The Signal: Tablet Cabs?

Tablet Taxi: Eco-friendly Wisconsin taxi company Green Cab is not only saving money by using hybrid cars, but it’s also being more cost efficient by using tablets. Yes, that’s right, instead of that annoying dispatch system, Green Cab uses a custom designed iPad app to schedule rides and take credit card payments. The app also enables drivers to communicate with each other through Skype and it uses Google Maps for real-time location data. When is this coming to NYC? WirelessWeek

 

Google Does Want Your Info: Surprise, surprise, it turns out Google does want your mobile location data. The San Jose Mercury News obtained internal Google emails from 2010 that confirm this; more specifically the emails reveal that smartphone location data collection became necessary for Google after their Street View cars’ collection of Wi-Fi information came under intense scrutiny from European governments and privacy advocates. Google will be testifying along with Apple on May 10 about why companies need to collect this personal data. Good luck. Forbes

 

No More Tethering: It was bound to happen sooner or later: wireless carriers are starting to block a wireless-tethering app, “Wireless Tether for Root Users.” It is still available on the Android Market, but if you have a Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile phone, you won’t be able to download or install it. Wired

 

Apps You Need: Check out Gizmodo’s guide to the best apps in 2011 for iPhone, Android, iPad and Windows Phone. Gizmodo

 

Mobile Market Stats: According to a recent International Data Corporation study, the global mobile phone market grew 19.8 percent in the first quarter of 2011. According to the study, the smartphone segment was responsible for this growth, particularly in emerging markets in like Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. Yahoo

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