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Our list of top wireless and mobile news stories for 2008 reflects a changing world that weathers storms, recalls what doesn't work, helps the poor, debates what is right, and chooses hope.
The Winners of Wireless and Mobile News' Top Stories of 2008 are:
BlackBerry Storm - stories about RIM's first clickable touchscreen phone were the most widely read on Wireless and Mobile News. Starting off with the BlackBerry Storms' early reviews, followed by its delay, rumors about the firmware being a lower number than expected, online leaking of updates, shortages, and a video of the BlackBerry Storm being knifed without a scratch, showed its strength and fortitude.
Sony Xperia X1 Recall - this Windows smartphone with a stylish case, touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard, at first was going to be mentioned on Wireless and Mobile News' sold-out list. Ace reporting, however, revealed that the $799 Sony Xperia X1 was not just hard-to-find but recalled due to carrier compatibility and OS issues.
Free Cell Phones for Low Incomers from Safelink and Tracfone - in a world where cell phones can cost as much as a car, it's nice to see U.S. government funds support free cell phones with features and minutes for low income households in some states.
T-Mobile G1 Walmart Controversy - the T-Mobile G1 Android phone being sold at Walmart was not the core of this story, but the fact the techierazzi made it a controversy.
Barack Obama Txts VP BFF on BB - Barack Obama has endeared himself to Wireless and Mobile News and our readers. His text messaging of his running mate announcement, iPhone app, and his desire to not give up his beloved BlackBerry while in the White House; provided the clicks to make Obama the only human being on Wireless and Mobile News' top story list.
The CTIA Wireless Association and CEO, Steve Largent didn't let the election go unnoticed they sent out the following statement to the press:"We congratulate President-elect Obama for his election victory, and we look forward to working together with the incoming Administration and new Congress to provide consumers with even more enhanced communications services.
"The wireless industry is positively changing the way Americans live, work, and play, and as we have all seen in the recent campaign, the technology is playing an increasingly important role in the way all Americans can be engaged in the political process. The industry is eager to work with policymakers in the weeks and months ahead and remains committed to offering every consumer a constantly growing list of communications benefits."
Comment from Wireless and Mobile News:
Although we don't know what Obama's policies will be towards wireless, we know that he used text and mobile to his advantage. CTIA members text voted for him during their convention in San Francisco.
Wireless and Mobile News' editor, Lynn Walford wrote the following article for the beta
version of Google's Knol, a knol is a unit of knowledge. She offers the
following advice on ways to help to keep the cost of
smartphones down.
What Will Do You Need it For?
The best place to start is by figuring how often and for what uses you will need the phone for such as:- Access to corporate email accounts
- Web surfing
- Video/TV viewing
- Photo taking
- Video capture
- Music playing with a Bluetooth stereo headset
- Ability to sideload music/photos with a microSD card
- GPS for mapping and directions
- Access to Wi-Fi networks
- If you are sending email or text, if these messages will be long or short. If you will be sending long messages you may want to consider a smartphone with a keyboard.
- If you would like it to follow voice commands
- Ability to access high-speed data network (3G) not all carriers have fast data access in all areas.
Several tech pubs and blogs have been berating the fact that Wal-Mart is selling the T-Mobile G1 Android phone, just a week after the introduction of the phone for $31.11 cheaper than in a T-Mobile store. They say the price reduction is unfair, Wal-Mart associates are not skilled, it was too soon after the release, and the store is not known for cell phone sales.We, say, "Wal-Mart and Google Rules!" Obviously, those geekoid pundits in their silicon towers, have never driven an hour to go to a Wal-Mart in their BMWs. First off, Wal-Mart shoppers will be paying at least $20.00 for gas in a compact car because Wal-Marts are generally not in a major metropolitan area. While there's probably a T-Mobile store much closer to their homes.
Next, the T-Mobile G1 with Google phone buyers will have to walk from the very far end of the parking lot at Wal-Mart, all the way to the back of the store to get the phone. Once inside the Wal-Mart, G1 phone buyers will be subjected to the intoxicating smell of fast food and the siren songs of rock bottom prices for a bunch of cheap junk nobody really needs.
On Monday, a new directory of blog content, blogs.com, launches from blogging software company Six Apart under the leadership of
Chris Alden.Their announcement states,
"Blogs.com connects casual and devoted readers with the best blogs on mainstream and niche topics. In order to ensure the highest quality content, Blogs.com relies on expert editors to choose blogs and posts based on their quality, popularity and relevance.
'Blogs.com is a destination site for anyone who wants a fast, easy way to find the best blog content out there," said Mena Trott, Co-Founder and President of Six Apart. "Whether you're passionate about gardening or gadgets, we'll guide you to the newest and highest quality posts in your area of interest.''"
Although Alden's former colleague Rafe Needleman refers to the concept as "retrograde," blogs.com is worth a try, because the destinations of web surfers (on PCs and mobile phones) are now dominated by mega SEO companies and bots that can ruin a blogger in a blink of code.
