Microsoft’s Greater China COO Michel van der Bel is pleased with the launch of Windows Phone in China. Devices like Nokia Lumia 800c have helped Windows Phone reach 7% of the Chinese market, enough to overtake iPhone’s 6%.

Is Microsoft being delusional? We have to wait for hard data to be sure but if this is true, then it confirms that Apple’s smartphone competitors are closing the gap fast and winning over consumers. But Microsoft has to hold off the champagne. Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS still dominates and Microsoft apps ecosystem is still lagging far behind.

[CNet]

Apple sixth generation iPhone will feature larger screens of 4 inches from corner to corner, a roughly 30 percent increase in viewing area. Apple has used a 3.5-inch screen since introducing the iPhone in 2007.

Of course, there is no official word yet. But seeing how popular the Galaxy Note is, despite earlier criticisms of it being too big, I think larger screens is the way to go. There could also be more cool features incorporated into iPhone 5.

1. Crack-Proof Glass. Apple’s patent for crack-resistant glass, uses the same alumino silicate glass solution in iPhone 4 and 4S, but chemically treats it with potassium and sodium ions to achieve greater compression surface thresholds on the surface and glass edges.

2. Advanced Haptics. Apple’s new haptics feedback system allows a user to interact with the content on the screen by touching it, which is accomplished with sensors and actuators working simultaneously.

3. 3D Photography and 3D Object Recognition.

4. Apple Avatars.

5. Near-Field Communication.

6. The iWallet. Apple won a major patent on March 6 for a piece of technology called the “iWallet,” which is a digital system that gives users complete control over their subsidiary financial accounts on their iPhones, and also leverages Near-Field Communication technology to complete credit card transactions directly on the phone as well.

What other features will you like to see in the iPhone 5?

[IB Times]

If you haven’t got excited by Nokia Lumia 900, you should. It is a fantastic smartphone – winner of CNET’s “Best of CES 2012″ Award and garnering rave user reviews in US.

Amazingly, Nokia Lumia 900 also received a vote of confidence from its competitor. Siri, the intelligent personal assistant on iPhone 4S recommended Nokia Lumia 900 4G when asked about the “best smartphone ever.”

But iPhone users need not get pissed off. The reason Siri loves it, is because Wolfram Alpha likes it. Wolfram Alpha is the “computational knowledge engine” that provides the answers to many of your Siri queries, including this one.

Because it pulls its information from user reviews around the world, it’s easy to see why the Lumia 900 would come out on top. But the overwhelming positive ratings also means that Nokia Lumia 900 cannot be underestimated.

Seems like Apple’s competitors in the smartphone industry are getting smarter in catering to consumers’ taste. With so many choices, Apple really have to come up with an awe-inspiring iPhone 5 to wow gadget fans again.

[TNW]

Following the phenomenal sales of iPhone 4S, Apple has logged its strongest iPad launch yet. Within three days of the release of Apple new iPad, three million iPad units had been sold. That is almost 1 million iPad tablets every 24 hours, easily surpassing the iPad 2 launch.

Some critics have questioned if the new iPad is worth buying for those who already own iPad 2. I am not sure how this segment of Apple fans react but clearly, lackluster reviews have not stopped first time buyers from flocking to retail stores, pulled in by the new iPad’s brilliant Retina display, graphics processing power and long battery life.

With Apple dominating the tablet market, its competitors are left in the dust. Microsoft, set to enter tablet market in a big way with the launch of Windows 8 this fall and makers of Android tablets, especially Samsung, have an uphill battle as Apple is not ready to cede leadership position just yet.

So far, Apple has moved 55 million units of iPads. It is a question of when, not if, Apple hit the 100 million mark of iPads sold.

With over 500,000 apps in Apple’s App store, it is one mind boggling task to go through the entire list hunting for undiscovered gems.

As developers add more apps, it is getting harder to find what you want and for new apps to breakthrough. However, Apple may bring some order to the “mess” with its newly acquired app search platform Chomp.

After its runaway iPhone 4S success, Apple has nearly $100 billion of cash, hence picking up Chomp isn’t going to hurt their coffers. And seeing how they incorporate Siri seamlessly into new generation iPhones, Chomp’s search technology should be another shrewd acquisition.

As an Apple fan, I can’t wait for a revamped App store which promises faster, more efficient and interactive search for content.

[9to5 Mac]

This year, after much hyping and speculation, Apple fans ended up greatly disappointed by iPhone 5 non-appearance. But their wait could be well worth it as a redesigned iPhone 5 may launch in Fall 2012.

The sixth generation iPhone could sport an aluminum rear casing, with a rubberized bezel much like Apple’s iPhone 4 bumper cases. Gone are the Gorilla glass which although stylish, is highly susceptible to cracks and smashes.

This will be the first iPhone without the innovation and marketing genius of Steve Jobs to get techies into a tizzy. iPhone 4S did not impress but broke sales records, will iPhone 5 achieve the same success?

[BGR]

Despite lukewarm reviews of iPhone 4S when it was unveiled, Apple is celebrating record iPhone 4S sales – moving as many as 4 million units this weekend.

For early birds who got their hands on the latest iGadget, it is not all rosy. Several frustrating iPhone 4S issues range from subpar screen quality, unresponsive Siri to slow Sprint.

Some tech geeks went a step further in their “review” of the iPhone 4S. They did a drop test and a bullet test. Did iPhone 4S stand up to the extreme treatment? Check out the vids…

There was a time when Apple iPod ruled the digital music player business but consumers preferences have shifted somewhat.

As the iconic music player celebrates its 10th anniversary next month, there are speculation that Apple may discontinue the iPod Classic and iPod Shuffle.

It is not hard to understand why Apple want to axe the iPods. Since the arrival of iPhone, iPod sales are declining year after year and now generate only 8-percent of Apple’s total revenue according to Q4 2010 statistics.

Apple can deploy their resources to more profitable ventures and it is better to call it quits at the top than to have consumers slam your products for falling short and destroy the brand. What do you guys think?

[TUAW]

Right after Apple reported its blowout earnings, it has another good news lined up.

OS X Lion, its eighth and latest major release of operating system, available at $29.99, has registered a cool one million downloads in the first day of availability. That’s the fastest selling OS release in Apple’s history.

Apple has proudly claimed that OS X Lion is the “best OS we’ve ever made.”

I agree. The OS X Lion comes with 250 new features for Mac devices such as Multi-Touch gestures, system-wide support for full-screen apps, Mission Control, the Mac App Store, Launchpad, and a completely revamped Mail app.

With so many innovative features and Apple operating system being much more affordable than Windows upgrades, I just gotta head over to the Mac App Store and get a download.

Apple is laughing all the way to the bank, it seems nobody can say no to their iPads.

Airlines are now distributing iPads to their pilots. Recently, Alaska Airlines was approved to allow Apple iPads to replace paper flight charts and maps. The pilots no longer need to carry over 11kg of paper manuals every time they travel. They can just bring the lighter iPad, making their work more efficient.

For the airlines, they can offset the cost of iPads by fuel savings from reduced weight, and fewer expenses for back and muscle injuries to pilots from carrying their flight bags.

I am usually happy when businesses adopt technology to improve their efficiency but in this case, the gadgets could be rather distracting. Let’s hope the pilots don’t become too engrossed with surfing the web, watching videos or playing games on the iPads.

[Engadget]