Archive for 'Mobile World News'

ACCESS Linux Platform unveiled in Barcelona

The new version of ACCESS Linux Platform unveiled at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona offers a richer user interface and compliance with LiMo standards. The ACCESS Linux Platform (ALP) 3.0 brings a significant user interface overhaul with support for rich visual effects. ACCESS Platform leverages components of the GNOME mobile and embedded stack, which means that third-party developers can use GTK+ to build applications that will run on the platform. It also includes a Java runtime, a Garnet emulator that enables support for legacy Palm applications, and a Web widget runtime that allows developers to build applications with HTML and JavaScript. ALP was developed by PalmSource, a software company that split from Palm in 2003 and was subsequently acquired by ACCESS in 2005.

Palm plans to open application store

Palm has launched a new online mobile application storefront stuffed with free and paid versions of applications for over 25 Palm devices.The quiet Software Store debut, which it didn’t announce officially, houses 1,000 free applications and 2,000 games. Users can search through categories for applications for personal productivity, fun and games, to professional. You can browse applications listed by device type and also by mobile platform. There are even sub-storefronts for Windows Mobile and Palm’s OS applications.
Is it enough to keep the legions of Palm device users faithful? Palm did not return a call seeking comment. Applications for the Palm platform have long enjoyed a huge following, and have been a key reason many Palm device users, such as Treo and Centro, are sticking with Palm while others are leaving the device for others. Palm has been offering software through its own Shop MyPalm site which is still active. Palm fans can also go to third-party developer sites, like Handango.com, visit retail stores and download applications from wireless carrier sites as well.

Mobile tech conference kicked off

Mobile tech conference, which is the biggest conference dedicated to mobile technology, kicked off in Barcelona. The Mobile World Congress convenes in Barcelona with the industry undergoing negative growth. The rising stars of the industry are tipped to be in areas surrounding mobile broadband and applications for devices such as cloud computing. But there will also be announcements of new handsets and mobile gadgets. The economic downturn is likely to be a dominant theme of discussion. But the sense of a downturn for the mobile industry was made more tangible when Nokia - the leader among handset manufacturers - recently announced it foresaw a 10% fall in mobile phone sales for the coming year. The Mobile World Congress expects almost 50,000 visitors

Dell smartphone plans

Dell, which has been struggling to reclaim its share of the PC market and recently undertook a massive internal reorganization, has already started shrinking its computing devices with the long-anticipated netbook it unveiled in September. But the company, like many PC makers, is struggling for a way to cope with flattening computer sales, even as the smartphone arena continues seeing double-digit growth.

If the rumors are to be believed, the release of a Dell smartphone could come later this month at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona.

Limbo mobile social networks

Limbo is one the world’s largest, fastest growing mobile social networks where people share the places they go and the things they do. In Limbo, members broadcast their location, locate bars, clubs or restaurants, and coordinate their friends with group text. All tools and services are free to members thanks to the support of interactive, highly targeted, location-based mobile advertisements. Limbo is backed by three of the world’s top venture capital funds: Azure Capital Partners (www.azurecap.com), Draper Fisher Jurvetson (www.dfj.com), and New Enterprises Associates (www.nea.com).