June 2008

A CDMA version of the HTC Touch Pro has just passed through the FCC filings today, labeled ‘RAPH800′, and the anticipation is now running full force.  We have confirmation from Sprint that the HTC Touch Pro will be launching in Q4 2008, but with the FCC filing we can only hope that the launch is coming sooner than expected.  While the Samsung Instinct holds down new subscribers we can’t help but hope for a September launch although all current information leads to an October / November release date.  On the positive side, this is your proof that the CDMA version of the HTC Touch Pro does exist and it will be coming stateside along with the confidentiality agreement in tote.  

We will be keeping a looking for the ‘RAPH800′ once the confidentiality agreement is lifted and the external photos pop up on the FCC website.  With 850 and 1900 MHz bands, this QWERTY Windows Mobile 6.1 handset should have a strong following once we get our US launch in order.  Although Sprint has leaked details on their release of the HTC Touch Pro / HTC Raphael, there might also be a launch on Verizon Wireless.  With the initial reviews of the Sony Ericsson X1 Xperia keyboard being well below average, the HTC Touch Pro might be the last hope for the Windows Mobile iPhone killer this year.

FCC Website: ‘RAPH800′

It looks like the iPhone could be the beast to bring back the stagnant mobile game market.  EA Games executive, Neil Young, announced that he would be leaving the company to head Ngmoco, the newest mobile games startup to hit the scene.  Young believes that the iPhone has put the mobile game market in a position to reinvent the experiences and economics of the mobile games business.  To be even more specific  Young was quoted as saying,

We are finally at the place where we can reinvent the experiences and the economics of the mobile games business.” Young adds that the mobile gaming industry “has been stagnant for a few years. I feel the iPhone is a real opportunity to change that industry.’”

For those not familiar with Neil Young, his rise to fame at Electronics Arts started as the development executive for millions of titles including “Lord of the Rings”, “Sims 2″ and “Spore”.  After “Spore”, Young left EA Games to start Ngmoco and now the focus of the company has shifted entirely around iPhone gaming.  The plan for Ngmoco is to push the iPhone as a gaming platform and redefine the industry through the iPhone 3G and the App Store.

While Young is very optomistic for the future of mobile gaming and the iPhone, the iPhone will not be the lone savior in rejuvenating the mobile gaming market.  Young and Ngmoco are also looking into the possibility of using Google’s Android OS as another possible gaming platform worth developing, but they are waiting for an official release.  Currently developers are being forced to rewrite large portions of their code as the OS is constantly being updated which is making the viability of the platform difficult to gauge.

[Via VentureBeat]

Hot damn! It looks like Sprint might actually be turning that $9/share stock price around to 2006 levels ($20+) if things keep staying on the up and up.  With the Samsung Instinct selling like hot cakes, by Sprint standards, the news has spread quickly to the big wigs at the number one CDMA carrier in the US, Verizon Wireless.  According to a statement from Verizon president, Denny Strigl, he told investors that Sprint’s performance over the last month improved but the improvements have not affected Verizon, yet.  Although he did not suggest Sprint would be competing with Verizon Wireless any time soon, acknowledging the recent success is worth mentioning.  

Whether the Instinct ends up being a serious competitor in volume to the iPhone 3G is unlikely, but Sprint has seemed to silence the launch of Verizon’s LG Dare. It looks like the superior camera, built-in accelerometer and smaller dimensions of the LG Dare are not attracting the same volume of sales as the launch of their LG Voyager.  On the flip side, Verizon did not spend $100 million on advertising for the launch of the Dare.

[via: treocentral]

With the announcement of Motorola’s first 5.0 megapixel camera phone, the ZN5 powered by Kodak imaging, the showdown with Nokia’s 5.0 megapixel N82 was destined to happen.  IT168 was lucky enough to have both devices on hand and give them a full evaluation complete with images and feature breakdowns.  With auto-focus, Xenon flash and ISO800 high speed input, the Motorola ZN5 proved to be more than a competitor and in many cases took pictures with superior clarity.  In the end the Nokia N82 featured superior color management and greater detail in low light situations. 

(Nokia N82 Sample Shot)

While the ZN5 did excellent in landscape and outdoor settings, the weakest area of the Motorola ZN5 became obvious on the upclose pictures with the Xenon flash.  The Motorola ZN5 was prone to excessive exposure while the N82 was able to perform like a standard digital camera.  As you can see from the picture below, the lower left corner of the picture loses all detail due to excessive light from the Xenon flash.  Although the N82 also has a Xenon flash, Nokia has had much longer to refine the settings.

(Motorola ZN5 sample shot)

While the Motorola ZN5 did not beat out the long standing 5.0 megapixel ‘ace’ in Nokia’s hip pocket, the ZN5 was impressive.  In daylight settings and outdoor scenery, the ZN5 was able to take sharper pictures with better color than the N82, but in all other situations the N82 took better photos.  The big thing to keep in mind is that the actual production models of the ZN5 should see some fine tuning and perform even better.  If Motorola is able to stick around in the phone game long enough, with some help from Kodak they might be able to pull off an upset in the next generation of camera phones.

[Via: IT168]

Google has just inked a long-term license agreement with TeleAtlas that will give the company access to maps in more than 200 countries around the world.  The maps will be implemented in Google’s map-based services and navigation across mobile, online and desktop environments as well as the upcoming Android OS.  With the mapping application streamlined across all platforms, the agreement with TeleAtlas will open the maps to edits from Google’s vast community of users.  Opening up the maps to edits will “further increase” the quality of TeleAtlas Maps and in the end it will help make Google the permanent leader in mapping applications.

No details on when Google plans to implement the additional mapping data for the over 200 countries in TeleAtlas.  On a side note, back in mid-May TomTom announced they had received “unconditional clearance” from the European Commission for the proposed acquisition by TomTom of TeleAtlas.  It looks like Google is getting in bed with the right companies just before Nokia finds a way to make the Navteq deal work in August 2008.

[Via: Pocket-link]

Looks like other carriers have a new reason to hate on Chad from Alltel Wireless.  In today’s Press Release, Alltel Wireless announced the addition of text messaging to their My Circle plans starting at $7.99.  While we like the addition of text messages to the My Circle plans, $7.99 only gives you 400 additional text / video / picture messages.  With the proposed acquisition of Alltel by Verizon it will be very interesting to see how the company’s plans and services adjust or cause turbulence within VZW.  The full details on the My Circle changes can be found below in the full press release, enjoy.

Full Press Release:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - As text messaging is becoming a popular communication method for millions of Americans, Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, today announced the addition of “texting” to its exclusive “My Circle” offer. Starting today, “My Circle” customers can send and receive unlimited text/video/picture messages to anyone in their “Circle,” as well as other Alltel Wireless customers, with its new “My Circle” message packs starting at $7.99 per month.

Customers with the new “My Circle” message packs receive unlimited messaging to their “Circle of Friends” as well as other Alltel Wireless customers. Customers can choose from several message packs including plans for $7.99 or $12.99 which provides users 400 or 1,000 additional text/video/picture messages, respectively, to communicate with consumers outside of their “Circle” or that are not Alltel customers. For customers seeking unlimited messaging, Alltel Wireless still offers the $19.99 All Access Pass that includes unlimited messaging and mobile web. “My Circle” message packs can be added to any “My Circle” five, 10 or 20 calling plan.

“Alltel’s ‘My Circle’ provides customers the ultimate in choice and value by giving them the ability to call or text any five, 10 or 20 numbers,” said Frank O’Mara, chief marketing officer of Alltel Wireless. “Whether talking or texting, our new “My Circle” message packs provide customers the most cost-effective plans for staying in touch with friends, families and business associates.”

In addition to the “My Circle” message packs, Alltel is also introducing new “My Circle” Family Choice Plus plans. For $84.99 per month, customers will receive two lines with 1,000 shared minutes and the ability to call any 10 numbers on any network. Also, customers can receive two lines with 2,000 shared minutes and unlimited calling within their “Circle” of 20 numbers for $114.99. In addition to the unlimited calling within their “Circle,” Family Choice plan customers will receive unlimited mobile-to-mobile calls and unlimited nights and weekends. Customers will also have the ability to choose either free evening calls starting at 7PM or 1,000 text/picture/video messages the plans include unlimited texting to their “Circle of Friends” and other Alltel customers.

“My Circle” customers receive unlimited free calls to and from any combination of home phone, office or wireless numbers located anywhere in the U.S., regardless of local phone company or wireless carrier. Alltel Wireless makes it easy for customers to change their numbers anytime for free, by simply visiting www.alltel.com/myaccount. Free calls to “My Circle” numbers are in addition to anytime minutes, unlimited night / weekend minutes and unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes included in customers’ calling plans.

Alltel Wireless was the first carrier to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time, without extending their current contract. Additionally, Alltel recently received “Highest Call Quality Performance Among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the West and Southeast Regions, and in the Southwest Region in a Tie” according to J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Wireless Call Quality Performance StudySM - Vol. 1.

Alltel is owner and operator of the nation’s largest wireless network and has more than 13 million customers. For more information about Alltel, please visit www.alltel.com.

While Sony Ericsson only recycles 1 to 3 percent of its products, companies are still struggling to live up to the pledge of greener products.  In the latest Greenpeace Guide to Green Electronics, Sony Ericsson achieved top honors because of leadership on chemical criteria thanks to their bans on antimony, beryllium, and phthalates from all models released since January 2008 and making all products PVC free.  Although they did achieve top marks, there were also areas where SE did not fare too well especially on voluntary take back, use of recycled plastic, and commitment to reduce greenhouse gases.

With the electronics industry contributing to 2 percent of greenhouse gases, the initiatives for greener electronics need to be realized from concept to application.  There is still a long way to go before we are able to break into the double digit percentages of recycling electronics, but we could make a serious effort with manufacturers matching SE’s strategy.

[Via: TreeHugger]

With a 10% leap in market share between the end of April and the end of May to coincide with the launch of Liberty SIM, Virgin Mobile has just claimed 29.5% of the UK SIM Only contracts.  The launch of Liberty SIM combined with Virgin Mobile’s direct marketing of its SIM Only contracts has pushed the company into the number one position.  The move was also supported by an above the line press, outdoor campaign, PR, cover mounts and recent TV idents for the Big Brother 9 sponsorship. Graeme Oxby, Managing Director of Virgin Mobile commented: 

We’re absolutely thrilled with the success of our SIM-only offering, particularly the Liberty SIM. It’s symptomatic of the world we live in, especially in the current economic climate that SIM-only deals have become in no time, the fastest growing part of the mobile contract market alongside mobile broadband.” 

With the acquisition of Helio from SK Telecom, Virgin Mobile should be sitting nice and pretty for the next year with the recent success and additional customer base.  Now if they would only deliver a smartphone we could actually relate to then we’d be in business.

[Via: Cellular News]

Rogers Canada might be getting upset about the lack of unlimited data and rate hikes on the iPhone 3G, but with less than 2 weeks away from launch date it is time to get into the details.  Thanks to the required activation in-store for the iPhone 3G, we can expect a worldwide panic as credit inquiries reach an all-time record and lines move at a snail’s pace.  According to a tipster over on the iPhoneinCanada.ca forums, Rogers Stores will begin receiving launch material July 8th and the Demo Unit will remain behind closed doors until the 11th.  One interesting piece of information in the post is that the Advertising campaigns will not start until 13 weeks post-launch and there will be no alteration of Store Hours.  In the US, the current rumor is that Apple Stores and At&t Stores will be opening at 8am to handle the crowds and the delays due to in-store activation.  While we still have no world on pricing for iPhone users who are still under their respective contract, you can expect the next two weeks to be flooded with internal memo leaks and official statements from Apple and your major carrier.

iPhoneinCanada.ca Forums

Absolute NO’s
o No Promotions/Contests
o No Countdowns
o No Posters out of the store
o No Flyers
o No Radio remotes
o No Mailers
o No Alteration of Store Hours
o No Swag
o No Tshirts with any reference to Apple or Iphone
o No advertising until 13 weeks post launch

· Action Items
1. Shipments for fixtures should start arriving in stores July 8th. Once fixtures are received in store, they can be put together, but Demo Unit cannot go onto fixture until July 11th.

2. Please ensure that the DP’s send their floor plans to their stores to ensure proper set-up of the fixtures when they arrive

3. Store Set-Up Phase 2 - Please ensure all your stores receive the attached set up document as soon as possible. They can download iTunes Client only from the link provided in the document. We need confirmation that this was downloaded by EOD Friday July 4th, 2008.

Key follow ups
1. MShop – (July 11 – 20 Mshop will be suspended for participating locations) more information to be discussed on Director’s call on Monday June 30th.

2. SMB On-sites – No Pre-advertising, no desk drops, no posters (You can show up on that day and sell the product) No pre-promotion

3. Training – ensure store reps have signed up. Sales process training will be included next week.

4. Fast-Track will be unavailable from Sunday June 29th at 12 PM until Tuesday July 1st at 8 PM

5. Product will be available shortly for ordering