• AT&T has launched a real-time instant messaging relay for customers with hearing and speech loss. The specialized AOL Instant Messenger interface works with an Internet connection on a PC and on many wireless devices. A specially trained relay operator reads IMs to hearing callers and types IMs, which are displayed in real time to the end user. This allows IM users to see the text messages they are receiving, word-by-word as they are typed, making conversations feel more like calls experienced by hearing customers. The new service is offered at no additional charge to customers who register with AT&T Relay Services.
• The Independent Games Festival (IGF) Mobile has opened submissions for its third annual festival. The IGF Mobile celebrates creativity and innovation on handheld platforms. This year's competition will again feature independently-developed handheld games for all mobile devices including Apple's iPhone, other mobile operating systems and unconnected handheld devices like the Sony PSP. Submissions are being accepted through Dec. 1.
• Harris Corporation has successfully deployed an 18-meter antenna reflector for TerreStar Communications' geosynchronous satellite. The global communications satellite was successfully deployed on orbit on July 12. The large size of the reflector, compared to more traditional 9- or 12-meter designs, will help to ensure broad coverage and 24/7 delivery of mobile voice, data and video services directly to mobile devices and vehicles in the continental United States and Canada, as well as Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
• TomTom and AT&T have signed a new agreement to provide the wireless connection to the TomTom XL 340S LIVE, a mid-range portable navigation device that features Local Search by Google, real-time traffic information and TomTom Fuel Price Service. TomTom and AT&T intend to collaborate on more advanced connected features in the future.
• Taoglas, a provider of M2M antennae, released the first LTE and WiMAX antenna for the M2M market. There are two antenna solutions: embedded and external. The FXP400 and FXP100 are ultra wideband, embedded antennas. They offer efficiency of over 70 percent for WiMAX (2104320 MHz) and LTE (690-940 MHz and 1720-3130 MHz). The LTEA.4000~0 external solution for packaged M2M 3G/4G LTE markets has an efficiency of over 40 percent and connects externally to terminals and LTE equipment.
• HulloMail announced the launch of its BlackBerry app, which offers users the benefits of a fully integrated "voice-e-mail" service. The app converts standard voicemails into digital MP3 files to be permanently saved, e-mailed, shared and referenced from virtually any mobile device, standard landline phone or e-mail account, regardless of the operator. The app is free for new and existing users with the BlackBerry Bold, Tour and Curve 8900 models.