Posted by Extend Logic on Fri, Jul 31, 2009
http://www.sina.com.cn
Sina.com today released picutures of claimed to be the “first iPhone” in china for testing.
Posted by David Cao on Wed, Jul 29, 2009
Wednesday July 29, 2009 11:12 AM EST; Category: iPhone Written by Eric Slivka
MacRumors has heard that Apple has begun requesting that developers add keywords to their App Store application submissions in order to facilitate improved searching. As detailed in a report from AppleInsider, developers are permitted to enter up to 255 characters’ worth of keywords for each application.
“It is important to enter keywords for all applications as soon as possible so your application can continue to be successfully located on the App Store,” the update from Apple reads. “Keywords can be updated with the submission of a new binary.”
At its quarterly earnings conference call last week, Apple noted that it was working on improvements to App Store categorization in order to combat the “race to the bottom” in pricing that many users have complained is hampering developers’ efforts to bring high-quality titles to the App Store at sustainable price points. Improvements to the App Store’s search function appears to be a logical first step toward improving users’ ability to find relevant applications.
Update: Users are reporting that, despite Apple’s claims that up to 255 characters are allowed, the actual limit currently appears to be only 100 characters.
Posted by David Cao on Fri, Jul 24, 2009
By the Chubby Research Team on chubbybrain.com.
We recently revealed that $23.3 million had flown to Twitter-oriented startups from venture capitalists and angel firms (as of May 2009). Arguably, the other hot story in tech land is the iPhone and so we wanted to peer into the ChubbyBrain startup database and see how much money has been invested in startups predicated on the iPhone platform.
A brief recap
Applications for the iPhone were initially released in mid-2007 on iTunes when there were merely 500 available for download. Earlier this year, Apple saw their one billionth download from the App Store. Today, less than two years after the iPhone’s launch, the number of applications on the Apple App Store is greater than 50,000 according to some estimates.
Of these applications, it’s evident that a significant portion of them reside in either of two extreme ends of the spectrum that are likely not relevant to the VC/angel investing community: 1) established companies seeking some sort of presence on the iPhone to increase their brand’s awareness or product/service reach or 2) individual developers building cheap, viral applications who are enthusiasts/hobbyists or those hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.
But what about the middle of the spectrum? Who are the startups looking to build scalable businesses with the iPhone at the core, and more specifically, who is funding such efforts? After a look into the ChubbyBrain database, we identified $102.49 million in total VC/angel investment divided amongst 17 iPhone application startups (as of June 29, 2009). Perhaps this $100M+ number isn’t surprising given conversation that the iPhone may be bigger than the PC, but over $100 million in the span of less than two years for iPhone predicated startups is noteworthy. Or perhaps for some of you, this number is a lot less than you expected?
The following analysis takes a deeper look at these investments with a focus on what startups are receiving money, which investors are supplying funds, the amounts of these investments, as well as other interesting trends/statistics that may have implications for the future in this space and/or be helpful to investors or app developers hoping to understand what has gone on to-date.
It’s worth noting that we limited the scope of this study to startups whose core functionality/capability is centered on the iPhone. For example, Facebook is a venture-backed company who also have an iPhone application. However, they do not qualify for inclusion in this study because their iPhone Application is complimentary, not core, to their business. Admittedly, this delineation was a bit of art and science but our aim was to remove those startups who might be building mobile apps or tools across platforms, e.g., iPhone, Android, Symbian, etc or where the iPhone element was complementary but adjacent to their core business. And so our $100 million number focuses on those startups who are tethering themselves in a large way to the iPhone platform.
So far, Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers leads the way with $50 million committed across six startups. This is, in large part, due to the $100 million iFund they launched in March 2008 with the specific goal to target the quickly expanding iPhone app market.
See full report: http://bit.ly/nGktF
Posted by David Cao on Thu, Jul 09, 2009
With new Google’s new announcement of Chrome OS for netbooks, many which hoped Android to move this space disappointed deeply. However, that is not to say Android’s future can only be limited to mobile devices. Right now, embedded world is dominated by Windows Mobile and Linux. Android have great future in this field, like automobile control panels, TV control box, kitech panels and so on.
With more powerful but cheaper CPUs, embedded systems not have the opportunites which never so big. Plus, with now more powerful and popular Android OS, it is a new generation of embedded world. Lets roll!
-David
Posted by Extend Logic on Tue, Jul 07, 2009
Just over a year ago in Cairo, we convened the first Mobile Money Summit with our friends at the GSMA, DFID and IFC. The diversity of the crowd was fantastic – people from all over the world and all sorts of business – from mobile network operators to vendors to financial institutions. It might sound corny, but Hannes Van Rensburg captured the mood quite well: “A general spirit of: ‘Let’s build the industry’ rather than criticise each other prevailed.” (Mobile Payments have arrived)
Today’s the second and final day of this year’s Mobile Money Summit, and the key words here are data and partnerships:
Data- around the market opportunity for mobile money – by the year 2012 CGAP and GSMA estimate there will be 1.7 billion people with a mobile phone but not a bank account and as many as 364 million unbanked people could be reached by agent-networked banking through mobile phones;
Partnerships- a slew of deals announced yesterday illustrate the momentum around mobile banking services, notably: Visa Launches First Commercial Mobile Payment Service in Latin America.
Does this mean momentum around mobile banking for the unbanked has reached a no-turning-back stage? Not quite. As CGAP’s Technology Program Manager Steve Rasmussen noted in his presentation titled “The Hype Cycle and Mobile Banking:”
- Regulation can be a constraint but is not the only obstacle and is not usually the primary challenge;
- More can be done to reach unbanked and poorer customers;
- Customers want more than payments and try to fit services to meet their needs;
- Being a cash-handling agent is not the same thing as selling airtime top-ups. This is harder to do than most anticipate.
Finally, some snapshots from the podium:
- “I get offended when people talk about the potential of mobile banking. Mobile banking is here.” – Miyanda Mulambo, General Manager, Celpay(DRC);
- “The banking industry has a well regulated financial structure. Carriers have a well regulated and effective channel. If we can combine the power of these two units into one where we leverage infrastructure, its the perfect opportunity.” – Chris Gabriel, CEO, Zain Africa;
- “The value of a network comes from all the people you can reach. Penetration of cash and checks remains our primary opportunity.” Tim Attinger, Global Head of Product Innovation and Development, Visa;
- “Bringing services to [the] doorsteps [of the unbanked] allows them to save tiny amounts more frequently, and more easily, when they receive cash. The four key things poor people do with money is a)spend it down, b)save up for a purpose, c)receive and send money, d)park money for security and inaccessbility.” Bob Christen, Director of Financial Services for the Poor, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation;
- “Access to finance is not like flipping a light switch. It is a ladder, a ladder of services. I’m not sure who is greedier, the MNOs or the banks. They want their slices of cake but…there’s only so much to slice. There’s a point where the crumbs don’t make it worthwhile.” Brian Richardson, WIZZIT;
- Responding to a question from an official at the Central Bank of Kenya about the stability of mobile banking services vis-a-vis the crisis: “Our EBITDA margins are 65 percent, everything is prepaid. That means the value in our system is all backed peso for peso. Those funds are sitting in a commercial bank.” Rizza Maniego-Eala, President, G-Xchange Inc /Globe Telecom.
What’s the verdict for this year’s event? And where are we on that hype cycle? Reuters has weighed in already:Mobile money seen as chance for world’s poorest.
Posted by Extend Logic on Tue, Jul 07, 2009
Release Date: 06/15/2009
Developed by: ExtendLogic
Size: 1.9 MB
Popular Rank #: 161
Languages: English
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later
URL: http://www.boarderlounge.com
Have you ever wanted to show the world your rodeo flip with a tindy off a forty-foot cliff? Ever wanted to dare the world do the same? Ever wanted the world to know about your favorite downtown handrail, and see what they got to offer on it? Heck, do you want the world to know where your new shop is to check out the new gear? We have good news: the future is here.
With Boarder Lounge you can post your favorite skate and snow spots, allow the rest of the world to check them out, and comment on them. This is your place to post your spots, the good and bad of riding them, and the photos of you tearing them apart.
Designed and Tested by pro skaters/snowboarders, Boarder Lounge is the most important destination on a rider’s iPhone. Light years ahead of the competition, the ease of use in the field will create a user community that can share, comment, ride, and, most importantly, OWN other user’s spots.
Think you got what it takes to show up the pro’s in their own spots? Well, stop by the “Pro Spots” section and check out some of their favorite spots, and learn a thing or two about them in the process. As time goes on, more and more pros will take you deeper into their stomping grounds showing you where they learned to ride and why they love to ride there.
Boarder Lounge is a free application made by boarders for boarders. With time we will all watch it evolve into a massive community encouraging people to push themselves in ways they have never done before in places they have never been before. This app is the future of Skateboarding and Snowboarding, so get your gear and your guts ready to go wherever the Lounge may take you…
Oh, and be prepared for some secret and exciting future updates!
Offline Mode: Add spots outside service area while keeping your GPS coordinates (iPhone 3G/3Gs Users only).
Beware:Very Addicting
Find out more:http://www.apptism.com/apps/boarder-lounge
Posted by Extend Logic on Mon, Jul 06, 2009
Anyone in the security field will tell you that information security is affected and addressed at multiple layers within a solution.
As part of the evaluation process for an enterprise business solution, particularly one that enables the transport of potentially sensitive data outside the corporate network, a risk analysis should be conducted.
For the value that it adds, does the product being considered provide adequate controls to protect the enterprise from exposure?
As you probably know, Sybase iAnywhere is the first (and currently only) provider of an encrypted email client in the form of Mobile Office. Check it out, you can download it from AppStore right now.
Providing client-side encryption presented us with a vast array of challenges which were no small feat to overcome.
So does that make the iPhone secure?
My answer? It depends on your perspective, I believe so.
One aspect key to this evaluation is gaining an understanding the “security boundary” of a solution. Where does the security controls for the product stop and start?
For Mobile Office on iPhone, security is implemented on three levels:
- Unknown/rogue devices are not permitted to receive emails until they are first registered by an administrator on the Mobile Office system. Once registered, the registration code cannot be used by a different device, in fact it can’t even be re-used on the existing device.
- Data is transported to and from the device in a secure manner. There’s too much to go into here to provide much detail, but major features include a security friendly firewall configuration, authenticated proxy servers and packet level encryption (no WAP gap here!).
- Data in the Mobile Office sandbox is protected on multiple layers.
Item 3 needs more detail and is key to our approach. What’s a sandbox? Seriously, no jokes folks!
Java programmers are certainly familiar with the sandbox paradigm, but basically it refers to the philosophy that an application may have full access only to its own resources, and that access to other application and system resources is restricted.
Hence, do what you want in your sandbox, but don’t try and get out.
Mobile Office protects its sandbox on multiple layers:
- Access to the sandbox (via the Mobile Office application) is protected via an application password.
- All data within the sandbox is encrypted (with the exception of Contacts, which are technically stored outside the sandbox).
- No data is allowed into or out of the sandbox, unless it is delivered by the Mobile Office application. A prime example of this is attachments – attachments can’t get into the sandbox unless they are delivered by Mobile Office, and once delivered they cannot be saved outside the sandox.
- The act of “wiping’ the sandbox clears only the sandbox contents and doesn’t affect the rest of the device (the exception again, is Contacts, which we DO wipe)
We believe that this design provides the best of all possible worlds and successfully walks the line of being able to provide enterprise security services to a device that is employee owned.
More than any other device I’ve seen in the industry, there is an almost feverish belief in a user’s mind that the device is “MINE!” whether they paid for it or not. In my mind it’s the most popular Prosumer device on the market presently.
Mobile Office allows the device to continue to be “MINE!”, but with the assurance that enterprise data is protected.
So yes, I do believe that within our security context, Mobile Office does make the iPhone secure: We keep rogue devices out, protect the data we send while it’s in transit and we protect it while it’s on the device.
What more could you want?
Britt Womelsdorf works for Sybase as a systems consultant. Britt enjoys a focus on wireless and mobile solutions for the enterprise customer, and is an expert on device management and security. Britt spends most on his time with Afaria customers and enjoys sharing tips and tricks, little known features in Afaria, and creative uses of the product.
Sybase iAnywhere, a subsidiary of Sybase, Inc. (NYSE:SY), enables success at the front lines of business. The company holds worldwide market leadership positions in mobile and embedded databases, mobile management and security, mobile email, mobile middleware and synchronization, and Bluetooth® and infrared protocol technologies. Sybase iAnywhere plays an important role in the Sybase Unwired Enterprise strategy, which focuses on managing and mobilizing information from the data center to the point of action. Tens of millions of mobile devices and over 20,000 customers and partners rely on the company’s “Always Available” technologies, including Sybase Unwired Platform, SQL Anywhere, Afaria and iAnywhere Mobile Office.
Posted by Extend Logic on Sat, Jul 04, 2009
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 08, 2009 – AVI INFOSYS LLC is a well-known Professional Consulting and Loyalty Solution Provider Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Providing cost effective Prepaid and Loyalty Solution is our specialty. AVI INFOSYS caters Business Operations in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. Our technologies existing features satisfy 90 % of the customers and it is also customizable for additional requirements with POS system integration and gives you best solutions for your business.
We are ready to work on as per clients Project requirements. We have team of experienced professional who can handle any complex requirements and give best customized and automated solution for your enterprise.
AVI INFOSYS LLC had received authorized Reseller ship certificate – 2009 for the entire Middle East from Lucky technology LTD, Hongkong.
AVI INFOSYS LLC had also received Certificate of Appreciation – 2008 for Outstanding Performance and Lasting Contribution in the entire Middle East from Lucky technology LTD, Hong kong.
Our Technology is the heart of the loyalty / prepaid operations. It compactly contains an embedded web server, journal database with built-in software applications that operates independently without the need of an extra PC. Operation is carried out using a keypad for input and a built-in smart card reader to transfer information to and from the Smartcard. Transaction records stored in the Terminal can be collected by Server software through TCP/IP network.
E-Rewards Prepaid/Loyalty membership system is a web based software application used to view the loyalty and prepaid transaction reports online. Both Customers and Internal Staff of organizations can check there related role based analytical reports, which defiantly added value to retail Businesses in Middle East.
It is provided for system developer to get an idea how the data in iBonus System be used to provide web based reports. It leverages latest Microsoft ASP. Net and Reporting Service Technology to offer web based reporting functionality.
Role based access and reporting capability can be defined and let people with different responsibility see the most relevant reports tailored for them.
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft Reporting Services are required. If Microsoft SQL Server is not expected to be used in the iBonus System, the e-Rewards report application is integrated with iBonus Server can be used for generating report without any further development.
We cover below listed Industries for our applications & software development solutions
• Government
• Financial Institutions / Banks
• Industrials / Productions
• Retail ( Showrooms, Shops, Supermarkets and hypermarkets)
• Hospitality (Hospitals & Hotels)
• Educational (University & School)
• Construction & Contracting
• Legal, Library & Case-Handling
• Multi Offices Organizations
For more details visit our sitehttp://www.avi-infosys.com
# # #
AVI INFOSYS has a stellar record of innovation and service in the UAE and GCC region with many success stories in the field of Biometric Solutions. The company offers a full spectrum of Biometric fingerprint, Face ID and Loyalty system and CRM Solutions.
AVI INFOSYS” is a leader in Partnering with clients to achieve breakthrough performance through the intelligent use of Information Technology. “AVI INFOSYS” is Trusted and Valued by clients for the High Quality Services and Commitment to deliver real results.
Posted by Extend Logic on Sat, Jul 04, 2009
AppleInsider By Neil Hughes
Apple stepped up its efforts to take on rivals Research in Motion and Microsoft in the corporate smartphone market, releasing a lengthy guide aimed at helping system administrators deploy iPhones throughout big businesses while simultaneously taking advantage of over a dozen new enterprise features delivered this week.
The 83-page guide [PDF], titled “iPhone OS Enterprise Deployment Guide: First Edition, for Version 3.0 or later,” highlights 18 new corporate-friendly features in iPhone Software 3.0, signaling the Cupertino-based company’s most recent efforts yet to push adoption of its touchscreen handset in a market currently dominated by devices running variants of Windows Mobile or BlackBerry operating systems.
If Apple intends to gain a dominant share of the enterprise market, the company has its work cut out for it. A study released by TradingMarkets in April of this year shows that BlackBerry and Windows Mobile hold a combined 63 percent total market share. The same report also states that Apple’s iPhone – along with Google Android and Symbian devices – “are not serious contenders for U.S. business use.” Clearly that’s a stigma Apple hopes to change.
For businesses to make the leap to the iPhone may not be too difficult a transition: the report highlights AT&T, the iPhone’s exclusive U.S. provider, as a dominant enterprise carrier, along with Verizon.
The enterprise smartphone market has been in Apple’s sights for the duration of the iPhone’s existence, but the company has pushed harder to compete in the space with each update to the phone’s software. In 2008, chief executive Steve Jobs introduced initiatives to appeal to business users. More than a year later, that plan is still being carried out with this week’s launch of the version 3.0 operating system. Apple has also maintained an enterprise-centric section on its Web site to promote its phone in the corporate world, in which it bills the handset as “The best phone for business. Ever.”
As the iPhone platform has matured with regular software updates, some companies have become more open to adopting the phone. Last summer, market research firm Gartner approved the iPhone for limited enterprise use after the then-release of iPhone Software 2.0 introduced Microsoft Exchange support and a “remote wipe” feature via Microsoft Exchange. At the time, Gartner remained critical of the iPhone Configuration Utility used to set up configuration profiles on new phones, because it worked through an unencrypted XML file. This week, that concern was also addressed with the 3.0 software update, which allows configuration profiles to be encrypted and locked to a device.
Apple just on Thursday evening released iPhone Configuration Utility 2.0 (8.7MB) to help manage updated phones.
The configuration security feature is one of many detailed in the new enterprise deployment guide available on Apple’s Web site. The document highlights a wide range of new business-friendly features, ranging from security to accessibility. They include:
- CalDAV calendar wireless syncing is now supported.
- LDAP server support for contact look-up in mail, address book, and SMS.
- Configuration profiles can be encrypted and locked to a device so that their removal requires an administrative password.
- iPhone Configuration Utility 2.0 now allows you to add and remove encrypted configuration profiles directly onto devices that are connected to your computer by USB.
- Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) is now supported for certificate revocation.
- On-demand certificate-based VPN connections are now supported.
- VPN proxy configuration via a configuration profile and VPN servers is supported.
- Microsoft Exchange users can invite others to meetings. Microsoft Exchange 2007 users can also view reply status.
- Exchange ActiveSync client certificate-based authentication is now supported.
- Additional EAS policies are now supported, along with EAS protocol 12.1.
- Additional device restrictions are now available, including the ability to specify the length of time that a device can be left unlocked and disabling the camera.
- Local mail messages and calendar events can be searched. For IMAP, MobileMe, and Exchange 2007, mail that resides on the server can also be searched.
- Additional mail folders can now be designated for push email delivery.
- APN proxy settings can now be made specified using a configuration profile.
- Web clips can now be installed using a configuration profile.
- 802.1x EAP-SIM is now supported.
- Devices can now be authenticated and enrolled over-the-air using a Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP) server.
- iTunes can now store device backups in encrypted format.
As the iPhone continues to evolve and improve, it faces a smartphone market that is becoming increasingly saturated by competitors, many of which mimic Apple’s once-unique touchscreen capabilities. Palm’s recently-launched Pre will be joined by new devices from RIM and others running Windows Mobile expected in the coming months. Apple is expected to push back as it continues to claw its way into the competitive enterprise smartphone market.
Posted by Extend Logic on Fri, Jul 03, 2009
Owen Fletcher, IDG News Service. MIPS Technologies showed off devices based on a version of Google’s Android platform modified for MIPS chip architecture at the Computex exhibition in Taipei on Wednesday (6-3-2009)
MIPS earlier announced the availability of its Android port, which it expects to be used mainly in embedded household products.
The events mark an expansion of Android’s use into embedded devices, and growing industry interest in running Android on different processor cores. Android normally runs on Arm processors and was made for mobile phones, though a string of PC makers have announced plans to offer netbooks running Android.
Acer this week showed it had ported Android to run on x86 cores as well, in cooperation with a Taiwanese firmware provider. At Computex, Acer displayed an upcoming Android netbook with an Intel Atom microprocessor, the first of its type to be shown.
MIPS displayed a home media player running Android on a MIPS core at a press event at the exhibition. It also showed a 10.4-inch LCD display with a keyboard and a built-in computer running Android that connects to the Internet with Wi-Fi.
MIPS believes Android could become the standard platform for embedded home devices, said Kevin Kitagawa, MIPS director of strategic marketing. Android includes standards like predefined libraries that make it easier for small developers of embedded products to use than Linux, the current standard, he said.
MIPS has a strong customer base in home electronics, where it claims 75 percent of the market for processor cores in Blu-ray Disc players, Kitagawa said.
Android fits well with devices such as television set-top boxes and digital picture frames partly because they could download applications from Google’s Android Market, another MIPS representative said.
Porting Android to MIPS was difficult and required substantial recoding, said Matthew Locke, chief operations officer at Embedded Alley, the company that conducted the MIPS port.
But Android could succeed as a platform partly because applications are easy to make for it using Java, a rich development tool, Locke said.
(Dan Nystedt in Taipei contributed to this report.)