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Category: iPhone
February 9th, 2010
RIM's BlackBerry, Apple iPhone rule smartphone roost
Research in Motion’s BlackBerry platform has a comfortable lead in U.S. smartphone market share with Apple’s iPhone a solid No. 2, according to comScore data. Microsoft’s Windows Mobile comes in third place.
The comScore data is notable as a contrast to the buzz-o-meter. For instance, RIM, which is sometimes portrayed as a has-been set to get pummeled by the iPhone, holds 41.6 percent of the smartphone market in the U.S. based on platform. Apple has 25.3 percent.
February 2nd, 2010
Google to Apple: I see your mobile update and raise you one
Today seems to be the day for mobile device updates - and I’m ready for mine.
Apple issued the first update to the iPhone OS, which includes iPod Touch devices, to fix some app crash problems and enhance the battery life, as well as install some security updates.
Nothing major there. It’s nice to have apps that don’t crash upon launch and a better performing battery is always nice, too - but those didn’t really change the user experience.
Then comes Google’s update to Nexus One devices later in the day. It’s a nice one, notably the inclusion of multi-touch, the pinch-and-zoom that iPhone users have come to love. That enhances the experience and brings more value to the Android device. Some might even argue that it levels the playing field between Android and iPhone.
My iPod Touch is updated to latest version of the OS, something that occurred when I plugged the device into my Mac for a sync session. Google’s over-the-air update hasn’t hit my device yet. I’m still getting a message that tells me my system is up to date. Once I make the update, I’ll post some thoughts on the new experience.
January 26th, 2010
Verizon: Smartphone lineup stabilized; Ready for iPhone
Verizon Wireless saw improvement in poaching customers from other carriers in the fourth quarter, but Apple’s iPhone remains a missing piece of the puzzle.
There were a couple of telling exchanges on the Verizon earnings conference call. On Tuesday, Verizon’s fourth quarter earnings matched estimates.
First, Verizon executives were asked whether the company’s map ad campaign against AT&T was working out in terms of poaching customers.
John Killian, CFO of Verizon, said:
On porting, we did see improvement in the fourth quarter on porting overall. We don’t give specifics on carrier by carrier, but we are pleased with our performance there. We were definitely at a disadvantage on the higher end of the market with our smart phone lineup. The introduction of the DROID and other products helped us a lot there. So we’re pleased with our performance from a net add perspective, and we see that opportunity to continue on the porting side as we go into 2010.
Those comments indicate that Verizon has bolstered its smartphone lineup vs. AT&T and is making some progress courtesy of the Droid.
Of course, the next elephant in the room was Apple’s iPhone. Verizon wasn’t going to say whether it would get the device, but was asked about whether the network could handle the data demand.
Tim Horan, an analyst at Oppenheimer, asked Verizon executives the following:
You guys have clearly been operating the best wireless network in the US and probably globally. But the iPhone and high end smart phones have been taking down networks all over the place and impacting margins. How do you avoid that from happening to you?
And maybe related to that, if you can give us some color where the trends are right now with the existing high-end smart phone sales as a percentage of total sales, maybe even usage, so that when you do get the iPhone we can just gauge how much more of an incremental impact that will be.
Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg said:
On the iPhone question, I think your summary is fair. I think we should start out with the idea that, as the iPhone has been out in the marketplace for now several years, they’ve gotten some good traction. It’s a good product, and they’ve done a good job.
I think, as you move forward though, as we move to LTE and we start to see a completely different dynamic out in the marketplace with eight times the capacity and much lower cost per transport of a megabit, I think we are feeling very comfortable that the smart phone market will move into more parity for us with respect to handling that.
We have done a lot of work in modeling what the DROID does, what the Palm will do, what the Eris does and what the BlackBerry does. So we feel we know what the capacity limitations are in this, and we are feeling pretty good that we are out in front of this issue. And to the extent that usage picks up, I think our guys have done a very good job in making sure that we stay in front of that issue. And I know most investors are worried about that. But over the course of the last 10 years, this is what we pride ourselves on doing. So I’m comfortable that we are in good shape on this.
We’ve spent a lot more capital in the last two years on capacity than probably people realize. And I think, when you look out, as we move into 2011 and we start to get into full deployment of LTE, we’re going to get a big, big improvement in terms of our efficiency. And so we are feeling good about that. So I wouldn’t think there’s anything to worry about on the capital. When something comes along that would drive us to suggest we need to spend more, we’ll tell you. I don’t think at this point there’s anything to worry about.
Translation: Verizon isn’t saying it will get the iPhone, but it’s ready just in case.
January 21st, 2010
Google and Apple: Schmidt calls partnerships "quite stable right now"
Google CEO Eric Schmidt, as a former board member at Apple, says has “a special place for Apple” in his heart. But can the same be said about Apple, which is rumored to be in talks with Microsoft about making Bing the primary search engine on the iPhone?
During a Q&A conference call with analysts to discuss the Google’s fourth quarter earnings, someone asked about the company’s relationships with Apple.
In a heartfelt answer, Schmidt made his “special place” comment and further praised Apple for being a very well run company that has “a lot of good stuff coming.” (Go ahead and let the rumor mill read something into that one.)
He went on to say that Google and Apple are good partners as well as competitors. “My guess is that’s pretty stable for some time.”
Pressed further, he would only repeat that the business relationship between the two companies was “quite stable right now” and that he would not comment or speculate about any sort of deals or talks that might or might not be going on.
Next question, please.
January 21st, 2010
AdMob: Android makes impressive gains in Q4
To get a sense of what’s happening in the world of smartphones, it’s not always about sales and shipments. Usage - particularly mobile web usage - is a key metric, AdMob today released fourth quarter numbers data traffic numbers and, yes, Apple continues to lead. But Android, which only had 1 percent of the traffic a year ago now has 16 percent of the traffic.
Yes, I realize that when something is new and starting fresh, even the smallest gains can look like big growth. Still, Android made a strong showing in 2009 and now has a broader portfolio of carriers and devices. The Nexus One for T-Mobile is only the latest in a few high-profile Android launches, such as Motorola’s Cliq and Motorola Droid. As the lineup continues to diversify across carriers and manufacturers, more growth is expected.
That’s not to say that Apple can’t and isn’t maintaining its lead in this smartphone report. While AdMob usually counts traffic on the iPod Touch, which also runs the iPhone OS, it doesn’t do so in this report, which solely tracks smartphone usage.
With that said, the iPhone accounts for more than half the data traffic in Europe and the America. Globally, it accounts for just more than half (51 percent). By comparison, Android registered 27 percent in North America and 8 percent in Western Europe, compared to Apple’s 54 percent and 78 percent, respectively.
Interestingly enough, one of Apple’s weak spots is Asia, where it accounts for only 27 percent of the traffic, second to Symbian. Android is barely a speck on a bar chart - and now that Google has delayed its launch of Android in China, there’s even more uncertainty there.
January 12th, 2010
Former Apple exec joins Elevation Partners
Former Apple executive Avie Tevanian is joining Elevation Partners, the firm heavily invested in Palm, as a Managing Director, the firm said today. In his role, he’ll help evaluate potential investments and work with those companies to help drive their strategies.
Tevanian, who was Apple’s Chief Software Technology Office, helped develop the Mac OS X operating system and led the company’s software strategy and development.
It’s kind of funny how a former Apple exec would join a firm so closely tied to Palm, given the recent revelations at CES last week that Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein supposedly has never used an iPhone and that folks at Palm don’t “pay too much attention” to Apple.
In a statement released today, Elevation co-founder Fred Anderson, also an Apple alum, said:
Avie and I worked closely together at Apple for many years and I have always admired his engineering talent and leadership, his strategic vision for how software can transform businesses and his ability to execute on that vision. We are proud that he has decided to join Elevation and believe he will be a huge asset as we explore new investment opportunities.
January 10th, 2010
Rubinstein's iPhone comment could haunt him, Palm
It's safe to say that's not an iPhone in his hand
With just one passing comment at the Consumer Electronics Show last week, Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein may have damaged not only his own credibility but also that of his company.
In case you missed it, Rubinstein said - during an on-stage interview with All Things D’s Kara Swisher at CES - that Palm really doesn’t “pay that much attention to Apple” and that he himself has never used an iPhone.
Never.
Swisher immediately told Rubinstein that she didn’t believe him. I’m with her. I don’t believe him either. And, in all honesty, it also has me feeling not-so-good about Rubinstein or Palm’s whole rebound strategy - that slow-paced “we’re running a marathon, not a sprint” approach that he was pushing during the company’s last earnings call.
My reaction may be a bit harsh, but I can”t help but wonder what Wall Street will think about Rubinstein and his comment when the market opens Monday morning. After all, investors gave Palm a whipping last month, one day after it released disappointing earnings.
Here’s why Rubinstein’s comment is especially troubling:
January 8th, 2010
No surprise: AT&T's network can't handle iPhone usage at CES
I’m not surprised one bit to hear that the iPhone experience in Las Vegas this week was, well, poor. And I’m even less surprised to hear AT&T blame it on a large number of people using smartphones at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Well, duh! It’s only the biggest technology show of the year, full of geeks who are sure to be carrying iPhones. It’s like South-by-Southwest all over again. If you’ll recall, attendees of that show in Austin last year squawked loudly at the pretty much all but non-existent iPhone service in that city. AT&T tells the Washington Post in its Post Tech blog:
In preparation for CES, we optimized our network in Las Vegas by significantly augmenting our network capacity. However, at an event such as CES, where large numbers of people in a dense area are using smartphones over finite spectrum, periods of network congestion can occur. Our network engineers on site continue to take steps to optimize our network as needed for the large number of mobile broadband customers at CES.
Verizon, for what it’s worth, told the Post that it wasn’t experiencing any problems with its network in Las Vegas.
I’m sorry but this is getting so ridiculous that’s it’s not even funny anymore. Sure, we non-iPhone folks have been mocking the cool kids with the cool phones because they couldn’t so much as place a call or send a tweet over AT&T’s network - especially since each of them pays a minimum of $100 per month for access.
But now, I feel bad for my iPhone-carrying pals, sympathetic because they’re stuck in two-year contracts for a device that they just can’t rely on to work consistently.
The Nexus One and Droid phones that I’m playing with right now may not be as cool as an iPhone - though I would disagree - but they pretty much work consistently.
Just this week, AT&T said that it has completed a software upgrade at its 3G cell sites so it can deploy faster technology but that upgrades in New York and San Francisco are still a work in progress - for a number of reasons. Apparently, Las Vegas is a problem city, too - if large crowds show up for big technology conventions like CES.
I can’t help but wonder if AT&T can actually get its 3G act together before Verizon starts rolling out 4G later this year.
Also see:
January 8th, 2010
Google's map-location services: Helpful or just plain creepy?
When it comes to privacy issues, I tend to be less paranoid than most. Maybe it’s because I’ve been careful about the information I share in social networking sites. I have been a longtime user of Google’s GMail, fully aware that there’s some sort of “observation” of my content going on - otherwise, how would they know which ads to serve up in my emails? Still, even that hasn’t bothered me so much.
With that said, I have very mixed feelings about some of the location-based services being offered on smartphones these days. But over the past few weeks, as I’ve noticed friends providing their whereabouts down to the street address, I’ve had a bit of an uneasy feeling. On the Nexus One and Android devices I’m using now, I’ve purposely avoided the activation of Google Latitude, which allows my friends to see my location in real-time.
That’s just plain creepy to me.
And yet, I have no problem - none whatsoever - allowing Google to transmit my location over wireless airwaves for the sake of finding the closest gas station, ATM or pizza joint to my location. The latest upgrade to Google’s Mobile Maps apps has a beefed up search feature that allows users to pick categories and subcategories - such as Heathcare and Beauty, with subcategories like beauty salons, gyms and pharmacies - and have the list populate with those businesses that are closest to you.
(As a side note, mobile maps users were on the losing end when Google and Yelp couldn’t cut a deal late last year. This is exactly the area where Yelp content could have been heavily utilized.)
Now, Google is bringing the “Near Me Now” feature to the general Google search page on iPhone and Android. It’s just a link below the search box (after the users activates the location services feature) and, by clicking it, users can easily find nearby banks, restaurants, gas stations and more. (Techmeme)
(Check out the embedded video below for a peek at how it works. Take note of how the review that’s highlighted in the video - a review that was a make or break for the couple in the clip - is NOT from Yelp.)
Not only does “Near Me Now” provide a useful service, but it also allows Google to “localize” search results, which in turn leads to more local ads. Local, of course, is a very segmented form of advertising - one that can be quite lucrative - so it makes sense that Google would want a piece of that.
These new location-based services are a real value add to the mapping apps and now search - and I’m more than happy to let Google and my phone know where I am at any given moment. But as for friends, family members, colleagues or anyone else who might be inclined to see where I am at any given moment, I say no thanks.
Sometimes, when I’m lost, I want to stay that way.
January 7th, 2010
10 indispensable iPhone apps for IT administrators
This is a guest post from TechRepublic’s Michael Kassner. For more posts like this check out the 10 Things blog.
Working while mobile is becoming a requirement for IT administrators. I see two choices. Either carry a notebook and data card or use a smart phone with equivalent capabilities. Apple’s iPhone, with the following applications, make that decision relatively simple.
Note: This article is also available as a TechRepublic gallery and as a PDF download.
1: Analytics App ($5.99 US and rated 4+)
This application (Figure A and Figure B) gives immediate access to Google Analytics, allowing prompt feedback on Web site traffic. Using this app is easier and quicker than the actual Analytics Web site. For more information, visit the Inblosam, LLC Web site.
Figure A
Figure B
2: LogMeIn Ignition ($29.99 US and rated 4+)
I use LogMeIn extensively, yet I balked at getting this app because of the price. Then I thought why not use my iPhone instead of a notebook and expensive data card? All of a sudden, 30 dollars didn’t seem like much. If you aren’t convinced, LogMeIn offers a free trial of Ignition (Figure C) on its Web site.
Figure C
January 6th, 2010
Android's potential is reason enough to celebrate Nexus One
It’s easy to get excited about the new Google smartphone, called Nexus One. It’s a magnificent device and if ever there was something that could be labeled “an iPhone killer,” this is probably the closest we’ve seen of it.
And while I sort of go out on a limb with a statement like that, I don’t do so because of this specific device, but rather because of what it represents - the next wave of Android’s software and hardware enhancements and a carrier roadmap that should have other smartphone players thinking twice about their own strategies.
I’m particularly excited about the Nexus One because of its design - sleek, slim and light. I’ve been using the Droid pretty much since it launched and the only complaint I’ve had about it has been the bulkiness of it, caused by the slide-out physical keyboard that I never use. I would prefer the Nexus One on Verizon instead of T-Mobile, but that’s a temporary inconvenience. Verizon will launch in the Spring.
Also see: Google’s Nexus One: Is it super? And is there a market for superphone?
There are plenty of things to get excited about on the software and operating system side, even though the experience isn’t much different from the Droid. The integration with other Google properties, such as Gmail, calendar and especially Maps is top-notch on Droid, for example. I actually didn’t think it could get much better but then Google integrated voice technology into the navigation and mapping features and suddenly I can envision my searches getting easier to manage on a mobile device and the results coming back more relevant.
Which brings me to the next point: Google is still a search and advertising company and the execs yesterday quickly mentioned that mobile searches are up 5x. Isn’t that what’s really driving Google here? The company isn’t going to manufacture phones or provide service for them. But they do want them using Android phones and conducting Google searches - even if they don’t look like conventional searches.
So why not make it easy for consumers to shop for Android phones by putting them in an online store that’s got the brand reputation of Google behind it? After all, that’s what’s driven iPhone sales - Apple, not AT&T. Eventually, consumers should be able to choose from a lineup of Android-powered phones - some with more bells and whistles than others - and then link them to the carrier of choice.
Think about how you shop now for a Blackberry, which also has several models available on different carriers. There’s no Blackberry store where you can pick your device and then link it to a carrier and be done with it. Maybe there should be.
I overheard some people at the Google event buzzing about it being a non-event, just an announcement of a specific mobile device that was nice - but not necessarily worthy of the fanfare. But I disagree, There’s plenty of reason to celebrate because Google, with Nexus One, is showing that it will continue to raise the bar with the Android OS while its manufacturing partners continue to innovate and deliver devices that consumers want.
When Apple launched the iPhone, it revolutionized the smartphone game. But Google has come up strong in the last year and really has the potential to re-write the rules of the game. Nexus One is just the latest example of what the company - and its partners - are capable of bringing to market.
As much as I’ve said over and over again that I have iPhone envy, I have to say that after just a few hours with Nexus One - and more importantly, Android 2.1 - I would have to rethink an iPhone purchase.
I might miss Android too much.
January 5th, 2010
Apple hits 3 billion app download mark
Is it just me or is Apple really trying to front run Google’s Nexus One announcement?
Apple said that there have been 3 billion applications downloaded on its App Store over the last 18 months.
Apple’s statement is just a friendly reminder that it is the big app dog on the blog. I’m sure it is a mere coincidence that Apple’s release lands just a few hours before Google talks about Nexus One—and likely the Android app market.
Couple the Apple’s App Store chatter with talk about its tablet creation and there’s a concerted effort to head any Google buzz off at the pass. We’ll cover Google’s Nexus One rollout live beginning at 1 p.m. EST.
Related:
January 5th, 2010
Report: 2010 gearing up to be year of Android
If there was any doubt that 2010 would be the year of Android, Google’s mobile phone operating system, lets put those doubts to rest. Not only is the company gearing up for a major announcement later today - largely expected to be details about the company’s own mobile phone, called Nexus One - but it also seems to be headed for a brighter future, according to results of a ChangeWave Research study.
For being a relatively newcomer, Android certainly has made a name for itself - expanding its way into the lineups of several device manufacturers and wireless carriers. Sure, the OS is only being used by 4 percent of all smartphone owners, but that’s a 3-point jump since September. What’s noteworthy, though, is the number of respondents who said they’re planning on going Android in the next 90 days - about 21 percent, which represents a 15 percent jump.
Of course, those numbers pale in comparison to that of the iPhone, which remains the number one choice for consumers shopping by a smartphone. Sure, consumers still want an iPhone - but, like me, they can be swayed. In September of last year, 32 percent said the iPhone was the No. 1 choice. Last month, that number dropped to 28 percent. RIM, the maker of the Blackberry, held steady, with 18 percent - up from 17 percent in September - preferring a Blackberry. Both Palm and Windows Mobile dipped by three points.
What does all of this say? Well, for starters, it says that Android hit the scene like gangbusters and is showing no signs of easing up. Second, it says that Apple needs to stay innovative and fresh - and do something about that AT&T exclusivity deal already - if it wants to keep the iPhone as the Number One choice for smartphones. Third, it says that both Palm and RIM need to step up their games - RIM as an OS innovator and Palm as a partner with more carriers. 
Finally, it says to Microsoft that, in fact, a new mobile OS can hit the scene and make a splash in a year. An upgrade for Windows Mobile is so far out in the future that I’ve sort of lost track - and interest - already.
The growth of smartphones is very real. Smartphone ownership is up to 42 percent, up 3 points since September. That said, another 12.8 percent have plans to join the smartphone crowd in the next 90 days. And while the Blackberry still dominates the market (39 percent) and Apple is coming up in a close second place (31 percent), all eyes are pointed to Android to make the biggest splash this year.
I’m been testing a Motorola Droid for a couple of months now and really like it - aside from that bulky sliding keyboard - but I am really excited about the HTC Eris, as well. And, of course, the Google Phone expected to be unveiled later today will be sure to grab some attention, as well. So far, Android has done a good job of chipping away at my iPhone envy.
Also see: Verizon ups Android ante; Offers 2 Droids for 1 deal
January 4th, 2010
Not an iPhone or Macbook. Apple's Tablet will offer a new experience
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard rumors about Apple’s big iTablet, iSlate or iSomething that’s expected to be unveiled at an event later this month. You’ve also been hearing plenty of back-and-forth about whether this tablet is a 1) notebook replacement, 2) a super-sized iPhone, 3) the Mac version of a netbook, or 4) a competitor to the e-book readers.
I say it’s a little of “all of the above” mixed with “none of the above.” (How’s that for wishy-washy?)
But first, the Wall Street Journal - citing “people briefed by the company” - today offered up some details about this “new multimedia tablet device” The report says It will have a 10-11 inch screen, will be priced at about $1,000 and possibly include a subscription to a nationwide Wi-Fi wireless service. Here’s how the Journal described it:
The tablet is expected to be a multimedia device that will let people watch movies and television shows, play games, surf the Internet and read electronic books and newspapers. Peopel briefed by Apple also say that the company believe it could redefine the way consumers interact with a variety of content. Textbooks and newspapers, for example, could be presented differently through color screens, a touch interface, and the integration of live up-to-the-minute information from multiple sources.
The way I see it, this device isn’t meant to replace the iPhone or the notebook - sales of those products are doing just fine, thank you very much. As for netbooks - Apple considers them “junky,” remember? E-readers? Hmmm… Maybe, but not as a standalone. Here’s my theory:
December 28th, 2009
My top story for 2009: AT&T blunders by defending its wireless coverage
I covered a lot of topics for the Between the Lines blog in 2009 - the debates over cloud computing, Steve Jobs’ medical condition, Yahoo’s new strategies and the long-awaited release of Windows 7, among others. But the one story that stuck with me most, largely because it continues to take twists and turns, was the public relations beating that I’ve been giving to AT&T over its wireless service.
It was early January when I actually bought an iPhone and signed up for the AT&T service - only to return the device and cancel the service two weeks later. The reason: dropped calls and shoddy data service that was more the norm than the exception.
Since then, I’ve written a number of posts about AT&T’s service, hoping that maybe - just maybe - posts across the blogosphere about the poor service might just shame AT&T into making some substantial improvements. But, now in December, the service doesn’t seem to be much better, nor does AT&T seem to be ashamed of what it’s offering its customers in exchange for their $100-plus bill every month.
Consider some of the developments of just the past few months:
- AT&T took Verizon Wireless to court over an advertising campaign that used 3G coverage maps of the two companies to highlight how much better Verizon’s service was over AT&T’s. What was crazy was that AT&T argued that the ads were misleading, but not inaccurate, which gave Verizon the chance to tell AT&T that “the truth hurts.” AT&T drove more publicity to its shoddy service by bringing the lawsuit. When it lost the suit, it made headlines - and, of course, prompted Verizon to launch even more commercials around these coverage maps.
- Just as the holiday season was getting ready to kick off, Consumer Reports ranked AT&T dead last with an overall ranking of “poor” for service but it also noted that “if you’re readying to buy Apple’s iPhone, prepare for possible disappointment with its service” even though you’ll love the phone.
- In November, AT&T issued a press release to say it was wrapping up a $65 million investment in 3G upgrades for the San Francisco Bay Area - and noted that it had finished the upgrade in the Silicon Valley area earlier in the year. So the problems should be history, right? Hardly. About three weeks later, Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T Mobility, said that AT&T had bolstered its coverage but still had two markets “performing at levels below our standards and that is Manhattan and San Francisco.” It’s funny that de la Vega would speak of “bringing those two markets up to the standards” even though the company said weeks earlier that it was wrapping up the upgrade. (Don’t even get me started on how de la Vega is trying to blame data hogs for its network problems and is considering curbing their usage.)
Since buying and returning that iPhone 11 months ago, I’ve been trying to shake my iPhone envy. Testing a Google Droid has been such a good experience that my feelings of envy have started to wane. Still, if the iPhone found itself on the Verizon Wireless network today, I’d be the first in line to get one. I’m definitely still interested.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m determined to hold AT&T to a higher standard, to point out the network’s shortcomings and, yes, even embarrass an executive if that’s what it takes to make the company accountable. As a long-time newspaper journalist, I was taught to hold companies accountable, to ask the tough questions and that it’s OK to write something that a company might not like.
This is why I’m sticking by the AT&T story. In all honesty, I hope that AT&T gets its act together in 2010 to a point that I won’t have to write any more of these posts.
December 24th, 2009
Mint.com beefing up for 2010, including Android app
Tis the season - the season for stressing over money and coming up with a game plan for keeping better track of spending in the new year, that is.
I’d received a couple of inquiries about Mint.com, the online personal finance tool of which I’m a big fan, over the past few weeks. Specifically, I’ve been asked if I’d heard anything about an app for Android devices or, at the very least, a version of the site optimized for the mobile Web.
The folks at Mint, which are now part of Intuit, were very receptive and said that an app for the Android OS is in the works, with a prototype being tested internally. The best guess for a release is end of Q1 - and the Android app will come out before a mobile Web version. That feels like a long time away - but the company stressed that, with the sensitive data it’s accessing, it will not speed through app development and risk anything that would compromise the data.
It’s hard to argue with that.
I already use the full-browser version, as well as the iPhone app (on my iPod Touch), so I understand when the folks at Mint talk about how enhancing the service is priority No. 1, not that app development isn’t a priority. The iPhone version (pictured here) is top-notch so I’m excited to see what the company will do with Android.
During a brief chat, Aaron Forth, director of Product at Intuit Personal Finance, filled me in on some other cool things to expect for 2010: The company, for example, is working on beefing up the number of financial institutions that allow banking data to be accessed by Mint. Forth said one of the biggest complaints is that customers can’t access their specific bank information within the program.
The company is also working on a tool that would allow manual entry of transactions, instead of waiting for the bank to record it, upload it to its site and then allow Mint to pull it in. In this sense, Mint also acts as a checkbook register - a move that gets two thumbs-ups from me. I don’t write a lot of checks these days but still have a few bills that have to be paid that way. This would help.
The Mint team is also working on a way to allow users to track and record the cash spent after it was withdrawn from the ATM. That’s granular stuff - but that’s also where all of my budgeting attempts break down. Sure, my budget accounts for cash withdrawls - but did I drop $20 into the gas tank and $10 on lunch? Those are expenses that should be tracked for budgeting purposes - but aren’t.
There’s nothing like blowing your Christmas budget to make you realize that you need a better system. We hit that realization in line at Costco on Monday evening. Another yeat, another blown holiday budget.
Next year, I swear we’ll do better.
December 18th, 2009
PALM closes week with Wall Street beating; focus shifts to CES
Palm is experiencing a bit of a financial hangover today. Following yesterday’s second quarter financial results update, which was mostly a disappointment, analysts this morning released notes that were brutally honest about Palm’s outlook. In turn, investors unleashed a bit of a whipping on Palm on Friday: shares declined sharply on Friday, closing down more than 13 percent at $10.17.
The company said yesterday that it was maintaining its fiscal year 2010 revenue targets and that seems to have some investors worried. The demand for the Pre and Pixi devices through Sprint have not been strong and, despite investments in marketing and advertising, as well as R&D, investors seem concerned about Palm’s ability to meet ambitious targets.
It’s important to note that, a year ago, Palm had not yet announced its new OS, called WebOS, for mobile devices and had not introduced the Pre or the Pixi. That didn’t happen until the Consumer Electronics Show in January - and when it did, there was praise all around. Palm, in keeping with the CEO’s “we’re still in the early stages of a long race” message, is planning making news at CES again next month. But, so far, that hasn’t created a repeat of the excitement that was around last year. In a note to investors, Barclays Capital analysts wrote:
All eyes are likely to now shift to CES, where Palm is once again scheduled to host an event along with its first WebOS developer conference. Last year’s CES was particularly noteworthy as the company used the trade show as a platform to launch the Palm Pre. We do not expect the event to be of similar magnitude this year – i.e. a new product launch – but rather believe that Palm will utilize the event to showcase its developer strategy as well as potentially announce additional carrier(s) partnerships, potentially Verizon. With respect to the launch at Verizon, we believe the carrier remains on track for a February launch of a re-fresh of the Pre and potentially an update of the Pixi. We consider our expectations for the Verizon launch fairly modest compared to other competitive launches (e.g. the Droid)…
December 17th, 2009
RIM reports strong Q3, shares soar. What competition?
Research in Motion, the maker of the Blackberry, reported better than expected earnings for its third quarter and offered a bright outlook for Q4, despite rumblings about heated competition in the smartphone space, as well as a widespread outage earlier today. Shares were up more than 12 percent in after-hours trading.
For the third quarter, the company reported net income of $628.4 million, or $1.10 per share, beating the $1.04 eps Wall Street had been expecting. It reported revenue of $3.92 billion, up 41 percent from the year-ago quarter. (Statement)
In addition, the company said it added 4.4 million net new Blackberry subscriber accounts during the quarter, bringing its total subscriber base to about 36 million. It shipped 10.1 million devices during the quarter.
Looking ahead, the company said it expects revenue to be in the range of $4.2 billion to $4.4 billion and eps in the range of $1.23 to $1.31. Wall Street is expecting eps of $1.19 on revenue of $4.24 billion. RIM said it also expects to add 4.4 million to 4.7 million new subscriber accounts.
In a statement, co-CEO Jim Baisillie said:
We are pleased to report record shipments of more than 10 million Blackberry smartphones during the third quarter with higher than expected revenue, earnings and subscriber growth. ROM is experiencing a great start to the holiday buying season and the strong Q3 resulots and Q4 outlook clearly reflect the strength of our diversified product portfolio as well as the success of our efforts to expand into broader customer segments and new geographies while maintaining our strong position in North America.
This was a good quarter for RIMM and shares were on the rise - up by more than 12 percent - in after-hours trading. But how long can it sustain this momentum, given the roadmaps for mobile for 2010 are largely focused on Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android devices?
During a call with investors, Baisillie spent time talking about growth in international markets, including an announcement of an agreement with China Telecom to offer Blackberry products and services to its customers. He had no details today but more information would come in the months ahead. He called China “an important and strategic market for RIM.”
Baisillie, asked about relationships with carriers, noted that there’s “a lot of turbulence in the ecosystem right now” and that “you can’t force love” with partners. Sure, competitors will be courting long-time carrier partners (note: Google-Verizon), as well as enterprise customers. He said that the overall market is changing - and expanding. Different carriers have different objectives and strategies and want to maintain their relevance. RIM, he said, tries to be a good partner, that “represents an element of consistency” and integration.
He was also asked whether growth was focused on the international markets, including China, or whether North America is still part of the game. Baisillie said there’s still opportunity in both and said that the entry-level and SMB markets were areas to watch for RIM.
Earlier today, comScore released a report called “Android: Crashing the Smartphone Party,” which suggested that the rapid rise in awareness about Android, as well as the continued momentum behind the iPhone, could shift usage patterns. According to the comScore chart (left), 51 percent of consumers eyeing smartphones next year plan to pick a Blackberry device, while 20 percent will grab an iPhone and 17 percent will go Android. That’s pretty impressive seeing how Android is in its infancy and has a market share of less than 4 percent.
Critics are correct to point out that the Blackberry software is stale and needs to step up its game if it plans to compete with the others. Likewise, they are aware that the competition is reaching out to RIM’s bread-and-butter: the enterprise market.
Previous coverage: Can RIM keep up with Apple and Android?
December 16th, 2009
Momentum behind AT&T protest grows to point of becoming pointless
Have you heard about Fake Steve Jobs and this online protest against AT&T?
A few days ago, a blog post on Dan Lyons’ The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs blog called for iPhone users to join in a protest that would bring AT&T’s network to its knees, a message from iPhone users that they’re tired of the sub-par service (but still love the phone.) The plan was for iPhone users to all simultaneously launch a data-heavy application - maybe stream a video - on their iPhones over AT&T’s 3G network for one hour, beginning at 12 Noon Pacific Time this Friday, Dec. 18.
Obviously, it was supposed to be a joke - but the idea took off on its own, with word spreading on Twitter and Facebook, which is now a group with more than 2,000 fans. AT&T event sent a note to the Cult of Mac blog, calling the protest effort “irresponsible and pointless.” AT&T, however, didn’t call it illegal.
After all, how is this any different from an organized Denial of Service attack involving hacked bots? Just because real people are the bots instead of hijacked PCs and the attack is on a mobile data network instead of a specific domain name, doesn’t change things. In fact, couldn’t this be considered an act of terrorism? After all, AT&T runs a communications network and organized attempts to disable it might fall under one of those anti-terrorism laws.
Even Fake Steve recognizes that this particular effort isn’t the right approach. He writes in a follow-up blog post with the headline “Is Operation Chokehold illegal? Or just stupid? Should we do something else?”:
I really don’t want to cause any actual harm to my fellow AT&T users. Quite the opposite — I feel as if we’re all caught in the same horrible prison, suffering alongside one another. All we really want to do is to show AT&T how angry people are about their lousy service. A nice spike of traffic would be a way to make that known.
He suggests, based on reader feedback, that maybe the hour-long flash mob be limited to 15 minutes. He also suggests that Operation Silent Scream calls for all users to turn off their phones at the same time - but does that do anything? The final suggestion is to form an actual protest outside a store, perhaps in San Francisco, to make a physical statement.
At this point, I don’t think it matters. Getting a response from AT&T - even if just to call the effort “pointless and irresponsible” - was good enough. Wasn’t the idea just to send a message that would be received. Obviously, it’s been received. The other part of the goal was to get some publicity, right?
So, here ya go: yet another blog post that says AT&T’s service sucks. Like I’ve never written one of those before.
December 11th, 2009
Apple launches countersuit vs. Nokia: No punches pulled in court docs
Some companies swap Christmas cards. Others swap lawsuits. Apple has matched Nokia’s patent lawsuit with a countersuit of its own.
Apple on Friday said Nokia is infringing on 13 Apple patents (statement). So much for Christmas spirit.
Apple didn’t pull any punches in its countersuit (download complaint PDF), which alleges that Nokia is poaching patents ranging from user interface to power consumption to signal processing. The specific patents in question are listed here:
And handy links to the patents via Digital Daily: No. 5, 634, 074, No. 6,343, 263 B1, No. 5,915,131, No. 5,555,369, No. 6,239,795 B1, No. 5,315,703, No. 6,189,034 B1, No. 7,469,381, B2, No.RE 39, 486 E, No. 5,455,854, No. 7,383,453 B2, No. 5,848,105, and No. 5,379,431.
In a nutshell, Apple said that Nokia chose to focus on traditional wireless handsets and lost share in high-end phones. The solution for Nokia was to copy the iPhone.
A few money excerpts:
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Smart Planet as well as Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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