Breaking Mobile Industry News

Tapulous Releases "Riddim Ribbon" iPhone Music Game

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 9, 2010 - 12:14pm.
Palo Alto, Calif. - Tapulous, developers of the "Tap Tap Revenge" music-based games for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch, have released a new game, "Riddim Ribbon," with tracks from the Black Eyed Peas and Tiesto. The $2.99 game, which was co-produced by Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am., lets users "create their own unique mixes to hot tracks as they race down a crazy ribbon, pick up pebbles, choose forks in the road and avoid obstacles."

Google Reduces "Equipment Recovery Fee" on Nexus One

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 9, 2010 - 12:13pm.
Washington - Google (NASD: GOOG) has reduced the "equipment recovery fee" that customers must pay if they choose to break a two-year service contract with T-Mobile for its Nexus One smartphone, the Associated Press reported. The $350 fee for new T-Mobile customers was reduced to $150, while the $250 fee for existing T-Mobile subscribers who upgraded to the Nexus One fell to $50. That fee from Google would be in addition to a separate early termination fee charged by T-Mobile USA, which is $200 if the contract is broken between days 14 and 120.

Slacker Web Radio Now Available on Palm Smartphones

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 4, 2010 - 12:39pm.
San Diego - Streaming music service Slacker on Thursday announced the availability of a mobile radio application for the Palm (NASD: PALM) webOS platform. The Slacker Radio Mobile application is available for the Pre, Pre Plus, Pixi and Pixi Plus smartphones in the U.S. and Canada.

tags: Mobile | Music | Palm | Slacker |

AT&T Allows Live TV Streaming on iPhone via SlingPlayer

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 4, 2010 - 11:03am.
Dallas - AT&T (NYSE: T) has reversed its stance and will allow live TV streaming over its 3G network to iPhones using Sling Media's streaming service.
tags: Mobile | Video | TV | Apple | AT&T | Sling Media | iPhone |

AppFund to Fuel Development of Apple iPad Applications

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 4, 2010 - 8:51am.
New York - CNET and E! Online co-founder Kevin Wendle and MusicNation fo-founder Daniel Klaus have teamed to form AppFund, a new investment firm that will provide funding and expertise to developers working on applications for Apple's new iPad.

LensVector Gets $30 Million for Camera Phone Lens Tech

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 4, 2010 - 7:04am.
Mountain View, Calif. - LensVector, a developer of autofocus technology for camera phone lenses, announced on Thursday that it has raised $30 million in a third round of financing, led by Institutional Venture Partners.

Sony PSP App to Stream Live Football to Arsenal Fans

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 3, 2010 - 10:46am.
London - Sony (NYSE: SNE) Computer Entertainment has released a new application that will provide live streaming video of English Premier League football team Arsenal to PSP handheld game devices, The Register reported. The Arsenal TV Matchday application, set to become available for download in coming weeks, will let fans attending games at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium watch goal replays during matches. Video will be delivered over a secure Wi-Fi network within the stadium.

Open Mobile Video Coalition to Study Mobile TV Viewing

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 2, 2010 - 12:10pm.
Washington - The Open Mobile Video Coalition, a trade group looking to accelerate adoption of over-the-air mobile TV, announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Harris Interactive and Rentrak to measure consumer viewing habits with mobile TV. During a consumer test in Washington, D.C., viewers will be able to receive up to 20 channels of free mobile TV from eight local area stations. OMVC will work with Harris and Rentrak over the spring and summer to measure viewing patterns.

Mobile App Reviews Site Appolicious Acquires AppVee

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 2, 2010 - 8:39am.
Chicago - Appolicious, the operator of a directory and reviews site for Apple's iTunes App Store, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired AppVee, which operates similar sites for the iPhone and Google's Android mobile platform.

Motorola Backs Mobile Barcode Firm Scanbuy

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 2, 2010 - 8:15am.
Schaumberg, Ill. - Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Ventures on Tuesday announced that it has made an investment in Scanbuy, a developer of mobile barcode technology and services.

Bravo TV Teams with Foursquare on Location-based Game

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 1, 2010 - 11:40am.
New York - NBC Universal's Bravo TV network has partnered with location-based social network and reviews service Foursquare, with Bravo to offer Foursquare users game "badges" for visiting locations seen on Bravo's programs. Bravo will promote the Foursquare service and the 500 Bravo-specific locations in on-air segments, and plans to offer a sweepstakes and other awards to entice users to play the game on Foursquare.

Google to Release Nexus One for AT&T 3G Network

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 1, 2010 - 11:39am.
San Francisco - Google (NASD: GOOG) will release a version of its Nexus One smartphone for use on AT&T's (NYSE: T) 3G network, CNET News.com reported, citing a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). CNET notes that this version of the device will likely work on most European 3G networks, as well. Google has already announced plans to offer a version of the Nexus One for Verizon's and Sprint's networks.  

tags: Mobile | AT&T | Google | Nexus One |

Avvasi Lands $14 Million for Mobile Video Monetization

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on February 1, 2010 - 7:11am.
Waterloo, Canada - Avvasi, a provider of mobile video monetization services, announced on Monday that it has raised about $14 million in its second round of venture capital financing, co-le

Video Ringtone Firm Vringo Files for $64.3 Million IPO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 29, 2010 - 9:18am.
New York - Vringo, a provider of mobile video-sharing and video ringtone services, has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an initial public offering (IPO) that aims to raise $64.3 million.

Universal Music Taps Netbiscuits for Mobile Artist Sites

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 28, 2010 - 2:03pm.
New York - Universal Music Group said on Thursday that it ahs partners with Netbiscuits to expand its direct-to-consumer mobile content and services. Under the deal, Universal will use Netbiscuits' platform to launch additional artist-branded mobile sites and services, offering features like the ability to make purchases directly from their phones.

Motally to Provide Analytics for Apple iPad

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 28, 2010 - 2:02pm.
San Francisco - Motally, a provider of mobile analytics services, said on Thursday that it has launched a new analytics service for Apple's
tags: Mobile | Apple | Motally | iPad |

Apple Lifts Restrictions on 3G VoIP Calls for iPhone, iPod Touch

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 28, 2010 - 1:08pm.
Los Angeles - Apple (NASD: AAPL) has lifted restrictions that will now allow developers to create VoIP applications for its iPhone and iPod touch that will enable the devices to Internet-based calls over a 3G network.
tags: Mobile | Apple | iPhone | Fring | iCall |

China: No Restrictions on Google Android if Laws Followed

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 27, 2010 - 9:45am.
Beijing - Amid tensions between Google (NASD: GOOG) and China over the fallout from a hacking incident, China said on Wednesday that it would not place restrictions on the use of Google Android-powered cell phones, provided Google complies with all regulations, the Associated Press reported.

How Do You Rate Apple's New iPad?

Authored by Jay Baage on January 27, 2010 - 9:38am.
tags: Mobile | iPod | Apple | CE | iPad |

Vodafone Claims 450,000 European Music Service Subscribers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 26, 2010 - 10:11am.
London - European mobile network operator Vodafone (NASD: VOD) has attracted nearly 450,000 customers to its music subscription services, including 100,000 in December alone, and now claims the largest base of paying music subscribers in Europe.
tags: Mobile | Music | DRM | Vodafone |