AT&T updates Android devices with Gingerbread
AT&T post-paid Android smartphone users will receive an upgrade to the Android 2.3 platform, also known as Gingerbread. The upgrade will provide users with several improvements, including better app management, a faster and more accurate on-screen keyboard, refined copy and paste functionality as well as speed enhancements.

Customers who purchased an Android smartphone from AT&T that was introduced in 2011 will receive the upgrade. Motorola ATRIX 4G users are already beginning to receive the update and HTC Inspire 4G users will receive the update in coming weeks. Other phones receiving the update include Samsung Captivate, LG Phoenix, Pantech Crossover, Samsung Infuse 4G.

Upgrades are being delivered over-the-air or via a Wi-Fi or PC connection, depending on the device.
The HTC Status ? the first AT&T smartphone running Android 2.3 ? arrived in stores July 17.

Mozilla to develop Web-based mobile OS
Mozilla has announced plans to develop its own Web-based mobile operating system for smartphones and tablets that it is calling Boot To Gecko.

The goal is to enable Web developers to build apps that are equal to native apps built for the iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 7. The company is coming from the position that the open Web can be a competitive alternative to single-vendor application development. 

The operating system will be built using a combination of components from the open-source Android OS and Mozilla?s Gecko browser engine. The project is in the early stages of planning but plans are to make this an open development process with Mozilla publishing source code as it is developed.

Angry Birds makers get happy about mobile advertising
The makers of the Angry Birds have picked Nexage to help them monetize and enhance advertising opportunities for the popular mobile game.

Angry Birds has more than 250 million global downloads and is available on Android phones and the iPhone. Developer Rovio wants to monetize these impressions through advertising.

Nexage will work on delivering mobile ads for Angry Birds that are relevant to individual consumers across multiple geographies and demographics. Nexage will use its RTB Exchange to enable advertisers to bid on individual impressions.

Mobile data bandwidth usages jumps 77pc in first half
Mobile data bandwidth usage continues to grow, increasing 77 percent during the first half of 2011, according to a new report from Allot Communications Ltd.

Smartphones are a dominant driver in the increase of bandwidth usage, but they are not the only factor," said Jonathon Gordan, director of marketing at Allot Communications.  "There are also those things that sit on top such as Over the Top Video, the applications and access to video ? as well as tablet use," he said. "The amount of bandwidth usage per device will increase, as well as the number of smartphones."

Streaming video, the largest application taking up bandwidth, showed significant growth with a 93 percent increase. Streaming video now accounts for 39 percent of mobile bandwidth usage. YouTube is the most popular streaming video destination, accounting for 52 percent of total video streaming and 22 percent of overall mobile data bandwidth usage.

VoIP and IM are also growing quickly, with a 101 percent increase in bandwidth usage. This reflects consumers waning interest in paying for voice calls as over-the-top VoIP alternatives improve. While Skype is the leader with 82 percent of mobile VoIP bandwidth, its market share has been reduced by newcomers such as Viber.

The findings also show that a growing numbers of operators are implementing application-aware charging models. Additionally, 51 percent of operators no longer offer unlimited data plans.
Other findings include that Apple?s App Store generates 84 percent of overall app store download traffic while Google?s Android Market accounts for 13 percent. Additionally, Twitter grew by 297 percent and Facebook by 166 percent.

Phizzle raises $3M to expand mobile engagement offerings
Phizzle Inc. has closed a $3 million round of financing as it looks to fuel growth in key markets, broaden services and pursue new opportunities.

The company?s solution is used by brands to engage and monetize fans in sports, entertainment and retail markets.

Phizzle plans to broaden its product offerings in the near future to include a self-service mobile marketing platform for small and mid-size businesses. It will also launch a SMS text-based sports alert service for consumers.

The audience engagement solutions provider will also use the funds to help accelerate its product technology roadmap and expand its management team as corporate brands and small and mid-size businesses gravitate towards mobile. Additionally, the company will look to expand its offerings through partnerships with technology providers.

ZocDoc boasts doctor scheduling via Android app
Online health service ZocDoc is rolling out an Android application to make booking doctor appointments easier for consumers on the go.

The app lets users search for almost five million appointments in major cities in the U.S.
Users can book appointments and search doctors by specialty and insurance plan. The app also shows doctors? calendars in real time.

The ZocDoc app has a location-based feature that finds the closest doctor for patients. Additionally, users can access doctor photos, credentials and descriptions while on the go.