More American Mobile Phone Users Drop Landlines Entirely

.

For the first time, the number of U.S. households opting for only cellphones outnumber those that just have traditional landlines in a high-tech shift accelerated by the recession.

In the freshest evidence of the growing appeal of cellphones, 20% of households had only cells during the last half of 2008, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey released Wednesday. That was an increase of nearly three percentage points over the first half of the year, the largest six-month increase since the government started gathering such data in 2003.

To read this AP report in the Wall Street Journal in full, see:
online.wsj.com/article/SB124164303801393063.html

Calling All Innovators Contest By Nokia

.

Nokia is asking for submissions to the mobile applications innovation contest. The winner will get US$30,000, second place $15,000 and third place $10,000. This is appropriate, given the last post on opportunities in the ICT sector.

Forum Nokia, Nokia’s global developer program, challenges mobile and web application developers worldwide to submit best-in-class applications for use on Nokia devices.

Nokia challenge mobile and web application developers worldwide to submit entries in three categories:

• Internet innovation – Calling on web developers to transform consumer-focused ideas into real applications on Nokia devices using technologies that include Nokia Web Runtime, XHTML, CSS, Java Script, AJAX, widgets and other standards-based web technologies.
• Flash – Challenging creative developers and designers to build compelling applications that expand the capabilities and user benefits of Flash Lite on Nokia devices.
• Emerging Markets and Mobile Necessities – Urging developers to create innovative applications across mobile technology platforms – ranging from SMS through Series 40 and S60 device platforms. All applications will be considered, including those developed using Java, Python, or open source.

Each contest category has been refined to provide you with additional guidance about the types of applications that the judges will be expecting to see.

All entries must be submitted by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on 30 June 2009, so get started right away!

Here’s what you do to get started:

1. Decide which category best fits your skills and interests, and then get the needed tools, documentation, and other support from Forum Nokia. It’s free to join, and when you become a member of Forum Nokia, you can make the most of Nokia's extensive development, testing, signing, go to market, and community resources.
2. Create your application or widget -- or optimise your website -- for Nokia mobile devices.
3. Submit your best work to the Calling All Innovators contest before the deadline at midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on 30 June 2009.

Full details about the competition can be found in the official rules. Submit your entry now.

Source: http://www.callingallinnovators.com/about_the_contest.aspx