10. T-Mobile's LTE leapfrogA major Euro-scoop [ed. note: Less comfortable to drive but way better mileage] kicks off our roundup. European editor Michelle Donegan buttonholed T-Mobile International AG CTO Joachim Horn back in November, who revealed that operator is bucking carrier trends and leap-frogging faster 3G in favor of proto-4G Long Term Evolution technology.
T-Mobile Beefs Up LTE Plans
9. Open up and say, 'ankle braclet'We wondered whatever happened to Verizon Wireless 's open networks plans this year; then we found out: The machines are taking over, at least for now. Be afraid.
Verizon Wireless: Rise of the Machines
8. Bringing sexy back(haul)Only your pals at Unstrung could make microwave backhaul radios a hot topic this year. We shone a spotlight on the problems that potential 4G operators could face as Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) anounnced its first WiMax delay in April, blaming a backhaul bottleneck for its problems
Sprint's Backhaul Bottleneck
7. The 700MHz questionThe early days of 2008 were all "open access" this, "wireless broadband" that, as the auctions for this prime slice of spectrum continued. In 2009, the $16.9 billion question will be: How easily and cheaply can these networks be deployed?
AT&T & Verizon to Use 700 MHz for 4G
6. Apple in 3GThe big story of the year in many people's eyes, a faster smartphone from Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL)
Top 5 3G iPhone Launch Moments
5. Clearwire does itWe wrote about Clearwire LLC (Nasdaq: CLWR) so much in 2008 they even got their own top 10. (See 2008 Top Ten: Clearwire Craziness.) Here's the Cliff Notes version if you don't want to be bothered with all that jibber-jabber.
Sprint, Clearwire Create $14.5B WiMax Giant
4. VRZN FMTOAnd wherever Verizon goes femto-wise it seems that AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) will follow. (See AT&T Targets Q2 Femto Launch.)
Verizon Eyes Femtos for 2009
And watch this video for more on femtos:
Function VBGetSwfVer(i)
on error resume next
Dim swControl, swVersion
swVersion = 0
set swControl = CreateObject("ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash." + CStr(i))
if (IsObject(swControl)) then
swVersion = swControl.GetVariable("$version")
end if
VBGetSwfVer = swVersion
End Function
On Error Resume Next
Sub flashObj_FSCommand(ByVal command, ByVal args)
Call onFSCommand(command, args)
End Sub
3. Touching alternatives to AppleThe Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; Toronto: RIM) Storm finally arrived in November, but we were writing about a BlackBerry touch-screen way before that.
RIM's Four Aces
2. Comcast's WiMax secret is outA tasty little scoop from what we at Unstrung will fondly remember as the "summer of femtos." Then-new Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) wireless SVP Dave Williams let it slip that the firm was planning to deploy WiMax mini base stations in the home sometime in 2009. Whoopsy!
Comcast Goes for WiMax Femtocells
1. The Android hordes
Readers just couldn't get enough of Google (Nasdaq: GOOG)'s initial foray into cellphone software in 2008. So, in that spirit, we've picked the slideshow that introduced the G1 to the masses along with an Unstrung exclusive that points toward future routes that Android could take as our top of the pops for '08. Have our cake and eat it too? You betcha!
Slideshow: Switching On AndroidCTIA: Clearwire Talks Android & More
— The Staff, Unstrung
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Kelsey Group and ConStat: Almost 10% On Social Networks Via Mobile
The proportion of U.S. mobile subscribers who access social networks on their cell phones nearly tripled to almost 10% over a year ago, according to a consumer study by The Kelsey Group and ConStat spotlighted Monday by eMarketer.
Specifically, 9.6% of mobile users were connecting to a social network as of October 2008, compared to 3.4% in September 2007. The rapid growth is due in part to the small base of people who are social networking on mobile.
By 2012, eMarketer projects that more than 800 million users worldwide will participate in social networks via their mobile device, up from 82 million in 2007.
While the total base of mobile social networking users will remain under 20% by 2012, eMarketer believes "that these users will have a disproportionate impact on marketing, media and mobile communications because creating and sharing digital content (user-generated and professional) forms much of the social networking experience."
Research released by Nielsen Mobile in September showed that 21% of U.S. mobile users recalled seeing an ad while accessing social networks and blogs. That compares to 57% who recalled seeing an ad while browsing the mobile Internet overall.
Mobile social networking is still more prevalent outside the U.S., according to eMarketer. It points to the growth of mobile-only social networks such as Germany's itsmy.com, which has 2.5 million registered users. Facebook in November said use of its mobile services had grown from 5 million to 15 million during 2008, but did not break out usage by country.
As of Monday, Facebook had the 12th-most-downloaded iPhone application in Apple's App Store.
Among other key findings from the Kelsey study, 15.6% of mobile users used their phones to search the Web for local products and services, compared to 9.8% a year ago. And 14.3% searched outside their local area, up from 6.4%.
When it comes to media consumption, 8.4% watched a music video or other type of Internet video on mobile devices--nearly double the 4.4% from 2007.
The research results were based on online surveys completed by 512 U.S. mobile subscribers ages 18 and over.
Specifically, 9.6% of mobile users were connecting to a social network as of October 2008, compared to 3.4% in September 2007. The rapid growth is due in part to the small base of people who are social networking on mobile.
By 2012, eMarketer projects that more than 800 million users worldwide will participate in social networks via their mobile device, up from 82 million in 2007.
While the total base of mobile social networking users will remain under 20% by 2012, eMarketer believes "that these users will have a disproportionate impact on marketing, media and mobile communications because creating and sharing digital content (user-generated and professional) forms much of the social networking experience."
Research released by Nielsen Mobile in September showed that 21% of U.S. mobile users recalled seeing an ad while accessing social networks and blogs. That compares to 57% who recalled seeing an ad while browsing the mobile Internet overall.
Mobile social networking is still more prevalent outside the U.S., according to eMarketer. It points to the growth of mobile-only social networks such as Germany's itsmy.com, which has 2.5 million registered users. Facebook in November said use of its mobile services had grown from 5 million to 15 million during 2008, but did not break out usage by country.
As of Monday, Facebook had the 12th-most-downloaded iPhone application in Apple's App Store.
Among other key findings from the Kelsey study, 15.6% of mobile users used their phones to search the Web for local products and services, compared to 9.8% a year ago. And 14.3% searched outside their local area, up from 6.4%.
When it comes to media consumption, 8.4% watched a music video or other type of Internet video on mobile devices--nearly double the 4.4% from 2007.
The research results were based on online surveys completed by 512 U.S. mobile subscribers ages 18 and over.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Apple's iPhone Advertising Opportunity
Peter Burrows on December 09
In a Web world in which so many companies peg their futures on advertising revenue, Apple has always showed incredible discipline in not degrading its products by selling space on iTunes or on the desktops of Macs, iPods or iPhones to the highest bidders. Nor do I expect it to. The company makes great margins as it is, and understands that the main reason is that it provides a user experience that its customers love. And most of us don’t love ads.
But the iPhone is fast developing into a breakthrough product for mobile advertising—the first portable device that combines a stellar display, a tremendous Web-surfing user base, and GPS-enabled apps so as to reach people where they physically are. As more people use the device for more things, there are far more ads they might want to see—sales on fishing gear to folks that download the iFish game, or a 10% off coupon to UrbanSpoon fans from the burger joint they’re walking past.
It’s early days, but such advertising is on a fast upswing. Here’s a video from AdMob, which served up more than 100 million ads on iPhones in September, that gives a sense of the many ways this is occuring: So far, Apple doesn’t get a cut from advertisers, as it does on the software people buy at the App Store. But with the help of new technologies that will further enhance the iPhone for advertising purposes (here’s a post by Rob Hof, about Google’s new program to automatically convert Web ads for various smart phones), this will add up to real money some day. At some point—and it won’t be soon—I wouldn’t be surprised to see Apple demand a small, appropriate piece of the action. As its markets mature in the years ahead, it’s one more way for the company to cash in on the value it has created.
In a Web world in which so many companies peg their futures on advertising revenue, Apple has always showed incredible discipline in not degrading its products by selling space on iTunes or on the desktops of Macs, iPods or iPhones to the highest bidders. Nor do I expect it to. The company makes great margins as it is, and understands that the main reason is that it provides a user experience that its customers love. And most of us don’t love ads.
But the iPhone is fast developing into a breakthrough product for mobile advertising—the first portable device that combines a stellar display, a tremendous Web-surfing user base, and GPS-enabled apps so as to reach people where they physically are. As more people use the device for more things, there are far more ads they might want to see—sales on fishing gear to folks that download the iFish game, or a 10% off coupon to UrbanSpoon fans from the burger joint they’re walking past.
It’s early days, but such advertising is on a fast upswing. Here’s a video from AdMob, which served up more than 100 million ads on iPhones in September, that gives a sense of the many ways this is occuring: So far, Apple doesn’t get a cut from advertisers, as it does on the software people buy at the App Store. But with the help of new technologies that will further enhance the iPhone for advertising purposes (here’s a post by Rob Hof, about Google’s new program to automatically convert Web ads for various smart phones), this will add up to real money some day. At some point—and it won’t be soon—I wouldn’t be surprised to see Apple demand a small, appropriate piece of the action. As its markets mature in the years ahead, it’s one more way for the company to cash in on the value it has created.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
No more fast track, Go smart or not smart!!! IDC: 2.2% Cell Phone Sales Contraction in 2009
By Evan KoblentzWirelessWeek - December 18, 2008
After finishing 2008 by shipping more than 1.2 billion units, up 7.3% from last year, the global mobile phone industry will sell 2.2% fewer devices in 2009 but will rebound with 7.7% in 2010, IDC said today.
Particularly telling is the gap between smartphones and traditional phones. Smartphones grew 27% this year, now accounting for around 12% of all cell phones, while growth continues at a slower rate of 8.9% in 2009. Feature phones grew just 4.9% this year and that market will contract by 3.8% in 2009.
In the United States, the smartphone market grew a massive 75.7% in 2008, but will only grow 3.1% next year. IDC defines a smartphone as any handset on which users can install aftermarket applications.
Sales of feature phones – a large portion of which do have smartphone-like capability such as address books and Web browsers – contracted by 9.8% this year and will shrink another 11.6% next year.
Announcements from component makers such as MediaTek, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments were an ominous sign, said senior analyst Ryan Reith, adding that markets are even shrinking for low-end phones in China and India. However, the market’s limited growth will mean lower prices for consumers, he added.
The market will see a limited rebound in 2010, Reith said.
After finishing 2008 by shipping more than 1.2 billion units, up 7.3% from last year, the global mobile phone industry will sell 2.2% fewer devices in 2009 but will rebound with 7.7% in 2010, IDC said today.
Particularly telling is the gap between smartphones and traditional phones. Smartphones grew 27% this year, now accounting for around 12% of all cell phones, while growth continues at a slower rate of 8.9% in 2009. Feature phones grew just 4.9% this year and that market will contract by 3.8% in 2009.
In the United States, the smartphone market grew a massive 75.7% in 2008, but will only grow 3.1% next year. IDC defines a smartphone as any handset on which users can install aftermarket applications.
Sales of feature phones – a large portion of which do have smartphone-like capability such as address books and Web browsers – contracted by 9.8% this year and will shrink another 11.6% next year.
Announcements from component makers such as MediaTek, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments were an ominous sign, said senior analyst Ryan Reith, adding that markets are even shrinking for low-end phones in China and India. However, the market’s limited growth will mean lower prices for consumers, he added.
The market will see a limited rebound in 2010, Reith said.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Reandevou Software Releases the First UPS Shipping Application for the iPhone
December 8, 2008
Reandevou Software today previewed its first serious business application, UPS Workbench, which gives UPS a global shipping courier a leg up over its competitor with the introduction of its first iPhone application.
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 8, 2008 -- Reandevou Software today previewed its first serious business application, UPS Workbench, which gives UPS a global shipping courier a leg up over its competitor with the introduction of its first iPhone application.
UPS Workbench takes the basic online features of shipping and puts the power in the hands of the consumers. UPS Workbench enables users to track packages, view rates, determine shipping options and find UPS stores any where in the world using the iPhones GPS capabilities with a single touch.
"We're excited about creating an application that benefits UPS and its consumers, we wanted to bring an application that the world could use on the iPhone" said Troy Simon, Reandevou CEO."
The current release of the product is targeted to the consumer, but we have plans on making the iPhone and UPS Workbench into solution for business as well. UPS Workbench is slated to go on sale in the iTunes App Store early December, just in time for the Christmas package rush.
Reandevou Software today previewed its first serious business application, UPS Workbench, which gives UPS a global shipping courier a leg up over its competitor with the introduction of its first iPhone application.
Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 8, 2008 -- Reandevou Software today previewed its first serious business application, UPS Workbench, which gives UPS a global shipping courier a leg up over its competitor with the introduction of its first iPhone application.
UPS Workbench takes the basic online features of shipping and puts the power in the hands of the consumers. UPS Workbench enables users to track packages, view rates, determine shipping options and find UPS stores any where in the world using the iPhones GPS capabilities with a single touch.
"We're excited about creating an application that benefits UPS and its consumers, we wanted to bring an application that the world could use on the iPhone" said Troy Simon, Reandevou CEO."
The current release of the product is targeted to the consumer, but we have plans on making the iPhone and UPS Workbench into solution for business as well. UPS Workbench is slated to go on sale in the iTunes App Store early December, just in time for the Christmas package rush.
Monday, December 1, 2008
News Old ideas
starting up a mobile entertainment company
- next great advertising medium
- handle a lot of promotions for the urban demographic
Start web / Linux education package for Netbook
- growing network
- growing Linux or browser centric package
- mulitmedia support /stream server
- installable Linux client to control the machine (prevent children to leave the app)
FLASH on mobile
- research free Flash tool
- webbase Flash tools with Ads
AJAX base education or game creation tools
Python on Symbrian
Write iPhone app and stay at the top of the list for a 1 year
- make 3 to 20 million dollars per year
- food caterlog for delivery service
- next great advertising medium
- handle a lot of promotions for the urban demographic
Start web / Linux education package for Netbook
- growing network
- growing Linux or browser centric package
- mulitmedia support /stream server
- installable Linux client to control the machine (prevent children to leave the app)
FLASH on mobile
- research free Flash tool
- webbase Flash tools with Ads
AJAX base education or game creation tools
Python on Symbrian
Write iPhone app and stay at the top of the list for a 1 year
- make 3 to 20 million dollars per year
- food caterlog for delivery service
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