Editor’s Observe: RCR Wi-fi Information goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the highest headlines from the previous. Fireplace up the time machine, placed on these sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and benefit from the reminiscences!
Cell music shifting from ringtones to full tracks
HAMPSHIRE, U.Okay.—The cellular music market could also be on the cusp of shifting away from ringtones to over-the-air full-track music companies, based on new analysis from Juniper Analysis. The shift is being pushed by new applied sciences like third-generation networks and music-centered handsets, and growing competitors, mentioned the corporate. Revenues from ringtones are anticipated to fall from 81 p.c of the entire market this 12 months to 51 p.c in 2011, whereas OTA full-track music will enhance from its present 9 p.c to 32 p.c through the interval. “Till now ringtones have dominated cellular music, however the steadiness is shifting,” mentioned Bruce Gibson, analysis director at Juniper. “Full-track music has been the central providing of many 3G service launches around the globe and as 3G utilization gathers tempo, the cellular music market is making ready to enter a brand new progress section.” … Learn extra
Qwest launches full-track music downloads through Dash retailer
DENVER—Qwest Communications Worldwide Inc. has quietly launched Dash Nextel Corp.’s full-track music obtain service for Qwest wi-fi clients. The cellular digital community operator is carrying the Dash Music Retailer, which permits customers to obtain songs to a cell phone or PC for $2.50 per monitor. Certainly, it seems Qwest is promoting the providing because the “Dash Music Retailer,” quite than rebranding it as a Qwest product. Qwest’s music-download providing is supported by the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. A920 handset, which it sells for $140 with a two-year contract. Wi-fi music distributor Groove Cell powers Dash Nextel’s full-track obtain service. Different Groove service clients embrace Orange, T-Cell Hungary and Telecom New Zealand Ltd. … Learn extra
Orbitz launches cellular journey companies through browser
CHICAGO—On-line journey firm Orbitz launched a service permitting clients to search out resort rooms, view journey itineraries and test the standing of flights from cellphones. The off-deck providing is free apart from service information prices, and will be accessed from the corporate’s house web page on a cellular browser. Orbitz, a subsidiary of Travelport Inc., is selling the brand new service with tv commercials that includes pitchman and former sport present host Wink Martindale. … Learn extra
Softbank to check MediaFLO cellular TV
TOKYO—Japanese wi-fi service SoftBank introduced it should examine the feasibility of utilizing Qualcomm Inc.’s MediaFlo expertise to supply cellular TV companies. Qualcomm mentioned SoftBank joins a rising listing of carriers trying into its MediaFlo providing, an inventory that features KDDI Corp. in Japan, BSkyB in the UK and Dash Nextel Corp. in the US. Verizon Wi-fi has already introduced its intent to supply MediaFlo companies to its subscribers at an unannounced future date. SoftBank mentioned it established a brand new firm known as Cell Media Planning Corp. to conduct a “technical examine” of MediaFlo expertise and plan a possible new service utilizing MediaFlo. … Learn extra
Subway to supply cellular coupons
BOSTON—MobileLime, which focuses on utilizing cellphones for advertising and marketing and loyalty packages, mentioned it’s working with a dozen Subway sandwich store franchises in Buffalo, N.Y., to supply alerts and coupons t to mobile-phone customers. This system is a part of MobileLime’s Cell Alerts Membership, which permits clients to decide in to a most popular program on the places they frequent after which obtain coupons, last-minute specials and data on occasions delivered to their cellular telephone. … Learn extra
Elle Journal to supply a “GlamPhone”
SAN DIEGO—Can {a magazine} model assist promote cellphones and, presumably, vice versa? That query may very well be answered quickly because the Elle Journal partnership with Alcatel to supply the GlamPhone Elle—a dual-band GSM telephone with options designed to attraction to the journal’s readership of 4.8 million—will get rolling Sept. 1. The hassle received a lift at the moment when the 2 corporations introduced that InfoSonics Corp. would supply customization and distribution companies for the handset in the US. The unlocked telephone will probably be offered through a GlamPhone Website online. Promoting for the telephone, which sells for $180—a worth that features a one-year subscription to the journal—means that purchasers can select between “display screen or preen,” i.e., the display screen additionally acts as a mirror, presumably for touching up one’s look. … Learn extra
Vodafone glad with its Verizon stake
NEW YORK—Vodafone Group plc plans to maintain its 45-percent stake in Verizon Wi-fi for the foreseeable future, Verizon Communications Inc. chief govt officer Ivan Seidenberg instructed analysts in a convention name Tuesday. Seidenberg mentioned he met final week with Arun Sarin, Vodafone’s CEO, to debate their corporations’ joint possession of Verizon Wi-fi. “What Arun communicated to us was that Vodafone was extraordinarily happy with their place within the partnership,” Seidenberg mentioned. “The working settlement between the 2 of us is robust, it’s sustainable, it’s stood the check of time over the past 5 – 6 years and their view is that the creation of worth that’s accessible to them over the subsequent a number of years is much better than any technique that they may should exit the partnership.” Seidenberg went on to say that Sarin instructed him that John Bond, Vodafone’s new chairman, felt the identical method concerning the partnership with Verizon Communications. Seidenberg added that he and Sarin had agreed that each males would “be sure that we make clear to our respective traders that at this cut-off date there actually isn’t a lot cause for individuals to take a position over any change in the entire association between the 2 corporations.” … Learn extra
Take a look at the RCR Wi-fi Information Archives for extra tales from the previous.
