Sprint Nextel Corp. is touting an updated Web browser designed to deliver "a PC-like experience" on mobile phones. But some users aren't impressed.The carrier announced plans to launch Openwave Systems Inc.'s OpenWeb, a browser that transcodes Internet content for the small screens and limited...
NMS Communications Corp. subsidiary LiveWire Mobile said it pocketed Groove Mobile for $14.5 million -- less than half the investment capital the startup had attracted in its six-year existence.LiveWire, which was rolled out as a separate division in December, targets carriers with personalization services...
In the hands of well-heeled, early adopters, the iPhone's large touchscreen, user interface and an unlimited data plan lead to high rates of browsing, video viewing, music listening and social networking, according to a new report from M:Metrics.Overall, that's good news for the mobile...
Mobile Media Unlimited Inc. and Guardian Angel Group Inc. announced a $6 million joint venture aimed at delivering targeted marketing campaigns via Guardian's proprietary text-messaging system.Mobile Media, which claims it can provide access to more than 300 million opt-in mobile contacts, will receive 50%...
Editor's Note: Welcome to On the Margins, a feature for RCR Wireless News' weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week, the RCR Wireless News staff considers events in the wider business world and how they could affect the wireless industry.--Google's YouTube.com announced...
Editor's Note: Welcome to Reality Check, a feature for RCR Wireless News' new weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. We've gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile content industry to give their insights into the marketplace. In the coming weeks...
Editor's Note: Welcome to Yay or Nay, a feature for RCR Wireless News' weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. 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...
Microsoft Corp. said it will embed Adobe Systmes Inc.'s Flash Lite on Windows Mobile devices alongside its own streaming video technology.The software giant licensed Flash Lite, a stripped-down version of the popular Internet technology, as well as its Reader software for viewing PDF documents....
Mobile content vendor Handango Inc. announced it landed a major distribution deal with The Carphone Warehouse, the largest independent mobile-phone dealer in Europe.Calling the partnership the first of its kind for mobile content distribution, Handango CEO Bill Stone said the company will be expanding...
The explosive success networks are having with text voting on TV shows comes with a level of responsibility that they and others in the value chain are trying to bear."Now the viewer or participant has to be able to trust the show," said Suhail...
ONCE THE DOMAIN OF EARLY ADOPTERS on high-tech smartphones, mobile RSS is quietly moving into the mainstream.RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, first came to the Internet in 1999, and the format has become a must-have for savvy Web users looking to keep tabs on...
Fourth-generation subscribers, including LTE and WiMAX users, could exceed 90 million in 2013 if a number of milestones are met, according to a report by ABI Research.The study said there were 3.4 billion mobile subscribers worldwide at the end of last year, including 2.7...
NextWave Wireless Inc. tapped Alcatel-Lucent to develop WiMAX broadcast solutions that the company plans to integrate with its recently announced MXtv technology.NextWave plans to use the technology to give WiMAX operators the ability to deliver multimedia services like mobile TV and digital audio over...
It's no secret that trying to find content or information on a mobile phone is a daunting task for most consumers.Carrier deck layers can seem like concentric circles of hell, wireless Web searches are often ill-suited for wireless devices, and the screen sizes of...
While Opera Software ASA continues to attract attention with its mobile browsers and a host of startups go directly to consumers with their transcoding technology, InfoGin is quietly making headway by cozying up to carriers.The 8-year-old Israel-based startup notched its first big win in...
Napster bagged yet another carrier customer for its mobile offering, inking a deal to bring its catalog to the U.K. carrier O2.The deal gives O2 subscribers access to more than five million full tracks through a dual-download service for $2 each or four songs...
AOL is the latest Internet giant to buy its way onto the online and mobile social networking field.The Time Warner Inc. subsidiary said it will shell out $850 million to acquire Bebo, a U.K.-based outfit that boasts more than 40 million users worldwide. Bebo...
NextWave Wireless Inc. has tapped Alcatel-Lucent to develop WiMAX broadcast solutions that the company plans to integrate with its recently announced MXtv technology.NextWave plans to use the technology to give WiMAX operators the ability to deliver multimedia services like mobile TV and digital audio...
FunMobility Inc. said it acquired fellow mobile social startup Moblastic Corp. for an undisclosed amount in an effort to expand its off-deck business.Moblastic's site encourages users to "Flirt and trade cell phone pics with hotties, free." The Seattle-based company also claims proprietary technology that...
ROK Entertainment Group said it acquired a 51% stake in the Finnish mobile software developer Geniem for an undisclosed sum.Geniem develops on-device portals, white-label social networking applications and Bluetooth marketing services for partners including Nokia Corp., Volvo, Pepsi and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. ROK,...
Qualcomm Inc. has acquired Xiam Technologies Ltd. for around $32 million. Xiam said its technology recognizes a mobile device user's behavior and usage patterns.Qualcomm said there is a recognized need in the industry to help consumers find content, and it believes solutions like Xiam's...
Research In Motion Ltd. has known since January 2007 that Apple Inc.'s iPhone could threaten its bread-and-butter business in the mobile enterprise space. Indeed, last week, Apple entered the enterprise fray with several announcements. Today, three of the Canadian firm's partners unveiled applications that...
Ford vehicles equipped with the Sync feature soon may offer access to telematics services similar to some of those of General Motors' OnStar, a Ford supplier said today.Consumers will be able to upgrade Sync systems on their own, without visiting a dealership, by means...
Editor's Note: Welcome to On the Margins, a feature for RCR Wireless News' weekly e-mail service, Mobile Content and Culture. Every week, the RCR Wireless News staff considers events in the wider business world and how they could affect the wireless industry.--Toyota is launching...
