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Tencent (0700.HK) has released a version of its instant messaging (IM) software QQ compatible with Google’s (Nasdaq:GOOG) Android operating system for mobile handsets, Donews reported March 31. An unnamed Tencent executive confirmed rumors that the company is about to release a version of its QQ IM software for users of Apple’s (Nasdaq:AAPL) iPad, TechWeb.com.cn...
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Operator China Unicom said it will remove Google’s mobile search services from phones running the digital services provider’s Android mobile OS, a direct response to Google’s decision to defy Chinese censorship mandates by redirecting users to its uncensored Hong Kong website. China Unicom, the nation’s second largest mobile carrier, said its Android manufacturer partners...
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Smartphones represented 48 percent of worldwide AdMob traffic in February 2010 according to the mobile advertising network’s latest Mobile Metrics Report–a year earlier, smartphones made up 35 percent of the firm’s global traffic. AdMob credited the surge to iPhone and Android traffic, fueled by heavy application usage. While the overall percentage of feature phone...
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LAS VEGAS–In a move that was anticipated, Sprint Nextel, which resells WiMAX service and owns the controlling interest in Clearwire, introduced its first WiMAX smartphone, the “Evo 4G,” built by HTC. Pricing details were not revealed but Sprint said the phone would go on sale sometime this summer. The device includes an impressive number of cutting...
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LAS VEGAS–Yahoo announced the introduction of Yahoo Sketch-a-Search and Yahoo Search, two new applications optimized for Apple’s iPhone. Sketch-a-Search enables users to draw a boundary on the device’s map to discover local businesses with the established area–the app initially covers U.S. restaurants, complete with ratings, reviews and directions, but additional merchant verticals and markets...
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LAS VEGAS–Proclaiming “Location adds new relevancy to mobile search,” Google director of mobile advertising Diana Pouliot said one of every three mobile search queries received by the digital services giant now includes some element of local-specific intent. Speaking at the Mobile Marketing & Advertising event here in conjunction with CTIA Wireless 2010, Pouliot cited...
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iPhone application prices decreased an average of 15 percent worldwide between Dec. 1, 2009 and Feb. 28, 2010 according to a new report issued by app store analytics firm Distimo. Average iPhone application prices are lowest in North America ($2.43), where games represent 51 percent of the most downloaded apps, and highest in Europe...
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European operator Orange announced an agreement with entertainment retail chain HMV to launch Hmv mobile games, a new web portal initially boasting more than 400 mobile titles, with more on the way. Optimized for customers across any mobile network and supported by more than 1,000 Java-enabled handsets, Hmv mobile games–launching Mar. 26–features both premium...
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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Apple a new patent that outlines a location-based social networking application for its iPhone platform. According to PatentlyApple, which first discovered the patent filing (originally submitted in Q3 2008), Apple is at work on a solution dubbed ‘iGroups” that allows friends or colleagues attending group events...
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Google announced the introduction of its Orkut social networking service across its Android mobile operating system, promising users tools to stay in contact with friends wherever they go. Launched in early 2004 and named after its creator, Google staffer Orkut Büyükkökten, Orkut currently boasts more than 100 million active users worldwide–while the service lags...
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