Qualcomm

Qualcomm, Amobee team on mobile advertising

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:44:09 -0400

Wireless technologies solutions provider Qualcomm announced it will collaborate with mobile advertising solutions provider Amobee Media Systems to offer mobile ads via Qualcomm's Plaza widget development solution. Following integration of Amobee's ad-serving platform into the Plaza ecosystem of widgets, operators may now create and sell new advertising inventory to brands and agencies that want to deploy and monitor campaigns across various mobile entertainment and communication channels. Amobee will dynamically insert relevant ads into appropriate widgets as well as measure and optimize all campaigns.

Qualcomm Internet Services introduced Plaza--a platform-agnostic mobile widget development framework for Web-based mobile applications--in late May. According to Qualcomm, Plaza enables operators to feature catalogs of mobile widgets promising users more efficient and personalized web services across all devices. Amobee's ad-serving solution promises operators dynamically inserted ad impressions spanning WAP browsing, mobile video and music, SMS, MMS, applications and games.

For more on the Qualcomm/Amobee deal:
- read this release

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ITC weighs in on Broadcom/Sirf patent dispute

Sue Marek — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:47:24 -0400

As the saying goes, you win some and you lose some. That sentiment may characterize Sirf Technology today.

On the bad news front, Broadcom says the International Trade Commission yesterday affirmed that Sirf Technology infringes on three GPS-related patents held by Global Locate, a Broadcom subsidiary. The ITC will now decide whether to impose remedies or ban the importation into the U.S. of products with the infringing Sirf patents. In addition, the commission also will review three other patents Broadcom says Sirf is infringing upon.

On the good news front, Sirf said it has signed a mutual non-assertion agreement with Qualcomm to cover each of their patent portfolios. The company said the agreement will help expand the market for location-enabled products, services and content.

For more:
- See this article
- and this article

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MediaFLO USA to expand to new handsets in Q4

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:18:32 -0400

Qualcomm's mobile broadcast unit MediaFLO USA will expand to two new handsets during the fourth quarter, announced SVP of programming and advertising Jonathan Barzilay during his appearance at Tuesday's Mobile Entertainment Live! event. While Barzilay (click here for photo and bio) was unable to address specifics of the handset deals, he did confirm the MediaFLO mobile TV service--presently available in the U.S. via AT&T and Verizon Wireless--will be available across the country in February 2009, in tandem with the Congress-mandated switch from analog to digital broadcast television. (MediaFLO will use frequency spectrum 716-722 MHz, which was previously allocated to UHF TV channel 55.)

Expect more opportunistic programming efforts from MediaFLO, Barzilay said, citing the success of the network's recent broadcasts spotlighting the Summer Olympics and ESPN's X Games. "We're trying to figure out the holes and increase the number of brands we offer," Barzilay said, pointing to MediaFLO's recent decision to spin off cable channels CNBC, MSNBC and Fox News from the existing NBC and Fox mobile networks. "The mobile platform shines with live news and sports," Barzilay said. "It's a simple use case. Having the ability to tune in to a game or the Super Tuesday primaries is very compelling."

While Barzilay said he believes the current scope of MediaFLO's programming slate is properly sized for the mobile platform--"People get 200 channels at home and only watch 12 of them"--he said Qualcomm is presently exploring new methods to exploit 3G technology, which would offer MediaFLO the ability to feature on-demand content alongside its live streaming service. For now, however, MediaFLO USA's broadcast partners are increasingly high on the possibilities of mobile TV.

"We feel like the wind is at our backs with programmers," Barzilay said. "They're so excited to have a new field to play on, and to figure out things like what is the mobile equivalent of primetime. We're starting to see a lot of counter-programming on mobile--you see things like people putting [CBS' The Late Show with David Letterman] on against dramatic hours on other networks. They're trying to figure out the right windows."

MediaFLO USA kicks off 2008 college football season

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:03:15 -0400

Qualcomm's MediaFLO USA mobile broadcast subsidiary announced it will air more than 200 hours of live college football programming throughout the 2008 NCAA season across its CBS Mobile, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Sports and NBC 2Go channels. MediaFLO USA--available to AT&T and Verizon Wireless subscribers--said it will broadcast all six Notre Dame home games via NBC 2Go in addition to full-length tilts spotlighting the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 Conference, Big East Conference, Big Ten Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Pacific-10 Conference, Southeastern Conference, Sun Belt Conference and Western Athletic Conference. In addition, MediaFLO will wrap the college season by airing 20 bowl games.

For more on MediaFLO USA's college gridiron schedule:
- read this release

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AT&T Mobile TV serves live Wimbledon coverage

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:47:34 -0400

Qualcomm's MediaFLO USA mobile broadcast subsidiary announced an agreement with the ESPN Mobile TV and NBC Sports on NBC2Go networks to provide AT&T subscribers comprehensive live mobile coverage of tennis' Wimbledon tournament, the sport's oldest and most prestigious championship. AT&T Mobile TV subscribers will enjoy a combined 119 hours of live Wimbledon coverage from London's All England Lawn Tennis Club beginning today at 7 a.m. EDT and continuing through the men's finals and mixed doubles finals on July 6 at 9 a.m. EDT.

For more on AT&T Mobile TV's Wimbledon coverage:
- read this release

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U.S. Open tees off live via MediaFLO

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:44:33 -0400

NBC Sports and ESPN announced an agreement with Qualcomm's MediaFLO USA mobile broadcast solutions unit to provide live coverage of all four days of the 2008 U.S. Open golf championship via the AT&T Mobile TV and Verizon Wireless' V Cast Mobile TV services. Beginning June 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET, ESPN and NBC Sports on NBC 2Go will supply MediaFLO USA with 30 hours of live coverage from Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif.--the two broadcast networks will split coverage during the first two rounds, with NBC Sports on NBC2Go airing the final two rounds in their entirety.

For more on the MediaFLO U.S. Open coverage:
-read this release

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Verizon: Mobile discovery must improve

Fri, 30 May 2008 06:59:59 -0400

Verizon Wireless vice president of consumer product development Lee Daniels took the stage at Qualcomm's BREW 2008 event in San Diego strumming an electric six-string to celebrate the breakthrough success of the Guitar Hero III Mobile game. He struck an even deeper chord with attendees, promising the operator will begin allowing developers the latitude to take a far more proactive role in promoting their applications.

According to Daniels, mobile data now accounts for 23 percent of Verizon Wireless' combined revenue, with 74 percent of subscribers now using data services. BREW device penetration exceeds 75 percent of the Verizon retail base, representing 76 percent of monthly sales. "BREW has allowed us to enable products and services that meet our customers' lifestyle choices," Daniels said.

With data growth accelerating, Verizon will seek to begin tying together key drivers including enhanced merchandising, marketing and seamless access to the BREW platform across the device. Critical to the operator's plans: Improving discovery. "Distribution remains our focus, and we're opening up discovery via the web, mobile marketing and mass media," Daniels said. "New applications demand new responses to discovery. We need [developers] to take a bigger role in promoting your applications."

At last year's BREW event, Verizon Wireless' senior vice president of marketing and digital media John Harrobin admitted the operator was still struggling to integrate BREW Zone, which promised open its retail possibilities to include content sales through the VZW.com website and other approved off-portal sites. "We are disappointed," Harrobin said at the time. "We want to sell more content but integration is harder than we expected." On Thursday Daniels announced the BREW Zone integration is now complete, paving the way for a host of new merchandising opportunities: "We can now drive millions of transactions through the BREW ecosystem and move beyond the mobile phone."

Daniels added that in the third quarter, Verizon will introduce short code promotions to complement web sales of BREW applications, with a developer bulletin scheduled to follow within the next 60 days. Another innovation in the Verizon pipeline is hyperlinking, which Daniels said enables transaction growth by capitalizing on the growth of page view totals. New merchandising tactics like subscription pricing, variable pricing and value-added billing are also underway. Verizon will additionally turn its applications focus to relatively untapped markets like affinity groups, communities, government and the enterprise.

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Qualcomm turns on, tunes in and zooms out

Fri, 30 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Qualcomm grabbed the spotlight at its eighth annual BREW development conference to champion a vision for the wireless industry that expands beyond voice services into new business models, service offerings and markets. According to Qualcomm Internet Services senior vice president and general manager of BREW Bob Briggs, the theme of BREW 2008--the ubiquitous "Zoom Out"--heralds the company's belief that widening its reach to embrace a more open and flexible approach promises to optimize growth throughout the mobile value chain, a point reiterated time and again in subsequent appearances by CEO Paul Jacobs and executive vice president and group president Len Lauer.

Jacobs' keynote touted the concept of convergence, outlining a future in which Qualcomm's core technologies enable connected services in all kinds of consumer electronics and personal devices, not just mobile handsets. "It's no longer good enough to have a browser on the phone--we need to take advantage of things inherent in the wireless network," Jacobs said. "The Kindle [Amazon's e-book reader product] is a great example of a focused device and service that uses mobile to change the way people behave. It doesn't look like a phone, and users don't sign up for a mobile service." Jacobs cited televisions and DVD players as everyday household products that could benefit enormously from the addition of connectivity, and said Qualcomm plans to begin preloading some BREW applications on electronic devices at the point of retail release.

Lauer meanwhile addressed Qualcomm's horizontal capabilities and their role in expanding the scope of application development. He pointed to tentpole services including mobile commerce, content delivery, broadcast media, location and presence, and advertising and presence as increasingly vital components of the mobile user experience. Lauer outlined a hypothetical scenario whereby he could be shopping in a Nordstrom's department store: Thanks to presence and geotagging features, his phone could receive coupons or discounts based on past Nordstrom's purchases, get recommendations according to his consumer profile and make payments via credit cards or retailer loyalty card programs.

Lauer also spotlighted Qualcomm's MediaFLO mobile broadcast technology. In recent weeks, the firm introduced a new in-vehicle mobile TV service, and Lauer said Qualcomm will continue to explore similar opportunities, including consumer electronics. "Why not mobile TV as an additional feature or differentiator?" he said. The conventional MediaFLO mobile TV platform is also poised for growth: Lauer said new channels will roll out later this year, and Qualcomm is also exploring original content production from both professional and user-generated sources.

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Qualcomm goes with Plaza

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Building on the growing personalization phenomenon, Qualcomm Internet Services is announcing Plaza, a platform-agnostic service that provides a framework for widget development enabling operators to provide users with personalized access to the mobile Internet. Plaza will let operators and developers produce and deliver Internet-based content across devices. "We are leveraging our service delivery ecosystem with BREW and bringing it to the Widget delivery platform," said Andrew Gilbert, executive vice president and president of Qualcomm Internet Services, MediaFLO Technologies and Qualcomm Europe, in an interview with FierceMobileContent.

Plaza is intended to let operators personalize their subscribers' mobile Internet experiences and drive additional revenue. According to Gilbert, Plaza lets subscribers build a widget catalog easily and seamlessly. "It's a great way to deliver and consume content in a mobile environment. It's easy to get access to the web. We will help the operator ensure these widgets are trusted, certified and part of the good experience for customer," Gilbert said. "We also will strengthen the brand value of the operator and deliver it as part of an overall package to the operator. It ties with recommendation and profiling. They come together as part of this rich and open BREW experience."

Plaza is not device-dependent, but operators can personalize and certify them. Qualcomm is also working with developers to develop widgets for Plaza. -Sue

For more on Plaza:
- read this release

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Universal selects BrandXtend for D2C content

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Qualcomm Internet Services just added another feather to its BrandXtend cap, announcing Universal Music Group will expand its lineup of direct-to-consumer mobile content by leveraging the BrandXtend solution. UMG's mobile offering will be available directly to consumers through its artist web and WAP sites, CD packaging and its GetMusic.com portal.

By leveraging BrandXtend, UMG will be able to offer an array of direct-to-consumer mobile products, including ringtones, video ringtones, wallpapers and artist updates from thousands of UMG artists. BrandXtend will allow UMG to manage their D2C content through content delivery mechanisms, campaign management and merchandising tools that include recommendations, bundles, text campaigns and more.

This is the second major brand that has selected Qualcomm's BrandXtend platform: Major League Baseball is also a BrandXtend customer. Qualcomm currently works with MLB to deliver any content across any network to any device. -Sue

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Qualcomm wins L-Band spectrum auction

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:59:59 -0400

Wireless solutions developer Qualcomm announced it acquired 40 MHz of L-Band radio spectrum auctioned by Britain's communications regulator Ofcom for $16.2 million. While Qualcomm stated only that the 1452-1492 MHz spectrum slice affords the opportunity to launch a series of wireless technologies in the U.K. market, Ofcom points out in its own press release that the L-band is "suitable for offering services such as mobile television, wireless broadband and satellite radio," virtually guaranteeing Qualcomm will introduce its MediaFLO mobile TV platform overseas. Although Qualcomm and entertainment provider British Sky Broadcasting announced the completion of a U.K. MediaFLO technical trial in late 2006, the European Commission has since officially endorsed the rival DVB-H mobile TV standard, slowing MediaFLO's international momentum.

For more on Qualcomm's spectrum acquisition:
- read this release

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Adobe heads Open Screen Project, ditches license fees

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Adobe Systems is trying to overcome the issues plaguing the fragmented mobile content space by partnering with several key companies to develop a solution for delivering rich web and video content across a variety of devices.

Called the Open Screen Project, Adobe--along with ARM, Chunghwa Telecom, Intel, LG Electronics, Marvell, Motorola, Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and others--will enable Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR to be consistent across desktop computers, mobile devices and set-top boxes. The group hopes this will make it easier for developers and content companies to deliver a streamlined user experience.

In an interview with FierceMobileContent, Anup Murarka, director of technical marketing for mobile and devices at Adobe, said that to help jumpstart this initiative Adobe is going to remove all license restrictions on swift file format and FLV/F4V specifications, and remove all license fees on embedded players. "Just as Flash player is free on the desktop, it will be available to all partners and the industry at large," Murarka said. In addition, Adobe will publish all device porting layer APIs for Adobe Flash Player and publish the Adobe Flash Cast protocol and AMF protocol for data services.

The first implementation based on this initiative will likely make its debut in mid-2009. Flash Lite will transition to this new format and will eventually be replaced, Murarka said. -Sue

For more on the Open Screen Project:
- read this release

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MediaFLO trials automobile TV

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Wireless solutions developer Qualcomm announced it will demonstrate in-vehicle applications of its MediaFLO mobile broadcast platform during the NAB 2008 event taking place this week in Las Vegas. According to Qualcomm, the in-vehicle demonstration features an SUV outfitted with a pair of rear headrest television screens with VGA resolution--a MediaFLO receiver integrated in the rear center console will receive live streaming television content at QVGA resolution, with the center console controller enabling users to launch the electronic channel guide, switch channels and access optional MediaFLO features. "This proof-of-concept demonstration further illustrates the business potential of the MediaFLO platform and the diverse range of inventive mobile broadcast solutions that can be supported," said MediaFLO senior vice president and general manager Neville Meijers in a prepared statement. "MediaFLO was purpose-built for mobility and speed, making it an ideal platform upon which to build a cost-effective in-vehicle solution that can deployed on a mass-market scale."

For more on the MediaFLO in-vehicle trial:
-read this release

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Qualcomm doubles FLO TV spectrum in 28 markets

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Wireless technologies solutions provider Qualcomm announced it acquired eight licenses in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's recent 700 MHz spectrum auction, effectively doubling the footprint of its MediaFLO mobile TV service. Qualcomm ponied up $558.1 million for the E block spectrum licenses, which covers 28 markets including New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco--the firm said the spectrum will enable delivery of additional content and services in these areas. Qualcomm also acquired three B block licenses at a price tag of $3.5 million. "We have defined the mobile TV experience nationwide with our FLO TV service, and the acquisition of additional spectrum in many of America's largest cities provides us with the flexibility to take the mobile entertainment experience to the next level," said MediaFLO president Gina Lombardi in a prepared statement.

For more on Qualcomm's spectrum score:
- read this release

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Qualcomm offers BREW as managed service

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Qualcomm is taking over for Midwest Wireless and offering BREW as a managed service to operators that want to outsource their data services. This function was handled initially by Midwest Wireless but is now being handled by Qualcomm after Midwest's acquisition by Alltel. This will allow Qualcomm to offer BREW to 23 operators including Bluegrass Cellular, Cellcom and Alaska Communications.
Mitch Oliver, vice president of solutions at BREW, said in an interview with FierceMobileContent that the company is hosting all the physical infrastructure and working with developers to decide what content is offered to operators.
In other BREW-related news, the company is working to embed recommendation technology into the BREW platform. Qualcomm acquired Xiam Technologies for its recommendation technology and is working on new merchandizing methods. -Sue

Related article:
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FusionOne moves forward on content backup

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:58:39 -0400

Mobile content back-up service provider FusionOne announced an agreement with technology solutions provider Qualcomm to license its proprietary MightyBackup application transfer client server module across all BREW operators. According to FusionOne, MightyBackup provides mobile subscribers with the option to re-downloading licensed applications when they upgrade or change handsets--the service wirelessly backs up phone address books and other licensed content to FusionOne's secure data center, keeping user information up-to-date and automatically transferring records from one device to the next.

MightyBackup promises operators increased brand loyalty and customer retention as well as improved revenues via efficient device migration and backup--a new study conducted by FusionOne reports that 44 percent of mobile subscribers who delay upgrading to new devices cite the absence of an easy means to transfer content, while only 13 percent repurchase some or all of their licensed content when they do replace their existing handset.

"No one in the world has been able to crack licensed content migration from one phone to the next until now," said FusionOne CEO Mike Mulica in an interview with FierceMobileContent. "It seems relatively mundane, but it's the basis of everything--if consumers can't have a seamless relationship with their content, the industry is not going to grow the way that it can."

Getting on deck with off deck

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0400

Getting on deck with off deck

I've been a staunch critic when it comes to off deck content, and I think my reasons were justified. I've heard too many stories about mobile content firms with sketchy business practices deceiving users and leaving them angry and upset about content purchases that they didn't know they had made.

But the black eye is finally lifting and the mobile content ecosystem is starting to become quite conducive to off deck firms with a solid business proposition, innovative content and a dedicated customer service team.

Thumbplay is certainly one success story worth noting. Thumbplay has managed to build a solid business in this space, which President and CEO Are Traasdahl attributes to its customer service commitment and wide-range of content. Although he admits that Thumbplay's customer acquisition costs are higher because of its dedication to service, he says that in return the company retains its customers longer.

Traasdahl praises the company's "long tail" of content. The firm adds 24,000 pieces of unique content to its site every week. While 80 percent of the content purchased from wireless carriers comes from the operators' top 10 deck placement, Traasdahl says that Thumbplay's top 20 titles generate only about 17 percent of the firm's sales. In contrast, the remaining 83 percent comes from purchases from the rest of its portfolio of unique content, which gives credence to his assertion that consumers want a large selection.

Thumbplay and other off deck success stories are causing traditional on-deck firms to aggressively eye this space. Qualcomm says its BrandXtend off portal play is beginning to see demand. The company is working with Major League Baseball and is in discussions with other firms. Mitch Oliver, vice president of solutions at BREW, says that with firms like Motricity getting out of off deck, it has opened the doors to new players. And Oliver says that carriers are embracing off portal because they finally realize that they need to include as many content brands as possible to keep their mobile content business thriving. "They need to leverage the brands and their marketing budgets," Oliver says.

Yes, my off deck skepticism is lifting. I believe that the opportunity is big enough for a handful of savvy players. Traasdahl agrees. Of course, you can guess which firm he thinks will own the market. -Sue

ALSO NOTED: Sony BMG inks free music video deal with 3; Vringo debuts Visual Caller ID for Facebook; and much more...

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:59:53 -0400

> Sony BMG inks free music video deal with 3. Article

> Vringo debuts Visual Caller ID for Facebook. Release

> RockeTalk intros mobile social communicator app via Qualcomm's BREW. Release

And finally… Man mistakes airport bathroom graffiti for terrorist threat. Article

Qualcomm acquires Xiam for $32 million

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

Wireless technology developer Qualcomm announced it will acquire mobile content targeting and personalization solutions provider Xiam Technologies for $32 million. Xiam's My Personal Offers System promises to accelerate discovery and individualize the user experience by presenting relevant content offers and advertisements, enabling operators and brands to make personalized recommendations based on demographic, contextual and behavioral consumer profiles. Qualcomm said Xiam will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary, and while the MPOS solution will remain a standalone product, Qualcomm will also offer the technology as part of its core wireless data solution.

For more on the Qualcomm/Xiam deal:
- read this release

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ALSO NOTED: O2 teams with 3 for mobile video community EyeVibe; Napster, Ericsson duet on Chilean mobile music service; and muc

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:59:53 -0500

> O2 teams with 3 for mobile video community EyeVibe. Article

> Napster, Ericsson duet on Chilean mobile music service. Release

> Qualcomm names Neville Meijers senior vice president and general manager for MediaFLO Technologies. Release

And finally… South Korean soccer players indicted for intentionally dislodging their shoulders to avoid military duty. Article