ROW Short Takes

Nokia buys gate5 for mapping, navigation servicesNokia has signed an agreement to acquire gate5, a supplier of navigation software in Europe. The purchase will allow Nokia to offer maps, routing, navigation and other location-based applications on its mobile devices. "Maps and navigation are natural elements to be offered in mobile devices but this area hasn’t developed as fast as expected by the market," said Anssi Vanjoki, executive VP and GM of multimedia at Nokia, in a news release. "The personal navigation device market is in a rapid growth phase with the global market size expected to reach 15 million units in 2006 compared with eight million units in 2005." Nokia will continue to support gate5’s existing personal navigation device customers as well as gate5’s strategy for mobile devices. Contec’s Hornet platform goes live in ChinaVancouver-based provider of mobile infrastructure software Contec Innovations Inc. has announced that its customer, KCTone, has commercially launched services with a major Chinese operator using Contec’s Hornet platform. KCTone is delivering a mobile portal offering to enterprises and the public sector over the operator’s 14-million subscriber network. The portal services have been designed to provide enterprise customers with productivity tools for employees and with marketing tools for their customers and prospects. It includes marketing applications for companies to maintain an online and mobile website, to publish catalogues, issue corporate news alerts and establish communication with their customers. Blue Tree reports strong Q2 revenuesBlue Tree Wireless Data Inc. has reported second quarter revenues of $912,164, a 98% increase compared to the same period a year ago and a 36% sequential increase over the previous quarter. The company’s new line of broadband EvDO modems continued to experience market acceptance, including a carrier approval with Verizon Communications Inc. Blue Tree also entered into an agreement with Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications to develop, manufacture and sell successor wireless modems to Sony Ericsson’s GM and GT series modems. Montreal-based Blue Tree’s modems are designed to operate on cellular networks worldwide enabling mobile computing and M2M applications in the public safety, fleet management, field service automation, supervisory control and data acquisition, and telemetry markets. AirG’s mobile community passes 10 million usersVancouver-based AirG has announced that as of May 1 its mobile community surpassed more than 10 million unique users, making it the fastest-growing mobile social network in the world. AirG has been powering social networking on mobile phones since 2000 and has built a mobile community that is interconnected to more than 85 mobile operators globally, including Sprint Nextel, Cingular, Boost Mobile, Orange and Virgin Mobile. AirG recently conducted a survey to demonstrate the power of mobile communities where more than 30,000 users responded in just 90 minutes providing insights into their spending habits and behaviours. Survey results indicated that the majority of users would rather chat on their phone than watch TV, do not own a PC, and spend more than $80 each month on their mobile phone. USB modems from Sierra offer portable broadband solutionSierra Wireless Inc. has announced its new AirCard USB wireless modems for EvDO and HSDPA networks. The modules can either plug directly into the USB ports of both notebook and desktop computers, or be connected through a docking cradle, offering an alternative for customers without PCMCIA card slots and allowing them to move a single wireless data service between multiple computers and save costs. The pocket-sized AirCard 595U and 875U are compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. An internal battery ensures optimal performance in fringe areas, while built-in GPS functionality allows for delivery of location-based services such as local searches and navigation assistance. Vecima Networks coming in NovemberVCom Inc., a Victoria BC-based designer, manufacturer and seller of products that enable broadband access to cable, wireless and telephony networks, has announced that it will change its name to Vecima Networks Inc., effective November 14. "As we continue to grow and mature as a company, we must ensure that our brand reflects our size and position within the marketplace," said VCom chief executive and chairman Surinder Kumar in a news release. "With Vecima we are building a brand that is synonymous with our core strengths. Technical pre-eminence, time-to-market, agility, and solutions tailored to our customers’ needs on a case-by-case basis are hallmarks of our company." The company’s CUSIP number and TSX symbol will remain unchanged. AskMeNow gives Q4 outlookMobile lifestyle network AskMeNow, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ocean West Holding Corp., has announced its outlook for the fourth quarter of this year. During Q4, AskMeNow anticipates offering several new applications on multiple handsets including the Motorola RAZR and SLVR, Palm Treo 650 and Windows Mobile 5.0 handsets such as the HP iPAQ and Palm Treo 700w. A number of the applications are currently in certification mode with Rogers Wireless. AskMeNow also anticipates that its new SMS product will launch out of beta in September and is intended to provide the first SMS product to allow a customer to ask any question and receive an answer. To support the launch of its new products AskMeNow plans to kick off a nationwide television advertising campaign during the fall. Intrinsyc CTO outlines technology direction of mobile phone marketAt the MAPOS conference in London UK on September 5, Intrinsyc Software International Inc. CTO Randy Kath said the telecommunications industry is demanding software that can provide mobile phone makers with more cost-effective and feature-laden handset design options. "High-level operating systems allow handset manufacturers to reduce development costs and provide them with better product line scalability than legacy RTOS mobile phone software," Kath said. "The Soleus development platform by Intrinsyc is an innovative high-level operating system that provides mobile phone manufacturers with a more flexible alternative to other operating systems." Intrinsyc launched Soleus, the world’s first Microsoft Windows CE-based software platform for the mid-range mobile handset market, earlier this year. Much partners with Virgin for outdoor festivalMuchMusic and MuchMusic.com have teamed up with Virgin Mobile Canada as the official broadcast and online partners of Virgin Festival to bring multi-platform access to the two-day outdoor entertainment extravaganza to fans. The Virgin Festival takes place at Toronto Island Park on September 9 and 10, and features more than 35 bands on two main stage, including Muse, The Raconteurs and Sam Roberts Band. "Virgin Festival is a great fit for MuchMusic and MuchMusic.com," said David Kines, VP of music and youth services for CHUM Television, in a news release, "and we’re excited to use a fresh, multi-platform approach to cover it – including live streaming video, mobile, and user-generated content." Wireless network to serve 2.4 million Silicon Valley residentsSilicon Valley Metro Connect, a collaboration between Azulstar Networks, Cisco Systems, IBM and Seakay, has been selected to build and operate a regional wireless network that will serve 2.4 million people in California’s Silicon Valley. The network will offer broadband wireless Internet access to 42 municipalities and will span nearly 1,500 square miles. "Silicon Valley is known as a birthplace of innovation and this is the kind of ambitious project for which our region is known," said Russell Hancock, president and CEO of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, in a press release. "Silicon Valley impressed the team with a vision that breaks the mould for wireless cities. The Valley is becoming the epicentre for innovation in wireless technology." Beginning in 2007, the network will leverage the WiMax IEEE 802.15 wireless standard for the 2-11 GHz operating bands.

ROW Short Takes

News | 09/08/2006 4:00 am EDT

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