Vodafone K.K. selects InnoPath's Firmware Manager.

"InnoPath Software... today announced that Vodafone K.K., a leading wireless operator in Japan, has selected InnoPath's Firmware Manager (formerly DeltaUpgrade Plus(TM)) end-to-end firmware over-the-air (FOTA) device management solution to provide fast, efficient OTA delivery of advanced features and services for Vodafone K.K. handset users."

3 teams up with Bitfone to deliver over-the-air firmware updates.

"Bitfone Corporation... today announced that 3, the UK mobile media company, has selected Bitfone to launch their over-the-air firmware update service using Bitfone's MVP(tm) solution."

SNAPin.

"SNAPin isn’t a sexy, in-your-face application, but works almost unobtrusively in the background on your handset. It’ll be put on your phone by your operator and it’ll simply help you get the most out of your handset... If SNAPin detects the wrong settings, it’ll just fix them with an Over The Air (OTA) update. You can even then go and mess them up again and it’ll just quietly correct them. The operator even has the choice of deciding to fix stuff in the background or opting to tell you what a nice company they are as they’ve solved the problem for you... If you dial the operator’s customer service number, your phone prompts you with a pop up menu to help yourself. It offers you choices of top issues like billing enquiries or upgrade options. Then it gives you the information on the phone screen... SNAPin just announced at 3GSM a big trial with UK operator, Orange."

BullGuard releases mobile anti-virus app.

"BullGuard's Mobile Anti-virus software which scans any file no matter how it gets onto your device, be it through infrared, Bluetooth, WiFi, or cellular, and updates its definitions automatically over-the-air."

VeriSign brings security expertise to mobile devices.

VeriSign and mFormation Technologies "today announced a strategic technology relationship and the launch of the VeriSign Secure Mobile Device Management Service... [that] features a centralized way for carriers to remotely manage and configure devices, update firmware using over-the-air (OTA) technology that is Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) compliant and monitor service quality. With comprehensive security management and diagnostic support, wireless providers can use this service to offer data protection, backup and restore capabilities and privacy-compliant personalization. "

Orange plans SIMs with 8,000 times more capacity.

"Mobile phone group Orange plans to launch SIM cards this year that can store up to 8,000 times the data stored on present day SIMs."

MDM sector is ready for take-off.

"Ovum predicts that global sales of MDM solutions will surge by 140% to $105 million this year. The global market is expected to hit $434 million by 2009, nearly a tenfold increase from $44 million in 2005, as operators increasingly invest in new and advanced MDM solutions and upgrade existing systems. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific market is forecast to grow from 13.4 million in 2005 to $138 million by 2009...

'It is not clear that operators truly understand the benefits of an MDM solution,' Yoshiaki Matsuda, Innopath's president in Japan, told Wireless Asia. 'Some MDM functionality is definitely understood - configuration and remote settings, application downloads. But there is a poor understanding of how other applications map to particular benefits.'...

The upside is that vendors are now converging toward a mainstream market opportunity, which is centered around MDM server solutions. And there is a consensus among vendors and operators that such a solution needs to handle a wide range of MDM applications, rather than being hard-wired to support just one or two."

O3SIS announces over-the-air backup and restore solution at 3GSM.

"O3SIS Backup & Restore is available today and has already been selected by Hewlett Packard, as part of their mobile device management solutions framework, and by mFormation, a global leader for device management."

Insignia unifies mobile phone device and data management.

Insignia "has added OMA-DS data synchronization technology to its Open Management Client 'OMC', a full featured device management solution for mobile phones. OMC now provides synchronization of personal information such as address book, contacts and emails using Over-The-Air (OTA) synchronization technologies."

Microsoft acquires MotionBridge.

"Microsoft will combine MotionBridge's mobile phone search engine with its own mobile search technology... Several mobile phone operators are currently using MotionBridge's mobile phone search technology, Orange, Sprint, and O2 currently use MotionBridge's mobile search engine."

Remote control.

"Mobile devices have become a bit of a mixed blessing for IT managers -- allowing unprecedented freedom and productivity, but raising a host of management issues most are unused to handling.

To relieve some of that burden, developers are increasingly offering over-the-air management solutions that allow IT managers to do things like remotely lock down (or wipe clean) an employees's device if it is stolen, or update multiple devices with new software or virus patches.

For instance, London-based Synchronica plc today released an over-the-air (OTA) mobile management package that gives enterprises central control over their employees' Windows handhelds and smartphones."

InnoPath unveils wireless industry's first integrated, end-to-end Mobile Device Management solutions.

"The iMDM Solution Suites support both CDMA and GSM networks, with integrated capabilities to remotely configure settings and new services, diagnose and fix problems, and update software and firmware over-the-air (FOTA) -- all in real time. The iMDM Carrier and iMDM Device Suites are standards-based so they can operate independently, however working together, they create a unique end-to-end solution to meet the challenges that operators and handset manufacturers currently face. A common platform provides the foundation for rolling out current and future MDM solutions quickly and cost effectively, and ensures a smaller footprint and better utilization of scarce handset resources."

InnoPath expands industry leading MDM Interoperability Testing Service with opening of new facility.

"InnoPath Software, Inc., the industry leader in Mobile Device Management (MDM) integrated solutions, today announced the expansion of its Interoperability Testing (IOT) Service Program with the addition of a new facility at its U.S. headquarters... it has certified more than 100 mobile handset models on its MDM solutions from leading manufacturers worldwide including Alcatel, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Siemens."

An MMS postcard from the British Virgin Islands - Enabled by Giesecke & Devrient and Swapcom.

"Giesecke & Devrient has teamed up with Swapcom to provide operators with a means of automatically configuring all handsets in the mobile subscriber base... Mobile users are frequently frustrated when handsets do not work correctly due to outdated configuration settings. This leads to poor service activation and constant customer service calls. The challenge for operators is to alleviate the strain by providing a method to manage phone settings and seamlessly update them for subscribers. Software architect Swapcom has perfected a device management (DM) tool to overcome the configuration problem and gain control over the growing number and sophistication of devices on the market."

HP helps telecom industry deliver new wave of mobile services.

"Telefonica Moviles Espana (TME) has deployed the HP Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to provide better remote support -- and an easier and more enjoyable experience -- for consumer and enterprise customers. TME, which serves 19.5 million customers in Spain, is a part of Telefonica Moviles Group, the world's fourth largest mobile provider. The HP MDM solution consists of HP hardware and integration services and mFormation's comprehensive mobile device management software."

SNAPin gets $13M to stop you from calling a wireless operator.

"Bellevue, WA-based SNAPin Software has raised $13M. Its technology is placed in a cell-phone handset to save wireless carriers money by intercepting common questions from customers and answering them through text messages... We like the fact that the market opportunity is so apparent - a fact that VCs have not missed. SNAPin competes with Bitfone, which has raised $57M, InnoPath Software, which raised $18M, and Red Bend Software, which has raised $8.2M."

Easy Vault locks down your stolen phone, retrieves data and alarms thieves all via SMS.

"What it purports to do is allow you to lock down a missing phone via SMS message and trigger it to begin broadcasting an alarm (which will continue to resume each time the phone is turned on until you deactivate it), and if the phone is really missing you can actually 'vacuum' all your important data (data which you might not have been sharp enough to have previously backed up) to another application on a PC or another phone so that in the end all you might be out is the cost of the phone itself which is now rubbish in the hands of the thief.

In fact, so smart is this application that should the criminal who had the temerity to take your handset attempt to unlock it and insert another SIM it will promptly call a designated third number (of one of your friends - you choose this in advance) with the number of the new GSM card that has been inserted into the phone. This allows you to ID the phone and to report the incident to the authorities."

Forrester Research: Orange And Cingular partner for mobility.

"Orange and Cingular Wireless are joining forces to help multinational corporations (MNCs) with operations in the US as well as Europe get better visibility and more control of mobile costs... The pace of international mobile usage is gaining momentum and 2006 will be a watershed year for carriers offering integrated international mobile solutions and multicountry contracts — jump-started by the Orange/Cingular venture."