| This week's sponsor is Kaltura. |  | Webinar: CorporateTube - The Next Step for Enterprise Success
Thursday, April 18th, 2pm ET/ 11am PT
Learn from an elaborate case study and see how leading companies implemented this cutting edge solution to reap the benefits of video in the enterprise. Experts from Oracle, Akamai, and Kaltura will explain the many possibilities of deploying a CorporateTube for your organization. Register Today! |
Editor's Corner: Why Apple's iRadio won't cannibalize iTunes revenues Also Noted: Spotlight On... Vonage rolls out free video calling for iOS, Android
eBay adds 2.8M new customers via mobile; Yahoo debuts Weather App for iOS and much more...  Wireless in the first quarter of 2013
As always, FierceWireless will be tracking all of the major wireless companies as they report first quarter results, and we'll bring you all of the details. Importantly, we'll be listening to the earnings conference calls for most of the major companies in wireless, which is where executives often drop critical hints as to the direction their business is taking. Check out our first quarter earnings report page here to see which companies have already reported and which will report next, and feel free to bookmark the page since we'll keep it updated throughout the full first quarter earnings report season. Special report
| This week's sponsor is Neustar. | 
| Webinar: Creating new business opportunities with customer data
Thursday, May 16th, 2pm ET/ 11am PT
It's no secret that wireless operators have interesting data on their customers, but privacy concerns have always kept operators from profiting from it. Join us to discuss how operators can leverage their customer data, while still protecting customer privacy. Register Today! |
| 
Why Apple's iRadio won't cannibalize iTunes revenues
April 20 is Record Store Day, the annual celebration of independent music retailers that brings a deluge of limited-edition vinyl releases from labels both large and small. If you fit within the target demographic--read: nerdy, music-obsessed males north of age 30--Record Store Day is quite possibly your favorite day of the calendar year. If you don't, you probably can't imagine why any sane person would wake up at the crack of dawn to stand in line for a shot at a 180-gram, purple vinyl pressing of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band's Live at Frank Freeman's Beat Club. Record Store Day caters to a dwindling segment of the listening audience: Rabid discophiles who still covet physical media and cherish old-school virtues like analog warmth, detailed cover art and informative liner notes in lieu of sterile, context-free digital files. The ranks of hardcore record collectors effectively began shrinking 10 years ago this month, when Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) first introduced its now-ubiquitous iTunes digital media storefront, heralding a seismic shift in how consumers purchase, consume and accumulate music: A decade on, digital downloads dominate the industry, generating 55.9 percent of total music sales in 2012. iTunes accounted for 63 percent of paid music downloads in the fourth quarter, research firm NPD Group reported this week; AmazonMP3 (NASDAQ:AMZN) followed a distant second at 22 percent. By all accounts, Apple is now entering the next phase of its digital music business with the so-called "iRadio," its long-rumored entrant into the fast-growing streaming radio segment. Citing multiple sources with knowledge of the talks, The Verge recently reported that Apple and Universal Music Group have reached the final stages of negotiations to offer the label's digital catalog via iRadio--insiders say Apple is also closing in on a deal with Warner Music, but talks with the third major label, Sony Music Entertainment, are said to lag behind. (All parties have so far refused to comment.) Sources say iRadio will closely evoke Pandora in terms of functionality, eschewing on-demand listening in favor of programming content based on users' favorite artists, songs and genres. Apple also will add unique features like the ability to jump back to the beginning of a track. Last month, The New York Post reported Apple initially offered to pay labels roughly 6 cents for every 100 songs iRadio streams, about half the 12 cents per 100 songs paid by Pandora. The Verge reports Apple has since agreed to pay rates close to "neck and neck" with Pandora, in exchange for offering more on-demand capabilities than the Pandora service. Subscription-based and free Internet radio services like Pandora and Spotify accounted for 23 percent of average weekly music listening time among U.S. consumers between the ages of 13 and 35 during the fourth quarter of 2012, up from 17 percent in the year-ago period thanks to increasing mobile engagement, according to an NPD report issued earlier this month. These services shift music consumption even further away from the antiquated collector model Record Store Day celebrates: Forget colored vinyl and... continued Read the full column on the Web Read more about: Apple, Metrics
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| Sponsor: uTest FierceLive! Webinars > CorporateTube - The Next Step for Enterprise Success- Thursday, April 18th, 2pm ET/ 11am PT
> Creating new business opportunities with customer data - Thursday, May 16, 2pm ET / 11am PT
Events > Competitive Carriers Global Expo - April 17-19 - New Orleans
> BlackBerry Jam for Developers - May 14-16 - Orlando, Florida
> Andrew Seybold Wireless University at CTIA 2013 - May 20, 2013 - Las Vegas, Nevada
> The App Summit - May 21, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV
> World of Tablets at CTIA 2013 - May 22, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV
> Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 Live Announcement of this Year's Winners - Now Available On-Demand
Marketplace > Whitepaper: The Importance of Managing Privileged Accounts
> eBook: Smarter Service: The Contract Center of the Future
> Whitepaper: VoLTE: Why, When and How?
> Research: How to Unlock Knowledge from Big, Unstructured Data to Improve Customer Service
> eBook: The Promise of VoLTE
> Whitepaper: Cisco Small Cell Solution: Reduce Costs, Improve Coverage
> eBook: eBook | Avoiding the Pitfalls of Android Fragmentation
Jobs > Instructional Developer II - Denver, CO - Cricket Communications
> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs
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* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Report: Amazon acquires Siri clone Evi for $26M, rekindling smartphone buzz
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) reportedly has acquired voice recognition technology startup Evi. Sources told TechCrunch the deal is valued at $26 million. The Evi search application, available for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, responds to voice and text queries with spoken answers delivered in plain English. Users may also schedule events, make calls, and send texts and emails. The Evi app is extremely similar in concept and scope to Apple's own Siri voice assistant technology--so much so, in fact, that rumors once indicated Apple planned to remove Evi from its App Store, a decision that never came to pass. Neither Amazon nor Evi responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Evi investor Octopus Ventures said "On this occasion Octopus will decline to comment on this specific portfolio company." TechCrunch notes that Octopus' most recent annual report refer to disposing its shares in Evi, and that numerous public records also point to Amazon taking over Evi's business. The Evi deal follows less than three months after Amazon acquired text-to-speech technology firm Ivona Software, which powered accessibility features optimized for the online retail giant's Kindle Fire tablets. At that time, Amazon said it would work with Ivona to build new voice solutions and products but did not divulge any concrete details. While the respective Evi and Ivona portfolios could allow Amazon to add new and enhanced voice recognition capabilities to Kindle tablets and e-readers on par with Siri, some observers believe the latest deal further bolsters speculation that Amazon is building its own Kindle smartphone. Rumors of an Amazon phone 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 phone will run the same forked Android variant powering the Kindle Fire. Last month, DigiTimes reported 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, delaying a commercial rollout until at least the third quarter of 2013. A smartphone fits squarely within Amazon's larger vision for digital media supremacy. Unlike Apple, 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, 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 TechCrunch article Related articles:
Rumor Mill: Amazon's Kindle smartphone delayed by production challenges
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 Read more about: VC/M&A, Ivona
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2. Twitter #music goes live with iTunes, Spotify integration
Twitter officially launched its much anticipated #music discovery and sharing app via Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS platform and the Web.  | | Twitter #music | Twitter #music, which leverages technologies acquired with music discovery service We Are Hunted, tracks Twitter activity like tweets and engagement to identify and spotlight the most popular tracks and emerging artists. The app also integrates performers' Twitter profiles: Users may tap an artist's avatar to see which bands they follow and listen to songs from those acts. Twitter #music users can tweet or retweet tracks from three sources: Apple's iTunes, Spotify or Rdio. While the app features iTunes previews in default mode, Spotify and Rdio subscribers may also log into their accounts to access full-length tracks, then tap the spinning disc icon in the lower left corner to share the song with their followers. "We will continue to explore and add other music service providers," said We Are Hunted founder Stephen Phillips. "Right now, the service is available in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand," Phillips added. "Over time, we will bring the service to Android as well as to more countries." Twitter confirmed the We Are Hunted acquisition last week, shutting down the service soon after. We Are Hunted indexed roughly 100,000 music articles and 40 million music-related tweets each month to track the most popular songs across the Web and social media platforms, streaming dynamic playlists based on real-time listening trends. Twitter tipped its larger music ambitions soon after, with Twitter Vice President of Business and Corporate Development Kevin Thau retweeting posts by television presenter Ryan Seacrest exclaiming "playing with @twitter's new music app (yes it's real!" and "lovin the app...shows what artists are trending, also has up and coming artists." Thau also responded "so glad you're enjoying it! cc @twittermusic." Subsequent Twitter #music tweets from recording artists like Wiz Khalifa, Blake Shelton and Moby further fueled interest in the initiative. Twitter passed the 200 million monthly active user milestone in late 2012. Research firm comScore reports that 53.6 percent of unique Twitter users access the platform via mobile device. For more:
-read this Twitter Blog post Related articles:
Twitter confirms We Are Hunted buy, music app set to launch this weekend
Twitter overhauls Android app for mobile native experience
eMarketer: Twitter mobile ad revenues to eclipse $300 million in 2013
Twitter overhauls iPhone, Android apps to improve content discover
Twitter fills Instagram void with in-house photo filters
Twitter issues controversial API, gives developers six months to comply Read more about: Apple, Mobile Music
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3. AppGratis building HTML5 app to circumvent Apple restrictions
AppGratis is building an HTML5-based web application in a move to continue its mobile app discovery and deals service free from restrictions imposed by Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). Apple ousted AppGratis--which spotlights premium applications offered for free or at heavily discounted prices and promotes "freemium giveaways" like free in-app purchases and level unlocks--from the App Store earlier this month, explaining it violated iOS developer clause 2.25, which reads "Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected," as well as clause 5.6, which says "Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions or direct marketing of any kind." In a blog post published Thursday, AppGratis CEO Simon Dawlat said the company will move forward by publishing a daily newsletter complemented by the "newest and nicest HTML5 WebApp you'll ever see. Two things we fully own, and that no one can take away from us." Dawlat added that AppGratis generated more than $9 million in revenues in 2012 and is on track to rake in $25 million this year. Dawlat also disputed allegations that AppGratis charged iOS developers large sums of cash to vault their applications to the top of Apple's App Store download rankings. According to a document obtained by Business Insider, developers who paid AppGratis $100,000 were guaranteed a top five slot in the U.S. outpost of the Apple storefront. The publication adds it obtained the document from a source within the developer community. "[Our] money comes from advertisers with freemium apps," Dawlat said. "All we do is simplify discovery for our users. Simplify attracting new valuable users for developers. And send the App Store around 300 million visits per year." In related news, French publication JDN reports Apple has now blocked AppGratis from sending push notifications to its existing iOS users. In a copy of an email sent to AppGratis subscribers in Italy and obtained by TechCrunch, AppGratis urges users not to panic and reiterates its plans to offer a daily newsletter spotlighting mobile app deals and discounts. For more:
- read this AppGratis Blog post
- read this TechCrunch article Related articles:
Report: AppGratis charged developers to boost App Store rankings
AppGratis launches online petition to protest Apple App Store ban
AppGratis CEO 'sad and scared' about Apple rejection, company searching for solution
AppGratis' competitors escape Apple's knife--for now
Apple yanks AppGratis discovery service from the App Store
Where do chart-climbing apps come from? Read more about: iOS
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4. Vu Mobile launches with funding from C Spire Wireless
Vu Digital today launched its Vu Mobile service, which aims to curate and deliver content to users that is personalized to their specific tastes. Vu Digital is a startup funded by regional wireless carrier C Spire Wireless and run by a former C Spire executive. Vu said Apple plans to promote its new app in the New and Noteworthy section of the App Store. Vu added its platform creates a "customized digital profile for every user. Vu forms insight through its proprietary algorithm, which leverages Natural Language Processing (NLP), machine learning, social login attributes and content interactions to deliver the most relevant content to Vu users." The result, the company said, is a service that can sift through Web content and deliver articles, stories and other content tailored to users' interests and activities. The service is available to users through the Web, through new Android and iOS apps and through website publishers that include Vu's button on their sites. "Vu Mobile allows personalized content to move with its users," said Wade Smith, VP of operations and management for Vu Digital. "The Vu platform allows you to personalize your online and mobile world without search. And now, with the release of the app, it's even simpler to access the content you care about from anywhere, anytime." Smith is the former VP of products and innovation at C Spire. Although C Spire provided the launch funding for Vu, C Spire said Vu is a completely separate entity. C Spire counts around 1 million wireless customers across its network in parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and elsewhere. For more:
- see this release Related articles:
AT&T to buy spectrum, 21,000 customers from C Spire's Corr subsidiary
C Spire launches shared data plans, following Verizon, AT&T Read more about: V? Digital
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5. LinkedIn revamps iPhone, Android apps with new personalization features
LinkedIn is rolling out redesigned applications for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone and Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, promising new personalization options as well as more efficient access to professional information and insights. Writing on the LinkedIn blog, mobile product lead Tomer Cohen said the revamped apps feature a visual stream spotlighting updates, news and original Influencers posts (content from thought leaders across a series of verticals), complete with new tools for liking and commenting. All content is tailored based on the user's profile, their contacts network and professional connections. Users may also customize a new homepage preloaded with their favorite features. With 64 percent of all LinkedIn users located outside the U.S., the apps are also introducing new language options, including support for Dutch and Norwegian for iPhone and Turkish, Dutch and Norwegian for Android. Both apps now support 15 languages in all. "We want to make it easier for our members to quickly discover and engage with the rich professional insights being shared across LinkedIn to help them make smarter decisions from wherever they may be working," Cohen said, adding that LinkedIn is currently at work on additional mobile enhancements, including more search and personalization tools. The LinkedIn professional network now connects 200 million members across 200 countries and territories worldwide. Earlier this month, the LinkedIn acquired Alphonso Labs, the company behind mobile news app Pulse, for a reported $90 million. LinkedIn will integrate Pulse's team and technology into the LinkedIn service to create the "definitive professional publishing platform." For more:
- read this LinkedIn Blog post Related articles:
Report: LinkedIn acquiring Pulse newsreader app
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
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Also Noted SPOTLIGHT ON... Vonage rolls out free video calling for iOS, Android Voice-over-IP provider Vonage released new versions of its popular mobile applications for Apple's iOS and Google's Android, adding free video calling capabilities over 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi connections. According to Vonage, mobile users can make video calls with other iPhone and Android devices, switch camera views from front to back without disrupting the call and toggle between video and voice-only options. Users may also invite address book contacts and Facebook friends to download Vonage Mobile and start video calling for free. Vonage now serves roughly 2.4 million subscribers worldwide, promising users per-minute international rates at an average of 70 percent less than mobile operators and 30 percent lower than Microsoft-owned rival Skype. Users may purchase long-distance calling credits directly within the Vonage app. Release Quick news from around the Web @FierceMobiCo: Gartner: Hybrid mobile apps well-suited for BYOD environments http://bit.ly/173WerT via sister site @FierceCIO Article | Follow @FierceMobiCo > eBay adds 2.8 million customers via mobile in Q1. Article > Yahoo debuts Weather App for iOS. Blog > Intel confirms Mashery acquisition. Article > OpenSignal expands to iPhone. Article Wireless News > Verizon's profit surges as postpaid additions keep flowing in Q1. Article > Nokia's N. American sales drop, but Elop hints at new 'hero' Lumia for U.S. Article Broadband Wireless News > Nokia Siemens closer to becoming an 'independent entity.' Article > Ready Wireless launches real-time data monitoring for MVNOs. Article European Wireless News > Orange makes Libon app compatible with Joyn, launches Android version. Article > Report: Mobile data to help drive global telecoms revenue to $1.7 trillion by 2017. Article And finally… The U.S. Postal Service loses $25 million per day. Article > CorporateTube - The Next Step for Enterprise Success- Thursday, April 18th, 2pm ET/ 11am PT Learn from an elaborate case study and see how leading companies implemented this cutting edge solution to reap the benefits of video in the enterprise. Experts from Oracle, Akamai, and Kaltura will explain the many possibilities of deploying a CorporateTube for your organization. Register Today. > Creating new business opportunities with customer data - Thursday, May 16, 2pm ET / 11am PT It's no secret that wireless operators have a lot of interesting data on their customers, but privacy concerns have always kept operators from profiting from that data. Yet that trend is changing as some service providers are finding different tactics to help marketers understand and engage with their customer base. Join us to discuss how operators can leverage their customer data, while still protecting customer privacy. Register Today!
| > 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 for Developers - May 14-16 - Orlando, Florida Ready to create innovative social experiences or engaging, in-demand mobile apps? BlackBerry® Jam Americas at BlackBerry Live™ is your opportunity to gain valuable knowledge direct from BlackBerry experts. Take your development platform to the next level. Register today! > 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 > The App Summit - May 21, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV The annual international conference on multi-platform apps. Join us for our seventh event in Las Vegas as we bring together the top companies from around the globe that will help shape the future of applications and mobile web. Official Partner event of CTIA 2013 www.theappsummit.net. > World of Tablets at CTIA 2013 - May 22, 2013 - Las Vegas, NV Don't miss the longest running event dedicated to tablet strategies for the consumer and enterprise. The World of Tablets has consistently lead the tablet revolution by bringing together industry thought leaders. Visit www.tabletsevent.com. > 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.
| > Whitepaper: The Importance of Managing Privileged Accounts Organizations can benefit greatly from a methodical process for the proper use, management and enforcement of administrative privileges. Read this whitepaper to learn how to develop and enforce a strategy for managing privileged accounts. > 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. > Whitepaper: VoLTE: Why, When and How? This whitepaper will argue that VoLTE creates a significant opportunity for operators, but warns that the evolution from existing voice services will place before them a number of serious challenges. Read More. > Research: How to Unlock Knowledge from Big, Unstructured Data to Improve Customer Service Learn how to unlock knowledge trapped in silos and systems and read how advanced enterprise search technology can put your organization's collective knowledge in the hands of your service reps. Watch your service performance improve and customer satisfaction soar. Download Now! > eBook: The Promise of VoLTE While operators are hesitant to move to VoLTE at the moment, experts predict that all operators will eventually move their services over. FierceWireless analyzes when the VoLTE switch will likely occur and how. Download for free today. > Whitepaper: Cisco Small Cell Solution: Reduce Costs, Improve Coverage Address the challenge of mobile service coverage and expand network capacity with the Cisco Licensed Small Cell Solution. Using small cells, service providers extend voice and data services to mobile subscribers while offloading traffic. Read this whitepaper today. > eBook: eBook | Avoiding the Pitfalls of Android Fragmentation Fragmentation between the multiple Android operating systems continues to plague device makers, developers and wireless operators. This eBook explores ways to overcome these challenges. Download for free today.
| > Instructional Developer II - Denver, CO - Cricket Communications Cricket Communications, a subsidiary of Leap Wireless, is the pioneer and leader in delivering innovative value-rich prepaid wireless with no long-term contracts. Responsibilities include developing eLearning content and managing all training rollouts. 5 years' experience in eLearning and training content development required. Telecommunications experience preferred...Learn More. > Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs | |
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