Device Arena

Opera, the only company that puts the Web on any device, today released Opera Link. Wherever you are, whatever Opera browser you use, or whichever device you use Opera on, you can instantly access your bookmarks, Speed Dial, and personal bar. Say goodbye to the tedious hassle of entering text in your mobile phone to visit your top sites and say hello to a new level of convenience from device to device. Try Opera Link for yourself at www.opera.com.

The first service to leverage the breadth of Opera’s industry-leading product portfolio, Opera Link forms a key cornerstone of two beta products released today. Opera Link is supported in the high-performance Opera 9.5 beta and the newest beta of Opera Mini 4, the world’s most popular mobile Web browser. There is also a Web interface for users of any browser at my.opera.com. The Opera Web browser for PC/Mac/Linux and Opera Mini are available completely free for anyone to use and enjoy.

“The web provides a key platform for mobilising content across a wide range of devices and web browsers remain the primary portal to that content,” said Tony Cripps, senior analyst, Ovum. “Tighter functional integration between browsers running on different devices is a natural and important extension that will further benefit the user experience of the web when away from the PC.”

“We refuse to believe people should compromise their experience when they access the Web from different devices,” said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera. “With Opera Link, we give them a consistent experience uniquely suited to the way they want to use the Web. But as cool as we think Opera Link is now, we are already hard at work making it even more valuable to our users in the future. Opera Link means convergence without compromise.”

Now anyone can be a mobile movie star, director or both, and instantly share their mobile videos with millions of potential fans. FunMobility formally announced the recent launch of America’s Best Mobile Flix (aFLIX) - the first interactive video sharing service and mobile social network. aFLIX runs best on a wireless broadband network creating an interactive mobile social networking experience and a powerful distribution channel for customers. “FunMobility’s aFLIX application represents a significant accomplishment as carriers continue searching for ways to distinguish themselves through unique service offerings,” said William Ho, senior analyst at Current Analysis. “The ability to capture user generated content such as videos via a mobile phone and share it with other mobile phone users will become a major source of differentiation as competition in the data space continues to increase.”

FunMobility makes it easy for aFLIX customers with phones with video capabilities to share their mobile videos as life happens. Customers can upload videos into categories such as Comedy, Kids Vids, Crazy Pets, Sports Hijinks and many more, or create a profile with their videos and share public or private messages with other members. Customers can also review, comment, rate and share every video on aFLIX right from their mobile phone. Videos with higher ratings are featured in a special “best videos” category every month, and customers are automatically presented with the highest-rated video they have not yet seen when they open the aFLIX application on their phones.

“aFLIX is the next-generation of instant video sharing. It’s like a mobile YouTube, but even easier, because with your phone you just point, click, share and your video can be seen by millions of people. You can do it anytime and immediately see the impact of your mobile video,” said FunMobility Chief Executive Officer, Adam Lavine. “We’re pleased to offer this service and extend FunMobility’s mobile media community technology to a whole new dimension.” aFLIX follows on the heels of the popular aPIX™ (America’s Best Mobile Pix™) service currently available and used by over 1 million unique customers that have shared over tens of thousands of pictures each month. Innovative services such as aPIX and aFLIX capture today’s fast growing trend of mobile photo and video sharing and allow the millions of customers with video phones an exciting way to share their life as it happens on video. In addition, aFLIX’s unique “Video Ticker” feature keeps content fresh by displaying the latest and most popular videos right on users’ mobile devices. Thumbnails are continuously updated, and scroll across the screen while subscribers browse video categories. Users can pause and resume the ticker at any time, or jump directly to a video that piques their interest.

The FunMobility aFLIX service will run alongside its existing America’s Best Mobile Pix application (aPix), FunMobility’s popular photo sharing service that generates over 20 million mobile impression votes per month. aFLIX continues to launch on numerous carriers this month and pricing is in the $4.99 per month range.

Virgin Mobile USA, a top provider of nationwide no-annual-contract wireless phone services, channels its customers’ creative energy with the introduction of Studio V, a unique mobile content community enabling the creation and sharing of user-generated graphics and ringtones, and rewarding customers for their creativity. Studio V, at http://studiov.virginmobileusa.com/, encourages customers to explore their free-spirited, artistic side through the creation of user-generated ringtones and wallpapers that other Virgin Mobile USA customers can purchase, with a cash reward credited back to the creator of the content for every download.

Virgin Mobile USA customers can upload and edit graphics content - including photographs, designs and other graphics - to make personalized wallpaper; and edit pre-existing audio content to make personalized ringtones. Everything that a Virgin Mobile USA customer uploads to or creates on Studio V to be shared with others in the Virgin Mobile USA community is free of charge. Customers can choose to submit their content to a private gallery which is accessible only to the content creator, or to a public gallery which is accessible to other Virgin Mobile USA customers for download, ratings and comments. As an added feature, content creators will earn ten cents for each item purchased, which will be credited to their Virgin Mobile accounts. All content is screened by 9 Track Mind using technology screening solutions.

“Our customers are some of the most creative and prolific people around, so this Studio V exclusive application is ideal for them to customize mobile content as well as connect with the larger mobile community, along with the added benefit of earning cash towards their Virgin Mobile account,” said Dom Tolli, vice president of Mobile Data Services, Virgin Mobile USA. “The ability to upload and share creations is another step in our effort to expand peer-to-peer connections with user-generated content within social networks.” Studio V joins Virgin Mobile USA’s other rewards-based feature, Sugar Mama, which enables customers to earn free air time in exchange for watching online ads.

“Studio V provides the youth market, already consuming ringtones and wallpapers, with the tools to be able to express themselves and download mobile content that is unique to them,” said Josh Barkin, president and CEO of 9 Track Mind. “Virgin Mobile USA is uniquely positioned to provide instant gratification and reward its customers for their creativity as a direct result of its pre-paid model.”

Personalized real-music ringtones can also be created through Studio V’s web-based ringtone mixer available at the website. Loaded with thousands of original audio files, the mixer allows customers to drag and drop tracks from a sound library, then arrange them to create a tone they can call their own. The original audio files offer a large array of genres from rap and rock to reggae and country and much more, including vocals and sound effects.

Studio V is available only to Virgin Mobile USA customers. It is free to join, all graphics are free to upload, and all content is free to edit. By creating their own mobile wallpaper with images uploaded directly from a PC, Virgin Mobile USA customers can keep the images as is, or add effects, borders and themes. Costs to download one’s own or another’s works to a handset are $1.99 for each wallpaper and $2.50 for each customized ringtone.

Nokia Ad Business, formerly Enpocket, today announced that Land Rover is using the Nokia Ad Platform to power a targeted interactive mobile Internet experience for the LR3 that is achieving high results. Nokia recently acquired mobile advertising leader, Enpocket to build a leading global mobile advertising marketplace.

“We are excited to be reaching our audience on a medium as engaging as mobile,” said Finbar McFall, vice president, marketing Land Rover North America. “With the help of Nokia Ad Business, we are able to not only give consumers information about the award-winning LR3 on the most personal device, but also drive dealership visits and sales with a dealer locator.”

The end-to-end program includes a mobile Web site where consumers can learn about the LR3 and find the three dealers nearest to them by simply entering their ZIP code. Site visitors can also download three videos of the LR3 in action, which is achieving a 70 percent conversion rate.

Consumers of a certain age group and income bracket are served banner ads on carrier-grade media that encourage them to click through to the LR3 mobile Web site. Part of the successful conversion rate is thanks to the positive benefits of targeting the ads to the select demographic.

“Land Rover is one of the early-adopting brands capitalizing on the power of mobile to cut through the barrage of advertisements consumers encounter daily to reach their desired audience on their most personal device,” said VP and Head of Nokia Ad Business Mike Baker.

RIM is planing to release Blackberry 9900, Blackberry 9300 (9310, 9320, 9330) and Blackberry 9100 (9110, 9120 , 9130) sometime.

How do we know that? Well, because someone somewhere heard the rumors that these devices are coming and told someone who posted it on the net.

And, also, Research in Motion just told us so themselves, by registering following domain names:
blackberry9900.com
blackberry9100.com
blackberry9110.com
blackberry9120.com
blackberry9130.com
blackberry9310.com
blackberry9320.com
blackberry9330.com

You don’t need to register a domain if you don’t plan to have a device, do you?

Quick Whois look-up shows that most of the domains with concrete model numbers have been registered in October. The series domains few months earlier.

And it looks like RIMM missed Blackberry9300.com domain, which for now is owned by a person with a bunch of other Blackberr9?00.com domains to his name as well.

Unwired View

GAAP earnings from continuing operations of $0.02 per share, including net charges of $0.04 per share from highlighted items

Sales of $8.8 billion

Financial improvements in the Mobile Devices business

Enterprise Mobility Solutions business continues to deliver strong results

Positive operating cash flow of $342 million and reduced cash conversion cycle to 43 days

Motorola today reported sales of $8.8 billion for the third quarter of 2007. The GAAP earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2007 were $0.02 per share, which includes net charges of $0.04 per share related to charges associated with previously announced workforce reductions and a write-down of intangible assets.

“We are pleased with the improvement in the financial performance of mobile devices and we look forward to building upon the progress we have made,” said Ed Zander, chairman and chief executive officer.  “We have strengthened our leadership position in broadband video, WiMAX, next generation government and public safety and the enterprise mobility markets. With our focus on these key opportunities and the initiatives we are taking in mobile devices we will further improve our performance and create long-term shareholder value.” 
  
“During the third quarter, we maintained our focus on increasing cash flow, enhancing profitability and driving growth,” said Tom Meredith, chief financial officer. “We are beginning to see improvements in our cash conversion cycle and operating cash flow which will lead to increased financial flexibility.”

Operating Results

Mobile Devices segment sales were $4.5 billion, down 36 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. Excluding highlighted items, the segment incurred an operating loss of $138 million, compared with operating earnings of $843 million in the year-ago quarter. Motorola’s share of the global handset market for the quarter is estimated to be 13 percent.

During the quarter, Mobile Devices:

• Shipped 37.2 million handsets — including more than 900,000 RAZR 2 devices.
• Introduced the MOTO U9 music device, a special edition RAZR 2 for the holiday season, seven new W-Series handsets, and the iC602 dual-mode iDEN/CDMA device.
• Expanded the Z6 line with the introduction of ROKR Z6m and Z6tv.
• Introduced an ultra high speed WiMAX chipset solution, optimized for both size and low power consumption.

Home and Networks Mobility had segment sales of $2.4 billion, up 6 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. Excluding highlighted items, operating earnings were $165 million, compared with operating earnings of $231 million in the year-ago quarter.

During the quarter, Home and Networks Mobility:

• Shipped its two millionth IPTV set-top device, just five months after reaching the one million milestone.
• Strengthened portfolio with several strategic acquisitions including Leapstone Systems, Modulus Video, and Terayon Communications.
• Conducted the world’s first WiMAX 802.16e mobile handoff during the WiMAX World Conference in Chicago.
• Announced plans to divest the embedded communications computing business for $350 million in cash.

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As residents in southern California continue to face the challenges of the local wildfires, Sprint is helping those displaced by this disaster by providing tools and support to stay connected. More and more individuals in affected areas are using wireless devices to connect with friends, family and support networks and Sprint is assisting by providing needed services and items that may have been left behind in an evacuation:

Customers evacuated to Qualcomm Stadium can obtain free universal wireless phone batteries from Sprint. The company is distributing up to 2,000 of the batteries based on need.

A Sprint support tent is stationed at Qualcomm Stadium and staff is on hand to charge phones, assist with free calls and provide wireless high-speed internet access and calling cards. The company is expanding its support to the Del Mar evacuation center.

At Sprint retail stores in the area, customers can receive a 50 percent discount on wall chargers, car chargers and batteries this week. Customers can also place free phone calls at these stores.

“Our customers are priority one and we want them to know we’re here to help,” said Region President Mike Finley. “While our networks continue to perform at high levels, allowing call traffic to flow, we continue to monitor the situation closely. We were first on the scene with communications support at Qualcomm evacuation center and we will continue to support the southern California community and provide relief by doing what we do best – connecting individuals with the ones they love.”

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The Sony Ericsson W200i turned out to be a wanted Walkman Phone amongst youngsters and the prepaid users. In order to provide the consumer with even more choice when purchasing a Sony Ericsson W200i, the device will now be available in four new colours besides the ones we already know. The colours Grey, Mono Blue, Sweet Pink and Aquatic White are now added to the colour range. This offers an even wider portfolio that will maybe appeal to a wider public.

The Sony Ericsson W200i is a nice device for the start section of the market. The device has a smaller pricetag but that does not mean that the consumer has to hand in some qulaity. The integrated musicplayer is the same as with every other Sony Ericsson Walkman Phone and the memory of 27 MB is expandable with Memory Stick Micro (M2) memorycards so there will always be enough room for your music tracks. Sony Ericsson sends along a 128 MB memorycard with the phone.

The Sony Ericsson W200i offers more than just music. The user will also be able to shoot some quick snapshots with the integrated VGA camera and he can also listen to the stereo FM radio with RDS. The 65.000 colours display offers a clear view on the trusted and easy Sony Ericsson menu structure. Besides this it will be possible to use the internet and e-mail because the Sony Ericsson W200i is equipped with GPRS support. This will not be as quick as with a UMTS connection but it will be enough to find the information you are looking for.

A scala of six different coloured Sony Ericsson W200i devices will soon be within reach for every consumer. The new colours of the Sony Ericsson W200i will probably be available withing some weeks. For a full overview of all the functions the Sony Ericsson W200i offers you can take a loot at her specifications page.

Mobile Phone Helpdesk

Superslim, small keys, functions for the middle section of the market and focussed on the music lover; the Sony Ericsson W880i was placed in the Walkman Phone Series for the middle section of the market. The Sony Ericsson W890i has now showed her face for the first time and will become the true follower of the bestseller W880i.

Of course, Sony Ericsson has not confirmed the W890i yet, but when we look at the clear photos and the details that are already clear it would be highly unlikely that the device would not come to the market. The Sony Ericsson W890i carries almost the same design as the Sony Ericsson W880i. Very slim, about 12 millimeters, and equipped with the same small keys. Besides this it looks like the Sony Ericsson W890i is somewhat broader than the Sony Ericsson W880i and that it will probably offer a larger display.

The Sony Ericsson W890i is largely improved when it comes to the specifications of the device. It naley has GPRS and UMTS support, with which the internet and e-mail can be reached a lot faster. Furthermore, the 2 megapixel camera is replaced by a 3.2 megapixel camera. An extra VGA camera is also placed at the front of the device, the user will be able to make videocalls with this.

Fact is that the Sony Ericsson W890i will be placed in the Walkman Phone Series, this means that the device will perform superb on the area of music. In the case of a Sony Ericsson phone we expect high-quality earplugs and a musicplayer with perfect sound qulaity. A stereo FM radio with RDS will also be present so the user can also listen to random music. In order to make the new owner of the device happy, Sony Ericsson will deliver a 1 GB memorycard with the phone.

When Sony Ericsson will announce her W890i is still unknown. However, it is clear that the device will eventually come to the market because of the clear photos and the expanded details.

Mobile Phone Helpdesk

Now that we’re all recovered from our big one-year anniversary bash, we’d like to introduce you to the Motorola Q9h launch kit! Release dates on Motos have been more slick than a spilled oil tanker, but we might finally be getting close as the launch kit makes the rounds. There’s no demo or dummy device like our BlackBerry 8310 launch kit contained, so we only got some documents to thumb through through. What we have is an overview on the Motorola Q9h and a Getting Started Guide, which can only mean one thing…a launch pretty soon! Flip the links below to get your Q fix!

The Boy Genius Report