Applications

Developer Contest Guide 2008--Industry searches for the next top apps

Phil Goldstein — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:19:14 -0400

Throughout 2008, handset makers, carriers and operating system providers have introduced developer competitions to inspire new mobile applications and content as well as generate interest in a particular handset or platform. FierceDeveloper has compiled a listing of all the latest developer contests in its Developer Contest Guide for 2008. Special Report

Vodafone makes first mobile Internet acquisition

Lynnette Luna — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:39:43 -0400

Vodafone made its first acquisition in the mobile Internet space, paying $49 million in cash for Zyb, a private Dutch company that provides social networking and contacts management technology--two hot applications in the mobile space. Zyb enables mobile users to back up their contacts on a website and offers IM services and calendar-sharing with other users online, a service that could morph into a platform for mobile advertising. The deal is part of Vodafone's "total communications" strategy in the newly created Internet Services division to offer services beyond the mobile phone.

For more about Vodafone's Internet strategy:
- check out this article from the Financial Times

Verizon Wireless: 'Course will abide by the rules

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

After Google filed a petition with the FCC to insist that the regulator put in place stricter terms for Verizon Wireless' C Block 700 MHz spectrum, which requires open access for devices and applications, Verizon Wireless claimed the petition had "no legal basis." The carrier plans to file its own petition with the FCC soon, but noted that "it's really no surprise that despite not winning spectrum, [Google] continue[s] to try to change the rules and further their own business interests through the regulatory process." The carrier said it knew the rules before it took part in the auction and "of course" they will abide by them, but if it doesn't the carrier points out that "Google or anybody else..." can use "legitimate and expedited ways to address that."

For more on Verizon's response:
- read this article from Verizon's policy blog

Report: 550M GPS phones by 2012

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:59:54 -0400

According to a recent report from ABI Research, more than 550 million GPS-enabled handsets will ship by 2012. The research outfit notes the ubiquity of personal navigation services from carriers, but also points out other location-based services like friend finders, local search, geo-tagged photos and sharing points-of-interest via geo-tagging as up-and-coming applications of GPS technology in phones.

"While most CDMA handsets are already GPS-enabled and GPS is set to become a standard feature in GSM smartphones, GSM feature phones are next on the agenda to be equipped with GPS technology," says ABI Research principal analyst Dominique Bonte.

For more on ABI's report:
- read this release

Apple sold 1.7M iPhones, on track for 10M?

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Apple sold 1.7 million iPhones during its second quarter, up from first quarter shipments of 1.1 million units. Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said the company is still committed to reaching 10 million iPhones sold during 2008. The iPhone sales brought in $378 million in revenue for the quarter, which saw iPhone sales beginning in both Austria and Ireland. Apple also noted that 200,000 developers have downloaded its SDK and about one-third of the Fortune 500 has asked about iPhone applications.

For more on Apple's quarter:
- read this Apple Q2 press release

Related:
Apple buys chipmaker for iPhones, iPods
Getting over the iPhone
iPhone Rumors: 3G soon

Report: Apple restricting iPhone app development

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:59:54 -0500

The latest iPhone applications rumors claim that Apple will maintain a restrictive policy for iPhone application development once its software development kit launches later this week. According to a report from iLounge, Apple will impose a number of restrictions on iPhone developers that will limit what kinds of iPhone applications can be developed, where they can be sold and what types of peripheral devices they can access. A mandate for selling the applications through iTunes should come as no surprise, but the other restrictions are sure to disappoint a number of mobile developers.

For more on the SDK launch and rumored restrictions:
- read this post from iLounge

Related Articles:
iPhone SDK leaked? Article
iPhone SDK delayed? Article

Sprint: We'll make Xohm SDK available

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

While we have noted that Sprint plans to run its Xohm WiMAX network as an open access network, Sprint's SVP of Xohm Atish Gude told TechRepublic that the carrier plans to release the SDK and open APIs for Xohm by year-end.

"We're going to be open on devices and open on applications," said Gude. "We're here to serve the Internet. Our foremost priority is providing really good access... This is the open Internet. We're not going to block anybody." Gude also addressed the subsequent privacy concerns that an open access network conjures for some: "We will absolutely have the highest level of privacy, and we will let customers control when to expose [their data]."

For more on Xohm:
- read this article from TechRepublic

ALSO: To hear more about the Xohm launch, hear Atish Gude speak at FierceWireless' 4G event at CTIA Wireless in April. Site

Related Articles:
Sprint reveals WiMAX partners Article
WiMAX's future rests heavily in Sprint's hands Article
Kindle: An ember of Sprint's WiMAX dream? Article

Sprint launches push-to-x

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:59:56 -0500

Sprint has added features to its Nextel network-powered push-to-talk service with push-to-x applications like NextMail and Direct Send. Sprint Nextel PTT subscribers will be able to send voice messages to any email address with NextMail, while Direct Send will enable users to send pictures or contact info at the push of a button. The push-to-x capability will eventually enable other features like push-to-text, push-to-locate, push-to-information and more.

For more on Sprint's push-to-x:
- read this press release

FEATURE: On the Hot Seat: Skype's Chris Libertelli

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:59:53 -0500

FierceWireless: The C Block of spectrum hit its reserve price of $4.6 billion today, which means that the open access rules the FCC implemented will stick. Google, Skype and others were instrumental in getting the open access fight. How do you feel about today's development?

Libertelli: There was a question about whether the open access provisions would depress the value of the spectrum and I think this morning's activity showed that the markets had fewer reservations about the reserve than a lot of the critics who lobbied the FCC did. It was, I think, a very, very positive decision that the commission came up with last July in the face of some pretty stiff lobbying by wireless incumbents. This represents the best tradition of FCC decision-making. I'm not so surprised that the companies would eventually recognize that wireless Carterphone and open access is in the best interest of consumers and the network providers and companies like Skype that build applications for wireless networks, but maybe it was just a matter of the individual players thinking through business models and then coming up with things like the bid that we saw this morning.

FierceWireless: Currently the C Block has not garnered a bid after the one that pushed it over its $4.6 billion reserve price. Do you think that indicates that there was just one bidder--like Google--since the company promised the FCC that it would drive the spectrum block's price tag up past that reserve price?

Libertelli: Well... Read More

Report: 59% of subs content with handset selection

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:59:54 -0500

According to a recent report by Compete, most wireless shoppers don't want more devices, services or applications since 59 percent of respondents to a survey said they were content with their carrier's selection. The survey also found that 75 percent of consumers rank the price of a device and 69 percent rank the customer service of a carrier as more important than whether a device can be moved to another carrier's network.

For more on Compete's survey:
- read this press release
- also read this editorial from FierceMobileContent