Mobile

Sprint Nextel said today that it has formed a mobile security council to answer the growing threats to its customers and their smartphones.

The charter members include major technology players like IBM and Cisco Systems, security providers such as Lookout, and handset vendors Samsung Electronics and Motorola Mobility. Curiously, the group doesn't include Google or Apple, two of the major players in the wireless industry, nor does it include the other national wireless carriers.

"Sprint sees the need to comprehensively address mobile security, and we are bringing the industry together in our Mobile Security Council," said Fared … Read more

Samsung is seeking to obtain the agreements between Apple and Australia's three major mobile telecoms--Optus, Vodafone, and Telstra--as well as the source code for the iPhone 4S firmware as it seeks to block the sale of Apple's newest smartphone.

In a hearing today in the ongoing patent dispute between Apple and Samsung over alleged infringements in the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Apple's new iPhone 4S, Samsung's counsel told the judge that in order to make its case for an injunction on the sale of the 4S, it needs Apple to produce the agreements that it … Read more

MetroPCS saw a slight decrease in its third-quarter profit as its customer growth slowed significantly.

The prepaid wireless provider reported today a profit of $69 million, or 19 cents, compared with a year-earlier profit of $77 million, or 22 cents a share. Revenue rose 18 percent to $1.21 billion.

The company was expected to earn 23 cents a share on revenue of $1.22 billion, according to an average forecast taken by Thomson Reuters.

MetroPCS was hit by a triple whammy this quarter. On the high end, national carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile USA made more … Read more

Leap Wireless saw its third-quarter loss narrow as the tide continues to turn for the better on customer growth.

The prepaid wireless provider, which sells its service under the brand Cricket Wireless, posted a quarterly loss of $68.8 million, or 90 cents a share, compared with a year-earlier loss of $536.3 million, or $7.06 a share, when it recorded a charge of $477.3 million for the write-off of assets. Revenue, meanwhile, rose nearly 20 percent to $763.3 million.

Analysts, on average, forecast a loss of 79 cents a share and revenue of $764 million, according … Read more

Britain's largest police force is using covert surveillance technology that can shut off mobile phones and intercept communications, according to a report in The Guardian.

The article says that the London Metropolitan Police Service bought the technology, which acts like a fake cell tower, from a U.K.-based company called Datong plc. The suitcase-sized receiver reportedly tricks cell phones into thinking they are communicating on a regular cellular network, and this allows authorities to intercept text messages, data, and phone calls. Authorities can also track users within range of the fake cell phone network, the report says. It … Read more

November 6 is shaping up to be a big day for AT&T, as the carrier will release its first 4G LTE smartphones and expand its LTE network to nine additional markets on that day.

When it comes to devices, customers will be able to choose from the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket or the HTC Vivid, both of which are compatible with AT&T's HSPA+ and LTE networks and run Android Gingerbread. … Read more

Canonical wants to get its Ubuntu Linux operating system onto tablets and smartphones.

The company plans to make an announcement to that effect at the Ubuntu Developer Summit taking place this week, according to Stephen J. Vaughan-Nichols, a blogger for CNET sister site ZDNet. The platforms beyond the desktop that Canonical is targeting include not only those mobile devices but also smart TVs.

"It's important for us to reach out to our community on these platforms," Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth told Vaughan-Nichols. "So, we'll embrace the challenge of how to use Ubuntu on smartphones, tablets, … Read more

HTC's financial performance improved greatly in the third quarter, thanks to massive growth in handset shipments.

During the period, HTC generated nearly NT$136 billion (US$4.5 billion) in revenue, jumping 79 percent over the same period last year. HTC's after-tax profit hit $624 million, representing a 68 percent gain year-over-year.

According to HTC, which announced its earnings today, it shipped 13.2 million handsets worldwide, up 93 percent year over year.

HTC's third-quarter success follows similarly impressive growth in handset shipments from its top competitors, Apple and Samsung.

Last week, Samsung announced that its smartphone … Read more

Sprint Nextel is offering developers some prominent real estate to feature their apps--if they're willing to pay for it.

The company said Friday it plans to launch a new auction system for developers, allowing them to bid for spots on the Sprint Zone application and the Sprint Tab found in the Android Market--two locations where new Sprint customers go to find recommendations for apps.

Sprint Zone is an app found on all Android smartphones that allows the user to check their usage, pay their bills, and get news from the carrier. It also has a section that highlights special … Read more