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Today's Top Stories
1. Google pledges to dump Maps redirect on Windows Phone
2. Apple's iOS developer payouts exceed $7B, downloads top 40B
3. Glympse, Ford team on in-car location sharing
4. Bluestacks, Lenovo deal extends Android apps to PCs
5. Study: Facebook app reaches 70% penetration on iPhone Also Noted: Spotlight On... Mobile shoppers fueling 8% of all Amazon purchases
Urban Airship launches Passbook API program; iHeartRadio expands to Chrysler, GM and much more...  CES 2013: Complete coverage
The Consumer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas, is the biggest electronics trade show in the United States. And it's no surprise that mobile technology has taken a central role at the event during the past several years. And this year looks to be no exception. Mobile heavyweights Qualcomm, Samsung, Verizon and others are scheduled to make major appearances. As in past years, Fierce will be out in force at this year's CES. Phil Goldstein, Sue Marek and Mike Dano will be on the ground during the show covering all the major news. Stay tuned to this page for complete coverage of this year's Consumer Electronics Show. CES mini site
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| Webinar: Capitalizing SON – How to Implement SON for LTE to reduce OPEX and Increase Revenue
Tuesday, January 29th, 11am ET / 8am PT LTE is the fastest growing communication technology of all time. In this webinar our experts will discuss how Network Equipment Manufacturers can leverage the concept of Self Organizing Networks (SON) to not only manage highly complex LTE networks but also reduce operational expenditures and enhance customer satisfaction. Register Today! |
| Sponsor: Globalstar FierceLive! Webinars > Globalstar's New "Wi-Fi" Super Highway - Tuesday, January 22nd, 11:00am EST/8:00 am PST
> Capitalizing SON – How to Implement SON for LTE to reduce OPEX and Increase Revenue - Tuesday, January 29th, 11am ET / 8am PT
Events > Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 Live Announcement of this Year's Winners - Now Available On-Demand
Marketplace > Wavefront Wireless Summit
> Brief: Secure Android Capability
> Whitepaper: New Research on LTE Usage in Korea, Japan, and the U.S.
Jobs > Field Technician I Job - Portland, OR, USA – Yoh
> FSO Telecom Field Technician I Job - New Orleans, LA, USA – Yoh
> Telecommunications Field Technician Job - Spokane, WA, USA – Yoh
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* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Google pledges to dump Maps redirect on Windows Phone
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has vowed to eliminate a redirect preventing Windows Phone device owners from accessing the Google Maps website via Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Internet Explorer browser. Late last week, Gizmodo reported that Google was blocking Windows Phone users from using Maps on IE, instead sending them directly to its search homepage. "The mobile Web version of Google Maps is optimized for WebKit browsers such as Chrome and Safari," a Google spokesperson said. "However, since Internet Explorer is not a WebKit browser, Windows Phone devices are not able to access Google Maps for the mobile web." Microsoft cried foul, noting that Google Maps runs seamlessly on Internet Explorer 10 for the desktop. "Internet Explorer in Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 use the same rendering engine," a Microsoft spokesperson said. Other observers noted that the mobile version of Mozilla's Firefox browser also does not run WebKit but is nevertheless capable of rendering Google Maps, with no redirect in place. Over the weekend, Google reversed course. "We periodically test Google Maps compatibility with mobile browsers to make sure we deliver the best experience for those users," a spokesperson said. "In our last test, IE mobile still did not offer a good maps experience with no ability to pan or zoom and perform basic map functionality. As a result, we chose to continue to redirect IE mobile users to Google.com where they could at least make local searches. The Firefox mobile browser did offer a somewhat better user experience, and that's why there is no redirect for those users. "Recent improvements to IE mobile and Google Maps now deliver a better experience, and we are currently working to remove the redirect. We will continue to test Google Maps compatibility with other mobile browsers to ensure the best possible experience for users." The Windows Phone maps flap is the latest in a series of mobile skirmishes pitting Microsoft against Google. Late last year, Google announced plans to halt consumer support for the Exchange ActiveSync protocol, forcing Windows Phone device owners to sync their personal Gmail contacts and calendar data via the IMAP protocol. Last week, a Microsoft legal representative alleged Google is deliberately stifling Microsoft's efforts to build a full-featured YouTube video application optimized for Windows Phone by refusing to license the necessary coding information. For more:
- read this Next Web article
- read this Gizmodo article Related articles:
Microsoft: Google is sabotaging YouTube on Windows Phone
Google Maps for iOS eclipses 10M downloads in first two days
Chitika: Google Maps app launch has little impact on iOS 6 adoption
Google Maps returns to Apple's iPhone, adds turn-by-turn navigation
Report: Google Maps for Apple's iOS in final testing stages
Report: Google expanding Street View to mobile Web maps for iOS Read more about: Mobile Web, Location-Based Services
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| This week's sponsor is Globalstar. | 
| Webinar: Globalstar's New "Wi-Fi" Super Highway
Tuesday, January 22nd, 11:00 am EST/ 8:00 am PST
This webinar will discuss the innovative technology, public benefits, and regulatory outlook of providing a new 22 MHz channel under the existing 802.11 IEEE standard. Join to learn technical aspects of TLPS deployment and the outlook for near-term relief from the FCC. Register Now! |
2. Apple's iOS developer payouts exceed $7B, downloads top 40B
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced it has paid out more than $7 billion to its iOS developer partners. Among the App Store's most notable success stories, Imangi Studios reports downloads of its bestselling Temple Run surpassed 75 million in 2012, while game developers Backflip Studios and Supercell raked in more than $100 million combined for their freemium titles DragonVale and Clash of Clans. In addition, services like Uber, Flipboard, HotelTonight and AirBnB have attracted iOS userbases in the millions. Consumers have now downloaded more than 40 billion iOS applications from Apple's App Store, including close to 20 billion in 2012 alone and a record-high 2 billion during the month of December. The App Store now boasts more than 775,000 applications optimized for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, including 300,000 native iPad apps. More than 500 million consumers in 155 countries have active App Store accounts. Apple is scheduled to announce its fourth quarter 2012 earnings on Jan. 23. Evercore Partners' Rob Cihra forecasts Apple will report iPhone sales of 50 million, a 35 percent year-over-year increase and an 86 percent quarterly leap; he also anticipates the firm will report iPad tablet sales in excess of 24 million, up 56 percent over the fourth quarter of 2011 and a 71 percent jump over the third quarter of 2012. Apple reported cumulative iOS device sales of 400 million in June 2012. For more:
- read this release Related articles:
Apple boots AppShopper for violating new App Store guidelines
Apple slams the door on third-party app discovery services
App Store rankings fluctuate wildly after iOS 6 release
Forecast: Apple's iOS 6 launch could boost App Store revenues to $5 billion
Apple offers iOS 6 to developers ahead of iPhone 5 launch
Apple warns developers against manipulating App Store rankings Read more about: iOS
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3. Glympse, Ford team on in-car location sharing
Ford Motor Company is adding Glympse's voice-enabled location sharing application to its Sync AppLink in-car software platform, offering motorists a hands-free option for updating their travel schedule. Glympse enables users to privately update friends, family and colleagues on their location and activities in real-time, for as long (or short) a period as they wish, using simple voice commands. To use Glympse behind the wheel, Ford owners must first download the free application to a smartphone running Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android; Sync AppLink automatically recognizes the app when the phone is Bluetooth-paired or USB-connected, and from there, drivers can press the Sync voice button on the steering wheel and say "Send Glympse" to a designated contact's email or mobile number, or to Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) or Twitter. Recipients of a Glympse update may monitor the vehicle's progress and estimated time of arrival via a real-time dynamic map available across the mobile and desktop platforms. After the user-defined time limit expires, the location is no longer updated. Sync AppLink is available on more than a million Ford vehicles, including the 2013 Fiesta, Mustang, Expedition, Fusion, F-150, Super Duty, Focus, E-Series and C-MAX. The Ford deal is Glympse's second automaker partnership: In June 2012, the startup inked a similar agreement with Mercedes-Benz. As of last October, more than 3.5 million iOS and Android users have downloaded the Glympse app. Glympse CEO Bryan Trussel is a panelist at FierceWireless' Living the Digital Life: Embedded Wireless Devices executive breakfast, taking place in Las Vegas on Jan. 8. Click here for details and registration. For more:
- read this release Related articles:
Glympse goes social with its expanded location sharing app
Ford rolls out Sync voice-activated services to more vehicles
Ford extends AppLink services to iPhone users
Ford woos app developers for AppLink Read more about: Ford, Glympse
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4. Bluestacks, Lenovo deal extends Android apps to PCs
Lenovo is teaming with software firm BlueStacks to bring mobile applications written for Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system to PCs running Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows. Per terms of the agreement, Lenovo--the world's largest PC manufacturer--will preload BlueStacks' App Player software and services on its Idea-branded consumer PCs, offering users access to popular Android apps and games like Fruit Ninja, Evernote, Pulse, Moviefone and Instagram. Lenovo also will leverage BlueStacks cloud technologies to enable users to sync their favorite apps, data and SMS text messages between their smartphone and PC. App Player works with BlueStacks' Layercake emulator technology to enable Android apps to run full-screen on ultrabooks, notebooks, desktops, all-in-one PCs and tablets. BlueStacks has inked similar distribution partnerships with Asus, MSI and AMD, and the company expects App Player will ship preloaded on more than 100 PCs in 2013. In addition, more than 5 million consumers have downloaded the App Player software from the BlueStacks website. BlueStacks has raised $15 million in funding from Andreessen-Horowitz, Redpoint Technologies and Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM). Late last year, the firm released a beta version of App Player for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) Mac platform. For more:
- read this release Related articles:
Asus extends Android apps to Windows PCs via BlueStacks partnership
Microsoft plots to bring Android apps to Windows Phone
Google: 'No plans' to expand apps to Microsoft's Windows Phone
Forecast: Average app selling price will plummet to 8 cents by 2017 Read more about: BlueStacks, Android
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5. Study: Facebook app reaches 70% penetration on iPhone
Facebook's (NASDAQ:FB) mobile social networking application is installed on 70 percent of all smartphones running Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS but just 40 percent of devices powered by Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, according to data from Enders Analysis' Benedict Evans.  | | Android accounts for 16 percent of Facebook users, ahead of the iPhone at 13 percent. | As of September 2012, Facebook reported 470 million monthly active users across its mobile applications and 134 million more mobile Web users, accounting for 604 million mobile users within its 1.07 billion worldwide userbase. On a percentage basis, Android accounts for 16 percent of Facebook users, ahead of the iPhone at 13 percent, feature phones at 7 percent and BlackBerry at 6 percent: "140 million people were using the iPhone app, and 176 million [were] using the Android app," Evans writes. "Between them these are a quarter of Facebook's base, and almost certainly a higher proportion of use." From a penetration perspective, however, iOS far surpasses Android. "The iPhone install base in September 2012 was perhaps 200 million, giving Facebook 70 percent penetration," Evans writes. "The Android base was maybe 550 million. However, at least 100 million (a very rough estimate) was in China with no access to Facebook, giving Facebook an effective penetration of 40 percent of the 450 million phones outside China… This might be a geographic issue, with Android having higher share in emerging markets with lower Facebook use, but it probably also reflects the widely observed lower engagement on Android. There may also be app quality issues." Evans added that Facebook is becoming a mobile app-based service "first and foremost. Almost half the base is using smartphone apps, and we can be sure it's more than half the use, especially in developed markets, where 75 percent of users are on mobile in some form." For more:
- read Evans' blog entry
- read this TechCrunch article Related articles:
Facebook adds voice messaging to Messenger for iOS, Android
Facebook opens Messenger for Android to non-Facebook users
Facebook trials automatic photo sync for Apple's iOS
Facebook extends Gifts platform to Apple's iOS
Facebook introduces device, OS targeting for mobile advertisers
Facebook: 14% of ad revenue comes from mobile Read more about: Facebook, Android
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Also Noted SPOTLIGHT ON... Mobile shoppers fueling 8% of all Amazon purchases Amazon now generates between $3 billion and $5 billion in annual sales from consumers shopping on mobile devices, translating to about 8 percent of the digital commerce giant's total sales, according to a new report from Citi analyst Neil Doshi. Amazon projects 2012 net sales around $60 billion. Doshi called his estimate "conservative," noting that mobile transactions could account for as much as 10 percent of all Amazon purchases. In addition, his calculations focus exclusively on physical goods purchased via Amazon mobile services and do not take into account other revenue streams like digital downloads from Kindle devices. Article Quick news from around the Web @FierceMobiCo: Fierce is live in Las Vegas at this year's #CES. Check with us all week for complete coverage. http://bit.ly/13895Y0 #2013CES Article | Follow @FierceMobiCo > Urban Airship launches Apple Passbook API program. Release > iHeartRadio expands to Chrysler, GM vehicles. Release Wireless News > Verizon brings shared data to business accounts. Article > AT&T, Qualcomm team up to spur connected device development. Article Broadband Wireless News > Khan: U.S. needs a private public safety LTE network. Article > AT&T Unite mobile hotspot includes touchscreen display. Article European Wireless News > Report: SFR, Free Mobile merger plan blocked by regulator. Article > Alcatel-Lucent boosted by Credit Suisse ratings upgrade. Article And finally… "Temporary" Navy Annex razed after 70 years of service. Article > Globalstar's New "Wi-Fi" Super Highway - Tuesday, January 22nd, 11:00am EST/8:00 am PST This webinar will discuss the innovative technology, public benefits, and regulatory outlook of providing a new 22 MHz channel under the existing 802.11 IEEE standard. Join to learn technical aspects of TLPS deployment and the outlook for near-term relief from the FCC. Register Now! > Capitalizing SON – How to Implement SON for LTE to reduce OPEX and Increase Revenue - Tuesday, January 29th, 11am ET / 8am PT LTE is the fastest growing communication technology of all time. In this webinar our experts will discuss how Network Equipment Manufacturers can leverage the concept of Self Organizing Networks (SON) to not only manage highly complex LTE networks but also reduce operational expenditures and enhance customer satisfaction. Register Today!
| > Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 Live Announcement of this Year's Winners - Now Available On-Demand Please join Jason Nelson, Publisher of FierceWireless, FierceTelecom, and FierceCable as we announce the winners of the Fierce Innovation Awards 2012. Click here to RSVP today.
| > Wavefront Wireless Summit 50 billion connected devices by 2020 – how are you going to stay relevant? Hear how leaders at HP, Google, Deloitte and more are using mobility solutions to fundamentally change business operations. Learn more and register at wavefrontsummits.com. > Brief: Secure Android Capability Securing mobile devices is crucial because the same capabilities that increase our social interactions and business effectiveness can be subverted and used for unintended uses. Download this Brief to explore how Wind River has combined extensive experience with our capabilities in secure certified embedded systems to develop an advanced security strategy that also ensures compatibility with the commercial Android development model. > Whitepaper: New Research on LTE Usage in Korea, Japan, and the U.S. Mobidia and Informa share their latest analysis of mobile data usage on LTE networks. Identified trends include increased mobile data usage, decreased Wi-Fi usage, and a decrease in unlimited plans. Download this paper to understand more about how mobile subscribers are using LTE networks
| > Field Technician I Job - Portland, OR, USA – Yoh Yoh has a contract opportunity for a Field Technician I to join our client in Portland, OR. Responsibilities include developing proficiency in primary skills of customer relations, basic electricity, basic electronics, basic telephony, radio principles for CDMA and iDEN, and basic principles of digital transmission, fiber communication, data communication, telephony terminology, industry standards, and on-line network control/maintenance systems. Two to five (2-5) years of basic microwave experience required...Learn more. > FSO Telecom Field Technician I Job - New Orleans, LA, USA – Yoh Yoh has a contract opportunity for a FSO Telecom Field Technician to join our client in Knoxville, TN. Responsibilties include developing proficiency in primary skills of customer relations, basic electricity, basic electronics, basic telephony, radio principles for CDMA and iDEN, and basic principles of digital transmission, fiber communication, data communication, telephony terminology, industry standards, and on-line network control / maintenance systems. Travel required...Learn more. > Telecommunications Field Technician Job - Spokane, WA, USA – Yoh Yoh has a six (6) plus month contract opportunity for a Telecommunications Field Technician to join our client in Spokane, WA. This role requires reliable transportation, and successful background, driving record and drug test prior to employment. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. is required...Learn more. > Telecommunications Project Controls Analyst Job - Bellevue, WA, USA – Yoh Yoh has a five (5) plus month contract opportunity for a Telecommunications Core Project Controls Analyst to join our client Bellevue, WA. Resonsonibilties include to assist with Core Network Order Fulfillment (CNOF) by working directly with Supply Chain, Warehouse, Shipping and Procurement departments, as well as Ericsson organizations. Candidate must have five (5) plus years of relevant experience...Learn more. | |
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