- 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 |
- More and more mobile phones with touch screen-only interface. Now LG and Samsung have joined, and many more promised.
- Transactional transcoding engines for mobile web are all the rage - both with proprietary J2ME clients (Opera Mini style) and ones suitable for standard phone browsers.
- Symbian enables Posix for developers.
- CSR promises GPS in every phone.
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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.
| eMarketer: Mobile Ad Spending to Climb to $5 Billion Original news source |
| Marketing through mobile phones is poised to become the next killer app for advertisers. By 2011, eMarketer predicts, brands will be spending nearly $5 billion on advertising, up from $421 million in 2006. Major carriers Sprint, AT&T and Verizon have all announced that they will accept ads on their networks. But to reap those big bucks, carriers and marketers must overcome some tough obstacles, not the least of which is consumers' reluctance to accept ads on their cell phones. |
| IFPI publishes Digital Music Report 2007 Original news source |
| IFPI's report shows how the record industry is combining digital technology with its traditional skills of discovering and marketing music. It also sets out where the music sector needs action by government and its industry partners to tackle piracy and prevent the undermining of its intellectual property rights.
Digital music sales estimated to double to around US$2 billion in 2006. Mobile music accounted for about half of global digital revenues in 2006, but the split between mobile and online varies sharply by country. In Japan around 90% of digital music sales are accounted for by mobile purchases. 2007 could prove to be a landmark year in the mobile music market, as handset makers such as Nokia and Sony Ericsson develop their music phone series. Meanwhile, Apple has announced the launch of the much anticipated iPhone. |
| * Strategy Analytics: Apple's iPhone will Drive Demand for Touchscreen Vendors Original news source |
| The recently published report from the Handset Component Technologies service at Strategy Analytics, "Apple iPhone: Catalyst for Capacitive Touchscreen-Only Phones to Balloon to 115 Million Units within Two Years," assesses the impact that the iPhone will have on component vendors, especially manufacturers of touchscreen products. Demand for the iPhone and its imitators is likely to bring the cost of capacitive touchscreens down from the current $5 to about $2 or$3 within 2 years. |
| Frost & Sullivan: Mobile Enterprise Applications Set for Strong Growth in Latin America Original news source |
| An increasingly mobile workforce that needs ‘anytime, anywhere’ access to corporate intranets and critical data and applications at the office is driving the growth of the mobile enterprise in Latin America. This region presents a significant opportunity for mobile operators to increase their revenues by wirelessly connecting on-the-move employees with the office through smart phones, cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Latin America Mobile Enterprise Market, reveals that this market earned revenues of $7,528.3 million in 2006 and estimates this to reach $15,537.5 million in 2012. |
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This section lists news about innovative and competitive usage of wireless data by network carriers.
| Max Telecom selects Navini for nationwide WiMAX network in Bulgaria Original news source |
| Max Telecom, Bulgaria’s telecommunications operator with licenses for a nationwide WiMAX network, will be using mobile WiMAX 802.16e equipment from Navini Networks, the global leader1 in providing plug-n-play personal broadband wireless access solutions with the most experience in commercial deployments.
Max Telecom will launch service in the capital – Sofia – with plans to expand nationwide in Bulgaria during 2007. They will be using WiMAX to provide both business and residential services, offering enabling services such as VOIP, DSL equivalent, and VPNs (both voice and data) and video connectivity for applications such as surveillance. |
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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.
| Valimo Wireless delivers end-to-end mobile signature software solution Original news source |
| Valimo Wireless has completed delivery of the first mobile signature software platform as a one-stop solution for mobile network operators. Previous mobile signature implementations have required software from Valimo Wireless and other providers. Valimo Wireless’ delivery has completed the productization of its end-to-end mobile signature solution. Mobile phones can now easily authenticate users for access to corporate resources, Internet banks and other web-based services.
In addition, the Valimo solution can be used to validate e-commerce transactions. Valimo’s mobile signature products are currently in use in Finland, Sweden, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania and Kuwait, with major new markets to be announced within the next month. |
| Mobivity Brings Big Brand Interactive Mobile Marketing to Small Business Original news source |
| Mobile Visions, Inc. launches Mobivity, fully automated, do-it-yourself mobile marketing system in the U.S. Businesses of every size can now set up two-way campaigns, receiving text messages from consumers on a 5-digit short code, in minutes. |
| Mobestar to introduce mSpace Original news source |
| Mobestar announced mSpace, a toolset that enables brand owners to instantly create an interactive mobile space allowing them to follow their investment in big screen, TV and Internet advertising into the “fourth screen” (mobile phone). It is in this space (even more so than on the Internet) that management believes brands can derive most value from their communities and in this space that advertisers and content owners will increasingly come to see the most vibrant and commercially interesting communities.
mSpace pre-integrates all the essential components of a full mobile community solution allowing customers to focus on delivering and deriving value as providers to a community rather than on the technical complexity of delivering each component. Current installations include Pirelli, Living TV and Berkeley Homes. The company derives revenue from sharing the resulting new income and comes equipped with tools to allow easy mass migration from the web to the new mobile-accessible community platform.
The company will launch mSpace at the 3GSM World Congress 2007. |
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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.
| RTX Announces New DUALphone Platform with Embedded Skype for OEM/ODMs in EU and US Original news source |
| RTX announced that the DUALphone 3088, a standalone, DECT cordless Skype telephone platform is available for sale to new and existing strategic partners as an OEM/ODM product or design service project. The DUALphone 3088 features Skype software embedded in the device allowing customers to call anywhere in the world using Skype without the need for a PC.
When placing a call, consumers have the option to dial up using Skype or the traditional phone line by simply selecting the desired method through the phone’s intuitive user interface. |
| * Samsung Launches Mobile Phone That Uses Immersion’s VibeTonz System to Supply Tactile Feedback for Touchscreen Presses Original news source |
| The SCH-W559 uses a large 260,000-color QVGA LCD touchscreen display to replace the traditional mechanical keypad as the primary input mechanism. Users receive confirming tactile cues when they press graphical onscreen controls, and they can customize the response by selecting one of five feedback profiles for these cues.
Immersion’s VibeTonz System allows touchscreen-displayed buttons to feel more like mechanical keys. VibeTonz tactile feedback can also help improve usability in situations where controls are obscured by fingers or washed out by glare. The new phone is being sold by China Unicom, the third largest mobile operator in the world with 135 million subscribers. Designed to roam globally by working on both CDMA and GSM networks, the SCH-W559 includes handwriting recognition, Bluetooth technology, 1.3 megapixel camera, and audio and video playback functions. VibeTonz capabilities in the phone also provide full-fidelity vibration tracks synchronized with eight preloaded ringtones. Vibe-enhanced ringtones enable personalization and add an element of fun to phone use and can help identify callers in noisy environments. |
| * PRADA and LG launch the completely touch screen mobile phone Original news source |
| LG Electronics and PRADA, one of the world’s leading brands in the luxury goods industry , unveil completely touch screen mobile phone.
The PRADA Phone by LG (KE850) is a unique, sophisticated and elegant mobile phone with complete advanced touch interface. LG and PRADA have worked closely together on every aspect of the product, from handset development to marketing combining the attention to detail and uncompromising quality of PRADA design with the trademark technological innovation of LG mobile. An extra wide LCD screen maximizes visual impact, allowing the user to benefit from several key features of the phone, including the 2 megapixel camera featuring Schneider-Kreuznach lens, video player and document viewer capacity. Above all, these features contribute to the phone’s beautifully sleek and simplistic appearance.
Glowing icons on the face of the phone disappear when not in use to reveal a pure, un-adulterated black exterior. The phone is ultra thin (just 12 mm), nonetheless it hosts an array of additional multimedia functions, including an MP3 player and a music multitasking function for messaging. It also boasts an external memory slot, allowing the user to increase memory capacity for images, music and film clips. The PRADA Phone by LG will be available with prices starting from 600 Euros in mobile dealerships as well as selected PRADA stores in the UK, France, Germany and Italy as of late February, 2007, followed by countries in Asia such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore from late March, 2007. The Korean version of the phone is scheduled to launch in the second 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.).
| * Symbian introduces POSIX libraries on Symbian OS Original news source |
| Symbian Ltd announced the introduction of POSIX libraries on Symbian OS, which will significantly reduce the effort required to migrate existing desktop and server components, and mobile applications from other platforms, onto Symbian OS. The move will help broaden and deepen application development for Symbian OS and help improve developer productivity. |
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This section lists news that describe innovative and competitive implementation of wireless data applications.
| Amobee Launches Mobile Advertising Trial Original news source |
| Amobee Media Systems announced that it has launched a commercial mobile advertising trial with Orange in France – the first such trial to take place in France.
Orange France is using Amobee’s Media System to test the business model behind using advertising to help fund mobile content and entertainment services. Subscribers are offered the option of downloading a game from leading games publisher FILAO at a reduced price or for free, if they accept advertising within the game.
A number of leading consumer brands are taking part, including Coke, Saab, Travelski, Société Générale and Mobifun. The ads are served interstitially during idle time in between levels or while the game is loading. For a period of two months, users will have the option to request further details on each brand, either by initiating a call by opening a WAP session, or can click past the ads and continue with the game at any point. FILAO, the publisher selected to provide the games content for this trial, has integrated Amobee’s HAPI (Handset Application Programming Interface) into its games. The HAPI is a small SDK file that enables the games to receive ads. |
| Phantom Fiber Announces Mobile Banking and Brokerage Product Original news source |
| Phantom Fiber Corporation, mobile solutions provider announced its' Banking and Brokerage mobile platform. Phantom Fiber, recognized as specialist in the mobile gaming and entertainment sector, is now aggressively turning its attention to the financial sector, as clients demands have warranted.
The Mobile Broker product includes integrated features such as: the real-time buying and selling of securities as well as other financial instruments; real-time streaming quotes; various graphing facilities to display market data or personal watch lists; visual stock tracking tools using color based display in a heat map matrix or arrow format; intuitive alerts and messaging support; and full customization facilities to maintain numerous stock or investment portfolios, preferences and watch lists. Headline news, stock symbol look up, and analytical tools to allow clients to do comparisons, trending, or review historical data will also be available.
The Mobile Banking product allows for real time cash transfers, bill payments, foreign exchange quotes and currency purchases, account management, intuitive alerts with full customization facilities, such as minimum account balances or over draft notification, all through a user's mobile device, anytime and anywhere. The platform will support over 1,000 different mobile devices types. |
| Cyphermint Adds Credit and Debit Card Linking to PayCash Mobile Payment System Original news source |
| Adding to its global mobile strategy, Cyphermint, Inc., provider of secure electronic payment solutions, announced that mobile banking and bill payment capabilities on a consumer's mobile phone or other wireless device can be securely linked to a consumer’s credit, debit, stored value card or bank account through its PayCash Mobile platform.
PayCash, with its enhanced patented digital security, authentication and processing features, enables banked and un-banked mobile phone users worldwide to conduct bill payment, mobile banking, person-to-person transfers and retail payments with their cell phones. PayCash Mobile is designed to integrate credit, debit, stored value cards and bank accounts for funding of mobile payments such as mobile banking, bill payment, mCommerce and other payment related services. |
| IceBreaker Launches Dating Platform Designed First and Foremost for Cell Phone Users Original news source |
| IceBreaker, Inc. announced the debut of the interactive mobile dating platform designed first and foremost for cell phone users - Crush or Flush. The mobile software provides an easy way to flirt, chat, and meet real people with similar interests in your area - right from your cell phone.
Initial funding for Icebreaker’s Crush or Flush was provided through a combination of angel investors and Lightspeed Venture Partners, a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm. |
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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.
| * mdog.com Offer Mobile Versions of Transactional Web sites Original news source |
| mdog.com announces additions of eBay, craigslist, Wikipedia, Citysearch, and MySpace to the catalog of its mobile-accessible websites. Simply point a mobile browser to mdog.com, select the "Web" tab, and choose among the Auctions, Information, Entertainment, or Social categories.
Through this portal, users can now browse, read, post and bid with their web-enabled mobile devices just as easily as they do on their home computers. In the case of eBay, mdog.com displays auction searches in complete detail and even allows users to submit secure, real-time mobile bids from wherever they are. |
| Soapbox Mobile Launches Mobile Ticketing Platform Original news source |
| Soapbox Mobile announced that through their collaboration with Amp’d Mobile and MovieTickets.com, a MovieTickets.com branded application is now live on Amp’d Mobile handsets. The new mobile movie ticketing application allows Amp’d Mobile subscribers to browse movie times and theaters and purchase tickets with unprecedented ease and immediacy, using only their mobile phone and a pre-registered credit card. |
| * 3 Hong Kong Launches 3Xplorer Using Novarra Original news source |
| Novarra, provider of next-generation mobile web platforms and services, announced that 3 Hong Kong,
the mobile telecommunications operation of Hutchison Telecom International Limited has launched 3Xplorer, an innovative new service using Novarra's nWeb platform.
The 3Xplorer service is powered by nWeb version 6, advanced and comprehensive solution for high speed internet services on mobile phones and is immediately available on 37 deployed and new handset models. 3 Hong Kong's newly launched X-Series service includes 3Xplorer alongside Yahoo!, eBay, MSN, Orb and Sling Media, and provides consumers unparalleled choice of internet activities and brands.
As a core X-Series component, 3Xplorer enables consumers to interact with the full internet on their mobile to buy tickets, book flights, read and write email, monitor online auction bids, banking, search for content and more. Novarra's nWeb platform includes high performance wireless web gateways and Java micro-browsers to provide a fast and intuitive mobile experience. Mobile users enjoy features like zoom, fast scroll, site navigation shortcuts and can perform all PC-like functions such as creating favourites, tracking history and accessing secure sites. |
| Nimbuzz Goes Live With Mobile Calls to GTalk and MSN / Live Messenger Original news source |
| Nimbuzz launched its voice enabled mobile and PC clients, designed to support
more than 500 mobile phone models and Windows XP/2000 for the PC client.
Additionally, Nimbuzz is now also made available for all Internet capable mobile phones
where users cannot or will not download software to their phones. Instead they simply
use their mobile browser.
Nimbuzz is free to download. Nimbuzz users just
pay the lowest local rate to their mobile operator. The mobile service is available in 35
countries.
Nimbuzz is now mobile connected to Google Talk and MSN / Windows Live Messenger for
Chat and Voice. This means that mobile Nimbuzz users can call their buddies on these
communities on their PC against their cheapest local rate. They Chat with them on their
mobile for free. |
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This section lists news about new financing opportunities for and in the wireless data industry.
| Wmode Acquires Provisionx Original news source |
| Wmode, provider of mobile content managed services under the ClearMode brand, announced the acquisition of ProvisionX, the third party mobile games delivery business for mobile operators from Glu Mobile, a global publisher of mobile games. ProvisionX allows mobile operators to offer subscribers mobile games with the best purchase experience possible and serves carriers and media companies in Asia, South America and Europe. The addition of ProvisionX to Wmode's content managed services advances Wmode's global growth strategy.
With the addition of ProvisionX, Wmode will now operate its comprehensive mobile distribution services for customers in over 20 countries. Games publishers and developers will benefit from Wmode's global distribution network, allowing them to enter new markets quickly and cost effectively. |
| * CSR to deliver sub $1 GPS Original news source |
| CSR plc announces the acquisition of the entire
issued share capital of NordNav Technologies AB and the assets of Cambridge
Positioning Systems Ltd. These acquisitions, when combined, will allow CSR to
provide software-based high performance GPS (Global Positioning System) suitable for
mass-market mobile handsets, PNDs (Personal Navigation Devices), PCs and other portable
devices for an incremental price that falls to less than $1 of the overall bill of materials when
used with CSR’s Bluetooth. The acquisitions will allow CSR to offer the most competitive,
complete and technically advanced mobile GPS solution available at a very low additional
cost. |
| Millennial Media Services and Technology to Accelerate Growth of Mobile Advertising Marketplace Original news source |
| Millennial Media announced its $6.3 million Series A round of funding and the launch of mobile advertising services that effectively deliver the greatest reach to advertisers, mobile ad revenue to publishers and incremental revenue to mobile operators. |
| FTS Wireless Agrees to Acquire Ring Tone Network Original news source |
| FTS Wireless, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of FTS Group, Inc.an acquisition and development Company, announced that it has agreed to acquire a ring tone network of 161 web sites and related domain names. |
| Truffle Venture Acquires a Majority Stake in MoMac Original news source |
| Truffle Venture and MoMac, a provider of mobile platforms for media companies with headquarters in The Netherlands, announced the completion of a leveraged management buyout. The transaction, for an undisclosed amount, gives Truffle Venture, a majority stake in MoMac, with the company's management retaining a significant holding.
MoMac offers a technology platform that addresses the growing market need for enabling the publication and distribution of media content on mobile devices. The company's publishing platform, GoMedia, is used by an increasing number of premier European media organizations, such as publishers, broadcasters, press agencies, and other content owners.
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| Player X raises major investment $10 million for growth Original news source |
| Mobile media company Player X has announced a second round of venture capital funding raising £5 million ($9.85 million) for rapid expansion and to accelerate its global content strategy across mobile TV, video and games.
This second round of funding includes new investment from venture capitalists Nordic Venture Partners and Long Acre Partners as well as further investment from original investors Arts Alliance. The funding follows the company’s first round of funding in October 2005 that included investment from venture capitalist Arts Alliance and sports rights company Bullion International. The news follows Player X's recent success in publishing and distributing mobile games as well as the increasing impact of its emerging mobile video division. |
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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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