Microsoft Wins Mobile Search Deal with Verizon January 9, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Google, Microsoft, Mobile, Telecom, Verizon Wireless, Wireless.Tags: Microsoft, Mobile, Telecom, Verizon Wireless, Wireless
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Verizon Wireless has signed a deal with Microsoft to provide portal, local and Internet search as well as mobile advertising services to customers on its devices. The five-year agreement will go into effect in the first half of 2009 when Microsoft Live Search is targeted to be available on new Verizon Wireless feature phones and smartphones. Last August, it was widely reported that the network operator had been close to concluding a deal with Google for mobile search services.
Depending on which device they use, customers will be able to use voice commands and typed queries and even select to use location-aware searches to receive search results, including maps, directions, traffic information, information on local businesses, movie theatres and show times, gas prices and weather. In addition, customers will also get search results that include news and entertainment content such as downloadable full-track songs, videos and games. Under the five-year agreement, Microsoft will manage search and display advertising on Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Web service, creating a one-stop integrated way for advertisers and ad agencies to reach mobile consumers.
Smartphones Try To Outsmart the Competition December 8, 2008
Posted by aikservices in AT&T, BlackBerry, CDMA, GSM, iPhone, Microsoft, Mobile, Research In Motion, RIM, Smartphone, Telecom, Verizon Wireless, Wireless, YouTube.Tags: BlackBerry Storm, GPS, Mobile, Research In Motion, RIM, Telecom, Verizon Wireless, Wireless, YouTube
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Cell phone carriers are touting their smartphones as the smart choice for the holiday season. Verizon Wireless and Research in Motion’s new BlackBerry Storm has all the familiar BlackBerry features but is a touch-screen device.
Audrey Lundy, public relations manager for Verizon Wireless, said Verizon incorporated the touch-screen to keep up with customer demand. The Storm employs a clickable touch-screen that is designed to respond like a keyboard.
When Apple’s iPhone came into the marketplace in 2007, users were excited about its touch-screen capability. The phone also offers more than 5,000 downloadable applications like navigation tools and access to YouTube.
The iPhone was the No. 1-selling phone for the third quarter of this year. Even with its success, some said the iPhone is for general consumers while the BlackBerry is for the business community.
The launch of the iPhone 3G added Microsoft Exchange access and GPS technology, which could in turn appeal more to the business crowd, said Brian Bollenbach, director of product development for Anyware Mobile Solutions. The BlackBerry and the iPhone still have their niche audiences, he said. But additions and phone upgrades are increasing their customer base. “I say in both cases they have opportunities to bleed over to both markets with their new versions,” said Bollenbach.
Smart phones took off about six years ago, said Bollenbach. They offered mobile versions of applications business people had on their home computers, making it easier to work away from the office.
Various industries took note of the increasing popularity for mobile devices. They started creating mobile Web sites, but many were slow to take off because it took a long time to download all the information. Bollenbach said in the past year there have been significant improvements to browsers that have sped up loading time. The success of the iPhone in the past year has the other carriers taking note of its forward-thinking applications, he said. “The systems are going to continue to become more diverse,” said Bollenbach. “I do think we’ll see certain carriers lose market shares and others will gain.”
Which company will see the most success depends on consumers’ carrier service, he said. The iPhone works for AT&T subscribers and the BlackBerry Storm is on the Verizon plan. Those services could influence future smart-phone purchases.
“I would say iPhone is off to a good start, they have a loyal fan base,” he said. “But we’ll have to see.”
Even with people conserving their money this holiday season, Bollenbach anticipates many smart phones are a likely gift purchase this year.
Apple iPhone Users Download 300 Million Apps December 8, 2008
Posted by aikservices in Apple, BlackBerry, CDMA, GSM, iPhone, Microsoft, Mobile, Palm, Research In Motion, RIM, Smartphone, Telecom, Wireless.Tags: Apple, BlackBerry, Microsoft, Mobile, Palm, Research In Motion, RIM, Smartphone, Telecom, Wireless
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Apple iPhone owners have downloaded 300 million applications through the App Store. The news came in the fine print of an advertisement in Friday’s edition of The New York Times.
What’s more, iPhone owners appear to have downloaded a whopping 100 million apps in the last six weeks alone, based on previous Apple disclosures.
To put the phenomenon into perspective, the App Store launched on July 11. By early September, Apple was boasting about its progress: 100 million downloads.
Apple launched its App Store with more than 3,000 applications — more than 90 percent priced at less than $10 and more than 600 offered for free. That number has since swelled to more than 10,000 applications, and numbers are growing as developers embrace the opportunity.
“This milestone demonstrates both Apple’s strengths and prominence in this space as a newcomer,” said Michael Gartenberg, vice president of mobile strategy for Jupitermedia. “It wasn’t that long ago when the CEO of Microsoft and the CEO of Palm were basically dismissing Apple’s efforts in mobile, talking about how difficult it is for a new entrant into the space.”
A Blockbuster App Store
The App Store’s applications can take advantage of the iPhone’s large display, multi-touch user interface, hardware-accelerated 3-D graphics, built-in accelerometer, and location-based technology.
Earlier this week, for example, Amazon released an application that lets users tap into its shopping features through the iPhone. But games and music topped the iPhone’s list of most popular applications.
“Apple has really turned the App Store quickly into an extremely viable and popular platform to developers. When Apple announced the first 100 million downloads, developers noticed,” Gartenberg said. “And there are something like 10,000 applications in the store right now, which is huge for a platform that’s been on the market and generally available for just a few months.”
Competitors Copycat
So popular is the iPhone App Store that Research In Motion is coming online with its own store. RIM in October announced the new store and a new on-device application center that opens up the BlackBerry’s millions of users to developers vying for an audience.
RIM said it plans to launch the BlackBerry application store next March, giving its users a one-stop shop for compatible applications and a user-friendly way to manage upgrades and purchases.
RIM said the introduction of more consumer-friendly features in BlackBerry smartphones has sparked interest from the general public. As a result, thousands of consumer and lifestyle-oriented applications for BlackBerry smartphones are now available.
Will Apple’s and RIM’s app stores duke it out? Analysts expect RIM to pick up its fair share of developers. Apple’s success with the iPhone and the subsequent App Store demonstrates the velocity of mobile and how quickly things change in this arena.
“When you’ve got the right technology, the right messaging, the right marketing, and the right product coming together at the right time, you can do a lot,” Gartenberg concluded.
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