WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2007-09-11://1 2010-03-17T23:25:41Z Cellular Telecommunications Information Movable Type Pro 4.21-en Android WiMAX News 2Day: HTC Supersonic Smartphone with WiMAX Debut @ CTIA tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8954 2010-03-17T20:28:52Z 2010-03-17T23:25:41Z Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html HTC Super Sonic.JPGSprint is really going for a PR sprint this week.  The latest report from the Wall Street Journal, revealed that Sprint CEO Dan Hesse during a press conference next Tuesday in Las Vegas will unveil a new WiMAX device, the HTC Supersonic.

The HTC Supersonic is expected to run Google's Android 2.1 platform with HTC Sense UI, a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and a 5-megapixel camera. The Android 2.1 offers pinch-to-zoom browsing, voice-to-text form filling and turn-by-turn voiced navigation.  ]]>
]]> Android Nexus One to Sprint to Sprint Network with Value tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8953 2010-03-17T20:11:26Z 2010-03-17T23:35:23Z Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html NexusOne.jpgSprint will offer the Nexus One via the Google Nexus One webstore, pricing has not been announced. Yesterday, Google started selling an unlocked version of the Nexus One for AT&T priced at $529.

"While a pricing plan has not yet been determined for Nexus One, we are confident that it will be consistent with Sprint's commitment to deliver more value than our competitors and keep pricing simple," Fared Adib, Sprint vice president of product development.
]]>
The Nexus One  received a high-powered update with new features including multi-touch in the browser and maps.  It has voice to text filling in fields as well as turn-by-turn navigation.

The Google Nexus One had received fab first looks, and then well "issues" appeared with long waits for email support and touchiness with the touchscreen.Voice transcriptions on the the Nexus One removes swear words. Web banner ads contend that the Nexus One wallpaper has sentience.

Hardware Specs of Nexus One include:
  • Display: 3.7" AMOLED 480x800 WVGA display
  • Thinness: 11.5mm; Weight: 130g
  • Processor/Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon(TM) 3G QSD8250 chipset, delivering speeds up to 1GHz
  • Camera: 5 megapixel auto focus with flash and geo tagging
  • Onboard memory: 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
  • Expandable memory: 4GB removable SD Card (expandable to 32GB)
  • Noise Suppression: Dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc.
  • Ports: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with four contacts for inline voice and remote control
  • Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
  • Personalized laser engraving: Up to 50 characters on the back of the phone
  • Trackball: Tri-color notification LED, alerts when new emails, chats, text messages arrive

]]> Droid Updates Soon: Motorola Droid Update 2.1 OTA 3/18 & Beyond tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8952 2010-03-17T19:36:06Z 2010-03-17T23:42:45Z Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html droid_upgrade.jpgVerizon Motorola Droid owners should be receiving an Over-the-Air Update (OTA) to their Droid smartphones starting on March 18, suggests leaked-documents.  The update will be to the promised Android 2.1 operating system.

OTA updates roll out over time. You will get a notification that there is an update. Tap on the update wait for it to install, the Droid may then reboot. Make sure that your phone is at least 40% charged.

The Android 2.1 system update for the Motorola Droid by Verizon offers a lot of perks to users:
  • Voice to Text filling in of all fields on the Droid, by tapping the microphone and speaking the text.
  • Pinch-to-zoom with your fingers in the browser, Gallery, and Google Maps.
  • New Photo Gallery appwith 3D layout and Picasa sharing.
  • Live Wallpapers animated wallpaper.
  • Yahoo! mail support.
  • Google Maps update synchronized desktop maps.google.com and memorized locations.
  • New night mode in Google Maps Navigation automatically changes the screen at night for easier viewing.
  • Email accounts no longer need to be re-entered after an over-the-air update.
]]> Droid  system update requires 40% or more power availability if not connected to an external power source and 20% power availability if connected to a power source. If you are roaming you will not receive a system update notice. You will need to enable Wi-Fi and wait for the update notice to appear or as mentioned above you can manually update by by selecting "Home" > "Menu" > "Settings" > "About phone" > "System updates".

Detailed instructions on how to upgrade and update your Droid by Motorola are available online at Verizon Support.

Other Motorola Android smartphones are expected to get the Android 2.1 update.

The well-reviewed Verizon Motorola Driod, is part of the buy one 3G smartphone and get one free promotion from Verizon.

Top Ten (Plus) Best Coolest Free Android an' Droid Apps Review of Reviews.
Review of Reviews Best Top Free Android Apps T-Mobile G1 and T-Mobile myTouch 3G.
Top Best Android Apps 2Day: Top Ten Paid Android Apps Full of Tools.
Top 10 Free Android Apps 2Day: Weather, Rings and Jokes.

Android  an' Droid  Apps Articles:




]]> Super Apps Get Pushy: BlackBerry Push Service Open to BlackBerry Developers tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8951 2010-03-17T19:20:36Z 2010-03-17T19:32:53Z BlackBerry developers can now push information to BlackBerry users.The BlackBerry Push Service allows the application to process information in the background and alert users. The BlackBerry Push Service developer website suggests that developers use the BlackBerry Push Service to incorporate... Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html blackberry_push.pngBlackBerry developers can now push information to BlackBerry users.The BlackBerry Push Service allows the application to process information in the background and alert users.

The BlackBerry Push Service developer website suggests that developers use the BlackBerry Push Service to incorporate the characteristics smartphone customers love into your applications, including improved battery life, applications that run in the background and the ability to get instant information.
]]> BlackBerry Push Service is available to all developers and web content providers. RIM suggests that by using push technology,the is app more engaging and help turn it into a Super App.

The BlackBerry Push Service SDK is now available for download. It's part of the RIM Super App initiative outlined at Mobile World Congress.

A Super App for BlackBerry smartphones is an app that delivers a compelling user experience by leveraging the unique capabilities of the BlackBerry platform. Super Apps are the kind of apps that people love and use every day because they offer such a seamless, integrated, contextualized and efficient experience. ]]> Bold Moves for BlackBerry Bold 9650 aka BlackBerry Tour2 Smartphone? tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8950 2010-03-17T18:22:44Z 2010-03-17T19:12:18Z Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html blackberrytour2.jpgThe BlackBerry Tour2, documented to be now named BlackBerry Bold 9650 may be coming to carriers in May.

At first it was rumored that the BlackBerry 9650 Tour2, later called the new BlackBerry Bold 9650 would be coming in February.  RIM even hinted that the BlackBerry Tour2 9650 was coming soon on their Facebook page. 

An unnamed source noted that the would be called BlackBerry Bold 9650. Uniits were sent back from Sprint for Wi-Fi issues and from Verizon to update the OS to BlackBerry 5.0.

New reports suggest a May release with a "don't really know for sure," caveat while web reports suggest it's ready for prime time.

Al Sacco at CIO wrote "May sounds like a likely release-date for Research In Motion's (RIM) successor to it BlackBerry Tour 9630, which will reportedly be named the BlackBerry "Bold" 9650, because pictures, technical specifications and even leaked operating systems."

Sacco suggests that RIM's really big show the WES is  April 27-29 and good time for revealing the BlackBerry Bold 9650 Tour2. The BlackBerry Bold 9000 was revealed at WES.

Features of the BlackBerry Bold 9650 include a trackpad that works well and a faster processor, the same as the BlackBerry Storm2, which makes it run faster. It's about the same size as the original BlackBerry Tour, while the bottom row of keys is slightly shorter than the original BlackBerry Tour. The BlackBerry Bold 9650 has a better camera possibly 5 megabytes.  It may have the new improved BlackBerry Webkit browser.
]]> BOLD move to call the smartphone the BlackBerry Bold 9650, changing the BlackBerry numbering system all around.

We at Wireless and Mobile News have found that our readers, don't like names that all letters and numbers. They prefer names for their smartphones.  If you had a puppy or kitten, you wouldn't name him/her 9650.  Come here 9650, sit 9650, it's too hard to remember and takes too long to say.

BlackBerry Storm Apps and BlackBerry Tour Apps lists.
BEST BLACKBERRY STORM APPS ARTICLES:

]]> Sprint Smartphones and Cell Phones Now DemoAnywhere on Web tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8949 2010-03-17T00:12:58Z 2010-03-17T20:26:20Z Sprint now offers DeviceAnywhere's DemoAnywhere web-based virtual mobile phones. It allows customers to test drive features of a phone-- as if they're holding it in their hand-- before deciding on a purchase. Sprint is also using DemoAnywhere to help teach... Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html HTC HeroDemoanywhere.JPGSprint now offers DeviceAnywhere's DemoAnywhere web-based virtual mobile phones. It allows customers to test drive features of a phone-- as if they're holding it in their hand-- before deciding on a purchase.

Sprint is also using DemoAnywhere to help teach consumers how to use the full-range of the phone's functionality.
 ]]> Thousands of step-by-step tutorials were created by DeviceAnywhere using real devices, which show Sprint customers how to access and interact with the features of over 34 different mobile devices available on the Sprint network. Smartphones and cell phones supported include BlackBerry, Android, HTC Windows mobile phones, Palm Pre and Palm Pixi.
]]> Android Nexus One Smartphone Available Now for AT&T for $529 tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8948 2010-03-16T20:30:11Z 2010-03-16T20:48:01Z Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html

Thumbnail image for NexusonATUT.JPGIf you are an Android fan and also want to access the AT&T network, it could be good news to you that you can now buy a Nexus One for AT&T and Rodgers Canada.

Google recently reduced their early termination fee for the Nexus One to $150.  Sales figures have not been as good as the launch of the Droid by Motorola or the iPhone 3G.

The Nexus One  received a high-powered update with new features including multi-touch in the browser and maps.  It has voice to text filling in fields as well as turn-by-turn navigation.
]]> The Google Nexus One had received fab first looks, and then well "issues" appeared with long waits for email support and touchiness with the touchscreen.Voice transcriptions on the the Nexus One removes swear words. Web banner ads contend that the Nexus One wallpaper has sentience.


]]> iPhone, Android an' Droid Smartphone Apps Soon: MOG Unlimited Music Service @ $10.00 mo. tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8947 2010-03-16T20:18:13Z 2010-03-16T20:28:01Z MOG on-demand music listening demoed MOG All Access mobile streaming music application for smartphones at SXSW. The app will be available initially on iPhone and Android platforms. The service, which will be available in early Q2, will cost $10 per... Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html mOGscreen.JPG

MOG on-demand music listening demoed MOG All Access mobile streaming music application for smartphones at SXSW. The app will be available initially on iPhone and Android platforms. The service, which will be available in early Q2, will cost $10 per month for unlimited listening and includes the desktop service as well.

With MOG All Access Mobile, users will be able to access MOG's full music catalog of seven million songs from a smartphone. Features include:

  • On-demand listening: Users can listen to any artist, album, or song, on-demand, in unlimited amounts.
  • MOG Radio: Users can hear an unending stream of music based on a track or artist, with full control over how many similar artists are mixed in. Because MOG Radio is built right into the play queue, the music never has to stop.
  • Music discovery technology: With an innovative slider control, users can decide if they want to listen to true "artist only" radio, or allow for the introduction of similar artists into the playlist queue.
  • Seamless integration between website and mobile: Users can access the playlists they make at MOG.com for on-the-go listening. They can also bookmark favorites while using the mobile app that are then integrated into their personal library.
  • My Downloads: Users can, in unlimited fashion, download songs to their phone into a "local cache" so they can continue to listen to music even when out of cell or WiFi range.
  • HQ Audio: Users can download songs at the standard rate of 64 kbps or turn on HQ downloads to save the song as a larger file with higher audio quality.
]]> "MOG All Access with mobile is the holy grail for music fans," Hyman continued. "For $10 a month, you get access from your phone or PC to 7 million songs on demand along with our fantastic radio programming. It doesn't get any better." Moto Droid Smartphone Out-Sold iPhone in 1st 74 Days, Nexus One Lags, Says Flurry tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8946 2010-03-16T19:41:33Z 2010-03-16T20:06:04Z Analytics firm, Flurry can detect and count unique devices in the market such as Google Nexus One and Motorola Droids.Flurry estimated both sales of Nexus One Sales compared to Motorola Droid and the first generation iPhone, among others.The chart above... Reporter Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html NexusOne_Day74_SalesComparison.png

Analytics firm, Flurry can detect and count unique devices in the market such as Google Nexus One and Motorola Droids.

Flurry estimated both sales of Nexus One Sales compared to Motorola Droid and the first generation iPhone, among others.

The chart above compares the sales results through each of their respective first 74 days. The launch dates were: iPhone, June 29, 2007; Droid, November 5, 2009; and, Nexus One, January 5, 2010.  Please note that we forecasted the last few days of Nexus One's first 74 days sales based sales of the first 70 days they tracked.
]]> They noted that the Motorola Droid edged out iPhone 1G over the first 74 days, coming in at just over one million sold through. Flurry suggests that there are three underlying drivers of Droid worth keeping in mind compared to the other two handsets:

1. Consumer Perception & Demand: Motorola Droid launched over 2.5 years after the iPhone 1G. (Nov 2009 vs. July 2007). When the iPhone launched, consumers' concept of a mobile computing device as we now understand it, was very different.

2. Relative Subscriber Bases: Droid launched on Verizon, a larger network with more subscribers than AT&T, especially when considering AT&T's 2007 size (63.7 million at the time of iPhone launch) versus Verizon's 2009 size (89 million at the end of Q3). Additionally, there was pent up demand among the Verizon subscriber base for an iPhone killer, which is exactly how Verizon positioned the Droid. Finally, Verizon backed the launch with an ad budget of close to $100 M.

3. Holiday Season Sales: Droid benefited from launching on Nov 5 and having its first 74 days lifted by the holiday season, which is the highest selling period of the year for handsets. Neither iPhone 1G nor Nexus One's first 74 days spanned a holiday period.

]]> Mobile Web 2.0 Services Revs to Reach $18.9B in 2014, Says Juniper tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8945 2010-03-16T19:28:08Z 2010-03-16T20:08:07Z Revenues for mobile access to Web 2.0 applications and services will hit $18.9 billion in 2014, notes a new report from Juniper Research. Presence-enabled communities, such as mobile voice-over-IP (VoIP), will be the primary market driver, followed by rapid growth... Reporter Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html junipermobilesocialweb.JPG

Revenues for mobile access to Web 2.0 applications and services will hit $18.9 billion in 2014, notes a new report from Juniper Research.

Presence-enabled communities, such as mobile voice-over-IP (VoIP), will be the primary market driver, followed by rapid growth in the social Web - which encompasses social networking, user-generated content (UGC) and mobile dating, chat & professional applications. Geolocation will also be an important enabler, and is forming part of an increasing number of Web 2.0 mobile mash-up service offerings.

]]> Although there are significant revenue opportunities for players across the service delivery chain, the size and complexity of the Web 2.0 mobile market should not be underestimated. There are multiple routes to market, and there is fragmentation at all levels.

"A confluence of Web 2.0 concepts and end-user behaviour exploiting both the Web and the mobile phone as delivery platforms is driving mobile Web adoption and shaping industry development," says report author, Ian Chard. "Yet the distinction between service provider roles is becoming less clear-cut, meaning some commercial allies are finding themselves increasingly polarised as the market progresses."

The mobile social web report found that despite pricing models and monetization of Web 2.0 presenting a significant challenge for many online service providers, numerous opportunities exist in the mobile market based around advertising, messaging, premium services and virtual economies, coupled with the strategic micro-billing capability of mobile.

Off-portal applications and OTT (over-the-top) services - such as mobile IM and VoIP, SMS and social network-based 'in-mail' - represent a significant threat to operator revenues Smartphones, app storefronts, and Web 2.0 applications are driving demand for cloud computing, and innovation in the service delivery environment - including Telecom Web Services, open APIs, and PaaS (platform as a service) and SaaS (software as a service)


This study published today is the first of two reports focusing on mobile web 2.0:

1.       Mobile Social Web 2.0: Forecasts, Challenges & Regulations 2010-2014

2.       Mobile Web 2.0: Business Models, Geolocation & Presence 2010-2014

]]> iPad News:150 K Pre-Orders and Replacement iPad Battery Service $99 tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8942 2010-03-15T23:44:30Z 2010-03-16T02:00:43Z Analysts are estimating that about 152,000 people pre-ordered the iPad by midnight Sunday night. The first round of pre-orders were at 25,000 an hour which dropped off significantly. The battery in the forthcoming iPad is not removable or replaceable by... Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html led_20100127.jpgAnalysts are estimating that about 152,000 people pre-ordered the iPad by midnight Sunday night. The first round of pre-orders were at 25,000 an hour which dropped off significantly.

The battery in the forthcoming iPad is not removable or replaceable by the owner.  Apple will offer an iPad battery replacement service costings $99, plus $6.95 shipping. The total cost is $105.95 per unit. All fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to local tax.

Users will receive a replacement iPad and no data will be maintained.  Before users submit an iPad for service, it is important to sync the iPad with iTunes to back up contacts, calendars, email account settings, bookmarks, apps, etc.  Apple is not responsible for the loss of information when servicing the iPad which takes about a week.
]]> Windows Phone 7 Smartphone Development Platform Revealed at MIX10 tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8941 2010-03-15T20:37:33Z 2010-03-16T02:09:44Z AT MIX10, Microsoft showcased advancements in its developer platform technologies. The Windows 7 Phone development platform draws on Silverlight and XNA for game-like development.Windows Phone 7 Series application development combines Silverlight features for rich application development and the XNA Framework... Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html mix-hero.jpgAT MIX10, Microsoft showcased advancements in its developer platform technologies. The Windows 7 Phone development platform draws on Silverlight and XNA for game-like development.

Windows Phone 7 Series application development combines Silverlight features for rich application development and the XNA Framework for games.

They claim that the Windows Phone 7 Series empowers millions of developers and designers to build visually stunning and immersive applications and games -- one of the industry's most profitable mobile application categories -- while taking advantage of device-specific capabilities.

Developer can leverage the accelerometer, Microsoft Locations service, notifications, accelerated video, Internet streaming, multitouch, camera and  microphone capabilities.
]]> "Windows Phone 7 Series brings together a rich application environment, powerful hardware, a fresh approach to software and a smart new design," Belfiore said. "It was designed to generate incredible opportunities for developers and designers to quickly and easily deliver compelling applications and games. With the best developer tools, an established ecosystem and marketplace, and a path for developers to use their Silverlight and XNA Framework skill sets, we are delivering an application platform that is simple, powerful and inspiring."

Free Tools for Windows Phone 7 Series Developers and Designers

To further support an end-to-end development experience, Microsoft announced the availability of comprehensive tools support for Windows Phone 7 Series. The easy-to-install package includes previews of the following:

•

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone.

•

Windows Phone 7 Series add-in to use with Visual Studio 2010 RC.

•

XNA Game Studio 4.0.

•

Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator for application testing.

•

Expression Blend for Windows Phone Community Technology Preview (available as a separate download).

A Marketplace for Windows Phone 7 Series Applications.

Microsoft also showed how developers and designers will be able to bring applications and games to market with a new Windows Phone Marketplace. The Marketplace features a panoramic design and active merchandising to increase the discoverability of games and applications, and supports one-time credit card purchases, mobile operator billing and advertising-funded applications. The Marketplace will also enable customers to try applications before buying them and allow developers to cross-promote their applications through deep linking.

Several leading companies will be creating exciting applications and games for Windows Phone 7 Series. They include The Associated Press, Archetype International Inc., AWS Convergence Technologies - WeatherBug, Citrix Systems Inc., Clarity Consulting Inc., Cypress Consulting, EA Mobile, Fandango Inc., Foursquare Labs Inc., frog design inc., Glu Mobile Inc., Graphic.ly, Hudson Entertainment Inc., IdentityMine Inc., IMDb.com Inc., Larva Labs, Match.com LLC, Matchbox Mobile Ltd., Microsoft Game Studios, Namco Networks America Inc., Oberon Media Inc., Pageonce Inc., Pandora Media Inc., Photobucket Inc., PopCap Games Inc., Seesmic, Shazam Entertainment Ltd., Sling Media, SPB Software Inc., stimulant, TeleCommunications Systems Inc., Touchality LLC and Vertigo Software Inc.

]]> AT&T Adds Smartphone-Like Services for Quick Messaging Phones tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8940 2010-03-15T20:21:09Z 2010-03-15T20:35:26Z Editor Wireless and Mobile News Samsung Strive.JPGAT&T announced a line-up of four new Quick Messaging Devices that will offer a new suite of  enhanced messaging, video and photo sharing, and contacts management. The service includes address book syncing with a web-based service, enhanced messaging, and photo/video sharing.

They claim that the cloud-based services give AT&T subscribers peace of mind, knowing that their contacts, and media have a cloud backup.

The quick messaging phones coming to AT&T include the Samsung Strive, Samsung Sunburst, Pantech Link and Pantech Pursuit. The Samsung phones are priced below $40 after a rebate.
]]>

The new services, to premiere first on the Samsung Strive, include:

  • AT&T Address Book -- Syncs contacts to an online address book so customers can access and manage their mobile contacts from their handset -- or their PC. Synchronization occurs automatically when any change is made, so contact information is always backed up. From the online interface, customers can import contacts from other Web-based address books, such as personal e-mail accounts, as well as send text messages to their contacts' mobile numbers. There is no additional charge to use AT&T Address Book.
  • Next Generation Messaging -- Brings an advanced messaging experience designed by AT&T to the quick messaging phones category. The familiar text messaging experience is enhanced with group messaging and "reply all" functionality for up to 10 contacts, a threaded conversations format, a consolidated inbox, and enhanced multi-media display. AT&T designed the service based on research that revealed customers want features that help with social planning, improved message organization and better media integration -- but are also simple to use.
  • AT&T Mobile Share -- Helps customers quickly transfer photos and videos captured on their mobile phone to other destinations and allows customers to manage that content across the mobile and PC screens. With just a few clicks, customers can share videos and pictures in full resolution, up to 10MB, with their home computer, social networking sites, other people and a personal Internet-based storage locker from AT&T -- all from their wireless handset. Customers can access pictures and videos stored in their AT&T Locker at any time from any Internet connection or from their handsets.


Both AT&T Address Book and AT&T Mobile Share bring the benefits of cloud-based services to consumers, giving wireless customers the convenience of seamless access to content and information across the mobile and PC screens, in addition to peace of mind in knowing their content isn't lost if they ever damage or lose their phone.

The new quick messaging phones lineup for spring 2010 includes:

  • Samsung Strive -- In addition to featuring the new AT&T services, the Samsung Strive will be available on March 21 in two color combinations, black/silver and purple/charcoal. Strive features a 2.0-megapixel camera and a vertical slide design to reveal a full keyboard for tapping out info on Mobile Email, instant messaging and social networking apps like AT&T Social Net with ease. The Strive will be available for $19.99 for a limited time with a two-year agreement and after $50 mail-in rebate, as part of AT&T's current 50%-off quick messaging phones promotion.
  • Samsung Sunburst -- With a stunning design that accents Sunburst's touch screen, the GPS-enabled phone is fun and sophisticated, with a curvy exterior and light accent below the screen. A widget bar feature allows one-touch access to a wealth of phone functions like creating a text message, in addition to direct links to social networking sites. Sunburst will also be available on March 21 for $39.99 after a two-year agreement and $50 mail-in-rebate.
  • Pantech Link -- An ultra slim and light, full keyboard quick messaging phone. Link's contemporary design makes it one of the sharpest in the popular, bar-style family of handsets. With black and blue accents, Link provides direct access to a fun and sought-after range of features such as Mobile Email, instant messaging, AT&T Mobile Share, AT&T Social Net, AT&T Navigator and more. Link will be available in AT&T stores and online in the coming weeks.
  • Pantech Pursuit -- Combining a full touch screen with a vertical sliding keyboard, the Pantech Pursuit plays host to a set of cool and unique features via shortcuts on Pantech's first touch user interface for easy, customizable access to apps and features like AT&T Social Net, AT&T Address Book, and social networking sites. Available in the summer in green or blue, the Pursuit will also support face recognition software and geotagging to get the most out of your pictures.
If you are a new AT&T customer, don't forget to use the he Wireless and Mobile News' $50 off online only coupon-link with the purchase of a new phone with a plan. Free shipping is included with online activation.

AT&T Mobile Share is available for $10 per month for 50 media transfers; customers can also pay per use, at $.35 per transfer1. The service includes online storage of 250MB at no charge. Customers can purchase an additional 10GB of storage for $5 per month. Standard data charges apply for browsing the online media locker from the mobile handset.


]]> Smartphone & Cell Phone Users Want More Control Over Mobile Messaging, Says Acision Study tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8939 2010-03-15T19:37:44Z 2010-03-15T20:06:03Z An Acision study reveals that mobile phone users in North America would like to have .more control over mobile messaging. Users want to have control over the messages they receive, and parents would like to be able to blacklist numbers... Contributor Wireless and Mobile News http://www.wirelessandmobilenews.com/about.html

Textbully.jpgAn Acision study reveals that mobile phone users in North America would like to have .more control over mobile messaging. Users want to have control over the messages they receive, and parents would like to be able to blacklist numbers for a reasonable price.

While only a few respondents experienced mobile cyberbullying, 87 percent would like to have control over the messages they receive, opting for a preventative measure that can address cyberbullying threats immediately, rather than be caught off guard.

More than half questioned (62 percent) would like to be able to blacklist mobile numbers on their cell phone and would activate a blacklisting service for a reasonable price if it was available to them.

]]> In the same research, parents were also polled about their concerns regarding text or multimedia messages received by their children. The results reveal that the majority (82 percent) of parents would like to have more control over when their child can send messages, what content they can send and receive, and with whom their child is exchanging mobile messages.

The most interesting mobile feature for parents would be the ability to blacklist certain people from exchanging messages with their children. Most parents questioned (75 percent) would like this feature. Offering parental control features would have operators looking at a major increase in mobile phone adoption among teenagers: over half (57 percent) would be more likely to let their child have a mobile phone if parents were offered more parental control features.

"With the rise of 'cyberbullying,' 'sexting' and other forms of inappropriate messaging in the US, it is increasingly important that individuals, particularly parents, have control over mobile messaging usage to help prevent abuse," said Wayne Irwin, President, North America, Acision. "Acision is working to highlight the benefits of offering subscribers personalization services such as text message blacklisting. Solutions like Acision Message Plus enable operators to provide their subscribers with these services, giving consumers more control of the messaging on their mobile phone and giving them peace of mind."

Besides addressing the issues of mobile 'cyberbullying', Acision's Message Plus platform incorporates personalization services that allow subscribers to have more control over their text and multimedia messaging services on their mobile phone. This enables mobile operators to differentiate their messaging service while also providing its subscribers with the service they require.

Research The research was carried out by Toluna, the online market research panel provider at the end of 2009. The results in this release are from a representative sample of 4,000 mobile phone users aged 18 and above.

About Acision As a world leader in mobile data, Acision aims to power innovation and profitable growth in mobile data services. As a pioneer of mobile messaging, Acision's real time mobile data solutions support its customers worldwide to drive new revenues with innovative services while controlling, optimising and monetising data traffic. For more information, visit Acision at www.acision.com

]]> BlackBerry Smartpone Users Restless Would Switch to Android or iPhone, Shows Crowd Science tag:www.wirelessandmobilenews.com,2010://1.8938 2010-03-15T19:15:53Z 2010-03-15T19:37:09Z BlackBerry smartphone owners are thinking of switching to either iPhone or Android notes a new study from Crowd Science. Android users are almost as loyal as iPhone owners. Nearly 40% of Blackberry users continue to prefer an iPhone as... Editor Wireless and Mobile News Smartphonelikely.JPG

BlackBerry smartphone owners are thinking of switching to either iPhone or Android notes a new study from Crowd Science. Android users are almost as loyal as iPhone owners.

Nearly 40% of Blackberry users continue to prefer an iPhone as their next smartphone purchase, but a third of them would also switch to the Android operating system, according to the second smartphone brand loyalty survey conducted semi-annually via Crowd Science. The Crowd Scientists also found Android users rivaling iPhone users in loyalty, with about 90% of each user group planning to stick with their current brand when buying their next phone.

Asked specifically if they'd swap their present phone for the Nexus One, 32% of Blackberry users said "yes," compared with just 9% of iPhone users. This figure zoomed to 60% for users of smartphones not made by Blackberry or Apple.

]]> Other survey results include:

  • Android users skew younger and less affluent than iPhone and Blackberry users.
  • Users of all types of smartphones had downloaded more free applications than paid ones during the preceding seven days, with iPhone users significantly more likely to pay for apps, Android users leading in free apps, and Blackbery users far behind on both fronts.
  • Both Android users and iPhone users were found much more likely than Blackberry users to use their phones only for personal use (32%, 28% and 16% respectively).
  • On the other hand, 7% of Blackberry users use their phone only for business, with that category of user minimal with iPhone (1%) and non-existent in the Android base.


Crowd Science's methodology applies rigorous sampling and research techniques to online populations, allowing for real-time results. Indeed, a significant event affecting the research - the debut of Nexus One on January 5 - occurred midway through the Dec. 24. 2009 to Jan. 21, 2010 study period. Rather than being a disruptive factor, however, the Crowd Scientists were able to measure how the launch affected the attitudes of respondents. For example, awareness of the Android operating system jumped six points - to 66% from 60%. Moving from awareness to familiarity, however, results were stable throughout the research period - at about 10% for all smartphone users excluding Android owners.

Awareness of the Google Nexus One phone itself following launch was found to be 91% amongst iPhone users, 75% amongst Blackberry users, and 73% amongst users of other smartphones.

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