Mobile Industry News 12/8/09

Quattro Wireless' daily take on interesting and important news for the mobile industry. See something today that we missed? Post it in the comments or send it our way on twitter @intheq

How will the Comcast-NBC deal affect mobile?
Mobile Marketer
The $30 billion deal between General Electric and Comcast to bring NBC Universal under the cable operator’s control could have a significant effect on mobile content and media.

Broadcasters Tap Apps As They Seek Future Revenue Streams
mocoNews
Many local and national broadcasters have jumped onto the mobile application bandwagon, worried that they may miss the boat. But now they are left wondering: how can these things make money?

A Look At NPR's New Mobile Strategy
mocoNews
NPR’s relaunch of its mobile web site and the release of its Android mobile app this week are part of a larger strategy designed to ensure that its member stations don’t get lost in the listener transition from over-the-air to digital. The moves follow the August launch of NPR’s well-received—and well-used—free iPhone app, which netted 1 million downloads in the first month. As important, 25 percent of the page views come from the station’s section and users spend more than 15 minutes at a time with the app. In an interview with paidContent, Kinsey Wilson, NPR’s SVP/GM of digital media, and Demian Perry, the head of mobile operations, explained how the iPhone app’s use, a desire to enhance station access and interest in open source helped frame this phase in NPR’s mobile web strategy.

LG Launches Mobile Marketing Campaign for Avatar
Mobile Marketing Watch
LG is partnering with Twentieth Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment to create an elaborate marketing campaign teeming with mobile components to help promote the much-hyped upcoming release of Avatar.

Yahoo ramping up mobile video offerings
Mobile Marketer
Yahoo’s online video experience covers a multitude of topics, from fast-breaking news to sports and entertainment, and its strategy is to transfer that same online experience to mobile.
 
Trulia looks to capitalize with iPhone app and mobile web upgrades
VentureBeat
The National Association of Realtors’ Pending Home Sales Index, a leading indicator of housing activity, is on the rise. With housing activity heating up, it’s no surprise that Trulia, a real estate search engine, today released its upgraded iPhone application and new mobile version of its web site.
 
Need cheap mobile calls? Check out the top 5 mobile VoIP apps
VentureBeat
Mobile VoIP apps have really blossomed this year. These apps, which deliver voice calls over IP to a mobile handset over a WiFi or a cellular network (3G, etc), let you make make cheap or free mobile calls, which can save you tons on your monthly bills in these “jobless recovery” times.