February 2009

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. Ever since the huge turn out last Fall in Chicago for the …

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–Indonesia: Telkomsel chose Nokia Siemens Networks …

BARCELONA, Spain – The smartphone market got just a little more crowded as laptop maker Acer Inc. announced a lineup of four new Windows Mobile-based smartphones, the first of its efforts to cash in on the growing sector. Acer will …

BARCELONA, Spain – As Research in Motion Ltd., Opera Software, Apple Inc. and others encroach on its territory, Microsoft Corp. sought to fight back with an updated version of its mobile-phone operating system, along with an app store and support …

BARCELONA, Spain – LG Electronics Co. Ltd. said it will make smartphones running both the Windows Mobile and Android operating systems, and will release an application storefront in the second quarter.LG also announced a new touch-based, 3D user interface – …

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BARCELONA, Spain – Nokia Corp. introduced an application storefront that will connect developers directly with consumers, a move that comes almost a year after Apple Inc. announced a similar offering for its iPhone device. Nokia said that, when released, its …

Maximizer Software has launched its entirely first mobile product exclusively for BlackBerry handsets that is geared to free workers from laptops and reduce downtime in the field for sales and service professionals.The customer relationship management software company is unveiling its …

Oracle Communications announced several new contracts this week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.The company said Fox Mobile Distribution, a division of Fox Mobile Group, has implemented its Billing and Revenue Management solution to improve efficiency and increase billing flexibility …

Messaging company Acision said Sprint has deployed its advanced messaging infrastructure within its network.Acision said the solution allows the carrier to provide seamless messaging service even during high-usage and peak periods of messaging.“In 2008, the industry reached a milestone with …

LogMeIn Inc. plans to demonstrate a solution that allows for support for Android smartphones at Mobile World Congress this week in Barcelona.The company said it will show smartphone manufacturers and mobile service providers how they can use LogMeIn Rescue+Mobile to …

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly feature, Analyst Angle. We’ve collected a group of the industry’s leading analysts to give their outlook on the hot topics in the wireless industry.Since March 2007, the good folks at RCR Wireless have been …

SEVEN has unveiled its messaging solution for the Android platform that addresses personal and business e-mail on one integrated interface.The solution, which is being showcased at this week’s GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, is not only geared to combine …

BARCELONA, Spain – One of the two top U.S wireless carriers in the United States – Verizon Wireless or Sprint Nextel Corp. – is testing an image-recognition technology that would allow marketers to connect directly to cellphone-toting consumers without relying …

After talking to a number of mobile and security experts, I’ve come to the conclusion that far from being less secure, mobile banking may even be more secure than logging on to your bank Web site over your PC.

Handset manufacturer Motorola Inc. is likely to pin its future on smartphones based on Google Inc.’s Android operating system, while ceding its low-end, high-volume business to others.Amid a fourth-quarter where Motorola Inc. posted a $3.6 billion loss, handset chief Sanjay …

The Communications Workers of America and AT&T Mobility remain deadlocked over a new contract covering more than 20,000 workers employed by the No. 2 wireless provider. The labor-management faceoff is playing out as the Democratic-led Congress prepares to revisit highly …

With WiMAX being deployed all around the world, Intel Corp. officials are satisfied with the progress the technology has made in the United States and are hopeful federal stimulus funds can help accelerate the technology’s deployment. Sean Maloney, Intel EVP, …

The $789 billion economic stimulus bill set to shortly become law designates $7.2 billion for broadband grants, but the measure lacks tax credits for wireless carriers and other service providers.“Despite the fact that broadband tax cuts is a well-known concept …

Developers of applications for Google Inc.’s Android platform will finally be able to start charging for their offerings.The Internet giant said programmers can now submit paid applications to Android Market in the United States and United Kingdom. U.S. users will …

European mobile software company Esmertec AG announced plans to acquire rival Purple Labs SA. The deal will create a new business under the name of Myriad Group AG that will include a client list supporting most major phone manufacturers and …

The $789 billion economic stimulus bill nearing final congressional passage designates $7.2 billion for broadband grants, but the measure lacks tax credits for wireless carriers and other service providers.Crafting rules for broadband grants could become highly controversial, since guidelines governing …

Ahead of next week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced two new innovations the company hopes will set it apart from the inevitable trade-show noise. Specifically, the company unveiled its “Blue Earth” touchscreen phone, which …

The one-time rock of the wireless industry appears set to crumble. And I think that crumbling can’t come soon enough. That rock is postpaid, contract-encumbered rate plans. These were necessary evils when the industry was rife with hundreds of wireless …

Nokia Corp. begged for forgiveness from consumers after its new cloud-based service broke down.The Finnish manufacturer – which is striving to evolve into a mobile Internet services company – said its Contacts for Ovi offering shut down after a cooler …