Google-owned AdMob has revealed that the Apple iPhone is far and away the biggest player in the world's mobile internet market, if October's online activity is considered.

AdMob has released its statistics for October that look at how many "requests" each of the major mobile phone operating systems made. Apple's iPhone, with full fat Safari browsers and data bundles in many countries, dominates in the smartphone market.

During October, in terms of global smartphone traffic, the iPhone weighs in at 50%. In the States, the figure rises to 55% (with HTC second at 22%), while here in the UK the iPhone commands a whopping 74% of all smartphone traffic.

In the UK, the next biggest player is Nokia, at 10%, lagging an astonishing 64% behind the market leader. HTC, also at 10% follows with Android nabbing the same percentile as far as OSes go.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry AdMob Statistics iPhone Online Apple Nokia Biz

iPhone accounts for three quarters of mobile internet use in the UK originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:55:22 +0000

New gPhone whispers suggest that Google is gearing up for no less than "an all-out assault on the mobile phone market".

The report, from The Times, states that the new, Google-branded handset we've heard about of late will encompass "the first comprehensive Google phone service with unlimited free calls", and a built-in, advanced version of Google Voice.

"For the first time", says the paper, "a single company will control everything from the software in users' phones to the services they use to make calls and surf the web".

The Google handset is said to be "one of the most advanced smartphones, with a large touchscreen display and a [Qualcomm] processor almost twice as fast as the one powering Apple's iPhone 3GS".

It's likely to offer the future version of Android code-named "Flan", which continues the cake-themed updates, and is said to bring high-speed 3D gaming.

As mobile phone operators may be unwilling to offer a device that offers free Google Voice calls, it's suggested that Google may offer the handset direct to the public, although this could push the cost up to over ?500 - but it's a price some disillusioned consumers may be willing to pay.

This latest report pegs a gPhone launch as early as next year in the US - we will keep you posted.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Google gPhone Rumours Mobile phone industry Android Google Voice

Google planning "all-out assault" on mobile market with gPhone originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:13:50 +0000

An interesting mobile phone network has just launched in the UK. Although owned by O2 and run by its execs, GiffGaff claims to be a completely separate "people-powered" operator, offering very cheap calls, texts and web browsing in exchange for customer involvement in the network.

You sign up, or get referred by an existing member, and then get sent a Pay-As-You-Go SIM card which will only work in unlocked handsets. You can then use that SIM card normally by topping up credit, or you can earn credit by doing certain things.

You earn ?5 by introducing a new member. You earn ?2 from a referral when people sign up, or 50p by telling friends about the service. There's other options too. Those points are doled out twice-yearly, in November and May.

Most impressively, there's a whole range of "tools" that consist of imagery and videos you can download. If you can turn one of those into an advert, and GiffGaff reckons it's good enough to use, you can become a "V.I.G." and get free texts, calls and web access for a year.

Speaking of web access, if you top up ?10, then you get unlimited browsing for 6 months. Calls are free to other GiffGaff users, and 8p per minute to other networks. Texts are free to GiffGaff users and 4p to other networks. GiffGaff reckons that makes it the cheapest operator around.

What do you think? Does this add up? Or is it a noble but doomed attempt at a hybrid sharing and commercial business? Have you signed up? Tell us in the comments.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones Mobile phone industry GiffGaff Wikipedia Video

VIDEO: GiffGaff phone network goes live originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:46:56 +0000

In news that its customers will be happy to hear, O2 has revealed plans for a big upgrade to its UK network, with ?500 million investment over the last 2 years.

The operator - which currently offers data-happy phones such as the Apple iPhone and the Palm Pre - is looking to improve its data handling capabilities.

As part of the plans, London will see around 40 new mobile data hotspots in the city by the end of the year, with another 160 following on in the next year.

Meanwhile the rest of the country will see another 1500 new locations to boost service across the UK.

Derek McManus, chief technology officer at O2 UK, said that the company predicts a surge in data usage over the next year and is working to improve its network capacity for the future.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry O2

O2 promises network improvements originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:39:08 +0000

American mobile phone operator AT&T has hit back at rival Verizon using the secret weapon of Luke Wilson.

The new ad, which supposedly compares the two operators' 3G offerings side by side, is a direct response to Verizon's current map-themed campaign which makes it appear as if AT&T has very little coverage across the United States.

AT&T was refused its initial legal request for an injunction to stop Verizon showing the adverts which AT&T deemed "misleading", so for now it seems a tit for tat battle will ensue until AT&T gets a second chance in court on 16 December.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Advertising AT and T Verizon Video

VIDEO: AT&T fires back at Verizon in ad war originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:07:05 +0000

T-Mobile has admitted guilt in recent news that an unnamed mobile phone operator had been caught selling personal data about customers to competitors.?

Staff apparently passed on millions of records from thousands of customers to third party brokers, who then cold-called people who were near the ends of their contracts. The issue was discovered after customers complained about those very calls.?A T-Mobile spokesman said the data had been sold "without our knowledge".

The network faces large fines from the Information Commissioner, who also took the unusual step of calling for?the staff members responsible to be handed a prison sentence instead of the ordinary ?5000 fine that comes with a violation of Britain’s Data Protection Act.?

Are you a T-Mobile customer? How does this make you feel? Let us know in the comments.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Biz Information Commissioner

Personal data sold by T-Mobile originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:43:30 +0000

A UK mobile phone operator has seen a data leak of millions of records from thousands of customers, the information commissioner has revealed.

Staff at one of the UK's major mobile phone companies sold on the customer information to other phone firms, Christopher Graham told the BBC, making a mockery of the data protection act.

Customers have reported being cold-called as their contracts came to an end, ultimately resulting in the phone company alerting the watchdog to the problem.

The information commissioner has searched company premises, interviewed employees and is planning to prosecute those involved, but the operator has not been officially named.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Biz Information Commissioner O2 Orange Vodafone T-Mobile 3

UK mobile phone operator sees major data theft originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:36:03 +0000

Further to reports suggesting it was about to, Samsung has announced it has no plans to ditch the Symbian operating system for its future smartphones.

While it had been reported that Samsung senior VP Don Joo Lee had said the company would be looking to Android, Windows Mobile and its own bada platform from now on, the company has issued a statement to the contrary.

"Samsung is an initial member of Symbian Foundation and continues to cooperate with Symbian Foundation. At the same time, Samsung supports various existing open operating systems including Symbian, Linux, Android, and Windows Mobile. To provide more choices to meet consumers' many different tastes and preferences, we will continue our 'multi-OS' strategy".

An SDK for Samsung's bada platform is due in December, while the first bada phones are due in the first half of 2010.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Samsung Symbian Samsung bada

Samsung denies ditching Symbian originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:29:40 +0000

Samsung has announced the launch of its own open mobile platform, "Samsung bada" with an SDK due to be available in December.

Bada will mean developers can create applications for millions of new Samsung mobile phones.

The name bada means ocean in Korean (we're certainly hoping Microsoft is planning a search app for the platform) and was said to be chosen "to convey the limitless variety of potential applications which can be created using the new platform".

Samsung says bada is simple for developers to use - "one of the most developer-friendly environments available".

The first bada-powered mobile is due in the first half of 2010.

Tags: Phones Mobile phones Mobile phone industry Samsung Samsung bada SDK Biz

Samsung announces bada mobile platform originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:55:01 +0000

It seems Vodafone is not the only operator to get its claws out in a timely manner as Orange becomes the second operator to offer the iPhone in the UK, as 3 has revealed - on the day of the Orange iPhone launch - it has put in a formal complaint to the ASA about Orange's new advertising campaign.

While Orange and O2's price plans for the iPhone are very similar, it seems Orange is hoping to appeal to consumers on the strength of its 3G network with a new ?4 million "You're Covered" advertising campaign.

However, 3 is taking issue with Orange's claim that its 3G network "currently covers over 93% of the UK population - more than any other network", and has asked Ofcom to put measures in place for a more consistent way to of calculating coverage.

"We're confident that we have the biggest 3G network in the UK, both in terms of geographic and population coverage, built on a 9192 site network that grows by around 150 sites each week", says 3.

"But it's no surprise consumers are being confused about coverage. Right now each operator chooses a population coverage measurement that suits it. We currently claim 92% coverage. We could use a measure used elsewhere in the industry that would boost our claimed population coverage to 95% in an instant, without reaching a single extra customer".

"We're happy to open up our network to a third-party to judge. We"d like to see a common standard applied across the industry, to give consumers a more realistic picture of 3G coverage available to UK consumers on all networks".

Tags: Phones Mobile phones 3 Orange iPhone Mobile phone industry Advertising Ofcom ASA 3G

3 calls foul over Orange 3G coverage claims on iPhone launch day originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:20:35 +0000

Google has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire AdMob, a mobile display advertising company based in California, in an attempt to cash in on the rapidly growing number of people who access the Internet as well as connected services and widgets on their phones.

In a blog post, the internet giant says: "AdMob is a great Silicon Valley story - founded in 2006 by Omar Hamoui when he couldn't find good ways to generate traffic for his mobile site. Over the past few years, Omar and his talented team have built a thriving company with great mobile advertising products, and we are looking forward to having them join the Google team and work with us on the future of mobile advertising".

Stating that "despite the tremendous growth in mobile usage and the substantial investment by many businesses in the space, the mobile web is still in its early stages", Google says it thinks that "great mobile advertising products can encourage even more growth in the mobile ecosystem".

Although Google currently offers mobile advertising solutions it says its focus to date has been on mobile versions of its search ads. This differs from AdMob's focus that has been mobile display ads and in-application ads, the potential of which for the Android platform will be lost on no-one.

In honour of the deal, Google has set-up a site that explains the $750 million acquisition and the types of mobile advertising available.

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Related links:

• Comment - Has Google got too big?

Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Google Advertising AdMob Biz Acquisitions Android

Google acquires AdMob for $750 million originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:07:32 +0000

The deal that will see Orange and T-Mobile merged in the UK to form the biggest mobile phone operator has been finalised.

Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom have now signed the final agreement to combine their respective UK operations into a 50:50 joint venture company.

The companies say that completion is conditional on relevant authorities approval and is expected in the first half of 2010.

Timotheus Hottges, the CFO of Deutsche Telekom says the joint venture "will set new standards as the number one in the UK mobile market".

Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Orange T-Mobile Mergers Acquisitions Deutsche Telekom France Telecom

T-Mobile and Orange 50:50 joint venture finalised originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:28:24 +0000

The 20 busiest underground stations in the Washington, DC Metro system is to get mobile phone coverage from Sprint Nextel.

Customers with this carrier will be able to use their mobiles underground in stations as an attempt to "improve the workday commute for hundreds of thousands of passengers who depend on Metro to travel between their homes and workplaces each day".

While it's bad luck to anyone who enjoyed being out of contact for however long their Metro journey took them, the angle that it will improve response times to public safety issues on the system is hard to argue away.

Sprint says it expects to offer service in the Metro's remaining underground stations by autumn 2010. Here in the UK, some of Glasgow's subway system enjoys O2 coverage.

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Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Sprint Sprint Nextel

Washington subway users to get mobile coverage originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:39:44 +0100

Following the news that O2 has lost its operator exclusive on the iPhone, Carphone Warehouse has suffered a similar fate with its retail exclusive.

Phones4U has announced that it will be selling the Apple iPhone range from both Orange and O2 in shops and online while Orange's in-store deal with HMV means the Apple mobile will also be on sale in select HMV stores too.

The news from Phones4U alone means the iPhone will be available soon at an additional 400-plus shops across the UK.

Brendan Sweeney, Phones4U's managing director said in a release: "We are very pleased to be partnering with both Orange and O2 to sell the iPhone. Recognised for our in-depth understanding of the youth market and their needs, our knowledgeable and skilled staff are in a strong position to introduce the Apple iPhone to our Phones4U customer base".

It's as yet unknown when Orange iPhone sales will begin, with mid-November thought likely, while Vodafone will also offer the device in 2010.

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Related links:

• Reviewed - iPhone 3GS

Tags: Phones iPhone Phones4U O2 Orange Mobile phone industry Vodafone HMV Carphone Warehouse

Phones4U and HMV to offer the iPhone originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:48:59 +0100

Orange has opened its first ever "multimedia store" in the UK claiming to deliver a "completely new dimension of multimedia services to the community in the area".

Described as a "digital playground", the store features a 70-inch screen and seating, live handsets on display, a photo clock with pics of MK, a giant virtual Mexican Wave created by customers - oh - and a bouncy rubber floor.

To mark the launch of the store in Milton Keynes' thecentre:mk, Orange has wheeled out Conor for a quick video tour - hit play in the window above to see the clip.

Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Orange shopping Video

VIDEO: Orange multimedia store opens in Milton Keynes originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:40:43 +0100

It seems the UK's mobile phone network needs almost as much work as our broadband infrastructure. A report published today by the Communications Consumer Panel, a body that Ofcom consults, shows that the majority of people experience problems with coverage.

Over half (56%) of consumers and 91% of small business users have had problems with reception, while 33% of consumers and 34% of small business respondents experience problems on a regular basis. 36% of consumers say they have experienced "not-spots" and 18% of consumers experience them regularly.

Operators should do more to help consumers with such problems, says the report, which also suggests a try before you buy option for mobile phone contracts so that consumers know if they have the right coverage where they need it.

"This report identifies one of the most popular questions that customers have asked us over the last 20 years", comments Andrew Harrison, UK CEO of Carphone Warehouse.

"Network coverage is a critical issue, particularly as the popularity and growth in smartphones looks set to continue and more people look to utilise 3G services via their mobile phones. We have invested heavily to ensure that coverage checking functionality exists in all of our stores to enable us to advise customers on the best level of coverage at their homes and places of work".

Related links:

• News - Ofcom publishes 3G coverage maps for UK operators

Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Communications Consumer Panel

56% of Brits experience mobile coverage issues originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:25:49 +0100

It seems Nokia is looking at new wireless charging technologies as it's been announced the phone manufacturer has joined the Wireless Power Consortium.

Members already include Duracell, Olympus, Philips, Samsung and Sanyo who have signed up to the Consortium's Qi universal standard that will offer "easy, convenient wireless power charging everywhere".

Rival Palm's Pre currently offers a wireless charger - the TouchStone - as does Dell's new Latitude Z notebook.

"Wireless charging technology carries significant potential to enhance consumer experience of battery charging", said Markku Verkama, director of devices R&D at Nokia.

"Consumers expect ease of use and general compatibility of mobile devices. By joining the Wireless Power Consortium, Nokia continues to support the open standards approach that aims to meet these consumer expectations. Wireless Power Consortium is the first serious effort by the leading companies to harmonize the wireless charging technologies".

Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Nokia Wireless Power Consortium Wireless

Nokia working on wireless charging solutions originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:26:15 +0100