In a time of national emergency, it makes sense to have a system in place to alert all affected Americans. Email is too slow and unreliable, while individual phone calls to the affected population is just unreasonable. What the US needs is a nationwide SMS text messaging alert system. And, that’s exactly what the FCC…
Sprint delays WiMAX XOHM rollout
I don’t know how we let this one slip through the cracks, but here it is, if a bit late. With Sprint’s future as a significant figure in the US wireless landscape hinged on the carrier’s ability to redefine itself as a data-centric provider, Sprint would do well to get their WiMAX-based XOHM network off…
O2 down-throttles 3G users to 128kbps – 3G speeds limited unless user requests otherwise
What good is having 3G data access if you can’t actually get to use that data connection to its full extent? Not much good. O2 is apparently down-throttling many of their 3G customer’s data speeds. According to the Register, unless the customer is paying more than £35 a month or is a business customer, O2…
Zimbra webmail goes Java ME to work with more mobile phones
Recently, Yahoo-owned collaboration suit developer Zimbra announced that users of any Java ME enabled mobile phone will be able to access their Zimbra Collaboration Suite 5.0 email, contacts and calendars using a dedicated mobile application. The mobile app brings such Zimbra features as conversation views, advanced mailbox searches, tagging, calendar management (accept/decline meetings), and more.…
Yahoo OneSearch gets voice support, Vlingo money from Yahoo
Yahoo has recently announced that it is launching the the voice-enabled version of its OneSearch product. Initially, the application is available for U.S. based BlackBerry owners, only, but in the coming months – the search giant will expand to international markets and other platforms. Yahoo is using a technology from Vlingo, a company which we…
ABI Research: Mobile location based services revenue to reach $13.3 billion worldwide by 2013
After years of hype, mobile Location Based Services (LBS) are finally gaining traction among mobile phone users. This growth is driven on the supply side by a growing number of GPS-equipped handsets, and on the demand side by surging consumer interest in personal navigation functionality. According to a new report from ABI Research, LBS revenue…
Amazon TextBuyIt brings mobile shopping to any mobile phone
Recently launched Amazon TextBuyIt is set to bring mobile shopping to all mobile phone users in the U.S. No fancy smartphone is required. All you have to do is send a text message with name of the product, description, UPC or ISBN to “AMAZON” (262966), and in case there is such products in Amazon’s database…
Microsoft makes Windows Live available for Windows Mobile
Microsoft loves to confuse the hell out of mobile enthusiasts with their multitude of mobile services. If it isn’t Windows Live, it’s Live Search, or it could be non-application Live Search web search. Windows Live is the brand name under which Microsoft is developing its web services and application. A unified “Live” web service platform…
Verizon Wireless does femtocells too – CDMA femtocells for Verizon customers later this year
Having a hard time “hearing me now” inside a building, especially your home? Verizon Wireless has your back. The No. 2 US wireless carrier has announced that they intend to enhance indoor wireless coverage for their Verizon network by making femtocells available to customers later this year. Femtocells are small-scale cellular base stations, typically designed…
PayMate expands its GiftMate mobile voucher service to reach non-resident Indians in North America
India’s mobile payments company PayMate recently announced that it is expanding its mobile voucher service GiftMate to reach non-resident Indians in North America. Using the new website, www.mygiftmate.com, North America-based Indians can now send GiftMate mobile gift vouchers to their friends and family, anywhere in India. Once it has been receiver, GiftMate voucher can be…