A big debate over the idea of video on cell phones, is whether or not the consumer will want to watch TV-style broadcast channels. We can envision checking in on the Yankees (or at least Om would) or some other live sports match, but not so sure all TV programs will translate. Qualcomm, who is spending hundreds of millions on its mobile broadcast network for MediaFLO, and Crown Castle, would probably disagree.

ABI Research certainly looks like it’s drinking the mobile broadcast coolaid, and the research firm sent out a release this morning that says “by the end of 2007 approximately four million subscribers will receive entertainment and information on their wireless handsets via mobile broadcast technologies such as DVB-H and MediaFLO.” That’s supposedly in the U.S.

Mobile broadcast phones could end up selling well, but we doubt it can get those numbers by the end of 2007. That’s just way too soon. At CTIA Verizon Wireless COO and VP Lowell McAdam said its service with Qualcomm’s MediaFLO likely wouldn’t be widely available until late Q1, early Q2 of 2007. If he publicly said that time frame, then it probably means it will actually take much longer. He made the statement in response to a question from the audience, and started the answer by sighing and joking if that question came from Paul Jacobs. Not a good sign.

3:42:53 PM    comment   

After exclusive talks, Neuf Cegetel has agreed to buy AOL France for $365 million in cash; the ISP business includes 500,000 broadband customers. As part of the deal, AOL will manage audience services and online advertising sales for Neufportail.fr, Cegetelportail.fr and Aol.fr with total monthly uniques of about 9 million. The deal still faces French regulatory approval, anticipated in the fourth quarter. Neuf Cegetel gets to hit its 2 million ADSL subscriber goal a year early while Time Warner continues its transition away from the ISP business. Neuf has also agreed to hire up to 140 AOL France employees. Release.
– This deal plus the sale earlier this week of AOL Germany to Telecom Italia for $852 million puts Time Warner well over $1 billion so far for AOL Europe divestment.
– As we already reported today, the sales process for AOL UK continues with Orange pulling out of the bidding.

3:36:30 PM    comment   

Mobile Entertainment Vision, quoting an unnamed Vodafone spokesman, says that Google will launch on Vodafone’s portal Live later this year, despite earlier reports that they were actually now considering a white label version of search, following the initial announcement of the partnership.

Rumours were rife at CTIA that this was a dead deal though and¬[sgl dagger]was only initiated¬[sgl dagger]because Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin and Google Chairman, Eric Schmidt, were buddies. Certainly they were at the University of California at roughly the same time, so maybe there’s some truth there.

But¬[sgl dagger]partnering Google to handle your mobile search seems to be a little like Little Red Ridinghood inviting the wolf to give her cooking classes. He may be a world class cook, but will you end up on the menu?

This is certainly the view of most people¬[sgl dagger]who I know in¬[sgl dagger]mobile operators. And while I’m still not convinced that mobile search will be quite as big as everyone seems to think it will be, there’s no question that giving Google power over the phone’s screen is at least going to dilute the power and dominance of the operator’s brand.

Anyway, it would be nice to know if this engagement is on again, or if Vodafone will abandon their bride before the happy couple reach the alter. Anyone know what’s actually happening? On or off the record -¬[sgl dagger]I’d love to know.

3:35:29 PM    comment   

My latest post on Technology Walla is about the proliferation of India-centric podcast content and services.

Any technology innovation generally starts with content and services in the technology category, moving outwards to entertainment, spreading to politics / current affairs and then becoming mainstream.

I think mobile will be the device of choice for podcasting in India.

If podcasting has to become mainstream in India, mobile has to be the dominant device of creation and consumption. There aren’t that many PCs, iPods or portable MP3 players in India. But there is a slew of mobiles with memory cards, GPRS and MP3 players.

2:39:18 PM    comment   

Nerd timepiece! This GSM cellphone wrist watch has a 1-inch OLED screen, and does triband GSM after you drop a SIM card inside. The phone has room for 99 speed dials, and has 40 ringtones built in. Its batteries will last for 80 minutes of standard calls, but the phone has SMS capabilities, and even has Bluetooth for a headset. You know, so no one will think you're a loser while you talk to the wrist.–Brian Lam

M300 GSM Cellphone Watch [via crunchgear]

2:37:15 PM    comment