Rogers Extends Data Plan to 3G Smartphones
2008-08-29 14:16:30
Rogers had a rough start with their iPhone introduction. After initially publishing the new data plans for the iPhone (and their other smartphones), the Toronto-based carrier came under fire from both Apple and excited iPhone fans leading to an online petition for Rogers to change the absurd data plans.
The ravaged plans were consequently changed to a limited-time-only 6GB data plan. The time limited offer was to expire on August 31, however, Rogers is extending the promo for another month to benefit the users of the iPhone3G competitor from Research in Motion, the Blackberry Bold.
Rogers will also introduce a new data plan which will cost users $25 per month for Smartphone users on October 1. This data plan will allow 500MB downloads per month and a 3-month promotional unlimited usage. Of course the new data plan is on top of the voice plan that starts at $20 per month and an activation fee og $6.95. ...more
Google is really hyping up their Android mobile platform. Late last year, the Android team launched a contest for developers to create apps that run on the Android platform in anticipation of the Android Market launch yesterday. Today, winners of the first Android Developer Challenge (ADC1) were announced.
The Android Developer Challenge 1 had 50 finalists screened last year. The finalist have been polishing their applications for the past several months for the $275,000 and $100,000 prizes. Twenty teams have one the cash, 10 for the $275K and 10 for the $100K.
Judging of the applications fell into the hands of seven experts, GAdi Amit, Jenns Begemann, Chris DiBona, Leon Segal, Kristian Simsarian, Charles Warren and Jeremiah Zinn. ...more
Microsoft is set to acquire a European shopping and review company Greenfield Online. Greenfield Online operates a couple of subsidiaries including Ciao, Europe's leading price comparison, shopping and consumer reviews site. The acquisition will further improve on Microsoft's strategy to make Live Search the premiere destination for consumers.
"Ciao's success has been led by a team of talented people who took a unique combination of intuitive technology and the insight that comes out of their passionate consumer community to become one of Europe's leading shopping comparison sites," said John Mangelaars, vice president, Consumer and Online, Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa. "This makes the company a fantastic asset to the future of our search offer. Integrating Ciao's capabilities into Live Search will provide a strong launchpad for our commercial search offer in Europe and enhance our e-commerce offering on MSN." [Press Release]
Under the terms of the acquisition, Microsoft will purchase all outstanding shares of Greenfield Online at $17.50 per share. The total price will amount to $486 million. ...more
The iPhone is enjoying a nice steady increase and adoption rate. The mobile phone from Apple did revolutionize the mobile platform not only by providing a sexy sleek handset but also by providing users a plethora of options to customize their devices. The Apple App Store is making loads of cash on top of the iPhone sales and this makes the iPhone so popular.
Now, Google as awe all know by now is stepping into the mobile game with their mobile operating system Android. The HTC Dream Phone will be rolling out from T-Mobile later this year and the Android SDK just got a major update. These factors all play against the iPhone. Now the circle is nearly complete.
To do the same thing that Apple did with the iPhone and App Store, Google is opening up the Android Market, their version of an App Store. The Android market will be a repository and distribution channel for applications compatible with the Android OS which Google is planning to integrate with all mobile devices starting with the HTC Dream a.k.a. T-mobile G1. ...more
I like Google. I like Firefox. I think the best thing about the Firefox browser is the integrated Google search bar on the top right corner.
Apparently, Google and Firefox have an arrangement that makes this possible and that contract was set to expire this November. However, during the recent Firefox Summit, Google and Firefox have renewed their deal for another three years.
"Another important element is the financial resources Mozilla enjoys. We've just renewed our agreement with Google for an additional three years. This agreement now ends in November of 2011 rather than November of 2008, so we have stability in income. We're also learning more all the time about how to use Mozilla's financial resources to help contributors through infrastructure, new programs, and new types of support from employees." ...more
Microsoft Internet Explorer is losing the browser war to Firefox. Even though IE comes default with Windows, it's not everyone's favorite browser and users more often than not shift to Firefox when they get a chance.
Now playing catch up, Microsoft previously released a developer's beta version of their latest browser IE 8. Yesterday, a public version of that browser has been released to the public, the IE 8 Beta 2. Generally, this version is getting close to its competitor Firefox 3 which enjoyed a record breaking download rate when it was released.
The Microsoft IE8 Beta 2 is feature packed for the average Joe. Unlike the IE 8 Beta 1 which was intended for developer, this public Beta is smoother, and more stable and reliable for everyday use. ...more
An iPhone TV advertisement in the UK has been banned from airing by the UK's advertising watchdog. The TV -ad apparently over hyped the capabilities of the iPhone.
The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) received complaints that the TV-ad was implying that the iPhone can view the internet as you would on a PC browser. However, if you've been hyped as well, this not entirely true. The iPhone cannot view Java or Flash, an integral part of many web pages. Apple confirms this by saying that Safari, the browser installed on the iPhone, was built to open internet standards and that Flash and Java were not open source. Hence, Apple cannot ensure compatibility with "every third-party technology in the marketplace".
In a last ditch effort, Apple says that the ad did not show any Flash or Java application and that by saying in the voice over, "all parts of the internet" only meant website availability "not every aspect of functionality". ...more
Cisco Systems announced yesterday that it has finalized the deal to acquire e-mail and calendar software-maker PostPath for $215 million.
PostPath is a software maker specializing in e-mail and calendars. They have an Ajax client that runs a Linux-based e-mail system in the browser. PostPath also runs on mobile platforms including the iPhone. To give you an idea of what it really is, think Zimbra (which was acquired by Yahoo for $350 million).
"With PostPath's software, Cisco will extend the e-mail and calendar functionality of its flexible software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based collaborative platform that includes instant messaging, voice, video, data, document management and Web 2.0 applications." ...more
Remember Psystar? That PC-maker that made it possible to own a low cost computer that runs OS X that's been sued by Apple, is now giving back the favor.
In response to the lawsuit filed by Cupertino CA based Apple, Miami based Psystar is going to court against the Mac-OSX maker on antitrust counts. Psystar owner Rudy Pedraza will sue Apple under two federal laws that discourage the formation of monopolies and cartels, the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act. Psystar is saying that Apple's practice of tying down the OS-X to Apple only hardware is "an anticompetitive restrain of trade."
The OpenMacs from Psystar were shipped sometime early this year for a brief period of time until Apple first warned them for using the "Mac" moniker. Psystar simply changed the name of their product to OpenComputer and still pre-installed the Apple OS-X. Everything went downhill from then. Apple sued Psystar in a 16-page grievance which ultimately said that Psystar violated the OSX EULA. ...more
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