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Back issues are available at LiveJournal |
May 19 to June 15, 2007 |
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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 |
- Location-aware applications are growing - from retail shopping to improving commercial navigation maps and sharing them to point/click search to displaying (globally collected) local info on a giant wall screen in real time - and with more ways to get the location including improved Wi-Fi fix.
- Wibree merges into Bluetooth as a low-power variant.
- Boingo roams into community-based network.
- Inline advertising now comes to mobile messaging and mobile video.
- Sprint combines iDEN/walkie-talkie and CDMA.
- New touch based phone from HTC is introduced. Meanwhile while both SonyEricsson and Nokia introduce enhanced multimedia phones they now keep in mind that lower price and enterprise functionality (like e-mail access) are important for consumers - in same way as multimedia can be important for enterprise.
- Palm joins other vendor and introduces Internet companion device (and gets more money to implement that strategy) - while Sony PSP is becoming such a device (they btw cost just €98 in Finland now, funny price).
- More better cheap reliable push e-mail solutions.
- Livescribe provides way to capture simultaneous pen and audio input on the go. Nice way to collect your thoughts and impressions.
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| * Wibree forum merges with Bluetooth SIG Original news source |
| The Wibree forum , the group specifying the Nokia developed ultra low power wireless technology, will be merged with the Bluetooth SIG .
With this announcement, the Wibree specification will become part of the Bluetooth specification as an ultra low power Bluetooth technology. |
| 2.5 Billion GSM Subscribers Worldwide Original news source |
| GSM subscribers, including nearly 130 million UMTS/HSDPA subscriptions, currently comprise nearly 85% of the global mobile wireless market. |
| Strategy Analytics : Mobile Media Advertising Commands 20 Percent of Global Internet Ad Spend by 2011 Original news source |
| Advertisers will spend $1.4 billion on mobile media this year, rising to $14.4 billion by 2011, according to the new report, “Global Mobile Advertising Update: Outlook Bright as Inventory Expands.” Strategy Analytics predicts that mobile media advertising will account for a fifth of global spending on Internet advertising by 2011. |
| GSMA and MMA Collaborate to Accelerate Global Development of Mobile Advertising Original news source |
| The GSM Association ( GSMA ) and the Mobile Marketing Association ( MMA ) have agreed to cooperate to accelerate the development of mobile advertising worldwide. The two organisations will collaborate to deliver standardisation and transparency around current mobile advertising activity, and to develop new, innovative advertising techniques. |
| Web 2.0 fuses the fixed and mobile Internet says Berg Insight Original news source |
| According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight , the rise of Web 2.0 is fusing the fixed and mobile Internet into a single entity. The key conclusions are that the wireless Internet will principally evolve as the wired and that mobile communication should not be regarded as a separate business. |
| EJL Wireless Research Predicts Global Mobile
Advertising Market Correction and Consolidation
before Growing to USD $9.5 billion in 2011 Original news source |
| The United States mobile advertising market is expected to reach USD $2.3 billion, roughly 25% of the overall market by 2011. The largest segment is expected to be mobile couponing reaching almost USD $4 billion by 2011 or 42% of the overall market. |
| Parks Associates : Mobile WiMAX Will Grab a Significant Market Share in 2012 Original news source |
| Mobile WiMAX will connect 8% of the world’s 1.1 billion mobile broadband subscribers by 2012, accounting for nearly 88 million users worldwide, according to Mobile Broadband Wireless: Path toward 4G. |
Back to Contents |
| * Sprint Customers Get New Location-Aware Shopping Application Original news source |
| Sprint and GPShopper announced the launch of Slifter, mobile local product search application that employs GPS technology to find products at neighboring retail locations. |
| * Boingo to Roam onto FON ’s Wi-Fi Network More Than Doubling Its Hot Spot Network Worldwide Original news source |
| The 130,000 Wi-Fi locations come from businesses and individuals who add their own hot spots to the FON community in exchange for the right to roam on other FON community locations for free or at a reduced rate. For Boingo users, these new locations provide a rich network of Wi-Fi locations in areas that complement Boingo’s existing commercial locations. |
| Celcom Selects First Hop To Deploy Mobile Browsing And Multimedia Solution Original news source |
| Celcom , Malaysia’s leading mobile communications provider, has selected First Hop Wireless Broker to enhance the delivery of browsing and multimedia services for its subscribers. |
| Enforta Brings WiMAX to the CIS Countries Original news source |
| Enforta , using Alvarion ’s platform, is among the first companies to commercially deploy WiMAX networks in Russia. Alvarion’s local partner in Russia is Cedicom . |
| Strix Systems Tapped for Deployment of First Wireless Mesh Network in Greece Original news source |
| The municipality of Galatsi is using Strix ’s Access/One Outdoor Wireless System (OWS) to deploy the first wireless mesh network in Greece. Galatsi will provide fee-based broadband services to residents and businesses, free Internet access to students, and free Internet access and VoIP service for municipal employees. |
Back to Contents |
| Alcatel-Lucent Announces Software Platform That Lets Mobile Operators Capitalize on the Increasing Demand for Mobile Content Shopping Original news source |
| The Alcatel-Lucent 5965 Mobile Content Platform gives operators the tools needed to create a simplified one-stop shop for mobile content, providing the integrated shopping experience subscribers are looking for. |
| * Colibria Brings Advertising Capability to Mobile Instant Messaging Portfolio Original news source |
| The application enables banner ads to be inserted into the MIM interface, including the ‘buddy list’ and messaging screens. |
| * Ad Infuse and Minick to Launch Ad-Supported Mobile Video Original news source |
| Rather than paying a download or subscription fee to receive video via a wireless device, Swisscom Mobile customers are able to access video on demand content supported by brief, 10-20 second advertisements at the beginning and end of each program. |
| Nokia powers mobile email solution for PCCW mobile Original news source |
| The Nokia Intellisync solution will allow PCCW mobile to offer secure, easy-to-use mobile email to its business and consumer customers under its own brand. |
Back to Contents |
| * Customers Get High Speed Multimedia and Walkie Talkie Services with Newest Sprint PowerSource Phone Original news source |
| Motorola Deluxe ic902 utilizes the Nextel National Network (iDEN) for walkie-talkie services and the Sprint Nationwide Network (CDMA) for voice and data services and is the first in this category of unique devices to support Power Vision capabilities and other key features. |
| ARCHOS Introduces Connected Portable Media Players With Wireless Video Streaming and Downloads Original news source |
| Two new WiFi-enabled products feature the high quality screens with 800x480 resolution on a touch-screen display. |
| * HTC Touch Delivers New Touch Screen Experience Original news source |
| The HTC Touch is the first device to feature TouchFLO, the new underlying touch screen technology developed by HTC. Consumers simply sweep their finger up the display to launch an animated, three-dimensional interface comprising three screens: Contacts, Media and Applications. The interface can be spun by swiping a finger right or left across the display, providing efficient access to the features consumers use most. TouchFLO also enhances finger touch scrolling and browsing of Web pages, documents, messages and contact lists.
Leveraging the broad functionality of Windows Mobile 6 Professional, the HTC Touch includes Outlook Mobile, Office Mobile, Windows Live and the capabilities to run thousands of third-party applications. |
| * Nokia 3109 classic offers affordable, straightforward functionality Original news source |
| The Nokia 3109 classic is a well-balanced package for consumers and companies who appreciate simplicity and value for money. Functional for office use, the Nokia 3109 classic includes email with attachments, and synchronizes calendars and to-do lists with personal computers through its USB connection. The memory of the Nokia 3109 classic is also expandable to 2GB with a microSD memory card. |
| FOMA SH904i launched recently is based on Symbian OS Original news source |
| The FOMA SH904i is equipped with a touchpad to give an operational feel similar to a PC, and a 3 inch widescreen. It is manufactured by Symbian customer Sharp Corporation and includes the MOAP platform. |
| * An artful fusion of materials and technology define new mid-range Nokia handsets Original news source |
| Designed to be precisely balanced in the hand, with large keys and ergonomically correct dimensions and surfaces, both phones have been created with maximum usability in mind. Along with third generation WCDMA technology and sleek, contemporary designs, these new devices feature carefully engineered touches that help to ensure that the beauty endures. |
| * Palm Advances Mobile Computing with Its First Mobile Companion Product Original news source |
| The Linux-based Foleo mobile companion has a large screen and full-size keyboard with which to view and edit email and office documents residing on a smartphone. Edits made on Foleo automatically are reflected on its paired smartphone and vice versa.The Foleo mobile companion turns on and off instantly and features fast navigation, a compact and elegant design, and a battery that lasts up to 5 hours of use. Its applications include email, full-screen web browser, and editors or viewers for common business documents such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files. The Foleo stays synchronized via Bluetooth wireless technology and uses the smartphone's radio or the Foleo's built-in Wi-Fi radio for general Internet connectivity. |
Back to Contents |
| * Sony Ericsson extends business email across portfolio Original news source |
| With announcement of the K850 Cyber-shot phone and the W910 Walkman phone, Sony Ericsson further extended its business email offering into the feature-phone segment of its product line-up. Both phones are Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync enabled and support wireless synchronization and Direct Push of email, calendar and contacts. In addition, they also include support for Java push mail solutions provided by third parties and leading email standards, such as POP/IMAP. |
| * emoze releases Version 1.4 - breakthrough in battery power consumption for push email Original news source |
| Significant breakthroughs in battery consumption, synchronization and set-up wizards make the latest version of emoze a smart choice for consumers seeking free push-email and calendar access on their personal cell phones. |
| * BT and Sony to offer advanced communications for the PSP Original news source |
| BT and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe ( SCEE ) have signed a groundbreaking deal to transform the PSP (PlayStationPortable) gaming device by adding wireless broadband communications functions, including high quality handheld video calls, voice calls and messaging. |
Back to Contents |
| * OceanLake Commerce Introduces "meemo" Mobile Email Original news source |
| meemo allows any Internet-enabled mobile phone
with text messaging on any U.S. wireless carrier to have mobile email service
at a fraction of the cost of other solutions. When a new message arrives, meemo sends a text message to
the user's phone with a mobile web link to their meemo inbox. Consumers can
read, forward and reply to messages and view attachments from their phone.
meemo can also manage multiple email addresses, optimize images and documents
per specific wireless device, and set date and time reminders. |
| * TomTom to Offer Users the Ability to Improve Maps Instantly Through Map Share Technology Original news source |
| TomTom announced the introduction of TomTom Map Share on the new TomTom GO 520 and TomTom GO 720. This new map improvement technology allows TomTom users to easily improve their maps as soon as they spot changes in the roads with a few touches on the screen of their device. Via TomTom HOME, TomTom Map Share users also receive all map improvements made by others, making their maps as dynamic as the world they live in. |
| * GeoVector & CyberMap Japan launch Mapion Pointing Application in Japan Original news source |
| Mapion Pointing Application is an exciting tool that allows users to easily find and launch rich content by pointing and clicking mobile phones at retailers, restaurants, historical sites or any of Mapion’s 700,000 Points of Interest (POI) across Japan. The service combines Mapion ’s POI data with GeoVector ’s pointing based technology and spatial search engine, providing truly personal local search.
The new release builds upon the success of Version 1.0, user feedback and solid experience, greatly improving functionality and ease of use. New capabilities include user driven opt-in advertising, sponsored categories and preferred placement. |
| Bank of America 's Mobile Banking Now Available Anytime, Anywhere Original news source |
| Bank of America completed the rollout of its secure Mobile Banking service -- enabling more than 20 million Online Banking customers to manage their personal finances 'on the go.' Consumers across the country now can use their cell phones and smartphones to check account balances, pay bills and transfer money. |
| * CityWall Public Multi-touch Display in Helsinki Original news source |
| The CityWall is designed to support the navigation of media, specifically annotated photos and videos which are continuously gathered in realtime from public sources such as Flickr and YouTube. To contribute content to the CityWall people can send pictures and videos via MMS or email. |
| Crisp Wireless Announces Release of mLogic MicroSite Builder Original news source |
| Crisp Wireless announced the official version 1.0 release of the mLogic MicroSite Builder tool, developed specifically to give mobile publishers and advertising agencies the ability to quickly and easily create robust mobile websites for advertisers. |
| * Livescribe Launches New Mobile Computing Platform Original news source |
| The Livescribe platform turns plain paper into a computer screen and bridges the gap between the paper and digital worlds. Livescribe’s first key application is “Paper Replay.” When taking notes during a discussion or lecture, the smartpen records the conversation and digitizes the handwriting, automatically synching the ink and audio. |
Back to Contents |
| Gracenote Launches Mobile Music 2.0 Platform Original news source |
| Gracenote announced the deployment of its Mobile Music 2.0 Platform, an integrated solution that combines products and services for simple content search and discovery, music recognition, and connection to online music stores.
The solution will power mobile music search and discovery services based on Gracenote's Global Media Database of more than 60 million tracks representing the most popular music in the world. |
| * New Funambol Open Source Software Improves Push Email, Contacts and Calendars for Everyone Original news source |
| Funambol v6 enables mobile carriers and service providers to offer a low-cost push email solution that lets mass market consumers access Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, AOL and other popular email services. It includes a new portal that automates over-the-air provisioning of mobile devices, a new open source Java ME push email client for commodity handsets, and capabilities to ease mass deployments. |
| Sprite Pioneers New Consumer Connections Through Mobile Technology Original news source |
| The Coca-Cola Company is redefining the relationship between consumers and their sparkling beverages with the launch of the Sprite Yard, a real-time digital “on-the-go” community that provides social connections and downloadable content via their mobile phone anytime, anywhere. This mobile marketing breakthrough launched in China on June 1, and will go live in the US later this month. |
| Jangl Upgrades a Billion Phones Instantly Original news source |
| Jangl, Inc ., the company bridging the web and the phone, is unveiling an easy-to-use service that lets you call anyone with an email address, anywhere in the world. The new service is free now, during the official beta period. |
| EQO Communications Launches EQO Mobile, Changing Global Mobile Calling Landscape Original news source |
| EQO Communications announced the launch of EQO Mobile, a new service that lets users make international long distance calls and exchange IM and text messages on their mobile phones at local calling and messaging rates. People using EQO save up to 95% on all international calls and enjoy free calling and “texting” with other EQO users. |
| * Skyhook Wireles s Launches Loki 2.0 Original news source |
| Developed using Skyhook 's WPS location engine, Loki 2.0 delivers what can best be described as a big ol' bucket full of capabilities - new user controls, an updated look and feel, support for the Mac OS, a mobile version and a first-of-its-kind JavaScript API that gives any web developer the power to location-enable their content, application or service. |
| Google Checkout goes mobile Original news source |
| Existing Google Checkout buyers are now able to make fast, secure purchases on their mobile phones from any WAP–enabled Checkout merchant. The Checkout experience has a couple differences in the mobile world -- for example, buyers verify their identity with a PIN rather than with their full Google login -- but generally it's the same secure and convenient experience that's offered on the desktop. |
| Mobile Application Developer Blinkcorp Introduces SMS Broadcasting Service Original news source |
| Simply called Blink, the application will allow subscribers to receive messages from multiple content providers via SMS. |
| AskMeNow to Introduce Natural Language Wikipedia Desktop and Mobile Search Original news source |
| AskMeNow, Inc. announced a preliminary agreement with the Wikimedia Foundation to introduce a natural language desktop search and mobile search of Wikipedia , the vast online encyclopedia of knowledge. |
| WidSets reaches 1 million registered users Original news source |
| WidSets is a handset manufacturer-independent service from Nokia that brings the best bits of the Internet, such as communities, news, blogs, reviews, and weather reports straight to the mobile phone. It uses J2ME mini-applications called widgets to deliver up to date Internet content to mobile phones and enables the user to create their own widgets. |
| JiWire Expands Mobile Broadband Advertising Network with Wi-Fi Positioning System Original news source |
| Generally, the JiWire Mobile Broadband Advertising Network uses information about Wi-Fi hotspots contained in its registry, including the hotspots’ location and venue type, to intelligently select advertising for delivery to Internet users at those hotspots. In cases in which the user is unable to determine the hotspot to which he or she is connected, WPS from Skyhook Wireless will enable JiWire to deliver offers and messaging that is driven by geographic location. |
Back to Contents |
| New York Based Mobile Dating Service Announces Completion of Series A Financing Original news source |
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| * Palm Announces Strategic Recapitalization Original news source |
| Palm, Inc. announced a strategic relationship with the private-equity firm Elevation Partners and a recapitalization plan that will position Palm to lead the next phase of the smartphone and mobile-computing markets. Under the planned recapitalization, shareholders will receive a $9 per share cash distribution. Elevation will invest $325 million in Palm, and the company will utilize these proceeds along with existing cash and $400 million of new debt to finance the cash distribution. |
| QUALCOMM Commits €100 Million to Strategic Venture Investments in Europe Original news source |
| QUALCOMM Ventures ' first direct equity investment in Europe is in Streamezzo , a provider of rich media solutions, platforms and service for mobile communications. |
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