Telcos, IT Companies Start $1B Promotion for Mobile Broadband as Alternative to Wi-Fi and WiMax

Some of the world's largest IT and mobile companies have teamed up to create a new category of always-connected 'Mobile Broadband' devices, delivering an alternative to WiFi. According to reports, in the first phase of this initiative lead by GSM Association (GSMA), mobile operators, PC manufacturers and chipset providers will collaborate to pre-install Mobile Broadband into a range of notebook PCs that will be ready to switch on and surf straight out of the box in 91 countries. more»

Security Experts Concerned Over Availability of Software Development Kits for Mobile Devices

Security experts warn that the rapid growth of mobile devices as most used web-access device in the world means that they will be a major target for cybercriminals. The availability of software development kits for the recently launched Google G1 phone, as well as Apple's iPhone, and the Blackberry, are freely available to hackers. Reported today by Clive Akass of Personal Computer World, Rick Howard, director of intelligence for US security specialist iDefense, a division of VeriSign, says: "We are basically giving the hacker community a tool so that they can figure out how the thing works so that they can hack it." more»

Google, T-Mobile Launch Android-Powered G1 Mobile Phone

Google Inc. and T-Mobile USA today unveiled the highly anticipated smart-phone G1, the first in the industry to be based on Android, Google's operating system for mobile phones. Currently available for T-Mobile customers only, the T-Mobile G1 combines full touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes popular Google services such as Google Maps Street View, Gmail, YouTube and others. The T-Mobile G1 is also the first phone to provide access to Android Market, where customers can find and download unique applications to expand and personalize their phone to fit their lifestyle. more»

German Court Bans VoIP App for iPhone

Germany's Higher Regional Court of Hamburg has banned the use of a VoIP application called Sipgate on the Apple iPhone. The application enables iPhone users to make VoIP calls when via local Wi-Fi hotspots in Germany. The court case was brought by T-Mobile, which is the exclusive distributor of the iPhone in Germany. The application is however currently still available for sale on Apple's iTunes, as it has not been banned for use outside Germany. more»

Asia Lags on Internet Despite Strong Mobile Growth

Asia is expected to continue maintaining a strong growth in the mobile market due to sustained demands from China and India -- two of the world's largest mobile markets. However, "even if Asia is the world's largest broadband market in terms of absolute numbers, it lags the United States and Europe in overall penetration, with just 3.6 out of every 100 inhabitants connected to the high-speed Internet, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said in a report." more»

Airline Mobile Broadband Service: Cell Towers or Satellite Systems?

American Airlines, using Aircell Gogo for the in-flight mobile broadband service launched yesterday on flights between New York and San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami, and Delta will also rollout Gogo across its domestic flights within about a year. Airlines are starting to offer Internet access, but are falling into one of two camps: airplane antennas that beam down to cell towers, or beam up to satellites. Several airlines are lining up behind service provider Aircell, which has built its own cellular network, erecting towers across the United States, following the win of a coveted FCC frequency license in 2006. more»

Over 13 Million Mobile Data Card Users in the US

Though often thought to be the power tool of the business road warrior, wireless data cards that allow laptop and PC users to connect to the Internet over a wireless carrier's cellular network, are quickly becoming a popular means of home Internet access, says new report by Nielsen Mobile. According to the study, 43% of mobile data card users report they most often use their data card at home, while 15 percent say they typically use the card at work. Additionally, one in five (21 percent) data card subscribers take advantage of ubiquitous access by heading outdoors and 9 percent use their card while commuting. more»

Android Rumored as More Than Just a Mobile OS

According to reports, Google's Android mobile phone operating system (OS) to be launching in few weeks might actually be indented to be more than just a mobile OS. Google may be aiming at expanding Android as a universal operating system spanning set-top boxes for televisions, mp3 players and other communication and media devices and services. According to Eric Eldon of VentureBeat, rumors about this plan have actually been circulating since last year. Google chief internet evangelist and Internet co-creator Vint Cerf hinted at Google's larger focus during a talk on innovation journalism in 2006, before Android existed..." more»

Mobile Internet Penetration Has Reached Critical Mass Says Recent Study

According to a report released by market researcher, Nielsen, 40 million US mobile subscribers (15.6 percent) actively use the mobile Internet, making the US a leader in mobile Internet adoption. In 16 countries tracked, the US leads in penetration, followed by the UK (12.9 percent) and Italy (11.9 percent). More consumers are expected to catch on with increased positive mobile Internet user experiences, anchored by increasing device capability, speed and content optimization. more»

Chrysler Adds Wi-Fi to Its List of Options

With Wi-Fi already available in many coffee shops and coming soon to some airplanes, it was only a matter of time before a U.S. carmaker started offering Wi-Fi access for automobiles. Keefe Leung, Advanced Connectivity Strategies for Chrysler says contrary to single broadband cards used with single laptops, turning the entire car into a hot-spot will allow all passengers to access the Internet using any device including mobile and gaming systems. Today, Chrysler introduced UConnect Web, an accessory that provides an in-car hot spot that will be available from Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers starting in September, according to Chrysler's blog site. more»

Google Finally Talks About 700 MHz Auction Results

For three weeks at the end of January and early February, a small team of us holed up in double super secret "war rooms" in Mountain View, CA and Washington, D.C. to bid on Google's behalf in the FCC spectrum auction. Bidding took place electronically, and literally billions of dollars were at stake with every mouse click. And because of the FCC's strict anti-collusion rules, we couldn't tell a soul what was going on behind closed doors... more»

Internet Traffic to Reach a Zettabyte by 2015, Says Study

A recent report released by the Discovery Institute estimates that by 2015, U.S. IP traffic could reach an annual total of one zettabyte (1021 bytes), or one million million billion bytes. From YouTube, IPTV, and high-definition images, to "cloud computing" and ubiquitous mobile cameras, 3D games, virtual worlds, and photorealistic telepresence, the new wave is swelling into an exaflood of Internet and IP traffic. more»

From Google to the FCC, New Race for America's Last Broadcast Spectrum Holds Many Secrets

Robert X. Cringely on Popular Mechanics: "Some pundits (that would be me) think Google will bid to win its spectrum block, then will trade that block to Sprint/Nextel for some of that company's 2.5-GHz WiMAX licenses that are far better suited for data. Sprint Nextel, the number three U.S. mobile operator, is conspicuously absent from this week's list of bidders, and its WiMAX strategy is in flux following the recent firing of CEO Gary Forsee, who was a big WiMAX backer..." more»

Google Controlling Direction of Next-Generation Wireless Network?

Google announced last Friday that it would apply to bid in the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's auction of 700 megahertz band wireless spectrum. "If it wins, it could build a wireless network for that spectrum on its own, or partner with others to build and operate such a network. Either way, Google could put its brand on millions of mobile devices that use the network." more»

Google Preparing to Bid 4.6 Billion on 700MHz Wireless Spectrum

Google made a big splash last week with its new software for cellphones. But that's far from the limit of the Internet giant's wireless ambitions --- which could include running its own mobile network. more»