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Press Releases
Telmap’s latest patented technologies boost mobile location applications development and search functionality
Nov 11th
Telmap, the world leader in mobile location solutions, today announces the availability of two new patented technologies, which will improve the application design process for developers and search experience. The approval of these patents proves once again that Telmap is at the forefront of location related innovation.
The first patent exclusively makes native mobile operating systems’ functions accessible for mobile application developers. Native functions are those that are unique to a specific mobile operating system, such as Windows Mobile, Symbian, BREW, etc. Previously, developers using platform-independent programming languages were unable to embed native functions into their applications because access to the native functions was often not supported by the programming languages’ standard APIs. This meant that an application could not be written entirely in the platform-independent programming language. Telmap’s patented technology resolves this access problem so now the native functions are accessible to developers using such programming languages, enabling mobile applications that provide a richer user experience and enhanced features and capabilities that can be designed more easily and quickly, across different operating systems.
The second patented technology is a geometry-based search engine, which uses an algorithm to optimize search engines for navigation systems. It is specifically designed to improve the mobile navigation search-related experience, whereby the results of a search query automatically provides associated information to the user. For example, a user can enter a query as free text then receive a number of location-related informational options, such as the requested map location or recommended driving routes. This new technology minimizes the amount of input the user should enter while also increasing the tolerance to spelling mistakes and data entry errors. It also makes the integration of many data layers (i.e., search for streets, cities, parks, Points of Interest etc.) possible, and enables the user to search for a location, based on its proximity to another location.
These two patents, integrated into Telmap’s solution, reinforce Telmap’s commitment to expand industry openness by providing tools for both developers and end-users; tools that will make the development and usage of location-based application and services seamless, smooth and as intuitive as possible.
“These new patented innovations once again prove Telmap’s technological leadership and its significant role in advancing navigation as well as other location based applications, making them more accessible and useful to the end-user.” said Telmap’s CEO Oren Nissim. “It is another step in our journey to leverage the unique attributes of mobile devices to develop services and experiences that best serve people while on the go.”
Mobile Device with Local Server: United States Patent number: US 7,568,203 B2
Geometry-based Search Engine for Navigation Systems: United States Patent number: US 7,574,428 B2
Operator 3UK Is First To Launch Flexion Discovery In The UK
Nov 10th
Accumulate UK Limited, the company that provides flexible pricing and retailing solutions for mobile retailers, today launches it latest release of Flexion with 3UK. The operator has successfully been using Flexion for its Try’n'Buy and preload programmes and will now extend the use to all its new games and top titles on Planet 3.
This release of Flexion will not only provide flexible pricing but also includes a fully dynamic store front with every wrapped game. This new feature – Flexion Discovery – will let the operator distribute its games shop with every downloaded or preloaded game.
The idea with Discovery is to make it easier for consumers to access new games directly on their devices and to increase the retailer’s reach through maximised distribution of the store. This drives increased uptake and penetration of games and reduces the dependence on traditional on-deck promotion. Flexion Discovery contextualises promotion to the point in time where it makes the most sense – promoting games to customers when they are actually playing.
Accumulate’s MD Jens Lauritzson comments: “3UK was the first operator to launch Flexion in the UK and we have seen great results from it so far – upgrading them to Flexion Discovery was a natural next step. We believe it will help 3UK to significantly increase games distribution and uptake as this release effectively opens up a new store front. We also look forward to enabling Flexion Discovery within 3UK’s preload programme, where the current Flexion wrapper is already driving a significant contribution towards overall games revenues. With the release of Flexion Discovery we expect to grow even further.”
The service is available now on Planet 3 and is fully integrated with Buongiorno who provides and manages the games service for 3UK.
Jens Lauritzson concludes: “On-device portals have become increasingly popular with operators and device manufacturers, but they are often costly and difficult to support. We believe Flexion Discovery is the ultimate solution as it can be distributed to most devices with any game. We are obviously delighted that we can continue to push the boundaries of games retailing together with 3UK and Buongiorno.”
Nimbuzz launches low-cost international calling!
Nov 10th
Nimbuzz, the new-generation mobile VoIP operator, has today announced the launch of NimbuzzOut, offering great value international calls at the lowest possible rates, to complement its multi award-winning mobile application offering free VoIP calls, SIP calls and social IM aggregation.
From today, NimbuzzOut Credits will be available for purchase at www.nimbuzzout.com, enabling users to save up to 95% on the cost of a traditional international mobile call.
Nimbuzz’ free to download, free to use mobile IM and VoIP application, launched in May 2008, already enables millions of users worldwide to enjoy free calls and instant messaging with friends across both its own network, and users’ favourite online social communities (Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk (Orkut), AIM, Facebook, MySpace and many more)
The launch of NimbuzzOut, starting with Symbian, iPhone and iPod Touch handsets and rolling out to others later this year, adds great value and great quality calling from mobiles on 3G or Wi-Fi to any other mobile or landline worldwide.
Nimbuzz technology has pioneered next-generation mobile calling, with over 3million Nimbuzz calls made every single week! NimbuzzOut represents the company’s first revenue-generating feature, launched in direct response to user requests of whom 69% recently surveyed* said they expect to use mobile VoIP more than ever in the coming 12 months.
NimbuzzOut comes at a time of phenomenal growth for Nimbuzz, with more than 10million registrations of the application since launch, a current growth rate of more than a million new registrations each month (that’s a new Nimbuzz user every 3 seconds!), a daily active user base of over 30% and an international user footprint covering every corner of the globe.
Nimbuzz founder & CEO, Evert-Jaap Lugt said of the NimbuzzOut launch: “High value, high quality voice calling is positioned at the heart of our value proposition, making NimbuzzOut the most natural commercial extension of our product. This offers fantastic value to our users, especially those who wish to communicate regularly with friends and family abroad at the lowest possible prices. This is all part of our strategy to give Nimbuzz users control of their mobile lives and the freedom they want and deserve.”
Adopting a standard pay-as-you-go model, NimbuzzOut credits will be sold in bundles of 10, 20 and 40 Dollars or Euros. Users can learn more and check call savings per country via the rate calculator on the Nimbuzz web and wap sites.
ZAIN chooses AIRCOM to boost 2G and 3G in Nigeria
Nov 9th
AIRCOM International, the leading independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, today announced that it has been chosen by ZAIN Nigeria to manage the operator’s transformation services project for its 2G and 3G networks. AIRCOM will provide consultancy that will improve network performance and boost the quality of mobile voice and data services for Zain’s subscribers.
As part of the agreement, AIRCOM consultants will audit the performance of ZAIN’s 2G and 3G networks, in order to reach agreed key performance indicators (KPI). The AIRCOM team will also play a pivotal role in helping the ZAIN management team with its ongoing business strategy, as well as assisting with CAPEX optimisation and OPEX reduction plans, estimated to save circa £6m during 2010 alone.
“ZAIN Nigeria’s main priority is to provide the best, most effective and most efficient mobile service to its customers, at the most affordable tariff,” said John Farhat, CTO at ZAIN Nigeria. “Following AIRCOM’s successful service project with ZAIN Saudi Arabia earlier this year, we’re delighted to welcome AIRCOM’s trusted team of experts on board. AIRCOM’s expertise is invaluable in attaining and exceeding network KPIs for both our 2G and 3G services, to boost the performance of network in the most cost-effective way possible, and so maintain our market leadership for mobile services in Nigeria.”
“Having already successfully worked with ZAIN in both Ghana and Saudi Arabia, we welcomed the opportunity to develop our relationship further by extending our support to ZAIN in Nigeria.” said Graham Kemp, MD Africa. “Our ongoing relationship with ZAIN and the positive results we deliver in terms of cost savings and network quality are testament to AIRCOM’s ability to maximise a mobile operator’s existing infrastructure assets – which will in turn deliver a more positive mobile user experience for ZAIN subscribers.”
Show Us Your Stuff! MSearchGroove Holds London MEET MSG DAY to Connect With Companies, Agencies, Brands & Start-Ups
Nov 3rd
MSearchGroove, the source of analysis and commentary on mobile advertising, mobile search and social media, today announces the first “Meet MSG Day” to be held on November 5th in central London. The event will provide an opportunity to connect with Peggy Anne Salz, mobile thought leader and MSearchGroove Founder and Chief Analyst, and learn about upcoming opportunities with MSearchGroove.
Taking place at Villandry, an elegant French restaurant located on Great Portland Street in the heart of London, the MSearchGroove team will welcome an eclectic mix of vendors, enablers and agencies including Adfonic, Alcatel-Lucent, comScore, Netsize and Smaato, to name a few. Attendees will have the opportunity to brief MSearchGroove on their company offering, in addition to learning about upcoming opportunities such as MobileAd World Focus, a mobile advertising business ecosystem eBook, and new media solutions that provide unprecedented access to industry executives and influencers. Other sponsorship opportunities available include a choice of media solutions, such as podcasts, webinars and branded microsites called “Briefing Rooms’.
Created in partnership with Convergence World, MobileAd World Focus is endorsed by leading global mobile organisations including the Association for Interactive Media & Entertainment (AIME), the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF), the Mobile Data Association (MDA) and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA). The eBook, which will be available from a global network of media partners, aims to educate the marketplace on the mobile advertising opportunity, highlight growth opportunities and expertly document the best practices that make business sense.
Chapters will cover a wide range of topics, including:
• The pivotal importance of engagement and social media marketing
• The tools/technologies available (SMS, MMS, idle screen, mobile coupons, 2D barcodes, sponsored mobile search, location-awareness and multi-modal interfaces) and the business objectives they can achieve.
• The role of mobile analytics to measure success, or failure
• The new opportunities around app stores and branded content storefronts
• The potential for Augmented Reality in mobile marketing campaigns
The work has the broad support of the mobile industry. Paul Palmieri, President and CEO of Millennial Media, the largest and fastest growing mobile advertising networks company in the U.S, is the first member of the MobileAd World Focus advisory board. Additional appointments will be announced in the next weeks.
Limited appointments are still available and companies should contact MSearchGroove’s Stuart Willett to reserve an appointment.
About MSearchGroove
At the intersection of content and context
Peggy Anne Salz is the Chief Analyst and Founder of MSearchGroove (MSG), an online network specializing in analysis and commentary on mobile search, mobile advertising, and social media. Her drive to spark debate about issues impacting the industry at all levels has won her international recognition as a brave new voice in the mobile content market. Her report, “Mobile Search & Content Discovery,” was regarded as the first in-depth study of its kind, establishing Peggy as an authority on mobile search and content discovery technologies, enabling media companies and mobile operators to monetize content and services. Her most recent series of practical how-to white papers covers the basics of mobile advertising and mobile analytics, earning her a reputation as a leading mobile advertising expert. She has established a successful writing and consulting career based on vision, insight, versatility, and more than 15 years of industry experience. For more information, please visit www.msearchgroove.com.
About Convergence World
Convergence World has expertly documented news and developments in the telecommunications and IT industries since 2004. After building a loyal following in the global operator community, its broke new ground in 2007 when it launched a fully-interactive online magazine. Today their readership relies upon its commentary to keep informed on the latest happenings in the telecommunications and IT industries. For more information, please visit www.mcubedigital.com .
More than 3 Million SIM Cards Activated by Evolving Systems’ Dynamic SIM Allocation™ as Solution Gathers Momentum
Nov 3rd
Evolving Systems, Inc. (NasdaqCM-EVOL), a leading provider of software solutions and services to the wireless, wireline and cable markets, today announced that the company’s pioneering Dynamic SIM Allocation™ solution has activated more than 3 million prepaid SIM cards worldwide, underlying its success in delivering a compelling alternative to the traditional pre-provisioning model.
“Evolving Systems’ Dynamic SIM Allocation solution not only provides significant cost savings by simplifying the SIM supply chain and optimising network capacity, it can also be a new revenue stream for operators looking to enhance the customer experience and provide a competitive edge” said Stuart Cochran, CTO of Evolving Systems. “By allowing for a massive increase in SIM card supply, without the normal costs and complexity, operators benefit from a more flexible supply chain, quicker launch of tariffs and other promotions, better utilisation of numbers, differentiation through number selection and more effective dealers.”
“Three of our Dynamic SIM Allocation solution customers are already in production, including Telefónica Móviles México and MTN South Africa, with the remaining African and Southeast Asian operators due to go live next year,” commented Thad Dupper, President and CEO of Evolving Systems. “Dynamic SIM Allocation provides a simple, efficient and cost-effective solution helping operators make better use of network capacity and build a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace. Our rapidly expanding customer base highlights the solution’s appeal to wireless operators worldwide.”
Bemoko brings the Doha Tribeca Film Festival to mobile phones
Oct 29th
UK-based mobile web experts, bemoko Ltd, have used the bemokoLive mobile development platform to create the mobile website for this year’s Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) which begins today.
Optimised to work with any mobile phone, the Doha Tribeca Film Festival mobile website will be live for the duration of the event and for 12 months afterwards. Mat Diss, founder of bemoko said: “;From the mobile website you can watch trailers for films on your phone, find out where and when films are being screened and create your own personalised festival agenda. Content is taken from the DTFF blog, twitter stream and flickr feeds, enabling visitors to keep up to date with all the latest news and reviews, wherever they are.”
The site was created using bemokoLive, a unique development platform that lets web designers create mobile sites quickly and easily using standard XHTML. Because bemokoLive recognises the characteristics of a phone visiting a web site, the site will display on any mobile phone regardless of operating system or screen size. This removes the need to write mobile sites for each type of phone, meaning mobile websites can be live for a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods of creating sites for mobile.
As VIP guests at DTFF will be receiving iPod Touch devices which link to the mobile website, bemoko has used the powerful features of the bemokoLive platform to easily create a feature-rich version of the mobile site for iPhone and iPod touch users without having to write the entire site again for the iPhone. Special features for the iPhone version of the site include ‘Apple style’ sliding page transitions, film trailer carousels and touch sensitive maps with pinch zoom and touch scrolling.
DTFF Executive Director Amanda Palmer said, “The website is a great tool for visitors to take part in cultural exchanges of ideas and to engage with groundbreaking filmmakers. To be able to do this from any mobile phone is a huge advantage to our many visitors who will come from all over the World.”
Mat Diss continued: “The Doha Tribeca Film Festival has recognised the power of the mobile Internet as a tool that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of which make or model of phone they have. bemokoLive means that visitors can experience a multimedia experience on their phone that compliments the event.”
-ends-
About Doha Tribeca Film Festival
From October 29 to November 1, 2009, filmmakers and shakers from around the world will be welcomed to the stunning festival hub, at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA). In this launch year, DTFF is curating a program slate of 30 feature films, highlighting internationally acclaimed Arab films, plus the best of Hollywood, Bollywood, family films, documentaries, animation and world cinema.
DTFF is a unique partnership between Qatar Museum Authority (QMA) and New York’s Tribeca Film Festival. On QMA’s side is Chair, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QMA’s CEO Abdulla Al Najjar and DTFF Executive Director Amanda Palmer. On Tribeca’s side, are the festival founders, acclaimed Hollywood producer Jane Rosenthal, entrepreneur Craig Hatkoff, and actor, Robert De Niro.
Visit http://dtff.bemoko.com
Samsung and Handmark Announce New Global Venture Fund Driving Innovation in Mobile Game Development for Samsung Application Store
Oct 27th
Samsung Electronics, a leader in consumer electronics and information technology, and Handmark®, a world-leading creator and distributor of mobile applications and services, today announced the launch of a new Global Venture Fund to invest in companies and/or individuals with innovative, market-changing game ideas for next generation Samsung mobile phones. Companies and/or individuals selected will receive up to $250,000 each to fund the development of winning ideas.
The fund will be managed by Handmark out of its Kansas City and London offices in partnership with Samsung Electronics. The companies are searching for games that best showcase Samsung mobile phones and the advanced features they offer. Both current and new content ideas are encouraged, taking timing and cost into consideration.
“We know there’s a wealth of great ideas out there waiting to be discovered,” said Chris Barnett, senior vice president of Global Sales and Strategic Partnerships for Handmark. “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone, including big brands, mobile developers or any individual with a unique, creative idea to make it a reality.”
“Samsung recognizes the importance of content and applications for today’s mobile phone users,” said Ho Soo Lee, executive vice president for Samsung Electronics’ Media Solution Center. “We are pleased to broaden our partnership with Handmark to help lead the Global Venture Fund, using their expertise to support us capturing great ideas and raise the standard of mobile innovation.”
In addition to funding those selected, Handmark will also provide assistance with development, testing and certification, as well as distribution of the application through the Samsung Application Store.
To submit a proposal or for more information, visit www.handmark.com/company/samsungfund. The deadline for entries is November 20, 2009 at 5 PM CT.
New SMS alert service for football fans integrates web flexibility and management options
Oct 27th
SMS news alert service matchalert launched today, aimed at those dedicated football fans who want to keep up with their team when they’re out and about but have so far been frustrated by SMS services that are inflexible, unmanageable, or simply too expensive.
matchalert’s advantage is that it combines the convenience of SMS alerts with the flexibility and sophistication of web-based subscription management. In a ‘first’ for football SMS alert services, users can customise their alerts via the matchalert website, as well as stopping the service altogether via the usual ‘stop’ text message.
SMS alert services have, historically, been very blunt tools, says Hreinn Gústavsson, CEO of Stokkur Software, the Icelandic company responsible for matchalert.
“SMS alerts have been very ‘binary’, either ‘on’ or ‘off’ – so customers were either getting SMS news alerts or they weren’t. They weren’t able to customise the content or frequency, or they needed to keep very careful track of exactly which services they’d subscribed to. And, on the occasions when people made mistakes with SMS services, or forgot they were signing up to continuous messages and ended up with a large bill, the whole concept took a lot of flak, as it did with the Crazy Frog ringtone mess,” he said.
“matchalert is different; our users can manage all their alerts from our website, making it user-friendly and flexible. Better still, more people using smartphones and flat-rate data tariffs can browse to our site from their mobile handset to adjust their service settings.”
“SMS is still a great way for everyone to receive alerts, but it’s never been a good mechanism for users to manage their alert service. matchalert brings the two worlds together, and we think we’re the first service to do that,” he added.
Users of the matchalert service can choose from a range of options, including:
• to receive only the final score, resulting in a cheaper service (only one SMS per game)
• to subscribe to a whole league, meaning that with one click the user will receive notifications of all goals and/or final scores from that league
• to follow a wide range of leagues and teams, including the Barclays Premiership, the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League. Subscription to a particular team means the user receives alerts for that team across all competitions
Each SMS alert costs a user 25 pence, plus standard network charges. Users are limited to receiving a maximum of 18 text messages per week. SMS delivery is provided by mkodo.
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