FierceMobileContent

The price still isn't right for ebooks

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:09:36 -0500

Publishers have managed to gain the edge in the battle over ebook pricing--at least for now. Article

Huawei to preinstall Opera Mobile 10 browser

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:03:01 -0500

Opera Software announced that communications solutions provider Huawei will preinstall the Opera Mobile 10 browser on a range of mobile handsets. Introduced in December 2009, Opera Mobile 10 includes a cross-platform user interface framework designed to work seamlessly on all systems running Opera Mobile or its counterpart Opera Mini--according to Opera, the UI is built on top of the browser engine, enabling operators and OEMs to deploy one browser interface across a wide range of devices. Opera Mobile 10 is optimized for Android, BREW, Windows Mobile and Symbian/S60 smartphones.

Huawei shipped 30 million mobile phones in 2009. The firm now serves 45 of the world's top 50 operators, reaching a billion users globally.

For more on the Opera/Huawei partnership:
- read this release

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Verizon Wireless restores 4Chan traffic after temporary block

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:50:03 -0500

Verizon Wireless has restored traffic affiliated with the 4chan online forum after concerns over network attacks. According to Verizon, the block occurred after its security and external experts detected attacks from an IP address associated with the 4Chan family of websites: "At no time was 4Chan itself blocked," writes Verizon Wireless vice president of corporate communications Jim Gerace on the operator's Policy Blog. "Ongoing network security team monitoring has now determined there is no longer an immediate threat."

According to Gerace, Verizon feared a "sweep"--i.e., an attack involving hundreds of thousands of messages sent to wireless devices to round up active customer addresses. "These 'sweeps' can jam our network and deliver unwanted electronic messages that also can drain customer devices' battery life and slow their operation," he explains. "We take being the nation's most reliable wireless network seriously. Seriously enough to protect our customers and our network from malicious attacks, even if we get dinged in the blogosphere. It's easy to complain about 'blocking' when your wireless data connection is stable, fast and reliable. But try connecting to the web from your Droid or Blackberry when attacks slow--and potentially block--use of our network all together."

4chan is notorious for its Internet pranks--users have popularized a host of web memes, including lolcats and rickrolling. Last summer, AT&T blocked a 4chan server after another site launched a denial-of-service type of attack against 4chan.

For more on the 4chan traffic block:
- read this CNet article

Motorola Ventures leads TuneWiki financing

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:14:04 -0500

Motorola announced its Motorola Ventures arm led a new strategic investment in social media music solutions provider TuneWiki. Financial terms were not disclosed. New investors Intellect Capital Ventures (a venture fund initiative of Nordic operator TeliaSonera), HillsVen Capital LLC and Novel TMT also participated in the round, as did TuneWiki's previous venture capital investor, Benchmark Israel.

The TuneWiki social media music player (named one of the Top Android Apps of 2009 by sister publication FierceDeveloper) promises mobile users subtitled song lyrics in tandem with music and music videos--lyrics are translated into over 45 languages, with additional features including real-time mapping, geographical charting and social networking. TuneWiki users can also contribute and update lyrics and translations. The startup said the new funding will expand and enhance its product offerings for mobile platforms and the Internet, with a focus on exploting new features found in cutting-edge smartphones, e.g. stronger CPUs, always-connected capabilities, larger displays and high-resolution screens.

For more on the TuneWiki investment:
- read this release

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Barnes & Noble nook ereader hits stores this week

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:56:56 -0500

Bookseller giant Barnes & Noble announced its Android-powered nook ereader device will hit the majority of its brick-and-mortar retail outlets by midweek, ending weeks of delays. According to Barnes & Noble's Unbound blog, customers can visit the nook In-Store Locator to find local stores with devices in-stock. In addition, customers who visit retail locations can check out exclusive nook content and promotional offers including a short story by author Adriana Trigiani--Barnes & Noble adds it will update "More in Store" offers each week. During the month of February, nook users can also enjoy 10 percent off any CD--to redeem the discount, customers must show the special offer on their nook to the cashier.

Barnes & Noble announced the nook last fall. Priced at $259 and launching with more than a million available titles, the ereader first surfaced for sale online; units were expected to reach stores in December, but the bookseller was unable to ramp up production sufficient with holiday shopper demand.

In related nook news, Barnes & Noble announced the release of a new software upgrade promising a host of user enhancements. Chief among them: Enhanced in-store seamless connectivity to enjoy free Wi-Fi, with more in-store content and promotions exclusively for Nook owners; improved opening of e-books and periodicals; more efficient navigation of daily subscription content; and battery optimization.

For more on the nook's retail debut:
- read this Barnes & Noble blog entry

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