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Q4 2008’s Top-Selling Handsets: ComScore m:Metrics Survey Results

March 17, 2009

Based on a monthly online survey of mobile subscribers, ComScore’s three-month survey asked consumers which phone they own and whether the device was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2008.

FierceWireless reveals the survey and against previous industry news, the Apple iPhone was not top-dog. First place went to Research In Motion’s Blackberry Curve 8330. Despite the market hype of smartphones stealing the spotlight, the list was rounded out by simple feature phones.

Taking a closer look at consumer’s choices, the first-place Research In Motion’s BlackBerry Curve 8330 is reasonably priced at $99, with a 2-year contract with either Sprint or Verizon. It has traditional BlackBerry appearance and OS applications, integrated GPS, 2-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, memory card slot, push email and trackball to ease navigation. The Curve 8330 feels like all the popular bells and whistles at half the price.

Coming in second was the LG Dare VX9700. Priced at $179, with a 2-year Verizon contract, Dare is a touchscreen phone with 3-inch display and a sense of touch. Other features include the 3.2-megapixel camera, virtual QWERTY keyboard, up to 8GB microSD slot, Verizon’s VCast music and VZ Navigator GPS services. Again, a full range of smartphone perks from Verizon, one of the nation’s most popular carriers.

At third was Apple’s iPhone 3G (8GB) at $199. Not surprising. AT&T reports 1.9 million iPhone activations in Q4. No one can deny iPhone’s eye-popping features. A sampling includes Google Maps, email connection, direct connection to YouTube and the iTunes store, iPod capability, and over 10,000 applications.

The eyebrow-raisers come in at fourth and fifth places, respectively. The Samsung-U340 Snap (carrier: Verizon, Price: $19.99) and Kyocera Marbl (carrier: Virgin Mobile USA, Price: $9.99) are two basic-featured, clamshell designs that finish the top five. The Snap features a VGA digital camera and mobile instant messaging. The Marbl doesn’t even have a camera, but supports moble web. Their market strength is obviously due to their near-free cost and popular carriers.

Posted by anne · Filed Under Industry 

International CTIA WIRELESS:Executives from T-Mobile USA, Microsoft, RIM, and Clearwire to join former Vice President Al Gore on Keynote Stage

March 17, 2009

April 1-3, 2009 | Las Vegas Convention Center | Las Vegas, NV

International CTIA WIRELESS 2009®, the premier event representing the global wireless industry, announced new additions to its keynote lineup that include executives from T-Mobile USA, Microsoft, Research In Motion and Clearwire.

Robert Dotson, 2009 CTIA chairman, and president and CEO of T-Mobile USA; Robert Bach, president, entertainment & devices division, Microsoft Corporation; Mike Lazaridis, president & co-CEO, Research In Motion; and Benjamin Wolff, CEO and director, Clearwire will join former Vice President Al Gore in delivering keynote addresses during International CTIA WIRELESS 2009, April 1-3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“The International CTIA WIRELESS show continues to be an important venue for thought leaders to present the global community with upcoming industry trends and technology developments,” said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director for CTIA. “We’re assembling a dynamic group of keynote speakers who will address issues of importance to all segments of the wireless industry, including fixed mobile convergence, mobile software applications, smart energy solutions and next-generation devices that merge mobility and the Internet.”

Register now to be part of this global marketplace @ WWW.CTIASHOW.COM!

CTIA-The Wireless AssociationÆ
1400 16th Street, NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036 USA
www.ctiashow.com & www.ctia.org

Posted by anne · Filed Under Industry 

Become a Premium Member Today!

March 16, 2009

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Posted by anne · Filed Under Site News 

The Atmosphere of Aura: Is the Motorola Aura the Cellular Equivalent to Rolex?

March 16, 2009

While the lead mobile phone industry horses are thundering along in pursuit for title of top smart phone, Motorola quietly slips onto the sceen with the sleekly designed Aura. Moto calls it “The Return of Artistry” that “delivers a sensory experience that is second-to-none for those with refined taste.” With a wallet-depleting $1,999.99 price tag we’re wondering what’s all the hype? What more can it possibly do?

Stainless steel housing; chemically etched surface textures and patterns; 700+ individual components inspired by Swiss luxury watches; 130 precision ball bearings; Assisted-opening blade mechanism; World’s first 16-million color, circular display; 62-carat sapphire crystal lens… have we got you drooling yet?

The latest CNET Review calls the Aura “attractive” and “all about its design.” The review also reveals that indeed Moto has the belief that craftsmanship is worth the investment. The eye-catching surface pattern takes two weeks to etch and polish. The swivel mechanism that in past models, by other vendors, tend to wear out faster than flip phones, felt sturdy and durable. In fact the only down point CNET admitted to was the Aura’s tendancy to attract fingerprints.

No, you won’t be downloading new Apps or watching movies with the Aura. The minimally designed perks include a 2-megapixel camera, a music player, stereo Bluetooth, Moto’s CrystalTalk, messaging, a speakerphone, and an open-source browser.

Yes, the 18 to 30 crowd’s opinion reigns supreme in commercial focus groups. They will ever be in honeymoon stage with the shiniest and most feature-heavy new offerings. But you have to wonder. Those same youthful buyers still roll over their investments every 18 to 24 months as they purchase yet another of the latest and greatest. There’s something to be said about purchasing a product that is well-made, well-designed and beautiful. With the Aura you’ll never say, they don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Experience the Aura at Motorola.com.

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Posted by anne · Filed Under Industry