Watch the Android Market for new mobile banking applications that pop up (and eventually get knocked down). Some of those aren’t really from the bank they advertise. You can tell they are phishy by the email address assigned to them. Is lack of Google governance allowing Android consumers to be phished?
Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category
This Week in Mobility #82
November 28, 2009“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”
~Cicero
BlackBerry
1. Pearl 9100 Photos Leaked
2. BlackBerry v5 OS Message Flags
iPhone
3. Not Just Anyone Should Jailbreak iPhones
Windows Mobile
4. Troubleshooting Exchange ActiveSync
Google
5. Google Releases Navigation for More Androids
Other News
6. A Great Smartphone for Every Carrier
7. Apple & Android: 75% of U.S. Mobile Web Traffic
8. Ericsson Picks up Nortel’s GSM Line
9. Starbucks Tests Mobile Payment
10. Outdoor Femtocell
“I am thankful for you.”
~Me
BlackBerry
See more leaked photos of the BlackBerry Pearl 9100. Unwired
2. BlackBerry v5 OS Message Flags
The new BlackBerry 5.0 OS includes this handy ability to set reminders up for your e-mails. InfoWorld
iPhone
3. Not Just Anyone Should Jailbreak iPhones
A friend of mine explains, “One thing is that, I believe and from what I’ve read, only jailbroke iPhones which the user failed to change the default root and/or ssh password are vulnerable. Imho, Pwnage makes it too easy to jailbreak your iPhone. You can do it without really having any knowledge of linux (hence you don’t take even the most basic proper precautions making yourself vulnerable). There is even some speculation that Apple (or Apple friendly) engineers are creating these worms to discourage jailbreaking. Bank Tech
Windows Mobile
4. Troubleshooting Exchange ActiveSync
Although it’s easy to deploy mobile messaging within an organization, troubleshooting mobile messaging can be surprisingly difficult because problems can occur in many different areas. Windows IT Pro
5. Google Releases Navigation for More Androids
Google is expanding its free Google Maps Navigation to more Android devices, including those running Android 1.6 (Donut) and higher. Wireless Week
Other News
6. A Great Smartphone for Every Carrier
For the first time ever, every major carrier in the US actually has smartphones worth buying, meaning you don’t have to break up to get a good phone. Here’s the best phones on each one, along with the best deals. Gizmondo
7. Apple & Android: 75% of U.S. Mobile Web Traffic
Increasingly there are only two mobile platforms which matter: Apple and Android. According to to AdMob’s October, 2009 mobile metrics report, the iPhone/iPod Touch and Android phones accounted for 75 percent of mobile Web traffic in the U.S., as measured by all the mobile ad requests it tracks. TechCrunch
8. Ericsson Picks up Nortel’s GSM Line
Ericsson will buy Nortel Networks’ s’ GSM units in the U.S. and Canada for $70 million. Austrian company Kapsch CarrierCom will buy Nortel’s remaining GSM businesses outside North America for $33 million.
Wall Street Journal
9. Starbucks Tests Mobile Payment
Starbucks Corp is currently testing a bar-code payments system developed by by mFoundry in 16 Seattle and silicon valley stores. The mFoundry system displays a unique image on the screens of Apple Inc.’s iPhones and iPod Touch devices. The images function like standard bar codes. They can be scanned with the optical checkout scanners in use at many retail stores. The software also allows users to reload their cards or lock them with a passcode. Banking World
By tinkering with the device’s range, Ubiquisys has a made a femto that acts much like macro while still preserving its cost and operational benefits. Telephony Online
This Week in Mobility #81
November 21, 2009 “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”
~Margaret Fuller
Tips
1. Tel: Again
2. BB Calendar Tips & Shortcuts
3. Tax-Deduction with Wikipedia
BlackBerry
4. T-Mobile Offers Wi-Fi Calling with BlackBerry 9700
5. T-Mobile Offers First US Prepaid BlackBerry Service
iPhone
6. AT&T Boosts 3G Coverage in SF Bay Area
Windows Mobile
7. Microsoft Announces WinMo 7 Announcement Coming March 2010
8. WinMo Marketplace Shows OS Fractures
9. Windows Marketplace Open to More Devices
Google
10. Droid Becomes Fastest Selling Android
Other News
11. Cell Phones in U.S. Homes 71%
12. The Potential of Smartphone DDoS Attacks
13. Palm Releases $99 Pixi
14. Mobile money on the rise in U.S.
15. Your Cell Phone Could Be a Germ Breeder
16. Anti-Bacterial Wipes for Your Mobile
“Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm.”
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Tips
Let me know if you’re going to CES in Las Vegas 1.7-10.2010.
Dan Whipple reports… I used the following formula on my 8310 (v4.5.0.110) and it worked like a champ…
Tel:8666578888×2188888#,,*,8888#,1 (note “x” after dial in number). Also had to switch to “Wait for: My Response” (in Phone > Options) to make it work.
3. BB Calendar Tips & Shortcuts
RIM offers this page with a few BB calendar tips and a list of shortcuts. RIM
4. Tax-Deduction with Wikipedia
This week, I gave my first tax-deductable Wikipedia donation to reciprocate for the times it helped a not-so-smart guy, like me, appear almost intelligent. (Thanks Wikipedia)
BlackBerry
5. T-Mobile Offers Wi-Fi Calling with BlackBerry 9700
T-Mobile USA says the BlackBerry Bold 9700 with Wi-Fi calling is now available. Wireless Week
6. T-Mobile Offers First US Prepaid BlackBerry Service
T-Mobile will allow customers to buy a BlackBerry Curve 8520 without signing a contract as part of its new “Complete” package that the carrier will sell for $60, including a free month of service. Chicago Tribune
iPhone
7. AT&T Boosts 3G Coverage in SF Bay Area
AT&T says it has invested nearly $65 million from 2008 through the third quarter of 2009 to complete a “substantial upgrade of its local 3G wireless network in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.” The upgrade includes additional spectrum in the 850 MHz band, which generally delivers better in-building coverage. Wireless Week
Windows Mobile
8. Microsoft Announces WinMo 7 Announcement Coming March 2010
It’s always weird to hear that a company is announcing that it will make an announcement, but Microsoft is announcing that Windows Mobile 7 will make its grand official appearance at the MIX 2010 conference in March 2010. The new OS is rumored to have a Q3 2010 launch. Unwired
9. WinMo Marketplace Shows OS Fractures
The mere handful of apps in Windows Marketplace for Mobile shows the downside to a business model like Microsoft’s: users have the luxury of choosing the phone design they prefer, but it comes with limitations in interoperability. InfoWorld
10. Windows Marketplace Open to More Devices
A second take on the same topic… Microsoft is making its 800-application Windows Marketplace available to a wider audience of Windows Mobile users. The Marketplace, which launched on Windows Mobile 6.5 about a month ago, now will be available to Windows 6.0 and 6.1 users, a market that is estimated to be about 30 million devices worldwide. MocoNews.net
11. Droid Becomes Fastest Selling Android
With only one week of Droid sales under its belt, Flurry Analytics’ latest statistics on Verizon Wireless’ exclusive Motorola Droid suggest VZW’s $100 million integrated marketing campaign paid off. Telephony Unfiltered
Other News
12. Cell Phones in U.S. Homes 71%
71% of U.S. households now have a cell phone. HOUSTON CHRONICLE
13. The Potential of Smartphone DDoS Attacks
Smartphones could be used in the future to target and bring down wireless carrier’s cellular networks via distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Computer World
Last Sunday, Palm launched the $99 Pixi. CEO Jon Rubinstein said Palm did not have to be a huge company to compete. New York Times
15. Mobile money on the rise in U.S.
Already a presence in Europe and Japan, person-to-person mobile money services — the ability to send someone cash by cell phone or e-mail — are beginning to gain traction in the U.S. New York Times / BusinessWeek
16. Your Cell Phone Could Be a Germ Breeder
With the flu and cold season upon us (not to mention the H1N1 scare), recent findings offer a harsh reminder that our mobile devices are considered a main culprit for collecting and spreading germs. Fear not: you can still use your cell phone without it becoming a petri dish — and win the “germ warfare” game just in time for the holidays.Mobile Enterprise Mag
17. Anti-Bacterial Wipes for Your Mobile
Now are you nervous about germs on your mobile? Delicate use of normal anti-bacterial wipes will do (avoid charging and headset ports), but here is a specifically designed solution… Wireless Wipes
This Week in Mobility #80
November 14, 2009“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
~Aristotle
Tips
1. BING as BB Default Search Tool?
2. Verizon Call Forwarding
3. Tel: on Bold Not Working
4. How Can I Quickly Delete 800 Messages from my BB?
BlackBerry
5. BlackBerry Will Remain Market Leader Through 2014
6. RIM Offers More BlackBerry Development Tools
7. BB App World to Offer Carrier Billing in 2010
iPhone
8. Apple Tops Handset Profits in Q3
Windows Mobile
9. Market Watch: Windows Mobile
10. Microsoft Marketplace Makes Improvements
Google
11. 100,000 Droid Sold in 1st Weekend
12. Google’s Holiday Gift: Free Wi-Fi @ 47 Airports
13. Google to Acquire Mobile-Ad Startup AdMob
14. Android Video Conference Phone
15. Droid Service Comes At a Hefty Price
Oher News
16. 30,000s Handhelds Left in NYC Cabs
17. Wireless Data Revenue Grew 27% in Q3
18. Mobile Commerce Expected to Explode
19. Clearwire’s Net Adds Accelerate
20. Wi-Fi Hotspot Connects Surge to 1.2 Billion
21. Text Messaging Soars in U.S.
“I have learned to use the word ‘impossible’ with the greatest caution.”
~Wernher von Braun
Tips
1. BING as BB Default Search Tool?
You can change the “Default Search Provider” through the Browser \ Options \ Browser Configuration. To change this to search Bing.com you need to specify ‘Live Search’. There is an RIM request in place to have the handheld code change Live Search to Bing.com with the correct display icon and this change is currently targeted for later in 5.0 handheld. Unfortunately, there are not any IT policies or other BES side setting which could be used to make this change on all devices.
Immediate Call Forwarding:
– Activate: *72 + 10-Digit + Send
– Deactivate: *720 + Send
No Answer Call Forwarding:
– Activate: *92 + 10-Digit + Send
– Deactivate: *920 + Send
Busy Call Forwarding:
– Activate: *90 + 10-Digit + Send
– Deactivate: *900 + Send
RIM confirmed TEL: format works on all devices except the Bold.
The format is… Tel:8666578888,,2188888#,,*,,8888#,,1
Good news is that it is fixed on the new Bold v5+ operating system.
The bad news v5 for Bold hasn’t a solid ETA, so could be a few weeks or months.
4. How Can I Quickly Delete 800 Messages from my BB?
On most newer BB devices, you can scroll to the top, hit the menu button, and select “delete prior”, but be careful it doesn’t sync the delete unexpectedly to Outlook (BB > messages > options > email reconciliation > delete on = handheld).
BlackBerry
5. BlackBerry Will Remain Market Leader Through 2014
Google’s Android OS-based phones and Apple’s iPhone maybe get all the media love, but one analyst firm believes that it will be RIM’s BlackBerry that will be the smartphone king of the U.S. market in five years. Pyramid Research expects the device to be the biggest beneficiary of the move to smartphones.GigaOm
6. RIM Offers More BlackBerry Development Tools
Research in Motion has expanded its alliance with Adobe as well as made it easier for developers to insert ads into their applications for BlackBerry smartphones, RIM said. While RIM and Adobe had previously disclosed plans to bring Flash to the device, the partners Monday outlined ways to help developers use Adobe’s tools to simplify the integration of images, video and graphics into their software.InformationWeek /Reuters
7. BB App World to Offer Carrier Billing in 2010
BlackBerry App World will see carrier billing by 2010. Carrier billing would make it easier for BlackBerry customers to purchase applications on their phones. As it stands, BlackBerry users have to enter PayPal credentials, which some say inhibits spontaneous purchases. Wireless Week
iPhone
8. Apple Tops Handset Profits in Q3
According to a report released today from Strategy Analytics, Apple has emerged from the third quarter 2009 as the world’s most profitable handset vendor. Wireless Week
Windows Mobile
9. Market Watch: Windows Mobile
The past few months have seen several new smartphones get headlines with their releases, and every new version of the iPhone’s software makes waves, so it can be easy to forget Windows Mobile. The OS isn’t flashy, but it has a solid place in enterprises. The question is, can it hold onto this place in the face of fierce competition? Windows IT Pro
10. Microsoft Marketplace Makes Improvements
Microsoft today rolled out some upgrades to it Windows Marketplace for Mobile: more advanced anti-piracy protection, improved developer portal, and new PC based shopping and account management. Exciting! Okay, not really. Wireless Week
11. 100,000 Droid Sold in 1st Weekend
It’s not quite the 1M sold in the first weekend for the iPhone 3GS, but still a good start. Unwired
12. Google’s Holiday Gift: Free Wi-Fi @ 47 Airports
Google has teamed up with Boingo Wireless, Airport Marketing Income, Advanced Wireless Group and others in order to offer free Wi-Fi in 47 US airports during the 2009 Holiday Season – starting now and through January 15 2010. Seattle and Burbank airports will continue to offer free Wi-Fi after the Holiday season, for an indefinite period of time. Google
13. Google to Acquire Mobile-Ad Startup AdMob
Google is making a $750 million bet on the future of mobile display advertising with the acquisition of AdMob, a startup that specializes in selling ads that are optimized for mobile display — including on Apple’s popular iPhone. The acquisition, the third-richest in Google’s history, gives the search giant a leg up on competitors in the burgeoning field of mobile advertising. Wall Street Journal / New York Times / BusinessWeek
14. Android Video Conference Phone
Check out this video sneak peak of the VPhone by Saygus, a new Android 2.0 handset due out early next year on Verizon. The phone is built around Saygus’s video conferencing software. PCMag
15. Droid Service Comes At a Hefty Price
Motorola Droid smartphone will cost users $199.99 with a 2-year contract, with an additional $30 per month for the mandatory ‘unlimited’ data plan that has a monthly cap of 5Gb. Verizon will charge $50 for each additional gigabyte over the 5Gb limit on the unlimited data plan. Verizon has confirmed that tethering will cost another $30 per month for an additional unlimited data plan that is also limited to 5Gb. If you want tethering you will pay $60 above and beyond the monthly contract for service for an ‘unlimited’ 10Gb of data per month, and if you plan on connecting with an Microsoft Exchange email account you have to pay another $15 a month. Slashdot
Other News
16. 30,000s Handhelds Left in NYC Cabs
A survey finds that more than 30,000 mobile devices are left behind in New York City taxicabs every six months. Your chances of leaving behind a mobile device increase during the holiday season. Mobile Enterprise Mag
17. Wireless Data Revenue Grew 27% in Q3
The top four U.S. wireless carriers have become “a permanent fixture” among top 10 telecoms worldwide in data revenue, according to a report from GigaOM Pro analyst Chetan Sharma, which said domestic sales grew 27% overall compared with a year earlier. The report also noted that, led by Verizon Wireless, 3G penetration stood at 43% and that the momentum continued to grow among carriers to offer flat-rate pricing plans. New York Times
18. Mobile Commerce Expected to Explode
Two years ago, a survey found that consumers were “very concerned” about the security of transactions made using a mobile phone. M-commerce has come a long way since then, with almost half of consumers now saying they are very comfortable with the concept. Juniper estimates that m-commerce will exceed $300 billion in the next four years. Forbes
19. Clearwire’s Net Adds Accelerate
Mobile WiMax carrier Clearwire said its CLEAR 4G WiMAX Markets generated 49,000 net subscriber additions and consolidated net adds topped 44,000 for Q3 2009. Wireless Week
20. Wi-Fi Hotspot Connects Surge to 1.2 Billion
In-Stat today released a report that indicates the Wi-Fi hotspot market is entering a revival period. Wireless Week
21. Text Messaging Soars in U.S.
Cell phone users sent 80% more text messages in 12 months through June than a year earlier, according to CTIA, which noted that teenagers that popularized the practice 10 years ago have not slowed down their usage while a new generation of texters has arrived. “The community of texters continues to grow as people age,” said CTIA spokesman John Walls. New York Times
This Week in Mobility #79
November 7, 2009“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.”
~Will Rogers
Tips
1. What Calendar Entries Populate with BlackBerry Activation?
2. No Simultaneous Talk & Tether on VZ
BlackBerry
3. Prevent Distracted Driving with ZoomSafer
iPhone
4. Apple’s iPhone Gains Wi-Fi Handset Share
5. iPod Touch-Based EasyPay Checkout
Windows Mobile
6. Microsoft Promoting Speech as the Next Touch
Android
7. Verizon Sets 2010 Date for Droid Tether
8. Droid Exchange Sync Costs Extra
Other News
9. Cancer from Cell Phone Concerns Renewed
10. WinXP Smartphone-like Laptop
11. Verizon LTE in 25-30 Markets Next Year
12. T-Mobile Loses 77,000 Customers in Q3
13. Chicago Gets WiMax
“There is no such thing as a great talent without great willpower.”
~Honoré de Balzac
Tips
1. What Calendar Entries Populate with BlackBerry Activation?
When performing wireless enterprise activation the BlackBerry Enterprise Server populates the calendar information as follows:
– Single instance appointments for the past 30 days are synchronized to the BlackBerry smartphone.
– All future single instance meetings are synchronized to the BlackBerry smartphone.
– All recurring meeting series, past and future, are synchronized to the BlackBerry smartphone.
2. No Simultaneous Talk & Tether on VZ
On the AT&T 3G Bold (and newer), EDGE allow you to take a phone call while using your BlackBerry as a cellular modem for your laptop, but not with Verizon. CDMA has a single threaded radio operation. Hence voice and data cannot share the radio.
BlackBerry
3. Prevent Distracted Driving with ZoomSafer
ZoomSafer uses GPS to detect if you’re traveling over 10mph, then automates an out of office message, letting people know you’ll get back to them. It also can read your messages aloud and send voice notes from you to your contacts. ZoomSafer
iPhone
4. Apple’s iPhone Gains Wi-Fi Handset Share
Nokia’s share of the Wi-Fi phone market took a plunge in the second quarter, from 50% a year earlier to 35% as Apple jumped into second place with a six-fold leap from 3% to 20%.CNET
5. iPod Touch-Based EasyPay Checkout
Apple stores will begin retiring their current Windows CE-based portable computers and start using a custom-designed and crafted iPod touch to check out customers. Those who have seen the system for processing credit card, debit card and cash purchases, dubbed “EasyPay touch,” said it combines iPod touch features with a magnetic stripe reader, advanced barcode scanner and Apple-written software to speed plastic and cash transactions. Apple Insider
Windows Mobile
6. Microsoft Promoting Speech as the Next Touch
Although Microsoft integrated touch-screen capabilities into Windows 7, at least one Microsoft executive suggests that the next stage in user interaction is speech-recognition technology as applied to various everyday applications. eWeek
Android
7. Verizon Sets 2010 Date for Droid Tether
Verizon subscribers will be to tether the new Motorola Droid smartphone next year, which will give them the ability to connect laptops to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network via the Android-based Droid. CNET
8. Droid Exchange Sync Costs Extra
Users who buy the device and expect to use its built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support (to get corporate e-mail from Exchange servers) will have to pay an additional $15 per month for the privilege, Verizon confirms. InfoWorld
Other News
9. Cancer from Cell Phone Concerns Renewed
A World Health Organization study due out by the end of 2009 finds significantly increased risk of some brain tumors among those who have used mobile phones for 10 years or more. Mobile Enterprise Mag
10. WinXP Smartphone-like Laptop
A Chinese company has begun taking pre-orders for a device that aims to blend PC features with those of a smartphone. In Technology Group has developed the pocket-size XPPhone, which runs on Windows XP and also operates like a smartphone and a mobile Internet device. Some analysts termed the handset intriguing, but wondered if Windows XP was too powerful an operating system to run smartphone features. PC World
11. Verizon LTE in 25-30 Markets Next Year
Verizon Wireless is on track to launch LTE in 25 to 30 markets next year, said Tony Melone at a keynote address before the LTE Americas 2009 Conference. WirelessWeek
12. T-Mobile Loses 77,000 Customers in Q3
T-Mobile USA is building up its 3G coverage, but it’s feeling the effects of intense competition. WirelessWeek
Clearwire brings WiMax to Chicago this week, giving residents access to a technology that promises superfast Internet speeds from any location. Chicago Tribune
This Week in Mobility #78
October 31, 2009“Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.”
~Mason Cooley
Tips
1. BB Tip: How to Autodial Your Bridge # + Extension + Admin Code
2. No Simultaneous Talk & Tether on VZ
BlackBerry
3. 9550 Storm2 Gets Good Reviews
4. 9700 Bold2 Looking Good Too
5. RIM & Others to Support JIL Widgets
6. Oracle Mobile Sales Assistant 2.0 for BlackBerry
7. PhoneSnoop on BlackBerry
iPhone
8. Analyst Predicts Verizon iPhone in 2010
9. AT&T Implies iPhone Exclusivity Ending
10. Market Share: BlackBerry 40%, iPhone 30%
Windows Mobile
11. Sprint: Windows Mobile 6.5 Early 2010
12. HTC WinMo 6.5 Unboxed
Android
13. Motorola\Verizon Droid Release Nov 6th
14. Free! Super-Rich GPS Navigation from Google
Other News
15. Gartner: Smartphones Outpace Laptops by 2012
16. Google Voice for Your Vmail
17. Zong Rolls Out Next-Gen Payment Service
18. Smartphone Security 101
“A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory.”
~Arthur Golden
Tips
1. BB Tip: How to Autodial Your Bridge # + Extension + Admin Code
Automate hosting your conference call from anywhere (BB calendar, email, and contacts) with this format.
Tel:8666578888,,2188888#,,*,,8888#,,1
Note: If you want to enter it into your contacts, use the “Notes” section of your contact. Also, use comma’s not periods 😉
2. No Simultaneous Talk & Tether on VZ
On the AT&T 3G Bold (and newer), EDGE allow you to take a phone call while using your BlackBerry as a cellular modem for your laptop, but not with Verizon. CDMA has a single threaded radio operation. Hence voice and data cannot share the radio.
BlackBerry
3. 9550 Storm2 Gets Good Reviews
Improvements for include the addition of Wi-Fi, doubling of Flash memory from 128 MB to 256 MB, and doubling of device memory from 1 GB to 2 GB. Seems everyone is impressed with the SurePress screen too. Mobile Enterprise Magazine
4. 9700 Bold2 Looking Good Too
Biggest problem with Bold? The trackball gets dirt in it. Some might also say the Bold is too bulky. Bold2 fixes both issues. Bold 2 is smaller (4.29″ x 2.36″ x 0.56″), and uses a digital trackpad. Then with double the flash memory (256mb), this 3G Bold 2 should have a comparatively long usability life span (2-3yrs?).
5. RIM & Others to Support JIL Widgets
The Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) today announced the support of Research in Motion, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics and Sharp Corporation for the JIL widget specification in the manufacturers’ future mobile handsets, starting in 2010. JIL is a joint venture of China Mobile, SOFTBANK, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone, aimed at creating a single global platform for mobile application developers that’s supported by a wide variety of devices and carriers.
6. Oracle Mobile Sales Assistant 2.0 for BlackBerry
The new application adds support for 12 languages, along with a range of new functionality. Mobile Enterprise Magazine
The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team warned BlackBerry users on Tuesday about a new program called PhoneSnoop that allows someone to remotely eavesdrop on phone conversations.CNET
iPhone
8. Analyst Predicts Verizon iPhone in 2010
The only way the “Verizon iPhone in 2010″ rumor will go away is if by December 31, 2010 we still haven’t seen a Verizon iPhone. Otherwise, the rumor will stick around and offer continuous debate until we are completely sick of it. UnWired
9. AT&T Implies iPhone Exclusivity Ending
AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega strongly implied today that the carrier’s exclusive deal to sell the iPhone in the U.S. is ending, although he gave no details in a conference call with analysts. InfoWorld
10. Market Share: BlackBerry 40%, iPhone 30%
The iPhone is on track to become the most popular smartphone in the U.S. market, according to a new survey by ChangeWave Research. iPhone market share now stands at 30 percent, versus 40 percent for the current reigning champion, BlackBerry. InfoWorld
Windows Mobile
11. Sprint: Windows Mobile 6.5 Early 2010
Sprint Exec David Owens admitted that Windows Mobile 6.5 is currently being tested on the company’s devices and will be ready sometime early next year.
Android
13. Motorola\Verizon Droid Release Nov 6th
Motorola and Verizon Wireless announced Wednesday that the much-anticipated Droid handset would hit the market Nov. 6. The $199 handset operates on Google’s Android 2.0 software and is poised to battle the iPhone for market share. The Droid will be heavily promoted by Verizon, its exclusive vendor. “The marketing campaign that will support the Droid will be the largest in our history,” Verizon Chief Marketing Officer John Stratton said. Macworld /CNET /Wall Street Journal /IDG (Video)
14. Free! Super-Rich GPS Navigation from Google
Garmin and Tom Tom stocks plummeted after Google announced this week that it has created a free wireless navigation service that will offer turn-by-turn directions, live traffic updates, and the ability to recognize voice commands. The company says its service will initially be available only on the Motorola Droid.New York Times /InternetNews / Unwired (video) / PCMag (review)
Other News
15. Gartner: Smartphones Outpace Laptops by 2012
By 2012, revenue derived from the sale of smartphones will hit $191 million and will outpace revenue from mobile PCs such as laptops, according to a Gartner study. That development, the research firm predicts, will lead all major vendors of personal computers to announce plans, by the end of this year, to jump into the smartphone fray.
16. Google Voice for Your Vmail
Google Voice Frees Your Voicemail, and Your NumberPCWorld
17. Zong Rolls Out Next-Gen Payment Service
Zong is staking its claim in the mobile payments market with the launch of Zong+, an online mobile payment platform. Wireless Week
Most people view their smartphone as a phone and not as a computer. People have to change their mindset in the same way when home computers started connecting to the Internet. CNN
This Week in Mobility #77
October 24, 2009“Be forever curiously testing new opinions and courting new impressions.”
~Walter Pater
Tips
1. Custom Caller ID?
2. BB Tip: How to Autodial Your Bridge # + Extension + Admin Code
3. Workaround: AT&T Conference Autodial from an AT&T BB
BlackBerry
4. RIM Unveils GSM-Flavored BlackBerry Bold 9700
5. BlackBerry Bluetooth Watch Accessory Expected
6. RIM Touts BlackBerry Storm2 as Developer Device
7. Jones Lang LaSalle to BoxTone Management Tools for BlackBerry
iPhone
8. The iPhone Gets a Solid Video Editor
9. 7.4 Million iPhones Sold in 3Q 09
10. Nokia Sues Apple over Alleged Patent Infringements
Windows Mobile
11. Windows Mobile 7 Screenshots Leaked
12. Ballmer: Zune is Coming to Next Windows Mobile
Android
13. Android 2.0 Screenshots & Features
14. Droid Momentum Builds
15. Google Making its Own Smartphone?
Other News
16. Will Your Phone Work with Windows 7?
17. Mobile Boarding Passes Roll Out to More Airports
18. First Methanol Cell Charger Launched
19. Enterprise to Consume 58% of Mobile Internet by 2014
“Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.”
~Gail Godwin
Tips
Informal Poll: Do you have a business need to customize your cell phone’s caller id? For example, would you want it to read “Bank of America” or “Merrill Lynch”?
2. BB Tip: How to Autodial Your Bridge # + Extension + Admin Code
Last week, I suggested you use your BB contacts to automate hosting your conference call. This week RIM revealed a little known technique that works from anywhere (BB calendar, email, and contacts). They key is to start with “Tel:”, as in…
Tel:8666578888,,2188888#,,*,,8888#,,1
“Dear Diary, peanut butter cookies with milk chocolate chips?! You betcha, cause I’MMMMM worth it! Despite my deadly allergy to-“
~Brian Huskey
3. Workaround: AT&T Conference Autodial from an AT&T BB
At BAC, there is a year old bug between AT&T cells (including BBs) and the AT&T tele-conferencing network. What happens is that after dialing, you never hear a ring tone, it just connects, so if you setup the autodial (mentioned in the earlier tip), the cell phone is waiting for the ring tone, and never dials your extension. David Lampert reminded me of a workaround:
· Go to Phone options
· Go to Smart Dialing
· At the bottom there is a section labeled “To access extensions in all other corporations, call the number, then Wait for:”
· For this option select “My Response”
· Now you will be prompted to add the extension so you can dial into the bridge just by pressing one button.
BlackBerry
4. RIM Unveils GSM-Flavored BlackBerry Bold 9700
Research In Motion (RIM) announced the BlackBerry Bold 9700 for 3G GSM networks, namely AT&T and T-Mobile USA in the United States. Some specs: full-qwerty keyboard, BlackBerry OS 5.0, built-in Wi-Fi (with support for Wi-Fi calling via UMA where available), 3.2MP camera with variable zoom, autofocus, flash and video recording, GPS and up to 32GB of expandable memory.
Wireless Week / Reuters / AT&T
5. BlackBerry Bluetooth Watch Accessory Expected
Rumor is that it has been designed specifically for use with BlackBerry Smartphones, and features a “big, bright and beautiful” OLED screen with solid battery life, and it will show you notifications and previews of messages arriving on your BlackBerry. CrackBerry
6. RIM Touts BlackBerry Storm2 as Developer Device
RIM is touting its new BlackBerry Storm2 as a hot device for developers, as the BlackBerry OS 5.0 is the first smartphone operating system from RIM to support Google Gears and SQLite for BlackBerry Widgets. eWeek
7. Jones Lang LaSalle to BoxTone Management Tools for BlackBerry
Real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle in Chicago is gearing up to deploy advanced BlackBerry management tools to better monitor its mobile devices. The BoxTone software gives the information technology department a heads-up when there is a problem with server software. Computerworld
iPhone
8. The iPhone Gets a Solid Video Editor
The iPhone recently got a video editing tool: ReelDirector. It looks terrific.
9. 7.4 Million iPhones Sold in 3Q 09
Demand for the iPhone 3GS reportedly exceeded expectations. New $999 MacBook also announced, but tablet rumors remain unconfirmed.
10. Nokia Sues Apple over Alleged Patent Infringements
Nokia and Apple could be headed to court after the world’s largest handset maker sued the consumer-electronics giant in federal court Thursday on allegations that the iPhone has infringed on 10 of Nokia’s patents dealing with technology that connects cell phones to wireless networks. Wall Street Journal / Reuters / New York Times
Windows Mobile
11. Windows Mobile 7 Screenshots Leaked
We’re still about one year ahead of seeing the first Windows Mobile 7 phones launched, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take a look at what Microsoft’s next mobile OS will bring. Unwired
12. Ballmer: Zune is Coming to Next Windows Mobile
In a 40min interview with Engadget MS CEO said Windows Mobile will feature Zune integration.
Android
13. Android 2.0 Screenshots & Features
If this is true, Android 2.0 is going to be awesome. Boy Genius
The suspense over Verizon Wireless’ release date of the Droid phone is building, with Droid devotees getting a teaser on a Web site referring to a date as early as next week. Wireless Week
15. Google Making its Own Smartphone?
Google is developing a self-branded smartphone for release this year that it will market exclusively through retailers, according to a report at TheStreet.com
Other News
16. Will Your Phone Work with Windows 7?
Windows 7’s Device Stage promises a great mobile syncing experience, but PCMag found it to be a total failure. Here’s what you need to know. PCMag
17. Mobile Boarding Passes Roll Out to More Airports
At many US airports, customers scan their cell phone screens when going through security and when boarding just as they would a traditional paper boarding pass. Airlines using this technology are American, Continental, Delta, and Alaska Airlines. NYTimes
18. First Methanol Cell Charger Launched
Toshiba ended years of research and development in finally introducing a charger in Japan today based on technology called direct methanol fuel cell, or DMFC, which can power up batteries in cell phones and digital cameras via USB connections. PC World
19. Enterprise to Consume 58% of Mobile Internet by 2014
Informa predicts the number of enterprise subscribers will grow steadily over the next several years to account for 11.7 percent of total mobile subscribers — and generating revenues of $92.6 billion — by 2014. Enterprise-related mobile Internet usage will see particularly strong uptake in North America, with such revenues overtaking those from enterprise mobile messaging in 2012 and accounting for 58 percent of overall mobile enterprise revenues by 2014. GigaOm
This Week in Mobility #76
October 17, 2009“The future is here. It’s just not widely distributed yet.”
~William Gibson
Tip
1. How to Keep Outlook and BB E-mail in Sync
BlackBerry
2. BlackBerry Bold 9700 Appears at T-Mobile Germany
3. Vodafone’s BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Coming October 26
iPhone
4. Apple to Allow in In-App Purchases for Free Apps
5. PCMag’s Readers Crown the iPhone King
Windows Mobile
6. Microsoft Says It Can Restore Wiped Sidekick Data
Android
7. Android Provides Foundation for Next-Gen Google
Other News
8. Time Warner Cable to Offer 4G in N.C.
9. Global Turmoil Barely Dents Mobile Sector
“When you build bridges you can keep crossing them.”
~Rick Pitino
Tip
1. How to Keep Outlook and BB E-mail in Sync
On your BB, open “Messages”, click the menu button, select Options > Email Reconciliation > Wireless Reconcile = On > Also, I like Delete
On = Prompt
BlackBerry
2. BlackBerry Bold 9700 Appears at T-Mobile Germany
The features of BlackBerry Bold 9700 include a 480 x 360 pixels display, optical trackpad, full QWERTY keyboard, HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, 3.2MP camera, 1500 mAh battery, and a 2GB card in the box. The 9700 is slightly smaller than the original Bold, measuring 109 x 60 x 14 millimeters (as opposed to 116 x 66 x 14 mm). Engadget
3. Vodafone’s BlackBerry Storm2 9520 Coming October 26
Vodafone’s Storm2 (model name 9520) will be available in the following countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, Italy and South Africa. As expected, the new Storm comes with a significantly improved SurePress technology, which should let you easily control the 3.25 inch, 360 x 480 pixels capacitive touchscreen display. Here are the main features of BlackBerry Storm2 9520:
– BlackBerry OS 5
– Quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM
– UMTS/HSPA (2100Mhz)
– Wi-Fi
– GPS
– 3.5mm headset jack
– Vodafone music client pre-installed
– 3.2MP camera with autofocus and flash
– 256MB Flash memory
– MicroSD card support, up to 32GB
Vodafone
iPhone
4. Apple to Allow in In-App Purchases for Free Apps
In a surprising reversal, Apple announced a game changer for it app developers. According to an e-mail sent to developers, Apple will now allow in-app purchases for free apps. WirelessWeek
5. PCMag’s Readers Crown the iPhone King
Despite rumblings from some iPhone users about how Apple’s
exclusive contract with AT&T as service provider for the iPhone should end, respondents in PCMag.com’s 2009 Cell Phone Service & Reliability study have crowned it king of the mobile market. GigaOm
Windows Mobile
6. Microsoft Says It Can Restore Wiped Sidekick Data
There may be a happy ending after all for owners of Sidekick phones who thought they might have permanently lost contact numbers and
other personal information they had put on the gadget.
Android
7. Android Provides Foundation for Next-Gen Google
A year ago, there was only one Android device out there: the T-Mobile G-1. Today, Android is powering 12 devices in 26 countries with 32 carriers – and there are more on the way. ZDNet
Other News
8. Time Warner Cable to Offer 4G in N.C..
Time Warner Cable’s first launch of its 4G wireless network
is set for Dec. 1 in the North Carolina communities of Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh. Wireless Week
9. Global Turmoil Barely Dents Mobile Sector
Strong demand in emerging nations has kept the mobile-phone
industry growing despite the global recession, according to a new United Nations report out of the International Telecommunication Union. The ITU predicted cell phone subscriptions would jump 15% this year compared with a year earlier with 3.2 billion of the world’s 4.6 billion mobile base emanating from poorer countries. Financial Times
This Week in Mobility #75
October 10, 2009“A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.”
~James Joyce
BlackBerry
1. Vonage Releases Calling App for iPhone, BlackBerry
2. T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Enterprise Drive with RIM’s MVS
3. Blackberry Tour 2 (Essex) & The Hybrid (Magnum) Dakota’s Camera
4. New Widget SDK for the BlackBerry
5. BlackBerry RSS
iPhone
6. AT&T and Apple to Allow iPhone VoIP Apps
7. App May Mark Big Step Forward for Augmented Reality
Windows Mobile
8. Windows Marketplace for Mobile Debuts with 246 Applications
9. AT&T, HTC Unveil WM 6.5 Smartphones
10. iSuppli Predicts Windows Mobile to Triple by 2013
11. “I certainly don’t buy iSuppli’s recent forecast”
4G News
12. Salem, Ore., Gets 4G from Comcast
13. LTE Mobile Broadband Will Deliver 20Mbps Download Speeds
Android
14. Verizon and Google Android Partnership
15. Android to Be No. 2 Mobile OS by 2012?
Other News
16. Powermat: A Wireless Charging Tool for BB, iPhone, and DS
17. Adobe Announces Flash for Phones
18. U.S. Mobile Data: 31% Increase from Last Year
19. Kemplar & Strauss Claims Smallest Watch Phone
20. The Mobile Phone: A History in Pictures
“Be sincere; be brief; be seated.”
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
BlackBerry
1. Vonage Releases Calling App for iPhone, BlackBerry
Vonage, a pioneer in Internet-based home phone service, is launching applications for the iPhone (cell & Wi-Fi) and BlackBerry (cell only) that undercut the international calling rates of major wireless carriers.WirelessWeek /eWeek
2. T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi Enterprise Drive with RIM’s MVS
T-Mobile USA is teaming with RIM’s MVS service to offer a Wi-Fi-based service for businesses to replace landline phones with BlackBerry handsets and help businesses consume fewer wireless minutes.CIO /Reuters /Pocket-lint
3. Blackberry Tour 2 (Essex) & The Hybrid (Magnum) Dakota’s Camera
The Tour 2 is being disguised with the code-name ‘Essex’. Essex will replace the current Tour very early 2010 (likely January or February). It is expected the Tour 2 will add WiFi, a trackpad and an improved camera.
The Blackberry Dakota, previously known as the “Magnum” will feature a camera lens with new “liquid lens” technology. This new tech is supposed to use a couple different types of liquids to mimic the human eye’s ability to focus on objects. The Dakota should be a hybrid GSM device, meaning it will have both physical keyboard and touchscreen.Crackberry
4. New Widget SDK for the BlackBerry
RIM announced a new BlackBerry Widget Software Development Kit (SDK) to enable developers to build rich, integrated applications for BlackBerry smartphones using common Web technologies rather than being forced to use Java.eWeek
Below is a link to a complete list of BlackBerry RSS feeds that you may subscribe to for ‘breaking news’ from BlackBerry.
http://www.blackberry.com/btsc/cust/rss_subscribe.jsp.
iPhone
6. AT&T and Apple to Allow iPhone VoIP Apps
AT&T reversed course today, announcing that it would “take the steps necessary” so iPhone owners could run VoIP applications, presumably including Google Voice and Skype.InfoWorld /Wall Street Journal /Reuters /Washington Post /ZDNet
7. App May Mark Big Step Forward for Augmented Reality
Layar has been submitted to the iPhone app store. Layar’s flashy platform displays all kinds of different data sets, from Yelp reviews to Trulia real-estate listings, on top of the phone’s camera view. The current degree of refinement in GPS and map accuracy in the US may need to evolve further before you can reliably stand in front of a place, point an Augmented Reality app at it and get the information you’re looking for – but big picture, nearby information is available now. New York Times /cellular-news
Windows Mobile
8. Windows Marketplace for Mobile Debuts with 246 Applications
Microsoft’s mobile apps online store launches with a small number of apps in comparison to the tens of thousands available on Apple’s App Store.InfoWorld
9. AT&T, HTC Unveil WM 6.5 Smartphones
Touch screen smart phones are nothing new, but the introduction of the Pure and Tilt 2 is worth noting; they’re the first two phones to feature Microsoft’s updated mobile operating system: Windows Mobile 6.5. The good news is that the mobile OS looks and works a lot better than its predecessor. The bad news, the guts remain the same. Details in this blog post.Gearlog /Yahoo
10. iSuppli Predicts Windows Mobile to Triple by 2013
With Microsoft’s Windows Mobile launch of the latest wireless operating system 6.5, a new iSuppli survey predicts Windows Mobile will triple in use by 2013, enabling the OS to claim the No. 2 global spot.Financial Times /InternetNews
11. “I certainly don’t buy iSuppli’s recent forecast”
Nearly lost in the hubbub about the Android/Verizon tie-up today is the news that Microsoft has launched Windows Marketplace for Mobile. But as the superphone phenomenon gets legs, has Microsoft’s opportunity to regain relevance already passed?GigaOm
4G News
12. Salem, Ore., Gets 4G from Comcast
Comcast has introduced 4G-based wireless Internet service in Salem, Ore. The service, which is called High-Speed 2go, also is available in Portland, Ore., and Atlanta and will be launched by the end of the year in Chicago, Philadelphia and other cities.CEDMagazine
13. LTE Mobile Broadband Will Deliver 20Mbps Download Speeds
When the first LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks and devices are launched next year, users can expect to see a download speed of about 20 Mbps, according to Motorola and ZTE. InfoWorld
Android
14. Verizon and Google Android Partnership
Google’s tie-up with Verizon Wireless to develop and deploy Android-based software and services not only provided the Google unit its biggest partner to date, but will likely spur developers and smartphone makers to kick-start their Android projects, according to industry analysts. Analysts expect Verizon Wireless to introduce Android phones this month from Motorola, HTC and Samsung.Telephony Online /BusinessWeek /eWeek
15. Android to Be No. 2 Mobile OS by 2012?
Google’s Android operating system is set for iPhone-trajectory sales over the next few years, Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney said in a report yesterday from Computerworld, and will be the second-ranking smartphone OS globally by 2012. Gartner predicts Android’s share of the smartphone market will grow to 14 percent from less than 2 percent in the next three years as Symbian’s slide from dominance continues.GigaOm /ComputerWorld /PCWorld
Other News
16. Powermat: A Wireless Charging Tool for BB, iPhone, and DS
Sorry, this doesn’t support the BB Tour yet, but does support the iPhone, DS, Bold, 8300, 8900, & Pearl. Each Powermat has 3 wireless docks that link to a component you attach to your device. Pretty cool, especially if you have 3 of these devices! Powermat
17. Adobe Announces Flash for Phones
We can do a lot with our smartphones, but stumble onto a Flash- driven Web site and you’ll soon learn the limitations of your favorite portable device. Adobe made some announcements today that could change all that. It’s promising Flash for Windows Mobile and Web OS phones (not for iPhone browser yet). In tandem with that, other manufacturers like RIM are making rumblings about future Flash support. This is very good news and could take mobile phones to the next level.PCMag /Wireless Week
18. U.S. Mobile Data: 31% Increase from Last Year
U.S. mobile data revenues surpassed $19.4 billion in the first half of 2009, a 31 percent increase over the year-ago period, and data accounted for more than 25 percent of all wireless service revenues, according to the CTIA’s semi-annual industry survey. The report, which was released in conjunction with the kickoff of the International CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment conference today in San Diego, also noted that text messaging continues to gain traction at a breakneck pace, with Americans sending 4.1 billion messages a day from their phones — nearly doubling SMS activity from the first half of 2008.GigaOm
19. Kemplar & Strauss Claims Smallest Watch Phone
The W Phone is claimed to be the world’s smallest watch phone. It still manages to pack in a touchscreen, microSD (with 4 GB internal storage), MP3 player, built-in camera with video record, and games. It uses Bluetooth and comes included with its own Communicator Bluetooth headset. If you don’t want to use a headset you can opt for the in-car stereo option if your car allows. It will be an unlocked GSM phone that’s sold for $199.Kempler & Strauss / Unwired
20. The Mobile Phone: A History in Pictures
Take a stroll down memory lane and see the evolution of the mobile phone, from its humble beginnings with the Motorola DynaTAC in 1983 to the Apple iPhone 3GS in 2009! PCWorld
This Week in Mobility #74
October 3, 2009 “Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
~Margaret Mead
Tips
1. BB Tip: Forget Typing, Send a Voice Note
2. BB Tip: Use Voice Notes for Ring Tones
3. BB PIN in BB Contacts
BlackBerry
4. Study: BlackBerry Can Make Firms Much More Productive
5. BlackBerry 3rd in Customer Satisfaction
6. BlackBerry YouTube Channel
7. Desktop Manager for Mac Downloadable on October 2
8. TiVo for BlackBerry
9. REDFLY: A Smartphone KVM Terminal for BlackBerry
10. The World’s Most Expensive BlackBerry
iPhone
11. Apple’s App Store Passes 2B Downloads
Windows Mobile
12. Did Ballmer say Microsoft ‘screwed up’ with Windows Mobile?
4G News
13. Ericsson Eyes 2010 LTE DoCoMo Deal
14. Sprint Road Map: WiMAX Head Start for Strong 4G Branding
Other News
15. Sat/Cell Phone from AT&T
16. Orb for MyCasting from Your Home PC
17. Feds Crackdown on Texting While Driving
18. Next for Wi-Fi: High-Speed Device Connectivity
“Immigration is the sincerest form of flattery.”
~Jack Paar
Tips
1. BB Tip: Forget Typing, Send a Voice Note
On the newer BlackBerry devices, from the main menu, go to Applications, then the Voice Notes Recorder. Record your message, rename the file, and then e-mail it. If you are e-mailing it to another BlackBerry user, then no problem. Unfortunately, the recording saves as an .AMR file, which isn’t support on your standard Windows workstation, and therefore, requires an AMR Player, which you can download for free from http://www.amrplayer.com/
2. BB Tip: Use Voice Notes for Ring Tones
Okay, I spent a few minutes on Sunday thinking about Voice Notes, then had an idea… I asked my wife to let me record her saying, “Hi Scott, This is your lovely wife calling. Pick up the phone please.”, saved the Voice Note as Wife Calling, opened up her contact file on my BlackBerry, selected “Edit”, menu button, “Add Custom Ring Tone”, browsed to Voice Notes, selected my Wife Calling, then saved the edited contact information. Neat huh?
One of the neat features of having your BlackBerry on a BES is that when you add someone into your contacts (who is also on a BES in the same domain), that person’s BlackBerry PIN is automatically added into the BlackBerry contact information. Although PIN-to-PIN messaging is a neat feature, don’t send anything that you wouldn’t also send through corporate e-mail because the BES creates logs for PIN and SMS messages that can be scanned for improper content.
BlackBerry
Businesses that pair BlackBerry smartphone use with Research in Motion’s server technology can improve their return on investment from 560% to almost 3,000%, according to a Forrester Consulting report that RIM commissioned. Also, RIM will soon issue an update to the BlackBerry’s instant-messaging software for enterprise customers, according to a report. eWEEK / Network World
4. Study: BlackBerry Can Make Firms Much More Productive
5. BlackBerry 3rd in Customer Satisfaction
According to a new survey of more than 1,000 users by the consultancy CFI Group, the smartphone audience is now mainly consumers using it for personal use. CFI’s survey not surprisingly showed that the Apple iPhone has the best level of customer satisfaction, at 83 percent. Google’s Android platform and the Palm Pre tied for second place at 77 percent, followed by the Research in Motion BlackBerry at 73 percent, the defunct Palm Treo at 70 percent, and devices using Nokia’s Symbian OS and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile coming in last at 66 percent. Inforworld
BlackBerry YouTube channel features BlackBerry how to tutorials. www.youtube.com/BlackBerry
7. Desktop Manager for Mac Downloadable on October 2
Initially promised for September, BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac will be officially launched a bit later, on October 2 via http://www.blackberry.com/mac.
With full-time+ jobs and 2 babies, the wife and I have lost our ability to enjoy adult TV <sigh>. However, those of you who are able to enjoy TiVo, can now get it on your BlackBerry. eWeek / PCMag / CNET
9. REDFLY: A Smartphone KVM Terminal for BlackBerry
At launch, mid-Q4 2009, REDFLY will provide a laptop sized screen and keyboard compatible with the BlackBerry Bold 9000, BlackBerry Curve 8900 and BlackBerry Tour 9630. It will be free-of-charge for existing REDFLY Mobile Companion C8N and C7 owners. Celio
10. The World’s Most Expensive BlackBerry
U.K.-based luxury designer Alexander Amosu will soon announce “the world’s most expensive BlackBerry.” The $240,000 custom BlackBerry Curve 8900, which sports nearly 29 carats of specially cut diamonds, is to be unveiled next week, but we’ve got a sneak peak. CIO / YouTube
iPhone
11. Apple’s App Store Passes 2B Downloads
Apple’s online App Store reached the 2-billion mark Monday, just five months after achieving its 1-billion mile-stone. This huge demand for software will spark a chain reaction to more paid apps among wireless carriers and handset makers. Telephony Online
Windows Mobile
12. Did Ballmer say Microsoft ‘screwed up’ with Windows Mobile?
It’s becoming obvious that Microsoft Corp. officials, including CEO Steve Ballmer, wish Windows Mobile were a better mobile operating system. InfoWorld
4G News
13. Ericsson Eyes 2010 LTE DoCoMo Deal
Sweden’s Ericsson, which will deliver next-generation LTE technology to most of the USA, is eyeing a pact with NTT DoCoMo. An Ericsson executive said China Mobile and carriers from emerging nations were likely to enter the 4G market with wide-scale deployments to drive down the price. I’m not a savvy stock guy, but my guess is Ericsson (ERIC) is a buy.
14. Sprint Road Map: WiMAX Head Start for Strong 4G Branding
With its 4G-based WiMAX service due to reach 25 markets by year-end, Sprint Nextel is counting on the lead over its rivals in rolling out next-generation technology to bring the carrier back to profitability. New York Times
Other News
AT&T also announced that it would sell the TerreStar Genus smartphone, a dual-mode device that is designed to pick up a satellite signal in the absence of a cellular connection. Wireless Week / GigaOm
16. Orb for MyCasting from Your Home PC
Have you seen this already? You can install Orb on your home PC, and then access all your audio, video, webcams, and even TV from any browser, even your mobile device. Orb
17. Feds Crackdown on Texting While Driving
Opening a government meeting on auto safety, the Obama administration reported Wednesday that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, a striking indication of the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel. Slashdot
18. Next for Wi-Fi: High-Speed Device Connectivity
The Wi-Fi Alliance has begun working on a certification program that will enable devices, such as a set-top box or video game, to connect with each other through 802.11 technology. The high-speed transfer would also allow users to share photos from mobile phones or send an image from a handset to a projector for display. Telephony Online
This Week in Mobility 