Getting Its (Low-Price) Point Across

By Joseph Palenchar On Jun 7 2010 - 4:01am

BENTONVILLE, ARK. — To align its cellular departments with its cost-conscious customer base, Walmart prominently positions prepaid phones on end caps, offers only prepaid services in its new mobile broadband areas, and features a broad array of free phones.

Also in line with the company’s low-price strategy, the company — like Best Buy and RadioShack — does not offer mail-in rebate programs, which are commonly used by carriers to reduce advertised prices.

 

 

Android OS 2.2 On The Way

By Joseph Palenchar On Jun 7 2010 - 4:01am

San Francisco — The next generation of Google’s Android OS will operate faster, turn Android smartphones into mobile WiFi hot spots, support Adobe Flash within the browser, and add new camera/camcorder features, the company announced here during its developers’ conference here.

The upgraded 2.2 OS, codenamed Froyo (for frozen yogurt), also supports voice dialing over Bluetooth, supports Microsoft Exchange for enterprise users, and makes room for more apps by storing them on memory cards.

Indirect Channel Seen Growing Cellular Market Share

By Joseph Palenchar On Jul 6 2010 - 6:48pm

NEW YORK — The indirect channel has been gaining cellphone market share in recent years and is poised to gain more, marketers and analysts said.

“We’re definitely seeing a shift to the indirect channel starting about two years ago,” said Sally Lange Witkowski, senior VP of marketing and retail services for cellphone and accessories distributor BrightStar. Because all distribution channels are enjoying sales growth, however, “it’s unclear how big the shift is.”

Just5 Focus: Emergencies, Simplicity

By Joseph Palenchar On Aug 2 2010 - 4:01am

LAS VEGAS - Cellular handset vendor Just5 is breaking into the U.S. market with phones that target consumers interested in reliable, simple-to-use voice-centric phones and cellphones intended only for use in emergencies.

The phone is especially suitable for seniors citizens, people with poor eyesight or hearing problems, people with medical conditions that require constant care, and children who need a starter phone, the company said.

PDD BRIEFS

By TWICE Staff On Aug 2 2010 - 4:01am

Sprint Prepaid Changes

OVERLAND PARK, KAN. — Sprint’s Virgin Mobile brand gained a new sub brand, but Sprint lost Dan Schulman, the architect of its recent multibrand prepaid- cellular initiative.

Schulman, who was president of Sprint Prepaid, is leaving the company to join American Express. His responsibilities have been handed over to the president of Sprint Consumer.

Stream TV To Launch 7-Inch Android Tablet

By Editors of TWICE On Aug 30 2010 - 4:01am

PHILADELPHIA — Stream TV Networks plans to launch a mobile tablet that features 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and runs on the Android 2.2 OS.

AT&T Home Femtocell Supports 3G Data, Voice

By Joseph Palenchar On Apr 5 2010 - 4:01am

LAS VEGAS — AT&T Wireless plans in mid-April to expand availability of its first residential femtocell, which improves in-home cellular coverage and reduces traffic on the carrier’s network.

The $149.99 AT&T 3G MicroCell, announced at CTIA Wireless 2010, operates like a miniature cellular base station, routing cellphone calls and data sessions over the Internet via a home’s broadband modem. It’s promoted as the only femtocell to support 3G data.

Analysts, Public Warm Up To The iPad

By Joseph Palenchar On Apr 19 2010 - 4:01am

CUPERTINO, CALIF. — Apple unveiled the iPad in January to tepid response from analysts and enthusiasts, but public opinion warmed up in time for the Easter-weekend launch.

Although first-day sales of more than 300,000 fell below many analysts’ expectations, analysts and marketers nonetheless remained bullish about the device’s long-term prospects and the device’s favorable impact on the tablet-PC market, the e-reader market and the home-automation industry. The home-automation industry has already begun using the iPad to control home systems wirelessly.

Microsoft Launches 64GB Zune HD

By Joseph Palenchar On Apr 19 2010 - 4:01am

REDMOND, WASH. — Microsoft launched its 64GB Zune HD in multiple colors at an everyday $349 through its online store, ZuneOriginals.net, and plans summertime availability of a black version through other online merchants.

Microsoft has declined to say when or if the 64GB Zune HD would be available in brick-and-mortar stores. Although Best Buy and Walmart stores offer the current Zunes, a Microsoft spokesperson said, “This new 64GB device will be available online at this time.”

Clear Channel Readies Traffic- Service Upgrade

By Joseph Palenchar On Apr 19 2010 - 4:01am

LAS VEGAS — ClearChannel plans early in the third quarter to add realtime news to the real-time traffic reports that it delivers via HD Radio.