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ssbansal — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:57:57 +0000

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Microsoft is Jonesing For Yahoo

ssbansal — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:37:00 +0000

Microsoft has not given up it’s fight to purchase 2nd largest internet search provider Yahoo. For those of you keeping score at home, Microsoft’s original offer of $44.6 billion or $31 per share was rebuffed by Yahoo, as they felt it significantly undercut it’s value. Yahoo then made a counter offer of $40 per share and Microsoft as expected rejected that offer. Then we heard that Google might be interested in working out some type of partnership with Yahoo, but this was an obvious ploy to keep the company out of the hands of Microsoft.

Now we hear that News Corp (FOX) is also interested. It appears that Microsoft is set to drop the hammer by starting a proxy fight to acquire Yahoo. Why does Microsoft so desperately want Yahoo? Well, when is the last time you used MSN as your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd search engine choice? Exactly. You can read a pretty good article that covers Microsoft’s latest efforts here on CNN Money.

Balloons Full of Hydrogen and Possibility

ssbansal — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:00:00 +0000

When I first read the article on the Wall Street Journal yesterday afternoon I immediately thought to myself “Wow, this would totally make sense.” It’s a logical move that couldn’t come at a better time for the cellular industry. Google is on the verge of revolutionizing the cellular industry twice in the same year. First with Android and now with a potential contract with Space Data Corp.

This is one of those cases where it should have been thought of a long time ago. By putting up roughly 330 balloons a day, they could blanket the country with radio signal and provide users with coast to coast coverage. By beaming down from 20 miles up, the signal would be free from interruptions typically caused by mountains, trees, water, etc. Imagine being able to use a cell phone out on the ocean! If this deal goes through, you’ll not have to worry about the limitations caused by zoning restrictions.

Depending on how the 700MHz auction falls out, there could be even more potential. Think along the lines of mobile television, gaming, Wi-Fi, and plenty of other cool scenarios. Google could find themselves partnering up with an actual carrier like Verizon to offer floating virtual cell towers. It could even end up being an Open Handset Alliance deal with Google sharing their radios with T-Mobile and Sprint users only.

Regardless of who wins the auction, nearly $5 billion is needed to come out of pocket before building tower number one. This is where Space Data Corp. is hoping to be called on. Whether the spectrum gets used to provide cellular network, television, or internet services, this is by far a much cheaper alternative to building up a traditional network. How much money and time do you think would be involved in erecting 22,000 towers? An average of 6 balloons per state seems much practical. Google could have these balloons in the air by the time the ink finishes drying on the contract. It should be fairly obvious by now, but I’m a big fan of this one.

Google to Use Balloons for Wireless Signal?

ssbansal — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:08:00 +0000

Here’s a fun one to think about. What’s cheaper than building a boat-load of cell towers to spread signal? How about putting balloons about 20 miles up in the sky? Somewhere between tower-based radios and satellite signals, a box can be attached to a ‘space balloon’ that has components acting as a radio tower. Signal could be sent out over thousands of square miles without the worry of mountains, trees, and ridiculously tall people. So why bring this up? Read on.

Google is considering a contract with Space Data, a company that launches 10 balloons a day in the southern parts of the US. Helping truckers and oil companies stay in touch, one of their balloons could replace the need for 40 cell towers. And if a contract with them doesn’t appear to be in the stars, perhaps Google will just outright buy them. According to one source, Google is pondering both options right now. And not surprisingly, neither company wanted to comment on the matter.

Check back for more on this one, as we’re just hitting you with some of the basic details. Look for more tomorrow!

Google Android Code Day Reminder

ssbansal — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:07:00 +0000

This Saturday, Google will be sponsoring the Android Code Day in Cambridge. The event will take place at the Charles Hotel and is slated to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring speakers on building apps using the Android SDK platform, developers and enthusiasts could learn quite a bit about what’s being worked on and discuss some of the challenges that people are facing.

Speaking of challenges, the Android Developers Challenge has about two months left. $10 million worth of booty is up for grabs as individuals and teams have until April 14 to submit their applications to Google.

Sprint to up the Ante?

ssbansal — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:04:00 +0000

Since three of the big 4 carriers announced $99 unlimited plans yesterday, Sprint’s unveiling of the $119 unlimited plan just seems downright worthless. T-Mobile will start offering unlimited calling and texting tomorrow for $20 less than Sprint. AT&T and Verizon’s plans offer unlimited calling, but no messaging.

A rumor is spreading today that Sprint will combat these plans with an unlimited calling plan of around $60 per month. At a savings of 40% over competitors, Sprint might be in a good position to pick up some of those customers they’ve been losing. Even with calling only, they’d be offering a whole lot for very little. We hope they do make a move like this as we have a little bias towards members of the Open Handset Alliance. Worst case scenario, Sprint closes up shop but takes the price war to a whole new level in the process.

Hold on to your butts, this could get really ugly and really fun. What a great time to be a consumer, eh?

First LiMo Phone Due Within Weeks

ssbansal — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:19:00 +0000

Samsung is slated to start rolling out the first Linux based mobile phones later this month or early the part of next (March). It should be a pretty good indicator as to what kind of hardware we might expect from them once their Android phones hit. We’re excited to see the different software apps that become available. Samsung is one of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance and has stated that they plan to drop an Android phone in early 2009.

Respect knuckles to OpenAndroids for the article

20/20 Podcast #9 (Bonus Edition)

ssbansal — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:33:00 +0000

Last night Jamie and Scott got together and knocked out a bonus edition version of our 20/20 podcast. That’s right, there is a full hour of AndroidGuys goodness to listen to! We liked the format from last time around where we just shot from the hip only referring to bullet points for topics. We did not use any notes, so everything you hear is natural and as it comes. We’re pleased with the results and hope that you will be too! If you have a topic or comment that you’d like to see us cover, leave a comment or drop an email. If you like what you hear, subscribe to the AndroidGuys 20/20 Podcast Feed today!

Part 1 (9A) topics: Rate plan changes from Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, FCC Auction, Wi-Fi, RIM suing Motorola and the iPhone.

Part 2 (9B) topics: The iPhone compared to all other platforms, Nokia and Symbian’s numbers, Yahoo, Microsoft and Danger, and “Write Once, Run Anywhere”.

Part 3 (9C) topics: Alienware and Dell phone rumors, Starbucks, Wi-Fi everywhere, who’s making the first Android phones, Google/Android business model, mobile search.

Monkey See Monkey Do

ssbansal — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:15:00 +0000

The virtual ink had not even dried on our last article when we saw that T-Mobile is expecting to offer a $99 unlimited calling and texting plan. Currently the unlimited text package would run $14.99 in addition to the 5,000 minute plan costing $129.99 a month. That’s a heck of a savings for those of you out there eating up minutes, you clock-gobblers.

The plan is set to start effective this Thursday, February 21st.

AT&T and Verizon Offering Unlimited Plans

ssbansal — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:00:00 +0000

Following in the footsteps of Sprint, AT&T and Verizon have announced that they are now going to offer unlimited calling and data plans. One has to wonder if these companies reacted that quickly to Sprint or if it was something in the making for quite some time. Each company is ready to adopt the policies of the next, but play the waiting game to see who makes the move first.

It’s nice to see another proactive move on the part of carriers. They are fast realizing how big the burden is on them to retain customers. With early termination fees and open network capabilities, the network providers are doing all they can to look appealing. Now more than ever, Joe Blow can opt out of a contract and sign up with another company without financial strains. Wait until phones can cross networks!

AT&T’s announcement came 5 hours after Verizon’s. Both offer an unlimited calling plan for $99 whereas Sprint’s is $119 for the same.