mobile

Although often credited as the father of computing, Charles Babbage (author of the "analytic engine"), probably didn't envision anything like mobile computer access or smart phones. Today, however, a growing percentage of the population cannot do ... without mobile communications and Internet access in their day-to-day lives. A recent study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project has found that 62 percent of Americans use mobile access to digital data or tools. Moreover, the same study found that most would have great difficulty in giving their gadgets up; the cell phone would be the ... (view more)

Microsoft is investing heavily in Mobile phone technology. On Monday, the software giant announced that it had acquired Danger Inc., the company behind popular mobile technology like T-Mobile's Sidekick. "The addition of Danger serves as a perfect ... complement to our existing software and services, and also strengthens our dedication to improving mobile experiences centered around individuals and what they like," said Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, Robbie Bach. (Source: microsoft.com ) In a statement, Microsoft said it sees in Danger a company that has "connected with a ... (view more)

Google is introducing an innovative service to customers, this time targeting web mobile users. The 'My Location' feature in Google Maps Mobile 2.0 is currently undergoing beta testing and will attempt to provide mapping services via user cell ... phones. The concept of mapping technology in mobile devices is not particularly ground-breaking, as several smart-phones currently on the market have Global Positioning System (GPS) technology embedded into them. However, the advantage of this new service will be to provide access to mapping services to web mobile users whose devices do not have ... (view more)

Last week, Microsoft proudly announced it was the new papa of the web's hippest and most powerful young site, Facebook. Now, even as they battle it out in other spheres, it appears both the Redmond-based company and Waterloo firm Research in Motion ... will be major contributors in shaping Facebook's future. Elsewhere in the tech world, Microsoft and Research in Motion, or RIM, are at each other's throats. Microsoft is currently unveiling its own server-based tool for managing Windows Mobile devices, dubbed "System Center Mobile Device Manager". It should provide direct competition for RIM's ... (view more)

Intel Corp. was recently successful in acquiring one of the most highly sought after mobile chip orders in the industry, the WiMax. Intel's new acquisition has sparked interest from Nokia, the world's top cell phone maker. Using complex ... semiconductor technology, WiMax chips will become very prevalent in all future Internet-focused Nokia devices. Nokia is expected to release the first batch of WiMax-enabled Internet tablets in the first half of 2008. Mobile WiMax, the standard in high-speed wireless technology, should support Internet access at speeds as high as five times faster than typical ... (view more)

Fox Interactive Media has revealed their plans to offer MySpace and other types of social networking services for free on cell phones in the coming months. Fox Interactive Media, which is a major division of News Corp., added that they will solely ... rely on the financial support of advertisers to alleviate the burden of adding costs for the service. Fox is hoping to entice an ever-expanding audience of social networking enthusiasts keen on using their mobile devices to check the latest news and results from the world of sports and entertainment. The mobile version of MySpace will allow users to ... (view more)

EMusic, the second-largest online music distributor after Apple's iTunes, is expected to announce a deal with AT ... (view more)

The Bank of America and Citibank are now offering nationwide services that allow their customers to do routine banking tasks using only their cell phones. As "smart" cell phones continue to revolutionize the market for mobile devices, so too will ... more banks look to remove the hassles of physically being inside of a financial institution in order to make simple transactions. The two social functions are merging as never before, combining work and play. The service provided by Bank of America allows customers who have cell phones with Internet access to check balances, pay bills and transfer ... (view more)

When a company as powerful and influential as Electronic Arts (EA) gives its seal of approval, people stand back and take notice. As previously reported on Infopackets, Apple recently added video games to the growing list of media that can be ... downloaded for the iPod from the iTunes web store. Now EA is putting its full weight behind Apple's portable unit. "Consumers have an appetite for a diversionary-type game experience -- a snack where they can play for five minutes," stated Mitch Lasky, the leader of EA's mobile gaming division. The iPod is not in competition with standalone portable ... (view more)

Yahoo recently unveiled its latest weapon in the ongoing battle with Google for Internet search and advertising supremacy. The software is called Go for Mobile 2.0, and was released shortly after Google made a partnership announcement with Samsung ... Electronics. This partnership means that most Samsung cellphones will now be equipped with Google's own brand of mobile software. (Source: mobile-tech-today.com ) The Go for Mobile 2.0 service is an upgrade from software Yahoo introduced last year. The new revision makes it easier for users to move among various online services and have easier ... (view more)