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Nokia shelves WiMAX tablet; handset hose turned on at CES

Nokia Corp. said today it would stop producing its mobile Internet tablet designed for a U.S.-based WiMAX network, raising questions on the phone maker's view of that nascent market. The N810 WiMAX Edition MID was Nokia's only product for WiMAX, which is slowly rolling...

By the numbers: Top 10 most popular U.S. handsets in November

Editor's Note: The following lists ranks the 10 most popular handsets in the United States for the month of November. Rankings were provided by AvianResearch L.L.C. The firm derives its ranking via its Monthly Retail Store Survey, which is based on responses from 100 service...

Despite economic woes, wireless sales remain brisk: Big-box retailers, independents report strong holiday business

The holidays are over and that usually calls for a sigh of relief. Unless of course you're a retailer who lost money. Each year, from Black Friday until the end of December, retailers in the wireless industry shove products, rate plans and accessories down...

Another dumb pipe column

For those watching the wireless industry over the past decade or so, the branding emphasis has always been squarely on the carrier. You purchased service from your carrier, you purchased phones from your carrier (in some cases carrier-branded phones), and you accessed your carrier's...

RIM, Nuance continue acquisition dance: Certicom, Zi shareholders get more time

In separate actions, both Research in Motion Ltd. and Nuance Communications Inc. extended their efforts to consummate anticipated acquisitions. For BlackBerry maker RIM, that means extending to Jan. 27 its $52.6 million offer to purchase encryption firm Certicom Corp., and for Nuance it means...

Why buy when you can rent? Phone rental startup targets gadget-obsessed

Three people with a healthy obsession for cellphones; that's all it took to start Rentobile, a young company that rents popular handsets to U.S. consumers who want a shiny new device, but are stuck in the middle of a lengthy contract.Two years was much...

2009 will be terrible. So what?: Wireless is long-term answer for voice and content connections

In 2009, the wireless industry is apt to suffer many of the same consequences exacted upon others by the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression: layoffs (likely giving way to stepped-up outsourcing), reduced capital spending, lower revenues and slimmer profit margins, tight credit,...

RIM sees solid results for next quarter

Research In Motion Ltd. gave an upbeat report on holiday sales yesterday and said that the current quarter would set a company record for device shipments.RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie said in a statement that BlackBerry products were selling faster than anticipated and that the...

Worst of the Week: Predictions for 2009

Hello! And welcome to a special edition of our Thursday column, Worst of the Week. As 2008 draws to a close and we take stock of all the changes that have happened in the wireless industry, we can't help but wonder how things will...

By following two steps behind, Palm is doomed

Palm is suddenly making some impressive moves. Unfortunately for the handset maker's shareholders, it's making them about a year too late.The Silicon Valley-based manufacturer this week took the wraps off a striking new application storefront that already boasts 5,000 offerings - 10 times the...

Palm’s new store offers 10 times more apps than Android Market: Software Store relies on 1,500 wireless application developers

Palm Inc. joined the application-store bandwagon, launching a downloadable storefront with 5,000-plus offerings for more than two dozen Palm devices.The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based outfit opened the Software Store (available at http://software.palm.com/appstore), showcasing high-profile applications (Facebook, Pac-Man, Tetris) as well as lesser-known products. The store is...

Making mobile’s math work

Editor's Note: Welcome to our weekly Reality Check column. We've gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile industry to give their insights into the marketplace.Up until very recently, proprietary handset platforms, walled gardens and expensive data tariffs have served well as...

Startup Everypoint emerges from stealth mode with new app platform: Nemo aimed at wireless application developers

Mobile data is exploding as consumers are flocking to cutting-edge, high-end software platforms like Apple's iPhone and Google's Android. But Everypoint is hoping to gain traction with users - and, more importantly, developers - with a new offering for feature phones.The Boston-based startup introduced...

Analyst Angle: The dark side of the open OS handset trend

Editor's Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Analyst Angle. We've collected a group of the industry's leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry.The migration to mobile messaging and data was the story of the first half of...

RIM to acquire multimedia app developer in $18.9M transaction

Research In Motion Ltd. is stepping up its application-development play with an $18.9 million acquisition of Chalk Media Corp.A member of the BlackBerry ISV Alliance Program, Chalk's technology delivers multimedia files to groups within businesses and other organizations. The deal includes a $2.2 million...

Best Buy to sell applications through Handango partnership

Handango Inc. announced an expansion of its distribution deal with Best Buy Co. Inc. that will see the big-box retailer selling smartphone applications through its in-store Mobile Genie system.Best Buy Mobile customers will be offered a catalog of business and enterprise applications for BlackBerry,...

Think globally and act locally, globally too

Editor's Note: Welcome to our weekly Reality Check column. We've gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile indU.S.try to give their insights into the marketplace.While it was good to see some retailers reporting stronger than expected sales for Black Friday and...

REVIEW: Netflix fans should add PhoneFlix to their smartphone queue

Editor's Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Yay or Nay. Every week we'll review a new wireless application or service from the user's point of view, with the goal of highlighting what works and what doesn't. If you wish to submit your application or...

PAY TO PLAY: Mobile billing looks for direction

There's a very long list of companies with billing platforms that leave carriers out of the revenue stream. But even as operators grudgingly open up their networks, nobody seems to be making a lot of progress. Billing Revolution is the latest player to join...

Montana operator introduces unlimited voice and text for $80

Regional carrier Cellular One released an unlimited monthly wireless plan priced at $80, undercutting similar offerings from its nationwide competitors.The carrier's new "All of America" plan includes nationwide unlimited voice and text with no roaming or long-distance charges. Because Cellular One is a GSM...

Analyst Angle: Enterprise WLAN market expected to defy macroeconomic weakness

Editor's Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Analyst Angle. We've collected a group of the industry's leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry.The macroeconomic weakness and increased uncertainty has spurred enterprises to reduce capital budgets and increasingly...

Online interest: iPhone ‘still king’: Storm launch: well-timed at VZW

Various metrics for how the handset market is faring at this juncture are swirling like the snow in a paperweight designed to be shaken for pleasant effect. But this swirl of metrics is anything but pleasant. And how and when they settle could well...

RIM comes up short in Q3, warns that consumer demand is down

Research In Motion Ltd. said today that its fiscal third-quarter results would miss expectations, evidence that the BlackBerry maker, like others, has been swept up in the global economic downturn. RIM warned that revenue in the fiscal quarter just ended would reach the range...

Social sites set for enterprise boost: App to integrate popular sites for consumer gain

Staying up to date with your favorite band, the latest news and online friends should be easier as an Oklahoma company is set to launch a social enterprise platform for mobile users next year.Onesite Inc. is planning to offer its eNotify application for Apple...