Hello to the 5,000+ consumers who visited today

Mobile Industry Review (“MIR”) is — as you might infer from the name — all about the mobile industry and whilst we do have a small consumer following, the site editorial is generally inaccessible for consumers apart from when we jump into reviews of, for example, the Orange Rio or the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini.

It’s certainly quite exciting when the consumers pick up on something and go nuts on the site, as they have done today. We’ve had over 5,000 consumers (I’m assuming they’re consumers!) hitting the site today to check out the details we published about superstore chain, Tesco, and their iPhone 4 offering.

We’ve never ever had any such traffic from the other things we’ve posted about Tesco Mobile so I wonder if the company has caught the zeitgeist and is about to become the people’s iPhone champion? Good luck to them. Their deals are certainly very appealing, especially the PAYG offer! Read all about it.

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/TZ5el)

LadyGeek TV launches The App Show: Simply Brilliant!

On the back of the thoroughly well received App Economy Report, LadyGeek are launching something new!

LadyGeek TV! Yup, they’ve gone live with the first episode and, goodness me, it’s a brilliant show, absolutely brilliant. I knew Belinda and the team were cooking up something good so I was looking forward to seeing it. And I wasn’t disappointed.

The show is aimed at — well — women and aims to navigate through the teeming masses of phone apps to present the very best each week. They’re platform agnostic so expect to see a good range of apps featured. This week they look at Ovi Maps, SitOrSquat and (my favourite) Touchnote.

The presenters are utterly excellent, the production values phenomenal, I think it’s going to be a huge success.

Check out episode 1 here:

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/yLDj3)

iPhone 4 disassembly by Chipworks

Fancy getting a look at the innards of the iPhone 4? Even the slight-geeks amongst us wouldn’t mind having a bit of a peer, right? Chipworks have done all the work for you in some detail — down to the silicon!

Here are the company’s key findings:

– The Apple A4 remains unchanged from the iPad
– TI has won the touch screen controller
– OmniVision is the suspected main image sensor – more analysis to follow
– STMicroelectronics scored two big inertial sensor wins for the accelerometer and gyroscope
– AKM has updated the magnetic sensor with a new device that promises better performance
– Broadcom continues to have success with Apple with its low power 802.11n with Bluetooth® solution

What does the iPhone main board look like? Here it is:

Amazing to think that this small piece of technology is probably light years better than my first 386 processor-based Amstrad.

Head over to Chipworks for their in-depth reports and analysis.

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/fzNmD)

Uplinq 2010: Qualcomm’s mobile developer event

I’m flying into San Diego on Monday morning with the video equipment to attend Qualcomm’s Uplinq 2010 event. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what they’ll have going on. Qualcomm is a company that I’ve followed for quite a while, particularly because of their BREW platform. I’ll be very interested to see what Paul Jacobs, their CEO & Chairman will have to say regarding the marketplace.

The CMOs of AT&T and Verizon are also keynoting across the 2-days and, schedule permitting, I’ll sit in and listen.

The agenda’s looking pretty exciting too. I will certainly be dropping by the WIPJam UnPanel — indeed I’m going to try and visit as many of the sessions as I can.

If you’re going to Uplinq, let me know — we should meet!

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/4Fyrx)

Google Android activating almost 5m devices a month

News in from Google’s VP of Engineering, Andy Rubin on Android’s growth:

Every day 160,000 Android-powered devices are activated — that’s nearly two devices every second, used for the first time by people from New York to New Zealand

160,000 x 30 days = 4.8m a month or just short of 58m a year.

Utterly stupendous.

This is what happens when Silicon Valley gets stuck in. This is why Android is ‘number two’ after iPhone in the mindsets of ‘everybody’.

It’s certainly not without issues. The increasing fragmentation along with slow or no reaction from Google to key developer concerns is winding up lots of people.

However, consumers are certainly adopting the platform in droves.

Good news for all those looking for Android 2.2 on their respective devices too:

To celebrate, we are open-sourcing the new 2.2 version of Android, which we call Froyo, to our partners who manufacture Android devices around the world. Customers will enjoy great new features and improved browser performance. And developers will benefit from new tools such as Android cloud-to-device messaging (which makes it easier for mobile applications to sync data).

I’m looking forward to seeing the mid-year feature and smartphone sales figures when they’re released soon. I wonder just how big a chunk Android will be.

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/xPDmy)

Existing Times iPad App users get 1 month subscription free

Interesting to see that The Times team have decided to give all their existing subscribers — or iPad app purchasers — an additional 30 days subscription. The news arrived this afternoon by email for all subscribers.

Why? Well it’s a token of their appreciation.

One MIR reader wrote in with this comment:

I like their approach to encouraging users to upgrade and to speak positively of their product. A month’s free subscription has no material cost to them but is a real value for early adopters who enjoy the content they create.

And whilst I do agree with this viewpoint, I also wonder what the internal justification is for this. Will it, for example, delay the pain and ensure they can include the first month’s subscribers in the second month’s stats? The virtual equivalent of printing freebies?

Or is it genuine recognition that there have been the odd issues now and again?

Or perhaps after 60 odd days of use, you really will be thoroughly enjoying the app and will automatically extend your subscription?

I’ve been so busy this week that I haven’t actually logged on to my iPad to check out the editions, but if you have, I’d welcome your views on how you’re finding the experience.

To qualify for the extended 30-day offer, just update your Times App to 1.4 at the iTunes App Store.

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/v70Nk)

Existing Times iPad App users get 1 month subscription free

Interesting to see that The Times team have decided to give all their existing subscribers — or iPad app purchasers — an additional 30 days subscription. The news arrived this afternoon by email for all subscribers.

Why? Well it’s a token of their appreciation.

One MIR reader wrote in with this comment:

I like their approach to encouraging users to upgrade and to speak positively of their product. A month’s free subscription has no material cost to them but is a real value for early adopters who enjoy the content they create.

And whilst I do agree with this viewpoint, I also wonder what the internal justification is for this. Will it, for example, delay the pain and ensure they can include the first month’s subscribers in the second month’s stats? The virtual equivalent of printing freebies?

Or is it genuine recognition that there have been the odd issues now and again?

I’ve been so busy this week that I haven’t actually logged on to my iPad to check out the editions, but if you have, I’d welcome your views on how you’re finding the experience.

To qualify for the extended 30-day offer, just update your Times App to 1.4 at the iTunes App Store.

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/57kLn)

Tamoggemon release first Qt-based Symbian game, JezzBall

I had a note in from Tam Hanna of mobile developers, Tamoggemon, to tell me they’ve launched their first ever Qt-based Symbian game. This is one to remember — the first ever Qt-based game release that I’ve been sent. I hope it’ll be one of many.

The game is called BallZ and its a port of the evergreen JezzBall non-violent action game. It contains 30 levels and thanks to the UI, can be played without a stylus. Good, because I can’t stand using a stylus on anything.

What does Tam have to say? Here we go:

“We have always been strongly committed to Symbian as a platform. Working with Qt wasn’t always easy. Even though the development environment is fantastic, shipping apps was not possible so far.”

You’re not wrong Tam.

However Qt really promises a complete change for developers — if you haven’t checked it out, have a look at qt.nokia.com for more details.

BallZ has been submitted to the Ovi Store so you should expect to see it available for 3 Euro (or equivalent) soon. Also expect to see a free 5-level trial version.

Every success to the team at Tamoggemon!

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/X08E0)

Tamoggemon release first Qt-based Symbian game, JezzBall

I had a note in from Tam Hanna of mobile developers, Tamoggemon, to tell me they’ve launched their first ever Qt-based Symbian game. This is one to remember — the first ever Qt-based game release that I’ve been sent. I hope it’ll be one of many.

The game is called BallZ and its a port of the evergreen JezzBall non-violent action game. It contains 30 levels and thanks to the UI, can be played without a stylus. Good, because I can’t stand using a stylus on anything.

What does Tam have to say? Here we go:

“We have always been strongly committed to Symbian as a platform. Working with Qt wasn’t always easy. Even though the development environment is fantastic, shipping apps was not possible so far.”

You’re not wrong Tam.

However Qt really promises a complete change for developers — if you haven’t checked it out, have a look at qt.nokia.com for more details.

BallZ has been submitted to the Ovi Store so you should expect to see it available for 3 Euro (or equivalent) soon. Also expect to see a free 5-level trial version.

Every success to the team at Tamoggemon!

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/21SF3)

Tesco’s iPhone 4 price plans are pretty good!

I have to say I’m consistently impressed with Tesco’s clear and straight forward iPhone pricing. I really do like how they’re pricing the device and the contracts. Whilst they’ve limited the options, I think this will make decisions for Tesco’s target consumer very, very easy.

Here’s the tariff structure:

Pay As You Go is nice and simple. Plonk down 569 pounds and you’ll have unlimited data (1GB) for 12 months, unlimited WiFi and a brand new 32GB iPhone 4. Since it’s PAYG you need to obviously pay for your call and texts — but Tesco will triple your credit. So spent £10 and you get £30 worth of calls and texts. Basically, if you don’t want the arse of a 24 month contract, this is one of the cheapest ways of getting hold of a 32GB iPhone 4. Indeed, if you’re planning on using your iPhone as a secondary device (like I do — the Bold 9700 is my primary phone), then Tesco’s PAYG option really is a super choice.

Of course, you need to bear the £569 pain up front for the 32GB or £479 for the 16GB version.

Alternatively, you can get Tesco’s help with subsidy on a 12-month contract. I have to say I’m rather attracted by the £45/month 24-month unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited (1GB) data and unlimited fair-use WiFi. The 8GB iPhone 3GS is free on that price plan and you’ll only have to stump up £99 for the iPhone 4 32GB.

And if you’re into collecting clubcard points, do take a look at Tesco Mobile.

I wonder how many people will be walking into Tesco to do their weekly shop and find themselves walking out with a PAYG iPhone 4? 😉

Just to be clear, PAYG won’t be offered by Tesco immediately so if you’re after an iPhone from Tesco, think contract at the moment. They’ll be offering that shortly and I’ll have more details soon about that date.

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/ixsnz)