- 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 |
- 3 announced X-Series pricing. For just 5 pounds per month you can make unlimited Skype calls. Question is though whether it also includes the related voice minutes' cost - as service is not direct Skype but is provided by a iSkoot client.
- LogicaCMG announced the latest version of its' SMSC. Now it provides a lot of Internet stuff as well - including IM services.
- XScale CPUs are still alive and developing.
- Motorola launched a cheap nice phone in India - with simple functionality and eInk display.
- Opera Mini is now in version 3 and supports SSL.
- User videos - including ones from
YouTube - are now available on mobiles.
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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.
| Juniper Research - Mobile Entertainment Market to Reach $47bn by 2009 Boosted by Mobile TV and Games Original news source |
| In a new report Juniper Research has estimated that the total global mobile entertainment market (including gambling, adult content, mobile games, mobile music, mobile TV and infotainment), is currently worth over $17bn. The analyst firm forecasts this to grow to $47 billion by 2009 and $77 billion by 2011, as broadcast mobile TV and mass market casual games really take off. The global market will be dominated by the Asia Pacific and European regions. Over the whole period 2006 to 2011, Asia Pacific is forecast to contribute 37% of global mobile entertainment revenues and Europe 35%. |
| ABI Research - Mobile Advertising: Small Today, Huge Tomorrow Original news source |
| By the end of 2006, advertising delivered via mobile phones will have a turnover of $1.9 billion worldwide. That sounds like a lot of money, but compared to the $60 to $70 billion spent annually on broadcast television advertising in the United States alone, it is insignificant. However the clear benefits of well-executed mobile advertising are so compelling that over the next five years this market is set to enjoy double-digit growth rates, according to a new study from ABI Research. |
| Nokia - Internet key to next phase of growth in mobile phone industry Original news source |
| Nokia outlined its vision for the future of the mobility industry, predicting that the internet would become the key driving force in a market it expects to reach 4 billion global subscriptions during 2010. Nokia said growth in the mobility industry was accelerating faster than predicted earlier, and that it now expected the industry to reach the milestone of 3 billion mobile subscriptions globally in 2007.
Music, mobile TV and navigation services will play a key role in driving this growth, both in advanced and emerging markets where in the latter increasing numbers of people are accessing the internet for the first time on their mobile rather than on a PC. Reflecting this, Nokia said it estimates that the replacement market will account for about 65 per cent of the global market this year and that this figure is expected to rise to over 80 per cent by the year 2010.
Nokia also said that it expected more than half of the growth in mobile subscribers to come from emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region, including China and India. |
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This section lists news about innovative and competitive usage of wireless data by network carriers.
| * 3 UK announces X-Series pricing Original news source |
| 3, the mobile media company, announces pricing details for the much anticipated X-Series from 3. The X-Series from 3 will extend several of the core applications and uses of the broadband internet to the mobile handset. Packages will be available at two attractive price points on top of the basic voice and text subscription - X-Series Silver at £5 per month and X-Series Gold at £10 per month.
X-Series Silver
The X-Series Silver package gives customers unlimited Skype calls with Skype PC users anywhere in the world, and to any other Skype 3 mobile customer. X-Series Silver offers customers unlimited instant messages, to or from Windows Live Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger, to another X-Series handset, or a PC. Customers will also be able to search and browse the Internet from their mobile. |
| Russian Operator Sky Link Launches BREW Solution Original news source |
| QUALCOMM Incorporate and Sky Link, largest CDMA operator in Russia, announced the commercial availability of BREW wireless data services to Sky Link's wireless subscribers. The service was launched on November 29. Sky Link is now offering BREW applications and services using its CDMA450 network to provide subscribers with access to the latest in mobile content, including mobile games, ringtones, media player and mobile business services. |
| Sprint Launches Combined Mobile Email Client Original news source |
| Sprint announced it is improving mobile messaging for its customers with the launch of Sprint Mobile Email, a new downloadable email client powered by SEVEN. The application provides easy access to multiple email accounts in one place. Users can access their accounts from well-known providers like AOL, Windows Live and Yahoo! all by using Sprint Mobile Email. Customers can also add other POP and IMAP email accounts to access through the service. Sprint Mobile Email is available now for download at no additional charge to Sprint data subscribers on select Sprint and Nextel phones. Sprint expects to make the service available on additional phones in the future. |
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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.
| * New LogicaCMG SMSC release gives operators a path to Internet Messaging Original news source |
| LogicaCMG has announced the latest release of its Short Message Service Centre, the Next Generation IP SMSC, incorporating new unique, market-leading features and best ever price-performance. The new release is completely IMS-ready and entirely interoperable with fixed and mobile Instant Messaging (IM) platforms, fully preparing operators today for the future demands of messaging – at twice the speed than before.
Its feature set includes IM interoperability, extended personalisation for users, advanced content provider support, marketing reporting and operational management. In contrast to some industry views that SMSCs are a ‘legacy’ solution, LogicaCMG is applying its messaging domain expertise to ensure high levels of SMSC innovation, now enabling network operators to pro-actively link SMS to internet-based messaging. |
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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.
| Thinnest U.S. Clamshell Wireless Phone Now Available with Live Television, 2.0MP Camera and Advanced Multimedia Capabilities Original news source |
| Sprint and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) announced the availability of the thinnest clamshell wireless phone currently available in the United States – the Sprint Power Vision M610 by Samsung. Harnessing the speed of Sprint’s Power VisionSM EVDO network, the M610 by Samsung enables customers to access the latest news, music and entertainment content at broadband-like speeds. In addition, the M610 by Samsung is the first ultra-slim, compact handset from Sprint to feature a 2.0 megapixel camera. The sleek handset features a large, crisp QVGA internal display, stereo Bluetooth capable, speakerphone, advanced voice recognition and an external MicroSD memory card slot. |
| Verizon Wireless And LG Launch The Envy Of All Mobile Phones – The enV by LG Original news source |
| Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) announced the exclusive availability of the LG enV. A successor to The V by LG, the enV is the ultimate wireless phone offering an abundance of fun and functional multimedia features: including V CAST and V CAST Music, VZ Navigator, an integrated QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth capabilities, dual speakers and features LG’s first ever integrated 2.0 megapixel camera and camcorder with autofocus and lens cover. Complementing its robust mobile entertainment features, the enV comes equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keypad for easy access to messaging applications including Wireless Sync, the proprietary e-mail solution from Verizon Wireless. With Wireless Sync, customers can synchronize their enV with a home or office PC for easy access to new emails, calendar, contact, and task information. Additionally, the enV is equipped with a powerful 2.0 megapixel camera. Not only will it take remarkably clear images and videos (320x240), but also it boasts a convenient autofocus function and bright flash so users will be able to capture memorable moments on the go. |
| * Marvell Introduces Next Generation Application Processors for Smartphones, Handhelds and Consumer Electronic Devices Original news source |
| Marvell, specialist in storage, communications, and consumer silicon solutions, introduced a new generation of application processors designed for feature handsets, smartphones, GPS navigation systems, wireless handhelds and other consumer electronic devices. The Marvell PXA3xx family of application processors (internally named Monahans) based on third generation of Intel XScale technology was designed for cost efficiency by offering a broad roadmap that is architecturally consistent for maximum software reuse. Marvell silicon provides the headroom for advanced applications with intelligent power management allowing manufacturers to differentiate current and future offerings. The first processor in the family to ship in volume is the Marvell PXA320 (Monahans P), delivering the right mix of performance, power and integration levels to meet the needs of feature handsets, advanced smart phones, and a wide array of portable consumer web browsing devices. Demonstrated earlier this year running at 1.2GHz, the Marvell PXA320 is currently shipping in high volume at low-power and is scalable to 806MHz. Customers will be introducing devices based on the Marvell PXA320 in the first quarter of 2007.
The Marvell PXA3xx product family is completely software compatible and includes two pin-compatible components specifically tailored to high volume consumer products such as mobile phones, digital media players, GPS navigation systems, and embedded devices. The Marvell PXA300 (Monahans-L) offers performance and cost optimization for high volume handheld devices while the Marvell PXA310 (Monahan-LV) provides high-resolution VGA multimedia performance with extended battery life for demanding 3G video and audio use. The PXA310 delivers unprecedented 30fps H.264 playback performance at VGA resolutions along with leading edge general purpose processing. Both products deliver “Scalable to 624MHz” performance and are software compatible with Marvell PXA320 processors so that a single software development effort scales across a wide range of devices segments. All products in the family are either shipping in volume or available in samples now, and will be shipping in volume in the first half of 2007. |
| Pantech Smallest Camera Flip Phone Gets a Facelift Original news source |
| Pantech Wireless, Inc. - the U.S.-based subsidiary of Pantech Group, Korea’s leading mobile phone manufacturer announced the introduction of the Pantech C3, an enhanced version of the world’s smallest camera flip phone.
Building on the success of the C300, the company has given the popular phone a stylish upgrade. Customers can now articulate their personal style by quickly customizing their world’s smallest camera flip phones with a variety of changeable color faceplates. The multimedia C3, available exclusively through all Cingular Wireless sales channels, allows users to share photos and songs with friends, hand-select and assign MP3 ringtones, utilize an array of instant messaging capabilities and stay connected with multiple mobile email services. The phone is small and mighty, measuring only 2.72 inches tall, 1.69 inches wide and .8 inches thick when closed, and once opened it features a bright color screen, large fonts and a VGA camera with flash and zoom. |
| * MOTOFONE Makes its Global Debut Introducing Stylish Connectivity for Everyone Original news source |
| Motorola, Inc. announced the global debut of the MOTOFONE at an event held in New Delhi, India. MOTOFONE is set to redefine the mobile phone market place and strengthen Motorola’s drive to connect the next billion mobile phone users. The Indian launch will be followed by a rapid international rollout.
Based on Motorola’s new SCPL design platform, MOTOFONE is the first of a new breed of handsets designed to disrupt today’s communications landscape by cutting across price tiers, product segments and international markets. Offering an intuitive new interface built with icons and voice versus text, as well as voice prompts specifically tailored to local markets, the handset makes it easier and friendlier for first-time users to navigate, place a call, and retrieve messages. Its large, high contrast screen, powered by a revolutionary ClearVision display makes it easier to use the phone outdoors.
E Ink Corporation, the leading supplier of electronic paper displays, is providing the display technology behind MOTOFONE’s ClearVision. The changeable electronic ink display is easy to read in bright sunlight or dimly lit environments from virtually any angle – just like paper. Additionally, the display is plastic, lightweight and ultra-low power, making it ideal for mobile and power sensitive applications by eliminating the weight and breakability of glass used in LCD displays. |
| Nokia gives consumers greater choice with four new mobile phones Original news source |
| Nokia announced four new mobile phones including three mid-range models -- the Nokia 6300, Nokia 6290 and the Nokia 6086 -- as well as the Nokia 2626 targeted to consumers in entry markets. All four models are expected to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2007. |
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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.).
| Trolltech answers industry call for ready-made software suites for Linux-based mobile phones with Qtopia Greensuite Initiative Original news source |
| Trolltech, the company that makes software faster to build and easier to use, announced a new development initiative, Qtopia Greensuite. The Initiative actively addresses reducing a manufacturer's time to market and the technology fragmentation issues of today's Linux mobile phone market. The first software suite announced from the Initiative is Qtopia Greensuite #1, created specifically for high-end smart phone development.
Trolltech's Qtopia Greensuite initiative answers the mobile phone industry's call for flexible, best of breed software solutions in a one-stop-shop format. Built on top of Qtopia Phone Edition, the Qtopia Greensuite initiative enables Trolltech to offer specific software suites based on handset manufacturers or designers specific technology requirements. Qtopia Greensuite #1 is scheduled for availability Q2 2007. |
| * Skype available on X-Series from 3, enabled by iSkoot Original news source |
| Skype is now available on X-Series handsets from 3 UK. The solution uses the iSkootMobile software and is now available from 3 UK stores and in 3's other markets around the world from early 2007. X-Series customers will be able to make unlimited Skype calls from their Nokia N73, with more handsets to follow. |
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This section lists news that describe innovative and competitive implementation of wireless data applications.
| * Opera Mini drives social networking from mobile phones Original news source |
| Opera Software introduces Opera Mini 3.0, the latest version of the mobile browser already used by eight million people worldwide.
The upgrade introduces new features that enhance mobile social networking abilities on all community sites: photo sharing, RSS feed reader and secure connections.
Opera Mini is not tied to any single service, so it offers a personal Web experience that can be used to easily browse and upload pictures to all online community sites, including MySpace, Blogger, Flickr, Facebook and My Opera, as well as securely using popular webmail such as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo Mail.
Featuring secure connections, Opera Mini makes all Web transactions safe, including banking or shopping on eBay or Amazon.
Opera Mini is globally available free of charge and enables Web browsing on almost any mobile phone. |
| Ericsson and Intel to collaborate on mobile broadband services Original news source |
| Ericsson announced a joint effort with Intel Corporation to accelerate deployment of services and applications on mobile PCs, powered by Ericsson's mobile broadband and IMS solutions and Intel Core Microarchitecture for mobile clients and servers.
The joint effort aims to accelerate the market uptake of mobile broadband and multimedia services usage, through a more convenient and attractive experience for consumers and enterprises.
Both companies will work together on integrating solutions for mobile operators, enabling them to provide attractive mobile broadband service packages for both enterprises and consumers using the mobile PC. This includes a convenient, fast and seamless broadband experience, a secure and fully managed PC environment - improving enterprise IT efficiency, next generation high definition multimedia communication, entertainment and web services on the move.
These integrated solutions will be based on Ericsson's HSPA platform for mobile broadband and IMS platform for convergence with Intel's Mobile technology, providing best user experience, security and reliability.
The collaboration also includes marketing and technology enabling programs for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to develop, validate and bring to market multimedia applications for mobile networks. |
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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.
| InfoSpace Announces Free Trial of InfoSpace Find It! Original news source |
| InfoSpace announced the availability of a 60-day free trial of their enhanced mobile local search product InfoSpace Find It! for mobile customers with select handsets. The new InfoSpace Find It! combines eyes-free spoken directions and simple-to-use GPS functionality with the convenience of local search to quickly and easily locate the nearest businesses, people and events.
Using just a few clicks, InfoSpace Find It! can automatically pinpoint a user's location and identify nearby movie theaters, choose a film, pick a show time, find a nearby ATM or restaurant and get directions--all via a mobile phone. As a premium Java (J2ME) application, InfoSpace Find It! distills millions of listings into six categories tailored to the on-the-go user - Dine Out, Go Out, Shop, Travel, Health and Services. |
| * Revver Teams with Verizon Wireless to Bring Best User Generated Content to V CAST Original news source |
| Revver, Inc., marketplace for viral videos, announced it will provide its user-generated and copyright-friendly video content directly to the mobile phones of Verizon Wireless V CAST subscribers. As part of the agreement, beginning in early December, Revver videos will be available to Verizon Wireless’ customers with V CAST-enabled handsets, including the Chocolate (LG VX8500) and MOTOKRZR K1m. |
| * YouTube Agreement with Verizon Wireless Marks First Step to Deliver Video
Entertainment to Consumers on the Go Original news source |
| YouTube, a consumer media company that enables people to watch and share
original videos through a Web experience, announced that, in early
December, its leading video entertainment service will be available to
people on mobile devices. In its first strategic mobile distribution
agreement, YouTube will enable Verizon Wireless V CAST consumers to access
a selection of YouTube videos from their mobile phones exclusively for a
limited time. |
| Nokia and Yahoo! Extend Internet Experience to the Mobile Mass Market Original news source |
| Nokia and Yahoo! extended their partnership to offer Yahoo! branded services including Yahoo! Mail and Messenger on Nokia's wide range of mobile phones operating on the Series 40 platform. Yahoo! services will initially be available on the newly announced Nokia 6300, the Nokia 5300 XpressMusic and the Nokia 5200. Moving forward these services and the ability to synchronise Yahoo! contacts, tasks and calendar on the PC and phone will be added to an even wider range of Nokia's Series 40 devices. |
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This section lists news about new financing opportunities for and in the wireless data industry.
| New Wave Mobile to acquire Wagerphone Original news source |
New Wave Mobile Inc is pleased to announce its letter of intent to acquire 100% of WagerPhone
Inc. -WP- in exchange for 115 million restricted
shares and $500k USD initial funding for the launch of its lottery
initiatives.
WP combines two of the most influential innovations of modern time: the
Internet and Cellular phones. These devices, coupled with the increased
demand for regulated gaming such as National / State Lotteries, has
resulted in a rapidly emerging extremely lucrative multi billion dollar
market opportunity. |
| OZ raises USD$34 million in second round of financing Original news source |
| OZ, the leading consumer mobile messaging solution provider, announced that it has raised USD$34 million in its second round of financing. The sizeable new round recognizes OZ as the established market leader in the consumer IM and email market and demonstrates the high degree of confidence that investors and mobile operators have in the Company’s leadership, team and value proposition. |
| NeuStar Acquires Followap Original news source |
| NeuStar, Inc. , a provider of essential communications services to the global communications and Internet industry, announced that it has acquired Followap, Inc., a UK-based leading provider of mobile instant messaging (IM) products in Europe and Asia, for approximately $139 million in cash. NeuStar projects Followap revenue to exceed $25 million in 2007 and to more than double in 2008. |
| China.com Shareholders Approve Major Mobile Acquisition Original news source |
| China.com
Inc., a Hong Kong listed subsidiary of CDC Corporation, announced that its shareholders have approved the acquisition by CDC
Mobile of Timeheart at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders.
The transaction was deemed to be a very substantial acquisition under Hong
Kong securities regulations requiring shareholders' approval.
Timeheart, a leading Mobile Valued Added Service ("MVAS") provider in
China, has been operating since 2001 and provides a full suite of MVAS
products through personal digital assistant ("PDA"), wireless application
protocol, ("WAP") multi media service ("MMS"), interactive voice response
("IVR"), short message service ("SMS") and media stream with connectivity
at both the national and provincial levels of all four telecom operators in
China. |
| VeriSign To Acquire inCode Wireless Original news source |
| VeriSign, Inc., provider of intelligent infrastructure for the networked world, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire inCode Wireless, a global business and technology consulting firm. The company provides strategy consulting services to nearly every major wireless, wireline, cable operator and telecom equipment manufacturer, as well as leading enterprises. The acquisition purchase price is approximately $52 million and is being accounted for as a purchase transaction. Additional information will be provided following the closing of the transaction; however, revenue and earnings contributions from the acquisition will not be material to VeriSign’s 2006 financial results. |
| Sharp Corporation makes strategic investment in Danger Original news source |
| Danger, Inc., a mobile Internet software and services company, announced that Sharp Corporation has made a strategic investment in the company. Danger will use the funding as part of its ongoing growth efforts. Sharp has worked with Danger as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) since 2004. As a result of the partnership between the two companies, Sharp develops devices that are supported by Danger's mobile Internet service. Danger has created a client/server platform that enables an "always-on" connection, continuously synchronizing, backing-up and managing the secure transmission of data between the network and the device. |
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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 arising from the use of information in this publication. Editor provides no warranties regarding the information contained in this publication, whether expressed, implied, or statutory, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Editor also does not assume any liability for links from this publication to publications from other companies, organizations, or individuals. Editor does not imply endorsement of any specific company, organization, or individual through offering links to this content. All information provided within this publication is subject to change at any time and is provided for informational purposes only by the editor. All products and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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