Pandora Radio is now available on the iPhone and iPod via free download at the App Store. Pandora Radio is a free personalized radio that originally started on the Internet but now can be streamed to your mobile phone also for free. You can create favorite artists and songs and Pandora will create stations that will play the music you like.
If you are already a Pandora user, after you download the iPhone/iPod app you can log in and enjoy your same preset stations or create news ones right from your iPhone/iPod.
The iPhone/iPod Pandora App allows you to:
Tap the album art to see a progress bar, create a station from the current song or artist, or email the current station to a friend.
Read artist bios on the flip side of the album art.
Rotate to landscape to see recently played songs in coverflow.
Citi today announced the launch of "Citi Tap and Pay" (CTP) in Bengaluru, India; a next-generation contactless credit card payments based on Near Field Communications technology. CTP pilot service will be one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive pilots ever undertaken and is part of Citi’s ongoing efforts to harness new innovative technologies to provide enhanced convenience, accessibility and mobility forcustomers. Citi has established a fully secure, scalable and interoperable mobile payments ecosystem in Bengaluru in collaboration with Nokia, Vodafone, MasterCard and ViVOtech.
With the launch of CTP in India, customers in Bengaluru will experience the simplicity, ease and convenience of using their mobile phone as a credit card. The technology will allow customers to tap their mobile phone on a contactless reader at the point of sale to pay for purchases, eliminating the need for the traditional swiping of credit cards. The service also does away with the need for customers to send SMS or incur mobile data charges to make these payments.
Google announced today the release of Google SMS in Uganda. Google SMS offers various mobile apps that provide access using SMS to deliver a diverse source of information which includes health, agriculture, news, local weather, sports, etc.
Google SMS also includes Google Trader, which is a marketplace application that allows buyers and sellers to find each other. They can sell and buy from each other various products and services from used cards, mobile phones, crops, livestock, etc.
Google SMS also offers Tips which is an SMS based query and answer service. When the user texts a free-form query, Google algorithms will restructure the query to identify keywords, then search a database to identify relevant answers and return it to the user. For more information visit Google Mobile Blog.
The 3G BlackBerry Tour from Research In Motion (RIM) will hit Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on July 12. Verizon Wireless announced today that customers can pre-order the BlackBerry Tour for $199.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement online at www.verizonwireless.com/tour.
The BlackBerry Tour joins the BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Curve 8330 (available in either silver or pink), BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 and BlackBerry 8830 World Edition smartphones in the Verizon Wireless portfolio. The BlackBerry Tour is a 3G world phone, giving customers the option to make phone calls in 220 countries and to access e-mail and Internet in any of the 175 countries where Verizon Wireless provides data roaming services.
It is also packed with features customers expect from industry leaders, including RIM’s popular push-based mobile solution for e-mail; messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking; a 3.2 megapixel camera with geo-tagging and video recording; advanced multimedia capabilities; built-in GPS; full HTML Web browsing; and support for Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband Connect tethering service. It supports Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Music with Rhapsody and VZ NavigatorSM services.
Sprint today announced Motorola Clutch i465 will be available this summer, in all Sprint sales channels, including Sprint stores, www.sprint.com/nexteldirectconnect and 1-800-Nextel-9 for $39.99 with a new two-year service agreement, $20 instant rebate and $50 mail-in rebate (excluding taxes). Customers can register for more information about availability for Motorola Clutch i465 at www.sprint.com/clutch. (Note: The Motorola Clutch i465 in currently available at Boost Mobile.)
Motorola Clutch i465, fueled by the Nextel National Network, is a rugged device in a slender candy bar form factor, and the first Nextel Direct Connect messaging-centric device that brings the strength of a full QWERTY keyboard to the iDEN line. Motorola Clutch i465 also offers Group Messaging, which lets customers create groups of up to 20 people to send messages to at the same time.
According to a study commissioned by Sprint, the number of texters in the 50-64 year-old range has grown by more than 50 percent since 2006, mostly driven by parents who have adopted texting to stay connected to their children.
Sony Ericsson today announced plans to extend its mobile Java Platform into its entry 3G mobile phone portfolio. This means that games, applications and content developed on the Sony Ericsson Java platform will provide a compelling business opportunity for developers who can now extend content creation for consumers in the entry 3G segment, widely recognised as a future growth area of the market.
Sony Ericsson has enjoyed significant success with feature-rich 3G phones due to the richness and consistent performance of Java. Transferring this fully developed platform into cost-efficient 3G devices will be an important element of Sony Ericsson’s business strategy, particularly with regards to targeting growth in key emerging markets such as China as they roll-out new 3G networks.
Would you like to get 1000 minutes, 1000 text or multimedia messages, and 30 MB of data transfer for data phones for $30 per month with no contracts, bills (i.e., 411 charges) or hidden fees? Well good news, you can at Straight Talk. According to Straight Talk, most people use fewer than 550 minutes per month and pay over $76 per month. So Straight Talk is offering less than half the cost.
Straight Talk is a service of TracFone Wireless Inc. Straight Talk only offers 3 cell phones; the Motorola W385, Motorola RAZR V3A and LG200. You can choose to keep your existing cell phone number or receive a new one. You can add your plan online at StraightTalk.com or by calling 1-877-430-CELL. You can refill your plan every 30 days or as often as you like.
According to YouTube, in the previous 6 months uploads from cell phones to YouTube jumped a whopping 1,700%. Additionally, since last Friday when the iPhone 3GS was launched, uploads increased an astonishing 400% per day. That is absolutely amazing!
YouTube claims the up-tick in uploads is caused primarily by three things coming together; new video-enabled cell phones, improved upload flow from cell phone to YouTube and the ease of sharing videos with social networks. It takes about a minute to connect your YouTube account to your Google Reader, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
According to a research study by Strategy Analytics, 48% of Americans would drop their mobile data plan completely, faced with the need to reduce household expenditures. Only 10% would drop their home broadband subscription.
“Given the extraordinary importance consumers place on home broadband, we fully expected broadband to have a high ‘keep rate,’” said Ben Piper, Director of the Strategy Analytics Multiplay Market Dynamics Service. “What surprised us was the vulnerability of mobile services.”
Under the same scenario, 12% of Americans said they would drop their pay-tv service completely, while 41% indicated they would scale service back to a lower tier. Fifty-six percent of respondents said they would make no changes to their home fixed voice service, compared to 51% for mobile voice.
According to Reuters, U.S. district judge Robert Bryan dismissed a class action lawsuit against Sprint Nextel Corp for overcharging customers for taxes and refusing refunds. The suit was brought to court by a California based consumer-advocacy group who accused Sprint of charging additional fees for text messages sent to customers who purchased network cards to access the Internet.
According to Judge Robert Bryan written ruling, "The plaintiffs have not proven that the benefits of adjudication of the plaintiffs' claims at one trial would outweigh the complexity of such proceeding."
Google has opened up their beta AdSense for Mobile Applications. Google AdSense is a free program that enables website publishers to display relevant Google ads and earn money. AdSense for Mobile now allows publishers to easily display relevant image and text ads on their mobile web pages. The correct ads are displayed at the right time as mobile users look for information on the go.
Google claims they have had a successful trial of this service with a small number of partners and is now offering this solution to a broader group.
For the beta launch, Google created a site where developers can learn more about the AdSense for mobile applications program, see answers to frequently asked questions and sign up to participate in our beta. Advertisers can also learn about the benefits of advertising in mobile applications.
According to Juniper Research, ad-funded MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) revenues are set to take-off over the next five years with annual growth rates reaching 94%, with SMS and mobile email continuing to dominate the person-to-person (p2p) mobile messaging market.
Mobile messaging research from Juniper Research, 'Mobile Messaging & IP Evolution', found that the Far East & China would lead the global ad-funded MMS market by a considerable margin, followed by North America and Western Europe.
The number of brands using MMS as an advertising medium is growing rapidly, with push MMS and SMS being employed to great effect in both mature and emerging markets. Crucially, this has enabled network operators to support ad-funded voice and SMS tariffs, and combat falling ARPU, while providing brands with new advertising channels.
Sony Ericsson today announced the ultra compact slider mobile phone T715. The T715 still offers a large keypad and font size allowing you to get the most out of your SMS, MMS or email management.
Keep yourself organised in an intuitive way with the T715’s smart desktop feature, direct reminders of appointments, notes and special animation to remind you of birthdays and global events. Messaging is quick and easy with the ability to review the history of your conversation as you go along.
Need to access the internet? The turbo 3G network connection allows stress-free fast browsing and the large 2.2” screen shows off websites in all their glory – even in direct sunlight! The T715 comes complete with Google Maps™ including local search and directions and AccuWeather.com® - giving you access to three day weather forecasts so you’ll never be caught short without an umbrella or your sunglasses.
At the size of a credit card and with a high-class finish, the T715 adds a touch of sophistication to your life. Whip it out and snap high quality pictures even in a dark environment with the 3.2 megapixel camera with Photo light.
Verizon Wireless and HTC today introduce the Verizon Wireless HTC Ozone. This easy-to-use smartphone combines a simple design with a host of connectivity options that include the nation’s largest wireless 3G network, global roaming and Wi-Fi, making it a smart option and, at $49.99, a great value for first-time smartphone users or savvy business professionals. The Ozone is only available in black.
Key features:
Ergonomically-designed QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing
Flexible connectivity options with Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, global roaming capabilities and support for Wi-Fi
1500 mAh battery delivers extended operating time
Includes international charging adapters to stay powered up while abroad
Adobe Systems Incorporated and HTC today announced that the new HTC Hero is the first Android phone to ship with support for Adobe Flash Platform technology. The new phone delivers a more complete Web browsing experience and provides access to a broad variety of Flash technology based content available on the Web today.
The new HTC Hero is a key element of the HTC experience and a new generation of HTC mobile phones and devices. Users can browse and discover a broad set of Web content and applications not supported by mobile phones in the past. People can also view YouTube videos using Flash technology, and enable full screen viewing mode by simply double tapping the screen.
The HTC Hero delivers powerful, compatible video playback performance using Flash technology, and interactive content enabled by ActionScript 2.0. Users can enjoy and navigate through Web videos using intuitive video controls. With progressive streaming of large MP3 audio files from a Web server and the local file storage, the HTC Hero provides a seamless audio experience.
HTC Corporation today debuted HTC Sense, an intuitive and seamless experience that will be introduced across a portfolio of phones beginning with the new HTC Hero. With its distinct design and powerful capabilities fully integrated with HTC Sense, Hero introduces a unique blend of form and function that takes Android to new heights.
HTC Sense is focused on putting people at the center by making your phone work in a more simple and natural way. This experience revolves around three fundamental principles that were designed by quietly listening and observing how people live and communicate.
HTC Hero continues HTCs leadership in cutting-edge design that focuses on introducing a variety of distinct devices to represent your own individuality. Boasting bevelled edges and an angled bottom, the HTC Hero is contoured to fit comfortably in your hand and against your face while youre on a call.
MetroPCS Communications, Inc. has announced unlimited calling to over 100 countries for $5 per month. MetroPCS customers will be able to make unlimited international calls to more than 100 countries, including more than 1,000 destinations, without any additional charges.
MetroPCS offers a diverse selection of wireless service plans, which allows customers to talk 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, and provides enhanced service options so customers can create a wireless experience that best fits their lifestyles. With MetroPCS service, customers pay by the month, not by the minute, and services do not require a signed contract, deposit or credit check.
Bitstream Inc. announced that the BOLT mobile browser, the company’s web browser for mobile phones of all types, has passed a major milestone, achieving its one millionth install just 18 weeks; just over four months after its public debut.
The BOLT mobile browser, built to be used on a wide range of mobile phones from simple “feature” phones to more advanced devices such as BlackBerry smartphones, has averaged greater than 50 percent growth in usage each month since the application made its public debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this past February. Since its introduction, BOLT users have consumed more than 22 terabytes (22,000 gigabytes) of data from 61 million web pages.
BOLT users worldwide are discovering that BOLT’s enhanced browsing experience leads them to spend more and more time surfing the Web from their mobile phones. More than 20 percent of BOLT users spend 30 minutes surfing the Internet per session, with more than half of those – a figure that continues to grow – spending more than an hour per session. In addition to social networking, search, web-based email and video websites are top ten destinations all around the world.
According to the Associated Press, Alltel and Verizon will refund an estimated $30 million to Florida cell phone customers who were billed for unwanted third party services, such as horoscopes, ringtones and music. The charges would mysteriously appear on customer's bills with names such as "OpenMarket" and "M-Blox".
Verizon and Alltel will refund an estimated $24 million and $6 million, respectively. Verizon is in the process of purchasing Alltel. Last year AT&T settled with New York for nationwide refunds.
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