• The mGive Foundation is disputing a report on change.org that wireless operators are not expediting mobile donations to support the earthquake relief effort in Japan. Jen Snyder, executive director of the mGive Foundation, says that the vast majority of donations will be processed within 30 days, as happened with donations for the Haiti disaster. In some cases, processing could take up to 90 days, but Snyder emphasized that length of time was atypical. The mGive Foundation is handling several mobile donation campaigns for charities working to aid quake-stricken Japan.
• Nokia's smartphone tie-up with Microsoft on Windows Phone 7 could help it regain its faltering U.S. market share, according to a report from Strategy Analytics. The research firm predicts that Nokia's smartphone market share in the United States could rebound to 10 percent by 2015, with strong marketing support from Microsoft. Samsung is also expected to make major inroads into the U.S. market, growing 21 percent over the next four years.
• Sprint is launching a second-generation mobile hot spot from Sierra Wireless. The Overdrive Pro 3G/4G will be able to connect up to eight Wi-Fi devices simultaneously. The device will become available on March 20 for $49.99 with a $50 mail-in-rebate with a two-year contract.
• ZTE's profits rose 32 percent to $490.74 in 2010 on sales of $10.6 billion. The increase was driven by demand for its CDMA and WCDMA equipment, and more expensive handsets, such as the T8000 and M6000. ZTE said sales to the United States and Europe comprised the majority of foreign earnings for the first time, representing 21 percent of total operating revenues.
• Sprint is working with SmartLabs on new home automation technology. Sprint's network will handle the connectivity for SmartLab's Insteon products, which can be used to control lighting, security systems, appliances, heating, air conditioning and locks. The devices will run on Sprint's 3G and WiMAX networks.
• T-Mobile USA is using Medio Systems to handle mobile content on its devices, including the myTouch 4G. The Medio platform ensures the optimal presentation of mobile and Internet content, links and other functionality based upon screen size, browser, operating system and other device capabilities.
• Tangoe has acquired Telware's telecom expense management business for an unspecified amount of money. Under the terms of the agreement, Tangoe will assume ownership of Telwares' invoice management, call accounting and mobile device management operations including the related customers, support services and staff located in Pueblo and Greenwood Village, Colo., and Parsippany, N.J. The two companies will also work together on network advisory and strategic sourcing solutions.