Mobiles With Abbas

Most Desirable Mobile Phones 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:43:00 +0000

Touch Screen Technologies in Mobile Phones

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:27:00 +0000

Mobile Phones with Touch Screen are available in the market for a long time. But they were never in so much demand as they are in today after launch of Apple iPhone. Apple’s iPhone created a new level of user experience with its ground breaking UI design and application environment. And thus it also increased demand for mobile phone with touch panel. Nowadays you can see bunch of phones coming with touch screen. HTC, RIM, LG, SAMSUNG, everyone has touch screen in their feature list. I was wondering, How this touch screen technology works? I was amazed to find out that these touch panel works on different methodologies. Here I am sharing some of touch screen technologies:

Capacitive Touch screen Technology

This system employs transparent metal oxide coated glass substrates. A voltage is applied to the corners of the overlay creating a minute uniform electric field. When touching the screen with an object emitting a constant electric flow, for example a human finger, a change in the current occurs and creates a voltage drop. Touch Screen controller measured voltage drop to determine touch location. A big constraint is that this screen cannot be activated by contact with inanimate objects (e.g. the gloves that you might be wearing). Apple’s iPhone, T-Mobile G1 and LG PRADA have used this touch screen technology. This technology comes in two types; Single Touch and MultiTouch.

Resistive Touch screen Technology

Resistive touch screen is composed of a flexible thick polyester cover sheet and a bottom layer of resistive metallic oxide coated glass panel. These two layers are separated by transparent insulating dots. Pressing the screen with a finger or stylus will make a circuit switch at point of contact. The two layers have alternate voltages between them and that’s how touch screen controller computes the XY coordinate of the touch point. Nokia 5800 XpressMusic (aka the Tube), HTC TyTN II, HTC Touch Diamond have used resistive touch screen technology for their touch panel. This technology is very cost effective and comes three types: 4-wire, 5-wire and 8-wire with the second one being the most used.

Infrared (IR) Touch screen Technology

IR screen uses the method to scan infrared systems; it works, using a number of sensors, arranged above and around the screen, forming a grid of invisible beams. A touch is registered when a finger or stylus encounters an array of infrared beams. The infrared technology is comparatively expensive technology and thus not so popular in mobile phones. Neonode N2 used IR for touch screen.

Apple Sued Over IPhone Touch Screen

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:55:00 +0000

I came across following article on WALL STREET JOURNAL regarding another case on Apple. This time a real estate developer claims to be the inventor for touch-screen feature and navigation mechanism of iPhone. Here is the abstract from the original article.

For those who thought Apple invented the iPhone, Elliott Gottfurcht of West Los Angeles has a surprise. The West Los Angeles real estate developer contends that he, not Apple, is responsible for technology behind some of the popular gadget’s fancy touch-screen and Web navigation tricks.And now he wants Apple to pony up. In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, EMG Technology LLC-a new firm that has Gottfurcht as a managing member-said it was seeking unspecified damages and an injunction against Apple, basing its case on a patent it was just granted in October.

EMG is just the latest company to go after Apple, whose 3G iPhone has been enormously successful, selling 6.9 million units in the most recently reported quarter, which ended in September. But the case also shows how the patent system has evolved, making it easier for plaintiffs to file a claim.According to Stanley Gibson, a lawyer for EMG and partner at Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro, the original patent was filed in November 1999, but EMG itself was established only this month and has no other business besides the patent at issue.[...Read Complete Article...]

I am not sure about this person's credibility but it would be interesting to watch further development in this case. I am sure Apple must have something in their pocket and they will hit back very soon.

Latest Mobiles Phones; Worth to Watch

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:59:00 +0000

HTC MAX 4G

Launched as World's first WiMAX Smart Phone HTC Max 4G might sound extremely desirable, but this will be launching on Scartel's Yota network in Russia only and rest of the world has to wait more for this as. HT MAX 4G supports WiMAX, GPS, WiFi and triband EDGE. It has 8GB flash memory, 5MP auto focus camera, accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate and touch-sensitive navigation controls. The device appears similar to the super high-end HTC Touch HD, similarly supports Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro with TouchFLO 3D interface .

The HTC MAX 4G will support the Yota Video network and with the device you can actually display up to nine TV channels simultaneously. Calls will be routed as VOIP on Yota's WiMax network, when both callers are Yota subscribers. For data downloads, the device does connect to Wi-Fi, which is far more easily found today than WiMax in most parts of the world. The handset has Bluetooth wireless for data sharing and wireless connections such as wireless Bluetooth headsets. HTC Max 4G will be available with hefty price tag of about 840 euros (1050 US dollars).

Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X1

First in the manufacturer's Xperia series, Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X1 is the highly anticipated Windows Mobile smart phone, which was first announced at 2008 Mobile World Congress.It is an 800×480 VGA screen, QWERTY keyboard, slider Windows Mobile device. XPERIA X1 comes with unique features:

-Arc slider design
-Multiple navigation
-Complete customable panels

It has every range of connectivity options such as 3G broadband, HSDPA with download transfer rate up to 7.2Mbit/s, HSUPA with upload transfer rate up to 2.0Mbit/s, WiFi and Bluetooth. The long-awaited Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 will be available in the United States on November 28 for an unlocked price of $799.99 through Sony Style stores. Asian market has to wait for more time for its launch.

LG KC910 Renoir

Equipped with 8 mega pixel auto-focus camera LG KC910 Renoir is a multimedia powerhouse that features Xenon flash, Schneider-Kreuznach lens, automatic face detection and image stabilization. It also has processing power to record video at full speed in 720 x 480 resolutions. This cool device has a huge 3-inchWQVGA (240×400 pixels) touch screen in a 0.55"thin body. Another interesting fact, LG licensed Dolby sound technology for music, and DivX and XviD support for video playback.The KC910 is a quad-band GSM with support for HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, has Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, microSD slot for up to 8GB of memory and TV-out for watching images or videos on larger screen.

Samsung M8800 Pixon

Samsung M8800 Pixon is another 8 MP camera and real high-end video unleashed device. Pixon sports anti-shake technology, face and smile detection, GPS tagging and WVGA movies.

Pixon can record 30 fps (frames per second) video at 720 x 480 resolutions as well as 120fps slow-motion video at 320 x 240 resolutions. This is a preferable device for moving pictures.

A price of around £400 is quoted for its November launch.

Bluetooth Marketing, is it Bluecasting or Bluespamming ?

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:46:00 +0000

Bluetooth Proximity marketing: Marketers send promotions, offers or ads to target audience on their Bluetooth enabled mobile device. This transaction is based on following conditions

1.Bluetooth should be ON in discoverable mode.
2.User should accept the invitation or request for advertisements.

Once user accepts the invitation, Bluecaster server starts sending preconfigured advertisements.

What if device is in discoverable mode and user doesn’t want to receive any kind of advertisement? Do these invitations “Want to receive offers?” bother him? Isn’t unsolicited request SPAM?

For every content user’s permission has to be taken. So, how can it be a spam? Well, I found an old case of HDFC where people complained about unsolicited message broadcast by bank’s BT server.

HSBC spams passersby in mobile marketing ploy

HSBC is using a bluetooth server in its busy London branches at Canary Wharf and Regent Street to send unsolicited messages to members of the public in the area. The practice, often known as 'proximity advertising' uses a server to detect bluetooth capable mobile phones in the area. HSBC is using the server to send phones with the facility activated a message asking users to accept a download. If the user accepts, a marketing message is displayed.[Read more ..]

US based Mobile Marketing Association believes that any device left in 'discoverable' mode is implicitly opting in to receive pushed advertisements. One can download MMA European Bluetooth Guidelines from MMA site.

I have asked same question on LinkedIn under Mobile Marketing, Market Research and Definition section. Here I am posting some of the responses. One can visit the original LinkedIn question to view all the responses.

Bluespamming. Anything unsolicited is spam. Doesn't matter how you tart it, spam is spam is spam. The technology use makes no difference to the content, but may make it more invasive and therefore unsatisfactory. John McVey, Web Developer, Factonomy Ltd

I feel this depends on how the user or reciever of the information looks at it!!! I agree that anything unsolicited is spam and can get annoying at times. The process of Bluetooth based proximity marketing involves setting up Bluetooth "broadcasting" equipment at a particular location and then sending information which can be text, images, audio or video to Bluetooth enabled devices within range of the broadcast server.

However with Bluetooth I feel the reciever is in a much better position to control. Why I say so is because.....Many users keep their Bluetooth devices in OFF mode, or ON but not set to be 'discoverable' due to security fears or to save battery power. This means you turn on Bluetooth only when you want to.

As a result of this, often regions where Bluetooth proximity marketing is in operation it is accompanied by advising via traditional media - such as posters, television screens or field marketing teams - suggesting people make their Bluetooth handsets 'discoverable' in order to receive free content.

So the person is much more in control. He can decide for himself depending on where he is that if he desires to recieve that information.

Personally I have seen this method of advertising very effecttive or rather prevalent near shopping malls etc. They are used to welcome people in... feel good factor!!!... then make people aware of various promotions going on in the mall.... Not a bad idea!!

Prashant Nair,Executive (S&M), LG Electronics India Limited

Providing users opt in and the messages are based on both profile (likes, dislikes and relevance of the message) along with location (LBS via BT) then I feel its fine- its not spam if you agree to it, especially if the message delivers value to the consumer.

Roy Shelton,CEO,Next2Friends.com

Dont see how BT marketing is different from any other marketing. There are advantages & disadvantages associated with every new invension - so also for this. However, its not the invesion per say but the effective usage that determines how good the invension is. While spamming is something we all deal with especially with internet (thanks to Nielsen's Law coming true every minute), i can think of a zillion ways how Blue tooth technology can be a boon. Imagine driving long hours down a highway or to an unknown city and receiving BT updates on the nearest coffee shop and special offers for you to stop by to re-juvenate yourself. Or on a more serious note, being able to contact an ambulance or police using BT connectivity during an emergency... not a distant posibility & its limited only by man's hunger for a 'better' life.

Nalini Krishnan,Manager - CRM

Having been involved in this technology and the roll-out on UK soil, I disagree that it is spam. The service is an opt-in service.The potential recipient, has to:
a. Have their Bluetooth ON
b. Be discoverable
c. Accept an initial request message asking whether or not they would like to receive a given message.

It gives you far more opportunity not to accept/view, as opposed to a billboard style advert. To avoid viewing these, you would essentially have to walk around with your eyes closed. The choice for Billboard adverts, let's call it Viewjacking, or Eyespamming, is whether you can inadvertaintly avoid looking in the direction of something that you don't wish to see.Through MAC address id, it is possible to create rules, as to when and IF AT ALL you try and 'reach' an individual who has rejected a request.

Edd Clayson, Director, Three C Ltd.

Bluetooth Marketing

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:51:00 +0000

Bluetooth marketing is about sending text/multimedia contents to target audience’s mobile phones using Bluetooth technology. Marketer installed a Bluetooth device capable of discovering remote BT device such as mobiles, PDAs etc in its range and able to push advertisement and media content to remote devices. This process is called BlueCasting. So, it’s a new way to promote and advertise market directly to targeted audience. This BlueCasting system can be located at poster sites, retail locations, entertainment venues, public spaces or embedded in interactive kiosks. BlueCasting can deliver content as simple as text and still images or richer media like audio, video clips, Java applications and games.

Imagine we are walking through a mall. Our Mobile phone is BT enabled in discoverable mode. This will allow all possible ads in the area to hit our phone – asking if we want to receive offers from different providers. One of the Brand outlet has installed a BlueCaster, it discover our phone and sends us a message asking if we want to receive free content or discounts. Isn’t like a billboard or print advertisement? But this is available on our mobile. Look at the following image, it shows an advertisement from Hard café. First image is billboard near BlueCasting system, inviting you to avail offer. Once you switch on Bluetooth on your phone and accept the push message, second image is received. Ahaa!!!! An offer! Isn’t exciting?

Think about a Bluetooth hotspot installed by a music company. When a person with Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone gets close to the Bluetooth hotspot, it will send him a request for a permission for sending files (e.g. Do you want to download latest MP3?) and once the permission is granted, the hotspot starts sending content.

It is not as annoying as SMS or Spam emails which nobody seem to like. Here User has to enable his Bluetooth device and should accept the connection request. It is based on users’ permission.

Bluetooth communication is not controlled by telecom operators; transmission is completely free both for sender and receiver. This type of marketing gives new powerful opportunities for marketers, as there is no cost per customer. One can visit FPT promo Bluetooth Marketing page for different Bluetooth marketing videos and Image.

Famous Campaigns
Pepsi's Bluetooth marketing campaign 2007	BLUE (BIG) BROTHER 2008	Motorola Gets Fashionable in Brazil

Bluetooth marketing company Qwikker had launched the largest ever Bluetooth marketing campaign for Pepsi in the US. Its was launched for two months in outdoor advertising locations consisting of bus shelters in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Denver and Orange County, and payphone kiosks in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.	Australia’s Big Brother 2008 is being promoted with an innovative Bluetooth poster campaign, inspired by the "Big Brother is watching" slogan used on the show.	Brazilian mobile marketing firm Pontomobi showcased Bluetooth marketing campaign for Motorola, centered on São Paulo Fashion Week, Latin America’s biggest fashion event. Motorola’s Bluetooth marketing campaign used 12 dedicated Bluetooth transmitters offering attendees free content to download to their phone. Pontomobi claimed the campaign generated more than 1500 downloads per day.

RBI’s Guideline for Mobile Banking Transactions in India; Open Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:11:00 +0000

On October 8, 2008, Reserve Bank of India came up with a set of operating guidelines for mobile transactions. It’s an encouraging step by RBI to recognize and to standardize the mobile banking services in India. This guideline is a cautious effort to regulate financial services by mobile phones in India. Still it leaves many questions open.

RBI has limited the mobile banking to customers of “banks which are licensed and supervised in India and have a physical presence in India”. This could be a setback to the efforts of many microfinance institutions, who were hoping this service as an enabler for bringing the unbanked rural India into main economic mainstream.

Guideline allows only licensed and supervised banks of India to provide mobile banking, but it lacks in clear role of MSPs (Mobile service providers). The guidelines state that banks offering mobile banking service must ensure that customers having mobile phones of any network operator are in a position to avail of the service. But there is no mention about the channel between user and MSPs. This could again lead to many doubts and debates.

RBI has emphasized on security, integrity, authenticity and non-reputability of mobile banking. RBI recommended two factor authentication and mPin encryption. It recommends use of SIM based applications rather than SMS based. The guideline talks about securing application as well as transport layer of mobile banking framework. This is an appreciable step by RBI but the question arises if all handsets, applications or network complies with such standards or not. If not? Then growth of mobile banking services in India could delay.

The guideline also recommended existing grievance handling procedure for any dispute or complains. RBI guideline ensures that all grievances should be covered under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and Banking Ombudsman Scheme. Being a new technological service, MFS needs separate procedures as its framework includes different channels such as Banks, MSPs, Merchants and customers. In case if any dispute/complain only responsible should be held. The process of deploying developing CyLawCom guidelines (Techno Legal Cyber Law Compliance Guidelines for MSPs) is also need to be considered for Mobile banking.

Only Indian rupee-based domestic services shall be provided, and the use of mobile-banking for cross-border transactions has been strictly prohibited. It makes a gap for global banking services vision.

According to TRAI, number of mobile connection was at about 296 million at the end of July this year and it is growing at about 8-9 million per month. Banks have been exploring the feasibility of using mobile phones as an alternative channel of delivery of banking services. RBI guideline regulates these services and recommended different measurement parameters. It would be interesting to see, how much this guideline helps India to be on the map of branchless banking? Or how this Guideline changes the picture of financial access in India?

One can download the Guideline form here.

Concept phones

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:18:00 +0000

Concepts phone; Futuristic and full of imaginative designs. They give you an idea of future phone. I have compiled my favorite concepts phone with their descriptions. These descriptions are extracted from different post and linked with the original site.

1. LiteON bracelet-phone from Tao Ma

You usually wear your bracelet on your wrist. And when you get a call you feel a gentle vibration. The next best thing to do is take the bracelet off and press the Answer diamond shaped mini button. Actually all the buttons look like diamonds and are quite small. Someone with big hands would definitely have problems using them, but after all this a bracelet-phone meant to be used by gentle woman hands. You might think that this gadget is quite rudimentary but you’ll be amazed to find that it has a lot of functions, the most impressive one being an MP3 player. It lacks a screen so it might be a little hard to use it as your everyday phone, but for a fancy occasion this bracelet would be a great catch and will definitely make some good impression.[...]

2. Nokia 888 Communicator

Nokia 888 Communicator is a striking futuristic concept phone. The phone, uses liquid batteries, speech recognition, flexible touchscreen and touch-sensitive body cover. you can carry it anywhere, in any form. You can roll it, bend it, put on your clothes like a clip etc.[...]

3. Benq-Siemens Snaked

The pictures shown are BenQSiemens ’s latest concept phone which is snaky looking that can wrap around your hand.[...]

BenQSiemens SNAKED concept phone is for ladies especially.Its shaped like a reptile and it straps around our wrists.I think it is inspired by NOKIA 888 because it looks like a bracelet.It can monitors our heart beat and blood pressure and help women maintaining their shape.So all the ladies out there,dont expect this phone to hit the market soon.

4. NEC Tag

The phones with gigabyte of memory and megapixel cameras were looking a bit boring but what if I tell you that people at NEC have designed flexible phones that can you can wore as an armband.Now that technology guys we must watch out for![...]

5. SKY "Sleek & Slim"

Amazing, beautiful, sleek, slim - words that could be used to describe this glowing, mirror-finished concept phone. But, then so are words like impossible, never, keep-dreaming (okay, that last one isn’t really one word). What we wouldn’t do for this glossy-black fashion phone with that oh-so-desirable minimalist sliding touchpad.[...]

6. Parkoz Robot Mobile Phone

The transformer mobile phone concept comes from Parkoz Hardware. The video which can be found over at Gizmodo shows the robot transforming and then blasting the parkoz logo in to the desk.

7. The Intruder cell phone concept

We have one more concept today, specially made for SF freaks. The so called “Intruder” phone has a circular shape and is designed by Dennis Hopkins. The concept device is a 2.5″ wide, and instead of a conventional clamshell or a slider design, the center part of this phone swivels out to reveal its 220 x 176-pixel display, resulting in a handset that’s just under 5" long.[...]

8. Goldvish: the world’s most expensive phone

The impressive GoldVish Illusion Collection brings five diamond up-grades available at prices ranging between € 20.300 and € 124.400, and the cell phones come in yellow, white or rose 18k gold, with exchangeable crocodile leather inlays available in twelve colors.[...]

9. Transparent Crystal phone Concept

This concept phone by BloodRabbit which he thought of while driving home from work. This mobile phone comes in a see-through body and a basic LCD display, sharing the same dimensions as a credit card. Although you're probably scratching your head and wondering how the electronics and other stuff like a battery and camera fits in. we have to go by the assumption that technology in the future will be able to compress electronics to such a size.[...]

10. Wooden Concept Phone: S-Series Fashion’ Phone
This S-series wooden concept phone from the mind of Simon Enever. This concept lets you control most key features on the phone without the need to slide out the keyboard. But, it’s got such a beautiful wood-motif; we’d be flipping out the keyboard just to show it all off. With a bamboo chassis wrapped in black acrylic and stainless steel detailing, the S-series handset tries to stand out from the current crowd of feature rich bland mobile phones. Containing all of the features expected as standard on phones of today but wrapping them in a simple, sleek aesthetic and luxury materials to give a touch of class and nautical feel.[...]

Mobile Advertising; Different Forms

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:50:00 +0000

Over the past few years, Mobile phones are becoming popular channel for marketing and advertisements. Being an essential part of daily life, mobile phone facilitates advertisement to reach his target audiences almost anytime, anywhere. Another advantage is that each marketing advertisement can be target to individual's profile. Depending on market and consumers requirement, shape of mobile marketing also changes. Here we will see what different types of mobile advertisements are available.

Text Messages:This is the simple and most popular form of mobile marketing. Mobile advertisement reaches to his audience in form of a simple text message using SMS (Short Message Service) or CBS (Cell Broadcast Service).

I still remember a message from leading book store, "Want latest Harry potter book? Subscribe now by replying yes”. Another example you must have seen during cricket/sports tournaments," send CKRT for news on ". This form of advertising is equivalent to e-mail marketing and have the same issue of SPAM.

Multimedia Messaging Services: Limitation of SMS is that it only supports text. MMS advertisement can also contain Image/Audio/video and these contents can be arranged in a timed slideshow. Nearly all phones come with MMS capability of sending/receiving MMS. Apple's iPhone is an exception for MMS, as it doesn’t support MMS functionality. These messages can be targeted to individual audience as well as group of similar interest people. Again messaging advertisement comes with size limitation.

On-demand Multimedia content: Demand of multimedia content such as images/video/games/ring tones is increasing with availability of powerful multimedia capability enables phone. And thus enabling vendors to use this opportunity to penetrate the market and connect to his audiences. Example of these advertisement are 'messages before or after any video', 'Ads strip below/top of Image/video/games ', 'logos, service info integrated into game content', 'Full-page ad image between game phases'. Nowadays promotion of movies and albums are also happening on mobiles.

Web based Advertisement: The internet is reaching into the phone through WAP. Our phones are becoming an active node of internet and soon it will outnumber the internet users who use PC. Advertising on web pages specifically meant for access by mobile devices and it is becoming a popular trend in mobile marketing. These ads are exposed to user on a web page in form of images, links, banners etc.

Google, Yahoo, and other major mobile content providers have been selling advertising placement on their properties. These web pages and ads are compatible to mobile web browsers and thus provide advertisers a way to reach mobile customers easily. Now media brands are deploying portals which are not only for browsing but also gives engaging experience. Example 'preview before buy' feature.

Advertisement using Bluetooth/Infrared: Bluetooth and infrared are cost free wireless communication technologies. Using Bluetooth different vendors send their mobile content to buyers. These technologies have limitation with distance, so vendors normally installed Bluetooth/Infrared enabled devices and contact users for mobile contents. Here these technologies require user’s permission so this advertisement cannot be targeted for broadcast. Games/images/audio/videos are transfer to audience with their permission. Although this is not very popular way of advertisement but it is very effective. ValueFirst Connect conducted Bluetooth marketing for Tata Sumo Grande in India.

Location Based Services:Location Based service (LBS) are offered by operators as a way to send the information requested by user based on their current location. With greater data rates and better data services, subscribers are increasingly using LBS applications.

Think about the scenario; LBS subscriber requested information about all food joints in a particular locality. Operator will provide details or all restaurants/cafes near to that place. This is nothing but a custom advertising. Customer will get information and Brands will get a medium to attract a customer. This advertisement can be text based, banner based or icon based depending upon user subscription.

Miscellaneous: Mobile coupons, short codes, keywords are other different types of advertisement to target consumers. Mobile coupons are just like normal coupons expect available on phone. They are targeted by individual preferences and locations, thus producing a greater return.

Gartner predicts that the mobile advertising market will grow from £535 million last year to surpass $2.7 billion in 2008 and $12.8 billion by 2011. Such promising growth attracts more and more marketers towards mobile marketing and making way for more and more advertisements. Mobiles phones enable a two way communication advertising between marketer and customers. Let’s wait what other types of interactive advertisement are coming up for customers.

“The mobile-wireless environment is going to create a whole new set of brands—brands around devices, brands around the experiences, and also brands around the way people are connecting and researching on the Internet. You’ll see new brands around this mobile world, hopefully some from Motorola, because we are thinking about creating distinct brand experiences underneath the parent brand Motorola in the mobile space in the future.” - Kenneth “Casey” Keller, former CMO of Motorola, October 2007.

The Carnival of the Mobilists, #143

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:28:00 +0000

This week’s carnival is up at The Smartphones Show. It features the articles on launch of first android powered G1, mobile advertising and MFS.

Its also feature my post on Mobile Financial services.

Need MY own Mobile phone

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:41:00 +0000

Grow your mobile in a pot? Maybe someday, say Nokia researchers
With a mobile phone you can make calls on the go, shoot photos and pinpoint your position on a map. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be able to grow your phone in a pot, if the futuristic ideas of technology researchers come true. [...]

Recently I came across this interesting article which presents Nokia's focus on determining increasing demands and user needs. Growing your phone in pot is just like your childhood dreams of chocolates and money on trees. This headline makes me think is it really possible? I guess why not but may be in a different way. For each individual, separate and unique design, that suits his personality, his needs. I think now time has come when user can expect fully customized phone.

Till date we have seen customizable ringtones, wallpapers, screen saver, themes, UI, applications, mobile skins and case. But now I want to customize my complete phone. What if I have iPhone with 5MP camera or N95 with touch screen? Hmmm..., Then in that case these phone wont be called with their model name, they will become real part of me. After this ’My mobile is me' looks real to me. I want something that suits me. Am I asking too much? This could look foolish but why not? We have already designed our vehicles, our cloths... Why not phone? Is it possible from manufacture side? Innovation has many catalysts and user demand is one of them. It's complicated but can still be made true in the forthcoming years. 'Customer is the King, give what he wants' ^_^

Hey!!! Mobile Giants!!! Are you listening ... Can you tailor my phone. Give it a thought.

Factors for Success of MFS

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:38:00 +0000

It’s a time of cashless financial transactions anytime, anywhere.

There are more mobile phones than any other device used in the market. This is inspiring fact for manufacturer and service provider to develop value added services exceeding the needs of usual telephony. If mobile phone has become essential part of life than why exclude it from financial services. This lucrative opportunity starts a wave of mobile financial services (MFS) for banking, trading, and payments. It’s an innovation of contact less vending, ticketing and payments by taking advantage of wireless and other communication technologies.

A research done by Juniper Research predicts that 612 million mobile phone users will generate more than $587 billion worth of financial transactions by 2011. This report shows the potential market growth of MFS. Merchant or service provider, payment service provider, Network operator, mobile device manufacturer and End User are participants in a complete MFS framework. And addressing the need of each component will only ensure the success and give dimensions for future work. In the following section i discuss the different factors impacting the MFS.

Consumer Needs: Changing social environment easily effect the need of technological demand and development. Increasing purchasing power, consumption habits, lifestyles and greater mobility creates the development of different payment systems. But the success depends on the number of participation and volume of transactions. The popular modes of payments for purchases are cash, checks, debit and credit cards. Establishing another alternate financial system requires to address different factors like security, privacy, cost, expressiveness, convenience, system quality and technology anxiety.

Business Model: For an effective and sound business model, it is important to have agreement and cooperation among stakeholders such as merchants, financial institutions and mobile carriers. Here merchant play a significant role as both adopters and promoters of new system. It is very important to develop a mobile payment platform and business model that not only fulfills the needs but also attracts more and more retailers and financial institutions to join in.

Technological development Focus: Network, device and application; these are three components of the MFS technology. Different wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Infrared, WLAN IEEE 802.11, RFID and Near Field Communication (NFC) are used in developing mobile payment system. Development and enhancement of technology should address the basic necessities like availability of services, system quality, fast transaction, ease of use and security. Primary focus of a customer is always how security and privacy are tackled in proposed system,

At present mobile payments are only used for purchases of mobile content, vending and ticketing and a large market segment is still waiting for it. I strongly believe that deployment of Mobile financial services should be to complement existing traditional payment services not to replace.

Reliable Security to my Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:04:00 +0000

Few days back one of my friends told me that he stores all his credit card records. Bank account details, passwords and investment details in his mobile phone. All this in Phone!! What if you lost your phone? But he wants all his details on his finger tip and as far as security is concern he feels it is his responsibility to secure it. It makes me think that nowadays not only mobile stores phone book contact but also personal data. Now availability of data services has opened the door for mobile finance services such as mobile banking, trading and payment.

Mobile phone carries more sensitive data and now acting as wallets. If mobile is becoming so rich with data and money then we should be concern about its unauthorised access. Data loss is not a big issue nowadays with the availability of backup services provided by operators and service providers. But securing the applications/data from unauthorised access need to be addressed and could boost the user’s confidence.

Authentication can be achieved by password protection or biometric solutions. Password protection is commonly used mechanism and existed for long time. But users tend to forget their password very frequently. There is no proper password recovery facility available. And another flaw is that these passwords are easy to break.

Biometric Solutions come up with more mature answers to authentication. Fingerprint recognition, Iris Recognition, Facial Recognition, Voice, Signature/Keystroke, and Vascular Pattern Recognition are some of the biometric solutions available and already existing in embedded devices. ClassifEye, Ltd, a developer of fingerprint recognition and m-commerce solutions has joined the Symbian Platinum Program to support Symbian smart phones. Recently Lenovo launched Mobile phone P960 with Atrua Technologies's fingerprint biometric security solution.

Though biometric solution is real solution for preventing unauthorised access but before making any conclusion following points draw our attention toward deployment of biometric in mobile phone.

1. Ease of Use

2. Cost of Integration

3. At which level biometric should deploy? Application/service level or at device level.

4. Is Authentication really required? One fact is credit card don’t come with any authentication mechanism.

5. Is there any alternate mechanism available which provide not the best but more suitable result?

Providing reliable security and authentication mechanism lead to a secure infrastructure and aims to drive up the APRU for the mobile carriers and new services. Creating awareness of these solutions would encourage comfort level of customer for using more and more financial data services.

Later Addition (courtesy Anurag)

In case of theft or lost phone, there should be provision for erasing data remotely. OMA is coming up with specifications. This would be another security measure for preventing unauthorized access.

Walk and Charge your Mobile Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:12:00 +0000

We have got another good reason to walk, not only a good health but also a charged mobile phone, thanks to emerging technology that convert regular motion to power.

Idaho-based M2E Power said its kinetic-based charging technology works, and a cell phone charger will be available early next year. This technology claims to produce an equivalent of 60 minutes of talk time after six hours of motion. The power is created by converting motion produced electromagnetic fields into electrical energy.

No more access to power grid, just walk around, go for shopping and you will find your power charged enough. ;)

Determining factor will be cost. How much will it cost to integrate it to phones, and how much is the user willing to pay? A high cost could make it just another pricey feature on high end phone, rather thank solving energy issue.

Waiting for motion powered chargers in market ....

Mobile Phones: A Fashion Statement

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:36:00 +0000

"Phone are much more of an aspirational statement about who you are and who you want to be." Scott Duschslag, former MOTOROLA corporate Vice President.

For many people, mobile phones are an essential tool for communication. But communication is not the only need of consumers nowadays. Things are changing!!! Mobile phone is not just a tool of communication it is also an important way of conveying a statement about their personality. Now that everybody's got a mobile phone, the point for fashionista is to possess one that's more stylish, more technically advanced or flashier.

These days, people are looking for more classy handsets which are highly advanced in features and technologies. Understanding the ever changing needs of the consumers; mobile makers are offering a combination of style, variety and performance. All manufacturers are emphasizing on style, functionality and innovative designs.

Recently Gucci introduce case for Appli iPhohe. This is not the fist time when mobiles are revamped by Fashion. Mobile makers had launched their phones for different fashion brands like Gucci, Parada, D&G and Armani. LG Prada, MOTO Razr D&G and Samsung Giorgio Armani made a good impact as style statements. LG's other models like Chocolate series, Shine and Viewty created raves with their glamorous look. Automobile brands like Ferrari, Porsche and Hammur have also presented their fashion phone.

The ultimate luxury phone series Vertu is always a charmer in women, industrialist and film stars. Nokia has launched this luxurious brand of exquisite mobile phone. Vertu comes with gold, diamond and saphire cases also. Manufactures are also launching personal mobile accessories that can be customized depending upon user’s requirement. Either it is Nokia NSeries or Apple iPhone, having a classy and trendy phone is making a style statement.

Well, this story has just begun and it has many more surprise for us. It is clearly revealed to mind and senses that fashion and mobile phone world are no longer separated .Let's wait and see.

HTC's latest Smart Phone S740

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:18:00 +0000

On 26 August HTC launched dual keyboard smartphone HTC S740. Another feautre rich handset with cool design. HTC's latest entry in mobile market is succesor of HTC Touch Pro and HTC Diamond with dual keyboard.

HTC has really impressed with his technologically equipped handsets with amazing designs, excellent multimedia features and cool interface. All these cool mobiles are euipped with vibrant touch-responsive user interface, TouchFLO™ 3D, another innovative user interface. HTC's target is smartPhone users and with such incredible phone in their porfolio, they are really leading their segment.

HTC's product line deserve a visit on their website.

LG's KC910 8MP Camera Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:10:00 +0000

LG has announced successor of the widely popular LG KU990 Viewty, LG KC910.

Equipped with 8 mega pixel auto-focus camera KC910 is a multimedia powerhouse that features Xenon flash, Schneider-Kreuznach lens, automatic face detection and image stabilization. It also have processing power to record video at full speed in 720 x 480 resolution. This cool device has a huge 3-inch WQVGA (240×400 pixels) touchscreen in a 0.55"thin body. Another interesting fact, LG licensed Dolby sound technology for music, and DivX and XviD support for video playback.

The KC910 is a quad-band GSM with support for HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, has Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, microSD slot for up to 8GB of memory and TV-out for watching images or videos on larger screen. Samsung i8510 INNOV8 and Sony Ericsson C905 are also comes with 8 MP camera.

LG KC910 will come to the market in October 2008.Looking forward for it's price declaration.

HTC Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:59:00 +0000

HTC (High Tech Computer) will be the first mobile maker to bring an Android-powered phone HTC Dream. It is expected to be launched in Fall 2008. There are rumors of T-Mobile launching HTC dream in October 2008. TmoNews claims that HTC dream would be available to existing customers of T-Mobile at $399.

With HTC being a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance, it's apparent they'll be among the first to start producing Android-based handsets. Till date not much information is available regarding feature list or specification. But few sites quoted that it would have touch-screen interface and full QWERTY keyboard that'll rotate or swivel out of place when not in use. It is expected to measure 5-inch long and 3-inch wide. HTC Dream is also claimed to be powered with 3.0 MP camera. There have been several videos circulating on net claiming to be Android demos on HTC devices . But it is difficult to say that HTC dream will to similar to these demo devices. The exact specifications and details are a mystery left to your imagination.

US Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) and Wi-Fi Alliance had approved HTC Dream handset. This is a clearance for its sale in North Ameraica at least. The FCC documents also make reference to the phone supporting Bluetooth 2.0 and providing connections over dual-band GSM/GPRS/Edge and WCDMA 1700.

Another interesting fact came out of FCC's test it that HTC Dream is smaller than iPhone.

One can visit Engadget for more information on HTC dream.
Android Forum: http://androidforums.com/

Unlocking Apple iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:03:00 +0000

Despite technical measures in place to prevent the use of the iPhone on unauthorized networks, the practice of "unlocking" iPhones has become a big business. Many reports claims that as many as 400,000 unlocked iPhones running on China Mobile's network.

Hefty price tag of unlocked iPhone and desire of using iPhome makes people to find an alternate ways. People seem willing to pay a premium for gray market devices, soft and hard hacks, etc. So many sites are offering ulocking iPhone. They not only claim to unlock the iPhone but also enable other features. One can find following services offered on"iphoneunlocking"

Use any GSM Sim card worldwide
No loss of features or functionality
Enable Video Recording
Enable MMS messaging
Use Installer.app

Need to just hit the internet and one can find so many solutions. Such as

If you are aware of mobile technology topology then cost of unlocking could reduced to zero. One need to go through some tutorials.

In India we cannot use 3G services. So I guess using unlocked versions of iPhone for GSM services in lesser prices is fair enough. (3G iPhone 8GB & 16GB models, priced at Rs 31,000and Rs 36,100). But don’t just misled by dealers of grey markets like Palika Bazar or Gaffar market; do proper research and then take any decision.

Don't wait...Start calling your relatives in US to bring an iPhone for you, get it unlocked and start enjoying a new level of mobile interface experience.

Apple 3G iPhone India

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:02:00 +0000

After so much Hype, finally iPhone is launched in India. Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar have launched iPhone 3G in India. Both cellular companies will start selling this much awaited phone in India from August 22.Airtel and Vodafone Essar subscribers would be able to purchase the iPhone at their retail counters from August 22. While Bharti Airtel has 69 million subscribers, Vodafone Essar has 49 million. An email from Vodafone India mentioning the official price of iPhone 3G in India.

“We are delighted to announce that the iPhone 3G will be available in India from August 22, 2008. It will be available in 8GB & 16GB models, priced at Rs 31,000 ($710) and Rs 36,100 ($820) respectively. ”

This is just the cost of Apple hardware. We will have to pay extra for data and voice plans. I don’t think if an iPhone 3G is worth that kind of money. We need to pay for 3G phone, but can't use any 3G services [No 3G network in India :( ]

iPhone has stunned the industry with its ground-breaking user interface and creates a new canvas of user experience. This makes it a huge success in US and Canada. But reports of its poor 3G performance hits popularity in Europe. Apart from data services and data connectivity performance issues, some other features are also missing in 3G iPhone. I personally don’t understand missing Stereo Bluetooth / A2DP support.

People have already start making queries regarding getting iPhone through unofficial channels. My friend told me that in grey market iPhone can be unlocked in 500Rs. But i belive one should not be misled by these dealers and other such places, you might regret your decision. I don’t believe that unlocking iPhone could really allow full usage of phone. The iPhone will not let you use all its features unless it is fully activated.

Other mobile makers have stepped up their R&D efforts to bring feature rich phones in India to compete iPhones. Mobile makers are making their own customized touch interfaces. HTC diamond and Samsung i900 Omnia are really impressive attempts.

Just wait for more prices cut down or better phones from other competitors.

Attributes for competitive analysis of mobile handsets

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:04:00 +0000

Competitive analysis of mobile phone could be based on following attributes.

1. Segment: High Tier, ULC etc
2. Feature: Which feature is focused, USP
3. Design: Look and Feel / UI / Form Factor (Slider, Candy etc)/ Ergonomics
4. Performance: Application response/ Multimedia performance/ Memory
5. Price Band

Again decision making process should have clear priorities before reaching any conclusion. Technical benchmarking for each feature should be done. Comparison of similar features (like Audio/video/image performance, data speed, baseband, voice clarity etc) with respect of benchmark makes decision process a cakewalk.

On technical specification level, each mobile can be presented on following attributes:

1. Size - Dimensions, Weight, Display Type, Display Size

2. Network - What is supported?
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
HSDPA 2100 HSDPA 850

3. Memory - What type and how much ?
Onboard Memory
Card Slot/ size supported
Phonebook size

4. Data
GPRS/EDGE - class, rate
EDGE - class, rate
HSCSD
3G - HSDPA
WLAN - Wi-Fi802.11/UPnP ect
USB - Aavailable? Mini or Micro?IF - port available?
BT – BT version with profile set

5. Multimedia
Ringtone type
Audio type supported (MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA/MPEG4)
Video Player/recorder?
Camera (MP?)
Quality of Audio/video/Image player
FM

6. J2ME – MIDP version? Games?

7. WAP Browser - Version, supported mime type etc

8. RTOS

9. Battery - Standby time, talk time

10. Other Features: organizer (PIM), PTT, TV out, T9, Voicedail/memo, GPS feature etc

Drivers for continuous Development of the UMTS standards

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:02:00 +0000

Recently I read an article about emerging mobile broadband radio technologies:

1.MobileBroadband HSPA HSDPA HSUPA HSPA+
2.3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution - “Evolved UTRA and UTRAN”)
3.IEEE 802.16-2004/802.16e (Portable and Mobile WiMAX)
4.Others(e.g. Flash-OFDM and WiBro) with proprietary RAN architectures

These radio technologies offer high-speed radio access method for mobile communications systems. Now question arises
"Why should an operator move/upgrade their existing system?"
"Do we really have potential market?"
"How far mobile operators can leverage these technological advances to boost average revenue per users (ARPU) with data services"

I did some analysis on "driving factors of mobile market" and found answers to my curiosity. In this article I will try to evaluate the mobile market potential and try to bring some existing services for mobile users.

Growing Demands for Wireless Data

We have already seen a continuing declining trend in mobile voice services price by operators due to attract more customer and to increase the market share. Margins have come under intense pressure. Now network operators are increasing their revenues through the delivery of wireless data services. A wide variety of non-voice services have emerged, from messaging and mobile music, to email, mobile TV and audio/video downloads, location based services, social networking, games, gambling and mobile payment services. Manufacturers are enabling a slew of applications that are driving innovations in mobile handsets, and crossing barriers into a wide variety of vertical enterprise markets. In 2007 worldwide mobile handset shipments exceeded one billion for the first time.

Growing demands for wireless data are driving the need for even higher data rates and higher spectral efficiency.

Informa's World Cellular Information Service shows there were an estimated 101.5 million WCDMA subscriptions in Europe out of a total of 910.8 million mobile subscriptions, taking WCDMA penetration to 11.1% of subscriptions [1] .Most of the major carriers around the world have double digit percentage contribution to their overall ARPU from data services. Operators such as KDDI, DoCoMo, and 02 UK are topping 30%. [2][3]

Popularity of Mobile Messaging services

Increasing popularity of Instant massaging is making it cash cow for mobile operators.Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) is used by 8% of mobile customers worldwide according to a study by TNS Global Telecoms [4]. As the popularity of mobile messaging services continue to grow, Gartner, Inc. forecasts 2.3 trillion messages will be sent across major markets worldwide in 2008, a 19.6 percent increase from the 2007 total of 1.9 trillion messages. Mobile messaging revenue across major markets will grow 15.7 percent in 2008 to $60.2 billion, up from $52 billion in 2007. Asia/Pacific and Japan are the biggest consumers of mobile messaging. Gartner estimated that there were 1.5 trillion messages sent in 2007, and the number will grow to 1.7 trillion in 2008. [5]

Mobile Internet services, Mobile Social networking and Internet commerce

Mobile Internet service enable user to access internet facilities on handset and opens a new segment of customer for internet commerce. Mobile Internet services are accounting for a 13% increase in visitors to leading websites over home PC traffic alone, according to research by ‘Nielsen Media Research’. [6]

Vodafone U.K. reported that the mobile Internet was also benefiting from the popularity of social networking (SNS) websites. The operator said that Facebook was the most popular mobile Internet destination while Bebo and MySpace were fifth and eighth most popular, respectively. Social networking accounts for almost 40% of worldwide mobile web traffic.

Increasingly use of mobile internet services makes SNS and telecom media industries to start commercialization on mobile. MySpace recently introduced an ad-supported mobile version of its site and Facebook also has expanded into mobile, allowing users to update their profiles from mobile devices and to be alerted when they receive messages from their friends. Facebook’s mobile user base is growing faster than the website.[7]

Recently Google acquires mobile social networking start-up Zingku and blogging site Jaiku.
And now it offers a mobile service that shares information about a user’s location and helps them find friends in their local area.

Expanding base of Mobile financial services (MFS)

MFS includes mobile wallet, mobile banking, and mobile trading. Mobile wallet is software that enables consumer to manage their money, including making and receiving payments, using their mobile phone. MFS is showing signs of a promising future. According to research by
Edgar Dunn, it is envisioned that more than 1.4 billion people worldwide will benefit from mobile financial services in 2015 by using mobile wallets. [8]

In another research done by Juniper Research, 612 million mobile phone users will generate more than $587 billion worth of financial transactions by 2011. [9]

A quantitative analysis of the mobile payment market forecasts that the mobile payment market (m-payment) will grow from $12 billion in 2007 to around $150 billion in 2012. Most of the current market originates in Japan, where mobile contact less payment and online shopping services are already well advanced.[10]

Mobile entertainment market

Mobile entertainment includes ringtones, mobile games, mobile music, mobile TV and video services, full track music downloads and graphics/themes. Increasing usage of high storage and multimedia phone increases its demand. It is expected that estimated $800 billion in total global wireless service revenue by 2011, and 23% of all mobile data revenue according to IDC forecasts.[12]

Mobile TV use is set to surge due to strong consumer demand, with the service ranked as the number one application users want on their phone. Recently Ericsson and news broadcaster CNN conducted a customer behavior study and found that more than a third (34%) of respondents ranking TV as the most in-demand application and almost half (44%) of the respondents poised to adopt mobile TV by 2010 [12]. Goal for Mobile TV is Seamless multimedia mobility.

Music delivered to mobile phones via operators’ networks (mobile music) is on the rise, currently
representing around 13% of global recorded music retail value. A report from Understanding & Solutions forecasts an increase to almost 30% by 2011, amounting to $11 billion.

Location-based communications services

Another tremendous area of growth for wireless data will be Location based application. Worldwide subscribers to location-based communications services on mobile devices will increase by nearly 168% in 2008 while revenue will grow by 169% according to a Gartner report. Annette Zimmerman, Gartner analyst says, “Growth now will be stimulated by the arrival of mobile phones with built-in, precise location sensing and the arrival of new service providers, like Google and Nokia with its service offerings, keen to exploit geographic and positioning technologies.”

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)

IMS is expected to provide mobile telephone operators with a forecasted $300 billion in extra revenue over the next five years (through 2013) according to ABI Research. “ Perhaps a remaining challenge is the integration of IMS without operators disrupting existing services.
This need is being met by the major infrastructure vendors such as Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia-Siemens Networks, which have been packaging IMS (at additional costs) with the network upgrades they provide to operators.[14]

VoIP over Cellular

Industry interest in ‘VoIP over cellular’ is increasing. Reasons include the prospects of higher ARPU through richer communication (evolution currently driven by Internet players); lower OPEX through the offering of all mobile services from a common PS platform; and fixed/mobile convergence.

We can easily conclude that the demands for wireless data are the drivers for continued development of the UMTS standards. Such existing services and available potential market excites wireless world future. Let’s hope soon we will be able to experience these services here in India also.

Reference:

1. “100 million WCDMA subscriptions in Europe”
2. “Global Wireless Data Market Update 2007”
3. “US Wireless Data Market Update - Q1 2008”
4. "Instant Messaging via mobile set to challenge the status quo of non-voice communication"
5. "Gartner Report"
6."Mobile Internet Extends the Reach of Leading Internet Sites by 13%"
7."Social networking has potential to drive mobile revenues, but also to add to network woes"
8."Mobile Financial Services to Thrive With Right Regulation"
9."Financial Transactions Conducted Via Mobile Phone to Generate Over $587 billion by 2011"
10."Mobile Payment Market Forecasts"
11."IDC Predicts Ringback Tones Will Be the Single Largest Source for Mobile Entertainment Revenue by 2010"
12. "CNN and Ericsson Reveal Findings from Joint Mobile TV Study"
13. "Mobile to Account for 30% of Music Retail Value by 2011"
14. "IP Multimedia Subsystems, $300 Billion Opportunity"

HSDPA !!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:47:00 +0000

HSDPA, stands for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, is a new protocol for mobile telephone data transmission. We can think it as super fast 3G! :) In the 3G scenario, HSDPA is a similar enhancement to WCDMA as EDGE is to GSM/GPRS networks.

It is an evolution and improvement on W-CDMA, or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access. HSDPA is a packet-based mobile telephony protocol used in 3G UMTS radio networks to increase data capacity and speed up transfer rates HSDPA improves the data transfer rate by a factor of at least five over W-CDMA. HSPDA specifies data transfer speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps per cell for downloads and 2 Mbps per cell for uploads. In addition to providing greater download speeds, the network as a whole has an increased capacity to download more information to more people. Current HSDPA deployments support down-link speeds of 1.8, 3.6, 7.2 and 14.4 Mbit/s.

HSDPA also shortens the round-trip time between the network and terminals, and reduces variance in downlink transmission delay. This makes HSDPA comparable to any wireless LANs and fixed-line broadband in terms of data throughput.

I still see one drawback with HSDPA that since it is an extension of W-CDMA, it is unlikely to succeed in locations where W-CDMA has not been deployed. Therefore, the eventual success of HSDPA as a 3.5G standard will first depend upon the success of W-CDMA as a 3G standard. Good thing is for an operator, who has 3G services on WCDMA, upgrading to HSDPA would not be difficult. Only software upgrade is required!

HSDPA Networks

According to the latest research published by GSA(Global mobile Suppliers Association),207 HSDPA networks have launched in 89 countries. GSA’s research also shows how the majority of HSPA operators combine with GSM/EDGE for service continuity - and 123 of 207 commercially launched HSDPA operators, i.e. almost 60%, have also commercially launched EDGE. (http://www.gsacom.com/news/gsa_249.php4)

HSDPA Handsets

The Nokia N95 was the first Nokia phone to support the technology. Nokia 6120 Classic, a mid-range HSDPA handset aimed at brining super-fast download speeds to the masses.
Motorola have upgraded their underwhelming KRZR K1 to the K3 which can support download speeds of 3.6Mbps.
Samsung U700, F700 Mobile Phones
LG KU990, LG-SGH100, LG-U830, LG-KH100 Mobile Phone
Sony Ericsson announced two new HSDPA phones - the clamshell style Z780 and the bar style G502.

With such high downloading speed HSDPA promises its success. But other potential high speed standards like CDMA2000 1xEV-DO and WiMax also qualify for a closer examination.

In India we have already seen GPRS and EDGE but none of the operator has rolled his plans for 3G deployment. It seems that we have to wait for another couple of years.

What can I do with my phone?

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:38:00 +0000

What can I do with my phone? i can make calls and send SMS. What else? i can play mp3, watch video, listen to FM, can do browsing, ..... .... blah, blah, blah.. So many things!!! But .. But?? User Interface is not interesting and still i am not satisfied. Hmmm...What else can be embedded in a mobile handset? What else could drastically improve user experience?

I scan few websites on internet and found so many news cool technologies that are actually in mobile handset and can really drives us in a new horizon. Let me share some of new ideas:

Motion controlled Mobile Applications : Motion sensing technology provides a touch-free man-machine interface. Motion based mobile navigation is more natural and intuitive than button presses. For details you can refer to "GestureTek Mobile's website ".

Mobile Wallet : Mobile Wallet is nothing but your mobile phone equipped with functions of a bank card, credit card, house keys, company access control ID, train tickets, driving license, photos and so on! A multi-application smart card built into the mobile phone makes all these services possible. Its a replacement of your thick, pocket-protruding wallet. So isnt exciting? yaaa, but what about power failures, lost phones, fidgety connections and all that. It comes with security, authentication and authorization. And in case of lost phone user have to just inform the service provider. Following are some mobile-wallet service provider:
https://www.blazewallet.com/
http://www.kushcash.com/

Bank of Punjab was the first to launch mobile wallet in India. Forging a tie-up with ICICI Bank and Visa Card, Bharti Airtel started mChq service in Delhi and Mumbai.

Display on contact lens - Bionic Eyes : Bluetooth transmission of display data to a "lens-up" display built on a contact lens... or... Incorporating metal circuitry and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into a polymer-based lens, thus creating a functional circuit that is biologically compatible with the eye.

Mobile Projector: http://www.microvision.com/

Following are some more applications which are attracting users

Mobile Social Networking - Mobile Video Blogging
Location-Based Services
Mobile search
Mobile Presence tool
PRM (Personal Rights Management) and Privacy policies

http://www.linkedin.com/answers/technology/wireless/TCH_WIR/198336-12832629?browseIdx=2&sik=1217241206004&goback=.amq

Bluetooth Hacking

noreply@blogger.com (Mohtashim) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:18:00 +0000

Bluetooth is wireless technology facilitating data transmission over short distances between handheld devices (laptops, PDAs, phones) and desktop devices using short range radio links. It provides up to 720 Kbps data transfer within a range of 10 meters and up to 100 meters with a power boost. It transmits in the unlicensed 2.4GHz (2.402 GHz - 2.480 GHz) band. The name was inspired by the Danish King Harold Bluetooth, known for unifying Denmark and Norway in the 10th century, was founded in September 1998. It was originally developed by Ericsson Mobile Communication. On 1998, a joint initiative from couple big telecommunication giants (Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Toshiba, and Nokia) gave birth to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG). The main goal of the Bluetooth SIG is to standardize and regulates the Bluetooth technology.

Bluetooth has been widely adapted in handheld device (Mobile and PDAs). But security is still a major concern for Bluetooth device users. Weak security protocol designs expose the personal data of user to some devastating protocol attacks.For a mobile user his device can contain his/her contact information, personal data, personal files (images, video etc) and additional to mobile phone. What could be the possible harms?

Owner’s Phone book information, personal data, personal files (images, video etc) can be access by some unknown person, anonymously, and without the owner's knowledge or consent.Access can be gained to AT command set of the Bluetooth device, giving full access to the higher level commands and channels, such as data, voice and messaging. SMS, MMS, Voice call can be initiated anonymously.

This article will provide information on some popular Bluetooth hacking techniques and hacking tools. Objective of this article is make awareness about vulnerability of Bluetooth devices and security precautions

Bluejacking

Sending anonymous messages to another device without approval or authorization

Example:
In a popular café Anvesha was enjoying her latte, suddenly her phone beeped. She saw a message on her phone screen “Is it hot?” Confused Anvesha looked around but couldn’t found anything unusual. “Beep Beep”, she saw another message “Why don’t you try Cape-chino”. Anvesha is oblivious to who the sender is.

How is this possible? Create a phone book contact and write a message, eg. 'I caught you! ', in the 'Name' field. Then search for Bluetooth devices and send that phonebook to them. On receiver’s phone screen a message will popup “I caught you”. Receiver will have no idea about sender of message. So in a simple term this is ‘Blue Jacking’.  Ok this is a fun part!! What else. Another possible technique involves abusing the bluetooth "pairing", the system by which bluetooth devices authenticate each other. Name of the device is displayed on the target device as part of the handshake exchange. Pairing allows user defined name of maximum 248 characters.

Let’s take an example:

In a crowded shopping mall, I change my device name as “You have won, 10K worth goodies!!! Press OK and Enter your Pin after message and visit our showroom - XYZ ” XYZ could be any famous brand name in that shopping mall. I search for all available Bluetooth devices and send a connection request. This message will appear in ‘victim’ screen. Now there is a possibility that victim press OK and enter PIN. Thus the "bluejacker" successfully pairs with the target device.

BlueSnarf

BlueSnarfing allows connecting to the device without alerting the target device of the request, and gain access to restricted portions of the stored data. Bluesnarfing allows the hacker to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, read and write phonebook contacts, eavesdrop on phone conversations, and connect to the Internet. BlueSnarf exploits weak OBEX implementation on mobile phones

Bluesnarfing requires advanced equipment and expertise and target device should be in discoverable mode. According to the Bluetooth SIG, only some older Bluetooth enabled phones are vulnerable to bluesnarfing. Bluesnarfing is illegal in most countries.

BlueBugging

BlueBug attack allows hacker to create a serial link connection with target device and provides access to serial communication using AT command. Using AT commands hackers can control the target’s device services. This technique exploits the flaws on RFCOMM channels. With this facility, it is possible to use the phone to initiate calls to premium rate numbers send sms messages, read sms messages, connect to data services such as the Internet, and even monitor conversations in the vicinity of the phone. Similar to Bluesnarfing, BlueBugging is also illegal in most countries.

Protection?

1.Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
2.Set to Non-Discoverable
3.Confidential and Sensitive information should not be transmitted

Hacking Tools

1. Blooover
2. BlueBump
3. BlueSnarf++
4. BluePrinting
5. BlueSmack

Websites for reference
1. Bluetooth SIG - http://www.bluetooth.com
2. Research of trifinite group - http://trifinite.org
3. Bluetooth Security - http://www.bluetomorrow.com
4. BlueJackQ - http://bluejackq.com/