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Back issues are available at LiveJournal |
November 4 to 10, 2006 |
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- Week summary
- General wireless data market related news
- Carriers news
- Wireless data related middleware vendors 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
| * - 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 |
- Flash storage embedded into SIMs as well as related functionality that uses software built-in into flash and SIMs starts to reach critical mass - and leaders are Sandisk/msystems and Samsung.
- Samsung leads in phone design as well - introducing Windows XP based phone (yes, mobile one + Wimax) and mp3 player with mobile phone functionality. Plus it offers a phone in US (with HELIO) that offers Google map-based GPS-enabled applications. Google is now into mobile applications - and have you noticed that GMail is not a beta now as you can register for it by SMS without any invitation.
- ARCHOS starts to sell a multimedia player that could be used a mobile application platform - unlike similar offering from Microsoft.
- OpenMoko adds another mobile phone Linux platform - with phone soon to be available in China.
- Verisign touts mobile phone-enabled vending machines as something new - while years and years ago they were trialed in e.g. Japan and Finland and proved to to be really profitable due to low actual usage.
- Some
South African company (named POGO) tries to play Napster (that is original one) game again providing p2p file sharing for mobile content (ringtones including).
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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.
| Nokia: The future of TV will be personal Original news source |
| Personalisation and interactivity will be the key drivers of mobile TV according to a new report commissioned by Nokia and conducted by Dr Shani Orgad from the London School of Economics. The report, titled 'This Box Was Made For Walking', examines the future impact of mobile TV on the broadcasting and advertising industries. The report predicts that the introduction and adoption of mobile TV will ultimately give way to a more personal and private TV experience than that of traditional broadcast TV, with big implications for users, content providers and advertisers. Users will be able to receive content anytime, anywhere, choose what is most relevant to them, and even create and upload their own television content, while content providers and advertisers will be able to tailor their offerings more specifically to the user. |
| FierceWireless Votes Tallied For 'Fierce Favorites' Top Wireless Industry Blogs Original news source |
| FierceWireless announced the results of its "Fierce Favorites" blog awards contest. Open to all readers of wireless industry blogs, including subscribers to FierceMarkets publications, voting for Fierce Favorites began on Oct. 18 and concluded on Oct. 31. The awards recognize and celebrate bloggers' contributions to coverage of the wireless industry. |
| Forrester Research: European Enterprises Put Mobility At The Core Of Their Strategic Agendas Original news source |
| European firms now spend 32% of their telecom and networking budgets on mobility, according to Forrester Research. In its report “The State Of European Enterprise Mobility In 2006”, Forrester sets out how the opportunity for greater productivity, cost savings, and boosted employee morale has put mobility at the core of strategic agendas. Today, more than 70% of enterprises are using some type of mobile application. A third of businesses say that setting mobile and wireless strategy and policy is a priority in 2006; for another 16%, it’s a critical priority. Why are these companies investing in mobility? Mobility provides the enabling technology for business practices like flexible working, with quantifiable benefits. |
| Informa: Content providers face challenges financing mobile TV and video projects Original news source |
| The market for mobile TV and video is growing rapidly, but content providers are finding it difficult to finance new projects, according to 'Getting into Mobile TV and Video: Financing, producing and distributing TV and video content', a new report published by Informa Telecoms and Media in partnership with peacefulfish. Informa forecasts worldwide revenues from mobile TV and video services will rise from US$2.46 billion in 2006 to US$8.35 billion in 2011, but content providers vying for a share of this market face challenges. |
| Juniper Research: Wireless Machine to Machine (M2M) Sector Enters Rapid Growth Phase, Rising to $44bn by 2009 Original news source |
| According to industry watchers Juniper Research the market for Wireless-enabled Machine to Machine applications is now entering a new growth phase with revenues set to grow from $20bn in 2006 to over $44bn by 2009 and $74bn by 2011. Wireless M2M is poised to revolutionise the workings of large organisations across all industries, extending their IT assets in ways hitherto unimagined, provided that they have the vision to grasp the opportunity. This is an unusual market, in that all the enabling technology exists and proof of concept is visible in the form of successful implementations in several industries. |
| Vodafone Group: New report reveals potential for the world's poor to bank through mobile phones Original news source |
| Vodafone Group, with the permission of The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), publishes a report that reveals the economic and social benefits being created by mobile banking (m-banking) amongst the world's poorest communities. The report, titled Economic Empowerment through Mobile, is the third in a series of Corporate Responsibility Dialogues produced by Vodafone and includes the results from three independent research projects. Key social findings include: Mobile technology and the Airtime Transfer services support social networks through reinforcing existing relationships and enabling airtime to be redistributed across family or friends; Airtime Transfer services have given women more independence. |
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This section lists news about innovative and competitive usage of wireless data by network carriers.
| i-Free designs content download solution for Skylink subscribers Original news source |
| i-Free, Russia’s leader in mobile value added services, has pioneered a software solution to download content to CDMA2000 mobile phones. The BREW browser, developed by i-Free, gives Skylink subscribers access to mobile images, animation, ringtones and realtones. Until now, Russian CDMA2000 subscribers were unable to download content to their mobile phones. Now they can. i-Free has designed a BREW application that, when loaded into a mobile phone, gives the subscriber access to a catalogue from where content can be easily chosen and downloaded to the mobile phone. Most importantly, subscribers can preview the images and listen to the music before they download. |
| 3G FOMA Subscribers Top 30 Million Mark Original news source |
| NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced that the number of subscribers to DoCoMo's 3G FOMA service surpassed the 30 million mark on November 4, 2006, approximately five years and one month since the service's launch on October 1, 2001. DoCoMo attributes the rapid subscriber growth to its wide variety of services and contents taking advantage of 3G's high speed and high capability data transmission, an expanding line-up of 3G handsets, wider coverage area and improvements in call quality. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which provide middleware used by carriers and software developers to offer access to diversified corporate data.
| S1 Announces Integrated Postilion Multi-Channel Self-Service Banking Solution Original news source |
| S1 Corporation, provider of customer interaction software for financial and payment services, announced that beginning next year, financial institutions and processors in Europe, Middle East and Africa will be able to offer fully integrated multi-channel banking services. Postilion for Financial Institutions will provide complete consistency across the ATM, voice, Internet, and mobile channels. Postilion for Financial Institutions reduces the overall cost of driving self-service channels. With Postilion's 99.999% reliability, reduced hardware footprint and common architecture, financial service providers are able to manage customers across all self-service channels from a single management portal, providing full visibility and management of customer data, account history, transaction detail, and channel access. |
| Garmin enters LBS Platform Market with Garmin LBS Toolkit Original news source |
| Garmin International Inc. announced the availability of the Garmin LBS Toolkit, a flexible location-based service platform that can serve as the engine behind third party LBS applications. The Garmin LBS Tookit incorporates Garmin’s proven navigation API, local search, real-time content delivery services, and mobile advertising delivery services, into one powerful platform. The launch customers for Garmin LBS Toolkits are Xora and Agilis leading GPS tracking and mobile resource management software providers. The Garmin LBS Toolkit is a proven technology platform currently in use in Garmin Mobile, a feature-rich consumer application delivering maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and dynamic content such as Weather, Traffic, and Gas Prices on select handsets. |
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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.
| * msystems and LG Electronics Offer More to Mobile Subscribers and Network Operators Original news source |
| msystems, specialist in smart personal storage, and LG Electronics announced that the new 3G multimedia model U830 handset will deliver a new range of powerful capabilities to subscribers and mobile network operators (MNOs) with support for msystems’ MegaSIM card. The LG U830 multimedia clamshell handset, supporting msystems’ 1GB MegaSIM card The MegaSIM-supporting LG U830 is a 3G mobile handset with a host of impressive features like a two megapixel camera, 200MB of internal memory, Bluetooth (A2DP/AVRCP) connectivity and a MP3/AAC/WMA media player. With up to 1GB of additional flash memory provided by a MegaSIM card, the LG U830 has the storage capacity to support this functionality within a slim design. Sporting a clamshell design, the phone will soon be released as part of the stylish Chocolate series. |
| Broadcom Gives Skype Users Freedom From the PC Original news source |
| Broadcom Corporation announced that the Broadcom Wi-Fi phone platform now supports Skype software and will be available to consumers in new Wi-Fi phone handsets from Buffalo. The Buffalo Wi-Fi phone for Skype enables free Internet calling to other Skype users and supports traditional calling to and from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) through the SkypeIn and SkypeOut offerings, using IEEE 802.11b/g wireless LAN connectivity and a high-speed Internet connection. The handset features include a high-resolution color display, speakerphone and Buffalo's AOSS easy configuration protocol. The Buffalo Wi-Fi phone will be Skype Certified and available for the Japanese market in November 2006. The handset comes with everything built-in to connect to Skype via any personal, business or free public Wi-Fi access point that does not require browser authentication. |
| * Samsung Launches the 'Mini MP3 phone' Original news source |
| Samsung's latest mini music phone comes with an innovative MP3 player design. The unique swing-open form factor allows for a perfect combination of mobile phone and MP3 player function. When closed, the X830 functions like a MP3 player with a music player interface that horizontally displays the playlist, equalizer settings and song information. Swinging the phone open exposes the keypad and doubles its length for optimal mobile communication experience. The X830 attracts mobile users who prefer portability and an exceptional trendy design. Slim and narrow in size, the mobile phone measures an incredibly compressed 84x30x19.9mm and weighs in at a mere 75 grams for light mobility. This mini MP3 phone's portability and compactness does not compromise the ease of use for its various multimedia functions. The click wheel navigation gives users hassle-free control of the music functions. The built-in 1GB memory allows for storage of 250 songs. Users can also download audio files from CNN or BBC website by podcasting function. The USB 2.0 connection is fast enough to handle large data volumes, and the Music Library organizes downloaded music according to album name, song title, artist and genre for effortless search and playback. The phone also has Bluetooth connectivity that allows users to talk or enjoy their music through a wireless stereo headset. The 'mini MP3 phone' will be released in the European market by end of this month and will be expanded to other GSM markets shortly. |
| * Samsung Reveals the Latest in Mobile Convergence Devices Ready for Mobile WiMAX Technology Original news source |
| Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd unveiled the latest in mobile convergence device, the SPH-P9000 Deluxe MITs. The SPH-P9000 is a PDA-based device utilizing Mobile WiMAX and CDMA EV-DO connectivity. Users will have wireless access to the Internet utilizing Mobile WiMAX connectivity. Simultaneously, the CDMA EV-DO technology provides mobile phone connection for voice communication. With Microsoft Windows XP as the operating system, users will find the contents and applications familiar and easy to use for work and play. The SPH-P9000 comes with a QWERTY keyboard for painless typing and internet surfing, while the MP3 player function, VOD, and camera function provide a quick access to multimedia entertainment. The five inch WVGA screen is prepared for movie and document viewing, while the 30GB hard drive stores music, movies, and documents. All of these unique features are combined into one device that weighs in at a little over one pound. The SPH-P9000 will be launched in Korea first half of 2007. |
| * Samsung 1GB Multimedia SIM Card Supports Mobile Multimedia Environment Original news source |
| Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced the introduction of a 1 Gigabyte (GB) subscriber identity module card solution, S-SIMTM that expands customer experience in multimedia intensive services. nstead of carrying a separate memory card, Samsung's 1GB S-SIM incorporates a system-in-package (SiP) technology to carry high gigabit-density NAND flash memory without growing the area size of the conventional SIM card. The small form factor supports the compact size of multimedia phones. The new SIM solution provides added convenience to the user. High data storage capacity with tighter security features ensures safer transmission of personal information and data. The added memory on the security tight SIM solution improves the user experience. Data intensive files such as multimedia messaging, email, digital photos and video, music files and online gaming are among the features now capable with this SIM solution. Samsung's new S-SIM is based on SIM interface to ensure compatibility with conventional systems and supports high-speed MultiMediaCard and USB interface for faster transmission of larger data volumes. |
| Texas Instruments Single-Chip Cell Phone Technology Will Make Multimedia Phones Affordable for Mass Market Original news source |
| Texas Instruments Incorporated announced a new OMAP-VoxTM single-chip solution to foster development of lower-cost multimedia-rich feature phones. Codenamed "eCosto," the new single-chip platform is leveraging TI's innovative DRPTM technology which is successful with the "LoCosto" value platform in volume production today. The "eCosto" platform also leverages the multimedia capabilities of the OMAP-Vox platform in volume production today with the OMAPV1030 solution. The first product in the new "eCosto" platform will be the OMAPV1035 single-chip solution, which will be manufactured in 65-nanometer (nm) and will support GSM, GPRS and EDGE standards. With the new OMAPV1035 single-chip solution, customers currently using TI's "LoCosto" platform and OMAP-Vox processors will be able to easily expand their handset portfolio with competitive, affordable multimedia-rich handsets. As the current OMAPV1030 and new OMAPV1035 solutions share a common software platform, OMAP-Vox customers will be able to re-use their application and modem software investments for faster and more cost-effective multimedia-rich feature phone development. TI today also announced work with leading application software providers to further boost rapid integration of multimedia applications into handsets. |
| First 2.0 Megapixel Camera Phone Available On Nextel Network Original news source |
| Motorola and Sprint announced the availability of the i880 by Motorola - an all-in-one multimedia and productivity-enhancing wireless phone. As the first iDEN handset with a 2.0 megapixel camera, the attractive i880 by Motorola provides customers with both advanced entertainment features and the productivity-enhancing Walkie-Talkie service. The i880 by Motorola also features an integrated music player with the ability to enjoy MP3s, audio files and audio podcasts through the front dual-ported speakers in stereo sound. Multimedia files are easily stored on the included 64 MB microSD removable memory card. In addition to Nextel's Nationwide Walkie-Talkie and International Walkie-Talkie services that allow instant coast-to-coast and country-to-country communication at the touch of a button, the i880 by Motorola offers other unique walkie-talkie options. ome of the other features of the i880 by Motorola include pre-installed and downloadable Java applications, GPS capabilities, Internet microbrowser, custom ring tone ID and picture caller ID, a 262K internal color screen, voice dialing, voice recorder, speakerphone, datebook and 600-entry contacts list. The i880 by Motorola is available through all Sprint and Nextel distribution channels, including retail stores, at a price of $499.99 or $299.99 with $50 rebate and a two-year service agreement. |
| * ARCHOS Introduces WiFi-Enabled, Touch Screen Portable Video Player Original news source |
| ARCHOS, Inc. announced the general availability of the ARCHOS 604-WiFi, portable video player with integrated wireless technology and brilliant 4.3-inch touch screen for simple navigation. The 604-WiFi features 802.11g wireless connectivity, which allows consumers to browse the Internet, send and receive Web-based email, and play media files from their home computer to the device or to the TV. The 30GB device retails for $449.99 and is available now. |
| Wavecom and eRide join forces to create geo-location technology Plug-In for mobile wireless applications Original news source |
| eRide Inc., specialist in Global Positioning System (GPS and A-GPS) and Satellite Navigation Technology, and Wavecom S.A., specialist in wireless communications solutions for automotive, industrial (machine-to-machine) and mobile professional applications, are pleased to announce their collaboration that brings a new generation of location and navigation capabilities to mobile applications. Open AT Plug-In technology from Wavecom is an approach to combining specific features and functionalities with wireless technology. It allows each part of the system to perform its specific tasks at the optimum level of performance at optimum cost efficiency which is made possible through the use of Wavecom's Open AT Software Suite. This latest Open AT Plug-In, C-GPS, based on Wavecom and eRide's A-GPS technology, is designed especially to be used in conjunction with the Wavecom Q2686 and Q2687 Wireless CPUs (Central Processing Unit) and targets all devices in the vehicle, people and asset tracking and management markets. A key benefit of this solution is that customers are not constrained to using only these initial Wireless CPUs since the Open AT Plug-In is compatible with future offerings such as Wavecom's Wireless Microprocessor and eRide's A-GPS. |
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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.).
| Aplix Reaches Licensing Agreement with handset vendors on MOAP to Offer Integrated Solutions for Linux-Based Mobile Phones Original news source |
| Aplix Corporation announced it has reached a licensing agreement with NEC Corp. and Panasonic Mobile Communications Co. on MOAP(L) to offer integrated solutions for Linux-based mobile phones. The license allows Aplix to design and develop software solutions for mobile phones using the MOAP(L) Linux platform co-developed by NEC, Panasonic Mobile and NTT DoCoMo, and to sublicense this technology to other handset manufacturers. For Linux-based mobile phones, Aplix’s MOAP(L)-based RI (the integrated solution of its own middleware framework, the MOAP(L) Linux platform co-developed by NEC, Panasonic Mobile and NTT DoCoMo, and the different middleware / software partners it has lined up with), offers its customers a broad palette of functions as the RI allows other third-party middleware and applications to be incorporated easily and efficiently, while streamlining the development process and keeping costs down at the same time. |
| Skyhook Wireless Announces New Version of Loki, the Free Virtual GPS Location Toolbar Original news source |
| Skyhook Wireless announced the availability of the newest version of Loki, location-based Internet toolbar. Building upon its strong adoption since May, this version introduces significant new features, local advertising capabilities, and performance improvements. Loki ) is a freely downloadable toolbar that relies on existing Wi-Fi devices to pinpoint a user’s exact physical location and then leverages that location to make the Web revolve around the user. Today, Loki’s coverage area now represents 65% of the U.S. population and will expand to 70%, plus the majority of the Canadian population by the end of the year. |
| * OpenMoko Announces Integrated Open Source Mobile Communications Platform Original news source |
OpenMoko announced the immediate availability of a completely integrated open source mobile communications platform in partnership with FIC, specialist in motherboards,
graphics cards, mobile solutions, and electronic devices. The announcement of the OpenMoko mobile communications platform coincides with the unveiling of FIC’s Neo1973 smartphone, which utilizes the full OpenMoko platform and will be available in January 2007. With the release of OpenMoko, which is based on the latest Linux open source efforts, developers now have an easy way to create applications and deliver services that span all users and provide a common “look and feel”. OpenMoko also offers common storage models and libraries for application developers, making writing applications for mobile phones fun and easy while guaranteeing swift proliferation of a wide range of applications for mobile phones. OpenMoko has partnered with mobile open source software company, Funambol, to provide full push email and PIM synchronization support to all applications running on the OpenMoko platform. |
| * SanDisk Supplies microSD Memory Cards with TrustedFlash to French Mobile Network Operator Bouygues Telecom Original news source |
| SanDisk Corporation announced that French mobile network operator Bouygues Telecom has selected SanDisk’s TrustedFlash technology to enable its customers to download and share music, video and other protected content on SanDisk flash cards. Starting this winter, Bouygues will offer TrustedFlash cards for three handsets with memory card slots. Using these cards with the Bouygues i-mode service network, subscribers can purchase, download, securely store, play back and share a variety of premium content. One forthcoming handset will be sold with a SanDisk TrustedFlash 256-megabyte microSD card, which contains music and videos. The card is configured so that at the end of play users are taken to the website of the service provider. Concurrent with the introduction of the new TrustedFlash i-mode phone models, SanDisk Mobile Premier microSD 1-gigabyte (GB) cards with TrustedFlash will be sold at Bouygues’ stores throughout France so that users can upgrade their storage capacity. |
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This section lists news that describe innovative and competitive implementation of wireless data applications.
| Century 21 Real Estate Launches New Mobile Search Tool Original news source |
| Century 21 Real Estate LLC announced today the launch of CENTURY 21 Mobile, an innovative listing and agent locator and financial resource tool designed for consumers on the go. Consumers can now search for properties, agents, and offices, as well as utilize interactive financial tools such as a mortgage calculator, at their convenience via their PDAs, cell phones and other handheld devices with Internet access capability. |
| * VeriSign Enables Coca-Cola Vending Machine Purchases via Mobile Phones Original news source |
| VeriSign, Inc., provider of intelligent infrastructure for the networked world, announced a deal to enable purchases at Coca-Cola vending machines via mobile phones in Austria. Now, over two million mobilkom austria and ONE wireless customers have access to the mobile payment function at vending machines across Austria. VeriSign developed the technical interface between Coca-Cola machines, cellular operators and the payment system for the more than 100 beverage vending machines around Austria enabled for mobile payment. Developed in Austria, this solution can also be used for vending machines around the world. |
| RepeatSeat Signs Agreement With Soapbox Mobile to Deliver Barcode Ticketing to Cellphones Original news source |
| RepeatSeat Ltd., interactive global entertainment services company offering private label ticketing and data management solutions throughout North America signed a contract with California based Soapbox Mobile, Inc. Soapbox Mobile's technology platform, Soapbox Anywhere, combined with creative services and an agency business model, has attracted long term clients. This Agreement provides RepeatSeat with both the platform and mobile marketing expertise to deliver barcode tickets to cell phones and PDAs. The RepeatSeat Online Ticketing application together with Soapbox's mobile technology presents consumers with the experience of convenient, customized ticket purchases using only their mobile device. The customer can select events and tickets, complete the purchase process on their cell phone or PDA and have a barcode delivered to their mobile device for redemption at the venue. |
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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.
| Napster Mobile Launches Over-The-Air Music Service in Japan Original news source |
| Napster announced the launch of Napster Mobile on iMode, NTT DoCoMo's mobile internet platform currently used by over 40 million of its over 52 million mobile subscribers across Japan. For a low monthly fee, DoCoMo customers can use Napster Mobile to access full-length songs and ringtones that can be delivered over-the-air (OTA), directly to their mobile handset for immediate listening and downloading. |
| Gemini Mobile Launches 3d Community Platform For Wireless Phones Original news source |
| Gemini Mobile Technologies, developer of wireless software, announced a new software platform to power mobile communities. The Gemini platform, called eXplo, is the foundation of a new 3D interface from SoftBank Mobile Corporation in Japan, named S! TOWN. S! TOWN gives users their first experience with a rich graphical community to chat, communicate and shop across their wireless devices. SoftBank Mobile’s new S! Town-enabled phones are available today throughout Japan on their Sharp and Toshiba phone models. Gemini also announced that its multimedia messaging software, the HyperScale Messaging Center, and its HyperScale core technology are the engines behind an additional new SoftBank Mobile service, Arrange Mail. Arrange Mail, powered by Gemini’s software, takes messaging to the next level by enabling consumers to compose, send and receive rich text and graphical messages on their existing SoftBank handsets. |
| AskMeNow and Expert System Partner on Next Generation Mobile Question and Answer Service Original news source |
| AskMeNow, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ocean West Holding Corporation, announced an exclusive partnership with Expert System to launch a next generation mobile question and answer service with the ability to access all of the data on the Internet through simple, natural language queries. This new "intelligent" search service combines the latest in mobile information technology and linguistics to deliver accurate answers to virtually any question on your phone for the first time. The first mobile breakthrough is the ability to extract, filter, categorize and deliver unstructured data, which expands access to information from every area of the Internet. Second, its semantic approach allows the user to receive accurate answers through natural language questions without having to navigate the arcane rules of mobile databases. The combined result is an intelligent worldwide mobile search platform. |
| Plaxo Mobile Plus Enhances Mobile Address Books with Wireless Synchronization of Contacts, Interactive Maps and Photos Original news source |
| Plaxo, operator of the largest and fastest growing address book network, announced the availability of Plaxo Mobile Plus. For the first time, consumers can get a single, self-updating address book on their mobile phones, which will synchronize their contact information with all of their other communication tools, including Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, AIM, Yahoo! Mail, the Mac OS X Address Book, and Thunderbird. Plaxo Mobile Plus is immediately available nationwide from a leading carrier on a variety of BREW handsets. Additional carriers will offer the service in upcoming weeks. |
| * POGO Announces Launch of Free File Sharing Software for Mobile Phones Original news source |
| POGO, a South African based company, has launched free file sharing software for mobile phones and is looking to benefit from the growing demand for mobile phone applications in the youth market. POGO allows users to share ringtones, music, games, videos and themes. It also allows users to send messages at 1c per SMS as well as access classifieds, body weight calculator and car performance facilities. POGO is free and downloadable to all GPRS and 3G mobile phones that are Java and WAP enabled. The free file sharing software application provides users with access to a community sharing its content. 5,000 mobile games, over a million different MP3s and thousands of ring tones are already accessible via the file sharing application. |
| * HELIO Debuts GPS-Enabled Google Maps for Mobile and Buddy Beacon Original news source |
| HELIO LLC, the new mobile service that is bringing a fresh approach to the wireless industry, announced the launch of its third exclusive mobile device - the Drift by Samsung - and custom-built services that harness advanced GPS technology, GPS-enabled Google Maps for mobile and Buddy Beacon. The new device and services continue Helio's model of utilizing mobile to let people stay in touch with their friends in new and unique ways. The Drift features a 2.12 inch QVGA display, stereo Bluetooth, 128MB internal memory expandable via microSD, 2.0 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom and flash for shooting photos and video, MP3, MPEG-4 and VOD support for a wide variety of entertainment options. Drift is also complete with GPS capabilities. Buddy Beacon is the new way for Helio members to synchronize their social lives and tell friends where the fun is. Rather than calling or texting, Helio members can switch on their Buddy Beacon and use satellite technology to broadcast their location to the friends they add to their Buddy List. Buddy Beacon also lets Helio members send out an SMS message asking their friends to flip on their Buddy Beacons. The Drift is now available for $225. Buddy Beacon and Google Maps for mobile are free with Helio All-In Memberships, and data charges apply for A La Carte memberships. |
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This section lists news about new financing opportunities for and in the wireless data industry.
| Netsize expands further with €13.2 million new investment funding Original news source |
| Netsize announced that it had secured its 5th round of new investment of €13.2 million. The venture capital firms who have invested include existing Netsize investors GRP, Partech International, GemVentures ( the Gemplus Group VC) , Rothschild Gestion, Aldea (the founders’ holding) and a new investor, 123 Venture. Netsize has already established itself as a market leader for premium content billing and mobile messaging; the new funds will be used for expanding its next generation of mobile billing services over WAP and 3G across Europe. |
| Caltrain Gets $1 Million Toward Wireless Internet Project Original news source |
| Caltrain commuters might be able to tap into the Internet on their laptops on the way to and from work within a year with the help of a new wireless network infrastructure. The Caltrain board of directors approved a $1 million allocation toward designing and engineering the system. An additional estimated $2 million to $3 million will be needed to fully implement the service. The agency tested wireless service on a short stretch of track between Millbrae and Palo Alto in July and hopes it can roll out wireless along all 52 miles of Caltrain track by this time next year. |
| Nokia Signs Research and Development Agreement with U.S. Army for Wireless Communications Protocols Original news source |
| Nokia announced that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army to evaluate Nokia technology in the areas of PCS, WCDMA 3G, GSM, WiMAX and advanced wireless networking protocols for potential military and defense applications. The CRADA with the Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) demonstrates the continued momentum of Nokia's government division in the U.S., particularly its expanding relationship with the Army. The project consists of a series of tests, demonstrations, experiments and exploratory exchange efforts that will begin in the fourth quarter of 2006 and last for five years. The devices and systems to be evaluated can potentially meet the requirements for deployed forces to have access to high-capacity throughput to support Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence information flow. |
| Sony Ericsson to acquire UIQ Technology Original news source |
| Sony Ericsson announced it has reached agreement in principle for acquiring the Swedish software company UIQ Technology AB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Symbian Ltd. UIQ Technology, which uses Symbian OS, licenses the UIQ user interface and application development platform to mobile phone vendors worldwide. Following completion of the acquisition, UIQ Technology will operate as a separate business subsidiary of Sony Ericsson under its current management team. UIQ on Symbian OS will continue to be openly available, licensed on equal terms to all its licensees. |
| Ontela Secures Funding To Launch Mobile Imaging Delivery Platform Original news source |
| Ontela, an innovator in mobile imaging technologies headquartered in Seattle, today announces that it has secured funding from Hunt Ventures, Oak Investment Partners and Voyager Capital. This funding will support the company’s efforts as it moves from closed service trials to market deployment of its PicDeck mobile imaging platform in 2007. |
| Hurray! to Acquire 30% Stake in New Run Entertainment Original news source |
| Hurray! Holding Co., Ltd., a specialist in wireless music distribution and other wireless value-added services, artist development and music production, and wireless value-added services management software in China, announced the signing of definitive agreements to acquire a 30% equity interest in Beijing New Run Entertainment Co. Ltd., a leading independent record label in China. New Run Entertainment specializes in music production and distribution for its portfolio of artists which include some of the most popular singers in China. In the acquisition, Hurray! will invest a total of $2.25 million in cash for a 30% equity interest of New Run Entertainment. |
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wblog) wrote,
