Mobile Service

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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Alcatel-Lucent teams with Quantum on mobile TV

Tue, 06 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Vendor giant Alcatel-Lucent and mobile multimedia devices and software supplier Quantum SpA announced an agreement to collaborate on DVB-SH-based mobile TV solutions. The firms said they will cooperate on the development of both terrestrial and hybrid terrestrial/satellite mobile broadcast technologies, targeting access via portable media players and automotive digital set-top boxes. In a statement, Alca-Lu's chairman of mobile broadcast activities Olivier Coste cited in-car multimedia entertainment, portable devices with larger screens and navigation services are critical drivers behind mass-market mobile TV adoption. In late April, direct broadcast satellite service provider DISH Network announced it will launch a DVB-SH mobile broadcast trial in the U.S., with Alcatel Lucent providing the equipment, test tools and training.

For more on the Alca-Lu/Quantum agreement:
- read this release

ICO Global launches mobile services satellite

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:59:59 -0400

The Mobile DTV Alliance industry group announced that member company ICO Global Communications launched its ICO G1 satellite this week, becoming the first operational S-band mobile satellite services provider in North America. ICO Global launched the satellite--designed specifically to deliver mobile applications--from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with market trials for its ICO Mobile Interactive Media service scheduled for the Las Vegas and Raleigh-Durham markets later this summer. NBC Universal will provide content for the trials. "In addition to high-quality, live TV content, we will provide interactive navigation and nationwide roadside assistance to our customers," said ICO Global CEO Tim Bryan in a prepared statement. "While our initial ICO mim service will be delivered through existing video displays like in-vehicle screens and laptops, the service will migrate to consumer electronics, like mobile phones."

For more on the ICO G1 launch:
- read this release

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ICO plans mobile video trial for mid-2008
Clearwire, ICO collaborate on mobile video

Verizon intros new unlimited messaging options

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:59:59 -0400

Verizon Wireless announced the availability of three new nationwide messaging plans promising customers unlimited messaging without an accompanying voice plan--according to the operator, the offers are targeted to meet the needs of subscribers who rely on messaging as their primary means of communications. Each Nationwide Messaging plan unlimited text, IM, picture and video messaging: The Consumer Devices plan ($34.99 per month) includes mobile web access and data usage, with a per-minute voice rate of 40 cents, while both the BlackBerry and PDA/Smartphone plans are $54.99 per month, complete with email, web browsing and data usage as well as per-minute voice rates of 25 cents. Subscribers who sign up for the Nationwide Messaging plan will also have the option of adding email to their accounts for $5.00 more per month.

"We developed these messaging plans in response to feedback from our customers," said Verizon Wireless vice president of marketing Robert Miller in a prepared statement. "We have a growing number of customers, particularly from the deaf or hard of hearing community, who are using their wireless phones to communicate via messaging."

For more on Verizon's new messaging plans:
- read this release

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Nokia, labels deep into Comes With Music talks

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

A week after EMI Music said it is in negotiations with Nokia to join the handset giant's all-you-can-eat Comes With Music mobile service, Nokia confirmed it is also in talks with rival labels Sony BMG and Warner Music Group, adding it is confident deals will be in place with all four major labels prior to the service's late-2008 launch. Nokia announced Universal Music Group International's participation in the Comes With Music effort late last year; now Nokia executive vice president of marketing Anssi Vanjoki tells The Financial Times, "We have negotiations and discussions ongoing with all the majors and a number of indies as well. I am hopeful at the time of launch, technically we are able to deliver other labels. Certainly our target is to have other labels on board."

According to Vanjoki, the label talks include discussions of revenue-sharing agreements, and he added Nokia would consider similar deals with mobile operators, emphasizing the revenue potential of ancillary products like T-shirts spotlighting popular artists. Vanjoki also said Nokia is mulling additional acquisitions to bolster its mobile services strategy.

For more on the Comes With Music negotiations:
- read this Financial Times article

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CBS Mobile launches mobile web discovery tech

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

CBS Mobile and content discovery solutions provider Aggregate Knowledge announced they will team to offer discovery and recommendation technology on mobile web sites, promising consumers more effectively targeted and relevant content as well as a more user-friendly mobile web experience. According to CBS Mobile and Aggregate Knowledge, the partnership will launch with a solution enabling visitors to the CBS Mobile News website to see and receive anonymous, aggregated content recommendations based on what is being viewed, clicked and read by readers with similar interests. Article suggestions will initially appear in the form of "Your Headlines" functionality, changing throughout a given day according to shifts in interest from morning news to feature articles to breaking alerts.

"We're constantly pushing to make our mobile content and advertising as relevant as possible," said CBS Mobile's newly-minted executive vice president Jeff Sellinger in a prepared statement. "Behavioral targeting on mobile phones is the next frontier in achieving this because the smaller the screen, the more relevant the content needs to be. In time we hope to deliver other even more highly-relevant and targeted ads, services and applications to our mobile customers and visitors. All this comes on the heels of our recent announcement of being first with location-based mobile advertising."

For more on the CBS Mobile/ Aggregate Knowledge deal:
- read this release

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EMI in talks to join Nokia's Comes With Music

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

Major label EMI expressed its eagerness to join Nokia's all-you-can-eat Comes With Music mobile service, indicating negotiations with the handset giant are already underway. "We want to be part of it," said EMI Finland head Wemppa Koivumaki during a Wednesday news conference. "I believe strongly that when it launches we will be there, with a full offering." Nokia plans to launch the Comes With Music program in the second half of 2008--the initiative will enable consumers to not only purchase a year of unlimited music downloads via mobile handsets bundled with its Ovi web services platform but keep all the music they download even if they choose against continuing their premium subscription. At present, Universal Music Group is the only major record label officially signed to provide Comes With Music content.

For more on the Nokia/EMI talks:
- read this Electronista article

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MySpace Mobile launches on Sprint

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

Sprint announced the launch of MySpace Mobile across all of its web-enabled handsets, becoming the first U.S. operator to offer subscribers free direct access to the new social networking site, which makes its formal debut after roughly six months in beta. Sprint and MySpace promise subscribers the tools to edit their MySpace profiles, view and add friends, browse photo albums, post blogs and bulletins, and send and receive messages via mobile device. According to MySpace, the mobile service generated more than a million unique users during beta trials. "Mobile is the next generation of social networking," said MySpace senior director of mobile business development Brandon Lucas in a prepared statement. "Our partnership with Sprint makes it easier and faster for customers to get the most out of MySpace when they're on the go."

For more on the MySpace Mobile debut:
- read this release

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O2 signs on for Napster Mobile

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:59:57 -0400

Operator O2 UK announced an agreement to launch digital music service provider Napster's mobile music service. Network services provider Ericsson will assume systems integration, operations, maintenance and content management responsibilities for the Napster Mobile service, which promises O2's British subscribers a catalog of 5 million tracks optimized for playback on their mobile handsets and PCs. In addition to standard features like content searching, browsing and previews, Napster Mobile boasts advanced features including a recommendation engine based on individual consumer tastes as well as dual delivery, which transmits a copy of the content purchased on the handset to the subscriber's PC. O2 Ireland first added the Napster Mobile service in 2006.

For more on the O2/Napster Mobile deal:
- read this release

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ALSO NOTED: NTT DoCoMo and Sky Perfectv team for mobile TV service; Hands-On Mobile names new president; and much more...

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:59:53 -0400

> NTT DoCoMo and Sky Perfectv team for mobile TV service. Article

> Hands-On Mobile names Niccolo de Masi president. Release

> mobileXaware launches mobile fitness guide. Release

And finally… Macedonian court convicts bear for honey theft. Article

ALSO NOTED: Google announces mobile apps development events; Atlantic Records duets with Kadoink on interactive mobile fan club

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:59:53 -0400

> Google announces mobile apps development events. Release

> Atlantic Records duets with Kadoink on interactive mobile fan clubs. Release

> Revision3, Transpera team for mobile video service. Release

And finally…The ruins of Neverland Ranch. Article

NextWave debuts MXtv

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

Mobile multimedia products and technologies provider NextWave Wireless announced the launch of MXtv, a mobile multicast and broadcast technology promising WiMAX operators the tools to offer services including mobile TV, interactive media services and digital audio without investing in new spectrum or additional radio access network equipment. According to NextWave, MXtv is based on macro-diversity technology and is completely compatible with the current 802.16e standard--the solution supports 30 fps QVGA and WQVGA content, and provides up to 45 high-quality mobile TV channels in 10 MHz with channel-switching times under two seconds. NextWave added the technology offers operators the flexibility to dynamically allocate spectrum based on content availability, time-of-day requirements, user demand and the availability of 'must see' live events. Operators can additionally offer program guides, on-device stored content and user-specific content.

Next-generation networking provider Huawei has already committed to delivering MXtv technology in its end-to-end WiMAX network solution, and MXtv is also a standard feature in NextWave's own WiMAX infrastructure product line. "With more high-quality broadcast channels on a per-MHz-basis along with the shared use of standard network equipment and already dedicated spectrum, MXtv's wide range of applications completely transforms the economics of WiMAX for operators worldwide," said NextWave CEO Allen Salmasi in a prepared statement. "MXtv enables WiMAX operators to profitably deliver exciting mobile multimedia services such as mobile TV, digital radio and other types of cutting-edge multicast services including user-generated, shared video content. In addition, MXtv will provide WiMAX operators a unique opportunity to generate significant incremental revenue by delivering relevant and highly-targeted interactive advertising to customers while maintaining control over the nature and extent of content delivered over their network."

For more on MXtv:
- read this release

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4INFO to tip off March Madness alerts

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:59:55 -0500

SMS publishing and advertising services provider 4INFO announced it will again deliver real-time NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament alerts delivered instantly to mobile handsets following the conclusion of each March Madness game. Subscribers may also sign up to follow individual teams, while "Upset Alerts" promise to update fans on the final minutes of close games. 4INFO says it sent over a million March Madness alerts in 2007, and expects that number to triple with this year's tournament. "As big NCAA Tournament fans ourselves, we at 4INFO know that you can't always be in front of a TV or within reach of your computer," said 4INFO vice president of product Ted Burns in a prepared statement. "With our alerts, fans can not only be first to know the results of games, they'll also know when to dash to a TV to catch an upset live. As we see it, life's obligations shouldn't get in the way of a great basketball game." First-round NCAA tournament action begins March 20.

For more on the March Madness alerts:
- read this release

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Sprint posts $29.5B Q4 loss, debuts Simply Everything plan

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:59:59 -0500

Sprint Nextel posted a $29.5 billion fourth quarter loss, the fifth-largest decline among Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies since 1990. Fourth quarter revenues were $8.5 billion, a 2 percent sequential decline and a 6 percent slump from the fourth quarter of 2006; data revenues grew 12 percent sequentially and 26 percent year-over-year. Sprint's wireless unit posted 53.8 million total subscribers at the end of 2007, with postpaid subscriber counts down 1.2 million. By year's end, Sprint Nextel served roughly 35 million subscribers on its CDMA platform, 17.3 million on iDEN and 1.4 million PowerSource subscribers spanning both platforms.

According to Sprint, postpaid ARPU was slightly above $58 in the quarter, compared to $59 in Q3 and a little more than $60 a year ago. The decline reflects lower voice revenues, offset somewhat by increased data revenues: Data contributed more than $11 to overall post-paid ARPU in the quarter. Data ARPU on the postpaid CDMA base was more than $14, an increase of 21 percent from the year-ago period, and contributed more than $5 to iDEN ARPU, a year-over-year increase of 10 percent.

"The fourth quarter financial results reflect the challenges facing our wireless business," said Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse in a prepared statement. "We are making significant changes across the organization in an effort to improve execution, stabilize our customer base and deliver on the opportunity provided by our assets. Given current deteriorating business conditions, which are more difficult than what I had expected to encounter, these changes will take time to produce improved operating performance, and our near-term subscriber and financial results will continue to be pressured."

In related news, Sprint announced it will launch Simply Everything, a domestic pricing plan giving subscribers unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, web surfing, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect for $99.99 per month. Sprint becomes the first of the four major U.S. operators to include both voice, data and multimedia services together under the same all-you-can-eat plan. Hesse: "All major carriers have good voice networks. Our network is about more than voice and more than just being the largest wireless data network. It is about allowing customers to connect with people, information and entertainment. It is about simplicity, usability and real value. The $99.99 Simply Everything plan eliminates overage surprises and provides a worry-free environment."

For more on Sprint's disastrous Q4 results:
- read this release

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ALSO NOTED: Motorola names Paul J. Liska CFO; Boost Mobile gets a makeover; and much more...

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:59:53 -0500

> Motorola names Paul J. Liska CFO. Release

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> Vodafone New Zealand outsources mobile gaming service to End2End. Article

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MySpace mulling digital music service

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:59:59 -0500

News Corp.-owned social networking site MySpace is reportedly in talks with major record labels to launch a digital music service that would offer both premium MP3 downloads as well as free streaming content. According to The Wall Street Journal, the tentatively-named MySpace Music would be structured as a joint venture between MySpace and its content provider partners, with the possibility of outside investors lending financial assistance. So far, MySpace has approached Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, EMI Group and Sony BMG Music; proposals are still in the discussion stage, but MySpace is weighing a premium platform featuring downloads compatible with virtually portable device, including Apple's iPod, as well as ad-supported streaming content. A music merchandise service is also under consideration, as is a paid subscription service optimized for certain portable devices. MySpace declined comment.

For more on MySpace Music:
- read this Wall Street Journal article

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Second Life reborn on mobile via Vollee

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:59:57 -0500

Streaming mobile game service provider Vollee announced it will launch the Second Life virtual world platform on 3G handsets. Beta trials for the Vollee service, which the gaming firm said is "an interconnected platform which extends beyond the mainland of Second Life itself," will be open for users who pre-register. According to Vollee, its Second Life mobile service will enable access to the virtual world of Second Life for Residents to explore, interact and communicate online, reformatting the PC experience to mobile screens while mapping the keys on handsets to commands in-world. "What we have developed is a service which, for the first time, allows you to access a rich persistent virtual 3D world the way it is supposed to be experienced on your phone," said Vollee CEO Martin Dunsby in a prepared statement. "This is a true 'before and after moment' in which mobile is living up to its potential in serving as an always on, connected platform."

For more on Vollee's Second Life platform:
- read this release

Related article:
Vollee scores $4 million in Series A funding

ALSO NOTED: O2 debuts mobile advertising service; Mandalay completes Twistbox acquisition; and much more...

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:59:53 -0500

> O2 debuts mobile advertising service. Article

> Mandalay completes Twistbox acquisition. Article

> VeriSign: 2.2 billion mobile messages will be sent this Valentine's Day. Release

And finally… RIP Kon Ichikawa. Article

Nokia launches Ovi sharing, mobile ad network

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

Nokia announced its first Ovi service, Share on Ovi, a personal media sharing community that allows users to transfer content between the desktop, the mobile phone and other connected devices. Share on Ovi is based upon open standards and supports more than 100 different file types. The service is currently available in beta and will launch in the second quarter.

During today's press conference at Mobile World Congress, Nokia executives said the Nokia Music service, which is currently available in the U.K., will launch in 10 more countries during the first half of 2008. The company also is improving its mapping service with the unveiling of Maps 2.0., which offers enhanced pedestrian navigation with satellite imaging maps and turn-by-turn directions. Nokia Maps 2.0 is currently in beta and will be available commercially in the first half of 2008 on certain Series 40 devices.

During the press conference, Nokia executives were asked about the firm's recent Trolltech acquisition. Nokia CEO Olli Pekka-Kallasvuou said that the acquisition in important because it will help developers build applications independent of a handset's operating system. Although Trolltech does have a Linux platform, Nokia said that was not the driver behind the purchase.

Nokia also announced the launch of Nokia Media Network, a premium advertising network launched in partnership with over 70 publishers and operators including Sprint, AccuWeather, Reuters, Hearst and Discovery. The turnkey solution follows Nokia´s fall 2007 acquisition of mobile advertising firm Enpocket, and leverages the firm's analytics technology to optimize campaigns, improve conversions and measure campaign performance across the network. According to Nokia, the global ad network is already yielding click-through rates averaging 10 percent in certain channels.

For more on Nokia Media Network:
- read this release

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MSN Direct goes mobile

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:59:56 -0500

Microsoft announced it is launching a mobile incarnation of its multi-platform MSN Direct news and information service on Windows Mobile-based devices. Promising instant access to weather and stock updates, top news stories and entertainment, sports and business headlines, the free MSN Direct for Windows Mobile Technology application emphasizes a glanceable, customized content format accessible directly from the device home screen and updated automatically. Content partners include Foreca for current weather information, Comstock Resources for stock prices, and MSNBC for news. For more in-depth information on a user's favorite subjects, MSN Direct also provides links to relevant areas of the MSN Mobile portal. "[MSN Direct] is a really simple way to do a lot on your phone," said MSN Direct director of marketing Holly Kemp in an interview with FierceMobileContent. "The information is delivered quickly, in a format that's easy to read and access. It's like changing channels on a TV set."

For more on MSN Direct:
- read this release