Atrist: The Used | Album: Shallow Believer EP | Music Review

Tracklist:
1. Dark Days

2. Slit Your Own Throat

3. Devil Beside You

4. Into My Web

5. My Pesticide

6. Choke Me

7. Sun Comes Up

8. Sick Hearts

9. Back Of Your Mouth

10. Tunnel

Release Date: 02/19/2008 Summary: This EP shows a marked improvement from the disappointment that was Lies For The Liars.
0 of 1 thought this review was well written

Oh, The Used. I fell in love with your self-titled album way back in senior year of high school. I would roll down the windows to my car and blast Maybe Memories and Say Days Ago until I couldn't hear anymore. Then sophomore year of college rolled around, and I couldn't wait to pick up your new album, In Love And Death. While not as explosive as your first album, I got used to the new, more poppy direction, and really enjoyed songs like Take It Away, Let It Bleed, and Sound Effects And Overdramatics. Then it came time for your third full-length, and I was hearing comparisons to The Black Parade, and I started to get scared. After a cursory listen to Lies For The Liars, I knew it wasn't worthy of buying. It contained some of the best songs you've written (The Ripper and Pretty Handsome Awkward), but there was also so much filler that it hurt.



I'm still a fan, so I decided to check out the Shallow Believer EP (although, I don't really know how a release with 10-songs can be called an EP, but whatever). I was so pleasantly surprised by this release. First of all, the artwork is great. Second, the quality of the songs is just miles above most of the filler that was found on Lies For The Liars. The slower/poppy songs on this one (Dark Days, Sick Hearts, Devil Beside You) are great, unlike Find A Way and Smother Me. The faster/harder ones (Slit Your Own Throat, My Pesticide) recall the early, glory days of The Used. In addition, The Back Of Your Mouth succeeds at employing horns, as opposed to the failure of some of the more experimental songs on Lies For The Liars.



There are some complaints, though. Tunnel and Sun Comes Up should have been left off this release. Also, where is Pain? That is by far one of The Used's best unreleased songs. If Shallow Believer dropped two or three tracks (including Choke Me - a great song, but it's already included on the self-titled album), and added Pain, The Ripper, and Pretty Handsome Awkward, then this would be the CD that should have been released in place of Lies For The Liars.



The Used have so much potential. I'm constantly baffled at how they can keep producing albums with fantastic songs right next to awful ones. They obviously know how to rock, and they are certainly adept at crafting a solid pop song - so why can't they make a 12-song album with all good songs? Here's to hoping that the fourth full-length finds The Used capitalizing on their strengths and getting the formula right. In the meantime, pick this one up - it's worth it.



(This release is only available for digital download - so head over to iTunes or Amazon).

Atrist: Agalloch | Album: The White EP | Music Review

Tracklist:
1. The Isle of Summer

2. Birch Black

3. Hollow Stone

4. Pantheist

5. Birch White

6. Sowilo Rune

7. Summerisle Reprise

Release Date: 02/29/2008 Summary: The Mantle Director's Cut...but there's more to it than that.
1 of 1 thought this review was well written

In 2002, Agalloch released The Mantle, an album which would garner them a cult following and immeasurable praise. Two years later, the Grey was released. The Grey was an EP that took two songs from the Mantle and took them into two completely different perspectives. Two years after that, their third Full-Length, Ashes Against the Grain, was released with praise. Some fans however, wished for Agalloch to retain their folkish sound. Six years after The Mantle, Agalloch have an odd response to fans, one which will likely divide them into two camps.



The White is a difficult beast. The short way to describe it is picture if The Mantle was a DVD. The White would be the Deleted scenes and alternate ending on said DVD. This is honestly, the best way I can describe it. Some parts on this cd, mainly the transitions between songs, do feel as if someone pressed the skip scene button which lands you on a sudden and somewhat confused point.



The EP begins with children chanting, “We Carry Death, Out of the Village!” on the Isle of Summer. This track is a solid opening with classic Agalloch folk elements. The only thing I find annoying on this song is there is an electric clean guitar part that comes in near the end that sounds incredibly out of place and rather juvenile for Agalloch’s usually mature sound.



Birch Black comes in suddenly after the calm Isle. Going back to my movie reference, this song sounds like your being chased in a dark forest without knowing where exactly you are going or exactly what you are running from. The song has a great feel with acoustic strumming overlapped by strong bass drums and electric guitars. This, like Isle, is an instrumental.



Skip a few scenes. Now, we are at a serene pond. Perhaps you are dead or dying and flashes of the afterlife appear before your eyes. The name of this scene is Hollow Stone. This is a haunting track with angelic voices and ambient noises. It is infinitely hard to describe, but this is definitely one of my favorites on the EP.



Pantheist, the next track, is along the same lines. A catchy acoustic riffs with John’s chanting vocals. Accompanied with pounding drums, this is best described as a folk-drone song. This is a decent track, but it is the first time that I have though that an Agalloch song can be too long.



Skip scene to Birch White. This is another standout track. With an accordion and acoustic opening, this is much more upbeat. Haughm’s minimalist, calm vocals tell a story with this going on. This goes on until halfway through and then someone hits the skip scene to a rather sad acoustic interlude until it fades into the chirping of birds.



Sowilo Rune is the most complete track on the EP. With expertly placed synths, pianos, acoustics…it’s got it all. The relaxing raspy vocals, though barely audible, add perfectly to the atmosphere. Then, electric guitars with minimalism come in to close it.



This song is also perhaps why many were and will be let down by this release. It sounds so complete, like an Agalloch Full-Length song, and many expected that this would be a more typical release. It’s not. From the start the band said this would not be indicative of what their future sound will be like. So this is a warning to all who expect otherwise: GO INTO THIS EP WITH AN OPEN MIND.



Closing out the EP is Summerisle reprise. It definitely feels like an ending, and has little in common with the similarly named opener. It is very ambient and mostly consists of a lone piano. It is incredibly somber with the piano almost whispering its notes. However, this song is pretty epic when it begins to use the riff established in the EP’s opener. This leads into more clips from The Wicker Man and the EP fades out.



Overall, this is a solid release, one that satisfies more so than any of Agalloch’s other EPs. The biggest problem with this EP though, is it is not a full-length. Almost all of the songs are instrumental here, and while this doesn’t make it automatically bad, it just feels like they don’t have a point. Imagine having a third of the Mantle’s Shadow of our Pale Comparison instead of the whole song and you sort of get my point. There is also little to nothing connecting these tracks together, something that Agalloch is known for. These tracks are better looking at them individually, then as a cohesive whole.



In the end, this is another solid release from Agalloch, though it might not be what you expected. This is definitely the perfect companion to The Mantle, so if you liked that, you will like this. Is it the answer fans expected? No, not at all. However, it is a typical Agalloch move. Revisiting and giving some closure to arguably their best album thus far, it will be interesting and exciting to see what happens next. Your move, Agalloch.

Atrist: Meshuggah | Album: obZen | Music Review

Tracklist:
1. Combustion

2. Electric Red

3. Bleed

4. Lethargica

5. obZen

6. This Spiteful Snake

7. Pineal Gland Optics

8. Pravus

9. Dancers to a Discordant System

Release Date: 03/07/2008 Summary: While sounding "same-y" in spots, 'obZen' is a potential metal album-of-the-year candidate thanks to Haake's triumphant return behind the kit and a hearty combination of new ideas interspersed with allusions to each of their previous albums.
With obZen, Swedish metal mathematicians Meshuggah have delivered their best release this decade. This assertion stems from two definitive characteristics that give the album its identity. To begin, Tomas Haake is back behind the kit, a welcome return after the Drumkit from Hell-driven percussion heard on 2005's Catch Thirty-Three. While obZen may or may not win Album of the Year credentials at year's end, Haake's performance on this album is absolutely stunning and easily cements him as one of metal's finest drummers. Haake's triumphant return, while significant, is slightly overshadowed by Meshuggah fulfilling its affirmation that obZen is an amalgamation of their previous works. Prior to a significant release, most bands taunt listeners by claiming that they are taking their music in a new direction (and not changing a damn thing about it or completely alienating their fans with too drastic a change), but with these Swedes, they deliver on their

promise while simultaneously introducing new songwriting ideas into their repertoire.



Throughout their existence, opinions on Meshuggah have been divisive: one listener's idea of repetitive, trite, and over-saturated noise may be another's consistent, complex, and technical aural assault. Of note, however, is the band's undeviating ability to evolve between each release, and obZen is no exception. The evolution found on this album can best be illustrated by Meshuggah's maturation in song arrangement and style. The trademark Meshuggah tenacity is omnipresent throughout the album - Jens Kidman's vocals are continually abrasive and menacing, guitarists Fredrik Thordendal, Mårten Hagström, and bassist Dick Lövgren are constantly delivering extremely heavy riffs, and Tomas Haake is always being Tomas Haake (going absolutely insane) - but the composition of obZen's nine songs sounds more cohesive and fluid while retaining the polyrhythmic scaffolding that characterizes their past work. Where albums like the homogeneous Nothing or the scattered Chaosphere had bouts of choppy songwriting, obZen's entire runtime is very smooth and uniform. In introducing this more fluid structure of songwriting, it is important to note that Meshuggah's technical skill is still remarkably stunning, and their relentless, unparalleled sense of thrashy groove has not been eliminated completely. Additionally, obZen is arguably the band's most melodic release; at least, the most melodic since 1995's Destroy Erase Improve.



The track that is the ultimate manifestation of the above characteristics is the seven-minute Bleed. obZen's third track starts off with an absolutely killer intro, reminiscent of 2004's I, and Kidman's enraged vocals immediately follow with "Beams of fire sweep through my head / Thrusts of pain increasingly engaged / Sensory receptors succumb / I am no one now - only agony" resonating over Haake's frantic kicks and hits, complemented with a mechanized, runaway-freight-train guitar sound. Just past the song's halfway point, a short ambient period segues into one of the best Thordendal leads on the album; afterwards, the song rips open into another heavy passage that carries into the track's conclusion. Bleed is arguably Meshuggah's best song to date. I am also a firm believer that an album's opening track officially sets the tone for the album, and Combustion does a memorable job in introducing the old-and-new Meshuggah sound that symbolizes obZen. Again, an aggressive Kidman delivers a dominating performance, guitarists Hagström and Thordendal absolutely shine, namely in the song's introduction and bridge, and Lövgren's rumbling bass perfectly complements madman Haake's machine-gun bass-snare-cymbal onslaught.



Kidman's execution on obZen is noteworthy when delivering Haake's lyrics. As always, Meshuggah's lyricism pinpoints a fascination with human physiology and psychology. For example, the pineal gland excretes a hormone called melatonin, which regulates one's Circadian rhythm and is essentially the human body's timekeeper. Haake's lyrics on This Spiteful Snake and Electric Red are stellar as well. In the former, Haake symbolizes consciousness with a serpent ("Reality: this spiteful snake, rearing its ugly head / Venom dripping from its grin as it tosses yet another obstacle in our way / . . . Reality: this spiteful snake, shedding its smothering veil / A shroud to asphyxiate, exterminate, eradicate"); in the latter, an almost-Orwellian theme seeps into the track, as evidenced by lyrics such as "So meticulously machined into these obedient devices - puppets - fine-tuned submissive drones / Replicas of each other - clones - we're dormant accumulations of flesh in a crimson filtered twilight / Mute witnesses to the game / Wrenches to keep the bolts of lies tight." To match the technical and intense musicianship, Meshuggah's vocalist needs to be just as domineering and impassioned; in short, Kidman succeeds on all accounts.



In keeping with my claim that each of obZen's nine tracks has its own distinctiveness, it is crucial to point out the stamina of the album's two concluding tracks, the strong Pravus and the nearly-ten-minute epic Dancers to a Discordant System, as well as the title track. Pravus' intro is incredibly frenzied, characterized by a slew of hammer-ons and a pulsating groove from the band's rhythm section. The shifts in tempo and tone throughout the track keeps the listener engaged, especially as the guitars reverberate and ring out between hard downstrokes and bellicose drumming. Both Pravus and its preceding track, Pineal Gland Optics, suggestively allude to Catch Thirty-Three, especially from a rhythm section and vocal standpoint. While Pravus loses some of the introduction's steam, obZen's closing album is a test of endurance: not for the listener, mind you, but for the Swedish quintet. "Dancers'" introduction, again reminiscent of Catch Thirty-Three's whispered vocals in that album's middle section, begins on a tranquil note, but as is the case with Meshuggah, placidity does not last long. While some of Meshuggah's longest songs throughout their discography have been trying listens, "Dancers" continually keeps the listener absorbed and interested through each movement. obZen, while more moderate in pace compared to the rest of the album, is still a refreshing listen.



What makes obZen such a phenomenal listen is not just Haake's long-awaited return behind a drum kit, as opposed to the programmed Drumkit from Hell percussion heard on 2005's Catch Thirty-Three, but the fact that Meshuggah hinted at each of its past works - especially Destroy Erase Improve, Nothing, and I - while simultaneously adding new and exciting elements to their core sound, is both amazing and important. The album's seemingly streamlined, fluid sound is an impeccable quality, even with the polyrhythmic structure that define Meshuggah's sound, and obZen's songs flow into each other even better than the schisms that divided their 2005 LP while retaining their unique and distinct identities. Haake is a legendary drummer, and his steadfast execution only expounds his talent and cements his elite status in the metal community. As the principle lyricist, Haake's writing is typical Meshuggah fare, but nevertheless intriguing. Vocalist Jens Kidman is time and time again a model of consistency, and guitarists Thordendal (his tremendous leads and solos on obZen are some of his best to date) and Hagström (whose heavy riffs and downstrokes complement Lövgren as the backbone of Meshuggah's sound) are spectacular as well. While some of the slower sections on this album are a bit burdensome to sit through, the listener is alleviated with the frequent transitions and explosions in sound. In all, obZen is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging record, and is without question an early contender for metal Album of the Year.



A



Jom recommends:



Bleed

Pravus

Combustion

Pineal Gland Optics

This Spiteful Snake

obZen

Rumors Surface On Apple's SDK Plan; Sounds Similar To A Walled Garden

Developers may be disappointed next week when Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) lays out plans for the iPhone SDK. Some details are surfacing today on the kit that make it sound an awful lot like a carrier's walled garden. The information will be especially disheartening to developers who were banking on Apple to be a less restricted avenue to distribute applications to consumers. The rumors were reported by iLounge, who spoke to a number of sources on the condition of anonymity.

The rumored details:

-- Apple will require that all mobile applications be distributed through iTunes. This rumor has already been circulating for some time. It's surprising that the carriers are OK with this arrangement since often times they can demand a portion of proceeds from the sale of an application.

-- Apple will hand-pick the applications that will be put up for sale. "Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store's massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games," iLounge reported. This is where developers may feel restricted just as they are today when trying to get on the carrier's deck.

-- The iPhone and iPod Touch will not support accessories. This could limit creating applications that require keyboards and other add-ons.

iLounge also reported that Apple is expected to release a beta version of the SDK next week, with the actual kit shipping in June at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference event in San Francisco. That rumor is also being reported by Apple 2.0. Additional announcements next week will include iPhone compatibility with Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Exchange and Lotus Notes.

But then why are we surprised? Apple and walled garden: when was that NOT the case?

Related

• Apple Will Lay Out iPhone Software Roadmap March 6; Is The SDK Wait Over?


• Will AT&T Sell iPhone Apps, Or Will They Be Sold On iTunes?

Newest Jobs In Mobile Content

Latest jobs in mobile content:

-- Handango: Manager of Strategic Alliances


-- Twistbox Entertainment: Senior Product Manager


-- Zumobi: Director of Product Management


-- Proteus: Operations Analyst / Project Manager

More choice jobs with Handago and other companies at our job board.

Newest Jobs In Mobile Content

Latest jobs in mobile content:

-- Handango: Manager of Strategic Alliances


-- Twistbox Entertainment: Senior Product Manager


-- Zumobi: Director of Product Management


-- Proteus: Operations Analyst / Project Manager

More choice jobs with Handago and other companies at our job board.

Under The Hood Of Unlimited Plans; Could It Drive iPhone-Like Data Adoption?

With Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel unveiling its unlimited wireless plan today, all four of the major U.S. wireless carriers have released comparative offerings, giving us a chance to step back, take it all in and see how it may impact the business. So far, most have said that the offerings will have limited impact to their bottom line. If that's the case, what could the potential outcome be?

Taking a closer look, perhaps the change will not come from people talking more, but from people using more data. Almost all of the carriers???with the major exception of AT&T (NYSE: T)???are including some data in the unlimited plans. We have seen what including can data can do to behavior. With the iPhone, which packages together voice and data in one plan, data usage soared: Google (NSDQ: GOOG) said iPhone users searched 50 times more than users of any other handset and Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT) said iPhone customers use about 100 MB, or 30 times more than average.

For Sprint, which is including more data services in the plan than any other carrier, this is definitely the motivation. "For us, this is much more than a new rate plan. This is an invitation to our current customers and to our new customers to explore the full wireless world of data services and to do so on the nation's largest mobile broadband network," said CEO Dan Hesse during Sprint's earnings call today. "For us, this is the beginning of a new era in wireless. Speed matters, but it's also about simplicity and usability."

So, here's a list of the new offerings. This time focus on the data features included in the packages, and forget about the unlimited calls. I've also included the financial impact the carriers have predicted, where available, to show that this might not be about making money, but about changing consumer behavior. As the plans are adopted by consumers, we could also see carriers experiment and add new features.

-- Sprint Nextel: Perhaps the biggest example of this, the Overland Park company launched today an unlimited pricing plan that includes unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect for $99.99 a month. For $89.99 a month, there will be an unlimited voice, push-to-talk and text option. On financial impact, Hesse said they are balancing fiscal responsibility and growing the wireless data market.

-- T-Mobile USA: Announced on Feb. 19 that it will offer a plan that includes unlimited voice, and unlimited text, picture and IM messaging for $99.99 a month.

-- AT&T: Announced an unlimited voice plan for $99.99 a month on Feb. 19. Separately, AT&T customers can sign up for data plans such as $5 for 200 text, picture, video and instant messages or $35 for unlimited messaging and MEdia Net access. AT&T said it still expects 2008 revenue growth in the mid-single digit percentage range despite offering the unlimited calling plan, and said a very small percentage of its customers spend more than $100 a month.

-- Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless: Announced an unlimited voice plan for $99.99 a month. An unlimited plan including messaging is $120 a month, and a plan including messaging, VCAST, VZNavigator and Mobile Email is $140 a month. Verizon said currently about 305,000 customers, or 0.5 percent of its subscriber base, have monthly plans above $99. Those customers have an average monthly bill between $125 and $135 a month. Over time, the reduced revenues from higher value customers moving down to the unlimited plan should be offset by increased revenues as a result of customers moving to unlimited plans, Verizon said.

-- Others: A variety of smaller carriers are also pushing for a variety of unlimited voice and data plans. Helio offers an unlimited voice plan for $99 a month including unlimited text, picture and video messaging, unlimited data, Web, and GPS-enabled Google maps, among other functions; Leap's Cricket offers unlimited anytime minutes and long distance including free text and picture messaging, unlimited 411 and unlimited Web access for $50 a month; and Sprint Nextel's Boost Mobile offers unlimited calling including text and picture messages, and Web access for $65 a month when in your home calling area.

Related

• Sprint May Surprise All By Undercutting Carriers In The Unlimited Calling Plan


• Now T-Mobile USA Announces Flat-Rate Too; SMS/MMS Included For $99.99


• AT&T Joins The Flat Rate Bandwagon, Hours After Verizon Wireless; Only Voice

Get Some TNA for your Phone

TNA Wrestling and Longtail Studios today announced the development of “TNA Wrestling,” a new game for mobile phones.  TNA Wrestling for mobile is the first mobile wrestling game to truly immerse the player in both the wrestling and storytelling aspects of professional wrestling. 

The TNA mobile game will allow fans to step into the world of TNA as an up-and-coming superstar. Fans will be able to go head-to-head with their favorite TNA superstars both in and out of the ring.

“Wrestling is about so much more than what happens inside the ring” said Jason Altman, Head of Production, Longtail Studios, “With the TNA mobile game fans will get to experience and control the action both in and out of the ring.”

Features of “TNA Wrestling” for mobile phones include:

• Master strategy and turn-based wrestling gameplay

Mastering Magic is Harry Potter’s latest for mobile phones but if you’re thinking another mystical adventure through Hogwarts, you’re barking up the wrong tree.  Instead, get ready to challenge your mind in a battery of tests to win the coveted Studious Success Cup.

The Cup is awarded to the student who achieves the highest marks in various classes and O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels), therefore, the game is set up as a collection of mini-games that allow you to practice wizard classes and complete exams to perfect your magic skills.  Playing as Harry, Hermione or Ron, you can track your performance and perfect magic skills within a wide range including Herbology, Charms, Transfiguration and Potions.

There are a total of eight classes to master in Practice and Studious Success Cup modes, with a tutorial available for each and the opportunity to challenge a friend as well.  Each class starts off on an easy difficulty, and depending on your performance, tougher ones can be unlocked.  They are all simple games to understand, but a bit tricky to complete.

In Divination for instance, you must guess which of the four items presented is being revealed in a crystal ball.  You simply choose with the D-pad what the correct item is, but the crystal ball continuously morphs the shape within, making it more complicated.  Astronomy has you memorizing constellations then drawing the missing lines by selecting the correct stars.  There’s even a math game where you must decipher and place the correct number in order for the equation to work, but for true Harry Potter fans, the History of Magic quizzes are probably what will be enjoyed most since it turns out to be more of a trivia game on the anthology.

The thing about the Mastering Magic mini-games is that they are all somewhat unique and fresh ideas to play with.  In fact, instead of a mini-game collection feel, it’s more like a rewarding brain training game.  (Perhaps that IS the whole intent behind the title, since it does keep statistics on performance.)  In any event, there certainly will be many Harry Potter fans checking this title out if only because of its theme, but others should do so as well because it’s cleverly disguised and enjoyable.

RATE THIS GAME

Rumors Surface On Apple's SDK Plan; Sounds Similar To A Walled Garden

Developers may be disappointed next week when Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) lays out plans for the iPhone SDK. Some details are surfacing today on the kit that make it sound an awful lot like a carrier's walled garden. The information will be especially disheartening to developers who were banking on Apple to be a less restricted avenue to distribute applications to consumers. The rumors were reported by iLounge, who spoke to a number of sources on the condition of anonymity.

The rumored details:

-- Apple will require that all mobile applications be distributed through iTunes. This rumor has already been circulating for some time. It's surprising that the carriers are OK with this arrangement since often times they can demand a portion of proceeds from the sale of an application.

-- Apple will hand-pick the applications that will be put up for sale. "Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store's massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games," iLounge reported. This is where developers may feel restricted just as they are today when trying to get on the carrier's deck.

-- The iPhone and iPod Touch will not support accessories. This could limit creating applications that require keyboards and other add-ons.

iLounge also reported that Apple is expected to release a beta version of the SDK next week, with the actual kit shipping in June at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference event in San Francisco. That rumor is also being reported by Apple 2.0. Additional announcements next week will include iPhone compatibility with Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) Exchange and Lotus Notes.

But then why are we surprised? Apple and walled garden: when was that NOT the case?

Related

• Apple Will Lay Out iPhone Software Roadmap March 6; Is The SDK Wait Over?


• Will AT&T Sell iPhone Apps, Or Will They Be Sold On iTunes?

Mobile Marketer Zoove Raises $14.4 Million In Second Round

Palo Alto-based mobile marketer Zoove has raised $14.4 million of a planned $15.7 million second round from Cardinal Venture Capital and Highland Capital, reports VentureBeat. The company previously raised $7 million, bringing its total to $21.4 million. The company looks to deliver information to mobile users via SMS, MMS and WAP, and it's developed its own 2D display technology called StarStar, allowing users to fetch info from a physical billboard or some such display.

Related

• Mobile Marketing Company Zoove Gets $7 Million In First Round

10-K Watch: Helio Racks Up Major Losses in 2007, EarthLink Reports; Lower Helio Subscriber Numbers

EarthLink on Thursday shed some light on how well Helio???one of the last remaining MVNOs in the U.S.???is doing, and it doesn't look too bright. EarthLink reported that in 2007 Helio's revenues were up significantly, but losses were also widening as the amount of cash it has on hand is dwindling.

Some results taken from EarthLink's annual report filed with the SEC (the full Helio annual report is embedded below, and can be downloaded as PDF here:

-- Helio's net loss widened by 41.3 percent to $326.6 million in 2007 compared to $191.8 million in 2006. In the same period, the operator's revenues jumped 267 percent to $171 million from $46.6 million in 2006.

-- Helio, also owned by SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM), had $45.1 million in cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2007. SK Telecom invested another $20 million this month.

-- The company is still negotiating Sky Dayton's transition from CEO to chairman, but it anticipates owing Dayton about $600,000 in cash expenses throughout 2008. It also extended the amount of time Dayton can exercise stock options which accelerated upon his transition, and is allowing him to purchase up to 1.5 million shares of Helio's common stock.

-- EarthLink's reporting at the end of Q4 that Helio had slightly more than 180,000 subscribers, representing a 28 percent increase over the prior quarter. In Q4, Helio recorded revenues of $56 million, an increase of 147 percent over the prior year and 8 percent over the prior quarter. This is less than what the company projected at the beginning of 2007, when it bandied about numbers in 200,000 to 250,000 range that it believed it could achieve by the end of 2007.

-- Then Helio sold off its Buddy Beacon trademark to uLocate at the start of this year. The amount was not disclosed then, but the filing says that there was no cash involved, only "in exchange for waived service fees and a warrant to purchase stock in a third party", and the total value of it was deemed to be about $0.5 million.

Read this doc on Scribd: helio2007

Related

• Earnings: Earthlink CEO: Cutting Off Helio Investment Was Hard But Necesssary

INTERVIEW: Peter Moore

New man at the top of EA Sports outlines his vision

MCV has bagged a world exclusive interview with EA Sports president Peter Moore - head over to our interviews section for the full Q&A, in which he reveals his plans for the hugely lucrative EA division.

Beyonce's manager will be interviewed at Billboard's pre-CTIA content conference.

Mathew Knowles personally negotiated the deal that brought Samsung the Beyonce B'Phone as well as by overseeing the mobile game development for titles based on both Destiny's Child and Beyonce.

The Music World Entertainment president will be the subject of the keynote interview at Billboard's Mobile Entertainment Live! event, which is the curtain raiser for the CTIA Wireless tradeshow in Las Vegas on March 31st.

Register today by clicking here and save $50 with the pre-registration rate of $399! Enter promo code: MEMBLAST

Other keynote speakers include RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser, NBC Universal chief digital officer George Kliavkoff and Nokia's EVP of entertainment and communities, Tero Ojanpera.

For a complete schedule of speakers, just click here.

Mobile Entertainment magazine is a proud media partner for Mobile Entertainment Live! To find out how you can work with us, email tom.roberts@intentmedia.co.uk.

Mobile Marketer Zoove Raises $14.4 Million In Second Round

Palo Alto-based mobile marketer Zoove has raised $14.4 million of a planned $15.7 million second round from Cardinal Venture Capital and Highland Capital, reports VentureBeat. The company previously raised $7 million, bringing its total to $21.4 million. The company looks to deliver information to mobile users via SMS, MMS and WAP, and it's developed its own 2D display technology called StarStar, allowing users to fetch info from a physical billboard or some such display.

Related

• Mobile Marketing Company Zoove Gets $7 Million In First Round

Interview: Burton Katz, CEO, Atrinsic: Explaining The Business Model; Explaining The Name

Last September, mobile content and apps firm New Motion (OTCBB: NWMO) announced the acquisition of online marketer Traffix, a rare instance of an OTCBB-traded firm taking over a NASDAQ-traded one. That deal was completed earlier this month, bringing about two quick changes for the company: The first is that it jumped up to the big leagues and now trades on the NASDAQ. It also changed its name from New Motion to Atrinsic, which, as I suggested to CEO Burton Katz during an interview, sounds more like a name for an IT consulting firm, than a mobile content player. I met up with Katz at the Jefferies Internet Conference, which was the second stop on the company's debutante tour of investment conferences, as it tries to drum up some Wall St. awareness for itself. As seemed clear during his presentation, few in the audience seemed to grasp what Atrinsic's business model is all about, or where the company is going, which might explain why its stock has plummeted recently to 52-week lows.

-- Business model: Atrinsic is betting on the idea that mobile services will carry a premium if there's an online component to this, or, conversely, that they'll be able to make money on commodity web content, if there's a uniquely mobile side to the pitch. Katz: "To give you some examples of this… we have, for instance, a dating site that we've launched call iMatchup, and you go online and update your profile and go on others… the idea is that we send you text messages when someone's checking out your profile or wants to chat with you. We actually send you stuff to your phone. Moving forward, we'll actually provide you chat applications and such on the handset. So we basically tied the two experiences together." Another example: "The game site we've launched called GatorArcade, where basically you come online to play games, but you can also win prizes to download ringtones to download mobile games, etc." The end result, argues Katz, is that Atrinsic's business model comes to resemble the cable TV industry, making money from subscription fees and ads. "We believe very strongly in vertical value chain integration… not only do we have own our own content, not only do we own our own premium build offers, but we also own our own distribution and media."

-- Traffix acquisition: "Traffix basically had a games site… I would never have been able to create that site, but what I said is that I understand the business model: let people come in online, acquire them using the mobile, and give them a mobile service." Traffix had a dating site as well. The problem is that the company wasn't doing much with its assets, so they got sold on New Motion's mobile-enhanced vision. Furthermore, Traffix's expertise was in lead-gen and direct marketing using that content, so the purchase improves the company's chops in this area.

-- Concept gap: "Overall, it's a new concept… typically people like things that are easy to understand." He went on to cite the numerous pure mobile content vendors, whose strategies are easy to understand, but lack depth, and haven't made any money. "What we're trying to do is be at the forefront… we want to combine the media that we own with the actual mobile content, so that we not only own our own content we own our own distribution, it'd be no different than why Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) would want to buy Disney." When asked whether this vision is going against the trend of the loosening link between content and distribution, he argued that in the mobile environment, it's still basically a closed environment. And he noted that the big media companies are all still integrated. "The gap that we have with Wall St. is quite temporary

-- Music service: It hasn't been launched yet, but Atrinsic will be jumping into the mobile music space, with the launch of a subscription music service, a la Napster (NSDQ: NAPS). As for why the company expects to make money in this crowded area, Katz argues that the integration between the PC and mobile will prove decisive. He also alluded to a P2P component, having struck a partnership with the ghost of some well-known (but currently unspecified). How the content sharing works with a subscription music service still seems a bit vague.

-- M&A: Right now the company is in four separate content areas: games, music, dating and contests. I asked whether excelling in four separate areas was tough for a company of about 250 employees, when even one of these areas would be difficult. Katz admitted that this was a challenge, and suggested that acquisitions will be needed to scale the business. Basically, Atrinsic is looking to build a PC-to-mobile infrastructure, and future acquisitions will be about acquiring content to take advantage of this. Why not just open up the platform to third parties? The answer was margins. Katz believes there's higher margins when you own the IP than if you're just distributing it for other, but, he said, there may be opportunities for various partnerships going forward.

-- The name: "We actually gave it to our employees (to come up with something)… the only I asked for is that there be a URL that didn't cost more than $1,000."

Related

• New Motion + Traffix Change Name To Atrinsic


• Mobile Content Apps Firm New Motion Buying Online Marketing Firm Traffix For $138.9 Million

Simply Everything and nothing

The digital world isn't quite the land of the free, but it's getting there. According to a in the current issue of Wired, the battle between premium web content and free web content is finally coming to a close, with the latter emerging victorious. Citing The New York Times' decision to abandon its premium archives, free music from pop artists like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, ad-supported casual games and free Google web services like Gmail and Picasa as proof of an irreversible trend, Wired editor-in-chief Chris Anderson writes "The rise of 'freeconomics' is being driven by the underlying technologies that power the web. Just as Moore's law dictates that a unit of processing power halves in price every 18 months, the price of bandwidth and storage is dropping even faster. Which is to say, the trend lines that determine the cost of doing business online all point the same way: to zero."

Of course, producers and artists alike must derive income from somewhere, which is why The New York Times still publishes a daily newsprint edition and Radiohead still presses CDs and vinyl. But forward-thinking content providers are finally coming to grips with the realization that free digital content complements traditional premium content instead of cannibalizing it. In fact, a new released this week by consumer research firm Parks Associates and entertainment technology think tank Entertainment Technology Center argues that free mobile content is essential to promoting programming on traditional media platforms. Noting that fewer than 10 percent of Internet users are willing to download a premium film at present price points, Parks Associates exhorts Hollywood to employ Apple-like tactics and offer bargain-priced content to promote higher-margin programming, specifically by distributing free mobile content to advertise new theatrical releases, DVDs, primetime television series and even premium mobisodes.

The economics of mobile content evolved further this week when Sprint--reeling from a , the fifth-largest decline among Standard & Poor's 500 Index companies since 1990--announced it will launch Simply Everything, a domestic pricing plan promising subscribers unlimited voice, data, text, email, web surfing, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect for $99.99 per month. While Sprint is the last of the four major U.S. operators to introduce an unlimited pricing plan, it's the first to roll mobile data and entertainment into such an offer, with CEO Dan Hesse stating during Thursday's earning call that "The new battleground will be around data. We want to put a flag in the ground that we are about data."

It's a bold move. But the Simply Everything initiative only makes mobile data cheap, not free--and as Anderson writes in Wired, "There is a huge difference between cheap and free. Give a product away and it can go viral. Charge a single cent for it and you're in an entirely different business, one of clawing and scratching for every customer." Which is exactly the position Sprint finds itself in now, especially if Simply Everything backfires and sets into motion a pricing war the operator can ill afford to wage. So how much lower can mobile data pricing go? How much lower should it go? As futurist Stewart Brand once said, "Information wants to be free. Information also wants to be expensive... That tension will not go away." -

GTA IV pre-orders go live at PC World

Gamers can order online now for delivery on the April 29th

Consumers can now pre-order Grand Theft Auto IV online for £37.99 on both PS3 and 360 from PC World.

Customers can also reserve their copy in store for £5, with midnight openings planned for the game’s release.
 
"The team here at PC World are hugely excited about the forthcoming release,” said René Wright, senior category manager - console and games at DSGi.

ALSO NOTED: Microsoft patents mobile dating app; Zannel launching microblogging API; and much more...

> Microsoft patents mobile dating app.

> Zannel launching microblogging API.

> Wizzard Media inks mobile syndication deal with Media Rights of America.

And finally… It's Leap Day.

SPOTLIGHT: The short view

Forecasting the future of Disney-ABC's new unit.

Melodis debuts mobile music search app

Search and sound recognition company Melodis Corporation announced the launch of Midomi Mobile, a free mobile music search application enabling users to search for music by singing, humming or even whistling into their wireless device. According to Melodis, the app accesses Midomi's online user-generated database of songs in tandem with the company's patented Multimodal Adaptive Recognition System to identify the song in question. Users can play back the snippet from the rendition matching their query, or listen to other members' renditions that helped identify the song. Midomi Mobile also enables users to search for music videos via aggregator services like YouTube as well as connect to the Midomi social network to access member profiles, recordings, playlists, and more. At launch, Midomi Mobile is optimized for Symbian OS-based handsets, with additional devices and platforms to follow. "An increasing number of music-enabled handsets are sold each year, and we aim to make Midomi Mobile available on all of these handsets," said Melodis CEO Keyvan Mohajer in a prepared statement. "With the exciting functionality we're continuing to develop for Midomi Mobile, it will become the ultimate music search tool for the mobile market."

For more on Midomi Mobile:
- read this

Related article:
Verizon launches service

iamota intros do-it-yourself mobile services

Mobile application service provider iamota announced the release of iamota impact, a new service enabling users to create and launch their own mobile services. According to iamota, the impact service takes care of all wireless carrier certifications, device-specific content optimizations and DRM requirements, freeing the user to concentrate on adding content and promoting their services. iamota promises agencies and brands of all sizes can be up and running on the mobile platform within 24 hours, offering three impact flavors--Starter, Growth and Professional--with services beginning at $49.99 per month. "iamota impact is a unique solution that brings the mobile channel to agencies and brands in a self-serve, user-driven way," said iamota president and CEO Pete Smyth in a prepared statement. "We handle all of the complexity within the mobile channel on behalf of our customers to ensure speed-to-market at lower costs."

For more on iamota impact:
- read this

Mozilla in mobile browser talks with operators

Open-source software development initiative Mozilla said it is in informal talks with mobile operators about its free Mobile Firefox browser. At present, Mozilla plans to release mobile browsers for the Linux and Windows Mobile operating systems, with five full-time engineers at work on the project. In an interview with InfoWorld, Mozilla VP of engineering Mike Schroepfer said some operators are threatened by the introduction of a free mobile browser, citing concerns it may diminish their control over the user experience. "Mozilla's mission is to break open a closed market," Schroepfer said. "It won't happen overnight." Christian Sejersen, who heads up Mozilla's mobile engineering group, added Mozilla is relying on operators to contribute to the development of mobile Firefox in much the same way the open-source community lends assistance to improve its desktop browser.

For more on Mozilla's Mobile Firefox plans:
- read this InfoWorld

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at work on mobile web browser

Priceline.com goes mobile

Online travel service provider Priceline.com announced the launch of a mobile services suite enabling travelers to search hotel inventories, pricing and availability in real-time, book rooms, check their flight status and check out Zagat-recommended restaurants and local attraction via wireless device. According to Priceline, travelers may also download ringtones and wallpapers featuring company pitchman William Shatner. "We believe these enhancements make Priceline.com one of the leading wireless services providers in the online travel space," said CMO Brett Keller in a prepared statement. "Many Priceline.com customers are last-minute travelers who need the ability to check live hotel inventories, book their rooms in real-time and check their flight status while on the road. In addition, Zagat Survey's restaurant and attractions reviews provide unique, valuable content that can't be found on any other major online travel service."

For more on Priceline's mobile launch:
- read this

Related articles:
AAA maps out service
Fodor's Travel and AskMeNow to offer guides

Helio losses grow, but so do revenues

Mobile virtual network operator Helio continues to hemorrhage cash … but on the bright side, its 2007 revenues increased 264 percent over the previous year. In its to the SEC, Internet service provider EarthLink, which launched Helio in conjunction with Korean mobile operator SK Telecom, notes Helio lost $327 million in 2007 against $171 million in revenue; a year ago, the MVNO posted losses of $192 million on $47 million of revenue, which combined with 2005 losses of $42 million means Helio has now posted total losses of $560 million in three years. Helio ended the fourth quarter with slightly more than 180,000 subscribers, a 28 percent increase over Q3 totals. But while revenue still exceeded Helio's $140-$170 million guidance, and losses fell shy of its $340 million to $360 million guidance, EarthLink admits in the SEC filing it "may not realize the benefits we sought from our investment in the Helio joint venture."

The EarthLink filing goes on to note "We have made $210 million of cash investments in Helio. The financing of Helio's operations has adversely affected our cash position. In addition, Helio will require additional funding in the future and Helio has incurred losses and we expect Helio to continue to incur losses. In addition, Helio may not be successful in implementing and marketing its wireless voice and data initiatives, and there can be no assurance that these initiatives will be commercially successful. We cannot assure you Helio will be able to achieve or maintain adequate market share or revenue or compete effectively."

For more on Helio's 2007 results:
- read this Silicon Alley Insider

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Softbank is about to launch a robot phone, with detachable arms and legs. Really.

The 815T PB handset has been developed by Toshiba to promote a TV drama called Ketai Sousakan 7. Owners can attach flexible robot limbs to it. And it also talks back to the user. Probably says things like ‘Ow, that hurts.

Please don’t remove my legs again.”

But it’s not a gimmick – it comes embedded with microSD slot, 2.4-inch QVGA screen, FeliCa chip and 3.2-megapixel camera.

Datel releases Wii Freeloader

Software allows Wii owners to play games from any region on a PAL Nintendo machine

In-game cheats specialist Datel has released a Wii version of its Freeloader software that will allow owners of the console to play games from a different global region.

The software follows on from Datel’s successful GameCube product, which became a big hit with importers owing to the often long delays between Japanese and North American releases and the arrival of titles in Europe.

It was thought at one stage that a Wii version of the product might not be possible owing to the console’s use of a front-feeding disc drive as opposed to a top-loading mechanism.

High speed subs grow 91 per cent

3G and 4G subscriptions grew 91 per cent in 2007, said Research and Markets.

The market analyst added that subscribers to the various 3G and 4G technologies (WCDMA/HSPA, EV-DO, TD-SCDMA, Mobile WiMAX, and LTE) will increase by 63 per cent over the course of 2008, with subscribers expected to rise from the current 230 million to 375 million.

In terms of network deployments, 4Q07 was another strong quarter for HSPA deployments, with 8 HSDPA and 9 HSUPA additions.

Clear Channel blends mobile with outdoor ads

Outdoor advertising firm, Clear Channel Outdoor UK is launching a suite of mobile services.

The applications, branded Clear Channel Interact, will allow consumers to text a Clear Channel operated shortcode number to find out more information about an advertiser, download mobile vouchers for special offers, access mobile websites or find a nearby physical outlet.

Specifically, these services will include: Find out more, Mobile voucher, Mobile website, Find my nearest, Consumer feedback, Voting service, Text messaging, Voice messaging, Picture messaging and Directory listings.

Clear Channel Outdoor UK CEO, Barry Sayer, said: "We see the launch of Clear Channel Interact as the perfect marriage between the world's oldest and newest media. While outdoor advertising provides clients with penetration at the heart of relevant environments and communities across the country, mobile technology closes the marketing loop by directly linking the consumer to the advertiser, initialising two-way communication."

New euro sales chief for EA

EA Mobile has appointed Catalina Lou as European sales director.

The former Glu and iFone exec will work alongside Javier Ferreira and Tim Harrison, and will be responsible for developing and driving EA Mobile’s sales and distribution across Europe.

T.A. Telecom targets $100m Middle East market

Regional content provider predicts huge growth as 3G takes hold.

Egyptian content powerhouse T.A.Telecom is projecting 200 per cent growth this year, thanks to a vibrant Middle Eastern market for content.

The company offers content products and SMS alerts through D2C brands such as Fozz, 3alSMS and Ma’ak across the region, and also works in the B2B space.

T.A.Telecom was also recently appointed to manage the content portal for local operator Etisalat.

Amr Shady, CEO of T.A.Telecom, believes the rapid adoption of 3G and the aspirational nature of the population is driving demand to new heights.

He said: “There’s a $100 million market right now, but it can only get bigger. The challenge is to move users on from text services and IVR.”

Shady added that T.A.Telecom will also target ex-pats overseas and may approach foreign operators with its brands.

SCI's restructuring plans in full

Everything you need to know about how the Tomb Raider publisher plans to turn it around

This morning’s announcement that SCi is to axe 25 per cent of its workforce and become a ‘studio-led’ games company has huge ramifications for its employees and the industry at large – we outline every last detail you need to know here.

Read the top line news about the re-structure here, take a look at SCi’s latest thoughts on a long-rumoured buyout here, or get an update on how this has affected SCi's share prices.

Ninja Gaiden 2 coming in June

Action packed sequel set for release this summer on Xbox 360

Ninja Gaiden 2 will be made available for European gamers in June, according to Microsoft.

During the game, players must guide Ryu Hayabusa on a mission to avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race.

Team Ninja’s Tomonobu Itagaki previously announced that the game would be coming exclusively to Xbox 360, with a North American release date of June 3rd.

Gaming Jumps to an Indian beat

Recruitment drive begins as Jump eyes global expansion.

Jump Games will add up to 40 more employees every month in an eye-popping expansion drive all over the world.

The Indian games company, owned by Reliance Entertainment, burst on the world scene last month with a three-year deal to publish Manchester United games, reported at variously $30 million to $100 million. Either way, it’s a lot.

Jump did the deal with its eye on United’s 100 million-strong fan base, and clearly believes it can open operator doors outside of its Asian stronghold. It claims 20 direct carrier relationships at present. It’s why the company is strengthening regional bases in Sweden, US and Singapore and looking to open more offices.

The company should have 500 staff  by year-end. Jump believes its Indian experience and deep pockets can help it bring new ideas to Europe. One is pay-per-play gaming, which it offers at 10c a time in India, and which delivers one million plays per title.

Salil Bhargava, CEO of Jump, said: "Pay per play should be explored in Europe. £5 is too much for most consumers. This would open up the market.”


Jump is in talks with Game Federation about the concept.

MGS4 officially dated

The final chapter in Kojima’s epic franchise set for June 12th release in US and Europe

After almost a year’s worth of speculation about its long-awaited arrival on PS3, Konami has finally confirmed that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will arrive on PS3 in both North America and Europe on June 12th.

In addition, the game will also include the mysterious Metal Gear Solid Online – a PSN focused multiplayer title.

Konami also confirmed previous rumours that it will be running a public beta of MGS Online – with more details on that expected shortly.

Sony recently confirmed an upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 bundle, featuring the now resurrected backwardly compatible 80GB PS3 model. However, it looks as if the bundle may sadly not make it across the pond.

Shares in SCi plummet 20 per cent

Company stock falls sharply after this morning’s announcement of restructuring, dips to 42p per share

SCi’s share price has tumbled 20 per cent following the company's announcement of its restructuring plans this morning.

According to Dow Jones, shares were down 20 per cent, or 11 pence, at 42 pence 0847 GMT – after dropping more than 35 per cent in earlier trading.

The publisher said this morning that it is looking to raise £45 million to £55 million – likely by selling new stock either on the market or to commercial partners.

Phil Rogers, who took the helm of the embattled company last month, said: "SCi is in need of immediate change... To get SCi on track, we have to act rapidly and effect change quickly."

SCI would accept 'sensible offer' for company

But the Board is ‘not encouraging’ offers for the restructuring publisher

After revealing its plans to cut a quarter of its workforce, scrap 14 projects still in development and become a ‘studio-led’ publisher, the Britsoft firm has revealed that it would still be interested if a suitor was ready to make the company

The official statement from the company reads: “At this time the Board is not encouraging offers for the Company but, in a consolidating industry, any sensible offer for the Company or proposal for crystallising value for some of the Group’s IP will be considered in the context of the alternatives and benchmarked against the value the Board believes can be delivered for shareholders through the revised strategy and business plan.”

SCi's £81.4m loss sparks restructure

25 per cent of jobs to go, 14 projects cancelled, and production services moved to Montreal - all part of new 'studio-led' model

Newly installed SCi CEO Phil Rogers has this morning revealed the result of his company business review - announcing that he plans to restructure the company around a new 'studio-led' business model, which means a reduction in workforce and cancellation of 14 projects.

SCi, which owns publishing label Eidos and a raft of studios, said it lost £81.4m in the six months up to December 31st - a big hike over the comparable loss of £17.9m in the same period a year previously.

To curtail further losses, Rogers said: "SCi is in need of immediate change. Following our business review over the last six weeks, we are initiating a clear action plan based on three fundamental strands of activity: a radical change in our structure to a studio-led business, a top to bottom programme of product improvement and efficiency and a considerable cost reduction plan.

"To get SCi on track we have to act rapidly and effect change quickly. We must allow the world-class people that we have within the Group to focus on strong, profitable titles which will create the value our shareholders deserve. I am confident our staff share this vision and excitement for the future, and determination to build a working environment where our innovation and creativity can be commercially realised."

The firm will now set about a 'fundamental change in business structure' which involves decentralising control of its development studios, creating a new label called Eidos PLAY which merges its casual and new media resources, and taking a more flexible and efficient approach to distribution.

SCi's new business will operate with a maximum of 800 people - meaning that 25 per cent of the firm's workforce will lose their jobs.

"Our cornerstone franchises [...] should not be diluted by more run-of-the-mill games," said the official statement from the firm.

As further part of the cost cutting and improvement program, the company will cancel 14 projects in development, charge its studios with focusing on quality, and move its production services teams (covering the likes of localisation and QA) to Montreal from London to take advantage of tax breaks and cost benefits.

The statement added: "As illustrated by today's interim results our quality has slipped below acceptable standards and, through disappointing game development and working within an ineffective operating structure, we are failing to realise the commercial return our creative ability and our shareholders demand. Our infrastructure is too big and expensive for the scale of the business."

четверг, 28 февраля 2008 г.

Sprint: WiMax Partnership With Clearwire Still Possible; Dual-Mode Handsets Out This Year

Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel's CEO Dan Hesse confirmed a partnership of some kind with Clearwire (NSDQ: CLWR) may still be in the cards although he wasn't prepared to elaborate during today's earnings call. "We have had wide ranging discussions with Clearwire on potential relationships but no final agreements have been reached," he said during the call.

Hesse was reluctant to talk about WiMax too much and give the analysts the impression that he wasn't 100 percent on turning around the company's core wireless-phone business, however, he still let a few tidbits slip. He said the company's soft WiMax launches in Baltimore, Washington DC and Chicago are encouraging, and that he feels Sprint can't pass up being first to roll-out 4G. "Sprint has an enormous asset???nearly 100 megahertz of un-utilized spectrum???and we have the opportunity to have a three-year head start with our Xohm service, true wireless broadband with multi-megabit speed," he said.

Later this year, he said they'll introduce dual-mode CDMA/WiMAX devices, which they'll probably need if if too many people sign-up for the company's new unlimited data plan and start clogging the networks.

Related

• Earnings: Sprint CEO Hesse: Issues "More Difficult Than What I Expected To Find"


• Earnings: Sprint Nextel Q4 Down 6 Percent; Major Writedown; Sub Losses; Unlimited Plan With Data


• Under The Hood Of Unlimited Plans; Could It Drive iPhone-Like Data Adoption?


• Clearwire And Sprint May Get Partners To Fund WiMax: Report

Earnings: Sprint CEO Hesse: Issues "More Difficult Than What I Expected To Find"

As expected, Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel has announced its own unlimited plan, although not quite at the firesale prices some had expected. Instead, they're throwing in the kitchen sink. The basic offer of the "Simply Everything" plan: unlimited voice, data, text, e-mail, Web-surfing, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, GPS Navigation, Direct Connect and Group Connect, all for $99.99. And it will be available to existing subscribers starting tomorrow. (Full details in a separate release." New CEO Dan Hesse and team tool questions from analysts after the Q4 earnings were released. Some highlights from the call:

-- As for the problems facing the company, new CEO Dan Hesse put it out pretty clear when he jumped on the call: "The issues we face are more difficult than what I expected to find."

-- Data: The management team must've stated some variation on 'data is the future' at least 10 times on the call. Of course, given the deterioration of the voice business, what else would they say? Hesse admitted that the new unlimited plan, by itself, wouldn't change the (downward) trajectory of the business, rather, "We're putting a flag into the ground that we intend to own the data world." Data revenues continue to grow at double-digit rates, and now account for about 20 percent of ARPU, but the gains are not offsetting the decline in voice revenues. The leading sources of data revenues are: air cards, text messaging and Power Vision bundles.

-- Churn: Hesse repeatedly stressed the company's intention to improve the customer experience and staunch the bleeding. How are they going to do that? The new offer, effective immediately, is obviously a part of that. But other measures are either as-of-yet unformulated or at least undisclosed. Hesse: "I will share with you more of our action plans next quarter."

-- Customer service: Sprint is implementing specific projects to reduce calls to customer care and holding weekly performance reviews. "Because of the customer experience we provided last year, churn is accelerating," Hesse said. "As you may know, we have performed poorly in customer surveys that were taken last year. This has hurt our brand. We have done much to improve the network and care issues which drive customer dissatisfaction, but there is much more that still needs to be done.

-- WiMAX: It's important to Sprint's future, but you'll have to wait for another time if you want more details.

-- Outlook: Patience is key: "We will have a difficult 2008, as we turn this ship around." As stated a few times, there are no quick fixes to clearing out the rot. Oh, and while they're at it: No more dividend. Not surprisingly, none of this is going over very well. Investors aren't too keen on the patience idea and are sending Sprint stock down over 11 percent in early action.

ROK Entertainment Won't Buy MVNO Xero Mobile

ROK (LSE: ROK) Entertainment Group said it will not buy Xero Mobile, the MVNO that promised an ad-supported mobile phone service for college students. Rok, which provides streaming TV to mobile phones, said it entered into buy-out talks with Xero in October, but today provided an update, saying: "ROK confirms that it has ended any dialogue with Xero and is no longer in talks to purchase the issued and to be issued entire share capital of the Company."

In 2006, GigaOM reported that Beverly Hills, Calif-based Xero had lots of ties to Gizmondo, a company developing a gaming device and infamous for its CEO crashing a million-dollar Ferrari. With the help of Gizmondo, it was rumored that Xero may have raised nearly $300 million. There's no signs of that kind of money now???Xero Mobile, which is listed on the over-the-counter bulletin board under the symbol "XRMB," registered its last trade yesterday at 0.025 cents a share.

Related

• XE Mobile MVNO To Shut Down

Nokia's Win Over Qualcomm Is Upheld By Commission; Dozen Of Legal Fights Remain

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) checks off another win against Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM). The International Trade Commission upheld a ruling in one of their many patent battles on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The agency determined there is no need to review a decision issued on Dec. 12 that found that Nokia did not infringe on three Qualcomm patents at issue in the case and that one of the patents is invalid, a Nokia spokeswoman told the WSJ. Qualcomm said it was disappointed with the ruling and had not yet decided whether it would appeal.

The back story is that Nokia and Qualcomm have been in disagreement since a license agreement expired in April 2007. In 2006, Qualcomm filed a complaint with the ITC, and last week, they agreed to consolidate their dispute. In its complaint, Qualcomm had accused Nokia of infringing on patents that control power to mobile telephones in 2G technology, and asked the ITC to bar the the technology in the U.S. Still, this is not the end of the two company's disputes???as WSJ notes, the companies have about a dozen legal fights pending on two continents.

Related

• Qualcomm Fails To Bar Nokia Imports In US


• ITC Drops Nokia Lawsuit Against Qualcomm In US

Diamond Twister

Diamond Twister is a gem swapping game the likes you’ve probably seen before, most notably if you happened to pick up Gameloft’s very own Paris Hilton game a while back.  In fact, you can probably say it’s almost the exact game, say for excluding the heiress and a few minor changes.

This time around, there’s story that centers around a jewel thief, you, who travels to glamorous locations and “acquires” high-end gems.  There is no cloak and dagger stuff since this is just a puzzle game, so all you must do is pass the eight boards per location to gain the item.  Passing them simply requires matching enough gems to score a determined amount of cash, and while this is minimal at the start, that number increases as new locations are visited.

Like the Paris Hilton game, creating chains and combinations of four or more gems rewards you with special “Help” gems to provide a boost when you need it, specifically in the later levels where the money count gets pretty high.  There are those that explode in various ways, others that change gem type, and still others that are specific in what gems are removed.  But while these may help, the boards also get harder as new patterns are constantly presented with blocks that prevent swapping or corners that are tough to get to.

As the locations are completed, an additional eight other game types are unlocked in Challenge mode that use the same point and click mechanics to swap gems, but vary in purpose.  Magic Stones for example, has you matching gems and flipping tiles to uncover a hidden jewel.  Gem Collector challenges you to match and clear a specific number and type of gem.  With Puzzle, you must eliminate all of the pieces from the board in the least moves possible.  Overall, each game type proves to be as entertaining as the Story mode.

For a puzzle game of its kind, Diamond Twister features some dazzling graphics and pretty good sound to go along with a lengthy and addictive gaming experience.  There are some nice differences in the play types and yes, it’s still a gem swapping game, but anyone who enjoys this type will certainly be glad they downloaded it.

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Mobile RPG Game Gets Connected

Gamevil announced today the launch of Path of a Warrior: Imperial Blood, a role-playing and hack and slash adventure which now has a multiplayer mode that allows you to fight with friends and other players.

In Path of a Warrior: Imperial Blood, the nation is suffering from a civil war after the death of the Emperor, and the outcome of the war will depend on the choices the player makes throughout the game. But it’s not just the 25 different endings or the 100 plus collectible items that make this game unique. The game now has a multiplayer mode where players can participate in duels or team up with others in missions. Players can level up their characters, build up their experience and earn gold to purchase items in single player mode, then login to the multiplayer version with their upgraded characters.

The multiplayer mode includes one-on-one and two-on-two battles in either duels or missions. Victorious battles will earn you more experience, gold, and fame, all of which can be applied in single player mode. Winning in two-on-two battles can earn you even more experience, gold, and fame. With a blend of action, role-playing, and massive multiplayer online game play, Path of a Warrior: Imperial Blood presents a new kind of mobile game that takes advantage of the purpose of mobile phones: connecting with others.

“We wanted to take mobile gaming to the next level with networked game play and further enhance the player’s experience.” said Stephanie Huang, Marketing Manager of GAMEVIL USA, Inc. “It’s surprising that there’s not that many mobile games already out there that utilize that kind of multiplayer technology. The option for users to play with their friends makes mobile gaming even more enjoyable, and we wanted to give our players that experience with the multiplayer feature in Path of a Warrior: Imperial Blood.” 

Apple COO Says On Target To Sell 10 Million iPhones; iPhone To Launch In Ireland

Apple's (NSDQ: AAPL) COO Tim Cook presented to a crowd of Wall Street types yesterday, touching on a number of subjects but getting significant attention for saying they are on track for selling 10 million iPhone sold in 2008—and that they are not married to the single, exclusive carrier model. A blow-by-blow account of Cook's presentation at the Goldman Sachs event is available at http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/16527/" title="MacDailyNews">MacDailyNews. Audio.

-- On sales and distribution: iPhone was rolled out in only 4 markets, so Apple could learn and apply what they learned to future rollouts. We sold 4 million units sold over the first 200 days, and believe we are on track for hitting goal of 10 million units sold in 2008.

-- On unlocking: iPhone unlocking shows a lot of pent-up worldwide demand. There will always be some level of hacking. Most people are unlocking iPhone in countries that do not yet have official iPhone carriers. In U.S. most iPhone are used on AT&T (NYSE: T). Why not offer the iPhone unlocked? In U.S., Apple would have had to have two phones. Apple is not married to the single, exclusive carrier model. Apple is married to making the best possible products for users, that's all.

-- On the SDK: We have over 1,000 Web 2.0 apps for iPhone today. Now forthcoming SDK will make iPhone even more compelling. iPhone has the highest customer satisfaction of any Apple product ever shipped. Even higher than Mac.

-- On Price Cut: Apple cut the iPhone price in order to make the device as attractive as possible for holiday shoppers. The more iPhones Apple could sell, the more developers the iPhone would get, the more word of mouth would sell additional iPhone, etc. The holiday season only comes around once per year. Apple chose to go for it.

Based on the comments, Apple's shares jumped $5.29, or 4.4 percent, today to $128.35, however, the shares are still a long way from recouping a 30 percent decline over the past three months, according to Reuters. Analysts were bullish after the news that Apple was going to discuss its software roadmap next week at its headquarters. They suspected that the upcoming SDK would allow the iPhone to be used in the enterprise, making it a more viable competitor to BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices.

iPhone in Ireland: Separately, O2 Ireland confirmed today that the iPhone will debut in Ireland March 14, according to cellular-news. The iPhone will be sold through O2 Ireland and the Carphone Warehouse retail stores for $600 (8 Gig) and $750 (16Gig).

Related

• Apple Will Lay Out iPhone Software Roadmap March 6; Is The SDK Wait Over?

Jeffery: Publishers aren't creative enough with movie IP

Sega of America boss explains firm’s ‘choosy’ approach to licences

President of Sega of America Simon Jeffery has told GameDaily that Sega is deliberately cautious when it comes to choosing and developing movie IP – in contrast to some publishers who “don’t give licensed games enough attention”.

He added that Sega does not have a rich history of dealing with licensed titles – but that this position has left it free to be more creative with the handful it selects.

“This is all new for Sega," he said. "But, in our transition years, one of the things we've done is take a step back and look at what has enabled our competitors - Electronic Arts, Activision, THQ and Ubisoft - to be successful.

"And movie licences always seem to be a part of that.

"Although Sega is now building licensed games, we are being careful not to chase every movie licence that comes along. Too often, publishers just slap the licence onto the box and don't give the game enough attention to make certain the content of the movie translates over to the game.

“We are trying to be particularly choosy about which licenses we want and with which developers we partner."

OPINION: 'Dropping PEGI would be a step backwards'

ISFE director general Patrice Chazerand rails against possible introduction of BBFC ratings

Speaking exclusively to MCV, boss of PEGI parent ISFE has slammed the potential introduction of BBFC ratings – terming the possible move a step backward.

Take a look in our Opinion and Analysis section for more.

Emerging Markets And Feature-Rich Phones Upped Handset Sales in 2007: Report

Consumers thirsting for high-end phones with TV tuners, GPS, touch screens and fancy cameras, along with first-time phone owners in emerging markets, drove worldwide phone sales to 1.15 billion last year, a 16 percent increase over 2006, according to a new report from Gartner.

Some highlights:

-- North America had a record quarter in Q407, as sales reached 49 million phones, an increase of 9.2 percent over the year ago period. AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) had the strongest performance.

-- Nokia (NYSE: NOK) Q4 market share increased to 40 percent worldwide by selling slightly more than 133 million phones. The Finnish handset maker increased its market share in all regions, except in North America, where it continued to struggle. In Western Europe, Nokia's high-end phones (like the N95, N82 and N73) were the most popular.

-- Motorola (NYSE: MOT) was the only major handset maker to lose market share last year, falling to 14.3 percent in 2007 from 21.1 percent in 2006. In Q4, Motorola ranked third, falling behind both Nokia and Samsung.

-- Samsung ranked second in Q4 with a market share of 13.4 percent based on the success of its Ultra and Ultra II family of products; Sony (NYSE: SNE) Ericsson (NSDQ: ERIC) placed fourth, increasing its market share to 9 percent with strong sales of its Cyber-shot and Walkman products; LG (SEO: 066570) ranked fifth maintaining a 7.1 percent market share based on the success of the Viewty, the Venus and the Voyager.

-- Three new handset makers made it into the top ten during Q4: RIM's (NSDQ: RIMM) BlackBerry, ZTE and Apple (NSDQ: AAPL). ZTE made it based on aggressive pricing in emerging markets; RIM was popular based on functionality and Apple based on brand and design.

-- In 2008, handset sales growth will likely slow to about 10 percent as mature markets get more saturated.

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