The squeeze is on, the stakes are high and the options few. Second-tier handset makers-their exact numbers globally are unclear, but there may be more than 100 players-are scrambling to survive, let alone thrive, as the top six vendors increased their market share last...
OYSTER BAY, N.Y.-Operators struggling with decreasing profits from basic services may want to look to mobile music, according to two new studies. The worldwide market for full-track mobile music downloads increased 2,000 percent from 2004 to last year, according to new figures from ABI...
SAN FRANCISCO—An Apple Computer Inc.-branded mobile phone could hit the market this spring, predicts research and consulting firm Visiongain. The "iPhone" product, which has long been a popular rumor topic, is likely to launch in tandem with mobile virtual network operator Helio’s service in...
Steve Wozniak has put the brakes on the Wheels of Zeus. The Apple Computer co-founder formed the start-up four years ago in an effort to "help everyday people track everyday things," according to a press release announcing the company’s launch. WoZ, as the company...
Operators are beginning to deploy full-track digital music services as a way to increase revenues, boost customer loyalty and slow churn. But if carriers are going to compete with Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes, they may want to take a hard look at the iPod....
HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa.—Wireless Xcessories Group signed a manufacturing and supply agreement with Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corp. to manufacture mobile phone accessories for the electronics maker. The agreement links the modestly sized accessory maker to a manufacturer and retailer with notable presence in the North...
SAN FRANCISCO—Independent music aggregator Digital Rights Agency lashed out at Sprint Nextel Corp., blasting the carrier’s full-track download service for its "failure to include independent record label catalogs." DRA said it sent a letter to Sprint Nextel Chief Executive Officer Gary Forsee expressing its...
LA CRESCENTA, Calif.-Magnific's Inc. said it has created a magnifying glass-like product that fits onto cellular phone displays. The Phone Monocle, which Magnific's said magnifies screen characters up to two times, is designed for phone users who are over 40 years old, those who...
RESTON, Va.—Sprint Nextel Corp. touted the success of its Sprint Music Store, announcing that customers had downloaded one million full-length songs through the service.Sprint Nextel said it reached the milestone less than four months after the service launched. With a per-song cost of $2.50,...
BARCELONA, Spain-As the 3GSM World Congress conference kicks off, music-related announcements from the industry are humming right along. Here are some of the highlights: Motorola Inc. announced a deal to use Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Media platform in a new series of music phones. The...
One of the most popular features of instant messaging is expanding off the desktop and into the mobile enterprise. It's called presence, and it allows users to determine the availability of others. An employee, for instance, can use presence to determine whether a colleague...
LA CRESCENTA, Calif.-Magnific's Inc. said it has created a magnifying glass-like product that fits onto cellular phone displays. The Phone Monocle, which Magnific claims magnifies screen characters up to two times, is designed for phone users who are over 40 years old, those who...
Kyocera Wireless Corp. announced it plans to build dual-mode CDMA/Wi-Fi handsets using chips from Marvell Technology Group Ltd. "The footprint and adoption of (wireless local area networks) is increasing exponentially and we have carrier customers who are viewing this technology as a complement to...
ATLANTA-Following the success of its wildly popular Razr, Motorola Inc. is expanding its range of sleek, four-letter phones with the retail release of its Pebl through T-Mobile USA Inc. and its Slvr through Cingular Wireless L.L.C. Motorola's Slvr-a candybar-style version of the Razr-is now...
Steve Jobs may have just taken one step closer to wireless. The head of Apple Computer Inc. landed a spot on the board of The Walt Disney Co. last week under the terms of Disney's $7.4 billion buyout of computer animation studio Pixar. While...
SAN MATEO, Calif.-Wireless trailblazer Craig McCaw and other high-tech heavyweights are backing a new company looking to let business users reach colleagues through mobile phones, e-mail or instant messaging. The firm, Tello Corp., emerged last week after operating for more than a year in...
SAN MATEO, Calif.-Wireless trailblazer Craig McCaw and other high-tech heavyweights are backing a new company looking to let business users reach colleagues through mobile phones, e-mail or instant messaging. The firm, Tello Corp., emerged this week after operating for more than a year in...
ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Apple Computer Inc. fueled speculation about its intentions in wireless as the company's efforts to trademark the phrase "Mobile Me" came to light. Apple has filed a series of applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office laying claim to "Mobile Me" to...
Verizon Wireless made headlines at the Consumer Electronics Show when it unveiled a new full-track mobile music download service. But the carrier was busy last week defending the offering's lack of support for MP3s. Vcast Music offers tunes that can be downloaded to a...
ALEXANDRIA, Va.-Apple Computer Inc. fueled speculation about its intentions in wireless this week as the company's efforts to trademark the phrase "Mobile Me" came to light. Apple last week filed a series of applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office laying claim to...
BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless made headlines last week at the Consumer Electronics Show when it unveiled a new full-track mobile music download service. But the carrier is busy this week defending the offering's lack of support for MP3 music files. Verizon Wireless' Vcast Music offers...
As in past years, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was ground zero for a series of entertaining handset battles, with vendors firing off warning shots against each other and carriers blustering over new phone offerings for consumers. Perhaps the most interesting display...
LAS VEGAS-Motorola Inc.'s next music-centric phone will support its new iRadio service but not Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes software, the company announced. The handset manufacturer said its upcoming music subscription service will launch nationwide later this year on the Rokr E2, with other handsets...
If Amp'd Mobile Inc.'s bargain-basement full-track download music service was designed to get attention, it's working. The recently launched mobile virtual network operator made headlines a few weeks ago when it said it would match the price of Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes service, selling...
