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...and MP3 players, fully functional Pocket PC, Palm and other operating systems, mobile devices offer consumers more amazing and useful functionality than ever before. The software necessary to run these devices is increasingly complex, and more and more of it is pumped into them to take full advantage of 3G and other advanced networks. Unfortunately, this results in more problems for device users, including bug-filled applications and device failure.
In fact, mobile device field failure rates are already a huge overhead for carriers and manufacturers, costing an estimated $20-$70 for each device that fails. With as many as 10% of all devices shipped today having software bugs, customer service calls, device returns, and even complete recalls in their futures, all hope of profitability can disappear. For consumers, it's an annoyance they will not put up with, and they often switch devices and carriers as a result. After all, nobody wants a phone that behaves like a PC.
At the same time, consumers constantly demand new functionality. Device manufacturers, in search of the latest mobile "killer applications," are happy to oblige in order to remain competitive. So, as companies shrink their development time while simultaneously creating more complex software, software bugs and device malfunctions will become even more prevalent. Though clearly not all of these new flaws will be fatal, the traditional ways of dealing with the flaws, such as in-store software updating, device recalls, or customer returns, will no longer be sufficient or cost-effective.
There is a way, however, to keep users satisfied with new functionality, while reducing software problems and carrier and manufacturer expenses. Over-the-air (OTA) software management for mobile devices sends bug fixes, upgrades, even entirely new applications, wirelessly, to end users anywhere on a network. Just as PC users receive security, software...
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