While manufacturers and carriers are gearing up to offer mobile-music download services, in hopes that wireless subscribers will pay to download music onto their handsets, a new report from M:Metrics shows that most people are sideloading their music onto their mobile phones (tranferring music onto the device via data cable, WiFi, or Bluetooth connection –…
Upcoming FCC 700Mhz auction could generate less money than expected; Chairman Martin says auction will proceed
It’s hard times here in the US. With the financial downturn of the US credit industry, the upcoming FCC 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction could bring in significantly less greenage into US Treasury coffers than once projected. The FCC previously speculated that the auction could generate something like $12 billion, but current analysis has put that…
FCC confirms 214 qualified bidders for 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction
The upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum auction has attracted the biggest fish in the wireless-pond, and the FCC has confirmed 214 qualified bidders that are ready and rearin’ to get their auction-on. Come Jan. 24, we’ll be seeing the hard-hitters like Google, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, MetroPCS, Alltel, as well as cable-operators like DISH Network parent company…
Telus Canada contemplating a move to GSM?
GSM networks are the global standard. Unfortunately, carriers invested in the “betamax” of wireless network technology are feeling the crunch of relying on the CDMA network standard. To that end, Telus is the latest carrier rumored to be contemplating a switch to the world-compatible GSM technology. The Star reports that Telus executives are considering building-out…
YouMail announces new advertising program; To serve ads in voicemail SMS notifications
YouMail, the consumer voicemail service which we’ve already covered in the past, recently announced a new advertising program that will “connect brands with mobile users through text-based advertising.” YouMail‘s idea is to keep the service free by subsidizing the cost of running it with advertising revenue. YouMail’s “partner in crime” is 4INFO, the SMS experts…
Clearwire to offer Google apps to WiMAX customers
With Sprint’s planned WiMAX network rollout, once-partner Clearwire is moving and shaking to bring more value to its WiMAX customer-base. Clearwire has just announced that they’ve partnered-up with Google to offer Google Talk, Gmail, and Google’s other web-based services to Clearwire WiMAX subscribers. After Sprint pulled out of the WiMAX network build-out deal with Clearwire,…
New iPhone firmware now official – iPhone v1.1.3 with enhanced Google Maps Locate Me, SMS, Web Clips, homescreen customization and more
Steve’s announcement of global iPhone sales wasn’t the only thing that caught our ear this morning. Remember that iPhone v1.1.3 firmware that was leaked a little while back? Well, it looks like Apple has gone official with the new firmware, complete with an enhanced Google Maps (Locate Me), support for multiple-contact SMS text messages, web-clips…
Photobucket on your mobile phone – view, share, upload images from your handset
There’s just something intrinsically appealing about a web-application that allows you to post images from your handset straight to the web. Fox Interactive Media’s Photobucket image-hosting service has just gone mobile – you can now view, share, and even upload images from your mobile phone straight to your Photobucket account. Point your mobile browser to…
Norwegian Air set to offer in-flight internet and mobile phone services
Mobile phones these days are more like extensions of one’s social and business persona than just a cellphone. And, as such, airlines are going to eventually have to adapt and offer mobile phone and web access to all travelers – if they feel like staying competitive, that is. Whether you’re flying business-class or just regular,…
Berg Insight: GPS-enabled handset shipments to reach 560 million units in 2012
According to a new research report by Berg Insight, global shipments of GPS-enabled handsets is expected to grow from 175 million units in 2007 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.% to reach 560 million units in 2012. Rapid adoption of GPS technology in mass-market GSM/WCDMA handsets will be the main driver. “Last…