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Qualcomm wants more metrics than talk and standby times
Qualcomm wants the makers of cellphones to move past the standard talk and standby times and into more important mobile metrics, according to the company. We kinda think that talk and standby times are still important, but there must be more, right? The device, network and feature fragmentation that's all over modern dumb / semi-smart / smartphones these days probably does deserve some kind of metrics package that's equal across manufacturers and carriers. Qualcomm suggests metrics like "video time," "average use time" and "multimedia time," although we think those metrics can't be explained nearly as easily as a spec like "you can talk for XX hours on this device" just due to a plethora of variables to explain each of those. Let's hope they manage to strike a balance.
Nokia to Qualcomm: stop infringing on our MediaFLO!
In the latest edition of the love-hate Nokia-Qualcomm legal nastiness that's taking up way too much time these days, those mobile phone giants in Finland have asked a Texas court to make Qualcomm stop infringing on six of its MediaFLO implementations. Nokia has some gall to countersue Qualcomm over some specific tailoring of the MediaFLO and BREW standards seing as both are Qualcomm technologies. Those Finns are accusing Qualcomm here of "effectively copying Nokia's innovations." And, Nokia says that its patents are at the core of MediaFLO (broadcast quality) and BREW (application download enabling). Why don't these two just get in the ring and rumble? Enough with silly suits/countersuits already.
Qualcomm spat may slow 3G rollout, says Nokia
While Nokia and Qualcomm continue various spats and other legal nonsense to the nth degree, the future of 3G may be at risk. Well, not really -- but Nokia says it could very well slow things down, and mobile WiMAX and other technology that Qualcomm can't claim exclusive license to may be a possible answer. Qualcomm may be in for a bit of shock as the world's transition to 3G technology will mean more and more reluctance to pay any entity royalties. One thing seems clear here -- these two companies don't seem eager to settle on anything these days.[Via mocoNews.net]
Qualcomm planning healthcare MVNO
As if the U.S. doesn't have enough MVNOs these days, CDMA pioneer Qualcomm plans on launching one with a healthcare focus. The new company, LifeComm, has been designed to have broad customer appeal -- not just for medical professionals -- and was created by Qualcomm and some unnamed partners. It's reportedly set for launch sometime in late 2008, featuring in-phone services that give advice and information on fitness, weight management or reduction, diabetes management and heart health. Past the phone, the MVNO will also offer services for wellness, fitness and even health maintenance. With ESPN Mobile folding not long ago, will such a narrow focus be enough for LifeComm?[Via mocoNews]
Qualcomm revenue jumps in first quarter
The CDMA and royalty pioneer known as Qualcomm unearthed a $2.22 billion revenue figure for the first three months of 2007 (not bad, eh?). That rather large figure boasts a 21 percent increase from the year-ago period in 2006, so naturally, we had to ask -- what has Qualcomm been up to? The company replied that "stronger than expected chipset demand" is driving strong sales so far in 2007 and it will continue throughout 2007. Qualcomm continues to pour tons of money into its MediaFLO unit as well. The company increased R&D expenses to the tune of 16 percent ($454 million) in the first quarter -- with most of that going into MediaFLO. We think that's a pretty large bet on mobile multimedia from Qualcomm, but hey -- Verizon's onboard already, right? Let's have a toast, shall we? [Warning: PDF link][Via mocoNews]
Qualcomm files five new patent suits against Nokia
We're just about to give both Nokia and Qualcomm some fightin' gloves if the two can't find some happy middle ground between their constant sparring in the press and on the telecom stage. In the latest round, Qualcomm has filed two new lawsuits against Nokia for -- you guessed it -- alleged infringement of five patents. Of concern to Qualcomm this month week is the company's apparent ownership of anything related to the abbreviation CDMA, as it sees Nokia using its technology used in some of its phones for the downloading of applications over wireless networks and related infringing against speech encoders used in certain Nokia handsets. Qualcomm, 0. Nokia, 0. For today, at least.
Broadcom wants to ban all U.S. phones with Qualcomm chips
After we thought Qualcomm and Broadcom had at least kissed and made up a little, Broadcom dropped a bit of a bombshell this week: the wireless chipset company asked the International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban the import of Qualcomm-containing mobile phones to the U.S. The handsets in question feature certain Qualcomm processors involved in the long-running patent infringement lawsuit between the two wireless companies. Broadcom told the ITC that Qualcomm would be "rewarded for patent infringement" activities if all Qualcomm chip-containing handsets were not banned from being imported into the U.S. In other news, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel and Alltel said they would immediately switch to GSM and give away free Nokia N73 handsets to all customers. Just kidding -- we can have fun too, you see?[Thanks, Wil]
Nokia and Qualcomm ready to play nice because of WiMax?
Qualcomm and Nokia, the two heavyweight fighters in a long and drawn out nasty battle over intellectual property rights are possibly burying the hatchet (just not in each other's backs.) Both companies are having a press conference along with Sprint Nextel a week from tomorrow (Feb. 28). Now, when you get Qualcomm and Sprint Nextel together, nothing seems out of place. Inject Nokia in there and there is something afoot -- but what? With Sprint Nextel committed to WiMax for its 4G plans and Nokia shaking hands with Sprint Nextel on that turf, maybe Nokia and Qualcomm are close to shaking hands in some form after years of issues that left Nokia holding an expensive but worthless 1xRTT bag of, well, nothing. Maybe WiMax will be the glue that reseals that relationship.
