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Bug Labs to offer pre-certified modules for Verizon's network
Verizon's holding its developer conference (VDC, for those in the know) this week where it courts software and hardware developers alike to make stuff that works on its airwaves, and one of the bigger pieces of news to come out of it so far has been from Bug Labs. Now, Bug's not exactly a company we'd expect to be working with Big Red, as CEO Peter Semmelhack notes in his blog post on the matter: "it may come as a surprise to you that a company that is so often vilified for being closed is teaming up with Bug Labs, a company that is defined by its openness." What changed? Basically, Bug modules are going to serve as pre-certified building blocks for developers, saving little guys with limited budgets the time and expense of going through Verizon's certification process -- you just integrate Bug's hardware and you automatically inherit its approval. No word yet on when the new modules will be ready or how much they'll cost, though (we're still waiting on the new BUGBase to launch). Follow the break for the full press release.
Verizon Developer Advisory Board stocked to the rafters with heavyweights
Verizon's going full-force on its effort to roll out a be-all, end-all app store to its customers, starting with its Verizon Developer Community conference held in San Jose this week where devs schmoozed with carrier peeps, APIs were exchanged, and hands were shaken. Folks submitting apps will be looking at a 70 / 30 revenue split with freebies also allowed, but the real news might be the amount of firepower Verizon's bringing to the table. The carrier used the conference to introduce the members of its Developer Advisory Board, including eleven firms ranging from Capcom and EA to Slacker to PacketVideo -- heavy-hitters who probably know a thing or two about developing and distributing quality apps across multiple platforms. They've got the right idea there, but with platforms and carriers both desperately fighting for app attention right now, it still seems like there are going to be way too many cooks in the proverbial kitchen going into 2010.
VDC Live brings all of cable's lamest channels to your phone
It's less of a mobile TV service than it is a convenient way to receive infomercials on the go, but VDC seems to be the new player in town either way. The service transmits "live cable TV" to your Windows Mobile or Windows XP system, with data rates up to 3000Kbps, though more EV-DO-friendly speeds are available as well. The subscription is a mere $12 a month, but the 20 channels of "cable" programming are fairly awful, including such gems as "The Pentagon Channel" and "ShopNBC." The service just went live today, and has more channels planned, including "Celebrity Shopping Network" and "AP Newswires & Newsbites." Where do we sign up?[Via Windows For Devices]
