Unlocked iPhones (temporarily?) iBricked.
"As Apple warned earlier this week, the latest firmware update did, in fact, 'break' unlocked iPhones and kill unofficial 3rd party iPhone apps... The folks who unlocked their iPhones and who were installing 3rd party apps were the early adopters who were most likely to go out and evangelize the device -- especially if it was more useful thanks to alternative networks and better applications."
Disney Mobile shutters its doors.
"Another one bites the dust. The Walt Disney Company announced today that it is closing the operations of its Disney Mobile MVNO, which launched early last year. The company shut down its other MVNO, Mobile ESPN in September 2006, a mere eight months after it launched. Disney Mobile commercially launched in June 2006."
What Mobile Device Management means for smartphones.
"Today the average support call for a smartphone lasts 45 minutes, at a cost to the operator of US$63 per call."
Dial M for a mobile I can actually work.
Jeremy Clarkson of the Times Online: "What I want is a mobile phone with a battery that lasts for more than six seconds. This means no colour screen. A colour screen uses more electricity than the Pentagon. I do not want it to take photographs. I do not want it to play music. I do not want to receive e-mails. I want it to be a telephone.
No such device is offered. Can you believe that? Seriously. Not one single mobile phone company in this vast and glorious world is offering a phone that is just that. A phone. A device that enables you to speak with someone a long way away.
Why? When I go to my local off-licence to buy a bottle of wine, I am not told that the bottle also contains a packet of Werther’s Originals, a typewriter, some insect repellent, the throttle cable from a 1974 Moto Guzzi and a million other things that will simply impair my enjoyment of the wine. I am very angry about this...
It’s ridiculous. They’re making phones only for 12-year-old girls who want something cool, or businessmen who want something enormous so they look impressive in departure lounges. There’s nothing for normal people. Nothing with a screen you can read. Nothing for people whose fingers are finger-sized. And nothing for people who don’t do e-speak."
No such device is offered. Can you believe that? Seriously. Not one single mobile phone company in this vast and glorious world is offering a phone that is just that. A phone. A device that enables you to speak with someone a long way away.
Why? When I go to my local off-licence to buy a bottle of wine, I am not told that the bottle also contains a packet of Werther’s Originals, a typewriter, some insect repellent, the throttle cable from a 1974 Moto Guzzi and a million other things that will simply impair my enjoyment of the wine. I am very angry about this...
It’s ridiculous. They’re making phones only for 12-year-old girls who want something cool, or businessmen who want something enormous so they look impressive in departure lounges. There’s nothing for normal people. Nothing with a screen you can read. Nothing for people whose fingers are finger-sized. And nothing for people who don’t do e-speak."
Innovation technique: Define your ideal competitor.
"Paul Sloane’s new book, The Innovative Leader: How to Inspire Your Team and Drive Creativity, contains a fascinating innovation exercise that can help you to identify new opportunities for your business, and hopefully prevent it from being blindsided by an unexpected competitor. Here's how it works:
'Imagine that an immensely wealthy corporation has decided to enter your business market. This corporation plans to create a powerful competitor that will use innovative approaches to seize your current organization’s customers and wipe you out. It will deliberately exploit your weaknesses to hurt you in the marketplace. This corporation has hired your team to put together the new competitor and given you immense resources. What would you do?'"
Mobile Mania? HP says it has IT's back.
"MDM is a suite of mobility services that comes with HP support staff to help enterprise IT departments deploy, support and manage their mobile enterprises. Areas of coverage include security, installation, startup, technical support, mobile infrastructure and maintenance, as well as the integration of mobile applications, devices and the network.
Another offering, HP Service Desk, provides a single point of contact for repair and support of devices, software and connectivity, which HP said includes around-the-clock, multi-vendor technical expertise worldwide.
Kay sees MDM as building on technology HP acquired with the purchase of device management company Bitfone late last year. HP already started tapping Bitfone's remote management technology back in February when it announced its new line of iPaq smartphones would include it...
Virtualization might emerge as a key enabler of a kind of hybrid ownership of mobile devices, portioning consumer and business applications."
Another offering, HP Service Desk, provides a single point of contact for repair and support of devices, software and connectivity, which HP said includes around-the-clock, multi-vendor technical expertise worldwide.
Kay sees MDM as building on technology HP acquired with the purchase of device management company Bitfone late last year. HP already started tapping Bitfone's remote management technology back in February when it announced its new line of iPaq smartphones would include it...
Virtualization might emerge as a key enabler of a kind of hybrid ownership of mobile devices, portioning consumer and business applications."
Thinstall upgrades and partners with BMC.
"Desktop application virtualization provider Thinstall is partnering with BMC on its Marimba automated software deployment platform to spread its technology, which streams desktop applications rather than installing them on client machines. The deal provides BMC Marimba another technique for software distribution... Thinstall streams the application to your desktop without any software installation. It changes the setup file of new applications into an EXE file that opens a stream from the server, using the local hardware to perform all the processing."
Nokia expands enterprise, security offerings.
"IDGNS: Are there any other improvements on the horizon for Intellisync?
McDowell: Over the summer, we enhanced the device management capabilities, primarily starting with the Windows clients in the device management offering. There's better management of the device lock-and-wipe capabilities and the ability to turn on and off the camera in a device. Cameras have been one of the things that have been a point of interest in enterprises. Do you include them or not? But with so much crossover into end-user personal use, we're seeing there is a demand for cameras but then enterprises need to be able to turn them off.
Also, more remote control of Windows Mobile devices, so that a network administrator can wirelessly take control of a device and visually see the screen for troubleshooting. We will in a subsequent release have that capability for Symbian clients as well."
McDowell: Over the summer, we enhanced the device management capabilities, primarily starting with the Windows clients in the device management offering. There's better management of the device lock-and-wipe capabilities and the ability to turn on and off the camera in a device. Cameras have been one of the things that have been a point of interest in enterprises. Do you include them or not? But with so much crossover into end-user personal use, we're seeing there is a demand for cameras but then enterprises need to be able to turn them off.
Also, more remote control of Windows Mobile devices, so that a network administrator can wirelessly take control of a device and visually see the screen for troubleshooting. We will in a subsequent release have that capability for Symbian clients as well."
HTC brings enhanced OTA updates with Smith Micro device management software.
"Smith Micro Software, Inc. has signed a global licensing agreement with High Tech Computer ("HTC"), to preload and distribute the Insignia Mobile Device Management client on the next generation of HTC Smartphones for consumers and business users worldwide.
Through this agreement, HTC's Microsoft Windows Mobile based Smartphones will ship with Smith Micro's Insignia Open Management Client (OMC), enabling HTC to deliver a higher service level to expedite firmware updates and handset software application upgrades to its mobile devices to market over-the-air (FOTA)."
Through this agreement, HTC's Microsoft Windows Mobile based Smartphones will ship with Smith Micro's Insignia Open Management Client (OMC), enabling HTC to deliver a higher service level to expedite firmware updates and handset software application upgrades to its mobile devices to market over-the-air (FOTA)."
Windows Mobile Device management in the enterprise.
Kay Sellenrode reports that: "With the new Exchange 2007 SP1 Microsoft now releases a way to lock down Windows Mobile devices. See the snapshots below for what you can do with the new SP."
InnoPath partners with SMobile Systems to provide mobile device security.
"The collaboration integrates the SMobile firewall, anti-virus, and security policy enforcement capabilities into InnoPath’s Integrated Mobile Device Management (iMDM) architecture, and is driven by the need for wireless operators to better protect the increasing number of applications on today’s mobile phones and handheld devices."
Mobile system promises free calls.
"Swedish company TerraNet has developed the idea using peer-to-peer technology that enables users to speak on its handsets without the need for a mobile phone base station."
Nine wireless network companies to watch.
a la Mobile: "The Convergent Linux Platform (CLP), a complete mobile Linux operating system designed for the fast-growing smart-phone market, and competing directly with platform offerings from Microsoft and Symbian. The package integrates open source and third-party software elements, including Linux Kernel 2.6, GMS/GPRS software from HelloSoft, firmware-over-the-air from Red Bend, the Qtopia application framework and Trolltech’s user interface among others. First released in June 2006; updated earlier this year with VoIP support and most recently, improved security."
Mformation’s enhanced Enterprise Manager.
"Mformation’s Enterprise Manager allows operators to work with enterprises to customize a device management environment that customers can access through an easy-to-use, intuitive user interface.
This operator/enterprise model meets the needs of CIOs, as uncovered in the Coleman Parkes survey. About 80 percent of all CIOs interviewed in Europe and the U.S. want to improve management of mobile devices, applications, and data to accelerate productivity. And more than 80 percent of U.S. CIOs believe the mobile operator should take the lead in providing device management services.
Mformation enables operators to offer an enterprise’s IT department with secure access to Enterprise Manager’s mobile device management (MDM) functionality as a value-added service, enabling the IT department to directly manage their own mobile devices and mobile data. This model works well for enterprises of all sizes, removing the need for IT departments to deploy, maintain and operate complicated device management technology, while giving them complete control of the mobile devices used by their employees and the mobile data that those devices contain."
related: Mformation Updates Carrier-Hosted Enterprise Mobile Device Management Product
"For the enterprise looking for MDM support, a carrier-hosted model provides the customary benefits of SaaS: low capital costs, immediate usability, operational costs that match growth, smooth scalability, and the domain expertise of the provider. But because Mformation's customer is first the carrier, not the enterprise, the latter will have to experience MDM through the eyes of the former. Mformation's offering talks of OMA, firmware updates, OTA protocols, and the benefits of being able to support rising data services and applications ARPU, all concepts foreign, or at least of little interest, to the enterprise.
Mformation fortunately acknowledges that it's not a one-stop mobility shop: it has partnered with others who can provide anti-virus, encryption, and VPN access. Ironically Mformation doesn't list any partners for what is acknowledgeably the current killer application: mobile email."
This operator/enterprise model meets the needs of CIOs, as uncovered in the Coleman Parkes survey. About 80 percent of all CIOs interviewed in Europe and the U.S. want to improve management of mobile devices, applications, and data to accelerate productivity. And more than 80 percent of U.S. CIOs believe the mobile operator should take the lead in providing device management services.
Mformation enables operators to offer an enterprise’s IT department with secure access to Enterprise Manager’s mobile device management (MDM) functionality as a value-added service, enabling the IT department to directly manage their own mobile devices and mobile data. This model works well for enterprises of all sizes, removing the need for IT departments to deploy, maintain and operate complicated device management technology, while giving them complete control of the mobile devices used by their employees and the mobile data that those devices contain."
related: Mformation Updates Carrier-Hosted Enterprise Mobile Device Management Product
"For the enterprise looking for MDM support, a carrier-hosted model provides the customary benefits of SaaS: low capital costs, immediate usability, operational costs that match growth, smooth scalability, and the domain expertise of the provider. But because Mformation's customer is first the carrier, not the enterprise, the latter will have to experience MDM through the eyes of the former. Mformation's offering talks of OMA, firmware updates, OTA protocols, and the benefits of being able to support rising data services and applications ARPU, all concepts foreign, or at least of little interest, to the enterprise.
Mformation fortunately acknowledges that it's not a one-stop mobility shop: it has partnered with others who can provide anti-virus, encryption, and VPN access. Ironically Mformation doesn't list any partners for what is acknowledgeably the current killer application: mobile email."
Apple roundup.
Michael Gartenberg - Apple Introduces iPhone Ringtones - First Take
"What's interesting is that again, there's no carrier involvement here. Everything goes through Apple and iTunes. Another good reminder that the iPhone is an Apple story first and foremost and amazing that AT&T isn't in control of this experience."
Michael Gartenberg - Apple Introduces New iPods - Second Take
"When you're sipping your latte, your iPhone, and iTunes on your computer can connect to the Starbucks WiFi network, see what song is currently playing in the store, access Starbucks content and of course, purchase a few tunes from the iTunes store. Most interesting partnership here, since the Starbucks WiFi connection is of course a T-Mobile Hotspot not an AT&T service. Most interesting."
Tech Trader Daily - Barron’s Online : Apple Live: Ring Tones; Nanos W/Video; iPod Touch; WiFi iTunes; Starbucks Deal; iPhone 8 GB $399
"That’s wild; they seem to be killing the 4GB [iPhone] model, while also cutting the price of the 8GB model by $200! Wow, that is really going to be the thing many people are going to focus on. There will be speculation on both sides of the stock: they need to stimulate demand! Or this will send units flying through the ceiling! This will surely irritate anyone who has paid $599 for an iPhone until now, or worse, overpaid on the Web in the first few days."
"What's interesting is that again, there's no carrier involvement here. Everything goes through Apple and iTunes. Another good reminder that the iPhone is an Apple story first and foremost and amazing that AT&T isn't in control of this experience."
Michael Gartenberg - Apple Introduces New iPods - Second Take
"When you're sipping your latte, your iPhone, and iTunes on your computer can connect to the Starbucks WiFi network, see what song is currently playing in the store, access Starbucks content and of course, purchase a few tunes from the iTunes store. Most interesting partnership here, since the Starbucks WiFi connection is of course a T-Mobile Hotspot not an AT&T service. Most interesting."
Tech Trader Daily - Barron’s Online : Apple Live: Ring Tones; Nanos W/Video; iPod Touch; WiFi iTunes; Starbucks Deal; iPhone 8 GB $399
"That’s wild; they seem to be killing the 4GB [iPhone] model, while also cutting the price of the 8GB model by $200! Wow, that is really going to be the thing many people are going to focus on. There will be speculation on both sides of the stock: they need to stimulate demand! Or this will send units flying through the ceiling! This will surely irritate anyone who has paid $599 for an iPhone until now, or worse, overpaid on the Web in the first few days."
Could GPay be Google’s killer phone app?
"GPay could end up as an exclusive GPhone offering, one that gives Google the jump over other mobile operators by enabling mobile payments natively from the handset.
Mobile payment systems aren’t new; I can pay for parking locally via mobile phone now, however what Google is suggesting in the patent is something that is far broader, and perhaps more importantly independent of mobile phone carriers and their billing systems. Google competitor PayPal currently offers their own mobile payments system, but despite launching in March it hasn’t set the world on fire; Google on the other hand would have the advantage of embedding GPay in the GPhone."
Mobile payment systems aren’t new; I can pay for parking locally via mobile phone now, however what Google is suggesting in the patent is something that is far broader, and perhaps more importantly independent of mobile phone carriers and their billing systems. Google competitor PayPal currently offers their own mobile payments system, but despite launching in March it hasn’t set the world on fire; Google on the other hand would have the advantage of embedding GPay in the GPhone."
AT&T sells parental cell phone controls.
"AT&T's Smart Limits service will be offered as an add-on for $4.99 per month per line... The functions, ranging from call blocking and hour limits to text message and download allowances, will be set through a Web site. Calls to or from a parent's number can be made to override the restrictions, and calls to 911 can be made anytime.
The AT&T service also allows filtering of Web sites parents don't want their children accessing from their phones, but that function will not work on Apple Inc.'s iPhone because of the browser, said AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook.
The Web site filter will also be inoperable when a phone is using a Wi-Fi network because AT&T can only block content delivered over its wireless networks."
related: AT&T Unveils Powerful New Web-Based Parental Control Feature for Wireless Service
"With AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless online service, customers can:
* Limit the number of minutes that their children can use a wireless phone.
* Set limits on text and instant messages.
* Establish a dollar amount for download purchases, such as ringtones and games.
* Control the time of day and days of the week that the phone can be used.
* Block calls and text messages to/from numbers they don't approve.
* Filter access to Internet content that is inappropriate for children.
Calls and text messages to and from numbers designated as 'Allowed Numbers' and calls to 9-1-1 are permitted regardless of restrictions to allow families to keep in touch."
The AT&T service also allows filtering of Web sites parents don't want their children accessing from their phones, but that function will not work on Apple Inc.'s iPhone because of the browser, said AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook.
The Web site filter will also be inoperable when a phone is using a Wi-Fi network because AT&T can only block content delivered over its wireless networks."
related: AT&T Unveils Powerful New Web-Based Parental Control Feature for Wireless Service
"With AT&T Smart Limits for Wireless online service, customers can:
* Limit the number of minutes that their children can use a wireless phone.
* Set limits on text and instant messages.
* Establish a dollar amount for download purchases, such as ringtones and games.
* Control the time of day and days of the week that the phone can be used.
* Block calls and text messages to/from numbers they don't approve.
* Filter access to Internet content that is inappropriate for children.
Calls and text messages to and from numbers designated as 'Allowed Numbers' and calls to 9-1-1 are permitted regardless of restrictions to allow families to keep in touch."
Synchronica launches backup and restore for the masses.
"As well as providing a safety net for consumers who lose their phones, a backup and restore service also makes upgrading to a new phone easier. Customers can use the backup and restore facility to transfer their personal information over the air (OTA) to their new phone. Mobile Manager Backup & Restore provides users with an easy to use, web-based interface for setting up and configuring their phone and for restoring data... Synchronica's Mobile Manager backup and restore module is based entirely on the dominant SyncML / OMA DS industry standard supported by the majority of feature phones and smartphones from all leading vendors. Unlike other solutions, it does not require a client to be installed on the device, but instead uses the built-in SyncML client on the device."
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