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SunCom taps Napster for full-track music downloads

SunCom Wireless Holdings Inc. became the latest carrier to step onto the full-track download playground, teaming with digital music provider Napster L.L.C. to offer a relatively vast library of 2 million tunes. SunCom subscribers can download songs to both a PC and a mobile...

SunCom taps Napster for full-track music downloads

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—SunCom Wireless Holdings Inc. became the latest carrier to step onto the full-track download playground, teaming with digital music provider Napster L.L.C. to offer a relatively vast library of 2 million tunes. SunCom subscribers can download songs to both a PC and a...

Worst of the Week: Sprint Nextel’s magic trick

Fear not, Mike Dano-ranting fans, your leader has not disappeared, but is only resting so as to return stronger with your beloved ravings about all things wrong in wireless. In the meantime, I have been tapped by the all-powerful-foaming-from-the-mouth-one to handle this week’s edition...

U.S. Cellular deploys in Chicago subways

CHICAGO—U.S. Cellular Corp. turned on network coverage in underground portions of the Chicago Transit Authority’s train system, and is the only carrier to currently offer service in the 11.4-mile subway system. CTA installed infrastructure designed to improve communications among emergency service personnel, and decided...

Short codes stymied by perceived complexity

Call it the WAP gap. Major media companies and mega-brands around the world are trying to lure customers by promoting short codes as a kind of red carpet to their Internet and mobile offerings. Consumers can send a text message to the five-digit code...

AskMeNow disables call-in IVR

IRVINE, Calif.—AskMeNow, which allows cell-phone users to search the Internet for information using natural language queries, said it disabled its call-in Interactive Voice Response feature while it makes enhancements to the service. The company said customers may still submit queries from their phone by...

Mobile Money: Obopay signs up Amp’d, but most carriers resist third-party billing

Obopay inked its first carrier agreement last week, announcing a deal to provide wireless payment services for mobile virtual network operator Amp'd Mobile Inc. But most operators aren't exactly embracing such services with open arms.The startup allows users to set up stand-alone accounts that...

ROK snatches content developer Fonedream

ALBRIGHTON, United Kingdom—Mobile software developer ROK Media Ltd. said it has acquired U.K.-based content developer Fonedream. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.ROK’s offerings include a "place-shifting" device that allows users to watch their home TV broadcasts over mobile devices. The company said it...

Upoc lines up community service for Virgin Mobile

Upoc Networks announced it is providing mobile chat and community functions to Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. customers.The service allows customers to access thousands of existing messaging groups or create their own personal messaging groups. The service is available on phones through a WAP browser...

Upoc lines up mobile community service for Virgin Mobile USA

NEW YORK—Upoc Networks announced it is providing mobile chat and community functions to Virgin Mobile USA L.L.C. customers. The service allows customers to access thousands of existing messaging groups or create their own personal messaging groups. The service is available on phones through a...

Mobliss, Mobile 365 get new CEOs

SEATTLE—Two prominent mobile messaging firms announced leadership changes. First up, Mobliss tapped a longtime console-gaming executive in an effort to create space on the wireless gaming playground. The company said Jim Merrick, a former Nintendo Co. Ltd. executive, will take the reins as Mobliss’...

Southern texting conspiracy might explain Idol results

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.-Text-savvy Southerners may help explain why all five "American Idol" winners hail from south of the Mason Dixon line, according to figures from The NPD Group. Cingular Wireless L.L.C., which sponsors Fox TV's hit reality show, is based in Atlanta and claims...

Searching for a wireless MySpace: Numerous firms hope to capitalize on marriage of user content, mobile phone

For more than a few mobile startups, MySpace has become MyObsession. The most popular of a throng of new Web sites featuring user-generated content, MySpace.com has an estimated 55 million users and reportedly accounts for 12 percent of online advertising. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp....

Southern texting conspiracy might explain ‘American Idol’ results

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.—Text-savvy Southerners may help explain why all five "American Idol" winners hail from south of the Mason Dixon line, according to figures from The NPD Group. Cingular Wireless L.L.C., which sponsors Fox TV’s hit reality show, is based in Atlanta and claims...

Disney Mobile differentiates on extras

Disney Mobile may be causing a spate of copy-catting of its family-oriented services, but the mobile virtual network operator is far from bucking industry trends when it comes to its newly unveiled calling plans and packages. In general, the MVNO's offerings are in line...

CBS Radio to touch listeners with Vibes’ mobile marketing

CHICAGO-CBS Radio is partnering with Vibes Media to reach listeners on their wireless handsets in 18 U.S. markets. The broadcaster said 25 of its radio stations will use Vibes' iRadio service, which allows users to participate in promotions, polls and send song requests via...

Mobile marketing coming of age?

NEW YORK-Advertisers will have to devote a line item in their budget toward mobile marketing by 2007, an expense that could reach into the millions of dollars for some companies. How the mobile advertising market will develop is anyone's guess, but it will happen;...

CBS Radio to touch listeners with Vibes’ mobile marketing

CHICAGO—CBS Radio is partnering with Vibes Media to reach listeners on their wireless handsets in 18 U.S. markets. The broadcaster said 25 of its radio stations will use Vibes’ iRadio service, which allows users to participate in promotions, polls and send song requests via...

Short codes add one to boost numbers

Wireless industry trade association CTIA is hoping to spur direct-to-consumer revenues by expanding the industry's short-code program. The industry group, along with short-code administrator NeuStar Inc., announced open registration for six-digit short codes. Wireless subscribers can access content or services by sending a key...

Boost sells at Fred Meyer stores

IRVINE, Calif.-Boost Mobile L.L.C., a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel Corp., said its prepaid wireless phones and service will be available at Fred Meyer stores. The company's products are already available at Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy locations.Boost said it is offering three Motorola Inc....

Revol service expands with content offerings

Regional operator Revol Wireless has introduced a new suite of data applications to its users that includes ringtones, games, 411 directory assistance and Web browsing.Privately held Revol offers service in five Ohio cities and Indianapolis with no contract for $47 per month. The flat-rate...

Revol service expands with content offerings

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio—Regional operator Revol Wireless has introduced a new suite of data applications to its users that includes ringtones, games, 411 directory assistance and Web browsing. Privately held Revol offers service in five Ohio cities and Indianapolis, Ind. with no contract for $47 per...

Industry looks to spur short code adoption with six-digit plan

WASHINGTON—Wireless industry trade association CTIA is hoping to spur direct-to-consumer revenues by expanding the industry’s short code program. The industry group, along with short-code administrator NeuStar Inc., announced open registration for six-digit short codes, which allow mobile users to access content or services by...

Boost hits Fred Meyer stores

IRVINE, Calif.—Boost Mobile L.L.C., a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel Corp., said its prepaid wireless phones and service will be available at Fred Meyer stores. The company’s products are currently available at Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy locations.Boost said it is offering three Motorola Inc....