News
Android SDK v0.9 Almost Ready Video
Recently the HTC dream has received approval from the FCC. The HTC dream will be the first phone released by T-Mobile to operate on the Android OS. The Android SDK has recently been tweaked and appears ready for launch. Watch the video by clicking on the link: http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/45/
Google launches Free The Airwaves
Google announced on Monday the launch of FreetheAirWaves.com, a site promoting the unlicensed use of "white space" spectrum. Google is trying to lobby for unlicensed white space with Dell and Microsoft to bring public awareness to the issue. The FCC has recently completed field tests on spectrum interference and will make a decision on how to allocate unused bandwidth in the coming months.
Google's goal here is to expand its reach by giving more people access to the internet
Verizon Wireless Introduces Usage Controls
Verizon today unveiled Usage controls which Verizon allows users to manage their own wireless experience online as well as how their children or others on a "family share" or multiple-line account use their phones. WIth a subscription of $4.99 a month for each line, customers can:
- Set thresholds for voice minutes;
- Set specific limits for text, picture, instant and video messagin as part of pay-as-you-go or message bundle plans; Set time of day restrictions for data use and messaging;
- Create lists of "trusted" and "blocked" numbers (calls to 911 will always be allowed to connect); and
- Employ content filters.
T-Mobile to Offer First Android Smartphone
T-Mobile USA will be the first carrier to offer a mobile phone based on Google's Android software, according to the New York Times. The phone is expected to go on sale in the U.S. before Christmas and perhaps as early as October. The high-end phone will be made by the world's top smartphone maker High Tech Computer Corp and is expected to compete with the iPhone and the Blackberry, as well as other smartphones.
Verizon Tops J.D Power Customer Care Study
Verizon finally beats out T-Mobile USA to top J.D. Power and Associates' 2008 Wireless Customer Care Performance study. The study surveyed more than 11,000 respondents based on telephone calls with a service representative and/or automated reponse system (ARS), visits to a retail wireless store, and via the internet.
The study found that the industry wait time is 4.4 minutes, up 34 percent from the previous survey. Additionally 49 percent of wireless customers called in for help, up from 47% reported six months ago. J.D. Power attribute the extra minute on hold to the complexity of new handsets and services.
Verizon posted a score of 103 followed by Alltel with 102, T-Mobile scored 100 and AT&T was fourth with 97. Sprint/Nextel was the only carrier in the survey to score below the industry's average, posting a score of 79.
Verizon Offers Best Corporate Mobile Plan
According to a recent poll from Technology Practice at Chadwick Martic Bailey, Verizon was named the top U.S. carrier for mobile enterprise applications. The firm surveyed over 114 IT decision-makers and the winners were as follows:
- Verizon - 46%
- AT&T Wireless/Cingular - 33%
- Sprint Nextel - 14%
- T-Mobile - 5%
- Alltel - 3%
The main reason respondents deployed mobile enterprise applications was to mainly increase productivity, enhance employee availability and increase collaboration among employees.
On the other hand, the survey found respondents were wary of deploying the technology because they were concern over data security and cost.
Virgin Mobile USA Q2 Profit Declines
Virgin Mobile USA said its profits have dropped sharply as revenue declined and the company lost net subscribers in the second quarter. Revenue had slipped 3 percent to $317.4 million from $327.6 million. Additionally the company lost 111,273 net customers during the quarter, up from a loss of 53,424 net subscribers a year earlier. Gross customer additions totaled 728,370 during the quarter. Churn was abnormally high at 5.6 percent due to the fact that they use a prepaid model.
Alltel Q2 Results
Alltel added a total net of 319,687 (up from 181,494 in the prior year) to a total subscriber base of 13.4 million. The company posted total churn at 1.92 percent and average revenue per user was $54.42, up 1 percent from last year. Alltel's data revenue was $8.18 up 45 percent year over year.
Despite strong customer growth and a 10 percent increase in revenues, Alltel reported a los of $69.9 million due to interest costs and depreciation and amortization expenses following the November 2007 merger with an affiliated of TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners.
Truphone Offers 1.5 Cent per Minute VoIP Calling to US and Canada
Truphone has launched a plan called Tru Saver VoIP which will be made available for the Apple iPhone and the Nokia S60. The application provides discount calling around the world using a smartphone's WiFi or 3G data connection.
The plan offers 1000 minutes for $14.99/month (roughly $0.15/minute) for calls to the U.S and Canada. However purchased minute bundles must be used within 30 days or they expire.
Virgin Mobile Launches BlackBerry Pearl 8130
Virgin Mobile Canada is offering the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 for $399 on a 30-day plan or you can sign a longer contract and get the phone for $299 with a 1 year contract, $249 with a 2 year contract or for free with a 3 year contract. Check the ad below to get the pricing plan details.
