| |
Back issues are available at LiveJournal |
February 10 to 23, 2007 |
| To subcribe (or to unsubscribe) visit Zinester site |
|
- Week summary
- General wireless data market related news
- Carriers news
- Wireless data related middleware vendors news
- Terminal development for mobile data
- Vendors of software for client wireless devices news
- Mobile application related news
- Application outsourcing and hosting news
- News about financing for wireless data businesses
- News about trade shows and conferences
| * - Star sign marks especially important (from the editor's point of view) news items and is also a link to the next important news item. |
Week summary |
- A lot of new smartphones were announced by all major players at 3GSM - and features are quite similar (even for former messaging-centered devices like Ogo and Blackberry). So the time now is be different in services offered by default - and to make money there. Ways are to partner with major portal providers and at the same time to offer own (open to developers and 3rd parties) applications. Seems that now support for Windows mobile and Nokia's Series 60 is taken for granted (including VoIP applications).
- Meanwhile small middleware suppliers (like e.g. Berkut and First Hop) are not just providing cheaper versions of standard stuff (like SMS center) but are also offering innovative premium applications. Could that be a reason behind LogicaCMG getting rid of its' SMS center division?
- Google starts to provide corporate push e-mail.
- Boingo offers cheap flat-rate WiFi for mobiles.
- mdog.com transcoding is now good enough for
Wall Street Journal Online.
- Opera 9 goes mobile.
|
|
| Wireless Factors Launches Wireless Industry Business Network Original news source |
| Wireless Factors, a wireless industry business network , announced the availability of their Wireless Factors service for professionals, the industrys first relationship-powered network. Wireless Factors enables mobile industry professionals to connect with a global community of members, collaborate using online tools and improve the way business gets done. |
| Portio Research: Worldwide SMS revenues to hit $67bn by 2012 Original news source |
| A new report from Portio Research forecasts a healthy future for SMS, which continues to be the star of the data services show with traffic volumes and revenues that continue to confound predictions. Although the growth of SMS revenues will not be as aggressive as the growth of SMS volumes due to declining prices, by 2012 global SMS revenues are expected to reach 67bn USD, driven by 3.7 trillion messages. The report, ‘Mobile Messaging Futures 2007 – 2012’ outlines an exciting future for other mobile messaging technologies especially instant messaging and mobile e-mail amid continued strong worldwide subscriber growth. |
Back to Contents |
| Bell Canada Launches Nationwide Home Monitoring Services Original news source |
| Bell Canada launches its nationwide Home Monitoring service. Enabled by Northampton-based Intamac System’s secure internet portal technology it is an innovative new residential home monitoring service that uses the Bell wireless core network to deliver the ultimate in ‘made to order’ home safety and security. Home Monitoring from Bell is simple to install and easy to use. The service is completely wireless – both inside and outside of the home - and so cannot be disabled by skilled intruders that could cut the home’s wired phone. In addition to phone, e-mail and SMS text-messaging notifications when an alert occurs, clients can also access a secure live video stream or have images sent to an e-mail or wireless handset enabling them to observe and act on situations wherever they are located in the world. Bell Home Monitoring Services offers home protection monitoring starting at $19.95 per month. A Bell Home Monitoring starter kit, consisting of a Base Unit, two door/window sensors, a motion detector and a remote keypad is $299. |
| * Boingo Launches Worldwide Wi-Fi Service for Mobile Phones and Devices Original news source |
| Boingo Wireless Inc., wholesale network aggregator and operator of neutral-host Wi-Fi networks, announced Boingo Mobile, the first global Wi-Fi Internet service designed for Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones and devices.
Boingo Mobile lets users enjoy the Internet capabilities built into their handsets over true broadband speeds in Boingo’s hot spots around the world. For a monthly flat rate of USD $7.95, Boingo Mobile subscribers get high-speed Internet access where they need it the most – airports, hotels, restaurants and convention centers worldwide. The Boingo Mobile software – a free download that enables automatic connection and roaming authentication to more than 150 different Wi-Fi network operators around the world – is currently available for Windows Mobile 5.0-based Smartphones or Pocket PC devices. The new Boingo Mobile service is also currently available to users of Belkin’s Wi-Fi Phone for Skype. In a separate announcement , the company announced a demonstration that will showcase the Nokia ’s Symbian-based S60 phones using Boingo Mobile Wi-Fi access.
Boingo anticipates additional Wi-Fi enabled devices — mobile/cellular handsets, VoIP phones, mobile gaming consoles, MP3 players and digital cameras — will be available with integrated Boingo Mobile service in the near future. |
| Sprint Customers Now Have The Power To Use GPS To Find Apartments Right On Their Phones Original news source |
| Now Sprint customers have the power to do more with the GPS technology on their wireless phones than ever before. In addition to Sprint's current lineup of GPS-enabled navigation, location and specialty applications, Sprint and Smarter Agent launched a new tool to give customers the power to view nearby apartments for rent right on select Sprint or Nextel phones. Smarter Agent Apartments for Rent uses GPS to deliver information about the closest available apartments without requiring the customer to enter an address or ZIP code. |
| Motorola and the GSM Association to Conduct Alternative Power GSM Cell Site Trial Original news source |
| Motorola, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with the GSM Association (GSMA) and MTC Namibia to conduct a trial for wind and solar power systems to support the African operator’s remote GSM cell sites. This is the first customer based trial globally and the trial is expected to run from April 2007 to July 2007.
The trial involves the installation of the Motorola wind and solar solution at an operational MTC Namibia cell site where the solution will become the electrical power source for the site. The cell site will remain a part of MTC Namibia’s current wireless network and continue to carry the same levels of traffic. |
Back to Contents |
| * First Hop Paves the Way for Advertising-Funded Mobile Content Services Original news source |
| First Hop, the mobile service control company, announced the launch of its Mobile Advertising Solution. This will provide mobile operators and service providers with the infrastructure needed to support an ad-funded content business and enable them to attract additional revenue from advertisers looking to expand into mobile.
The solution allows operators to offer mobile advertising, ad-funded services, or branded and sponsored content using person to person messaging, multimedia broadcast, and browsing services. The solution also enables the operator to develop new subscription models such as ad-funded content services. Mobile operators will be able to roll out a service model which offers users free content or free text or minutes in exchange for receiving advertisements.
|
| * First Hop Launches Intelligent Promotion Solution Original news source |
| First Hop, the mobile service control expert, launched its Intelligent Promotion Solution, and announced that it has already been deployed by five mobile operators in Europe and Asia. The Intelligent Service Promotion Solution gives mobile operators the ability to drive additional premium service revenues from its existing subscriber base. Operators can now identify cross-selling and up-selling opportunities and launch targeted or personalised usage-stimulating campaigns. |
| * Bercut introduces a wide range of innovative products Original news source |
| Bercut showcases its innovative products for VAS infrastructure of mobile and PSTN operators:
i-Cell – Interactive Cell Broadcast Centre – the only solution in the world with broadcast accuracy in the BTS sector. SPACE – Content Provider Access Centre, servicing over 25 Mio subscribers throughout Europe and Asia. X-tones – Managing Ring Back Tones – a new generation content service which has over 2 Mio subscribers. Bercut is an international supplier of IT products for VAS infrastructure. To correspond to this status, it needs always to be one step ahead, anticipate requirements and outpace the market. |
Back to Contents |
| HP Unveils Smartphone with Powerful Wireless Email Capabilities for Mobile Professionals Original news source |
| HP introduced the latest HP iPAQ device, a sleek and small smartphone that delivers a flexible wireless email experience for business customers through convenient voice control and hands-free operation. The HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger features voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) capabilities, “push” email and the latest Windows Mobile 6 operating system. With up to six hours of continuous talk time on a fully charged battery, the HP iPAQ Voice Messenger also leads the competition in battery life. As the first in HP’s new smartphone lineup, the HP iPAQ 500 series helps highly mobile professionals stay connected wherever they are. |
| * IXI Mobile Launches Ogo2.0 Original news source |
| The new Ogo2.0 enhances the communication features offered in the previous Ogo version, emphasizing Web2.0 interactive content interface; a QVGA screen resolution, built-in stereo speakers and microSD memory make the Ogo2.0 ideal for viewing video clips and listening to music. The full QWERTY keyboard and sleek design encourage users to interact with it and upload content to their favorite sites making it the ideal device for constant connectivity to live communities and user content generated sites. Ogo2.0 features the OgoClip - a removable tubular device which adds both lifestyle and functionality to Ogo2.0. OgoClip can be a camera, a music streamer, a microphone, a Bluetooth accessory, or a host of other future OgoClips that will support applications that haven't even been invented yet. This concept breaks the hardware barrier providing up-sell options to carriers and affordable add-ons to end- users getting more value out of the Ogo than ever before. |
| * RIM Introduces the Sleek New BlackBerry 8800 Smartphone Original news source |
| Research In Motion (RIM) introduced BlackBerry 8800 - a feature-rich and finely tuned smartphone that is both functionally and visually inspiring.
The BlackBerry 8800 is the thinnest BlackBerry handset yet and is designed to satisfy the most demanding mobile professionals. Equipped with a full, highly tactile QWERTY keyboard and RIM's user-friendly trackball navigation system, it also includes built-in GPS (Global Positioning System), multimedia features and a microSD expandable memory slot. The BlackBerry 8800 also comes with a media player and stereo headset jack. Its expandable memory capability allows users to store their favorite music and videos on a microSD card to enjoy while on the go. Music and video are delivered with rich sound and vivid color. The BlackBerry 8800 can operate with BlackBerry Internet Service, giving users the ability to manage up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which includes IT policy controls for managing the handset's features and usage. |
| * Nokia Builds on Vision of Mobilizing the Internet to Transform Mobile Communication Original news source |
| Centre stage in Nokia's news are a series of new announcements focused on removing the barriers to widespread adoption of business mobility, and making it easier and more compelling for business customers and operators to benefit from it.
The company announced a trio of new Nokia Eseries devices, designed for business professionals, including the slim line Nokia E61i emailer device, the stylish Nokia E65 slider, and an evolution of the legendary communicator into an all inclusive business device with advanced technologies, such as HSDPA and integrated GPS, the Nokia E90 Communicator. The company also announced the launch of Nokia Intellisync Mobile Suite 8.0 mobileware, providing mobile email, mobile file and data synchronization and robust security and device management capabilities to the Nokia Eseries products and more than 100 other devices - the most extensive support in the industry. New or enhanced features include a two-tier licensing model, a new user interface, further strengthened mobile security capabilities, and extensive additional language and connectivity support. Recognizing the huge potential of location based services, one of the fastest growing areas in mobile devices, Nokia released its first mass market navigation-enabled mobile phone, the Nokia 6110 Navigator. The Nokia N77 is an easy to use and stylishly mobile TV device. Features include a wide 2.4" screen with up to 16 million colors, high quality stereo sound, alerts when programs are starting, and a guide to view program information for up to seven days, browse TV channels, and purchase new channels. It is expected to start shipping during the second quarter of 2007 in countries where DVB-H services are available. Building on the importance of Internet video content, Nokia also launched the Nokia Video Center, an application that brings together all the sources of mobile video, and announced YouTube and Reuters as the first global content partners. The service combines branded video services, internet videos and sideloaded videos from the PC in one single place. |
| * HTC Unveils New Q1 2007 Smart Device Line-up Original news source |
| High Tech Computer Corp. launched three smart devices from its Q1 2007 product portfolio. These devices showcase the latest in mobile convergence for both consumer and enterprise audiences and epitomize HTC's commitment to developing innovative, appealing and category-defining form factors and applications.
HTC Advantage (X7500) - The most powerful mobile office to date, the HTC Advantage is smarter and lighter than the smallest PC notebook. It supports Microsoft Outlook Mobile for quick access to email, calendar, task and contact functions. It is also the first device to feature HTC's VueFLO easy navigation technology and detachable keyboard. A first for business functionality with high-speed global connectivity (Tri-Band 3G/ 3.5G (HSDPA) and Quad-Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE), the HTC Advantage is packed with PC-style power, functionality and multimedia features. |
| * SAMSUNG Strengthens its Mobile Leadership at 3GSM Original news source |
| Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. underlines its commitment to the telecommunications industry by showcasing an extensive portfolio of mobile handsets and technology at this year’s 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona.Samsung’s design-driven, premium multimedia handsets are epitomized in its Ultra Edition II and Ultra Special ranges, which will be available during the first half of this year. The Ultra Edition II range consists of two stylish and functional sliders, the Ultra Edition 10.9 (U600) and the Ultra Edition 12.1 (U700), a metallic clamshell, the Ultra Edition 9.6 (U300), and a candy bar handset, the Ultra Edition 5.9 (U100). Each of these designs offer advanced features such as 3 megapixel cameras and camcorders, high-speed internet connectivity, extensive multimedia and audio capabilities. Ultra Special range has been created to bring a superior range of multimedia experiences to consumers. The tender touch of Samsung’s F700 keypad and its masses of multimedia functionality, including a 5 mega-pixel camera and 7.2 Mbps High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), make this the easiest to use multimedia handset on the market. Samsung’s F520 boasts an innovative dual slider design and full internet browsing to ensure a truly connected and enriched mobile multimedia experience. Last but by no means least, Samsung’s F510 builds on the success of the F500 but also supports DVB-H standard, showcasing Samsung’s innovative dual face design concept, with full handset functionality on one side that can be rotated to reveal a full LCD screen for viewing purposes and to take crystal clear photos with 2 megapixel camera on the back. |
| * Design and innovation unite Motorola’s announcements at 3GSM World Congress showcasing compelling mobile experiences Original news source |
| Motorola, Inc. delivered compelling mobile experiences with a portfolio of devices and solutions that demonstrate the company’s leadership in design, music, media, high-speed performance, wireless broadband and connecting the unconnected. Motorola has further defined its ‘no compromise’ commitment to quality high-speed performance with a series of new HSDPA-enabled handsets.
The MOTORIZR Z8 provides quick downloads of streamed media via ultra-fast HSDPA technology. With a multimedia feature set that includes a brilliant 16 million colour 35x50mm QVGA full screen display, MOTORIZR Z8 boasts outstanding video quality playback with speeds of up to 30 frames per second. MOTORIZR Z8 features Motorola’s first ever “kick slider”, a graceful mechanism that achieves a “fit-to-face” profile by gliding open in a curve to match the contour of your face.
The new MOTOKRZR K3 is where Motorola style meets performance. The handset features the beautiful MOTOKRZR design language, while providing a full multimedia experience through HSDPA connectivity. The MOTOKRZR K3 is a cool wireless high-speed multimedia handset, incorporating no compromise use of colour, materials and finishes. Motorola has expanded its award-winning MOTOQ platform with the new MOTO Q q9 and MOTO Q gsm -- two experience-optimized QWERTYs for HSDPA and GSM/EDGE networks designed to. Delivering power, style and ease-of-use, with features and functions uniquely their own, MOTO Q q9 and MOTO Q gsm continue to evolve the mobile office experience and personalize productivity for users worldwide.
MOTO Q q9 rounds out Motorola’s HSDPA portfolio and sets a new standard for smartphones, delivering power, richer messaging and multimedia experiences and even better basics for consumers and professionals who want it all. Operating on the new Windows Mobile 6 platform with Motorola’s Good Mobile Messaging technology, MOTO Q q9 provides easy and intuitive personal and corporate email, as well as Windows Mobile “PlaysForSure” enabling compatibility with hundreds of music and video stores worldwide. The second handset built on Motorola’s SCPL platform, MOTO Q q9 is thin, lightweight, and sophisticated with an ergonomically-optimized keyboard and five-way navigation key to enable fast, no compromises text entry. MOTO Q q9 also boasts one of the world’s smartest screen displays, automatically adjusting to produce the best visual experience, indoor or out. Motorola’s mass market success is set to continue with the introduction of an expanded MOTOMOBILE portfolio. The new portfolio will bring enhanced features and a rich mobile experience to the next billion mobile users with all the style and innovation of Motorola’s higher-end devices.
The new MOTOMOBILE portfolio now includes features such as mega-pixel camera, speakerphone, MP3 playback and video functionality, as well as Motorola’s CrystalTalk technology, making it easy to hold conversations in noisy environments. Motorola’s music heritage continues to bring a rich mobile music experience to consumers. As part of the portfolio, Motorola has announced MOTORIZR Z6, a multimedia masterpiece with the latest music features and a powerful digital imaging platform.
MOTORIZR Z6 is Linux-Java software based handset that incorporates Windows Media technology allowing users to sync music to their phone from over 200 music stores worldwide. |
Back to Contents |
| * fring Brings mVoIP Application for Nokia S60 3rd Edition Handsets Original news source |
| fring is a free, PC-independent, downloadable mobile phone application that enables anyone with a compatible handset to talk and chat for free. fring users calling over 3G mobile networks use only the data within their existing subscription agreement and are not charged for air time. fring can also be used over Wi-Fi at home, in the office or at the many “hot spot” cafes making mobile calls completely free. fring is mobile-operator independent and is available by SMS invitation from a fring user or by registering at www.fring.com. |
| * Opera 9 goes mobile Original news source |
| Opera Software announced plans to upgrade mobile Web browsing by developing Opera 9 for mobile phones in all major platforms. The upcoming Opera Mobile edition includes the latest in PC browsing features such as Widgets and Intelligent Zoom. |
Back to Contents |
| * Get Your Mobile Phone Ready for Free Internet Calls in Seconds, With a New Feature From Challenger mobile Original news source |
| Challenger mobile, pioneering global telecom service, has introduced a feature that dramatically shortens its sign up process: instant configuration via text message. When customers have completed their quick, one-page online registration and activated their account they immediately receive all the settings they need to start using the service -- straight into their mobile handset.
The new feature, released less than 3 months after the service's initial beta launch, is part of Challenger mobile's planned strategy to make free global telephony more readily available to people with a mobile phone that supports internet calls. The sign up process is a quick job in three easy steps, leaving the customer with a service that allows free mobile internet calls worldwide (i.e. calls routed via the internet, from one internet enabled mobile phone to another) whenever they are in a WiFi zone. Challenger mobile works on phones that support internet calls, such as the Nokia Eseries. |
| Bank of America Introduces Mobile Banking Original news source |
| Bank of America Online Banking customers will be able to use their cell phones and smartphones when they're on-the-go to check account balances, pay bills and transfer money with the launch of secure mobile banking, the bank announced. Bank of America's free mobile banking service, delivers more convenience and control to customers by providing secure access to their banking information anywhere, anytime. The bank is launching the service in Tennessee beginning in March and will roll mobile banking out to markets across the country through mid-year. |
| Cyphermint Upgrades Customers to Enhanced Mobile Web Wallet Original news source |
| Cyphermint, Inc., provider of global electronic payment, integration and eCommerce infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce that it has released the PayCash Mobile Wallet, an upgrade of its PC based wallet, to a enhanced web based solution. Cyphermint is currently in the process of converting its 20,000 US Wallet users and its 6,000,000 worldwide users to the new PayCash Mobile Wallet, which can be accessed by any web enabled mobile device worldwide.
The upgrade frees consumers from having to be at an Internet terminal in order to pay bills, send money or shop online. PayCash Mobile is the ideal solution for the quickly expanding remittance market. It creates an opportunity for financial institutions and remittances companies to tap into the rapidly growing un-banked immigrant market that traditionally sends money back home. |
| Digital Cyclone and Mayo Clinic Turn Mobile Phones Into a First Aid Kit Original news source |
| Digital Cyclone, Inc., a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd., and Mayo Clinic have launched a software application that delivers an array of health information and tools directly to cellular phones. The Mayo Clinic InTouch wireless health program will be available in February on Alltel Wireless, Sprint, and other major carriers' wireless phones. Using Mayo Clinic InTouch, wireless phone subscribers have a rich health resource directly on their phone. A few keystrokes give consumers immediate access to
Step-by-step first aid tips; A Symptom Checker that provides self-care guidelines or advises
emergency care for more than 45 common symptoms in adults and children; More than 100 short health news videos; Timely health alerts and drug watches. In addition, subscribers may enter their city or zip code to search for nearby emergency and urgent care facilities from a list of over 3,800 accredited providers. If the cell phone has global positioning system (GPS) capability, it automatically finds the nearest accredited facility without typing the city or zip code. |
| Discover Network and Motorola Announce Mobile Payments and Account Management Trial Original news source |
| Discover Financial Services, a business unit of Morgan Stanley , and Motorola Inc. announced the launch of a mobile payments and account management trial that enables participants to check their Discover Card account balances, review payment history, and make purchases using their mobile phones in place of a traditional plastic credit card.
The pilot project is being conducted by Discover Network, a division of Discover Financial Services, and Motorola, and involves up to 1,000 participants with Discover Card accounts and multiple merchants in the Chicago and Salt Lake City areas. The pilot uses Motorola phones and its “M-Wallet” software, with Motorola’s system integration and hosting services enabling the solution. It is designed to test the entire infrastructure associated with accessing real time account information over the air, as well as the use of near field communications (NFC) technology, which is required for consumers to make payments using their cellular devices. |
Back to Contents |
| Yahoo! Launches Mobile Display Advertisements in 19 Countries Original news source |
| Yahoo! Inc. launched its mobile display advertising platform on the company's Yahoo! Mobile Web service in 19 countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas instantly enabling advertisers to reach consumers around the globe on their mobile phones. This worldwide launch demonstrates Yahoo!'s continued focus on extending our leadership in display advertising and intension to be number one in mobile monetization. |
| Encyclopaedia Britannica Selects AskMeNow to Launch Mobile Encyclopedia Original news source |
AskMeNow Inc., specialist in intelligent mobile search, and Encyclopaedia Britannica,
Inc. announced the
launch of a mobile encyclopedia. Users can now access one of the most respected
reference sources through a simple text message to ASKME.
Virtually any customer of a mobile carrier can now text in a query on information covered by
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, and AskMeNow will search more than 28,000 Britannica
articles to return results within moments. Users can also signup to receive Britannica Mobile
Dailies, daily topical features sent directly to their mobile phones free of charge via
AskMeNow, such as Biography of the Day, Quote of the Day, and This Day in History. |
| * Google Introduces New Business Version of Popular Hosted Applications Original news source |
| Google Inc. introduced Google Apps Premier Edition, a new version of Google’s hosted services for communication and collaboration designed for businesses of all sizes. Google Apps Premier Edition is available for $50 per user account per year, and includes phone support, additional storage, and a new set of administration and business integration capabilities. Google Apps Premier Edition now joins Google Apps Standard Edition and Google Apps Education Edition, both of which will continue to be offered for free to organizations. In addition, Google Apps now supports Gmail for mobile on BlackBerry handheld devices. Gmail for mobile devices provides the same Gmail experience – such as search, conversation view and synchronization with desktop version – on BlackBerry handheld devices for users of Google Apps. Gmail for mobile devices joins a list of other mobile options for Google Apps and BlackBerry users that already includes a Google Talk client and a variety of calendar sync tools. |
| Shout Postcard Now Available for Palm Treos Original news source |
The Me Inc. mobile
division of The SCO Group, Inc. ("SCO") , provider
of mobile services, announced the availability of the free trial
version of Shout Postcard, a new mobile service that lets users quickly and
easily share life's experiences on-the-go through photos, text and voice.
Designed initially for Palm Treo smart phones, Shout Postcard features a
colorful, easy-to-use interface that helps users quickly combine a photo, a
recorded audio message up to a minute long, and text to create a
personalized, multimedia postcard that can then be sent to family, friends,
co-workers and social networks. Shout Postcard includes many unique
features that integrate with Palm Treo phones based on the Palm OS
platform. |
| * Wall Street Journal Online Partners With mdog.com to Launch Latest WSJ.com Mobile Edition Original news source |
| The Wall Street Journal Online announced a new mobile web version of WSJ.com, powered by the mdog.com mobile platform. WSJ.com, the largest paid subscription news site on the Web, is now available for all web-enabled mobile devices and smartphones both through the native WSJ.com site and through the mdog.com mobile portal. |
| Nielsen Business Media Partners with mdog.com to Power Its Mobile Web Sites Original news source |
| Nielsen Business Media announced that its top web sites, including HollywoodReporter.com, Billboard.com, Adweek.com, and Backstage.com, have been mobilized using the mdog.com technology platform. From breaking news articles and story archives to contact directories and casting notices, on-the-go readers can now access alternatively-formatted versions of these sites using any web-enabled mobile device. |
Back to Contents |
| Visto Corporation Secures $35 Million Original news source |
| Visto Corporation, independent provider of mobile email, announced the completion of its last round of financing with an additional $35 million investment from Altitude Capital Partners, LLC. The funds will be used to accelerate Visto’s continued worldwide growth, extend its product portfolio, and protect its foundational intellectual property. This investment is in addition to the $51 million announced in September, and completes the financing at $86 million. |
| LogicaCMG announces £265 million sale of Telecoms Products Original news source |
| LogicaCMG announces the conclusion of a sales process for its Telecoms Products division (“the Business”) with the divestment of the Business to an investment consortium led by Atlantic Bridge Ventures. This transaction reflects LogicaCMG’s strategic focus in developing as a major international IT and business services company. Telecoms Products is a leading provider of converged mobile messaging (SMS, multimedia messaging and voicemail services) and payments solutions to service providers and telecoms operators worldwide. |
| LaNetro Zed Acquires Majority Stake in MonsterMob Original news source |
| LaNetro Zed announces that its offer of £34 million to acquire a majority shareholding in MonsterMob Group PLC has been approved with 83% of the votes in favour. The agreement will mean LaNetro Zed and Monstermob will together become the largest company in the Mobile Value-Added Services (MVAS) market in terms of revenue. The enlarged company is now operating in 31 countries around the world employing 1,200 staff. |
Openwave Acquires Widerweb Original news source |
| Openwave Systems Inc., independent provider of software solutions for the communications and media industries, announced that it has completed the acquisition of WiderWeb Limited, a leading developer of mobile web access solutions. The acquisition provides Openwave with an open internet browsing solution that re-formats web content for mobile phones in a highly optimized, compressed and standards-based XHTML/MP format, opening up access to the entire Internet on mass market mobile devices. The purchase consideration consists of $5M in cash and a potential $4M contingent earn-out. |
| Mozes Secures $5 Million Original news source |
| Mozes, Inc., a start-up allowing anyone to create and manage text message-based mobile campaigns and promotions, announced it has secured $5 million in first-round funding from Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) and North Bridge Venture Partners. Mozes' funding will be used to drive music industry awareness and adoption, as well as market expansion initiatives for the Mozes service. The Mozes service is currently in beta. |
| Buongiorno Strengthens its Marketing Services Business Line Acquiring HotSMS Original news source |
| Buongiorno SpA, multinational operating in the market of digital entertainment, announced the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of HotSMS BV, an Amsterdam-based prominent player in the mobile advertising and marketing arena.
The company runs successful, international marketing campaigns for blue-chip brands and strives for continuous growth in advertising and marketing services. This acquisition follows the decision of Buongiorno to put in place a new central structure with the aim of consolidating and enhancing its competitiveness in the Digital Marketing Services. The acquisition was carried out by the new sub-holding Buongiorno Marketing Services Netherland BV, in which all Marketing Services activities of the Group converged. |
| Mobixell Networks and Adamind Sign a Merger Agreement Original news source |
| Mobixell, provider of innovative mobile multimedia solutions, and Adamind, a global supplier of media adaptation software for the mobile messaging (MMS), content, and convergence services markets, announce that an agreement has been signed on the terms of sale of Adamind's assets to Mobixell. Mobixell intends to merge Adamind’s products and technologies to form a powerful market leader in the Mobile Multimedia domain.
Adamind’s assets to be sold to Mobixell include intellectual property, software, and contracts with customers and suppliers relating to the development, marketing, and sale of all Adamind’s transcoding and Mobile Multimedia software (the "MediaSpire" product family). In addition, the majority of the Adamind's employees will become employees of Mobixell.
|
| Sony Ericsson unveils plans for opening up UIQ Original news source |
| Sony Ericsson held a media and analyst briefing to issue an open invitation to phone vendors to become shareholders in UIQ Technology AB following Sony Ericsson’s acquisition of the Swedish software company from Symbian Ltd on February 2. UIQ Technology AB licenses the UIQ user interface framework and application suite to phone vendors. At the briefing Sony Ericsson President Miles Flint said that UIQ will remain an independent company and that phone vendors are invited to license UIQ as well as become shareholders in the company. |
Back to Contents |
| ABI Research: Mobile Content Goldrush at 3GSM Original news source |
| At the 3GSM Congress in Barcelona, it was possible to hear a whistling noise as the mobile operators scrambled past each other to reach mobile content providers, and it is not hard to find out why. Data-heavy mobile content services will be key to their future success.3G subscribers are providing a much-needed shot in the arm for mobile operators, because they deliver an average revenue per user (ARPU) that is 5% to 20% percent greater than the average. For many operators, the period 2Q-2004 to 2Q-2006 proved challenging, as competition pushed down on ARPU but the additional revenue streams from non-voice applications failed to compensate. |
Back to Contents |
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
wblog) wrote,
