Wireless Federation

SingTel launches global cloud-based service (Singapore)

On 02.03.12, In Mobile, By Editor

Mobile operator SingTel has launched a global cloud-based service that enables companies to secure, control and manage corporate data and mobile devices of their employees, regardless of their location. The SingTel Mobility Device Manager (MDM) service, enables companies to manage devices of different mobile OS and ensure information security for mobile devices used by their workforce. This includes company-issued devices, as well as those belonging to employees.

According to company reports, Bill Chang, Executive Vice President (Business Group), SingTel has said that they are seeing a surge in the number of companies that allow their employees to bring their own mobile devices for work. In fact, the use of smartphones for business activities worldwide is projected to grow by 116 per cent by 2014. This opens up new security issues, particularly for companies with regional operations. With SingTel MDM, companies can secure data through security policy settings and governance, control on devices, manage apps deployment and control cost through usage policy management. These can all be done via the simple-to-use web-based portal.

Further, in the event of the loss or theft of an employee’s mobile device, an administrator can remotely lock the device or selectively erase corporate data to prevent market sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Administrators can determine the location of the missing devices and remotely deploy and track apps downloads within the enterprise. They are also able to configure and provision the devices over-the-air.

The report alsoreveals that SingTel MDM is compatible with all mobile OS platforms including iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Symbian and Windows Mobile. In addition, it is independent of the location and mobile network, thus facilitating the seamless control of mobile devices globally.

Chang added that as SingTel MDM is offered on a monthly subscription basis, companies do not need to make upfront investments in equipment and can avoid the ongoing costs of managing and maintaining complex systems and hardware. This allows them to improve their productivity, increase business agility and reduce their operating costs significantly.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Blackberry • Data • global cloud-based service • IOS • Singapore • SingTel • SingTel Mobility Device Manager (MDM) • Symbian • windows phone

T-Mobile offers free messaging for Android users via Bobsled (USA)

On 01.13.12, In Mobile, By Editor

Mobile operator T-Mobile has expanded messaging and enhanced calling functionality for Bobsled, providing consumers with effortless communication for free across devices, countries, social networks and mobile carriers. Expanding upon the Bobsled Calling service introduced earlier this year, Bobsled Messaging is an all-in-one, cloud-based messaging application that allows consumers to send and receive individual and group messages with friends and family from any Android-powered smartphone or tablet, and almost any Web-connected, browser-enabled device.

Further, T-Mobile has also enhanced its Bobsled Calling service, enabling users to make free phone calls over their data connection from their mobile and Wi-Fi-enabled devices including Android-powered smartphones and tablets as well as iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch devices.

Brad Duea, Senior Vice President, T-Mobile USA has said that with Bobsled, they continue to leverage and embrace the power of IP communications to bring seamless, cost-effective connections to consumers across networks, devices, countries and carriers. He added that people can now make free voice calls from an iPad or tablet, send free one-to-one and group messages anywhere in the world, and access their phone’s contacts and text messages from their tablet or computer.

A major advantage of this service is that it allows people to send free, rich media messages including photos, videos and locations to Bobsled users anywhere in the world where they have an open data connection from any Android-powered smartphone, tablet or Web-connected device, using their existing mobile number. Bobsled Messaging also allows people to send group messages from any Android-powered smartphone to other Android-powered smartphones as well as iOS, Windows and Blackberry smartphones and even feature phones.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Bobsled • Brad Duea • free messaging • iPhone • smartphone • T-Mobile • USA

Apple wins patent battle against HTC (USA, Taiwan)

On 12.23.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Apple Inc has emerged victorious in its patent lawsuit against handset manufacturer HTC, as the International Trade Commission has reportedly ruled that HTC has infringed on one patent held by the iPhone maker. As per reports, any of HTC’s phones using the technology which has been infringed will be banned from sales in the USA from 19 April, 2012.

According to reports, industry analysts believe that the ruling is not expected to have a major impact on the company’s sales as the ruling gives them enough time to come up with another feature to compensate for the infringed feature.

As per sources, HTC has said that the feature in question is a common user-interface function which enables smartphone users to access information such as contact numbers and e-mail addresses from apps and other sources, and use them by simply tapping on the text.

The victory will be well received by Apple, after losing out to Korean giant Samsung, on a similar patent infringement case in Australia last month.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Apple • Australia • Google • HTC • Patent • Samsung • smartphone • USA

European Commission postpones review of Google-Motorola deal (USA)

On 12.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

The European Commission has reportedly asked Google to provide more information regarding its proposal to purchase Motorola Mobility for US$ 12.5 billion before it gives the approval for the same. According to reports, the ruling which was initially scheduled for January 10 has been postponed to a later date, as the Commission has asked Google to provide certain documents critical to the evaluation process.

As reported by Wireless Federation earlier, industry sources claim that this deal will further empower Google to expand its market share as well as better compete with rival Apple Inc. Further, this deal is expected to bring over 17,000 patents that can be used by Google to protect the Android software platform.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • European Commission • Google • Motorola Mobility • Patents

MTS adds nearly 800,000 customers with Android smartphones (India)

On 11.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

MTS, a unit of Sistema Syam TeleServices Limited (SSTL), has reportedly added around 800,000 customers in the month of October alone, with the launch of two low cost Android smartphones – MTS MTag 3.1 and MTS Livewire priced under US$ 100.

According to reports, a spokesperson for MTS has said that they were able to get 7,95,523 customers in the festive month of October because they gave the CDMA consumers the option to choose from a variety of Android phones at different price points and they also initiated a lot of awareness campaign across the country. He added that the launch of the two smartphones in the festive season helped propel their growth.

As per sources, pre-paid users received 150 minutes of calls, 150 SMSs and 150 MB of data free every month for 12 months, with the smartphone. Whereas postpaid users were offered a 12 month contract during which users had to pay Rs 250 each month, against which they received 250 minutes of calls, 250 SMSs and 250 MB of data free each month.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • CDMA • MTS • smartphones • SSTL

Facebook may launch its own phone with HTC (USA, Taiwan)

On 11.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Social networking site Facebook may be looking to launch its own mobile phone in the next couple of years. According to reports, the mobile phone codenamed ‘Buffy’, will be manufactured by HTC and will be powered by a customized version of Google Ins.’s Android software.

As per sources, the phone will work on the HTML5 platform better suited for Facebook applications. The social networking major has worked with HTC and Motorola on smartphones that include a ‘facebook’ button, providing users with easy access to the site from their mobile device.

Sources claim that a Facebook spokesperson has reportedly said they believe every mobile device is better if it is deeply social, adding that they have been working with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Buffy • Facebook • Google • HTC • Motorola

Android smartphones account for 52.5 percent of the global mobile market in Q3

On 11.17.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Google’s Android mobile software powered more than half of all smartphones sold across the world in the third quarter of 2011, doubling its market share as compared to last year, according to a research report by Gartner. The research giant said that smartphone sales by volume grew 42 percent even as some consumers delayed purchases in anticipation of Apple’s latest iPhone.

Roberta Cozza, analyst in Gartner’s European unit has said that Android benefited from more mass-market offerings, a weaker competitive environment, and the lack of exciting new products on alternative operating systems. According to the report, the global mobile handset sales during the third quarter totaled 440.5 million units, with smartphone sales reaching 115 million, representing a quarter-over-quarter increase of 7 percent and year-over-year increase of 42 percent.

Android smartphones led the way with sales of 60 million, up from the 20 million units sold last year, while Apple reported unit sales of 17 million, up from 13 million in the past year. Symbian based phones saw the biggest decline with sales falling to 19 million from 29 million in the past year resulting in its market share declining from 36.3 percent to 16.9 percent.

The report reveals that smartphone sales reached 115 million units in the third quarter of 2011, up 42 percent from the same period in 2010. Further, smartphone sales accounted for 26 percent of all mobile phone sales, gaining only a marginal one percent in the previous quarter.

Cozza also states that the strong smartphone growth in China and Russia helped increase overall volumes in the quarter, but demand for smartphones stalled in advanced markets such as Western Europe and the U.S. as many users waited for new flagship devices featuring new versions of the key operating systems. She added that slowdowns also occurred in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa.

Further, Ms. Cozza also said that some consumers held off upgrading in the third quarter because they were waiting for promotions on other new high-end models that were launched in the run-up to the fourth quarter holiday season, while other consumers were waiting for a rumored new iPhone and associated price cuts on older iPhone models which affected U.S. sales particularly.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Apple • China • iPhone • Mobile market • Russia • smartphone

Telenor combines with Google to enhance Android adoption (Asia, Europe)

On 11.16.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telecommunications giant, Telenor has entered into an agreement with Google in an attempt to increase Android adoption. According to reports, Telenor’s Android users will be able to access an updated range of apps on the front page of Android Market, pay for them apps via their mobile operator. This will also benefit local developers by increasing the accessibility of their apps while helping them increase their revenues.

As per sources, the deal is expected to be launched initially in Thailand, Sweden, Hungary, Malaysia and Denmark, early next year, and subsequently cover all of Telenor’s international markets. The deal comes as a result of the ever-increasing demand for mobile content across the European and the Asian economies.

Reports suggest that Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President & CEO, Telenor Group has said that this deal between Google and Telenor is designed to inject even more energy into the Android ecosystem. Most importantly, it means that millions of Telenor customers will experience easier access to more and richer mobile content, as well as flexible payment solutions.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Denmark • Android • Apps • Google • Hungary • Malaysia • Sweden • Telenor • Thailand

AT&T launches free mobile VoIP app (USA)

On 11.14.11, In Mobile, By Editor

American multinational telecommunications corporation, AT&T has reportedly introduced a free mobile VoIP (Voice Over internet Protocol) app titled ‘AT&T Call International’ that allows users to make long distance international calls at low rates. Sources suggest that the app not only enables users to make international calls from the U.S. at low rates, but also use the discount by making calls over Wi-Fi when abroad.

According to reports, the operator has said that the app provides simple, step-by-step instructions to establish an AT&T Call International account, on completion of which, customers would be able to make international calls through the app which would be billed directly to the customer’s credit card.

As per sources, AT&T’s app is currently available only for the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android smartphones.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • AT&T • Blackberry • iPhone • VoIP app

Huawei in discussions with Microsoft regarding Android software (China, USA)

On 11.09.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Chinese based Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, is reportedly talking to Microsoft for use of its Android software. According to reports, Microsoft has claimed that Google’s Android operating system has violated its intellectual property rights and has already convinced mobile phone makers such as Samsung and HTC among others, to pay patent royalty fees.

As per sources, Victor Xu, CMO, Huawei has said that the discussions with Microsoft are in progress. Further, he also hinted that the firm my open up a new design centre in London and has picked UK as the launch site for the launch of its smartphones and tablet computers. Reports suggest that the firm is looking to expand into other markets such as US, Japan and India in the coming year, followed by other regions in 2013. Mr. Xu reportedly said that they have established very aggressive targets in the market, and are aiming to be among the top five smartphones over the next three years.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Google • Huawei • India • Japan • Microsoft • Patent