#TBT: From ringtones to full tracks; Venturing outdoors the walled backyard; Elle to supply a ‘GlamPhone’ … this week in 2006

Editor’s Word: RCR Wi-fi Information goes all in for “Throwback Thursdays,” tapping into our archives to resuscitate the highest headlines from the previous. Fireplace up the time machine, placed on these sepia-tinted shades, set the date for #TBT and benefit from the recollections!

Cellular music shifting from ringtones to full tracks

HAMPSHIRE, U.Ok.—The cellular music market could also be on the cusp of shifting away from ringtones to over-the-air full-track music companies, based on new analysis from Juniper Analysis. The shift is being pushed by new applied sciences like third-generation networks and music-centered handsets, and rising competitors, mentioned the corporate. Revenues from ringtones are anticipated to fall from 81 p.c of the full market this yr to 51 p.c in 2011, whereas OTA full-track music will improve from its present 9 p.c to 32 p.c in the course of the interval. “Till now ringtones have dominated cellular music, however the stability is shifting,” mentioned Bruce Gibson, analysis director at Juniper. “Full-track music has been the central providing of many 3G service launches world wide and as 3G utilization gathers tempo, the cellular music market is making ready to enter a brand new progress part.” … Learn extra

Qwest launches full-track music downloads through Dash retailer

DENVER—Qwest Communications Worldwide Inc. has quietly launched Dash Nextel Corp.’s full-track music obtain service for Qwest wi-fi clients. The cellular digital community operator is carrying the Dash Music Retailer, which permits customers to obtain songs to a cell phone or PC for $2.50 per monitor. Certainly, it seems Qwest is promoting the providing because the “Dash Music Retailer,” fairly than rebranding it as a Qwest product. Qwest’s music-download providing is supported by the Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. A920 handset, which it sells for $140 with a two-year contract. Wi-fi music distributor Groove Cellular powers Dash Nextel’s full-track obtain service. Different Groove provider clients embody Orange, T-Cellular Hungary and Telecom New Zealand Ltd. … Learn extra

Orbitz launches cellular journey companies through browser

CHICAGO—On-line journey firm Orbitz launched a service permitting clients to search out resort rooms, view journey itineraries and test the standing of flights from cell phones. The off-deck providing is free other than provider information costs, and may be accessed from the corporate’s residence web page on a cellular browser. Orbitz, a subsidiary of Travelport Inc., is selling the brand new service with tv commercials that includes pitchman and former sport present host Wink Martindale. … Learn extra

Softbank to check MediaFLO cellular TV

TOKYO—Japanese wi-fi provider SoftBank introduced it should examine the feasibility of utilizing Qualcomm Inc.’s MediaFlo know-how to supply cellular TV companies. Qualcomm mentioned SoftBank joins a rising checklist of carriers trying into its MediaFlo providing, an inventory that features KDDI Corp. in Japan, BSkyB in the UK and Dash Nextel Corp. in the USA. Verizon Wi-fi has already introduced its intent to supply MediaFlo companies to its subscribers at an unannounced future date. SoftBank mentioned it established a brand new firm referred to as Cellular Media Planning Corp. to conduct a “technical examine” of MediaFlo know-how and plan a possible new service utilizing MediaFlo. … Learn extra

Subway to supply cellular coupons

BOSTON—MobileLime, which focuses on utilizing cell phones for advertising and marketing and loyalty packages, mentioned it’s working with a dozen Subway sandwich store franchises in Buffalo, N.Y., to supply alerts and coupons t to mobile-phone customers. This system is a part of MobileLime’s Cellular Alerts Membership, which permits clients to decide in to a most popular program on the areas they frequent after which obtain coupons, last-minute specials and knowledge on occasions delivered to their cellphone. … Learn extra

Elle Journal to supply a “GlamPhone”

SAN DIEGO—Can {a magazine} model assist promote cell phones and, presumably, vice versa? That query could possibly be answered quickly because the Elle Journal partnership with Alcatel to supply the GlamPhone Elle—a dual-band GSM telephone with options designed to attraction to the journal’s readership of 4.8 million—will get rolling Sept. 1. The hassle acquired a lift at this time when the 2 firms introduced that InfoSonics Corp. would supply customization and distribution companies for the handset in the USA. The unlocked telephone will likely be offered through a GlamPhone Site. Promoting for the telephone, which sells for $180—a worth that features a one-year subscription to the journal—means that purchasers can select between “display or preen,” i.e., the display additionally acts as a mirror, presumably for touching up one’s look. … Learn extra

Vodafone glad with its Verizon stake

NEW YORK—Vodafone Group plc plans to maintain its 45-percent stake in Verizon Wi-fi for the foreseeable future, Verizon Communications Inc. chief government officer Ivan Seidenberg instructed analysts in a convention name Tuesday. Seidenberg mentioned he met final week with Arun Sarin, Vodafone’s CEO, to debate their firms’ joint possession of Verizon Wi-fi. “What Arun communicated to us was that Vodafone was extraordinarily happy with their place within the partnership,” Seidenberg mentioned. “The working settlement between the 2 of us is powerful, it’s sustainable, it’s stood the take a look at of time over the past 5 – 6 years and their view is that the creation of worth that’s obtainable to them over the subsequent a number of years is way better than any technique that they may should exit the partnership.” Seidenberg went on to say that Sarin instructed him that John Bond, Vodafone’s new chairman, felt the identical manner concerning the partnership with Verizon Communications. Seidenberg added that he and Sarin had agreed that each males would “make it possible for we make clear to our respective traders that at this time limit there actually isn’t a lot cause for individuals to take a position over any change in the entire association between the 2 firms.” … Learn extra

Take a look at the RCR Wi-fi Information Archives for extra tales from the previous.