October 8, 2007
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Editor’s note:
Going global for innovation

What's New:
• Portals take usable focus
• More delays for Palm Linux

Executive Analysis:
• Four new Verizon phones
• Japanese cell phone leaps ahead

Also Noted:
Navigation builds presence; Telecom's controversial censorship;
And much more...

Hands-On Wireless:
• Privacy blocks wireless directory
• Too much Verizon at FCC?

At this point, U.S. wireless consumers have become accustomed to reading about the great features and cool phones offered to cell phone customers in other countries. For a brief, shining moment this Summer, U.S. customers could hold their heads high, knowing that the iPhone was theirs and theirs alone. The "cool" factor helped a lot, to the point that most consumers could ignore the slower network support and locked nature of the new Apple phone. Now, though, things are back to normal with a Japanese carrier debuting a phone that looks great and has features that rival similar U.S. phones (including the iPhone). It's not that U.S. customers aren't getting any new phones--Verizon has four very capable new devices coming out this month, for example--it's just that we're going back to the old model of seeing the best phones and features in the overseas market first. This isn't a great business model in an industry that can see entire product categories come and go in mere months. U.S. carriers need to demand top-notch features then present them in a cost-effective manner. That strategy will keep customers happy for years to come. -Curtis

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What’s New

1. Portals take usable focus

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On-device portals (ODPs) may not be part of your everyday mobile vocabulary, but the odds are pretty good that they will be. These software portals are designed to make it easier for wireless users to gain access to the applications they need, and smaller vendors like Handmark and Action Engine are beginning to realize that they'll have to compete with the likes of Google and Yahoo. How do they plan to compete? Usability is the key, with functions and navigation aids designed to make it easier to reach web-based apps through the tiny screen on most wireless portable devices. It's not an easy task, given the differences in platform specifications, but it will make life easier and more interesting for most wireless users in coming years.

For more on the growth in ODPs:
- read the hands-on analysis at WirelessWeek

2. More delays for Palm Linux

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Now that the Palm Foleo is history (or is it?), the highly-anticipated Palm Linux device is just around the corner, right? Maybe not. Originally slated to debut on Palm's lower-end devices by the end of this year, the Linux version of the Palm OS first slipped to "sometime next year" and is now promised "by the end of next year." Since most enterprise customers are embracing Windows Mobile Treo devices, the Linux software is aimed at consumers and individual buyers--who'll just have to wait for an update for some time.

For more on the delays to Palm Linux OS:
- read the full explanation at DailyTechRag

Executive Analysis

1. Four new Verizon phones

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Unwilling to let AT&T run away with the "cool phone" title, Verizon is keeping up the phone flood, with four new instruments aimed at diverse groups, from music lovers to enterprise application and email users. The Verizon Wireless Juke, from Samsung, has a keyboard and Bluetooth plus support for multi-format music files. The Blackberry Pearl 8130 is a road-warrior's companion, with EV-DO network support, GPS, and the familiar Blackberry interface. LG's Voyager has a full QWERTY keypad, a web browser, and full media capabilities for a package that makes it the most direct competitor to the iPhone. Finally, the LG Venus hits the street with dual screens and vibrating feedback for keyclicks. The phone wars are heating up, and that can be nothing but good for consumers.

For more on Verizon's new phone lineup:
- read the complete news story at DailyTechRag
- and check out a slideshow of the new phones

2. Japanese cell phone leaps ahead

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The Apple iPhone has been the hottest phone around since its introduction, but the "hottest" label may be ready to move east with the introduction of a new phone in Japan. KDDI (a Japanese cell-phone operator) introduced the Infobar 2, a futuristic candybar smartphone with an OLED display, 2 megapixel camera, microSD storage, and forward thinking features like a Felicia smart chip that will allow customers to use the phone as a payment system for transportation and contactless purchases. The Infobar 2 lives on the KDDI EV-DO high speed network, so WiFi isn't necessary for the phone's television, music, and Internet access. Like the iPhone with its AT&T link, the Infobar 2 is tied to KDDI--a subtle pattern is beginning to unfold…

For more on the hot new Japanese phone:
- read the new product analysis at NetworkWorld

> Navigation builds presence. Article

> Microsoft healthcare launches. Article

> Telcom's controversial censorship. Article

> WLAN analyzer roundup. Article

Hands-On Wireless

1. Privacy blocks wireless directory

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With more and more individuals (especially younger individuals) eschewing traditional POTS lines in favor of a cell phone-only strategy, a comprehensive directory of cell phone numbers takes on some importance. For better or for worse, though, privacy concerns and a collection of divergent state laws have made a national directory impossible. Now, Intelius, a Bellevue, Washington-based company, is offering subscriptions to a service that purports to provide just that elusive national directory. State officials in Washington and other jurisdictions are beginning to look at the service, and the CTIA is weighing in to urge the government to regulate this sort of subscription, but until things move further along the development path, most of us will have to read about it, rather than trying it for ourselves. Stay tuned for more directory news.

For more on Intelius and its challenges:
- read the whole story at WirelessWeek

2. Too much Verizon at FCC?

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Remember the auction for newly-opening wireless spectrum? The auction that saw so much comment and interest from companies like Google? Well, it seems that Google and others (including congressional investigators) have decided that Verizon has had more contact and influence than it should with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and his staff. What does this mean? It means that no matter how the auction in January turns out, lawsuits will be filed and pursued before the first 700 Mhz devices hit the market. It seems to be the way Washington works these days--so be prepared for delays.

For more on the charges of too much influence:
- read the political analysis at CIO-Today

©2007 FierceMarkets, Inc. This email was sent to tayllorcriss@gmail.com as part of the IT-Wireless email list which is administered by FierceMarkets, 1319 F Street NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20004, (202) 628-8778.

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