Smartphones - Why Does Size Matter (and what does it mean for the Mobile Web)?

According to this Wirelessweek article, screen size is the key factor to a successful smartphone. Smartphone sales are ramping up; their sales have grown by 50% over the last year, distributing over 72.9 million units. Gartner even estimates that 450 million smartphones will be shipped internationally by 2010. This is a huge number, and a great indicator of the power of the Mobile Web.
A study by Berg Insight predicts that 113 million smartphones will be sold this year, reaching 365 million units in 2012.

According to Thomas Thornton, a senior research scientist at Perceptive Sciences in Austin, Texas, screen size matters. As the screen size increases, the displayed content also increases. Thus, popular websites like MySpace and YouTube can be accessed with higher quality displays. With the screen resolution available on some smartphones, specifically the iPhone, loads of multimedia options are readily available.

Also, with the developing high speed wireless broadband networks emerging, the experience on a smartphone will further resemble the experience through a wired connection. As more and more smartphones are sold, the Mobile Web will inevitably develop. If the goal is for the "Mobile Web" and "Web" to converge and have the experience be consistent, then larger displays on smartphones will be necessary. With the hardware keyboard taking up valuable real estate on the phone's body, the most logical solution is to implement a software solution, much like the iPhone. Another solution, as seen on AT&T's 8525, can be a sliding keyboard, but this just creates a brick of a phone - and there's nothing hip about a square smartphone.

Nokia's Ovi to Rival Apple's iTunes

With some new phones coming out, Nokia is poised to take on Apple's iTunes market with its new Ovi web site. Ovi, which is Finnish for door, will offer music, games, maps and photo services. According to this CNN article, Ovi indicates that Nokia's ambition transcends their hardware development.

Ovi's game service coincides with their new N series phones, which are more geared to multimedia and gaming. Some have even ventured to say that the N95 is superior to the iPhone. It's surprising that Nokia is gearing up to re-enter the mobile gaming market after their failed N-Gage.

According to Kevin Burden, an analyst at the research firm Telephia, Ovi will let users "totally bypass their carrier." Useres will be able to download through their wireless provider as well as on their computer and then transfered to the phone via a wired connection.

To take down Apple's iTunes will be a difficult task for Nokia. Their parallels with Apple are twofold - both are prolific hardware designers (Nokia being the world's leading mobile phone handset provider), and both have entered the multimedia download market. Apple, ostensibly, seems to be doing very well with their iPhone - they've at least created more buzz than any other handset release. Nokia has some ground to make up.

It's certainly great to see a competitor keeping Apple's iTunes honest.

AT&T Too Touchy About iPhone Unlock

After several iPhone unlocks (and here) have been made available, AT&T has gotten a bit anxious. According to this Tech Dirt article, lawyers from AT&T contacted iPhoneUnlocking.com, saying that the software they were about to release would present issues "such as copyright infringement and illegal software dissemination." This has stopped up their release of their iPhone unlocking software solution.

Note how Apple is not complaining - they have far less to lose. They are clearly being weighed down by their relationship with AT&T. If there is enough demand to unlock the hardware in order to use it with another service provider, then Apple shouldn't re-lock the phone with their own software updates. Sure they have a stake in the service agreement with AT&T (and if they are contractually obligated, then they certainly should honor said contract), but they also have to think about the customers two years down the line when the next generation of iPhones are released, available on any service provider.

Mobile Social Networking To Be Next Trend?

With the Mobile Web beginning to grab hold in this country, the arguably hottest trend of Web 2.0, Social Networking, is beginning to cross over. To the right is Facebook's mobile platform.

Among other Mobile Social Networks is MocoSpace. According to VentureBeat, MocoSpace has raised $3 million for their mobile Social Network. This network allows you to locate friends in your area and socialize with them - send photos, and chat. They claim to have nearly a million users.

Another Mobile Social Network, BluePulse, raised $6 million this past week. They claim to get over 100 million monthly page views. More information can be found at the BluePulse Homepage.

Sprite, the second largest brand belonging to Coca-Cola, is launching it's own Mobile Social Network, called Sprite Yard. This network is going to combine photo sharing, message boards, planners and other downloads made available for most cell phones. Another article claims that the Sprite Yard has "measurement metrics built in so Coca-Cola can track, in real-time, which features consumers are using most to the direct impact on beverage sales. It enables Coca-Cola to react very quickly to what their market wants."

I have a feeling people will be more likely to sign on with the big social networks - MySpace and Facebook - before they try out a new one, especially one whose aims are to sell soda more efficiently. I have a feeling that users will generally give MySpace and Facebook more leeway when it comes to features and interface. This will give the giants enough time to adapt and retain the majority of users.

'Mobile' Homes Overtake Fixed Homes

According to this New York Times article the percentage of Americans in cellphone-only households has overtaken the percentage in landline-only households. The article cites Mediamark Research, a firm that has been tracking this cellphone data since the 1980s.

According to Mediamark, 84.5 percent of households now have landlines, and 86.2 percent have at least one cellphone. In-home surveys at about 13,000 homes were conducted to collect this data.

The world is going mobile - now that cellphones have almost phased out landlines, it is only logical that a wireless broadband will phase out fixed data connections. It is only a matter of which wireless broadband technology will reign king, be it WiMax or HSDPA technology.

Why the iPhone's Lack of 3G is Good for Sprint's XOHM

One major complaint about the iPhone is that the phone itself is not 3G enabled - it will not run on AT&T's HSDPA/UMTS data network, but instead runs on the older and slower EDGE network. Steve Jobs attributes this to battery life - a 3G chip in the iPhone would cut the already short battery life down even more.

Because the iPhone is exclusive with AT&T, many users opted to switch out of their old network, or pick up a second network. Some analysts say that more than 800,000 iPhones are estimated to have been sold by the fourth quarter. Almost all of these phones come with new plans.

This jettison of 3G technology will be one of the largest contributing factors to the success of the new WiMax network from Sprint - named XOHM. Sprint's XOHM is dodging a bullet - had the iPhone included 3G technology, the vast amount of users who were willing to switch would probably not see the reason to switch networks yet again two years down the road. The advantages of switching to WiMax from 3G are not as compelling as the advantages of switching to WiMax from EDGE.

Boasting a larger, more vivid display with more multimedia solutions, the marriage of the iPhone and a wireless broadband network would seem natural. In order to fully unlock the capabilities of this smartphone, one would need a higher speed connection. The 3G HSDPA/UMTS network may have been sufficient for most new iPhone users who would not be willing to reap the advantages of an even faster and less expensive network - a true wireless broadband network.

One thing to keep in mind is that most Americans at this point do not use 3G (or really even know about it) - they're still using EDGE or GPRS or other, older 2-2.5G networks. Sprint might believe that if they deploy their network fast enough, they'll catch most iPhone users as they upgrade from their slower network - they'll give them the choice between the expensive and slower 3G and the cheaper and faster WiMax. This is, of course, relying on Apple's adoption of WiMax technology. The poor results and hidden charges from AT&T, however, might persuade Apple to go a new route.

UK Man Arrested for Piggybacking

According to this CNET News article, A 39-year-old British man was arrested for using someone else's wireless Internet connection without permission. Police saw him using a laptop as he sat outside a house in Chiswick, west London, on Tuesday.

The police look to make an example out of this guy, hoping to deter others from illegally using other people's broadband connections.

Another recent CNET News article mentions the arrest of a Florida man on "charges of unauthorized use of a wireless network."

Supposedly, using an unauthorized and unsecured wireless network in Britain breaches the Computer Misuse Act and the Communications Act.

This is sort of ridiculous. If you want to avoid Piggybackers, secure your wireless network. Steve Jobs has even supported using the iPhone to piggyback (probably to take focus off of the slow Edge network). Here's the Wall Street Journal Article with Jobs' interview.

Secure your wireless networks, or deal with other's using it.

iPhone Unlock 2;

An Engadget Mobile article discusses another unlocking software for the iPhone. UniquePhones, a Belfast firm is promising a downloadable application that will "allow customers to unlock their Apple iPhones so they can use SIM cards from carriers other than AT&T to activate the mobiles." Their engineers are looking to "break the encryption process that protects the token sent through the iTunes activation process to an iPhone's firmware."

This should be active tomorrow: iPhoneUnlocking.com.

Google and Their "Ambitious Plan"

According to a Mobile Tech Today article, Eric Schmidt says that Google has an ambitious plan to make the Net "their platform" - not that they haven't started to do that already.

Google will "probably" bid on the 700-Mhz spectrum that has been given an auction date (January 16th, 2007). Google seems to remain committed despite the FCC veto of their proposed open access rules, approving regulations proposed by FCC Chair Kevin Martin. Under these regulations, one of five spectrum blocks sold will be more open to devices and applications. Because of TV's switch to digital cable, this spectrum is being freed up, carrying an expensive price tag. At the lower frequency of 700Mhz the spectrum can travel longer distances with a more robust signal. Hopefully another brainchild of Google's (and a few other big guys) will help realize the company's goal of creating their platform as the Net.

What Google will do with this spectrum is still up for speculation. According to Rob Enderle, analyst for the Enderle Group, Google's interest in the spectrum could extend as far as running a mobile phone or broadband network. He speculates that "they would deliver telephony and data solutions over the network." While Enderle might believe their aggregation of broadband users is "part of the plan to control the network and trivialize competitors," I have faith that Google's "don't be evil" motto will hold true. Google (and Schmidt's) speeches stressing free speech, network neutrality and universal broadband all seem to support their desire to bring all the world's information to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. They are certainly doing the best job of that.

Maybe the Google Phone will have something to do with their billion dollar bid for the 700Mhz spectrum. Whatever they do with that spectrum, it will definitely be a step forward, towards a more accessible and inexpensive way to communicate - I mean, they're Google.

Hardware - iPhone Unlocking Tutorial and Palm's Revival

The folks over at iPhone JTag have produced a step by step instructions (with photos) on how to unlock your iPhone. No longer will your chic, overpriced device be shackled by the even more overpriced service from AT&T.

On another note, rumor has it Palm is going to set an October release date for their Linux based device. According to Engadget Mobile and DigiTimes, this new device will have Opera and Chattermail. Here's an article that helps sum up their new operating system strategy.

Hopefully this product will be WiMax enabled, as both Sprint and Palm need to boost their new products (although I doubt Palm is spending $5 billion on this one). Maybe Palm will start chipping away at RIM's Blackberry sales, which is made especially difficult since Blackberry's release in China.

Nokia Teams Up With Microsoft

According to a WSJ article, Nokia Corp. will include Microsoft applications on their handsets in 11 European and Middle Eastern markets - including the UK, France, Germany and Spain.

Users will be able to download Windows Live Hotmail, Messenger, Live Contacts and Live Spaces software on their N-Series Nokia devices.

According to John Mangelaars, Microsoft's European vice president for online services business,

We have a lot of expectations for the mobile Internet, but it's not really taken off yet. However, we see the number of users doubling every year on the mobile side and I see this deal helping to accelerate that.

This is debatable - especially in Europe. Microsoft seems to be coming into the Mobile Web game a little late. Other software developers (especially those who specialize in developing rich web applications) have made their products readily available for almost all mobile platforms. That's where Microsoft lags behind the new and improved software developers in the Web 2.0 arena - they're still isolating their products by limiting platform compatibility. They've started doing better, but purely internet based applications are becoming suitable replacements for their killer apps of old.

These Microsoft applications are hardly even a cherry on top of the available features on the N-series media devices. Some might even argue it's the best device available.

Apple Rides iPhone Carrier Announcement

According to a Wall Street Journal Article , Apple shares have climbed throughout today due to reported contracts with three European carriers. It must have to do with Apple's breakthrough deal - raking in a 10% cut of the revenue made from calls and data.


People might also have more faith in O2, Orange and T-Mobile's networks in England, France, and Germany than they do in AT&T's - with their 300 page phone bills and hidden charges.


In other iPhone news, a new website promises a software solution to unlock the phone. This seems like a promising alternative to AT&T's poor coverage (if it can be easily transferred to another carrier), but it still isn't 3G enabled.

Survey shows more time spent on Internet than watching Television

According to an IBM survey, the time we spend on the Internet is beginning to outweight the time spent watching TV.

Although interesting, the facts aren't necessarily true - IBM conducted the study online, surveying 885 Web users in the US. IBM found that:

19 percent of respondents said they were spending six hours or more on personal Internet use, versus 9 percent who said they spent that kind of time watching TV. 66 percent reported viewing between one to four hours of TV per day, versus 60 percent who reported the same levels of personal Internet use.

This is promising activity - instead of passively sitting on the couch and watching Television, more Americans are actively surfing the Web. Reading, learning and interacting with rich, Web 2.0 content and applications must stimulate the mind more than munching on potato chips in front of the TV. Although, some of this time spent is probably at YouTube - which is probably no better than the old fashioned boob tube.

iPhone to choose T-Mobile, O2 and Orange as European Carriers

The Financial Times is reporting that Apple has finally reached an agreement with three separate European wireless carriers to exclusively act as iPhone partners in the UK, France and Germany.

T-Mobile of Germany, Orange of France and O2 in the UK signed with Apple, agreeing to give them 10 per cent of the revenues made from calls and data transfers.

The Financial Times also commented that this marks the first time a handset manufacturer is being given a direct percentage of the revenues made from calls and data transfers. This could pave the way for handset manufacturers to cut themselves in on some of the carrier's profits.

Now that Apple has finally settled on a few European carriers, one has to wonder if these carriers will urge Apple to make their iPhones 3G enabled. With 3G networks far more prevalent in Europe than in the US, it might make sense for Apple to solve this battery issue and vastly improve their phones. Don't get me wrong, the EDGE network is awesome - but it's 2007. With LTE, WiMax/Xohm , and other 4G solutions around the corner, the 2.5G Edge network isn't quite cutting it anymore.

Point in case - combine the burgeoning WiBro network in South Korea with the innovative interface of the iPhone and you could download video and music at broadband speeds, possibly incorporate some VoIP solutions, and watch all of the stupid YouTube videos you could possibly watch.

Mobile Tech Daily

Testing, testing. This blog will chronicle my exploration into the Mobile Technology sector. It will be focused on upcoming mobile technologies - phones/smartphones, pda's, laptops and other gear, nationwide networks, emerging standards, chipsets, telecom companies, etc. Here you will find my thoughts on data transfer in general - its convergence toward the mobile space and who's playing a big role bringing it there. From iPhones to WiMax, Mobile Tech Daily will provide interesting and insightful commentary.