Mobile/Wireless Topic Center

Mobile/wireless news, in-depth articles and more

Are we ready for a mobile-first world?

Judging from the number of people poring over their smartphones on the sidewalk, in their cars and in public places, mobile seems to have stolen our attention away from the wired Internet and traditional TV.
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Google pursuing broad wireless project for emerging markets, report says

Google has reportedly launched an expansive effort to bring wireless networks and affordable computing to emerging markets such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, moves that could bring the Internet to a further billion people.

Proposed law would make reprogramming cellphone IDs a crime

Reprogramming the identification number of a cellphone could be punishable with a prison sentence of up to five years under the terms of a proposed law announced Friday.

Reports: FTC examining Google's display ads

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has reportedly launched an investigation into Google's display ad business amid complaints from rivals that the company is abusing its power in how it sells online-graphical and video ads.

Google, Facebook launch bidding war for Waze

Google is reportedly bidding for crowd-sourced map app provider Waze, igniting a possible bidding war with Facebook.

Nokia targets HTC One with patent lawsuits in the U.S.

Nokia is targeting HTC's latest slate of smartphones, including the HTC One, with new legal action in the U.S. that demands the Taiwanese company cease the alleged patent infringement.

Facebook delays Home in Europe, seeks stronger 'First' impression

Users in the U.K. and France will have to wait a bit longer to get their hands on the HTC First. The first smartphone to come preinstalled with Facebook Home has been delayed in those countries while Facebook updates the software to address some negative user feedback.

Yahoo acquires gaming infrastructure startup PlayerScale

Yahoo has acquired PlayerScale, a startup developer of infrastructure software for cross-platform gaming, adding to its string of recent acquisitions.

SoftBank gets OK for $20B Sprint acquisition

SoftBank has received all the necessary state approvals for the Japanese mobile carrier to acquire a majority stake in Sprint Nextel for US$20 billion, the companies announced.

Facebook is the new religion, Ashton Kutcher says

Internet communities are more trustworthy than some big corporations, but mobile is proving a hard nut to crack even for the best of them, actor and venture capitalist Ashton Kutcher told CTIA Wireless Thursday.

Google's next act: Diversify and conquer

Center stage at this year's Google I/O was a company honing its vision for a future beyond search

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols: Google Glass will be a big deal, so deal with it

Some people are having fits about Google Glass. True, it will change how we think about privacy in public places, but such rethinking started years ago.

Google Now, Hangouts feel here, there and everywhere

Google this week unleashed a blizzard of updates and improvements that fundamentally change -- and radically improve -- how we get information and communicate.

Why a Blackberry Is Better Than an iPhone

The BlackBerry has always been a business phone. The iPhone wowed us all--and it nearly put BlackBerry out of business--but it emphasizes entertainment and not productivity. If you're an IT executive, it's finally time to put function before form, CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle writes.

Tech Titans Talk: The IDG Enterprise Interview Series

In the IDG Enterprise Interview Series, you'll hear from technology CIOs and CEOs on today's burgeoning trends, ongoing headaches and upcoming product plans. Check out this informative series from IDG Enterprise Chief Content Officer John Gallant and his team of editors.

Mobile management morphs

Customers are pushing the limits of the software -- asking it to manage and do many more things than it was originally created to do -- and vendors are happy to oblige.

MDM tools: Features and functions compared

Application management, security and a bunch of other features are now baked into MDM. Check out our mondo chart showing the features and functions you get with 10 different enterprise mobile device management products.

Smartphones need genius infrastructure

Until roughly six years ago, mobile computers and telephones were really separate things. "Mobile computing" meant laptops -- maybe with broadband wireless for some lucky executives. "Telephone" meant communication device. "Convergence" meant putting your cellphone into your computer bag to go through airport security.

KiraBook review: An ultrabook for the 1%

Toshiba's new KiraBook ultrabook offers a sleek, rich look along with high-end components, including a fine display and great speakers. The question is: Can you afford it?

Lifelogging gets real

As privacy-invading technologies and location-aware applications become commonplace and accepted (and they will), and more products like Saga, Memoto and Glass become pervasive, the idea of lifelogging will become more appealing.