Mobile

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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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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Wireless Service for 30 New Underground Subway Stations

2013-06-24

Transit Wireless and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced a significant milestone in the multi-year project to build a state of the art wireless network in the New York City subway system. Thirty new subway stations in mid-town Manhattan, including Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle are now online, in addition to the initial six in Chelsea, which went online in September 2011.

MTA officials were joined by executives from Transit Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Boingo Wireless to demonstrate the service at the Times Square Station.

In addition, representatives from Sprint and Verizon Wireless were also on hand to announce that both carriers are finalizing agreements to participate in the network, meaning that all four major carriers are expected to provide cell phone and data connectivity to their customers in New York’s underground subway stations.

“For the past three years, the MTA has been on a clearly defined mission to bring our mass transit system into the 21st century with upgrades to the station environment through several ambitious new-technology communications projects like this one, aimed at improving the travel experiences of our customers while offering another level of security,” said MTA Interim Executive Director Thomas F. Prendergast.”

“The New York City subway system is the most heavily trafficked system in the world and now riders have wireless service. We have been working closely with AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Boingo to bring wireless technology into one of the oldest and historic public transportation systems in the world and we’re thrilled to begin that work with Sprint and Verizon,” said William A. Bayne Jr., CEO of Transit Wireless, “This network benefits not only riders, but city workers and first responders, and it will be the backbone for future technology and safety improvements to the city’s subway stations.”

Public Safety Benefits

While the network allows users to make and receive cell phone calls, send text messages, stream music, play online mobile games and more, all from underground subway station, it also enables important services that improve security such as E911 that allow dispatchers to know when a call is being placed from an underground platform and the forthcoming Help Point Intercom system, which will help riders get basic travel information or get help in an emergency with the push of a button, right on the platform.

“This goes beyond providing cell service underground, it brings our customers a new level of security – with the ability to dial 911 in an emergency,” said Acting MTA Chairman Fernando Ferrer. “Customers now know that when they see something, they can now say something using their device to call 911.”

Leading Wireless Providers Continue Partnership

Under agreements with the MTA and Transit Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile USA customers can now use their cell phones to make and receive calls as well as use wireless data in more underground subway stations. Service should be available for Sprint and Verizon customers later this year.

“Bringing wireless to these busy subway platforms helps AT&T deliver on its commitment to provide our customers with the fastest and most reliable wireless service in New York City, including 4G LTE, whether above or below ground, at home, at work or in between,” said Tom DeVito, AT&T’s vice president and general manager for New York and New Jersey. “This initiative will also help spur transit innovation, which is one of the reasons AT&T is working with the MTA and NYU Poly on the AppQuest Challenge to develop the next generation of transit apps to improve the experience of every commuter.”

“Through this project, T-Mobile is extending our blazing fast nationwide 4G network coverage into the New York City subway, where New Yorkers often spend a significant part of the day,” said Tom Ellefson, regional vice president, Engineering and Operations at T-Mobile USA. “Our customers have really embraced the unlimited 4G experience T-Mobile offers, and now they can keep browsing, streaming and sharing when they go underground. We expect to launch 4G LTE in New York this summer, and this project has paved the way for it to extend into the subway as well.”

“Boingo has kept commuters connected since our managed and operated services launched in 2011. We look forward to expanding our network and introducing leading brands to consumers at stations across the city,” said Zack Sterngold, vice president of business development at Boingo Wireless. “Boingo’s advertising and sponsorship platform allows commuters to connect to subway Wi-Fi free-of-charge, and enables advertisers to reach the on-the-go, connected New Yorkers with location-based messages.”

Subway riders can currently access the sponsored Wi-Fi network provided by Boingo for free by choosing the SSID: FreeWifibyHTCONE.

“In the city that never sleeps, New Yorkers love to use their mobile devices 24/7 to stay connected to friends, loved ones and business associates. So, we are thrilled to include the subway in the buildout of our new network and deliver the robust benefits of 3G and 4G LTE to commuters, public safety representatives and first responders,” said Greg O’Connor, vice president of engineering at Sprint.

“Verizon Wireless is always exploring opportunities to provide our customers with the world-class experience of the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and most reliable 3G network, no matter where they are – above ground or below. In addition to the more than $3 billion that we’ve already invested in the Verizon Wireless network regionally, we’re working with Transit Wireless to finalize an agreement to bring Verizon Wireless service to 76 stations as we support the current and next phase of this project,” said Patrick Devlin, regional president for Verizon Wireless.

The list of stations now connected is as follows (* first six were part of the initial build):

*1	23 Street – 8 Ave.	CE
*2	14 Street – 8 Ave.	ACE
*3	14 Street – 7 Ave.	123
*4	14 Street – 6 Ave.	FM
*5	14 Street – 8 Ave.	L
*6	14 Street – 6 Ave.	L
7	96 Street	BC
8	86 Street	BC
9	28 Street	1
10	18 Street	1
11	81 Street-Museum of Natural History	BC
12	72 Street	BC
13	79 Street	1
14	23 Street	1
15	96 Street	123
16	66 Street-Lincoln Center	1
17	72 Street	123
18	57 Street	F
19	47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center	BDFM
20	57 Street-7 Ave.	NQR
21	28 Street	NR
22	50 Street	1
23	50 Street	CE
24	23 Street	NR
25	49 Street	NR
26	5 Ave.-53 Street	EM
27	59 Street-Columbus Circle	1
28	59 St-Columbus Circle	ABCD
29	7 Ave.	BDE
30	Times Square-42 Street	123
31	Times Square-42 Street	NQR
32	Times Square-42 Street	7
33	Times Square-42 Street	ACE
34	Times Square-42 Street	S
35	5 Ave.-59 Street	NR
36	86 Street	1

To quickly find stations that have wireless service, Transit Wireless today released a mobile-friendly website, available now at www.nycsubwaywireless.com.

Transit Wireless plans to outfit the remaining 241 underground stations within four years and has already begun work on the next 40 stations, which include Grand Central Station, 34^th St. Herald Square and Bryant Park in mid-town Manhattan and stations throughout the Borough of Queens.

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AT&T Adds LTE-Equipped Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

2013-06-21

AT&T has agreed to sell the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet, the companies announced this week. Unlike the version of the Note 8.0 that went on sale earlier this year, this new variant will come with support for AT&T’s LTE 4G network.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 is a midsized tablet that is equal parks work machine and play device. It fits right in with Samsung’s line of Galaxy smartphones in terms of design and basic functionality. Samsung used glossy plastics to construct the Note 8.0, which is in keeping with its current crop of phones and tablets.

The Note 8.0 includes an 8-inch TFT LCD display with 1280 x 800 pixels. That gives it a pixel density of 189 ppi, which means it is not the sharpest display ever. The tablet is powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex A9 processor with each core rated at 1.6 GHz. The processors are paired with 2 GB of RAM and up to 32 GB of onboard storage. The tablet has two cameras: a 5-megapixel main camera and a 1.3-megapixel user-facing camera. The main camera doubles as an HD videocamera for Google Hangouts.

Looking past the hardware, the Galaxy Note 8 includes a wide range of Samsung’s software and applications that take advantage of the S Pen, or stylus. Awesome Note, for example, provides power users with a to-do list on steroids. The Note 8 also supports true multitasking, which allows users to run two apps on the screen at the same time. Users can employ the S Pen to pull up secondary menus and use Air View to see previews of links and other content. The Note 8 also boasts an IR blaster and Samsung’s WatchOn software. Together, these let people control their television sets and search for content worth viewing.

AT&T said the device will go on sale in the coming weeks, but it didn’t disclose pricing. If you’re wondering where you’ll be able to use the Galaxy Note 8.0, AT&T’s LTE network covers more than 200 million Americans in more than 270 markets. AT&T’s HSPA+ network reaches 97% of all Americans, which means even when LTE isn’t around, you’ll still have speedy Internet access.

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