Why there is only 160 characters available for SMS

This is a question I often hear, "Why there is only 160 characters available for SMS?"

I came across this excellent explanation and I just had to share it with everone!

The LA Times Blog interviews German communications researcher Friedhelm Hillebrand, the gentleman who figured out how to transmit and display text messages on cell phones to explain the 160 character limit.

$100 Android Netbooks Coming?

This headline posted on androidguys.com got my attention!

Skytone, a company predominantly known for low-cost children’s laptops might be among the first to release and Android netbook.

Called the Alpha 680, it will offer a 7″ LCD screen

Mobile Going Strong in the Downturn

The Recession’s Early Winners, you guessed it…Mobile.

Posted on April 20, 2009 by The Mobile Marketer

This recession is going to reshape America for generations, including the way we live and work. What will the future look like? Who will be the winners and losers?Obviously you could make a lot of money if you guess right.Historians note that many of the stocks which did best during the Great Depression were actually so-called “growth” companies, because they were the ones conquering the future. When a hurricane sweeps through a forest it knocks down a lot of the older, weaker trees. The younger ones survive and prosper. And so it may be in the economy.It’s only six months into the crash, but the stock market is already starting to make some early calls. The market isn’t a perfect seer of the future, but it has a pretty good track record. And a few of the calls it’s making now are challenging the conventional wisdom iPhone nation lives. Shares in cellular companies tanked when the crisis first hit. Sprint crashed 85%. Apple fell by more than half. The conventional wisdom: Cellular contracts and fancy handhelds are very expensive. Even a $60 a month habit is costing you $720 a year. Desperate consumers would drop these plans, or scale back sharply, as they were forced to slash their household budgets.So far? The market’s having a dramatic rethink. Shares in cellular companies have jumped about 40%, on average, from their November lows. During that time the rest of the market has gone nowhere. Sprint’s doubled from its distressed levels. Apple, Black Berry’s Research In Motion, even Palm have risen a long way.The reason: Maybe post-crash America won’t junk its fancy handhelds after all. “We’ve learned this recession that wireless has become more of a necessity,” says analyst Tim Horan at Oppenheimer. “We haven’t seen a lot of people dropping their cellphone service.”The daily latte may not be toast. Starbucks stock was another early victim of the crash. The shares collapsed. Everyone beat them up last fall, because an expensive latte habit is one of the easiest budget cuts a hard-pressed consumer can make.The market’s rethinking this one, too. Starbucks stock has now jumped 55% from the lows. Sure, sales and profits are well down. But management is fighting back with cost savings and new initiatives. More than 750,000 people have signed up for Starbucks loyalty cards, triple what the company expected. (And that’s a wireless play too: They give you some free WiFi with your beverage.) The coffee shop has become an important part of many people’s day. Shares in rival coffee chain Peet’s are up about 10% too.Dotcoms strike back! Shares in most regular retailers have slumped over the past six months, for obvious reasons. Expect more bricks and mortar stores to close as overstretched consumers retrench. But when it comes to online retailers, the story changes. Amazon stock, which tanked initially, has doubled since November. Hype over the Kindle electronic book reader has helped. Online jeweler Blue Nile has also bounced. And look at Netflix – its stock just hit a record high, surging over $40 for the first time. The Internet-based movie rental company is one of the big winners of the recession so far, as consumers stay home and order in movies. And it makes sense: A Netflix subscription, typically about $14 a month, is much cheaper than cable.

New iPhone Campaign Aimed at Small Business & Entrepreneurs

One of Apple’s new iPhone ads targets small businesses by showing them how they can use iPhone apps to process credit card transactions, print shipping labels and check on the delivery of an order.

“There’s an app for that” has become the standard refrain in a series of television advertisements that Apple runs during prime-time hours on commercial television.

The new ad, entitled “Office” and available for viewing on Apple’s Web site shows how small business users can use the iPhone to process credit card transactions using Inner Fence’s Credit Card Terminal application; print a shipping label for a package using Print & Share; and check on the status of a delivery with FedEx Mobile

Farmers Use SMS to Track Rubber Prices

The Hindu News Service is reporting many rubber farmers and dealers in Kerala are tracking the prices of the commodity real time by SMS. The growers are helped by a service by the Rubber Board which through SMSes updates the farmers with rates in the global as well as domestic markets.The Rubber Board provides the update of both national and international rates of natural rubber through SMS throughout the country at rupees two per SMS.On an average 300-400 SMSes are received on a daily basis from around Kerala," a senior Board official said.

Smartphone consumers opt for "cheap chic

A Reuters story got my attention: cell phone makers are expected to report buoyant sales of lower-priced, feature-packed smartphones as consumers opt for "cheap chic" amid the global recession.

These consumers on the go are not giving up their smartphones; but finding ways to keep in touch and lower costs.

SMS is still the best way to stay in touch with these consumers no matter where they are in these turbulent economic times

Swedes files their taxes by SMS

Sounds so easy…..get taxes paid with a few keystrokes! It is in Sweden where they get a new text message, enter your Social Security number and a security code sent to you by mail, and zip it off to the Department of the Treasury. And instantly your income taxes are now filed.

Read full article<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10219457-94.html>

Any customer and/or external business partner information summation can be done through SMS, including 2 way chat. Just because CEO "does not text", that does not mean that they can not be shown the benefits of SMS in their enterprise.

Credit Updates with SMS

Credit cardholders with Citi Bank in the Philippines can get up-to-date information about their account by SMS!

Reported by Mike Grenville for www.160characters.org


Such alerts can be implemented in any industry especially in conjunction with mobile website registration.

Faster Bluetooth 3.0 Specification To Be Unveiled

There is a lot to look forward to in April of 2009.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group plans to unveil version 3.0 of the Bluetooth wireless specification on April 21.

The companies ready to roll out new Bluetooth 3.0 devices will be announced at that time, together with some of the technical details! Stay tuned.

Dictionary .com App Offers Features & Perks

An entry on the Download blog got my attention:

The free Dictionary.com app delivers world-class reference content from Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com including more than 275,000 definitions and 80,000 synonyms, which are accessible through the app, with no Internet connection needed.
The app also features audio pronunciations, similarly spelled words and Dictionary.com’s popular Word of the Day.

Text Message Donations Help Quake Victims

After the worst earthquake in 30 years struck L’Aquila killing 250 and leaving thousands homeless, Italians are text messaging donations to help, reports Zoomata.

Italian mobile operators, Wind, Tre and Vodafone, made a single number available for SMS donations to earthquake victims. Cell phone users send a blank text to 48580. They’re charged one euro for each text, cell phone companies promise to donate the entire amount of each message.
Texters are sent a confirmation that says, “Thank you. With this message you’re helping people in Abruzzo who have been hit by the earthquake.”
Thumb tribes have been sending in support in Italy since 2002, when another earthquake in Southern Italy prompted the first cell-phone fund drive.

Samsung Android Phones Coming

Three Android Smartphones Coming From Samsung

Samsung has confirmed plans to release Android phones, according to a recent story in Forbes. Dr. Won-Pyo Hong, executive vice president of global product strategy told the magazine during the recent CTIA trade show in Las Vegas that the company will release several handsets using the Google-backed, open-source operating system.The first of the devices will be launched in June outside the U.S. Hong confirmed that two other Android devices will be released in the U.S. during the second half of 2009.

Salesforce offers customers free mobile service

Reuters is reporting business software maker Salesforce.com is offering a scaled-down version of its customer-management services that existing customers will be able to access for free using high-end mobile phones.

The company that pioneered software as a service -- managing customers' information and data remotely on a pay-as-you-go basis -- said it could reach 1 million users with its new Mobile Lite service.

Salesforce already has clocked up 70,000 downloads of its Apple iPhone version in seven months by customers on its more expensive offerings.

Mobile Lite will be available to customers using Research in Motion's BlackBerry smartphones and phones running on Microsoft's Windows software as well as the iPhone, Salesforce said ahead of a company event in London.

Have We Gone Too Far?

A posting on textually.org about the Virtual Zippo Lighter app got my attention!

It seems some concert fans are skipping the flames and opting for a virtual Zippo lighter via an app on their iPhones to call for an encore.

What do you think about this? Have we gone too far? Let me know what you think about this growing use of the virtual Zippo lighter app!

Fee Free SMS Boosts Red Nose Day

A posting on 160 characters about Red Nose Day got my attention.

"Of the over 65 million pounds raised for charity Red Nose Day this year nearly 8 million was raised by SMS - and for the first time all the money raised by text went to charity.
This year £7.8 million was raised for Red Nose Day through £1 and £5 text donations – contributing to the £65.7 million raised so far. It was the first time the public had been able to text knowing that every penny would go to Comic Relief, thanks to mobile operators waiving their usual fees and the Treasury confirming that because of this no VAT will be charged on these donations.

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG), in collaboration with Buongiorno, powered the SMS donation channels for Red Nose Day 2009.

The line to text a £5 donation by texting ‘YES’ to 66609 opened on 2nd March and was promoted during ‘The Big Red Nose Climb’ documentary and on the night of TV on 13th March. The £1 text donation launched on 27th February and was promoted on BBC Radio 1, inviting listeners to show their support for the nine celebrities climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by texting ‘CLIMB’ to 88808 to donate £1. Both donation lines close at midnight on 31 March 2009.

The money raised by Comic Relief supports long-term projects which help people to help themselves across the UK and Africa. Launched from a refugee camp in Sudan in 1985, Red Nose Day is a UK-wide fundraising event organised by Comic Relief every two years."

House passes bill targeting text messaging by sexual predators

The House of Representatives today passed legislation to make it a crime for sexual predators to use text messaging to lure young victims. HB 2641, sponsored by Rep. Andy Olson (R-Albany) and Rep. Sherrie Sprenger (R-Scio), updates Oregon’s online luring law to include the popular technology.

“HB 2641 addresses a fast growing communication problem, known as ‘sexting,’ that involves sending explicit messages and photos to lure victims,” Rep. Olson said. “The legislation addresses the use of text messaging to strengthen our online luring laws and better protect our children.”

HB 2641 modifies the definition of online communication for the purposes of “online sexual corruption of a child” to include telephone text messages. Oregon’s online luring law targets adult violators 18 years old or older. Rep. Olson said HB 2641 gives law enforcement a new tool that it previously did not have to prosecute sexual predators who engage in text messaging their potential victims.

“Last year, law enforcement was not able to take action on an incident involving a high school teacher and a female student because there was no crime for illicit text messaging,” Rep. Olson said. “Though the teacher was eventually removed through administrative action, the principal asked for text messaging to be added to the statute. HB 2641 delivers on that request.”

AT&T Unveils 6 New Devices for Text Messaging

AT&T announced a fresh new lineup of smartphones and quick messaging phones that make it easier for customers to message with friends and family and manage their business and personal lives on-the-go.

Arriving in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks, these integrated devices add to AT&T's leading mobile phone portfolio.

In the smartphone category, AT&T debuted the Nokia E71x and the Samsung Propel™ Pro, two stylish smartphones that inspire fun, while delivering serious functionality. In addition, the Samsung Impression™ and Samsung Magnet™, and LG Xenon and Neon emerge to the lead AT&T's lineup of quick messaging phones and expands the number of full-keyboard mobile phones in AT&T's lineup to seven.

"Smartphones and quick messaging phones are no longer for early-adopters and text-happy teens," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "The ability to text often, or check your email from a phone is easy and more customers demand these features. These phones are a great addition to our best-in-class lineup and we can't wait to get them in our customers' hands in the coming weeks."

Nokia E71xThe thinnest smartphone on the market, the Nokia E71x, will be available in the coming weeks for $99.99¹ and features a black steel finish and award-winning design. The Nokia smartphone, based on S60 on Symbian OS™ offers the Wi-Fi and the flexibility of many Symbian-based applications, in addition to AT&T's most popular services, including AT&T Navigator. The Nokia E71x is just 10 millimeters thin and will turn heads when you text friends, or check your corporate or personal email. Customers can learn more at http://www.att.com/nokiaE71x.

Samsung Propel™ ProThe Propel Pro, a full-QWERTY silver and chrome compact slider smartphone with Windows Mobile 6.1 allows users to run full enterprise applications on the same platform they use to text and send photos. Evolving from the popular Samsung Propel™, business users and consumers looking for a full-feature smartphone with Wi-Fi will look to the Propel Pro, available in April for $149.99¹.

Samsung Impression™The nation's first commercially available AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen results in one of the brightest and clearest displays in the U.S. and is paired with a keyboard underneath an amazingly slim, metallic blue quick messaging phone that's all touch screen on the outside, all buttons on the inside. On sale for $199.99¹, the Impression has an included 3.0 megapixel camcorder-capable camera, 3.2-inch screen and full browser to maximize every pixel of color.

LG XenonA quick messaging phone boasting a full keypad for text messaging beneath its vibrant colors and large touch screen display with customizable and intuitive user interface, the 3G-powered LG Xenon snaps 2.0 megapixel photos and offers the full suite of AT&T entertainment services such as AT&T Navigator, Napster Mobile, eMusic Mobile, and more. Xenon will be available in three colors: black, blue and red for $99.99¹. The Xenon is also featured in MTV's upcoming series "The Phone", executive produced by Justin Timberlake.
LG NeonTeens and text-happy adults will enjoy the LG Neon, a low-cost touch screen device available in the coming weeks. The green and white quick messaging phone features a full keyboard, 2.0 megapixel camera, and access to Instant Messaging, Mobile Email, AT&T Music, and the mobile Internet.

Samsung Magnet™The Magnet is an incredibly slim orange and black bar-shaped device that will appeal to teens who need a low-cost, quick messaging phone. The Magnet features a WAP browser and integrated camera in its sleek package and will be offered at an affordable price in the coming weeks.

All six devices can be paired with messaging bundles offering 200, 1500, and unlimited messages that cost $5, $15 and $20, respectively. Unlimited messaging is available for AT&T FamilyTalk® plan customers for all lines for $30. Data plans vary per device.
Samsung Impression and Propel Pro will arrive in AT&T stores on April 7 and 14, respectively, and the LG Xenon will go on sale on April 8. The Nokia e71x, LG Neon and Samsung Magnet will be available in the following weeks.

Charmin sponsors iPhone toilet finder app

Proctor & Gamble's Charmin toilet paper brand will launch a global sponsorship for the SitOrSquat website and its accompanying iPhone and BlackBerry app, designed to identify the world's cleanest public restrooms for consumers who are on-the-go.

According to P&G, SitOrSquat for iPhone and BlackBerry is a Wiki for recording and accessing bathroom information, including data on where to find bathrooms, changing tables, handicap access and other amenities--users may add new content to the service and provide feedback on featured toilets.So far, SitOrSquat has compiled information on more than 52,000 toilets in 10 countries worldwide--in addition, more than 1,600 users have downloaded the app to their mobile device.

Now this is something very, very useful...

This update from Larry Seltzer at PC Magazine got my attention:

"There are few things as annoying about cell phones as getting calls with blocked or restricted caller ID. You don't know who it is, but you're going to have to pay for the call. That's not right, and it's why TrapCall is so useful.

TrapCall only works with mobiles. First you program your phone appropriately with a simple sequence. Then, if a call comes in without caller ID information you press the key on the phone that sends the call to voice mail. On my BlackBerry it's the "Ignore" button. TrapCall then secretly routes the call through a toll free number of theirs so that they can examine it. A few seconds later the call rings back at your phone with the caller ID information.

Well, most of the time. Tests of classically blocked caller ID (for instance by using *67) work great through TrapCall. But where there is no caller ID information on the call at all, i.e. where caller ID shows you "Unknown Caller", there's nothing they can do. TrapCall returns with a number of 9999999999. TrapCall says this is common with international calls and some VOIP PBXs.

For just these coolest capabilities TrapCall has a free service called FlyTrap. FlyTrap also allows you to blacklist unwanted callers and provides web-based voicemail. For-pay subscriptions add features, including toll free support, recordings of your phone calls, even transcriptions of your phone calls. I tested the recording service and it works, although for legal reasons people you talk to will get a warning that their call is to be recorded. It can be a bit off-putting, but in my line of work I interview people and it could be handy to have a recording like this; You can turn off the warning at your own legal peril.

The blacklisting service is just too cool. You enter a number or select a caller in the call log in the web console to blacklist them. Then if they call and you press the send-to-voicemail button on your phone the caller hears "Sorry, the number you have dialed has been disconnected or is no longer in service."

Read the rest of Larry's observations at http://tech.yahoo.com/news/zd/20090323/tc_zd/238420

I wish I could use the service like this....its always good to know if you are dead or alive.

Alive Status Verification SMS Service got my attention on textually.org.

One of the strangest SMS offers to ever cross my desk is South Africa's "Alive Status Verification" SMS Service launched this Monday by Home Affairs which allows citizens to find out whether they are officially dead or alive.

The purpose of the service is assist South Africans to check their status to ensure that they have not been fraudulently declared dead on the population register," the department said in a statement.It did not elaborate on why anyone would be fraudulently declared dead
Full press release<http://www.dha.gov.za/media_releases.asp?id=519>.

Windows Mobile 6.5

Windows Mobile 6.5 Update from blogs msdn.com

Lots have been said already about the end user features of Windows Mobile 6.5 like My Phone, The new look, the enhanced touch support, etc. but now it is getting time to start talking about what is new for developers as well.

For the first time since windows mobile 6 shipped we are expanding our development story to make easier and more accessible writing applications that not only look great but also consume cloud services to bring a portable chunk of the web to our mobile devices.

Up until today developers have basically two options to create applications for Windows Phones:
a) Native Code (primarily in C/C++)
b) Managed code (using the .net compact framework)
And even though there have been lots of improvements on our tools and libraries, writing great looking mobile apps is still hard to do. Starting on 6.5 though we are adding a new option for developers out there… “Windows Mobile Widgets”.

A good way to think of a Windows Mobile Widget is as a “Portable chunk of the web” or just basically a rich internet application. Widgets are written using all the web technologies we know and love (HTML, CSS, AJAX, JavaScript) and, since they are powered under the covers by our new internet browser, they have full access to flash and other ActiveX controls available on the device (Like MediaPlayer).

The interesting thing about our Widget Platform is that it allows them to look and feel, to the end user, as a normal standalone application does; they have their own start menu icon, they show up as an individual apps in task manager and, most importantly, they have full control of the SK menu bar as any other application would (just easier J).

Sounds good so far? Well there is more, For this new platform we are implementing the latest draft of the emerging W3C standard for mobile widget applications (http://www.w3.org/TR/widgets/) as well as ensuring that basic things like native support for transparent PNGs as well as support for the Window.XMLHttpRequest object work as expected.

Expect to hear a lot more information about our Widget platform on the following months; specifically we will have sessions on TechDays in April http://www.msfttechdays.com/public/home.aspx and TechEd 2009. But for now here are some screenshots of the MSN widgets created by the Windows Live team as a showcase for our new platform.

Cocerns Grow about Mobile Phone Information

Civil liberties groups oppose gov't mobile-phone tracking

Three civil liberties groups have asked a U.S. appeals court to strike down a U.S. government request to obtain stored mobile-phone location tracking information without showing probable cause.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF, the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have filed a brief asking the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals to reject the U.S. Department of Justice's request that courts give permission for it to obtain historical mobile-phone tracking information without a court-ordered warrant showing probable cause.

Mobile's Best Practices & Challenges

Mobile Developers Clash on Mobile Future

The first Mobile Developer Live: Silicon Valley, held Feb. 26, 2009 at Keynote Systems, brought together more than 150 mobile Web developers and thought leaders – live and online — from Silicon Valley and around the world to discuss today’s mobile best practices and tomorrow’s challenges in an informative networking event.

Participating companies included CBS Sports, Cellfire, iLoop Mobile, Mobile Distillery, MobileAppLoader, Nokia, Yahoo!, Nokia, VeriSign, and Verizon Wireless.

Most of you have heard me complain and gripe about cell phone security. This article below will explain why....

Think nobody cares about what is on your phone?

Phones are more powerful, more widely adopted, and cheaper than PCs, and they often house important data, giving hackers a financial incentive to go after them.

Click on this link and learn: Browsers Get Hacked Before Phones at Security Show (PC World)

iPhone 3.0: Apple Finds New Ways to Engage

iPhone 3.0: A brand new iPhone in a free update (InfoWorld)




I thought this Info World article was worth passing along!

iPhone 3.0: Apple Finds New Ways to Engage

Apple's adeptness at creating new ways to delight its customers while finding equally creative ways to draw revenue from already closed sales. Some fifty million owners of iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPod touch got a sneak peek at iPhone 3.0.

Internet Access on Mobile Devices More Than Doubles

There is new research from comScore, a provider of Internet tracking, got my attention today: more consumers are using smartphones to access the Web for personal and business use.

The number of people using mobile devices to access the Internet more than doubled from January 2008 to January 2009, according to comScore. Internet users have been using smartphones for personal use and to conduct business, similar to the way they would use a laptop or home computer.

Researchers find proof online content for mobile device users is resonating with consumers, which bodes well as advertisers and publishers consider mobile as part of their marketing mix.

Abbreviated mobile SMS search for sportsfans

This one got my attention as we enter March Madness:

Mobile search provider ChaCha is introducing a new sports update service ahead of the busy March sports season.

Thumbsavers allows users to send abbreviations by texts to ChaCha to get live scores, news and updates.

ChaCha claims its service will send fans the results they’re looking for, even if the abbreviations are spelled wrong! So, perfect for the pub.

G1’s Going for Under $100… But Why?

The Android Guys blog caught my eye on why G1s are on sale now.

“There are a handful of reasons as to why the G1 is going for this price, all of which are unconfirmed. Let’s take a look at the three most obvious reasons…
The G2 is right around the corner.

The black model is not selling as well compared to the others

These vendors are clearing out their own stock and this has nothing to do with the G1 as a whole

The G2 is right around the corner

CTIA is coming up and the rumor mill is starting again. Folks are starting to expect T-Mobile to announce the G2, or US version of the HTC Magic. Although it would make sense to see a new Android handset from T-Mobile, it’s not guaranteed. One could hope that after 6 months that we’re ready to get our second device from the carrier.”

The Deal on Microsoft's App Store

Microsoft's App Store: Here's the Deal

Microsoft has unveiled further plans for its new app store called Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

PC World has all the details:“Like the iPhone App Store and Android App Market, Microsoft will give developers a 70 percent cut of app sales and will let them set their own prices. Developers will also be charged $99 annually to submit applications to WMM. The first year's fee will cover submitting up to five applications to the app store, and every program after that will cost $99 per submission. Student developers can submit applications for free through the Microsoft DreamSpark<https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx> program.

Apple also charges an annual fee of $99 to enter the iPhone Developer program, but charges $299 for companies with more than 500 employees.”

I would say "good idea"...

Tajikistan Bans Mobile Phones in Schools

The parliament in Tajikistan has adopted amendments to laws on education which will now ban the use of mobile phones in all educational facilities in the country, which covers both schools and universities.

The ban applies to both students and teachers, reports Cellular News.

"These measures were taken following multiple requests from the country's president, and are intended to raise quality of teaching in educational institutions," a Tajik lawmaker said.
The decree also banned students from using their own cars to travel to their studies. "

Unauthorized iPhone app stores emerging

Apple may have some competition when it comes to selling applications for the iPhone, as renegade stores are springing up online to sell unauthorized apps for the device.

News.com reports via the WSJ A developer is planning to launch on Friday a new service called Cydia store that could sell hundreds of iPhone applications. The apps aren't available through Apple's official store, and they require "jailbroken" iPhones.

Such iPhones have software downloaded that modifies the device to run any application.The article also mentioned another developer, Rock Your Phone which also plans to sell unauthorized iPhone apps. But this store won't require iPhones to be modified, the article says.

Some of the applications that will be found in non-Apple app stores are ones that Apple won't carry in its own store. For example, there is one application for turning the phone into a modem for laptops and another that turns the iPhone into a camcorder. Other applications might include adult games, which are not sold in Apple's App Store.

Stats like this should help us get more Mobile Application Development (hint!!!)

A new report from PC Magazine got my attention with a prediction of an eleven percent jump in 2009 smartphone sales!

Up to 11 percent more smartphones could be sold this year despite a falling overall mobile phone market if network operators cut data fees and offer aggressive subsidies, research firm iSuppli said on Wednesday.

BlackBerry App Store Update

BlackBerry App Store Gets a Name: BlackBerry App World

It is on the way---one stop shopping for your BlackBerry!
Personalize your BlackBerry smartphone with games, social networks, personal productivity applications and more.

Message your best friend, track the stock market, or channel your inner rock god. Sign up for BlackBerry App World today and discover how to put more of your life on your BlackBerry smartphone.

Register now for BlackBerry App World and be the first to know when it is available!

Students Can Download Pro-Level Developer Tools

DreamSpark for Students

“We are often asked by students how they can get powerful tools for Windows Mobile application development.

Mobile development is officially supported using Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition. Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition has also been widely adopted by the community as a solid mobile development platform. Many universities partner with Microsoft in a variety of ways to provide software to students.

One popular partnership for students is the DreamSpark program. Microsoft DreamSpark enables students to download valuable Microsoft developer and design tools at no charge. Their site enables students to download professional-level Microsoft developer tools to advance their learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities.In order to get this software at no charge, students are asked to establish or verify their student status once every 12 months. This process is built into the DreamSpark<https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx> site itself.

Verification of valid student status will enable students from around the globe to download Microsoft developer and design tools at no charge.’’

Finally, after months of pleading for the opposing views, I received something from someone!

“iPhone Forensics: How a Thief Can Bypass Security to Steal Personal Information and Corporate Secrets”

Jonathan is a Chief Scientist with MacAfee where he works with law enforcement to obtain forensical evidence off of cell phones (mainly iPhone).

You can also view a recorded O'Reilly Webcast titled “iPhone Forensics 101: Bypassing the iPhone Passcode” available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaxSF9EOjxw&feature=related by the same speaker.

Start listening around 6:30 into the video to get a good idea of what’s covered.

Finally, the author also has a book out on Amazon under the same title

Your Phone or Wireless Device is the Key to Banking of the Future

Mobile banking will take off over the next 5 years: Mobile banking will take off over the next 5 years, led by behavioral challenges in the developing world as people who currently have no access to banking or electronic payment services take up mobile banking.

Informa Telecoms & Media predicts that in 2013 almost 300 billion transactions worth more than $860 billion will be conducted using a mobile phone, which would represent a 12-fold increase in gross global transaction values in just five years.

-- Informa predicts that by 2013, over 445 million mobile subscribers will be regularly using their mobile phone to purchase physical goods and services remotely.

-- By 2013 there will be 977 million users of mobile banking services worldwide, compared to around 67 million at the end of 2008 forecasts Informa.

-- Informa predicts that by 2013 almost 424 million consumers will be sending over $157 billion of personal funds via mobile domestically whilst a further 73 million will be sending $48 billion of funds via mobile internationally.
Read full article by clicking here.

There are so many potential jokes about the app below....

VooDude: a torture app

The newly released VooDude app lets users create and manipulate their own personal, portable Voodoo doll on an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Users can use any photo for the head of the doll and then use the accelerometer and touch screen to shake, poke, burn and toss the doll.The voodoo doll is cornered in a dark setting.

He reacts to poking, burning or pricking by writhing in pain with sound effects. It's actually quite disturbing - or effective, depending on how you see things.

Important: I am still looking for someone that can provide the opposing views to the Mobile News. Vick used to do it before - Mobile News from the opposite point of view....

Since I am going to RehabCare for 1 week.....

There is another study documenting addiction to mobile devices and texting.

The latest headline to get my attention if from AFP an entitled: ‘Japanese Teens Addicted to Cellphones’.

I understand the lure of mobile phones and the tiny keys offering instant communication. The researchers found Japanese teenagers, who often send and read dozens of messages while eating or even bathing, just cannot give up the urge to text.

Thirteen Years or Older….

Android Market Announces Policies and Guidelines

“Kids, get your parents permission before downloading any apps from the Android Market. One of the new guidelines established by Google for the Market is that you must be 13 years or older. "
Doesn’t seem like there’s going to be much of a problem with that. Most of the folks we know using a G1 [...]

Upcoming Additions to Windows Mobile®

Introducing Windows® Marketplace for Mobile a contribution by John Bruno got my attention:

"At Mobile World Congresstoday in Barcelona, Steve Ballmer announced a number of upcoming additions to the Windows Mobile® family. In addition to great consumer-focused services such as Microsoft® My Phone, he also announced a new on-device application marketplace for Windows Mobile 6.5 called Windows Marketplace for Mobile. Beyond providing consumers with the ability to browse and download applications from their Windows Mobile 6.5 phone, this new service will offer developers, like yourselves, the opportunity to connect directly with those millions of Windows Mobile users, to publish and distribute applications.

Sound like a win-win opportunity? Let’s take a closer look.Before I dig into the details, let me begin by introducing myself. My name is John Bruno and I am a new contributor to the Windows Mobile Team Blog. As a Program Manager on the Windows Marketplace team, I am responsible for the developer-focused features of the product. So, I am really excited to be able to announce this program for developers, and hope all of you are as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are.In the past, it has been challenging for developers to get their Windows Mobile applications into the hands of consumers. In addition to fragmentation in the distribution channels, there has been no definitive marketplace experience on the device for users to browse and acquire applications and/or content. This has prevented developers from achieving broad reach with their application offering, and inhibited the user’s ability to leverage the power of their Windows phone. Fortunately, Windows Marketplace for Mobile addresses these challenges while also including a number of key benefits for developers. Examples of some of these key benefits include:* An easily discovered on-device application that is installed on every Windows Mobile 6.5 device, and includes prominent placement on the Start menu.* Leverage existing Microsoft developer tools, such as Visual Studio, for faster time to market.As you can see, the opportunity for developers is quite clear. Windows Marketplace can help you grow your business profitably by connecting you directly with millions of Windows Mobile users that are looking for your applications. Whether you are a hobbyist developer or a large ISV, we’ll make it easy for you to bring your applications to market and manage them effectively throughout their life cycle.

My Slavic brothers and sisters can do great things! Andrej K would be so proud..... From Koper to Vladivostok....

iPhone GPS App Shown at Mobile World Congress (NewsFactor)

While Apple develops turn-by-turn GPS navigation features for the iPhone, one company has shown it can be done. Sygic, based in Bratislava, a region in southwest Slovakia, displayed its mobile GPS application for the iPhone 3G Wednesday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Copycat Phone Conundrum

It’s no secret the mobile phone industry is envious of Apple's iPhone strategy allowing users download thousands of small software programs.

The world’s biggest annual trade show for the wireless industry, the Mobile World Congress is underway in Bacelona, Spain and Apple is absent.

But while Apple is absent from the wireless trade event, the iPhone impact is evident.

This item got my attention and I recommend it to see the evidence of the iPhone in many other handsets.

Something for everyone.....

Student Arrested For Classroom Texting

A 14-year-old Wisconsin girl who refused to stop texting during a high school math class was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, according to police.

The student was issued a criminal citation for disorderly conduct, which carried "a bail of $298," and had her phone confiscated.

Another very scary news item….....I got to get off the grid.....any suggestions?

UK Mobile Operators to Sell Customer Data for one GIANT Database!

Five major UK carriers are banding together to pool customer data so that it can be put into a giant database and then be used to sell advertising, The Register is reporting.

Announcing the move at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the GSM Association, whose members include 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone, said it had created a "measurement process for mobile browsing that respects the privacy of mobile users and provides rich planning information for the media and advertising communities.

Casinos are warned about card-counting iPhone app

A warning is going out to casinos about an iPhone application according to published reports in the The Sydney Morning Herald. Nevada gambling regulators have sounded the alert on an iPhone/iPod application called BlackJack Card Counter, that illegally helps players beat the house in blackjack.

A YouTube video demo shows how it works.

Android 1.1 SDK Released

Effective immediately, developers have been given access to the Android 1.1 SDK.

According to the official Android Developers Blog, this recent release includes see few “minor, but useful” changes.

There are a few API’s changes available for development including: Adds annotations for test systems, no actual (non-test) API changes. Check out the blog for the details.

Yikes!-- The G1 Phones Home with More Info Than You Know

New privacy concerns today. This comes as no surprise to some of you know what a privacy and 4th amendment freak I am. But check out the link to a blog about the G1 which scares the heck out of me.

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=981&tag=nl.e102

Paid Apps Coming to Android Phones This Week

Google is expected to allow developers to start charging for programs sold through the Android market place, says The WSJ via Wired

Unlike the iPhone App store that has splits the revenue with the developers, Android allows for third party programmers to keep the profits to themselves. Apple keeps 30 percent of the revenue from apps sold through the iPhone store.

The Android marketplace is also open. Apps do not have to be approved by either the carrier or Google which developed the Android mobile operating system. That is in contrast to Apple's walled garden approach that requires all apps to be scrutinized by the company.

iPhone users are billed for paid apps through their iTunes account. It is not clear what kind of payment framework Android will use.

Mobile Manager for Netflix

Check out this info on Mobile Manager for Netflix from Windows Mobile Team Blog.

A few weeks ago at the Consumer Electronics Show(CES), Steve Ballmer talked about the Microsoft vision for connected experiences that extend across the three main screens people use every day. Specifically, PCs, mobile devices, and TVs. As part of that discussion Robbie Bach showed a demo of a Windows Mobile Netflix application that would allow users to update their movie queues from their phone. Well, as of today, the application is available for download (desktop/mobile) and in fact does more than just let you update your queue. The first official Netflix application for Windows Mobile phones, this app makes it simple to manage a Netflix experience from your mobile device. Leveraging the Netflix API, but with some exclusive extensions, I think Mobile Manager for Netflix is a great example of an on-device application that interfaces seamlessly with a web service.

I’ve been playing with the application for about a week now and I thought I’d highlight the two scenarios that impressed me the most. Let’s start with this past Sunday after the Super Bowl, when a new episode of The Office was aired. I’d seen a couple episodes of the show previously, but I honestly hadn’t ever followed it closely. After the first few minutes I came to the conclusion that it was definitely a show I’d like to see more of. Being lazy and full of Super Bowl snacks, I decided to give the Netflix application a try from the comfort of my couch rather then hike upstairs to my computer. The application started up with a simple login screen that accepted my regular Netflix credentials and once signed in it was easy to start a search

As you can see below, my search on “The Office” came back with 20 results and what I wanted was right at the top.As you can see below, my search on “The Office” came back with 20 results and what I wanted was right at the top.

Though you can add items to your queue using the Menu softkey, I clicked on “The Office: Season 1” to get more details. The details screen provided a lot of useful information, including a synopsis and the fact that The Office could be added to the Instant queue. As a huge fan of watching instant Netflix content through my Xbox, it was great to see that I wouldn’t have to wait for a DVD in the mail. Deciding to give it a try, I added the first couple seasons to my Instant queue and moved them to the top of my list.

From that point, it was just a matter of starting up my Xbox and navigating to the Netflix blade. Below you can see a picture of my Instant queue on the phone and on the Xbox. I personally really liked how easy it was to be watching TV, add something to my Instant queue from my phone, and then transition to watching it on my TV using my Xbox.

Moving on though, let’s take a look at the second scenario I encountered, which highlights one of the remaining features of this application. Even though I’ve seen it before, I recently found myself wanting to watch The Dark Knight again. Since I wasn’t in any particular hurry to watch it, I figured I’d add it to my regular Netflix DVD queue. Opening up the search screen, I again found what I wanted on the first try.

As you reach the bottom of the movie synopsis, you’ll see the one feature that really differentiates this application from any other Netflix application. Specifically, the ability to see a preview of the movie before you add it to your queue. Clicking on the See Preview button, a new window opens and buffers a video clip. I didn’t time it, but in a reasonable period of time I was able to watch the trailer for The Dark Knight right on my phone.

Even though I didn’t need the trailer to know I wanted to add this particular movie, it was still fun to be able to watch it from my phone. It played well and the feature will definitely be helpful in the future with films I’m not as familiar with. I know I went over things quickly, but hopefully this post has given you a good idea of what this app can do. If you’re a Netflix and Windows Mobile user, take some time and try it for yourself.

Microsoft to Open Mobile Phone Store & Expand Services

Microsoft is planning an ‘online bazaar’ and other new programs and services for mobile phones according to the Wall Street Journal.

The online bazaar would be for phones running Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Dual SIM cards phone explanation below, but first, take a look at this toy.... Kal prefers my old phones

Toddler toy mimics text messaging: LeapFrog unveiled a new smart phone toy called Text & Learn, allow small children to mimic their BlackBerry-addicted parents.

Text & Learn, which is scheduled to arrive in U.S. stores this summer, is modeled after a personal digital assistant and allows children to practice spelling and computer skills with games that emulate text messaging, the New York Daily News reported Wednesday.

Some of you asked me about dual SIM cards phones and why I was so excited about them.

Based on your carrier and phone, you should be able to use your cell phone outside the US. For instance, in London, my ATT phone gets connected to local Voda phone network. So far, so good.

However, whenever I call a local number I am actually paying international charges. Same is in reverse; if I call my number from a local phone I would again, be paying international chargers.

So, with secondary SIM card, and that can be bought in most grocery stores, I receive a local number and can use secondary card to make and receive local calls.

Mobile Tracking with Latitude

New Google software to track mobile users and other wireless devices. The upgrade to Google mobile maps is allowing people to use their mobile devices to share their location with others.
The new featured named ‘Latitude’ expands on a tool allowing mobile phone users to check their location on a Google map.

The software plots a user's location -- marked by a personal picture on Google's map -- by relying on cell phone towers, global positioning systems or a Wi-Fi connection to deduce their location. The system can follow people's travels in the United States and 26 other countries.

Reuters reports Google’s ‘Latitude’ will work on Research In Motion Ltd's Blackberry and devices running on Symbian S60 devices or Microsoft Corp's Windows Mobile and some T-1 Mobile phones running on Google's Android software.

The software will eventually run on Apple's iPhone and iTouch and many Sony Ericsson devices.

Lets see if some of our old mobility clients could use something like this. Make note of devices and OSs it runs on.

SMS to Rail Police

In India, the railway police force is just an SMS away and the same approach would work in the United States.

We have technology in the US that would allow this. This is the same as texting a question to the call center and getting response back, as implemented and used by some of the internet retailers.

The Times of India reports anyone needing help during a train journey can send a SMS to a designated number and a government railway police constable will show up at their side!

The new system also will allow passengers inside trains and at railway stations to post complaints and request police assistance.

London Borough Uses SMS to Boost Immunizations

Southwark has employed text messaging to improve the uptake of childhood immunizations and to tackle measles outbreaks in local schools within the Borough 160characters.org reports.

The campaign is in response to an increase in the number of measles cases reported in Southwark over the last few months.

Every quarter, surgeries receive a list from the central system known as Open Exeter, which indicates all the children who are due their immunizations for the combined measles, mumps and rubella jab (MMR).

By running a search on their clinical system, practices were able to send out a text message to a group of selected patients, who were due their first MMR or booster MMR jab, advising them to call the surgery to make an appointment.

More news about what is happening in Barcelona. - WM 6.5

Mobile phone maker i-mate has something special planned for Mobile World Congress 2009 Barcelona next month, according to a brief report on msmobiles.com.

Details? Um...no. Here's all we know so far:At MWC 2009 i-mate will be unveiling its brand new product - one which sees them break new grounds with a revolutionary mobile device that's like nothing else.

Details? Um...no.

Here's all we know so far:

At MWC 2009 i-mate will be unveiling its brand new product - one which sees them break new grounds with a revolutionary mobile device that's like nothing else.

The latest version of Windows Mobile? That's not revolutionary, of course, and it wouldn't exactly qualify as being "like nothing else."

So we may have to classify this i-mate rumor as shameless marketing tripe. Then again, if i-mate does come out with a slick new form factor, keyboard, touch screen, or some other amazing doodad, I'll happily be proved wrong.

And now something strange....SMS loans are becoming a national problem for Estonia

Although providers of SMS loans charge up to 1,000 percent a year in interest, almost one in every ten Estonians has applied for such a loan, reports Baltic Business News.

Only two years since that the first companies started to offer SMS loans in Estonia this has grown into a business worth at least a billion kroons.

It is believed that the market share of SMS Laen is more than 50 percent in Estonia. There are about ten companies offering SMS loans in Estonia today.

Since about 10 percent of the people who have taken an SMS loan have problems in repaying the debt, this means that also debt collection agencies have plenty of business.

“The number of small borrowers in trouble is increasing,” confirms Jaanus Laidvee from debt collection agency Julianus Inkasso. In average, customers in trouble owe between 20,000 and 25,000 kroons ($1,600 and $2,100)

Now this is really, really cool.....dual-sim? Yesssss!!

The world’s first dual-SIM capable Android powered phone is scheduled to be on display at the 2009 Mobile World Congress.

General Mobile’s Dual-Sim Handset to debut in Barcelona next month.

The announcement and a rendering are on Androidguys.com :

Looking through the specs, it seems to be standard fare for today’s phones. What’s more interesting however, is the shiny, polished package it comes in. “

AndroidAuthority is reporting the device will ship during Q3 of this year.

Cellphone Application for Farmers among Finalists from India

A cellphone application which allows farmers in Maharashtra to remotely access their irrigation pumps has earned Pune-based Ossian Agro Automation a place in the finals of the Forum Nokia’s Calling All Innovators Contest to be held in Barcelona, Spain, next month.

Livemint.com reports the contest is set for February 17, 2009.

“The remote access eliminates the need to travel, sometimes long distances in inclement weather, to check the power and turn on/off the pumps.”About 5,000 farmers have used the application, called Nano Ganesh , since its launch in September.

Interesting Camera Phone Legislation

The Camera Phone Predator Alert Act (H.R. 414) got my attention via PC World.

New York Representative Peter King (R), is the lawmaker hoping to require an audible tone to accompany all cellular phones with an installed camera that are created in the U.S.

The sound, something no doubt like a camera click or tone, would signal an image is being recoreded with the mobile device.

Any mobile phones built after the bill becomes a law would be prohibited from including any way to eliminate or reduce the volume of said noise.

And the reasoning for this legislation?

"Congress finds that children and adolescents have been exploited by photographs taken in dressing rooms and public places with the use of a camera phone."

Interesting.

Cell Phones as Credit Cards? Americans Must Wait!

A New York Times reporter is writing about the technology allowing consumers to wave a cell phone or mobile device and purchase products; replacing credit cards!
The technology has been in use for some time.

For the last five years, the Japanese have bought everything from electronics to train tickets with the mobile technology!

But cell phone owners in the United States will not be able to wave and pay with their mobile devices in the near future. The many companies that must work to bring the technology to the millions of cell phone users have yet to agree on how to split the resulting revenue.

Washington Turns to Text on Inauguration Day

The historic inauguration of President Barack Obama illustrates the power of text message. People in the nation’s capital wanted the latest updates on the historic day and turned to text for them.

While the one stat I have below is based on personal cell-to-cell messaging, it does indicate increased traffic during the events.

DC Verizon Wireless customers send 2.9 millon SMS messages in just four hours on inauguration day! It is just one of the record setting stats coming out of the historic day.

Mobile marketing can put the content people want in the palm of their hands. This week’s inauguration numbers are still being tallied and the data will be coming up for some time. But I ask you; look again at one carrier’s results!

According to GearLive Verizon Wireless DC customers sent and received 2.9 million SMS messages between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm during the inauguration.

That is more than three times the number of texts sent last week during the same four hour time frame. Think about sending the right content to the right people at the right time and place with text!