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A Best Buy Mobile study found that while
nearly one in four shoppers (23 percent) made their mobile phone
decision based on the mobile phone device itself, the majority of
respondents (67 percent) selected carriers as their main purchasing
influence.

They also found  more than half of
American mobile phone owners do not know the month and year when their
current mobile phone contract expires.  Only four in 10 say
they received a reminder notice that their contract was about to expire,
leaving many consumers in the dark about upgrade eligibility and the
plan options available.

The survey, conducted for Best Buy Mobile by GfK Roper, sheds light on
consumers’ knowledge and shopping habits around mobile plans, devices,
technology and accessories.

One in 10 selected a mobile phone based on the operating
platform, such as Google’s Android or Apple’s iPhone platforms.

Survey respondents also noted that they expect multimedia capabilities
as a primary function on a mobile device, though content interests
differ:

• 45 percent look for multimedia capabilities including music, video and
  camera.
• 32 percent look for GPS navigation.
• 29 percent want to replace landline phone.
• 26 percent want to be able to access social networking sites.
• 26 percent want to be Wi-Fi enabled.
• 15 percent want to make eCommerce purchases from their mobile devices.
• 15 percent want to be able to download a movie.
• 14 percent want to be able to play games from their smart phone.

Best Buy Mobile has launched an Upgrade Checker campaign.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Netflix Inc. has finally released an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that allows subscribers to stream TV episodes and movies on their device. … Read More »

RCR Wireless News

Android is growing exponentially according the the latest Millennial Nedia report. Although Apple’s iPhone is the top mobile phone at 24.32% it’s follwed by the BackBerry Curve and Motorola Droid. Shopping app usage increased, most likely for Back-to-School shopping and smartphones usage increased.

The Android OS continued its huge growth on the Millennial network, and grew another 47% month-over-month. Since January, Android has grown 690%. Android also officially became the number two OS on the Millennial network (surpassing RIM.)

The Motorola Droid moved into the top three in July’s Top 20 Mobile Phones with 5% impression share. The Motorola Cliq Android device also entered into the Top 20 for the first time this month.

Apple ad requests increased 24% month-over-month, but are actually down 15% since January.
iPad ad requests grew 327% month-over-month.

BlackBerry apps represented 11% of the US Developer Platform Usage
Mix. This was a increase of 9%, and represents the increased importance
app developers are placing on the RIM platform.

Shopping and retail apps entered into the top 10 Mobile App Channels, perhaps reflecting a potential back-to-school trend.

Smartphones and connected devices increased their impression share
7%, and now represent 68% of the total impression share. This is an
example of the continued demand consumers have for a rich media
experience they cannot get on a feature phone.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

The Android spies have been out again. This time getting information on two HTC Android OS 2.2 smartphones the HTC Lexikon and HTC Vision

The HTC Lexikon Suspected Specs
The HTC Lexikon is suspected to be available from T-Mobile, have a 3.8-inch, 800 x 480 (WVGA) touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard. It supposedly will run Android OS 2.2 (FroYo) on an 800 MHz processor, with 512 MB of memory and HTC Sense 1.6 added-on. The camera should have be 5 megapixels and there should be 4 GB of storage. It is also suspected to be a version of the HTC Vision that runs Android 2.2.

The HTC Bee Suspected Specs
The HTC Bee, is
value-priced with with a 3.2-inch 320 x 240 (QVGA) touchscreen and look
like the HTC Aria but with a higher resolutions screen. The Bee will run
Android OS 2.2 on a 528 MHz processor with 384 MB of RAM. It will also
use the HTC Sense UI It should alslo include a 5 megapixel auto-focus
camera, 2 GB microSD card, and a 1300 mAh battery.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Boost Mobile launched the Samsung Seek (SPH-m350), Boost Mobile’s first touchscreen device with a slide-out QWERTY keypad offers social-0networking voice, text messaging, Web, e-mail, IM and calls to 411 for just a month without an annual contract. Features include a 2.6 inch touchscreen, 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, GPS, microSD and a speaker phone with voice recognition.

Samsung Seek will be available Aug. 25 at for 9.99 (excluding taxes). Shipping is free. The phone is available now through Boost Mobile exclusive retail stores and select independent wireless dealer locations. By the end of the month, the Seek will also be available at Best Buy and RadioShack. The Seek will be in Sprint stores in September and in Target in October.

Samsung Seek Specs:
• 2.6-inch QVGA touchscreen display
• Slide-out QWERTY keypad
• 1.3MP camera
• Wireless Web and e-mail access to Gmail®, MSN®, Yahoo! ® and more
• Instant messaging capable (Yahoo! ®, AIM®, and Windows Live™ Messenger)
• Stereo Bluetooth capable
• Music player (microSD card required)
• Multimedia and text messaging capable
• GPS enabled
• Supports microSD™ card up to 32GB
• Voice mail, caller ID, call waiting and call forwarding
• Speakerphone with voice recognition
• Downloadable games, wallpapers and ringtones

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Prepaid  Cricket Wireless is now selling the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone with their own kind of unlimited plan.

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 has a full-QWERTY keyboard, high-resolution 320 x 240
pixel color display, BlackBerry Messenger, and access to thousands of
applications via BlackBerry App World. It also features a  media
player with dedicated media keys integrated into the top of the handset,
a 2 MP camera with video recording, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
as well as Bluetooth support, plus,  unlimited talk, text,
video and picture messaging capabilities offered on Cricket’s BlackBerry.

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 costs 9.99. The device will be
accompanied by Cricket’s true rate BlackBerry Plan, offering
unlimited nationwide talk, text, email, web browsing, picture mail, and
international text capabilities on Cricket’s all-3G network, and the
convenience and ease of a flat-rate monthly service plan that includes
all taxes and fees, except applicable sales tax.

Cricket recently changed the way they offer plans, they now include all the taxes and have slowing-down tiered data cap.

By offering industry-leading Smartphones, like the BlackBerry Curve
8530, Cricket is delivering the products people want at the prices they
can afford,” stated Al Moschner, Cricket’s chief operating officer. “Add
that to our new all-inclusive, true rate BlackBerry Plan that offers 3G
service at nearly half the cost of other 3G Smartphone plans in the
market, and Cricket is solidifying its position as the cost-conscious
provider, respecting the budgets and real-life needs of our customers
every step of the way.”

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Samsung Captivate (Galaxy S) rated 4 out of 5 by Wireless and Mobile News’ Review of Reviews

Reviewers of the Samsung Captivate all agree that the Captivate captivates, and give it the accolade of being the best Android smartphone at AT&T right now. 

Reviews all agreed that the Super AMOLED touchscreen is gorgeous, captivating and brilliant, you can even see the colors pop in bright sunlight.  The processor is fast, the added TouchWiz features can be helpful and the call quality is very good.

All the reviewers hated a few things you can’t use/install apps that are not from the Android Market, the camera lacks flash and the Samsung Captivate lacks Wi-Fi hotspot sharing like its top Android competitors(Droid X, HTC EVO 4G and Droid Incredible.)

The six axis acclerometer sensor makes screen mode changing very fast. In benchmark tests the speed of the Samsung Captivate was very fast and on AT&T’s 3G network slightly faster than the iPhone 4G. Like the iPhone 4, you can get attenuation (loss of signal strength) when you grip the Samsung Captivate fully with your hand.

There are four modes of text input ensuring that you will find a way to enter text that you like. The music player and ability to sync media with PCs were praised. All reviewers found the web browser to be fast but one pointed out that you can’t force the browser to show the desktop version of websites when a mobile version appears. Video capture was also praise, but reviewers wondered why you can’t use and HDMI cable like other Android superstars. You can however show video via Wi-Fi with DLNA.

Most reviewers compared the Samsung Captivate to the iPhone 4, some call it a good alternative while other stayed on the iPhone 4 fence.  Because of the many features of this Android powerhouse, you’ll have to see what features are the most important to you.  If you however sit out in the sun and web surf along with wave surf, this may be the best option for you.  The Samsung Captivate sells for 9 with a contract after rebates from AT&T. Don’t forget to use the AT&T Coupon-Link  Off AT&T Wireless with Plan for New Customers with a Contract.

AmazonWireless Beta offers the Samsung Captivate  with a new contract for .99 and 4.99 for renewing individual accounts. Note: this price only valid on the Amazon Wireless Beta website.

www.Wirefly.com is offering the Samsung Captivate for for new customers with a contract and 9.99 for renewing customers.

Bonnie Cha at CNET Rated the Samsung Captivate 4 out of 5 or the gorgeous AMOLED touch screen, 1GHz Humming birdprocessor, great call quality, many wireless options and HD video capture.  As with all Android AT&T smartphones, owners can’t sideload/install non Android Market Apps, Unfortunately, the camera lacks a flash.  She does call the best AT&T Android device, now with great performance.  She found the design to be lackluster but solid.  The 4 inch touchscreen with 400 x800 resolution is great looking, crisp, responsive and fast. The six axis acclerometer comes in handy for quick gaming.  Samsung TouchWiz added some handy on screen shortcuts, the social networking is improved. It’s quad-band world phone but can’t be used as mobile hotspot. Although it’s supposed to combine contacts from various sources, she had to hand link some accounts.  AT&T added software and services come with an additional cost.  The speaker phone sounded hollow.  The web browser was good and the Captivate felt fast. 

Sascha Segan at PCMag rated the Samsung Captivate 4 out 5 for its fast processor, beautiful screen,  PC syncing options, calling the top Android smartphone at AT&T.  He didn’t like that you can only use Android Market apps and the absence of a camera flash.  He found the touchscreen thrilling and it didn’t wash out in bright sunlight.  It can use 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi.   He did find a death-grip of attenuation on when he held the bottom of the Samsung Captivate. He found call quality to be decent and liked the noise cancellation. For all it’s features it had goo battery life. The are four ways to enter text, two handwriting recongition programs, a T9 keypad and swipe.  The processor came out faster than the Snapdragon in benchmark tests. Merging of email, and calendars worked for him well with Samsung Kies.  He didnt’ like the social networking for Twitter and Facebook because they don’t auto update more than once an hour. Media Syncing works on PCs only.  The camera took decent photos. He found the social networking to be better than the iPhone, free Google voice-guided navigation/directions, and super colorful screen.

Mark Spoonauer at Laptopmag rated the Samsung Captivate 3.5 out of 5 for the super vibrant AMOLED touchscreen, daily briefings, HD camcorder, audio player and strong call quality.  He didn’t like the lack of a camera flash, lack of mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, and inability to sideload apps.  The Samsung media hub for downloading videos/movies isn’t ready yet,  He liked the still poacketable size, larger than the iPhone but smaller than the Droid X.   It lacks an HDMI cable but you can stream video via DLNA. He wrote good things about the TouchWiz interface. The process was fast but had some delays. Downloads on 3G were slightly faster than on an iPhone 4. In the browser, you can’t force desktop versions to download.  The coolest utility app that comes on the Captivate is the Write and Go app, you take a note and then decide later where to send it. For Wi-Fi file transfer there’s AllShare, which requires selecting the files first. The music player is very good and supports 5.1 sound. In order to use Google maps you have download it and another speech-to-text app. The captivate is the best Android phone on AT&T   

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Quick news from around the Web

@FierceWireless: Rambus Sees ITC Ruling Helping Sway Other Potential Licensees (sub. req.) Article #Nvidia. | Follow @FierceWireless

> AT&T Mobility announced the Sharp FX from Personal Communications Devices, a feature phone with a touchscreen and slide-out Qwerty keyboard that features Qualcomm’s FLO TV service. Release

> HTC plans to push its brand in mainland China. Article (sub. req.)

> Chip technology vendor ARM beat its revenue forecasts. Article

> Canadian carrier Rogers enjoyed a rise in quarterly earnings. Article

> The “Qi” wireless power specification is now ready. Article

> Verizon Wireless suffered a service outage in parts of Manhattan yesterday. Article (sub. req.)

Mobile Content News

> Global financial services provider Citigroup warned customers its free mobile banking application for Apple’s iPhone contains a security flaw. Article

> Google appears to be eying the launch of a digital music store later this year. Article

> Google introduced Google Maps for mobile 4.4, promising more efficient access to information on nearby locations. Article

> According to a new survey, no one would pay for Twitter. Article

European Wireless News

> Ireland’s Imagine acquired Clearwire’s operations in the country. Release

And finally… An app from Cloud Music leverages Google’s Docs storage service to stream music to Android rival Apple’s iPhone. Article

FierceWireless

The Mobile Giving Foundation, which is focused on helping charities raise funds through the mobile channel, announced plans to host its Mobile Giving Forum Oct. 5 at the W Hotel in San Francisco. … Read More »

RCR Wireless News

Apple had mentioned Nokia in their press conference today regarding the iPhone 4. Nokia issued a statement on it’s own antenna design and function. They say that they have studied how people hold their phones, use specific materials and location of antenna. Just a few years ago it was common to see mobile phones with visible antenna, this style has been changed so that the mobile phone looks nicer.

*Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying human behavior, including how people hold their phones for calls, music playing, web browsing and so on. As you would expect from a company focused on connecting people, we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict.

In general, antenna performance of a mobile device/phone may be affected with a tight grip, depending on how the device is held. That’s why Nokia designs our phones to ensure acceptable performance in all real life cases, for example when the phone is held in either hand. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying how people hold their phones and allows for this in designs, for example by having antennas both at the top and bottom of the phone and by careful selection of materials and their use in the mechanical design.

As you read through that, you probably noticed a few gems. Like how Nokia was “the pioneer of internal antennas.” We’re not going to say that they weren’t, not by any means, but let’s just try to stay focused. A comment that’s more on track would be something like this: “we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict.”

Steve
Jobs’ held a press conference today in which he offered free cases and
returns.

Consumer

Reports is not giving the iPhone their seal of approval and also
found Apple’s claim that the signal bars were
wrongly calculated was bogus.

Wireless and Mobile News’ “Review of
Reviews” of the 
iPhone 4 (AT&T) showed many good features, but also concerns
for the limited data plans as well as signal attenuation.

The
iPhone 4 had problems with
slow uploads.  Apple reported that they were stunned with the
south-paw attenuation/death grip and there was problem with signal bars
that would be fixed with a
software update. On almost every cell phone there can be signal
degradation from hands
blocking the antenna. We posted several videos that show

signal attenuation.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS