Wireless Federation

Mobile payments to see major growth in coming years

On 12.01.11, In Mobile, By Editor

With the increasing demand for mobile payment services, mobile operators along with big companies such as Google, Visa and PayPal are reportedly working towards establishing themselves in this market. According to reports, mobile operators in the US, AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile are spending large amounts of money in an attempt to strengthen their foothold in the mobile money market.

Further, sources claim that while Google launched its mobile wallet service in the US this year, enabling consumers to use a NFC (Near Field Communications) enabled handset to make payments; Visa and PayPal are expected to offer their services by the next year.

As reported by Wireless Federation earlier, Spanish mobile giant Telefonica announced the trial of its mobile wallet service, in collaboration with BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM). Further, industry analysts believe that in the next five years, mobile payments are going to become the norm and may replace a large part of the traditional payment methods.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: AT&T • Google • mobile money • NFC • PayPal • RIM • T-Mobile • Verizon • Visa

RIM plans new business solution supporting multiple devices (Canada)

On 11.30.11, In Mobile, By Editor

BlackBerry maker, Research In Motion (RIM) has reportedly come out with a new software solution for its business customers which will enable them to manage different devices running on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android along with BlackBerry devices.

According to reports, Alan Panezic, vice president (platform product management), RIM, has said that the BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, as the device-management software is known, will be available in the first quarter and can run alongside or replace the BlackBerry Enterprise Server networks, RIM now operates for companies and government agencies. He added that this is a really, really important strategic move and that RIM is conducting trials with financial- services, manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies.

However, as per sources, industry analysts believe that while this is a very good solution for the corporate houses, where the BlackBerry is rapidly being replaced by iPhones and Android powered smartphones, to manage their services from a single web console; the solution may still not address RIM’s primary concern of declining sale volumes.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple iPhone • Blackberry • Google Android • Mobile Fusion • RIM

Telefonica and RIM to offer wallet services on NFC enabled BlackBerry phones (Spain, Canada)

On 11.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telefonica Digital is reportedly launching a pilot programme for its Telefonica wallet services for BlackBerry smartphones, in collaboration with Canada based Research In Motion (RIM). According to reports, Telefonica plans to roll out the Telefonica wallet for about 350 employees at its Spain headquarters. Sources believe that this service will enable users to make payments in a convenient manner by simply tapping their BlackBerry smartphone against a reader.

As per sources, Julio Linares, COO, Telefónica, S.A has said that they have chosen the BlackBerry solution for this pilot because of the security that the platform brings. Further, Matthew Key, Chairman & CEO Telefonica Digital, has said that they are getting closer to the point where customers will be able to take the contents of their wallets and put them on their mobiles. He added that such trials are an important step towards ensuring a great customer experience and that they look forward to seeing the launch of commercial wallet services in several markets next year.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Blackberry • Canada • NFC • RIM • Spain • Telefonica Digital • wallet services

Telefonica works towards improving services for users with sensory needs (UK)

On 11.11.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Telefonica UK, a leading telecommunications company, has reportedly partnered with Telenomics in an attempt to enhance services for people with sensory needs. As per reports, the company has trained its staff on how mobile can help people with visual impairment as well as people who are hard of hearing, in their daily routine.

Reports suggest that the staff has received its training from premier organisations such as, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Apple, BlackBerry maker – Research In Motion (RIM), and application developers such as Code Factory.

According to sources, the detailed training enables them to recommend specific smartphone features and functions, along with the different applications that can help improve the daily lives of individuals with sensory needs.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • O2 • RIM • Telefonica UK • Telenomics

RIM to lose Google’s Gmail app for BlackBerry (Canada)

On 11.10.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Things seem to be getting from bad to worse for Canada based BlackBerry maker, Research In Motion (RIM), with Google reportedly announcing that it will no longer support the Gmail app for blackberry smartphones. According to reports, Google’s web-based e-mail app will not be supported after 22^nd November; however, users who have already downloaded the app may continue to use it.

RIM has already been losing a significant amount of its market share with users preferring the Apple iPhone and the Samsung smartphones. As per sources, industry analysts claim that this move by Google is more of a signal to RIM as BlackBerry users would still be able to access their Gmail accounts on their phone’s Web browser, or by synchronizing their Google account with their BlackBerry service, but the app just makes it more convenient.

According to reports, RIM’s share of the global smartphone market fell from 15 percent for the third quarter in 2011 to 10 percent this year. Further, the handset maker witnessed a massive decline in the U.S. market alone wherein its market share fell from 24 percent to just 9 percent.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • Blackberry • Canada • Gmail • Google • RIM • Samsung

Apple iPhone leads the way with more than half of the industry profits

On 11.08.11, In Mobile, By Editor

According to industry reports, Apple iPhone is leading the smartphone industry, accounting for more than half (52 percent) of the industry’s total profits in the third quarter. Samsung had raced ahead of Apple during the second quarter but found itself in second place with the launch of Apple’s new iPhone 4S. Further, as per reports, during the third quarter of 2011, Apple and Samsung were responsible for as much as 81 percent of the revenues in the smartphone market. The remaining major manufacturers such as RIM, Sony, Motorola, Nokia, LG, HTC and Ericsson, all fell under 10 percent of the profits.

When compared to a few years ago, sources reveal that Nokia was dominating the smartphone industry with over 67 percent of the profits four years ago as compared to Apple’s profits of only 4 percent. Industry analysts believe that Apple’s position is only going to get stronger in the fourth quarter and may take as much as 60 percent of the industry profits. According to sources, Apple is expected to sell 29 million iPhones by December 2011 and over 100 million iPhones by the end of next year.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple iPhone • Motorola • Nokia • RIM • Samsung • smartphones

RIM’s share price falls below its book value (Canada)

On 11.03.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Canadian based BlackBerry handset manufacturer, Research In Motion (RIM) has witnessed a slump in its stock price which fell below its book value, for the first time in the past nine years. According to reports, RIM’s share price fell by 3.3 percent to $18.66 as compared to its book value of $18.92 per share last quarter. The book value refers to the net asset value of a company, calculated by total assets less the intangible assets and liabilities. It is the total value of the company’s assets that shareholders would theoretically receive if a company were liquidated.

RIM has been struggling to maintain its market share in the smartphone market against rivals Apple and Samsung. As per reports, the stock fell 67 percent this year, bringing down RIM’s market value to $10.1 billion. According to industry reports, Nokia’s share price had also fallen below its book value in August, but is currently trading at 1.4 times that price, and hopes to regain its stronghold in the smartphone market with its new Windows phones.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Blackberry • book value • RIM

RIM faces legal action over BlackBerry outage (USA, Canada)

On 10.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

The recent BlackBerry service outage has still left a few customers fuming even after an apology from RIM’s executives and the extension of free apps for BlackBerry users. According to reports, two lawsuits have been filed against the Canadian handset maker by users seeking compensation for their loss. The outage which lasted for almost five day, left millions of users in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas unable to receive emails and messages.

Sources claim that BlackBerry user Eric Mitchell has filed a lawsuit in the United States seeking compensation for service fees and legal costs. The claim filed on behalf of all American users along with Mitchell’s expenses could be expensive for RIM which reportedly has a customer base of 2.4 million BlackBerry users in the state. Similarly, a lawsuit has been filed in Canada asking for cash compensation along with a full responsibility for the outage.

Sources claim that RIM receives almost $3.4 million per day in service revenue from the BlackBerry handsets with over 16 million users in the United States alone.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Blackberry • Canada • Eric Mitchell • RIM

RIM to offer customers free apps worth $100 (Canada)

On 10.18.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Research in Motion (RIM), the company behind the BlackBerry product line, will offer its customers a selection of apps worth $100 free of charge, as a token of gratitude for their patience during the failure of the company’s network services. The problem that started at RIM’s European data centre soon spread across the world, causing discontent among millions of BlackBerry loyalists. Some of the apps offered include Bejeweled, Bubble bash 2, Shazam Encore and Nobex Radio. The apps will be made available to the customers over the coming weeks on BlackBerry App World and will be available till December 31, 2011.

As per reports, Mike Lazardis, Co-CEO, RIM said that their global network supports the communications needs of more than 70 million customers. He added that they were grateful to their loyal BlackBerry customers for their patience and will work tirelessly to restore their confidence.

The company also said that RIM’s enterprise customers will be offered one month of free technical support. While current customers will be offered a complimentary one month extension of their existing technical support contract, customers who do not currently have a contract will be offered a one month trial of RIM’s BlackBerry technical support services – enhanced support, free of charge.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apps • Blackberry • Canada • Mike Lazardis • RIM

Nokia, RIM lead mobile market, Apple lags behind (India)

On 10.14.11, In Mobile, By Editor

While Apple iPhone’s have become quite the rage across the world, India, the world’s second largest mobile phone market, receives fewer handsets than most of the smaller markets, as per recent reports. Nokia and Research In Motion have been the most successful in India’s mobile market with 602 million subscribers.

Analysts suggest that one of the reasons for Apple’s lower market share in India is the inability of Indian wireless carriers to offer fast services that use the iPhone features to the fullest. As per reports, the 3G network in India isn’t at par with the services offered in regions like Western Europe and Northern America. Further, as Apple only sells its products through licensed resellers, accessibility to the product can also become an issue.

As per the World Bank estimates, about 900 million people live on less than $2 a day in India. With the cheapest iPhone 4 selling for $705 and the cheapest iPad 2 costing about $603, affordability is also a cause for concern for users in the nation. In contrast, Apple’s U.S. online store offers its users the iPhone 4 at $199 with an AT&T Inc. contract and the iPad at $499. Sources claim that while only 62,043 iPhones were shipped to India during the last quarter, lesser than those send to Norway, Belgium or Israel, the number of iPads shipped was as low as 21,150 accounting for only 0.2 percent of its global total.

As per sources, Nokia accounted for 46 percent of India’s smartphone shipments in the quarter ended June 30, followed by Samsung Electronics at 21 percent, RIM at 15 percent while Apple accounted for only 2.6 percent. Further, reports suggest that Nokia and Research In Motion Ltd. sell more devices in India, where smartphone shipments are forecast to grow almost 70 percent a year until 2015.

Analysts claim that RIM got the right product, the right timing and the right app. RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) instant-messaging service gained popularity because it was one of the first, and it functions well on 2G speeds as well. As per reports, Krishnadeep Baruah, Director of Marketing for Waterloo, Canada-based RIM in India said that RIM, which entered India in 2004, plans to extend its lead over Apple after expanding distribution to 80 cities from 15 starting last year.

As per industry estimates, smartphone shipments in India are expected to grow at an average of 68 percent a year, to 81.5 million units by 2015.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • Belgium • Blackberry • Canada • India • iPhone • Israel • Nokia • Norway • RIM