Blyk and Vodafone: Possible partners of convenience in mobile ads?
Some business models are so implausible that it’s only a matter of time before they implode, or search for a crutch — as is the case for British company Blyk, a “free” mobile virtual network operator (basically a reseller of minutes bought wholesale from long distance companies) with an advertising-only revenue model. Today, reports emerged that the company is planning to shutter its retail operations in favor of offering its service through other mobile operators… Continue Reading
T-Mobile’s runs into trouble in the U.K.
Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile has banked on being the first operator to launch the much-hyped Google Android phone. But that strategy’s falling short for at least one of its subsidiaries. Today, Deutsche Telekom reported that its mobile division lost $849 million, including a write-down of $2.4 billion in assets at T-Mobile U.K.
This performance does nothing to dispel rumors that T-Mobile U.K. may be put up for sale. The operator has yet to confirm anything, but sources… Continue Reading
HTC takes a European vacation with the G2. Will we see it stateside?
The Mobile World Congress is officially underway in Spain, and one of the biggest stories of the show so far seems to be the complete and utter lack of new phones running Google’s Android mobile platform. While many companies are promising to have their own Android phones at some point this year, HTC’s G1 remains the only one actually out there. But that may change shortly — at least for Europeans. The G1’s successor, the… Continue Reading
Dexterra raises $21.5M to expand mobile platform, carrier partnerships
Mobile business software provider Dexterra announced today that it scored $21.5 million in sixth round financing from existing investors led by New Enterprise Associates and including Canaan Partners, Intel Capital, Mesirow Financial, Motorola Ventures and Sigma Partners. This brings the company’s total funding to $106.5 million.
Bothell, Wash.-based Dexterra develops mobile applications to meet different business needs and the software used to distribute them wirelessly to employees’ phones. One application would let a service company track… Continue Reading
Roundup: Facebook suspends Super Wall, Khosla joins Obama and more
Here’s the latest action:
Facebook suspends RockYou’s Super Wall – The social networking site has turned off the Facebook application’s viral aspects, like invitations and notifications, presumably as part of its efforts to crack down on spammy app activity. RockYou chief executive Lance Tokuda says he’s working with Facebook to get the suspended features restored soon. The move follows the shutdown of RockYou competitor Slide’s Top Friends application at the end of June due to a… Continue Reading
Vodafone acquires mobile social networking startup ZYB
Vodafone has acquired a Danish mobile startup called ZYB for 31.5 million euros ($48.7 million).
ZYB combines a back-up service for your mobile contact and calendar info with social networking tools that allow you to share the info with your friends. Its service also allows you to send images and messages from your computer to multiple mobile devices.
Now, there are plenty of mobile social networks out there, and web heavyweights Facebook and MySpace also have mobile… Continue Reading
The iPhone to go around the world in 80 days (or whenever the 3G version is ready)
The world’s largest mobile phone seller, Vodafone, today announced that it has a deal in place with Apple to sell the iPhone in 10 new markets around the world. These are: Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey. This major push continues Apple’s global expansion for the device following announcements of a launch in Canada, and evidence that the company is working hard to get to the… Continue Reading
Vodafone, Telefonica select Amobee for mobile ads — fend off Google
Amobee Media Systems, a San Francisco company building advertising technology for large wireless carriers, has won investments from two large carrier groups, Vodafone and Spain’s Telefonica.
The move reflects how Vodafone and Telefonica are taking steps to defend themselves from players like Google and Yahoo, which also see the huge potential in the emerging mobile advertising market. Increasingly, ads are being used to deliver everything for free over the mobile phone, from games, movies, SMS services… Continue Reading
MySpace goes mobile in Europe, with Vodafone
Let the land-grab continue.
The big social networks are looking for ways to reach more people, and they’re having to partner. MySpace.com, the giant social network, will enter the European mobile phone market with an exclusive relationship with Vodafone, they just announced. This comes just as Facebook announces an agressive move into video, with Comcast. MySpace’s grip on the European market is more tenuous than in the U.S., where players like Bebo and others are… Continue Reading