| This week's sponsor is BlackBerry®. |  | Are you up for the challenge?
The BlackBerry Partners Fund™ is challenging you to build the most innovative and creative apps for the BlackBerry Developer Challenge 2011. Learn more |
Today's Top Stories
1. Visa accelerates chip migration to drive m-payment adoption
2. Cablevision rolls out Optimum streaming TV app to iPhone
3. Consumers Union: T-Mobile carrier billing could leave users 'vulnerable'
4. Google+ social networking app expands to Apple's iPad
5. Ovum: Feature phone app revenues to reach $1B by 2016 Also Noted: ebook: Mobile Video's Promise
Spotlight On... Opera targets Chinese market with Oupeng mobile browser
Cloud music platform Spinlet comes to the U.S.; Shooger launches animated merchant videos and much more... 
6 steps to making a more effective mobile app
Is a mobile app more successful if it maximizes its userbase or aims for a smaller, more dedicated fan following? Will developers see a greater ROI charging a premium download price or should they make their apps free and offer in-app purchases, even knowing that many users will never pull the trigger on virtual goods? Or is it best to offer an app for free and then begin charging later to gain greater exposure, even though the plan could deter potential customers who may be reluctant to pay for an app that was once free? The answers aren't simple. Special Report
| Experience Real World LTE Advanced HetNet Benefits
August 23, 12:00 pm EST/ 9:00 am PST
HetNets and small cells are a buzzwords in the wireless industry. But it isn’t just about adding small cells, LTE Advanced can bring much more out of small cells and significantly increase the network capacity and the user experience. This webinar goes beyond slide ware and will show real LTE Advanced benefits in Qualcomm’s over-the-air heterogeneous network, which has multiple picocells added to macro cells. Register Now! |
| Sponsor: Intel FierceLive! Webinars > Mobile Backhaul: Exploring an All-Packet Approach - Wednesday, August 24, 2pm ET/ 11am PT
> Simplifying M2M Application Development - Aug 31, 2 pm ET / 11 am PT
Events > Insurance Telematics USA 2011 Conference & Expo - Sept. 8-9, 2011 - Chicago, USA
> Mobile Merger Event, Sept. 15, Online
> The Future of 4G: A FREE Interactive Executive Summit - September 20, 2011
> Bricks and Mobile 2011 - October 5 - Spertus Institute, Chicago
> Mobile Augmented Reality Event - Oct. 11 - San Diego, CA
> The Open Mobile Summit: Registration now open, act now! - November 2-4 2011 - San Francisco, CA
> Appcelerate - November 4, 2011 - San Francisco, CA
> Android Developers Conference - November 6-9 - San Francisco
Marketplace > New Fierce eBook: Cashing in on the Cloud Services Opportunity
> Looking for a better mobile Web experience?
> New Fierce eBook: Realizing Mobile Video's Promise
Jobs > Sr. RF Engineer at SyChip, Inc. in Plano, TX
> Atoll RF Planning / Optimization Tool Product Support Engineers at Forsk, Chicago, IL
> Radio Network Trainer, Wireless WorkForce in San Diego, CA
> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs
* Post a classified ad: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Visa accelerates chip migration to drive m-payment adoption
Visa revealed plans to ramp up U.S. adoption of dynamic chip authentication technologies in an effort to boost acceptance of Near Field Communications-based mobile payments. The financial services giant contends that encouraging investments in EMV (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) contact and contactless chip technology will accelerate m-payment rollouts and improve global interoperability and security by introducing dynamic values for each transaction, reducing static authentication and, in turn, slashing cardholder data theft. Visa plans a three-pronged approach to encouraging chip authentication adoption. Beginning Oct. 1, 2012, the company will expand its Technology Innovation Program to the U.S., eliminating the requirement for merchants to annually validate their compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard during any year in which chip-enabled terminals generate at least 75 percent of the retailer's Visa transactions. Qualifying terminals must support both contact and contactless chip acceptance, including NFC-based payments. Qualifying merchants must guarantee their systems do not store track data, security codes or PINs, and they must adhere to related standards. Visa also will require U.S. acquirer processors and sub-processor service providers to institute support for merchant acceptance of chip transactions no later than April 1, 2013. Visa states that chip acceptance will enable service providers to carry and process additional data like cryptographic messages included in chip transactions. In addition, Visa will institute a U.S. liability shift for domestic and cross-border counterfeit card present point-of-sale transactions. At present, POS counterfeit fraud is largely absorbed by card issuers--liability for counterfeit fraud may now shift to the merchant's acquirer if a contact chip card is presented to a merchant that has failed to adopt corresponding terminal technology. Visa explains that the liability shift encourages chip adoption, with any chip-on-chip transaction delivering the dynamic authentication data necessary to better protect all parties. The liability shift will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2015, with fuel-selling merchants granted an additional two years for transactions generated via automated fuel dispensers. Visa adds that the U.S. is the lone country yet to commit to either a domestic or cross-border liability shift tied to chip-enabled payments. In May, Visa announced it will collaborate with U.S. and international bank partners including US Bancorp, PNC Financial Services, Regions Financial, BB&T Corp, Toronto Dominion's TD Bank and the U.S. arm of Barclays PLC to introduce a digital wallet enabling users to make real-world and online purchases via smartphone. The wallet solution will store customer credit and debit card account information. Visa acquired monetization platform provider PlaySpan in February, a move to accelerate its expansion into the digital and mobile commerce segments--two months later, Visa made an unspecified investment in Square, whose increasingly popular mobile payment solution enables users to accept credit and debit card purchases anywhere and anytime via iPhone, iPad or Android smartphone. Last month, Visa (along with rivals MasterCard, Discover and American Express) confirmed it will join Isis, the nationwide mobile commerce joint venture spearheaded by Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ), AT&T (NYSE:T) and T-Mobile USA. According to Isis, the moves significantly expand the payment options available to mobile subscribers, at the same time extending the fledgling network's reach to encompass payment terminals already installed at U.S. merchant locations. For more:
- read this release Related articles:
Isis adds Visa, MasterCard and AmEx to mobile commerce network
Visa teams with Monitise to launch mobile banking solutions
Visa launching digital wallet effort
Visa invests in mobile payments startup Square
Visa launches real-time mobile discounts program Read more about: M-Commerce, Visa
back to top |
 | Webinar: Simplifying M2M Application Development
Aug 31, 2 pm ET / 11 am PT
Everywhere you turn, you can find examples of machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies and services. M2M communications are transforming the way developers are connecting devices over the Internet. Join us to learn how you can leverage a state-of-the art platform with integrated hardware, middleware, and services to develop a new breed of connected devices. Register today. |
2. Cablevision rolls out Optimum streaming TV app to iPhone
Cablevision Systems is introducing a revamped Optimum App that expands streaming TV services to Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone and iPod touch, promising subscribers a full cable television experience across iOS devices used in their homes. Cablevision first launched the free Optimum App via Apple's iPad tablet in April, offering customers access to more than 300 channels of live TV alongside thousands of video-on-demand titles, DVR management tools, interactive guide information and search. Cablevision subscribers can also use the Optimum App as a virtual remote control for conventional television sets.  | | Optimum for iPhone allows a users to watch TV or manage her DVR. | The Optimum App is powered by Cablevision's proprietary Advanced Digital Cable network. Because the app is optimized solely for Wi-Fi networks, users cannot access content outside of the home. More than 200,000 iPad users have downloaded the Optimum App in the four months since it initially surfaced in Apple's App Store. Cablevision states it controls the right to distribute programming to devices like the iPad and iPhone per terms of its existing distribution agreements with content providers. But in June, Viacom filed suit in federal court in Manhattan, seeking an injunction to halt the Optimum App from including content originally broadcast across Viacom-owned networks including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. Viacom is also seeking damages. "Cablevision, instead of negotiating with Viacom for such rights, simply launched the iPad App with Viacom content," the lawsuit contends, adding talks have "not resulted in an acceptable arrangement." Viacom states that mobile streaming services like the Optimum App undercut its ability to negotiate licensing agreements with platforms like Hulu and Netflix: "Selling the content of its networks to broadband content providers is an important component of Viacom's future business plan," the suit argues, adding that Cablevision's app "has and will continue to negatively impact the viability of that business." Viacom is also squabbling with Time Warner Cable over the latter's own iPad solution. The Time Warner app--issued weeks prior to the Optimum App--resulted in a flurry of cease and desist notices, prompting the cable provider to drop content from Viacom, Fox and Discovery Communications. Fox and Discovery later relented and allowed Time Warner to stream their content; as of late June, Viacom and Time Warner are working to "resolve this and other litigation and potential litigation." For more:
- read this release Related articles:
Viacom sues Cablevision over iPad streaming TV app
Cablevision iPad app touts access to 300 live TV channels Read more about: Mobile TV, iOS, Cablevision
back to top |
3. Consumers Union: T-Mobile carrier billing could leave users 'vulnerable'
Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, is expressing concern that new digital content billing solutions introduced last week by T-Mobile USA could leave subscribers vulnerable to fraud or merchant mistakes. T-Mobile USA's Direct Carrier Billing initiative allows subscribers to purchase digital goods--including games, virtual credits, music and videos--directly via web-enabled devices like smartphones, tablets, netbooks and PCs, charging all purchases to their monthly wireless bill without manually entering credit card information. T-Mobile USA and billing service partners BilltoMobile, Boku, OpenMarket, Payfone and Zong have vowed to monitor all transactions, offering fraud controls, age-appropriate content blocking and spending limit management tools while promising a two-step customer authentication and purchase verification process. According to Consumers Union, charges that appear directly on wireless bills do not enjoy the same statutory protections that cover credit card or debit card purchases. " If the mobile payment charge appears on the customer's cell phone bill, the product might escape consumer protections entirely unless the contract provides them," the nonprofit said in a statement. "Consumers Union's review of T-Mobile's current customer contract found that those protections were lacking." Consumers Union adds that earlier this year, it called on T-Mobile USA and other operators to institute stronger consumer protections in their service contracts. "At the time, a T-Mobile representative indicated that the carrier would respond to the request but no response has been received by Consumers Union," the group stated. For more:
- read this release Related articles:
T-Mobile USA expands carrier billing to digital purchases
T-Mobile USA adds carrier billing to Android Market
T-Mobile USA kicks off 4G PayDay SMS trivia challenge
T-Mobile launches mobile ad initiative with Android app
WildTangent, T-Mobile USA team for Android game rental service Read more about: T-Mobile USA, M-Commerce, Consumers Union
back to top |
4. Google+ social networking app expands to Apple's iPad
5. Ovum: Feature phone app revenues to reach $1B by 2016
Galvanized by surging smartphone adoption and corresponding consumer interest in downloading applications from storefronts like Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) App Store and Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android Market, user demand for apps optimized for lower-cost feature phones is poised to almost double by 2016, reaching global revenues of $1 billion, according to telecoms analyst firm Ovum. The forecast adds that the number of active feature phones worldwide will reach 2.3 billion in 2016, representing 63 percent of the overall mobile phone market. Ovum credits the expected growth of feature phone app downloads to improved software development and distribution options. "Inspired by the success of apps in the smartphone market, the options have improved drastically, with many larger handset manufacturers, operators and third parties now offering improved distribution programs for feature phones," said Ovum analyst Nick Dillon in a statement. "While addressing this market is not as easy as the smartphone market, it has the potential to be more lucrative for some developers. The larger size of the market combined with higher barriers to entry means that there is less competition than in the smartphone market." Ovum adds that despite the age of Java ME, the platform remains the best bet for feature phone app development. In addition, Ovum recognizes that Nokia (NYSE:NOK) web widgets and Opera Mini widgets also present compelling opportunities for simple web-based solutions. The forecast also states that the growth of HTML5 will further improve web development options--Ovum believes HTML5-enabled browsers will become widespread across feature phones during the next 12 to 18 months. For more:
- read this release Related articles:
Study: 83% of daily users say they're 'addicted' to mobile apps
GetJar: 58% of users access mobile apps over once a day
ComScore: One third of U.S. subscribers using mobile apps
Nielsen: Smartphone data usage up 89%, cost per MB down 46% Read more about: Metrics, Mobile Applications
back to top |
Also Noted
SPOTLIGHT ON... Opera targets Chinese market with Oupeng mobile browser Opera Software introduced Oupeng, a new mobile browser developed for the enormous Chinese subscriber market. In addition to leveraging Opera's signature data compression technology, which increases page loadings speeds by up to 10 times while reducing data consumption as much as 90 percent, Oupeng embeds support for Weibo, one of China's premier microblogging services, enabling users to efficiently share content, post updates and view photos. Opera developed Oupeng in conjunction with nHorizon Innovation Software, its joint venture with Chinese mobile phone distributor Telling Telecom. Release Quick news from across the Web > Cloud music platform Spinlet comes to the U.S. Release > Shooger launches animated merchant video vignettes. Release Wireless News > Rumor Mill: RIM's first QNX smartphone won't support BES. Article > Motorola's Jha remains open to Windows Phone down the line. Article > FCC to review AT&T's Qualcomm, T-Mobile deals in 'coordinated manner.' Article Mobile Developer News > Windows Phone GM Charlie Kindel exits Microsoft. Article > HTCDev portal goes live with OpenSense SDK release. Article > AT&T launches eco-themed Power Your Future developer challenge. Article And finally... Australia is home to 58,053 Jedi Knights. Article  | > Mobile Backhaul: Exploring an All-Packet Approach - Wednesday, August 24, 2pm ET/ 11am PT Significant investments are being made to all aspects of wireless communications infrastructure. Higher end-user bandwidth requirements, subscriber growth, new wireless-based communications for smart grid, and other applications are driving the transition to packet-based infrastructure as the underpinning for 3G/4G wireless solutions. Join us to learn about the elements of an all packet approach to mobile backhaul. Register today! > Simplifying M2M Application Development - Aug 31, 2 pm ET / 11 am PT Everywhere you turn, you can find examples of machine-to-machine (M2M) technologies and services. M2M communications are transforming the way developers are connecting devices over the Internet. Join us to learn how you can leverage a state-of-the art platform with integrated hardware, middleware, and services to develop a new breed of connected devices. Register today.
| > Insurance Telematics USA 2011 Conference & Expo - Sept. 8-9, 2011 - Chicago, USA North America's leading insurance telematics event is back by popular demand! Insurance Telematics USA 2011 will gather the thought leaders and pioneers of the insurance telematics space to carefully dissect and answer the critical issues that your business is currently facing. Learn more. > Mobile Merger Event, Sept. 15, Online Merge mobile into your business with our virtual event featuring 36 sessions and 27 hours of content from mobile industry leaders Microsoft, Samsung, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, RIM, Impact Mobile, Hipcricket, Jumptap, Alcatel-Lucent, Mozilla, HP, MTV and more. Click here. > The Future of 4G: A FREE Interactive Executive Summit - September 20, 2011 Registration is now open for FierceWireless' latest virtual event, which combines the outstanding content and networking opportunities of our live events with the convenience of a Webinar. Join us as we explore the many ways operators are maximizing their 4G network investments and evolving their business strategies to accommodate a new era of mobile broadband. We'll also take a look at what is next on the network evolution path: LTE-advanced. It's a full day of Fierce content, delivered to you at your desktop, and it's FREE. Register Now! > Bricks and Mobile 2011 - October 5 - Spertus Institute, Chicago Bricks + Mobile - collaborate with leaders across the retail, CPG, and agency spaces and explore how to effectively drive visibility, engagement, and ROI. Join Isis and Discover for a full day of speakers and workshops focused on mobile commerce strategy and execution looking into 2012. Register now. > Mobile Augmented Reality Event - Oct. 11 - San Diego, CA Co-located with CTIA Enterprise and Applications. Connect with top AR professionals in a relaxed interactive atmosphere. The event also features the first annual Augmented Sustainability Awards. For more information www.mobilearevent.com. Fierce subscribers get the special rate of $199 by using code MAR2011 > The Open Mobile Summit: Registration now open, act now! - November 2-4 2011 - San Francisco, CA Meet the most influential and the most innovative in converging mobile, Internet, media and apps at the thought leadership event of the year. Act now - click here!
> Appcelerate - November 4, 2011 - San Francisco, CA Registration now open! Meet the leaders of the Mobile app economy. The CEOs of the hottest app publishers share their secrets on making, marketing and monetizing mobile apps. Don't miss out, this event sells out! Click here for more info. > Android Developers Conference - November 6-9 - San Francisco AnDevCon is the world's premier event for Android apps development and management. It features top experts and is 100% Android focused. Fierce subscribers receive a $100 discount off the Full Passport by inserting code MEDIASPONSOR when prompted on the eRegistration page at www.andevcon.com
| > New Fierce eBook: Cashing in on the Cloud Services Opportunity This eBook from FierceTelecom we will explore the trends, benefits and challenges service providers have in building a profitable cloud service business.Click here to download today. > Looking for a better mobile Web experience? Experience 20-30% faster page downloads, up to 70% faster JavaScript execution, HD video at 30 fps. Download the White Papers from the Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc and Qualcomm's Web Technologies and begin to optimize the mobile Web to perform like the wired Web. > New Fierce eBook: Realizing Mobile Video's Promise This eBook from FierceMobileContent will look at some of the technologies necessary to deliver a quality mobile video experience as well as delve into the various business models necessary for making this a reality. Click here to download today.
| > Sr. RF Engineer at SyChip, Inc. in Plano, TX If you have RF Engineering experience in wireless technology – this is a great OPPORTUNITY to join an exciting company and to become a part of a winning team Murata Electronics North America, Inc., a leading international electronic component sales organization, is seeking a Senior RF Engineer for our Plano, Texas office. Learn More! > Atoll RF Planning / Optimization Tool Product Support Engineers at Forsk, Chicago, IL Forsk is looking for support engineers for its RF planning & optimization software, Atoll. Main responsibilities will be: Technical support for existing customers (hotline, emails); Support during evaluations (remote and on-site); Pre-sale/Post-sale training & mentoring sessions... Read more. > Radio Network Trainer, Wireless WorkForce in San Diego, CA Wireless WorkForce Technical Training is seeking one or more full or part-time trainers to train students on the installation of microwave and radio access network equipment at our San Diego California facility. The ideal candidate(s) will meet the following criteria: *Alcatel Lucent radio access network and microwave equipment experience *Extensive knowledge and experience in microwave network installation... Learn more. > Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs | |
No comments:
Post a Comment