While major media and cable companies talk about four screen strategies the telematics industry is abuzz over the emergence of a three screen world. This was never more clear than at last week’s Telematics Detroit 2010 event in Novi, Mich. From OEMs to tier ones, software and service providers, the focus is on leveraging handsets, head units and the Internet to create closer and more profitable customer relationships.

Vodafone has made a non-binding proposal to acquire a 15% stake in Vodacom Group for ZAR22.5 billion in cash, less Vodacom's attributable net debt at the date of signing subject to the listing and unbundling of Telkom's remaining stake of 35% in Vodacom to Telkom shareholders.

 

After selling off Vodacom, perhaps Telkom could direct some of the proceeds into its fixed line infrastructure to enable it to provide more reliable service.

Subscribers have been obliged to tolerate Telkom's sometimes unreliable, often appalling, fixed line telephone service for years. As a state-run monopoly, Telkom could afford to be complacent about its incompetence because customers couldn't take their business elsewhere.

I came across some really interesting news today as huge silicon valley venture capital fund Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has set up a $100 million ‘iFund’ to invest in companies building applications for the iPhone.

What an exciting week for location news. Since I arrived back from the Navigation & Location Europe conference in Amsterdam it’s been all go for Nav&Loc!

Nokia is preparing its response to Apple's iPhone with a device currently codenamed 'tube'. It will support Java and I'm guessing (with Nokia's current commitment to mobile navigation and location) it will include GPS. Vice President of Forum Nokia, Tom Libretto, also provided an entertaining quip and dig at Apple... In reference to Apple having shipped 5 million to 6 million iPhones since launch, Libretto responded "We've done that since dinner on Friday." Nice!