Nokia and Yahoo Mobile Internet Services Partnership Now Official!

“After a couple of leaks at the weekend, Nokia and Yahoo have confirmed they are to work closer together in mobile web services. As part of the alliance Nokia will be the exclusive provider of Yahoo’s maps and navigation services, integrating Ovi Maps across Yahoo properties, branded as “powered by Ovi.” In addition, Yahoo will become the exclusive provider of Nokia’s Ovi Mail and Ovi Chat services branded as “Ovi Mail / Ovi Chat powered by Yahoo!”

Nokia and Yahoo also plan to make it easy for people to use their Ovi user IDs across select Yahoo services in the near future.

“Delivering great user experiences — both online and on your mobile – is what this alliance is all about,” said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, CEO, Nokia. “We’re enabling millions of Yahoo! customers in key markets including North America to discover the unique capabilities that Ovi Maps brings. Similarly, Yahoo!’s online expertise will bring exciting mail and messaging enhancements to millions of Ovi Mail customers across almost every country around the world, many of whom will have their first Internet experience on their mobile.”

“What a combination,” said Carol Bartz, CEO, Yahoo!. “We’re excited to expand the reach of our best-in-class Mail and Messenger services, bringing personalized experiences to more people across the mobile web, particularly in emerging markets where we are seeding the next generation of Yahoo! users. At the same time, we believe Nokia’s strength and continued investment in maps and navigation will greatly enhance our existing products, enabling us to focus on areas that are core to our business.”

Select, co-branded service offerings are expected to become available from the second half of 2010, with global availability expected in 2011.”

Source: http://www.cellular-news.com

Rumors(?): Is Google Set to Buy Invite Media?

“Now that Google has wrapped up its AdMob deal, what’s next on its shopping list? One good bet: ad tech startup Invite Media.

Industry sources believe Google (GOOG) is close to a deal for Invite, a three-year-old “demand side platform” designed to help buyers navigate high volume display advertising exchanges — like the one Google launched last year.

A deal has supposedly been in the works for some time, and one theory is that Google has been waiting for the AdMob saga to conclude before moving forward. Estimates for a price are all over the map, ranging from $60 million to $100 million.

The caveat: Google’s name has been linked to various DSPs for several months.

“We have not entered into any agreement with any company,” Invite CEO Nat Turner told me via e-mail this afternoon. “I’ve honestly heard similar rumors about every other company in the space, so I don’t put too much credence in what people are saying these days.” A Google spokesman declined to comment on “rumor and speculation”.

Whether or not it makes sense for Google to buy Invite or any other DSP depends on who you talk to. Some people think a DSP is a natural compliment to Google’s AdX unit, since it makes it easier for big ad holding companies to funnel money into the exchange.”

The news picked from and details continue @ All Things Digital

Google ready to fight U.S. government against the potential blockage of the acquisition of mobile advertising firm AdMob!

“(Reuters) – Google Inc Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said on Tuesday his company is prepared to fight the U.S. government “very hard” if regulators block the search leader’s acquisition of mobile advertising firm AdMob.

Schmidt said AdMob had been left at a “significant disadvantage” in competing with rivals like Apple Inc due to the hiatus as regulators have closely reviewed the $750 million acquisition, which was announced in November. He said he expects a decision in a few weeks.

In an interview with Reuters Insider, Schmidt was asked what Google would do in the event of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suing to block the deal.

“We’re likely to fight very hard,” he said. “It’s a very strategic acquisition for Google.”.

Google, which generates the majority of its profits from search advertising to Internet users on personal computers, sees its future on wireless phones and software. The company has its own mobile operating system called Android for a range of phones and this year also unveiled its own phone called the Nexus One.

The move to the mobile phone has put Google in more direct competition with Apple, whose successful iPhone has also been supported by a move into advertising with the acquisition of Quattro Wireless in January.

Apple recently changed the terms of service for iPhone application developers to restrict them to using Apple’s tool to build their programs and from sharing certain iPhone data with third parties.

Adobe Systems, the maker of Flash software, is one of the companies whose software can’t be used by these developers. Apple’s recent moves have attracted interest from the FTC, according to reports.

Schmidt said Apple’s changes in terms of services “discriminatory against other partners.”

Schmidt said he hoped the AdMob acquisition could be completed to allow it to compete with rivals like Apple.

“It would be better if the AdMob acquisition can be approved to see if Google can get a more competitive market on the iPhone platform.”

Schmidt, who was previously an Apple director, stepped down from Apple’s board last August when it became clear the two companies would be competing more directly in the wireless space.

He insisted that he and Apple CEO Steve Jobs remain good friends and that the two companies will remain both rivals and collaborators in different business areas.

“The relationship will continue to be complicated,” he said.”

And Apple launches 3G iPAD! Tablet revolution goes on the street!

“(Reuters) – In the second stage of a two-part rollout, Apple Inc on Friday began selling the pricier, high-speed wireless version of the iPad in the United States, following the successful launch of the short-range Wi-Fi tablet earlier this month.

Although the event certainly lacked the buildup and excitement of the April 3 debut — with the heartiest waiting in line overnight — some Apple retail stores in big cities still saw decent-sized crowds ahead of the 5 p.m. launch.

At a store in downtown San Francisco, roughly 75 people stood in line 90 minutes before the 3G iPad went on sale.

Several people said they had waited for the more expensive version of Apple’s tablet because they saw it as a potential replacement for their laptops, at least in certain situations.

“I’m going to take it everywhere with me, I already take my laptop everywhere, and it’ll definitely replace my laptop in a lot of cases,” said Long Nguyen, 22, who works in IT repair and was first in line.

The 3G model — which is also Wi-Fi compatible — starts at $629 and tops out at $829. The Wi-Fi-only iPad starts at $499.

The 9.7-inch touchscreen iPad is essentially a cross between a laptop and a smartphone. It is intended as a media consumption device, good for video, games, electronic books and magazines and Web browsing.

But some said they were hoping to also use it for work, mainly because of the device’s thin-and-light profile.

“I travel a lot for work, and I have a lot of projects that are out in the field, so I think it will be useful for some of that,” said Gary Riley, 36, an environmental engineer.

“I’m on the road all the time, and I think it will give me a nice choice, especially when I travel,” said Bob Geib, a consultant. “It will complement my laptop.”

AT&T is providing the wireless data plans for the iPad, charging $29.99 a month for unlimited access.

AT&T is also the exclusive U.S. carrier for Apple’s iPhone, and has been subject to plenty of criticism over the quality of its network. It remains to be seen whether iPad users will encounter any problems with their service.

Apple sold 300,000 iPads on launch day April 3 and a half-million units the first week. Although the device won’t reach international markets until late May, some analysts expect Apple to sell roughly 5 million or so this year.

The iPad rollout has been accompanied by a crush of media hype, but it has not been without its hiccups. The company delayed the international launch for a month for what it said was stronger-than-expected demand.

Analyst say the company has also had difficulty ramping production of a new product.

Shares of Cupertino, California-based Apple closed down 2.8 percent at $261.09 on the Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Gabriel Madway; Editing by Bernard Orr)”

Source: Reuters