Rumor: Microsoft interested in purchasing startup Ustream.tv

by Daniel Langendorf

February 8th, 2008 | Posted in Net TV | Comments1 Comment

ustream logoIt doesn’t make much sense: According to Valleywag, Microsoft is in “advanced discussions” with lifecasting startup Ustream.tv for more than $50 million.

Why would the venerable Microsoft want upstart Ustream now, particularly with the whole Yahoo! purchase thing going on? Valleywag says Microsoft would use Ustream “as a way to promote its Adobe Flash competitor, Silverlight.”

Again, we ask why?

But when you take a closer look at what Ustream has been doing lately, it makes more sense for a major buyer like Microsoft to become involved. Ustream is more into eventcasting than lifecasting these days, and eventcasting has greater potential in the long run. Continue reading »

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Through patent filing, Apple hints at rich future of AppleTV

by Daniel Langendorf

February 7th, 2008 | Posted in Net TV | Comments2 Comments

appletvWhile we’re waiting for that AppleTV update . . .

Apple is teasing us with a patent filing that hints at a rosy future for the AppleTV. It includes everything from widgets appearing on the screen, to a new widget-enhanced remote control, to iChat instant messaging, to — get this — broadcast television.

Yep. The AppleTV could become an actual set-top box capable of receiving broadcast television signals and recording to a hard drive like digital video recorders (DVRs).

Wow. Continue reading »

It's an interesting idea: Modu to introduce modular cell phones

by Daniel Langendorf

February 7th, 2008 | Posted in Comms, Mobile | Comments3 Comments

basic moduThe Modu modular cell phone is a really interesting idea. Its timing may be perfect, or not. It may spawn its own ecosystem, or not. It’s design, interface, and support products may hit the bulls-eye, or be total cheese.

But you’ve got to give Israeli startup Modu credit for trying something different. Modu is introducing a tiny modular phone that can be slipped into different “jackets” to give the base phone additional features and functions depending on the user’s needs.

Basic “jackets” may include an MP3 sleeve, turning the phone into a digital music player. Or a GPS device. Or a digital camera for wireless image transfers. Or an alarm clock interface. Or with a larger screen, a video playback device. The possibilities are plentiful.

The phone module weights just 1.3 ounces and is smaller than a credit card. It will launch Oct. 1 with mobile carriers in Russia, Italy, and Israel, but not in the U.S. or elsewhere in Europe at this time. It will be on display next week at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Continue reading »

Yokia! Why Nokia should buy Yahoo

by Steve O'Hear

February 7th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile | Comments2 Comments

Yokia! Why Nokia should buy YahooForget Microsoft, News Corp. or even Apple. Nokia, the world’s no.1 mobile handset maker, should buy Yahoo. Or so says Information Week’s Stephen Wellman.

Wellman puts forward a compelling argument: If Nokia is repositioning itself as a Web services company, to combat falling profit margins on its hardware, then acquiring Yahoo would help to give the company a much needed presence on the desktop (not just mobile), as well as beef up its Web offerings and Internet brand recognition in general. Continue reading »

Archos TV+ DVR now available in the UK

by Daniel Langendorf

February 6th, 2008 | Posted in Net TV | CommentsNo Comments

archos tv+The Archos TV+ set-top box, first seen at this year’s CES convention, launched in the U.K. today. It’s available in two flavors, £180 for the 80GB model, £250 for the 250GB.

The Archos TV+ is a slick set-top box and a rival to the Apple TV. Archos’ first DVR combines a Wi-Fi media player with a hard drive that allows you to stream or store the usual digital content — movies, music, Web video, podcasts, and photos. (See last100 coverage.)

To use certain TV+ features, an additional £20 is required for a video podcast plug-in that allows for video and audio playback in formats such as H.264 and ACC. The plug-in and DVR can be purchased from the Archos online store.

Report: iPhone ranks No. 2 in U.S. smart phone sales, but trails significantly worldwide

by Daniel Langendorf

February 6th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile | CommentsNo Comments

iphoneDespite being on the market less than six months, Apple’s iPhone has moved into the No. 2 spot among smart phones in the U.S., surpassing Windows Mobile handsets from Microsoft.

In an analysis from Canalys researchers, it is estimated that the iPhone had 28 percent of the U.S. smart phone market during the fourth quarter. Research In Motion, makers of the Blackberry line of phones, still has the largest share at 41 percent.

Nokia, the world’s No. 1 cell phone manufacturer, sold 52.9 percent of the smart phones worldwide, dominating everywhere but the U.S. market. Worldwide, RIM is second with 11.4 percent (up 121 percent over the same quarter in 2006), and Apple is third despite the phone’s limited availability with 6.5 percent, surpassing troubled Motorola. Continue reading »

Experts: Verizon to win 700 MHz auction; if so, "Can You Hear Me Now?" must live up to its promises

by Daniel Langendorf

February 6th, 2008 | Posted in Comms, Mobile | CommentsNo Comments

verizonIf Verizon Wireless is truly the winner of the FCC’s 700 MHz spectrum auction, as many industry experts now believe, the No. 2 U.S. wireless carrier must live up to its promises.

Promise: On Dec. 4, Verizon said it would support the Google-led Open Handset Alliance. By doing so, Verizon, a notoriously protective carrier known for its iron-fisted rule over the devices and software applications running on its network, said it would support the open network initiative.

Promise: At the same time, Verizon said it would support the Google-powered open-source mobile operating system Android. By doing so, Verizon said it was willing to allow phones from any manufacturer — even those using the Android platform — to run on its network as long as they meet Verizon quality specifications.

Promise (and one it can’t worm out of): If Verizon does win the C block in the 700 MHz spectrum auction, it must — as a stipulation set forth in pre-auction rules — open the new network to any phone running any software.

Forbes speculates that “analysts believe Verizon — thought to be the only bidder besides Google that is both rich and motivated enough — is poised to win the coveted C block of spectrum that Google has been eyeing.” Continue reading »

Nokia introduces new N-Gage, hints at what's to come

by Daniel Langendorf

February 5th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile, Social | CommentsNo Comments

n-gage screenNo matter how much we talk about Apple’s elegant iPhone or Google’s mobile initiatives, Nokia just plods along undaunted, doing its own thing. With the introduction today of N-Gage and Ovi, it sure feels like Nokia is on to something before anybody else.

Nokia, the world’s No. 1 handset manufacturer, has begun rolling out its N-Gage gaming service and the “Share on Ovi” media sharing site in limited form. N-Gage is the resurrection of the ill-fated phone/gaming device that debuted in late 2003, only this time N-Gage is software that is downloaded to Nokia phones. The application is essentially a portal, allowing users access to games and community features like Ovi.

N-Gage is currently available for N81 models, but it will also work on N95 and other Nokia devices through hacks. (Details are at all about symbian.)

N-Gage is the first version of Nokia’s new mobile gaming platform, and it offers a glimpse of how Nokia envisions mobile game play and, to a larger extent, how it views the future of entertainment. Continue reading »

Opera Mobile 9.5 announced: we can do the grown up web too

by Steve O'Hear

February 5th, 2008 | Posted in Mobile | CommentsNo Comments

Opera Mobile 9.5 announced: we can do the grown up web tooWhen touting the mobile version of Apple’s Safari browser, included on the iPhone and iPod Touch, Steve Jobs is fond of saying: this isn’t the “baby” web, this is the real thing. For the first time on a mobile device, users can browse the full web just as they do on their desktops, says Jobs.

Of course, such a claim is disingenuous on a number of counts: Apple wasn’t the first to ship a full web browser on a mobile, and Safari on the iPhone doesn’t support Flash, negating access to most online video and lots of other multimedia content. However, there’s no disputing that Apple has raised the bar of what we should expect from a mobile browser, in terms of speed, usability and access.

Proving that competition is good, Opera announced a major upgrade to its Symbian, Windows Mobile and Linux-native “Opera Mobile” browser, which is currently utilized by handset manufacturers and mobile operators such HTC, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, T-Mobile, and others. The press release for Opera Mobile 9.5 boasts: “Faster speed, new interface and Opera Widgets bring users closer to a full desktop experience.” Continue reading »

iPhone, iPod Touch get supersized

by Steve O'Hear

February 5th, 2008 | Posted in Audio, Mobile, Net TV | Comments2 Comments

It’s all about the chips.

iPhone, iPod Touch get supersizedApple today rolled out new configurations of the iPhone and iPod Touch, doubling the storage capacity of previous models. The iPhone is now available in a 16GB model ($499), with the iPod Touch topping out at 32GB ($499). Previous iPod Touch models are still available — 8GB ($299) and 16GB ($399) — as is the original 8GB iPhone ($399).

For the time being at least, the new higher capacity iPhone is available in the U.S.-only, whereas the new iPod Touch models are shipping worldwide.

Apple’s Greg Joswiak, vice president of Worldwide iPod and iPhone Product Marketing, is quoted in the press release saying: “For some users, there’s never enough memory. Now people can enjoy even more of their music, photos and videos on the most revolutionary mobile phone and best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world.”

That’s right, the iPod Touch is now officially marketed as the ‘best Wi-Fi mobile device in the world’. Bring on those sanctioned third-party apps already.

Also see: Why I bought an iPod Touch and not an iPhone

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