QTOOTH

Firefox Smartphone Hits the Market

2013-07-02

ZTE and Telefonica have launched the first Firefox OS smartphone, the ZTE Open. Priced as low as $51 ($90 retail, with $39 worth of free airtime for prepaid customers), the ZTE Open is clearly designed for the mobile phone user who has never before been able to afford a smartphone. It goes on sale today in Spain, and is headed for Colombia and Venezuela this summer as well.

Mozilla’s Firefox OS is based on HTML 5, and has the potential to build a large portfolio of apps quickly because of the widespread use of HTML 5 in the developer community. “There are 3 million HTML developers around the world,” Mozilla CEO Gary Kovacs said last year. “It is the language that they are speaking and when asked to choose, they choose HTML 5. HTML 5 is optimized for what the web has become today: apps, video, music, and immersive experiences.” Apps that are already part of the Firefox Marketplace include Facebook, Twitter, AccuWeather, Nokia HERE Maps, SoundCloud, Terra, Time Out, TMZ, and some Electronics Arts games.

Still, Firefox OS has a long way to go to catch up with Google’s Android operating system, clearly its main competitor in the entry-level smartphone space. At last count there were roughly 800,000 apps in the Google Play store, more than in any other app store including Apple’s iTunes.

But if Telefonica’s ZTE Open is an indicator of what’s coming, Firefox OS phones will definitely be competitive when it comes to value. The ZTE Open’s specs are comparable to those of Android phones like the new HTC Desire. The Open has a 3.5-‐inch, HVGA TFT touchscreen display and is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It has 256MB of RAM, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, A-GPS and Wi-Fi. It comes with a 4GM microSD card.

The phone is also meant to be intuitive for those who have not used smartphones before. Although many potential customers may not be used to using computers either, Mozilla has made the Firefox web search capability a central part of the OS experience. By swiping to the right on the touchscreen, the user can enter a term and get immediate search results, including videos and e-commerce options.

“We believe that smartphones need to be more open and that the web is the platform for making this possible,” said Luis Miguel Gilpérez, CEO of Telefónica España. “Consumers should not be locked to any one system but have the choice to consume the content they want and the flexibility to be able to take it with them when they change devices. This first open web device marks a significant milestone in making this possible. This is just the beginning as we plan to bring a wide range of Firefox OS devices to our customers.”

“In order for any mobile OS to gain critical mass, there needs to be a product that delights consumers, a platform that attracts and retains developers and an app ecosystem that can compete with iOS and Android,” said Jefferson Wang, partner at IBB Consulting. “Firefox OS has an entry-level international growth strategy which can help Mozilla build out these three key elements needed for a future offensive U.S. play.”

The next Firefox OS smartphone to hit the market is likely to be the Alcatel One Touch Fire, which was introduced along with the ZTE Open at Mobile World Congress. While the ZTE Open and the Alcatel One Touch Fire have both been approved by the FCC, but there is no word yet on when they might come to the United States. When Mozilla announced its roster of carrier and OEM partners for Firefox OS last year, the one U.S. carrier on the list was Sprint Nextel.

via Firefox smartphone hits the marketMobile Technology | Wireless Broadband | Wireless Carriers | RCR U.S. Wireless News.

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LinkedIn Wants to Make Your Job Search Mobile

2013-07-01

LinkedIn (LNKD) is working to boost its mobile traffic in general, and its job search traffic in particular. Today the company announced new features for its iOS and Android apps that will let users search for jobs, company pages and groups from their smartphones and tablets. The new apps are designed to minimize touchscreen taps, with shortcuts for all the major LinkedIn features.

The 10-year-old professional networking site gets about 30% of its traffic from mobile devices already, and the new apps are likely to boost that percentage. The service has more than 225 million members, about half the number that Twitter has and less than a quarter of Facebook’s membership. LinkedIn does not share statistics on how many of those are premium members, but it did say in its first quarter earnings report that the premium subscription business grew 73% year-on-year.

But premium subscriptions are not the most important business for LinkedIn, and neither is advertising. The company’s recruitment and job search business contributed more than half of total revenue during the first quarter and grew 80% year-on-year. Called talent solutions, the service helps companies and recruiters source “passive” talent, good candidates who may not be actively job hunting at the moment but are open to opportunities. LinkedIn counts major brands like Walmart, Unilever and Sony as clients of its talent solutions service.

That’s why the job search feature of LinkedIn’s new apps may end up being the most important to the company’s future. LinkedIn is positioning its mobile apps as a way for professionals to become more productive by taking advantage of “in-between” moments in their workday to do things like look at job opportunities. The company has also started sending targeted emails to individuals, listing specific job opportunities that may be of interest.

via LinkedIn wants to make your job search mobileMobile Technology | Wireless Broadband | Wireless Carriers | RCR U.S. Wireless News.

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Zynga CEO Steps Down, Microsoft Exec to Take Post

2013-06-30

Zynga’s CEO switch comes five months after Groupon fired its co-foundNEW YORK (AP) — He’s not heading out to pasture, but the CEO of “FarmVille” maker Zynga Inc. is stepping aside as the troubled online game company looks to revive itself and lift its stalled stock price.

Mark Pincus will be replaced on Monday, July 8, by Don Mattrick, who was most recently head of Microsoft’s Xbox division. Zynga said Monday that Pincus, who founded Zynga Inc. and named it after his American bulldog in 2007, will stay on as chairman and chief product officer.

Mattrick, 49, had served as the president of Microsoft’s entertainment business, which includes the Xbox, since 2010. He had been with Microsoft for six years, helping to launch the Kinect motion controller. He also helped grow the Xbox Live online service from 6 million members to 48 million in roughly six years.

“Zynga is a great business that has yet to realize its full potential. I’m really proud to partner with a product focused founder like Mark and work with the executive team to grow the DNA of the company and lead this transition,” Mattrick wrote in an email to Zynga staff that was posted on the company’s website.

In a note to Zynga employees, Pincus said he’s always told the company’s board “that if I could find someone who could do a better job as our CEO I’d do all I could to recruit and bring that person in. I’m confident that Don is that leader.”

Mattrick faces a difficult task. Zynga’s stock is down almost 70 percent since the company’s 2011 initial public offering at $10 per share. Its games have waned in popularity and in June, the company announced that it was cutting 520 jobs, or about 18 percent of its workforce to save money. It shuttered OMGPop, a mobile game company it paid $183 million to acquire last year. OMGPop made a mobile game called “Draw Something.” It was popular for a brief period in early 2012, and then it tanked.

Zynga’s own games have also fallen out of favor, too. “FarmVille” became a household name in 2009 as millions of Facebook users spent hours clicking on virtual cows and crops — and spent real money to get ahead in the game. Other “ville” games followed, with varying degrees of success, but Zynga has since been unseated as the maker of the No. 1 Facebook game by King.com, the company behind “Candy Crush Saga.”

Besides rival Facebook diversions, Zynga also faces stiff competition from games played on mobile devices. Zynga has mobile games such as “Words With Friends” and various offshoots of the Scrabble-like game. But its mobile offerings haven’t been enough to keep the company growing. In the first three months of this year, Zynga reported an 18 percent revenue decline to $263.6 million, from $321 million.

And the number of people who play Zynga games at least once a month fell 13 percent to 253 million, from 292 million a year earlier. The number of daily players dropped 21 percent to 52 million, from 65 million.

Pincus believes his successor is up to the job. In a statement, he praised Mattrick as “one of the top executives in the overall entertainment business.”

“He turned Xbox into the world’s largest console-gaming network, growing its installed base from 10 (million) to 80 million and transformed that business from deep losses to substantial profits. And he has grown the Xbox Live player network from 6 (million) to 50 million active members in 41 countries,” Pincus said.

Before Microsoft, Mattrick was president of worldwide studios at Electronic Arts Inc. He joined EA after it bought Distinctive Software, the company he created at age 17.

Microsoft did not name a replacement for Mattrick, whose departure comes as the company prepares to launch a new gaming console, the Xbox One, later this year. In an email to staff, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer called Mattrick’s move a “great opportunity for Don.” The executives who’d been reporting to Mattrick will now report to Ballmer he added, “and will continue to drive the day-to-day business as a team, particularly focused on shipping Xbox One this holiday (season).”

Zynga, along with online deals site Groupon Inc., was among the crop of promising Internet companies that went public in 2011 and 2012. The stocks of some of those companies, including Facebook, have so far disappointed investors.

er and CEO, Andrew Mason. Unlike Mason, however, Pincus will stay involved with Zynga, reporting to its board of directors together with Mattrick in a newly formed executive committee.

San Francisco-based Zynga’s stock jumped during Monday’s session as rumors of Mattrick’s appointment spread. The company’s stock jumped 29 cents, or 10.4 percent, to close at $3.07. The stock added 16 cents in after-hours trading to hit $3.23.

by Barbara Ortutay, AP Technology Writer

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New Samsung Galaxy S4 Features Qi Wireless Charging

2013-06-29

New Samsung Galaxy S4 Features Qi Wireless Charging and the rapidly expanding Qi ecosystem now includes compatible phones from Samsung, Nokia, LG, HTC, Panasonic, Sony, Motorola, Sharp, Fujitsu, NEC, and Pantech

The new Samsung Galaxy S4 has adopted the Qi wireless charging standard in its optional back battery cover and wireless charging pad accessories, as demonstrated at Samsung Unpacked 2013. The accessories are fully compatible with all Qi chargers and Qi-compatible phones. The announcement further solidifies Qi as the mobile industry’s choice for fully compatible wireless charging.

Qi is backed by more than 130 leading companies of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) like Blackberry, ConvenientPower, Delphi Automotive Systems, Energizer, Haier Group, Hitachi Maxell HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Philips Electronics, Samsung, Sony, TDK Corporation, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Verizon Wireless.

Qi cuts the last remaining cord in consumer electronics – the charging cord. Any Qi-certified device wirelessly charges using any Qi-compatible charger, regardless of brand. It’s easy, you just set your Qi-supported device on any Qi charging spot and it instantly starts charging.

The Galaxy S4 is the latest addition to the rapidly expanding Qi ecosystem of mobile devices, charging accessories, charging locations, and consumer electronics with an installed base of more than 15 million units. Recently, McDonald’s began testing wireless charging with Qi-embedded tables in some of its European locations. In addition, Toyota announced that the 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited includes integrated Qi charging in the center console. The universe of Qi products includes over 170 products and Qi is the only wireless power solution directly integrated into flagship smartphones and automobiles.

Qi is an open, fully flexible standard capable of evolving its technology and features to offer the best user experience while maintaining compatibility products that have the Qi logo. It offers the widest range of features to optimize user convenience and product choices: support for both inductive and resonant charging, spatial freedom, and intelligent power management.

For more information, visit: www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com

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FCC Approves Google’s TVWS Database for Use, Whitespace Broadband Coming Soon?

2013-06-28

Two months after Google got permission to test its TV whitespace (TVWS) database from the FCC, the Commission is approving it for operation. Which whitespace channels are available for use depend on the region in question, and registered wireless devices will be able to use the database to automatically determine the frequencies they can transmit on after feeding it their encrypted location information. Individuals and organizations can also browse the database to see which bands are available for use in their area.

Google has pushed unlicensed TVWS for years as a cost-effective way to bring broadband service to sparsely populated rural communities whose economics don’t justify building out traditional cable or fiber lines. It initially got permision to start testing the database back in March and concluded a month later, in April. Competitor Key Bridge Global wrapped up its own database trial in April, but so far hasn’t received FCC approval to put it in action.

TVWS is still an emerging technology, but it’s finally moving out of the experimentation phase and into real applications. Back in April, California ISP Cal.Net launched the nation’s first consumer white space broadband service, bringing 2–4Mbps internet to residents of the state’s hilly Gold Country region.

via FCC approves Google’s TVWS database for use, bringing whitespace broadband one step closer | The Verge.

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Borqs Focuses on the Road Weary with Smart Vehicle Mounted Terminals

2013-06-27

Intimidated by road-trip getaways? Overwhelmed by boredom while driving? Like to work on-the-move but can’t access your office computer from your car? Well, quit worrying, because vehicle-mounted terminals are finally here! Boasting user-focused interactive features, these smart devices are designed to completely satisfy drivers’ demands in the modern age. What’s more, Borqs believes that their advances are sure to bring about an entirely new driving experience and radically change car culture.

In 2012, 15.495 million passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, and others) were sold in China, a growth rate of 7.1 percent from the previous year. An EnfoDesk report titled “The Quarterly Report of China’s Pre-installed Vehicle Navigator Market” revealed that shipments of before-market vehicle navigation systems had increased dramatically during the 2nd quarter of 2012 to 361,000 units in total. This represented an increase of 22.9 percent over the previous year. In the 4th quarter, this number rose further to 342,000 units, an increase of 9.3 percent over the previous quarter. Additionally, the after-market demand for commercial vehicle navigation systems is also rising by the day.

Customer demands in this large market are becoming more complex. On a driving holiday, car owners want to be able to simultaneously change destinations, check out local geography and weather conditions, enjoy unrestricted videophone calls and high-speed web browsing, watch HD video on demand, play online 3D games, interact via voice, and use other data-intensive interactive applications. The Borqs Smart Vehicle Mounted Platform meets all of these demands.

Borqs has redesigned Android for vehicles, and the result is an open, flexible, and secure vehicle-mounted OS that leverages satellite positioning and inertial navigation technology provided by Beidou. Borqs’ sophisticated systems also rely on network-assisted positioning technologies, guaranteeing accurate full-time navigation services across any and all topographies. TD-LTE also integrates a high-speed wireless data cloud, providing users with dynamic and intelligent navigation services. And thanks to the accurate positioning services and real-time data provided by Beidou and TD-LTE, Borqs’ Smart Background Vehicle Management System makes it easy to simultaneously monitor, supervise, and dispatch up to two passenger vehicles and one hazardous cargo vehicle, all in real time.

The Borqs Smart Vehicle Mounted Terminal uses Android 4.1, offering a feature-rich UI with simplified workflows, all adapted to the specialized habits of customers. The device is also future compatible, supporting mobile internet technologies such as HTML5 and IPv6. And Borqs has also expanded platform functionality to include cloud computing and safety control features. For our Smart Vehicle Mounted System, Borqs has collaborated with many of China’s premier car manufacturers, including FAW, Chang’an Automobiles, the GAC Group, and GEELY, providing customers with vehicle-mounted communication, recorded media entertainment, information services, route guidance, safety assistance, and car maintenance tips for vehicle monitoring, navigation, and entertainment.

via Smart Vehicle Mounted Terminals: For an Entirely New Way of Life — CUPERTINO, Calif., June 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ —.

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