Orange, T-Mobile Europe Adopt Java Verified Program
SAN FRANCISCO – Sun Microsystems Inc. announced on Thursday that the Java VerifiedTM Program, a program to provide a unified process for the testing and certification of Java applications for mobile handsets, has been adopted by mobile operators Orange and T-Mobile Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands and UK). In addition, the test criteria of the Java Verified Program have been updated and the Website has been streamlined to simplify navigation and application submission.
The Java Verified Program has become the standard for mobile Java application testing since its launch in February 2004 by industry giants Motorola, Nokia, Siemens, Sony Ericsson, and Sun Microsystems. With its expanded market adoption, the program is now supported by leading wireless operators totaling over 100 million subscribers and device manufacturers representing 65 percent of the global market. The program provides developers with an effective way to test, promote, and distribute mobile content to global end-users and subscribers. Developers whose applications successfully pass Java Verified testing can choose to participate in marketing and distribution programs offered by each of the member companies.
"With the adoption by Orange and T-Mobile Europe, the Java Verified Program enjoys unprecedented support to bring cohesion to the mobile industry," said Juan Dewar, senior director of Consumer and Mobile Systems Group for Sun Microsystems Inc. "With these leading carriers on board, it is becoming even easier and faster for developers creating exciting and profitable mobile experiences on the mobile Java platform."
Beginning July 1, Orange and T-Mobile Europe will require all new mobile Java applications distributed over their wireless networks to be successfully tested under the Java Verified Program. The adoption by these two leading global operators broadens the collective technical and marketing expertise of the Java Verified Program and should accelerate demand for the Java Verified Program among developers seeking to sell to the largest possible market, Dewar said.
"A high-quality application testing program is one way that we maintain a quality user experience for our subscribers and is key to maintaining customer loyalty," said Graham Thomas, vice president of Content Services at T-Mobile. "It can also help us to assist developers by dramatically reducing the cost and complexity of qualifying applications for our phones and network."
To participate in the Java Verified Program, mobile Java developers can register at Javaverified.com, and then select from among the participating global testing providers to test their applications. Also available at Javaverified.com are detailed explanations of the testing process, testing criteria, pricing and access to member companies' marketing and distribution programs. Wireless network operators, device manufacturers, application publishers, and others interested in joining the Java Verified Program and advancing the program's goals should email the Java Verified Program Office at [email protected].
Cingular to Deploy 3G Wireless
NEW YORK – Cingular Wireless has issued a comprehensive request for proposal (RFP) to telecommunications equipment vendors to develop and deliver the infrastructure for operating UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network technology. Making the announcement June 22 at the Yankee Group's Wireless Leadership Summit, Cingular's Chief Operating Officer Ralph de la Vega said that Cingular's deployment of the third-generation network and services will create substantial benefits for American consumers and create opportunities for American workers.
UMTS is based on GSM/GPRS/EDGE technology that supports data rates up to 384 Kbps. Cingular plans to deploy an enhanced version of UMTS called High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), which will further increase network capacity and offer speeds with peak data rates up to 14.4Mbps. The company said the 3G technology will allow it to deliver enhanced services for business customers, including high-speed Internet access and wireless audio and video, along with a host of consumer services such as high-resolution digital images, full-motion video, and advanced multi-player gaming.
"With this announcement, Cingular reinforces its commitment to deliver advanced, high-speed wireless services to customers across the U.S., while creating real economic opportunity for the country," said de la Vega. "We need both spectrum and technology to make UMTS available nationwide. The acquisition of AT&T Wireless will give us spectrum, and this RFP will provide the technology."
Cingular envisions numerous economic benefits to be gained by moving forward decisively with UMTS technology. Specifically, UMTS will:
♦Give customers more choices and make for a more competitive environment for wireless broadband services.
♦Provide new opportunities for wireless developers to bring new applications to market more quickly.
♦Produce new high-skilled jobs and give vendors incentives to create these jobs in America.
A key advantage in deploying UMTS is the technology's compatibility with Cingular and AT&T Wireless' existing GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. Earlier this year, Cingular agreed to acquire AT&T Wireless. The deal is awaiting approvals from the FCC and Department of Justice. Once the companies are integrated, Cingular will operate the largest nationwide high-speed data network.
The combined Cingular/AT&T Wireless network footprint and increased spectrum will also make it possible to roll out high-speed data services for the first time in many parts of rural America. Cingular, which pioneered the development of GSM at both 850 and 1900 MHz, intends not only to make the high-speed network available to its regional and rural roaming partners but also to facilitate the ability for regional and rural carriers to deploy UMTS services on their networks as well, de la Vega said.
"We intend to stimulate growth of UMTS, allowing our key roaming partners to benefit from the same economic efficiencies that we enjoy. As a result, more rural Americans may soon have broadband wireless for the first time," he noted.
In addition to broad domestic coverage, Cingular customers also will have one of the largest international roaming options for both voice and data, since UMTS is the natural evolution to 3G for GSM, the global standard used by more than 70 percent of the world's wireless customers.
Cingular will be conducting UMTS trials in Atlanta this summer and could begin rolling out UMTS in 2005. According to de la Vega, "With our on-going national deployment of GPRS/EDGE and our evolution path to UMTS, Cingular will deliver high-speed services to our customers where and when they want to be connected."
Detective Work is All Fun and Games in 'Cache Her If You Can'
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Throughout the summer, thousands of Americans are expected to enjoy fun and adventure in the great outdoors – hot on the trail of a fictitious criminal mastermind and searching for secret locations where treasures await. The MagellanR "Cache Her If You Can" GPS Adventure is a geocaching game that sends amateur crime-solvers on a weekly quest for clues in 30 cities across the U.S., competing for grand prizes from June 24 to Sept. 1.
Found online at Magellangps.com, the second annual Web-based contest hosted by Thales, global provider of Magellan GPS consumer products, is gets kids of all ages out of the house to enjoy some fun and adventure while taking in the natural beauty of the great outdoors. It also sets the stage for the introduction of the new Magellan eXploristTM 100, eXplorist 200, and eXplorist 300 GPS receivers. Priced at $99, $149, and $199 respectively, the compact, vibrantly colored handhelds deliver advanced features and powerful performance.
To play and be eligible to win, participants need to have access to a GPS receiver and register at Magellangps.com. There, contestants enlist as agents and follow the contest's fictional storyline to assist the "Magellan Detective Agency" in foiling the sinister plans of the notorious "Stella DeCache" and her devious henchmen of "Organization X" before they're able to disrupt the game of geocaching.
Each week, clues posted on the Website ultimately will reveal exact latitude and longitude coordinates for one or more locations, which contestants will enter in their GPS receivers so they can use it to guide them to a secret briefcase-like container hidden above ground on public property, like a park or forest. The first person to find the case and the top-secret reward document inside wins a grand prize, plus cool items they find in the cache container. Grand prizes vary from cache to cache and may include trips, outdoor adventure products, or vehicle navigation gear packages.
For complete details on contest rules and prizes, see the official game Website.
Pocket Boingo Debuts
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Extending simple Wi-Fi network access to a new range of devices, Boingo Wireless this week announced new Palm OS and Windows Mobile 2003 versions of Pocket Boingo, its Wi-Fi network access client for personal digital assistants.
Pocket Boingo for Windows Mobile 2003 is available now; a version supporting the Palm Tungsten C will be available later this summer. Versions of Pocket Boingo for other Palm OS-based devices are currently in development.
With Pocket Boingo, PDAs can be a more portable extension of a user's connected world. The product not only provides easier connections to private Wi-Fi networks at home and at the office, but Pocket Boingo also lets users tap into the Boingo Roaming System, a worldwide network of more than 8,500 hot spots under contract, for ultra-high-speed wireless Internet access.
Pocket Boingo for Palm and Windows Mobile sniffs out private, free, and Boingo networks. It also includes advanced profile and security management for easy connections to preferred networks. Windows Mobile 2003 users also can export network profiles from the Windows-based version of Boingo into their devices.
As with the existing Windows version of Boingo software (compatible with Windows XP, 2000, 98SE, and ME), Pocket Boingo is a free download from the Boingo Website.
iGo Power Products Give Mobile Devices a Charge
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Mobility Electronics Inc., a provider of portable computing solutions for the mobile electronics device user, announced it has begun shipping the newest version of Mobility's "smart tip" power supply adaptors to RadioShack distribution centers nationwide. The adapters will be marketed under the iGoTM brand and will be available in nearly 7,000 RadioShack retail locations starting this summer.
The interchangeable iGo itipsTM smart connectors are designed to fit into the power port of hundreds of different consumer electronics products. iGo and itips smart connector technology give consumers the ability to use a single adapter and the appropriate connector tip to power and/or charge virtually all of their mobile devices, including wireless phones, PDAs, MP3 players, digital cameras, and more. The "everywherepower" product is an AC/DC adapter that powers and charges mobile devices from any standard power source found in buildings, cars, and airplanes. The "autopower" product is a DC adapter that powers and charges mobile devices from any standard auto charging outlet, otherwise known as a CLA, or cigarette lighter adapter. The "dualpower" product works in conjunction with "everywherepower" to simultaneously power and charge two mobile devices. It also can be used as a stand-alone auto charger with its included adapter. The "wallpower" product plugs into standard electrical wall outlets and supports multiple mobile devices using Mobility's itips technology.
Nokia N-Gage Gets Another Game
ESPOO, Finland – Nokia, together with Codemasters, announced this week that Colin McRae Rally 2005 is under development for the N-Gage mobile gaming platform. As the first Codemasters title for the N-Gage platform, Colin McRae Rally 2005, developed by Ideaworks3D, will deliver to N-Gage gamers all the gripping action from the leading rally game series together with support for racing competitions via the N-Gage Arena.
The N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that Nokia hopes will create an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active gamers, the N-Gage platform is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer game play over Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. The N-Gage device also offers unique online games services as well as a growing games catalogue from leading game publishers.
"It's great to be able to bring Colin McRae Rally 2005, as the most successful brand in rally gaming, to the N-Gage mobile gaming audience," said Jim Darling, CEO of Codemasters. "We're really excited to work with the N-Gage team and build games that take advantage of the mobile connected features of the N-Gage platform."
"It's fantastic to have Codemasters' support for the N-Gage platform, and Colin McRae Rally 2005 is a great first title to showcase the talents of the team," said Pasi Polonen, Director of Game Publishing, Games Business Unit, for Nokia. "The online support for ghost racing via N-Gage Arena will give rally fans a chance to compete with the best rally gamers from around the world."
Codemasters, established in Southam, Warwickshire UK, in 1986, is a developer and publisher of interactive entertainment products. London-based Ideaworks3D is an award-winning developer of advanced mobile gaming technology and content.
