Google Maps shows where Osama Bin Laden died
Google Maps has been updated with a pinpoint for Osama bin Laden’s compound in northern Pakistan.
The terrorist, who was reported dead Sunday night, was killed during a carefully coordinated U.S. military operation. The plan to kill bin Laden was put into action at Abbottabad, a city about 75 miles north of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
As elated crowds gather around the U.S. to celebrate, many Google Maps and Google Places users are posting “reviews” to the Place page to express their own elation. At the time of this writing, 233 reviews had been posted.
Vodafone Czech Republic offers 3G coverage application
Vodafone Czech Republic in partnership with the server DSL.cz is offering an application with which customers can view a map with data on real speeds of mobile connection.
The application is designed for Android OS phones.
The application is available for free on the Android Market. The results of speed measurement can be shared on Facebook and Twitter. The application runs on Google Maps.
NTT DoCoMo to sell Xperia arc from March 24 (Japan)
Japan’s NTT DoCoMo is all set to begin the sales of Xperia arc SO-01C smartphone nationwide from 24th March.
The arc is powered by Android 2.3 and supports download speeds of 14 Mbps. It is a touch screen mobile featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, FM Radio, GPS, Camera, Email, Instant messaging, 3.5 mm audio jack, Google Maps and Media Player.
MTN Nigeria, Samsung enter data bundle partnership
MTN Nigeria has signed a strategic data bundle deal with Samsung Mobile. As per the agreement, a number of Samsung phones will be loaded with exclusive MTN bundle that offers special free downloads, voice/video calls and a free MTN SIM card.
According to Samsung Handheld Director Fady Khatib, the phones involved in the bundle offer were equipped with Google Android operating system and Google mobile services, including Gtalk, Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps and application store. The phones are also equipped with Samsung Integrated messaging solution, which supports multiple emails, IM and personal information management solutions.
He added that each phone comes with a 12-month warranty and after sales support. The trio of Samsung Galaxy 5, Samsung Galaxy S and Samsung Galaxy Tab are the three devices that will be loaded with the MTN data bundle.
He stated that the new Samsung Galaxy 5 was 3G compatible phone and it was pre-loaded with social networking applications such as Facebook and Twitter, among others. It also comes with an exclusive MTN Bundle of 750MB of free data downloads and is valid for three months. The retail price for this bundle offer is US$205.66.
Android captures 22% share of Global Tablet Shipment in Q4 2010
Latest research reveals that global tablet shipments reached 10 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010. Apple maintained first position, while Android soared and captured a record 22% global share.
According to sources, Global tablet shipments grew 120% sequentially to reach 9.7 million units in Q4 2010. Apple maintained first position. Apple recorded an impressive 75% global market share during the fourth quarter, but it has slipped from a peak of 95% in Q3 2010 due to rising competition from Android.
Android tablet volumes experienced 2000% sequential growth and its global market share soared to a record 22% in Q4 2010. The Samsung Galaxy Tab was the main driver of Android’s success, as the model was launched in dozens of countries and promoted heavily by Samsung. Tablet makers like Android because of its perceived low cost and an accompanying range of compelling media services such as YouTube and Google Maps.
They also expect Android to increase share of the global tablet market during the first half of 2011. Several models from major vendors are scheduled to hit retail stores, such as the Motorola Xoom. The growing base of tablets will make Android a more attractive platform for media developers in the United States and worldwide.
Globacom launches tracking service
Globacom has introduced a new and affordable tracking device known as GloWatch. The technology assists subscribers to track the movement, speed and location of their mobile assets such as cars, buses, motorbikes and boats anywhere in the country.
It is a GPS/GSM-powered device and works by delivering a stream of SMS communication between the mobile asset and the subscriber’s telephone set.
GloWatch gives the user automated reports such as speed and trip reports as well as date and time of events if the device has been pre-set for such reporting. The device does not rely heavily on network resources as it uses only the Glo SMS platform.
According to Globacom’s Head of Value Added Services, Samson Isa, the new product has an advantage over other tracking devices on the market. While such other competing products only allow signal tracking, GloWatch enables the subscriber to listen-in and eavesdrop on every conversation in the mobile asset at any point in time.
He added that there are over 20,000 pre-identified land marks in Nigeria for ease of reference and location, which can be zoomed into on Google maps. Pre-loaded landmarks are also available, thus offering the subscriber a very user-friendly experience and ability to track the asset with any mobile phone with a Glo SIM. GloWatch was developed to help tackle the menace of thieves. The subscribers can now sleep with both eyes closed while GloWatch watches over their mobile assets.
SK Telecom set to spend immensely on mobile software
SK Telecom Co, South Korea’s top mobile carrier will spend US$894 million over the next three years to develop its own mobile software like Facebook, Google Maps and iTunes for smart phone users home and abroad.
According to Chief Executive Jung Man-won, the investment will be mostly allocated in research and development, to support the creation of smart phone applications and services that will work on various mobile operating systems (OS), as well as SK Telecom’s own proprietary mobile OS.
The company’s CEO also stated that in the mid to long-term, the wireless operator will build its own proprietary mobile OS to fend off the increasing control by mobile OS creators, such as Apple and Google.
SK Telecom is also planning to build a wide range of mobile software from maps, social networking, instant messaging, commerce and content exchange store that are adapted, distributed and created into thousands of smart phone applications by developers.
According to the company’s statement, what the Korean wireless carrier aims to provide will be akin to the services offered by non-telecom companies like Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and Apple Inc.
The company will unveil the so-called application programming interface (API) of the company’s maps, music store and other services, to invite developers to create applications based on them, which the company hopes will attract more smart phone users and enrich their phone experience.
SK Telecom is setting its prospects on markets in the United States, China and Southeast Asia as developers use its software.
Mobile advertising poised for substantial growth: Google exec
Diana Pouliot, Google executive addressed the opportunities and advantages of mobile advertising at the International CTIA Wireless 2010 conference.
According to Pouliot, mobile Web usage is driving consumers in new ways and is creating opportunities for advertisers and content owners. She stressed on four key factors including ubiquity, the mobile Web, location and driving action.
Ubiquity is one of the main factors which influence the advertisements. While Smartphones accounted for 9 percent of global mobile phone sales in 2008, they are predicted to rise to 46 percent by 2013. In the past two years, mobile search traffic has increased by five times and Google maps for mobile have also increased by over 50 million active maps for mobile users.
As per the data referred by Pouliot, more than 60,000 Android devices are shipped per day. These users are active and highly engaged with their devices.
Web is another driving innovation. There has been a considerable shift in mobile and companies such as Amazon and Facebook tap into resources that are accessible via mobile Web.
With location, mobile advertising becomes even more powerful. To add to it, mapping and directions also form a big part of how Google wants to provide information to users and marketers can also take advantage of these products.
Sprint & GetJar offer 60,000+ free apps
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Independent app store’s 60,000-plus free applications will be offered under the new partnership between Sprint and GetJar to all feature phone subscribers as well as BlackBerry and Windows Mobile smartphone users. A link to the GetJar catalog is now live on the Sprint portal across most of its handsets.
Facebook Mobile, Google Maps, YouTube, Weather Channel Mobile, ShopSavvy and Loopt are some of the popular applications offered by GetJar. 750 million GetJar apps have already been downloaded by the consumers worldwide.
According to Sprint director of product management and development Kevin McGinnis, the company has been fairly open about its views on storefronts and they want to provide the greatest amount of choice and support operating systems, as opposed to their own proprietary storefront.
