| This week's sponsor is BlackBerry. |  | BlackBerry® Jam Americas is the conference for developers who want to start profiting from the BlackBerry® 10 platform. Join us May 14-16 in Orlando for training, deep-dive sessions, Q&A's and networking. Register by March 22 for the Early Bird Rate!
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Today's Top Stories
1. Rumor Mill: Amazon's Kindle smartphone delayed by production challenges
2. iOS user security threatened by malicious profiles, researchers contend
3. BlackBerry Messenger update extends voice support to BB OS 5 devices
4. Report: LinkedIn acquiring Pulse newsreader app
5. Compuware: 85% of consumers favor mobile apps over mobile websites Also Noted: UnboundID
Spotlight On... Android fragmentation galvanizes app testing industry
Spotify adds 1M new subscribers in three months; Tumblr updates iOS app and much more... Visa's Gajda: Mobile payment space isn't fragmented, NFC will rule the market
 Visa has had a busy couple of weeks. First the company announced the Visa Ready Partner Program, which certifies that devices, software and solutions used to process Visa transactions, such as mobile point of sale readers, are compatible with Visa's requirements. The company also unveiled a partnership with Samsung to include Visa's payWave technology on all next-gen Samsung handsets. Bill Gajda, Visa's global head of mobile, sat down with FierceMobileContent to talk about these announcements and Visa's mobile strategy at large. On the Hot Seat
| | This week's sponsors are Comcast Media Center and Irdeto. |  | Don't Miss an Exclusive Executive Breakfast at the 2013 NAB Show!
Executives from Discovery Communications, Comcast Media Center, and more explore the impact that the battle for multiscreen viewers is having on content owners, broadcasters, cable operators, and over-the-top video players. Join FierceCable Editor Steve Donohue for this exclusive breakfast event at the NAB Show, April 9, in Las Vegas. Sponsored by Comcast Media Center and Irdeto. REGISTER TODAY! |
| Sponsor: Ooyala, Verimatrix, Irdeto and IneoQuest FierceLive! Webinars > Wi-Fi Evolution and its role in the future of wireless - Wednesday, April 3rd, 1pm ET / 10am PT
> Personal Data and Privacy - Is the consumer the boss? - March 14, 2pm ET / 11am PT
Events > Don?t Miss an Exclusive Executive Breakfast at the 2013 NAB Show! - April 9 - Las Vegas, NV
> Mobile Payments Conference - April 10-11, 2013 - New York, NY
> Competitive Carriers Global Expo - April 17-19 - New Orleans
> BlackBerry Jam Americas for Developers - May 14-16 - Orlando, Florida
> Andrew Seybold Wireless University at CTIA 2013 - May 20, 2013 - Las Vegas, Nevada
> AnDevCon - May 28-31 - Boston, MA
> Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 Live Announcement of this Year's Winners - Now Available On-Demand
Marketplace > Research: M-commerce in the UK 2012 | Verdict Channel Reports
> Research: Software: Global Industry Guide
> Research: Enterprise Applications Market Forecast in the US to 2014
> eBook: Knowledge Management: 5 Steps to Getting it Right the First Time
> Whitepaper: Ensuring Your Apps Work in the Real World
> Whitepaper: Forrester: Defining the Next-Generation Workspace
> eBook: Minimizing the OTT Threat
> eBook: The Roadmap to LTE Advanced
> eBook: Cable's Next TV Everywhere Obstacle: 'Download to Go'
> Whitepaper: Monetizing Networks in the Cloud Era
> eBook: Smarter Service: The Contract Center of the Future
Jobs > Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs
* Post a classified ad: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Rumor Mill: Amazon's Kindle smartphone delayed by production challenges
Amazon's (NASDAQ:AMZN) long-rumored Kindle-branded Android smartphone is still in the pipeline but will not reach consumers until at least the third quarter of 2013 due to production snafus, according to a new report. Citing sources in the "flat panel supply chain," DigiTimes reports Amazon manufacturing partner Foxconn is conducting engineering verification tests on the Kindle phone but the process has experienced a series of speed bumps. While Amazon originally planned to complete testing during the current quarter and begin manufacturing early in the second quarter, Foxconn's Ensky Tech subsidiary is now unlikely to enter mass production until June. Rumors of an Amazon smartphone have circulated for months. Citing sources with knowledge of the matter, Bloomberg reported in July 2012 that Amazon tapped Foxconn to develop the device, adding the digital retailer has assembled a portfolio of patents covering wireless technologies to fend off potential allegations of infringement. A subsequent Verge report added the Amazon smartphone will run the same forked Android variant powering the digital retailer's Kindle Fire tablet. A smartphone fits squarely within Amazon's larger vision for digital media dominance. Unlike Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), which relies on content from its iTunes digital media storefront and App Store to boost sales of hardware like the iPhone and iPad--and unlike Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), which looks to Android to fuel revenues derived from its core advertising and search services--Amazon depends on affordable hardware to drive sales of e-books, music, movies and related content offerings. Its digital media revenues totaled $6.51 billion during the fourth quarter of 2012, up 8 percent year-over-year, and for the second year in a row, the Kindle Fire HD tablet was the company's best-selling and most-gifted item. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has strongly hinted Amazon plans to launch additional devices. Speaking to television interviewer Charlie Rose last November, Bezos joked "I agree that there are a bunch of rumors that we might do a phone." After Rose said "Of course, that answer leads us to believe that you are going to do it. You're just waiting for the right opportunity," a laughing Bezos responded "Well, you'll just have to wait and see." For more:
- read this DigiTimes article
- read this Forbes article Related articles:
Amazon's Bezos hints at more devices but won't confirm smartphone rumors
Amazon: E-book sales increased 70 percent in 2012, media revenues up 8 percent in Q4
Amazon acquires text-to-speech firm Ivona to rival Apple's Siri
Amazon challenges iTunes with MP3 Store for Apple's iOS
Amazon enhances tablet gaming, reading with new Kindle Fire HD
Amazon's Kindle FreeTime Unlimited offers all-you-can-eat content to kids Read more about: Android, Amazon
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2. iOS user security threatened by malicious profiles, researchers contend
While Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) walled-garden ecosystem has traditionally spared its iOS mobile operating system from the malware threats plaguing Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) open-source Android platform, researchers say that iOS device profiles used by mobile operators could offer hackers a means to attack iPhones. In a blog post published Tuesday, security firm Skycure explains that carriers, mobile device management services and even some mobile applications use iOS profiles--a.k.a. mobileconfig files--to help configure key system-level settings on Apple devices. "These include Wi-Fi, VPN, email and APN settings, among others," Skycure states. "While mobileconfigs are usually used for constructive needs and thus provide a lot of value, these same capabilities might be used by malicious attackers to circumvent Apple's security model and perform significant damage to their victims." According to Skycure, malicious profiles could be used to remotely control mobile devices, monitor and manipulate activity, hijack user sessions and install root certificates making it possible to seamlessly intercept and decrypt secure connections used by most apps to transfer sensitive data. "A few concrete impact examples include: stealing one's Facebook (NASDAQ:FB), LinkedIn, mail and even bank identities and acting on his/her behalf in these account, potentially creating havoc," Skycure notes. Attackers might fool consumers into downloading malicious profiles by promising them free access to premium content in exchange for installing an iOS profile that will "configure" their device accordingly or sending them a message promising "better battery performance" or "something cool to watch" upon installation. "We identified another possible infection vector, which can prove to be very effective due to its reliance on the trust between customers and their service providers," Skycure adds. "A quick survey we did uncovered a variety of cellular carriers, many of them MVNOs, that ask their clients to install mobileconfig files in order to receive data plan access; unfortunately, these processes usually involve poor utilization of security measures." Skycure notes it witnessed problematic iOS profile installation processes at several AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) stores that researchers visited, subsequently notifying and working with the operator to address its findings. Apple did not immediately respond to questions on the topic. Just last week, Apple Senior President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller took a potshot at Google following a report that Android is to blame for 79 percent of all mobile malware threats identified last year. "Be safe out there" Schiller tweeted, linking to an F-Secure study reporting a significant jump in Android malware between 2011 and 2012. For more:
- read this Skycure Security blog entry
- read this Next Web article Related articles:
Apple exec Schiller takes shot at Android over malware headaches
F-Secure: Android to blame for 79 percent of all mobile malware in 2012
iOS jailbreak app Installous shuts down, but new piracy options emerge
iOS posts holiday gains while Android, BlackBerry and Microsoft decline Read more about: Apple, AT&T Mobility
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3. BlackBerry Messenger update extends voice support to BB OS 5 devices
BlackBerry (NASDAQ:BBRY) is rolling out an updated version of its signature Messenger application, extending voice-calling capabilities to legacy devices running BlackBerry OS 5. With the new BlackBerry Messenger 7.0.1, BlackBerry 5 owners may now access BBM Voice, first introduced late last year for devices running BB OS 6 or higher. BBM Voice enables consumers to make free calls to other BBM users across the globe over a Wi-Fi connection; a split-screen feature allows toggling between messaging and voice options, and users may also talk and text at the same time, enhancing business collaboration possibilities. The BBM platform identifies which contacts are available for voice conversations, and in the event the call recipient is not free to chat, they can respond to the caller via text. BlackBerry Messenger 7.0.1 also touts deep integration with the consumer's BlackBerry ID, which enables simplified access to BlackBerry applications, services and products. BlackBerry ID also backs up the user's BBM profile, groups and contacts in the event a device is upgraded or lost. Roughly three out of every four BlackBerry device owners use BlackBerry Messenger, corresponding to roughly 60 million active users worldwide. BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion) continues to expand BBM's feature set in an effort to fend off competition from multi-platform OTT messaging apps like Skype and Viber: Late last month, the device maker began testing a new mobile money transfer application integrated directly into the Messenger service. "BBM was traditionally thought of as just a chat client," BlackBerry Vice President of BBM and Social Communities T.A. McCann told Bloomberg following BBM Money's introduction. "We're really trying to work hard to show clear examples of how we're expanding BBM well beyond just chat." For more:
- read this Official BlackBerry Blog entry Related articles:
BlackBerry Messenger 7 exits beta, offers free voice chat features
BlackBerry trials mobile money transfer service over Messenger
BlackBerry adds in-app purchase support to BB10 WebWorks SDK
BlackBerry Bridge update for BB10 suspends BBM, SMS access
BlackBerry 10 brings new messaging options, 70K third-party apps
RIM reveals music, video partners ahead of BlackBerry 10 premiere Read more about: Mobile Messaging
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4. Report: LinkedIn acquiring Pulse newsreader app
LinkedIn will purchase Alphonso Labs, the startup behind newsreader application Pulse, AllThingsD reports. Citing sources familiar with the negotiations, the report states LinkedIn will pay between $50 million and $100 million, beating out rival suitors including Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Yahoo. LinkedIn declined a request for comment. Pulse brings together content from users' favorite newspapers, magazines, social networks and blogs, and is available across platforms including Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS, Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android and HTML5. Its 20 million users read more than 10 million stories each day. Alphonso Labs also has raised close to $10 million from investors including Redpoint Ventures, Greycroft Partners, Mayfield Fund, Lightspeed Investment Partners and New Enterprise Associates. The Pulse deal continues LinkedIn's efforts to boost its content offerings. The professional social network rolled out a news hub in early 2011 and last year launched Influencers, enabling users to follow content from thought leaders across a series of verticals. For more:
- read this AllThingsD article
- read this Mashable article Related articles:
LinkedIn replaces HTML5-powered search with native code on iPad app
LinkedIn adding advertisements to mobile apps
LinkedIn rolls out HTML5 app as mobile use grows 400% year-over-year
LinkedIn app connects to BlackBerry users Read more about: Mobile Social Networking, Pulse
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5. Compuware: 85% of consumers favor mobile apps over mobile websites
Eighty-five percent of consumers prefer mobile applications over mobile websites, explaining native apps offer a more convenient and faster experience that simplifies access to information, according to a new survey conducted by IT firm Compuware. Consumers now equate apps with entertainment, banking, paying bills, shopping, booking hotels and travel, staying productive and connecting with both home and office tasks, Compuware reports. Users expect apps will offer them efficient access to product and store information, help planning and navigating trips, and real-time communication capabilities--they also desire proactive and personally relevant information and services within the context of their location at that moment in time. Despite enthusiasm for mobile applications, slightly more than half of all survey respondents have experienced problems with apps. Sixty-two percent of those respondents reported a crash, freeze or error, 47 percent experienced slow launch times (users expect a median load time of two seconds) and 40 percent have downloaded an app that would not launch. Seventy-nine percent of users said they would retry an app only once or twice if it failed to work the first time, and just 16 percent said they would give an app more than two attempts to launch. Asked what steps they would take if dissatisfied with a mobile app's performance, 48 percent of respondents told Compuware they would be less likely to use the app again. Consumers also said they would be less likely to purchase from the company and more likely to switch to a competitor's app, that they would tell others about their negatives experiences and that they would leave a negative app rating in storefronts like Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) App Store and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Play, which is significant given that 84 percent of respondents said store ratings play a key role in their decision whether to install an app. For more:
- read this release Related articles:
ABI: Android to drive 58 percent of smartphone app downloads in 2013
Juniper: Tablet gamers will spend $3 billion on in-app purchases in 2016
Report: 23 percent of app gamers play only on smartphones, tablets
Gameloft: In-app purchases, ads fuel 60 percent of mobile gaming revenues
Subscribers love their mobile apps, but know little about them Read more about: Mobile Web
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Also Noted | This week's sponsor is UnboundID. | 
| Webinar: Personal Data and Privacy - Is the consumer the boss?
March 14, 2pm ET / 11am PT
This webinar will explore Forrester Analyst Fatemeh Khatibloo's characterization of a new Personal Identity Management market as well as solutions for participating in the Identity Economy. Register Today. |
SPOTLIGHT ON... Android fragmentation galvanizes app testing industry  While app testing across all platforms is usually seen as critical to growing and maintaining a loyal user base, a cottage industry is springing up around Google Android testing, spearheaded by relatively established services like AppThwack and TestDroid, as well as new offerings like TestFlight, which came to Android in a private beta last week. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, meanwhile, recently discussed how it is testing commercial Android apps to systematically find security flaws and other issues.
"Android, without question, has the most diverse ecosystem of any phone OS ever," said AppThwack co-founder Trent Peterson. "There are multiple levels to consider: hardware, base OS version, OEM OS modifications, carrier OS modifications, and finally carrier networks and the end-users' environment. There's also a growing number of users that choose not to upgrade for one reason or another, meaning developers that want to cover the large majority of the market have to test a long-tail of various hardware versions running older OS versions." Feature Quick news from around the Web @FierceMobiCo: Feature: Analyzing the world's 12 biggest handset makers in Q4 2012 http://bit.ly/13To2AA via FierceWireless:Europe Article | Follow @FierceMobiCo > Spotify adds 1 million new subscribers in three months. Article > Tumblr updates iOS app with new camera, photosets. Article Wireless News > MetroPCS urges shareholders to approve T-Mobile deal. Article > Nokia warns that a Microsoft Surface smartphone is a risk. Article And finally… Baseball-sized snails threaten Australian agriculture. Article > Wi-Fi Evolution and its role in the future of wireless - Wednesday, April 3rd, 1pm ET / 10am PT Tune-in to this webinar to learn more about Wi-Fi evolution, its critical role in addressing the looming 1000x data challenge, enabling smart connected homes, and exciting new frontiers it is poised to explore. Register Today! > Personal Data and Privacy - Is the consumer the boss? - March 14, 2pm ET / 11am PT This webinar will explore Forrester Analyst Fatemeh Khatibloo's characterization of a new Personal Identity Management market as well as solutions for participating in the Identity Economy. Register Today.
| > Don?t Miss an Exclusive Executive Breakfast at the 2013 NAB Show! - April 9 - Las Vegas, NV Executives from Discovery Communications, Comcast Media Center, and more explore the impact that the battle for multiscreen viewers is having on content owners, broadcasters, cable operators, and over-the-top video players. Join FierceCable Editor Steve Donohue for this exclusive breakfast event at the NAB Show, April 9th, in Las Vegas. Sponsored by Comcast Media Center and Irdeto. REGISTER TODAY. > Mobile Payments Conference - April 10-11, 2013 - New York, NY Sponsored by Mobile Marketing & Technology, a leading news outlet on mobile payment and marketing developments, the Spring Mobile Payments Conference will bring together high level executives to learn about the latest in the mobile marketing, mobile wallet and mobile payments ecosystem. Click here. > Competitive Carriers Global Expo - April 17-19 - New Orleans CCA is the premier trade show and conference for the competitive mobile ecosystem and brings together decision-makers for networking, learning and sharing best practices. CCA is the nation's leading association for competitive wireless providers. To register www.ccaevents.org. > BlackBerry Jam Americas for Developers - May 14-16 - Orlando, Florida BlackBerry® Jam Americas is your chance to take your apps to the next level. Get your toughest technical questions answered. Gain marketing insights to boost your profits. Meet up with fellow developers to create the next great app. Register by March 22 and save with the Early Bird Rate! > Andrew Seybold Wireless University at CTIA 2013 - May 20, 2013 - Las Vegas, Nevada LTE worldwide broadband standard is changing wireless forever. Delve into the technologies, spectrum, deployments, ecosystems, and devices. Understand the implications. More information at www.andrewseybold.com > AnDevCon - May 28-31 - Boston, MA AnDevCon is the technical conference for software developers building Android apps. Featuring tutorials, technical classes and 40+ exhibitors. Receive a $100 discount off either the 4-day or 3-day pass by inserting the code MEDIASPONSOR when prompted. Register Now! > 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.
| > Research: M-commerce in the UK 2012 | Verdict Channel Reports M-commerce has expanded rapidly in 2011 and 2012, as both retailers and consumers continue to adapt to the potential of mobile devices. Not only are more people making purchases, but also more apps and mobile optimised websites have furthered the possible uses of mobile devices for shoppers. Download Now. > Research: Software: Global Industry Guide Software: Global Industry Guide is an essential resource for top-level data and analysis covering the Software industry. It includes detailed data on market size and segmentation, textual analysis of the key trends and competitive landscape, and profiles of the leading companies. This incisive report provides expert analysis on a global, regional and country basis. Download Now. > Research: Enterprise Applications Market Forecast in the US to 2014 Enterprise Applications Market Forecast in the US to 2014 is a comprehensive resource for the market split by technology (ERP, product lifecycle management, customer relationship management [CRM], human resources [HR] and payroll, financial, supply chain management [SCM], and commerce applications). This Databook also provides data split by nine industry verticals. Download Now. > eBook: Knowledge Management: 5 Steps to Getting it Right the First Time This eBook sets out 5 simple steps for optimizing customer service and support with an effective, best-practice-led knowledge management initiative. Download today! > Whitepaper: Ensuring Your Apps Work in the Real World See why companies of all sizes are moving a portion of their testing out of the lab and into the real world. This whitepaper highlights the benefits of testing your apps with real testers, on real devices, in real environments. Download now! > Whitepaper: Forrester: Defining the Next-Generation Workspace How will you meet the needs of a mobile workforce? In this Forrester study, discover approaches to BYOD and desktop virtualization. Learn why Cisco Unified Workspace may be the solution for your mobility, virtualization, and security challenges. Read the study. > eBook: Minimizing the OTT Threat This eBook will provide an in-depth look at the threat from OTT providers, and examine how operators are making progress in delivering content to their customers. Click here to download today. > eBook: The Roadmap to LTE Advanced This eBook from FierceWireless will look at the various aspects of the LTE-Advanced standard as well as how operators are likely to deploy the technology. Download for free today. > eBook: Cable's Next TV Everywhere Obstacle: 'Download to Go' FierceCable discusses the latest technologies TV networks and content owners use to drive increased ratings and revenue from various video devices. Download for free today. > Whitepaper: Monetizing Networks in the Cloud Era Enterprises are increasingly adopting cloud services for an enhanced IT experience while maintaining or reducing costs. This paper explains how providers can address these challenges and opportunities to more efficiently monetize their network and human assets. Download Today. > eBook: Smarter Service: The Contract Center of the Future This eBook explores the challenges facing traditional contact centers and the benefits of deploying the contact center of the future. You'll find links to further resources on the final page. Download today.
| > Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs | |
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