RIM In Conflict With Carriers Over Where To Store NFC Data, How About Device Makers?

Supposedly, RIM is butting heads with some GSM carriers over where near field communication data, NFC, would be stored. The bottoms here is who will have control over the customer, the data, and what promises to be a very lucrative revenue stream for both carriers and device makers.

NFC capabilities will increasingly become available in not just smartphones but regular cell phones as well. This NFC is important for mobile payments. And billions in transactions will be made this way.

Gone may be the credit cards. So who will win this fight? And where does Apple's closed iOS system and Google's Android fit in all this?

More at Greejava.

Mobile Payment Is Coming In A Big Way

The mainstream media has not caught on to it yet and I've talked about it here from time to time. But be prepared to be bombarded with tons of media reports, blogs, tweets, and e-mails about it in the coming weeks or months.

At week at the Mobile World Congress, near field communication, NFC, was being talked about as if it is the next holy grail of mobile. And to a follower of mobile happenings like myself, this is a big thing. In as few words as possible, NFC allows payments be made through mobile devices.

Think of this as what you can already do at Starbucks. You can order and pay through the app. Well, this will happen in a much much better way. There are a couple of devices on the market with NFC capability, specifically, Google's Nexus S. But as with some technology, being first doesn't mean much.

However, it is largely expected that Apple's next iOS hardware updates, including the next iPhone, will support mobile payment. And I expect an explosion of next generation Android devices to support this as well.

I really recommend reading up on it because just about everyone from your bank, credit card, wireless providers, and hardware companies will be getting in on this lucrative new business. Oh, and retailers would love this as well.

Also, there are also security concerns you'll need to be aware of.

So get ready media and ad blitz coming our way. I'll be devoting much much more attention than I have in the past. I started talking about almost two years ago, pointing the ease that the Japanese users have been able to enjoy with paying through their cell phones for years.

It'll be our turn soon.

RIM: Will Ship 4th Gen Playbook In Weeks, Months, This Decade (It's a Joke But Must Read)

RIM's Playbook is kinda tied into the Blackberry for some services and it's not as severe as some in the media is misrepresenting it.

What the media really missed is that the Playbook has gone through so many changes since we heard about this back in the fall of 2010, October 25th to be exact. And Yes, in a couple of months, we will be in spring of 2011. And it's possible that the Playbook will not ship until summer, fully 9 months after the Playbook was announced.

That is the sin that the media committed. And you know why this is and allowable? Because RIM is now perceived as the underdog. Even yours truly have been giving RIM waaaay to much rope. And it's not a good thing. All that rope will only allow RIM to hang itself it it doesn't deliver.

So, when is the Playbook shipping? In weeks? Months? With 5G wireless access? More at Greenjava.

Amazon Giving Prime Users Free Unlimited Streaming

If this is true, I'm back on being an Amazon Prime user. According to some reports, Amazon Prime users are seeing options to have Video On Demand streaming of movies for free.

While this isn't totally confirmed nor has Amazon made an official statement on this matter, there is a lot of benefits for Amazon in this regard. Obviously, users will get more bang for its dollars should Amazon continue its march into online content.

Could this be the beginning of a new arms race in online video streaming?

More at Greenjava.

Sony Release Next Generation Portable Gaming - Yes, A Game Changer

In my family, I have always had respect for much of what Sony delivered in terms of electronics and innovation. And yes, the PSP was innovative. And with NGP, next-generation portable, Sony has once again showed that it is alive and well, and ready to kick sand in the eyes of Nintendo, Apple, and anyone else who says that its better days in mobile gaming was in the past.

Here's a rundown of the specs that is already rocking mobile gaming. You're going to get blown away big time.

We're Getting National Internet IDs? WTF?!

I'm not kidding.  When did this happen?  President Obama has given the nod to take point providing every American an Internet ID under the auspice of the Department of Commerce.  While this is a proposal, I don't know what to think of it.  

I'll need to do more research on this.  I guess this is sort of like a federal ID akin to having a Google Checkout or MSN account, except this a government issued ID.  

What this is is suppose to help reduce cybercrime and to increase cybersecurity.  This is the part that I am trying to learn more about.  It'll be called the Naitonal Strategy for rusted Identities in Cyberspace.

The scary thing is that there were proposals to have the NSA, tasked to spy on foreign sources, or the Department of Homeland Security.  Both of those two were shot down because of privacy concerns.  

Others are even more critical, stating the obvious that such a system created by the government would not be trusted and needs to be created by the private sector to insure competition and trust.  And it must also be voluntary.

"Voluntary" being the operative word here.  It was the first though that came to my mind.  What if I don't want to use a government issued ID?  And what if it does do what it was meant to?  Sure, I might end up using it anyway.  Nothing to hide.  Still, it has the hint of Big Bro written all over it should be get abused.

There isn't a lot going on with this just yet.  Maybe it'll be a 2012 issue.

More at Engadget.  Source:  CBS News.

Is There Room For Web OS In 2011 - Maybe Not

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 (WP7) did not sell one million units its first weekend but Microsoft cannot afford to cede the mobile market to Apple or Google. And it has the staying power and deep deep pocket to win marketshare if not necessarily the hearts and minds of users.

With WP7 already having an app store already rivaling HP's Web OS in terms of numbers of apps, is there room for Web OS in the market anymore?

Sony Will have Xperia Play, What about Nintendo?

Mario, Zelda, and the Pokemons have entertained us for years. Decades now. But with the mobile gaming landscape changing so far, what should Nintendo do? Should they remain in the hardware business? I think Nintendo has one more chance to get things right and that's the DSi.

But I think more and more, that's looking less likely to keep Nintendo in the game. Consider that fact that decaded gaming devices, consoles or handheld, live for 3-4 years at a time. In an era where the iPhone is updated annually and new Android devices released throughout a given year, Nintendo, or Sony's PSP for that matter, just cannot stay up with the trend.

It is increasingly looking like Sony will bite the bullet and merge PSP with its Xperia phone and call it Xperia Play. For Sony, there is a lot of risks but the rewards could be huge. How about Nintendo?

I see three options. I don't see Nintendo with the staying power to just push out dedicated mobile gaming devices.

1. Get into the phone business.  Apple did it and I'm sure Nintendo can find a Japanese phone maker who would be happy to help Nintendo with a DSphone.  Is this likely?  No but stranger things have happened.  Perhaps Nokia would a willing partner.
2. Get out of the hardware business completely.  Do what Sega did after Saturn expired.  Would you like to see Nintendo's starters and deep bench of libraries on the iPhone, Android, PC and Mac, Xbox 360, and PS3?  I see a lot of dollar signs there.  I don't see this happen unless Nintendo really cannot keep technically with the rest of the mobile market.  But it is certainly enticing and I would love to see it happen as a gamer.
3. Create a platform and license it to developers and hardware makers.  For instance, HTC can license Nintendo's designs to put it on its own phone.  So could Motorola, LG, Samsung, or anyone else who wants to let its users catch Pokemons to battle.  

I think I like the third option the best.  Like Google, Nintendo can come up with a reference device.  It can run on Android, Windows, WebOS or some Linux variant.  Hardware makers can build off that.  Devices would be subject to Nintendo's approval.  Once all conditions are met, Nintendo-approved devices can be manufactured and sold.

In a way, Nintendo would still be in the hardware business as an overseer, allow others to take the risk, and continue to build excellent games for it.  

Is this viable?  I think so.  If you want to play Nintendo games, you still have to buy Nintendo-approved devices.  

Android 2.2 Not Ready For Tablet Primetime Says Google

I don't want to get into a pissing contest with Steve Jobs about what is the perfect screen for the tablet. iPads have done will but Android's day under the tablet sky will come.

Right now there are a few unsanctioned Android tablets on the market if you're willing to chance it. Yeah, I thought so. So then therefor Samsung's Tab which will cost close to $1K unsubsidized, $400-600 depending on carrier subsidy.

But even then, Google has publicly said that Android 2.2 is not optimized for tablet use and we'll have to wait for Android 3.0 at the end of the year.

What's clear though is that Android tablets will flood the market early 2011. And if you thought waiting until then is hard, just wait until we have to chose between different versions, screen sizes, and which works best for us.

Current State of Mobile Computing: Tablet or Laptop

Depending on who you talk to you and who you believe, the netbooks, perhaps even lsptops, are taking a sales hit because of the iPad.

Perhaps. Then there are those who are not so sure this is happen on a large scale. Given the potential that Apple may be on the verge of a $20 billion quarter and cuts on orders by dorm laptop and netbook makers, it has industry and mobile observers such as myself very excited.

Is this the beginning of the end of mobile computing as we know it?

More at Greenjava Mobility.

How Microsoft, Nintendo, And Sony Will Bring Portable Gaming to Mobile Computing Market

Some quick thoughts about mobile gaming in the age of app stores, casual gaming, and diminished support for portable gaming consoles, is it time to give thought to how Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will go on. I see a merger of platforms, birth of new ones, and a salad of old tech mixed with the new.

Which is better?

RIM's Torch Launch Over, Now Windows Phone 7 - Video Tour

Now that RIM has broken my heart by revealing it's been giving out copies of key to its kingdom, not even the news of the new Blackberry Torch is enough to make people happy and excited. Just ask the blogs and the market as investors priced down the stock.

Bottom-line: RIM is likely to hold serve and keep fans happy but its version of OS 6 doesn't have what it takes to attract new users.

Well, security issues aside, RIM will likely continue to grow at a nice pace. We'll see what the fallout of the United Arab Emirates shutdown is going to do.

Now, the focus will be on Windows Phone 7. Here a 4-part video on what we can expect. There's nothing new here that we haven't seen from Microsoft and even other mobile platforms. But the looks is a bit different. That's always good.

Enjoy.









Convincing?

More at WMpoweruser.

Is Palm Even Bothering Anymore?

Yeah, it's been a while since we've heard anything concrete about Palm or its WebOS. Rather, HP's WebOS now.

And you'd think that if Palm does try to follow Apple's example, Palm should by at Palm 2 by now. And yes, all we got was the Pixi. Seriously, I've been worried for a long time but the raging war between Apple's iPhone and Google's Android army has really sucked the air out of the room for a lot of people. Yes, Palm, RIM and Microsoft feels your pain (though Microsoft had the unfortunate distinction of making the news by killing off its two month old Kin line).

So where is Palm going from here and will HP allow the creative energy that created WebOS and Pre to flourish within the HP empire?  Palm Infocenter managed to get this clip of HP's Phil McKinney, VP of HP's Personal Systems Group, talk about HP's mobile device plans and affirm its interests in the mobile market.

Is it too late?

Booksellers, Especially Barnes And Noble, Are Becoming Tablet Players

This morning, Barnes and Noble offers a glimpse into what the future of booksellers will do to remain relevant in the changing world of readers. Since the Nook, Barnes and Noble has introduced a second reader, Novel, this one also based on Google’s Android platform, called Novel for $199.

I’m not here to bore you with a detailed piece about it. You can go to CNet for that. But and Noble’s strategy is coming clear. It means to not only be a bookseller, digital or physical, but it is transforming into a mobile player.

With the line blurring between readers and tablets, Barnes and Noble is leveraging its name to take advantage of the young tablet sector. And I think they’ll be big.

Barnes and Noble superstores are where people go to buy not only books but to congregate. It is a family-friendly environment and the people who work there are generally folks who are knowledgeable and offer great services. It’s a brand that has loyal followings and is trusted.

Now, if I’m Google, Microsoft, or Apple, I would take a long hard look at Barnes and Noble as well as Borders. Why? Borders has more than 500 superstores while Barnes And Noble has more than seven hundreds.

Both companies are super cheap if you want to expand into the retail market. Apple can purchase one of the brand and put in Apple stores as well. For Google or Microsoft, it also makes sense. Either of these companies, with one purchase, can catch up to Apple’s retail presence.

Not only that, Borders’ market value is much cheaper than Barnes and Noble’s $1.2 billion. If one of three mobile companies I mentioned purchases Borders and the other two follows, it can force them to pay a premium and waste a vast amount of their cash in the process. I know that all three companies are cash-rich but any time you make the other guy pay more, it’s a win for you.

Apple-Borders Or Google-Barnes and Noble. Or MS Borders? What do you think?  Microsoft certainly needs to play a little catch up.

Note: Given how Barnes and Noble will soon have two Android-based ereaders, it makes sense for Google to pull the trigger on this idea of mine.

Another note: For Microsoft, I'd offer a full range of Microsoft products as I suggest Apple should do in these superstores. It can sure help make a splashing for Windows Phone 7 products.

Do Some Mobile Fans Feel Like Their Favorite Platforms Is Under Sieged At Times?

I’m an Android and iPhone fan. I wouldn’t call myself a fanboy though I’m fine and ready to defend my mobile platforms against stupid and outdated modes of arguments. I especially like that Apple and Google are going at it because in the end, we, the mobile warriors, win because it’ll for them to innovate and be very very competitive.

More than that, it shift and moves ideas and against conventions smart folks like Steve Jobs are at the head of these battles.

But how does it feel to be RIM or Palm fans? Or even Windows Mobile enthusiasts? Day in and out, it’s Android this and iPhone/iPad that. I will admit, it can get sophisticating on some days when the blogs (and even mainstream media) all regurgitating the same thing over and over.

But with Palm’s buyout offers being rejected by Lenovo and HTC, it can’t be a good feeling for Pre fans. Sure, it got picked up by HP but only because they realized their HP Slate running Windows 7 wouldn’t stand a chance next to the iPad (this isn’t the fan in my talking. It’s HP’s decision to pull the Slate talking).

This harkens back to the days when Apple was about to be unplugged from financial life support. Before Steve Jobs came in and Microsoft’s $150 million morale booster. Folks were just bailing in OS 9 and PowerPC that supported the Macs at the time. It was ugly and everyone was wondering why I stuck with it. It was Windows, Windows, Windows.

Apple was on the verge of collapse as developers like Adobe (hence the Flash war today) and users, even those traditionally loyal in the creative and education circle, left for Microsoft.

To make matters worse, Apple continued to relied on older OS designs while a modern OS capable of such tasks as multi-tasking existed only as vaporware (remember Copland, anyone?). Plus, let’s admit it, the PowerPC 603 and 604 chips were underpowered compared to the highflying Pentiums.

And yes, during those dark days, loyalists still recognize the ease of use and lack of viruses as reason to pay a premium for underpowered Macs and Powerbooks.

Now, the same goes for RIM and Blackberry fans. RIM is doing well but it constantly is being made to look like a douche that only does e-mail well after failing to come out with a competitive touch mobile device. And to make your days worse, a new report just out today says that Incredible & Droid is killing Blackberries at VW while HD2 is mopping the floor with Bold. And we know how the iPhone is doing over at AT&T.

So I can relate.

At the end of the day, we’re all in the same camp. We want Apple, Google, Palm (HP now), Microsoft, RIM, and Nokia to fight like there’s no tomorrow through competition and innovation. Believe me, what’s good for the iPhone folks is good for the Android guys. And that’s also good for WebOS and Blackberry fans too.

Note: I hope to be a Windows Phone fan too when the day comes and it measure up to the gadgets that I’ve got at the time. Also very excited about WebOS too.

After iPad, Who's Next?

This iPad week whether mobile warriors from other camps like it or not. But it'll be over eventually and another platform will get the attention. So who might that be?

Amazon with Kindle? Sony with a slew of Viao tablets powered by PSP 2? Nintendo surprising us with DS tablet or Microsoft mashing Zune, Xbox , and WM7 into a revolutionary alternative to mobile computing?

How about HTC, Dell and HP? Well, I don't have much hope for these three based on what I see near-term but I like to be surprised.

More at Onxo Mobile Devices for analysis on who has the best chance of offering a complete mobile computing experience.

Future of Mobile Search: Google Versus Bing

Rumor has it that Google pays Apple $100 million to be the default search engine on the iPhone. Frankly, that was more than I expected. This particular rumor surfaced after another rumor indicating that Apple and Microsoft, not a heavy weight in search, were in talks to make Bing the default search engine on the next version of the iPhone.

There was some indications as the Bing app for the iPhone works pretty well. Now, the question is how much more Google is willing to pay to keep Google the default search engine on the iPhone? $150 Million? $200 Million? And can Google afford to say enough is enough should Jobs push harder to squeeze more money from Google?

I'm not sure Apple is ready to go with Bing. And I wonder if Google realizes this. Why is that?

Google is search to many mobile users and Bing really won't be dethroning Google in mobile search any soon if at all. And there is no reason why Apple would want to help Microsoft's long-term goal. It's simply not in Cupertino's interests at all.

Google will be the search engine king for the mobile market while Bing struggles on as an iPhone app and, hopefully, become more relevant and serious challenger to Google on a resurging Windows Mobile platform. Meanwhile, Apple will extract more money from Google, buy itself some time until its own search engine is release.

Note: Don't be surprise if Apple buys one of the existing search engines on the market.

Mobile Takeovers: What's Next? Geolocation Companies

Google's got billions in cash. So does Microsoft. Outside of stock buybacks and dividends, the these huge piles of cash simply sit in banks and short-term investments. Or, they can be used for buyouts of tech startups in an attempt of one-upsmanship among the tech giants.

A high profile battle in this version of corporate takeover (of startups) is the Apple-Google land grab of Admob by Google for a dirty cheap $750 million. Okay, I don't know if that was a good deal or not but weeks later, Apple countered with Quattro for about $250. In fact, Businessweek surmised that this was going to be a hot sector in terms of buyouts.

I think there's gonna be another sector that is going to see some activities in 2010: Geolocation companies. Heard of Foursquare. Yup. How about Yelp? That's right. Well, there was rumblings late that year that Google was looking to acquire Yelp for half a billion while Microsoft offered $700 million. Yelp rejected both offers. I'll leave that up to you to decide if it's a decision or not.

However, there are plenty of other location-based services with a lot of momentum in the market such as Foursquare who recently made headlines with a plethora of high profile deals. Because of the potential in this segment of the mobile service market, I am going to predict many of these companies may be snatched off the market.

But why? Isn't Foursquare fine if left to its volition? On its own now, FS can serve as many platforms across the market as long as there is demand. It's huge in the iPhone and is doing well on others with each passing day. Well, there are two reasons for this that I can see.

One, it's about integration. Another way to put it, plugging holes in your mobile offering. For instance, Google wants Yelp so that it can integrate it into its profilio of webapps in hopes of selling us location-based ads and services like search. The second reason is about taking the company off the market so that your competitors can't get to them.

In my opinion, FS has the momentum in the market. There are also other high profile targets. Loopt was one of the pioneers but it largely has not gained in the mindshare of late as FS has with its deals. But Loopt, like Gowalla and MyTown does have a large following, making these three companies in the running as potential targets for cash rich companies.

This could be the beginning of a new mobile and social phenonmenon. Or it maybe Internet Bubble 2.0. The safe bet is that Google, Microsoft, and Apple will be spending a lot of their cash in the coming year on these kinds of buys. But there are others. Remember Nokia? It's also got about $11 billion and it can make a play as well.

So, for you smart energetic folks out there. Go-getter types. Now's your chance.

Note: Yelp. Guys. An ad company that built itself up because of the iPhone app store got $750 million from Google. You ought to hold out and ask for at least just as much if not more.

Free Wi-Fi At Airports Courtesy of Some Rich Tech Companies

Free is good.  And even better is free Wi-Fi.  That's right.  This Holiday Season, Google will be offering free wireless Internet access via Wi-Fi

This will bring a whole lot of goodwill for Google as delays and other airport-related issues are likely to crop up.  So from now until January 11, 2010, you'll have wireless Internet access with your smartphones, mobile devices, and laptops.  And for Seattle and Burbank, your free Wi-Fi will remain free forever!

Why is Google doing this?  Love?  Because they want mobile warriors to get used to the fact that wireless access is here to stay and that we better get used to it!  Well, sort of.  I'm sure they have bigger mobile plans in mind and this is just a started.

In their press release, they're doing this because they know things'll go bad at the airport so this is to help folks stay connected and pass the time.  Here are some details upfront:

• Google has googles of money to be doing this.  The goodwill will be enormous.
• 100 Million folks will travel between the 47 participating airports.
• Boingo Wireless, Advanced Wireless Group, Airport Marketing Income and others are involved. 
•  Also, "once users log on to networks in any of the participating airports, travelers will have the option make a donation to Engineers Without Borders, the One Economy Corporation or the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. Google will match the donations made across all the networks up to $250,000, and the airport network that generates the highest amount per passenger by January 1, 2010 will receive $15,000 to donate to the local nonprofit of their choice."
• Here is a list of the 47 airports:

Not to be outdone, Yahoo is offering free Wi-Fi for Time Square starting today.  And for a whole year!  And where is Redmond is all this?  Well, Redmond is working with JiWire to provide free Wi-Fi for folks who use Bing.  Not a bad deal since I already use Bing from time to time.

Oh, and Macworld mentioned a few airports missing from the list that I thought would have jumped at this opportunity - LAX, SFO, and JFK quickly comes to mind.  Some wireless airport outfits charge $10 for a mere 20 minutes of access.  The shame.

One more thing.  Toyota also offers solar-powered Wi-Fi as a part of their Prius promotion using solar trees. You've got to see it.

More at info:

• Google Press Release
• Free Holiday Wifi
• Macworld
• Unwired View
• Muni Wireless -Yahoo provides free Wi-Fi for Time Square
• Daily Wireless
• Daily Wireless - Microsoft and JiWire offers free Wi-Fi for using Bing
• JiWire and Microsoft
• Wireless Week
• Popular Science
• Muni Wireless - editorial on free Wi-Fi
• Gotta Be Mobile
• Onxo - Toyota Solar Trees with Wi-Fi

Microsoft Needs To Say "Enough!"

Microsoft Needs To Say "Enough!"  No more screwing around.

It's time for Redmond to start changing rules and find another way to become relevant in the mobile sphere.  If you spend any amount of time on the Internet going through tech and gadget blogs, virtually everything you've read about is Android, Apple, Google, more Android, and iPhone.

I've read a few Windows Mobile mentions but mostly about how irrelevant WM has become in light of the surge of iPhone and the Android platform.

That's not to say that RIM should be fine with it.  Two main topics regarding the No. 1 smartphone maker in North America did not put the Canadian company in a positive light.   One was about how Storm 2 has failed even before it is out as Verizon Wireless concentrated on the Droid launch with Motorola.  And what's the other one?  Oh, it's just that the Apple is within striking distance of overtaking RIM as the number one device maker in the US.  Both negative and competing platforms still manage to get attention in the posts.

But back to Microsoft.  What's Redmond to do?  I don't have a solution but I do know that this cannot continue or else, desktop or office suite dominance, it will not matter in a few years as more folks rely on their mobile devices to conduct their personal and business affairs and continue the march away from desktops, laptops, and even netbooks.  (Chrome OS will likely gain a lot of attention in the netback segment even as Microsoft is trying to get folks to upgrade to Windows 7).

One example to look at is what Palm has done with Pre. While Palm came out with a good competitor to just about anything that was on the market.  But it lacked many things that others on the market had like its own music and app store.  At least at the time when it debuted in June, the app store was virtually nonexistent.

For Microsoft, Zune HD was a move in the right direction but it was mere a piece of a complicated puzzle.  With Danger, Zune, and the forthcoming WM 7 in the right mix, it can be a force to be reckon with in the mobile landscape.

However, Microsoft cannot afford to simply copy of what Apple has done with the iPhone ecosystem.  The fact that Apple can create a walled garden is uniquely an Apple experience.  Microsoft will likely be looking to partners to help flesh out the hardware as it offers the software (including games) portion.

I think this debate has not be settled and continues at Microsoft.  Can they continue to rely on partners or go at it alone, at least, in the initial part of their roadmap to reclaim relevancy in the mobile market?  It has demonstrated that it can make a first rate mobile device with Zune HD.  So don't be surprise when Zune HD continue to evolve with more functions and software.

And don't be surprised if Zune component of the mobile strategy gains a more robust gaming ability.  With the Tegra chip power the ZHD, it is a powerful system that so far is largely under utilized.

At the end of the day, Microsoft needs to provide an unique experience only Microsoft can provide.  It has an arsenal of impressive technologies and a very deep pocket.  But the window of opportunity is closing and it better hit it out of the park with when Windows Mobile 7  is launched.

WM 7 has been delayed more than a year.  I am hoping it was a year well spent.  I simply sensed that the old thinking about mobility at Microsoft has to be thrown out and something new be reborn.  Maybe Microsoft needs to let something go or break any mold they've been using so that something new can be reborn.  

Note:  Something new at Microsoft.  Hmm...here's my honest opinion about Steve Balmer.  Get rid of him.  He's no good for Microsoft and as a shareholder, I cringed every time he speak and then proven wrong weeks or months later about competitors or prospectives of Microsoft's own product.  Dude has got to go.  He's still living in the Windows 95 era.