I have always wondered about the reasons behind the length limitation of SMSs, that has been inherited by numerous applications that use it. Mark Milian has an interesting story of how the length came out to be 160 characters. The story highlights that the research conducted to deduce the number, that was sufficient to convey messages, was driven by usability and effectiveness than technology limitations. [Continue]
Intel has turned over Moblin, an OS for mobile devices, to the Linux Foundation. Andy Updegrove has a nice round up, and explains why it might be better for Moblin to be governed by a neutral body. As a mobile user, I am waiting for the tight coupling between mobile hardware and mobile software to break. [Continue]
IBM India has developed the Hyperspeech Transfer Protocol (HSTP). It reads quite analogous to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which is the underlying protocol for Web today. A sample scenario of voice applications involving a grocery store and a payment gateway is discussed in the paper (PDF). [Continue]
Google has finally open sourced Android. There was some disappointment when it was announced with opening it up. Hopefully this will lead to some crazy ideas from the followers, and even the rivals. [Continue]
While the many Linux groups are trying to push the mobile market, Nokia has taken Symbian OS open source (via Matt Assay), under the Eclipse License. The Symbian Foundation will push Symbian as the most proven, open and complete mobile software platform. This is big news, from multiple aspects. [Continue]
AOL too acknowledges that mobile is the new Web. AOL has announched the Open Mobile Platform (via Josh Catone). It is an open source mobile software platform using which developers can build applications for multiple operating systems. [Continue]
Nokia wants to build its edge through cross-platform software, and has done a deal to acquire Trolltech (via Engadget). I have known Trolltech as the company behind the excellent Qt toolkit which powers my favorite desktop environment KDE. But it also has its counterpart for the mobile world - Qtopia. [Continue]
Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) forum has released 1.0 specification with the intention to achieve interoperability for applications and services for Linux phones (via ITWorld). The group comprising of members serving various aspects might make a case, even though it has been late when compared to earlier efforts like Open Handset Alliance and OpenMoko. The good thing in this case is they have a formal specification done. [Continue]
I received this email from a friend regarding storing numbers to be contacted in case of emergency. We all carry our mobile phones with names and numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn’t know who to call. [Continue]
It would be stale news if I told you that the Android SDK was released. And that it is Java-like platform, so that developers are comfortable programming it using Java based IDEs, E@zyVG has a good overview. The news today is about how Google worked around Sun’s tactics. [Continue]