Editor’s Note: RCR Wireless News goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the top headlines from the past. Fire up the time machine, put on the sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and enjoy the memories!
PDAs on the decline
New research shows the market for personal digital assistants continues to decline, with shipments dropping 33.1 percent sequentially to 2.2 million units in the first quarter, according to research firm IDC. “Despite increasingly powerful handheld devices reaching market, the consumer uptake of entry-level devices available from nearly every vendor calls into question the upgrade path and value posed by the high-end devices. If entry-level devices prove to be the most successful products adopted by consumers, the long-term impact could be acceleration away from hardware differentiation and a further loss of value in the handheld industry,” said David Linsalata, an analyst in IDC’s Mobile Devices program. “Handheld device vendors must continue to search for consumer and enterprise solutions for their products, such as GPS device bundles, that utilize the range of capabilities contained in a handheld device.” … Read more
But mobile phones are booming
BOSTON, Mass.-Strong mobile-phones sales in North America, Western Europe, Korea, Asia Pacific, Central and Latin America, and Eastern Europe helped push industry first-quarter sales to a 40-percent annual growth rate, according to new numbers from research and consulting firm Strategy Analytics. The firm said mobile-phone makers sold 153 million devices in the first quarter, and the industry is on track to sell 586 million units during this year. … Read more
China Mobile ponies up to buy regional networks
BEIJING-China Mobile said it will buy wireless networks in 10 of China’s provinces from its parent company for $3.65 billion. The acquisition gives China Mobile a nationwide footprint, although the new networks are in some of China’s poorest provinces. Industry analysts said the purchase price is on the low end of expectations. The purchase values the networks at 2.85 times 2004 forecasted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. … Read more
Ladies and gentlemen, the ‘rudest phone in America’
MINNEAPOLIS-Fans of the TV show “American Idol” can purchase branded “American Idol” mobile phones, replete with messages, pictures and ring tones featuring the show’s contestants and acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell. “The whole concept behind reality TV is to entertain people with real emotion and offer it to viewers through various applications,” said Cowell, who will promote the phones. “`American Idol’ set that mark inside the music category and has attracted more than 25 million fans. It just makes sense that the next generation of engagement with passionate `Idol’ fans is to deliver the show’s emotion in a mobile environment.” Added Cowell: “I have to say the official `American Idol’ phone and what it offers fans is bloody brilliant. This is going to be the rudest phone in America.” The phones are specially designed versions of Nokia Corp.’s 3200 and 3300 with service from “American Idol” promoter AT&T Wireless Services Inc. The phones will sell for between $50 and $70 in select Sam Goody, Media Play and Suncoast stores. … Read more
RFID is the future!
DENVER-Radio frequency identification technology is reaching maturity. Such an assertion seems almost absurd for a technology that has recently received hype rivaling that of other newfangled short-range wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. But RFID is nothing new. It was introduced during World War II when it was used to detect enemy aircraft, and since then, RFID applications have been developed to prevent theft, provide secure access and track livestock. Still, future possibilities for RFID seem endless. Someday your refrigerator will be able to warn you that your milk has reached an early expiration date because it sat in the hot car too long on its ride home from the store. Someday just walking past an RFID reader at a grocery store will tally up your purchases. Someday an electronic reader will recognize you walking into a secure building without you having to present your ID badge. The reader will also recognize that you’re carrying the correct company-issued laptop. However, technology players currently dabbling in the field are looking to the more realistic, near-term applications of RFID. … Read more
Snoop Dogg, Barry Bonds go mobile
NEW YORK-What do rapper Snoop Dogg and homerun hitter Barry Bonds have in common? Both are going mobile. Under a new deal with wireless media company Zingy, Snoop Dogg will sell exclusive ring tones, ring-back tones and voicemail greetings to wireless users in the United States and Europe. Zingy said the offerings are now available through Sprint PCS Vision and Zingy.com, with additional North American and European carrier deployments to be announced throughout the year. “Mobile represents an exciting new channel for our artists to monetize their talents and connect with fans,” said Constance Schwartz, vice president of strategic marketing for The Firm, an artist management company. Separately, wireless entertainment company Mforma said it will sell mobile games featuring San Francisco’s homerun king Barry Bonds. Interestingly, the deal is the first time Bonds will be featured in a video game on any format or platform. … Read more
Bluetooth crackdown/hacker smackdown
BALTIMORE-Wireless security company Bluefire Security Technologies announced a new product the company said allows business users to disable Bluetooth connections in enterprise devices, a move the company said is in response to concerns over Bluetooth hacking. Indeed, Bluefire said an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will use its software to disable Bluetooth connections in its new line of personal digital assistants. “The handheld computing platform presents a unique set of security and performance challenges,” said Mark Komisky, chief executive officer of Bluefire Security. “We routinely dissect these devices to better understand their vulnerabilities and find the holes before the hackers do. Now, for the first time, we will make this information available to the public to help combat hackers.” … Read more
Check out the RCR Wireless News’ Archives for more stories from the past.
