Market for handheld devices declining
The worldwide market for handheld devices continues to decline, the IDC says in its Worldwide Handheld Qview.
According to a statement, device shipments decreased 16.9% year-over-year and fell 8.8% sequentially in 3Q 2005 to 1.6 million units. The market experienced its seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline in the third quarter of 2005.
The report notes that converged mobile devices, which combine voice and data capabilities in a single form, is placing increased pressure on the handheld market. Those vendors who offer both devices are starting to see shipments of converged mobile devices equal or surpass shipments of handheld devices, it says.
First SMS vote in local poll
More than 11% of voters in the Swiss town of B"ulach successfully voted by mobile phone in a local poll on Sunday 30 September, Swissinfo reports.
The ballot was part of a series of tests in the country to introduce e-voting nationwide. Officials say an additional 25.7% of voters did so over the Internet.
Turnout was 41.5%, which is above average, according to Beat Kocher, mayor of B"ulach. The high turnout proved that e-voting is popular and has potential, he said.
Councilman uses IM at meetings
A city council member in Tuscon in the USA is using IM messaging to communicate with residents who are not at council meetings but are watching them on live television, Associated Press reports.
According to the report, Councilman Fred Ronstadt uses a laptop to send and receive IM through the Internet, allowing the public to comment on issues or ask questions in real time.
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