MWC 2011 Day Two – News Round Up (Part 1)

Yesterday was the usual mad affair on the show floor in Barcelona, and today looks like being much the same. So to kick things off, here’s a round-up of some of the stories that came through later yesterday afternoon...

Opera Software launched its Opera Widget Runtime solution, which enables operators to widen their cache of available apps on the Android platform, to include Wholesale Applications Community (WAC) compliant releases. According to Opera, the WAC 1.0 specification – which seeks to create a hub for manufacturers and developers to programme across multiple platforms, and for operators to establish apps stores within their networks - could have the potential to reach more than 3bn mobile users who currently lack access to an apps store through their present operator. Opera claims that the Opera Widget Runtime can be customised and integrated with any WAC application store, and the tool is currently being pre-integrated with leading white label app store providers. Peters Suh, WAC CEO, says: “The Opera Widget Runtime makes it easier for both operators and developers to expand their apps offering…it meets the WAC requirements for simplicity and effectiveness that will enable us to drive this market forward.”

Juniper Networks has selected software and messaging solutions provider Openwave Systems as a strategic partner, a move that will see Openwave integrate its Media Optimizer tool into Juniper’s Media Flow solution for mobile video optimisation, in an effort to produce enhanced viewing and slash the cost of delivering video content over mobile networks. Media Optimizer defers RAN, CAPEX and OPEX to achieve these cost savings, as well as leveraging the Juniper Service Delivery Gateway (SDG). The partners cite analyst Yankee Group’s forecast that video is likely to comprise more than 65 per cent of all mobile data traffic by 2013. John Giere, senior VP, products and marketing at Openwave, says: “As mobile networks move towards an all-IP 4G network architecture, they need to switch from basic service management to service orchestration.” Mike Iandolo, VP and general manager for Juniper’s Mobile Business Unit, adds: “Operators will now be able to create innovative new business models by combining the real-time application intelligence and subscriber policies to support growing video traffic.”

Orange has confirmed that it will launch its LG Optimus 3D and LG Optimus Black handheld devices in Q2 2011. The LG Optimus 3D will feature a 4.3” 3D LCD screen, with a  dual 5-mega-pixel camera for recording 3D video. The device will run on the Android operating system, boast 8GB memory and HDMI output and feature advanced multimedia capabilities. The 9.2mm, Wi-Fi Direct-enabled LG Optimus Black will feature a 4” NOVA display, reported to reduce power consumption by half, compared to conventional LCD screens, when used indoors. Additional features are set to include a 2 mega-pixel front-facing camera and augmented Android experience courtesy of Optimus UI 2.0, the latter of which will allow users to simply tap the locked screen to directly access text messages, emails and missed calls.

The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) has welcomed the publication of results from Finnish analyst Zokem Research’s January 2011 smartphone study, which highlights the growth of popularity of mobile apps, but has also warned against the risk of apps becoming redundant and failing to engage with the consumer. Zokem’s study, which profiled 2,200 smartphone users in the UK and US, reveals that apps accounted for some 667 monthly usage minutes, just slightly short of the 671 monthly minutes of usage allocated to email, SMS and instant messaging.

A statement issued by Rimma Perelmuter, MEF executive director, comments: “The news that apps now account for almost as much mobile device usage as messaging is not surprising. However, it does raise interesting questions about the sustainability of the current apps ecosystem. After the initial download of ‘one-off’ apps, destined to sit redundantly on a user’s device, the challenge for developers is to deliver services which recognise their customers’ preferences and build ongoing engagement with them.” She adds that apps need to be of “tangible value” and provide “a continuous quality of service.”