Matchbox Mobile

AT&T will use new device formats to introduce usage-based pricing

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:39:59 +0000

It is now only a matter of time before users have to accept the death of all-you-can-eat deals, and AT&T and Verizon Wireless are both readying usage-based pricing schemes for this year. Both will try to pull off the difficult marketing trick of presenting these as premium quality services for high end users, rather than price rises, which will depend on associating the fees with new device formats like tablets, or networks like LTE. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson was focusing on the iPad and other emerging data-driven gadgets as he outlined usage-based plans during an investor conference run by Morgan Stanley this week.

Read more here.

Apple patent case ‘could affect all android phones’

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:35:18 +0000

Apple’s legal action against HTC may have “wider implications” for all phone makers using Google’s Android operating system, an analyst has warned.

Ian Fogg of Forrester Research said that the case against HTC, in which Apple alleges infringement of 20 of its patents, could be the first of many. Although Apple has not named Google in the suits, many of the named patents relate to operating system processes.

Read more here.

Microsoft Facebook Client

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:54:11 +0000

Matchbox develops the official Facebook app for Windows phones.

Microsoft decided in 2008 to have an official Facebook application developed for the Windows Mobile 6.x range of phones, with the goal of creating a comprehensive, feature-rich user experience that would make use of unique Windows Mobile technology. In addition to a rich feature-set Microsoft wanted to ensure a consistent and high-end user experience across all Windows Mobile 6 devices, with their many screen sizes, form factors, touch screens and non-touch interfaces.

Microsoft chose Matchbox to take on the challenge of delivering this showcase Facebook app. Matchbox developed the app to support all the major Facebook features, including contacting friends with comments, wall posts and private messages, viewing friends’ photos and profiles, and managing the user’s own profile and status updates. Matchbox engineered several features specific to Windows Mobile, including the ability to upload not just photos but videos taken on the phone, and integration with the phone dialer to call friends right from the Facebook app.

Matchbox invested heavily in the initial design phase to ensure the UI would be clear and easy to use not just on the newer phones with high-res touch screens, but also those with smaller low-res screens and QWERTY keyboards. The Facebook app was then tested extensively to ensure a consistent experience across the whole range of Windows Mobile 6 phones. Since its launch in 2009 the application has become one of Microsoft’s most downloaded and popular apps for Windows phones. Such was its success that in late 2009 Microsoft had Matchbox create a case study to detail the app development process for the benefit of other Windows Mobile developers. This is available on MSDN here.

Version 1.2 of the Facebook app has now been released for all Windows Mobile 6 phones.

Revisiting the highs and lows of Mobile World Congress

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:59:57 +0000

As the wireless industry evolves, so do the major trade shows that draw all the key companies and players. There was lots of speculation leading up to last week’s 2010 Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, Spain. Many observers thought the show would suffer because of its proximity to the Chinese New Year, which was Feb. 14th, just one day before the conference started.

If the Chinese New Year did cause Asian firms to reduce the number of employees attending the show, it was not readily apparent. And the GSMA is reporting strong attendance figures. Yesterday the firm said there were 49,000 attendees (this includes delegates, exhibitors, contractors and the media) from 200 countries at the event. In addition, 54 percent of those attendees were C-level executives and 2,800 were CEOs.

Read more here.

Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7 Series

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:52:01 +0000

Last week at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications. For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010.

Read more here.

Microsoft Facebook Client

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:52:35 +0000

Matchbox develops the official Facebook app for Windows phones.

Version 1.2 of the Facebook app has now been released for all Windows Mobile 6 phones.

Project Manager Job Opportunity

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:16:42 +0000

Matchbox Mobile have a permanent vacancy for a project manager. We are looking for a high quality candidate who has a strong project management background to join our UK team. We’re a services based company that develops custom solutions for mobile operators, OEMs, platform providers, and media companies; working in a project based environment the role requires integrating with virtual teams, and managing clients and projects across multiple time zones.

Skills Required

For the position of project manager, we require that applicants have a minimum of 4 years’ experience working in a software or IT environment, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience specifically as a project manager, ideally in the mobile or telecoms industry. Knowledge of project management frameworks such as PRINCE2, PMBOK, PROPS, and others is an advantage but not essential.

The role involves a high level of day-to-day participation on projects working to tight schedules and deadlines; previous work experience should reflect this capability.

Candidates must be self-starters and excellent communicators who are capable of delivering successful results in a fast-paced industry while potentially working remotely from both customers and other team members.

Salary

Negotiable at market rate, dependent on skill set and experience.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for the position at Matchbox Mobile, please submit a current CV in PDF form along with a covering email to jobs@matchboxmobile.com. If selected, you will be invited to participate in an initial telephone interview. A further shortlist of candidates will be invited to participate in a 2^nd (and final) interview.

Location

South-east England, within commuting distance of our offices in Brighton, UK.

Mobile Software Developer Job Opportunity

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:12:25 +0000

Matchbox Mobile want to hear from experienced mobile developers. We are looking for high quality candidates who have strong C, C++, C#, and/or Java programming backgrounds to join our UK development team. Our UK development team are a highly reputable and experienced team of mobile developers. We’re a services based company that develops custom solutions for mobile operators, OEMs, platform providers, and media companies.

Skills Required

For the position of mobile developer, we require that applicants have a minimum of 5 years commercial development experience, and a minimum of 3 years experience, programming for at least one but preferably two or more mobile platforms. Strong C, C++, C#, or Java skills are essential, along with a good working knowledge of the mobile platform API and standard development methodologies and libraries relevant to the platform. We development on most platforms so are always interested to hear from developers with experience of Windows Mobile (both native and managed code), Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Symbian, and BREW/BREW MP.

The role involves a high level of participation in application design and architecture; previous work experience should reflect this capability.

Candidates must be self-starters and excellent communicators who are capable of delivering self contained code and deliverables including technical documentation while potentially working remotely from both customers and other team members.

Salary

Negotiable at market rate, dependent on skill set and experience.

How to Apply

Location

South-east England, within commuting distance of our offices in Brighton, UK.

Symbian^3 Due Next Month

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:48:42 +0000

The Symbian Foundation should finish Symbian^3 next month, with a general release of its successor, Symbian^4, before year end, according to Victor Palau, a member of the Symbian release team, on his blog. The Foundation has a multi-stage release strategy which should see the platform appearing in devices in time for this year’s holiday season. The OS will be fully open source around midyear, stimulating the contribution of additional enhancements.

Read more here.

Gartner Forecasts Mobile Web Access Will Surpass PCs by 2013

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:16:50 +0000

Mobile phones will overtake PCs as the dominant web access device worldwide by 2013 according to a new forecast issued by research firm Gartner. Based on Gartner’s PC installed base forecast, the total number of PCs in use should top 1.78 billion units in 2013–by that time, the combined installed base of smartphones and browser-equipped enhanced phones is expected to exceed 1.82 billion units, and the gap will continue to grow in the years to follow. Gartner adds that mobile web users are typically prepared to make fewer clicks on a website than PC users, contending that most websites not yet optimized for smaller device screens will need to be rebuilt and their content reformatted.

Read more here.