Second tier player, Alcatel One Touch, ZTE Open, try Mozilla, Firefox OS

https://www.google.com.hk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=firefox+os+demo+youtube&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpUgYjWfYwcM&ei=pTDSUeTRNa2Tigfd4YHgBg&usg=AFQjCNGin7wI1mkhdcLBV19I8mQDHLDq1Q

Mozilla is beginning regional rollouts of the Alcatel One Touch and ZTE Open, the first commercially released smartphones running the open-source software development initiative's new Firefox OS.

Telefónica will begin selling the ZTE Open to Spanish subscribers this week for $90 (€69), while Deutsche Telekom will introduce the smartphones in Poland in the near future. In all, Mozilla has signed more than 20 hardware and operator partners worldwide, including Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S), Etisalat, Smart and Telecom Italia: Telenor will launch its first Firefox OS phones in Central and Eastern Europe this year, with devices slated to roll out in additional markets in the months ahead.

Firefox OS (formerly Boot to Gecko) promises a new phone architecture that relies entirely on the Web to enable HTML5 applications with complete access to core device APIs. According to Mozilla, developers can create Firefox OS apps from existing websites by adding an app manifest--a JSON file that describes the app, including its name, its icons and a human-readable description.

In addition to core services like voice calling, text messaging, email, Web browsing and a camera, Firefox OS includes built-in social features like Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) and Twitter integration, Nokia (NYSE:NOK) Here maps and Firefox Marketplace, which offers HTML5-based apps across a range of categories including games, entertainment, news, business and productivity. Mozilla also will tailor app availability for each regional market.

In late April, Mozilla and OEM partner Geeksphone released the first Firefox developer preview phones. The Keon, priced at $119, boasts a 1GHz Snapdragon S1 processor, 4 GB ROM, 512 MB RAM, a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 3-megapixel camera, MicroSD storage and support for 2G and 3G networks. The more powerful Peak, offered at $194, includes a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 4.3-inch qHD IPS display, 8-megapixel rear-facing camera (2-megapixel front), 4 GB ROM and 512 MB RAM.

WiMAX Equipment Market Revenue Up 6% in 3Q07

3 Dec, 2007

The WiMAX market is heating up quickly, with worldwide sales of fixed and mobile WiMAX equipment up 6% in 3Q07 to $206 million following a 14% jump in 2Q07, says Infonetics Research in its latest report.
Worldwide unit shipments of fixed and mobile WiMAX equipment are up 16% in 3Q07, driven by continued rollout of new fixed and mobile WiMAX networks, and further expansion of those already in operation, the report shows.
"In addition to Sprint-Nextel's much-publicized roll-out, carriers including Vodafone, Brasil Telecom, Telmex, SK Telecom, Wateen, and NTT, amongst many others, have made a commitment to WiMAX, demonstrating that adoption is reaching all corners of the globe. Also this quarter, the ITU added mobile WiMAX as an approved 3G technology into its official IMT-2000 set of standards, consolidating WiMAX's position as a technology with a long-term future and posing a more serious challenge to W-CDMA and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network deployments. Add in Cisco's entrance into the WiMAX market with its judicious acquisition of Navini, and the market is poised for big growth in 2008," said Richard Webb, wireless analyst for Infonetics Research.
Other highlights from the report:
Manufacturer revenue for fixed and mobile WiMAX equipment is forecast to grow at a 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 87% between 2006 and 2010
The number of worldwide WiMAX subscribers (fixed and mobile) is expected to skyrocket to close to 60 million in 2010, led by the Asia Pacific region
Unit shipments for access service network (ASN) gateways, which aggregate traffic from mobile WiMAX base stations, jumped 36% quarter over quarter
Alvarion continues to lead in fixed WiMAX equipment revenue share in 3Q07, followed by Airspan, then Aperto Networks
Outdoor mesh network access node shipments are up 7% worldwide in 3Q07; revenue is flat
Posted to the site on 3rd December 2007

Google in mobile carrier talks

2 Nov, 2007 -by CommsDay

Google is in talks with Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless to integrate its mobile applications into handsets sold by the two operators, according to insiders cited by Reuters.

The proposed deals would give Google a leg up in the wireless market by ensuring millions of subscribers use its software - and are exposed to the ads appearing alongside them. The tie ups could find all three players splitting ad revenue for free sponsored services designed to entice consumers to sign up with the operators, although everyone is remaining mum for now. “There are good useful talks going on and they could result in a deal,” a source told the agency.

Sprint Nextel previously announced a Google search alliance for its forthcoming WiMAX network back in August. Earlier this week, Verizon Communications COO Denny Strigl told analysts the operator was in talks with several firms including Google. At the same time, the Wall Street Journal reported Google was nearing a phones-and-software announcement that would integrate its various mobile applications for use on handsets by next summer. Google is expected to make its mobile platform open to inspire independent applications development - a strategy also in the works for its traditional Web services under a project code-named Maka-Maka.

Analysts are skeptical that notoriously tightfisted US operators will be willing to work with a company demanding open platforms - especially following a promise earlier this year to invest at least $4.5 billion in a forthcoming spectrum auction that has already riled carriers due to an open access requirement. “Google is developing a device that allows them to go directly to consumers. That works much better in Europe than here,” warned IAG Research analyst Roger Entner. Google has remained mum on the subject but is also believed to be developing its own branded handset with Taiwan vendor HTC.

Whether this phone would be sold through its tentative operator partners remains unclear. Meanwhile, France Telecom dismissed reports it too is negotiating with the search giant to package its mobile software on handsets. "We formally deny being in talks with Google about a handset,” a spokesperson told reporters.

AOL will allow surfers to opt out of its targeted ad operations. The portal plans to release a downloadable cookie designed to block other cookie-based ads and will publicize the program with “millions” of banner ad impressions on both the main AOL site and those operated by ad peers. The solution was developed by online behavior tracking firm Tacoda, acquired by the Time Warner unit earlier this year. “Our goal with this program is to engender greater trust for targeted advertising by communication with consumers in a more visible, and by providing them more information about their choices,” said AOL executive vice president Curt Viebranz. The announcement comes one day before the US Federal Trade Commission kicks off an inquiry over the controversial tracking of online behavior by site operators, who often rely on cookies to determine the nature of consumers' online activities and deliver associated ads.

OVERSEAS EXPANSION: AOL unveiled Hindi and Tamil versions of its portal for the Indian market this week and added eight international markets to its video search operations. The moves are the latest effort in a renewed global push that has seen the portal ditch its foreign ISP operations and expand its free portal business, including recent launches in Italy, Spain and Sweden.

Google nears mobile phone deal with Verizon, Sprint: WSJ

31 Oct 2007
Google is close to a deal with Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel over its new mobile phone, according to the online Wall Street Journal.

An agreement is likely to reached within two weeks for launch of a Google phone in the middle of 2008. The central feature of the Google handset will be an open operating system that will encourage developers to create apps.

But the phone will include Google’s own applications – Google Maps, Gmail and a social networking feature combining YouTube and Facebook-style offering called Makamaka.

An agreement with major US operators would be a breakthrough for the search firm in its dealings with wary telecom operators.

As the ATT-Apple iPhone deal demonstrated, the carriers are still the critical elements in handset marketing channel, especially in the US.