Google buys AdMob, BlackBerry adds services, Facebook's iPhone dev slams Apple, and more...
It's been quite a week for the mobile entertainment sector, particularly when it comes to the financial side, with some big acquisitions and funding announcements.
Meanwhile, the BlackBerry Developer Conference saw RIM talk strategy, while analysts released duelling smartphone predictions.
Read on for our roundup of the ten biggest stories on ME this week.
1. Google bought AdMob for $750 million. In a monster deal for the mobile advertising industry, Google snapped up AdMob, with the latter's strength in in-app advertising thought to be one of the prime reasons. Read more
2. BlackBerry had its iPhone 3.0 moment. Research In Motion announced new services for developers making BlackBerry apps, including in-app payments, geolocation, push and advertising. Read more.
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3. Nokia began shipping its N900 tablet. When we saw it at Nokia World, it looked like the best smartphone Nokia has ever made, running on its whizzy Maemo 5 OS. Now it's out in the wild, with consumers able to decide if it's an iPhone challenger. Read more
4. Analysts released their Q3 smartphone sales estimates. Gartner said Apple took a 17.1% share of the global smartphone market in Q3, behind Nokia (39.3%) and RIM (20.8%). Meanwhile, Pyramid Research focused on the US, pegging Samsung and LG as leaders with 23% apiece, followed by RIM (16%), Motorola (11%) and Apple (7%). Strange. Read more on Gartner and Pyramid
5. Facebook's iPhone developer hit out at Apple's approvals process. In fact, Joe Hewitt has stopped working on the Facebook iPhone app, saying his decision "has everything to do with Apple's policies". Facebook quickly moved to point out that his views were his own, naturally. Read more
6. Mobile music firm Muzicall raised €9 million. The money will help the ringback tone specialist to accelerate its European expansion, having already signed up Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile. It says only 2% of European mobile users currently have a ringback, offering huge potential for growth. Read more
7. Sky launched a live TV app for iPhone. The UK-only service will cost £6 a month, and lets users watch Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3, Sky Sports News, Sky Sports Extra, Sky News, At The Races and ESPN. But only over Wi-Fi. Read more
8. EA confirmed it was buying Playfish for $300 million. A big amount for a relatively young social games firm, but a decision that should accelerate Playfish's mobile development, and EA's knowledge of virtual item economics. Meanwhile, EA Mobile announced Q3 revenues of $51 million, up 9% year-on-year. Read more on Playfish and EA Mobile
9. Microsoft launched a webstore for Windows Mobile apps. The new site brings it into line with iPhone, BlackBerry and Ovi Store, letting users browse, buy and download WinMo apps from their desktop - with nifty technology ensuring they're sent wirelessly to their phone ready for installing. Read more
10. FLO TV began selling its Personal Television device. The Qualcomm subsidiary is selling the handheld gadget for $249.99, and it lets buyers watch the FLO TV mobile TV channels on the go. Six months' access is bundled into the selling price, with users paying $8.99 a month after that. Read more
