As the use of RFID technology increases, so do the concerns from consumer privacy advocates. A trade group recently unveiled a set of best practices that they say promotes respect for consumer privacy, but at least one group calls the guidance a ruse."This is...
Remember the old adage about the weather? Everyone's talking about it, but nobody's doing anything about it. Well, the opposite is true of handset or even wireless service clones: Few are willing to talk about it, even when they've done something about it.Two recent...
LAS VEGAS—Microsoft Corp. today released a beta version of its redesigned Windows CE operating system, making it available to application developers worldwide. The OS is the basis for Windows Mobile, used in mobile phones, raising the possibility that a revamped Windows Mobile OS could...
SAN FRANCISCO—As gamers and the gaming industry gather this week in Los Angeles for the E3 2006 conference, Telephia offered an upbeat view of the mobile gaming industry’s growth. Wireless users bought more than 8.2 million games for their phones in March, up 53...
SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. raised its revenue estimates for its third quarter ending in June, indicating it expects revenue at or slightly above earlier forecasts of $1.77 billion to $1.87 billion based on strong demand for its chipsets destined for both low-end and 3G phones....
Mobile e-mail continues to be a largely untapped market, but the patent litigation industry in wireless is alive and well. Visto Corp.'s lawyers mobilized once again last week as the developer set its sites on Research In Motion Ltd., claiming the BlackBerry maker is...
Motorola Inc.'s announcement last week that it plans to acquire a Danish research-and-development facility and team of product-development engineers appeared routine at first blush: global juggernaut rolls up modest facility and team to bolster its continuing momentum toward worldwide market domination. Whatever. But a...
SAN DIEGO—While its annual analysts meeting got underway in New York, Qualcomm Inc. launched a minor salvo of financial and product news today, including a collaboration with Microsoft Corp. to speed time-to-market for its chipsets for smart phones. The chip maker’s news, in brief:The...
It's safe to say U.S. wireless subscribers have caught up with much of the rest of the world in terms of data consumption. But it appears American carriers still have their work cut out for them when it comes to cashing in. The United...
REDMOND, Wash.—Microsoft Corp. said its Mobile and Embedded Devices unit operating loss widened during its fiscal third quarter ended March 31. The company reported a $14 million loss for the unit, an increase from the $9 million loss it reported during the same quarter...
Mobile video continues to make headlines as a sexy, next-generation offering for wireless users. But content providers are beginning to look to the venerable business model of advertising-supported content to fuel broadcasts for wireless subscribers. The Fox Broadcasting Co. joined the crush of broadcasters...
In an era of over-the-air full-track mobile music offerings and streaming audio services, Fitzwilliam Yang is all about sideloading. The brand manager for Mobile Action Inc. hopes to entice wireless subscribers to use their PCs as a tool to manage ringtones, images, entire songs...
Just how much belief should the United States attach to China's latest vow to remain technologically neutral on third-generation mobile phone standards in already-likely forever-the world's largest cell phone market? Or to China's promise to open its equally attractive telecom services sector to foreign...
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Alltel Corp. is teaming with software developer Seven Networks Inc. to offer mobile e-mail and data to subscribers with Palm-powered and Microsoft Corp. Windows Mobile-based smart phones. The operator launched two versions of Office Sync, allowing users to send and receive e-mail...
Software giant Oracle Corp. announced it's spending about $220 million to buy Portal Software Inc., a firm that develops billing and revenue management solutions for the communications and media industries. Oracle cited its long commitment to the communications industry and noted that its Siebel...
Research In Motion Ltd. said that its talks with China Mobile, China's leading wireless carrier, were "going well" for establishing wireless e-mail service in the world's largest telecommunications market. According to RIM's Asia Pacific Vice President Norm Lo, the company expects to close a...
Content providers and big-name brands soon will be able to target consumers with a new Internet domain exclusively for wireless use. For some industry insiders, though, the question is, why?Mobile Top Level Domain Ltd. (mTLD) said it will launch the .mobi domain next month,...
SUNNYVALE, Calif.—Yahoo Inc. scored another wireless win, inking a deal to deliver search and information services for subscribers of soon-to-launch mobile virtual network operator Helio L.L.C. The MVNO, a joint venture by SK Telecom and Earthlink Inc. slated to launch this spring, said it...
SINGAPORE—Research In Motion Ltd. announced today that its talks with China Mobile, China’s leading wireless carrier, were "going well" for establishing wireless e-mail service in the world’s largest telecommunications market. According to RIM’s Asia Pacific Vice President Norm Lo, the company expects to close...
SAN FRANCISCO—Software developer Salesforce.com plans to spend $15 million to acquire privately held mobile software company Sendia Corp. Sendia’s technology supports Web-based applications across mobile devices, and the companies first partnered in 2004 to extend Salesforce.com’s offerings to wireless. Salesforce.com, which specializes in customer...
LAS VEGAS-In this town, people refer to a large, varied repast-such as that offered in CTIA Wireless 2006's opening-day keynote session-as a buffet. As with any ambitious spread, the keynote repast included a few tasty treats, something for everyone and a few items to...
LAS VEGAS-SMS.ac Inc. is joining the stampede toward user-generated mobile content.The San Diego-based messaging company unveiled its Content Monitor software offering designed to allow users to publish and monetize their own content. Members can create blogs, video clips or music and set a price...
LAS VEGAS—Crown Castle International Corp.’s mobile TV subsidiary, Modeo L.L.C., announced it contracted with High Tech Computer Corp. to build a DVB-H-capable phone, which Modeo will sell in the second half of this year. The phone will be able to play TV broadcasted over...
Mercora Inc. plans to bring more attention to the hot topic of placeshifting this week with the launch of a second version of its Radio 2.0. The offering, billed as "MySpace for music lovers," allows members to become digital DJs, creating their own Internet-based...
