Pocket XM Radio

XM satellite radio service has launced its “Pocket XM Radio” service, which allows XM access on MS-based Smartphones…This version of XM enables listeners to tag songs, then purchase or learn more about them later by connecting the device to a PC.

Beattie Mobile Predictions

Russell Beattie has put up his 2005 wrap-up/2006 predictions about mobile handsets. Some headings: Mobile Video is Here! (And Then Some), Mobile Music is NOT Here…He has gone against the flow in one aspect: “I personally think it’s a huge mistake for Sprint/Verizon to be promoting the services that 3G enables, rather than the technology itself. I know this seems backwards, but after 10 years of Internet access and the fiasco that was WAP 1.0, Americans are “bandwidth savvy” in my opinion”. The general consensus around the world is that people don’t care how fast the network is, they want to know what they can use it for. It doesn’t matter how many Mbps your phone can download if you’re only used to making phone calls and playing a few basic Java games… Russ lives in “the Valley” and I think they’re a bit more tech savvy than other places. Still, I do think the sales people need to know the technical details — I remember trying to find out what bandwidth a service used and all they could tell me was “it’s a mobile network”.

Phones Help Kids Out of Situations

A mobile phone service which enables bullied children to discreetly contact their parents is being launched, reports the BBC."The Pingalert can be activated by pressing a speed dial button on a child's handset, which can be kept hidden from view. It sends a text message to the parent's phone with a location description and picture message map where possible.The service, launched by company Mtrack, aims to help children out of difficult situations."

2006 Difficult Year for Operators

Informa has predicted a difficult 2006 for mobile operators… “Next year will be difficult for mobile companies as their traditional business model comes under threat, Arpu continues to fall and wireless VoIP starts to have an impact…Informa believes the inherent contradictions of traditional mobile business models will become apparent next year. Operators subsidise handsets by as much as €400 as part of acquiring customers but churn rates are still at 30 per cent and there is continued pressure on the price of voice calls.”It also expects a bunch of mergers and acquisitions, increasing MVNO activity and a lot of “Convergence and quadruple play”.

AOL Mobile Search Launched

AOL has launched its mobile search, after about four months of beta testing. Key new features, as Gary Price points out:— View web all web pages via mobile phone or device. Pages not optimized for mobile browsers are automatically adapted and converted using technology licensed from Israel’s InfoGin.— Mobile Access to AOL’s Pinpoint Comparison Shopping Service— Access to AOL Mobile Yellow Pages with easy click access to dial numbers and view MapQuest maps.

Details in the release here…

Mobile Content via XBOX 360

Consumers who purchase Perfect Dark Zero for Microsoft's next-generation Xbox 360 console are being offered access to exclusive mobile content in a cross-promotion with Samsung Telecommunications America.In-box promotional inserts provide details of the content, which is available for selected Samsung handsets and includes voice tones from the game's heroine, Joanna Dark. An exclusive 45 second soundtrack ringtone, wallpapers, screensavers and additional PDZ themed content will also be available for download.Those who weren't lucky enough to secure one of the first wave of next-generation consoles can visit Samsung's promotional website to enter the sweepstake and potentially walk away with one of 250 brand new Xbox 360 consoles, or one of 500 Perfect Dark Zero games.

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