- Week summary
- General wireless data market related news
- Carriers news
- Wireless data related middleware vendors news
- Terminal development for mobile data
- Vendors of software for client wireless devices news
- Mobile application related news
- Application outsourcing and hosting news
- News about financing for wireless data businesses
| * - Star sign marks especially important (from the editor's point of view) news items and is also a link to the next important news item. |
Week summary |
- Mobile voice and data is promised to be soon available while in-flight.
- Cingular launched universal mobile music store.
- Motorola intends to open-source J2ME while Microsoft has already fully share-sourced Windows CE. Should really make developers' life easier.
- NTT DoCoMo starts to design multi-config multi-OS handsets - with open specs together with Intel.
- Google provides J2ME client for GMail.
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This section lists all breaking wireless data related news that do not belong to any particular section (or should belong to multiple) as well as to general reviews of interest.
| MEF: Mobile Communities and User Generated Content
worth US$13.2 billion by 2011 Original news source |
| The market for mobile communities and user generated content will be worth US$13.2 billion by 2011, with photo and chat based services being the top revenue generators, according to a new report from Informa Telecoms and Media and strategic partner, the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF). The white paper analysing key findings from the report is exclusively available free to all MEF members. |
| * SITA survey finds world’s airlines on way to become the first totally web-enabled global industry Original news source |
| SITA’s 8th Annual Airline IT Trends Survey carried out in conjunction with Airline Business magazine, indicates that aviation will become the world’s first totally IP (Internet Protocol)-enabled industry, putting the power of the world-wide web at the service of the airlines and passengers.
The survey results also provide further confirmation of the industry’s appetite for inflight passenger communications. The percentages of airlines expecting to offer the following inflight communication channels by the end of 2008 are: internet access, 59%; email, 58%; SMS, 52%; and mobile phones, 46%. |
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This section lists news about innovative and competitive usage of wireless data by network carriers.
| Ministry of Transport and Communications Finland approved rollout schedule for Digita’s wireless broadband network Original news source |
| The rollout work of Digita’s 450 MHz digital mobile network progresses as planned. The Ministry of Transport and Communications Finland has approved the rollout schedule for the wireless broadband network.
Digita Oy applied a specification to the rollout obligation stated in the operating licence from the Ministry of Transport and Communications Finland, because the rollout schedule was delayed for about seven months due to reasons independent of Digita. Digita has condensed the schedule in such a way that the network will be rolled out faster than planned and will cover all of Finland by the end of 2009. Digita’s @450 network will be inaugurated in April of 2007. The wireless broadband will then cover the area reaching from Helsinki to Turku and Tampere in Southern Finland, and the area from Oulu to Ivalo in the north. Several enterprises offer terminals for the @450 broadband network. Terminals are modems plugged to a computer: card modem (PCMCIA), data modem (Ethernet/USB) or a LAN router with Flash-OFDM + WLAN/Ethernet. More terminals can be expected in the markets during the end of the year. |
| Digita and SBS Finland made an agreement on commercial DVB-H mobile television network service Original news source |
| SBS Finland Oy and Digita, Finnish distributor of radio and television services, made an agreement on the first commercial service in the DVB-H-based mobile television network. The mobile television combines the services of two different networks, that is, the DVB-H television network and mobile network, to the same terminal. Digita, as the network operator, will be responsible for the broadcasting network made using the DVB-H technology (Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld) and for the administration of channels in the network. Digita will rollout the network as a terrestrial digital mass communication network for one multiplex for mobile television operations.
The first stage of network rollout will cover an extensive area in the Helsinki region, as well as the regions of Turku and Oulu. As commercial operations are launched in the beginning of December 2006, the network already covers over 25 percent of people living in Finland. |
| * Cingular Wireless Customers Can Now Enjoy Music Content From Multiple Providers Original news source |
| Cingular Wireless announced the launch of Cingular Music, an integrated, on-the-go music experience that delivers "your music, your way." Cingular teamed with Microsoft to incorporate Windows Media Digital Rights Management into select handsets, making it possible for customers to enjoy and discover subscription music from the wireless phone. Unlike other wireless carriers who provide access to a single music storefront that may or may not seamlessly integrate with a consumer's PC-based music library, Cingular Music makes it easy to take your music with you and offers the widest selection of music content in the industry today, including integration with Napster and Yahoo! Music, as well as support for other music stores. Cingular Music also seamlessly integrates with eMusic, which sells tracks in the universally compatible MP3 format. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which provide middleware used by carriers and software developers to offer access to diversified corporate data.
| Sybase iAnywhere Enhances Core Components of Information Anywhere Suite Original news source |
| Sybase iAnywhere announced new versions of two of the core components in its Information Anywhere Suite, a portfolio of products that provide the essential building blocks for enterprise mobility solutions. Information Anywhere Suite is designed to help organizations address the converging requirements for mobile email, device management, security and enterprise application enablement. The delivery of Afaria 5.5 and OneBridge 5.5 (announced in separate releases) completes the updates of all products in the Information Anywhere Suite. These updates enable interoperability across technologies to optimize wireless communications, simplify IT requirements and improve mobile user experience. Information Anywhere Suite is a key extension of Sybase’s Unwired Enterprise strategy. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which manufacture actual end user wireless devices (phones, pagers, PDAs etc.), as well as other information relevant to such companies.
| Alcatel and Samsung partner to develop Mobile TV handsets in the S-Band Original news source |
| Alcatel and Samsung Electronics announced that they have signed an agreement to develop mobile handsets compatible with the evolution of the DVB-H standard in the S-Band. This is part of Alcatel's Unlimited Mobile TV solution.
Alcatel and Samsung will collaborate on interoperability testing in order to deliver a seamless end-to-end solution to operators and a high quality Mobile TV service to end-users. Both companies will support the standardization process of this solution in the DVB Forum and join forces to market their combined solution. In a first step, this agreement covers Europe, where the S-band spectrum is available today.
The solution in the S-Band allows complete territory coverage for Mobile TV at the scale of a country or even a continent, including inside buildings. Besides, this solution is compatible with DVB-H in UHF, which also enables the development of dual-mode UHF/ S-Band Mobile TV terminals. |
| Telit m2m Module Embedded in Network-Independent Wireless Camera Original news source |
| Telit Communications, international mobile technology innovator, announced that they have partnered with Pedagog to provide network-independent wireless camera. The IrisCamera can transmit video recordings live and in color to mobile telephones. Pedagog will launch the IrisCamera in 15 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.
The IrisCamera can be installed at any location to keep watch on rooms, individual objects or even people. It comes equipped with a passive infra-red and video motion detector. In alarm mode, the camera continuously scans the surveillance area. As soon as movement is detected, the camera records the event automatically and stores it on a server. The user is then notified of the activity by SMS and can view the recording on his or her mobile telephone. Neither an Internet connection nor a PC is required. A simple 2.5G GPRS mobile telephone is all that’s required. Iris includes a standard GPRS SIM card and a battery that offers ten hours of standby or two hours of permanent transmission. Telit’s m2m GSM/GPRS module ensures reliable data transfer. Pedagog first used the GM862-PCS module from Telit in the prototype of the IrisCamera, and then made the switch to the Trizium version with the unique Ball Grid Array (BGA) assembly concept. |
| Navigate through Europe easily with Nokia's new car navigation device Original news source |
| Nokia announced its first dedicated personal navigation device to include Europe-wide maps, the Nokia 330 Auto Navigation, to take you across European borders effortlessly allowing you to enjoy the ride, while it does the navigating. The sophisticated Nokia 330 Auto Navigation provides seamless navigation from one European country to the next, with clear spoken and visual directions on the large 3.5 inch color touch screen. The Nokia 330 Auto Navigation has an integrated GPS receiver to make sure you will get the best possible satellite coverage on your journey. The device contains a 2GB memory card for the preinstalled Europe-wide map data and detailed travel information. Nokia 330 Auto Navigation uses the ROUTE 66 Navigate 7 application and NAVTEQ map data. Tailor the visual instructions to your preference with adjustable 2D/3D, day or night view, or alter the audio to your suitable language or volume, or simply request a repeat of the last instruction.
There is no need to drive dull either - the Nokia 330 Auto Navigation includes advanced entertainment features too, so you can enjoy your music player, photo viewer and video player.
The Nokia 330 Auto Navigation is expected to be available in select channels in Europe during the fourth quarter 2006 at an estimated retail price of EUR 360 without taxes. |
| Samsung and Cingular Wireless Announce New Multimedia Phone Original news source |
| Samsung Telecommunications
America (Samsung) and Cingular Wireless announced the launch of the Cingular SYNC from Samsung,
Samsung's newest High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) phone with
advanced music and multimedia capabilities.
Exclusive to Cingular, the SYNC is a feature-rich, slim, flip phone
that harnesses the broadband-like data speeds of Cingular's HSDPA network,
providing instant access to the new Cingular Music service, as well as
Cingular Video. With features such as external touch sensitive multimedia
keys, MP3 player, microSD memory card slot and Bluetooth 2.0 with
stereo headset support, the Cingular SYNC from Samsung is an ideal
device for entertainment and media. |
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This section lists breaking news from companies which provide client software that runs in end user wireless devices (phones, pagers, PDAs etc.).
| * Motorola Announces Intent to Develop Java ME Stack Under Apache License Version 2.0 Original news source |
| In an effort to further reinforce its commitment to the open source community and to reduce Java fragmentation, Motorola announced an invitation to the broader Java ME ecosystem to establish a complete Java Micro Edition (Java ME) software stack for the mobile industry, under the Apache License Version 2.0. Motorola will work to align its future Java ME-based developments with Apache's model of licensing and open governance in order to help promote a unified mobile Java platform. This unified platform leads to lower overall development and testing costs, a reduction in time-to-market, and the creation of a larger market opportunity for developers, by helping drive the promise of ‘Write Once, Run Everywhere’ applications. |
| * Microsoft Announces Worldwide Availability of Sixth Generation Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Original news source |
| Microsoft Corp. announced the availability of Windows Embedded CE 6.0, the latest version of the company’s software toolkit used to build real-time operating systems for devices such as Internet protocol (IP) set-top-boxes, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), wireless projectors, and a variety of industrial automation, consumer electronics and medical devices. In conjunction with the 10-year anniversary of Windows Embedded, 100 percent of the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 kernel is now available through the Microsoft Shared Source program, an overall increase of 56 percent from previous versions of Windows Embedded CE. The Shared Source program provides full source-code access for modification and redistribution by device-makers (subject to the terms of a license agreement), who are under no obligation to share their final designs with Microsoft or others. Although the Windows operating system is a general-purpose computing platform designed for creating a consistent experience, Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is a tool kit device-makers use for building customized operating system images for a variety of non-desktop devices. By providing access to certain parts of the Windows Embedded CE source code, such as the file system, device drivers and other core components, embedded developers are able to choose the code they need, compile it, and build their own, unique operating systems, quickly bringing their devices to market. Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition is also shipping as part of Windows Embedded CE 6.0. This marks another first for Microsoft; Platform Builder, an embedded-specific integrated development environment, will now be included as a powerful plug-in for Visual Studio 2005 Professional. This brings the entire development chain together in one, easy-to-use tool, from device to applications, shrinking time to market for device development. |
| Nokia Service Suite prepares the way for tomorrow's mobility today Original news source |
| Nokia announced Nokia Service Suite, a software solution which automates both the connectivity over the available access methods like cellular and WLAN, and also provides the preferred location and presence specific services to the user. Nokia Service Suite heralds a whole new generation of consumer services for voice, data and rich media. Telio, a leading European broadband telephony provider and technology innovator, is the first to adopt and deploy the technology for consumers.
Nokia Service Suite is capable of simplifying and economizing any communication application - the download and upload of rich media, including pictures, music, video podcasts, email and voice. Nokia Service Suite does this by automating connectivity and achieving the most convenient combination of cellular and WLAN access. Nokia Service Suite is available for all Nokia WLAN enabled dual mode devices, both Nokia Nseries and Nokia Eseries devices. Equally important, the Nokia Service Suite is an open platform that can be used for other WLAN enabled devices. For example, the Nokia N80 Internet Edition is a multimedia computer optimized for Internet Calls. The VoIP framework, based on SIP-protocol is integrated into its user interface, so making an Internet Call on the Nokia N80 Internet Edition is as easy as making a regular voice call, only the call is carried over WLAN. |
| * NTT DoCoMo Formulates New Terminal Specifications to Enable Any OS or Application to be Added Original news source |
| NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announced new terminal specifications, developed jointly with Intel Corporation, that will enable mobile phones to be customized with additional desired operating system or application.
The specifications provide an open domain, which is separate from the phone's default domain containing the preinstalled operating system and applications. A controller enables switching between the domains.
The open domain will enable a company, for example, to install an original browser and scheduler, and set an internal security policy for the terminal. Individuals will be able to install their own personalized game software.
The domain controller ensures that switching between domains is always possible, so the user can access the phone's default domain even if a technical problem causes the open domain to freeze. The controller also ensures that call functions are always available, regardless of which domain is active. If a call is received while the open domain is active, the user can easily switch to the default domain to take the call. |
| Cicero Networks enable wVoIP and seamless Wi-Fi cellular roaming on Nokia series 60 devices Original news source |
| Cicero Networks, provider of wVoIP solutions for Fixed Mobile Convergence, announced availability of CiceroPhone, dual-mode VoIP client for Nokia S60 handsets. This dual-mode solution for the Nokia S60 platform uniquely enables seamless roaming between the Wi-Fi and cellular networks. CiceroPhone provides a unified, highly intuitive user experience, whereby calls are automatically routed over the best available network - Wi-Fi or cellular. Intelligent routing rules ensure cost and quality are optimised on all calls. In addition, CiceroPhone enables routing decisions to be optimised on the handset for certain numbers or ranges of numbers for specific networks. |
| * Google Launches New Mobile Application for Speedier Access to Gmail Original news source |
| Google Inc. announced the release of an innovative new mobile client, Gmail for mobile devices. This freely downloadable Java application delivers Gmail users the look and feel of Gmail through a fast, feature-rich interface that's optimized for handheld devices. With the release of this client, Google is taking one more step toward its goal of providing users with quick and easy access to the information they need, when they need it.
Gmail users can already access their accounts through the browser on their mobile devices, but this application brings users the same great Gmail experience -- complete with search, conversation view, and automatic synchronization with the desktop version. The application is available completely free of charge from Google (carrier mobile data charges may still apply). It is currently compatible with all J2ME-enabled phones in the U.S. and works with a variety of carrier service plans. |
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This section lists news that describe innovative and competitive implementation of wireless data applications.
| Grape Networks Announces the Production of Their Micro-Climate Wireless Sensor Monitoring System for Vineyards Original news source |
Grape Networks, Inc.
announced that production systems for the monitoring of micro-climates for vineyards will be
available in the first quarter of 2007.
The Climate Genie from Grape Networks consists of small battery powered nodes, often
referred to as motes, to improve the yield and quality of crops. The Climate Genie transmits
wirelessly; temperature, humidity, and light information between each mote, with built-in radios,
for monitoring anywhere in the World via the Internet. These motes/routers form a wireless mesh
network with up to thousands of individual motes that are 10-300 meters apart. Each mote can
sense a few simple things, such as temperature, moisture, light, or other physical qualities but as
an aggregate gathers enormous sums of data about the quality and vitality of the grapes in the
vineyard. |
| Orange Launches Mobile Sat Nav Original news source |
| Orange Business Services launched a new GPS navigation application to be downloaded on to a range of mobile devices - including smartphones and PDAs from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, BlackBerry and Orange - providing its business customers with a real-time, cost effective solution.
Powered by Webraska, provider of GPS navigation solutions, Sat-Nav from Orange can be used when walking, cycling or driving. Rather than having a specific device just for this application, Sat-Nav from Orange works on a range of mobile devices making it a cost effective business investment. All maps and live traffic updates are held on a central server and are downloadable from the internet via Wifi, 3G, GPRS or the Orange EDGE network onto the mobile device. This saves precious memory space and ensures that maps and points of interest are always up to date. |
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This section lists news about outsourcing/hosting of mobile corporate/enterprise applications by e.g. software developers, network carriers, and consulting companies. News about mobile access to portals are also included here.
| Knewtrino Completes Development of NootMobile Information Delivery Platform Original news source |
| Knewtrino Inc., a technology and services company focused on mobile instant messaging and information delivery services, announced the official launch of NootMobile Beta, the mobile instant messaging service for next generation smartphones and mobile devices.
NootMobile is a mobile instant messaging service that provides mobile access to the most popular instant messaging communities including AOL Messenger and in the following weeks Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger. Unlike other mobile instant messaging services, the NootMobile Beta instant messaging service is accessed through a mobile web browser and requires no software download. |
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This section lists news about new financing opportunities for and in the wireless data industry.
| Thumbplay Announces $15 Million in New Funding Original news source |
| Thumbplay Inc.,online retailer of mobile entertainment content, announced it has secured $15 million in new capital through a $10 million Series C round led by Bain Capital Ventures and a $5 million line of credit with SVB Silicon Valley Bank. Existing Thumbplay investors, SoftBank Capital and i-Hatch Ventures, also participated in the Series C round. With this new round of funding, Thumbplay will accelerate and expand its marketing efforts, while continuing to build the best consumer experience and mobile entertainment catalog available. |
| Wellington Financial Provides $6 Million Financing For Wmode Original news source |
| Wellington Financial LP, a privately held specialty finance firm, announced the third investment of its recently closed and oversubscribed $400 million investment program. The $6 million debenture financing with Wmode Inc. will help fuel the company's global growth strategy and provide capital to facilitate strategic acquisitions. |
| go2 Secures Financing Original news source |
| go2, provider of local search and mobile content in the U.S., announced that it has agreed to a strategic alliance with Geosign Corporation, Internet publishing and marketing company, and its affiliates. This alliance, which also includes a strategic investment in go2 and other financing totaling $13 million, is intended to provide go2 additional capital and other resources to continue expansion of its Mobile Content Network and industry leading local search and directory information websites. |
| Rhythm NewMedia Closes $18 Million Series B Financing Original news source |
| Rhythm NewMedia, a pioneer in mobile advertising, announced that it has closed $18 million in Series B financing. Carlyle Venture Partners, the US venture and growth arm of The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm with over $44 billion under management, led this up round, joined by all existing institutional investors. |
| TalkPlus Closes Series A Financing Round Original news source |
| TalkPlus, provider of advanced Voice 2.0 services over mobile networks, has announced the closing of its Series A round of $5.5 million in venture capital from Menlo Ventures. TalkPlus plans to launch their new services nationwide in early 2007. |
| SES and Eutelsat announce joint investment to serve markets for
mobile broadcasting and other communications services in Europe Original news source |
| SES GLOBAL and Eutelsat
Communications announce a joint investment in the first European
satellite infrastructure for broadcasting video, radio and data to mobile devices and vehicle
receivers.
In view of the innovative nature of this market SES and Eutelsat have agreed to join forces in
a 50/50 joint venture company, which will operate and commercialise the S-band payload on
W2A. The company will be set up by SES ASTRA and Eutelsat following approval from
relevant regulatory agencies. The S-band space segment represents an investment of
approximately 130 million euros. |
| MobileMail (US) Inc. to Complete Strategic Acquisition of Mobile Software Developer Tracebit Original news source |
| MobileMail (US) Inc., a United Kingdom-based developer of premium mobile communications solution for facilitating cost-effective, fast, convenient, secure and reliable two-way PC-to-Mobile communication, announced that it has entered into a Letter of Intent effective October 30, 2006 to acquire all of the issued share capital of Oy Tracebit AB. Tracebit is a content provider and publisher in mobile entertainment focusing particularly on J2ME and BREW games. Tracebit was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Porvoo, Finland with key development and sales personnel based in Finland and development personnel in Romania. Pursuant to the Letter of Intent, MobileMail will acquire all of the issued share capital of Tracebit in exchange for issuance to Tracebit's shareholders of an aggregate of 8,168,400 shares in MobileMail's common stock which will represent 20% of MobileMail's issued share capital on completion of the acquisition and the financing noted below. Tracebit's management team will be retained by MobileMail, significantly enhancing MobileMail's experience, contacts and knowledge within the Mobile industry. |
| Launch of Blyk Heralds a New Opportunity in Mobile Advertising Original news source |
| Blyk, the pan-European free mobile operator for young people, funded by advertising, announced that it will launch in the UK in mid-2007.
Co-founded by university friends Pekka Ala-Pietilä, former president of Nokia Corporation, and Antti Öhrling, Chairman and CEO of Contra Group, Blyk is a mobile media that offers brands an opportunity to directly interact and engage with young people and receive real-time feedback.
Blyk has been in development since January 2006 and is backed by individual private investors and Sofinnova Partners. |
| zamano raises 6m euros in first day of share dealings Original news source |
| zamano, provider of mobile data services, has announced the commencement of dealings of its Ordinary Shares on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.
According to zamano, the placing has raised 6m euros for the company which, it says, will enable the delivery the three primary strategic objectives of further strategic acquisitions, increased investment in new technology, and expansion into new territories. |
| MobiTV Closes Series C and Tops $100 Million Original news source |
| MobiTV, Inc., specialist in mobile and broadband television and music services, announced the second close of its Series C Funding with an additional $30 million investment and two new investors, Adobe Systems Incorporated and Hearst Corporation, bringing the total round to more than $100 million. Additional investors in the round include Oak Investment Partners, Menlo Ventures, Redpoint Ventures and Gefinor Ventures. These funds will support the Company's continued growth in response to the overwhelming demand for its mobile and broadband television and radio services. |
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A recommended introductory reading that may be helpful in understanding the scope of this publication is the Wireless Data Forum's Wireless Data Primer.
A glossary of wireless industry terms and acronyms can be found at the Wireless Week site.
Disclaimer: The information presented is personal opinion of Leonid Iakovlev (the editor) and does not necessarily represent the opinion of any company with which he may be affiliated or of any referred third party. All information in this report is NOT guaranteed to be accurate. The information and links were however verified at the time this text was created. Editor does not take responsibility for any actions you may take based on the information you find here. Editor accepts no liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions or by statements of any kind in this publication, whether such errors result from accident, negligence, or any other cause. Editor assumes no liability for incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of information in this publication. Editor provides no warranties regarding the information contained in this publication, whether expressed, implied, or statutory, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Editor also does not assume any liability for links from this publication to publications from other companies, organizations, or individuals. Editor does not imply endorsement of any specific company, organization, or individual through offering links to this content. All information provided within this publication is subject to change at any time and is provided for informational purposes only by the editor. All products and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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