2008

Motorola Inc. has begun a proof-of-concept trial for a mobile WiMAX module designed for in-car telemetry applications like infotainment systems and Internet-assisted navigation.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Retailer Best Buy has been given antitrust approval to buy digital music service Napster, the Federal Trade Commission said on Wednesday.

The following list includes ratings changes and financial information for wireless companies announced this week by investment-banking and financial-services firms.Handset and infrastructure vendors–R.W. Baird upgraded Tellabs to outperform on deeply discounted valuation and the possibility for improved financial prospects next …

Despite concerns about the economy, the mobile device market is on track to deliver 13% growth this year, with annual shipments of 1.3 billion units, according to a report from ABI Research.The firm said 301 million units shipped during the …

If this keeps up, “Can you hear me now?” may just become, “Have you gotten this text yet?” And network operators are scrambling to make sure the answer is yes.The average U.S. mobile user now sends and receives more test …

The companies listed below represent the six largest global infrastructure vendors for CDMA as of the first quarter of 2008. Rankings were provided by research firm Dell’Oro Group and include only CDMA vendors. Alcatel-Lucent continued to dominate the CDMA market, …

It seems you’re nobody in wireless if you’re not building – and bragging about – your app store. Apple got the ball rolling, of course, by opening its iPhone to developers and adding an on-device storefront, and its unqualified success …

A group of PC makers and wireless industry players announced a new effort aimed at embedding HSPA modems into laptops. The initiative, organized by the Euro-focused GSM Association, aims to spend up to $1 billion promoting “ready to run” laptops …

The enthusiasm surrounding Sprint Nextel Corp.’s launch of its Xohm-branded mobile WiMAX service took a bit of a hit as a Washington, D.C.-based group noted the service’s terms and conditions contains a clause that would allow Sprint Nextel to limit …

With Sony Ericsson’s inaugural Windows Mobile device set to be launched in the coming days, the handset maker has revealed that it had to convince Microsoft to embrace plans to make the Windows interface more user-friendly.

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson is to lay off about 400 workers, roughly half the work force, at its North American headquarters in Research Triangle Park, Rayleigh, North Carolina in the U.S.

The telecommunications giant has made a strategic investment in Zvents, which lets people promote and find local events.

More than two dozen mobile operators and spectrum license holders have banded together to form NextGen Mobile L.L.C. The organization hopes to pool efforts to launch GSM-based, next-generation networks covering small and rural markets.The organization said 28 companies have joined …

Nokia Corp. once again raised the stakes in its consumer play, acquiring mobile messaging company OZ Communications for an undisclosed amount.A Montreal-based outfit that claims 220 employees, OZ gained a foothold in the early days of mobile instant messaging and …

A House panel said it wrapped up its investigation of the Federal Communications Commission, but findings of the probe into agency management practices will not immediately be made public.“The committee’s investigation of the FCC has concluded. Given the timing, we …

NBC Universal deemed its coverage of the Beijing Olympics a “ringing success,” with its games-dedicated mobile Web site drawing more than 6.5 million unique visitors and 36 million page views, according to Omniture data.The broadcaster, which had described the event …

Sprint Nextel Corp. is set to ax the download of songs from its Sprint Music Store to desktop computers beginning Oct. 15.The service’s home page includes a link titled “PC Downloads Update,” that includes the following explanation: “Beginning October 15, …

The following list details this week’s infrastructure awards for the cellular, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX industries. The contracts are broken down by transmission technology, country and vendor. The value of the contract is included when available.Cellular–Japan: NTT DoCoMo has chosen Fujitsu …

Mobile-video service to deliver on-demand episodes of popular ABC primetime shows.

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly Reality Check column. We’ve gathered a group of visionaries and veterans in the mobile industry to give their insights into the marketplace. By far and away, the most popular question I was asked at …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Yay or Nay. Every week we’ll review a new wireless application or service from the user’s point of view, with the goal of highlighting what works and what doesn’t. If you wish to …

Chipmaker strikes a deal with Skyhook Wireless to use its Wi-Fi positioning technology in its chips for mobile devices.

Voice-recognition technologies have recently made notable strides in the mobile market.

Good news, developers of the world — the Netflix API will be open to all starting tomorrow.

At Ceatec, Japan’s leading wireless companies and phone makers trot out their most forward-thinking phone concepts and designs.