4 Chinese handset vendors develop taste for JIL

Rating: Connection with Wholesale Applications Community likely

Four Chinese handset manufacturers suddenly get excited about JIL (Joint Innovation Lab) compatibility. Could this have something to do with the earlier announcement that the Wholesale Applications Community is going to be heavily biased towards JIL and OMTP BONDI? Probably.

And you thought Ericsson had it bad - Verizon to sack 10,000 employees

This is turning into a real week of doom and gloom for large mobile companies. One day after Ericsson announced its colossal 92% drop in profits for the last quarter of 2009, US giant Verizon Communications has announced it will kicking 10,000 people.

Android vs. iPhone: Droid racks up some big sales, but can it last?

The week has opened with a barrage of stories about the high sales figures for the Droid, Verizon’s Android device launched last week. According to reports, the company shifted 250,000 Droids during this first week, which is a strong figure by anyone’s standards. But can it keep that up long enough to be considered real competition to the iPhone?

Verizon Droid roundup: tethering, multi-touch and mobile metrics

It’s the first week after launch, so Droid is still in the honeymoon period. There are a fresh batch of stories every day - and today GoMo News has grabbed the three we found most interesting.

AT&T gets defensive over Verizon 3G ads

In the run-up to the Droid being released, I think most of us were amused by Verizons punchy advertising campaigns. It unleashed two attacks, one against iPhone selling AT&T and one against the iPhone itself. But AT&T has come back with a claim that the Verizon ad is massive misrepresentation - or “creative truth telling”, as I like to call it.

Is Blackberry 8530 really that new? Both Sprint and Verizon think so.

With the ever-heating press coverage of Android vs. iPhone raging along, it’s good to see another smartphone manufacturer getting its foot in. Yesterday and today have seen two releases from RIM, maker of the Blackberry. We covered the 9700 last night, but today sees two different operators announce they will be carrying the newest Blackberry Curve - the 8530.

Mobile operator round-up: Verizon, Sprint, Orange, T-Mobile and more

Today is a good day for operator news stories. We’ve got Verizon getting ready for a smartphone whammy. Sprint is pushing the WiMAX envelope. iPhone details are emerging from Orange. T-Mobile may have more Android up it’s sleeve than we thought… and more.

Good news! Boost for mobile apps and widgets as manufacturers sign on to JIL

I’ve long been a fan of the Joint Innovation Lab and what it stands for (see below), so I was delighted to see the news today. Four major mobile handset makers have signed on to the organisation, providing a solid base to what was previously a group comprised only of operators. Perhaps most importantly, one of those manufacturers is RIM - meaning that the JIL has also gotten the support of a mobile operating system with a decent and popular app store.

iDon’t believe this: Verizon jab at Apple mostly misses the mark

Following closely on the heels of its extremely pointed “there’s a map for that” ad, Verizon has released the “iDon’t” TV ad. Not since Apple’s own “Mac vs. PC” ad campaign has there been such a directed attack on another brands products and abilities. Let’s have a closer look!

Good news for Android, from both Verizon and Gartner

Android fans have plenty to keep themselves satisfied with today. The boffins at Gartner have declared that Android will rise to dominate the mobile OS market along with Symbian by 2012 - and the ninjas over at BGR have nabbed an indication that Verizon could soon be launching two Android devices from Motorola.

AT&T gets love from the FCC - but can it really handle Skype?

One of the more looked-forward to keynotes at CTIA this year was the address by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. While he was mostly optimistic about how mobile operators are behaving in the States (especially namechecking AT&T and Verizon), he declared that the “looming spectrum crisis” is the biggest problem facing Ameria’s mobile industry.

Verizon news barrage before CTIA includes Google deal

It’s Tuesday 6th - the morning before CTIA begins. And what was waiting in my inbox this morning? A huge raft of press releases from Verizon Wireless, hammering out news before the flood begins tomorrow, revolving around mobile app developers and Google. Let’s have a look!

Buying a mobile in the US: Verizon vs. T-Mobile vs. Sprint vs. AT&T

When I arrived in San Francisco last week, one of the first things I did was go and buy a new phone. Nothing fancy - all I wanted was a device to take and make calls, and send and receive texts. I set out a short list of criteria, and went to work.

New Motorola device, Entice W766, from Verizon

Verizon and Motorola today announced the availability of the Motorola Entice(TM) W766. Designed for one-touch access to popular features such as a music player, camera and speakerphone, this feature-packed phone offers a classic flip design that will keep customers entertained and connected while on the go. Because the phone runs on Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, customers can expect to make data downloads and transfers quickly and reliably in more places.

Mobile operator roundup: cheap calls, NFC, managed mobiles and the Dallas Cowboys

Indian price wars have gotten ridiculous with new call charges from Bharti Airtel. Verizon has launched an enterprise mobile management product with Sybase. Turkcell is running a high-profile 3-month campaign for contactless mobile payments. AT&T is showing love for the home team by installing 500 antennas in the Dallas Cowboys stadium and T-Mobile is expanding it’s presence in the Czech Republic.

Mobile News for Leaders