Opinionated comments on mobile phone industry news
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All entries are written by Anders Borg, CEO and Consultant of Abiro, that has a long experience in strategic planning, developing embedded and Java software, usability aspects, and the mobile phone industry in general. You can also read the latest Mobile News entries on your phone via wap.abiro.com, and we provide many News Feeds from popular news services. For advertising and contribution queries, please use the feedback form. News feed (local) FeedBurner Feed
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Thursday, June 30, 2005
M2M a 223B Euro business by 2010
(M2M = machine-to-machine communication)
This is estimated by Alexander Research, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is said to play an important part in making this happen.
The cautious approach to this market by mobile phone operators has resulted in a lack of international coverage and insufficient quality of service. As a result, businesses have often turned to paging network operators or to MVNO/MVNE specialised in M2M, of which there are a growing number.
Digital Media Europe: News - Worldwide M2M market to reach �223bn in 2010 - report
This is estimated by Alexander Research, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is said to play an important part in making this happen.
The cautious approach to this market by mobile phone operators has resulted in a lack of international coverage and insufficient quality of service. As a result, businesses have often turned to paging network operators or to MVNO/MVNE specialised in M2M, of which there are a growing number.
Digital Media Europe: News - Worldwide M2M market to reach �223bn in 2010 - report
No more walled garden for T-Mobile
This is a good sign. It makes it easier for third-party content providers to offer their services to T-Mobile users. Of course the phones need a full Web/HTML browser with Java script etc, not just a WAP 1.x or even WAP 2.0 ditto, to offer the full Web experience.
"With the Google homepage we want tell our customers from the first moment that they are carrying with them the Internet they know from home," T-Mobile board member Ulli Gritzuhn was quoted by the Reuters news service as saying.
Try searching for 'mobile casino' in Google for instance. Abiro is on the first search hit page now (and closing in).
T-Mobile To Use Google As Mobile Portal, Dumps 'Walled Garden' - Yahoo! News
"With the Google homepage we want tell our customers from the first moment that they are carrying with them the Internet they know from home," T-Mobile board member Ulli Gritzuhn was quoted by the Reuters news service as saying.
Try searching for 'mobile casino' in Google for instance. Abiro is on the first search hit page now (and closing in).
T-Mobile To Use Google As Mobile Portal, Dumps 'Walled Garden' - Yahoo! News
Tamagotchi on your phone
I wondered in the previous note whether Tamagotchi would come to phones, and it is, this summer.
This downloadable version will run on BREW phones, so it will in practice only be available for CDMA users.
Tamagotchi's Triumphant Return
This downloadable version will run on BREW phones, so it will in practice only be available for CDMA users.
Tamagotchi's Triumphant Return
Etch-A-Sketch for phones
This will be provided by InFusio (a major developer of mobile games). There's hardly a simpler application to make for a phone, so I guess it took them a coffee break. The trick is probably in the licensing of the rights to use the Etch-A-Sketch name from Ohio Art.
The phone vibrates when erasing the pad, to simulate the shaking of the original E-A-S.
Tamagotchi next?
Etch-A-Sketch to Be on U.K. Cell Phones - Yahoo! News
The phone vibrates when erasing the pad, to simulate the shaking of the original E-A-S.
Tamagotchi next?
Etch-A-Sketch to Be on U.K. Cell Phones - Yahoo! News
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Philips jumps on the low-cost train
Philips China promises a phone reference design with a Bill of Material of $20 and even hints at $15 later on. That's kind of ... very low indeed. Others will make commercial phones on this design. The reference design will support voice, SMS and poly ringtones (so at least users can buy ringtones :) ) and use a monochrome display.
Target markets are China, India, Africa, South America and Eastern Europe.
"Right now, 77 percent of the world's population lives within range of a mobile phone network, but only 25 percent of the world's population subscribes to a mobile phone service. All around the world operators have the infrastructure in place for mobile services, but the relatively high cost of mobile phones is holding back potential subscribers," said Laurent.
EETimes.com - Philips readies platform for sub-$20 mobile handsets
Target markets are China, India, Africa, South America and Eastern Europe.
"Right now, 77 percent of the world's population lives within range of a mobile phone network, but only 25 percent of the world's population subscribes to a mobile phone service. All around the world operators have the infrastructure in place for mobile services, but the relatively high cost of mobile phones is holding back potential subscribers," said Laurent.
EETimes.com - Philips readies platform for sub-$20 mobile handsets
Jamster/Jamba's business practices questioned again
This time because a UK regulator thinks that Crazy Frog lures youngsters into subscriptions without knowing.
The regulator has the power to levy fines of up to 100,000 pounds and shut down services that do not comply with its guidelines. Crazy Frog may also face additional restrictions if it is found to be targeting children under the age of 16.
UK launches probe into 'Crazy Frog' sales tactics - Yahoo! News
The regulator has the power to levy fines of up to 100,000 pounds and shut down services that do not comply with its guidelines. Crazy Frog may also face additional restrictions if it is found to be targeting children under the age of 16.
UK launches probe into 'Crazy Frog' sales tactics - Yahoo! News
PC Magazine review of Nokia 6682
Overall they are positive. It's a voice-focused smartphone, yet with all the functionality provided by Series 60 and a camera with flash and GPRS/EDGE radio.
Nokia 6682 Review by PC Magazine
Nokia 6682 Review by PC Magazine
Feature creep from a T-Mobile perspective
David Hytha, executive vice president of T-Mobile International:
We were looking for new service development, and we were willing to experiment.
Sadly operators forgot to make services matching the phone features and that were compelling to users.
We spent billions of euros as an industry on advanced-feature phones — most of which have not resulted in huge uptakes in services relative to what's actually offered. Not only have we not gotten any good money back from our investment, but we've even hurt our investment.
As carriers, our play in imaging is frankly very weak, because most people taking pictures are downloading them into other devices from which we get no additional revenue.
Previous info has indicated that even though cameras were added to generate MMS revenue, they are mostly used for creating wallpapers and MMS revenue is clearly below expected.
About necessary features: The first is voice. The second is the very, very important [area of] "Internet in your pocket" features.
Meaning real web surfing on your phone, not crippled WAP.
Mobile Phones Have Too Many Features: Exec - Yahoo! News
We were looking for new service development, and we were willing to experiment.
Sadly operators forgot to make services matching the phone features and that were compelling to users.
We spent billions of euros as an industry on advanced-feature phones — most of which have not resulted in huge uptakes in services relative to what's actually offered. Not only have we not gotten any good money back from our investment, but we've even hurt our investment.
As carriers, our play in imaging is frankly very weak, because most people taking pictures are downloading them into other devices from which we get no additional revenue.
Previous info has indicated that even though cameras were added to generate MMS revenue, they are mostly used for creating wallpapers and MMS revenue is clearly below expected.
About necessary features: The first is voice. The second is the very, very important [area of] "Internet in your pocket" features.
Meaning real web surfing on your phone, not crippled WAP.
Mobile Phones Have Too Many Features: Exec - Yahoo! News
Taxes might cripple low-cost phone sales
"I anticipate that we'll hit $25 handsets by the end of next year," said Ben Soppitt, director strategic initiatives at the GSM Association
"Bangladesh has just introduced a $20 SIM card tax, and that's on top of $18 they were already charging and other tax," he said, adding Turkey had doubled a mobile phone tax.
There's always the interesting mind game to try to understand why new taxes are introduced. The only logic I've found is simply "We need to pull in more money. What haven't we already taxed?". No other logic works on a SIM card tax.
Distribution is also more expensive in emerging markets than in developed nations, said David Taylor, director of strategic operations for high-growth markets at Motorola.
High taxes stifle success of cheap mobile phones - Yahoo! News
"Bangladesh has just introduced a $20 SIM card tax, and that's on top of $18 they were already charging and other tax," he said, adding Turkey had doubled a mobile phone tax.
There's always the interesting mind game to try to understand why new taxes are introduced. The only logic I've found is simply "We need to pull in more money. What haven't we already taxed?". No other logic works on a SIM card tax.
Distribution is also more expensive in emerging markets than in developed nations, said David Taylor, director of strategic operations for high-growth markets at Motorola.
High taxes stifle success of cheap mobile phones - Yahoo! News
China now has 358M mobile subscribers
Xi (Guohua, vice minister of information industry) also said the number of mobile phone subscribers had reached 358 million people, an area that was growing by about 60 million new users a year.
In the first five months of 2004, China also installed 44.7 million new fixed telephone lines, with a total of 692 million fixed lines now in place, Xi said.
This is quite astonishing, considering what it means to install so many phone lines. It also points to an interesting fact: That despite the lack of infrastructure before, fixed line subscriptions still grow faster than mobile ditto in China.
China's tops 358 million mobile phone users, 100 million Internet users - Yahoo! News
In the first five months of 2004, China also installed 44.7 million new fixed telephone lines, with a total of 692 million fixed lines now in place, Xi said.
This is quite astonishing, considering what it means to install so many phone lines. It also points to an interesting fact: That despite the lack of infrastructure before, fixed line subscriptions still grow faster than mobile ditto in China.
China's tops 358 million mobile phone users, 100 million Internet users - Yahoo! News
Play Quake on your phone this summer
I guess it's a Java application, as nothing is said about what phones Quake will run on.
Yankee Group's Nitin Gupta. "Wireless network operators are seeing voice revenues declining," he noted. "They are trying to come up with compelling data services that people will use."
The only flaw in this chain of logic is that no operator has been involved. In my opinion analysts generally over-emphasize the operators' influence in creating compelling services. It's like expecting electricity companies to come up with new exciting ways to use electricity. Operators should stick to enabling services and service revenue.
Quake Moves to Mobile Phones - Yahoo! News
Yankee Group's Nitin Gupta. "Wireless network operators are seeing voice revenues declining," he noted. "They are trying to come up with compelling data services that people will use."
The only flaw in this chain of logic is that no operator has been involved. In my opinion analysts generally over-emphasize the operators' influence in creating compelling services. It's like expecting electricity companies to come up with new exciting ways to use electricity. Operators should stick to enabling services and service revenue.
Quake Moves to Mobile Phones - Yahoo! News
US adults migrating to mobile telephony
Increased quality of mobile networks seems to be a driver, as well as distribution of costs.
More hesitant people complain about service quality and coverage.
...Harris Interactive Technology Research said they were "seriously considering" going exclusively wireless within a year.
"As (young adults) get older and have households of their own, you're going to see fewer and fewer landlines," Porus said.
U.S. Adults Abandoning Landlines For Mobile Phones - Yahoo! News
More hesitant people complain about service quality and coverage.
...Harris Interactive Technology Research said they were "seriously considering" going exclusively wireless within a year.
"As (young adults) get older and have households of their own, you're going to see fewer and fewer landlines," Porus said.
U.S. Adults Abandoning Landlines For Mobile Phones - Yahoo! News
Monday, June 27, 2005
60% of voice telephony spendings on VoIP by 2010
I don't believe in this, as most voice traffic will be 100% free by 2010. Skype will be just one of several providers of free VoIP services, complemented by charged-for gateway functions, like POTS and faxing. Even before Skype there was Net2Phone and others. They will firm up their solutions to provide the same quality-of-service as Skype. The VoIP war has just started.
Digital Media Europe: News - 60% of Western European residential voice spend to be on mobile, VoIP by 2010 � report
Digital Media Europe: News - 60% of Western European residential voice spend to be on mobile, VoIP by 2010 � report
European market saturated
SMS text messaging remains the most used mobile service.
Except for voice I guess.
...the popularity of MMS/picture messaging doesn’t come close. A low 14 per cent of Europe’s mobile users have adopted this service.
Other favourite services are mobile gaming and buying ring tones, via both SMS and the PC-based internet.
I imagine mobile content generates much more revenue than MMS. Yet, only part of that revenue goes to operators, while all of MMS goes to them.
The UK leads in adoption, with 15 per cent of mobile users browsing the net from their phones.
That's still low.
Clearly, if operators subsidise unnecessarily expensive phones (due to features nobody uses), it's quite understandable Vodafone realizes many users would be happy with Simply phones. I expect all operators will jump on that train.
Digital Media Europe: News - European mobile phone penetration reaches saturation at 80% � report
Except for voice I guess.
...the popularity of MMS/picture messaging doesn’t come close. A low 14 per cent of Europe’s mobile users have adopted this service.
Other favourite services are mobile gaming and buying ring tones, via both SMS and the PC-based internet.
I imagine mobile content generates much more revenue than MMS. Yet, only part of that revenue goes to operators, while all of MMS goes to them.
The UK leads in adoption, with 15 per cent of mobile users browsing the net from their phones.
That's still low.
Clearly, if operators subsidise unnecessarily expensive phones (due to features nobody uses), it's quite understandable Vodafone realizes many users would be happy with Simply phones. I expect all operators will jump on that train.
Digital Media Europe: News - European mobile phone penetration reaches saturation at 80% � report
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Ringtones are here to stay
It seems the ringtone and mobile content market in general is still thriving and growing. Some expected a dive after the first wave of monophonic ringtones and black-n-white pictures, but when now all phones have polyphonic ringtone and color picture support, and many also can play AMR, MP3, WMA etc, it's a very positive outlook.
"This is not a fad that will go away in the next year or so," said Thomas Hesse, president of global digital business at Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
"Ultimately we believe the phone will be the player of choice for mobile music," said Sony's Hesse.
Sellers also hawk games, animated videos and "wallpaper" that serves as a screensaver of sorts for the phones' tiny screens. ThumbPlay Inc. sets more than 2,000 first names to a rock or hip-hop backing for even more customization.
Ringtones make sweet music for record label - Yahoo! News
"This is not a fad that will go away in the next year or so," said Thomas Hesse, president of global digital business at Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
"Ultimately we believe the phone will be the player of choice for mobile music," said Sony's Hesse.
Sellers also hawk games, animated videos and "wallpaper" that serves as a screensaver of sorts for the phones' tiny screens. ThumbPlay Inc. sets more than 2,000 first names to a rock or hip-hop backing for even more customization.
Ringtones make sweet music for record label - Yahoo! News
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Wish list for phone features
Good common sense suggestions.
10. Improve the Design
9. Label Phones With the Model Name
8. Enable Every Aspect of Bluetooth
7. Add a USB Port--and Supply a Cable
6. Simplify the User Interface
5. Enhance the Speaker and the Microphone
4. Make It Easy to Unlock GSM Phones
3. Allow Data Backups on Carrier Servers
2. Improve Network Coverage, Especially for Voice Calls
1. Improve Overall Performance
Dialed In: Top 10 Cell Phone Wish List - Yahoo! News
10. Improve the Design
9. Label Phones With the Model Name
8. Enable Every Aspect of Bluetooth
7. Add a USB Port--and Supply a Cable
6. Simplify the User Interface
5. Enhance the Speaker and the Microphone
4. Make It Easy to Unlock GSM Phones
3. Allow Data Backups on Carrier Servers
2. Improve Network Coverage, Especially for Voice Calls
1. Improve Overall Performance
Dialed In: Top 10 Cell Phone Wish List - Yahoo! News
3GPP streaming standard for phones
Digital Fountain's technology has been selected by 3GPP as the only option for broadcasting multimedia streaming and files (MBMS).
"You become indifferent to which packets you receive as long as you receive enough of them," Oppenheimer said. "So the return channel isn't needed."
Multimedia broadcast technology selected - Yahoo! News
"You become indifferent to which packets you receive as long as you receive enough of them," Oppenheimer said. "So the return channel isn't needed."
Multimedia broadcast technology selected - Yahoo! News
Thinner phones from Samsung
Motorola has the status of having the thinnest phones (at least perceptively) with the Razr models, but Samsung wants to take back the leading position in this area.
Samsung plans thin phone to battle Motorola Razr | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-22 | By Martyn Williams, IDG News Service
Samsung plans thin phone to battle Motorola Razr | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-22 | By Martyn Williams, IDG News Service
Unsending SMSs
You read right. Samsung has patented a way to retrieve already sent messages as long as they haven't been read.
Samsung patents method to unsend SMS messages - Cellphones - cellphones.engadget.com
Samsung patents method to unsend SMS messages - Cellphones - cellphones.engadget.com
It's good to be a Swede
Ever increasing telecommuting through better data communications and longer vacations.
This summer 21 per cent of the people in Sweden will work more outside the office than last year.
People living in the southwest of Sweden, in Skåne, are best at telecommuting.
A certain wellknown company (could it be Abiro?) is located there. Interesting...
Twenty-two per cent of the respondents in the survey said they would take five weeks of vacation or more.
Not me though. Busy like a bee...
Digital Media Europe: News - More Swedes working outside office this summer � survey
This summer 21 per cent of the people in Sweden will work more outside the office than last year.
People living in the southwest of Sweden, in Skåne, are best at telecommuting.
A certain wellknown company (could it be Abiro?) is located there. Interesting...
Twenty-two per cent of the respondents in the survey said they would take five weeks of vacation or more.
Not me though. Busy like a bee...
Digital Media Europe: News - More Swedes working outside office this summer � survey
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Frost & Sullivan expects decline in mobile phone sales
The global handset market will slow down, so companies must target new demographics and create innovative marketing strategies for existing users, according to a new study by consultancy Frost & Sullivan.
Overall, worldwide revenues are projected to fall by nearly 16 percent by the end of the decade -- from $126.28 billion in 2004 to $106.59 billion in 2010.
Hopes for the young crowd to save the day though.
Study sees decline in global handset market | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-21 | By Peter Saalfield, IDG News Service
Overall, worldwide revenues are projected to fall by nearly 16 percent by the end of the decade -- from $126.28 billion in 2004 to $106.59 billion in 2010.
Hopes for the young crowd to save the day though.
Study sees decline in global handset market | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-21 | By Peter Saalfield, IDG News Service
Microsoft Peabody, low-cost Windows Mobile 5.0 phone
Flextronics will develop the phone, and even though it's small (and inexpensive?) as a mainstream phone it's still considered a smartphone. Of course there will be a ton of features in it due to Windows Mobile.
Kind of odd setup: Microsoft orders the phone, but the customers are really phone brands, not Microsoft, where Flextronics acts the ODM. Microsoft must have chipped in with a few dollars to get this done.
The handset will run on a full version of Windows Mobile 5.0, not a stripped down version, Zhang said. It will work on both GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) networks.
Microsoft's Peabody smart phone nearing completion | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-21 | By Dan Nystedt, IDG News Service
Kind of odd setup: Microsoft orders the phone, but the customers are really phone brands, not Microsoft, where Flextronics acts the ODM. Microsoft must have chipped in with a few dollars to get this done.
The handset will run on a full version of Windows Mobile 5.0, not a stripped down version, Zhang said. It will work on both GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) networks.
Microsoft's Peabody smart phone nearing completion | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-21 | By Dan Nystedt, IDG News Service
Nokia IMS + Ubiquity SIP Application Server --> Media Push
This note mentions that information like news can be pushed to mobile phones via SIP. I'm wondering what's on the phone side, as no phones today support OMA IMS.
It points out an interesting effect of deploying IMS: to enable value services on top of the technology. IMS in itself is primarily an enabler for services.
Digital Media Europe: News - Nokia to offer Ubiquity SIP server as part of IMS offering
It points out an interesting effect of deploying IMS: to enable value services on top of the technology. IMS in itself is primarily an enabler for services.
Digital Media Europe: News - Nokia to offer Ubiquity SIP server as part of IMS offering
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Comments about cameraphones from CommunicAsia
High-quality cameraphones were the highlight at the recent CommunicAsia show.
Some of the goods and bads mentioned:
For operators, camera phones drive up average revenue per consumer as users are charged a premium for image data transmission...
"Camera phones are a strategic business focus and we believe that the camera is becoming a basic feature of mobile phones," said Christian Collins, senior manager for overseas marketing at Samsung's mobile communication division.
The phones can be used for surveillance of potential targets of attack, prompting foreign embassies, government agencies and military bases in Asia to ban visitors or even staff from bringing them in.
Obscene or embarrassing pictures of unsuspecting persons can easily be spread to the public.
Camera phones boost telco industry but raise security, privacy concerns - Yahoo! News
Some of the goods and bads mentioned:
For operators, camera phones drive up average revenue per consumer as users are charged a premium for image data transmission...
"Camera phones are a strategic business focus and we believe that the camera is becoming a basic feature of mobile phones," said Christian Collins, senior manager for overseas marketing at Samsung's mobile communication division.
The phones can be used for surveillance of potential targets of attack, prompting foreign embassies, government agencies and military bases in Asia to ban visitors or even staff from bringing them in.
Obscene or embarrassing pictures of unsuspecting persons can easily be spread to the public.
Camera phones boost telco industry but raise security, privacy concerns - Yahoo! News
Friday, June 17, 2005
The phone as a wallet
This is already a reality in Japan, where NTT DoCoMo Inc. says three million cellphone subscribers use its Mobile Wallet service to buy things at 20,000 stores and vending machines.
MasterCard International Inc. has been testing phone-based versions of its PayPass contactless payment technology since 2003.
Consumers can soon add wallet to the many roles played by the mobile phone - Yahoo! News
MasterCard International Inc. has been testing phone-based versions of its PayPass contactless payment technology since 2003.
Consumers can soon add wallet to the many roles played by the mobile phone - Yahoo! News
3G-based i-mode
This is a first outside of Japan, and is provided by Cosmote in Italy. Increased performance should enable more advanced services.
Digital Media Europe: News - Cosmote introduces I-mode over 3G
Digital Media Europe: News - Cosmote introduces I-mode over 3G
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Environmental mobile gaming
Environmental in the sense that the view the camera sees is used both for positioning in the action game and as part of the game as well. Actually a neat concept. You move around in the game by moving the phone and you can shoot at both virtual and real (sort of) objects.
MocoNews.net: mobile content news
MocoNews.net: mobile content news
The search for the killer app never ends...
KTF in Korea offers some peculiar but possibly useful services:
- music therapy and acupuncture
- hangover cure via "green" music (huh?)
- alarm clock that's guaranteed to wake you up
- mosquito repellant
ringtonia.com: Dont leave home without it!
- music therapy and acupuncture
- hangover cure via "green" music (huh?)
- alarm clock that's guaranteed to wake you up
- mosquito repellant
ringtonia.com: Dont leave home without it!
Sun-powered phone
Soldius provides an solar cell based power supply for many brands of phones.
Treehugger: Soldius1 Solar Phone Charger
Treehugger: Soldius1 Solar Phone Charger
Speak to your phone
Voice recognition is supported by the new Samsung SGH-E620. A mentioned benefit is handsfree calls while driving.
Samsung Phone Recognizes Your Voice - News From Abroad News - Designtechnica
Samsung Phone Recognizes Your Voice - News From Abroad News - Designtechnica
Napster and Ericsson M-USE team up
The service will allow users to download and access music files via wireless technology such as mobile phones and via personal computers. It will also offer ring tones, master tones, images, wallpaper and video content.
Ericsson and Napster to offer digital music service via mobile phones - Yahoo! News
Ericsson and Napster to offer digital music service via mobile phones - Yahoo! News
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Chinese mobile market booming
The Chinese mobile phone market is expected to be worth 1.832 trillion yen (16.8 billion dollars) this year, up from 1.759 trillion yen in 2004, Nomura said Tuesday.
Chinese markets likely to surpass Japanese cellphone, PC markets - Yahoo! News
Chinese markets likely to surpass Japanese cellphone, PC markets - Yahoo! News
Monday, June 13, 2005
Ericsson base station for planes
It's based on GSM technology and in turn talks to a satellite.
Ericsson launches technology to let air travellers use cellphones on flights - Yahoo! News
Ericsson launches technology to let air travellers use cellphones on flights - Yahoo! News
4 new phones from SonyEricsson
GPRS phones: S600 (like W600 w/o Walkman), Z250a (stylish), J210 (entry-level)
UMTS phone: K608i (otherwise same spec as S600)
Sony Ericsson�s four: S600, Z520, J210 and K608i - Cellphones - cellphones.engadget.com
UMTS phone: K608i (otherwise same spec as S600)
Sony Ericsson�s four: S600, Z520, J210 and K608i - Cellphones - cellphones.engadget.com
SonyEricsson W600, new Walkman phone
Sports 256 MB Flash memory, but no slot for more. Out end of the year.
Sony Ericsson�s new W600 Walkman Phone - Cellphones - cellphones.engadget.com
Sony Ericsson�s new W600 Walkman Phone - Cellphones - cellphones.engadget.com
7 new phones from Nokia
The 6280 introduces video ringtones!. Other features (depending on phone): 2 Mp camera, email with attachments, audio messaging, push-to-talk.
Digital Media Europe: News - Nokia unveils seven handsets
Nokia unveils 7 new phones - Yahoo! News
Digital Media Europe: News - Nokia unveils seven handsets
Nokia unveils 7 new phones - Yahoo! News
Nokia adopting new web browser for Series 60
Nokia will use an open source browser in Series 60 that is based on the 'Konqueror' project that also Apple will use. I figure they will add WAP 1.x, Push and other mobile-specific features.
Digital Media Europe: News - Nokia develops open source-based browser for Series 60
Nokia, Apple partner on Web browser in phones - Yahoo! News
Digital Media Europe: News - Nokia develops open source-based browser for Series 60
Nokia, Apple partner on Web browser in phones - Yahoo! News
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Work distractions
Juggling messages (whether it's e-mail or instant), phone calls and people dropping into your office all day long (my own addition) causes constant distraction from the actual work you are supposed to do.
...the IQ of those who tried to juggle messages and work fell by 10 points—more than double the 4-point fall seen after smoking marijuana
Does that mean that smoking marijuana is better than working? Did I miss something?
Messaging Haze - Yahoo! News
...the IQ of those who tried to juggle messages and work fell by 10 points—more than double the 4-point fall seen after smoking marijuana
Does that mean that smoking marijuana is better than working? Did I miss something?
Messaging Haze - Yahoo! News
Triple-play services show promise
Triple-play is about combining data, voice and video in the same network (all digital and all IP of course). Nothing strange really, but the industry needs a new buzzword.
Videoconferencing is mentioned, but I don't believe at all in that. It's got several years already to establish, but hasn't. I rather believe in streaming services for consumers (PC-based and mobile), and VoIP replacing normal fixed and mobile telephony.
Lots Of Buzz Around Consumer-Oriented Triple-Play Networks - Yahoo! News
Videoconferencing is mentioned, but I don't believe at all in that. It's got several years already to establish, but hasn't. I rather believe in streaming services for consumers (PC-based and mobile), and VoIP replacing normal fixed and mobile telephony.
Lots Of Buzz Around Consumer-Oriented Triple-Play Networks - Yahoo! News
Friday, June 10, 2005
Mobile content in Russia
Growing fast:
The Russian mobile content services market is to climb to €530m this year, up from €245m last year, according to projections from the Association of Russian Third Generation Operators.
Digital Media Europe: News - Russian mobile content market to climb to �530m this year
The Russian mobile content services market is to climb to €530m this year, up from €245m last year, according to projections from the Association of Russian Third Generation Operators.
Digital Media Europe: News - Russian mobile content market to climb to �530m this year
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Your own Bluetooth Web site
Nokia has made an application called Sensor (for Series 60 phones I guess) that provides a web server via Bluetooth that can be accessed via the web browser from other phones.
Sensor turns cell phones into wireless Web servers | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-09 | By John Blau, IDG News Service
Sensor turns cell phones into wireless Web servers | InfoWorld | News | 2005-06-09 | By John Blau, IDG News Service
In-Stat: 2.3B mobile subscriptions 2009
Yet: GSM’s steady growth through 2007 will turn negative as operators move subscribers to third-generation (3G) WCDMA.
The total number of new subscribers expected to be added between 2004 and 2009 is to be 777.7m worldwide.
While China continues to lead the world in overall subscriber growth, the percentage growth leaders continue to be found in other parts of Asia, particularly the Southern Asia region that includes India. Nearly two-thirds of all new mobile users will be Asia.
Digital Media Europe: News - Worldwide mobile subscriptions to reach 2.3bn in 2009 � report
The total number of new subscribers expected to be added between 2004 and 2009 is to be 777.7m worldwide.
While China continues to lead the world in overall subscriber growth, the percentage growth leaders continue to be found in other parts of Asia, particularly the Southern Asia region that includes India. Nearly two-thirds of all new mobile users will be Asia.
Digital Media Europe: News - Worldwide mobile subscriptions to reach 2.3bn in 2009 � report
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
BenQ acquires Siemens mobile phones unit
It's been expected a long time now that this would happen, as the unit hasn't been profitable, but there's been guessing until now who would actually acquire the unit.
The sale is to cost Siemens €350m.
Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Digital Media Europe: News - Siemens sells mobile phones unit to Benq
The sale is to cost Siemens €350m.
Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Digital Media Europe: News - Siemens sells mobile phones unit to Benq
Mobile bullying
The bad side of mobile phone use:
The report (by NCH and Tesco Mobile) shows that one in five young people have been bullied or threatened via their mobile phone or computer.
A total of 14 per cent have been bullied or threatened via text message
www.stoptextbully.com ... will give advice and support for young people affected by the issue.
Digital Media Europe: News - One in ten children bullied via mobile
The report (by NCH and Tesco Mobile) shows that one in five young people have been bullied or threatened via their mobile phone or computer.
A total of 14 per cent have been bullied or threatened via text message
www.stoptextbully.com ... will give advice and support for young people affected by the issue.
Digital Media Europe: News - One in ten children bullied via mobile
Monday, June 06, 2005
Exchange 2003 with Push E-mail for mobiles
The coming Service Pack 2 enables pushing email, calendar, contacts, tasks info to mobile phones. I guess Microsoft wishes more companies had Exchange 2003, but this might be a good way to convince them. Windows Mobile 5.0 is needed in the handset which makes the current market coverage very small.
Microsoft Answers Call From Businesses With Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0
Microsoft Answers Call From Businesses With Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0
Asian phone users will exceed 901M by 2009
This again signifies that the Asian region is the major one. India, China, Philippines and Thailand will continue to be the main growth areas. As also most manufacturers are in Asia there's likely to be a power shift from USA and Europe when it comes to brands, and Nokia should feel a bit threatened.
Asia's mobile service users to exceed 901 million in 2009: IDC - Yahoo! News
Asia's mobile service users to exceed 901 million in 2009: IDC - Yahoo! News
Friday, June 03, 2005
Almost 200M downloads from Verizon's Get It Now
Growth of the service has been particularly strong in the last year, with 120 million downloads
downloads of games doubled in the first five months of 2005
Verizon Claims Cell Phone Download Milestone - Yahoo! News
downloads of games doubled in the first five months of 2005
Verizon Claims Cell Phone Download Milestone - Yahoo! News
Mobile blood test
Rather tricky device technically and chemically, but when it comes to the mobility part of it the visible result is simply photographed and sent to the doctor.
Makes a lot of sense to people that are staying at home while on medical watch.
cellular-news | a leading wireless telecoms news and information portal
Makes a lot of sense to people that are staying at home while on medical watch.
cellular-news | a leading wireless telecoms news and information portal
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Motorola cautious about 3G development
Ron Garriques, president of Motorola's mobile devices unit: "I believe that size, weight, battery life, compelling applications and design are just as important as price points," who does not believe there are enough strong 3G offerings right now to create mass consumer appeal.
It's true that people need a reason to swap phones yet again. Things like color displays and cameras have been successful catalysts before. We need something similar for 3G, and so far many have hoped music downloads would be it.
Motorola cautious about 3G prospects for 2005 - Yahoo! News
It's true that people need a reason to swap phones yet again. Things like color displays and cameras have been successful catalysts before. We need something similar for 3G, and so far many have hoped music downloads would be it.
Motorola cautious about 3G prospects for 2005 - Yahoo! News
Threats to operator revenue
Wireless technologies (today Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) circumvent the operator completely, if now the operator allows such features to be activated in their phones, enabling users to access services in hot spots and exchange files with others.
Carriers' Data Revenue May Be On Hold - Yahoo! News
Carriers' Data Revenue May Be On Hold - Yahoo! News
Ringtone market maturing in U.S.
Industry tracker M:Metrics says a record 24.6 million consumers downloaded at least one ringtone in April alone. About 250 million ringtones were downloaded by U.S. cell phone users in 2004, and they are expected to climb 60% to 400 million in 2005.
Cell phone ringtones dial into pop culture - Yahoo! News
Cell phone ringtones dial into pop culture - Yahoo! News
TV in phones no killer app?
From a study by Strategy Analytics:
By 2010, sales of mobile phones with built-in digital TV capabilities will be 73.5 million a year.
David Mercer analyst expects "In the context of the cellphone industry, digital TV will be a relatively minor event..."
TV Phones Are Coming, But Will People Use Them? - Yahoo! News
By 2010, sales of mobile phones with built-in digital TV capabilities will be 73.5 million a year.
David Mercer analyst expects "In the context of the cellphone industry, digital TV will be a relatively minor event..."
TV Phones Are Coming, But Will People Use Them? - Yahoo! News
Low-cost models from Nokia: 1110 and 1600
1110: black-n-white display, $79.95
1600: color display, $85
Not much said about features, but don't expect too much. Targetted for the African emerging markets.
Nokia launches 2 new low-end models - Yahoo! News
1600: color display, $85
Not much said about features, but don't expect too much. Targetted for the African emerging markets.
Nokia launches 2 new low-end models - Yahoo! News
More bear-shaped phones
Comes in 5 different colors and has 4 speed dial numbers accessed via the bear's paws.
Maybe they could make beer-shaped phones for adults. Whatever...
cellular-news | a leading wireless telecoms news and information portal
Maybe they could make beer-shaped phones for adults. Whatever...
cellular-news | a leading wireless telecoms news and information portal
Philips 960 smartphone running Linux and QT/Qtopia?
At least Engadget claims that in their posting.
Slashphone.com - Philips 960 Photos Online - mobile phone reviews, news, rumors, mobile community and more...
Slashphone.com - Philips 960 Photos Online - mobile phone reviews, news, rumors, mobile community and more...
Concerns about costs for business use
Despite their concerns, European businesses do acknowledge the vast productivity and business benefits attached to mobile communications. Around three quarters of all companies agree that the benefits of mobile working will justify the costs.
Probably the most productive use of mobile phones in businesses is to replace all fixed and DECT phones with only mobile phones (except in conference rooms). The phones need to have a speaker function to be really useful, and there has to be a local base station or a subscription with no-cost or flat-rate local calls.
Of course travelling employees simply have to have a mobile phone.
Digital Media Europe: News - Over half of European businesses anxious about mobile working costs � report
Probably the most productive use of mobile phones in businesses is to replace all fixed and DECT phones with only mobile phones (except in conference rooms). The phones need to have a speaker function to be really useful, and there has to be a local base station or a subscription with no-cost or flat-rate local calls.
Of course travelling employees simply have to have a mobile phone.
Digital Media Europe: News - Over half of European businesses anxious about mobile working costs � report
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Messaging trends
In-Stat estimates:
SMS: still most of the revenue and huge margin, but will decrease
EMS: gone
MMS: 50% growth through 2009
Instant Messaging: 6-fold growth 2007 to 2009, yet concerns about standards (why?)
Not mentioned is Nokia Smart Messaging that still has some value as bearer for simple ringtones and pictures.
Digital Media Europe: News - SMS revenues leveling off, but continue to lead mobile messaging market - report
SMS: still most of the revenue and huge margin, but will decrease
EMS: gone
MMS: 50% growth through 2009
Instant Messaging: 6-fold growth 2007 to 2009, yet concerns about standards (why?)
Not mentioned is Nokia Smart Messaging that still has some value as bearer for simple ringtones and pictures.
Digital Media Europe: News - SMS revenues leveling off, but continue to lead mobile messaging market - report
