TalkingMobile

Waze Released A Nokia 5800 Version

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:10:35 +0000

Waze the company we covered only days ago, released today a new version which is the first to support the Nokia 5800. This version is a significant addition because they created a new UI to match the Symbian touch interface.

* Supported Symbian devices

All issues we raised in the previous coverage remain the same but hey, another device gets to be supported by this cool client.

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Tunewiki 1st On App World

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:10:16 +0000

Tunewiki the social music player that displays and syncs lyrics, has recently released a WMP plugin and a Blackberry version of its application.
The app gained a huge success with more than 40,000 downloads on Blackberry devices, and is ranked 1st on Blackberry “app store” called app world.

Moreover the iPhone version has also been quite successful, and it is placed in the 6th place under music category at the App Store.

Some of the new features of the Tunewiki iPhone app: Skins, Radio Lyrics, translated lyrics and more.
We will keep track of Tunewiki for new developments.

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Waze Introduces A Social GPS

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:36:37 +0000

Israeli start-up Waze aims to revolutionize the GPS and GIS services for mobile using you. Waze is a GPS client that lets users navigate and view maps just like any other service. They also provide the users to record new roads (in case the maps are not updated), to report traffic jams, accidents, police cars, speed cameras, and other warnings that are shared online with fellow drivers.
Every session is recorded and transmitted to the company servers so they can report the information to other drivers and also to recalculate routes and arrival times in real-time to drivers that may be affected by the information received.
The concept of the service is really nice, the usability and UI are also very practical but when you use the service, it is not without problems.

Maps – maps lack different details occasionally like circles, small streets and even small villages. There are streets with mixed up names and facilities that do not appear in the program’s address data. Another significant issue is the inaccuracy of the streets numbers.
A destination on a long street can bring the user to another point on that street which is several kilometers from where he navigated to.
In newer versions, there is an option to report about numbering problems but after reporting, we saw no change even after a month.

Traffic reporting – When a traffic jam is reported, the system adds it to the map.
There are many times you can see that there are traffic jams 2 hours after the jams disappeared or even reports of a traffic jam of 200 meters for a minute because of a traffic light. The system encourages drivers to report and they do, too much in our opinion.
The lack of an automatic system to clear irrelevant reporting is also apparent.

Meta information – the program doesn’t include information about restaurants, café, and other facilities you would expect a navigation software will have. The lack of such information requires users to get specific addresses on the internet prior to the planned drive which makes the process very cumbersome in some cases.

User feedback – algorithm bugs can be found many times in junctions where the program directs you to turn right and then left instead of going forward, taking you through very small and slow streets instead of a logical way, and other issues that can cause you lose your way or valuable time.
It is very strange that the company did not provide a way for its community to report such errors on site for them to check and fix in later releases. Such an option is a must have if the company plans to move out of Israel to much bigger countries with much more complicated roads.

Our summary to the service is that it is a very refreshing breeze to the navigation services but that the client and the concept should get a significant development in order to attract the audience and get them use the service regularly.

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Is Modu Finally Hitting The Market?!

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:26:03 +0000

Calcalist, an Israeli financial newspaper, published that Modu’s employees were asked to deposit their Nokia phones and start using the new modu devices from the actual production line that is used for the launch.
After the many issues with the different operators, Modu will supposedly launch their device with several basic jackets this month in Israeli operator Cellcom.
Modu refused to comment an action which raises suspicion.
We are sure they are very cautious after the previous disappointments but it was said that Modu will do the advertisement for the launch and no TV or newspapers ads were seen yet.

[update 07.14.2009] We got information of “the launch” and here are the full details:

Next week Modu will have their a closed launch party for Modu employees only.
The launch will be a soft launch with no advertisement at all on either side Cellcom nor Modu.
The devices will not be marketed and only a limited number of devices will be introduced as quite as they can do it.
No information about the pricing of the device.

The information also published on TheMarker which also added that Modu signed a distribution agreement with a Philippine entity for approximately 38$ Million US.

Now that is the meaning of being cautious after you got burnt too many times. We wish them good luck and hope to get the first 3G touch devices they release.

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Let’s Talk Mobile: Emoze

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:12:16 +0000

We sat down with Emoze to talk about their product, their market, and their views of the mobile market in general and the mobile messaging in particular.

Activity started at – Jan 2007
Entrepreneurs – Moshe Dgani and Moshe Levy
Invesments – seed – The company is 95% owned by Emblaze
Targeted markets – global: handset vendors, service providers, VARS, Consumers
Customers –Nokia, Samsung, Orange, Turkcell, Mero, Tulip Telecom, Pelephone and MIRS.

Q: There are many pre-loaded mail clients, not only on smartphones, Ovi mail for example is aimed to connect users in developing countries to mobile mail.
What is your perspective on the pre-loaded mail clients move? Do you see solutions like Ovi as a threat? Where do you locate Emoze in the future in this market?

A: Emoze today has the most sophisticated email and messaging solution for the mass market, but the simplest for the actual end user in terms of downloading and installing with the greatest user experience.
We don’t consider the OVI as a threat at all (the OVI is only for hi-end phones), and in terms of pre-loaded, we are soon to be pre-loaded on the 2nd largest handset vendor. The beauty of emoze is its diversity: you can mix business with pleasure; you can get your business mail; your web mail, your home mail and your social community messaging all on ONE client.
You will also be able to receive “content” of your choice being pushed to you in real time i.e. news, sports, weather, the stock market etc…

Q: Researchers show that mobile e-mail usage is growing with the development of mobile internet and mobile internet bundles. What do you think will happen to the market in the mid term of 2-5 years?and what about SMS usage?

A: Mobile email usage is growing and so are content and services. In 2-5 years this will be a billion dollar market. Our mobile phones are becoming “multiple personality disorders”.
They are being used for and will be used for just about everything, communication: both verbal and data, wallets; cameras, MP3 and MP4 players; games; videos and more. We truly believe that mobile messaging in terms of emails will take over SMS usage, as SMS messaging is still limited to a couple of characters and the end-user today demands to see more – his attachments, pictures and videos. Emoze believes that email is the evolution of sms.
Mobile email to the mass market is also getting your social community messaging such as Facebook, MySpace etc… this you cannot get via sms.

Q: How do you see Emoze growing and what will strengthen your business case and increase your revenues?

A: Greater global penetration via handset vendors and international service providers.
The widest range of handsets as we support Symbian, WM and Java; the fact that emoze is totally service provider independent and works on any wireless network; and the fact that we are adding different messaging sources and of course content to the ONE client.
Emoze will be your “one-stop-shop” for all your messaging and content needs.

Q: With your experience in mobile apps development, do you have any suggestions for developers?

A: Develop for mass market; give the end user what he needs –not what you want to develop and always go for user-experience – this never fails! Think value when developing a product – not technology.
Emoze is a way of life – not just a technology!

Q: What OS do you focus on for the near future? Do you see any new OS or platforms that you think you will need to develop your apps to?

A: We are presently working on the Android platform and of course the new IPhone 3.

Q: Although it is a cliché how can mobile apps be monetized?

A: Depending on how they marketed, but they are monetized either as one-time downloads or subscription fees per month.
At emoze, a license fee is required for the PRO version, but this gives you everything, all your messaging on ONE client – and it costs less than a cup of coffee a month! Again, we go for mass market – make the application affordable BUT for the masses!
A loyal community can also result in mobile advertising which is a great revenue generator – every company has their own business model.

Talkingmobile is thanking Emoze for its cooperation

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Windows Media Player Gets Tuned With Tunewiki

Harel Shattenstein — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:25:08 +0000

Tunewiki the mobile media player that auto sync a song with its lyrics has just released a Windows Media Player plugin.

Due to the site: “This plugin connects you with lyrics for your music, and lets you share your listening habits with your friends through Facebook or Twitter.
The TuneWiki WMP plugin features built in music maps to let you see where other users use TuneWiki, as well as showing top songs for the area.
Furthermore, TuneWiki gives you streaming access to millions of music videos and lyrics right from Windows Media Player. ”

Download the plugin

The plugin is just the begining Tunewiki is soon to annoucne some great new features.

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Modu Gets More Funds

Harel Shattenstein — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:35:33 +0000

Time goes by and Modu the Israeli device manufacturer that started with big noise continue to fade slowly. We hear about delays and layoffs, difficulties to raise new funds, and about the intentions to build a modu touch screen device.
The most recent official announcement stated that the launch will be on June… but Modu’s launch day is still not here.

With all these factors, the company can use some more money (the estimations are that Modu raised 85-95 million dollars). Today it was published that Israel’s Chief Scientist office granted a 1 million dollar investment in Modu.

Dov Moran the founder and CEO spoke about the procedures / obstacles that caused (and still are) the delay.
“At first we did not know how to build a mobile device, we consulted with experts, that were charlatan.
Moreover there is no experience building a mobile device in Israel [not true, IXI Mobile, Motorola, Emblaze H.S) so we connected companies that were hurt from the global economy crisis, such as Texas Instruments and Sky Mobile”.
But Dov Moran also dropped a bomb and said that “Canon examines a co-op with Modu”

via TheMarker

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iPhone 3Gs Is Comming To Israel

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:43:27 +0000

Finally after long awaiting, The iPhone G3/S will land in Israel in few months from now, thanks to Pelephone and Orange.
Both of the carriers have released a PR with one hour difference regarding the arrival of the device to Israel. Pelephone uses a direct link to Apple and Orange will use a local distributor. Orange will probably benefit its ownership relations with the H3G group. The model is yet to be revealed and many speculations are mentioned in different forums.

The truth must be told Israel was not an “Apple Freak”, Macs were sold here for a long time but as the popularity of Apple was never too noticeable.

The iPod int its 4gen, I think, was the first step forward as it was imported officially, but that was it, there was no Hebrew support and you can (still) forget about buying songs through iTunes.
The situation improved in small steps after and official Hebrew support was distributed.
And then came the iPhone (but not to Israel), Keynote after keynote as Steve Jobs and iPhone are becoming a bright star in the mobile industry sky, Israelis wanted the device for its design statement and for its internet browsing experience. The technological enthusiasts were disappointed time after time where there was no mentioning of Israel in the presentations Apple had.
That did not disturb an iPhone community to grow in Israel, an estimated amount of 80,000 iPhones are here with Hebrew, apps and everything else (of course with the lack of iTunes support).

Back to the future how will the (official arrival) of the iPhone impact the Israeli industry? you just need to give a quick review over this week announcements, evaluations and updates to understand that the iPhone is going to change the Israeli market. It is not predicted to have a significant percentage but there will be a gold rush. Pelephone is cleaning the dust from its CDMA network devices so probably iPhone will be one of the incentives for users to transit from the old CDMA network to the new HSDPA one. For Orange, a network that is branded around innovation, missing the iPhone train i unacceptable and therefore they will also show the device but less likely to push it unless the bundle will include a monthly payment that will resemble what they get for the blackberry devices they distribute. the problem is that an iPhone bundle of around 60$ (like the AT&T) will not pass as the younger audience which wants this device and haven’t had the chance to import it, will probably go for another device or order an iPhone from eBay.

There are many disadvantages to iPhone as it is an internet centric device coming from the US market which is much less advanced. You can see that the iPhone has a 3.2 MP camera (not really advanced), it supports MMS (it appeared in Israel at 2000 and died 2 months later ), and a personal note it is a 3G phone that doesn’t support 3G video calls… Is this really a 3G device??? well of course it is, with an American accent, you get a great internet access and experience, and this is a good thing. Why?! with the entrance of more internet centric devices (such as the blackberry, the E71, and the iPhone) mobile operators have to respond and develop the internet infrastructure / supporting technologies / offers… The internet centric devices actually assist to push the Israeli market closer and closer to IMS (IP Multimedia Sub-System) which is a very good thing (we will elaborate about it when the time is right).

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Fring New Strategy-Synergy

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:36:04 +0000

We are just a few days away from the Palm Pre launch, the “Synergy” mobile device and Fring the VOIP and IM mobile application is proving that synergy can be achieved by using its mobile application.
So what is that “Synergy” and should we be more worried about it?!

Plam Pre tactic is that all features of the mobile devices can “sing” together and make our lives easier.
one picture is batter than thousand words, in this case a quick preview of the “Palm Synergy”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Palm was not the first company that thought that mobile applications should work together, Apple thought the same when an address became a hyperlink to Google Maps, Google hooked up all her services to that mission to its mobile OS, the Andriod. Symbian also provided developers the tools to integrate to the core of the OS but only with special API and it is much easier when you own the device and the OS (like in Palm and Apple) where the hardware / software / working space is designed by the same company.
But still the contact list, our basic friend list, did not draw Apple and Google attention, until INQ came.
INQ was the first to acknowledge that our address book is no longer living inside the mobile device, it is out there, in social networks.
The contact list is now sync with your Facbook friends and you can choose to send them an sms, a Facebook message or just do it the old way and give them a call.

Apps like Cellity are trying to become your alternative contact list, but they have less power than Fring.
Today Fring has launched its version for the online address book, a step which holds a huge potential.
First, due to the great success of Fring and the huge number of users its built up a mini social network, moreover with its open API approach it open the door for more services to ride on the platform.
So as for now Fring would like you to stop using your classic address book and use Fring, and it is worth it.
You can save money using VOIP calls, or using the IM option, or again just give your friend a simple GSM call.
On the other hand Fring will become an inherent part of your mobile device meaning messenger, icq, fring im, facebook and others become part of your contact list giving you room to do a lot of cool stuff.

Privacy issues will rise, they must, but however I think it is worth giving it a try.
Using a Nokia E61 device the app is not stable and it resets a lot but on e71 it looks more stable, you must remember it is a beta version.

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Modu Is Just A Touch Away

Harel Shattenstein & Idan Gafni — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:23:49 +0000

Modu, the tiny 40.1 grams mobile device will hit the market in a month time, if there will be no more delays.
Today, Israeli newspaper published more information about Modu’s investors and that modu has approximately raised 85-95 million dollars with a recent post round 10 Million investment from a European investor.
But all of this pales to the next item: a new modu based on a touch screen is under development and in 8 months, the development will be over.

             The New Modu?(updated)

When the Modu was first announced it seemed that it will revolutionize the mobile market, or at less will create a new form factor of mobile device, rather than the standard ones.
The main concept was that the cheap modu device will be the heart of a simple phone and the jackets will turn it to a feature phone. Time went by, we learnt that the cheap device will not be so cheap, it will not have a 3G connectivity, and that operator after operator delayed or cancelled the launch of the device.
When most of the world is becoming more “smart” Modu will be the ultimate feature phone that can be changed from a music beast to a sms machine for just 25-100 dollars, the 2.5G chip can prove my point.
Now, It seems like they start to change their strategy. Now, that’s not what the guys at Modu think, touch screen is the next modu(le). So it is not so simple anymore.

That is all nice and modern but what will happen to the “old” modu, the device that will be sold in less than 30 days?
Who will buy a device when a new model is waiting at the corner, moreover will the “old” jackets be supported by the new Modu?
The consumers (and us) will ask those questions before buying the device, we hope Modu thought about it as well and will have the answers.

Update: Engadget posted a picture of (as it seems) the new Modu device

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