| | This is scary! Your cell phone can be bugged with spyware that allows a spy to listen in your cell phone calls, see your text messages and read your e-mails. See video above from KKTV.com. According to the video there is a website selling the spyware to catch cheating spouses. To prevent your cell phone from being bugged, keep an eye on it, because the spyware has to be uploaded to your cell phone which can take 15 minutes. |
The latest wave of Mobile Market View, a consumer study of adult U.S. mobile phone users conducted by BIA/Kelsey with research partner ConStat, reveals a rapid rise in mobile device usage for non-voice communications—text messages, e-mail and Internet access—driven primarily by the proliferation of smartphones.
Among mobile consumers surveyed in October for Mobile Market View, 18.5 percent searched the Internet for products or services in their local area, up from 15.6 percent in 2008, and 16.7 percent connected with a social network such as MySpace or Facebook, up from 9.6 percent in 2008. | |
Carriers are becoming a significant channel for all Internet-connected mobile devices, including netbooks and mobile PCs, because of the revenue potential of the associated services.
In-Stat anticipates that the number of devices sold through the carriers will continue to increase as services are bundled for multiple devices and service prices decrease due to increased bandwidth from new communications technologies and increased competition between carriers. By 2013, In-Stat anticipates that over 60% of all the Internet-connected mobile devices sold will be through carrier channels. | |
Gartner, Inc. has identified the top 10 consumer mobile applications for 2012. Gartner listed applications based on their impact on consumers and industry players, considering revenue, loyalty, business model, consumer value and estimated market penetration. The top 10 consumer mobile applications in 2012 will include:
No. 1: Money Transfer
This service allows people to send money to others using Short Message Service (SMS). Its lower costs, faster speed and convenience compared with traditional transfer services have strong appeal to users in developing markets, and most services signed up several million users within their first year. However, challenges do exist in both regulatory and operational risks. Because of the fast growth of mobile money transfer, regulators in many markets are piling in to investigate the impact on consumer costs, security, fraud and money laundering. On the operational side, market conditions vary, as do the local resources of service providers, so providers need different market strategies when entering a new territory.
|
Strategy Analytics has found that respondents in both the US and Western Europe indicate a strong interest in having some form of a touchscreen keyboard for their wireless device, whether it be entirely touchscreen or as an addition to other types of keyboards. While the majority of Apple respondents are interested in a touchscreen keyboard on their next device, more than half of them would be interested in a touchscreen and a physical QWERTY keyboard, as shown in a survey of nearly 2500 wireless users. The recent Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab report, “QWERTY/Touchscreen Phones Set to Dominate,” investigates the user interest levels in various types of mobile phone keyboards.
“Despite strong interest in a touchscreen-only device, or a touchscreen combined with a physical keyboard, the traditional 12-key keypad still appeals to the mass market segment,” commented Christopher Dodge, Analyst in the Strategy Analytics User Experience Practice. |
According to a new report from Juniper Research the international mobile money transfer market will be worth in excess of $65bn by 2014, based on gross transaction values – driven principally from migrant workers based in developed countries.
Juniper's new report - ' Mobile Money Transfer & Remittances: Markets, Forecasts & Strategies 2009-2014' - however also identified a number of inhibiting factors such as rising global unemployment and increased immigration controls by governments which will hold back the market until the recession is over.
|
Qualcomm looks set to be the leading patent holder in 4G wireless communications after recording 24% of ETSI declarations surrounding LTE, as well as 16% of the 26,000 patents that have potential relevance to 4G technologies generally, including WiMAX. Other notable players in the LTE field include Interdigital (18%), Huawei (10%), LG (9%), Nokia (9%) and Samsung (7%). When considering the whole 4G environment Samsung takes second spot with 12% of all patent filings, and Nokia takes third with 6%.
Stuart Carlaw, chief research officer at ABI Research, comments, “Innovation in this space continues unabated. Given that these declarations reflect work completed 18 months ago, it is very feasible that this landscape could shift again during the coming two years as we see the 4G market ramp up.” He goes on to add that, “We see no major reason why the licensing situation in 4G will be significantly different from that for 3G. There is still a big list of ‘haves’ but also a large list of ‘have-nots’. The only major change is that the list of haves has changed significantly to embrace newly active patent holders such as Samsung and Huawei.” | |
Walmart announced today a one-week offer starting Saturday Nov. 14 on its full assortment of BlackBerry devices from all four major carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. With the purchase of any BlackBerry at Walmart Wireless and two-year contract from these major carriers, shoppers will receive a $100 Walmart Gift Card at purchase to use on a later transaction on anything in the store, adding more spending “money” to consumer wallets on anything Walmart carries. This smart phone savings event is nationwide at all Walmart stores at Walmart Wireless departments. Walmart Wireless associates can help customers select from products and services available in their area and activate their new phone within minutes of selection. Customers can use their $100 Gift Card on the same day or save it for other purchases needed through the holiday season. | 
|
According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, Apple became the world’s most profitable handset vendor in Q3 2009. Nokia slipped into second position, as margins have been hit hard by both the economic downturn and a stagnant presence in the United States.
Alex Spektor, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, “We estimate Apple’s operating profit for its iPhone handset division stood at $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2009. Apple overtook Nokia for the first time, which recorded a lower $1.1 billion of operating profit. With strong volumes, high wholesale prices and tight cost controls, the PC vendor has successfully broken into the mobile phone market in just two years.”
|
The Wi-Fi hotspot market is entering a revival period marked by renewed interest from communication providers and increased usage among both business and leisure users, reports In-Stat. In-Stat estimates that hotspot usage will increase in 2009 by 47%, bringing total worldwide connects to 1.2 billion.
“A market that appeared to be languishing due to revenue shortcomings has found a renewed life force,” says Frank Dickson, In-Stat analyst. “Mobile operators have become increasingly involved in the hotspot market globally as they assess the potential of hotspots to offload wireless data traffic from overburdened 3G networks. Also, mass market adoption of Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones has significantly altered hotspot usage, with these devices accounting for the majority of access sessions in some locations.” | |
By the end of 2009 the world’s mobile handset accessories market will have chalked up a value of nearly $55 billion. That represents a small decrease from the 2008 figure, surprising only in that the decline hasn’t been larger. “While improving slightly,” says industry analyst Michael Morgan, “handset accessory market growth will remain somewhat sluggish in 2010, and not until 2011 will the 2008 figure be surpassed. After that, we expect, strong growth will resume.”
Within that overall picture, certain segments – notably the very important memory card market – face particular challenges. The memory card market, says Morgan, has been so oversupplied that selling prices are barely above production costs. Those conditions may be starting to change, however. “While it’s always dangerous trying to call the bottom of a market, very recently it has begun to look as if memory card prices are stabilizing and even starting to rise slightly.”
| |
NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today its lineup of 19 new handsets, as well as a 3G-capable digital photo frame, for launch on or after November 20, depending on the model. The lineup includes models in the four main series of FOMA 3G handsets —docomo STYLE series, docomo PRIME series, docomo SMART series and docomo PRO series.
The new models and their planned launches are as follows:
| |
The worldwide converged mobile device (commonly referred to as a smartphone) market continued to weather the economic recession and reached a new record for shipments during a single quarter. According to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, vendors shipped a total of 43.3 million units during the third quarter of 2009 (3Q09), up 4.2% from the 41.5 million units shipped in 3Q08, and up 3.2% from shipments of 41.9 million units in 2Q09.
"Demand for converged mobile devices has remained strong all year," said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Devices Technology and Trends team. "These devices provide more utility and entertainment than traditional mobile phones. Moreover, users have plenty of devices from which to choose, whether it be a multimedia powerhouse, a messaging machine, or a social networking tool. As users expect greater functionality from their devices beyond telephony, we believe the converged mobile device market will continue to grow faster than the overall mobile phone market."
| |
Jitterbug today announced that the company has acquired MobiWatch, a company focused on developing Mobile Personal Emergency Response Services (M-PERS). Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The acquisition will provide Jitterbug customers with personal safety services that are intuitive, reliable and delivered through the easy-to-use Jitterbug cell phone. These new services will further differentiate Jitterbug as the complete service experience and will continue to enhance the lives of American consumers by providing safety, security and the ability to stay connected with family and friends while on the go.
| |
Strategy Analytics has found that almost one-in-five users in the US and Western Europe now accesses the internet from their cellphone at least once a week. In, “Smartphone Owners Lead Rise in Mobile Internet Usage,” Strategy Analytics predicts that in 2013, Smartphones will account for 60% of all mobile internet users in the US. This report examines the behavior of existing mobile internet users in the US and Western Europe, including:
- how often they use mobile internet;
- the duration of mobile internet sessions; and
- which sites they visit.
|
A new report from Juniper Research, forecasts that consumer usage of mobile coupons will generate close to $6 billion globally in retail redemption value by 2014.
Juniper Research’s new report - ‘Mobile Coupons & NFC Smart Posters: Strategies, Applications & Forecasts 2009-2014’ cautions that user apathy amongst the wider public, as well as lack of willingness to change and learn a new method of making financial transactions are potential stumbling blocks. This is despite NFC trial results which show very high levels of user acceptance.
|
The GSMA, the body that represents the worldwide mobile communications industry, today unveiled a European Mobile Manifesto which sets out how the mobile industry will help achieve key European Union objectives to boost economic performance, improve efficiencies, protect consumers and increase the use of green technology. To do this, the mobile industry has undertaken to work more closely with governments, education and health authorities and technology manufacturers. The mobile industry is also calling upon the EU to provide a number of measures to support the initiative.
Through the Mobile Manifesto, the mobile industry outlines its goals to:
- Increase internet connectivity and drive productivity through widespread mobile broadband access – on the move and at home, in cities and in rural areas
- Engage consumers and improve efficiency by enabling the "mobilisation" of commercial and public services particularly eCommerce, eLearning, eHealth and eGovernment
- Build a greener mobile planet by reducing Europe's carbon footprint through M2M technologies
- Empower users and maintain consumer trust by providing mobile privacy tools
| |
AdMob, the world’s largest mobile advertising platform, examined the rapid and global growth of mobile Web and application usage over the past two years in their September 2009 AdMob Mobile Metrics Report. This month marks the second anniversary of the Mobile Metrics Report and the growth in traffic since September 2007 demonstrates that mobile data usage is a truly global phenomenon. In September 2009 AdMob received more than 100 million ad requests from 14 countries, and more than 10 million ad requests from 64 countries.
The report also highlights the rapid growth in usage of mobile Web sites and applications on new devices in the past year. In September 2008, the Motorola RAZR was the top device in the US, and the iPhone was the only touchscreen device in the Top 10. In September 2009, the list of the top 10 devices includes five with touchscreens, six with Wi-Fi capabilities, and six with application stores. | |
Smartphone prices are falling as shipment volumes increase, and a new study from ABI Research finds that while in 2007 only 18% of smartphones on offer cost under $200 retail, that percentage has already grown to 27% this year. By 2014, say the firm’s forecasts, 45% of the smartphones shipped that year will be priced below $200.
These numbers highlight a rapid change in many consumers’ attitudes about smartphones, and a corresponding shift in vendors’ and mobile operators’ sales and marketing strategies.
The result: more and more smartphones and conventional phones are priced in similar ranges. Handset makers’ and carriers’ marketing strategies must accommodate both groups of consumers: those who want a basic replacement phone, and those who care about what the OS can do for them. In some markets, these strategies are further complicated by the heavy subsidies that mobile operators may offer. | |
According to a report in the LA Times, men who wear their cell phones on their belt for many years "may" have decreased bone density in the pelvic area. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.
The study on bone weakening caused by cell phones is hardly convincing because the difference in bone density when comparing both sides of the pelvic area is statistically insignificant.
The study was conducted by researchers in Turkey who examined the bone density in the upper rims of the pelvis of 150 men who wore their cell pones on a belt. The men carried their cell phones for about 15 hours per day for about 6 years.
There have been many studies that try to link cell phone use to health problems and they have not been conclusive.
| 
|
|
Phone Finder
