The UPnP Forum, the global standards body that works on ensuring seamless connectivity between devices, has publicly announced its UPnP+ initiative, focused on delivering new technical capabilities to enhance functionality and increase customer satisfaction. Key areas UPnP+ will address include: full integration of IPv6 with seamless backwards compatibility to IPv4; integration of content and services from the cloud; access to UPnP devices and services from web browsers; improved support for low-power and mobile devices; grouping or pairing of similar devices and services; bridging to non-UPnP networks (e.g. ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, ANT+) for a broad range of applications including health & fitness, energy management, and home automation.
Towers Watson and Hughes Telematics (HTI), a Verizon company providing next-generation connected solutions, announced today they have formed a strategic alliance to provide personal line U.S. auto insurers with comprehensive data services for usage-based insurance programs. The service is being called “DriveAbility” and will be powered by HTI’s In-Drive solution. DriveAbility helps insurers convert driving data into industry-applicable metrics, which enables the development of new insurance products and services for consumers. HTI will utilize its automotive telematics platform to offer enhanced data services and provide the connectivity for additional telematics features.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will deliver an address at PCIA‘s fall conference in Florida on Oct. 3. Other speakers at the 2012 Wireless Infrastructure Show include Bob Friday, chief technology officer at Cisco’s wireless networking unit, and AT&T antenna solutions executive Chad Townes, who will take the stage Oct. 2. The conference runs from Oct. 1-4 at the Peabody Orlando.
Mobilitie has installed a distributed antenna system to improve coverage at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., the stadium hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. The company placed 516 antennas throughout the stadium. Sprint and Verizon Wireless are currently supported by the infrastructure, with additional providers expected to come on board before the end of the baseball team’s season ends in October.
Taptica, a user acquisition based mobile network, has announced the release of Appear Exchange, a free mobile click-based cross promotion platform. Appear Exchange allows developers to cross-promote other iOS and Android applications on their available and currently unused ad space, while gaining credits for free advertisement placements of their own apps. Mobile app developers can register their apps on the Appear Exchange network and create personalized promotional offers.
