VZ Navigator 5.0 introduced by Verizon Wireless
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: VZ Navigator 5.0, the newest version of map, navigation and local search service has been launched by Verizon Wireless. The latest embodiment of the GPS-enabled service is powered by mobile communication technology solutions provider TeleCommunication Systems.
An updated, easy-to-use interface, improved functionality for identifying points of interest and the capacity to run multiple VZ Navigator functions simultaneously within a navigation session are promised by the new service.
VZ Navigator 5.0 will start functioning on devices including the BlackBerry Curve 8530, LG enV Touch, HTC Touch Pro2 and Samsung Omnia and it is available for $9.99 a month for unlimited access or $2.99 for one-day/24-hour access on certain devices.
Access to premium places of interest, opt-in, anonymous Traffic Crowd Sourcing and graphic notifications alerting users of tunnels, U-turns, traffic circles and toll plazas are some of the other special features of the service.
Motorola & Google to design Nexus Two
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: With the huge success of Nexus One, Google is working on its sequel, Nexus Two, along with Motorola. According to Co-CEO Sanjay Jha, the company has the ambition to launch 20 smartphones in 2010 including one direct-to-consumer device with Google.
Google is selling the HTC designed Nexus One directly through a web-based sales channel, and through carrier partnerships and plans to sell Nexus Two the same way.
Eric Clapton & T-Mobile team up for myTouch smartphone
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Owners of myTouch smartphone can now enjoy “Layla,” “Wonderful Tonight,” “My Father’s Eyes†and several other rocking numbers by Rock legend Eric Clapton. Eric and T-Mobile USA signed an agreement to release a limited-edition myTouch smartphone. The handset features a sunburst finish inspired by Fender guitars.
Artists Wyclef Jean, Avril Lavigne and Brad Paisley will also be featuring in the handsets. Besides the handset will also have HTC-developed music player that allows users to touch the album art to toggle between views or change a song or album.
Users can also create ringtones as songs are playing, through the music player. According to T-Mobile USA, the myTouch 3G Fender Limited Edition introduces a customized multimedia sync solution created in partnership with startup doubleTwist.
Nexus users complain of connectivity problems
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: After a grand launch of its Nexus Phone a week back, it’s time for Google to get prepared for some backlash as the users of this trendy handset are having a tough time to connect to T-Mobile USA’s 3G networks.
In addition, users are required to file their complaint via email even as it warns that a personal response isn’t likely.
More than 500 comments have been attracted by the spotty 3G reception on Google’s support forum. Google along with its partner HTC has got a major issue in the form of connectivity problems. Many bloggers have questioned whether Google can continue to sell phones without providing the kind of personalized customer support they are used to.
NexusOne parts cost $174.15
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The new Google-designed Android handset, Nexus, is made of components worth $174.15. HTC’s phone is available in USA for $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile or at unsubsidized price of $529 for an unlocked phone. The cost is only of hardware and components and does not include other costs such as manufacturing, software, accessories and royalties.
Though the features like unibody construction and the blazingly fast†Snapdragon processor was already available in other smartphones made by the Taiwan based company, this was the first they had been combined into a single design.
31% decrease in HTC’s Q4 profit
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Due to intense market competition, HTC’s Q4 net profit fell 31% year-on-year. A net profit of TW$5.58 billion ($175.4 million), compared to profit of TW$8.1 billion a year ago has been recorded by the company. Net profit of TW$5.58 billion ($175.4 million), compared to profit of TW$8.1 billion a year ago and lower than analysts’ expectations of TW$7.18 billion has been recorded by the company.
Net profit of NT$22.65 billion, from revenue of NT$144.89 billion was recorded by HTC for the full year but in November, revenue fell 13.2% to NT$41.08 billion.
However, Google’s recently-launched Nexus One handset developed by HTC has helped to improve the company’s fortune. But it has also been warned that HTC could accrue lower profit margins from the handsets and its lower price relative to most of HTC’s current smartphone offerings could also serve to drive down prices across HTC’s range.
Nexus One smartphone unveiled by Google
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Nexus One, Google’s first mobile phone has been launched by the company along with its own web store to market the device. The online cost of the device will be USD 529 while a subsidized version for USD 179 will be offered by T-Mobile USA with a two-year service plan.
The CDMA version of the phone developed by Google will be soon offered by Verizon Wireless in the US. Besides, the handset will also be launched shortly in the UK and other European markets in 2010.
Qualcomm 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and a 3.7-inch Amoled touch screen are some of the exclusive features of HTC made Nexus One. Besides, this 130g, 11.5mm phone also features a 5 megapixel camera with auto zoom, GPS, accelerometer, light and proximity sensors, a 4GB memory card expandable to 32 GB, trackball navigation, HSPA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Android 2.1 operating system runs the phone along with the full range of Google services installed, access to the Google Market, speech recognition for voice commands and integrated messaging and contacts list.
Online orders will be taken from the US, UK, Hong Kong and Singapore initially and the company plans expand its web store to more countries in future.
CHT picks Ericsson for LTE trial
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan’s leading operator by subscribers has signed an MOU with Ericson to set up a small-scale Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband trial network in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan.
The basic network infrastructure including the base stations and network management systems for the 4G network will be provided by Ericsson.
The companies have set their target and are confident to complete their first testing phase by mid-2010. According to the reports of CommsUpdate, Chunghwa is looking forward to launch LTE services in 2011.
The company is also functioning with six firms including the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), HTC, HT mMobile, Asustek Computer, Coiler and the Institute for Information Industry (III) to develop LTE products in preparation for a commercial launch.
Verizon certain to add one million subscribers in its Q4
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Verizon Communications Inc. Chief Financial Officer John Killian said he is confident that the company will hit 1 million wireless contract subscribers in the fourth quarter.
The US based telco dominated the holiday season, known to be very critical for carriers’ and is looking forward to add more subscribers, with the help of its Android software along with the Motorola Inc. Droid and the HTC Corp. Droid Eris.
Another telecom company AT&T Inc has offered new devices such as Research in Motion Ltd.’s Blackberry Bold2 while its Apple Inc. iPhone is still enjoying the success.
According to Killian, the company is focusing on its own line up devices and there can be ample growth driven by new customers who sign up long-term contracts and more adoption of data services.
The company also said that 3,000 landline workforce will be reduced in the fourth quarter while 7,200 jobs have already been slashed in the first nine months of the year. Recently, Verizon Inc. shares increased by 0.6% to $33.44.
