Bits and Bytes: Mobile shopping habits revealed; TCS, Mitek patents granted; and more

A new study found consumers are using mobile devices to expand their in-store shopping experience. The study was conducted by Sterling Commerce, an AT&T Inc. company, and Demandware Inc. The survey of nearly 4,000 U.S. consumers found that 15% use their mobile device to make purchases. More than half found it useful to be able to use their mobile device while shopping to verify if a particular product is available at a specific store location. About one-fourth of respondents indicated they use their mobile device to price shop items with competing stores. Twenty percent use their phone to create shopping lists. Two-thirds of respondents indicated interest in being able to use their mobile device to scan and purchase items.
TeleCommunication Systems Inc. said it was awarded a patent for an invention that allows a cellular-based radar/laser receiver to share emission detection information. The company said the technology has applications in the public-safety, commercial and Homeland Security markets. The company also noted it received another patent for technology that gives wireless carriers’ user-location systems the ability to provide event-triggered services seamlessly, even when mobile devices are roaming.
Mitek Systems said it was granted a patent for its Mobile Deposit mobile Remote Deposit Capture application. The technology allows users to deposit personal or business checks into their accounts by taking a picture of the check with their smartphone camera.
Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) introduced 12-bit and 10-bit mixed-signal front ends that the company says reduce power and board space. ADI said the MxFEs use 40% less power and 25% less printed-circuit board area than similar devices.
Virgin Mobile launched a new service, called Assurance Wireless, that provides a free wireless phone and 200 free minutes of wireless voice service to eligible customers in New Jersey. The service is targeted at unemployed and low-income citizens who can use the phone to have a contact number for prospective employees and to stay connected with families in an emergency.
Sprint announced its new Football Live application, which allows subscribers to watch live stream games, follow their favorite college and professional football teams, manage their fantasy drafts and keep up with fantasy updates. The application is free for customers on Sprint’s Everything Data plan.
DecisionPoint Systems, which provides enterprise mobility solutions, said it has been certified as an Authorized Motorola Two-Way Radio Reseller through MEI Corp. The certification allows the company to sell Motorola two-way radios, including the CLP series, RPX Repeater and new products.
American Tower Corp. (AMT) said its Peruvian subsidiary, ATC Sitios del Peru S.R.L., launched operations in the country. The company recently entered agreements to purchase up to 468 wireless sites from Telefonica del Peru S.A.A.
AT&T (T) announced its U-verse Mobile App is now available in its App Store. The application gives U-verse subscribers the ability to download and watch TV content.
Ericsson (ERIC) said its measurement of actual network traffic indicates that global mobile data traffic has nearly tripled in the past year, which is a growth rate 10 times faster than voice. The company said global mobile data traffic stands at about 225,000 terabytes per month.
Nokia (NOK) said it wrapped up a social benefit entertainment pilot, Conspiracy For Good, with more than half a million downloads of CFG casual games and applications from Nokia’s Ovi Store. The program, created in partnership with Heroes creator Tim Kring, is designed to establish scholarships and libraries in Africa.
Sprint (S) said it is providing Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot devices from Sierra Wireless to eighth grade students at Oahu’s Myron B. Thompson Academy, an online public charter school. The project is part of a one-year pilot grant program.
ERF Wireless said its Oil & Gas Services division expanded its operations in Kansas to service a new contract with an oil and gas exploration company. The company provides wireless broadband communications.
Philippines mobile operator Smart Communications Inc. launched its GoMail service, which is a mass market push e-mail serviced based on Synchronica‘s Mobile Gateway middleware. The service is available to all Smart subscribers, said the company.
Yamgo, a mobile content delivery network, partnered with Outdoor Sport Channel to launch a free 24-hour sports news channel available on freeview mobile TV.
Altair Semiconductor announced commercial availability of its new TD-LTE terminal reference design that can be used for USB dongles, data cards, customer premises equipment and handheld devices. The reference design features Altair’s FourGee-3100/6200 chipset and an interoperability-tested LTE software stack.
ExteNet announced it completed a wireless indoor distributed network for Simi Valley Hospital in California. ExteNet installed the system using its iDuct technique, which leverages the buildings existing heating, ventilating and air conditioning system to carry wireless signals through metal ductwork.