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All posts tagged "data"


Monday, May 30, 2011

abroadband: Data Access for Travellers

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 09:00 AM

http://www.abroadband.com/

My friend Rafe Blanford pointed out this service, which I hadn't heard of until now. It looks interesting - at current rates, it's about 86 cents USD/CAD per MB, and they support SIMs, microSIMs, and USB sticks. That's not "I'm going to order a TV season on iTunes and download it all" cheap, but if you were careful about not downloading email attachments and were sparing with your Internet access, you could make a $40 investment last a week or two. While you can check your online balance easily, it seems this isn't a true pre-pay solution...the metre keeps running without stopping, so be careful what you decide to download.

Note that this is for data only: this is for your laptop, tablet, or I-only-want-Internet-phone. If you want to use your phone abroad and do voice calls, text, etc. you'll need to get a SIM from a wireless carrier. Anyone know of a service similar to this but for full phone service?


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

WP7 Platform Shows Strong Growth In Western Europe

Posted by Richard Chao in "Windows Phone News" @ 03:00 AM

http://www.idc.com/about/viewpressr...e=PRINTFRIENDLY

"The mobile phone market in Western Europe grew 3.2% year on year to 58.7 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010, with smartphone shipments representing 44% of the total... Microsoft's new Windows Phone 7 also showed strong growth, increasing 18% year on year and 100% sequentially."

IDC, provider of data to the financial market, has just issued their European Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report for 4Q2010. Google's Android grew 1,580% year on year with sales increasing from 470,000 a year ago to 7.9 million units. Apple's iOS saw an increase of 66% in Q4 2010 when compared to Q4 2009. Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 also showed strong growth, increasing 18% year on year and 100% sequentially. IDC also stated WP7 received positive feedback from operators and end-users but its growth was limited because the OS launch was restricted to English only. Unfortunately hard numbers were not provided to go with the reported percentage growth.

Hopefully WP7 will continue to gain traction and its level of growth continue to increase. The platform's expansion to more markets in conjunction with more local language support and continued positive word of mouth will definitely help.

Tags: , data, research, idc

Monday, December 6, 2010

Windows Phone 7 and Data Persistence - Not As Simple As You Might Think

Posted by Don Sorcinelli in "Windows Phone Developer" @ 07:00 AM

Now that users are getting their hands on Windows Phone 7 devices, many of the applications submitted to the Windows Phone Marketplace are getting their first real tests out in the field. While many of the applications are meeting or even exceeding user expectations, there have been some complaints. If you were to categorize the issues across applications, one area that seems to be a pain point among users has been some applications and their saving - or not saving - data properly, or at least to the expectation of the user.

While Microsoft has done an admirable job in explaining and detailing the process for Windows Phone 7 developers for data persistance and the Windows Phone 7 architectural model, I can't help but think that some of the messaging hasn't made it to all developers. The simple concept of ensuring that data that needs to persisted or saved can be quite complex to implement. Not taking the proper care in this matter can result in a very poor user experience and very disgruntled users.

With all the talk happening around why data is not being saved, I thought it would be a good time to discuss some helpful reminders and tips around data persistence from a Windows Phone 7 development perspective. Hopefully, these friendly reminders from "your old Uncle Don" will make your application behave a bit better and make your users a bit happier.

Read more...


Friday, September 3, 2010

Verizon Offers Prepaid Data for Android, Sorry Windows Mobile

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Android News" @ 12:30 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/02/...-data-packages/

"BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless today announced it will be expanding its portfolio of prepaid offerings to include a new 3G Prepaid data package that lets customers access unlimited data on select 3G Smartphones and Multimedia phones for $30 monthly access. Multimedia phone customers also have the option of selecting a new $10 monthly data package for 25 MB per month ($.20/MB overage). These new prepaid data packages will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Store today and online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning Sept. 28."

Verizon still has Windows Mobile devices (Although perhaps not for long), yet those don't get in on this $30 a month prepaid unlimited data offer. I'm not sure what their reason for snubbing WM here is - I can't imagine it costs them any more money to add it to the other smartphones in their line, and perhaps they just didn't mention the WM devices in the press release. Perhaps some brave soul should test it out when it becomes available!

However it looks like most, if not all, of the Android offerings do (Oh yea, those blackberries and palm devices are eligible too...). Not a bad price if you just want a non-contract data device lying around. Anyone Android-fan going to take Verizion up on their deal?


Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Verizon Offers Smartphone Users Unlimited Web Browsing and Email

Posted by Paul Martin in "Smartphone News" @ 06:00 AM

http://news.vzw.com/news/2008/04/pr...008-04-14b.html

"Multi-tasking moms, tech savvy young professionals, and entrepreneurs will be able to access e-mail, surf the net and bookmark their favorite Web pages right from their Smartphones with Verizon Wireless’ newest management solutions. Verizon Wireless E-mail and Web for Smartphone, available today, offers customers a host of features including an unlimited data allowance for e-mail and Internet browsing. The plan supports up to 10 personal e-mail accounts, including those from popular Internet service providers such as Yahoo!® Mail, AOL®, Windows Live and Verizon.net. Customers will enjoy e-mail provider branded inboxes on select accounts creating a familiar, convenient and easy-to-use e-mail experience."


Verizon Wireless Logo

Finally, unlimited data usage is becoming much more affordable! Adding to the unlimited voice plans announced in February, Verizon Smartphone users now have the option of unlimited data for an extra $29.99 per month on top of a voice plan. Right now, the plan is available for the Verizon Wireless SMT5800 (HTC Libra), the Verizon Wireless XV6800 (HTC Mogul) and the MOTO Q9m. Look for more devices to be supported in the coming months. Any Verizon users planning to jump on the new plans?


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