction.

It has exceeded expectations, generating € 2.6 billion, which brought all of the allocation to EUR 3.6 billion, above the expectations of EUR 2.4 billion initially expected by the Government.

December 22, 2011, Arcep unveiled the names of candidates pleased for the 800 MHz band, more interesting by its properties than the previous. If three historic operators have spent hundreds of millions of euros - and more than EUR 1 billion for SFR wins two blocks-, the new incoming Free Mobile was removed from the allocation, although his file has been validated.

It will, however, invoke the time 4 G with the SFR operator roaming agreement, while remaining able to operate own a 4 G network on the 2.6 GHz band. Arcep welcomed the culmination of a lengthy procedure and difficult, but for which the operators have taken commitments to the MVNO, both on the home on the land-use planning. As noted by Arcep:

"The issuance of these permissions marks the culmination of the procedures for the 4 G licensing conducted by the authority in the year 2011, first in the 2.6 GHz band, then in the 800 MHz band" These procedures have allowed four operators of existing mobile networks (Bouygues Telecom, Free Mobile, Orange France, SFR) to acquire to deploy very high-speed mobile networks. It now belongs to the operators to initiate the deployment of these networks of new generation that will, over the next years, improve performance and quality of mobile services available to users throughout the territory. "

The first French LTE networks should begin in 2013. It will be interesting to observe adopted strategies, in particular in the case of Free Mobile which has made the choice to not directly rely on the 800 MHz band (even though there will be access), perhaps to focus on other elements (femtocells?).

The bet can be risky as the next allocation of frequencies mobile, always rare and expensive, could not intervene before a good ten years.

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Test Sonic Generations - Xbox 360

Sonic has twenty years. And this is not for us younger, as it is customary to say. Nostalgia is twofold. The first, quite egocentric, we reminded our personal twenty years, that we have, where we were at the time, this kind of memories which gives rise to a few sighs. Once this personal issue is avoided, it is to Sonic that we think, and very definitely to the first meeting with this blue hedgehog. Twenty years ago, Sega launched its mascot. Twenty years ago, parents had made the choice, harmless for them and finally full consequences today, turn their children to Mario or Sonic, opting for the NES and the Sega Mega drive. Many have therefore not known immediately Sonic, as others have met Mario on the later.

Sonic, of our personal experience, said number of sunny large holiday memories. While Mario was accessible at any time of the Parisian daily, Sonic him occupied us the NAPs, the time where the Sun for own Vaucluse imposed us imprisonment behind Windows and doors, in the darkness and hoping to keep a little freshness. Sonic was therefore, ready to entertain young old, not necessarily talented player on these new challenges. Earth, Mario resembled a small old so he was less quickly to achieve its goals... And game time was counted too small to allow the joystick "at large" more experts...

In short, we all have our personal history with Sonic. This is the way begins the stories of fans elsewhere. Also, when Sega Announces anniversary title, a landmark game in the twenty years of the franchise, it is obvious to any fan, to be. It goes without saying that the quality of plays all the same in this ownership title, but was conceivable that the Sonic Team rate check on such an occasion?

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Test Modern Warfare 3 - Xbox 360

After Battlefield 3, it is to Modern Warfare 3 that we are interested, the other great FPS of the year, or perhaps the FPS of the year, Battlefield 3 taking the place of "other" in the view. Promotional campaigns and the media fuss on these two games have quickly established two camps, as if eventually it was impossible to assess the two. It is indeed difficult to play the two, the distinction is. Two titles require a budget, time also because they offer both an essential multiplayer mode. Two arguments of weight which imposed the choice. Perhaps later, each will go see what happens, when the lull will hit the door on the other.

In the meantime, and early sales figures, records, Modern Warfare 3 clearly takes his pin of the game. It be not recalled the horrors of the launch of Battlefield 3 who were able to play against him. But Activision won the victory of the first weeks of life and community announces more that never present. A belief was really to win a war and that troops mobilized... Activision thank especially the reputation of its franchise, the work of developers who have been, with the episodes, placing very high Call of Duty. Modern Warfare 3 is better than its predecessors, at different points of view, but it still leaves a little aftertaste.

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Test Professor Layton the appeal of the spectrum - Nintendo DS

A little nostalgia wind blows on this new episode of Professor Layton. Notice to owners of Nintendo DS, here is the last game of the series developed on the platform. The next components are now programmed on 3DS and you need to equip you if you want to continue the adventure. But let the moment of its presence on the platform where the licence is is simply revealed, admittedly a little behind the Japanese public, but still revealed. Full locating his license, Level-5 gave Europeans a series out of the ordinary and very high quality. Those who follow since its inception have no weariness and yet, it cannot be said that Professor Layton is particularly renewed. But its graphic style, balanced investigations and its solid scenario make each episode of real references. The appeal of the spectrum does not escape this reputation and even gaining interest due to its chronological position in the series.

The appeal of the spectrum is not a component following the previous components, on the contrary, it above. This new episode takes place indeed before all first, the strange Village. A boon that will undoubtedly take the newcomers on the series to discover. Here, there is no question of references to the events crossed in the previous games, or winks, acts which could be losing and make evil players uncomfortable before the unknown. The appeal of spectrum as a prologue and you work will provide the meeting between the Professor Layton and Luke, which here takes an any other role that faithful assistant.

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Test Dark Souls - PS3 - Xbox 360

Back to Dark Souls and its menu all that there are more sober and dark.

I click on "New", to create a new part, in any event there is no choice in the menu. I then selected my class of character among 8 or 9 different classes and my attention is drawn to the beggar, who is just a slip in addition to his weapon. Is a class which seems to have fun, but will say that, given the reputation of the game, in principle, I prefer to leave well undermined, in doubt, it must allow to better absorb the blows, so I selected the bandit.

Go it is party, after a small intro video that showcases confidence, I wake up at the bottom of a Dungeon that serves as entry point in the tutorial. A well nice tuto in which we first learn to type, and then over messages that are left on the ground, we learn to run, jump, use a shield, use objects, etc... Until this all goes well, there just to take a shot that really badly! Bar life is dear to every time, so the use of the shield becomes very strategic as the fighting. There is a button to take his weapon to 2 hands but given the large overshoes that it is every time non-paré, I remain the sword + shield.

The tutorial continues with the first real enemies then a large boss confrontation. Well mean nothing, but I am still dead 3 or 4 times inadvertently, without to formalize me on these failures. It cannot be said that the extreme difficulty strike immediately, but the game plays well, we feel that movements must be precise to avoid errors and the hack aspect' fact slash n fly, as in diablo. On a desire to move forward in this world which is full of strange creatures and items to the special characteristics and begins to be stuffer (for non-used, this means equip themselves with pieces of armor, etc…).

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Test Need For Speed The Run - Xbox 360

Are you ready to embody a beautiful shadowy, which itself will meet with delicious young women, and who, will have the leisure drive beautiful and large powerful cars to show as the King of the road and winner of The Run, a mythical race of the United States? Is made worse, as hero, and settle behind the wheel of these displacements should not be a problem in the majority of the players. Except that it will still be for glory since in the early part, your life is not all rosy. You are ready to engage in the race, The Run, but your position, place the 200, will not bring you no look flattering on the part of the public, or of your opponents.

Progression in this Run The NFS is original and us will change the eternal races in the same age-old city, with the same sets, repeatedly crossed neighbourhoods, the panels many times exceeded, etc. Here, each new course, offers a new playing field. You drive on American roads and discover all the richness of the American landscape. San Francisco to New York, through the major canyons, Las Vegas desert, snowy mountains, the beautiful green Plains, etc... Add to this improved graphics and you'll get a game visually very significant. It is not always easy to take advantage of the landscape, but your CoPilot sitting next to you during your part can you to praise. You can also to live your races with climatic hazards of the crossed area: sand storms hinder visibility while snow adverse tends to annoy your trajectories.

The Run will take place to you according to your results. If you are not a challenge, you can move forward. Success must therefore be to the appointment and may you have to multiply the trials on many challenges. Because if the diversity affects graphics, it also affects the race. The Run is not a succession of races where you have to finish first. It would be boring in the long run, many steps. The Run is available in different challenges: one will ask you to exceed a certain number of adversary, the other to stay in as long as possible head, another win against the - shows, etc... You cannot make additional show. The title imposes you its rhythm, to win the seat and according to certain levels, you you experience the best driver to your level. A kind of combat against a boss in some way. Once past the stage, you resume to cross the country and grappillerez the number of needed space. The title is therefore linear, you here nothing to manage that your conduct. To be thus wear, players like. The conduct is at the heart of their part and they can totally be devote.

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