Users don’t seem to be making network speed the primary driver of their mobile buying decisions – at least not yet. Devices still rule the day. But that could change as faster services, like Verizon’s LTE network, get paired with either a) a truly killer device, or b) full families of devices. With the (later-than-promised) release of the Motorola Droid Bionic on the Verizon network today, we may be seeing both forces in action. (more…)
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AlcaLu deal to boost service provider focus runs into trouble
Alcatel-Lucent’s planned $2 billion sell-off of its enterprise unit to a private equity firm has collapsed, according to media reports. Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal both cited sources saying talks with Permira, a European-based company, had stalled, though a possible deal for Genesys, ALU’s call-center unit, could still work out. (more…)
Amazon’s Android tablet to be media-focused, cheap and wiped free of any hints of Google?
Over the weekend, TechCrunch reported it got its hands on Amazon’s 7-inch (likely Kindle-branded) tablet, which among other highlights is (sort of) Android-based and about half the price of today’s cheapest iPad. With HP’s fire-sale TouchPad’s moving like wildfire at $99 (CP: iPad Who? $99 HP TouchPad selling like gangbusters), customers seem primed for cheap tablets. And by the way, the initial version of the Amazon tablet will have wi-fi but won’t have 3G/4G data service – apparently not even the “whispernet” mobile data service that lets Kindle users download books on the go. (more…)
Could Genband’s VoIP heft make its ‘apps contest’ play more than show?
Genband may not be the first VoIP vendor to announce the winners of an “app contest” (Briefing Room: GENBAND Unveils 2011 GENFuzion Developer Challenge Winners),but its application story could be an important second prong – alongside its throw-out-your-aging-digital-switches transformation campaign – to help drive its business selling softswitches and related IP network elements. (more…)
Social networking growth — driven by mobile use — comes thanks to young women and older users
Women, the publishing industry has long known, are the largest contingent of book buyers. They’re apparently also a boon to wireless carriers and social networking sites, comprising the largest and most active user group — ”power users,” Pew Research announced in a new report — as overall user numbers slow their annual climb. Another power group? Surprise: senior citizens. (more…)
Has Microsoft found mobile strategy: Picking up the pieces of failed rivals?
If there’s one thing Microsoft is good at, it’s sticking things out and getting them right the second, third and fourth time. That’s really the story of Windows, the world’s most successful piece of software (not for long if Apple continues its streak). And now, Microsoft seems to be following that strategy again in mobile, hanging in there as would-be rivals disappear — first Nokia (or Symbian anyway); now HP and WebOS (CP: HP to cut WebOS, mobile business losses, hightail it to safer (enterprise) ground); and maybe someday RIM and Blackberry. To that end, Microsoft evangelists have already turned to Twitter to recruit former WebOS developers.
Latest patent fall-out: Could Verizon’s FiOSTV be affected?
Quick hit: Verizon could — though it would seem to be a long-shot — be forced to alter or even shut down its FioS TV service in a patent dispute with ActiveVideo Networks. A U.S. District Court recently awarded ActiveVideo $115 million due to Verizon infringing on four of the company’s patents. ActiveVideo is now pursuing an injunction to stop the “unlawful use” of its patented technology in Verizon systems (Briefing Room: ActiveVideo Files for Injunction Against Verizon to Stop Unlawful Use of Patents in FiOS Service). (more…)
Cisco offers some good news on earnings, turnaround
Cisco fiscal fourth quarter earnings came in slightly above analyst estimates and said it was expecting small revenue growth next quarter, some positive news in a tough time for the market – and networking companies. While Cisco certainly didn’t blow away its numbers, a move in the right direction represents a solid sign for a company in the midst of a major restructuring. (more…)
Adtran acquisition targets WLAN opportunities in the cloud
Although more enterprise- than carrier-focused, Adtran’s acquisition this morning of wireless LAN vendor Bluesocket tracks the trend of moving more and more capabilities – including communications – into the cloud (Briefing Room: Adtran acquires Bluesocket leading innovator in virtual wireless LAN solutions).
Bluesocket’s virtual wireless LAN solutions are used by large enterprises to delivery so-called “controller-less” WLAN solutions. Delivering such capabilities via a centralized (and possibly multi-tenant) virtualized cloud environment puts it clearly in the path of telecom service providers as well. (more…)