But all the functionality in the world won't solve one major problem, analysts say: US user apathy. Qualcomm, Handspring and most other wireless industry players are trying to entice users of wireless devices to start using pricey applications like wireless Web surfing or buying goods via their cell phones. Wireless data use has flourished in Europe, where billions of text messages are traded every month. In Japan, wireless picture messaging has helped Qualcomm licensee KT Freetel increase its revenues. But wireless data use is still stagnant in the United States, where the personal computer is the vehicle of choice for messages or Internet surfing. "More Web browsing is great, but data is only low single-digit percentages of a US carrier's revenues right now," said John Dryden, wireless equipment analyst at J.P. Morgan H&Q. "We're not looking at BREW 2.0 to be the saviour of wireless data." On top of the industry challenges, BREW faces stiff competition from Java. Sun has claimed it dominates the market, with 20 million Java-capable handsets in circulation, versus Qualcomm, which has just one carrier using BREW. Aside from the technical upgrades, Qualcomm said it would now be selling BREW piecemeal to the wireless carriers. Carriers don't have to buy the entire package of offerings, which a carrier can use to offer scores of new services for cell phones. Qualcomm said carriers can instead buy the ability to offer only certain of the BREW applications to users.
If it moves, we cover it. See ZDNet UK's Mobile Technology News Section for the latest news, reviews and price checks on mobile phones, PDAs, notebook computers and anything else you can take away.
Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Go to the ZDNet news forum.
Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.
