News

OTT services like WhatsApp threaten SMS Chat apps threat to mobile revenues as they overtake SMS as preferred means of messaging

Research by media consultancy Informa has revealed that “over the top” messaging via chat apps such as Apple’s iMessage and WhatsApp is now popular than SMS, undermining mobile operators’ traditional revenues.
The rapid rise of chat apps since their introduction over the last five years is even seen by some analysts as a threat to Facebook’s social networking dominance. Continue reading

apple-logo-spyglass Apple needs to attract to emerging markets to keep smartphone crown

Rating: Juniper smartphone research show small rise for Apple

It seems that Apple managed a small rise in its smartphone shipments according to the latest estimates from mobile analyst firm, Juniper Research. The firm reckons Apple sold something like 37.4 million iPhones in Q1 2013 compared to 35.1 million in the same period last year [2012]. Overall, around 200 million smartphones are estimated to have been shipped in Q1 2013. No surprises for guessing who came out best.  Samsung’s estimated 68 million smartphones represent 34 per cent of all smartphone shipments in the quarter. So, if Apple is to retain its smartphone crown, it will have to take drastic steps. Continue reading

Dan Cohen 92% of consumers now shop via mobile says Tradedoubler

Rating: Footfall can no longer be an accurate measure of success

Rather than browsing on the high street, 92 per cent of connected consumers 1 are making performance marketing websites and apps their first port of call when researching what to buy. The list covers price comparison sites through to loyalty and reward schemes, coupon, voucher code and cashback sites. Hence this latest report from Tradedoubler Insight Unit2 strongly suggests that high street retailers’ traditional metric – footfall – is no longer a guarantee of success. The report also found that 60 per cent of connected consumers use their smartphones whilst out shopping. Continue reading

small_cells_event Small Cells World Summit 2013

[ June 4, 2013 8:00 am to June 6, 2013 7:00 pm. ] Organisers: Avren/Clarion Events
Venue: Hilton London Metropole Hotel
Location: London, UK
Web:www.smallcellsworldsummit.com

Register: here
Continue reading

wifi-global-congress WBA Wi-Fi Global Congress

[ June 10, 2013 8:00 am to June 13, 2013 7:00 pm. ] Organisers: WBA/Clarion Events
Venue: The Tower Hotel
Location: London, UK
Web:  www.wifiglobalcongress.com

Register: here Continue reading

James' photo is in the post Guest Post: Why people should recycle their mobile phones

by Bilinda Shields, a mobile phone expert and freelance writer for Sellandrecycle.com

It’s 2013 and it’s never been easier to recycle mobile phones. More and more retailers have recycling programmes in place and in the USA some States are even beginning to require that consumers have access to the programmes. Basically, consumers have no excuse not to recycle. However, recycling isn’t just about dropping your phone in a conveniently provided bin somewhere. It can also include donating the phone to a charity, or similar organisation, or you can simply resell it to extend its usefulness. Continue reading

Samsung_hq Samsung’s stock slides as it cautions on outlook for smartphones

Samsung shares slid 0.6 per cent in early trading today [26th April 2013] after reporting its first quarterly profit drop for two years and revealing it was “cautious” about future prospects for smartphone sales.
The trading update also highlighted how the South Korean manufacturer is dependent on the sector, with its earning propped up largely by its mobile and IT division and which accounted for nearly three quarters of operating profit. Continue reading

verizon_comms Verizon sets up ‘war council’ in new bid to seize Vodafone’s US stake

Kissing could soon stop

Yet more rumours that Verizon Communications is about to buy out Vodafone’s stake in their joint US venture have surfaced. This time suggesting it has already hired both banking and legal advisers for a possible bid. It’s reckoned the deal could cost Verizon £100 billion though, according to Reuters, if Vodafone doesn’t want to play ball then the bid could turn hostile rather than being agreed amicably. So far the UK carrier has played coy whenever the subject of selling its 45 per cent stake in Verizon Wireless surfaces, with Vodafone claiming it doesn’t need the cash for its own expansion ambitions. Continue reading

Victor_Basta Amazon is morphing into the new Apple

Rating: Magister says Amazon has major design on mobile space

It is so obvious that Amazon is et to become the ‘next Apple’ that, “Even Inspector Clouseau* would not have difficulty working out that Amazon is a business with a deep interest in being a serious mobile player,” says Victor Basta, md with Magister Advisors. Apple is a hardware business which went e-commerce. Amazon is an e-commerce business that has gone hardware (read Kindle Fire). Now it looks like Amazon is setting its sights on being a major player in the mobile space. Continue reading