We've been hearing a lot about all the data service offerings that will allow airline passengers to get their data-fix while in-flight, so it's refreshing to here of some developments regarding in-flight voice calls. Following on Norwegian Air's plan to offer in-flight voice calls and internet services through its Call Norwegian venture, the Office of [...]

It seems Steve Jobs may be just as tired of waiting in long-lines at the local Starbucks as we are. Wouldn’t it be great if we could use our media player or cellphone to wirelessly order a cup of coffee ahead of time and simply stroll into the brick-and-mortor shop to pick up our cup of joe. Well, good, ole’ Stevie is on it. Apple just filed a patent application on December 20 for a method whereby a media player, PDA, or cellphone could be used to place a wireless-order at a particular store - doing away with the dreaded “queue.” iPhone users are already able to wirelessly download music from iTunes’ catalogue at all Starbucks locations, and this technolofy would take the Apple-Starbucks relationship to the next step. USPTO patent application #20070291710 outlines a system that is capable of logging orders and notifying the customer when the order is ready for pick-up. The system would also track customers’ shopping habits and purchases. Customers might tap a button to order their favorite drink, say a double-shot mocha, as they stroll up to the nearest coffee shop. When the drink is ready go to, the device–such as an iPhone–would chime or blink to let the thirsty one know it’s time to scoop up the order at the counter. The iPhone may be set to take on a new role - transitioning from a cellphone/media player phenom into a life-assistant for your daily activities. We’ll have to wait and see just what Apple does with this new technology.  A patent application doesn’t necessarily mean that Apple will be putting the new tech into their future lineup, but if it does pan out, we couldn’t be happier. There’s nothing worse than waiting in line (trust us, we know a thing or two about lines ). [Via: Forbes ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Into iPhone arrives at the 3rd Street Promenade Apple Store - waiting in line for the iPhone launchApple patent application hints at Apple iPhone Nano!Apple iPhone nano coming in this year: JP MorganApple files for second pressure-sensitive touch display patentApple patent application reveals iPod and iPhone as wireless remote controls with metadata [...]

If you’re the proud owner of Verizon’s newest flagship handset, you may have noticed a couple niggles with the LG Voyager ’s user interface. Well, you’re not the only ones to have noticed - it seems Verizon’s been hard at work to make sure that Voyager delivers an experience that rivals the iPhone’s (even with a pressure-based touchscreen). It’s been on market for barely a month now and Verizon Wireless has already issued an update to the LG Voyager’s firmware. You do have to get your lazy bum down to a brick-and-mortar Verizon Wireless Store in order to update your LG Voyager with the latest bits, but we hear it should be worth it. Longer battery life, better browsing experience, more applications accessible from the external touchscreen, functional Google Maps - they’re all in the cards for the LG Voyager. Here’s a rundown of the complete firmware updates for the LG Voyager:

• Fixed issue with V CAST Music and 4GB+ removable memory read error
• Adds ability to reset V CAST Mobile TV client
• Update power settings to improve battery life performance
• Bluetooth enhancements to audio, pairing, and key tone
• Mobile Web - HTML browser enhancements
• Fixed to display ?=? symbol on the bottom in the calculator for LG Joy font
• Fixed to access to keypad through only one step while in a call
• Fixed the auto lock setting so that the touch screen will not lock on its own when auto lock is set to off
• Fixed to allow ESPN application on external touch screen
• Fixed to allow Mobile IM on external touch screen
• Fixed to have no difference between the displayed image (to let you know which scene was taken) and the actual saved image, when you take a picture aiming at any moving objects
• Fixed when device goes to maps.google.com, the device resets

Head on down to that Verizon Wireless store and let us now how the update suits you. [Via: PhoneNews ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon Wireless intros over-the-air mobile phone updatesUS spec Nokia N95-3 gets firmware updateVerizon's LG Voyager quick-start guide - check out the LG Voyager's detailsPalm: Treo 700p/w/wx software update makes your data connection bug out - our badBefore and after the latest iPhone update

With wireless coverage and services growing ever larger and more attractive, it’s not hard to see why one in eight US households have shunned the traditional hardline telephone in favor of the wireless variety. A new survey conducted by the National Health Interview Survey has indicated that 13.6% of all US households have done away with their landlines and are relying on their mobile phones as their sole means on communication/connection with friends and loved ones. The number of households going wireless-only has been steadily increasing since 2003. The most-recent numbers suggest that:

• More than 55% of adults living with unrelated roommates used only their cellphones
• 28% of renters were wireless-only, compared with 6.7% of homeowners
• More than 30% of those aged 25-29 rely solely on mobile phones; almost 30% of those aged 18-24 shunned landlines; 13% of adults in the 30-44 age group are landline-free; about 7% of people 45-64 used only cellphones; while only 2% of adults 65 and older shunned hardline telephones
• Men were more likely than women to be landline-free - a trend that has persisted throughout the years

But, there’s an interesting correlation between wireless-only adults and their penchant for the “finer things” in life. Mobile phone-only adults were twice as likely to binge drink, twice as likely to report not having health insurance, and more likely to be current smokers. However, most of these adults also reported their health to be in “excellent or very good” condition and participated in more physical activity in their free time than those that had landlines. Whatever the causation, it seems that the wire-free life is the life to live. At least until all that not-having-health-insurance catches up with them. Time to get us some health insurance! [Via: RCR ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Young adults prefer mobiles over landlinesThird of all UK calls are made from mobilesMen chat more on mobile phones than women - say what?Global business mobility surveyAnother survey - Win S60 3rd Edition device

Synchronizing all your contacts, calendar items, bookmarks, music, and photos from your Mac to your iPhone is just about as simple a process as you could ask for. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. One thing that would make the sync-ing process even simpler and hassle-free is the addition of a wireless iTunes synchronization solution. Well, Mac developer francisois agrees. He’s working on iPhone iSync to bring WiFi-based iTunes synchronization to the iPhone. So far, iPhone iSync will sync a specified folder on your Mac to your iPhone (and even iPod Touch) over a WiFi connection. The logical extension of this software would be to bring iTunes-based wireless sync to the iPhone. francisois says that he’s working to make the iPhone iSync software work with the current version of iTunes. And, to his credit, he says that he’s “reached a breakthrough that has allowed me to synchronize my own iPod Touch over wi-fi with an older version of iTunes.” Compatibility with iTunes 7.5 should be on the horizon, which should see music, photos, contacts, and bookmarks wirelessly synchronized to the iPhone. He’s looking for help in breaking down the walls to iTunes 7.5, so if you’re handy with “shell scripts and ssh and especially iTunes library access,” francisois could use your help. Jailbroken iPhones can grab the iPhone iSync software from Google Code . We’ll stay on top of any developments in wireless iPhone synchronization, stay tuned. [Via: Appletell ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Belkin and Kodak team up to automatically pull pictures off your cameraphoneSync your Apple iPhone with two different computers - get multiple iTunes' music onto the iPHoneCould we see another iPhone update this month?Apple to require iTunes subscription for iPhoneApple iTunes will sync your existing data to the iPhone!

No, this has nothing to do with AT&T’s EDGE data network. It seems that AT&T has decided to pull the trigger and fully take over Pacific Northwest wireless carrier Edge Wireless. Now, AT&T already had a minority (35.7%) stake in the small-time network operator, but that just wasn’t enough for the nation’s largest carrier. Continuing the No. 1 US carrier’s spending spree (they just plunked down $2.8 billion to buy Dobson Communications ), AT&T presumably wanted access to Edge Wireless’s 172,00-strong subscriber base by folding Edge’s operations under the Big Blue umbrella. The move, if approved by the Feds, will give AT&T a wider GSM network to push its flagship handset - the iPhone. AT&T must have some massive cash on hand. They’re going through greenbacks like there’s no tomorrow - and the 700Mhz frequency auction is still on the horizon. We’re sure AT&T’s already considered their maximum bid and set aside a healthy chunk of change for the auction, but it’s still amazing to see just how much money the carrier has been spending recently. [Via: Electronista ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Verizon buys Ramcell network in Oregon and Kentucky - expands rural network coverageAT&T announces International Calling for AT&T Unity customersCalling all Apple iPhone owners - is your AT&T EDGE network still down?AT&T launches Sierra Wireless USBConnect 881 HSUPA USB modemSierra Wireless Apex 880 USB HSPA modem gets official

Competition is the driving force behind innovation in any market - the wireless market especially. So, in light of that fact, Canada has set aside a 40Mhz swath of wireless spectrum to give potential new wireless carriers a chance to enter the Canadian market. Industry Minister Jim Prentice said that the 40Mhz slice of radio frequencies would be “set aside for newcomers to the industry.” Presumably, the goal is to open the door to more competition - which should lead to higher-quality service and lower-prices for the Canadian population. And, to ensure that only the little-dog gets a chance at owning the 40Mhz spectrum, Prentice said that only companies with revenues accounting for less than 10% of the Canadian market will be allowed to enter a bid. As you might imagine, industry incumbents like Telus aren’t exactly pleased with the new auction rules. But hey, as long as it drives down those crazy data rates in Canada, we’re sure the consumer won’t be complaining anytime soon. It sure would be interesting to see the FCC enact rules that would effectively shut-out the big-dog incumbents from the upcoming 700Mhz auction. But, then again, those same big-dogs contribute way to much “lobbying” money to let that kind of thing happen - even if it is in the best interest of the US consumer. Corrupt? We didn’t say it. No wait, yes we did. [Via: Engadget Mobile ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Bell Canada On The Auction Block - BCE In Talks To Sell Bell CanadaNokia presents old, unpopular sets in Iranian marketAmp'd Mobile In Canada, Eh?Rogers Wireless announces Motorola RAZR2 V9 in CanadaNokia is offering free camera phones to blogers

Now, let’s start this one off with a little disclaimer - the US iPhone launch did not go as smoothly as it could have gone. Don’t get us wrong, the US iPhone launch was in incredible example of Apple’s logistical prowess, but AT&T seemed to have largely underestimated the stress that more than a hundred thousand eager-beaver iPhone customers would place on their network. In addition O2’s own iPhone activation nightmare and dealing with less-than-stellar iPhone sales (to put it nicely), it looks like O2 is having problems keeping its UK iPhone fleet connected to their network. Reports are coming in that O2 iPhone users are having problems acquiring a good signal in the UK, or any signal for that matter - many users are reporting that their iPhones usually present a “No Service,” or an occassional single-bar of wireless reception, status. One suggestion on Apple’s Support Forums recommended a full-restore of the iPhone’s firmware in an effort to solve the problem. That suggestion came from a US iPhone user, so your mileage may vary. Our gut (as well as Alexandar Wolfe ’s gut) tells us that the reception problems might have something to do with O2’s network, rather than being a defect in the iPhone itself. Furthermore, it seems that reception quality while indoors is especially poor - indicating that there might be a problem with O2’s 900Mhz frequency support for the iPhone (this is pure speculation, by the way). It appears that Apple is replacing these iPhones on a case by case basis, rather than issuing a UK-wide recall or service bulletin. So, if you’ve been having problems with your new O2 iPhone’s wireless reception, take it into your nearest Apple or O2 Store and ask for a replacement (and give it a go with a full-restore before you ask for a replacement). Oh, and we’d appreciate it if you could drop us a line and let us know how Apple and O2 resolved your problem. Read more about this problem at Apple support . [Via: InformationWeek ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:O2's iPhone activation system buckling under pressureMadonna with an iPhone?Analyst: Apple iPhone screen problems may get worse - the dreaded "dead strip"All the iPhone bugsiPhone to cause Leopard delay

We already knew Google was looking to take a shot at winning a bid for the 700Mhz spectrum that’s slated to be auctioned by the FCC in a couple months . Now it looks like Google is as serious about launching their own wireless network than ever before. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google feels that they are obligated to bid on the 700Mhz frequency spectrum after successfully lobbying to get the “open-access” rules passed by the FCC. The search-giant is already testing a small-scale wireless network at its Mountain View, CA-headquarters, using the 700Mhz frequency band to help develop its prototype fleet of Android-powered mobile phones. Google’s got more than enough cash on hand to cover the initial $4.6 billion bid-price, and is reportedly ready to pay more out of its own pockets or take out loans to cover a winning bid. With Google’s recent entry into the mobile space, it seems that they are committed to making sure that their Android-based handsets will make it into as many consumer hands as possible - winning the 700Mhz spectrum would give Google the leverage to really push the Android platform. We’ll have to wait a couple more months to see what Google does, but it seems more likely than ever that we’ll be seeing a Google Wireless in our future. [Via: Electronista ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Google may bid for upcoming 700Mhz frequency auction - if FCC agrees to "open access" termsGoogle is still a player in FCC's 700Mhz spectrum auction700Mhz frequency spectrum primed to be worldwide standard for mobile broadbandApple considering bid on upcoming 700Mhz frequency spectrum?Google: FCC may require upcoming 700Mhz spectrum auction to be "open [...]

What good is that shiny, new wireless gadget of yours without a high-speed wireless connection? Well, CBS has you gadget-loving Manhattanites covered - in a blanket of sweet, sweet WiFi goodness, that is. CBS has announced that it intends to launch their CBS Mobile Zone to bring WiFi hotspot-access to a sizable chunk of mid-town Manhattan. The CBS Mobile Zone will bring free wireless internet to laptops, WiFi-enabled cellphones, internet tablets, etc. to anyone that happens to find themselves between Central Park South and Time Square and between 6th Ave. and 8th Ave. (the map to the right outlines the coverage area in red). But, as the saying goes, nothing in life is free. CBS is planning to bankroll the CBS Mobile Zone with advertisements from CBS Outdoor (CBS’s outdoor marketing arm - billboards, bus-stop ads, etc.). Accessing CBS’s free wireless network will take you to a CBS-branded homepage filled with targeted advertisements and media - Citi and Salesgenie have already signed up as advertising sponsors, with more to surely follow. Seems to us like a clever advertising campaign timed perfectly with the upcoming holiday shopping season. But, hey, we’re not going to look a free wireless-network-gift-horse in the mouth. [Via: Mashable ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:CBS Mobile to bring original animated series to mobile phones - Danny Bonaduce: Life CoachWiFiMobile - Free VoIP Call On All S60 Nokia Phones!Mexico City Wants City-Wide WiFi - Forgets Water And PowerManhattan Story Mashup - The urban storytelling gameSkype working with UK carrier 3 to launch Skype-compatible VoIP handset