Teknovis

There was lots of talk about Apple‘s announcement of iOS 5 last week. For an overview of the new features read See new features included in iOS 5.

The most interests aspects are:

• Notification Center – This seems like very expected functionality to me! Actually, it is interesting that Apple is playing catch-up to Android in this respect!
• iMessage – A potential SMS killer? Some think so! See Apple Has Finally Stuck A Dagger Into SMS. I Love It. and Apple surprised iPhone carriers with iMessage. I think that this must have the telcos worried!
• Reminders – I just think this looks good, at the same time as being functional.
• Twitter – Interesting that Twitter was chosen ahead of Facebook. Why did Apple choose Twitter over Facebook for iOS 5? gives some insight into this decision.
• PC Free – Big advantage to me! I hate having devices coupled to a single computer!

I am not an iDevice user, but I am becoming more impressed :)

Finally, Google Android vs. Apple iOS: Handicapping the 2011 death match gives a good comparison of iOS and Android.

Tags: Apple, Facebook, SMS, Twitter

Congratulations to CTVR for securing 24€ million!

For more information see Minister Sherlock announces €24million boost for telecommunications research centre.

Tags: CTVR

I have been made aware (thanks) of some interesting web client-server developments recently, so I will group them all together in this post!

• Do you find HTTP too slow? Then you might want to try SPDY! I am actually really impressed that it is already in use in Chrome! For more details see Life beyond HTTP 1.1: Google’s SPDY.
• Are you developing a web site with sensitive information? Then perhaps you should consider HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)! See Strict Transport Security and Public Key Pinning for more interesting details! Actually, after reading DPI Doubts Deepen recently I am more convinced than ever of the need for using security!
• Finally, do you need to classify all of the APIs that you use? Yes – then look at Classification of HTTP-based APIs.

There are a lot of exciting developments there!

Tags: Chrome, HSTS, HTTP, SPDY

All afternoon I have been hearing about Microsoft‘s acquisition of Skype! See Done Deal! Big Deal. Smart Deal? Microsoft Buys Skype For $8.5 Billion In Cash.

I am really surprised by this! Not so much that Skype has been sold, but more by the fact that Microsoft is the buyer!

Tags: Microsoft, Skype

I am becoming very disheartened with the Mobile World Congress :( I am looking at the website, and I am finding it very difficult to achieve the following:

• I cannot find a printable map of the exhibition space showing the exhibitors names.
• I cannot group exhibitors by business area.

I hope that information is more available tomorrow!

Tags: Mobile World Congress

Today I came across the first commercial deployment of an mPayment solution. At least I am not aware of any others! The service is being supplied by Orange, and more details can be found in Orange customers of Everything Everywhere get mobile payments.

I think that this is a very exciting area, and it is certainly something in which I am becoming increasingly interested. I think that there are huge opportunities for the telcos in this area, since they effectively already maintain electronic purses (or wallets :) for all of their customers. Most importantly, this is an area in which it is very difficult for over-the-top players to compete (although Apple‘s App Store has shown that it is possible).

Tags: Apple, Orange, UK

I read during the week that Skype has become the world’s largest international call provider! That is amazing, and it certainly must be concerning the traditional telcos! For more information see CES 2011: Skype Steals International Scene.

I am aware that Skype had a serious outage before Christmas, but luckily it did not affect me. The $1 credit was a nice apology!

During Christmas I had the opportunity to use Skype for video calls on the latest version of the iPod Touch, and I was extremely impressed with both the quality and the ease of use. It was a much better experience than I imagined, and I could easily get used to doing all my calls like that!

Tags: Apple, Skype

I read about a new Irish Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) today called JustMobile. The website is very nicely designed, although it is very low on details. It is an interesting, or should I say a challenging, time to be starting a company, so I wish the founders the best of luck!

The most useful information that I was able to find was in New mobile firm is Just about to launch.

Tags: Ireland, JustMobile

The TM Forum‘s annual showcase event is coming to Ireland in 2011 for the first time! See Management World 2011, and note the greenness :D

That is excellent news!

Hopefully, I will be able to go along to see the action ;)

Tags: Ireland, TM Forum

The Irish Courts have said no to the music industries ridiculous demands for policing users’ activity! See Record companies lose illegal download case.

Brilliant! Well done to UPC for standing up for its users rights!

I wonder will Eircom reconsider its foolish position of cooperation now!

Tags: Eircom, Ireland, ISP, UPC