Skype

QUICKLINKS: More 3G iPhone rumors; Skype launches mobile app for 50 handsets;

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

> More 3G iPhone rumors.

> Skype launches mobile app for 50 handsets.

> Rumor: Prada 2 has 5MP camera, WiFi and more.

> Report: AT&T delays 3G BlackBerry.

> Apple buys chipmaker for iPhones, iPods.

QUICKLINKS: On the Hot Seat with Skype's Christopher Libertelli; Nokia faces $17.7 billion patent suit;

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

> On the Hot Seat with Skype's Christopher Libertelli. FierceWireless

> Nokia faces $17.7 billion patent suit. FierceWireless

> Mozilla unveils mobile UI prototypes. FierceMobileContent

> Kodak unveils new mobile phone image sensor. FierceMobileContent

Nokia acquiring Trolltech for $153 million

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

Nokia announced it will make a public voluntary tender offer to acquire Norwegian open source software provider Trolltech for about $153 million, heralding a significant win for the snowballing mobile Linux platform...and suggesting the Symbian OS is facing rough sledding ahead. Trolltech software and application platforms are used in programs including Skype, Google Earth and Adobe Photoshop Elements--according to Nokia, the acquisition would accelerate its cross-platform software strategy for mobile devices and desktop applications, enabling development of apps optimized for the Internet, across Nokia's device portfolio and on PCs. Nokia said it plans to continue licensing Trolltech technology under both commercial and open source licenses.

"Common cross-platform layers on top of our software platforms attract innovation and enable Web 2.0 technologies in the mobile space," said Nokia's executive vice president of devices Kai Öistämö in a prepared statement. "Trolltech's deep understanding of open source software and its strong technology assets will enable both Nokia and others to innovate on our device platforms while reducing time-to-market. This acquisition will also further increase the competitiveness of S60 and Series 40."

For more on the Nokia/Trolltech deal:
-read this release

Related articles:
Nokia opens the door on Ovi, new devices
Nokia inks multimedia deal with Vodafone
Nokia buys LBS software provider gate5
Nokia to launch music download service
Nokia planning to re-N-Gage?

Google launches Android. Now what?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Monday was G-Day as Google finally made public the worst-kept secret in wireless, announcing the development of Android, a Linux-based open software platform for mobile devices. Google also will lead a broad industry group, dubbed the Open Handset Alliance, formed with the stated goal of "fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms." The 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance include HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung, which will reportedly manufacture Google OS-based handsets for commercial release sometime next year; operators Sprint, T-Mobile USA, NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and China Telecom; chipmakers Broadcom, Intel, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments; and related firms including SiRF Technology Holdings, Marvell Technology Group, Nvidia, Synaptics, Skype-owner eBay and Nuance Communications. (Somewhat conspicuous by its absence is Verizon Wireless, which was rumored to be in discussions with Google last week--but as I suggested a few days back in our sister publication FierceMobileContent, a VZW/Google deal always seemed remote at best, anyway.)

The Open Handset Alliance turns upside-down the conventional mobile revenue model--Google will virtually give away software and services in exchange for income derived from targeted mobile advertising efforts. In its official press statement, Google promises the Android platform "will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products." As early as next week, the Open Handset Alliance will issue its first SDK.

The gauntlet has officially been thrown. Google is in effect challenging developers to create their most cutting-edge, consumer-friendly mobile applications, promising total access to handset capabilities and tools. After all the complaining over the iPhone and Apple's Draconian approach to independent development, Google is unleashing a platform created specifically to support and reward innovation from any and all directions. What more could a developer realistically ask for? To paraphrase the familiar adage, G-Day is the first day of the rest of your life. -Jason

Google launches Android. Now what?

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Wireless network neutrality

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:01:38 -0400

The fight over network neutrality is coming to wireless. Skype fired the first shot by asking the FCC to affirm that existing neutrality and interconnect rules apply to wireless networks too. CTIA asserts that Skype's logic is flawed and that forcing network neutrality on carriers would result in a less competitive marketplace. Check out Brian Dolan's report in FierceWireless for a detailed look at the issues.

Editor's Corner: Focus on CES

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:01:39 -0500

Focus on CES
Hot new cell phones, a swarm of tech journalists and women in demeaning outfits? Why, it must be time for the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of interesting mobile announcements to come out of the show thus far:

The big mobile news this year is Verizon's new mobile TV initiative--a V CAST channel featuring 24-hour full-length episodes of popular primetime shows. FierceMobileContent and FierceWireless have more. Modeo also announced a DVB-H mobile TV station that will broadcast in New York City.
Nokia made headlines by updating its Internet tablet to add Skype support. Hopefully the beefier processor on the N800 will result in a better browsing experience than on the 770.
Opera has released a new user interface SDK for devices called Opera WebUI. Layout consists entirely of JavaScript, HTML, CSS and DOM so it can be easily manipulated by developers.
Yahoo launched a new mobile search application: Go for Mobile 2.0.
Sling launched a PalmOS SlingPlayer client.
MobiTV announces interactive service. -Eli

QUICKLINKS: Cingular launches MySpace Mobile; First also noted headline; Much more...

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:01:35 -0500

Cingular, MySpace sign partnership. FierceMobileContent

Skype releases new Windows Smartphone beta. Website

Motorola issues Q software update. Forum

MobileGamesDB.com--an IMDB for gamers? Blog

Digital Chocolate partners with EMI Canada. Blog

.NET Cf's Finalizer log. Blog

QUICKLINKS: The real difference between J2ME and Flash Lite; Mobile workers: How indispensable should you really be?; Much more

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:01:35 -0400

What's the real difference between J2ME and Flash Lite? Blog

SlingPlayer Mobile coming to Symbian. Blog

Mobile workers: How indispensable should you really be? Article

Skype CEO says non-Windows mobile Skype will have to wait. Article

Verizon's Chocolate to get speakerphone via OTA update. Article

Ad-subsidized content doesn't work? Blog

Nokia drops price of N-Gage games. Blog

Digital Orchid buys mobile gaming firm Blue Tech. Blog

RIM reinvents the BlackBerry with the Pearl. Review

NetGear's Skype WiFi phone

Mon, 01 May 2006 20:01:34 -0400

NetGear's new Skype-ready WiFi phone is a cool device, but for $250 it seems a bit limited. As Carlo Longino points out, WiFi phones aren't really mobile. "Maybe they're nomadic at best." Website