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Google Gets It's Wish for Open Access
It seems that Google will get its wish of "open-access" for wireless devices and services. Bids for a national bundle of licenses known as "C block" of spectrum in the 700 megahertz range reached the $4.6 billion to trigger "open-access" conditions. The company that wins that spectrum will be required to provide open network access to any device that is compatible with the network
Google has been pushing hard by getting the FCC to require the winning bidder to open networks built on the spectrum to other service providers, devices and software. Google has said it might put up $4.6 billion itself or more in the auction. However, it's not clear if Google has submitted a bid. The FCC is keeping bidders identities secret until the auction is over. If Google is bidding, the company most likely competing with Google for that spectrum is Verizon Wireless.
The C block is the auction's big prize. It accounts for about one-third of the total spectrum up for sale. | 
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NXP & Purple Labs Unveil 1st Sub-$100 3G Linux Mobile Phone
NXP Semiconductors, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, and Purple Labs, a leading supplier of embedded Linux solutions for mobile phones, jointly announced today the release of a 3G Linux reference feature phone offering video telephony, music playback, high-speed Internet browsing and video streaming at a transfer price below US$100. The new Purple Magic phone serves as a reference design for phone manufacturers creating entry-level 3G handsets, including those targeting mobile markets such as Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
According to the GSA mobile industry trade group, there are now 197 commercial 3G/WCDMA networks in 87 countries, but the adoption of 3G services is concentrated in mature European and Asian markets. The viability of 3G services in emerging markets requires large volumes of affordable data-capable devices – and the 3G Purple Magic has been highly optimized specifically to meet this market challenge. | 
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Garmin Enters the Cell Phone Market with the Nuvifone
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. and the world's leading GPS manufacturer, today announced its entrance into the mobile phone market with the nuvifone, an all-in-one, sleek and slim, touchscreen device that combines a premium phone, mobile web-browser, and cutting-edge personal navigator. The nuvifone is a work of art in features, design and functionality and is destined to transform how individuals connect, communicate and navigate their life.
The nuvifone is an innovative mobile phone that has a wide range of advanced yet easy-to-use features. The all touchscreen device is the first of its kind to integrate premium 3.5G mobile phone capability with an internet browser, data connectivity, personal messaging, and personal navigation functions in one device. When powered on, the 3.5-inch touchscreen display reveals three primary icons -- "Call," "Search," and "View Map" which allow the user to effortlessly master the nuvifone's functions.
The nuvifone is the ultimate multi-tasker. Calls are easily initiated by tapping the "Call" button and selecting a name from the contact list or by using the on-screen keypad.
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Red Bend Unveils MAST - Linux Mobile Phone w/ Over-the-Air Customization
Red Bend Software, the marker of Mobile Software Management, has unveiled the industry’s first Linux mobile phone with software that can be fully customized over the air. Red Bend has partnered with industry-leading companies—including Digital Airways, Opera, Synchronica, Trolltech and Zi—to showcase a new concept in customizing mobile software where features, applications and services can be deployed and updated easily and securely over the air on consumers’ handsets using Red Bend’s vRapid Mobile.
The concept phone is called MAST, an abbreviation for Master Key, to symbolize a new milestone in Open Access, where any software on any mobile device can be customized at any time during the device lifecycle. Red Bend will demonstrate MAST live during Mobile World Congress 2008, February 11-14 in Barcelona, in the Red Bend business suite 4.3HS50 in Hall 4 and the Trolltech stand #2C72 in Hall 2.
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Mio Technology & Qualcomm to Develop Personal Navigation Devices
Mio Technology Corporation, a maker of mobile GPS devices, and Qualcomm Incorporated today announced a collaboration to develop connected personal navigation devices (PNDs). These new connected PNDs will leverage Qualcomm's technology with the QST1100(TM) chipset to deliver industry-leading GPS performance and cellular connectivity for real-time traffic updates, voice call capabilities and more.
With this new collaboration, Mio looks to offer consumers a next-generation GPS device that goes beyond traditional point-to-point navigation. With real-time content, search capabilities and more, Mio's connected PNDs will provide a uniquely dynamic navigation experience that can be customized for any lifestyle. Whether for leisure travel, business travel or the daily commute, Mio's cutting-edge connected PNDs will enable people to explore their environment.
Mio's new connected PNDs will be based on the QST1100 chipset from Qualcomm, the first solution to integrate application processing, GPS and cellular connectivity for ubiquitous connectivity and sleeker form-factors.
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Azingo Launches Mobile Linux Platform Software & Services
Mobile Linux company Azingo, formerly Celunite, today announced Azingo Mobile, a comprehensive suite of open mobile software and services designed to help companies deliver web 2.0 applications, music, video, vivid graphics and more to a wide range of mobile phones. Leveraging the economies of open source innovations and based on LiMo and its ecosystem Azingo Mobile provides a less costly and more flexible platform for designing and deploying mobile devices. The platform will be demonstrated at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, (Azingo booth 2.1D57 and LiMo booth 8B135), Feb 11-14, 2008.
Available for immediate licensing, the Azingo Mobile platform enables handset manufacturers and operators to leverage a rich suite of 'out of the box' mobile applications that 'plug-in' to a comprehensive and pre-integrated open mobile middleware framework and kernel. | 
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Sprint Commits to Enhancing Push-to-Talk Service
Millions of Sprint customers find significant advantages to using Nextel Direct Connect(R), the world's largest and fastest push-to-talk service and the only such service with international capabilities. With more than 90 billion push-to-talk connections completed in 2007, it is an ideal solution for businesses and first responders who need to communicate instantly as well as families and friends who want to stay connected.
Sprint will also focus on enhancing Nextel Direct Connect in 2008, including aggressively marketing Nextel Direct Connect and expanding features and functionality including combining Direct Connect with Sprint Mobile Broadband data capabilities. These efforts are expected to ultimately deliver robust capabilities such as 'push-to-x' which can include push to instantly send a text message or send an image, push-to-information and other enhanced features in the future.
Sprint's wide variety of Direct Connect services include one-to-one capabilities that help customers communicate to make personal or business decisions quickly, boost productivity and save time and money. | 
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Alltel & Dr. Angelou Announce Black History Month Essay Contest
Alltel Wireless and world renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou are teaming up to celebrate Black History Month with the fourth annual “Words of Wisdom” essay contest. Students at participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) nationwide are encouraged to submit their responses to the following question: “In remembering the past, what will you do to contribute to a brighter future?”
Ten Grand Prize winners will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to a participating HBCU institution of their choice as well as a trip to Little Rock , Ark. , to meet Dr. Maya Angelou and enjoy a private concert with R&B sensation Ruben Studdard. While in Little Rock , students and their guests will also enjoy tours of local landmarks, such as the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. | 
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First Cell Phone that Reads to the Blind & Dyslexic
K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc., a company combining the research and development efforts of the National Federation of the Blind and Kurzweil Technologies Inc., today unveils an exciting product line that will revolutionize access to print for anyone who has difficulty seeing or reading print, including the blind and learning disabled.
The company’s world-renowned reading software has been especially designed for and paired with the Nokia N82 mobile phone to create the smallest text-to-speech reading device in history. A press conference to demonstrate the Reader Mobile product line, including the knfbREADER and the kREADER, will be held on January 28 at 10:00 a.m. The demonstration will take place in the Columbia Room, Holiday Inn Capital, 550 C Street, SW, Washington, DC.
This truly pocketsize Reader enables users to take pictures of and read most printed materials at the push of a button.
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Sony Ericsson Expands PlayNow Arena to 5 million New Tracks
Sony Ericsson today unveiled the next stage in the evolution of PlayNow arena, its popular over-the-air (OTA) download service. At the MIDEM conference in Cannes, Sony Ericsson announced deals with 10 major record labels, adding over 5 million new tracks to its extensive catalogue.
Sony Ericsson also unveiled the design and URL for PlayNow arena and launched PlayNow Uncut, (formerly M-Buzz) a music promotional space for new, unsigned and developing artists.
Sony Ericsson also announced partnerships with 10 of the largest international and regional music labels including: Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, EMI, The Orchard, IODA, The PocketGroup, Hungama, X5 Music, Bonnier Amigo and VidZone, adding over 5 million new tracks to PlayNow arena. Sony Ericsson is currently negotiating further deals with a host of regional labels to further broaden the variety of music available and bring a wealth of localised content direct to the consumer.
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Nokia to Acquire Trolltech ASA
Nokia and Trolltech ASA today announced that they have entered into an agreement that Nokia will make a public voluntary tender offer to acquire Trolltech, a company headquartered in Oslo, Norway and publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Trolltech is a recognized software provider with world-class software development platforms and frameworks. In addition to the key software assets, its talented team will play an important role in accelerating the implementation of Nokia's software strategy.
The acquisition of Trolltech will enable Nokia to accelerate its cross-platform software strategy for mobile devices and desktop applications, and develop its Internet services business. With Trolltech, Nokia and third party developers will be able to develop applications that work in the Internet, across Nokia's device portfolio and on PCs. | 
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Palm Settles Lawsuit with Treo 600 and 650 Users
Palm has settled a class action lawsuit that affects customers who have purchased, in the United States, a new Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone.
The settlement will provide either: (a) a cash rebate to any United States resident who purchased a Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone, experienced two or more repairs or replacements (in lieu of repair) on that device, and purchases a new Palm smartphone within a defined time period; or (b) a right of repair for hardware defects, beyond the expiration of the warranty on your Treo 600
or Treo 650, even if you did not experience two or more repairs or replacements.
Purchasers of a Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone are “Class Members” if they are a United States resident who purchased in the United States a new Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphone for your own use and not for resale.
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Palm Closing All But One of its Retail Stores
Smartphone manufacturer Palm Inc. announced that they will be closing all but one of its retail stores over the next five weeks. Palm wants to continue cutting costs and focus on its next-generation Smartphone platform.
Palm has 8 stores in California and 26 “stores within a store” at major metropolitan airports around the country. The company plans to maintain the Palm store within its own corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Palm will continue to sell its handsets through carrier stores, resellers and other retail and online channels, including its own Web site. The closings are slated to be complete during Palm’s fiscal third quarter, which ends in late February.
Last December Palm cut an undisclosed number of jobs at the 1,200 employee company and last September unexpectedly cancelled its Foleo product, a keyboard-and-monitor accessory.
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Skyfire Unveils PC Like Mobile Browser
Today at the DEMO 08 conference, Skyfire unveiled a new mobile browser that makes browsing on a smartphone just like browsing on a PC. For the first time ever, smartphone users can experience the “real Web” to access and interact with any Web site built with any Web technology, including dynamic Flash, advanced Ajax, Java and more – at the same speeds they are accustomed to on their PC.
With this free downloadable browser, users can finally watch videos from the real YouTube, stay connected with their friends on the full-feature PC versions of Facebook and MySpace, and listen to any Web music service like Last.fm. Before Skyfire, users painfully waited for these Flash and Ajax-heavy sites to render – often resulting in error messages or crashes.
Users will not have to change their Web behavior on their smartphones because Skyfire allows them to access the same Web content, and interact with that content, exactly as they do on their PC. | 
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Sony Ericsson Announces the T270 and T280
| Sony Ericsson has announced the launch of the T270 and T280, a stylish duo of affordable priced phones set to appeal to differing audiences. The T270 and T280 offer classic pocket-sized style. At less than 13mm slim and built using brushed light metal with a glass finish, they offer premium design without the premium price tag. Take the T280 to the fashion mall and snap a picture of a possible new purchase or use the T270 at work to send a calendar appointment to a colleague via Bluetooth technology. Sony Ericsson T280
Fast texting and a simple navigation key to switch-on the FM radio or access your contact list. Easy access to the 1.3 megapixel camera and just one click to begin writing a new text message. | 
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Alltel Launches Corrigo's Field Employee Management App
Alltel Wireless and Corrigo, a provider of on-demand service management software for maintenance, installation and repair organizations, today announced they will work together to provide small to mid-size business customers the ability to monitor field technicians and increase overall productivity.
With Corrigo’s WorkTrack Service Management system, service-based businesses can wirelessly dispatch work orders to employees in the field. Those workers are then able to pick up and manage the orders using select mobile devices on the Alltel network. WorkTrack Service Management also provides businesses the ability to monitor field technicians’ time and provide efficient status reports with real-time reporting, resulting in reduced payroll and administrative costs. This application is equipped with GPS technology, which allows jobs to be dispatched to the most skilled technicians for particular jobs as well as monitor employees when they arrive to a job site. | 
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YouTube Expands its Mobile Services
Today you will be able to view virtually all of the videos on YouTube on your cell phone. YouTube has announced it is expanding its mobile service. Starting today, users equipped with the latest generation cell phones will be able to view the tens of millions of YouTube videos. In 2006 YouTube started their mobile service, however, only a few thousand clips were available for viewing.
YouTube also announced that mobile access will have many of the same features such as its Web site which include the ability to rate videos and share clips with friends. The company estimates that more than 100 million devices worldwide should be able to access the expanded mobile service. The handsets must have streaming capability and have a 3G operator.
YouTube, owned by Google, is trying to make it easier for people to upload videos from their phones with a new application that can be installed on some handsets. The "YouTube for Mobile" program initially will work on limited list of devices that include some Sony Ericsson and Nokia models.
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Polymer Vision Announces Cell Phone with Fold Out Diplay
Polymer Vision, a Dutch company, has announced the worlds first cell phone with a fold out diplay to view emails, podcasts and text documents named the “Readius”. The Readius is the size of a normal cell phone, however, it has a 5” screens which folds out of the body of the phone.
With a display larger than the device itself, and designed around ‘ease of use’ and mobility, Readius is optimised for reading for 30 hours without battery charge.
The 3G HSDPA tri-band phone allows worldwide calls and high speed instant updates from personally selected news sources, special services and email. The Micro SD High Capacity storage ensures easy access to other favorite information and eBooks. Readius also features phone as well as audio capabilities (such as MP3) for podcasts, audio books and music. | 
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Google to Provide Mobile Search Services for NTT DoCoMo
NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and Google Inc. today jointly announced that they formed a partnership that includes providing search services, search-related advertisement and potential applications to i-mode users.
The two companies will also collaborate to enhance the user-friendliness of i-mode services, by making various Google services easier to access through i-mode handsets. The default pre-loading of Google Maps application into upcoming DoCoMo i-mode handsets is one of the initial initiatives being discussed.
Google, one of the largest search engines in the world, is aiming to fulfill the mission of "organizing the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." i-mode, the pioneering mobile Internet service provided by DoCoMo, boasts nearly 48 million mobile Internet users. By connecting i-mode with various services provided by Google, the parties together intend to increase accessibility, user-friendliness and further develop the usefulness of mobile Internet services in the Japanese market.
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