Posted on 2009 under Communications |
14
Nov
Qualcomm’s FLO TV Personal Television, which provides a 3.5 inch screen for viewing some of your favorite programming while on the go, is now available in stores—however, the monthly service plans are no where to be found.
Currently, the device costs $250, including six months of free service, which the company explains represents $90 in savings. But what happens after the introductory period is not obvious, even after visiting Amazon.com (NSDQ: AMZN) and the FLO TV website. On Amazon, the fine print stipulates that after the six months, “your credit card will automatically be charged the then-current monthly subscription rate.”
It was only after calling customer support that we were able to get the pricing. According to a representative, you will be charged $14.99 starting in month seven. (A spokesperson also added later that that pricing could change based on new promotions.) At $14.99, it’s comparable to what Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T) have been charging, and is now more expensive than AT&T, which recently dropped the price to $10 a month. It’s also more expensive than FLO’s original quote of $9 a month for a three-year contract, which the representative said is no longer being offered.
The total cost of ownership for the first year is $340, which is fairly pricey, but it’s the lack transparency that will probably be the bigger problem in gaining consumer adoption.
Related
Posted on 2009 under Hardware, Supercomputing, Technology |
13
Sep
Steve Balmer’s plans went really wrong with recent Linux patent auction. Instead of patents ending up with patent trolls, as Microsoft wished, AST acquired the patents, which was later sold to OIN, Open Invention Network.
Up your Bolder 
“Allied Security Trust is pleased that Open Invention Network had interest in acquiring the Open Source patent portfolio. OIN’s purchase ensures that these important patents will not be used by patent trolls or others seeking to disrupt Linux and the many companies and individuals advancing this important technology,” said Dan McCurdy, Chief Executive Officer of Allied Security Trust.
Following is the complete press release by OIN;
Durham, NC (September 8, 2009) – Open Invention Network (OIN), a collaborative enterprise that enables innovation in open source, today announced the acquisition of 22 Linux-focused patents that were marketed and sold by Microsoft. The patents were recently purchased by Allied Security Trust (AST) from Microsoft to ensure the patents did not fall into the hands of non-practicing entities (more information on non-practicing entities is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll, among other sites) that could seek to assert the patents against Linux products. OIN subsequently acquired the Microsoft patents from AST.
“Today’s announcement evidences OIN’s continued commitment to acquire patents that may be relevant to Linux,” said Keith Bergelt, Chief Executive Officer of Open Invention Network. “We are pleased to have purchased these patents and view this as a model of successful collaboration among defensive patent organizations that share a common goal of creating freedom of action for practicing entities across Linux and the broader technology sector. The prospect of these patents being placed in the hands of non-practicing entities was a threat that has been averted with these purchases, irrespective of patent quality and whether or not the patents truly read on Linux.
“Allied Security Trust is pleased that Open Invention Network had interest in acquiring the Open Source patent portfolio. OIN’s purchase ensures that these important patents will not be used by patent trolls or others seeking to disrupt Linux and the many companies and individuals advancing this important technology,” said Dan McCurdy, Chief Executive Officer of Allied Security Trust.
About Allied Security Trust
AST is a Delaware statutory trust currently with 15 member companies headquartered in North America, Europe and Asia. The Trust provides opportunities to enhance companies freedom to sell products by sharing the cost of patent licenses. To date, the Trust has invested $40 million in patent purchases over its 30 months of operations. Through such purchases, the Trust provides an excellent opportunity for patent holders of all sizes to generate a return on their rights by selling patents to the Trust.
AST is not an investment vehicle. Its purpose is freedom of operation and cost reduction. It generates no profits and does not engage in patent assertions against other companies. AST maintains a catch-and-releas; commitment that returns to the market in a timely manner patents acquired on behalf of Trust members after licenses are secured. The Trust also addresses the increasing need for innovative companies to defend against costly patent law suits. For more information, visit www.alliedsecuritytrust.com.
About Open Invention Network
Open Invention Network is a collaborative enterprise that enables innovation in open source and an increasingly vibrant ecosystem around Linux by acquiring and licensing patents, influencing behaviors and policy, and protecting the integrity of the ecosystem through strategic programs such as Linux Defenders. It enables the growth and continuation of open source software by fostering a healthy Linux ecosystem of investors, vendors, developers and users.
Open Invention Network has considerable industry backing. It was launched in 2005, and has received investments from IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony. For more information, visit www.openinventionnetwork.com.
Media-Only Contact:
Ed Schauweker
Ketchum for Open Invention Network
ed.schauweker@ketchum.com
(703) 963-5238
Posted on 2009 under Communications |
11
Sep
This is turning out to be a Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Android kind of day at GigaOm’s Mobilize event in San Francisco. This morning Motorola (NYSE: MOT) unveiled its Android strategy called BLUR, which aggregates social networks, and T-Mobile USA said it will be the exclusive carrier for Moto’s first device called CLIQ. Now, INQ Mobile has surprised us by announcing that the Hutchison Whampoa-owned company will make phones on the Google Android OS.
As you may remember, INQ Mobile is known for building phones with tight integration with services, first with Skype and now with Facebook and other social nets. The phones tend to be lower-end and are often free on contract. Carriers like them because they encourage data usage among users in the lower tier, however, INQ has failed to yet crack the U.S. market.
INQ’s CEO Frank Meehan said on stage today that he agreed with what Motorola’s devices CEO Sanjay Jha said earlier in the day—Google Android is the obvious choice when looking for a modern-day mobile operating system. Meehan: “When you look at who do you select, you come to Android.” But he said Android also has its challenges. “Currently Android phones on networks that are selling against the iPhone have not performed well. You need to get the experience better.”
Will the phones be lower-end feature phones? Meehan wouldn’t say. “We’ll do some pretty cool things with Android.” The first phone will be out next year.
