Ballmer: Microsoft Aims to Build Universal Mobile Platform

Microsoft wants to build a mobile device application platform as ubiquitous as Windows is on desktop PCs, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in his keynote address Oct. 23 at this year's CTIA wireless conference in San Francisco.

Ballmer unveiled the company's new mobile computing platform, the Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, saying Microsoft intends to apply to the mobile computing world the same formula it used to democratize personal computing and make it readily available worldwide.

"We need to bring together four powerful computing [phenomena] that exist today: The desktop PC, enterprise computing, mobile services running in the cloud and phone devices," Ballmer said.

"The notion of four text messaging accounts, four or five e-mail accounts, all based on different devices—that's yesterday's idea … If we want innovations to proceed, we have to meld together and weave business models for software developers, telecommunications, and software companies."

Ballmer said the phone has a unique role in the emerging world of mobile computing with combined business models: While the PC is the most powerful device, the phone is the most ubiquitous in the world. Microsoft's goal is to cause the phone to evolve so that it "participates fully in the world, in the lifestyle and business sides of the world."

That being said, Ballmer made it clear during a question and answer session following his keynote that Microsoft has no intention of trying to buy into the telecommunications market.

"No, we don't have plans to participate in the spectrum auction," said Ballmer, to audience applause. "We may be broader in what we do than any company, but we have a core competency. And we think the telecom industry has a core competency. It takes a real expertise to set up networks, to invest in capital expenditures, to provide customer service 24/7—that is a core competency. What would it buy us to own a piece of the spectrum? It would probably alienate us."

What Microsoft does plan to do—and has been doing—is invest heavily in the mobile computing industry in areas that cover the boundaries between work, life and entertainment by offering a platform on which to build mobile applications, he said.

And where it can't build its own solutions for enterprise users and consumers, Microsoft plans to partner with developers, carriers and device manufacturers. The goal, Ballmer said, is to eventually get Microsoft's Windows operating system, Live services, Dynamics applications and other offerings onto hundreds of millions of devices through its platform.

"Consumers will want phones that span all life personas: work life, personal life, life with family and friends," Ballmer said. "People do not want to pull out multiple devices—that is not how we drive critical mass. People want phones to be general-purpose devices to support them in work and life. That's incredibly, incredibly important."

Microsoft's vision, as one might guess, is a "rich platform that supports 'workstyle' and lifestyle innovation," Ballmer said. "So we need to focus on the platform."

On the work front, Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager helps IT to provision mobile phones in a number of ways, providing data management, data encryption, password protection for corporate data, data compliance and on-phone security.

Perhaps most importantly for mobile workers, it provides VPN access capabilities so users can access their business applications on the go. Ballmer announced several partners—AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, Palm, Intermec Technologies and Motorola—that are working with Microsoft to support the System Center on various devices.

On the lifestyle front, Microsoft is adding new features to its Windows Mobile product, including voice-powered support for new Live search and access to Live Messenger, Live Hotmail, Office Mobile, Media Center and Media Player. Microsoft is also planning to add photo and personal video capabilities as well as access to its PC and Xbox games "in an appropriate form to devices," Ballmer said.

Much as with its successful approach to the PC market—making Windows nearly omnipresent by partnering with PC manufacturers and providers—Microsoft is calling on partners to pull it along in the mobile computing field.

"No one company is going to have anywhere near the wherewithal to do all that will power the next generation [of mobile computing]," Ballmer said.

"We are investing very heavily in devices and services around [the next generation] as a platform. If you want to write a thin-client application in HTML, AJAX [Asynchronous JavaScript and XML] or our upcoming Silverlight, that will be available. APIs for forms, messaging, maps, sound, graphics—they're all available for third-party innovation.

"The key thing is to provide a very consistent platform across all phones—to leverage our learning and knowledge in writing apps for PCs and bring that rich experience to phones," Ballmer said.

Source: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2205373,00.asp

Nokia Unveils Vision For Mobile Technologies Of The Future

Nokia on Tuesday unveiled its vision for technologies that will shape the future of mobile devices and shared some of its advanced research.

Nokia demonstrated several new technologies at its Research Center in Oulu, Finland, including a one-to-many distribution platform called mosh, a mobile internet service called WidSets, and advanced visual capabilities on mobile devices.

Mosh, according to Nokia, is a channel where developers can publish mobile applications and other mobile content for global users.

WidSets is a mobile Internet service that already has more than 3 million users and offers more than 2,000 widgets. Using the service, users can share Internet content, as well as create and publish their own widgets using Web 2.0 tools.

Nokia also demonstrated "point and find" technology that lets people discover their surroundings using a mobile phone's built-in camera. The technology turns a mobile phone into an intelligent device that can display information related to a location by fetching it from the Internet.

Another technology, called "shoot to translate," can take written characters captured with a camera on a multimedia device, which Nokia offers as part of its Nseries, and translate them into another language instantly.

As part of its effort to improve the user's visual experience on mobile devices, Nokia showed how to implement 3-D virtual environments on them. Nokia clearly was inspired by the growing popularity of virtual worlds like Second Life.

Nokia said there is a large community developing around its Beta Labs Web site, where users help shape future development of mobile technologies. One such Beta Lab application is Nokia's Mobile Web Server, which is running on S60 smartphones. The application makes a smartphone function as an Internet server, allowing people to access content remotely from a Web browser on another mobile device.

"The world of mobile communications is changing at an ever-increasing pace," said Tero Ojanpera, Nokia's CTO, in a statement. "To continue to stay ahead in this environment and to develop innovative new products and services that excite consumers, companies need to embrace openness on many levels. Innovation can come from anywhere, and we need to have the tools and flexibility to respond to that challenge."

In the past two weeks, Nokia began shipping its 8-Gbyte multimedia devices, the N95 and the N81, which could be seen as a preview of what's to come from the phone maker in the near future.

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202600798

Lawsuit Targets Facebook Mobile Texting

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The popular online social network Facebook Inc. is being sued by an Indiana woman who alleges it has profited from its members sending thousands of unauthorized text messages to mobile phone users whose numbers previously belonged to other people.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in a San Jose federal court, highlights the confusion and frustration that can arise as Web sites extend their services to mobile handsets with phone numbers that have been reassigned, or "recycled," after another customer's service ended.

Lindsey Abrams, a Patriot, Ind., mother in her mid-20s, alleges she began receiving unsolicited text messages apparently intended for an unidentified Facebook member shortly after she received a new mobile number from Verizon Communications Inc. in November 2006.

The messages included explicit language and unsettling remarks, according to Abrams' civil complaint. She alleges she was charged 10 cents per message and told she couldn't block the Facebook texting without cutting off notes she wanted to receive.

The lawsuit, which her lawyer will seek to have certified as a class action, contends other consumers with recycled phone numbers have been besieged with unsolicited Facebook text messages containing party invitations and unwanted sexual advances.

Young children have been among the recipients of the unauthorized Facebook messages, the suit alleges, creating "frightening and dangerous" situations.

Facebook spokeswoman Brandee Barker declined to comment on the allegations, citing the Palo Alto-based company's policy not to discuss lawsuits.

The complaint against Facebook's 18-month-old mobile messaging service comes less than a week after the privately held startup reached an agreement with New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to step up its policing efforts to protect minors from sexual predators and inappropriate content on its Web site.

Jay Edelson, a Chicago attorney representing Abrams, said he hopes to force Facebook to take steps so its roughly 47 million members won't be able to send text messages to recycled phone numbers.

"There are things that Facebook could be doing to prevent this from happening," Adelson said. "Hopefully, this suit will give them the incentive to stop it."

The lawsuit also seeks unspecified damages.

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8bxli2JhbDm9AdkNbWgBO4ld5jg

Companies Test Fingerprint Recognition For Mobile Payments

Atrua Technologies, a provider of intelligent touch controls, announced on Monday that it supplied a fingerprint recognition technology used for mobile payments on Kyocera cell phones.

The Kyocera cell phones were used in a mobile payments trial conducted by Cellular South, a privately held wireless carrier in four southeastern states in the United States. As part of the trial, which was launched in May in Tennessee and Mississippi, cell phone users were able to access payment cards using their fingerprints.

The goal of the trial is to raise awareness and adoption of mobile fingerprint touch control technology in m-commerce applications, meaning those that enable commerce on mobile devices, to make mobile payments less time consuming and more secure, according to Atrua. According to Cellular South, 87% of testers that participated in the trial are interested in using the mobile payment technology once it's available for commercial use. Other testers found the technology convenient to use and an innovative method for making everyday payments and purchases.

This year, 26 new fingerprint phone models have been unveiled globally, and 22 of them have Atrua's fingerprint touch control, the company said. The technology is a combination of sensor and software. Atrua is demonstrating its touch control capability for mobile commerce at this week's Smartphone Summit Conference being held in conjunction with CTIA Wireless 2007 in San Francisco.

Cellular South and Atrua aren't the first to test mobile payments. Although the technology hasn't yet taken off in the United States, others are conducting similar trials to promote its adoption.

Texas-based IBC Bank on Monday tapped mFoundry for its Spotlight Mobile Banking application that will provide IBC's customers with instant access to their checking, savings, and credit card accounts. They'll be able to transfer between accounts and pay bills on their mobile devices. IBC will offer the service in English and Spanish at the beginning of next year with all of the major U.S. wireless carriers.

Last month, it was revealed that Google applied for a new patent centered on Short Message Service-based mobile payments. It's similar to PayPal's mobile payment system, which also uses SMS to complete transactions.

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202600322

Recycled mobile phones to ring up $3.5bn sales in 2007

Recycled and refurbished mobile handsets will clock up sales of over $3.5bn in 2007, market watchers predict.

According to a new study from ABI Research, shorter handset replacement periods, growing demand for low-cost handsets in emerging markets, and regulatory requirements are key drivers of the market for recycled and refurbished mobiles.

ABI Research industry analyst Shailendra Pandey said: “Recycled and refurbished handsets can help mobile operators in improving per-customer profitability by allowing better management of subscriber acquisition costs. Operators can use these handsets to address low ARPU subscribers and start generating profits on low margin accounts quickly, rather than having to wait to recover subsidies on new handsets.”

Due to the efforts of mobile operators, retailers, recycling companies, handset vendors, charities and various take-back schemes, more users have started to return their old, no longer used handsets for recycling, according to the ABI report Handset Recycling and Refurbishment.

The study also notes that handsets for refurbishment are also becoming available in increasing numbers as more and more operators now accept handset returns for full refund, or new replacement, within 14 days or a month of purchase by the customers. These returned handsets, which are relatively new, are being refurbished for resale.

ABI Research expects the market for recycled and refurbished handsets to grow steadily in the next five years, generating over $6bn in revenue in 2012. Recycled and refurbished handsets can also make the second-hand mobile phone market stronger, more legitimate, and more reliable for buyers. As these handsets are properly tested and repaired by recycling companies, buyers can be surer of their reliability. Also, most of these handsets are provided with 90 days or sometimes with full one year warranty, similar to new handsets.

Source: http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2201745/recycled-mobile-phones-ring-5bn

Google Phone: Unraveling the Rumours

There is a lot of buzz about the much talked about Google's 'G' phone, which encompassed the mobile phone markets around the world. The rumours were even touting it as the iPod killer. However, here is some substantial news about the Google Phone. Don't be surprised if we tell you that Google phone is no more but a myth. Yes, it is true. Actually, the scientists at Google have been silently experimenting to develop an operating system for mobile phones The features of Google would be easily viewed from your mobile phone, with the help of this software. Along with it, the users would also be able to advertise through their mobile phones.

This giant plans to spread its tentacles to the mobile phone industry as well, from the Internet industry. This would not be a pleasant news for all the rival players like Symbian and Microsoft, which are ruling the mobile phone market in terms of operating system. Google has its own plans too, it is employing different strategies to make a comfortable place in this domain as well. Rumours say that Google plans to sell its software to the mobile phone manufacturers for free, without charging any licensing fee. It would surely be not a very good news for the rival brands.

The reports also indicate that Google intends to develop a special web browser for mobile phones and offer better search options and mapping applications for the mobile phone users. However, it is still not known as to when exactly would this mobile phone software be launched in the mobile phones. Also, Google will have to work to get clients for itself. The gathering of clients can also be a tedious exercise for Google and so it will have to work hard to get that. But there is already a lot of hype regarding Google getting into the mobile phone industry. All we can do is to sit and wait.. for the Google operating system.

Samsung to launch innovative Dual SIM Phones in November

As per the official announcement of Samsung Electronics, the reputed electronic gadget manufacturer, they are to unveil D880 DuoS mobile phone, enhanced with two SIM card slots. The main target of company is to appeal the consumers of the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia. The phone is expected to be launched in November. In this phone, users can install two numbers through the DuoS slider.

According to the market researchers in Russia, the number of mobile phone subscribers is more than the entire population of Russia. Of this about 60 percent have more than two phones—which may be due to reasons like they want to separate their private and professional life or due to their tendency to avail various options offered by different providers.

This Duo Sslider is a highly customized product from which Samsung Electronics expects heavy financial gains and establish a niche in the upcoming dual mobile phone market.

Mobile Phones as Virtual Wallets: For Easy Money Withdrawal

Ever heard of a Tech Wallet ? Well, if you haven't then you need to update your global knowledge. This fundamental is catching up pretty well in the developing countries. To put it plainly, a person can withdraw money with his mobile phone in some parts of the world. Confused?

Well, the procedure goes something like this. The user is supposed to fill up a form at a local bank, then send a text message through his/her mobile phone. Lo and behold! The transaction would be approved by the bank and you would be paid the desired amount in seconds. As simple as this!

Come to the contemporary world and you would discover numerous functions that your mobile phone can do for you. Withdrawing money out from a bank through your mobile phones would not require you to be account holder in that bank. The mobile phones are quite prevalent in the third world and developing countries and people have more mobile phones than bank accounts, so the virtual wallet system suits them the best. Mobile banking services have proven helpful for people in money transfer and Philippines is the numero uno in this service with 5.5 million Filipinos using this service.

The traditional bank transferring takes two to three days to clear the transaction and it also costs pretty high in comparison to the mobile phone transfer, which is not only cheap but also instant in their service. So, if you want money from your parents or anyone, all you have to so is to ping them through a text message and you would be given the desired amount by the local bank. Looks like telecommunications have come a long way!

LG Voyager : A Look alike of Apple iPhone?

This would indeed be a good news for all of those who have not yet laid their hands on the Apple iPhone, for they can feel happy at this bit of information. The Apple iPhone look alike been announced by LG. Plus, three brand new mobile phones have also been showcased by LG for the 2007 holiday season. The prime attention seeker which stole the limelight was LG Voyager, that looked like Apple iPhone in many ways. The Voyager would be offered with an exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless. The details of the device have been listed below.

LG Voyager, has a big touch screen interface like Apple, but it unfurls a QWERTY keyboard, once the device is slid open. The keyboard looks like a big advantage for many who are not very comfortable with full touch screen devices. However, the similarity of this device with that of iPhone is visible with the icons that are displayed on the screen of this device. An ordinary user might mistake Voyager for an Apple iPhone for it looks so similar to the latter at the face value. The multimedia features have been neatly incorporated in this device. Along with it, a Web browser, music player with an ability to play music in WMA and AAC file formats, video and many more features are also a part of the package. The mammoth storage space of 8 GB is more than sufficient for storing as much data as you want to. LG Voyager also includes Verizon Wireless' V Cast mobile TV in it which looks like an added incentive in this device.

Another Feather on the Cap: Google Acquires Zingku

Google smiles again for the good reason. Google, the mother of search engines has entered an agreement to acquire “certain assets and technology” from mobile social network and communication platform operator Zingku. Zingku has been a popular name since its launch in 2005 and Google's acquisition of certain services would help it to provide more services through mobile phones.

According to Zingku: “Our service is designed from the mobile phone, outward, allowing you to create and exchange things of interest ranging from invitations to “mobile flyers” with friends in a trusted manner. Users can share content with an "inner circle" of trusted friends, and with friends-of-friends when they want to. They can also subscribe to blog feeds which are delivered via text message.”

Zingku's service is free for end users and aimed at teenagers and people in their 20s. On the mobile phone, Zingku uses standard text messaging and picture messaging features that come with every phone. On the web, our service uses your standard web browser and instant messenger. There is nothing to install – says Zingku. Zingku's aim of making it easier for people to share photos, send invitations or conduct polls among friends via mobile phone is soon going to take a u-turn – thanks Google.

"Our service integrates your mobile phone with a personalized web site so that you can easily move (zing) things back and forth between the web and your mobile as well as powerfully connect with friends and optionally their friends" – adds Zingku. Merchants will also be able to send an access code to customers who can then download a mobile flyer and share it with friends.

Google's acquisition of Zingku is expected to fuel the speculation that Google is developing its own mobile phone, although Zingku wouldn't necessarily help it to do that. Rather, it's a service that will allow Google to reach more people on their mobile phones, which are emerging as a new medium for advertising.

Zingku has currently frozen new user account sign-ups. Existing accounts will be transferred to Google unless they are cancelled by Oct. 4.