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Google revealed a bevy of noteworthy developments for its Chrome OS. However, the success or failure of the Chrome OS will ride on whether users will give up desktop applications.... Continued »
Category: iPhone
November 17th, 2009
AT&T upgrades 3G in SF Bay Area; forgets Silicon Valley is part of region
updated below with response from AT&T:
I realize that I give AT&T a lot of grief over its investment in wireless 3G technology - and I realize I’ve written at length about it, as well - but I have to hand it to the company: it keeps getting beaten up and yet continues to pick itself up, dust itself off and keep a positive attitude about the things it’s doing to improve its network.
I was pretty ticked last year during my brief stint as an iPhone owner/AT&T customer, largely because I live in the technology capital of the world - a region known around the globe as Silicon Valley - and the service was sub-par, at best. So imagine my delight when I came across an AT&T press release that announced it had invested nearly $65 million in and is just about finished with 3G upgrades to the “greater San Francisco Bay Area.”
Previous coverage: AT&T’s 3G upgrade: It’s about time but is it too late?
Hallelujah, I rejoiced. For a split second, I imagined myself cruising up and down the 101 Freeway with a full-strength 3G-powered iPhone by my side.
But then I read the fine print. AT&T went out of its way to list the cities that were part of the upgrade. Of course, San Francisco is on that list - it is the “Big City” of the region and it only makes sense that it would be included. But imagine my surprise when only one Silicon Valley city - Palo Alto, home of Stanford University - was on that list. Not even Cupertino, home to Apple headquarters, is on the 3G upgrade list.
(Side note: When I worked at the San Jose Mercury News, Silicon Valley was defined by the newspaper as roughly as Santa Clara County, with the Dumbarton Bridge as its northern border. Again, this was a rough definition.)
Call it sour grapes if you’d like, but I can’t believe that AT&T is spending $65 million on upgrading 3G service in the Bay Area and leaves out the technology capital of the world. Maybe the demand in such a region still would have been too much for AT&T’s upgraded network. Maybe San Francisco (which, by the way, has a smaller population than San Jose) was a higher priority. Frankly, I don’t know what anyone at AT&T is thinking any more.
Oh well, I guess it just gives me another reason to stay locked into my Verizon account.
update:
I heard from the folks at AT&T today about this post and they wanted to offer a few clarifications:
The $65 million investment in the Bay Area, the company said, included upgrades to the entire 7-county region, including San Jose and Santa Clara County. The upgrades in the “South Bay” region were rolled out in late 2008 and early 2009 but those rollouts were never announced - they just happened, the company said.
Those upgrades, for the most part, involved the upgrade of some 850 cell sites with the launch of additional wireless spectrum in the 850 MHz band, which travels further and offers further capacity. There have also been about 40 new cell sites added in the region over the past year or so - with two more new cell sites using the 850 MHZ band scheduled for completion in San Jose before the end of the year.
Personally, I haven’t heard of any major improvements to the service in this area, based largely on conversations I have with folks from time to time, including one friend who dumped an iPhone about two months ago for a Sprint Blackberry because of the poor AT&T service.
The company did say that the network connections are in a constant state of refinement, with tweaks here and there. And it’s also worth noting that since 2008, AT&T’s network in the region has experienced a 3G data traffic increase of 2000 percent, the company said.
Related coverage:
November 13th, 2009
Memo to AT&T: When you're in a hole, stop digging
Somewhere in the telecommunications afterlife, Ma Bell is hiding her face in shame. The company that was once the powerhouse of American communications has been reduced to being more like that crybaby little kid who sits in a corner of the playground pouting because the other kids beat him at his own game. 
AT&T has posted on its Web site an open statement to its customers to whine - again - about those Verizon Wireless TV commercials that paint a sad picture of the wireless 3G coverage that AT&T offers in the United States. (see image on right, video below) The statement is really sort of pathetic, an act of desperation that attempts to paint Verizon’s ads as “blatantly false and misleading” even though AT&T has already acknowledged that the ads are not, in fact, false.
We already knew that AT&T considered the ads to be misleading - that was clear in the lawsuit it filed over the ads. But false? AT&T clearly said before that what Verizon is advertising in these maps is not factually incorrect. Let’s repeat that once more for emphasis: what Verizon is advertising in these maps is not factually incorrect.
AT&T’s beef is that the Verizon isn’t comparing all data coverage, only 3G data coverage (though I would counter that with a “Why should Verizon have to make that comparison?”) In its letter to customers, AT&T attempts to clarify the points by breaking out the coverage of its different data offerings. In total, the company’s wireless data coverage reaches 303 million people – or 97% of the U.S. population, it said, with three different types of technology. (Here’s where we start splitting hairs), Those technologies are:
November 3rd, 2009
AT&T sues Verizon Wireless, calls map ad "misleading" but doesn't dispute accuracy
AT&T has filed a lawsuit against Verizon Wireless over those “There’s a map for that” commercials - but not because AT&T is disputing the accuracy of those 3G coverage maps. (PDF of complaint) Nope, AT&T thinks that consumers are too dumb to differentiate between 3G and non-3G coverage and it wants those maps changed - specifically, the colors. (Techmeme)
The Verizon map is largely covered by red, meant to represent its 3G coverage areas. The AT&T map, by contrast, is sparsely covered by blue - meant to represent its 3G coverage - and has vast sections of the nation covered in white, representing areas without 3G coverage.
AT&T argues that the maps are confusing and that consumers are led to believe that there is no AT&T coverage of any kind in those white areas. From the complaint:
AT&T does not seek to stop Verizon from running its advertisements, nor does it seek to change the words Verizon uses in its advertisements. At this time, AT&T seeks only an order prohibiting Verizon from displaying, in the “Bench” advertisement, or in any other advertisement, a map of AT&T’s “3G” coverage in which AT&T’s non-”3G” coverage areas are depicted by white or blanks space. This limited relief is necessary to prevent consumers from being misled by the maps into believing that AT&T offers no wireless service in large parts of the United States. The Court should enter a temporary restraining order because Verizon should not be permitted to benefit from its misleading use of coverage maps while the Court sets a schedule for a preliminary and permanent injunction hearing, especially in light of the fact that we are approaching the busiest time of year for the purchase of wireless services.
Sure, Verizon could have been more creative with the colors - maybe using light blue for 2G coverage and dark blue for 3G, but why should Verizon go out of its way to advertise AT&T’s 2G coverage when it’s a commercial about 3G coverage? I could see if the commercial were about all of the services - but these commercials clearly show people doing things that need 3G, such as watching streaming video.
The funny part is that AT&T previously complained that a line about customers being “out of touch” and the ad was changed. But the company says it remains misleading.
So what have we learned here, from the filing of this lawsuit? Well, I know I’ve learned that AT&T’s 3G coverage in the U.S. looks a lot worse than I thought it did. I know I would be pretty upset if I were an iPhone owner living in middle America. And it appears that I made the right call when I decided to stay with Verizon Wireless.
You know what confuses me about this lawsuit? No one seems to be disputing the factual part of the ad - the 3G coverage areas. So the only thing AT&T really stands to accomplish with this lawsuit is to raise awareness about the spottiness of its 3G service outside of major metropolitan areas.
November 2nd, 2009
Analyst: Big on Motorola, Android; no love for RIM, Palm
Citigroup analyst Jim Suva said in a note this morning what I’ve been saying for some time now - Google’s Android is going to be the “it” smartphone platform in 2010 while Palm’s WebOS and RIM’s Blackberry just don’t have the wow factor - for now - that it will take to compete in the smartphone wars.
Specifically, Suva was bullish on Motorola, which has placed its bets on Android for a turnaround of the struggling handset business. According to a post on the Tech Trader Daily blog, Suva sees Motorola putting some heat on the competition, including Apple’s iPhone. In his note, Suva wrote:
Motorola is launching of one of the most compelling offerings at [a] time when many investors have given up on the company’s handsets. The revolution of product and application service offerings is going to start to crack open the enterprise door and could pose a risk for BlackBerry. Major shifts in promotion support creating a promotion commotion in the months ahead of favor of Motorola and post a challenge for RIMM and PALM.
Suva raised his price target on Motorola and cut his targets for RIM and Palm. Shares of Motorola were up nearly five percent in mid-day trading while shares of Palm were mostly flat and shares of RIM were down more than five percent.
Related coverage:
Motorola bullish on Android, Motoblur rollout in 2010
Motorola’s big Android bet kicks off
Android opens doors for Google’s next-gen search, ads and tools
Motorola: Android device launches get us back in the smartphone game
October 29th, 2009
Gallery: Best business iPhone apps
Apple’s iPhone might be seen by many as largely a consumer device, with games and media apps regularly topping the ‘What’s Hot’ list on iTunes. However, the App Store currently stocks more than 2,000 business apps and, with the iPhone currently dominating around 13 percent of the smartphone market, the device’s potential as a business tool can no longer be ignored. Silicon.com’s Sophie Curtis leads a tour of some of the best business apps that can help turn your iPhone into a portable office.
A look at some of the key selections:
Oracle business indicators…
October 28th, 2009
Can Droid mask iPhone envy? Or will Verizon iPhone rumors keep users guessing?
I have made no secret of my iPhone envy - or my refusal to switch to AT&T just to own one. I also have been pretty forthcoming about how much I like Google’s Android mobile OS. Seriously, in my opinion, if there’s going to be a real contender for the iPhone, it’s going to be an Android device.
Today, there’s a bunch of excitement surrounding Droid, the Motorola Android phone gearing up for a Nov. 6 release through Verizon Wireless. Just reading Andrew Nusca’s initial look at the Droid, which was previewed at a press event in New York today and has landed in his hands for a review, has made me jealous.
The beauty of all of this is that my contract with Verizon is up, leaving me free to jump ship, get a promo price on a new device or just hang out month-to-month until I’m ready for the next plunge. Suddenly, Droid hits the scene and - just days after being out of contract - I’m suddenly ready to re-up and run out and buy a Droid when it hits the stores.
But wait… What’s this about an iPhone on Verizon?
October 26th, 2009
IT Exec: iPhone builds goodwill with users
Bill Detwiler talks with James Brown from Talecris about how the benefits of deploying Apple’s iPhone far outweighed the hazards. The biggest perk: Better employee morale.
See also:
October 22nd, 2009
AT&T cuts churn rate; Activates 3.2 million iPhones; Touts network upgrades
AT&T’s bet on the iPhone continues to work well. The company reported a better-than-expected third quarter, delivered post paid churn of 1.17 percent (a low for AT&T), activated 3.2 million iPhones and boosted data revenue by 33.6 percent.
The telecom giant on Thursday delivered net income of $3.2 billion, or 54 cents a share, on revenue of $30.9 billion, down from $31.3 billion a year ago. Wall Street was expecting earnings of 50 cents a share. If you’re an AT&T customer you may be more interested in AT&T’s update on its infrastructure improvements. The company added that dropped calls declined by 12 percent.
As usual, AT&T was powered by its wireless unit, which represents 44 percent of total sales. Among the key wireless data points (statement, financial supplement, quarterly overview, presentation):
October 19th, 2009
Apple's September quarter: Expect Mac unit upside
Recent signs of PC market strength are likely to translate into a happy September quarter for Apple courtesy of Mac sales.
Gartner and IDC reported that the third quarter was better-than-expected for PC sales and that bodes well for Apple. Meanwhile, NPD data is also looking good for Apple. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster reckons Apple will deliver 2.8 million Macs in the September quarter.
Wall Street is expecting Apple to report earnings of $1.42 a share on revenue of $9.2 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter ending Sept. 30.
Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro is also upbeat about Apple’s Mac potential in the quarter. He wrote:
October 16th, 2009
Android opens doors for Google's next-gen search, ads and tools
There’s no question that there’s been some pretty astounding growth around Android, Google’s open-source mobile phone operating system. A year ago, there was only one Android device out there - the T-Mobile G-1. Today, Android is powering 12 devices in 26 countries with 32 carriers - and there’s more on the way.
During the company’s quarterly earnings call with analysts yesterday, CEO Eric Schmidt said it plain and clear: “Android adoption is literally about to explode.” And he may be right. Earlier this month, Gartner predicted that Android - which currently runs on less than 2 percent of all smartphones - will power 14 percent of the global smartphone market in 2012.
That would make Android second only to Symbian. Yes, that means it would surpass the iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and others.
The key, in part is the applications. Apple has already proven that the app experience is a winner in mobile devices. So far, there are about 10,000 applications for Android and its touch-screen interaction is probably the best I’ve experienced aside from the iPhone. (FTC disclosure: Google gave attendees at its last developer’s conference a free Android phone. I picked one up and activated my own pre-paid account to take it for a test drive.)
Also see: Android bolsters its app market as device lineup swells
Android has good engaged base for future app growth
For other consumers to experience Android, it’s important to get the devices into as many hands as possible. Unlike Apple, which has one device on one carrier in the U.S. (but other carriers worldwide), Google is offering multiple devices across multiple carriers, including a major launch with Verizon earlier this month. Once the devices - which have deep ties to Google’s other services, such as Mail, Maps and Search - go mainstream. Google will be positioned to capture a lead in the mobile search advertising business.
Execs yesterday boasted that mobile searches grew 30 percent quarter over quarter. It was interesting to hear them acknowledge that it’s not always obvious how the company’s big investments tie together. But there are connections. On the call, CFO Patrick Pichette said:
The combination of the Android platform with all the smart phones and the momentum in there, as well as the iPhone and the rest of them, I mean, they’re just basically transforming how people live on a mobile basis… If we move forward the adoption of these smart phones by having a lower cost infrastructure because it’s open-source and you bring that, instead of taking seven years—I’m just kind of giving an illustration—all this happens in four years. Think of all the searches that will happen so much faster. So the ecosystem is incredibly vibrant right now and truly what’s interesting about these phones is there are a lot of new types of searches because you are location-specific, you are activity-specific, you are local-specific. Just a new set of areas that are to create a new set of monetization opportunities.
So, to be clear, we’ve got location-specific, activity-specific and local-specific searches being conducted on mobile devices. You also have the Internet’s No. 1 search engine integrating its own services - such as search - directly into the phone’s operating system. At the same time, the mapping application - where many of those location-based queries occur - is also deeply integrated.
And finally, don’t forget that Google is working hard on new advertising products that allow businesses to reach out to and find customers wherever they may be (even if it’s at a red-light down the street) and provide them with turn-by-turn directions on how to reach that business and a link to launch a Google Voice call to that business.
Put it all together - search, maps, voice and a mobile operating system that probably has the best chance of truly challenging the mighty iPhone - and I’d be bullish, too.
It’s no wonder that Schmidt thinks Android is about to explode.
Also see:
- Is the Google Android platform the upcoming smartphone of choice?
- CTIA: Android and Apps everywhere
- LG goes Android, but Google’s mobile OS is still swimming upstream [video]
- Motorola bullish on Android, Motoblur rollout in 2010
- It’s official: Google and Apple are competitors (especially in mobile)
- If everyone bets on Android does anyone get an advantage?
October 13th, 2009
Google Voice growth spurt coming with "Invite a Friend" invitations
There’s strength in numbers.
And Google Voice - the controversial service that’s put Google, Apple. AT&T and the Federal Communications Commission into recent headlines - is about to experience a growth spurt.
Until now, you could only become a Google Voice user through an invitation from Google, not people like me who are already Google Voice users. Now, Google is going to give guys like me - users who sing the praises of GV - the power to extend invitations to friends.
No, I don’t have invitations to hand out yet. (So, please refrain from asking.) Google said in a blog post that the “Invite a Friend” will be rolled out to existing users. It didn’t say how many invitations each user would receive. 5? 10? 100?
Google Voice, you’ll recall, is a Web service that allows users to have one phone number for life and forward calls to that number to (almost) any landline or mobile phone number. Without a secondary number to route calls to, it’s just a voice mail service.
Most recently, AT&T and lawmakers have called for the FCC to investigate Google Voice and the rules it must follow. Is it a telecommunications service or a Web service. This follows an FCC inquiry about the rejection-that-really-wasn’t-rejected GV app for the Apple iPhone, which, of course, is powered by AT&T.
Google co-founder Sergey Brin, speaking about the government’s Apps.gov initiatives and Washington’s private Google cloud, said that the more familiar people in Washington are with Google’s cloud apps, the more likely they are to shape policy that reflects that familiarity.
Sounds like a good time to send more invitations and get some folks in Washington - and elsewhere - equipped with an account.
October 12th, 2009
McNealy zings iPhone, laments the PC, claims Sun started open source
The media is going to miss Scott McNealy as the head of Sun Microsystems. The guy has always been a reliable source of great quotes about the state of the tech industry and zingers against Sun’s competition. In what was very likely his last big speech as the leader of Sun Microsystems on Sunday night, McNealy gave the audience at Oracle OpenWorld several more McNealy-esque quips on his take of the tech world and Sun’s role in it.
October 9th, 2009
Lawmakers to FCC: Time for a closer look at Google Voice
There’s been yet another twist in the ongoing drama surrounding Google, AT&T and the FCC.
Washington lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have asked the FCC to launch a formal investigation of Google Voice, specifically Google’s blocking of calls to certain rural exchanges, according to a Reuters report. Last month, AT&T sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, crying foul because Google blocks calls to exchanges that route certain types of calls, such as adult chat lines, because they charge excessive fees.
According to AT&T’s reasoning, Google is acting like a telecommunications company because it’s connecting calls. And as a telecommunications company, it’s subject to laws that prohibit a carrier from blocking access to numbers. Google, of course, says it’s not a telecommunications company and is not subject to the same regulations. In that sense, Google is right. It’s a Web service that doesn’t even work unless it’s linked to a landline or wireless phone. As a stand-alone service, it is incapable of placing and receiving phone calls.
Clearly, AT&T has an issue with Google Voice, which is making it harder to believe that it’s not involved in the other Google Voice controversy - the alleged rejection by Apple of the Google Voice app for the iPhone. Google has said publicly and in a response from FCC questioning that the app had been rejected. Apple disputed that claim, saying that it is still reviewing the app. AT&T has said from the beginning that it has had no influence over Apple’s rejection or acceptance of the app.
But now I can’t help but wonder if there’s something fishy going on behind the scenes. I originally bought into the claim that AT&T had no say in the Google Voice app - but now I’m starting to feel very naive and suckered. Maybe it is a good idea for the FCC to launch a full-fledged investigation. If there’s funny business going on - or if companies are lying to federal officials - that’s something that needs to be looked into.
Also see:
October 8th, 2009
CTIA: Android and Apps everywhere
In the lobby of my hotel yesterday afternoon, I engaged in some small talk with a guy who was wearing a CTIA badge as we waited for the elevator. As we talked about the show and what we had thought of the first day, he said what I had been thinking all day. The crowd felt kind of light and, it seemed, that many of the exhibitors were just talking about their iPhone Apps.
For the most part, the biggest news out of the CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment conference came from the big players earlier in the week - AT&T announced that it would open its networks to VoIP services for the iPhone, Verizon announced a deal with Google to offer Android phones and Sprint announced a second Android phone - called the Samsung Moment.
As for the smaller players, there just didn’t seem to be anything that jumped out. At an evening event called Mobile Focus yesterday, there were plenty of phones on-hand (yawn!) and plenty more apps for the iPhone.
Case in point: both Mapquest, the online mapping company, and TomTom, best known for in-car GPS devices, were showcasing in-car iPhone apps for their services. The offerings are night and day. Mapquest is selling a 99 cent iPhone app and then charging as much as $4 per month, or discounted to $30 per year, for Mapquest GPS services via the app. TomTom, on the other hand, is charging $100 for its app but isn’t charging a monthly fee.
OK, but I get something extra cool with the apps, right? After all, $100 is a lot to drop for a mobile app and if anyone expects me to pay for something on a monthly basis, it had better come with something extra. Actually, they were pretty basic features. The Tom Tom app offered pretty much everything that a Tom Tom device woud get you (though considerably less expensive). But the Mapquest app only had updated roads, business listings and so on to justify the monthly fee.
This was just one example. Everywhere you turned at CTIA this year, someone seemed to be talking about an Android strategy or the iPhone app in the works. Given the economy and what’s happened to other industries, I guess I should be happy that the mobile industry at least has those two things to get excited about.
Also see:
October 7th, 2009
Are you a mobile broadband hog? Should that be your problem?
Should mobile broadband be preserved, much the same way people are interested in conserving energy and saving the environment?
During a keynote speech at CTIA, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega spoke about the state of the wireless industry and the trends that we’re seeing in mobile. For the most part, he focused on growth in things like investments, data usage and the projections for coming years.
But he also chimed in with a message that we’ve all heard repeatedly - some people are mobile bandwidth hogs and, unless the broadband is better managed, a few heavy users will crowd out other users who want to connect, as well.
In his speech, de la Vega noted that, among AT&T smartphone users, the top 3 percent of the users are using 40 percent of the data. But, unlike fiber, which has a much greater capacity (25 million mbps) than even the forthcoming 4G LTE broadband capacity (100 mpbs). That means that the broadband needs to be managed so that everyone can take advantage of it.
I’ve heard this before but still have a hard time coming to grips with it.
Specifically to AT&T, I have issues with a company that has gained so much through its lucrative exclusivity with Apple and the iPhone. AT&T continues to sell the iPhone and sign up new customers for an unlimited data plan - but then cries about its network being stretched thin.
What did you expect? Your partner there - Apple - is pushing apps of all kinds, music streaming, video, online gaming and now VoIP. Of course it’s stretched thin. Now, you’re facing a data crunch. The network was ill-equipped before and now, as more and more people are being exposed to the things that can be done over the mobile network, you want to highlight the heavy users as the bad guys? That’s not very fair.
The mobile carriers are offering unlimited data plans to get those customers to sign those two-year contracts. Now, it sounds like they don’t want us to use them. If I stream Pandora all day or catch NFL Mobile video clips on Sunday afternoons or upload photos to share with my Facebook friends, I shouldn’t have to worry about being labeled a mobile broadband hog. I pay my bill every month for unlimited usage. Repeat: unlimited.
If AT&T or any other carrier is feeling the pinch, then it probably needs to fast-forward its plan to increase capacity. Don’t expect me to pay for an unlimited access plan and then feel bad about using it.
Also see:
- Gallery: Sights from CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment Show
- AT&T plans 3G upgrade; Promises ‘considerably’ faster mobile broadband speeds
- Android sucks oxygen from mobile broadband room
October 7th, 2009
Teens are Generation Apple as iPod, iPhone dominance reigns
Apple’s dominance among teenagers is unchecked and the iPhone love is growing dramatically, according to a survey by Piper Jaffray.
Simply put, Apple consumer electronics prowess is unchallenged. Piper Jaffray’s bi-annual survey of 600 teenagers reveals:
October 6th, 2009
Verizon-Google changes mobile landscape; Customers have real options again
I had to take a moment to pause and think about this new Google-Verizon chumminess and their common, yet unspoken, quest to go after the Apple-AT&T relationship with the iPhone that includes today’s partnership news and a new ad campaign.
For those who don’t know, I am a Verizon Wireless customer who is currently using a loaner Blackberry Tour. I am also one of the Apple faithful who would rather be using an iPhone but refuses to pay more than $100 a month for the hit-or-miss AT&T service. (But that’s a rant you can read in a previous post.)
What really clouds the issue for me is that I also like Google’s Android mobile OS. I have been carrying around an HTC MyTouch device running pre-paid T-Mobile service for a couple of months now. The service is OK, at best, but the user experience with the software - and the deep integration of Google’s services such as mail, maps and search - is second only to the iPhone (Blackberry has a long way to go, in my opinion).
Yes, I’m a bit torn now - but here’s the good news. I’m torn because I suddenly feel like I have options. Real options.
As my colleague Larry Dignan pointed out in his own post this morning, there has been a trade-off between cutting-edge devices and reliability as a Verizon Wireless customer. (Sorry, the Blackberry Storm didn’t make the cut as a cutting-edge device for me.) Like him, I also stuck by Verizon Wireless and its reliable service over the flashiest new devices. And, in all honesty, I’ve just been holding my breath, waiting for Verizon and Apple to bust out with an iPhone announcement the second that the AT&T-Apple exclusivity deal ends, rumored to be sometime next year.
October 5th, 2009
Adobe has the iPhone surrounded with Flash, but security headaches loom
Adobe’s announcements that a full version of Flash is coming to every smartphone not named Apple iPhone leave me conflicted. Full-blown Flash can be a boon to the mobile Web, but has the potential to become one huge security headache.
First the happy talk (Techmeme, Adobe statement): A public beta of Flash Player 10.1 will be coming to Windows Mobile and Palm’s WebOS later this year. Next year will bring Flash betas to Google Android and Symbian phones. Research in Motion is also working with Adobe. Multi-touch Flash, accelerometer perks and other mobile goodies abound.
And from an tech vendor art of war perspective, Adobe’s news that full Flash capabilities are coming to Windows Mobile phones, Palm, RIM and Google Android phones is very interesting. Apple is the last mobile handset holdout when it comes to Flash adoption. Sure, the two parties are kind of sorta talking about Flash on the iPhone—and have been for months—but the effort isn’t going anywhere. Can Adobe force iPhone adoption by delivering up a Flash-powered mobile utopia on the small screen?
And then you trip over the big honking negative: Security. From a user perspective, Flash your mobile phone may be nice, but can also be a big drag. The patches, the vulnerabilities, the frequent upgrades and the potential monoculture headaches. Monoculture for our purposes refers to one dominant technology that pervades multiple fronts. Windows is a monoculture. Flash is a monoculture. Anything that’s a standard is a monoculture. The problem with monocultures: You can attack them and cause a lot of collateral damage because there’s no diversity.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes nails it when he handicaps Adobe’s Open Screen Project that will be bringing full Flash to a mobile phone throughout 2010.
Flash Player is an absolute security nightmare on desktop PCs, and requiring endless updates. I’m not sure how thrilled I’d be to be faced with Flash Player updates on my smartphone every time I was to go browsing. If I’m paying per MB, on a dodgy connection (and chances are that one, if not both of these factors will come into play), I’d be even more upset. I know that the modern web relies heavily on Flash, but this announcement worries me because it’s creating a huge tech monoculture that’s ripe for attack. Unless Adobe is planning on beefing up security, this could be one of the worst things to happen to smartphone users.
Don’t believe Adrian. Check out the Flash vulnerability fiesta from Ryan Naraine and Dancho Danchev. Flash remains unpatched by most users, is frequently open to attack and outfits like Mozilla Firefox are trying to push folks to patch Flash for the greater good.
How many of you have bothered to patch anything on your mobile phone? Thought so.
And now we’re taking Flash to every screen. For Adobe, full-featured Flash on every mobile phone is huge. The rest of us may not be as thrilled about today’s happenings once the mundane processes such as frequent Flash patches take over.
October 5th, 2009
Vonage launches mobile apps; Focuses on international calls
Vonage on Monday launched applications for the iPhone, BlackBerry and iPod touch.
Vonage Mobile, an application designed to provide low international rates over Wi-Fi and cellular networks, is focused on international calls. The aim: Get mobile callers to sign up for Vonage for international calls. From there, Vonage is hoping you’ll be more receptive to home service from the company.
According to the company (Techmeme, statement), users of the mobile app won’t need a new number. In the fourth quarter Vonage said it will add its World plan available to its mobile app. Under that plan, you get unlimited international calls for a flat fee.
While the Vonage Mobile app is notable—some have pointed out that Vonage was approved while Apple takes its time to approve Google Voice—it has limited scope.
For instance, I’m a Vonage customer at home and Vonage Mobile would be more useful to me if I could get calls from my home office line and manage my account from my mobile device. International calls are a nice start, but Vonage Mobile could be more.
October 2nd, 2009
Analyst: non-exclusive iPhone could dominate world
Apple’s iPhone could dominate the world’s smartphone market - if the company can dump those exclusivity deals, such as the one it has with AT&T in the U.S. I’ve more or less said that in the past, too - that exclusivity deal with AT&T in the U.S. is holding the iPhone back. This time it’s Morgan Stanley analyst Kathryn Huberty, normally a bit of an Apple bear, who’s talking about Apple’s iPhone potential in an unusually bullish note to investors today. According to a post on Fortune’s Brainstorm Tech blog, Huberty wrote:
We expect Apple to broaden iPhone carrier distribution over the next two years and believe this opportunity is under-appreciated by the investment community. This total opportunity is substantial — it adds up to an incremental 20.3M iPhone units and $3.76 in adjusted EPS, 100% and 41% of iPhone units and adjusted EPS respectively.
She notes, in particular, the 136 percent market share gain in France after the iPhone’s exclusive deal with Orange ended. New markets in China, as well as as expanded carrier agreements in the U.K. could deliver similar growth. But don’t expect multi-carrier deals in the U.S. right away. Huberty doesn’t expect a deal with Verizon until sometime in 2011 when the company rolls out its 4G services.
Personally, I hope she’s wrong on that front. I’m looking for a deal with Verizon in 2010 - and am currently sitting on a no-commitment contract with Verizon, waiting - like a fool - for the big day to arrive.
I know… What a sucker.
Also see: AT&T: The iPhone’s anchor
Sam Diaz is a senior editor at ZDNet. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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