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All posts tagged "says"

Friday, May 26, 2006

What Your Cell Phone Says About You

Posted by Kris Kumar in "ARTICLE" @ 07:30 AM

http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2006/05/012444.htm
"Always entertaining, what-your-cell-phone-says-about-you studies... This one is from Dawn Bratton, a communications consultant for Verizon Wireless who's job is to keep track of wireless trends. Written up in Macon Telegraph, the following excerpts pertain to cell phone model types. There's more on ringtone choices, music playing phone charms, gaming and cameraphones. If you have a flip phone: You like being in control and you are worried about accidentally calling someone. You don't want to make accidental calls. If you have a candy bar style phone: You're the old-fashioned type. Simplicity is your style. You don't need to spend money. If you have a pink RAZR phone: You have a strong sense of style. You're a trendsetter and you don't mind being center of attention. You have flair."

I didn't know that my cell phone reflects my personality. :o So what does it mean to have a Smartphone?

Tags: phone, cell, your, says, what, about

Monday, February 13, 2006

Windows Mobile Error Reporting Says - "We're Sorry"

Posted by Kris Kumar in "SOFTWARE" @ 09:00 AM

Remember the Doctor Watson on Windows NT 4.0? The famous doctor has morphed in to Windows Error Reporting, and now the same technology is present on your Windows Mobile 5.0 based devices to track and report the errors. Unlike its desktop cousin, the Windows Mobile version of Error Reporting is turned off by default. Recently I turned on the Error Reporting functionality on my Smartphone and here is a quick look at what you can expect from this feature.

User submitted image
Figure 1: An error has occurred.

Windows Mobile shows the "We're Sorry" screen with a brief description identifying the rogue application, in this case the Cingular's Xpress Mail application file triggered the error. The screen prompts the Smartphone user for the next step. Let's take a look at the error details before we trigger the transmission of the error report to Microsoft.
User submitted image
Figure 2: The Report Details screen.

Nothing much on this screen except for the data collection policy and another link pointing to the technical information contained in the error report.

User submitted image
Figure 3: Error Report page has more links.

The Error Report is split into two sections "Error Report" and "CEDevice.Log". I am not sure if these two sections are always present or if more sections are added to the Error Report depending on the error scenario.

User submitted image
Figure 4: Finally the Error Report, details about the offending party. Check out the scroll bar, there is a lot of data here.

User submitted image
Figure 5: Error Report part II, the CEDevice.log.

Again check out the the scroll bar, lot of data is being logged. I couldn't make out much except for the fact that the text in the above screen reads "Product=Smartphone." I hope rest of the logged information makes sense to Microsoft, once it receives the log.

User submitted image
Figure 6: Thank you.

Once you submit the error report, you are presented with the thank you note from Microsoft. Interestingly, the error information that was just transmitted to Microsoft from the Smartphone is not billed on the user's cellular bill, that is really good thinking. I wonder how the information is transmitted? Is the information sent using the data network or SMS messages?

User submitted image
Figure 7: Error Reporting can be enabled in the Start -> Settings menu.

I think we should turn this feature on and send in the error reports to Microsoft. So that Microsoft gets an idea of our pain. ;-) After all it doesn't cost us a cent.

Tags: windows, mobile, error, says, reporting, "were, sorry"

Friday, December 16, 2005

Siemens says US Mobile Industry Could Shift to GSM

Posted by Mike Temporale in "NEWS" @ 12:00 PM

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyid=2005-12-15T195102Z_01_SCH528215_RTRUKOC_0_US-SIEMENS-NETWORKS.xml
"Siemens believes North American telecoms operators could shift to the GSM mobile standard from the rival CDMA system, a senior company executive said in an interview published on Thursday. "Latin America is already moving from CDMA technologies to GSM," Christoph Catselitz, the head of Siemens AG's mobile networks business told Finnish business daily Taloussanomat. "I would not bet on North America continuing with CDMA." CDMA (code division multiple access) technology was invented by San Diego-based Qualcomm and the company delivers virtually all chips needed in CDMA networks and mobile phones used by some 500 million consumers mostly in the Americas and Asia. The rival European-invented Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) has 1.6 billion users globally, according to the GSM Association."

While I can clearly see the benefits of GSM, I'm not sold on the North American closing down their CDMA networks in favour of GSM. They have already invested a large amount into upgrades to make the networks EVDO compatible, and EVDO kicks EDGE's butt. So why toss it all a way? I think this is just wishful thinking on Siemens part.

Tags: mobile, says, could, siemens, industry, shift

Friday, June 17, 2005

Survey Says: Mobile Office Technology Means Longer Work Weeks

Posted by Mike Temporale in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 11:45 AM

http://www.officeteam.com/PressRoom;jsessionid=CwZX1nzn5DxDdnY3LYsphbxRPS4JQ22ftzKJXHcyMT0d4Gp8H4S0!-2061335386!-1614551198
"The future office will be increasingly mobile, with technology enabling employees to perform their jobs from virtually anywhere, according to Office of the Future: 2020, a research study recently released by OfficeTeam. But greater control over where and how people work won�t necessarily translate into more free time. Forty-two percent of executives polled said they believe employees will be working more hours in the next 10 to 15 years."

Sweeeet! The mobile future is upon us. :mrgreen: and I, for one, don't mind working longer hours each day - As long as we can up the hours in the day. ;)

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  • Source: engadget

Tags: mobile, office, survey, technology, says, work, means, longer, weeks

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Verizon To Bid For Sprint, Says WSJ

Posted by Kris Kumar in "NEWS" @ 09:15 AM

http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2004/12/14/verizon_to_bid_.php

"Verizon Communications has gained the backing of its wireless partner, Vodafone Group, for a potential bid for Sprint, clearing a major hurdle to such a deal, according to people familiar with the situation...Verizon Communications officials, who have been meeting to discuss a possible takeover of Sprint in recent days and have studied the pros and cons of such a deal for 18 months, also think that regulatory and tax issues linked to the acquisition could be overcome. However, it remains unclear whether Verizon will make such a bid...Some issues remain for a Verizon-Sprint deal. Sprint would bring lots of land lines to Verizon at a time when the company is trying to reduce its exposure to its traditional telephone business. Those lines would lose value when owned by Verizon in lieu of Sprint because they would be subject to more regulation under a Verizon banner than under Sprint control."

Wall Street Journal is reporting another scoop [Paid Subscription Required]. According to the WSJ, Verizon can make a bid for Sprint in the coming days. Such an offer will definitely upset the Sprint - Nextel merger talks that are going on right now. Verizon and Sprint both operate on CDMA, so from technology point of view it will be an easy merger and both will benefit immediately, especially when it comes to expanding the high speed wireless data networks. Also the combined carrier would become the number one carrier in the US with around 65 million customers. 8O Personally I do not prefer this alliance, because it will eliminate the competition in the CDMA market. What are your thoughts? Will it benefit the customers and the industry?

Tags: , says, sprint, verizon

Thursday, August 5, 2004

hellomoto.com Says "The MPx220 Is Coming Your Way!"

Posted by Kris Kumar in "NEWS" @ 10:15 PM

http://www.motorola.com/mdirect/hellomoto/experience/mpx220/flash/index.shtml

Finally the moment that we have all been waiting for, now don't get too excited, this news post is not announcing the availability of MPx220 in your local stores. All I want to say is that, Motorola has taken the wraps off the hellomoto.com product page for the MPx220.

User submitted image

Of course by now we know the feature list like the back of our hands. But if you are like me, I am sure you will still want to read through all the pages on the site, hoping to find the launch date hidden somewhere or maybe some new feature. :) There is a cool 360 degree view of the phone. Since we cannot lay our hands on the real one, may I suggest playing with the virtual one. You can flip it open, flip it closed, tilt it, bring it closer...dreaming already? I bet. Motorola will be offering free Bluetooth headsets to the first 1000 customers who register their phones, when it becomes available. Meanwhile don't forget to register for the updates.

Tags: your, says, coming, mpx220, "the, hellomotocom, way"

Monday, May 24, 2004

New Study Says We Want Streaming Video

Posted by David McNamee in "NEWS" @ 05:54 PM

http://news.com.com/Study%3A+Mobile+customers+want+video+streaming/2100-1041_3-5219093.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news

Nobody asked me, but CNet is reporting a new study claims that mobile customers are demanding streaming video delivered to their phones. The study, conducted by In-Stat/MDR, suggests that 3G roll outs in the U.S. will help make video services a $5.4 billion business by 2009.

"By that time, nearly 22.3 million Americans will be accessing mobile video content, the company said, while 31.1 million will use video messaging services. Mobile video services will account for nearly 14.9 percent of total wireless-data revenue, the company predicted. "

I wouldn't mind getting the occasional highlight clip from the Devil Rays game. I'd much rather have voice service that I could rely on from Key West to Anchorage. What video content would you like to see delivered to your phone?

Tags: video, streaming, study, says, want

Thursday, April 1, 2004

Survey Says Smartphones are Rubbish: I Disagree! :-)

Posted by Jason Dunn in "NEWS" @ 04:00 PM

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=15075

"A survey by mobile software company Intuwave claims to show that Smartphones, far from being regarded as leading edge devices are not much cop at all. According to Andrew Wyatt, VP of marketing at Intuwave, only 40% of IT managers have confidence in Smartphones as a business tool. We're surprised as high a percentage of IT managers think that."

Gee, this looks like a well-balanced article. :roll: The inquirer is using the uppercase "Smartphone", but the survey they're citing doesn't mention Windows Mobile-based Smartphones, so my assumption is that this covers all brands of smartphones. Do smartphones in general have a ways to go? Sure, absolutely - we're really only on the second or third generation of devices (depending where you start counting) and the hurdles of battery life and processing power are slowly being tackled. But to dismiss an entire group of devices so quickly seems foolish to me.

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  • Source: lonesniper

Tags: survey, says, smartphones, rubbish, disagree

Friday, February 27, 2004

Microsoft says Smartphone OS Margins are Just Fine

Posted by Mike Temporale in "THOUGHT" @ 12:50 PM

http://www.silicon.com/networks/mobile/0,39024665,39118617,00.htm

"Microsoft has responded to accusations that while its Windows Mobile software for smart phones increases the revenue an operator can make off each handset, margins aren't greatly improved because support costs escalate because of frustrated end users.

The critical metric for mobile operators has long been ARPU - average revenue per user - and Orange, prominent with several cutting-edge devices, has declared smart phones such as the SPV, using the Microsoft OS, and Handspring Treo 600, based on the Palm OS, have so far weighed in with double its typical ARPU.

But last week PalmSource - provider of the Palm OS - suggested average margin per user suffers when a phone is Microsoft-based, the implication being costly calls for technical support are more common."

I don't know about everyone else, but I placed more technical support calls when I had a SE T68 than any other phone. I find PalmSource's comments on supporting Windows Mobile hard to swallow. Sure the phone can be a little confusing at times, but I find it works all the time, and I can usually find the settings that I'm looking for. Unlike my old T68 where it would never sync right, and it kept forgetting the internet settings. :roll:

The most interesting part of this article to me is the following quote. "Microsoft now has over 37 licensees for its smart phone operating system". 8O If that's correct, then we should be expecting a banner year!

Tags: microsoft, smartphone, says, just, fine, margins

Thursday, February 12, 2004

Orange Says Customized Handsets Boost ARPU

Posted by Jason Dunn in "ARTICLE" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=100386&threshold=-1

"The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Orange's Signature line of phones, handsets that meet a long list of the carrier's specifications, earn the company double the ARPU of standard handsets. Does this spell doom for major handset manufacturers?

Orange's signature line features advanced handsets customized for the carrier with a specific menu structure and certain applications. Orange says they earn an average of 100 euros per month from users with these devices, compared to the 50 euros a month from a typical user, which is quite a difference."

In the carrier world, it's all about ARPU: average revenue per unit, ie: the amount of money that can be generated per customer. ARPU is driven higher by special services, SMS, GPRS, etc. Given the high level of churn (customers leaving) that most carriers see, anything to glean more income per customer is a top priority for carriers.

Tags: orange, says, handsets, customized, boost, arpu

Cellular, Other Wireless Telecommunications Revenues Up 17 Percent Says U.S. Census Bureau

Posted by Jason Dunn in "NEWS" @ 12:43 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usnw/20040212/pl_usnw/cellular__other_wireless_telecommunications_revenues_up_17_percent_says_u_s__census_bureau111_xml

"Revenues of cellular and other wireless telecommunications firms, both employers and non-employers, increased 17 percent in 2002 from $78 billion in 2001 to $91 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. The increase occurred despite an overall dip in revenues for the telecommunications industry of 4 percent, from $367 billion in 2001 to $353 billion in 2002. Within this industry group, revenues of wired telecommunications carriers were down 9 percent in 2002 to $240 billion, from $263 billion in 2001."

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  • Source: Fierce Wireless

Tags: wireless, , says, us, other, cellular, telecommunications, revenues, percent, census, bureau

Friday, November 7, 2003

News.com Says Verizon Smartphone Coming Monday

Posted by Jason Dunn in "NEWS" @ 10:05 PM

http://news.com.com/2100-1039_3-5104394.html?tag=nefd_top

"Cellular carrier Verizon Wireless on Monday plans to begin offering a Samsung smart phone that uses an Intel processor and Microsoft software. The clamshell-style Samsung SCH-i600 will cost about $300, according to sources familiar with Verizon's plans. The combination cell phone and organizer includes a 200MHz Intel XScale PXA255 processor, at least 32MB of memory, a color screen, and runs on Verizon's CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) cellular network.

The handset uses Microsoft's Windows Mobile Smartphone operating system. Samsung is the second major phone maker in the United States to use Microsoft's software. AT&T Wireless announced late last month that it would sell a Motorola phone that uses the Smartphone operating system. Bedminster, N.J.-based Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications and European carrier Vodafone. Verizon Wireless and Microsoft representatives declined to comment. Samsung representatives did not return calls seeking comment."

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  • Source: Foo Fighter

Tags: smartphone, says, coming, verizon, newscom, monday

Friday, September 5, 2003

Symbian Exec Says "The PDA is Dead"

Posted by Jason Dunn in "NEWS" @ 12:00 PM

Here's a strong statement for you:"Gadget lovers could find that their mobile phone fulfils all their needs in the very near future. So says David Levin, head of phone software firm Symbian, reviewing the firm's future prospects. He said the falling cost of putting extras, such as cameras, into handsets would mean big changes for the consumer electronics market. But, he added, it would take time for consumers to start using all the features in their increasingly smart phones and perhaps longer for operators to work out ways to generate significant amounts of cash from new services."You know what? I think he's right, to a certain extent. The PDA will always exist in some form, but in next five years we're going to see cell phones becoming more and more powerful. I know that for myself, my Smartphone does much of what I need day to day when I'm mobile, so much so that I don't carry my Pocket PC around as much as I used to. That's a big change in my behaviour! But by the same token, my wife (who uses an iPAQ 1910) had no desire to use a Red-E Smartphone that I had here! 8O She said she didn't want to do her email on such a small screen. The idea of using an iPAQ 1945 and a Sony Ericcson T68i, both with Bluetooth, intrigued her though. She wants the phone to be as little as possible, and she wants to use it only as a phone. I offered her a Nokia 3650, but she felt it was too big to be used as a phone. Very interesting, no? She wants the bigger touch-screen of the Pocket PC, and the smallest phone possible. So for her, the PDA is certainly not dead.Is the PDA dead for you, or alive and kicking?

Tags: says, symbian, "the, dead", exec

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

SPV2 Not Slated for September says Orange

Posted by Jason Dunn in "NEWS" @ 09:17 AM

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/3945.html

Looks like the news about the Voyager phone shipping in September was wrong - I thought it was a bit odd when I read it.

"Following the inadvertent posting of information concerning the SPV2 smartphone on a remote part of the Orange France web site, Orange is now finally spilling the beans and admitting to the existence of the latest addition to its SPV line of smartphones. However, those looking forward to its introduction in September are in for a cold shower as Orange now says the SPV2 will not arrive in September after all. Declining to comment on the expected availability of the SPV2, Orange spokesman Stuart Jackson would only admit to much of the information posted online concerning the SPV2 - and particularly so its launch date - being incorrect and that it will shortly be subject to removal."

Tags: orange, says, spv2, september, slated

Friday, July 25, 2003

"A Serious Number", Says Gates

Posted by Andy Sjostrom in "NEWS" @ 01:47 PM

http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Jul/07252003/business/78313.asp

Bill Gates talked about Microsoft's $6.9 billion dollar R&D budget at the financial analysts conference, saying it is "a serious number". Indeed. According to the Associated Press article, Microsoft plans to add 5,000 positions "as part of its plan to spread its software to wireless phones, video-game consoles and other devices". The article mentions improvements to Xbox and a new version of Microsoft's operating software for handheld devices. A financial analysts conference is no place to joke around about big numbers. Bill is serious, not only about $6.9 billion dollar, but about seriously increasing punch behind mobile device software development. The market is slowly heating up and it will be interesting to see who will raise the bets...

Tags: gates, , says, "a, serious, number"

Friday, July 11, 2003

AT&T Says Shush! to New York Commuters

Posted by Robert Levy in "NEWS" @ 01:05 PM

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/3793.html

"In response to a recent survey of American phone users, AT&T wireless will be staging a somewhat unusual stunt this coming week. The survey found that half of US mobile phone users believe that people are generally discourteous while using their handsets in public places, despite few owning up to such behaviour themselves. The service provider has decided to hire faux-grannies to 'shush' at the 'bad' mobile phone users, while rewarding more courteous users with candy and vouchers for accessories. Alongside the grannies will be mimes, demonstrating in a no-doubt hilarious manner the rights and wrongs of phone usage."

Does anyone think this will actually be an effective way of winning over customers?

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  • Source: infoSync World

Tags: york, says, at&t, shush, commuters

Wednesday, July 9, 2003

Games Get Geeks a Life, Study Says

Posted by Jason Dunn in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 07:00 PM

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,111489,tk,dn070903X,00.asp

"Computer games are "woven into the fabric of everyday life" for college students, and they help would-be geeks and nerds get a social life rather than preventing them from doing so, a new study indicates. The Pew Internet & American Life Project this week released its report "Let the Games Begin: Gaming Technology and Entertainment Among College Students." Among its most distinctive findings is the fact that games, rather than being an isolating social factor nurturing geeks or nerds, are a more "social/socializing activity" than many outsiders suspect."

Aha! I always knew there was an up-side to gaming! :wink: This article points out what most gamers already know: online gaming can foster friendships in the same way that playing a game of cards with your buddies can. A friend of mine recently moved from Calgary to Victoria, and it's amazing how much our friendship has remained unchanged. Most of our socialization time while he was in Calgary consisted of playing online games with voice communication software so we could talk to each other. The fact that he's moved hasn't impacted that - we play several times a week (almost finished Neverwinter Nights!) and we chat about everything just as we did when he lived in the same city.

How have your relationships been impacted by online gaming?

Tags: games, , life, geeks, study, says
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