May 2008 Archives

Embedded wireless broadband (3G) capability for laptops has been difficult for enterprises to justify because of upfront purchase costs, monthly costs and asset protection, but new pricing plans and technology evolution will force changes in strategy, according to Gartner, Inc.

“Our standing recommendation against embedding wireless WAN (WWAN) cards in notebooks — except for applications with a clear return-on-investment justification — has been based on lack of global coverage, high costs and poor asset protection,” said Ken Dulaney, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner. “However, new technologies and pricing due by the end of 2008 have the potential to eliminate the problems of embedded, wireless 3G notebook purchases.”

Gartner analysts said organizations can consider embedded 3G in new notebook purchases for moderate to extensive travelers in 2009.

“Various influencing factors are transitioning to a point where embedded 3G will become superior from a cost perspective compared with previously used alternatives, such as Wi-Fi ‘hot spots’ and hotel broadband for wide-area use,” said Leslie Fiering, research vice president at Gartner.

Historically, embedded WWANs have been tied to specific technologies and service providers, meaning that users could not just swap cards out when they moved to an area not covered by a certain carrier. Ongoing service costs at an average estimate of $600 a year were difficult to justify, and roaming charges could drive costs even higher. Additionally, the tremendous churn in WWAN technologies and frequencies could make a WWAN card obsolete within two years inside a notebook with a three-year expected life.

Infineon Technologies AG announced the availability of its new generation 3G platform family. This new platform family addresses all major 3G market segments and includes a high performance HSPA modem solution, a feature phone solution enriched with high multimedia capabilities and a cost-efficient 3G solution.

This platform family is a further step on Infineon’s integration roadmap: it reduces the number of devices in the chipset from three to two and the component count of a typical platform by 50 per cent.

The new 3G-solutions offer the industry’s smallest PCB (printed circuit board) footprint with a space reduction of up to 40 per cent. Furthermore the standby power is reduced by up to 30 per cent compared to existing HSDPA platform solutions.

“Our new platforms enable our customers to fully reuse their hardware and software developments and launch multiple phones covering all feature phone market segments with lower cost and faster time-to-market,” said Prof. Dr. Hermann Eul, Executive Vice President of the Infineon Management Board and President of the Communication Solutions Business Group.

“Given the compelling size of our new Baseband and RF devices and the low component count of our platforms, we are offering the world’s smallest platform footprint, enabling manufacturers to build slim, feature rich HSUPA / HSDPA phones for all 3G market segments.”

Infineon uses its own dual-mode 3GPP release 6 Protocol Stack, which enables the company to provide complete in-house system solutions. Having the ownership of each and every platform component eases completing lab tests (GCF, PTCRB and IOT), field tests and operator approvals on Infineon’s reference platforms, which in turn accelerates customers’ phone projects substantially.

The Road to 100G Alliance announced that the Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint), a leading supplier of comprehensive wireless and wire-line services, and NetLogic Microsystems, Inc., a leading provider of knowledge-based processors, have joined the alliance as contributing members. The Road to 100G Alliance is a global community of leading hardware, software and equipment vendors, along with service providers, dedicated to accelerating the adoption and ongoing development of a new era of next generation networking platforms.

“We welcome Sprint as our first service provider representative to the Road to 100G Alliance. Sprint’s perspective will help guide the Alliance in terms of new services and applications for advanced network and telecom equipment, and will certainly bring to light many important issues,” said Bill Weisinger, Road to 100G Alliance Chairman and President. “We are also excited to have NetLogic Microsystems join our Alliance as they will bring their broad perspective on high-speed integrated circuits that accelerate the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia content for high performance networks.”

Unlike many existing standards bodies, the Road to 100G Alliance is focused solely on identifying and addressing the complex implementation and integration issues which might compromise the adoption and proliferation of next generation telecommunications and network solutions. The Alliance exists to make recommendations which ensure interoperability between the myriad of technologies that enable equipment for a variety of new applications.

The average reported purchase price for wireless mobile phones is now $9 higher than reported in 2007, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study(SM)-Volume 1.

The study finds that the average reported purchase price for a wireless handset has increased substantially for the first time in two years. The average purchase price cited by customers for a mobile phone is $101 — up $9 from just six months ago — and marks the highest average price paid for a wireless device since the study’s inception in 2003.

The increase in the average purchase price can be partially attributed to the recent surge in popularity of smartphone devices, such as the RIM Blackberry, Palm Treo and recently introduced Apple iPhone, as well as music- enabled handsets, both of which typically have higher price points when first offered. The current average reported purchase price for smartphone devices is $208, much higher than the average price paid ($58) for phones with fewer features.

“As more customers start to upgrade to mobile phones that offer real-time connectivity and access to Internet content — particularly those offered by smartphone devices — we should continue to see the wireless handset price point rise,” said Kirk Parsons, senior director of wireless services at J.D. Power and Associates. “Sales of smartphone devices have increased considerably over the past year to 6.3 percent from 1.7 percent in overall market share at the beginning of 2007.”

IN-FUSIO, a leading digital-content publisher,announced it has licensed mobile gaming rights for the upcoming motion picture Get Smart, from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. Based on the highly anticipated motion picture from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, the Get Smart mobile game will combine mission-based gameplay, puzzle solving and combat with the trademark Get Smart humor.

In the movie, CONTROL secret agents Maxwell Smart and the lovely-but-lethal Agent 99 are on a mission to thwart a plan for world domination by the evil crime syndicate KAOS.

Assuming the role of CONTROL operatives, Get Smart mobile game players will battle KAOS henchmen in a variety of locations, including a training facility, city streets, agent Krstic’s mansion, nuclear facilities and prison dungeons. In addition to gadgets collected along the way, Maxwell’s signature “hwa-rang-do” martial-arts moves and powerful insult-based combat offer creative ways to take on the forces of evil.

In addition to the mobile game, special content from the movie, wallpapers, voicetones and theme music will be available. The Get Smart mobile game will be available this summer on a variety of wireless carriers in North America.

Skweezer, Inc. announced a major upgrade to its Skweezer Ads service, which allows customers to serve ads to a wide variety of mobile, desktop, and other Web-enabled consoles through a single ad feed.

This latest release of Skweezer Ads includes innovations that are firsts for the online advertising community. One such innovation is a patent-pending algorithm that dynamically converts conventional text-based cost-per-click (CPC) ads into mobile-friendly ads complaint with standards set by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA). Another key innovation is Skweezer Ads’ cut-and-paste code that detects a visitor’s device type, retrieves appropriate mobile or desktop ads accordingly, and optionally reformats and compresses the Web content for mobile viewing.

Skweezer Ads is now available to publishers through ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, or JavaScript code. This latest version of Skweezer Ads uses “short URL” for easier inclusion into Web sites, RSS feeds, mobile applications, and SMS messages.

Buzzwire, Inc. announced that it has signed a syndication deal with RooftopComedy, the Internet Comedy Channel and foremost interactive media provider of stand-up and sketch comedy. The partnership will commence at the Aspen RooftopComedy Festival, May 30-31, which will bring together the best, most innovative stand-up comedians from across the U.S. The festival will feature the National College Comedy Competition Finals, and some of the biggest names in current comedy, including Chris Porter, Tig, Robert Hawkins, Jimmy Dore, Vince Morris, and many more. Select clips from the two-day event will be available on mobile phones through Buzzwire.

Buzzwire gives consumers access to the original Web programming through one-click mobile access. In addition to the Aspen comedy festival clips, Buzzwire will feature stand-up comedy from clubs across the U.S. and the U.K. RooftopComedy fans can use Buzzwire to watch their favorite clips on the go, create their own personalized mobile media channels, and share their favorite clips with family and friends.

RooftopComedy records, produces and distributes live comedy performances from the best comedy venues every night of the week. These are published to RooftopComedy.com and the RooftopComedy Network, which now includes Buzzwire. Performances are recorded from locations through the U.S. and an expanding number of venues in Europe and Asia.

Qualcomm In announced Plaza, a platform-agnostic wireless Internet service that provides a common framework for the development and support of widgets that will enable operators to provide their end users with quick and personalized access to the mobile Internet. After the introduction of Plaza, operators and developers can produce and deliver Internet-based content across their devices, in order to drive the usage of wireless data services, improve subscriber stickiness and ultimately increase operator ARPU.

Plaza is focused on enabling operators to bring more simplicity and personalization to their subscribers' mobile Internet experiences. When combined with subscriber intelligence and available device real estate, Plaza's end-to-end widget framework and user experience provides operators with a solution to drive use of the mobile Internet. An integrated marketing platform also plays a role in driving additional revenue to Plaza operators by allowing for targeted campaigns within the widget ecosystem.

Plaza extends benefits to content providers by allowing them to easily create useful widgets that drive users to their service offerings. Whether it is traditional Web sites, information services or other content stores, Plaza will enable a host of indirect discovery benefits and increased product and/or service monetization. Plaza's use of open standards for widget development will allow the existing Web development community to create widgets for the mobile Internet, while not excluding traditional mobile application developers, and even allowing for user-generated widgets. Qualcomm is actively working with operators to define and refine the full Plaza experience prior to commercialization.

What do Virgin Mobile USA customers and Sir Richard Branson have in common? Branson and the lucky 15,000 customers who buy a Virgin Mobile Festival Special Edition Wild Card phone by Kyocera Wireless  will all have special access to the Virgin Mobile Guest Lounge at the upcoming Virgin Mobile Festival (http://www.virginmobilefestival.com) on August 9-10 in Baltimore.* Customers simply have to show their new handset for admittance to the special guest area at the Festival, where Kyocera Wireless continues its 3-year run as the premier handset sponsor.
 

Available nationwide from May 25 through July 31 exclusively at Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.com) and Best Buy Mobile stores for $99.99, the Virgin Mobile Festival Special Edition Wild Card also comes with 50 music downloads from eMusic and a one-year subscription to SPIN Magazine.

The Limited Edition handset will be easy to spot with slick white casing, blue keypad buttons, exclusive wallpapers, and graffiti-style Festival graphics around an internal screen that imitates a concert stage. One of the Limited Edition’s many wild features is the easy texting that has made the original Wild Card such a success. All Wild Card handsets open lengthwise to reveal a full QWERTY keypad, ideal for texting and instant messaging. All Wild Cards also include a 1.3 megapixel camera and support streaming music tracks.

comScore, Inc. a leader in measuring the digital world, today announced the acquisition of M:Metrics, Inc., the recognized leader in mobile measurement. The acquisition makes comScore the immediate leader in measuring the emerging and strategically important mobile Internet market and adds to comScore’s leading position in measuring PC-based Internet usage.

The transaction involves a cash payment of $44.3 million and the issuance of approximately 50,000 options to purchase shares of comScore common stock to certain M:Metrics unvested option holders.

net mobile AG, Germany’s leading provider of mobile entertainment services, and Dadango, a mobile content marketing, publishing and distribution company, signed an extensive franchise agreement for the innovative `net-m maxmedia’ distribution platform in the US market.

Dadango, based in Sunnyvale, California with international branch offices in China and Taiwan, is one of the most important mobile content aggregators in the US. Furthermore, Dadango is partnering with mobile operators (carriers) and content providers for marketing and distribution around the world.

This agreement with Dadango gives net mobile AG immediate access to important customers of the network operators and media environments across the US. This new partnership has considerable revenue growth potential for net mobile AG.

With the expansion of the franchise business by Dadango in the US market, net mobile AG reaches with a short time - after the already announced partnership with 8 Elements Ltd. from Hong Kong in July 2007- another strategic milestone for its core business and internationalisation strategy

After wowing the developer crowd with their Android prototype demonstration, the developers sat down for a Q&A session.  The hardware was based on a 528MHz Qualcomm processor, the smartphone used a Synaptics capacitive touchscreen and the UMTS cellular standard; the demo itself was carried out using a 3.6Mbps HSDPA connection.  Android's memory requirements continue to be reasonable: the prototype had 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash.The developer was not disclosed.

The entire Q&A is available at Android Community.

The latest figures from IMS Research show the combined forecasts for users of contactless mobile payments, mobile banking and over the air (OTA) transactions to reach 884 million in 2012. This is the cumulative number of users expected to adopt new technologies, platforms and services who are expected to complete 62 billion transactions between them in that year.

IMS Research’s latest 200 page report on Mobile Wallet Applications and Services discusses the fact that mobile penetration in many developing markets is far higher than that of banking or fixed line infrastructure, meaning that mobile is often the only means of access available. This contrasts strongly with more developed markets where mobile is an alternative but personalised means of access. Orascom has announced a “unique service” launch this year across a number of markets, probably based upon a pre-paid credit model. By doing so it joins operators such as NTT DoCoMo, KTF, Vodafone, Globe, Smart, TIM, AT&T and Sprint amongst others, adding to the growing momentum around mobile financial services.

The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) has published a report that takes an in-depth look into the impact of ad-funded mobile entertainment (AFME) on the mobile entertainment market in the U.S. The report forecasts that the U.S. AFME market will be worth a total of US$336.35 million by 2013, expanding the already burgeoning mobile entertainment market by 4.6%.

Brands subsidizing content will contribute the majority of the revenue (US$262.7 million) as they look to capitalize on mobile's captive audience, and the remainder will come from premium content up-sells (US$73.7 million). Mobile video and TV will generate 41.4% of ad-funded revenues by 2013, with music at 34.5% and games at 24.1%.

"AFME is just beginning in the U.S., and its promise is clear," said Andrew Bud, Chairman, MEF Global. "Its contribution of US$336.35 million by 2013 to the mobile entertainment business shows that it will have a real impact on the future of our industry."

Qualcomm Incorporated  and Adobe Systems Incorporated  announced the BREW Mobile Platform with integrated Adobe Flash technology and new platform features.

BREW Mobile Platform, which leverages Qualcomm’s widely deployed BREW Client software, greatly expands the capabilities for developers and enables them to create rich applications and Web content in Adobe Flash for the BREW environment. The software will fully integrate and deliver Adobe Flash technology to mass market handset devices. By combining the strengths of both BREW and Flash technologies, BREW Mobile Platform brings the mobile application and Web content development communities together, setting a new standard for mass market handset platforms.

CTIA-The Wireless Association released a new study that reveals the massive positive impact wireless broadband technology is having on the United States economy. The independent report, commissioned by CTIA and prepared by analyst Roger Entner as a follow-up to a 2005 Ovum Report, projects the total value of wireless broadband and mobile voice services to exceed $427 billion by the year 2016, and additional benefits to the Gross Domestic Product of $860 billion over the next ten years.

In 2005, 68.8 million US enterprise users had mobile wireless services, with 25% using a mobile wireless broadband solution. By 2016, the US is projected to have 81.9 million mobile enterprise users, with 83% using wireless broadband.

Additional findings include:

• In 2005, the productivity value of all mobile wireless services was worth $185 billion, greater than the total value of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry (according to BizStats.com).

• An adjustment of Ovum's original estimate of the U.S. economy's productivity gains attributable to mobile voice services in 2004 from $118 billion to $157 billion.

• In 2005, mobile wireless broadband services generated productivity gains to the U.S. economy worth $28 billion per year.

• Between 2004 and 2005, the productivity enhancements generated by the use of mobile wireless broadband tripled in value.

FusionOne, the leading provider of mobile phone backup and migration services, announced that it has created an ecosystem for the wireless industry based on its operator-branded Mobile Content Transfer Solution. Announced at Qualcomm’s BREW 2008 Conference in San Diego, FusionOne’s mobile content ecosystem will provide the wireless industry with a platform for backing up and migrating licensed mobile content. Based on FusionOne’s unique MightyBackup Premium product, this solution arbitrates the digital rights issues associated with moving licensed content from one mobile phone to another. FusionOne will showcase its products including MightyBackup Premium in booth #402 at the BREW 2008 Conference, May 28 - 30.

The Mobile Content Transfer Solution creates a solution that is comprised of operators, device manufacturers, content providers, billing system providers and technology providers such as Qualcomm. This solution will offer wireless subscribers the option of restoring their licensed content when they purchase a new mobile phone. With the Mobile Content Transfer Solution, subscriptions and credits are seamlessly migrated to a new mobile device and customer relationships with the subscriber are preserved.

“This holistic approach to the protection and migration of licensed mobile content is unique to the wireless industry,” said Mohan Sadashiva, senior vice president of marketing for FusionOne. “Wireless operators can substantially reduce revenue leakage by making it easy for subscribers to reacquire their applications and other content. Likewise, content providers will benefit from increased customer loyalty and retention, while subscribers themselves will no longer have to delay purchasing a new mobile device due to the inconvenience associated with restoring their applications.”

Starent Networks, Corp.  a leading provider of infrastructure solutions that enable mobile operators to deliver multimedia services, today announced its successful participation in interoperability testing to further validate the company's involvement in the development and promotion of the WiMAX industry.

Starent Networks has successfully performed interoperability of its WiMAX solutions with ZyXEL Communications, a leading provider of secure broadband networking, and TECOM, a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of telecommunications equipment. The products tested were Starent Networks' Access Service Network (ASN) Gateway and Home Agent for WiMAX, the ZyXEL WiMAX Base Station MAX-2021 and TECOM Macro Base Station WM5070.

Mobile social networks are quite popular with the Millennial generation, just as social networking is, reports In-Stat  . Blogging, photo and video sharing, location-based socialization services, games, SMS, and IM will eventually be combined to afford the mobile user the entire social networking experience from a handset application, the high-tech market research firm says. The mobile handset will simply become an extension of the user in most aspects of life.

"The critical issue most mobile social networking site and application developers struggle with is how to make money with their services," says Jill Meyers, In-Stat analyst. "There are three primary methods of revenue generation for mobile social networking applications-- advertising, subscription services, and premium upgrades."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• In-Stat predicts a steady growth rate culminating in the number of US millennials subscribing to mobile social networking reaching nearly 30 million by the year 2012.
  
• Social network advertising continues to be experimental to marketers, but 2008 revenues are predicted to be over $1.5 billon.
• Last year's introduction of the iPhone enabled the least techno-savvy user to surf the Internet, download and play music, take pictures, send messages, and record videos, all on a thin, touch-screen-operated unit.
  This has changed mobile phone users' expectations.
                                
  

Intel’s next-generation Centrino 2 will not be introduced until July 14, reports several sources.

It will be Intel’s first Centrino processor Relevant Products/Services technology to offer integration both Wi-Fi and WiMAX possible in notebook designs.

The ultimate success of WiMAX is essential to Intel, which announced a $1 billion investment in a revitalized Clearwire last month. Intel has made a total cash commitment in excess of $1.6 billion toward the rollout of WiMAX nationally in the U.S.

The Intel WIMAX website states:

Intel WiMAX will deliver extended broadband Internet beyond Wi-Fi. With wireless high-speed broadband connectivity for your PC, WiMAX-enabled laptops and mobile devices will provide you the freedom to connect to the Internet just as you do with your cell phone service. With speeds similar to DSL or cable and faster than using your cell phone service to connect, WiMAX will allow you to access all the data-intensive applications you love, including streaming media on the Internet, live video conferencing, mobile TV and more while on the move.

Yankee Group announced that wireless industry trade journalist Brian Dolan has joined the firm as Senior Analyst/Editor of the Events and Publishing Division. In this new role, Dolan will shape the programs of the firm's events, beginning with Mobile Internet World 2008, which will take place October 21-23 in Boston.

Dolan will also be responsible for writing and editing two publications: Mobile Internet Trends and WiMAX Trends.

Before joining Yankee Group, Dolan served as the editor of FierceWireless. While at Fierce, Dolan also founded publications covering the mobile content industry and IPTV.

Verizon and Motorola announced that the MOTO W755 is now available exclusively online at http://www.verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City.

Available in purple and black, the MOTO W755 features a 1.3 megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom that enables users to easily capture still and video shots, including self-portraits. Recorded videos and images can then be shown on the  1.9-inch internal display.

Other features of the MOTO W755 include:
V CAST Video -- download or stream video from the best names in news, sports, entertainment and more
VZ Navigator-capable -- get audible maps, turn-by-turn directions and location information
Text, picture and video messaging
Mobile IM and chat capabilities
Mobile Web-capable -- customizable, enhanced wireless acess to the latest in news, sports, weather and more
Media Center-capable -- download games, ringtones, wallpapers and more
microSD card memory port with up to 4 GB support with an optional memory card
Phonebook with up to 1,000 contacts

Hands-On Mobile, Inc., developer of connected games and applications, announced that Guitar Hero III Mobile was the number one selling mobile game on Verizon Wireless phones in the first quarter of 2008.  Initially released exclusively by Verizon Wireless, Guitar Hero III Mobile is striking a chord with fans all over the world, shattering mobile game records with nearly 1 million downloads, including monthly subscriptions, across all wireless service providers.

Guitar Hero III Mobile has become one of the fastest selling games in mobile gaming history. More than 250,000 songs are played every day by mobile subscribers across the U.S. The most played songs include "Slow Ride" (re-record), "Mississippi Queen" (re-record) and "Black Magic Woman" (re-record).

In addition, Hands-On Mobile announced the Guitar Hero III Mobile June Song Pack, a feature that offers subscribers the opportunity to download three new songs every month. Songs available to wireless users on June 1 include "Stricken" (original recording), "Talk Dirty to Me" (re-record) and "Rock and Roll All Nite" (re-record).  Through the Song Pack downloads, players will be able to access more than 50 songs and 150 unique note charts across all three difficulties (easy, medium and expert) within one year of the game's release.

Featuring four authentic guitars and three venues, Guitar Hero III Mobile challenges players to hit number keys in synch with colored notes that appear on a scrolling fret board. The game offers 15 instantly accessible tracks taken from the console series.

JuiceCaster, the multi-award winning mobile social-networking service, unveiled location-based geotagging, developed initially for Qualcomm's BREW solution. With geotagging, JuiceCaster users can send pictures and videos that automatically include their location to various social-networking platforms, including MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

JuiceCaster provides one-touch, real-time sharing of pictures and videos directly from a camera phone to many social-networking and blogging sites. Users update their status with pictures and videos captured on their mobile phone using the wireless application. Through its new location-based geotagging feature, JuiceCaster now allows individuals to see a video's location information, which can be used as a friend-finding service. It also immediately notifies users when someone updates their status in a nearby area.

Since all uploaded pictures and videos are geotagged, users can also look for content based on specific location criteria, making searching for videos on JuiceCaster powerful and accurate. In addition, JuiceCaster's 'Who was here?' feature enables individuals to see a list of pictures and videos previously uploaded by friends and other people for a specific location, as well as add their own pictures and videos to its history. Location is only viewable by authorized friends and the feature can be turned off.

Verizon Wireless, and Mobitween, a leading developer and publisher of Flash-based games for the mobile and online worlds, announced the availability of Mobigamz, a Flash Lite based mobile gaming portal that allows customers to download, play, rate, and post high scores.
 
With Mobigamz, Verizon Wireless customers can choose the hottest Flash games from a current catalogue of sport, arcade, puzzle, and board categories. Mobigamz are specifically designed for mobile phones and are very intuitive to play, with simple joystick-keystroke interactivity, multiple levels and game session storing.
 
Verizon Wireless Get It Now customers can purchase and download Mobigamz from the Get Fun & Games shopping aisle in the Get It Now® virtual store for $2.99 one-time use, $5.49 for three uses and $8.49 for six uses. Mobigamz is available on a number of popular Get It Now-capable phones, including the MOTORAZR V3c, MOTORAZR V3m and the MOTOKRZR K1m; the LG VX8100, LG VX8300, V by LG, enV by LG, and Chocolate by LG; and the Samsung SCH-a930 and the Samsung SCH-a950.  Download charges vary and airtime or megabyte charges may apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled phone and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store.
 

Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group’s AddictingGames (www.addictinggames.com),an independent gaming site for teens with more than 3,000 games, and Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, announced that Qwikies are now exclusively available to Verizon Wireless customers. Marking its first extension off of the PC, AddictingGames’ Qwikies are Flash-based mini-games which allow Verizon Wireless customers to play popular AddictingGames’ titles from the palms of their hands, including “Fling the Ferret,” “50 States,” “Flip the Bird,” “Escape the Locker,” “Fly Squasher,” “Whack a Mole,” “Jungle Gym,” and many other original titles.

Qwikies have launched with fully functional high-score capabilities that enable customers to post scores to a daily community leader board from their phones or text their scores to friends. New games and content will be added every month.

Pricing and Availability Verizon Wireless customers can access Qwikies in the AddictingGames section in the Get It Now® virtual store for $4.99 for two uses, $6.99 for four uses and $8.99 for six uses. AddictingGames’ Qwikies are available on a number of popular Get It Now-capable phones. Download charges vary and airtime or megabyte charges may apply when downloading and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled handset and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store.

VeriSign, Inc, a provider of digital infrastructure for the networked world, announced that its Mobile Messaging Index for Q1 2008 indicates single-day and quarterly mobile messaging records have been broken. In addition, the numbers strongly suggest that the annual mobile messaging record will be shattered in 2008.

VeriSign’s combined mobile messaging networks enabled more than 43 billion messages in Q1 2008, up more than 34 percent from Q4 2007 and an increase of approximately 154 percent from Q1 2007. That total includes a single-day record 538 million SMS messages on Valentine’s Day handled by VeriSign’s network alone. Based on that number, VeriSign estimates roughly 2.12 billion mobile messages were exchanged across all networks on Valentine’s Day.

Annual mobile messaging records for totals and revenue, set in 2007, are almost certain to be eclipsed. As the use of mobile messaging continues to skyrocket, the annual record VeriSign set in 2007 — over 96 billion mobile messages handled — could be surpassed by the end of Q3 2008. As of March 31, VeriSign already had handled 45 percent as many mobile messages this year as it did in all of 2007. In doing so, VeriSign enabled more than $1.6 billion in revenue in Q1 2008 for mobile messaging customers worldwide — one-third the total revenue enabled by VeriSign in this market in all of 2007.

4info is partnering with Yahoo publish text messages with ads.  4info will provide the technology for Yahoo's content content, such as news updates, horoscopes, sports scores and weather forecasts, via text messages that also contain a small ad. Consumers  will sign up online to receive the alerts. 

Boosted by 3G network deployments, cellular modems are providing wireless connectivity to laptops, UMPCs and even desktop computers. 2007 data contained in a new study from ABI Research reveals that cellular modem sales, including PC Cards, Express Cards, USB modems, embedded modems and 3G/Wi-Fi routers cumulatively, increased more than 300% compared to 2006. The firm forecasts that by 2013, shipments of cellular modems will exceed 200 million units.

According to principal analyst Dan Shey, “2007 saw cellular modems established as an important connectivity technology for operators as well as for the mobile customer.”

 However the incredible growth of 2007 did not benefit just traditional market share leaders such as Option Wireless, Sierra Wireless and Novatel. Asia-Pacific vendors including Huawei, ZTE, and C-motech now control the majority of worldwide sales and they are bringing a completely new set of capabilities to the marketplace. Says Shey, “The leading Asia-Pacific cellular modem vendors have robust portfolios of other telecommunications products and services. This positions them to compete for operator sales at a very different level, and is forcing changes to incumbent modem supplier business models.”

 The factors driving this market go beyond a very competitive modem supplier market and 3G networks. Enterprise customers have been the traditional buyers of these devices, but operators have expanded their portfolio of mobile broadband price plans, opening up the market to SMB and consumer demand. In addition, Qualcomm’s Gobi, the eventual consolidation to GSM 3G and 4G networks, and WiMAX will all have positive effects on the supply chain, creating cellular-enabled devices which will drive up sales of embedded modems.

AT&T and Pantech Wireless Inc. announced the Pantech Breeze( from AT&T. Available in all company-owned stores and online beginning May 27, the Pantech Breeze a simple easy-to-use phone.

At its core, the Pantech Breeze is an uncomplicated mobile phone, specifically designed for people needing an easy way to stay in touch with friends, caregivers and loved ones. From its clean and uncluttered design to its simplified menus, oversized display with large keypad and quick-call keys, the Pantech Breeze includes a host of convenient features in a comfortable, modern design.

The Pantech Breeze is the direct result of AT&T and Pantech’s collaboration to build a device on the principles of Universal Design — the practice of designing products and applications that are usable by the most customers possible. AT&T recently published the company’s approach to Universal Design to encourage application developers and handset manufacturers to consider the needs of seniors or customers who have disabilities when creating products and services.

“Universal Design helps define important design criteria to meet the wants and needs of as many of our customers as possible,” said Carlton Hill, vice president of Product Management, Voice Products and Affiliate Marketing for AT&T’s wireless operations. “The Pantech Breeze is a result of our efforts to meet these criteria and offer a great-looking phone that’s a breeze to use for everyone — from tweens to great-grandparents.”

Research and Markets has announced the addition of “Global - Mobile Data - Overview & Analysis - 2007” to their offering.

By 2015 it is expected that mobile revenue will mostly come from data. This depends however on business models changing to become ones that offer low cost mobile data services as the norm. For many mobile operators this will require significant changes to their current voice-centric business models. So far competition has also not led to the development of a mass mobile data market, and despite all the hype about mobile wireless broadband, most HSPA services are aimed at the top end of the market, for business users and professionals. Wireless broadband is much more suited for the delivery of mobile data, and the infrastructure also has better potential for the delivery of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). These are two reasons why wireless broadband could start challenging 3G in the next decade. This report includes an overview and analysis of the mobile data industry. Statistics for mobile content and services can be found from a separate report.

The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF) announced that Qualcomm Incorporated through its Wireless Reach(TM) initiative, has become the organization’s founding patron to fulfill the MGF’s mission to create a single “mobile giving channel” that allows more than 250 million wireless users in the U.S. to make charitable contributions instantly through SMS from their cell phones.

The MGF will facilitate charitable giving across wireless operators by acting as the messaging gateway, compliance entity, billing settlement and records clearinghouse between operators and participating charities. By using text messaging, donors can choose to send a small donation in support of specific causes. These transactions will be recorded on the donor’s wireless bill, with the MGF providing data feeds that will allow annual notifications showing total contributions per donor, if desired.

The law requiring California drivers to use hands-free devices while talking on their mobile phones is likely to save hundreds of lives a year, particularly when the weather is bad or roads are wet, according to a new study released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

The study estimates that after the law takes effect on July 1st, California will experience 300 fewer traffic fatalities a year. The state currently logs more than 4,000 traffic deaths every year.

These findings differ from previous research that has questioned the effectiveness of hands-free laws in improving traffic safety.

Concern that phone use contributes to traffic collisions and fatalities has prompted many industrialized nations to require that drivers use hands-free technology while talking on the phone. In the United States, hands-free laws are in effect in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia, as well as in several cities, including Chicago and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Washington state has a hands-free law that also takes effect on July 1st.

Verizon Wireless reminds customers who choose to talk on a wireless phone while driving to do so responsibly and safely when travelling over the holidays:

Drive Responsibly Drivers should use common sense and obey all vehicular laws if they choose to talk on a wireless phone while driving, whether across town or across the country. Verizon Wireless offers the following reminders for using a wireless phone or service responsibly while driving:

When behind the wheel, safe and responsible driving is always your first priority.

• Using a wireless phone while driving may increase your risk of distraction, whether or not you use a hands-free device. To eliminate this risk, consider turning your phone off and allowing calls to go to voice mail. If you choose to talk and drive, always use a hands-free device. Make sure your hands-free device is on and working before you begin driving.
• Turn your phone to speakerphone or use a headset. Many phones have speakerphone capability. Headset models available from Verizon Wireless range from Bluetooth(R) devices for individual use to hands-free ear buds compatible with devices from many wireless providers.
  
• Do not manually dial or look up phone numbers when driving. Pre-program important and frequently dialed numbers and use the voice-activated and speed-dialing features of your phone.
• Never view or send text or multi-media messages or video downloads while driving.
• If you're taking advantage of any navigation service, including VZ Navigator(SM), program the address into your phone -- either directly to the handset or online -- before you leave the curb; then you'll need only to listen to the directions.
• Do not engage in complex, stressful or emotional calls while driving.The risk of using a wireless phone while driving may be increased during hazardous traffic or weather conditions. When driving in these conditions, consider turning your phone off and allowing calls to go to voice mail.
  

Verizon Wireless is committed to educating the public on the safe and responsible use of wireless phones while driving. For more information on hands-free options and responsible driving, customers can visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store or http://www.verizonwireless.com.

"Wi-fi on steriods." That's one of the many potential uses for the wireless spectrum that is now lying unused between TV channels, Larry Page told the New America Foundation in DC this week.

But why does Google care about helping more people get access to the web, whether it's through enhanced wi-fi or other means? As Larry put it, Google's mission is to organize the world's information -- but if no one has access to the Internet, what good is that effort? That's one of the big reasons Google has become steadily more engaged in spectrum policy debates in Washington. In his talk, Larry said that:

• The U.S. has slipped from third to sixteenth in broadband penetration rates, in part because the U.S. has not shown leadership in encouraging greater broadband access. Utilizing the unused TV "white spaces" for broadband access would be a tremendous opportunity to bring the Internet to more Americans -- including those in rural areas and first responders. Because of the much longer range of these spectrum signals, wireless broadband access utilizing the TV white spaces could be brought to more consumers using fewer base stations -- in effect, "wi-fi on steriods"

For more information go to the Google Public Policy Blog.

WiFi Rail is negotiating with the Bay Area Rapid Transportation (BART) authority's board to provide Wi-Fi access on BART trains.

There will be two versions of the service, ad supported free access and paid subscriptions.

Hop-On, Inc.announced that its GSM cell phone, the Hop1800, is now available in the United States for $10 USD, and worldwide.  One of the new breed of ultra convenient cell phones, the pre-paid HOP1800 works as a backup cell phone, when traveling abroad, or for anyone looking for an affordable cell phone that does one thing extremely well: make phone calls.

"Though the iPhone is an amazing device, I challenge anyone to make a call faster than with the HOP1800," says Hop-On CEO Peter Michaels.  "With the cost of living and roaming fees going though the roof, the HOP1800 is also the perfect iPhone traveling companion.  Just buy a local SIM card and you can use the HOP1800 with over 40 domestic wireless carriers," Michaels said.

Both HOP1800 phones, one a Dual-band 850/1900MHz or the 900/1800MHz for Europe and Asia, weigh a scant 77 grams, offers 4 hours of talk time, 150 hours of standby time and polyphonic ring tones.  Though low in cost, the HOP1800 uses reliable Infineon chip sets for excellent audio quality, reception and call stability.

At a $10 price point in the US retail and convenient stores, the HOP1800 could be considered disposable, but the company offers a $5 rebate for returning the phone to encourage recycling the phone to "Keep it Green".

Comment from Wireless & Mobile News:

Although this phone seems super cheap often savvy buyers can get a fuller functioning refurb phone from prepaid carriers online.  We found a $15.00 phone at Frys with $10.00 worth of airtime that has web access and a color display.

The head of the FCC said  he wants to regulate fees charged to cell phone users who cancel their wireless contracts early, reports the Associated Press.

At a news conference, FCC chief Kevin Martin said he supports regulating the fees at a federal level, even if it affects a series of class-action lawsuits against carriers in state courts.

In the first quarter of 2008, Verizon Wireless delivered nearly 58 billion text messages from coast to coast. But for those looking to control text messaging, such as on their child's cell phone, Verizon Wireless offers numerous consumer-friendly options to block some or all text messages.

These options include: Blocking: Customers can log into http://www.vtext.com or http://text.vzw.com using their mobile number and password, choose preferences, then text blocking, then select from several options --

1. Block all messages from the Web/Internet (where most spam is generated)
2. Block all messages from e-mail
3. Block messages from up to 15 specific domain names or e-mail addresses.
4. Allow only texts sent to a nickname@vtext.com.

Premium SMS Blocking
Log into "My Verizon" on http://www.verizonwireless.com, choose features, then choose add/delete to block only text messages for short code campaigns that involve premium charges. V-BLOCK: This option prevents a specific mobile number/cell phone from sending or receiving text messages. The only messages the customer will receive are voicemail alerts.

Customers can also add any of these options by calling Customer Service.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has more to celebrate this week than just the 10th anniversary of its launch.  According to an annual survey conducted by research firm Millward Brown, global awareness of Bluetooth technology is at an all time high with 85 percent of consumers recognizing the wireless technology. This is the fifth consecutive year awareness of Bluetooth technology has climbed, according to the annual survey conducted by research firm Millward Brown. 

Consumers in China, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, the US and UK say they have heard of Bluetooth technology and are also overwhelmingly aware of the Bluetooth logo (68 percent) and products that use Bluetooth technology.  Products consumers noted included:
•    Mobile phones (79 percent)
•    Headsets (61 percent)
•    Computers (56 percent)

In four out of the six countries polled, at least 60 percent of respondents claim to own a Bluetooth enabled device. Of those consumers who heard a lot about Bluetooth technology, 78 percent said they are willing to pay more for products that include the technology and 57 percent of respondents say Bluetooth technology “makes their lives easier.”