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Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.09 snapshot

AB — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:23 +0000

Issue: 2009.09
Covering: September 2009
Published: September 2009
Next issue: October 2009

Tracking innovative, strategic, operator-monetisable mobile value-added solutions. A unique monthly report for the industry.

Executive Brief
Extract
Table of Contents
About Mobile VAS|watch
Index

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

SMART DEVICES: O2 UK lost retail exclusivity for Apple’s iPhone , as the vendor appears to be moving to multi-operator distribution, with the surprise being that two rivals joined the fray. China Mobile is said still to be in talks to offer Apple’s iPhone , following claims that Apple’s partnership with China Unicom is non-exclusive. China Mobile is also reported to have adopted the Ophone brand for its OMS platform, with the intention of driving the Android-variant into entry-tier smartphones. [pp.2-4,6.]
A wave of Android devices was announced by multiple vendors, indicating that the platform is on the brink of widespread availability. New smartphones were confirmed by HTC (a CDMA Hero variant and the entry-level Tattoo), LG Electronics (GW620, with an Ophone device for China Mobile also reported), Motorola (CLIQ and Tao) and T-Mobile/Huawei (Pulse/U8230). In addition, it was reported that INQ Mobile is to adopt the platform for touch-screen devices, that Acer may be close to releasing its first device, that HTC may have another CDMA model lined up (Desire) for Verizon, and that Archos may enter the segment. [pp.4,5,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,16,17,28,33.]
Microsoft confirmed the October 2009 release of devices powered by Windows Mobile 6.5 , with 30 WM6.5 devices predicted to hit the market before the end of 2009. New WM smartphones were announced by HTC (Touch2), LG Electronics (GM750, GW550, and an unnamed unit) and Sony Ericsson (Xperia X2), while Samsung is to update its Omnia family with the new platform. Palm revealed it will no longer offer Windows Mobile devices. [pp.7,8,10,12,13,17,29,30,32.]
HTC is said to have no intention to move into value-added services in the near future, although it has acknowledged the value of applications and services. [p.7.]
Nokia held its annual Nokia World event, announcing multiple new products. The N97 mini was confirmed and the X6 joined the touch-screen smartphone range. The company also detailed its Booklet 3G smartphone, the headline feature of which was unfortunately a high price. [pp.18,19,20.]
Nokia said sales of its N97 have outpaced those of its earlier N95 flagship smartphone, contrary to earlier reports claiming the device had failed to ignite the market. It was suggested that a lack of customisation potential may hamper operator take-up of the Maemo-powered N900 . [pp.19,20.]
Palm announced transitional quarterly results, as its second webOS-powered device was unveiled — Pixi , which will initially be available exclusively through Sprint. [pp.23,24-26.]
The Symbian Foundation inked an alliance with China Mobile, intended to drive adoption of Symbian OS in devices for the operator. Sprint announced plans to offer devices supporting Qualcomm’s Brew Mobile Platform , a departure for the company. [pp.32,33.]
Vodafone Group was linked with Research In Motion’s BlackBerry 9700 , believed to be the vendor’s next 3G device. RIM’s quality control was again questioned, following reports of issues with the BlackBerry Tour terminal. RIM’s Q2 results disappointed investors and reinforced fears that the vendor’s prospects may have stalled. [pp.26,27,28.]
O2 announced availability of Samsung’s i7500 Galaxy , the first Android device for both the operator and the vendor. Samsung was also confirmed as readying two LiMo Platform-based devices for Vodafone Group, again representing a double-first. [p.28.]
MOBILE VAS: Vodafone Group unveiled Vodafone 360 , which variously been interpreted as an app store, integrated social-networking service, and umbrella for products and services intended to replace Vodafone live! South African operator Vodacom became the first Vodafone company to introduce My Web , the Group’s integrated customisable web and mobile portal. [pp.51,52.]
América Móvil announced plans to roll out Nokia’s Ovi Store in multiple Latin American markets, although firm details of the plans were not confirmed. China Mobile is said to have got off to a strong start with its Mobile Market integrated content storefront; and it was reported that rivals China Telecom and China Unicom are set to launch their own stores. [pp.52,53.]
Telefónica debuted its mstore in Spain, with the intention of rolling out a similar offering in multiple markets worldwide. In South Korea, SK Telecom opened its T Store , which it described as the “first mobile open market” in the country. 3 UK announced a partnership with Handango, to extend availability of Symbian OS applications. Samsung also joined the app store set. [pp.36,37,39.]
Initial figures for Nokia’s Ovi Store failed to impress, with a number of issues seen hampering growth. Nokia began making available APIs for its Ovi portfolio, enabling software developers to write applications using various Ovi features and functionality. An update is planned for Android Market , addressing numerous problems previously evident in the store. [pp.35,37.]
Vodafone Group inked a deal with Warner Music to offer DRM-free music content, meaning it now has contracts in place with all of the “big four” music distributors. Nokia was reported to have delayed the US launch of Comes With Music , although the vendor hit back by stating it had not announced a debut in the first place. [p.50.]
The GSM Association named recipients of its Mobile Money for the Unbanked grants, backed by the Gates Foundation, with four operators receiving a share of the cash. Vodafone is believed to be preparing for a wider M-PESA rollout, according to information from one of its integration partners. [p.47.]
T-Mobile Germany announced its social-networking aggregation tool, called MyCommunity, joining the list of operators offering similar applications. Nokia trumpeted a “lifecasting” application, and acquired Plum Ventures to strengthen its social-networking activities. [pp.54,55.]
Verizon Wireless updated its GPS family-location services, also adopting the same brand as rival Sprint. A number of navigation hardware and software companies partnered with operators to deliver enhanced location-based services, with AT&T working with Garmin, T-Mobile extending its partnership with NAVIGON, and TomTom collaborating with Vodafone Italy. [pp.43,44.]
Deutsche Telekom is believed to be eyeing the German DVB-H mobile broadcast market, where several companies have already tried, and failed. TIM launched Nokia’s Nokia Messaging consumer email service, while South Africa’s Vodacom updated its The Grid location-based social-networking service. [pp.40,49.]
MARKETS AND TRENDS: IDC noted some positive trends in the Western European device market, based on its analysis of Q2 figures, although the researcher was not wholeheartedly optimistic. [p.59.]
O2 UK noted that mobile internet use is peaking during the evening, driven by personal communications and social-networking applications. ABI Research forecast a sharp uptake in ‘mobile cloud’ applications, initially driven by location-based services. A Federal Communications Commission probe into “net neutrality” looks set to impact the US mobile internet market. [pp.60,61.]

EXTRACT

PORTALS: Vodafone 360 value-added services platform revealed

Vodafone Group introduced Vodafone 360, its new internet services platform, which it explicitly positions as a converged proposition for both mobile and personal computer users, and one not entirely closed to non-customers. This is by far the biggest output of the nascent, strategic and fast-growing Vodafone Internet Services (VIS) group.

Vodafone 360 appears to supersede both the tired Vodafone live! portal, replacing its walled (or chaperoned) garden approach, and make real the mobile group’s latest ‘smartpipe’ and added-value mobile data strategy — working to leverage intelligent network assets, global brand (reputation), and customer relationships.

Pitched as a ‘suite’, Vodafone 360 clearly recognises the emergence of social networking services (SNS) as a key driver of the mobile internet, providing a large and growing selection of integrated proprietary and third-party tools and services to enable customers to participate and stay in touch. However, it also goes much further, covering most other hot consumer value-added service (VAS) segments, such as applications (games, etc.), communication (instant messaging and SNS), media (music, photo, video, etc.), location (including mapping and navigation), and transaction (payment and billing).

There is also a store for applications and media, and a personalised landing page (My Web). Broad, cross-platform, integration and synchronisation (and backup) of applications and services appears another key selling point. Vodafone People appears to be a core, centralised ‘connected address book’ component that glues elements of the suite together, featuring presence- and location-awareness.

As anticipated, Vodafone looks intent on tightly integrating 360 with its flagship handsets, in a similar way to the introduction of live! This could help it challenge rival user experiences where application, device, and service ecosystem are controlled by a single player, such as Apple’s iPhone, Nokia’s Ovi, and (to a lesser extent) Google and Android. Accompanying the launch were two customised, LiMo based, 360-branded handsets from Samsung (see separate report), which apparently also support a beta version of the JIL widget middleware platform. At launch, the service is downloadable to over 100 supported handsets (seemingly all from Nokia or Sony Ericsson), and shipping pre-loaded on four Nokia devices.

The suite is scheduled to launch in eight of Vodafone’s European markets by Christmas 2009, with emerging markets and partners following in 2010. The Group is also updating its brand slogan to “power to you”. The group additionally launched a EUR1m competition, offering up EUR100,000 at country levels to widget developers. Vodafone previously said it was streamlining conditions for engagement with developers, to make it easier to write Vodafone-optimised applications that can be deployed across multiple territories.

Confusingly, the My Web brand was recently also deployed by South African subsidiary Vodacom (see separate report), where it appears more a rebrand of an updated Vodafone live! portal than a personalised home page component. However, this could be explained by 360’s initial focus on richer and mature markets, with Vodafone’s emerging markets operations currently seeming to have a quite distinct VAS strategy, presently headlined by m-payment.

Comment: admirable ambition, or overreach?

Vodafone 360 met with mixed response. Most appreciated its ambition, but many questioned the concept (asking, ‘what exactly is it: mashup, middleware, SNS integration, or something else?’), and whether Vodafone has a hope of pulling off this clear attempt to differentiate itself in the age of the ‘cloud’, Facebook, Google, iPhone, and Twitter.

Vodafone has previously made clear that is has developed a belated appreciation of openness, and is now aware that it can hope to be no more than a key partner (rather than controller) in the VAS market. Historically, this would have been impossible to stomach, but the group will now factor in both the huge opportunity currently envisaged for the mobile internet (which it desperately needs to tap, in order to offset saturation and decline in its traditional voice business), and the dominance of internet services players that makes them better partners than rivals. Vodafone has also become an advocate of standardisation — both for browser-delivered services and underlying device operating platforms.

Nevertheless, despite its additional massive market presence and powerful allies, it remains unclear whether Vodafone actually has sufficient clout and agility to really call the market’s tune, with its Joint Innovation Lab (JIL) mobile widget and middleware alliance only starting to become commercialised in 2010, and years’ of efforts to lead device OS fragmentation looking fruitless, with the group itself still having at least four ‘preferred’ core platforms (BlackBerry, Linux, Symbian/S60 and Windows Mobile), plus a clear sneaking admiration for Apple’s iPhone, and a seeming inability even to settle on a single flavour of Linux (presently backing both Android and LiMo).

Vodafone currently sets great value by its brand and reputation, claiming these give it major advantage built on billing relationships and network assets, but this remains quite unproven in an age when SNS and devices have the cult followings, not operators.

[Further reference: Vodafone Announces Vodafone 360 -- Vodafone, 24 September 2009.]

2 Smart devices

2 Apple
2 China Mobile apparently still in iPhone talks
3 App Store hits 2bn downloads
3 O2 UK loses iPhone exclusivity
4 “…out of context…”
4 Comment: perfect timing to ditch operator exclusivity
5 ARCHOS
5 ARCHOS 5 Internet tablet
5 ARCHOS unveils Android-powered PMP
6 Acer
6 Garmin-Asus
6 China Mobile
6 OMS renamed as Ophone; low-end targeted
7 HTC
7 No plans for services play, yet — HTC
7 Comment
8 HTC/Sprint Hero
8 HTC Touch2
8 CDMA Hero set for Sprint launch
8 Touch2 announced
9 HTC Tattoo
9 HTC/Sprint Touch Pro2
9 i-mate
9 Click debuts as Tattoo; entry-level Android
9 Sprint and Verizon debut dual-mode Touch Pro2
10 Verizon linked with future HTC device launches
10 Desire — more HTC Android/Verizon rumours
11 In Technology Group
11 In Technology Group trumpets Windows XP “smartphone”
11 INQ Mobile
11 INQ to join Android set
11 SingTel first non-Hutchison INQ partner
12 LG Electronics
12 LG Electronics GM750
12 LG Electronics GW550
12 LG Electronics LG-GW620
12 LG announces imminent Windows Mobile launches
12 LG debuts first Android device
13 Linux Foundation
13 Microsoft
13 Android device for China Mobile reported
13 Microsoft confirms October 2009 debut for WM6.5
14 WM7 subject of speculation
15 Ballmer concedes mobile mistakes, fightback — report
16 Motorola
16 Motorola CLIQ
16 First Android device confirmed by Motorola
17 Myriad Group
17 Motorola may still have WM devices in pipeline — report
17 NEC
17 NEC, Casio, and Hitachi confirm handset tie-up
18 Nokia
18 Nokia N97 mini
18 N97 mini confirmed; N97 software update in pipeline
18 Updated software
19 Nokia X6
19 X6 joins Comes With Music line
19 N97 sales robust, despite community criticism
20 Lack of customisation may hamper operator N900 sales
21 Nokia 7705 Twist
21 More Booklet 3G details revealed; price the only surprise
21 Verizon confirms unusual form Nokia device
22 “Luxury” handset to use S60 — report
22 Open Handset Alliance
22 Android 1.6 SDK debuted
22 Palm
23 Palm Pixi
23 Palm debuts next webOS device; Pixi for Sprint — again
23 Software updates
24 Palm announces poor Q1 results; no more WM devices
25 No more Windows Mobile (or Palm OS)
25 Additional funding plans
25 Comment
25 Qualcomm
26 Research In Motion
26 BlackBerry 9700 linked with Vodafone release
27 More Latin American App World rollouts announced
27 Essex codename for Wi-Fi Tour
27 Significant returns reported for Tour
28 RIM Q2: good, but not good enough
28 Samsung
29 Vodafone 360 H1 (Samsung)
29 Samsung Galaxy i7500
29 Samsung supplying LiMo devices for Vodafone 360
29 Galaxy i7500 debuts with O2
29 Omnia family set for WM6.5 upgrade
30 Sony Ericsson
30 Sony ericsson Xperia X2
30 LTE devices set for 2010 launch
30 Sony Ericsson confirms Xperia X2
31 Sony ericsson Xperia Pureness
31 SE aligns branding with Sony
31 New developer tools
31 Sony Ericsson unveils Xperia Pureness ‘anti-smartphone’
32 Toshiba
32 Symbian OS
32 Symbian inks China Mobile partnership
33 Sprint
33 Sprint to support Brew-powered devices
33 T-Mobile International
33 T-Mobile Pulse
33 T-Mobile takes Android to prepaid with Huawei device
33 Huawei Android devices set for wider release

34 Mobile VAS

34 Advertising
34 Mobile internet users failing to engage with ads
35 Applications
35 Nokia Ovi Store numbers fail to impress
35 Bolt-on acquisitions a possibility
36 Telefónica debuts Spanish app store
36 SK Telecom launches T Store mobile marketplace
37 Samsung joins app store set
37 Nokia begins rolling out Ovi APIs and SDK
38 Android Market update planned, addressing weakness
39 BlackBerry
39 Qualcomm targeting emerging markets with trading app
39 3 UK partners with Handango for Symbian OS apps
39 AT&T takes stake in Vlingo
40 Broadcast
40 DVB-H in Germany may live on, with T-Mobile in frame
41 Games
41 Companies
41 Orange-T-Mobile UK alliance to back ad-funded services
41 DoCoMo targets German content platform company
42 Healthcare
42 Content
42 Orange France trumpets “hyperbooks”
42 Data services
42 Verizon to mandate data plans for some feature phones
43 Location-based services
43 Verizon updates family location services
43 AT&T to power Garmin navigation service
44 T-Mobile extends NAVIGON location partnership
44 Vodafone partners with TomTom for Italian LBS
45 Nokia’s NAVTEQ acquires mobile ad player
45 LBS revenue to top $14bn in 2014 — ABI
46 M2M
46 Sierra Wireless and T-Mobile ink M2M MOU
46 Sprint partners with DataSmart for M2M
47 m-commerce
47 GSMA awards Mobile Money for the Unbanked grants
47 Vodafone planning wider M-PESA rollout
47 Belgacom’s PingPing to support online transactions
48 Bridging needed to link payment “islands”
48 Mobile banking moving into mainstream
49 Messaging
49 TIM signs as Nokia Messaging partner
49 Vodacom updates The Grid networking service
50 Music
50 Multimedia
50 Music
50 Vodafone inks final “big four” DRM-free content deal
50 Nokia delays US Comes With Music launch — report
51 Portals
51 Vodafone 360 value-added services platform revealed
51 Comment: admirable ambition, or overstretch?
52 Vodacom debuts refreshed Vodafone mobile portal
52 America Móvil to support Ovi Store in Latin America
53 China Mobile off to a flyer with Mobile Market
53 China Telecom and Unicom readying own content stores
54 Social-networking
54 Orange France revamps mobile portal
54 T-Mobile Germany debuts social-networking app
55 Nokia debuts “lifecasting” application
55 Nokia acquires Plum to bolster social-networking play
56 Technology
56 GSMA backs new mobile broadcast technology
57 Voice services
57 Mobile VoIP revenue to top $32.2bn by 2013
58 Operator content deals
58 Operator technology deals

59 Markets and trends

59 Smart devices
59 IDC notes positives in Western European device market
60 Mobile VAS
60 Mobile internet use peaking during evening — O2 UK
60 Mobile “cloud” services to reach one billion by 2014
61 US “net neutrality” rules could impact mobile internet

62 Index

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

Mobile VAS|watch tracks the latest mobile value-added ‘solutions’ from an industry perspective, bringing together coverage of premium mobile handsets, services and applications in one place.
This report service provides mobile operators, vendors and service providers with a comprehensive and powerful briefing on the latest developments, reflecting the growing convergence and importance of devices and internet services to the industry’s current and future fortunes. Mobile VAS|watch takes both a global view and a neutral perspective on technology and business models.
Our ‘watch’ titles are repeatedly described by clients and end-users as the single most valuable source of third-party intelligence. Considered invaluable by many high-achieving commercial teams and account directors.
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Below is a free taster from issue 2009.09 (September 2009), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

INDEX

A
ABI Research, 45, 60
Acer, 13, 15
Acuity Mobile, 45
Alcatel-Lucent, 39, 41, 56
- touchatag, 41
Al Jazeera, 58
AMD, 11
America Movil, 16, 52
Apple, 2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 23, 28, 35, 38, 41, 45, 51, 61
- App Store, 3, 4
- iPhone, 2, 3, 4, 14, 15, 28, 34, 36, 38, 41, 44, 48, 51, 61
- iPhone 3GS, 4
- iTunes, 23
ARCHOS, 5
- ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet, 5
- Phone Tablet, 5
ARM, 13
Asurion Mobile Applications, 58
Atom Technologies, 47
AT&T, 2, 4, 26, 39, 40, 43, 48, 61
Audiovox, 40
AXIS, Indonesia, 47
B
Babajob.com, India, 51
Barcoo, 57
BBC, 58
Belgacom, 47
- PingPing, 47
Bell Mobility, 26
Bharti Airtel, India, 7, 42
BIGMaps, India, 51
Blyk, 41
Broadcom, 7
BSNL, India, 39
C
Capcom, 37
Casio, 17
Casio Hitachi Mobile, 17
CCTV4, 58
Cheng Uei Precision Industry, 40
China Mobile, 2, 6, 13, 32, 53
- Ophone, 6, 13, 32
China Telecom, 6, 42, 53
China Unicom, 2, 53
Chitka, 34
Cisco Systems, 22, 57
Colibria, 58
Compal Communications, 21
Conexus Mobile Alliance, 39
CTIA, US, 61
D
Dell, 6, 22
Deutsche Bahn, 37
Deutsche Bank, 28
Deutsche Telekom, 40, 41
- T-Mobile International, 3
- Germany, 3
- UK, 3
- T-Systems, 40
Di Xing Tong, 2
Dopod, 6
E
Electronic Arts, 37, 58
- EA Mobile, 58
Elevation Partners, 25, 26
EMI, 50
Ericsson, 13, 31, 56
ESPN, 58
Etisalat, UAE, 58
European Union, 5
F
Facebook, 16, 23, 54, 55
FCC, US, 61
Foxconn International, 2
France Telecom
Orange Group, 3, 16, 19, 41, 42, 54, 56, 57
- France, 3, 42, 54
- Moldova, 57
- UK, 3, 19, 41
Fujitsu, 56
G
Garmin-Asus, 6, 43
- nuvifone, 6, 43
- nuvifone M20, 6
Gates Foundation, 47
GetJar, 35
Google, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 23, 38, 43, 44, 49, 51, 61
- Android Market, 9, 16, 22, 38
- Android (see also Open Handset Alliance), 3, 15, 28
- Gmail, 16, 49
- Google Maps, 9
- Google Talk, 49
- Google Voice, 61
Grooveshark, 50
GSM Association, 47, 56
- Mobile World Congress, 15
GTalk, 49
H
Handango, 39
Handmark, 37
Hewlett-Packard, 22
Hitachi, 17
HP, 13
HTC, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 22, 34
- Galaxy, 28
- Hero, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22
- Imagio/Whitestone, 10
- Predator, 10
- Tattoo, 9, 10
- Touch2, 8, 9, 13
- Touch Diamond, 8, 10
- TouchFLO, 8, 9
- Touch HD, 7
- Touch Pro2, 9
- Touch (Vogue), 3
Huawei Technologies, 9, 32, 33
- U8230, 33
Hutchison Whampoa, 11
- 3 Group, 11
- Hong Kong, 39
- Ireland, 54
- UK, 3, 19, 39
- 3 Group
- INQ Mobile, 11
I
IDC, 59
i-mate, 9
Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals, 39
Indosat, Indonesia, 39
INQ Mobile, 11
- INQ Mini 3G, 11
In-Stat, 57
In Technology Group
- xpPhone, 11
Intel, 13, 21
iSuppli, 2, 4
J
Jabber, 49
Javelin Strategy & Research, 48
Juniper Research, 59
K
KDDI, 17
Kodiak Networks, 58
L
Larva Labs, 38
Lenovo Mobile, 6
LG Electronics, 6, 12, 13, 15, 17, 59
- Chocolate, 13
- GM750, 12
- GW550, 12
- GW620, 12
- GW880, 13
- LG Application Store, 12
- S-Class, 12, 13
LG Telecom, 17
LiMo Foundation
- LiMo Platform, 11, 29
LinkedIn, 17, 23
Linux Foundation, 13
Lonely Planet, 37, 43
M
M2M DataSmart, 46
M-Com, 47
MEDIA BROADCAST, 40
MetroPCS, US, 30
Michelin, 43
Microsoft, 7, 13, 14, 15, 17, 47
- ActiveSync, 23
- Danger, 14
- Executives
- Ballmer, Steve, 15
- MSN, 49
- My Phone, 13
- Windows, 3, 15
- Windows Live, 49
- Windows Marketplace for Mobile, 13
- Windows Mobile, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 34, 37, 44
- 6, 15
- 6.5, 15
- 7, 15
- WM6.1, 9, 14
- WM6.5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 29, 31
- WM7, 14, 17
Mobile 3.0, Germany, 40
Mobile Commerce, 43
Mobile Interactive Group, 36
mobilkom, Austria, 41, 47
Motorola, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22
- CLIQ/DEXT, 16
- MC9500, 14
- MOTOBLUR, 16
MTL, India, 39
Myriad Group, 16
MySpace, 16, 54
N
National Geographic, 37
NAVIGON, 43, 44
NEC, 17, 56
NEC Casio Mobile, 17
net mobile, 41
News Corp
- MySpace, 16, 54
NFL, US, 58
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)
- NTT DoCoMo, Inc., 28
Nokia, 7, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 32, 35, 37, 38, 43, 45, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 57, 59
- 5800 XpressMusic, 19
- 7705 Twist, 21
- Booklet 3G, 21
- cellity, 35
- Comes With Music, 19, 50, 52
- Erdos, 22
- Forum Nokia, 37
- Maemo, 18, 20, 22, 28, 37
- N95, 19
- N97, 18, 19, 52, 55
- N97 mini, 18, 55
- N900, 18, 20
- NAVTEQ, 45
- Acuity Mobile, 45
- Nokia Messaging, 49, 52
- Ovi, 18, 19, 35, 37, 43, 51, 52, 55
- Ovi Maps, 37, 43, 52
- Ovi Store, 18, 35, 37, 52
- Point & Find, 57
- S60, 18, 22, 37, 39
- Series 40, 18, 22
- X3, 18
- X6, 19
Nokia Siemens Networks, 56
NTP, 28
NTT DoCoMo, 17, 39, 41, 56
Nuance Communications, 57
Nvidia, 7
O
Oi, Brazil, 47
Open Handset Alliance, 22
- Android, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 38, 44, 45, 51
P
Palm, 3, 11, 13, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 34, 41
- Palm Pre, 23, 24
- Pixi, 23
- Treo Pro, 25
- webOS, 11, 23, 24, 25
Pearson Longman, 37
Philips, 6
Piper Jaffray, 2
Plum Ventures, 35, 55
PressOK Entertainment, 36
Q
Qualcomm, 7, 9, 23, 25, 33, 36, 39, 40, 42, 46
- Brew, 33, 36
- vBay, 39
- Wireless Reach, 39
R
RCS Initiative, 56
Regions
- Americas, 3, 8, 16, 35, 46, 52
- Aruba, 27
- Bahamas, 27
- Brazil, 47
- Canada, 26
- Caribbean, 27
- Cayman Islands, 27
- Colombia, 27
- Costa Rica, 27
- Dominican Republic, 27
- Ecuador, 27, 58
- Jamaica, 27
- North America, 26
- Panama, 27
- Peru, 27
- Trinidad and Tobago, 27
- US, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 30, 34, 45, 46, 48, 50, 58, 61
- APAC, 11, 12
- Afghanistan, 47
- Australia, 3, 14
- China, 2, 6, 10, 11, 13, 15, 19, 32, 35, 42, 53
- India, 3, 7, 10, 16, 28, 39, 42, 47, 50, 51
- Indonesia, 26, 39, 47
- Japan, 17, 39, 41, 49
- Korea, 17, 36, 56
- New Zealand, 3
- Philippines, 39, 47
- Singapore, 39, 58
- South Korea, 30, 36
- Taiwan, 15, 40
- Thailand, 39
- EMEA
- Africa, 16
- Austria, 44, 47
- Belgium, 44
- Denmark, 4
- Europe, 3
- Finland, 22
- France, 16, 37, 41, 44, 50, 54
- Germany, 4, 20, 25, 33, 40, 41, 44, 46, 50, 57
- Greece, 50
- Ireland, 3, 4, 50, 54, 58
- Italy, 3, 20, 37, 38, 43, 44, 49, 50
- Kenya, 47
- Luxemburg, 44
- Netherlands, 44
- Norway, 4
- Portugal, 35, 44
- Romania, 35
- South Africa, 49, 52
- Spain, 3, 16, 27, 36, 50
- Switzerland, 44
- Tanzania, 47
- Turkey, 3
- UK, 3, 4, 16, 31, 33, 36, 37, 39, 41, 44, 50
Reliance Communications, India, 47, 51
Research In Motion, 12, 14, 26, 27, 28, 36, 39
- BlackBerry, 3, 14, 26, 27, 28, 34, 36, 39, 45
- BlackBerry 83xx-/89xx-series (Curve), 28
- BlackBerry 95xx-series (Storm/Thunder), 28
- BlackBerry App World, 27
- BlackBerry Bold, 26
- BlackBerry OS, 28
- BlackBerry Storm, 26
- BlackBerry Tour, 27
- Onyx (9700), 26
Rogers Wireless, 26
Roshan, Afghanistan, 47
Rubberduck Media Lab, 58
S
Safaricom, Kenya, 47
- M-PESA, 47
Sagentia Group, 47
Samsung, 6, 7, 13, 15, 28, 29, 30, 37, 42, 59
- i7500 (Galaxy), 29
- Omnia, 29
- Omnia II (I8000), 29
- Omnia Lite (B7300), 29
- Omnia Pro (B7320), 29
- Omnia Pro (B7330), 29
- Omnia Pro (B7610), 29
- Samsung Application Store, 37
Sang Fei, 6
Selatra, 58
SFR, France, 50
Sharp, 14
Siemens, 56
Sierra Wireless, 46
SingTel, Singapore, 11, 56
SK Telecom, 36
- T Store, 36
Skype, 57
Smartbook AG, 25
SMART, Philippines, 39, 47
SoftBank, 17, 32, 49, 51, 56
- SoftBank Mobile, 17, 32, 49, 51, 56
Sony
- Sony Music Entertainment, 50
Sony Ericsson, 7, 13, 15, 30, 31, 59
- PlayNow, 31
- Xperia, 13, 30, 31
- Xperia Pureness, 31
- Xperia X1, 30
- Xperia X2, 13, 30, 31
SpinVox, 57
Sprint, 2, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 26, 27, 33, 43, 45, 46, 58
- Family Locator, 43
StarHub, Singapore, 39, 58
ST-Ericsson, 7
Swisscom, 41
Symbian Foundation, 11, 19, 20, 22, 32, 34, 37, 39, 49
- Symbian OS, 11, 19, 20, 22, 32, 34, 37, 39, 49
T
TAITO, 37
Technology
- 2G
- CDMA, 28
- GSM, 28
- 3G
- HSxPA, 28
- Android, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 22, 25, 29, 32, 33, 34, 38, 44, 45, 51
- ARM, 13
- Brew, 33, 36
- DMB, 40
- DRM, 36, 50
- DVB-H, 40
- Flash Lite, 5, 13, 19
- FLO, 40
- GPS, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30, 33, 36, 43, 45, 55
- IM, 16, 49, 58
- IMS, 56, 57
- Instant messaging, 28
- Java, 31, 33
- Linux, 5, 11, 13, 17, 18, 22, 29
- LTE, 11, 30, 57
- M2M, 46
- MBMS, 56
- NFC, 41
- PTT, 58
- R&D, 28
- SIM, 4
- Symbian OS, 11, 19, 20, 22, 32, 34, 37, 39, 49
- Touchscreen, 28
- UMA, 57
- VoIP, 57
- Widgets, 16, 18
- Wi-Fi, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30, 33, 37, 52, 54, 57, 61
- WiMAX, 11, 20, 30
- Windows Mobile, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 34, 37, 44
- WLAN, 28
- x86, 13
Telecom Italia, 49, 50
- TIM, 49
Telefonica, 3, 16, 36
- Telefónica Europe (O2), 3, 29, 36, 41, 43, 58, 60
- Ireland, 58
- UK, 3, 29, 36, 41, 43, 60
- Telefónica Espana, 36
Telstra, 43, 56
- Whereis Navigator, 43
Texas Instruments, 5
The Carphone Warehouse, 19
T-Mobile International, 2, 8, 9, 16, 26, 33, 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 54, 56
- Germany, 54
- MyCommunity, 33, 54
- Pulse, 9, 33
- UK, 33, 41
- USA, 2, 8, 16, 26
TomTom, 43, 44
Toshiba, 13, 15
TownHall Investment Research, 27
TrueMove, Thailand, 39
Twitter, 16, 36, 54
U
United Villages Networks, India, 39
Universal Music, 50
US Cellular, US, 58
- My Contacts Backup, 58
V
Verizon Wireless, 2, 9, 10, 17, 21, 22, 26, 27, 30, 32, 33, 35, 36, 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48, 58
- Chaperone, 43
- Family Locator, 43
- VZ Navigator, 43
Viacom
- MTV Networks, 58
Visa International, 47
Visto Mobile, 28
Vlingo, 39
Vodacom, 49, 52
- The Grid, 49
Vodafone Group, 3, 4, 12, 13, 26, 29, 32, 35, 43, 44, 45, 47, 50, 51, 52, 56, 58
- Germany, 12, 26, 50
- Italy, 26, 43, 44
- M-PESA, 47
- Qatar, 58
- Romania, 35
- UK, 26, 52
- Vodafone 360, 51
- Vodafone live!, 35, 51, 52
- Vodafone My Web, 51, 52
- Vodafone People, 51
Vonage, 57
W
Warner Music Group, 50
Wcities, 43
X
Xumii, 16
Y
Yahoo!, 23, 49
- Mail, 49
- Messenger, 49
Z
Zain, 39
- Saudi Arabia, 39
ZTE, 6, 32

Mobile VAS watch, issue 2009.07 snapshot

AB — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:19:49 +0000

SMART DEVICES: It was Q2 results time, with solid numbers from Nokia, as LG Electronics and Samsung weathered the economic storm surprisingly well. HTC may be getting squeezed from its reliance on ageing Windows Mobile and nascent (but already competitive-looking) Android market segments. Sony Ericsson continued to bleed, and Motorola is unsurprisingly still struggling. [pp.10-12,15,16,18,25,26.]

Nokia’s second-quarter results indicated an interesting trend in its smartphone portfolio, with more prosumer-oriented Eseries units sold than consumer-focused Nseries devices — although the consumer 5800 XpressMusic continues to sell well. A social-networking-oriented smartphone was announced for AT&T, called Surge , which is also set for international release as the 6760 slide. Nokia played down speculation it is working on an Android smartphone; a play that could make sense at least as a medium-term response to the success of the iPhone and its App ecosystem. [pp.18-20.]

Issue: 2009.07
Covering: July 2009
Published: July/August 2009
Next issue: August/September 2009

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Below is a free taster from issue 2009.07 (July 2009), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Apple announced robust sales in Q2 2009, although the launch of its iPhone 3GS at the quarter-end has yet to provide much of an uplift. O2 UK’s iPhone-exclusivity deal was in question, again, with reports that T-Mobile UK and Orange UK are waiting in the wings. More than 1.5 billion downloads are now claimed for Apple’s App Store . [pp.3-5.]

Android devices are set to constitute 50% of HTC’s device shipments during 2010, reflecting a significant shift away from its traditional symbiotic relationship with Microsoft and Windows Mobile — it was also reported that HTC is eyeing Qualcomm’s BREW application environment for its mid-tier play. HTC’s Q2 numbers were robust, but H2 looks shaky. [pp.9-13.]

Research In Motion confirmed its long-rumoured BlackBerry 8520 device, a low-end addition to the Curve range, which is set for initial launch in the UK and USA. A wider App World rollout was reported, moving beyond English-language markets. [pp. 23-24.]

Palm confirmed that Telefónica is to be the exclusive launch partner for the Pre smartphone in a number of new markets, with planned availability before the end of 2009. Telefónica’s O2 UK was linked with a dual-slider device from Pantech, which is already available from AT&T in North America. [p.22.]

Google announced its Chrome platform targeting netbook devices, creating a significant overlap with Android — sparking speculation as to how the platforms will co-exist moving forward. China Mobile’s Ophone platform was released to vendors, with the Android variant enabling the delivery of devices tailored for the operator. [pp.2-3,8.]

The Symbian Foundation previewed its Horizon app strategy, which will see it acting as a middleman linking developers to operators. The Foundation also opened a new office in Japan, as the platform’s position in this market is under threat. [pp.28,29.]

NEC is eyeing a return to international markets, after several years of focusing its efforts on Japan. Toshiba is ramping up availability of its TG01 smartphone, with Orange Group signing as a partner, and a CDMA-variant apparently in the pipeline. [pp.17,30.]

AT&T published its Q2 results, with continued reliance on the iPhone , which contributed the majority of its “integrated device” subscriber additions. Sprint is set to embrace Wi-Fi in its smartphone portfolio, with claims the technology will be mandated in future products. Verizon Wireless offered a six-month cap on its device exclusivity deals, although this only applies to its smallest rivals, and was not welcomed wholeheartedly. [pp.7,28,31.]

MOBILE VAS: Vodafone Group is set to drop its Vodafone live! brand for mobile internet services, with a new customisable portal already soft-launched with certain subscribers. Telefónica and OnMobile signed a VAS agreement covering Latin American markets. [pp.46,47.]

Advertising-funded MVNO Blyk completed a strategic re-focus, with the company now acting as an enabling partner for Orange UK and Vodafone Netherlands. 3 UK announced plans to add advertising to its mobile broadband dashboard. [pp.32,33.]

Verizon Wireless’ application store plans were in the spotlight, with reports that it is set to make its own store prominent on devices, while removing embedded links to rivals. LG Electronics took its app store into “beta” , initially focusing on Asia. [pp.33,34.]

There was concern that ICASA, the South African regulator, is delaying mobile TV rollouts, by stalling the licensing process in the country. Despite strong viewer numbers, South Korea’s operators are struggling to find a business model to support mobile broadcast, with both subscription and ad-based propositions struggling. It was reported that mobile broadcast is also having a tough time in China. [pp.35,36.]

UAE operator Etisalat installed message interception software on BlackBerry devices, claiming the software was designed to improve network reception — Research In Motion distanced itself from the actions. AT&T announced a number of location-based services for business customers, enabling companies to accurately monitor field services employees. Telstra launched Microsoft-powered enterprise mobility solutions, offering bundles including connectivity, devices, and support. [pp.37,38,39.]

Vodafone Group picked TeleAtlas as a location-based service partner, with the latter supplying a range of digital mapping and navigation information. Gartner forecast that the LBS market will double during 2009, when measured by subscribers or value. [pp.39,40.]

Citigroup and Vodafone India are taking part in an NFC pilot, while Poland’s operators are testing an m-commerce platform that may see commercial launch during 2009. NTT DoCoMo enhanced its m-banking portfolio with the addition of person-to-person transfers, while Mobilink introduced mobile financial services in Pakistan. [pp.41,42.]

Orange UK became the latest operator to join the shift to DRM-free mobile music, with more-than-700,000 tracks now available — two of the “big-four” record labels have signed up. It was reported that China Mobile will centralise its music operations, rather than offering products on a dispersed basis across regions. [p.45.]

O2 UK announced a mobile social-networking partnership with Twitter, meaning its subscribers can now receive free updates from Bebo, Facebook, and Twitter — the main SNS in the country. [p.48.]

MARKETS AND TRENDS: The EU reportedly scrapped a “smartphone tax” plan, which would have seen additional fees levied on multi-function devices, for example with GPS or mobile broadcast receivers. [p.50.]

Mobile content-enabler Bango said that “more-than-20%” of mobile content purchasers now use Wi-Fi as an access method, sparking concern over the potential for an inconsistent purchase and payment experience. The GSM Association said that the world’s first RCS-powered services have been launched in South Korea, powering cross-carrier rich messaging products. [pp.50,51.]

EXTRACT

**HTC to increase Android activities; BREW for mid-tier**

HTC is reportedly set to ramp up its Android activities to represent 50% of shipment volumes in 2010, compared to 30% in 2009, according to Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, meaning that Windows Mobile (WM) will decline in importance in its portfolio.

While much attention in recent months has been focused on HTC’s Android activities, the company has also been steadily updating its WM product line. It was not revealed to what extent the increase in proportion of Android shipments will be coupled with shipment growth overall, and whether HTC’s Windows Mobile volumes will either remain constant or also increase — or if HTC is planning to reduce its commitment to the Microsoft platform.

HTC has long been a stalwart WM vendor, and is responsible for the lion’s share of device shipments using the platform — no other vendor has come close to making the same level of commitment to the operating system. The company’s change in strategy to embrace Android has always been significant, but, if it has become strategically more important than Windows Mobile, this will mark a sea change in the smart device ecosystem — interestingly, LG Electronics looks well positioned to take up HTC’s slack in the WM market, with the company having recently announced aggressive plans for the platform.

Currently, most of the open device platforms are being championed by a single vendor, even when other companies are involved in the ecosystem — Symbian OS is largely a Nokia play; Android and Windows Mobile are both being spearheaded by HTC, while Apple, Palm, and Research In Motion all use technologies that are not licensed by other vendors. For all the benefits of an open ecosystem, as yet, few device platforms or vendors have been able to make this work; and vendors including LG Electronics, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson are still introducing high-tier, feature-rich devices powered by proprietary platforms.

” There is certain advantage to [having a] vertically-owned OS to design converged device, like Apple, but it could be damaging to the smart phone design if proprietary OS can not compete against open OS in scale. We believe WM and Android OS are [sufficiently] well positioned and highly ranked in the smart phone industry that it is our best interest to partner/leverage the two OS to our converged device development at this stage. ” – HTC.

BREW to take HTC into mid-tier

Marking what would be another strategic divergence for HTC, it was reported that the vendor is to launch devices utilising Qualcomm’s Java-rivalling BREW technology to target the mass market. HTC has previously, unashamedly, been focused on the high-end.

The device would marry BREW with a touch screen and use a variant of HTC’s own TouchFLO user interface, which has previously been used in Windows Mobile devices.

Without referring to BREW specifically, HTC did during its Q2 earnings call confirm that it is now targeting generation of ‘mid-tier’ revenue in the second half of 2009 (see separate reports), seemingly adopting a strategy to expand the smartphone market from the high-end to the mid-market. The company appears to believe it can balance profitability with ambitions to grow volume and market share.

” HTC has pioneered smart phone industry and will be leading the trend to drive mid-tier price adoption as industry cycle approaches to ramping stage. We are committed to bring down current converged architecture cost to mid-tier price level, yet maintaining device performance and attractive user experiences. ”
– HTC.

[Further reference: HTC Q2 2009 Earnings Conference Call & Webcast Invitation and Presentation -- HTC, 31 July 2009; HTC to offer Qualcomm BMP-based handsets, hike adoption of Android -- DigiTimes, 22 July 2009.]

HTC reports robust Q2, warns of weakness in H2

HTC reported a net profit of NT $6.49bn ($198m) in the second quarter of 2009, down 2% year-on-year, on revenue of NT $38.2bn, up 10.34%. The figures were sound, but with some rivals starting to show signs of recovery, fell short of impressive.

The company subsequently provided further details of its quarterly performance, claiming three million units shipped in the quarter (from 2.4 million in Q1, and 2.8 million a year earlier). Over twelve months, HTC shipped 12 million units. It also revealed average selling price (ASP) declining to $358, from $364 in the previous quarter (and $381 a year earlier), and the company suggested that ASP decline could now be a trend.

H2 and FY outlook downgraded — first time…

However, in a subsequent earnings call, HTC went on to warn that full-year revenue is likely to be lower than last year, revising earlier projections of 10% growth, to low- to mid-single digit decline. HTC recorded revenue of NT $152.6bn in 2008.

The company blamed the downgrade (its first ever) on a combination of structural and individual issues.

The structural problem was “OS platform transitional/ramping issues”, relating to both Windows Mobile and Android lines. HTC was far from assured in allocating blame, but suggested WM weakness related to “version transition”, as the market waits on Windows Mobile 6.5.

While HTC was tight-lipped on specifics, it nevertheless left the impression that Android has disappointed recently, possibly due to the pace of wider adoption failing to match strong early-adoption, and HTC’s uprated marketing efforts appear largely targeted at combating this through raised awareness.

The company said sales weakness related to volume, rather than ASPs, and denied suggestions that it is seeing Android competition on price, or that price is holding back adoption of the nascent platform. However, it did admit to possible Android inventory build-up, while also showing uncertainty about details.

The individual issues behind the downgraded financial guidance were delayed product launches (two have shifted from H2 to 2010); weaker-than-anticipated contract (ODM) sales; and under-performance in China. HTC was evasive about the product delays, but did seem to confirm these are technical.

Despite its wobbly guidance, HTC said its gross margin has held up well, and that it intends to improve overall efficiency to maintain this, despite falling ASPs that are inevitable with entry into the mid-market.

The Wall Street Journal cited analysts as saying that HTC is under pressure from top-tier rivals like Motorola and Sony Ericsson bringing Android devices to market, as well as from Apple’s iPhone.

” We are happy to see more adoption on Android platform from peers because it not only proves our vision, but also likely to reshape the mobile OS landscape to favour HTC positioning. We aim to maintain our leadership position on Android platform by delivering the best system performance, proprietary smooth HTC user experience and operator-friendly customization services. ”
– HTC.

HTC now targeting the mid-tier, aims to maintain margins

HTC also confirmed plans to widen its product segmentation, by expanding from the high-end into the mid-market (see separate reports), but the net impact of this new strategy is unclear, since it should raise volume while hurting ASPs.

This move could simply be a reality-check, recognising that ASPs will decline as the market expands, rather than specifically offsetting weakness at the high-end (a development that was denied), and so could recognise that changes in product and pricing mix are inevitable with adoption of Android and market growth.

HTC aims to start generating mid-tier revenue in the second half of 2009, predicting that attractive price-performance ratios driving growth. However, it did not provide any details regarding projected volume or revenue, and the reduced financial forecasts suggest the mid-tier is not expected to be a game-changer for HTC this fiscal year.

” Our momentum in the second half of this year may not be as strong as we initially thought it would be… The number of mid-tier smartphones we’re pushing out this year will gradually increase, which will push down revenue. Momentum on both the Windows Mobile and Android platforms are also turning out to be weaker than expected. ”
–Peter Chou, Chief Executive, HTC.

Other highlights from HTC’s analyst call

The company began, in July, to perceive a softness of demand against expectations, leading it to reign in H2 forecasts. Structurally, HTC saw lower demand for both WM and Android lines — while claiming that sell-through remains good for stable product lines. The US market was said to be healthier than expected, with Europe less so.
HTC claims to have been “more than successful” with “phase 1″ of branding efforts intended to reposition the company and its portfolio away from roots as a contract and original device manufacturer (ODM), although talk of ‘learning’ and uncertainty could indicate a not entirely unmitigated success. The company is now working on phase 2, seemingly fronted by its latest Android initiatives (the Hero device and Sense interface) and sponsorship of a Tour de France cycling team. Marketing spend will be ramped up in Q4, partially explaining a forecast rise in operating expenses, to support a “holistic product rollout strategy, which covers sales, marketing, channel and store front”.

” [The] Primary purpose of [the] “Hero” [device] launch is to unveil HTC [interface] experience “Sense”, we expect [our] present Android portfolio (Magic & Hero) to drive total volume but not Hero along [sic]. We aim to deliver HTC “Sense” [interface] into our Android portfolio with different IDs and price segments going forward. ”
– HTC.

HTC considers mobile broadband to be a key current growth driver, and listed the components of a successful device as: interface; support for social-networking services; touch-interface; and multi-tasking (a dig at the iPhone’s omission, perhaps).
China was identified as a future strategic driver of growth, within three years, on the back of the country’s 3G deployment. HTC confirmed it has begun “initial engagement” with all three Chinese mobile operators (each of which utilises a different 3G technology). However, real volumes are not expected for some time, and to be later due to slow roll out of 3G infrastructure.
Richard Brennan, previously Chief Marketing Officer at Orange, joined HTC’s Office of the Chief Executive, to “act as senior executive for HTC brand and customer experience development”. Hochen Tan, previously Chairman of Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan’s largest telco), was appointed to HTC’s board.
Inventory decline slightly, to NT $4.46bn (from NT $4.64bn in the previous quarter), but provisions increased for inventory and warranties, to NT $2.79bn (NT $2.39bn) and NT 5.28bn (NT $4.84bn) respectively, with the latter items suggesting that recent operational problems have yet to be ironed out. HTC also reported a sharp spike in accounts receivable, to NT $29.83bn (NT $17.56bn), which it blamed on changing customer mix (while maintaining that credit quality remains good).
For Q3, HYC predicts single-digit growth in non-ODM (own-brand) unit volumes, and an associated ASP decline of more than 10%. ODM revenue is expected to decline.
The company is making efforts to revive its business in Q4, following the downgraded full-year outlook.
HTC claims Android devices demonstrably raise operator average revenue per user (ARPU), especially data, and are getting a ‘fair subsidy’ from operators.
Cheng Hui-Ming, HTC’s Chief Financial Officer, played down the likelihood of the company buying a larger, broader-based rival, in part due the challenges of integration and fear of destroying HTC’s “culture”.

[Further reference: HTC Q2 2009 Earnings Conference Call & Webcast Invitation and Presentation -- HTC, 31 July 2009; HTC Gets Pinched by Competitors -- Wall Street Journal, 31 July 2009; UPDATE 1-Smartphone firm HTC sees revenue fall on product delay -- Reuters, 31 July 2009 ; HTC announced its self-assessed for June 2009 -- HTC, 6 July 2009.]

**Mid-tier Android device rumoured**

It was reported that HTC is readying a low-end Android device, using the codename Click, which may be targeted at emerging markets.

Few details were revealed for Click, the only evidence of which was an image claimed to be of the unit. This showed a fairly standard personal digital assistant form factor, dominated by the touch screen.

[Further reference: HTC Click gets pictured again, this time with better bokeh -- Engadget Mobile, 22 July 2009.]

Next HTC Windows Mobile devices under discussion

HTC’s Windows Mobile smartphone plans were in the spotlight, with two previously undiscussed devices surfacing (Leo and Mega), and a promised update to the TouchFLO interface.

The headline feature of both Leo and Mega is Windows Mobile 6.5 support — devices using this platform have yet to reach the hands of customers. The former was suggested to be an evolution of the existing Touch Diamond2 device, while Mega is a lower tier Touch 3G variant with QVGA resolution screen. The specification of Leo also appears to align with the anticipated Firestone device.

TouchFLO 3D 2.5 is apparently set to debut with Firestone, and includes some features already seen in the HTC Sense interface for HTC’s Android devices. Headline additions include widget support, new assignable shortcuts on the home screen, an improved messaging experience, and a new screen for the vendor’s Footprints application.

[Further reference: HTC's TouchFLO 3D 2.5 changes described in detail -- Engadget Mobile, 3 July 2009; More HTC Leo/Mega rumours -- wmpoweruser.com, 20 July 2009.]

**Google integration to limit Sense upgrade packages**

HTC said that, while it is looking to offer an upgrade for its existing Android devices to support its recently-announced Sense user-interface enhancement, this would not be available for devices that are Google-branded, such as T-Mobile International’s G1 and Vodafone Group’s Magic.

It has previously been reported that Android devices would roughly fit into three categories, with differing degrees of “Googleness”. Products featuring Google branding have to include an unmodified version of the Android platform with full Google application support, and modification to support Sense would compromise this.

According to SlashGear, there may still be some logistical issues that will prevent Sense from being made available to existing users, so an upgrade is “by no means definite”.

[Further reference: HTC confirm no Sense upgrade for T-Mobile G1 or Vodafone Magic -- SlashGear, 26 June 2009.]

**T-Mobile confirms G2 Touch (Hero) launch**

T-Mobile International confirmed the launch of its Android-powered G2 Touch device for European markets, which it said “makes T-Mobile the only provider to have two cell phone models with this innovative operating system in its handset portfolio”.

Interestingly, the device is a different unit to the myTouch 3G, which has recently been announced by T-Mobile’s USA arm — the tell-tale difference is the integrated camera, which is a five-megapixel unit in the G2, but only 3.2 megapixels in the myTouch 3G. It appears that the G2 is based on HTC’s Hero design, while the myTouch 3G is based on the product generally known as Magic.

It was previously suggested that the device would be called G1 Touch, although it appears that “G2″ has been selected to show a clear progression from the first-generation unit.

The G2 Touch features a customisable home screen, with widgets provided to support easy access to popular products and services. It includes HSDPA mobile connectivity, although no reference was made to Wi-Fi or GPS. Also supported is Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync technology, to bolster its business credentials through push personal information management support.

In the German market, the device will cost EUR9.95 ($14.19) with two-year contracts for qualifying service plans. T-Mobile UK stated (via Twitter) that it will be available “ASAP”.

T-Mobile announced that versions of NAVIGON navigation software will be available for its Android devices, following an earlier alliance between the operator and vendor NAVIGON. A version for Windows Mobile smartphones is already available.

[Further reference: New T-Mobile "G2 Touch" cell phone with Android -- T-Mobile Germany, 14 July 2009; T-Mobile G2 Touch = HTC Hero -- Phandroid, 13 July 2009; Mobile Navigation -- high-performance solution from T-Mobile and NAVIGON -- T-Mobile Germany, 15 July 2009.]

2 Smart devices

2 Acer
2 Android
2 Google’s Chrome plans blur Android positioning
2 Android to be sidelined?
3 Android development plans in focus
3 Apple
3 Apple announces sound iPhone sales
4 O2 UK iPhone exclusivity deal in question, again
4 Apple trumpets 1.5 billionth download
5 BenQ
5 Garmin-Asus
5 Comment: Apple’s App Store still looks insignificant, financially
6 High hopes for iPhone in South Korean market
6 Chinese approval process underway for iPhone
7 AT&T
7 AT&T numbers show iPhone dominance, dependence
8 China Mobile
8 China Mobile’s OMS available to developers; 2G-only
8 Dell
8 More Dell device rumours surface
9 HTC
9 HTC to increase Android activities; BREW for mid-tier
10 Intel
10 BREW to take HTC into mid-tier
10 HTC reports robust Q2, warns of weakness in H2
10 H2 and FY outlook downgraded — first time…
11 HTC now targeting the mid-tier, aims to maintain margins
11 Other highlights from HTC’s analyst call
13 Mid-tier Android device rumoured
13 Next HTC Windows Mobile devices under discussion
13 Google integration to limit Sense upgrade packages
14 T-Mobile confirms G2 Touch (Hero) launch
15 LG Electronics
15 LG Electronics reports sound quarter; third in market
15 LG aiming for Samsung’s scalp
15 Next LG WM smartphone passes through US approvals
16 Motorola
16 Motorola reports poor Q2; better than SE
16 Motorola names former Samsung exec as marketing head
17 NEC
17 NEC eyeing return to international markets
18 Nokia
18 Nokia numbers show sign of bounce
18 Changing smartphone balance — comment
19 Looking forward
19 Conference call highlights
19 Nokia plays down Android device rumours
20 AT&T/Nokia Surge
20 NTT DoCoMo
20 AT&T debuts social-networking S60 device
20 International availability
21 Nokia to offload Symbian Professional Services unit
21 O2
21 O2 linked with Pantech dual-slider smartphone
21 Palm
22 Palm Pre
22 Qualcomm
22 Palm confirms Telefónica O2 Pre availability
22 Apple puts an end to Pre/iTunes sync; Palm hits back
23 Research In Motion
23 BlackBerry 8520
23 Entry-level Curve unveiled; UK and US launch confirmed
23 Thai launch mooted
23 Wider BlackBerry App World rollout reported
24 BlackBerry App World positive, but not perfect
24 RIM claims Nortel actions preventing asset bid
25 Samsung
25 Samsung strong in second quarter
25 Samsung’s Android device for T-Mobile USA reported
26 Sony Ericsson
26 WiMAX MID launched in US
26 Sony Ericsson
26 Sony Ericsson reports another poor quarter
27 SE Android device detailed — codename Rachael
27 Another sighting of possible Xperia update
28 TechFaith
28 Sprint
28 Sprint to “embrace” Wi-Fi in smartphones
28 Symbian Foundation
28 Symbian Foundation previews Horizon app play
29 Symbian Foundation opens Japanese office
30 Toshiba
30 Toshiba TG01
30 Orange shares spoils with Toshiba TG01 launch
30 CDMA TG01 in pipeline
30 ZTE
31 Verizon Wireless
31 Verizon agrees six-month exclusivity cap

32 Mobile Value-added services

32 Advertising
32 Blyk re-focus complete; no more MVNO — reports
33 Applications
33 3 adds advertising to mobile broadband service
33 Verizon’s application plans in spotlight
34 LG takes app store into beta
35 Broadcast
35 SA regulator criticised over mobile TV delays
35 Big numbers, but profits elusive for mobile TV in Korea
36 Negatives reported for Chinese mobile broadcast market
36 Poland moving closer to mobile TV launch
37 Enterprise
37 Enablers
37 Spanish operators deploy interoperable barcode platform
37 Etisalat accused of BlackBerry “snoop”
38 AT&T launches new LBS for businesses
38 Xora GPS Locator
38 TeleNav Track LITE
39 Location-based services
39 Telstra launches Microsoft-powered enterprise package
39 Location-based services
39 Vodafone picks Tele Atlas as LBS partner
40 m-commerce
40 LBS market to double in size in 2009 — Gartner
41 Citi, Vodafone partner for Indian NFC trial
41 Polish m-commerce platform may debut during 2009
41 DoCoMo initiates mobile remittance service
42 Mobilink launches financial services in Pakistan
42 Smartphone growth key to mobile banking uptake
43 170m to make P2P money transactions in 2011 — ABI
43 M2M
43 Vodafone debuts global M2M platform
44 Messaging
44 Nawras introduces value-added SMS services
44 Multimedia
44 América Móvil picks Nokia for mobile email
44 M1 to launch Nokia Messaging in Singapore
44 StarHub targets immigrants with mobile TV services
45 Music
45 Orange UK latest to join DRM-free music rush
45 China Mobile to centralise music operations
46 Portals
46 Telefónica and OnMobile sign LatAm VAS deal
46 Verizon-Microsoft search deal goes live
46 Vodafone CR picks Nostromo to manage content store
47 Vodafone to drop live! brand for mobile internet services
47 MMA updates US operator content guidelines
48 Social networking
48 O2 rounds out social-networking trio with Twitter deal
48 Voice services
48 SpinVox under fire over message security
49 Operator content deals
49 Operator technology deals

50 Markets and trends

50 Mobile VAS
50 Smart devices
50 EU scraps “smartphone tax” plans — report
50 “Rich Communication Suite” services launch in Korea
51 “Wi-Fi challenge” taking toll on mobile content revenue
52 Mobile media industry set for regulatory ramp-up
52 DoCoMo makes $45.5m PacketVideo investment

53 Index

INDEX

Symbols
3, 17
- Austria, 33
- UK, 18, 33
A
ABI Research, 43
Accenture, 21
Acer, 2
- A1, 2
- C1/E1, 2
- F1, 2
- L1, 2
AirSage, 39
America Movil, 44
Apple, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 18, 22, 24, 29, 33, 34
- App Store, 5
- iPhone, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 22, 28, 34, 48
- iPhone 3GS, 3, 4, 6, 7
- iTunes, 5, 22
ARM, 2
ASA, UK, 52
AT&T, 7, 15, 20, 21, 29, 38, 47, 49
- MEdia, 29
- Surge, 20, 22
- Video Share, 20
Avaya, 24
B
Bango, 51
BBC, 3, 47, 48
Bebo, 48
BenQ, 5
- MID S6, 5
Blue Systems, 46, 49
Blyk, 32
Bytemobile, 49
C
Cellcom, 49
cellity, 48
China Mobile, 3, 8, 34, 45, 49
- OMS, 8
- Ophone, 8
China Telecom, 30, 47
China Telecommunications Technology Labs, 6, 8
China Unicom, 6, 8, 30
Chunghwa Telecom, 12
Citigroup, 40, 41
- Citibank, 42
Clearwire, 26
Compal Communications, 2
comScore, 42
Comverse Technology, 49
CSL, Hong Kong, 46, 49
D
Dell, 8
Dopod, 8
DTAC, Thailand, 23
du, UAE, 44
E
eBay, 47
- PayPal, 24
eBuddy, 33
EMI, 45
Ericsson, 24, 26, 27, 34
Essel Group
- Zee TV, 44
Etisalat, UAE, 37
European Union, 50
F
Facebook, 3, 23, 47, 48
Far EasTone, 5
FCC, US, 15, 25, 30
Foxconn International, 3, 6, 8
France Télécom
- Orange, 4, 15, 12, 18, 22, 30, 32, 37, 45
Frost & Sullivan, 39
Fujitsu, 17, 29
G
Garmin-Asus, 5
- nuvifone, 5
- nuvifone G60, 5
- nuvifone M20, 5
Gartner, 40
GetJar, 33
Google, 2, 3, 5, 9, 13, 19, 33, 34, 38, 47
- Android Market, 33, 34
- Android (see also Open Handset Alliance), 5, 10, 11, 12
- Chrome OS, 2, 3
- Google Maps, 38
- YouTube, 47
GSM Association, 5, 50
H
Hisense, 8
HTC, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 27
- Click, 13
- Dream, 3, 13, 14
- Executives
- Chou , Peter, 11
- Firestone, 13
- Hero, 14
- HTC Sense, 13
- Leo, 13
- Magic, 9, 13, 14
- Mega, 13
- Sapphire, 9
- Touch Diamond, 13
- TouchFLO, 10, 13
- Whitestone, 9
I
ICASA, South Africa, 35
INFO-TV-FM, 36
Intel, 5, 10
- Wind River Systems, 10
Inventec Appliances, 2
K
Korea Fair Trade Commission, 22
KRRiT, Poland, 36
KT, 6, 50
L
Lenovo Mobile, 8
LG Electronics, 2, 8, 9, 15, 20, 25, 31, 34, 50
- Chocolate, 15
- Cookie, 15
- GM730, 15
- GW600, 15
LG-Nortel, 2
LG Telecom, 50
LiMo Foundation
- LiMo Platform, 17
M
M1, Singapore, 44
Marvell Technology, 8
MasterCard Worldwide, 41
Microsoft, 5, 9, 14, 33, 34, 39, 46
- ActiveSync, 14, 21
- Danger
- Sidekick, 20
- Windows, 10, 11
- Windows Marketplace for Mobile, 34
- Windows Mobile, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 34, 39
- Windows Mobile 6.1, 21, 25, 26
- Windows Mobile 6.5, 10, 13
Mobile Entertainment Forum, 52
Mobile Marketing Association, 47, 50
Mobile Money Ventures, 40
Mobilink, Pakistan, 42
MOKO.mobi, 49
Motorola, 8, 11, 16, 20, 38
- ROKR ZN50, 16
MultiChoice, South Africa, 35
MySpace, 23, 47
N
NAVIGON, 14
Nawras, Oman, 44
NEC, 17
News Corp
- MySpace, 23, 47
NextWave Wireless
- PacketVideo, 52
Nokia, 5, 6, 9, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 29, 33, 34, 39, 41, 44, 46, 48
- 5800 XpressMusic, 19
- Eseries, 18
- Maemo, 19
- N86 8MP, 18
- N97, 18, 19
- NAVTEQ, 18
- Nokia Messaging, 44
- Nseries, 18, 19
- Ovi, 29, 34, 46
- Ovi Store, 29, 34
- S60, 20, 48
- Surge/6760 slide, 20, 22
- Vertu, 15
Nokia Siemens Networks, 24
Nortel, 2, 24
Nostromo ICT, 46, 49
NTT DoCoMo, 20, 29, 30, 41, 47, 52
- SH-08A, 20
O
Ofcom, UK, 52
Office of Fair Trading, UK, 52
OnMobile, 46
Open Handset Alliance
- Android, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 25, 27, 29, 33, 34, 48
Opera Software
- Opera Mini, 33
Orange Group, 4, 15, 18, 22, 30, 32, 37, 45
- Orange Music Store, 45
- UK, 4, 15, 18, 32, 45
Orascom Telecom, 42
P
Palm, 9, 21, 22, 28, 31, 34
- Palm Pre, 21, 22
- Treo 800w, 21
- webOS, 21, 34
Panasonic, 17
Pantech, 21
- Matrix Pro, 21
PhonepayPlus, 52
Pocket Life, 48
Q
Qualcomm, 10, 22, 27, 33, 35
- BREW, 9, 10, 33
- Plaza, 33
R
Regions
- Americas, 16, 25, 33, 44, 46
- Brazil, 23
- Canada, 23, 24
- North America, 25, 28, 33, 40
- US, 5, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 35, 39, 47, 49
- APAC, 3, 5, 28, 34
- Australia, 39
- China, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 25, 28, 30, 34, 36, 45, 47, 49
- Hong Kong, 5, 40, 46, 49
- India, 23, 33, 41, 46
- Indonesia, 44
- Japan, 6, 17, 29, 30, 41, 47
- Korea, 6, 22, 24, 35, 50
- Malaysia, 5
- New Zealand, 9
- Pakistan, 42
- Philippines, 40, 48
- Singapore, 5, 40, 44, 49
- South Korea, 6, 15, 16, 22, 24, 35, 50
- Taiwan, 5, 12
- Thailand, 5
- EMEA
- Africa, 35
- Austria, 26
- Belgium, 26
- Czech Republic, 49
- Europe, 11
- France, 12, 22, 23, 26, 30
- Germany, 4, 14, 22, 23, 26, 30, 44
- Ireland, 22, 37
- Israel, 49
- Italy, 22, 23
- Middle East, 8
- Netherlands, 26, 32
- Poland, 36, 41
- Portugal, 46
- Romania, 30
- Russia, 39
- South Africa, 35, 48
- Spain, 22, 23, 37
- Switzerland, 26, 30
- UAE, 37, 44
- UK, 4, 15, 19, 22, 23, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 47, 48, 52
Research In Motion, 5, 6, 9, 15, 23, 24, 31, 33, 34, 37, 38
- BlackBerry, 15, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 33, 37, 38, 45, 48
- BlackBerry App World, 23, 24, 33
- BlackBerry Bold, 38
- BlackBerry Curve, 23
- BlackBerry Curve 8520, 23
- BlackBerry Pearl, 15
- BlackBerry Storm, 24, 31
- BlackBerry Tour, 28
Rural Cellular Association, US, 31
S
Samsung, 8, 9, 15, 16, 18, 20, 25, 26, 29, 31
- Jet, 25
- Mondi, 26
- Omnia, 25
- Omnia II (I8000), 25
- S9110, 25
- SGH-T939, 25
- TouchWiz, 25
Scanbuy, 37
Shanghai Media Group, 47
Sharp, 17, 20, 29
- SH-08A, 20
SK Telecom, 6, 24, 40, 50
SoftBank, 34, 46, 47
- SoftBank Mobile, 34, 46
Sony Ericsson, 6, 9, 11, 16, 26, 27, 29, 34
- PlayNow, 34
- Rachael, 27
- Xperia, 27
SpinVox, 48
Sprint, 3, 21, 28, 30, 31, 47
StarHub, Singapore, 44, 49
Strategy Analytics, 15, 21, 24, 34
Symbian Foundation, 5, 9, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 34, 48
- Symbian OS, 9, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 34, 48
T
TCL, 8
TDC, 45
TechFaith Wireless, 28
- G6, 28
Technology
- 3G, 12
- Android, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19, 25, 27, 29, 33, 34, 48
- ARM, 2
- BREW, 9, 10, 33
- CMMB, 36
- DMB, 16, 35
- DRM, 45
- DVB-H, 36
- EDGE, 8, 23
- FLO, 35
- GPS, 14, 15, 20, 21, 38, 40, 50
- HSPA, 5, 14, 16, 21
- IM, 20
- Java, 2, 34
- Linux, 5, 10, 17, 19, 29
- LTE, 24
M2M, 43
- NFC, 41
- Symbian OS, 9, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 34, 48
- TD-SCDMA, 8
- Widgets, 14
- Wi-Fi, 5, 6, 14, 15, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 51
- WiMAX, 26
- Windows Mobile, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 34, 39
- x86, 2
Tele Atlas, 39
Telefonica, 22, 30, 37, 46, 48
- Movistar Chile, 48
- O2, 4, 21, 22, 30, 34, 37, 48
- Xda Venn, 21
- O2 Germany, 30
- O2 Ireland, 37
- O2 UK, 4, 21, 30, 34, 48
TeleNav, 38
Telstra, 39, 48
The Carphone Warehouse, 18
T-Mobile International, 4, 9, 13, 14, 20, 23, 25, 44, 47
- G1, 3, 13, 14
- G2 Touch, 14
- Germany, 14, 44
- myTouch 3G, 9, 14
- SGH-T939/Behold2, 25
- Sidekick, 20
- UK, 4, 14
- USA, 9, 20, 23, 25, 47
Toshiba, 30
- TG01, 30
TU Media, 35
Twitter, 14, 47, 48
U
UKE, Poland, 36
Universal Music, 45
USB Implementers Forum, 22
V
Verizon Wireless, 3, 9, 21, 24, 25, 30, 31, 33, 34, 39, 45, 46, 47, 49
- Alltel Wireless, US, 48, 49
- V CAST, 45
Visto, 23
ViVOtech, 41
Vodacom, 48
Vodafone Group, 4, 9, 13, 18, 22, 23, 24, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41, 43, 46, 47, 48, 49
- Australia, 48
- Czech Republic, 46, 49
- India, 41
- live!, 46
- Magic, 9, 13, 14
- Netherlands, 32
- New Zealand, 9
- Portugal, 46
- Spain, 37, 48
- UK, 4, 18, 48
- Vodafone live!, 47
Volkswagen, 37
W
WiFi Alliance, 25
Wikipedia, 28
X
Xora, 38
Y
Yahoo!, 9, 46
- Japan, 46
YouTube, 47
Yulong Coolpad, 8
Z
ZTE, 8, 30

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.06 snapshot

AB — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:20:47 +0000

TOP STORIES: Apple confirmed the release of its long-anticipated next-generation iPhone , the iPhone 3GS , which failed to startle, being a largely incremental upgrade to the previous version. Early sales numbers were impressive. [pp.5-7.]

Issue: 2009.06
Covering: June 2009
Published: July 2009
Next issue: August 2009

Tracking innovative, strategic, operator-monetisable mobile value-added solutions. A unique monthly report for the industry.

About Mobile VAS|watch
Executive Brief
Extract
Table of Contents
Index

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

Mobile VAS|watch tracks the latest mobile value-added ‘solutions’ from an industry perspective, bringing together coverage of premium mobile handsets, services and applications in one place.
This report service provides mobile operators, vendors and service providers with a comprehensive and powerful briefing on the latest developments, reflecting the growing convergence and importance of devices and internet services to the industry’s current and future fortunes. Mobile VAS|watch takes both a global view and a neutral perspective on technology and business models.
Our ‘watch’ titles are repeatedly described by clients and end-users as the single most valuable source of third-party intelligence. Considered invaluable by many high-achieving commercial teams and account directors.
A unique source of valuable opportunities, knowledge, planning, strategy, and much more. Both tactical tool and strategic reference. An invaluable reference, input and even springboard for corporate planning, reporting, and meetings.
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Contact us for further information, including samples and evaluation trial requests. info@marketmettle.com / +44-20-7083-0055.
Below is a free taster from issue 2009.06 (June 2009), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

SMART DEVICES: HTC officially announced its Hero smartphone, with the new Android device also marking the debut of Sense, a user interface add-on developed by the vendor. There was continued speculation over Firestone , which appears to be the successor to the Windows Mobile-powered Touch HD. Sales of Magic are brisk, with the unit to be launched by T-Mobile USA imminently, while the Windows Mobile-powered Snap gained US operator support. [pp.9,10,11.]

Samsung unveiled a portfolio of Windows Mobile devices carrying the Omnia tag, headlined by Omnia II, and including a mix of form factors. The company also announced Jet , a feature phone powered by an 800MHz processor, which comes close to a smartphone in terms of feature set. Pixon12 was debuted, continuing the megapixel numbers game by including a twelve-megapixel camera. [pp.27,28,29.]

Nokia and Intel announced a device technology partnership, which raised more questions than it answered. A “new class” of device was promised, and the alliance will also include collaboration on mobile Linux software projects. Back with Symbian OS, Nokia announced the mid-tier, touch-screen 5530 XpressMusic ; the enterprise-focused E72 QWERTY smartphone was confirmed; and the flagship N97 began shipping — with talk of an N97 mini. [pp.18-20,20-21.]

Research In Motion revealed its BlackBerry Tour device, a dual-mode CDMA/WCDMA unit with traditional BlackBerry form factor. RIM announced a strong performance in its fiscal first quarter, with robust numbers reported across-the-board. [pp.26-27.]

Sprint claimed “record” sales figures for Palm’s Pre smartphone following its launch, although it declined to put a figure on this. It was suggested that shipment volumes may be capping sales, with Palm’s cash reserves a possible limiting factor. Separately, Palm announced poor fourth-quarter and full-year results. [pp.22,23-24.]

Android seems to be maintaining its momentum, with Acer confirming plans to offer smartphones and netbooks using the platform, fellow Taiwanese player BenQ exploring Android products, navigation phone company Garmin-Asus to launch an Android device before 2010, an APAC operator group establishing an Android promotion effort, and China Unicom exploring a custom version of the operating system. [pp.2,8,3,4.]

The LiMo Foundation announced Release 2 of its LiMo Platform , which includes support for OMTP’s BONDI technology, enabling web services to access device functionality. Microsoft has apparently opted not to address the ARM-powered “smartbook” market, which will include devices positioned between existing smartphone and netbook products. [pp.15,16-17.]

Sony Ericsson announced plans to push its mobile Java technology into its entry-level 3G device portfolio, so applications, content, and games developed for the platform will be available to mass-market 3G subscribers. Verizon Wireless said that Java is not set to displace BREW in its handset portfolio, as it began efforts to court Java programmers. [pp.30,31.]

MVAS: It was reported that Vodafone is to add advertisements to some of its location-based services, with sponsored “points-of-interest” featured on maps. Vodafone Czech Republic’s ad-funded Student SMS Gratis service bit the dust, with advertisers having a “greater interest” in advertising via the Vodafone live! portal. German operator E-Plus ramped up its mobile advertising activities. [pp.32,32-33,34.]

Sony Ericsson became the latest player to join the mobile app store party, with the addition of products to its PlayNow portfolio. Virgin Mobile France is to launch its own app store, working with established retailer GetJar. Player X added app aggregation to its portfolio, with Orange UK its first partner. [pp.35,36.]

Chunghwa Telecom is reported to have picked Yahoo! to replace Google as its default search partner, although the level of commitment appears to be low. The South Korean regulator acted on a mobile content “squeeze” , where operators had been playing tough with third-party content suppliers. [pp.48,49.]

Kenyan operator Safaricom is offering DVB-H-powered mobile TV services, working in partnership with service provider Digital Mobile TV, and vendor Nokia. A number of stakeholders created the International DAB Advancement Group, intended to promote DMB-based mobile broadcast services, although as yet no operators are involved. [pp.37,38.]

Enstream, an m-commerce joint venture established by Bell Canada, Rogers Wireless, and TELUS, went live, debuting its Zoompass money-transfer and payment system. It was reported that Qtel and Vodafone Qatar are set to jointly debut a transaction platform, building on groundwork already done by the Vodafone subsidiary. [pp.39.]

MEA operator Zain partnered with Western Union, to enable money-transfer services via the operator’s Zap m-commerce platform. Speaking at an event, a Zain exec said that “concerns” in the banking and mobile telecoms industry about “encroaching” on each others’ turf had limited cooperation, preventing new products and services from being rolled out. Vodafone Group said the Kenyan authorities had taken a “pragmatic but courageous” line with regard to m-banking. [pp.40,41.]

T-Mobile International announced the removal of DRM in its Mobile Jukebox store, covering the Austrian and German markets. It was reported that Nokia is also looking to drop DRM from its store, with a shift to MP3-format for tracks also suggested. SingTel claimed a “first of a kind” mobile music service, offering a mix of music tracks, videos, and news. [pp.46,47.]

T-Mobile Germany confirmed a VoIP tariff package, enabling customers to use services such as Skype, while also providing the operator with a useful revenue stream. [p.50.]

MARKETS AND TRENDS: US politicians turned their attention to device-exclusivity deals, following concerns that these may not be in consumers’ best interest. O2 UK noted that smartphones are gaining traction among SMEs, with converged devices seemingly above cost cutting evident elsewhere among businesses. [pp.52,53.]

The Mobile Entertainment Forum trumpeted industry confidence, noting that revenue forecasts for the coming year have increased — slightly. Local information services are gaining traction in the USA, with the device browser being the preferred access method. Smartphones were identified as a driver of m-commerce in developed markets, with PayPal noting that the more attractive interfaces can be offered to help drive use. [pp.54,55.]

EXTRACT

INQ MOBILE: INQ readying Twitter phone

INQ Mobile, the handset business established by Hutchison Whampoa, is apparently planning to introduce a “Twitter phone” in time for the Christmas 2009 sales period, according to a Reuters report.

INQ has built its business on devices that offer integrated social-networking and media service access, including Facebook, Skype, and Windows Live Messenger. With Twitter currently something of a hot topic in the social-networking space, and the service ideally suited to mobile access, INQ’s adoption of the technology is perhaps unsurprising — although whether Twitter will still be the site de jour in six months’ time is perhaps open to question.

The INQ device will use a mobile internet connection to send “Tweets” rather than text messages, which is the channel used by many mobile operators offering Twitter support. The device is intended to be a mass-market proposition, and will be available to operators for less than $140 — meaning subscribers may get devices free-of-charge when purchased with service contracts.

It was said that 700,000 INQ Mobile-made devices have been sold since the first introduction in 2007 (3 Group’s Skypephone), with 3 Group the main sales channel for terminals — both companies are Hutchison subsidiaries.

[Further reference: INQ Mobile to roll out Twitter-phone -- Reuters, 2 June 2009.]

INQ claims INQ1 use tops smartphones

INQ Mobile, maker of the social-networking-oriented INQ1 feature phone, released data for usage of its device on the 3 UK network, claiming that the “close integration of applications and easy-to-use interface means that, for the first time, consumers using an entry-level-priced handset, often on a pay-as-you-go tariff, access data at levels typically reserved for much more expensive smartphones”.

According to the company, an average of 65% of INQ1 users are using Facebook, with the majority of customers accessing the service “once a day or more”. In addition, 30% of INQ1 owners are “regularly” using email, indicating that “email can penetrate into the mass market, and not be restricted to high-end, expensive smartphones”, even on devices without QWERTY keypads.

Windows Live Messenger usage is three-to-four times’ greater than other 3G phones on the 3 UK network, with approximately 50% of INQ1 customers accessing the service every month. Skype usage is also high, at 19% of the INQ1 base.

INQ Mobile also noted similarly high use in Hong Kong, where the device was launched in March 2009. Half of users in this market consume data “on a level that is four times’ higher per-subscriber than the typical 3G user base”, with Facebook usage “three-to-four times’ higher than the average on other 3G devices on the 3 HK network”.

INQ Mobile and 3 Group share the same parent, Hutchison Whampoa.

” The iPhone and Blackberry are great devices, but it is important to remember that smartphones only make up 12% of the market. We see a huge opportunity to provide an internet and social-networking experience on a handset that costs operators a fraction of what they’re paying for higher end phones. “
– Frank Meehan, CEO of INQ Mobile.

[Further reference: Mobile data usage on INQ1 tops performance of smartphones -- INQ Mobile, 10 June 2009.]

2 Smart devices

2 Acer
2 Acer details Android smart device plans
2 Not a wholehearted embrace
3 ASUS
3 Android
3 APAC operator group throws weight behind Android
3 Comment
4 China Unicom set to debut Android device imminently
5 Apple
5 Apple iPhone 3GS
5 Apple confirms next-gen iPhone
6 Reaction
6 Processor issues
7 Component price
7 Early sales
7 Power problems, icon issues
8 Garmin-Asus
8 BenQ
8 BenQ planning Android smartphones and netbooks
8 Garmin-Asus
8 Garmin-Asus plans first Android device before Q1 2010
9 HTC
9 HTC Hero
9 HTC Hero
9 HTC Hero confirmed; gains custom UI
9 Flash support for Android
10 Firestone speculation grows
10 HTC to hit million Magic-mark in August — report
11 HTC Ozone (Snap)
11 Magic gains T-Mobile USA release, as myTouch 3G
11 Snap picks up US operator support
12 Intel
12 Intel buys embedded Linux player Wind River
12 Huawei
12 Huawei showcases Android and WM smartphones
12 INQ Mobile
12 INQ readying Twitter phone
13 INQ claims INQ1 use tops smartphones
13 Intel
13 Intel buys embedded Linux player Wind River cont’d
14 LG Electronics
14 LG LG-GM730
14 LG WM smartphone set for release; app store debuted
15 LiMo Foundation
15 LiMo Foundation announces R2 platform release
16 Microsoft
16 Microsoft not set to target ARM “smartbook” market
17 Netbook market splitting in two?
18 Nokia
18 Nokia and Intel form wide-ranging platform partnership
18 Platform posers
19 Hardware questions
19 Silicon issues
20 Nokia 5530
20 Feedback
20 Mid-tier touch-screen device announced; 5530
21 Nokia E72
21 Nokia N97
21 E72 confirmed; E71 successor
21 Nokia confirms N97 shipment plans, N97 mini rumoured
21 Vodafone linked with N97 mini
21 OMTP
22 Palm
22 Sprint claims record sales following Pre launch
22 Pre sales forecasts optimistic; potential supply issues
23 Another weak quarter announced by Palm
23 Smartphone shipments fall
24 Conference call highlights
24 Palm replaces CEO; former Apple exec takes up reigns
25 Qualcomm
25 Qualcomm optimistic for current quarter
25 Research In Motion
26 Research In Motion BlackBerry Tour
26 RIM unveils dual-mode BlackBerry Tour
26 RIM remains strong in Q1
27 Samsung
27 Samsung Omnia II (I8000)
27 Samsung Omnia Pro (B7610)
27 Samsung Omnia Pro (B7320)
27 Q2 forecast
27 Samsung unveils Omnia device family
28 Samsung Omnia Lite (B7300)
28 Samsung Jet
28 Jet straddles smartphone/feature phone divide
29 Samsung Pixon12 (M8910)
29 Twelve-megapixel touch-screen cameraphone unveiled
30 Sony Ericsson
30 SE trumpets Java platform for entry-level 3G
30 Symbian Foundation
31 Verizon Wireless
31 Verizon says Java not set to displace BREW

32 Mobile VAS

32 Mobile advertising
32 Vodafone to add ads to location-based services…
32 …as Czech ad-funded product bites the dust
33 Comment
34 E-Plus ramps up mobile advertising activities
34 Mobile ads bucking downward trend — Juniper Research
35 Applications
35 Sony Ericsson latest to join app store party
36 Virgin Mobile France partners for app store launch
36 Player X begins app aggregation, Orange UK first partner
37 Broadcast
37 Safaricom rolls out DVB-H mobile TV services
38 Stakeholders sign up to back DMB
39 m-commerce
39 Canadian JV debuts money transfer and payment services
39 Qatari operators planning joint m-commerce launch
40 Zain partners with Western Union for mobile money play
40 Collaboration needed
41 Vodafone trumpets Kenyan m-banking regulatory model
41 Turkcell planning m-wallet services
42 Orange positive about contactless payments
43 Enterprise
43 Belgacom trumpets PingPing growth
43 Etisalat partners with Nokia for enterprise mail products
44 Healthcare
44 Location-based services
44 Sharp increase in LBS use forecast by Berg Insight
45 Messaging
45 China to cap SMS volumes to tackle spam
45 Partners launch Ugandan mobile app suite
46 Messaging
46 Multimedia
46 DoCoMo debuts European “manga” efforts
46 Music
46 T-Mobile goes DRM-free in Austria and Germany
47 SingTel claims “first of kind” mobile music service
47 Nokia to ditch DRM, shift to MP3 — report
48 Portals
48 Vodafone Germany picks RealNetworks to upgrade RBT
48 Chunghwa signs Yahoo! to replace Google — report
49 South Korean regulator acts on mobile content squeeze
49 Vodafone Egypt awards FoneStarz download contract
50 Nokia launches commercial Life Tools service in India
50 Voice services
50 T-Mobile Germany confirms VoIP tariff package
51 Operator content deals
51 Operator technology deals

52 Markets and trends

52 Markets
52 Smart devices
52 US politicians probing device exclusivity deals
53 Smartphones gaining traction among SMEs — O2 UK
54 Mobile VAS
54 MEF trumpets entertainment industry confidence
54 US local information services on the up
55 Smartphones identify as driver of m-commerce

57 Index

INDEX

SYMBOLS
3, 3, 12, 13, 49
- Australia, 51
- Hong Kong, 13
- UK, 13, 36
A
ACCESS, , 30
Acer, 2, 3, 8
- F900, 2
Acision, 51
Adobe Systems, 9
Alcatel-Lucent, 34, 43, 51
Amdocs, 51
- ChangingWorlds, 51
AOL, 14
- IM, 14
Apple, , 5, 6, 7, 23, 24, 44, 52
- iPhone, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 20, 22, 23, 44, 48, 52, 55
- iPhone 3GS, 5, 6, 7, 22, 23
- iPod, 24
- iTunes, 44
ARM, 3, 6, 9, 16, 17, 19, 25
ASUS, 3, 8, 25
- Eee PC, 3
AT&T, 22, 38, 43, 44, 45, 52
- AT&T Navigator, 44
B
Baidu, China, 28
Belgacom, 43
- PingPing, 43
BenQ, 8
Berg Insight, 44
Bharti Airtel, India, 9, 48
Bitway, 46, 51
Bouygues Telecom, 46, 51
Broadcom,
C
Casio, 31
- EXILIM, 31
Celcom, Malaysia, 51
Celltick, 51
China Mobile, 4, 12, 45
- Ophone, 4
China Telecom, 45
China Unicom, 4, 45
- UniPlus, 4
Chunghwa Telecom, 48
Citigroup
- Citibank, 39
Colibria, 51
Compal Communications, 25
comScore, 54
Conexus Mobile Alliance, 3
D
Dash Navigation, 26
Dialog GSM, Sri Lanka, 51
DigiBNetwork, 38
Digital Mobile TV, Kenya, 37
Dopod, 4
E
eBay
- PayPal, 55
eBuddy, 14
Elevation Partners, 24
EnStream, 39
- Zoompass, 39
E-Plus, 34, 51
- Gettings, 34
Ericsson, 30, 35
Etisalat, UAE, 43
European Union
- EC, 38
F
Facebook, 9, 12, 13
Far EasTone, 3
FCC, US, 52
Fonestarz Media Group, 49
Foxconn International, 25
France Telecom
- Orange, 5, 9, 36, 42, 52
Freescale Semiconductor, , 16
G
Garmin-Asus, 8
- nuvifone, 8
- nuvifone G60, 8
- nuvifone M20, 8
Garmin International, 8
Gartner, 20
GetJar, 35, 36
Globe Telecom, Philippines, 39
Google, 8, 11, 12, 16, 33, 45, 48
- Google Maps, 12
- Google Search, 12
- Google Talk, 12
Grameen Foundation, 45
GSM Association, 39
H
Habbo Hotel, 18
HTC, , 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 25
- Dream, 10, 11
- Firestone, 10
- G1,
- Hero, 9, 10
- HTC Sense, 9
- Magic, 9, 10, 11
- Snap, 11
- TouchFLO, 9, 10
- Touch HD, 10
Huawei Technologies, 3, 12
- C8000, 12
- U8230, 12
Hutchison Whampoa, 12, 13
- INQ Mobile, 12, 13
I
IBM, 21
Idea Cellular, India, 50
Imagination Technologies, 6
Immersion, 30
Indosat, Indonesia, 3
INQ Mobile, 12, 13
- INQ1, 13
InStat, 20
Intel, 3, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20
International DMB Advancement Group, 38
Interscope Records, 35
Inventec Appliances, 25
iSuppli, 7, 22
J
JD Power and Associates,
Juniper Research, 34
K
Korea Communications Commission, 49
KPMG, 54
KPN, 34, 51
- E-Plus, 34, 51
KT, 3
Kyivstar, Ukraine, 51
Kyocera Wireless,
L
Lenovo Mobile
- Ophone, 4
LG Electronics, , 9, 14
- LG-GM730, 14
- S-Class, 14
LiMo Foundation, 15, 21
- LiMo Platform, 15
Linux Foundation, 13, 18
- Moblin, 2, 8, 13, 18
LiveWire Mobile, 51
M
Marvell Technology, 12, 19
Microsoft, 2, 13, 16, 17, 21, 27, 43, 47
- Danger,
- Windows Live, 12, 13, 14
- Windows Mobile, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 27
- Windows Mobile 6.1, 11, 14, 27
- Windows Mobile 6.5, 10
Miyowa, 51
Mobiele TV Nederland, 38
Mobile Entertainment Forum, 54
Mobile Money Ventures, 39
mobilkom, Austria, 43
Mobitel, 39
Mobixell Networks, 51
MontaVista Software, 12
Motorola, , 9, 18
MTN, 45
MTS, Russia, 18, 49
N
Nawras, Oman, 45
- MobiKhazana, 45
Nokia, 9, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 30, 35, 37, 43, 45, 47, 50
- 5530 XpressMusic, 20
- 5800 XpressMusic, 20
- Comes With Music, 47
- E71, 21
- E72, 21
- E75, 21
- N77, 37
- N96, 37
- N97, 18, 21
- N97 mini, 21
- NAVTEQ, 32
- N-Gage, 21
- Nokia Life Tools, 50
- Nokia Messaging, 21
- Nokia Music Store, 47
- Ovi, 20, 21, 35, 45
- Ovi Store, 21
- S60, 20, 21, 30
- Series 40, 18
Nokia Siemens Networks, 37
Norwegian Mobile TV Corporation, 38
Nova KBM, Slovenia, 39
NPD Group,
NTT DoCoMo, 3, 9, 46, 51
O
OMTP, 15, 21
- BONDI, 15, 21
OnMobile, 50
Open Handset Alliance, 2
- Android, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 55
Orange Group, 5, 9, 36, 42, 52
- France, 5, 52
- UK, 9, 36
Out There Media, 51
P
Palm, 6, 9, 22, 23, 24, 52
- Centro, 23
- Palm Pre, 6, 22, 23
- Treo 600, 22
- Treo Pro, 23
- webOS, 22, 23, 24
Pannon, 52
Petrol, Slovenia, 39
Player X, 36
Play, Poland, 51
Q
Qtel, Qatar, 39
Qualcomm, , 3, 9, 16, 19, 25, 31, 37
- BREW, 31
- Snapdragon, 3, 25
Quickoffice, 21
R
RAI, Italy, 38
RaySat Broadcasting Corporation, 38
RealNetworks, 48, 51
Regions
- Americas, 26
- Argentina, 48
- Brazil, 48
- Canada, 39
- North America, 3, 8, 9, 26
- US, , 3, 5, 11, 24, 30, 31, 35, 44, 52, 54
- APAC, 3, 8, 14, 26, 50
- Australia, 14, 46, 48, 49, 51
- China, 3, 4, 10, 12, 28, 30, 38, 45
- Hong Kong, 3, 13
- India, 9, 14, 50
- Indonesia, 3, 14, 51
- Japan, 3, 46, 51
- Korea, 3, 25, 49
- Malaysia, 14, 48, 51
- New Zealand, 14, 49, 51
- Philippines, 3, 14, 39
- Singapore, 3, 14, 48
- South Korea, 38, 49
- Sri Lanka, 51
- Taiwan, 3, 48
- Thailand, 3, 14
- EMEA
- Africa, 40, 50
- Austria, 43, 46, 49
- Czech Republic, 32, 37
- Denmark, 49
- France, 46, 51
- Germany, 34, 46, 48, 50, 51
- Greece, 48
- Hungary, 52
- Ireland, 49
- Italy, 38, 45, 48
- Kenya, 37, 40, 41
- Malta, 38
- Middle East, 26, 40
- Netherlands, 38, 46
- Norway, 38, 43
- Poland, 47, 51
- Russia, 18, 49
- South Africa, 49
- Spain, 45, 48
- Sweden, 49
- Tanzania, 40
- UAE, 43
- Uganda, 40, 45
- UK, 38, 44, 49
- Ukraine, 51
Research In Motion, , 7, 25, 26, 27, 52
- BlackBerry, , 7, 11, 25, 26, 27, 52
- BlackBerry Bold, 7, 25
- BlackBerry Curve,
- BlackBerry Pearl, , 26
- BlackBerry Pearl Flip, , 26
- BlackBerry Storm, 26, 52
- BlackBerry Tour, 26
Reslink, 44
Rogers Wireless, 39
Rural Cellular Association, US, 52
S
Safaricom, Kenya, 37, 41
- M-PESA, 41
Samsung, , 6, 7, 9, 27, 28, 29
- BlackJack, 27
- Jack (SGH-i637), 27
- Jet, 28
- Omnia, 27, 28
- Omnia II (I8000), 27
- Omnia Lite (B7300), 27, 28
- Omnia Pro, 27
- Omnia Pro (B7320), 27
- Omnia Pro (B7610), 27
- Pixon12 (M8910), 29
- TouchWiz, 27, 28
Sanyo,
SHUEISHA, 46, 51
Siemens, 8
SingTel, Singapore, 47
- SingTel AMPed, 47
SK Telecom, 25, 39
Skype, 12, 13
SMART, Philippines, 3
Sony Ericsson, , 9, 18, 30, 35, 36
- Cyber-shot, 30
- Fun & Downloads, 35
- PlayNow, 35, 36
- Walkman, 30
Spansion,
SpinVox, 46
Sprint, 11, 22, 23, 24, 26, 52
StarHub, Singapore, 3
Sybase, 51
- Sybase 365, 51
Symbian Foundation, 3, 8, 18, 20, 21, 30, 35
- Symbian OS, 3, 8, 18, 20, 21, 35
T
Technology
- Android, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 55
- ARM, 3, 6, 9, 16, 17, 19, 25
- BONDI, 15, 21
- BREW, 31
- CMMB, 38
- DMB, 38
- DRM, 46, 47
- DVB-H, 37, 38
- EDGE, 7
- Flash Lite, 9
- FLO, 37
- GPS, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 32, 43, 44, 48
- HSPA, 2, 5, 9, 10, 18, 21, 29
- IM, 14, 51
- i-mode, 46
- Java, 25, 30, 31, 35
- Linux, 2, 3, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20
- NFC, 42, 44
- Symbian OS, 3, 8, 18, 20, 21, 35
- TD-SCDMA, 12
- VoIP, 50
- Widgets, 9, 15, 21
- Wi-Fi, 9, 10, 11, 20, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 38
- Windows Mobile, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 27
- x86, 16, 17, 19
Telecom New Zealand, 51
Telefonica, 51
- Movistar Peru, 51
- O2, 7, 44, 50, 53
- O2 Germany, 50
- O2 UK, 7, 44, 53
Telenor, 43
Telkomsel, Indonesia, 51
Telstra, 46
- Voice2Text, 46
TELUS, Canada, 39
Tessera Technologies,
Texas Instruments, 16
T-Mobile International, , 7, 9, 10, 11, 46, 50, 52
- Dash 3G, 11
- G1, , 11
- G1 Touch, 11
- Germany, 46, 50
- Hungary, 52
- Mobile Jukebox, 46
- myTouch 3G, 11
- Netherlands, 46
- UK, 11
- USA, , 11
Toshiba, 7, 25
Trimble, 43
Truemove (Thailand), 3
TTP Group, 38
Turkcell, 41
Twitter, 12
U
Universal Music, 47
V
Verizon Wireless, , 9, 11, 26, 31, 35, 37, 45, 52
- HTC Ozone, 11
- V CAST, 37
- V CAST Mobile TV, 37
- VZ Navigator, 31
Virgin Mobile, 36, 51
- France, 36, 51
Visa International, 39
Vivendi Universal
- Universal Music, 47
Vodafone Group, 10, 21, 32, 33, 39, 41, 46, 48, 49, 51, 52
- Czech Republic, 32, 33
- Egypt, 49
- Germany, 48, 51
- Greece, 48
- Hungary, 52
- Ireland, 21
- Magic, 9, 10, 11
- M-PESA, 41
- Netherlands, 46
- Qatar, 39
- Student SMS Gratis, 32, 33
- Vodafone live!, 32, 48
W
Wachovia Securities, 22
Western Union, 40
Wind River, 12, 13
Wistron, 25
Wunderloop, 34
Y
Yahoo!, 14, 33, 48
- Flickr, 9
- Messenger, 14
- oneSearch, 48
- Yahoo Mobile, 48
Yandex, Russia, 49
Z
Zain, 40
ZTE, 38

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.05 snapshot

AB — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:34:23 +0000

TOP STORIES: AT&T trumpeted its success in the smartphone space, with reports claiming it has a raft of devices in the pipeline powered by Android, BlackBerry, Symbian OS, and Windows Mobile. NTT DoCoMo announced a wide-ranging portfolio refresh, dominated by Linux and Symbian OS devices, but also including its first Android unit. [pp.5,5-6,17-19.]

Nokia officially launched the Ovi Store, with AT&T announcing its intention to support, but initial feedback indicated it was not polished enough at its commercial debut. Nokia is also ending its Ovi Share investments, having failed to gain traction in the saturated user-generated content space. Nokia Maps was updated, being rebranded Ovi Maps in the process. [pp.35-36,43,53.]

Issue: 2009.05
Covering: May 2009
Published: June 2009
Next issue: July 2009

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Below is a free taster from issue 2009.05 (May 2009), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Nokia officially launched the Ovi Store , with AT&T announcing its intention to support, but initial feedback indicated it was not polished enough at its commercial debut. Nokia is also ending its Ovi Share investments, having failed to gain traction in the saturated user-generated content space. Nokia Maps was updated, being rebranded Ovi Maps in the process. [pp.35-36,43,53.]

SMART DEVICES: Google claimed there are “at least” 18 Android-powered devices in the pipeline for 2009 release, suggesting a sharp increase in the roll out of such smartphones during the second half of the year. Three flavours of the platform are expected to emerge, with differing degrees of “Googleness”. [p.20.]

Nokia’s device platform plans were in the spotlight, after claims the company is readying its first Linux-based smartphone — possibly driven by convergence between such devices and Nokia’s existing Linux-based Internet Tablet line. Back in the present, Nokia announced the Symbian OS-based 6730 classic for Vodafone Group, and the enterprise-oriented E52 . [pp.13-17.]

Telefónica and NTT DoCoMo revealed an “open OS” handset partnership, initially jointly offering a Windows Mobile device from Toshiba. It was suggested the alliance could aid Japanese vendors in their international efforts. [p.27.]

Sony Ericsson rebranded its Symbian OS-based Idou as Satio , confirming the device for a fourth-quarter 2009 release. The company also announced Aino , a unit intended to integrate with Sony’s PlayStation 3 console, and Yari, a terminal supporting motion-sensitive gaming. [pp.24,25,26.]

HTC’s Android plans were in the spotlight. It was revealed that Magic is set to lead HTC’s international Android push, with far wider availability beyond its already anticipated Vodafone Group launches — China Mobile is said to be among those set to debut Magic imminently. HTC is also said to be readying new Android devices for AT&T and T-Mobile International. [pp.7,8,9.]

Motorola was reported to have a pair of Android smartphones in the pipeline for US release during 2009, with Calgary set for Verizon Wireless availability, and Morrison destined for T-Mobile USA. A lawsuit between Motorola and its former CFO, Paul Liska, reminded of a company in turmoil. [pp.11,12.]

Sprint confirmed it is to make available Palm’s Pre device imminently, with Canada’s Bell Mobility also set to offer the CDMA version of the device. There was continued speculation over Palm’s international Pre partners, with O2 UK now centre in the frame. [pp.21,22.]

Microsoft published a list of applications banned from its Windows Marketplace for Mobile store, including VoIP software, products that replace certain default applications, and products that promote alternative purchase channels. Microsoft was also reported to be in talks with operators over “white label” app stores. [pp.10,11.]

MVAS: T-Mobile Germany came out top in a local poll of mobile portal users, ahead of both rival operators and third-party content providers — in the USA, operators also led the way. Orange UK revealed strong mobile VAS growth, with increased use evident across its content portfolio. A limited mobile internet service was made available in North Korea, heavily controlled by the state authorities. [pp.49,50,51.]

Vodafone Group announced a plan to embrace the mobile internet developer community more widely, including providing a single point-of-access to its global customer base. China Mobile was reported to be looking for a 50:50 revenue split on applications it sells via its own store, a harsher deal for developers than the 30:70 now generally accepted internationally. [pp.34-35,37.]

Ad-funded MVNO Blyk is reported to have refocused its strategy, with further rollout of its own operations curtailed in favour of becoming a mobile advertising enabling partner for existing operators. Vodafone Group trumpeted the rollout of its mobile advertising services, having undertaken more than 2,000 campaigns, and with services launched by 18 of its operating companies; its UK advertising partnership with Yahoo! is apparently in jeopardy, however. [pp.28-29,32.]

Several German operators are said to be looking to introduce tariffs for VoIP use, as a way of protecting voice revenue while still enabling new services. Mobile VoIP was deemed a “huge challenge” for operators by analyst house Gartner, although it is more of a mid-term threat than an imminent one. [pp.54,55.]

Rogers Wireless and Vodafone New Zealand both announced Twitter support. China Mobile is set to extend the rollout of its own-developed social-networking service, 193.com, which is currently in beta stage. [pp.53,54.]

Sony Ericsson launched its PlayNow arena with movies service, providing customers with feature content optimised for mobile phones. [pp.46-47.]

Telefónica O2 Czech Republic is piloting NFC m-commerce services in the city of Pilsen, in partnership with the local transport authorities. Philippines operator SMART Communications topped a ranking of m-banking services, compiled by ABI Research. [p.44.]

Orange UK is to support Nokia’s Comes With Music package with the 5800 XpressMusic smartphone, the first time the bundle has been supported in this country. Vodafone Germany launched a subscription music service, alongside its existing a la carte offerings. [p.48.]

Verizon Wireless and Sprint announced plans to offer the latest BlackBerry Mobile Voice System, powering fixed-mobile convergence services for enterprise users. Separately, Sprint trumpeted its fixed-mobile convergence products for enterprises, working with partners including Cisco, IBM, and Microsoft. [p.42.]

Yahoo! shelved development of its Yahoo! Mobile on-device portal application, as part of a strategic “reprioritisation” — Yahoo! Mobile remains available via the device browser, however. Juniper Research said the “freemium” model will drive mobile value-added service revenue, with customers initially offered products free of charge, but then “up-sold” other products or content options. [p.38.]

MARKETS AND TRENDS: Apple and LG Electronics performed well in a survey of US smartphone owners, heading the smartphone and feature phone categories respectively. Research In Motion’s BlackBerry Curve topped the US sales charts, with Apple and Palm both seeing market share slide. [p.57.]

EXTRACT

AT&T claims US smartphone subscriber leadership…

AT&T said that “based on independent market research”, twice as many smartphone users have chosen its network over that of its rivals.

The company said that the “combination of the nation’s fastest 3G network and nearly 20,000 US Wi-Fi hotspots” provides internet access for “AT&T’s industry-leading line-up of iconic devices, including BlackBerry Bold and Nokia E71x”, although it omitted to mention its exclusive iPhone availability.

In addition to its smartphone leadership, AT&T said it is at the “forefront of a new category of full-QWERTY consumer devices known as ‘quick messaging phones’ that bring text and picture messaging, IM [instant messaging], and mobile data applications to the masses”. Combined with smartphones, the number of users of these “integrated devices” have doubled during the past year — nearly 32% of AT&T’s contract subscribers now use one of these terminals.

AT&T said it is to launch an advertising campaign that “highlights its smartphone leadership and illustrates the many ways AT&T customers stay productive”.

” AT&T made a big push to be the mobile broadband and smartphone leader many years ago, and it’s clearly paying off in a big way for us and our customers. We’ve taken integrated devices mainstream, and nearly a third of our post-paid customers use one. “
– David Christopher, Chief Marketing Officer at AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.

[Further reference: AT&T leads the US in smartphones and integrated devices -- AT&T, 15 May 2009.]

…with a raft of new AT&T smartphones reported

Engadget published details of a number of new smartphones apparently heading for launch with AT&T, dominated by Windows Mobile units from LG Electronics and Samsung. Also rumoured were an Android unit from Motorola, BlackBerry devices from Research In Motion (RIM), a Symbian OS device from Nokia, and Windows Mobile terminals from Hewlett-Packard (HP) and HTC.

Android

Motorola is said to be readying an Android-powered device for AT&T under the codename Heron. It will have a 2.8″ touch screen with vertical slider revealing QWERTY keypad, as well as a three-megapixel camera, 3G connectivity, and Assisted-GPS (A-GPS).

Separately, it was reported that HTC is preparing a device for AT&T, codenamed Lancaster (see separate report).

BlackBerry

AT&T was linked with a number of potential BlackBerry releases, several of which have been reported previously as being AT&T-bound.

Onyx and Magnum are traditional BlackBerry handhelds, but see the addition of 3G connectivity to devices with a more svelte form factor than the current Bold; the units appear to sit somewhere between Bold and Curve. Magnum is perhaps the more interesting of the two units, in that as well as having a QWERTY thumb board, it boasts a touch screen — a first in the BlackBerry line.

Engadget noted that as the latest Curve unit, the BlackBerry 8900, is still relatively fresh, Onyx and Magnum may not make their first appearance for some time.

Also in the pipeline is the first BlackBerry Pearl device with 3G connectivity, which will have a candybar form factor and A-GPS; no mention was made of Wi-Fi.

A 2G-only BlackBerry device with relatively meagre feature set, codenamed Gemini, was also speculated. Presumably, this will be positioned as an entry-level terminal in the BlackBerry portfolio, possibly supporting prepaid BlackBerry services.

Symbian OS

Nokia is reportedly readying a Symbian OS unit codenamed Mako, which Engadget said is “most notably…unlike anything we’ve ever seen Nokia make”. This unit has a horizontal slider concealing QWERTY keypad and personal digital assistant-type front face, although it is not a touch screen. In terms of specification, it was compared with the 6650 and E71x, with two-megapixel camera, A-GPS, and microSD storage slot — no mention was made of Wi-Fi.

Windows Mobile

Probably the stand-out Windows Mobile device is LG’s Monaco, or Pico, which is described as running “Windows Mobile 7″ — however, since this platform is yet to be announced, and as Windows Mobile 6.5 has not so far been used in devices, this seems somewhat premature. The device has a touch screen and horizontal QWERTY slider, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, and five-megapixel camera.

Listed with Monaco was a pico-projector accessory, which will enable content from the device to be projected onto flat surfaces.

Also listed for LG was a device codenamed HQ or Herald, which will have an interesting form factor, resembling a standard unit with QWERTY thumb board, but featuring Sure-type-esque two-letters-per-key format. It will use the WM6.1 Standard platform, omitting a touch screen and Wi-Fi; A-GPS and a two-megapixel integrated camera are included.

While not actually a smartphone, also of interest on the LG roster is Opera TV, which appears to be another device supporting the MediaFLO mobile television standard, used to power AT&T’s fledgling mobile broadcast services. This device is dominated by its 3″ touch screen, and has GPS and a five-megapixel camera; Wi-Fi is omitted.

Samsung is set to supply a device currently known as Pivot, which would be a successor to the current Epix device — similar to the BlackJack line, with QWERTY pad under a screen, but in this case including touch support. The device will include A-GPS, Wi-Fi, and a three-megapixel camera, and be powered by Windows Mobile 6.1.

HP is readying a device that was referred to as the iPAQ K3, with a form factor that resembles its existing iPAQ Business Messenger — QWERTY keypad under touch screen — the keys were described as “large thumb-sized keys for heavy email usage”. The unit was trumpeted for its connectivity options (triband HSPA and Wi-Fi) and expandable memory (microSD slot), and it also has GPS and a two-megapixel camera — non-camera units are also “possible”.

Unsurprisingly, AT&T is also set to gain variants of HTC’s Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2, which have been codenamed Warhawk and Fortress respectively — and availability is imminent. There were some interesting operating system details, though: Warhawk will apparently launch with Windows Mobile 6.5, as opposed to WM6.1 in already available versions, while Fortress will ship with WM6.1, but with a “WM7.x refresh” also suggested — although this is likely to apply to follow-on batches, rather than upgrades to after-market units.

[Further reference: Blackberry Magnum, Onyx, Pearl 3G, and Gemini to harmonise on AT&T -- Engadget, 24 May 2009; HP triumphantly returns to AT&T with iPAQ K3 Obsidian -- Engadget, 24 May 2009; HTC's Warhawk and Fortress are AT&T's Touch Diamond2 and Pro2 -- Engadget, 24 May 2009; Motorola's Sawgrass, Android-powered Heron do the vertical slide onto AT&T? -- Engadget, 24 May 2009; Nokia Grouper, Mako, Snapper, and Thresher rolling deep on AT&T -- Engadget, 24 May 2009; Samsung Pivot, a possible Epix successor for AT&T? -- Endgadget, 25 May 2009; LG bringing 20-key, WinMo-powered HQ to AT&T? -- Engadget, 26 May 2009; LG Monaco: AT&T's getting a WVGA WinMo7 QWERTY slider? -- Engadget, 26 May 2009; MediaFLO lives: LG Opera TV is probable Vu successor for AT&T -- Engadget, 26 May 2009.]

2 ACCESS

2 ACCESS
2 ALP mini used in Japanese market navigation device
3 Acer
3 “…Out of Context…”
3 Apple
3 More iPhone v3 speculation, but no more facts
3 Orange trumpets one millionth iPhone customer
4 AT&T
4 AT&T claims US smartphone subscriber leadership…
5 …with a raft of new AT&T smartphones reported
5 Android
5 BlackBerry
5 Symbian OS
6 Windows Mobile
7 General Mobile
7 General Mobile planning dual-SIM Android device
7 HTC
7 AT&T linked with Lancaster Android device
8 HTC avoids device sales ban following German legal dispute
8 Magic set for broad launch beyond Vodafone Group
8 China Mobile set to offer Magic imminently
9 HTC clarifies Dopod relationship
9 Dual-mode WM devices pass through FCC certification
9 T-Mobile to launch five-megapixel Android cameraphone
10 KDDI
10 LG Electronics
10 Microsoft
10 List of verboten Marketplace applications published
10 Operator talks underway
11 LXE
11 Motorola
11 Proposed Pink specification proposed
11 Calgary mooted as first Motorola Android device…
12 …with Morrison likely to launch with T-Mobile
12 Lawsuit shows Motorola as company in turmoil
13 Nokia
13 Nokia’s Linux plans in question, again; phone likely
13 The impact for Symbian
14 Symbian — “insurance policy”
14 Comment
15 Nokia 6730 classic
15 Next-gen Internet Tablet
15 Nokia unveils mid-tier exclusive for Vodafone
16 Nokia E52
16 Nokia finds US operator for 5800 — Cincinnati Bell
16 E52 unveiled
17 Mystery Nokia CDMA device identified; unspectacular
17 NTT DoCoMo
17 NTT DoCoMo announces wide-ranging portfolio refresh
18 STYLE updates
18 PRIME refresh
19 Two SMART additions
19 PRO terminals
19 SH-06A NERV
20 Open Handset Alliance
20 Google trumpets 18 Android devices by year-end 2009
20 Vodafone set to temper Google’s Android influence
21 Palm
21 Palm/Sprint Pre
21 Sprint confirms Palm Pre launch date
21 Bell Mobility set to follow Sprint with Palm Pre launch
21 Verizon claims imminent Pre launch
21 More European Pre speculation
22 Pantech
22 Research In Motion
22 More Eos speculation; AT&T launch suggested
22 Further webOS details revealed
23 AT&T/Samsung Jack
23 Samsung
23 AT&T gains new BlackJack; now plain Jack
23 Vodafone linked with Samsung C6625 Valencia
24 Sony Ericsson
24 Sony Ericsson Satio
24 Sony Ericsson Aino
24 Idou rebranded; Satio set for Q4 launch
24 SE devices targeting gaming, PlayStation integration
24 Sony Ericsson Aino
25 Sony Ericsson Yari
25 Sony Ericsson Yari
25 SE head brands Xperia X1 a “kind of experiment”
26 Sony and Ericsson reportedly set for SE cash injection
26 Twitter post causes Xperia speculation
26 Sony Ericsson to use Android 2 for devices
26 TCL
26 TCL readying Alcatel-branded WM device for China
27 Toshiba
27 Verizon Wireless
27 Telefónica
27 Telefónica and DoCoMo partner; joint Toshiba launch
28 Mobile advertising

28 Mobile VAS

28 Mobile advertising
28 Blyk reportedly troubled; MVNO model may be on way out
29 Comment
30 Vodafone trumpets mobile advertising rollout
31 Vodafone Group advertising services
31 Comment
32 O2 UK announces location-based ad campaign
32 Vodafone to end exclusive UK Yahoo! partnership
33 Telefónica rolls out Amobee ad platform in Spain
33 TeliaSonera picks Ericsson for Swedish ad platform
34 Applications
34 Vodafone reveals more open mobile app strategy
35 Ovi Store goes live, AT&T set to support
36 Post-launch issues
37 China Mobile seeking 50-50 app split — report
37 A1 trumpets mobile app availability
38 Yahoo! cans on-device portal app
38 “Freemium” model to drive VAS take-up — Juniper
39 Qualcomm updates app store efforts
40 Data services
40 AT&T partners with Jasper for emerging data play
41 EC licenses pan-European mobile satellite operators
42 Enterprise
42 Verizon and Sprint to offer BlackBerry voice solution
42 Sprint trumpets enterprise FMC products
43 Games
43 Location-based services
43 Ovi Maps updated, third-party API available
44 Location-based services
44 m-commerce
44 O2 CR launches NFC transport ticketing services
44 SMART tops ABI m-banking chart
45 Wide-ranging French NFC pilot in works — report
45 du trumpets NFC pilot
46 Multimedia
46 Messaging
46 Nokia names first Scandinavian Nokia Messaging partner
46 Elisa signs up for Nokia Messaging in Finland
46 Multimedia
46 PlayNow arena gains “movies” content
47 Comment
48 Music
48 Orange UK to support Comes With Music/5800
48 Vodafone Germany intros subscription music plan
49 Portals
49 T-Mobile leads German user portal probe
49 Orange reveals strong UK MVAS growth
50 Mobile internet services debuted in North Korea
51 US customers prefer operator portals to third parties
51 Telefónica trialling idle-screen content technology
52 HK’s CSL debuts English-language content channel
53 Social networking
53 Nokia to end Ovi Share investment
53 Rogers offers Twitter support…
54 …with Vodafone NZ also partnering Twitter
54 China Mobile extends mobile social-networking rollout
54 Voice services
54 German operators mulling VoIP service charges
55 Mobile VoIP to present “huge challenge” — Gartner
56 Operator content deals
56 Operator technology deals

57 Markets and trends

57 Apple and LG fare well in US owner survey
57 Curve tops first quarter US smartphone sales poll
57 Initiatives
57 Technology
58 More legal battles in device technology market

59 Index

INDEX

SYMBOLS
3, 53
- Hong Kong, 56
- UK, 48
1020 Placecast, 28
2009 Mobile World Congress, 24
A
ABI Research, 44
ACCESS, 2, 58
- ALP, 2
Acer, 2, 3
AdInfuse, 29
Alcatel-Lucent, 28
Al Jazeera, 49
Amobee Media Systems, 33
AOL, 51
Apple, 3, 8, 21, 22, 34, 35, 37, 38, 57
- iPhone, 3, 4, 8, 11, 21, 34, 36, 38, 54, 57
- iTunes, 22
Associated Carrier Group, US, 27
AT&T, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 21, 22, 23, 34, 35, 40, 42, 43, 46, 49, 53
- AT&T Navigator, 43
B
BBC, 52
Belgacom
- Proximus, 30
Bell Mobility, 21, 53
Blyk, 28, 29
Broadcom, 58
Business Link Corp, 2
- G-navi, 2
C
Celltick, 51, 56
China Mobile, 8, 23, 30, 35, 37, 43, 54
- 193.com, 54
China Unicom, 8, 26
Chunghwa Telecom, 8
Cincinnati Bell, 16
Cisco Systems, 42
Coca-Cola, 31
comScore, 2
Comverse Technology, 56
CSL, Hong Kong, 52, 53
- EXpresso, 52
D
Dell, 58
Dopod, 9
Dubai First, 45
du, UAE, 45
E
Elisa, Finland, 46
E-Plus, 49
Ericsson, 24, 25, 26, 33, 50, 56
ESPN, 49
Etisalat, UAE, 44
European Union, 41
- EC, 41
F
Facebook, 49, 53, 55
FCC, US, 13
Fitness First, 32
Fractus, 57
France Telecom
- Orange, 3, 34, 48, 49, 50
Freescale Semiconductor, 58
Frost & Sullivan, 43, 44
Fujitsu, 17, 18
- F08-A, 18
- F-09A, 18
G
Gartner, 55
General Mobile, 7
- DSTL1, 7
Globe Telecom, Philippines, 44
Glu Mobile, 43
Good Technology, 53
Google, 7, 8, 20, 35, 55
- Android Market, 35
H
Haier
- N60, 2
HP, 5, 6
- Ipaq, 6
- iPAQ K3, 6
HTC, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 57
- Dream, 7, 20
- Fortress, 6
- G1, 7, 9, 57
- Hero, 7
- HT-03A, 17, 19
- Lancaster, 5, 7
- Magic, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25
- Sapphire, 9
- Touch Diamond, 6
- Touch Pro2, 6, 9
- Warhawk, 6
I
IBM, 42
ICO Global Communications, 41
Inmarsat Ventures, 41
Innovacom, 46
Intel, 13, 15, 31
Intercasting, 53
IPCom, 8
IUSACELL, Mexico, 53
J
Jasper Wireless, 40
JD Power and Associates, 57
Juniper Research, 38
K
KDDI, 10, 58
- biblio, 10
KPN
- E-Plus, 49
Kyocera Wireless, 57
L
LG Electonics
- HQ/Herald, 6
LG Electronics, 5, 6, 10, 18, 27, 50, 57, 58
- GT810, 10
- Incite, 10
- L-04A, 18
- L-06A, 18
- Monaco/Pico, 6
- Opera TV, 6
- Viewty, 50
Lonely Planet, 43
LXE, 11
- MX8, 11
M
M1, Singapore, 34
MediaFLO, 6
Michelin, 43
Microsoft, 10, 11, 37, 38, 42, 49, 58
- ActiveSync, 7
- Danger, 58
- MSN, 49, 51
- My Phone, 49
- Windows Marketplace for Mobile, 10, 38
- Windows Mobile, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 17, 19, 23, 25, 26, 27, 39
- WM 6.1, 6, 10, 11, 19, 23
- Windows Mobile 6.5, 6, 11
- Windows Mobile 7, 6, 11
Mi-Pay, 44
Mobile Content Networks, 48
mobilkom, Austria, 30, 37
Motorola, 5, 6, 11, 12, 25, 43, 56, 57, 58
- Calgary, 11, 12
- Heron, 5, 6
- Morrison, 12
- W7 Active Edition, 11
Movistar Argentina, 51
MTS, Russia, 56
N
Nawras, Oman, 49
NBC, 56
NEC, 18, 19, 58
- N-06A, 18
- N-07A, 18
- N-08A, 18
- N-09A, 19
Network Norway, 46
NeuStar, 56
News Corp
- MySpace, 49, 54, 55
Nokia, 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 50, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58
- 5800 XpressMusic, 16, 48
- 6730 classic, 15
- 8208, 17
- Comes With Music, 46, 47, 48
- E51, 16
- E52, 16
- Eseries, 16
- Mako, 5, 6
- MOSH, 35, 36, 53
- N95, 17, 50
- N810 Internet Tablet, 15
- N900/Rover/Maemo Flagship, 15
- Nokia Messaging, 46
- Nseries, 15
- Ovi, 34, 35, 36, 43, 47, 53
- Ovi Maps, 43
- Ovi Store, 34, 35, 36
- S60, 13, 15, 16, 24, 34, 35, 46
- Series 40, 13, 17
- Twango, 53
Nokia Siemens Networks, 56
NPD Group, 57
NTT DoCoMo, 17, 18, 19, 27, 43, 56, 57, 58
- F08-A, 18
- F-09A, 18
- HT-03A, 17, 19
- L-04A, 18
- L-06A, 18
- N-06A, 18
- N-07A, 18
- N-08A, 18
- N-09A, 19
- Osaifu-Keitai, 17
- P-07A, 18
- P-08A, 18
- P-09A, 19
- P-10A, 18
- SH-05A, 18
- SH-06A, 18, 19
- SH-07A, 19
- T-01A, 19, 27
NXP Semiconductors, 44
O
Open Handset Alliance, 20, 26
- Android, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 35, 39
Openwave Systems, 44
Orange Group, 3, 34, 48, 49, 50
- France, 3, 34
- Orange World, 49
- UK, 48, 49, 50
Orascom Telecom, 50
P
Palm, 21, 22, 39, 57
- Centro, 22
- Eos/Castle, 22
- Palm Pre, 21
- webOS, 21, 22
Panasonic, 18, 19, 27, 58
- P-07A, 18
- P-08A, 18
- P-09A, 19
- P-10A, 18
Pantech, 22, 57
Paymo, 44
Pilsen City Transport Company, 44
Player X, 49
Proximus, 30
Q
Qtel, Qatar, 56
Qualcomm, 19, 39, 57, 58
- BREW, 39
- MediaFLO, 6
- Plaza, 39
- Plaza Retail, 39
- Qualcomm Ventures, 57
R
Regions
- Americas, 7, 10, 11, 24, 25, 27, 44
- Brazil, 10
- Canada, 7, 20, 21, 23, 52, 53
- Mexico, 10
- North America, 28, 35, 44, 57
- US, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 16, 20, 21, 27, 29, 35, 37, 40, 42, 51, 53, 56, 57, 58
- APAC, 8, 11
- Australia, 9, 35, 52
- China, 3, 8, 9, 23, 26, 27, 30, 35, 37, 43, 46, 52, 54, 57
- Hong Kong, 8, 9, 52, 53, 56
- India, 9, 44, 56, 57
- Indonesia, 9
- Japan, 2, 10, 17, 19, 25, 27, 43, 56
- Korea, 50
- Malaysia, 9
- Philippines, 44, 48
- Singapore, 7, 35, 56
- South Korea, 23
- Taiwan, 7, 8, 9
- EMEA
- Belgium, 28, 44
- Czech Republic, 28, 31
- Dubai, 45
- Finland, 46
- France, 2, 3, 8, 34, 45
- Germany, 2, 7, 8, 35, 44, 49, 54, 56
- Ireland, 31, 35
- Italy, 2, 35
- Middle East, 45, 50
- Netherlands, 28
- North Africa, 45
- Norway, 46
- Poland, 44
- Portugal, 44
- Russia, 7, 35, 41, 56
- South Africa, 31
- Spain, 2, 8, 27, 33, 35, 57
- Sweden, 33, 56
- Turkey, 7, 41, 44
- UAE, 45
- UK, 2, 8, 28, 31, 32, 35, 36, 48, 49
Reliance Communications, India, 56
Reprise Records, 56
Research In Motion, 5, 21, 22, 35, 42, 57
- Aries, 22
- BlackBerry, 4, 5, 21, 22, 25, 34, 39, 42, 54, 57
- BlackBerry 8900, 5, 22
- BlackBerry Bold, 4, 22
- BlackBerry Curve, 5, 22, 57
- BlackBerry Pearl, 5, 6, 57
- BlackBerry Pearl Flip, 57
- BlackBerry Storm, 21, 22
- Gemini, 5, 6, 22
- Magnum, 5, 6
- Onyx, 5, 6
Rogers Wireless, 7, 20, 53
- Fido, 53
S
Samsung, 5, 6, 20, 23, 27, 50, 57, 58
- B7300, 23
- BlackJack, 6, 23
- BlackJack II (SGH-i617), 23
- C6620, 23
- C6625 Valencia, 23
- Epix, 6
- i7500, 20
- Jack (SGH-i637), 23
- Pivot, 6
- Propel Pro (SGH-i627), 23
- SCH-M830, 23
- SGH-i637, 23
Sanyo, 57
SAP, 42
SFR, France, 8, 31
Shanghai Novarobo Technology, 2
Sharp, 17, 18, 19, 27, 57, 58
- SH-05A, 18
- SH-06A, 18, 19
- SH-07A, 19
SingTel, Singapore, 28
SK Telecom, 23
Skype, 54
SMART Communications, Philippines, 44, 48
SmarTone, HK, 8
Softbank Mobile, 58
Solaris Mobile, 41
Sony
- PlayStation, 24, 25, 26
Sony Ericsson, 17, 24, 25, 26, 35, 46, 47, 50, 57, 58
- Aino, 24, 25, 46
- PlayNow, 24, 35, 46, 47
- Satio, 24
- W995, 46
- Xperia, 25, 26
- Xperia X1, 25
- Yari, 25
Spansion, 58
Sprint, 9, 15, 21, 42, 51, 53
StarHub, Singapore, 56
Strategy Analytics, 49, 51
Streamezzo, 46
Symbian Foundation, 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 35, 36, 39, 46
- Symbian OS, 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 36, 39, 46
T
Technology
- Android, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 35, 39
- BREW, 39
- DRM, 22, 48
- EDGE, 7, 8
- FeliCa, 17
- FLO, 6
- GPS, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 43
- HSPA, 6, 7, 10, 15, 16, 18, 23, 26
- iDEN, 42
- IM, 4, 56
- i-mode, 17
- Java, 17, 18, 31, 36, 38, 39
- Linux, 2, 13, 14, 18, 19
- NFC, 17, 44, 45
- one-seg, 18, 19
- Symbian OS, 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 36, 39, 46
- TD-SCDMA, 8
- VoIP, 10, 16, 54, 55
- Widgets, 13, 30, 35
- Wi-Fi, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 34, 54, 55, 58
- WiMAX, 15, 23, 42
Telecom Italia, 23
Telefonica, 10, 21, 27, 33, 44, 51, 56
- Movistar Argentina, 51
- O2, 10, 21, 32, 44, 49, 56
- O2 Czech Republic, 44
- O2 Germany, 49, 56
- O2 UK, 21, 32, 44
- Spain, 27, 33
TeleNav, 43
TeliaSonera, 33, 56
Tessera Technologies, 58
T-Mobile, 3, 7, 9, 12, 15, 49, 53, 54, 57
- Austria, 3
- G1, 7, 9, 57
- Germany, 49, 54
- USA, 7, 12, 57
Toshiba, 10, 17, 19, 27, 58
- biblio, 10
- T-01A, 19, 27
- TG01, 19, 27
TransferJet Consortium, 58
Twitter, 22, 26, 49, 53, 54
U
UTStarcom, 57
V
Velti, 29
VeriSign, 44
Verizon Wireless, 9, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 27, 35, 42, 43, 51, 53, 56, 57
- Alltel Wireless, 53
Viigo, 34
Virgin Mobile, 53
- USA, 53
Vodacom, 30, 31
Vodafone Group, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 48, 49, 54
- Czech Republic, 28
- Germany, 31, 48, 49, 54
- Italy, 31
- Magic, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25
- Music Flatrate, 48
- New Zealand, 54
- Turkey, 31
- UK, 23, 32
- Vodafone live!, 31, 32, 37
- Vodafone Marketing Solutions, 30
W
Wcities, 43
Wireless Gigabit Alliance, 58
Y
Yahoo!, 32, 38, 55
- Flickr, 53
- Yahoo Mobile, 38
Z
Zed, 49

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.03 snapshot

AB — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:08:29 +0000

SMART DEVICES: Sony Ericsson warned of a poor first quarter, with device volumes expected to fall to 14 million from 22.3 million year-on-year, as weak customer demand and reduced channel inventories take their toll. Sony was again reported to be considering acquisition of Ericsson’s 50%-holding. [pp.28,29.]

Issue: 2009.03
Covering: March 2009
Published: March/April 2009
Next issue: April/May 2009

Tracking innovative, strategic, operator-monetisable mobile value-added solutions. A unique monthly report for the industry.

About Mobile VAS|watch
Executive Brief
Extract
Table of Contents
Index

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

Mobile VAS|watch tracks the latest mobile value-added ‘solutions’ from an industry perspective, bringing together coverage of premium mobile handsets, services and applications in one place.
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Below is a free taster from issue 2009.03 (March 2009), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

The US launch of Nokia’s touch-screen 5800 XpressMusic device was reportedly hampered by glitches, including network connectivity and speaker performance issues. Another mid-range Symbian OS music device was revealed, called 5730 XpressMusic. Job cuts were announced in the former Symbian business and devices R&D. [pp.18,19.]

HTC is said to be planning to offer three more Android devices during 2009, one of which may be Hero, an Android device apparently destined for exclusive release by Orange Group. There were also continued reports of a TD-SCDMA Android device for China Mobile, and it was suggested that Dream is set for a China Unicom release. [pp.9,10,12,6.]

HTC’s Windows Mobile device plans were also in the spotlight, with the company readying two dual-mode CDMA/GSM terminals. The vendor is facing a ban on device sales in Germany, following a patent infringement action brought by IPCcom. [pp.10,12.]

Palm announced a woeful third quarter, with net loss outstripping revenue, and the company underperforming in an otherwise robust smartphone market. There was continued speculation as to who Palm’s international Pre partners will be, with Telefonica Europe and Vodafone Group both in the frame. [pp.21-22,23.]

Research In Motion encountered teething troubles with the launch of its BlackBerry Bold device for the Japanese market, with overheating forcing withdrawal from sale. There was continued speculation about BlackBerry Niagara, which was described as a touch-screen-less Storm. BlackBerry App World was launched. [pp.25,26.]

Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer tagged Windows Mobile 6.5 “not the full release we wanted”, effectively relegating the latest iteration as little more than a stop gap on the path to WM7. Further Windows Marketplace for Mobile app store details were made available. [pp.14,15-16.]

Acer is said to be exploring platforms other than Windows Mobile, with Android a candidate. Dell apparently failed to impress operators with its prototype smart devices, being sent back to the drawing board to create products with greater differentiation. [pp.2,7-8.]

Apple unveiled its iPhone OS 3.0 platform upgrade, which addresses many notable omissions from the existing iPhone platform. There was continued speculation as to whether new iPhone hardware is also in the works. [p.3-5.]

The Symbian Foundation announced plans for a twice-yearly Symbian OS release timetable, christening the first integrated Symbian OS platform as Symbian^2. [p.31.]

MOBILE VAS: Vodafone Group was reported to be considering switching to Yahoo! from Google for mobile search services in Europe. China Mobile is expected to renew its mobile internet partnership with Google. [pp.50,51.]

The “big four” US operators aligned their mobile advertising guidelines, with the Mobile Marketing Association overseeing the integrated documentation. Vodafone UK axed its UK Head of Mobile Advertising role. [pp.34,36.]

Vodafone UK announced a partnership with social-networking site Twitter to enable users to send and receive SMS notifications, some months after Twitter had axed such services due to the costs involved. T-Mobile Germany partnered with German social-networking company studiVZ, to offer mobile access to several communities. Specialist mobile-social networking player MOKO.mobi inked a partnership with India’s Reliance Communications. [pp.53,54.]

Nokia was reported to be heading for a clash with its operator customers over Skype integration in devices, following an earlier dispute that saw some VoIP features removed from devices at operators’ request. [p.55.]

It was suggested that Verizon Wireless was set to debut a revamped app store, although no such announcement has been made so far. Nokia is set to close its MOSH content- and application-sharing site, with some features integrated into the Ovi Store; MOSH has not been without controversy. [p.37,38.]

The Polish regulator snubbed the country’s operators in a DVB-H licence issue, awarding the mobile TV permit to infrastructure operator INFO-TV-FM instead. South African regulator ICASA postponed its DVB-H licence issue, apparently until an integrated digital migration plan has been completed. [pp.39,40.]

Vodafone Portugal added multi-player gaming applications to its Vodafone live! portal, although using Bluetooth for local-area connectivity rather than offering true online gaming. Telefónica Spain announced support for Player X’s 100% Mobile gaming portal, following its launch with O2 UK. [pp.41,42.]

Orange UK announced an m-commerce partnership with Barclaycard, which will see the launch of co-branded products and services. Belgacom took a 40%-stake in m-commerce-enabler Tunz, forming the centrepiece of its m-commerce strategy. Nokia made an investment in Obopay. [pp.43,45.]

Belgian operator BASE announced a partnership with broadcaster RTL, to offer content targeting the country’s French-speaking community. Nokia said it is not planning to offer a full-scale video content service through Ovi, as Samsung Mobile announced a movie store. [pp.47.]

Vodafone Group announced availability of DRM-free content through its music store, with three of the “big-four” record labels participating; existing customers can upgrade tracks free-of-charge. There was speculation that Nokia is to launch Comes With Music in the USA, although this may have been based on optimism following the launch of Nokia’s 5800 XpressMusic in the country. [pp.48,49.]

MARKETS AND TRENDS: Several smartphone sector analysts noted slowed market growth during the fourth quarter of 2008, with a weak 2009 forecast, before a bounce back predicted for 2010. [pp.58-59,59-61.]

Orange UK trumpeted strong growth in multimedia take-up, and noted that services are frequently being used in the home — in preference to alternative multimedia service channels. Mobile commerce-enabler Bango said that the US had displaced the UK as the largest generator of mobile internet traffic. [pp.62,63.]

Juniper Research opined that the recession could cause a 7%-drop in mobile entertainment revenue, as users adjust to having reduced discretionary spend for devices and services. It was noted that, in 2008, developing markets drove mobile games growth. [pp.63,64.]

EXTRACT

ADVERTISING

US operators align with MMA for best practices

The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) said that the US’s big-four operators — AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless — have agreed to align their mobile marketing guidelines with the MMA’s best practices.

The four will incorporate their individual mobile marketing guidelines and codes of conduct — known as “carrier playbooks” — into a unified document, to be maintained by the MMA. This is said to enable operational efficiencies “upward of $200m annually”.

Benefits of the joint effort are said to include: a consistent consumer experience including standardised consumer disclosures; enhanced efficiencies for short-code programmes; accelerated time-to-market for campaigns; more consistent monitoring programmes and audit results; and reduced operational costs across the ecosystem.

In addition to the operators, there was apparently “substantial help in securing this agreement from the major aggregators, brands, and content owners”, with Limbo, Neustar, Thumbplay, and VeriSign playing “critical roles” in the process.

The MMA’s Consumer Best Practices Committee will review the first draft of the integrated document in early-April 2009. The document will be finalised and released by the end of June 2009.

[Further reference: MMA brokers industry's first cross-carrier best practices with Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile USA -- Mobile Marketing Association, 27 March 2009.]

UMTS Forum publishes Mobile TV Advertising paper

The UMTS Forum published a white paper detailing the mobile television advertising market, stating that this “presents an obvious growth area for network operators and advertisers, thanks to obvious parallels with the broadcast television media industry”.

However, it also noted that success depends on “several critical success factors”, including: the need for standardised formats, to enable brand owners to create advertising-driven television content “with confidence and at low cost”; support for transparent measurement tools with independent auditing to quantify returns on investment; accurate subscriber profiling to enable personalised, relevant campaigns; the creation of clear business models and a viable ecosystem; and self-regulation, to “build industry confidence and secure buy-in from advertisers, operators, and viewers as well as other stakeholders”.

Mobile television is said to offer “great flexibility as an advertising platform”, with the ability to insert marketing material directly into a content stream, before, during, or after the main programme. Material can also be displayed as banners within the handset media player application or electronic service guide, used as “gap fillers” during service breaks, or as an infill during “channel zapping”.

The Forum noted that mobile advertising to date has largely been confined to SMS messaging and off-portal browsing, with the “additional dimension of interactivity allowing customers to respond directly to campaigns by clicking-through links and on-screen banners”.

” Mobile TV offers a compelling new medium for advertisers to connect with their target audiences. Success, however, depends on operators working hand-in-hand with the media industry and other actors to maximise potential revenues and reduce barriers to market. With clear interoperability, effective self-regulation, and a fertile ecosystem, advertisers will be able to reach mobile subscribers cost effectively across multiple networks, platforms and devices to benefit from global economies of scale and maximise their returns. “
– Bosco Fernandes, Chair of the Mobile TV Working Group at the UMTS Forum.

[Further reference: Making money from Mobile TV advertising -- UMTS Forum, 4 March 2009.]

Vodafone UK axes mobile advertising head

It was reported that Vodafone UK had made its Head of Mobile Advertising role redundant, parting company with incumbent Shan Henderson, with his responsibilities passed across to Erik de Kroon, Head of Marketing for Internet Discovery at Vodafone Group.

While it was suggested that Vodafone is “keen to take advantage of an increasing number of global ad campaigns”, it is not too much of a leap to assume that the operator is not seeing the UK mobile advertising market taking off at the pace expected. The assertion that the company is looking to “remain as lean as possible” indeed indicates that cost was a consideration.

Apparently, Henderson has been responsible for a number of initiatives, including developing Vodafone’s relationship and mobile advertising sales partnership with Yahoo!, and representing Vodafone in its work with the GSM Association, the Internet Advertising Bureau, and the Mobile Marketing Association.

Separately, it was suggested that Vodafone UK is to end its mobile advertising relationship with Yahoo!, with the contract not set to be renewed when it expires in the near future. New Media Age said that Vodafone is considering a deal with a new sales partner, although no official proposal requests have been distributed. Interestingly, it was suggested that Vodafone Group is set to partner with Yahoo! for mobile search in Europe, displacing Google (see separate report).

[Further reference: Vodafone UK makes head of mobile advertising role redundant -- New Media Age, 24 March 2009; Yahoo! ad deal at risk as Vodafone rethinks strategy -- New Media Age, 25 March 2009.]

Orange set to offer UK mobile ad services for publishers

It was reported that Orange UK is set to offer publishers services to “help drive mobile advertising”, although it is believed that it will stop short of rolling out a full mobile advertising network.

According to reports originating from a New Media Age article, Orange could offer its partners “free data, location-based information, billing, and ad services”.

It was also noted that Orange has replaced its current advertising-serving technology, from Microsoft’s ScreenTonic arm, signing a deal during 2008 with Ad Infuse for a platform supporting a range of advertising formats.

[Further reference: UK operator Orange to offer mobile ad sales for publishers -- mocoNews.net, 25 February 2009.]

2 Smart devices

2 Acer
2 Acer open to other platforms; Android suggested
3 Apple
3 Apple previews iPhone software update
4 Comment
5 More hardware rumours
5 ASUS
5 ASUS P835
5 ASUS debuts high-end WM smartphone
6 China Unicom
6 Unicom posts Dream and iPhone specs
7 Esmertec
7 Dell
7 Dell smartphone plans fail to impress operators — report
7 “Small-screen devices”
7 Comment
8 Handheld Europe
8 HP
9 HTC
9 HTC planning three Android devices in 2009 — report
10 Dual-mode HTC WM handhelds mooted; 1GHz in the mix
10 China Mobile’s HTC Android device rumours refreshed
11 HTC Snap (S522)
11 Hyundai Mobile
11 HTC unveils Snap QWERTY smartphone
12 Intrinsyc Software International
12 i-mate
12 Kogan
12 HTC faces German device sales ban following lawsuit
12 Hero may follow G1 and Magic; Orange partner
13 LG Electronics
13 LG Electronics Versa
13 LG denies Android device rumours
13 LG looking to Compal for WM device manufacture
14 MontaVista Software
14 Microsoft
14 Ballmer tags WM6.5 “not the full release we wanted”
14 WM6.5 interface tweaked ahead of launch
15 Microsoft details WM app store plans
16 Microsoft trumpets partner support
17 IE Mobile 6 support added to WM6.1, but no upgrades
17 Mio Technology
17 Mio unveils WM GPS smartphone
18 Motorola
18 Motorola MC55 EDA
18 Dual-mode MOTO Q update again mooted
18 Nokia
18 US 5800 launch encounters teething troubles
19 Nokia 5730 XpressMusic
19 Nokia 5730 XpressMusic
19 Mid-tier QWERTY Symbian OS device joins music line
19 Nokia cuts jobs in former Symbian, devices R&D
19 Device manufacture partnerships ended
20 AT&T adds E71 to device portfolio
20 Nokia linked with 4G device for Verizon Wireless
20 O2
21 Optus
21 Orange
21 Orange set for six-handset Android line in 2009
21 Palm
21 Palm announces another poor quarter
22 Comment
22 New accounting model for Pre
22 Peek
23 Qualcomm
23 Palm Pre global launch partners mooted
24 Palm Treo Pro
24 Anticipated CDMA Treo Pro confirmed
25 Palm device delays rumoured; details unclear
25 Research In Motion
25 BlackBerry glitches dog Japanese Bold launch
26 BlackBerry Niagara speculation hots up
26 BlackBerry App World opens for business
27 Samsung
27 Samsung Impression
27 Developer details
27 Samsung WM/FLO device mooted
28 Samsung Propel Pro
28 AT&T reveals new WM Samsung smartphone
28 Sony Ericsson
28 Sony Ericsson issues Q1 results warning
29 Sony apparently in talks to fund SE buyout
30 Sony Ericsson kicks off Korean business with Xperia X1
31 Symbian OS
31 Symbian Foundation plans for twice-yearly releases
31 Device upgrade plans
32 Yuhuatel
32 ZTE
32 Verizon Wireless
32 Verizon Wireless calls for device OS rationalisation

34 Mobile value-added services

34 Advertising
34 US operators align with MMA for best practices
35 UMTS Forum publishes Mobile TV Advertising paper
36 Vodafone UK axes mobile advertising head
36 Orange set to offer UK mobile ad services for publishers
37 Applications
37 Verizon joins China Mobile, Vodafone software group
37 Revamped Verizon app store launch mooted
38 End of the line reported for MOSH
38 UK Android Market gains paid-for app support
39 Opera targeting US operators with device browser
39 Broadcast
39 Polish regulator snubs operators in DVB-H licence issue
40 Data services
40 SoftBank reaching capacity ceiling in built-up areas — report
40 South African regulator delays mobile TV licensing
40 Sprint looking to consumer devices to drive data use
41 Enterprise
41 Vodafone and Microsoft partner for services play
41 Games
41 Vodafone Portugal debuts multi-player games
42 Location-based services
42 Telefónica supporting Player X games portal
42 Nokia claims robust growth for N-Gage
43 M-commerce
43 Orange and Barclaycard form UK m-commerce alliance
43 Belgacom takes stake in mobile payments player
44 m-commerce strategy
44 Telenor enables devices to provide m-commerce ID
45 Messaging
45 Nokia invests in mobile payment player Obopay
45 Vodafone Portugal launches Nokia Messaging
46 T-Mobile UK trumpets consumer mobile email services
46 Vodafone Greece debuts business mobile office service
47 Multimedia
47 BASE inks alliance with RTL
47 Nokia not planning full-scale Ovi video service
48 Music
48 Vodafone music store ditches DRM
49 Speculation over Nokia’s US Comes With Music service
50 Portals
50 Vodafone mulling Google-to-Yahoo! switch
50 Comment
51 China Mobile set to renew Google portal deal
51 Zain inks pan-MEA entertainment partnership
52 Czech internet player trumpets Vodafone traffic
52 Azercell trumpets idle-screen content ARPU boost
52 Page Plus launches BREW content services
53 Social networking
53 Vodafone UK announces Twitter partnership
53 T-Mobile partners with German social-networking player
54 MOKO.mobi inks Reliance social-networking partnership
54 O2 UK notes businesses turning to Twitter
55 Voice services
55 Nokia heading for clash with operators over Skype app
56 Video services
56 Skype released for iPhone; VoIP limited to Wi-Fi
56 BlackBerry Skype release also slated
57 Operator content deals
57 Operator technology deals

58 Markets and Trends

58 Smart devices
58 Smartphone market slows into Q4 2008
59 Worldwide smartphone shipments, Q4 2008
59 Worldwide smartphone shipments, FY 2008
59 Smartphone growth strong in Q4, but forecast weaker
59 Q4 Western European smartphone market
60 Western European smartphone shipments, Q4 2008
61 Weaker performance anticipated in 2009
61 Worldwide mobile phone market growth, 2008-2010
61 Smartphones gaining US device market share
62 Mobile VAS
62 Orange trumpets multimedia service take-up
63 People
63 Recession could cause 7%-drop in entertainment spend
63 US takes top-spot for mobile internet browsing
64 Non NFC m-commerce to total $1.6bn in 2009
64 Developing markets driving mobile games sales
65 m-banking user base close to one billion by 2014

66 Index

INDEX

SYMBOLS
3, 29, 53, 55, 56
- Australia, 57
- Hong Kong, 53
- UK, 29
2009 Mobile World Congress, 20
A
ABI Research, 62, 64
Acer, 2, 8, 13
- E-TEN, 8
Acision, 57
Activision Blizzard, 38
Ad Infuse, 36
Adobe Systems, 3
Aicent, 57
Alltel Wireless, US, 24
Ambient Corporation, 41
America Movil, 54
ANCEL, Uruguay, 12
Apple, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 22, 27, 31, 56, 58, 59, 60, 64
- iPhone, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 22, 31, 32, 40, 54, 55, 56, 59, 60, 64
- iPod, 3, 56
- iTunes, 4, 6, 15, 27
ASUS, 5, 11
- P835, 5, 11
AT&T, 18, 20, 25, 27, 28, 34, 41, 45, 57
Avea Turkey, 57
Azercell, Azerbaijan, 52, 57
B
Bango, 63
Barclaycard, 43
BASE, Belgium, 47
Belgacom, 43, 44
Bell Mobility, 24
Berg Insight, 65
Bharti Airtel, India, 25
Broadcom, 23
BSNL, India, 25
BYD Electronic, 19
C
CBS, 57
Celltick, 52, 57
Certicom, 25
Chi Mei Communication Systems, 21, 25
China Mobile, 6, 9, 10, 37, 51
- Monternet, 51
China Unicom, 6
Coca-Cola, 44
Compal Communications, 13, 25
CTIA, US, 16
D
Dell, 7, 8
- Axim, 7
DnB NOR, 44
du, UAE, 43
E
eBay, 64
- PayPal, 27
Elcoteq, 19
Electronic Arts, 16
- EA Mobile, 16
Elevation Partners, 21
Eme Zrt, Hungary, 43
EMI, 48
EMOBILE, Japan, 40
Ericsson, 28, 29, 30, 47
Esmertec, 7
Etisalat, UAE, 25, 45
F
Facebook, 29, 53, 54
FCC, US, 27
Foxconn International, 19
- Chi Mei Communication Systems, 21, 25
France Telecom
- Orange, 9, 11, 12, 21, 25, 36, 43, 55, 62
Frost & Sullivan, 42
G
Ganatek, 57
Garmin International, 40
Gartner, 58, 59
Google, 3, 8, 21, 36, 46, 50, 51
- Android Market, 10, 27, 38
- Gmail, 45
GSM Association, 36, 37
H
Handheld Europe, 8
Hands-On Mobile, 38
HP, 7, 8, 13
- Ipaq, 7
HTC, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 21, 58, 59, 60
- Athena, 10
- Dopod, 10
- Dream, 6, 9, 10, 12, 21
- Excalibur, 11
- Firestone, 10
- G1, 6, 9, 10, 12, 38, 58, 59
- Hero, 9, 12, 21, 38
- Inner Circle, 11
- Jade, 9
- Magic, 9, 10, 12
- S621, 11
- Snap/S522, 11
- Thor, 10
- Touch Diamond2, 9
- TouchFLO, 9
- Touch HD, 59
- Touch Pro2, 9
- Twin, 10
- Whitestone, 10
Huawei Technologies, 21
Hutchison Whampoa, 53
- INQ Mobile, 53
Hyundai Mobile, 11
I
ICASA, South Africa, 40
IDC, 59, 60, 61
i-mate, 12
INFO-TV-FM, 39
INQ Mobile, 53
- INQ1, 53
Intel, 14
Internet Advertising Bureau, UK, 36
Intersport, 57
Intrinsyc Software International, 12
IPCcom, 12
iSuppli, 19
ITT, 58
J
Jabil Circuit, 19
Juniper Research, 63, 64
K
Kaufman Brothers, 7
Kodak, 40
Kogan, 12
- Agora, 12
Korea Fair Trade Commission, 23
KPN, 47
Kyocera Wireless, 58
L
LAOR, Uruguay, 12
LG Electronics, 11, 13, 14, 21, 27, 28, 30, 60
- Arena, 13
- S-Class, 13
- Versa, 13
Limbo, 34
LiMo Foundation, 32
LinkedIn, 54
M
Magna Polonia, 39
MasterCard Worldwide, 43
Microsoft, 2, 5, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, 36, 41, 46, 50, 53
- Danger, 53
- Sidekick, 53
- ScreenTonic, 36
- Windows Live, 16, 45, 46
- Windows Mobile, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 45, 46, 53, 58
- Windows Mobile 6.1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 28
- Windows Mobile 6.5, 2, 10, 14, 15, 17
- Windows Mobile 7, 14
Mio Technology, 17
- Explora K70, 17
Mobile Marketing Association, 34, 36
mobilkom, Austria, 56
MOKO.mobi, 54
MontaVista Software, 14
Mosley Music Group, 57
Motorola, 13, 14, 18, 21, 28, 32, 35, 58
- MC55, 18
- MOTOMAGX, 32
- MOTO Q, 18, 35
M-Tel, Bulgaria, 34
MultiChoice, South Africa, 40
Myriad Group, 7
MyScreen, 63
MySpace, 16
N
Namco Networks, 42
NCAA, US, 57
NEC, 57
Netgear, 21
Neustar, 34
News Corp
- MySpace, 16
NFC Academy, 43
Nokia, 2, 7, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 35, 38, 42, 45, 46, 47, 49, 55, 58, 59, 60, 63
- 5730 XpressMusic, 19
- 5800 XpressMusic, 18, 49
- Comes With Music, 49
- E71, 20, 59
- E71x, 20
- Mosh, 38
- MOSH, 38
- N97, 55
- N-Gage, 19, 42, 47
- Nokia Maps, 42
- Nokia Messaging, 45
- Nseries, 42, 55, 58
- Ovi, 20, 38, 42, 45, 47
- Ovi Store, 20, 38, 42
- S60, 20, 31
Norwegian Financial Services Association, 44
NPD Group, 61
NTT DoCoMo, 25
Nuance Communications, 35
O
Obopay, 45
OMTP, 37
Open Handset Alliance, 2, 31, 38, 51
- Android, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 21, 27, 31, 32, 38, 51, 58
Opera Software, 39
- Opera Mini, 39
Optus, Australia, 21
Oracle, 3
Orange Group, 9, 11, 12, 21, 25, 36, 43, 55, 62
- France, 9, 12, 21
- UK, 25, 36, 43, 55, 62
Out There Media, 34
P
Pacific Magazines, 57
Page Plus Cellular, 52, 57
Palm, 4, 8, 13, 14, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 32
- Centro, 22
- Palm Pre, 21, 22, 23, 26
- Treo 500v, 23
- Treo 800w, 24
- Treo Pro, 17, 21, 24
- webOS, 22
Pannon, 43
Peek
- Peek Pronto, 22
Photobucket, 53
Player X, 42, 47
Purple Labs, 7
Q
Qualcomm, 10, 12, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 32, 37, 52, 57, 58
- BREW, 32, 37, 52, 57
R
RealNetworks, 48
Regions
- Americas, 23, 24, 28, 54, 63, 65
- Brazil, 56
- Canada, 24, 26
- North America, 18, 28, 64, 65
- Uruguay, 12
- US, 10, 11, 14, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 32, 34, 37, 39, 41, 49, 52, 56, 57, 58, 61, 63, 64
- APAC, 30, 65
- Asia Pacific, 30, 65
- Australia, 12, 21, 48, 49, 56, 57
- China, 6, 9, 10, 32, 37, 51, 64
- Hong Kong, 53
- India, 25, 48, 54, 63, 64
- Indonesia, 63
- Japan, 25, 40, 58, 64
- Korea, 23, 30
- New Zealand, 48, 56, 57
- Philippines, 45, 57
- Singapore, 49
- South Korea, 30
- Taiwan, 12
- EMEA
- Africa, 40, 51, 64, 65
- Austria, 48, 56
- Belgium, 43, 47, 48
- Bulgaria, 34, 48
- Czech Republic, 34, 48, 52
- Denmark, 56
- Estonia, 56
- Finland, 35, 56
- France, 9, 21
- Germany, 9, 12, 29, 37, 39, 41, 47, 48, 53, 56
- Greece, 48
- Hungary, 43, 48
- Ireland, 48
- Italy, 10, 48
- Middle East, 51, 65
- Netherlands, 48, 54
- Norway, 44
- Poland, 39, 56
- Portugal, 45, 46, 48, 55, 63
- Romania, 48
- Slovenia, 48
- South Africa, 40, 48, 57, 63
- Spain, 23, 41, 48, 57, 63
- Sweden, 56
- Switzerland, 48
- Turkey, 48, 57
- UAE, 43, 45
- UK, 9, 11, 13, 20, 23, 26, 32, 36, 38, 43, 47, 48, 49, 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 63, 64
Reliance Communications, India, 25, 54
Research In Motion, 2, 25, 26, 27, 30, 58, 59, 60
- BlackBerry, 11, 14, 25, 26, 27, 30, 32, 37, 45, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59
- BlackBerry 8900, 26
- BlackBerry 9630 (Niagara), 26
- BlackBerry App World, 26, 27
- BlackBerry Bold, 25, 26, 59
- BlackBerry Storm, 25, 26, 37, 57, 59
Rotana Holding Group, 51, 57
RTL, 47
S
Samsung, 14, 21, 27, 28, 30, 47, 58, 59, 60
- B7300, 27
- Impression, 27
- OMNIA, 58, 59, 60
- Propel Pro, 28
- Samsung Movies, 47
- SGH-i637, 27
- TouchWiz, 27
Seznam, 52
Sharp, 58, 59
Skandiabanken, 44
SK Telecom, 30
Skype, 29, 53, 55, 56
SMART, Philippines, 45, 57
SmartSynch, 41
Softbank Mobile, 37, 40
Sony, 29
- Sony Music Entertainment, 48
Sony Ericsson, 21, 28, 29, 30, 47, 59
- Cyber-shot C510, 29
- Xperia, 30, 59
- Xperia X1, 30, 59
Sprint, 22, 24, 26, 34, 40, 42
ST-Ericsson, 29
studiVZ, 53
Sun Cellular, Philippines, 57
Symbian Foundation, 4, 14, 19, 20, 31, 45, 58, 60
- Symbian^2, 31
- Symbian OS, 4, 14, 19, 20, 31, 45, 58, 60
T
Tata Teleservices, 25
Technology
- Android, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 21, 27, 31, 32, 38, 51, 58
- BREW, 32, 37, 52, 57
- CMMB, 32
- DMB, 32
- DRM, 48
- DVB-H, 39, 40
- EDGE, 56
- FLO, 27, 57
- GPS, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 24, 28, 32, 40, 42, 56, 58, 60
- HSPA, 5, 11, 13, 17, 19, 27
- IM, 46
- IP, 12
- Java, 64
- Linux, 14, 32, 58
- LTE, 20
- NFC, 6, 43, 64
- PTT, 18
- Symbian OS, 4, 14, 19, 20, 31, 45, 58, 60
- TD-SCDMA, 6, 9, 10
- VoIP, 18, 55, 56
- widgets, 37
- Wi-Fi, 3, 5, 8, 11, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 28, 32, 40, 55, 56
- Windows Mobile, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 45, 46, 53, 58
Telecom Italia, 10
Telefonica, 23, 42, 63
- O2, 20, 23, 42, 43, 54, 55, 56
- O2 Joggler, 20
- O2 UK, 20, 42, 43, 54, 55, 56
- Spain, 42
Telenor, 44
TeliaSonera, 52, 53
- Finland, 53
Telstra, 57
The Carphone Warehouse, 49
Thumbplay, 34
T-Mobile International, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 32, 34, 38, 42, 43, 46, 53, 56, 58, 59
- Czech Republic, 34
- Dash, 11
- G1, 6, 9, 10, 12, 38, 58, 59
- Germany, 53, 56
- Hungary, 43
- Instant Email, 46
- Sidekick, 53
- UK, 9, 32, 38, 46
- USA, 10, 11, 34, 53
- Vairy Touch, 32
Tunz, 43, 44
Twitter, 53, 54
U
UKE, Poland, 39
UMTS Forum, 35
Universal Music, 48
V
Velti, 57
VeriSign, 25, 34
Verizon Wireless, 10, 13, 20, 24, 26, 32, 34, 35, 37, 41, 45, 57, 58
- Get It Now, 37
- V CAST, 57
- Visual Voice Mail, 55
Virgin Mobile, 40
- USA, 40
Visa International, 43
VISTO, 46
- Good Technology, 46
Vivendi Universal
- Universal Music, 48
Vodafone Group, 9, 10, 12, 23, 25, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 46, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 63
- Czech Republic, 52
- Germany, 9, 37, 41, 48
- Greece, 46
- Hungary, 43
- India, 25
- Japan, 40
- Magic, 9, 10, 12
- Netherlands, 54
- New Zealand, 57
- otello, 37
- Portugal, 41, 45, 46, 55
- UK, 36, 50, 53
- Vodafone live!, 41, 52
- Vodafone Music Manager, 48
- Wayfinder Systems, 63
- ZYB, 63
W
Warner Bros
- Warner Music, 48
Y
Yahoo!, 3, 36, 45, 50, 63
Yuhuatel TelTech, 32
Z
Zain, 51, 57
- Zain Create, 51
ZTE, 32

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.01 snapshot

AB — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:11:22 +0000

TOP STORIES: Palm announced its long-anticipated next-generation device and operating system, respectively called Pre and webOS. While it is still early days, the market response was largely positive, although pricing will be crucial. [pp.22-24.]

Issue: 2009.01
Covering: January 2009
Published: January/February 2009
Next issue: February 2009

Tracking innovative, strategic, operator-monetisable mobile value-added solutions. A unique monthly report for the industry.

About Mobile VAS|watch
Executive Brief
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Table of Contents
Index

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Below is a free taster from issue 2009.01 (January 2009), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

SMART DEVICES: The tier-one device vendors published their latest quarterly figures, with the global economic situation evident to differing extents, but some cautious optimism also apparent. Nokia suffered more than the market, and is placing smartphones further toward the centre of its focus going forward. Samsung’s numbers were solid, which by current standards was impressive, while LG Electronics edged Sony Ericsson to gain third place. [pp.16-17,29,10.]

Motorola published a bleak forecast of its fourth-quarter numbers, with device shipments falling sharply, and more job cuts on the cards. It was reported that the company will launch a limited device portfolio in 2009, which may not aid its plight. As expected, Palm also reported unimpressive numbers for the quarter. [pp.13-14,25.]

Apple reported strong quarterly iPhone shipments, but a sequential decline from the earlier quarter was noted, leaving it unclear if the vendor will be able to maintain a stable smartphone growth path with its current dependence on one device. The French regulator ruled that a long-term iPhone exclusivity contract with Orange was not permitted, after a complaint from number-three operator Bouygues Telecom. [pp.3-4,5.]

Research In Motion reported a sound quarter to 31 December 2008, with an optimistic forecast for the coming months contrasting with caution elsewhere. RIM is reportedly readying BlackBerry support for Nokia devices, after Nokia stopped offering this itself. [pp.26-27,28.]

Kogan’s Agora was axed, with the anticipated Android-powered device suffering from “future interoperability issues”. Samsung is set to offer its first Android device in the second quarter of 2008, having accelerated development of the device. China Mobile is set to launch its Ophone imminently, a Lenovo Mobile-made device using an Android-variant. [pp.2,30,6.]

Nokia said it has shipped one million of its 5800 XpressMusic devices, the mid-tier, touch-screen iPhone rival. The company’s Internet Tablet commitment was questioned, after it was revealed that its latest product, N810 WiMAX Edition, had been pulled, although this might just indicate a loss of faith in WiMAX, rather than the tablet format or the underlying maemo.org Linux platform. [pp.18.]

Motorola announced its anticipated MOTOSURF A3100 device, a prosumer-oriented Windows Mobile smartphone. The vendor’s aborted MOTOMAXG platform is not going quietly, powering a rugged device that also marks Motorola’s first 3G Linux terminal, and being revealed as the OS for the high-end Aura device. [pp.15,14.]

Microsoft is reportedly set to limit the number of Windows Mobile devices, supposedly to avoid “dilution”, although it is unclear how it will manage to do this without offending existing and new hardware partners. Sun Microsystems is expected to unveil its JavaFX Mobile platform imminently. [pp.11,32.]

HTC introduced its next-generation Touch Cruise, an update of its 2008 namesake, as what was claimed to be HTC’s product roadmap was leaked. Fujitsu and NTT DoCoMo are taking a Japanese-market device to Taiwan, with DoCoMo affiliate Far EasTone set to support. [pp.8,6.]

MOBILE VAS: Verizon Wireless confirmed a mobile search and advertising deal with Microsoft, with Google having apparently been trumped in final negotiations. Vodafone and 3 led a survey of UK portals, following consumer research conducted by Strategy Analytics. [pp.50,51.]

Sprint introduced two “open” platforms to enable location-based services, allowing third parties to develop applications while protecting user privacy. Surveys in the UK and the USA uncovered different consumer preferences for navigation services. [pp.42,43.]

Vodafone Netherlands is offering managed BlackBerry services, to reduce operating costs for businesses. SK Telecom debuted BlackBerry services in South Korea, as regulatory changes made the market more appealing to international players. Vodacom launched prepaid BlackBerry services in South Africa. [pp.40,41.]

Vodafone Greece joined the mobile advertising club, working with Out There Media and MADS. Two US bodies called for a probe into mobile advertising, after concern that the rapidly growing market is augmenting in an unregulated manner. [pp.36,37.]

O2 UK launched O2 Litmus, an app store and developer community, which will also provide the operator with an “early look” at new mobile products. Google is to add paid-for apps to its Android Market, which is being rolled out internationally to support further availability of Android-powered devices. [pp.38,39.]

Vodafone Group partnered with Last.fm to launch personalised music services worldwide, while T-Mobile International is also working with Last.fm as part of a multi-market music portfolio refresh. The performance of Nokia’s Comes With Music was deemed “not earth shattering”. [pp.47,48.]

AT&T indicated it is open to different mobile broadcast service models — as long as it gets its cut. Malaysian operator Maxis began supporting Nokia’s N-Gage services. [pp.39,41.]

Safaricom’s M-PESA m-commerce service may be a victim of its own success, with claims that the Kenyan government is set to launch a probe into the popular financial service. There will be more than 150 million subscribers to “additive” mobile banking services by 2011, according to Juniper Research. [pp.44,45.]

Vodafone Australia is trialling a GPS-enabled mobile social-networking service called Pocket Life, which is open to customers across networks and device types. Users are calling for more interactivity in social networking apps, according to mobile IM company Colibria. [pp.52.]

MARKETS AND TRENDS: The European Commission is said to be mulling a tax that will apply to “multi-function” smartphones, increasing the cost of devices featuring broadcast receivers and integrated GPS. While a bleak picture was presented for the mobile device market, ABI Research remained optimistic about the performance of smartphones, 3G devices, and handsets with integrated GPS. [pp.56.]

Orange UK reported good uptake of mobile services in the period to September 2008 — it will be interesting to see if momentum is maintained following the economic slowdown. The openness of Verizon Wireless’s much-trumpeted “any apps, any device” strategy was questioned, after it was revealed that no consumer products had been given the green light. [pp.58,59.]

The Indian VAS market will be worth $1bn by 2012, although there is concern that operators are currently more interested in pure subscriber numbers than new revenue streams. The Chinese VAS market is tipped to grow following the issue of 3G licences. [pp.60,61.]

EXTRACT

MOTOROLA

More job cuts at Motorola; poor Q4 forecast

Motorola announced it is cutting 4,000 more jobs, split between 3,000 in the Mobile Devices unit and 1,000 in corporate functions and other units, on top of 3,000 losses announced during the fourth quarter of 2008.

In addition, Motorola said that during the fourth quarter of 2008, it shipped just 19 million units, a sharp fall from 25.4 million in the third quarter. It was said that sales were “adversely impacted by continued weakness in end-consumer demand, and customer inventory reductions”.

Motorola subsequently confirmed fourth-quarter device shipments of 19.2 million, and “plans to further reduce cost structure”. Operating loss for the Mobile Devices unit during the quarter was $595m, up from a loss of $388m, on revenue of $2.35bn, down from $4.81bn, in the prior year. It also said that it is “on target to launch next-generation devices during the fourth quarter of 2009″.

It was reported that the company may only launch twelve handsets in the coming year, making it look like Motorola is prepared to cede more market share in the short term, which presumably it hopes to regain in the future.

The company has already tightened its geographic focus, effectively exiting Europe and certain other territories, which will impact its device market share further. In addition, it has axed the devices in its pipeline based on Symbian OS, meaning its presence in the smartphone market is weakened.

It is throwing its weight behind the Open Handset Alliance’s Android platform for mass-market terminals, in concert with the Windows Mobile smartphone platform, with its proprietary P2K technology remaining in the mix at the low end. However, Motorola has not so far offered an Android terminal, and it is not expected to do so in the near future, meaning it will have a major gap in its portfolio.

Sanjay Jha, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Motorola, said the company is “making good progress in developing important new smartphones for 2009″, and has received a “positive response from our customers to these new devices”.

If it is true that Motorola is set to offer just twelve new handsets during 2009, the company’s already unimpressive portfolio will clearly deteriorate further. Even if the company is able to come up with a “killer” device, there will be little chance for it to exploit the “halo” effect if the rest of its portfolio is shaky.

Indeed, with certain notable exceptions, device vendors are judged by the strength of their portfolio, rather than specific handsets; and attractive flagship products may well draw users to lower end terminals. Currently, Motorola’s portfolio appears somewhat directionless, with a collection of separate handsets rather than a coherent line up, and it looks as if this will get worse before — if — it gets better.

Undoubtedly, Motorola had a cost structure too high for its current market share, which led to the job cuts, but with things expected to get worse in the short term, it is not entirely unlikely that further savings will need to be made. The company will have to be careful not to damage its future product efforts through over-aggressive axings, with a real danger that it will cut into the competencies it needs to survive.

” No matter how many surplus crew members are thrown overboard, there comes a point with any floundering ship when it is time to accept the inevitable. Motorola is bailing furiously but, even if it can patch the holes in its mobile phone operations, the danger is that, by the time it has some decent new handsets to sell, the competition will already be over the horizon. “
– Financial Times comment.

Windows Mobile team cut

Despite Windows Mobile being one of Motorola’s stated platforms of choice, it was reported that the company was ending support for the operating system at one of its product centres, at the cost of 77 jobs. The affected staff are based in Plantation, Florida, USA.

If Motorola is cutting jobs in areas that it has stated are core to its future product line, it is clear that the cuts will effect its ongoing business, rather than tightening focus and eliminating redundancy. This is worrying, as the company’s ability to deliver new products to market will be impacted.

It is possible that Motorola is looking to leverage its original device manufacturers partners in its Windows Mobile product efforts, with much of its development outsourced, and its own product efforts focused on segmentation and customisation. However, cutting developers from a product line that is part of its core focus going forward cannot be a positive.

[Further reference: Motorola's handset arm prepping for massive layoffs -- Phone Scoop, 11 January 2009; Motorola seen cutting more jobs as phone sales fall -- Reuters, 13 January 2009; Motorola announces further 2009 cost reduction actions and provides preliminary fourth-quarter 2008 results -- Motorola, 14 January 2009; Motorola -- Financial Times, 16 January 2009; Motorola to lay off 77 in Plantation -- South Florida Business Journal, 23 January 2009; Motorola announces fourth-quarter and full-year financial results -- Motorola, 3 February 2009.]

Linux to power Motorola 3G push-to-talk device

Motorola announced its Tundra VA76r device, a rugged handset that appears to be the vendor’s first 3G device to use its aborted MOTOMAGX Linux-based handset platform.

The unit will initially be sold by operator AT&T, and much has been made of the device’s push-to-talk functionality. The device also includes a two-megapixel camera and integrated GPS technology.

To date, 3G connectivity has been something of an omission among Motorola’s Linux device portfolio. It would be somewhat ironic if it began releasing 3G MOTOMAGX handsets after its announcement that the platform is to be axed, in favour of the Open Handset Alliance’s Android.

Tundra VA76r is priced at $199.99 after rebates, with two-year service contract.

[Further reference: AT&T Mobility and Motorola offer the rugged Tundra VA76r on January 13 -- Motorola, 6 January 2009.]

Motorola unveils WM touch-screen device

Motorola announced its MOTOSURF A3100 device, a long-anticipated Windows Mobile (WM)-powered 3G smartphone, previously referred to using the codename Attila.

The device has a touch screen, which is something of a departure for Motorola’s Windows Mobile devices, with the enterprise-oriented MOTO Q line being based on the keypad-driven Windows Mobile Standard platform. Indeed, the prosumer-oriented device is also Motorola’s first use of WM away from enterprise terminals.

In addition to the 2.8″ touch screen, the MOTOSURF A3100 has an “omni-directional” trackball for navigation, along with hard “send” and “end” keys.

Other features include triband HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi connectivity, integrated Assisted-GPS (A-GPS), and dual cameras (three-megapixel main, VGA video telephony). Storage comes from a microSD expansion slot.

The MOTOSURF A3100 is set for release imminently in multiple markets, “including Asia and Latin America”. With Motorola recently announcing something of a geographic retrenchment, it is unclear which markets will see availability, although a full-scale European launch seems unlikely.

Pricing details of the device were not released.

” We developed the MOTOSURF A3100 as a true social smartphone. Home screen personalisation and access to a whole host of applications gets the info you want — fast — and at your fingertips.”
– John Cipolla, Senior Vice-President of Product Development at Motorola Mobile Devices.

Motorola recently named Windows Mobile as one of its device platforms of choice, meaning that more smartphones based on the platform are likely to be announced by the vendor in the future.

[Further reference: Motorola unveils world's first mobile phone made using recycled water bottle plastics and new 3G touch tablet with customisable home screen -- Motorola, 6 January 2009.]

Aura confirmed as Linux device

Motorola’s previously reported Aura handset, a design-led device that is being sold based on its form rather than function, was revealed as a MOTOMAGX terminal; it had previously been anticipated that the device would use Motorola’s proprietary P2K platform.

Aura is said to include the “world’s first circular display on a mobile phone”, with “chemically etched textures and patterns”, and “protective PVD [physical vapour deposition] coating and mirror-polish finish”. However, its specification is unimpressive, being a 2G-only device, with two-megapixel camera, and Bluetooth – but little else of note.

The device is currently listed on Motorola’s US webstore at $1,999.99.

[Further reference: Aura by Motorola -- Motorola, January 2009.]

2 Smart Devices

2 Android
2 Kogan Agora axed
3 Apple
3 Three new iPhones mooted for 2009
3 Apple reports strong quarterly iPhone shipments
4 Comment
5 Foxconn
5 French regulator rules against Orange iPhone exclusivity
6 Fujitsu
6 Fujitsu F905i
6 China Mobile
6 China Mobile to launch Ophone in Q1
6 Fujitsu and DoCoMo partner for Taiwanese device launch
7 Garmin
7 Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60
7 ASUS and Garmin to partner on GPS smartphones
8 HTC
8 HTC Dream
8 HTC Touch Cruise
8 T-Mobile G1 exclusivity ends; Dream rolled out
8 HTC reveals next-generation Touch Cruise
9 HTC device roadmap leaked
9 HTC announces sound performance in 2008
10 Intrinsyc
10 LG Electronics
10 LG lands number-three device spot in 2008
11 Microsoft
11 Microsoft to limit WM devices to avoid “dilution”
12 The Medical Phone
12 Microsoft’s devices decision in line for cuts
12 Mio Technology
12 Mio demos Windows Mobile MID
13 Motorola
13 More job cuts at Motorola; poor Q4 forecast
14 Motorola VA76r
14 Windows Mobile team cut
14 Linux to power Motorola 3G push-to-talk device
15 Motorola MOTOSURF A3100
15 Motorola AURA
15 Motorola unveils WM touch-screen device
15 Aura confirmed as Linux device
16 NEC
16 Nokia
16 Nokia suffers in Q4 2008
17 “…out of context…”
17 Smartphone focus
17 All regions affected
17 Looking forward
18 Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
18 5800 shipments reach one million
18 Nokia’s Internet Tablet commitment questioned
19 Nokia devices hit by messaging bug
20 Nokia tops “computer” maker charts
21 OMTP
21 New members backing OMTP
22 Palm
22 Palm unveils new OS; first handset Pre
22 Palm webOS
23 Palm PRE
23 Palm PRE
23 Palm Pre
24 webOS speculation
24 Comment
25 Palm secures $100m investment; Q2 disappoints
26 Purple Labs
26 Purple closes Sagem deal; Motorola exec joins
26 Research In Motion
26 RIM reports expected sound quarter
27 Looking forward
27 T-Mobile USA to offer BlackBerry 8900
28 Sharp
28 RIM to offer BlackBerry support for Nokia devices
28 Certicom wins injunction following RIM acquisition bid
29 Samsung
29 Samsung posts robust handset results for 2008
29 Future outlook
30 Sony Ericsson
30 Samsung set for first Android launch in Q2
30 Sony Ericsson reports anticipated poor Q4
31 Modest future outlook
31 KDDI surprises with new Sony Ericsson device
32 More PlayStation phone rumours; Sony prevents launch
32 Sun Microsystems
32 Mobile Java platform set for February 2009 debut
33 UIQ Technology
33 UIQ files for bankruptcy
33 TechFaith Wireless
33 TechFaith ships CDMA WM device to Mexico
33 Toshiba
33 Toshiba set to debut high-end smartphone
34 ZTE
34 Vodafone
34 Vodafone names Azingo as application partner

36 Mobile Value-Added Services

36 Advertising
36 Vodafone Greece joins mobile advertising set
37 US bodies call for mobile advertising probe
38 Applications
38 Vodafone Netherlands pilots application play
38 O2 UK launches application community site
39 Broadcast
39 Google to add paid-for apps to Android store
39 AT&T open to more broadcast options, if price right
40 Enterprise
40 Vodafone Netherlands to offer managed BlackBerry
40 SK introduces BlackBerry in South Korea
41 Games
41 Vodacom debuts prepaid BlackBerry in South Africa
41 Maxis launches N-Gage gaming
42 Location-based services
42 Google launches Latitude LBS; not all impressed
42 Sprint intros open platform for LBS apps
43 Mixed messages from navigation surveys
43 NAVTEQ announces LBS advertising play
44 M-commerce
44 M-PESA may be victim of own success; regulator probing
44 Motorola unveils m-commerce platform
45 Messaging
45 Mobile banking user base to top 150m by 2011
45 Alltel debuts mobile email services
46 Mail on Ovi beta goes live
47 Multimedia
47 Music
47 Vodafone partners with Last.fm for mobile service
47 T-Mobile updates music store; also inks Last.fm deal
48 Comes With Music “not earth shattering” — report
48 ISPs top poll for favoured music provider; mobile lags
49 KDDI debuts high-quality mobile music service
49 du launches full-track download service
50 Portals
50 Verizon Wireless confirms Microsoft as search partner
51 Nokia expands .mobi site content
51 Vodafone and 3 lead UK portal survey
51 Reliance identifies VAS goals
52 Social networking
52 Vodafone Australia trials GPS-enabled social networking
52 Users call for “more interactive” social-networking apps
53 Voice services
53 Baidu and Willcom partner for voice search services
54 Operator content round-up
55 Operator enabler round-up

56 Markets and trends

56 Smart device markets and trends
56 People
56 “…out of context…”
56 EC considering high-end phone tax
56 Bleak picture painted for mobile handset market
57 GPS devices to buck downward market trend
57 Qualcomm bolsters mobile computing play with AMD buy
58 Mobile VAS markets and trends
58 Orange reports sound mobile service uptake
59 Verizon “openness” in question
60 Verizon regains number-one spot with Alltel buy
60 Indian VAS market to top $1bn in 2012
61 China finally issues 3G licences; VAS opportunity to grow

63 Index

INDEX

Symbols
3
- Australia, 47
- UK, 48, 51
A
ABI Research, 56, 57
ACCESS, 57
Acer, 20
Alltel Wireless, US, 45, 60
AMD, 57
Amdocs, 51
American Express, 51
AOL, 45
Apple, 3, 4, 5, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 38, 42, 57
- iPhone, 3, 4, 5, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 34, 38, 42
- iPod, 4
ASUS, 7
ATSC, US, 11
AT&T, 14, 27, 39, 40, 50, 56, 57, 58, 60
Azingo, 34
B
Babelgum, 54
Baidu, China, 53
BASE, Belgium, 45
Bell Mobility, 55
Bharti Airtel, India, 27
Blyk, 57
BMW, 51
Bouygues Telecom, 5
Bytemobile, 55
C
Canaccord Adams, 3
Capcom, 41
Casio, 32
CBS, 54
Celltick, 55
Center for Digital Democracy, US, 37
Certicom, 28
ChangingWorlds, 51
China Mobile, 6, 44, 61
- Ophone, 6
China Unicom, 61
China UnionPay, 44
Clearwire, 18, 58
CmyC, Germany, 54
Colibria, 52
Communology, 21
CommVerge, 55
Comverse Technology, 21, 55
CSL, Hong Kong, 54
D
Dell, 20
Digital Chocolate, 41
du, UAE, 49
- Music on Demand, 49
E
eBay, 26
Electronic Arts, 41
- EA Mobile, 41
Elevation Partners, 25
Elisa, Finland, 20
Ericsson, 30, 31, 32, 33, 50, 59
European Union, 56
- EC, 56
eXpansys, 8
F
Facebook, 22
Far EasTone, 6
Federal Trade Commission , US, 37
Foxconn, 5
France Telecom
- Orange, 5, 26, 48, 51, 54, 58, 59
Fujitsu, 6, 32
- F-02A, 6
- F905i, 6
G
Gameloft, 41
Garmin-ASUS, 7
- nuvifone, 7
Garmin International, 7
Gartner, 59
Globe Telecom, Philippines, 55
Google, 30, 39, 42, 50
- Android Market, 39
- Gmail, 42
- Google Latitude, 42
- Google Maps, 42
- Google Talk, 42
- YouTube, 2
GSM Association, 56
H
Handango, 58
Hitachi, 32
HP, 20
HTC, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 30
- Athena, 9
- Barium, 9
- Citrine, 9
- Dream, 8
- Excalibur, 9
- G1, 2, 8, 9, 23, 30
- Hero, 9
- Iolite 2, 9
- Maple, 9
- Memphis, 9
- Rhodium, 9
- Sapphire, 9
- Thoth, 9
- Topaz, 9
- Touch Cruise (Iolite), 8, 9
- Touch Diamond, 9
- TouchFLO, 8
- Touch HD, 9
- Tungsten, 9
Huawei Technologies, 21
I
IBM, 26, 28
Intrinsyc Software International, 10
- Soleus, 10
Iusacell, Mexico, 33
J
Juniper Research, 45
K
KDDI, 31, 32, 49
- Chaku Uta Full, 49
- Walkman Phone, Xmini, 31, 32
Khosla Ventures, 56
Kirusa, 53, 55
Kogan, 2
- Agora, 2
Konami, 41
Kyocera Wireless, 32
L
Last.fm, 47
Legacy Recordings, 54
Lenovo Mobile, 6
- Ophone, 6
LG
- Arena, 10
LG Electronics, 10, 11, 24, 31, 32, 34, 40, 59
M
MADS, 36
Maxis Communications, 41
MediaFLO, 40
MegaFon, Russia, 55
Metropole Television, 54
Microsoft, 11, 12, 28, 45, 50, 51
- Danger, 11, 12
- Sidekick, 11, 12
- MSN, 51
- Windows Live, 12
- Windows Mobile, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 30, 31, 33, 34, 42, 45
- Xbox, 12
Mio Technology, 7, 12
MiTAC, 7
Mobile Marketing Association, 57
Mobile Streams, 55
Mobinex, 50
Mobitel, 47
Motorola, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 44, 50
- Aura, 15
- Krave ZN4, 13
- MOTOMAGX, 14, 15, 32
- MOTOPRIZM, 13
- MOTOSURF A3100 (Attila), 15
- P2K, 13, 15
- Soundbuzz, 50
- Tundra VA76r, 14
Motricity, 58
Music Ally, 48
N
Nawras, Oman, 54
NEC, 16, 32, 34
NeoMedia Technologies, 57
NeuStar, 55
Nexperience, 21
NFL, US, 54
NHL, US, 54
Nokia, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 59
- 5800 XpressMusic, 18, 24
- 6208 Classic, 17
- 7510, 17
- Comes With Music, 48
- E63, 16
- Eseries, 16, 28
- N79, 16
- N79 Active, 16
- N810 Internet Tablet, 18
- NAVTEQ, 43
- N-Gage, 41
- Nokia Maps, 42, 43
- Nseries, 3, 4, 16, 20
- Ovi, 46
- S60, 16, 17, 19, 33, 42, 50
Novarra, 38
NTT DoCoMo, 6, 9, 16, 28, 31, 32
- F-02A, 6
- F905i, 6
- SH-03A, 28
O
OMTP, 21
- BONDI, 21
Open Handset Alliance, 34
- Android, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 21, 30, 31, 32, 34, 39, 42
Open Mobile Video Coalition, US, 39
Openwave Systems, 26, 57
Optus, Australia, 8, 54
Orange Group, 5, 26, 48, 51, 54, 58, 59
- France, 5, 54
- Orange World, 58, 59
- UK, 48, 51, 58, 59
Out There Media, 36
Ovum, 61
P
Palm, 11, 22, 23, 24, 25
- Centro, 23, 24, 25
- Palm Pre, 23, 24
- Treo 800w, 22
- Treo Pro, 22, 25
- webOS, 22, 23, 24
Panasonic, 32, 34
Public Interest Research Group, US, 37
Purple Labs, 21, 26
Q
Qualcomm, 2, 33, 39, 40, 53, 57, 58
- MediaFLO, 40
QuickPlay Media, 55
R
RealNetworks, 58
Regions
- Americas, 10, 15, 17
- Argentina, 55
- Canada, 55
- Mexico, 33
- North America, 9, 17, 30, 45
- US, 2, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 45, 48, 50, 54, 55, 56, 60
- APAC, 10, 15
- Australia, 2, 8, 9, 47, 54
- China, 3, 5, 6, 17, 29, 33, 39, 44, 53, 61
- Hong Kong, 39, 54
- India, 3, 9, 10, 26, 27, 38, 42, 47, 51, 54, 60, 61
- Indonesia, 46, 50
- Japan, 6, 16, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 49, 53
- Korea, 10, 13, 30, 40, 53
- Malaysia, 41, 46, 50
- New Zealand, 47
- Pakistan, 42
- Philippines, 55
- Singapore, 8, 50
- South Korea, 13, 40, 53
- EMEA
- Africa, 17
- Austria, 2, 39, 47
- Belgium, 45
- Czech Republic, 2, 53, 54
- Dubai, 52
- France, 5, 39, 48, 54
- Germany, 2, 39, 46, 47, 54, 56
- Greece, 36
- Hungary, 55
- Italy, 39, 54
- Middle East, 17
- Netherlands, 2, 38, 39, 40, 56
- Poland, 2
- Portugal, 46
- Russia, 55, 56
- South Africa, 41, 52, 54
- Spain, 39, 46, 47
- UAE, 39, 49
- UK, 2, 9, 18, 38, 39, 43, 45, 47, 48, 51, 52, 54, 57, 59
Reliance Communications, India, 27, 51, 54
Research In Motion, 3, 4, 20, 26, 27, 28, 40, 41, 55
- BlackBerry, 3, 9, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 40, 41, 42, 55
- BlackBerry 8900, 27
- BlackBerry Bold, 26, 27, 40
- BlackBerry Curve, 27
- BlackBerry Storm, 23, 26
RTL, 54
Rubberduck Media Lab, 47
Rwandtel, 44
S
Safaricom, Kenya, 44
- M-PESA, 44
Sagem, 26
Samsung, 4, 7, 11, 19, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 40, 59
- Omnia, 29, 30
Sanyo, 32
SavaJe Technologies, 32
SEVEN, 45
Seven Network, 54
SFR, France, 5
Sharp, 28, 32
- SH-03A, 28
Shazam Entertainment, 47
SingTel, Singapore, 8, 54
SK Telecom, 40
Sony
- PlayStation, 32
Sony Ericsson, 7, 10, 11, 21, 30, 31, 32, 33, 50, 59
- Cyber-shot C510, 30
- Cyber-shot C905, 30
- PlayNow, 30, 50
- Walkman Phone, Xmini, 31, 32
- Walkman W508, 30
- Walkman W715, 30
- Xperia X1, 30
Sprint, 18, 22, 23, 24, 30, 42, 43, 50, 51, 54, 55, 58
- Sprint Navigation, 43
Strategy Analytics, 43, 51, 56, 60
Sun Microsystems, 32
- JavaFX Mobile, 32
Supa Technology, 10
Symbian, 6, 13, 16, 17, 21, 26, 28, 31, 33, 34, 42, 47, 50
- Symbian OS, 6, 13, 16, 21, 26, 28, 31, 33, 34, 42, 47, 50
T
Tata Teleservices, 53, 60
TechFaith Wireless, 33
Technology
- Android, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 21, 30, 31, 32, 34, 39, 42
- BONDI, 21
- DMB, 13, 39
- DVB-H, 11, 39
- FLO, 11, 39, 40, 58
- GPS, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 23, 27, 30, 33, 43, 52, 56, 57
- HSPA, 8, 10, 11, 15, 30, 33
- IM, 52, 55
- i-mode, 6
- Java, 20, 30, 32, 44, 50
- Linux, 14, 15, 16, 18, 22, 24, 30, 32, 34
- PTT, 14
- Symbian OS, 6, 13, 16, 21, 26, 28, 31, 33, 34, 42, 47, 50
- UMA, 17
- Wi-Fi, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17, 18, 23, 27, 33, 34
- WiMAX, 18, 53, 58
- Windows Mobile, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 30, 31, 33, 34, 42, 45
Telefonica, 38, 51
- O2, 9, 38, 45, 48, 51, 59
- O2 Litmus, 38
- Xda Flint, 9
- O2 Bluebook, 45
- O2 UK, 9, 38, 45, 48, 51, 59
TeliaSonera, 55
Telmap, 43
Telstra, 9
The Carphone Warehouse, 48
The Medical Phone
- iCEphone, 12
THQ Wireless, 41
T-Mobile International, 2, 8, 9, 11, 13, 17, 23, 27, 30, 47, 48, 51, 53
- Czech Republic, 53
- G1, 2, 8, 9, 23, 30
- Germany, 2, 27
- Sidekick, 11, 12
- UK, 48, 51
- USA, 9, 13, 17, 23, 27, 30
Toshiba, 20, 33
- TG01, 33
Turkcell, 44
TVB, Hong Kong, 54
U
UCell, Uzbekistan, 55
UIQ Technology, 33
uLocate Communications, 42, 55
Union Mobile Pay (UMPay), 44
Universal Pictures, 51
US Cellular, US, 38
V
Verizon Wireless, 2, 40, 43, 47, 50, 54, 58, 59, 60, 61
- VZ Navigator, 43
Virgin Mobile, 60
Vodacom, 41, 52, 54
- The Grid, 52
Vodafone Group, 26, 27, 30, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 47, 48, 51, 52, 54, 55, 58, 59
- Australia, 52
- Czech Republic, 54
- Germany, 54
- Hungary, 55
- India, 26, 27, 38
- Italy, 54
- M-PESA, 44
- Netherlands, 38, 40
- UK, 43, 48, 51, 54
- Vodafone live!, 36, 51, 54
- Vodafone Navigator, 43
W
Warner Bros, 54
WaveMarket, 42, 55
Webdunia.com, India, 54
WebTech Wireless, 40
Wikipedia, 47
Willcom, Japan, 53
X
XL, Indonesia, 50
Y
Yahoo!, 41, 45, 50
- Messenger, 41
YouTube, 2
Z
Zain Group, 55
ZTE, 34

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.02 snapshot

AB — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:01:26 +0000

SMART DEVICES: HTC announced its second Android device, with Magic set to be partially Vodafone Group-exclusive. Otherwise, there was little in the way of firm Android developments, although Huawei Technologies showcased an Android-powered smartphone. [pp.6,9.]

Issue: 2009.02
Covering: February 2009
Published: March 2009
Next issue: March/April 2009

Tracking innovative, strategic, operator-monetisable mobile value-added solutions. A unique monthly report for the industry.

About Mobile VAS|watch
Executive Brief
Extract
Table of Contents
Index

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

Mobile VAS|watch tracks the latest mobile value-added ‘solutions’ from an industry perspective, bringing together coverage of premium mobile handsets, services and applications in one place.
This report service provides mobile operators, vendors and service providers with a comprehensive and powerful briefing on the latest developments, reflecting the growing convergence and importance of devices and internet services to the industry’s current and future fortunes. Mobile VAS|watch takes both a global view and a neutral perspective on technology and business models.
Our ‘watch’ titles are repeatedly described by clients and end-users as the single most valuable source of third-party intelligence. Considered invaluable by many high-achieving commercial teams and account directors.
A unique source of valuable opportunities, knowledge, planning, strategy, and much more. Both tactical tool and strategic reference. An invaluable reference, input and even springboard for corporate planning, reporting, and meetings.
A ‘must-have’ for sales teams focused on high-value sales, maintaining strategic relationships, and managing extended sales cycles. Just one nugget, insight, or validation can pay for the service many times over.
Pricing typically USD $4k / EUR EUR3k / UKP £2.5k per year for a workgroup or small/midsize account, tailored to meet your needs and situation. Delivered electronically 10-12 times a year. Also available are back issues, which provide unparalleled reference and insight into major events, strategic initiatives, financials and KPIs.
Copies of individual reports are available, priced from UKP 200 plus any applicable sales taxes (or around USD $300 / EUR EUR230, governed by prevalent foreign exchange rates). Contact sales@marketmettle.com to place an order or find out more. Multiple purchasing options available, including payment cards.
Contact us for further information, including samples and evaluation trial requests. info@marketmettle.com / +44-20-7083-0055.
Below is a free taster from issue 2009.02 (February 2009), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

Microsoft unveiled Windows Mobile 6.5, its anticipated update to the platform, offering improvements to the user interface. LG Electronics named Windows Mobile as its “primary smartphone platform”, with plans to rapidly increase the number of devices it offers using the OS. [pp.15-16,10-11.]

Two new touch-screen Symbian OS devices were announced, by Samsung and Sony Ericsson — indicating that momentum behind the platform remains as it undergoes its ‘open’ metamorphosis. While Samsung’s unit, OMNIA HD, is production-ready, Sony Ericsson’s Idou is still at the prototype stage. [pp.24-25.]

Nokia announced five new Symbian OS-powered devices, with two new Eseries devices, Classic and Navigator units, and an eight-megapixel Nseries camera phone. Nokia also announced a partnership with Qualcomm, to drive Symbian OS take-up in North America. LG Electronics discreetly announced a new Symbian OS device, called LG-KT770. [pp.17-19,12.]

HTC announced Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2, incrementally updating the earlier Diamond and Pro handhelds. HTC said it is to end its ODM business, which has dwindled in significance in recent years, as it also took a conservative view for its performance in early-2009. HTC’s dominance in the Windows Mobile ecosystem was in the spotlight. [pp.7,8,16.]

The LiMo Foundation added Telefónica and SK Telecom to its board, but its vendor portfolio still looks limited. The Symbian Foundation announced 14 more supporters, although its device-maker customer base remains unchanged. It was reported that Google had ceded to an Apple request to omit multi-touch support from Android, in order to protect the companies’ existing relationship. [pp.12-13,29,20.]

Acer announced several new handhelds, building on the product line it acquired with its E-TEN Information Systems buy. There was renewed speculation that Dell has a converged device in the works, after the company’s plans were “outed” by an AT&T executive, although the resulting reports were played down by those involved. [pp.2-3,5.]

Sony Ericsson unveiled its Entertainment Unlimited strategy, although it is not entirely clear what this will mean in practice; a convergence of features across previously diverse product lines is likely. [p.26.]

Research In Motion increased its subscriber additions forecast, bucking the otherwise gloomy trend in the mobile market — although a number of factors will still impact its margins. A 3G Curve family device was rumoured. [pp.22,23.]

MOBILE VALUE-ADDED SERVICES: Widgets were the topic of the day, with T-Mobile revamping web’n'walk with widget support, and Orange announcing its widget rollout plans. Sony Ericsson partnered to tightly integrate several Orange services into its devices for the operator, with SE also doing a similar job for 3 Group — although, in this case, working with third-party applications. [pp.42,41,44.]

Microsoft announced a number of new partners for various Windows Live services, including América Móvil and Telefónica in Latin America, and MEA operator Orascom. Nokia was hit by an Ovi outage, losing customer data as a result. Bouygues Telecom, Orange France, and SFR, and separately Telefónica, are involved in Rich Communications Services pilots. [pp.47-48,49.]

Belgium’s BASE debuted a revamped portal, called BASE corner, which serves customers in three languages. Yahoo! also announced a new mobile internet proposition, called Yahoo! Mobile. Verizon Wireless introduced content-optimisation technology for its Mobile Web service. [pp.44,45,43.]

Telefónica highlighted its mobile advertising efforts, although its plans are still in a pilot stage. Belgian operators BASE and Mobistar partnered with Microsoft for mobile advertising. [pp.30.]

Vodafone Group joined Opera Software to develop a custom Opera Mini browser, intended to drive mobile internet use in emerging markets. O2 UK is incentivising customers to participate in its O2 Litmus application programme, to assess software in return for rewards. Apple was deemed to be having a negative impact on app pricing, due to the low cost of much of the software sold through its store. [pp.31,32.]

It was reported that South Korean mobile broadcast services are failing to gain traction, auguring badly for deployments in other markets. The Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum is exploring hybrid cellular/broadcast service models. [pp.32,33.]

América Móvil is working with Nokia on location-based services, across multiple markets and targeting owners of Nokia mobile phones. T-Mobile and Nokia are working on widget sales, as Nokia debuted its Ovi application and content store. [pp.34,51,52.]

The GSM Association announced several new enabling partners for its money-transfer services, while also partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to drive m-commerce in the developing world. Juniper Research warned that mobile money transfers will be impacted by the global economic crisis. [pp.35,36,37.]

Motorola is to dispose of its Good Technology business, selling to consumer mobile-email player Visto, a deal seen as Motorola offloading a struggling business as it attempts to put its house in order. 3 Hong Kong partnered with Neverfail to offer robust BlackBerry services. [pp.38,33.]

SK Telecom and RealNetworks extended their mobile music partnership, agreeing to work together until 2011. New music stores were launched by Orange Romania and Cricket Communications, a US regional operator. Nokia announced Comes With Music launches in Singapore and Australia. [pp.40,41.]

Push-to-talk penetration in North America will reach 8.5% by 2013, according to ABI Research, although, elsewhere, the picture will be very different. Nokia is to integrate Skype with its Nseries devices, enabling VoIP services. [pp.53.]

MARKETS AND TRENDS: Investment house Nomura branded positive pictures of the smartphone market as “optimistic”, stating that 2009 shipment growth will be flat when compared to 2008 numbers. ABI Research predicted that dual-mode device shipments will double by 2010, with the growth curve rising through to 2013. [pp.56.]

AT&T warned that fragmentation in the mobile app store market could stifle growth, with a number of operators and device vendors recently rolling out their own offerings. Third-party mobile service players performed strongly at the GSM Association Awards, with operator-originated products weak in comparison. [pp.57-58,59.]

EXTRACT

MICROSOFT: Windows 6.5 announced; supporting services unveiled

Microsoft officially confirmed its Windows Mobile 6.5 platform, which some observers criticised as being little more than a cosmetic refresh of Windows Mobile 6.1, with a new online backup service debuted, and an application store powered by an on-device client also showcased.

Windows Mobile 6.5 includes a new home screen, with a “dashboard-like experience” providing easy access to items such as texts and emails, missed calls, and calendar appointments. It has an improved touch-screen interface, and supports the updated version of Internet Explorer Mobile.

The platform also includes Windows Marketplace for Mobile, described as a “rich and integrated marketplace for searching, browsing, and purchasing mobile applications from Windows phones or from a PC [personal computer] simply by using a Windows Live ID”. The integrated offering is said to help customers to “easily find, install, and experience” new applications, with developers able to offer products via the store after a “simple security and compatibility check from Microsoft”.

Also announced was a free service called My Phone, which enables customers to access, manage, and back-up personal information to a password-protected web service. Through automatic synchronisation, customers can ensure content is backed up without the need for direct input, making it possible to “preserve content that, in the past, would have lived and died on the phone”. My Phone is currently available on a “limited, invitation-only” beta.

“Windows phones”

While no changes have been made to the Windows Mobile (WM) branding, Microsoft and its partners are now referring to devices as “Windows phones”, presumably to play down the “mobile” element while aligning the smartphones more with other Windows computers.

Supporter statements

Microsoft issued a list of companies supporting Windows Mobile 6.5, although details of their planned activities were somewhat sketchy. So far, the only units confirmed for WM6.5 is LG Electronics’ LG-GM7300 and HTC’s Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2.

Hewlett-Packard said it plans to support the platform on “future smartphone devices”, in line with its strategy of “continuing its efforts to deliver the latest wireless technologies to the diverse mobile professional market”.

Other named supporters were: vendors Acer, Garmin-Asus, GIGA-BYTE Communications, and Palm; and operators Bell Mobility (Canada), Celcom Mobile (Malaysia), Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan), COSMOTE Group (Southern Europe), NTT DoCoMo (Japan), SingTel (Singapore), SmarTone-Vodafone (Hong Kong), SOFTBANK Mobile (Japan), Tata Teleservices (India), Telefónica Group, Telstra (Australia), Willcom (Japan), and WIND Hellas (Greece).

Some significant names have yet to issue support for WM6.5, primarily Samsung, although its omission is probably not significant — Motorola is also omitted, but has separately said it will support the platform.

Interestingly, of the backing operators, Microsoft has significant support from Japan, where its penetration has so far been somewhat limited.

HTC dominance

mocoNews.net noted that at Microsoft’s press conference, the platform company said that, to date, more than 50 million devices based on Windows Mobile had shipped, which was followed by an HTC presentation, where the vendor claimed to have sold more than 40 million devices using the operating system (OS). Based on these numbers, this suggests that HTC has accounted for 80% of Windows Mobile device sales — highlighting its significance, and dominance, in the Microsoft partner ecosystem.

While the assessment is based on comments made in a presentation, which used “more thans” rather than firm numbers, it is a clear indication of the strength of HTC — and therefore the relative weakness of Microsoft’s other partners, including LG Electronics, Motorola, Palm, and Samsung, all of which have offered multiple devices using the platform. It is possible (even probable) that HTC’s figures include terminals it has manufactured for other partners rather than designed itself; but, even if this is the case, it still puts the company in a commanding position.

Previously, much of the criticism regarding Symbian OS has been the fact that Nokia has dominated sales, giving it a disproportionate strength in the ecosystem, while Microsoft has been keen to trumpet the diversity of its WM partner base. While it has always been obvious that HTC is the most committed Windows Mobile partner, it now appears that the company has a Nokia-esque domination of shipments.

It should also be noted that the sales are “lifetime” Windows Mobile shipments, and HTC was largely unique in supporting the platform in its early days. WM shipments in the recent past are likely to be somewhat better spread, although HTC still undoubtedly ships the lion’s share of terminals using the platform.

Presentation highlights

In a presentation at Mobile World Congress 2009, Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, said there are already eleven “unique” Windows Mobile-powered devices, which have sold more than one million units, an achievement deemed “phenomenal by any stretch of the imagination”.

In the previous twelve months, “more than 30″ Windows Mobile phones were brought to market, with Microsoft’s partners including “more than 50 companies that make phones, over 160 mobile phone operators, and almost 500,000 software development companies that are writing applications”.

[Further reference: Microsoft reveals new Windows phones with Marketplace and My Phone services -- Microsoft, 16 February 2009; @ MWC: we learned just how great of a partner HTC is to Microsoft -- mocoNews.net, 17 February 2009.]

2 Smart devices

2 ACCESS
2 ACCESS and NEC develop Linux device reference design
2 Acer
2 Acer updates handheld product line
3 ARCHOS
3 ARCHOS IMT
3 ARCHOS plans to marry PMPs with Android
4 GIGA-BYTE
4 Comment
5 Garmin-Asus nuvifone M20
5 Dell
5 AT&T sparks more Dell smartphone rumours
5 Garmin-Asus
5 Garmin-Asus turn to WM for second GPS smartphone
6 HTC
6 HTC Magic
6 Still no launch date for nuvifone G60
6 Second Android device unveiled; Vodafone part-exclusive
7 HTC Touch Diamond2
7 HTC Touch Pro2
7 HTC updates Touch Diamond and Pro
8 HTC conservative in Q1; ODM business to close
9 Huawei
9 Huawei showcases first Android device at MWC
9 i-mate
9 i-mate 810-F
9 i-mate goes rugged with latest smartphone
10 INQ Mobile
10 Intrinsyc Software International
10 LG Electronics
10 LG throws weight behind Windows Mobile
10 Comment
11 LG Electronics LG-GM730
11 LG Electronics LG-GM730
12 LiMo Foundation
12 LiMo Foundation names 2009 officers
12 New Symbian OS device discreetly debuted
12 LiMo platform moving forward; support reiterated
13 Comment
14 MontaVista Software
14 LiMo presence muted at Mobile World Congress
14 New LiMo Foundation supporters
15 Microsoft
15 Windows 6.5 announced; supporting services unveiled
15 “Windows phones”
15 Supporter statements
16 HTC dominance
16 Presentation highlights
16 Motorola
16 Nokia
17 Nokia E55
17 Nokia E75
17 Nokia E75
17 Eseries updated with two new smartphones
17 Nokia E55
17 Nokia E75
18 Nokia 6710 Navigator
18 Nokia 6720 Classic
18 Nokia unveils new Classic and Navigator devices
18 Nokia 6710 Navigator
18 Nokia 6720 Classic
19 Nokia N86 8MP
19 OMTP
19 Nokia debuts first eight-megapixel camera phone
19 New buddies Nokia and Qualcomm plan Symbian alliance
20 Open Handset Alliance
20 Intel undertaking “massive” Android effort
20 Google complied with Apple multi-touch demand — report
21 Pantech
21 Pantech Matrix Pro
21 AT&T debuts Pantech’s Matrix Pro
21 Purple Labs
21 Esmertec to acquire Purple Labs
22 Palm
22 Research In Motion
22 RIM ups subscriber add forecast
23 3G Curve mooted
24 Samsung
24 Samsung OMNIA HD
24 Samsung unveils its first Symbian OS touch device
24 Comment
25 Sony Ericsson
25 Sony Ericsson Idou
25 Sony Ericsson previews intriguing Symbian OS device
25 Comment
26 Sony Ericsson trumpets Entertainment Unlimited
27 Sony Ericsson W995
27 New Walkman device boasts impressive feature set
27 “Very different” Xperia product planned — report
28 Sun Microsystems
28 Sun debuts Java handset platform
29 ZTE
29 Symbian Foundation
29 More backers named for Symbian Foundation
29 Telstra
29 Telstra trumpets tailored Windows Mobile interface

30 Mobile value-added services

30 Advertising
30 Telefónica trumpets mobile advertising products
30 Mobistar and BASE partner with Microsoft for mobile ads
31 Applications
31 Vodafone partners with Opera for custom Opera Mini
31 O2 seeks customers to join Litmus
32 Broadcast
32 Apple having negative app pricing impact — ABI
32 Korean mobile broadcast failing to gain ground — report
33 Games
33 bmcoforum to assess cellular/broadcast business model
33 Enterprise
33 3 HK launches robust BlackBerry services
34 Location-based services
34 América Móvil working with Nokia on LBS
35 m-commerce
35 Zain planning African m-commerce rollout
35 GSM Association names more money-transfer partners…
36 …and partners with Gates Foundation to drive m-banking
36 Telstra claims contactless payment trial success
37 O2 Czech Republic announces multi-application NFC trial
37 Migrant worker contraction to impact money transfers
38 Messaging
38 China Telecom launches SMS content service
38 Motorola sells Good Technology business
39 Multimedia
39 Lack of synergy — Synchronica
39 Qtel updates mobile TV services
40 Music
40 SK and RealNetworks extend mobile music partnership
40 Orange Romania launches Music Store
40 Cricket launches Mobile Music service
41 Portals
41 Vodafone India blocks third-party content service
41 Nokia set for Singapore Comes With Music launch
41 Orange partners with Sony Ericsson for multimedia
42 TeliaSonera names 2008 SurfPort Awards winners
42 T-Mobile revamps web’n'walk with widget support
42 Orange trumpets widget support; app store extended
43 Sony Ericsson names Content Awards winners
43 Application store extension
43 Verizon intros content optimisation for Mobile Web
44 BASE revamps mobile portal…
44 …and partners with Aspiro for content store
44 SE to integrate mobile internet apps for 3 Group
45 Yahoo! debuts revamped mobile internet portal
45 Telstra buys into Chinese content market
46 Verizon announces cross-platform sync service
46 AT&T updates mobile internet parental controls
47 Services
47 More Windows Live operator partnerships announced
47 América Móvil partnership
47 Telefónica Latin America deal
47 Orascom alliance
48 SIMessenger launch with Personal
48 Nokia hit by Ovi outage; service credentials dented
49 French operators team for enhanced comms pilot
49 Telefónica partners with Ericsson for RCS trial
50 Google betas PIM sync technology
51 Social networking
51 Social networking tops interest for mobile users
51 Storefronts
51 T-Mobile and Nokia partner for content sale
52 Nokia launches Ovi content store
52 User-generated content
52 Ericsson shows social-networking products for operators
53 Voice services
53 PTT penetration growing in Americas; elsewhere, nada
53 Nokia to integrate Skype with devices
54 Operator content deals
54 Operator technology deals

56 Markets and trends

56 Smart devices
56 Nomura brands smartphone forecasts optimistic
56 Dual-mode device shipments to double by 2010
57 MVAS
57 Initiatives
57 Mobile value-added services
57 App store fragmentation could stifle industry
57 Comment
58 People
58 Qtel joins MEF board
59 Third parties triumph at GSM Association Awards
60 Index

INDEX

SYMBOLS
3, 15, 16, 26
- Australia, 23, 26
- Austria, 4, 26
- Hong Kong, 5
- Italy, 4
- UK, 16
2009 Mobile World Congress, 2, 19, 28
A
ABI Research, 4, 25
Acision, 26, 27
Adobe Systems, 28
Alcatel-Lucent, 2, 4, 27
Al Jazeera, 11
Amdocs, 26
- ChangingWorlds, 26
America Movil, 6, 19, 20
AOL, 17
Apple, 4, 17, 22, 28, 29
- iPhone, 4, 17, 22, 28, 29
- iTunes, 4
Aspiro, 16
AT&T, 18, 28, 29, 30
B
BASE, Belgium, 2, 16, 26
Batelco, Bahrain, 26
BBC, 11, 30
Belgacom, 7
- Belgacom International Carrier Services, 7
Bharti Airtel, India, 13, 30
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 8
bit-side, 6
Blyk, 26, 29
Boost Communications, 14
Bouygues Telecom, 21
Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum, 5
C
Celltick, 13, 26
China M, 17
China Mobile, 17, 26
China Telecom, 10
- Sichuan Telecom, 10, 26
Citigroup, 7
Claro, Brazil, 13, 26
CNBC, 11
CNN, 11
Colibria, 27
Comverse Technology, 28
COSMOTE, Greece, 26
E
Electronic Arts, 14
- EA Mobile, 14
EMI, 12
End2End, 5, 27
Entel PCS, Chile, 26
Ericsson, 15, 21, 24
eServGlobal, 7
ESPN, 11
Eutelsat Communications, 4
F
Facebook, 14, 16, 23
France Telecom
- Orange, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 28
FusionOne, 18
G
Gartner, 10
Google, 22, 28
- Gmail, 17, 22
- Google Sync, 22
- YouTube, 16
GSM Association, 7, 8, 21, 28, 30
- Global Mobile Awards, 30
I
INQ Mobile
- INQ1, 23
J
Juniper Research, 9
K
Kirusa, 27
KPN, 5, 16
L
Leap Wireless
- Cricket Communication, 12, 27
LG Electronics, 24
LiveWire Mobile, 12, 27
M
mediaFLO USA, 30
Media Team, 14
Microsoft, 2, 10, 19, 20, 22, 28
- ActiveSync, 22
- MSN, 19
- Windows Live, 16, 17, 19, 20
- Windows Mobile, 17, 22, 28
Mobile Entertainment Forum, 29
Mobistar, Belgium, 2
MobiTV, 30
Mocospace, 23
Motorola, 10, 11, 17
- Good Technology, 10, 11
MTS, Russia, 27
MySpace, 23
N
National Australia Bank, 8
NEC, 28
Netcore, 13
Network Ten, Australia, 26
Neverfail, 5
News Corp
- MySpace, 23
NFL, US, 26
Nokia, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29
- 5800 XpressMusic, 13
- Comes With Music, 13
- Forum Nokia, 24
- Intellisync, 10
- N79, 13
- N96, 4, 13
- N97, 25
- Nokia Maps, 6
- Nokia Music Store, 12
- Nseries, 25
- Ovi, 20, 23, 24, 28
- Ovi Store, 23, 24, 28
- S60, 24, 28
- Series 40, 17, 23, 24
Novarra, 15, 27
NXP Semiconductors, 9
O
Open Handset Alliance
- Android, 22, 28
Openwave Systems, 23
Opera Software, 3, 14
- Opera Mini, 3
Orange Group, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 28
- Belgium, 2
- France, 21
- Orange Application Shop, 15
- Orange Downloads, 13
- Orange Games, 13
- Orange Music Store, 13
- Orange Photo, 13
- Orange World, 12
- Romania, 12
Orascom Telecom, 19
P
Personal, Argentina, 20
Q
Qtel, Qatar, 11, 12, 29
- Mozaic Mobile TV, 11
- MyTones, 12
Qualcomm
- BREW, 28
R
RAI, Italy, 4
RBS Group, 7
RealNetworks, 10, 11, 12, 26, 27
Redknee, 27
Regions
- Americas, 6, 8, 19, 25
- Argentina, 19, 20
- Brazil, 13, 19, 26
- Canada, 17
- Chile, 19, 26
- Colombia, 19
- Ecuador, 19
- El Salvador, 19
- Guatemala, 19
- Jamaica, 19
- Mexico, 6, 9, 19
- Nicaragua, 19
- North America, 23, 25
- Panama, 19
- Peru, 19
- Puerto Rico, 19
- Uruguay, 19
- US, 4, 12, 17, 26, 27, 28, 30
- APAC, 3, 4, 8, 29
- Australia, 8, 13, 17, 23, 26
- Bangladesh, 19
- China, 10, 17, 26
- Hong Kong, 5
- India, 9, 13, 17, 27
- Indonesia, 17
- Japan, 4, 28
- Korea, 4, 19, 26
- New Zealand, 5
- Pakistan, 19
- Philippines, 9, 17
- Singapore, 13
- South Korea, 4
- EMEA
- Africa, 3, 7, 8
- Algeria, 19
- Austria, 4, 12, 14, 26
- Belgium, 2, 16, 26
- Czech Republic, 9, 26, 27
- Egypt, 3, 5, 19
- France, 4, 15, 17, 21, 23, 28
- Germany, 4, 6, 14, 17, 23, 26
- Greece, 26
- Ireland, 26
- Italy, 4, 23, 27
- Lithuania, 14
- Middle East, 3, 29
- Netherlands, 14
- North Africa, 29
- Russia, 27
- Spain, 21, 23, 28
- Switzerland, 12
- Tanzania, 7
- Tunisia, 19
- Turkey, 5, 27
- UK, 4, 5, 13, 15, 17, 23, 26, 29
- Zimbabwe, 19
Research In Motion, 10, 17
- BlackBerry, 5, 10, 22
Roxy Recordings, 14
S
Safaricom, Kenya, 30
- M-PESA, 30
Samsung, 14, 17, 24
SEVEN, 10
SFR, France, 21
Shape Services, 15
Sharp Point, 17
SK Telecom, 12, 26
Skype, 14, 25
Sony
- Sony BMG, 12
Sony Ericsson, 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22
- Cyber-shot C510, 16
- Xperia, 15
Spb Software, 15
SpinVox, 25, 26
Sprint, 25, 26
Standard Chartered, 7
Symbian Foundation, 24, 28, 29
- Symbian OS, 24, 28
Synchronica, 11, 26
T
Tata Communications, 16, 26
Technology
- Android, 22, 28
- BREW, 28
- DMB, 4
- DVB-H, 4
- DVB-SH, 4
- Flash Lite, 15
- FLO, 30
- GPS, 3, 6
- IM, 21, 25, 27
- IP, 28
- Java, 3, 13, 19, 20, 23, 28
- NFC, 8, 9
- PTT, 25
- Symbian OS, 24, 28
- VoIP, 25
- widgets, 14, 17, 23, 24
- Wi-Fi, 25
- Windows Mobile, 17, 22, 28
Telecom Italia, 15, 27
- TIM, 27
Telefonica, 2, 9, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27
- Movistar, Chile, 6
- O2, 3, 9, 27, 28, 29
- O2 Litmus, 3
- O2 Czech Republic, 9, 27
- O2 UK, 3, 29
- Spain, 21
TeliaSonera, 14
- SurfPort, 14
Telstra, 8, 17, 25, 26, 30
- Mobile FOXTEL, 30
- Voice2Text, 25
T-Mobile International, 14, 23, 29
Turkcell, 27, 30
U
Uganda Telecom, 27
Universal Music, 12, 26
Unyverse, 15
V
Velti, 26
Verizon Wireless, 3, 11, 15, 18, 26, 27
- Optimized View for Mobile Web, 15
- V CAST, 11, 27
Vipnet, Croatia, 4
Visafone, Nigeria, 27
Visa International, 8
Visto, 10, 11
Vodafone Group, 3, 5, 13, 15, 27, 28, 30
- India, 5, 13, 27
- M-PESA, 30
- Netherlands, 30
Volantis, 26
W
Warner Bros
- Warner Music, 12
WeatherBug, 3
Western Union, 7
Wmode, 16, 26
Y
Yahoo!, 17, 19
- oneSearch, 19
- Yahoo Mobile, 17
YouTube, 16
Z
Zain Group, 7
- Zap, 7
ZED, 15

Smart Devicewatch, issue 2008.10-12 snapshot

AB — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:16:37 +0000

TOP STORIES: Ailing Motorola announced its new strategy, saying farewell to Symbian OS and MOTOMAGX, with Android and Windows Mobile named as platforms of choice. The company has also tightened its geographic focus, concentrating on the Americas and certain APAC markets. [pp.9,71-74.]

Issue: 2008.10-12
Covering: mid-October to mid-December 2008
Published: December 2008
Next issue: January 2009

Keeping track of worldwide developments in higher-end mobile devices. A unique monthly report for the industry.

About Smart Devicewatch
Executive Brief
Extract
Table of Contents
Index

ABOUT SMART DEVICEWATCH

Smart Devicewatch provides mobile operators, vendors and service providers with a full and quickly digestible industry perspective of the high-end connected device market, delivering comprehensive tracking of all operating platforms, products (actual, planned and rumoured), and other significant developments and trends. The service has always taken both a global view and a neutral perspective on technology, long providing in-depth coverage of Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, mobile Linux, OS X (iPhone), BlackBerry, Java, and others.
High-end devices continue to evolve at speed, both in terms of technology and business models, with the increasing convergence with value-add services maintaining their importance at the heart of operator strategy.
Smart Devicewatch is naturally partnered with, Mobile Serviceswatch, which provides comprehensive coverage of VAS and so completes coverage of the compelling and rapidly-developing value-added ‘solutions’ story.
Our ‘watch’ titles are repeatedly described by clients and end-users as the single most valuable source of third-party intelligence. Considered invaluable by many high-achieving commercial teams and account directors.
A unique source of valuable opportunities, knowledge, planning, strategy, and much more. Both tactical tool and strategic reference. An invaluable reference, input and even springboard for corporate planning, reporting, and meetings.
A ‘must-have’ for sales teams focused on high-value sales, maintaining strategic relationships, and managing extended sales cycles. Just one nugget, insight, or validation can pay for the service many times over.
Pricing typically USD $4k / EUR EUR3k / UKP £2.5k per year for a workgroup or small/midsize account, tailored to meet your needs and situation. Delivered electronically 10-12 times a year. Also available are back issues, which provide unparalleled reference and insight into major events, strategic initiatives, financials and KPIs.
Contact us for further information, including samples and evaluation trial requests. info@marketmettle.com / +44-20-7083-0055.
Below is a free taster from issue 2008.10-12 (October-December 2008), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

SYMBIAN OS: More backers were announced for the Symbian Foundation, with device maker Huawei promising a “portfolio” of handsets based on the platform. Nokia completed its acquisition of Symbian, in line with its plan to take the technology open source. [pp.3-4.]

Nokia announced another touch-screen S60 device, the slider-form N97, while its previous touch device, the 5800 Xpress Music, began shipping. Nokia pulled out of the Japanese market, having failed to gain traction in the country. Also announced was the E63 QWERTY smartphone, intended to add some prosumer appeal to the form factor. Targeting the Chinese market, Nokia also announced plans to offer a TD-SCDMA S60 device. [pp.11,15,10.]

NTT DoCoMo announced a handset portfolio refresh, with eight new Symbian OS devices on offer, manufactured by Fujitsu and Sharp. AT&T apparently sees Symbian OS as its mid-range platform of choice, which would mark a significant change of strategy for the company. Samsung unveiled another S60 smartphone, the I7110. [pp.16-18,7-8,19.]

WINDOWS MOBILE: Windows Mobile 6.5 came into the spotlight, after Microsoft and Motorola executives made reference to the platform — previously the anticipation had been for WM7. It was revealed that Internet Explorer Mobile 6 will only be available for new devices, which may displease owners of current “flagship” devices. [pp.21,22.]

LG Electronics and Microsoft inked a “mobile convergence” partnership, which will include work on Windows Mobile devices. [p.34]

Several US operators embraced Windows Mobile fully with new portfolio refreshes, confirming touch screens as a user interface of choice. AT&T is offering HTC’s Touch Pro, branding the unit FUZE, as well as LG Electronics’ first US smartphone, Incite, and the Samsung Epix. Rival Verizon Wireless debuted HTC’s Touch Pro, the dual-mode CDMA/GSM Samsung Saga, and the CDMA variant of Samsung’s OMNIA. Sprint is also offering the CDMA Touch Pro. [pp.30,35,41,40,31.]

HTC is holding its Touch HD back from the US market, sparking some criticism from potential customers of the flagship Windows Mobile device. HTC announced what was claimed to be the world’s first dual-mode GSM/WiMAX terminal, for Russian operator Yota. Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo added two Touch devices to its enterprise portfolio. [pp.27,28,29.]

ASUS trumpeted the “fastest” Windows Mobile device, powered by an 800MHz processor, while O2 UK announced that an ASUS unit is its first Xda available on pre-paid. HP partnered with Vodafone Group to offer two business-oriented handhelds. [pp.25,26.]

There were sightings of the long-anticipated Windows Mobile device that ZTE is readying for Vodafone Group, which looks to be a mid-range proposition. Palm was again said to be readying a CDMA Treo Pro variant. Troubled i-mate is to offer its first device in Japan. [pp.42,39,31-32.]

MOBILE LINUX/OS X: 14 more companies signed up for the Open Handset Alliance, with the most interesting names from a device standpoint being ASUS, Garmin, Huawei, Sony Ericsson, and Toshiba. Motorola also named Android as its Linux platform of choice, at the expense of its own MOTOMAGX technology. Several new Android devices were reported, with activity centred around APAC markets — especially China. The Android source code was made available. [pp.47-51,62-63,53,58,54.]

Apple revealed its quarterly iPhone sales, boasting that it had shipped more devices than RIM during the quarter, and that it was the third-biggest mobile phone company in revenue terms. There was some concern that AT&T is becoming dependent on the iPhone for growth, although the operator also said that the unit is driving sales of other “converged” devices. [pp.59,60.]

Motorola announced two more mid-tier Linux devices, the VE66 and EM35. NTT DoCoMo added nine new Linux terminals to its range, from manufacturers NEC and Panasonic. [pp.63-64,64-66.]

ACCESS again trumpeted its work with NTT DoCoMo, but there is still no sign of commercial devices. China Mobile is readying its own device OS, which may be based on a variant of the Open Handset Alliance’s Android. [pp.43,61.]

OTHER OSs: The “big five” handset vendors issued their quarterly results, generally suffering at the hands of a jittery market. Sony Ericsson jumped to third place in the market by volume, faring less badly than Motorola and LG Electronics, while Samsung’s numbers were sound — but Nokia failed to impress. Both Nokia and Samsung also issued warnings over the future performance of the device market. [pp.88-89,71-74,69,86,74.]

Research In Motion also said it is seeing the effects of the economic decline, although it appears to be experiencing slowed growth, rather than slowing sales. The touch-screen BlackBerry Storm reached the market, although the unit appeared to be suffering from significant teething troubles. The Curve 8900 (Javelin) was officially announced. [pp.78,79-81,82-83.]

Palm issued a disappointing set of preliminary results, citing “reduced demand for maturing smartphone and handheld products”. There was speculation that a new device will be announced in January 2009, powered by Palm’s new Linux platform. [p.77.]

Qualcomm released the software development kit for its new Brew platform, which includes close integration with Adobe’s Flash technology. Nokia announced the SDK for its S40 6th Edition platform, enabling creation of applications and services for mass-market devices. [pp.67,76.]

LG Electronics is planning a smartphone push, having managed to secure a strong “premium” position through its design-led feature phones. Speaking of which, a new Prada was unveiled. [pp.70.]

TRENDS: Nokia and Symbian were uncharacteristic losers in the third-quarter mobile device market, as rivals including Apple, RIM, and HTC outperformed the market, analyst firm Canalys said. A subsequent report from Gartner warned of slowed smartphone market growth, again citing Nokia as a poor performer. [pp.90-91,91-92.]

Freescale Semiconductor is looking to dispose of its mobile silicon business, with recent consolidation in the market leaving the company somewhat isolated. NTT DoCoMo is working with Fujitsu, Renesas Technology, and Sharp on 3G handset technology, extending an earlier alliance. Qualcomm trumpeted its Snapdragon products for MIDs. [pp.94,95.]

EXTRACT

MICROSOFT

Windows Mobile 6.5 subject to speculation

Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.5 platform became the focus of attention, after its existence was revealed in a recent Motorola conference call (see separate report). Previously, Windows Mobile 7 had been trumpeted as the great hope for Windows Mobile.

Interest in the platform increased after Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft, also referenced Windows Mobile 6.5 in an investor briefing for Australian operator Telstra, indicating that the platform will be introduced during 2009. This fits with Motorola’s intention of offering devices based on the platform in time for the Christmas 2009 holiday sales period.

The biggest change is likely to be in terms of look-and-feel, with the personal computer-type appearance of Windows Mobile 6.1 likely to be replaced with an overhauled user interface — probably with enhanced touch capabilities. It will also include the improved Internet Explorer Mobile 6 browser, which is set for release imminently (see separate report)

Website Smartphone France published images that apparently indicate what Windows Mobile 6.5 will look like, although it was swiftly noted that some of the icons were clearly lifted from Apple screenshots. It is possible that WM6.5 will resemble Windows Vista in terms of design, and the integration of Zune media player elements is also a strong possibility.

A significant issue is how far WM6.5 will go towards addressing Microsoft’s weaknesses in a market that has been transformed by the introduction of Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android-powered devices. With previous reports indicating that WM7 would be the tool to do this, there is a danger that WM6.5 will be something of a stop gap, and a distraction that will mean WM7 is not available unit 2010 — during which time, Microsoft’s rivals will have also moved on.

With Ballmer’s comments adding uncertainly, rather than clarity, to the picture, there is a danger that buyers will hold off from making new device purchases until it is clear what the future holds, especially if there is a drastically better user experience around the corner. With global economic conditions looking uncertain, purchasers may be taking a more conservative view, which may further impact Windows Mobile sales.

BetaNews reported that Microsoft’s public relations department had claimed that although Ballmer’s comments should be treated as “candid”, they do not form the announcement of an official company roadmap. However, information from Ballmer can reasonably be treated as gospel when it comes to Microsoft’s future plans; and it is almost guaranteed he would not have made a reference that was not intended to be repeated.

[Further reference: Windows Mobile 6.5 confirmed -- Mobility Today, 7 November 2008; Ballmer confirms Windows Mobile 6.5 -- TrustedReviews, 10 November 2008; Ballmer: Windows Mobile 6.5 set for H2 2009, so whither WM7? -- BetaNews, 10 November 2008.]

No IE upgrades for existing WM devices

It was revealed that Microsoft’s anticipated next-generation Internet Explorer (IE) Mobile 6 browser will only be available to buyers of new devices, rather than as an update option for existing smartphone users.

As the capabilities of competing devices have improved, IE Mobile has for some time been seen as something of a weak link in the Windows Mobile picture. As a result, many device makers are now bundling terminals with an alternative browser, such as Opera Mobile.

According to Microsoft, the “rich media experiences that IE Mobile 6 enables require more powerful, advanced devices”. However, it was noted that updated versions of existing devices are likely to also include the new browser, indicating that existing hardware is, in many cases, up to the job.

Some more critical observers said that the move is another example of Microsoft producing bloated code and calling on improved hardware to compensate, rather than creating efficient software in the first place. In addition, owners of devices such as the HTC Touch Diamond/Pro, Samsung OMNIA, or Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 will find their high-end devices unable to be upgraded, despite having high hardware specifications, only shortly after these smartphones have reached the market.

The first terminals including the browser are expected to be released imminently, with devices for the Chinese market likely to be the first recipients.

IE Mobile 6 will apparently offer a “desktop like” browsing experience, with better layout support, enhanced Java script and AJAX capabilities, Flash Lite 3.1, touch and gesture recognition, multiple zoom levels, and “under the hood improvements”.

[Further reference: Internet Explorer Mobile update will require new devices -- PalmInfocenter, 13 November 2008; Internet Explorer Mobile 6 coming to China's Samsung OMNIA first -- IntoMobile, 18 November 2008.]

Microsoft reported to be working on own-brand device

It was again said that Microsoft is planning to launch an own-brand device, with several different rumours published concerning different elements of the project.

The subject of most of the speculation was a “highly evolved Zune codenamed ‘Pink’”, which would combine Microsoft’s Zune music player technology with consumer handset technology from Danger, a company acquired by Microsoft in February 2008. It was also suggested that the device will be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show during January 2009.

Subsequent reports proposed that the Pink is not, in fact, a device, but a software platform that will enable a Zune-type mobile entertainment experience to be delivered via other devices, such as Windows Mobile phones. This seems the more likely option, as it will enable Microsoft to continue in its role as platform provider, rather than switching to become a hardware vendor competing with its existing Windows Mobile licensees.

With Microsoft having secured four of the top-five handset makers as platform licensees, and a strong raft of tier-two partners such as HTC, it would seem foolish for Microsoft to risk this in order to deliver an own-brand device. While much has been made of Apple’s iPhone and its integrated device, music store, and application store front, Microsoft has the opportunity to deliver a similar integrated offering through its operator and device maker partners, without the need to actually manage all of the elements itself.

ZDNet has previously said that in addition to Pink, Microsoft is also working on Rouge, which is a more business-oriented counterpart to Pink, focusing on unified communications services.

Meanwhile, The Inquirer suggested that Microsoft is working on a device that will use a high-end graphics processor from Nvidia. This unit would apparently be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress during February 2009.

[Further reference: Microsoft makes a phone with Nvidia -- The Inquirer, 21 November 2008; Microsoft rumoured to be working on Zune "Pink" smartphone -- about-electronics.eu, 28 November 2008; Rumor smash: no Zune phone at CES -- Gizmodo, 10 December 2008.]

Microsoft apparently eyeing RIM

Microsoft was again reported to be looking at acquiring Research In Motion (RIM) to bolster its enterprise mobility play, with the recent significant decline in RIM’s stock price, due to the global financial situation, apparently making it a more appealing target.

The Microsoft-RIM rumours are not new, although, so far, there has been little evidence to back them up, other than market and analyst speculation. However, RIM’s share price has more than halved in recent months, making the company a considerably more affordable acquisition target. There has also been speculation that Microsoft has an order in place with brokers to start buying shares on the open market if the price drops below a pre-defined level.

While Microsoft has been present in the mobile market via its Windows Mobile platform for some time, it has so far failed to generate much traction, and seems to be suffering at the hands of new entrants to the market. It was recently announced that it had failed to achieve its target of 20 million licence sales in the twelve months to 30 June 2008, despite a wide number of devices using the platform being available from multiple vendors.

Research In Motion, in contrast, is on something of an operational high at the moment, having shipped more than six million devices during its most recent quarter, with several new high-profile terminals also recently announced. It is perceived as faring better in a world where Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android offerings are gaining both mindshare and market share, while Windows Mobile is fading in comparison.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle for a Microsoft-RIM alliance would be a regulatory one: between them, the two companies dominate the enterprise push-email market, through the Exchange ActiveSync and BlackBerry technologies respectively. With this in mind, there are likely to be concerns over the market power a combined entity would wield.

The companies have significant portfolio overlaps that would need to be addressed. A combined business would have two distinct enterprise push-email technologies, both of which have significant installed user bases, and addressing this duplication would be no easy task.

In addition, a decision would have to be made over how to deal with the collective device operating technology, specifically whether Microsoft would look to fully integrate BlackBerry with Windows Mobile, so that all BlackBerry devices run Windows Mobile, or whether it would continue to support the standalone Java-based BlackBerry handset platform separately from Windows Mobile.

However, perhaps the biggest conflict would derive from the fact that while Microsoft has strategically avoided conducting its own mobile device manufacture activities, instead opting to focus on its handset platform licensing activities, the majority of Research In Motion’s revenue comes from its BlackBerry devices. This could cause friction with the Microsoft Windows Mobile licensees that target enterprises using Microsoft’s push-email technology as an enabler, which would then find themselves with Microsoft (via RIM) as their largest competitor.

It was previously noted that Nokia had ended its support for BlackBerry mobile email services on its Eseries enterprise devices, which was deemed as a reaction to RIM becoming stronger in the mobile device market, while trumpeting extended support for Microsoft’s ActiveSync as an alternative from a non-handset manufacturing rival. This is perhaps indicative of the issues that a Microsoft-RIM alliance would face, with device makers having no real choice in the enterprise space other than to support a Microsoft platform.

Nevertheless, a purchase of RIM would still be costly, despite its reduced share price, with a figure of around $30bn mooted. Some observers noted that Microsoft would be better off focusing its cash on bolstering its position in the internet services business, following its aborted alliance with Yahoo!, rather than paying handsomely to buy a rival that has a technology portfolio that overlaps, rather than complements, Microsoft’s existing holdings.

[Further reference: Should Microsoft buy Research In Motion? -- CNet News, 10 October 2008; Microsoft reportedly eyeing for RIM -- Techtree, 15 October 2008; Microsoft to buy RIM? -- TelecomTV, 15 October 2008.]

3 SYMBIAN OS
3 Symbian
7 AT&T; Intrinsyc Software
9 Motorola
10 Nokia
16 NTT DOCoMo
19 Samsung
20 Sony Ericsson; UIQ
21 WINDOWS MOBILE
21 Microsoft
25 ASUS
26 Elef; Hewlett-Packard
27 HTC
31 i-mate
33 Intrinsyc Software
34 LG Electronics
35 Mio Technology
36 Motorola 37 NDrive
38 Neonode; Pantech
39 Palm; Pharos Science
40 Samsung
42 Sony Ericsson; ZTE
43 MOBILE LINUX/OS X
43 ACCESS 47 Android
59 Apple 61 China Mobile
62 IMOVIO; Motorola
64 NTT DOCoMo 66 Wind River
67 OTHER OS
67 Brew 68 Hutchison Whampoa
69 IXI Mobile; LG Electronics
71 Motorola 74 Nokia
77 Palm; Pantech; Peek
78 Research In Motion
85 Sharp
86 Samsung
88 Sony Ericsson
89 Verizon Wireless; ZTE
90 TRENDS
90 Metrics
93 Markets
94 Technology
96 INDEX

INDEX

3
3GPP, 94
A
ACCESS CO., 43-46, 77, 92
- ACCESS Systems Americas
- – ACCESS Linux Platform, 43-46
- – Garnet OS (Palm OS), 77, 92
Acer, Inc., 95
Aditya Birla Group
- Idea Cellular Ltd, 28
Adobe Systems, 15, 17, 22, 64, 67, 76
- Flash, 15, 17, 64, 67
- Flash Lite, 22, 76
América Móvil, 39
- Claro, 39
- – Argentina, 39
- – Chile, 39
- – Guatemala, 39
- – Puerto Rico, 39
- Telcel (Mexico), 39
Amoi Electronics, 68
Apache Foundation, 54
Apple, Inc., 7-8, 15, 21-24, 27, 36, 43, 50, 59-61, 73, 81, 90-92
- App Store, 8, 57, 59, 61
- Devices
- – iPhone 2G, 59-60
- Executives
- – Jobs, Steve, 59
- – Papermaster, Mark, 60
- iPod, 60
- iTunes, 8, 61
- OS X (Mac OS), 15, 43, 81, 91-92
- – iPhone 2.2, 59
Arima Computer Corp., 4, 20
ARM Holdings plc, 3-4, 49, 82
Asahi Kasei Corp
- Asahi Kasei Microsystems (AKM)
- – AKM Semiconductor, Inc., 49
ASUSTeK Computer, Inc. (ASUS), 25-26, 47, 50-51, 95
- Devices
- – Eee, 47
- – P565, 25
- Glide, 25
AT&T, 5, 7-8, 13, 27, 30, 35, 37-38, 40-41, 60, 70, 73, 81, 84, 87
- – AT&T Epix (Samsung), 40-41
- – AT&T Eternity (Samsung), 86-87
- – AT&T Fuze (HTC Touch Pro), 29-30
- – Xpress Mail, 41
Atheros Communications, 49
Augmentra, 4
Bharti Group
- Bharti Airtel (India), 31
B
BITE Group, 4, 15
Borqs Beijing Ltd, 4, 49
C
Canalys, 90-91
Carl Zeiss, 76
Carphone Warehouse, 21, 83
Casio, 10
Certicom, 85
China Mobile, 14, 47, 49, 61
- Onephone (Lenovo), 61
Cicero Networks, 4
CIeNET Technologies Co., Ltd, 4
Comarch SA, 4
Compal Electronics, Inc., 95
Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, 23, 49, 77
CTIA, 63
D
Dell, 39
Deutsche Telekom
- T-Mobile International, 13, 27-28, 45, 47-49, 55-56, 58, 62, 77, 82-84
- – Devices
- – - G1 (HTC/Android), 27, 29, 47-49, 53, 55-56, 58
- – - G2 (HTC/Android), 55, 58
- – - MDA Vario IV (HTC Touch Pro), 28
- – - Sidekick, 45
- – Germany, 82
- – Poland, 11
- – UK, 48, 56
- – USA, 27, 56, 62, 77, 84
Digit Wireless
- Fastap, 89
E
eBay, 68, 77
- Skype Technologies, 68
Eclipse Foundation (Eclipse.org), 80
Elef, 26
- Touche, 26
Emblaze Mobile, 45
- Edelweiss Mobile, 45
EMG Technology AS, 60
Entel PCS, 39
EQO Communications, Inc., 4
Ericsson, 45, 48-49, 94-95
- Ericsson Mobile Platforms, 48, 94
European Union, 23
eXpansys plc, 39
F
Federal Communications Commission, US, 41-42
Flander, 4
France Télécom
- Orange, 27, 44, 64, 81-82
- – UK, 27, 81-82
Freescale Semiconductor, 72, 94
FUJISOFT, Inc., 4
Fujitsu, 3-4, 6, 17-18, 51, 95
- Devices,
- – F-01A (DoCoMo), 17-18
- – F-02A (DoCoMo), 17
- – F-03A (DoCoMo), 18
- – F-04A (DoCoMo), 18
- Fujitsu Services
- – Cell Telecom Ltd, 3-4
G
Garmin, 47, 50-51
- nuvifone, 47
Gartner, 91-92
Google, 21, 24, 43, 47-50, 53-54, 56-59, 61, 71
- Android (see also Open Handset Alliance), 9, 24, 29, 36, 43-44, 47-55, 57-58, 61-63, 70-73, 77, 80, 90, 92, 95
- Gmail, 53
- Google Gears, 80
- Google Maps, 59
- GooglePhone / gPhone, 47-48, 58
- Gtalk, 53
- Rubin, Andy, 54
- YouTube, 53, 88
GPS Technologies Company, Ltd (GPS-E), 34
GSM Association, 19, 23
- Mobile World Congress, 23
H
Haier, 46
Hewlett-Packard, 26
- Devices, 26
- – iPAQ, 26
- – iPAQ Data Messenger, 26
- – iPAQ Voice Messenger, 26
HiQ International AB, 4
Hitachi, 10
Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Ltd
- Foxconn Technology Group, 95
Hop-on, 49
HTC, 4, 10-11, 18, 22-23, 25, 27-31, 36, 39-40, 50-51, 53, 55-56, 58, 61, 73, 90-92, 95
- Devices
- – Dream (Android), 58
- – G1 (T-Mobile/Android), 27, 29, 47-49, 52-58, 62-63
- – G2 (T-Mobile/Android), 55, 58
- – HT-01A (DoCoMo), 27, 29
- – HT-02A (DoCoMo), 27, 29
- – MAX 4G, 28
- – P3300 (Artemis), 28
- – P3470 (Pharos), 39
- – P4350 (Herald), 28
- – P4550 / TyTN II (Kaiser), 10-11
- – S620 (Excalibur), 28
- – S621 (Excalibur), 28
- – Touch (Vogue), 10-11, 25, 27-31, 36, 39, 55-56, 90
- – Touch HD, 27, 29, 55
- – Touch Pro (Raphael), 27-31, 40
- – Touch Viva, 28
- – X7500 (Advantage), 28
- – X9500 (Shangri-La/Shift), 50
- Executives
- – Chou , Peter, 28, 56
- One & Company Design, 27
- TouchFLO, 25
- TouchFLO 3D, 28, 30
Huawei Technologies, 3-4, 47, 50-51
Hutchison Whampoa, 63, 68
- 3 Group, 68
- – X-Series, 68
- INQ Mobile, 63, 68
- – INQ1, 68
- – Meehan, Frank, 68
I
i-mate, 31-33
- Devices
- – Ultimate-series, 33
- – Ultimate 8502, 33
- Executives
- – Cragg, Bernard, 32
- – Morrison, Jim, 32
IBM, 14, 60
- Lotus Notes, 14
IMOVIO, 62
- iKIT, 62
Infineon Technologies, 72
Inmote BV, 4
InnoPath Software, 4
Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad
- Telecomunicaciones ICE, 39
Intel, 62, 68, 95
- Mobile Internet Device (MID), 95
Intrinsyc Software, 3-4, 7, 33-34
- Destinator Technologies, 33-34
- Soleus, 33-34
Inventec Appliance, 39, 95
ISB Corp., 3-4
iSuppli, 47, 81
IXI Mobile, 69
- Ogo, 69
- Ogo CC10, 69
J
Japan Approvals Institute for Telecommunications Equipment (JATE), 33
Japan Communications, Inc. (JCI), 33
Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH (Schneider-Kreuznach), 70
K
Kanrikougaku Kenkyusho Co., Ltd. (K3), 4
KDDI, Japan, 48-49
Kineto Wireless, 81
Kodak, 62, 94
- Kodak Pictures, 62, 94
Kogan Technolgies Pty Ltd, 57
- Agora, 57
- Agora Pro, 57
Korea Telecom, 58, 77
- Korea Telecom Freetel (KTF), 58, 77
Kyocera Wireless, 10, 48-49, 52
L
Lenovo, 61
- Onephone (China Mobile), 61
LG Electronics, 10, 34-35, 50-51, 54, 58, 69-71, 73, 88-89, 90, 93-95
- Devices
- – Incite, 34-35, 70
- – KC780, 69
- – KC910 (Renoir), 69
- – KU990 (Viewty), 34, 69
- – Prada, 34, 69-70
- – Secret, 69
LiMo Foundation, 43-44, 46, 49-51, 62
M
Marvell, 81
Matsushita
- Panasonic, 6, 10, 43-44, 50-51, 64-66
- – Devices
- – - P-01A (DoCoMo), 65
- – - P-02A (DoCoMo), 65
- – - P-03A (DoCoMo), 65
- – - P-04A (DoCoMo), 66
- – - P-05A (DoCoMo), 66
Micron Technology, Inc., 4
Microsoft, 9, 21-25, 32, 34, 36, 39-41, 51, 57, 80, 91
- ActiveSync, 24-25
- Danger, 21, 23
- – Sidekick (T-Mobile), 45
- Direct Push, 41
- Entertainment and Devices Division, 22
- Exchange Server, 21, 24
- Executives
- – Bach, Robbie, 22
- – Ballmer, Steve , 21, 57
- – Lees, Andy, 21
- – Myerson, Terry, 21
- Mobile Device Manager, 41
- Windows (other), 16, 21, 29, 34-35, 37, 39-42, 49-50, 53, 55, 70, 88
- – Windows CE, 16, 37, 50
- – Windows Vista, 21, 39
- Windows Mobile, 4, 7, 9, 14-16, 21-26, 28-31, 33-42, 47-51, 53, 55, 57, 70, 72-73, 77, 87, 92, 94-95
- – Smartphone Edition, 92
- – Standard Edition, 41-42
- – WM5, 39
- – WM6, 21, 26, 28, 30-31, 36-42
- – WM6.1, 21, 26, 28, 31, 36-38, 41-42
- – WM6.5, 21, 36
- – WM7, 21, 36
- Zune, 21, 23
- – Zune (Pink), 23
- – Zune (Rouge), 23
- – Zune Phone, 23
Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Tigo), 39
- Guatemala, 39
MiTAC Group, 35
- Mio Technology, 35
Mitsubishi, 6, 10, 16
MontaVista Software, 44, 47
Motorola, 6, 9-10, 20, 21, 36-37, 41, 50-51, 54, 58-59, 62-64, 69, 71-74, 88, 90-91, 94
- Devices
- – AURA, 71
- – EM35, 62-64
- – Krave ZN4, 71
- – MOTO Q, 36-37, 72
- – MOTO Q 11, 36-37
- – MOTO Q 2, 36-37, 72
- – MOTO Q 9h, 36-37
- – MOTO Q Global, 36-37
- – MOTOMING, 71
- – MOTORAZR, 73
- – MOTOZINE, 62
- – V70, 71
- – VE66, 62-64
- – ZN5, 62
- – Jha, Sanjay, 9, 36, 62, 71-72
- – Mobile Messaging, 41, 62
- Mobile Device Business (MDB), 9, 36, 62, 71, 74
- MOTODEV, 63-64
- MOTOMAGX, 9, 62-64, 71-73
- P2K, 9, 71-73
- Symbol Technologies (rugged devices)
- – MC3000, 36
- – MC70, 36
- – MC75, 36
- – MC9000, 36
N
NAVTEQ, 26
NDrive, 37
- S300, 37
- S400, 37
NEC, 6, 10, 43-44, 50-51, 64-66
- Devices
- – N-01A (DoCoMo), 65
- – N-02A (DoCoMo), 64
- – N-03A (DoCoMo), 64
- – N-04A (DoCoMo), 66
Neonode, 38
- Bystedt, Per, 38
- N2, 38
NII Holdings, Inc. (Nextel)
- Argentina, 49, 84-85
- Brazil, 49, 84-85
- Chile, 49, 84-85
- Mexico, 49, 84-85
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)
- NTT DoCoMo, Inc., 6, 8, 10, 16-18, 27, 29, 43-44, 49-50, 58, 64-66, 78, 95
- – Devices
- – - F-01A (Fujitsu), 17-18
- – - F-03A (Fujitsu), 18
- – - F-04A (Fujitsu), 18
- – - HT-01A (HTC Touch Pro), 27, 29
- – - HT-02A (HTC Touch Diamond), 27, 29
- – - N-01A (NEC), 65
- – - N-02A (NEC), 64
- – - N-03A (NEC), 64
- – - N-04A (NEC), 66
- – - P-01A (Panasonic), 65
- – - P-02A (Panasonic), 65
- – - P-03A (Panasonic), 65
- – - P-04A (Panasonic), 66
- – - P-05A (Panasonic), 66
- – - PRIME-series, 16-18, 64-65
- – - PRO-series, 16, 18, 27, 29, 64, 78
- – - SH-01A (Sharp), 18
- – - SH-02A (Sharp), 17
- – - SH-03A (Sharp), 18
- – - SH-04A (Sharp), 11, 18
- – - SMART-series, 10, 16, 18, 50, 64, 66, 95
- – - STYLE-series, 16-17, 64-65
- – FOMA, 43-44
- – SH-Mobile G4, 95
Nokia, 3, 5-6, 8-16, 18, 20, 25, 29, 50-51, 59, 61, 73-76, 81, 90-92
- Devices
- – 330, 74
- – 5800 XpressMusic, 3, 14-15
- – 6260 Slide, 76
- – 6650, 12-13
- – 7710, 90
- – Eseries, 12-13, 25, 75, 90
- – - E61, 13
- – - E62, 13
- – - E63, 11-12
- – - E65, 90
- – - E71 (Liam), 10, 12, 16, 18, 29
- – - E72, 12
- – Nseries, 9-10, 9-13, 16, 74-75, 90
- – - N75, 13
- – - N79, 9-10
- – - N82, 10
- – - N85, 9-10
- – - N95, 16, 90
- – - N95 8GB, 16
- – - N96, 10, 15-16, 90
- – - N97, 10-11
- Executives
- – Harlow, Jo, 15
- – Laing, Ian, 13
- – Petersen, Soren, 12
- – Simonson, Rick, 74
- – Snorgaard, Aage, 76
- – Williams, Lee, 5
- Forum Nokia, 76
- Ovi, 14
- – Nokia Maps, 14
- S60, 5, 9-10, 14-16, 19-20, 76
- – S60 3rd Edition, 16, 19
- – S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1, 16
- – S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2, 19
- Series 40, 76
- – 6th Edition, 76
- Trolltech, 16
- – Qtopia (Qt), 16
- XpressMusic, 3, 14-15
NVIDIA, 23
NXP Semiconductors, 94
O
OMRON Software, 49
Open Handset Alliance, 9, 24, 29, 34, 36, 43-44, 47-55, 57-58, 61-63, 70-73, 77, 80, 90, 92, 95
- Android, 9, 24, 29, 36, 43-44, 47-55, 57-58, 61-63, 70-73, 77, 80, 90, 92, 95
Openmoko, Inc., 49
- GTA02, 49
- Neo FreeRunner, 49
Opera Software, 22, 40, 62
Ovum, 49
P
Pacific Crest Corp., 84
Palm, Inc., 28, 36, 39, 52, 56, 77, 92
- Devices
- – Centro, 56, 77
- – Treo, 39
- – Treo 750, 39
- – Treo 800w (Drucker), 39
- – Treo 850e, 39
- – Treo Pro (Treo 850), 39
- Ex-executives
- – Brown, Andrew, 77
- – Hartnett, John, 77
- Executives
- – Jeffries, Douglas, 77
- Palm OS, 77, 92
Pantech, 38, 77
- duo/C810, 38
- Presto, 77
Peek, Inc., 77
Pharos Science and Applications, 39
- Traveler 117, 39
- Traveler 127, 39
Pioneer Corp., 52
Q
QiGi, 53
- i6-Goal, 53
- i6-Win, 53
Qualcomm, Inc., 9, 36, 39, 52, 55, 67-68, 71-72, 75, 77, 87, 94-95
- Brew Mobile Platform, 67, 71
- FLO/MediaFLO, 87
Quanta Computer, 95
Quantum SpA, 70
R
Red Bend Software, Inc., 4
Regions
- Americas, 9, 27, 33, 36, 39, 42, 62, 72-73, 75, 85, 92
- – Argentina, 39, 85
- – Brazil, 26, 33, 85
- – Canada, 78, 83, 89
- – Chile, 39, 85
- – Costa Rica, 39
- – Guatemala, 39
- – Latin America, 33, 39, 85
- – Mexico, 39, 85
- – North America, 9, 27, 42, 62, 72-73, 75, 85, 92
- – Puerto Rico, 39
- – South America, 9
- – US, 3-4, 7, 10-13, 19, 27, 32, 34-35, 38, 40-42, 47, 55-56, 60-62, 69-71, 74-75, 77-79, 81, 84-85, 90
- APAC, 8-9, 19, 27, 33, 47, 54, 66, 72, 75, 77, 90, 92
- – Australasia, 32
- – Australia, 21, 57, 60, 81
- – China, 4, 14, 22, 33-34, 42, 46-47, 49, 53-54, 58, 61, 68-69, 72, 75
- – Hong Kong, 15, 34
- – India, 15, 28, 31-32, 60, 69, 88
- – Japan, 6, 8-10, 16, 29, 33, 43, 48-50, 59, 64, 85, 90, 92, 95
- – New Zealand, 39, 57
- – Philippines, 60
- – Puerto Rico, 39
- – Singapore, 60
- – South Korea, 58, 66, 70, 77-78, 93
- – Taiwan, 15, 29, 61
- EMEA, 10, 26-27, 32-33, 41, 70, 73, 75, 77, 87, 90
- – Africa, 75
- – Egypt, 59
- – Europe, 10, 26-27, 33, 41, 70, 73, 75, 77, 87, 90
- – Finland, 15, 75
- – France, 21, 70, 81
- – Germany, 70, 82-83
- – Ireland, 81
- – Israel, 45
- – Italy, 41, 70
- – Netherlands, 41, 70
- – Russia, 15, 19, 28, 32, 45
- – Spain, 14-15, 41, 70, 84
- – United Kingdom, 16, 26-27, 41-42, 48, 56, 59, 70, 79-83
Reliance Communications (India), 31
Renesas Technology, 4, 95
Research In Motion, 7, 10, 16, 22, 24-25, 29, 59, 73, 78-85, 90-93
- Devices
- – BlackBerry 8220 (Pearl Flip/Kickstart/Seawolf), 78, 84, 90
- – BlackBerry 8300 (Curve), 82
- – BlackBerry 8310 (Curve GPS), 83
- – BlackBerry 8350i (Curve/iDEN), 83-85
- – BlackBerry 83xx-/89xx-series (Curve), 82-84
- – BlackBerry 8900 Curve (Javelin), 82-83
- – BlackBerry 9000 Bold (Meteor GSM), 7, 10, 16, 18, 29, 78, 80-84, 90
- – BlackBerry 9500 (Storm GSM), 81
- – BlackBerry 9530 (Storm CDMA), 78
- – BlackBerry 9xxx (Pluto), 83
- Executives
- – Balsillie, Jim, 78
- Software
- – BlackBerry Application Center, 79
- – BlackBerry Application Storefront, 79
- – BlackBerry Connect, 81, 84
- – BlackBerry Enterprise Server, 79
- – BlackBerry OS / BlackBerry Device Software, 49, 80
- – BlackBerry Web Signals, 80
- – SureType, 84
Rogers Communications, Inc.
- Rogers Wireless, 83
S
Samsung Electronics, 3, 10, 19-20, 22, 36, 40-42, 44, 50-51, 54, 58-59, 73, 81, 86-88, 90, 93-95
- BizBee, 41, 87
- Devices
- – Access/A827, 44
- – Ace, 41-42
- – C6620 (Telecom Italia Mobile), 41
- – Epix, 40-41
- – Eternity (AT&T), 87
- – i7110, 19
- – Innov8, 19
- – SGH-i607 (BlackJack), 41
- – SGH-i780, 41, 87
- – SGH-i788, 41
- – SGH-I850 (innov8), 19
- – SGH-i900 (OMNIA), 22, 40-41
- – SGH-i907, 41
- – SGH-i907 (OMNIA/Epix), 41
- – SPH-i325, 42
- – SPH-i325 (Ace), 41-42, 41-42
- – TouchWiz, 87
- Executives
- – Choi, Geesung, 19
- – Northam, Philip, 19
- Samsung Mobile Innovator, 19
SanDisk, 81
SANYO, 10
Scalado, 4
Sciphone, 58
- Dream G2, 58
Shanghai Novarobo Technology Co., Ltd., 46
Shanghai RagenTek Communication Technology Co. Ltd, 33-34
- Cronos, 33-34
Sharp Corporation, 6, 11, 17-18, 45, 51, 59, 63, 85, 92, 95
- Devices
- – 9225H (SOFTBANK), 85
- – SH-01A (DoCoMo), 18
- – SH-02A (DoCoMo), 17
- – SH-03A (DoCoMo), 18
- – SH-04A (DoCoMo), 11, 18
Singapore Telecom, 60
- Optus (Australia), 60
SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc., 34
SK Telecom, 77-78
Smartphone Show, 3, 19-20
SOFTBANK CORP.
- SOFTBANK MOBILE, 4, 6, 10, 48-49, 59, 85
- – 9225H (Sharp), 85
Sony Corp, 94
Sony Ericsson, 6, 10, 16, 20, 22, 42, 47-48, 50-51, 59, 69, 71, 73, 88-89, 90
- Devices,
- – C902, 88
- – Cyber-shot, 48, 88-89
- – G705u, 88
- – LI, 47
- – Walkman, 48, 88-89
- – XPERIA, 22, 42, 88
- – XPERIA X1, 22, 42, 88
- Executives
- – Komiyama, Hideki ‘Dick’, 88
- – Olsson, Patrik, 20
- – Sakaguchi, Rikko, 48
- UIQ Technology (see also separate UI Holdings entry), 9, 20, 62, 71, 88
Sprint Nextel, 30-31, 39, 42, 49-50, 77, 84-85
STMicroelectronics, 72, 94
Symbian Foundation, 3-9, 13, 20, 50
Symbian Ltd, 3-4, 6-9, 13-14, 16, 19-20, 47, 50, 90-91
- Executives
- – Whittingham, Mike, 4
- Symbian OS, 3-9, 11, 14, 16, 18-20, 34, 36, 48-51, 57, 61-62, 70-73, 88, 90, 92
- – Symbian OS 9, 19
- – Symbian OS 9.3, 19
- Symbian Ready, 4
- Symbian Signed, 19
Symsource Ltd, 4
T
TechFaith Wireless, 53
Technology
- 2G
- – CDMA, 14, 30-31, 39-40, 42, 49-50, 52, 71-72, 78, 80-81
- – CDMA2000, 81
- – EDGE, 35, 37, 40, 55, 58, 64, 72, 95
- – GPRS, 33, 40, 95
- – GSM, 11, 17-19, 27-28, 30-31, 33, 35, 37, 39-42, 45, 53, 64-66, 71-72, 77-78, 80-81, 84, 95
- – iDEN, 82, 84-85
- 3G
- – CDMA EV-DO, 31, 39-40, 71
- – HSDPA, 11-12, 17-19, 25-26, 29, 35, 37, 41, 64-66, 77, 95
- – HSPA, 76, 95
- – HSUPA, 95
- – TD-SCDMA, 14, 61
- – W-CDMA, 95
- – W-CDMA (FOMA), 43-44
- 4G
- – Long Term Evolution, 94-95
- – UMB, 95
- – WiMAX, 28, 95
- Categories
- – MID, 62, 95
- – R&D, 34, 47, 80-81, 94
- – UMA, 81
- Connectivity
- – Bluetooth, 13, 17-18, 41, 57, 62-66, 70, 95
- – Push-to-talk, 30, 84-85
- – VoIP, 28
- – WIPI, 93
- – WLAN/Wi-Fi, 11-12, 19, 25-26, 28, 30-31, 35, 37, 39-42, 45, 53, 57-58, 62-63, 69-70, 76, 80-82, 84, 95
- Content, identity, transaction and security
- – Near Field Communication, 10
- – SIM, 28, 40
- Display, interface and imaging
- – Camera, 10-13, 17-19, 25-26, 28, 30-31, 35, 37, 40-42, 45, 47, 53, 57-58, 63-66, 69-71, 76, 82, 84, 87-88, 94
- – Haptics, 35
- – LCD, 57
- – OLED, 19
- – Touchscreen, 10-11, 14-15, 17-18, 20, 25-26, 29-30, 33, 35, 37-42, 45, 53, 57-58, 63, 65, 67-71, 77-79, 83, 87, 89, 90-91
- – VGA, 25, 30, 37
- – WAP, 33
- – WVGA, 28
- Hardware and microelectronics
- – Batteries, 59, 79
- – C-MOS, 94
- Messaging
- – Instant messaging, 62, 68-69
- – MMS, 33
- – SMS, 70
- Multimedia
- – FM radio, 19, 58, 63
- – MP3, 63
- Navigation
- – AGPS, 11, 31, 35, 37, 41, 95
- – Geo-tagging, 11
- – GPS, 12, 17-19, 25-26, 28-30, 34-35, 37, 39-42, 45, 53, 57, 59, 64-65, 73, 76, 78, 81-82, 84, 87
- Security
- – Malware, 47, 50
- Software
- – API, 76, 80
- – Brew Mobile Platform, 67, 71
- – C++, 3, 17
- – Flash, 15, 17, 22, 64, 67, 76
- – - Flash Lite, 22, 76
- – Java, 7, 22, 62, 72, 76, 78
- – Linux, 6, 8, 14, 16, 43-47, 49-52, 62-64, 70-72, 77, 90-92
- – SDK, 48, 67, 76
- – Web 2.0 (incl. AJAX), 22
- – Widgets, 27, 63-64
- Spectrum
- – 850MHz, 12-13, 41
- – 900MHz, 11-12
- – 1900MHz, 10, 12-13, 35
- – 2100MHz, 10-13, 35, 41
- Storage
- – microSD, 12-13, 17-19, 25, 29, 41, 53, 57-58, 62-66, 84
- TV
- – Broadcast, 17-18, 29, 64-66, 77, 87
- – FLO, 87
- – HDTV, 27, 29, 55, 95
- – ISDB-T (One segment), 10, 17-18, 29, 59, 64-66, 85
Teleca, 49
Telecom Argentina S.A.
- Telecom Personal S.A., 39
Telecom Engineering Center (TELEC, Japan), 33
Telecom Italia
- Telecom Italia Mobile, 41, 90
- – C6620 (Samsung), 41
Telefónica, 16, 26, 47, 49, 59, 83-84
- Latinoamérica, 39
- – Argentina, 39
- – Mexico, 39
- – Panama, 39
- Movistar (Telefónica Moviles), 39
- Telefónica Europe (O2), 16, 26, 59, 83
- – Devices
- – - Xda, 26
- – - Xda Zest (ASUSTeK), 26
- – UK, 16, 26, 59, 83
TeleNav, Inc., 35
Telstra, 21, 57
TELUS, 78, 89
Texas Instruments, 3, 9, 36, 45, 72, 81, 94-95
- OMAP, 95
Time Warner
- AOL
- – AIM, 79
Toshiba Corp, 47-48, 50-51, 95
TRANGO Virtual Processors, 4
Trusted Logic, 3-4
U
UI Holdings BV (UIQ Technology), 9, 20, 62, 71, 88
United Internet
- 1&1, 91-92
UPS, 29
V
Verizon Wireless, 30, 39-40, 71, 79-81, 89
Visa, 4
Vivendi
- SFR, 81
- Universal, 8, 17
Vodafone Group, 26, 39-40, 42, 49, 51, 59, 79-82
- Australia, 81
- Devices
- – v1231 (ZTE), 42
W
Weather Investments
- Orascom Telecom
- – Mobinil, 59
WebKit, 76
WiMAX Holding Ltd
- Scartel (Yota), 28
Wind River Systems, 44, 48-49, 52, 66
- MIZI Research, 66
Winwap Technologies, 33
Wistron Corp, 95
X
Xenient Corp., 3-4
Y
Yahoo!, 25
Z
ZTE, 14, 42, 51, 89
- TXTster, 89
- v1231 (Vodafone), 42
ZZZPhone, 49

Mobile Serviceswatch, issue 2008.11-12 snapshot

AB — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:00:36 +0000

CONSUMER: A raft of operators debuted refreshed mobile internet portals, including 3 Australia, mobilkom Austria, O2 UK, Qtel (Qatar), T-Mobile USA, Virgin Mobile UK, and Vodafone Czech Republic. A previously reported search alliance between Google and Verizon Wireless is apparently in jeopardy, with Microsoft set to take its place. [pp.20,21,19.

Issue: 2008.11-12
Covering: mid-October to mid-December 2008
Published: December 2008
Next issue: January 2008

Latest trends in monetising operator-centric mobile value-added services. A unique monthly report for the industry.

About Mobile Serviceswatch
Executive Brief
Extract
Table of Contents
Index

ABOUT MOBILE SERVICESWATCH

Mobile Serviceswatch provides the most comprehensive overview of the latest mobile value-added services (VAS) being monetised by operators, as well as covering the players, other enablers, trends, and much more.
Mobile VAS is a rapidly changing and very difficult to track market segment, but Mobile Serviceswatch has a proven record in achieving this that is valued by major operators, vendors, service providers, and other key stakeholders.
When partnered with the companion Smart Devicewatch service, Mobile Serviceswatch enables clients to confidently follow the entire mobile value-added ‘solutions' ecosystem, which is typically now one of the fundamental strategies of every established mobile operator, whether in developed or emerging markets.
Our ‘watch' titles are repeatedly described by clients and end-users as the single most valuable source of third-party intelligence. Considered invaluable by many high-achieving commercial teams and account directors.
A unique source of valuable opportunities, knowledge, planning, strategy, and much more. Both tactical tool and strategic reference. An invaluable reference, input and even springboard for corporate planning, reporting, and meetings.
A ‘must-have' for sales teams focused on high-value sales, maintaining strategic relationships, and managing extended sales cycles. Just one nugget, insight, or validation can pay for the service many times over.
Pricing typically USD $4k / EUR EUR3k / UKP £2.5k per year for a workgroup or small/midsize account, tailored to meet your needs and situation. Delivered electronically 10-12 times a year. Also available are back issues, which provide unparalleled reference and insight into major events, strategic initiatives, financials and KPIs.
Contact us for further information, including samples and evaluation trial requests. info@marketmettle.com / +44-20-7083-0055.
Below is a free taster from issue 2008.11-12 (mid-October to mid-December 2008), including an Executive Brief, Extract, Table of Contents and Index, giving a valuable snapshot of the full report.

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

CONSUMER: A raft of operators debuted refreshed mobile internet portals, including 3 Australia, mobilkom Austria, O2 UK, Qtel (Qatar), T-Mobile USA, Virgin Mobile UK, and Vodafone Czech Republic. A previously reported search alliance between Google and Verizon Wireless is apparently in jeopardy, with Microsoft set to take its place. [pp.20,21,19.]

MEA-based group Orascom Telecom became the latest operator to support Nokia’s Ovi portfolio, enabling it to offer mobile internet services in a low-risk manner. 3 UK also trumpeted an enhanced Ovi engagement, although its announcement was a little short on detail. [pp.17.]

3 UK named its new partners for ad-supported video services, after the exit of Rhythm NewMedia from the market, with it now working with 4th Screen and Mobix Interactive. Orange France announced a “high-definition” mobile multimedia service, available to its fixed-mobile convergence subscribers. [pp.13.]

Australia’s Telstra announced integrated web/mobile messaging services, while Vodafone Germany debuted an IM client integrating different networks. In Singapore, SingTel boasted the country’s first location-tracking service for consumers. [pp.12,8.]

France’s mobile operators are reportedly lukewarm on mobile broadcast services, having noted the failure of early launches to gain much traction elsewhere in the region. [p.5.]

T-Mobile UK and India’s Reliance Communications are set to launch ad-funded games, while Vodafone Group picked an EA title as its “hero” game, to be supported with a pan-European marketing effort. Buongiorno secured a contract to manage the games portals for 3 in the UK and Ireland, and it was announced that O2 UK is to support Player X’s off-portal games site. [pp.6,7,8.]

3 UK signed up to offer Nokia’s Comes With Music package, becoming the first operator to support the device and content bundle. AT&T expanded availability of its Napster Mobile service, enabled by a more flexible delivery platform. 3 Austria launched a new mobile music store, while in Sweden, Telia announced a subscription music service. [pp.14,15,16.]

Orange debuted its Orange Money service in the Ivory Coast, and MEA-based group Orascom partnered with Western Union for money-transfer services. The French Payez Mobile NFC field trial is reported to have “yielded positive results”, although there was no confirmation of when a commercial launch will take place. Kenya’s Safaricom revealed continued M-PESA growth, and plans to support international money-transfer services. [pp.9,11,10.]

Vodafone UK and Visa Europe trialled a “new” mobile advertising format, sending promotional material to customers visiting overseas markets via “welcome” messages. Vodafone Germany is working with Coca-Cola to blend advertising and ringback tones. [p.4.]

Virgin Mobile USA bolstered its social-networking services, introducing a “dashboard” that links multiple services, and creating its own community. Sprint extended an MMS imaging service to enable uploads to user-generated content-sharing sites. [pp.22.]

ENTERPRISE: Sprint launched a fixed-mobile convergence solution for customers with Cisco PBXs, joining an earlier package for customers with Avaya customer premises equipment. Alltel Wireless announced an enterprise mobility package in partnership with Webalo, providing mobile access to a range of corporate data. [pp.23.]

INDUSTRY: Vodafone announced plans to acquire navigation software company Wayfinder Systems, as it was suggested that investments in start-ups are a way for operators to avoid the “bit-pipe” trap. 3 UK revealed that five application categories are driving data use — all of which fall into the “communications” category — rather than being entertainment or information services. Verizon Wireless is set to mandate data plans for smartphone buyers, a move that seems unpopular among the user community. [pp.24,27,25,26.]

There were mixed messages from the mobile games market, with Nokia among those taking a conservative view. Ad-funded MVNO Blyk raised EUR40m in funding, as plans were announced to launch content services. [pp.28-29,27.]

A set of French stakeholders created an m-commerce partnership intended to focus on the user experience, rather than technology interoperability. UK premium-rate watchdog PhonepayPlus opened the consultation period for its next Code of Practice, set for completion in 2010. The Mobile Marketing Association updated its global Mobile Advertising Guidelines. [pp.33,34,35.]

ENABLERS: Portuguese operator Optimus partnered with store GetJar to offer free applications to customers; and it was reported that China Mobile is set to launch its own app store. [pp.39.]

Mobile service-enabler iSkoot is reportedly readying a mobile internet service platform for AT&T, which will enable the delivery of the mobile internet to mass-market devices. Sprint is working with Scanbuy to offer a consumer barcode service, enabling codes to be used to link to mobile content and commerce services. [pp.42,43.]

Nokia added Nokia Messaging to its Ovi portfolio, while also updating Nokia Maps. Qualcomm said it is powering the Peek US consumer email service, with SEVEN behind mobile email for 3’s INQ1 device. [pp.44,45,46.]

The TM Forum and the Mobile Entertainment Forum announced a partnership to tackle the $5bn lost through “leakage” in the mobile content value chain. [p.42.]

TRENDS: UK mobile internet take-up is outpacing PC internet growth, according to Nielsen Online. Apple’s iPhone is the number-one device for mobile internet use, advertising network AdMob said, although, looking purely at user numbers, Nokia’s device portfolio leads the way. [pp.49,50.]

Social networking was deemed a key driver for location-based services, due to its ability to provide a unifying framework for a range of consumer applications, ABI Research said. A sound future for APAC LBS services was forecast by analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, although there are still hurdles to be overcome. Existing website owners are failing to consider the growing number of mobile internet users, m-commerce-enabler Bango said. [pp.51,57,53.]

The prospects for European mobile internet services are “hugely inflated”, according to analysts CCS Insight. Market metrics company comScore noted that the number of SMS ads received during August 2008 slipped when compared with August 2007, although the medium is increasingly being used by companies beyond mobile service providers. [pp.52.]

ABI Research found mixed messaging use across the enterprise customers of the four main US operators, with interest in new messaging-focused devices indicating there is further growth to be had. [p.53.]

EXTRACT

GAMES

T-Mobile UK to launch ad-funded games services

T-Mobile UK trumpeted becoming the first operator in the country to offer free mobile games, funded by advertising. Customers will be able to access “at least one new game per week”, through the T-Mobile Game Club.

The first title available free of charge is Poker Million II, backed by advertisers including Paramount Pictures. Other titles in the pipeline include IQ Booster, Pro Bowling, Pool Star, and Einstein’s Brain Game.

The ad-funded games will be made available to subscribers of T-Mobile’s web’n'walk mobile internet service, and no additional costs will be incurred downloading games while in the UK. Two advertisements will be inserted before the game, and two after, which can be clicked-on to access the relevant company’s website.

The offering will be hosted and managed by Digistores. Customers will only be offered games that work with their particular handsets.

[Further reference: T-Mobile first to launch ad-funded games -- T-Mobile UK, 2 December 2008.]

Buongiorno picks up 3 games contract

Mobile entertainment company Buongiorno won a contract to manage the outsourced Java games platform of 3 Group in the UK and Ireland. It said that its technology will enable the creation of a dynamic, personalised service interface for users, with flexible pricing, which will increase the relevance to subscribers, and support the personalised pricing of content.

The site aggregates titles from major games companies, and is available to customers through both WAP and web browsers. It supports digital rights management technology, which will enable new business models and support community features such as games rating and comments.

According to PocketGamer.biz, Buongiorno has been running the service since October 2008, with 3 UK stating that “it’s going very well”. The addition of personalisation and recommendation features is intended to make the site appear more like those of established online retailers, such as Amazon.

With regard to flexible pricing, Xavier Louis, Games Product Manager at 3 UK, told the publication: “we can provide the same game at a different price; if it’s a pre-pay handset, the game will be priced lower, but if the game is high quality on a high-end handset, it might be higher”. This could be seen as penalising customers for being higher spending customers, especially if similar titles are made available to different customers at different price points — for example, “even Tetris might be a different price on different handsets”, despite this being considered a basic game, with simple game play that does not differ based on device type.

It was also suggested that 3 is set to renew its commitment to connected games during 2009, taking advantage of the core functionality of a mobile device to power value-added services. The operator has previously explored this, in partnership with Terraplay/End2End, although it said it is currently unable to source enough titles to promote to its customers.

Buongiorno said that the contract marks its first implementation of a games store since its merger with iTouch during 2007, as well as its first games contract in the UK. It already supports white-label games stores in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, and Ireland.

” Buongiorno’s games store enables 3 to maximise revenues by providing a personalised retail experience to their customers. It has been designed to personalise the browsing and purchasing experience on a one-to-one basis according to the taste and budget of each customer. With the mobile internet becoming ever more competitive, delivering the best customer experience is the key selling point. “
– Luca Pagano, Managing Director of Buongiorno UK.

[Further reference: Contract win with 3 businesses in the UK and Ireland -- Buongiorno, 17 November 2008; Interview: 3 UK talks mobile games -- PocketGamer.biz, 2 December 2008.]

Vodafone Group picks EA title as “hero” game

Mobile Entertainment reported that Vodafone Group had chosen Electronic Arts’ (EA) Need for Speed Undercover as its “flagship game” across European markets, with the title to be supported by an “extensive co-marketing campaign”.

It has not been revealed if Vodafone will have exclusivity on the game, which is set for launch imminently.

[Further reference: EA is Vodafone's ‘hero' -- Mobile Entertainment, 24 October 2008.]

Reliance to offer ad-supported mobile gaming

Indian operator Reliance Communications was reported to be set to offer an advertising-funded mobile games portal, providing customers with titles that can be played free of charge in return for viewing marketing material.

The company is reportedly set to use assets from its Zepak.com online gaming site, with the intention of offering 900 advertisement-supported titles for mobile users. Reliance is working with Greystripe, a company that specialises in advertisement-funded gaming, to power the service.

[Further reference: Reliance launching ad-subsidised mobile game storefront -- contentSutra, 6 November 2008.]

O2 UK supports Player X gaming portal

Operator O2 UK was named as the first operator to support Player X’s off-deck games portal, called 100% Mobile.

The site will make available more than 100 games, with try-before-you-buy demos available — which have apparently led to an uplift in product sales. The portal also offers a range of payment options, with the preferred choice being a £0.50 ($0.74) daily rate.

Player X Distribution will manage the dynamic games portal, which is fully integrated into the O2 deck and billing environment. The site is said to be “driven by strong editorial and portal design”, with a marketing programme that will include in-store and online promotions.

Player X has partnered with billing partner Accumulate to deliver the service, including rental and subscription billing options, “to give the consumer a broader choice”.

O2 UK and Player X have a mobile games relationship going back some time, with Player X being appointed as the operator’s mobile games aggregator during 2007 (Mobile Serviceswatch, 2007.09).

” The flexible retailing environment gives our customers a far more rewarding gaming experience than is available anywhere else in the marketplace today. Users can purchase games using the pricing model they feel most comfortable with, which encourages our customers to become far more engaged with the whole gaming experience from within a trusted environment. ”
– Joe Haselden, Head of Games at O2 UK.

[Further reference: Player X Distribution's 100% Mobile games portal premieres with O2 -- Player X, 16 October 2008.]

2 Consumer
2 Operator content deals
4 Mobile advertising
5 Broadcast
6 Games
8 Location-based services
9 m-commerce
12 Messaging
13 Multimedia
14 Music
16 Portals
21 Video services
22 User-generated content
23 Enterprise
23 Solutions
24 Industry
24 Companies
33 Events;
Initiatives
36 People;
Regulation
37 enablers
37 Operator technology deals
39 Applications;
Contracts
40 Companies
42 Initiatives;
Platforms
43 Markets;
Products
44 Services
47 Technology
49 Trends
49 Markets
58 INDEX

INDEX

SYMBOLS
3, 6, 15, 27, 38, 46
- Australia, 20
- Austria, 15, 43
- Italy, 38
- Planet 3, 20
- Scandinavia, 38
- UK, 2, 6, 7, 13, 14, 17, 27, 32, 39, 46
4th Screen, 13
A
ABC, 3
ABI Research, 51, 53
ACCESS, 38
Acision, 26, 37, 38, 43
Activision Blizzard, 23, 28
A Different Game, 45
AdMob, 28, 50
Alcatel-Lucent, 44
Alltel Wireless, US, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 37, 38
- Alltel Navigation, 17
- Alltel Perks, 16, 37
- Alltel Wallet, 9, 37
- Webalo Mobile Dashboard, 23
AMC, Albania, 37
Amdocs, 30, 41
Amobee Media Systems, 25, 44
AOL, 44
- ICQ, 12
Apple, 15, 29, 39, 50
Apptera, 24
Artificial Life, 31
Associated Press, 3
AT&T, 5, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 25, 35, 40, 42, 53
Avaya, 23
B
Bango, 53
BBC, 49
Bell Mobility, 21, 38
- Solo Mobile, 21, 38
Bharti Airtel, India, 9, 14, 16, 33, 51
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 35
BlackBerry Partners Fund, 27, 28, 29
Blyk, 27, 37
BNP Paribas, 9
Boost Mobile, 30
Bouygues Telecom, 5, 10, 33, 39
Brasil Telecom, 13
Bright House Networks, 30
BSkyB, 2
BT Group, 51
Buongiorno, 6, 7, 46
- iTouch, 7
buzzd, 27, 28
C
C4M, 45
CBS, 3
CCS Insight, 52
Cellcom, 37
Cellular South, US, 3, 10, 17, 25
ChaCha, 17
ChangingWorlds, 30, 38, 41
Channel 4, 31
Charles River Ventures, 27
China Mobile, 12, 15, 39
China Unicom, 38, 44
Cisco Systems, 23
Citigroup, 26
- Citibank, 10, 26
Clearwire, 30
Coca-Cola, 4
Code Factory, 41
Colibria, 37, 45
Columbia Records, 2
Comcast, 30
comScore, 52
Comverse Technology, 34, 37, 38
CSL, Hong Kong, 9
CTIA, US, 40, 43
D
Deloitte & Touche, 31, 32
Deutsche Bahn, 10
Digby, 27, 28
Digistores, 6, 37
Digitel GSM, Venezuela, 38
DVB Project Office, 43
E
eBay, 49
Eclipse Interactive, 45
Electronic Arts, 2, 7, 28, 29
EMI, 15, 16
End2End, 6
Envivio, 38
Ericsson, 36
Ernst & Young, 25
- Israel, 25
ESPN, 2
Etisalat, UAE, 3
ETSI, 47
F
Facebook, 20, 22, 42, 46, 49, 51
FAS Alliances, 23
FIRMAINVEST, 24
France Telecom
- Orange, 2, 9, 10, 13, 14, 33, 35, 36
Frost & Sullivan, 57
FunMobility, 22, 42
G
Gameloft, 28
GetJar, 39
GfK Technology, 50
Globacom, Nigeria, 37
Glu Mobile, 28
Google, 15, 16, 21, 30, 31, 35, 37, 39, 44, 46, 49, 52
- Gmail, 16, 44, 49
- Google Maps, 39
- Google Talk, 37, 44
- YouTube, 20, 22, 42
Greycroft Partners, 27
Greystripe, 7
GSM Association, 4, 9, 11, 14, 21, 26, 36, 47
- Pay-Buy-Mobile, 47
H
Harmonic, 38
Hi5, 22
Huawei Technologies, 47
Hugama Mobile, 3
Hungama Mobile, 33
Hutchison Whampoa, 27, 46
- INQ Mobile, 27
I
IBM, 48
- Lotus, 48
Idea Cellular, India, 46
INQ Mobile, 27
Intel, 30
Internet Advertising Bureau, UK, 34, 36
iSkoot, 27, 42
J
Jadestone, 45
Jesselson Capital Corporation, 27
JuiceCaster, 42
Juniper Research, 50, 56
K
Kajeet, US, 23
KASIKORNBANK, 9
Khosla Ventures, 27
Kiloo, 24
Kirusa, 37, 38
Kodiak Networks, 46
Konami Digital Entertainment, 3
KT
- KTF, 2, 21
Kuneri, 41
L
LG Electronics, 13, 50
Limbo, 50
Liquid Air Lab, 41
Lonely Planet Publications, 3
Loudhouse Research, 54
M
M1, Singapore, 9, 21, 37
- M1 MobileCam, 21
Madhouse, 28
MasterCard Worldwide, 10
Maverick Mobile Solutions, 41
Maxis Communications, 18
MEDIA BROADCAST, Austria, 43
MediaFLO, 40
mediaFLO USA, 5
Medio Systems, 18
mFoundry, 9, 37
Microsoft, 16, 31, 35, 39, 46, 51
- Windows Live, 12, 44, 46
Miyowa, 38
MOBICOM, 23
Mobile Data Association, 36, 49
Mobile Entertainment Forum, 33, 42
Mobile Interactive Group, 38
Mobile Marketing Association, 34, 35, 51
Mobile Money Ventures, 10, 26
Mobile Posse, 37
Mobile TeleSystems, 34
mobilkom, Austria, 20, 25, 43, 47
Mobix Interactive, 13
Moket, 41
Monitor Ventures, 27
Monotype Imaging, 19
Motorola, 18, 30, 40, 50
Movius Interactive, 37
MSNBC, 3
MTN, 37
MTS, Russia, 34
Music World Entertainment, 2
MySpace, 22, 40, 42, 51
N
Nakko, Netherlands, 16
Namco Networks, 2
Napster, 14
NBC, 3, 32
NCB Stockbrokers, 3
NetCom, Norway, 37
NeuStar, 37
Neverfail, 57
News Corp, 31
- Fox, 31
- Jamba/Jamster, 31
- MySpace, 22, 40, 42, 51
Nielsen Online, 49
Nokia, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 54
- Comes With Music, 14, 17
- Forum Nokia, 41
- N-Gage, 17, 28, 29
- Nokia Life Tools, 46
- Nokia Maps, 45
- Nokia Messaging, 44
- Nokia Music Store, 47
- Ovi, 17, 31, 44, 45
- OZ, 30
- Vertu, 31
Nokia Growth Partners, 28
Nokia Siemens Networks, 54
NRJ Mobile, France, 10
NTT DoCoMo, 31
Nuance Communications, 42
O
OnDemand Group, 32
- Mobix Interactive, 32
ONE, Austria, 43
OneView Systems, 41
OnMobile, 46
Open Mobile Alliance, 34
Openwave Systems, 29, 43, 44
Optimus, Portugal, 39
Optus, Australia, 3
Orange Group, 2, 9, 10, 13, 14, 33, 35, 36
- France, 2, 10, 13, 33
- Orange Money, 9
- Orange World, 13
- UK, 36
- Unik, 13
Orascom Telecom, 11, 17
Osterman Research, 57
P
Palm, 39
Paramount Pictures, 6, 32
PhonepayPlus, 34, 36
Photobucket, 22
PlaNet Finance, 35
Player X, 8
Portio Research, 49
Portugal Telecom, 38, 39
Q
Qtelmedia Group, 3
Qtel, Qatar, 2, 21
Qualcomm, 10, 27, 35, 40, 44, 45, 48
- BREW, 46
- Firethorn Holdings, 10, 11, 48
- MediaFLO, 40
- Plaza, 44
- Qualcomm Ventures, 27
R
Regions
- Americas, 30, 33, 35, 41, 43
- Canada, 21, 25, 30, 38
- North America, 26, 28, 50, 56
- US, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 33, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 45, 50, 53, 56
- Venezuela, 38, 44
- APAC, 4, 9, 11, 14, 15, 21, 28, 30, 33, 39, 41, 46, 50, 55, 56
- Asia Pacific, 9, 30, 55
- Australia, 2, 3, 12, 28, 29, 44, 51, 55, 57
- Bangladesh, 11, 17
- China, 12, 15, 28, 31, 32, 38, 39, 44, 51, 56
- Hong Kong, 9, 26, 51, 55
- India, 7, 9, 14, 16, 18, 28, 33, 38, 46, 51
- Indonesia, 44, 55
- Japan, 28, 31, 41, 51, 56, 57
- Korea, 2, 17, 21, 23, 32, 56
- Malaysia, 18, 37, 44, 55
- New Zealand, 55, 57
- Pakistan, 3, 11, 17
- Philippines, 55
- Singapore, 8, 9, 21, 37, 44, 47, 51, 55, 57
- South Korea, 51, 57
- Taiwan, 55, 57
- Thailand, 9, 55
- EMEA
- Africa, 9, 11, 19, 35, 36, 46, 50
- Algeria, 17
- Austria, 15, 20, 25, 43, 47
- Belgium, 7
- Czech Republic, 7, 20, 38
- Dubai, 3
- Egypt, 11, 17, 35
- Finland, 44
- France, 2, 5, 7, 10, 39, 45
- Germany, 10, 11, 13, 28, 29, 40, 44
- Ireland, 3, 6, 7, 38
- Italy, 28, 29, 38, 41, 47
- Ivory Coast, 9, 35
- Jordan, 35
- Middle East, 9, 11, 21, 35, 47
- Netherlands, 13, 44
- Norway, 12, 37
- Portugal, 38, 39, 44
- Russia, 34
- Senegal, 35
- South Africa, 2, 19, 28, 32, 35, 37
- Spain, 22, 28, 29, 41, 44
- Sweden, 16, 45
- Switzerland, 36
- Tunisia, 17
- UK, 2, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 19, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 44, 45, 49, 50
- Zimbabwe, 17
Regions Financial Corporation, 10
Reliance Communications, India, 7, 18, 33
Research In Motion, 40, 45
- BlackBerry, 18, 23, 27, 28, 29, 39, 40, 45
Rhythm NewMedia, 13
Rubberduck Media Lab, 37
S
Safaricom, Kenya, 10, 11, 36
- M-PESA, 10, 11
Samsung, 18, 50
Scanbuy, 38, 43
Screen Australia, 2
Sequoia Capital, 28
SEVEN, 38, 44, 46
SFR, France, 5, 10, 33
Shape Services, 41
SingTel, Singapore, 8, 47
SK Telecom, 9, 10, 26, 32
- Gifticon, 9
Skype, 27, 42, 46
Solo Mobile, Canada, 21, 38
Sony
- Sony BMG, 15
- Sony Pictures, 3
Sony Ericsson, 13, 18, 20, 50
Sprint, 3, 8, 16, 19, 22, 23, 30, 36, 37, 38, 41, 43, 53
- Family Locator, 8
- Nextel Direct Connect, 30
- Sprint Web, 41
- Sprint Wireless Integration, 23
StarHub, Singapore, 47
Strategy Analytics, 16
Streamezzo, 39
Sybase, 43
- Sybase 365, 43
Symbian, 19, 39, 44, 46, 47
T
Tata Teleservices, 16, 33
Technology
- BREW, 27, 46
- DRM, 6, 14
- DVB-H, 38, 43
- Femtocells, 47
- Flash Lite, 39
- FLO, 40
- GPS, 8, 23, 42, 57
- iDEN, 30
- IM, 12, 15, 27, 37, 38, 44, 45, 46, 49, 53
- IMS, 23
- IP, 47
- Java, 6, 13, 39
- NFC, 10, 25, 33, 47, 56
- PTT, 30, 46
- VoIP, 27, 46, 47
- Wi-Fi, 13, 26
- WiMAX, 30
Tele2, 38
Telecom Italia, 24, 26, 41
- Loquendo, 41
Telefonica, 5, 22, 25, 41
- O2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 21, 32, 38, 41
- O2 Active, 21
- O2 Germany, 11
- O2 Ireland, 3
- O2 UK, 5, 8, 21, 32, 38
Telenor, 12, 27
- Telenor Connexion, 27
Telfort, Netherlands, 16
TeliaSonera, 16, 18
- SurfPort, 18
- Sweden, 16
- Telia Musik, 16
Telstra, 2, 4, 12
- MyConnect, 12
tenCube, 41
Ten Sports, 3
The Carphone Warehouse, 14
The Nielsen Company, 55
Thumbplay, 3
TIM, 41
Time Warner, 30
TM Forum, 42
TMN, Portugal, 39
T-Mobile International, 6, 10, 18, 25, 37, 42, 45, 53
- Germany, 10
- T-Mobile Game Club, 6
- UK, 6, 37
- USA, 18, 42, 45, 53
- web2go, 18
Total Access Communication, Thailand, 9
Transpera, 30
Trimble, 42
Turkcell, 42
Twitter, 22, 42
U
Uganda Telecom, 37
uLocate Communications, 41
Ultratec, 38
Unipier, 21, 38
Universal Music, 16
V
Velti, 27, 37
VeriSign, 22, 37, 49
Verizon Wireless, 2, 3, 5, 10, 14, 16, 22, 26, 29, 35, 40, 42, 53
- VZ Navigator, 42
VG Nettby, Norway, 12
Viigo, 17, 25
Virgin Mobile, 2, 3, 19, 22, 27
- Helio, 22
- UK, 19
- USA, 2, 3, 22, 27
Visa International, 4, 10
Visto, 32
Vodacom, 2, 19, 32, 35
Vodafone Group, 2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 32, 33, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42
- Arcor, 4
- Czech Republic, 20
- Germany, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 40
- India, 38
- Ireland, 42
- M-PESA, 10, 11
- Netherlands, 13, 32
- Portugal, 22
- Spain, 22
- UK, 4, 19
- Vodafone live!, 2, 4, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22
Volantis, 46
Vringo, 39
W
Walt Disney, 29
Warner Bros, 2, 32
- Warner Music, 15, 16
Wayfinder Systems, 24
Webalo, 23, 38
Western Union, 11
World Bank, 11
Y
Yahoo!, 12, 16, 18, 19, 24, 31, 35, 37, 39, 44
- Flickr, 22, 42, 46
- Mail, 44
- Messenger, 12, 44
- oneSearch, 18, 19
YouTube, 20, 22, 42
Z
Zain Group, 36
Zamano, 3
Zed, 3
ZG Ventures, 27
Zlango, 39
ZMQ Software Systems, 33

Mobile Serviceswatch, issue 2008.09 snapshot

AB — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:42:33 +0000

ENABLERS: Sprint named the partners to power location-based services using its planned WiMAX network, stating that the user experience delivered by the technology will be “largely location-centric”. AT&T trumpeted the integration of A-GPS into its network, enabling the delivery of new location-based services. [pp.33,31.]

Issue: 2008.09
Covering: 17 August to 15 September 2008
Published: September 2008
Next issue: October 2008

Latest trends in monetising operator-centric mobile value-added services. A unique monthly report for the industry.

Summary
Extract
Table of Contents
Index

SUMMARY

CONSUMER: Verizon Wireless is set to partner with Google for mobile search services, although the contract is still under negotiation. Rival AT&T announced availability of Yahoo!-powered search services. Away from mobile search, Canada’s Rogers Wireless inked a services deal with Nokia, planning to offer N-Gage and Nokia Maps to customers. [pp.10,11.]

There was continued speculation about Vodafone’s content plans, with reports that it is looking to offer an integrated fixed/mobile portal that will make its current services “pale into insignificance”. Vodafone UK is offering premium-rate content barring, to prevent users from falling foul of unscrupulous content providers. [p.12]

Telefonica O2 inked a deal with content partner Buongiorno, covering the introduction of prize-awarding SMS games in Latin America. Vodafone Portugal announced availability of a portfolio of next-generation games, enabled by new device technologies. [pp.4.]

Virgin Mobile USA partnered with buzzd for the introduction of location-based services, including city guides and social-networking tools. Verizon Wireless updated its Chaperone child-tracking service, enhancing the functionality of its earlier offerings. [p.5.]

O2 UK’s trial of NFC technology indicated strong consumer demand, but commercial services are still some way from reaching the market. Telstra is also trialling NFC services, with a limited pilot in Melbourne, Australia. In Kenya, Safaricom’s money-transfer service was augmented, with customers gaining the ability to withdraw cash from ATMs. [pp.6-7,8.]

Vodafone Germany announced a new Mobile Music Client for its multimedia handsets, enabling easy access to its music services. Verizon Wireless announced a trio of ringing tone-creation tools, enabling customers to further personalise devices. [p.9.]

Vodafone UK announced a Facebook add-in that enables web-to-mobile messaging, with a free initial allowance followed by charged-for delivery. Verizon Wireless and AT&T were of similar mind, both introducing handset clients that provide access to multiple social-networking sites, and both powered by vendor Intercasting. [pp.13,14.]

Poland’s mobile operators are partnering for a DVB-H licence bid, with the issue process due to begin imminently. Verizon Wireless announced a new mobile-video service, delivering content to the HTML browser of devices. [pp.4,8.]

INDUSTRY: Vodafone Group signed a global framework agreement with Amobee Media Systems, providing another boost for the mobile advertising player. It was claimed that Apple may be willing to cede some ground to operators with regard to application branding, with a Vodafone-alliance in the works, but where there is conflict (such as for music services), Apple still appears to have the upper hand. [pp.15,17.]

The advertising-funded MVNO model made its debut in Australia, with ComTel offering a hybrid part-subscription, part-sponsored credit tariff. There were reports that in the UK, Blyk was failing to deliver promised free credit, although the company dismissed the claims. [pp.16,18.]

Nokia was rumoured to be readying a Comes With Games strategy to echo its much-discussed Comes With Music, with the possibility it will use this to drive take-up of its online gaming services. The vendor is also restructuring its Services & Software unit, with more mobile internet acquisitions on the cards. Qualcomm fell foul of the US courts again, being found in contempt of an injunction granted following the earlier Broadcom action, with push-to-talk technology at the heart of the dispute. [pp.19,22-23.]

Swisscom is disposing of its Minick mobile applications business, selling to German player net mobile. AxisMobile finally closed an M&A deal, with its operating business being acquired by Synchronica. Content-porting company Tira Wireless was reported to have shut up shop. [pp.17,21-22.]

The Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum published whitepapers detailing regulatory and business models for mobile broadcast services, based on early deployments in this market. The Mobile Marketing Association published mobile application and mobile search briefing papers. [pp.24,25.]

The Mobile Entertainment Forum warned that consumer regulation changes in the UK could hit mobile service providers, with criminal proceedings and jail terms among the possible outcomes. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission warned customers to be “wary” of premium-phone services, stating that the sector is the subject of “ongoing complaints”. [pp.26,27.]

The UK market is to see the first launch of Nokia’s Comes With Music offerings, although some important details have yet to be revealed. Sony Ericsson began the rollout of its enhanced PlayNow arena content store, initially focusing on Nordic markets. Motorola opened its MotoMusic store in Singapore. [pp.29,30,31.]

Visto updated its push-email platform with social-networking service support, while sector rival SEVEN trumpeted its integrated messaging technology. Alcatel-Lucent announced its new location-based service platform, while Motorola enhanced its push-to-talk technology. [pp.34,35,36.]

TRENDS: ABI Research said that “incentives” are key to mobile marketing acceptance, in order to overcome negative initial perceptions of advertising to mobiles. The mobile content tools market will be worth $8bn in 2008, according to INSIGHT Research, as a raft of companies look to mobilise various content types. [p.37.]

US mobile web use is nearing the volumes of the market-leading UK, according to figures from Bango, with India slipping in the rankings. A US mobile internet survey found clear and evolving content trends, with mobile operators decreasing in importance, and mobile search on the up. [pp.38,39.]

EXTRACT

LOCATION-BASED SERVICES:
Virgin Mobile USA partners with buzzd for LBS

Virgin Mobile USA announced a partnership with buzzd to launch “a mobile-enabled, location-sensitive city guide and social network”.

Called buzzd on Virgin Mobile, the service, available via Virgin’s WAP portal, will deliver “editorially driven event and venue information, along with up-to-the-minute reviews and ratings from friends and other members of the community”. It lists events and venues “across all major cities in the Unite States, Europe, and India”, although it is unlikely that the predominantly pre-paid operator will support location-based services (LBS) outside of its home market.

buzzd on Virgin Mobile will be available free-of-charge, although data charges will presumably apply. The service is opt-in, to ensure user location data is not shared if the customer does not wish to.

[Further reference: Virgin Mobile USA to provide location-based entertainment service -- Virgin Mobile USA, 3 September 2008.]

Verizon updates Chaperone child-tracking service

Verizon Wireless updated its Chaperone service, apparently “making it easier for parents to keep track of their children or for anyone to keep track of their loved ones when they are using their wireless phones”.

New features added by Chaperone 2.0 include: the ability to locate multiple Chaperone Child devices at the same time, either from a parent’s mobile phone or the Chaperone website; the introduction of family SMS messaging services, enabling messages to be sent from parent devices, or the website, to multiple devices; integration with VZ Navigator, to deliver turn-by-turn directions to the child’s location; improved “Child Zone” functionality, which sees messages sent when a child moves out of defined areas, and now supports time and date settings; and redesigned website and handset applications, to ease use.

Chaperone 2.0 costs $9.99 per line, per month, and is supported by a range of devices.

[Further reference: Chaperone 2.0 from Verizon Wireless gives parents more tools to locate loved ones -- Verizon Wireless, 18 August 2008.]

2 Consumer
2 Operator content deals
4 Advertising;
Broadcast;
Games
5 Location-based services
6 M-commerce;
Messaging
8 Multimedia
9 Music
10 Portals
13 Social networking
14 Voice services
15 Industry
15 Companies
23 Events
24 Initiatives
25 People
26 Regulation
28 enablers
28 Operator technology deals
29 Applications;
Contracts;
Services
34 Products
37 Trends
37 Markets
38 Metrics
40 INDEX
INDEX

SYMBOLS
3
- Italy, 28
60Frames, 2
724 Solutions, 28
A
ABI Research, 37
ACCC, Australia, 27
AccuWeather, 33
Acision, 18
Add2Phone, 18
Ad Infuse, 18
AdMob, 16
Adobe Systems, 2, 35
Alcatel-Lucent, 28, 35
AllianceBernstein, 15
Alltel Wireless, US, 6, 10, 28
Amdocs, 20
Amobee Media Systems, 15
AOL, 25
Apple, 17, 34
- iTunes, 17
AsianAve, 13, 14
AT&T, 2, 10, 11, 14, 21, 28, 29, 31, 34, 38
- AT&T Navigator, 31
- MEdia, 11, 29
Autodesk, 33
AxisMobile, 21, 22
B
Bango, 38
Barclaycard, 6
BlackPlanet, 13, 14
Blyk, 16, 18
Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum, 24
Broadcom, 20
Buongiorno, 4
BuzzCity, 16
buzzd, 5
Buzzwire, 8, 28

C
Celltick, 17, 36
China Mobile, 5, 28
China Unicom, 3
Comcast, 2
Comedy Time, 2
ComTel, Australia, 16
- Empowered Communications, 16
Comverse Technology, 29
Contec Innovations, 3
Crisp Wireless, 39
Critical Path, 28
CTIA, US, 2, 25, 35, 38
D
Discovery Communications, 2
DNA
- Finland, 28
E
Electronic Arts, 3
- EA Mobile, 3
E-Plus, 21
ESPN, 2
Etisalat, UAE, 29
European Union, 26, 37
Eventful, 33
F
Facebook, 9, 13, 34
FaithBase, 13, 14
Fidelity Ventures, 16
Five Mobile, 23
France Telecom
- Orange, 4, 21
FunMobility, 9
G
Gartner, 37
GLEE, 13, 14
Glu Mobile, 2
Google, 10, 33, 39
- Google Maps, 10, 33
GoTV Networks, 3
GSM Association, 6, 23
- Global Mobile Awards, 23
GyPSii, 5
H
Helio, US, 17
hi5, 13
HTC, 29
I
IBM, 13
INSIGHT Research, 37
Intercasting, 13, 14, 28
I-play, 29
J
JumpTap, 15, 25
Juniper Research, 17
Justel, 3
K
Kirusa, 28
Kodiak Networks, 28
Konami Digital Entertainment, 2
KPN, 4, 28
- E-Plus, 21
Kyivstar, Ukraine, 29
L
LG Electronics, 4, 14
LiveJournal, 13, 14
LiveWire Mobile, 9, 28
M
M1, Singapore, 31
Maxis Communications, 10
MEDIA BROADCAST, Austria, 4
Medio Systems, 10, 16
Megafon, Russia, 21
Microsoft, 10, 29, 34, 35, 39
- Windows Live, 10
MiGente, 13, 14
Miyowa, 28
Mobile 3.0, Germany, 5
Mobile Entertainment Forum, 26
Mobile Marketing Association, 24, 25
Mobile TeleSystems, 21
mobilkom, Austria, 4
Mobitween, 2
More Mobile Relations, 18
Motorola, 31, 36
- MotoMusic, 31
- Soundbuzz, 31
mSpot, 9
MTG, 37
MTN, 21
MySpace, 13, 14, 34
N
Namco Networks, 2
Nanjing MyNet, 5
Naspers, 16
National Australia Bank, 8
NAVTEQ, 33
NBC, 3
net mobile, 17
Networks In Motion, 31
News Corporation
- Fox, 3, 25
- MySpace, 13, 14, 34
New York Times Company, 3
NFL, 3
Nielsen Mobile, 10
Nokia, 4, 11, 19, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34
- Avvenu, 32
- Comes With Music, 19, 29, 30
- N-Gage, 11, 19
- N-Gage Arena, 11
- Nokia Music Store, 29
- Ovi, 32
Nokia Siemens Networks, 28
NRK, 37
O
Office of Fair Trading, UK, 26
OnMobile, 10
Openwave Systems, 33
Orange Group, 4, 21
- Poland, 4
Ovum, 17
P
Palm, 35
PesaPoint, Kenya, 7
PhonePayPlus, 26
Photobucket, 13, 14, 34
Polkomtel, 4
PTC, 4
Q
Qtel, Qatar, 3
Qualcomm, 20
- BREW, 35
- Qchat, 20
R
Rabble, 13, 14
RealNetworks, 2
Regions
- Americas, 4, 22
- – Argentina, 4
- – Chile, 4
- – Colombia, 4
- – Ecuador, 4
- – El Salvador, 4
- – Guatemala, 4
- – Mexico, 4, 28
- – Nicaragua, 4
- – North America, 11
- – Panama, 4
- – Peru, 4
- – Uruguay, 4
- – US, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 28, 38, 39
- – Venezuela, 4
- APAC
- – Australia, 3, 4, 8, 16, 27
- – China, 3, 5, 22, 28, 31
- – Hong Kong, 31
- – India, 5, 15, 28, 31, 38
- – Indonesia, 38
- – Japan, 24, 37
- – Korea, 24
- – Malaysia, 10
- – Pakistan, 28
- – Singapore, 31
- – Taiwan, 31
- EMEA
- – Africa, 22
- – Austria, 4, 24
- – Czech Republic, 15
- – Denmark, 18, 30
- – Finland, 22, 24, 28, 30
- – France, 24, 28
- – Germany, 5, 17, 21, 24, 28
- – Greece, 15
- – Israel, 15
- – Italy, 15, 24, 28
- – Middle East, 22
- – Netherlands, 8, 28
- – Norway, 18, 30, 37
- – Poland, 4, 24
- – Portugal, 4, 13
- – Russia, 21
- – South Africa, 16, 38
- – Spain, 15
- – Sweden, 18, 30
- – Switzerland, 24
- – UK, 6, 7, 13, 16, 18, 26, 29, 30, 38
Reliance Communications, India, 15
- Reliance Big Entertainment, 15
Research In Motion, 34
- BlackBerry, 29
Rogers Wireless, 11
ROK Entertainment Group, 28
S
Safaricom, Kenya, 7
- M-PESA, 7
Samsung, 4
Sapo, 4
SayHeyHey.com, 3, 13
Scripps Networks, 3
SEVEN, 35
Shazam Entertainment, 17
SK Telecom, 2
SkyZone Entertainment, 2
Smashing Ideas, 2
Sonic Boom, 9
Sony
- Sony Pictures Television, 2
Sony Ericsson, 4, 30
- PlayNow, 30
Sprint, 2, 3, 10, 14, 20, 21, 31, 33, 36, 38
- XOHM, 33
Swisscom, 17
- Minick, 17
Symbian, 35
Synchronica, 21, 22

T
Tata Teleservices, 28
Technology
- BREW, 35
- DMB, 5, 37
- DRM, 30, 31
- DVB-H, 4, 5, 28, 37
- GPS, 11, 31
- iDEN, 14, 36
- IM, 28, 34, 35
- Java, 19, 23, 35
- NFC, 6, 7, 8
- PTT, 14, 20, 36
- WCDMA, 20
- WiMAX, 33
Telcel, Mexico, 28
Telefonica, 4, 15, 21
- O2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 21
- O2 UK, 6, 7, 8
TeleMessage, 29
TeleNav, 31
Telenor, 18
- More Mobile Relations, 18
Telmap, 31
Telstra, 3, 8
The Carphone Warehouse, 29
Thumbplay, 25
TIM, 21
Tira Wireless, 23
T-Mobile International, 2, 8, 21, 28
- Germany, 28
- Netherlands, 8
- USA, 2
Topix, 33
Transport for London, 7
TV2, 37
Twitter, 8
U
uLocate Communications, 33

V
Velti, 38
VeriSign, 39
Verizon Wireless, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 21, 28, 31, 36
- Chaperone, 5
- V CAST, 3, 8, 13
- VZ Navigator, 5
Viacom
- BET Networks, 2
- MTV Networks, 3, 8, 13
- Nickelodeon, 3
Vibes Media, 16
Vidiator Technology, 28
Viettel Telecom, Vietnam, 28
Virgin Mobile, 5, 9, 17, 28, 38
- USA, 5, 9, 17, 28
Visa International, 6, 8
Visto, 34
Vodafone Group, 4, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 25
- Australia, 16
- Germany, 9
- Italy, 17
- M-PESA, 7
- Portugal, 4, 13
- UK, 9, 12, 13
- Vodafone Internet Services, 13
- Vodafone live!, 4, 9, 12, 13
W
Warner Bros, 2, 3
WIN, UK, 28
X
Xanga, 14
Y
Yahoo!, 10, 11, 25, 39
- Flickr, 11, 34
- oneSearch, 11
Z
Zain Group, 21
Zenbu Media, 3
Zong, 28
ZYB, 12

Market Mettle » KnowMobile

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.09 snapshot

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

INDEX

Mobile VAS watch, issue 2009.07 snapshot

ABOUT MOIBLE VAS|WATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

HTC to increase Android activities; BREW for mid-tier

BREW to take HTC into mid-tier

HTC reports robust Q2, warns of weakness in H2

H2 and FY outlook downgraded — first time…

HTC now targeting the mid-tier, aims to maintain margins

Other highlights from HTC’s analyst call

Mid-tier Android device rumoured

Next HTC Windows Mobile devices under discussion

Google integration to limit Sense upgrade packages

T-Mobile confirms G2 Touch (Hero) launch

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.06 snapshot

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.05 snapshot

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.03 snapshot

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.01 snapshot

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Mobile VAS|watch, issue 2009.02 snapshot

ABOUT MOBILE VAS|WATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

MICROSOFT: Windows 6.5 announced; supporting services unveiled

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Smart Devicewatch, issue 2008.10-12 snapshot

ABOUT SMART DEVICEWATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Mobile Serviceswatch, issue 2008.11-12 snapshot

ABOUT MOBILE SERVICESWATCH

EXECUTIVE BRIEF

EXTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INDEX

Mobile Serviceswatch, issue 2008.09 snapshot

SUMMARY

EXTRACT

LOCATION-BASED SERVICES: Virgin Mobile USA partners with buzzd for LBS

Verizon updates Chaperone child-tracking service

TABLE OF CONTENTS

**HTC to increase Android activities; BREW for mid-tier**

**Mid-tier Android device rumoured**

**Google integration to limit Sense upgrade packages**

**T-Mobile confirms G2 Touch (Hero) launch**

LOCATION-BASED SERVICES:
Virgin Mobile USA partners with buzzd for LBS