Security on android - Lookout

It is evident that smart phone are prone to security threat and especially with open platforms like android provider no barriers to hackers. The market is not quite ready to pay for security solutions on smart phones. On the other hand, enterprises started recognizing the vulnerability. McAfee launched new product suites targeting mobile devices targeting the enterprise base. Juniper research predicted that this security threat will create $3.6 billion software opportunity. Storing data in private cloud, wiping the device remotely, controlling the data access to apps and safe browsing are some highlighted features from Lookout.

Visa Still Weighing Its Mobile Payments Options

Visa is in an exploratory phase with their own initiatives and partnerships with companies like monitise and acquiring Fundamo to cover the emerging markets. It is very clear that it requires support from big financial networks like master card and visa. Google made a deal with MasterCard for Google wallet offering and left the door open for others to join. ISIS realized that they need work with partners and actively seeking support from major networks. Visa is still in wait and see approach on decide weather to co-operate or compete. They still think they have enough time to explore before making any deals with partners.

AT&T/Panasonic Automotive Systems Join Forces to Test Connectivity Concepts

U.S Dept of Transportation reported an average of 46 hours of commute time, connected car could be huge opportunity for operators in US and across the world. The automotive OEMs have long innovation cycles, so they rely on operators and 3rd party solution providers to come-up with more impactful infotainment solutions. People are more connected than ever, and they don’t want the drive time to be a blackout period. We can exploring over the top projection based infotainment and cloud based solutions for automotive OEMs. There are some regulatory and safety concerns daunting the infotainment industry to move forward. I am very positive that, we see connected driving by 2015 in US.

YouTube in Network Deal Talks With Operators, Manufacturers

It is evident that web companies putting immense data on cellular networks with the expense of operator investments. There is huge push from European operators and governments to balance the situation in various ways. As a first aid, YouTube willing to investigate various techniques including reduction in content size without loosing quality and caching techniques. In a long run this approach may not work. Ultimately, the cost of data should include as part of service offering. The content providers already aware of this situation but they are waiting for push and viable models. The web companies are not used to the model of paying for data, it takes some time for the industry to settle, but that’s the only way to balance the wireless ecosystem. Surprisingly, The US carriers are very silent on this.

Sony Play station Vita with ATT

Game industry convened in LA for annual E3 conference. Nintendo introduced their Wii U controller with an LCD screen. Wii U is not an independent game console, where as Sony announced their independent gaming console competing with DS series. With massive game tittles available from app store ranging from 99 cents, Sony still thinks there is good market for independent game consoles. I am not hardcore gamer to describe more details about Vita, but it particularly interesting to see that Sony made a deal with ATT for 3G network. With the OLED screen,front facing camera and micro phone, Sony wants to hedge their bets on social gaming experience. The details about the plans are not know at this point. Overall, the gaming industry is come close to add long waited built in wireless networks to the game consoles.

Apples new patent - disable camera capture

Microsoft kinect might have inspired the Apple engineers with respective this patent where kinect uses infrared light to get the depth of the users. The underlying technology is simple and cost effective, in simple words there will be a ir receiver on phone side, ir emitter on concert venue, when user try to capture a picture, the receiver gets the information and disables the functionality to capture the image. The consumers may not like this usecase but the other use case automatic tour guide is very interesting. Apple may not integrate this technology for next couple of revisions.

ATT confirmed shared data plan

With the increased numbers of devices like phones, tablets, net books and PCs, It will be natural evolution for operators to offer shared data plans. There are chances that it will almost become family plan. The consumers are not ready to pay monthly fee other than smart phone so this will eventually shell some more money to the operators. Even though T-mobile did not announce anything like share data plan, but their recent family data plan can be close kin. Once the 4g networks are ready we can see this happening in US.