- Week summary
- General wireless data market related news
- Carriers news
- Terminal development for mobile data
- Vendors of software for client wireless devices news
- Mobile application related news
- Application outsourcing and hosting news
- News about financing for wireless data businesses
- News about trade shows and conferences
| * - Star sign marks especially important (from the editor's point of view) news items and is also a link to the next important news item. |
Week summary |
- NFC is to be unified.
- Some carriers/Internet providers are not afraid of independent integrators like FON anymore.
- RIM is now supplying separately innovative phones, client software and server software and is providing worldwide-capable phones.
- More and more innovatively looking and working terminals including gps receivers on sim cards.
- Microsoft buys more into mobile.
- More and more local and global flat-rate offerings, and they become more and more popular.
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This section lists all breaking wireless data related news that do not belong to any particular section (or should belong to multiple) as well as to general reviews of interest.
| CDG: CDMA2000 Is The Technology Of Choice For 3G Services In Africa And The Middle East Original news source |
| The CDMA Development Group (CDG) announced today that CDMA2000 is rapidly expanding in Africa and the Middle East. 62service providers in 38 countries within the region have commercially deployed or are planning to deploy 3G services using CDMA2000 technology. As of 2006, there were more than 10 million CDMA subscribers in the region and this number is expected to more than quadruple within the next four years. |
| Developers and Corporations Unite to Advance GNOME Technology as Leading User Experience Platform for Mobile and Embedded Devices Original news source |
| The GNOME Foundation announced the creation of the GNOME Mobile & Embedded Initiative (GMAE), and a software platform for user experience development across a wide range of device profiles. The GNOME Mobile & Embedded Initiative will advance the use, development and commercialization of GNOME components as a mobile and embedded user experience platform. It brings together industry leaders, expert consultants, key developers and the community and industry organizations they represent. |
| JupiterResearch Finds Limited Consumer Interest in Mobile Banking Original news source |
| JupiterResearch has found that despite renewed efforts on the part of financial institutions, overall interest in mobile banking services is limited. Just eight percent of online consumers who own a cell phone are interested in using mobile browsing to check account balances. In a new report, "Mobile Banking: Assessing Servicing Opportunities via Cell Phones," JupiterResearch advises that major US banks, which are working to expand mobile banking offerings, should experiment with services that leverage the mobile channel's characteristics to respond to the needs of three key consumers segments. |
| * Momentum builds around GSMA’s pay-buy mobile project Original news source |
| Nokia and a further 10 mobile operators have thrown their weight behind a GSM Association initiative to enable the worldwide use of mobile phones for payments at retail outlets. The GSMA’s 'Pay-Buy Mobile' initiative seeks to define a common global approach to using Near Field Communications (NFC) technology to link mobile devices with payment and contactless systems. Together with a SIM/Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) card in a mobile handset, NFC can be used to enable a wide range of secure, interoperable and transparent services, such as credit and debit payments. |
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This section lists news about innovative and competitive usage of wireless data by network carriers.
| Orange launches new flat rate net bundles Original news source |
| Orange will release new mobile internet rates to make pricing easy for customers. The flat rate pricing will include four new bundles for both prepay and contract customers. |
| NTT DoCoMo's Flat-Rate Data Communication Billing Plan Subscribers Top 10 Million Original news source |
| The pake-hodai plan, launched on June 1, 2004, allows 3G FOMA i-mode subscribers unlimited viewing of i-mode content for a flat monthly subscription fee of 4,095 yen (including tax). The plan has attracted great popularity by freeing users from concerns about data charges when enjoying data-intensive services; these include "Mega i-appli™" applications as large as 1MB, "Deco-mail" for embedding e-mails with high-resolution icons, and video clips. |
| The Cloud switches on advanced WiFi network across the City of London Original news source |
| Outdoor WiFi network will be switched on across the entire City of London – the famous Square Mile. More than 350,000 people who work in and visit the area now have wireless broadband access throughout the City. The network has been built and is operated by The Cloud, a leading wireless broadband provider. Free access for the first month will be provided in association with Nokia, allowing anyone with a WiFi-enabled device to get online in the City. |
| * Time Warner Cable Partners With FON for WiFi Network Original news source |
| FON announced a partnership with Time Warner Cable which allows Time Warner Cable broadband subscribers to access the world's largest and fastest-growing WiFi network. The partnership specifically allows Time Warner Cable subscribers to become FON community members and create FON access points via their home or business broadband connection. Furthermore, the same subscribers would enjoy free WiFi access around the world, wherever FON has partner ISPs. |
| Vodafone Mobile Internet is now available in 32 countries at the domestic rate Original news source |
| From now on, customers pay € 14.50 for Vodafone Germany WebSessions in the 32 countries where Vodafone networks or Vodafone partner networks exist to get 24-hour mobile internet usage without a contract or an extra basic charge. This continues the WebSessions value-for-money offer that Vodafone launched at CeBIT for business travellers and holidaymakers in 18 new countries.
Vodafone WebSessions is now available in Vodafone networks and Vodafone Partner networks in the following countries outside Germany: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom. |
| Sonera launches a mobile karaoke service Original news source |
| The new mobile karaoke by Sonera brings the popular entertainment service to the mobile phone. The customer can easily order a karaoke song through the Sonera SurfPort service. The song is sent to the customer in an MMS message and stored in the phone. The service is available for most new Nokia smartphones. |
| mFoundry and Sprint Partner to Launch Mobile Banking and Financial Services Application Original news source |
| mFoundry, mobile application platform provider, announced a formal agreement with Sprint that will bring mobile banking and financial services to Sprint customers with Vision or Power Vision phones, enabling them to check their bank balances, transfer funds between their accounts, make bill payments and more, with participating banks. mFoundry’s Spotlight Financial Platform will be used to deploy a tightly integrated, single-point solution that supports security features including multi-factor authentication, encryption and the ability to deactivate the application remotely. |
| AT&T Announces Unlimited Messaging Plans Original news source |
| A new plan from AT&T called Messaging Unlimited will give customers the ability to send unlimited messages of any type, including text, picture, video and instant messages (IM), to any wireless phone in the U.S. for $19.99 a month.
Additionally, AT&T customers who send most of their messages to other AT&T subscribers can add unlimited mobile-to-mobile messaging to a messaging plan for just $5 more a month. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which manufacture actual end user wireless devices (phones, pagers, PDAs etc.), as well as other information relevant to such companies.
| Alltel Wireless Introduces One of the Thinnest Phones in the U.S. Original news source |
| The Wafer by Samsung, weighing only 2.7 oz., features XM Radio Mobile, Axcess TV and Axcess Mobile Guide. The Wafer is preloaded with Axcess Search, which allows customers to search for ringtones, wallpaper or other information on their phones by simply holding down the pound key. Other features include a 1.3 megapixel camera with video capabilities, an MP3 player, an expandable memory slot, Stereo Bluetooth Headset capability and Alltel’s Celltop technology. |
| LG Electronics Aims to Be a Leader in Premium Technology Phones Original news source |
| LG Electronics launched its latest HSDPA series 60-based smartphone, LG-KS10, in Italy. LG’s smartphone provides a full web browsing experience on its 2.4-inch wide LCD screen. |
| * RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Curve Smartphone Original news source |
| The BlackBerry Curve features a liquid silver finish, chrome highlights, smooth edges and soft curves. It is a full-featured smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard and large display and yet it boasts an impressively small and lightweight design at 4.2'' x 2.4'' x 0.6'' and approximately 3.9 oz. The ultra-bright 320x240 display brings images and video to life and includes RIM's light sensing technology that automatically adjusts backlighting levels for indoor, outdoor and dark environments. The handset also features RIM's innovative trackball navigation system that makes scrolling and selecting fast and easy. The BlackBerry Curve comes with a 2 megapixel camera, complete with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror and full screen viewfinder.
The audio system is crisp and clear, playing music and videos through the handset's integrated speaker or through the 3.5 mm stereo jack. The Bluetooth stereo audio profile (A2DP/AVRCP) is supported, and dedicated volume controls are conveniently located on the side of the handset. |
| Nokia empowers consumers in emerging markets to stay connected Original news source |
| The new products announced include:
- Nokia 1200 and Nokia 1208: Utilizing new industry-leading phone-sharing and call-tracking technology, these two new products are aimed at the first-time mobile phone consumer worldwide;
- Nokia 1650 and Nokia 2660: Contemporary phones that combine functionality with attractive design;
- Nokia 2505: The latest phone for entry CDMA markets in Asia/Pacific, Middle East, Africa, China and Latin America;
- Nokia 2630 and 2760: Fashionably-designed phones that convey style and status, combined with Nokia's easy-to-use feature set. |
| Samsung Unveils the Symbian OS Smartphone SGH-i400 Original news source |
| The new smartphone i400 is based on S60 which offer extensive language supports, enhanced download applications and multitasking features. The stylish slider phone supports full web browsing and Bluetooth connectivity for active business users. To enhance its multimedia features, the Samsung i400 also includes 2 Megapixel camera, music key and stereo dual speaker. Moreover, the i400 has a 2.3” wide display for the convenient use of business and multimedia functions. |
| New Hitachi Mobile Phone Uses AuthenTec Sensor for Security and Handset Navigation Original news source |
| The AES1510 fingerprint sensor is mounted below the W51H’s high-resolution display that flips and swivels so that users can browse mobile web pages in an easily readable 2.9 inch 480 x 800 widescreen display. The robust AES1510 is specifically designed to withstand common wear and tear associated with an externally exposed sensor, such as the typical minor bumps and scratches caused by coins, keys and other objects. The AES1510 also enables secure and convenient near field communication (NFC) transactions used for mobile ticketing and check in, stored value, mobile credit, and Internet commerce payments. |
| NTT DoCoMo Unveils New FOMA 904i Series Original news source |
| The new handsets have features that are significantly more advanced than those supported by 903i Series models. Among these features are "2in1", which takes the capabilities of two phones and folds them into a single handset; "Uta-hodai", which allows via i-mode full-track music downloads from content providers for a flat monthly subscription fee; and "Chokkan Game", which are played using intuitive motion.
All models in the 904i Series support "Video Clips (10MB i-motion)", Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Full Browser, while some also support "One-segment" terrestrial digital broadcasting and High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA). |
| * Verizon Wireless Announces the Next Evolution in Global Connectivity Original news source |
| Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion introduced the first Global CDMA/GSM BlackBerry. In addition, Verizon Wireless announced the May 14 availability of its new Global BlackBerry service, an “always-on, always connected” wireless e-mail solution that provides quick, easy access to e-mail, contacts, calendar, organizer and the Web while on-the-go. With the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphone and Global BlackBerry service from Verizon Wireless, customers get wireless e-mail and the convenience of one local number for domestic and international use in Australia, Europe, parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. |
| * BlueSky Positioning Helps Operators Benefit From New Emergency Call Legislation Original news source |
| BlueSky Positioning's new approach incorporates a highly accurate GPS receiver and proprietary antenna into the SIM card, which provides the opportunity to deploy precise, legally-mandated positioning capability quickly and cost-effectively across all mobile handsets. BlueSky Positioning has developed patent-pending technology and processes to embed Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) capability in the SIM card (USIM in the case of 3G handsets), with minimal impact on signal strength and battery life. This means that operators need only replace the SIM cards, not the phones themselves – a far more manageable solution. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which provide client software that runs in end user wireless devices (phones, pagers, PDAs etc.).
| * RIM Announces New BlackBerry Application Suite for Windows Mobile-based Devices Original news source |
| Research In Motion announced plans to expand its support for Windows Mobile-based devices with a new software application suite that will enable devices from third-party manufacturers to benefit from the popular BlackBerry software applications and services. RIM plans to begin offering the new software application suite later this year for select devices based on Windows Mobile 6. Once installed, the software will provide users with a virtual BlackBerry application experience, including support for BlackBerry email, phone, calendar, address book, tasks, memos, browser, instant messaging and other applications developed for the BlackBerry platform. Devices running the BlackBerry application suite will be able to connect to BlackBerry services via BlackBerry® Enterprise
Server as well as BlackBerry Internet Service. |
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This section lists news that describe innovative and competitive implementation of wireless data applications.
| Mamma.com Enters Mobile Market With New Technology Original news source |
| Mamma.com Inc. announces that it has entered the rapidly growing mobile market by introducing an add-on for their Copernic Desktop Search (CDS) product targeted to mobile phone users. This new plug-in will enable CDS users to search and access their own emails, files, music, pictures, videos and other content remotely via any mobile device, such as cellular phone, PDA, etc. |
| GrandCentral Unveils Ground-Breaking Application for Mobile Original news source |
| GrandCentral, a next-generation personal communications company, today announced GrandCentral Mobile, the mobile version of the company's One Number for Life service. With GrandCentral Mobile, available at http://m.grandcentral.com, users can now access their GrandCentral account and all the service's core features from any mobile device that has a Web browser. At GrandCentral.com, users choose a single phone number that ties their telephone numbers (home, work, cell) and services (voicemail, etc.) to a single inbound number. After that, when anyone calls the GrandCentral number, all their telephones ring simultaneously and they can answer from whichever phone is most convenient. Users can control which phones ring, which ring-back tones are
played and which voicemail greetings are heard, all based on who is calling. The service is free and works across all phones, regardless of type, network or service provider. |
| Tira Wireless Transforms Mobile Development and Deployment With the Release of Tira Jump 2007 Platform Original news source |
| Tira Wireless, provider of technology and services for the mobile market, announced Tira Jump 2007. This latest release of Tira Wireless' flagship technology platform is designed to accelerate the time it takes developers and publishers of mobile content to get new titles to market. New features provide significant productivity breakthroughs in Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) content development and deployment by enabling code re-use, collaboration and interoperability. |
| AdMob 'Plugs in' to Mobilize the WordPress Community Original news source |
| Mobile innovator Andy Moore of Web2Txt has teamed with AdMob, the world's largest mobile internet advertising Marketplace, to launch a free mobile plug-in for popular blogging tool WordPress. The new offering will enable the global WordPress blogger community to both go mobile quickly and then immediately start to monetize their content from advertising revenue. |
| Global Mobile Technologies Files Patents for Delivery of Interactive Multimedia Advertising to Mobile Phones Original news source |
| Global Mobile Technologies (GMT) announced the filing of patents for real-time delivery of rich, user-requested content with interactive advertising to mobile phones. Push-It enables Internet advertising to be translated into a mobile-ready format with "click through" and "call through" capabilities. |
| vFlyer Rolls Out vFlyer Mobile Original news source |
| vFlyer, comprehensive classified ad and content creation, management and submission platform, announced a new enhancement that supports a secure, mobile version of its flagship flyer services. vFlyer Mobile enables business account users with a Web-enabled mobile device to access, view and distribute their flyers to prospective buyers via SMS or email messages. |
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This section lists news about outsourcing/hosting of mobile corporate/enterprise applications by e.g. software developers, network carriers, and consulting companies. News about mobile access to portals are also included here.
| GotZapp Takes Popular Social Networking Sites Mobile Original news source |
| GotZapp, a new mobile social networking platform from Trivantis, does more than send exclusive user- created content from its Web site to Web-enabled mobile phones; users can now use the Page Zapper to import their profile page from the most popular social networking sites on the web. |
| AskMeNow Launches Mobile Push Services-AlertMeNow Original news source |
| AskMeNow Inc. announced it has launched a new push content service for consumers branded 'AlertMeNow.' The service offers easy access to fun and informative content pushed daily to customers' mobile phones for free. |
| More than a million Cellular One customers have access to Napster Mobile hosted by Ericsson Original news source |
| Cellular One customers across the US have access to the world's largest mobile music catalog thanks to a joint partnership between the wireless provider, Ericsson and Napster . Napster Mobile is available to customers of Cellular One from Dobson Cellular Systems. |
| Frucall Unveils Version 2 of its Popular Mobile Shopping Search Original news source |
| Frucall announced the availability of Version 2 of its popular mobile search service for price comparison shopping. Frucall is a free, phone-based service that lets consumers hear current online prices and purchase products using their mobile phones, anytime, anywhere. |
| Napster Set to Launch Over-the-Air Music Subscription Service in Japan Original news source |
| Napster announced that the company will soon launch the first deployment of
its over-the-air (OTA) music subscription service through Napster Japan, a
joint venture between the company and Tower Records Japan, with NTT DoCoMo,
Japan's largest wireless carrier. |
| PhoneSpots Redefines Local Search and Advertising on Mobile Phones Original news source |
| PhoneSpots, a provider of next-generation mobile phone advertising, announced the company's public launch and the immediate availability of its mobile advertising exchange. The exchange enables directory assistance operators and online yellow pages providers to deliver enhanced listing information, category search results, and highly targeted advertising in text or multimedia messages sent to mobile phones. |
| 4INFO to Launch SMS/Text Advertising Marketplace Original news source |
| The 4INFO Advertising Marketplace will allow marketers to reach new customers by placing highly targeted advertising within valued, timely SMS/text mobile content from 4INFO's mobile services, as well as partners including USA Today, Spark Networks and TV Guide. |
| CellSigns launches Newspaper Industry's first mobile platform Original news source |
| Cellifieds bridges the offline, online and mobile channels. With a cell
phone, users can shop the local classifieds for a car, browse pictures and
information on homes for sale, or even sign up for alerts and breaking
news. The customer can also click on the newspaper website and send a news
story, coupon or ad to their cell phone with send-to-phone. |
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This section lists news about new financing opportunities for and in the wireless data industry.
| Mobile Social Network Frengo Raises $5.7 Million Original news source |
| Frengo, a mobile social network, announced that it has raised $5.7 million in its first round of venture capital financing, led by Trilogy Equity Partners. |
| Benefon announces that geosolutions transaction closed and share exchange accomplished Original news source |
| The Board of Directors of Benefon Oyj has resolved on purchase of GeoSolutions
B.V. according to authorization granted to it by the Annual General Meeting of
April 16th, 2007. Accordingly the Board has decided to issue agreed number of
Benefon Oyj's new investment series shares to GeoHolding B.V., to the sole owner
of GeoSolutions B.V., and agreed number of option rights to key resources of
GeoSolutions B.V. |
| Juice Wireless squeezes $2.3M in funding Original news source |
| Juice Wireless hauled in $2.3 million from Qualcomm Inc. and 21 Ventures as part of a second funding round.
The New York-based startup is hoping to tap the user-generated content market with JuiceCaster, a cross-platform offering that allows users to create videos on mobile phones and distribute them to social networking sites. |
| Sonopia Secures $12.7 Million Original news source |
| Sonopia announced a $12.7 million series B financing round led by Cardinal Venture Capital. The funds will be used to advance the company’s goal of providing American consumers with mobile services tailored to their lifestyles and preferences. |
| Hostopia acquires assets of Nexthaus Original news source |
| Hostopia.com Inc. announced that it has acquired all of the
software assets of Nexthaus, Inc., a US-based developer of
software applications for mobile devices, in accordance with a definitive
agreement. The acquired software uses wireless communications to
synchronize data between computers and mobile devices, such as calendar and
contact updates from a desktop to a smart phone. |
| * Microsoft Acquires ScreenTonic Original news source |
| Microsoft Corp. announced it has agreed to acquire ScreenTonic SA, a
Europe-based mobile advertising pioneer, in a move that combines the
breadth of Microsoft(R) Digital Advertising Solutions offerings with the
mobile expertise and industry relationships of ScreenTonic to help
advertisers reach a global audience of mobile users. |
| zamano has completed the acquisition of Eirborne Text Promotions Original news source |
| zamano has completed the acquisition of Eirborne Text Promotions Ltd, an Irish-based mobile content company active in the UK, Irish and Australian markets.
zamano has acquired the entire issued share capital of Eirborne for an initial consideration of €1.7m. |
| EQO Communications Secures US$9 Million in Series B Funding Original news source |
| EQO Communications, a provider of mobile internet phone services, today announced that the company has received a US$9 million Series B financing to fund its global expansion. The financing round was led by Ventures West and included investments from existing investors GrowthWorks and BDC Capital. |
| OZ Acquires Thumbspeed Original news source |
| OZ, consumer mobile messaging solution provider, announced that it has acquired Thumbspeed Inc. from Hands-On Mobile Inc., for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition will expand OZ’s expertise and offering for the mobile messaging market. With OZ’s technology and market leadership, and Thumbspeed’s strength in mobile client applications and innovation, a new and more formidable mobile messaging solution provider is formed. |
| MobileMail (US) Enters Into a Letter of Intent to Acquire Significant Interest in Market-Leading Mobile Content Delivery Solutions Provider Original news source |
| txtNation, headquartered in the UK, is a solutions provider of mobile messaging, content and billing services, encompassing SMS chat services, white-label campaigns for mobile platforms, web-based mobile content delivery, and secure mobile customer billing. |
| Limbo 41414 Secures $8 Million In Venture Capital To Expand Its Mobile Entertainment Services Original news source |
| Mobile pioneer Limbo 41414 announced that it has secured $8 million in new financing from Azure Capital Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and New Enterprise Associates (NEA) to continue fueling Limbo's aggressive growth and plans to deliver an expanded array of mobile and online entertainment services to consumers and marketers. |
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This section lists the trade shows and conferences which are relevant to wireless data from either participation or exhibiting point of view.
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A recommended introductory reading that may be helpful in understanding the scope of this publication is the Wireless Data Forum's Wireless Data Primer.
A glossary of wireless industry terms and acronyms can be found at the Wireless Week site.
Disclaimer: The information presented is personal opinion of Leonid Iakovlev (the editor) and does not necessarily represent the opinion of any company with which he may be affiliated or of any referred third party. All information in this report is NOT guaranteed to be accurate. The information and links were however verified at the time this text was created. Editor does not take responsibility for any actions you may take based on the information you find here. Editor accepts no liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions or by statements of any kind in this publication, whether such errors result from accident, negligence, or any other cause. Editor assumes no liability for incidental or consequential damages
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