Music Royalty Negotiations Shift to FM Radio in Mobile Phones
By Jason Ankeny
The Consumer Electronics Association is lashing out at a proposal from the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Association of Broadcasters that would mandate mobile device manufacturers to integrate FM radio chips into all wireless phones manufactured and sold in the U.S.
The proposal is the latest chapter in a long-running dispute between terrestrial radio broadcasters and the recording industry over music royalties, with the NAB battling the RIAA's push to require radio stations to pay labels and performers for the right to broadcast their songs. Existing U.S. laws demand radio stations pay royalties to songwriters, but not labels or artists--broadcasters contend that radio airplay provides free promotion and drives music purchases and concert ticket sales, but with CD sales in steep decline, the RIAA is exploring new revenue alternatives.
Although both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Judiciary Committees have passed bills that would award labels and artists a share of radio advertising revenues generated by playing their music, legislation has stalled in the face of overwhelming opposition from the NAB.
Broadcasters, looking to expand their audience reach, have now proposed a new settlement, agreeing to pay the RIAA around $100 million in annual royalties on the condition that lawmakers mandate the inclusion of FM radio chips in mobile phones and other portable devices. Congress is expected to act on the proposal sometime this fall. "Nothing is locked down just yet, but we're on the precipice of an historic breakthrough," RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol told the Associated Press.
"This is two old-media industries attacking the new wireless broadband industry," said Consumers Electronics Association head Gary Shapiro. "We don't think Congress should accept a back-room deal on how an iPhone should be designed. We think consumers should choose and companies should choose." Jot Carpenter, vice president of government affairs for wireless industry trade organization CTIA, states there is "not a huge desire [among consumers] to listen to over-the-air, ad-laden radio" on mobile devices, adding there is scarce demand for phones with FM radio chips. [FierceMobileContent]
Orange Introduces Twitter Photo Sharing via MMS
By Jason Ankeny
European operator Orange announced an agreement with microblogging giant Twitter to enable subscribers to send and receive Twitter updates directly from their phones via text messaging--according to Orange, it is also the first mobile carrier to enable Twitter photo uploads and sharing via MMS.
Orange notes that customers will be able to update their own tweets, send direct messages to other Twitter users and receive alerts on Twitter activity through SMS--all alerts will be available free, with uploads included either in subscribers' bundles or charged at the usual data rate. In addition, users can post their photos to Orange UK's Snapshot photo-sharing site, which automatically posts the link directly to Twitter in a tweet and enables followers to add comments.
Twitter also will join Facebook, MySpace and Bebo as part of Orange's Social Life social media aggregator, accessible via the Orange World portal. Social Life enables subscribers to view and post updates and get in touch with contacts across all four social networks at the same time via single log-in. [FierceMobileContent]
Three-Quarters of the World’s Messages Sent by Mobile
Emerging markets drive mobile communication.
Worldwide communication in the future will be done through mobile devices.
According to TNS Global, 74% of the world’s digital messages were sent through a mobile device in January 2009, a 15% increase over the previous year.
In emerging markets, the trend is even more dramatic; nine out of 10 messages are sent via mobile. Some of the growth can be attributed to mobile instant messaging. Thirteen percent of all mobile subscribers used the feature, but 41% of smartphone users did so.
Other increases in mobile usage can be attributed to the abandonment of fixed-line telephones.
“As mobile devices slowly take away usage share from fixed services in developed markets, in emerging markets consumers are more likely to by-pass fixed communications altogether and go straight to mobiles,” said Sam Curtis of TNS.
As for developed countries, the PC e-mail remains the most popular message method, but its use is waning.
In Japan, 40 out of 100 e-mails sent are from a mobile device. In North America, 69% of those using e-mail on their mobile phone use it daily, high compared with 43% worldwide. The trend will increase, TNS says, as smartphones such as the popular iPhone enter the marketplace and gain share. [eMarketer]
Fifty-four Percent Say They Don't Want or Need Mobile Video
By Jason Ankeny
Seventy nine percent of subscribers still use their mobile phones primarily as a channel to communicate via voice, text and email, with 54 percent indicating their don't want or need mobile video services, according to a new consumer study issued by global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing firm Accenture. Fourteen percent of users surveyed contend mobile services are too expensive, and 9 percent add that video-enabled handsets are too expensive as well. When asked if the availability of mobile content would drive them to upgrade their mobile data plan to include video services, 70 percent replied "to a very little extent."
Other findings of the Accenture report:
- The percentage of consumers watching video on a mobile phone rose from 12 percent in late 2007 to 14 percent in late 2008.
- The percentage of consumers accessing the mobile web rose from 8 percent in 2007 to 23 percent in 2008.
- About a third of respondents indicate web browsing is one of their top three favorite mobile applications.
- Almost 25 percent indicate listening to music on their mobile phone browsing is one of their top three favorite mobile applications.
Although consumers are reluctant to embrace multimedia on their mobile phones, Accenture reports a growing number of respondents are embracing new forms of digital entertainment: Baby Boomers ages 45 and up are increasingly playing videogames on the go and listening to music via MP3 player, although they remain far behind Generation Y in actual usage. In addition, Boomers are adapting to new digital platforms like blogging, social networking and Internet video, but remain far behind younger generations. [FierceMobileContent]
Samsung Integrates Shazam Music Discovery App
By Jason Ankeny
Mobile music discovery provider Shazam Entertainment announced a partnership with Samsung to embed its song identification application into Samsung devices including the latest Beat b M3510 and the Beat s M3200.
The Shazam app enables users to identify music from any audio source by holding their mobiles to the song for a few seconds--after pinpointing the track in question, Shazam offers premium downloads via the operator's dedicated music store. T-Mobile is the first operator to integrate its music storefront with Samsung's new music phones.
Last week, Shazam Entertainment announced its free iPhone application has been downloaded by more than 1.5 million users in the first six weeks since its debut on Apple's App Store. The iPhone app also enables users to screen related videos on YouTube as well as tag identified tracks with photos and share memories with friends.
According to Shazam, iPhone owners have identified 20 million tracks in the last two months. Shazam was also featured in a recent FierceDeveloper web exclusive feature spotlighting five free iPhone applications you should download. [FierceMobileContent]
Top Five Digital & Mobile Music Deals
By Joseph Weisenthal
As we gear up for Tuesday’s EconMusic conference in London, we’ve assembled a list of the top five recent music deals by size. Given the tremors in the music industry, it should come as no surprise that the deals—both in size and kind—are quite varied by sector, as players look for exits and felicitous combinations.
-- Sony-Sony BMG, $1.2 Billion, 8/5/08: The biggest deal of the lot, a doubling down on the traditional record label business. That Sony (NYSE: SNE) would eventually buy back Bertelsmann’s 50 percent stake in Sony BMG was a matter of “when” and “at what price,” but not “if.” The ticket price came as a bit of a surprise following weak results at the unit just a week earlier.
-- CBS-Last.fm, $280 Million, 5/30/07: The next biggest deal is the biggest “Web2.0"-ish acquisition. The sale represented a large exit for the UK music site, whose popular social discovery service lacked anything resembling a real business model. It also marked a key moment in CBS’ (NYSE: CBS) M&A-based digital strategy, culminating this past summer with the purchase of CNET.
-- Bennett Coleman & Co.-Virgin Radio; $106 million; 6/1/2008: The parent company of the Times of India newspaper reached outside its borders and its traditional industry with this deal. Virgin Radio was an early online adopter, broadcasting over the internet in 1996. The powerful Virgin brand name was not part of the deal, so Bennett said it would spend $30 million on a rebranding campaign.
-- Nokia-Twango; $100 million; 7/23/07: Twango who? Nokia (NYSE: NOK) spent $100 million for social media sharing platform Twango (think: a basic YouTube/Flickr combo), in an effort to build out its online services business. Not surprisingly, given the lack of significant Twango brand value and Nokia’s drive to create its own umbrella brand, the service joined Nokia’s music download service and N-Gage gaming platform as part of Ovi.
-- Nokia-Loudeye; $60 Million; 8/9/06: Following hot on the heels of Twango, Nokia’s next acquisition helped it hone in more directly on mobile music. Loudeye rode the hype waves but couldn’t thrive on its own, restructuring multiple times before ultimately selling out. Although Loudeye was involved in online music, this deal was really about mobile. The two companies had worked together for a few years before they decided to officially mesh. [paidContent.org]
Mobile Gaming Growing Worldwide
Gamers psyched about fancy handsets
Games played on mobile phones will generate $3.4 billion worldwide by 2012, according to Screen Digest. The research company also predicted that North America would pass Asia-Pacific in 2009 as the largest mobile gaming market.
Screen Digest said the iPhone would drive mobile gaming revenues to more than $1.5 billion in North America in 2012, up from $930.5 million this year.
Other companies have made even more aggressive projections for the world mobile gaming market. Gartner Dataquest predicted in June 2008 that mobile gaming would bring in $6.3 billion in 2011.
Read more - eMarketer
Leading Artists, AT&T Debuts Beijing Olympic Games Themed Mobile Music
AT&T Inc. today announced that several of today's headlining artists -- including 3 Doors Down, Army of Me, Colbie Caillat, Clique Girlz, Sheryl Crow, Flipsyde, Lady Antebellum, Mere, Nelly and Kate Voegele -- will record exclusive tracks for the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack to inspire and support U.S. Olympic Team athletes as they pursue their dream of competing in the Olympic Games.
The music -- debuting during the NBC and Telemundo broadcasts of the 2008 Olympic Games -- will offer motivational songs for Team USA, youth, sports enthusiasts, music aficionados and U.S. Olympic Team fans across the country. The songs will be available for download only during the Olympic Games in August through AT&T MEdia Net on AT&T wireless phones and online at http://www.att.net. Consumers can also access music through NBCOlympics.com. The proceeds from the tracks will benefit Team USA. Other artists who will participate in the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack will be announced later.
"The Team USA Soundtrack really represents the spirit of the Olympic Games," said Jamie Butcher, vice president of AT&T Brand Sponsorships. "Top musical artists are joining together to inspire and encourage Team USA, and fans have the opportunity to connect with and support athletes by downloading the soundtrack. It's another terrific opportunity to show our support for these amazing athletes and demonstrate how AT&T is truly evolving into an entertainment brand."
NBC will feature excerpts from the songs and music videos from certain artists in its Olympic Games coverage. NBC will promote the soundtrack through NBCOlympics.com and will point users back to ATT.net for purchase and download. AT&T wireless customers will also have the option to purchase ringtones and Answer Tones featuring the exclusive songs.
"The support we're receiving from these artists and the fans is amazing," said Michael Phelps, who won eight medals, including six gold medals, at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and will try to win as many as eight more in Beijing. "I know this soundtrack is something we will all be able to enjoy while we're in Beijing and will help motivate us to compete at our very best."
Gymnast Nastia Liukin said, "There's nothing like training or performing to a great song, and it's so exciting that these artists were willing to produce songs to encourage us at one of the largest competitions of our lives." Liukin has won nine world championship medals and is expected to contend for the all-around gold medal in Beijing.
Sheryl Crow said, "It's really inspiring to see world-class athletes compete and give their all at the Olympic Games. It's my job as an artist to encourage others through music, and I'm honored to work to support Team USA through this soundtrack."
Brad Arnold, 3 Doors Down, said, "This was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect fans to our music and support our athletes as they go for the gold. All of the artists coming together really shows just how meaningful the Olympic Games are."
Today's announcement is the latest move by AT&T to help U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes train and compete for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and provides significant financial support, products and services to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
AT&T will also serve as the official telecommunications services partner of the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition to supporting USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming, the company serves as an official partner for several National Governing Bodies, including USA Track & Field and USA Diving.
The AT&T Team USA Soundtrack is an important part of AT&T's mission to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else. /PR
MySpace Mobile, MTS Russia Announce Partnership
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS" - NYSE: MBT), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, and MySpace Russia, the local version of the leading international social network, today announced a partnership to develop and promote solutions for the subscribers of MTS Russia.
Under the terms of the partnership, MTS and MySpace will develop an exclusive service for the subscribers of MTS Russia that will become part of MTS' WAP-portal. In addition, the companies are planning to launch an MTS-branded community on MySpace Russia website to drive usage and support the partnership.
"We are looking forward to introducing over 60 million customers of MTS in Russia, the largest subscriber base in the country, to the leading social network, MySpace," said Pavel Roytberg, product and service development director of MTS Russia.
Roytberg continued, "This partnership fits well into our strategy of providing Web 2.0 and social networking capabilities for our subscribers. The new service from MySpace on our WAP-portal will also allow us to explore innovative marketing initiatives, such as viral marketing. The pairing of the leading mobile and social networking brands will bring increased portability and greater access to customers of both MTS and MySpace and enrich the mobile user experience."
"MySpace is known for its networking and creative solutions which revolutionized social networking. It is a place for everyone - whether you are a global celebrity or an aspiring artist," noted Aleksandr Turkot, general director of MySpace Russia. "This partnership with MTS is a key strategic move for MySpace, allowing us to give Russian customers unprecedented access to networking via their mobile phones. Our brands are built on providing high quality communication and networking experience and our partnership will allow us to develop many new exciting services for our customers."
MTS is the leader in value-added services (VAS) in Russia, with a 32% market share of VAS revenues and a 43.2% share of mobile content revenues in Q1'2008[1]. The partnership with MySpace builds on MTS' commitment to developing advanced content and data solutions for customers to allow mobile access to communication and information sources previously only available at home.
In January 2008, MTS became the first Russian company to receive a nomination in the 13th Annual Global Mobile Awards hosted by the GSM Association for its WAP-portal designed specifically for children.
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") is the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS. Together with its subsidiaries, the Company services over 86.3 million subscribers. The regions of Russia, as well as Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, in which MTS and its associates and subsidiaries are licensed to provide GSM services, have a total population of more than 230 million. Since June 2000, MTS' Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about MTS can be found on MTS' website at http://www1.mtsgsm.com/. [FierceWireless/PR]
Nokia Welcomes Warner Music Group to Comes With Music
Nokia today announced that Warner Music Group will make its diverse catalog of new stars and legendary artists available through Nokia Music Stores around the world as well as through Comes With Music, a revolutionary way for people to discover and enjoy music offered uniquely by Nokia.
"Warner Music Group has been a pioneer in developing new digital music business models and we are very pleased to have them supporting both the Nokia Music Store and Comes With Music," said Tero Ojanpera, executive vice president and head of the Nokia Entertainment and Communities business. "Comes With Music enables people to access great content, provides artists to wider exposure with new and existing fans, and creates new revenue for all stakeholders."
"Nokia's Comes With Music service will be a significant step forward in the evolution of digital music. It's the first global initiative to fundamentally align the interests of music companies with telecommunications companies," said Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Warner Music Group's Chairman and CEO. "Through this innovative service and business model, all parties are equally driven to create the best and most comprehensive music offering designed to meet the ever-expanding consumer appetite for music and music-enabled devices."
Comes With Music is expected to launch in the second half of 2008 on a range of Nokia devices in selected territories. With a single purchase, consumers will have access to a year of exploring and downloading the music that they love, and be able to keep all their selections in their permanent library.
Warner Music Group content will also now be available through the Nokia Music Store. With millions of tracks from major artists and independent labels, the Nokia Music Store lets people enjoy music directly on their Nokia device or personal computer. The Nokia store, with its compelling combination of download and streaming services, empowers fans to connect to music they want, in the way they want.
Consumers can browse for new music, get recommendations or search for favorite artists, songs or albums all from the palm of their hand. Songs can be added to a wish list for future purchase or purchased immediately and downloaded directly to the mobile device. Purchased songs can also be transferred between a PC and a compatible Nokia device, regardless of which device was used to buy them.
The Nokia Music Store is available in Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden and the United Kingdom and is expanding to additional countries. /PR
YuuZoo and MSN Sign Exclusive Mobile Partnership
YuuZoo, the world's fastest growing mobile content, media and advertising network and MSN today announced they have signed an exclusive mobile partnership deal covering more than 1 billion mobile users in the world's largest mobile market, China, as well as in several other key Asian markets; India, the world's second largest mobile market, will be partnering with YuuZoo in a non-exclusive deal.
Under the agreement, YuuZoo will develop, host and maintain a vast range of cutting-edge mobile content on a co-branded "MSNYuuZoo" site. MSN will provide placements across its network to promote YuuZoo content and both partners will work together on integration in key content areas, including editorial placements.
The advertising, which kicked off in conjunction with the launch in early May, will include substantial amount of online impressions on the MSN platform across China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines, including ads on the MSN Homepage and Channels, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Spaces and Windows Live Hotmail.
"MSN is a global market leader and we are extremely proud to be associated with them in this unique partnership," said Thomas Zilliacus Chairman & CEO of YuuZoo. "YuuZoo is launching simultaneously in key markets in Europe and the US, and will reach more than 1 billion potential subscribers. We are offering a wide range of new content which we are getting from over 350 leading content partners", Zilliacus added.
"We are very happy with our affiliation with YuuZoo", says Kitty Xu, Multinational Sales Manager for MSN Asia. "YuuZoo provides us with a new channel into the mobile world. Their content offering is vast and their technology impressive. We are confident that a large portion of our Asian users will appreciate the mobile content and become happy subscribers", Xu added. [FierceWireless]
Myxer Gives iPhone Users New Access to Free Mobile Content
Myxer, the leader in ad-supported mobile content, today launched support for the iPhone through their website at http://www.myxer.com. iPhone users can now join the over 9 million current Myxer customers in accessing the biggest selection of free (ad-supported) mobile content in the industry, including MP3 clips and ringtones.
Myxer's service is quick and easy to use: iPhone users simply go to the Myxer catalog, select the ringtones they like most, then download them to their desktop. Next, they drag the ringtones into their iTunes ringtone folder for access on their iPhone.
"The iPhone is part of today's new mobile economy and like Myxer, it's helping to change the landscape of today's mobile environment," said Myk Willis, CEO, Myxer. "We're delighted to invite iPhone users to expand their mobile content choices through open access to Myxer's catalog and broad array of mobile content delivery services."
The addition of iPhone further rounds out Myxer's already robust offerings -- with service across every major wireless carrier and in support of literally thousands of different mobile phones. For additional information on using your iPhone to download mobile content from Myxer, see the company FAQ at http://support.myxertones.com/category/phone-info/apple/. [FierceWireless]
WorldTV.com Partners with Leading Mobile Video Streaming Provider Qik.com
WorldTV (worldtv.com) announced a partnership with mobile phone video streaming technology company Qik,Inc. (qik.com) that enables both companies’ users to share real time content streams via their customized WorldTV channels. Live and archived feeds can be sent from Qik users’ mobile phones and broadcast on their WorldTV URL.
Through the new partnership, WorldTV users can broadcast live video from their mobile phones simultaneously on Qik.com and their WorldTV channel, expanding the reach of the broadcast to WorldTV’s growing user base across the globe. Additionally Qik users can incorporate their archived videos to their WorldTV channels and highlight their existing favourite Qik clips ranging from vacations to sporting events, weddings, and concerts.
“We are thrilled to offer WorldTV users this new functionality that will incorporate Qik’slive broadcast technology directly to their personal channels,” said Alx Klive, CEO and founder of WorldTV, “Westrive to give programming control to the user, and Qik allows us to goone step further and turn the programmer into the live broadcaster, all from their mobile phone.”
WorldTV allows anyone from around the world to easily create their own full-screen, high-def, branded video channels, using video clips from video-sharing sites from across the Internet and their webcam. Channel creators can program their content based on viewer preferences provided by WorldTV in the form of detailed viewing statistics. A channel can be promoted using a variety of social media tools including RSS, Twitter and widgets.
With Qik, anyone can stream video live from their mobile phone to the world, while providing interactive real time chat with their viewers straight from their phone. There are a million and one uses of Qik - bean eyewitness, capture those first steps, or whip up your own streaming video blog. Just point your mobile phone and stream video live to your friends anywhere.
“Qik is bridging the gap between mobile interaction and the Web, globally,” said Bhaskar Roy, Co-founder and VP Product Marketing of Qik. “Streaming video from Qik users can now be seen directly on WorldTV in more than 150 countries around the world.” [FierceWireless]
Mobile Game Brain Challenge Heading to Xbox
Mobile game publisher and developer Gameloft announced its popular title Brain Challenge will make the leap from wireless to Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game and entertainment platform.
The first brain-teaser game to debut on the Xbox Live Arcade service, Brain Challenge offers a daily training test including mini-games challenging players in five categories: Visual, Memory, Logic, Math and Focus. The title also enables players to select a personal coach for guidance throughout the game, to complete online or offline in multiplayer mode, and tackle multitasking challenges designed to nurture coping skills during stressful challenges.
Brain Challenge is the first brain game for Xbox LIVE Arcade and is available now to challenge the skill and intellect of players. With a daily training test that includes 5 mini-games in each category for everyday practice, Brain Challenge is sure to quickly improve your brain health. Brain Challenge features 20 mini games divided into 5 categories: Visual, Memory, Logic, Math and Focus.
The game also features:
- Select a personal coach that guides you throughout the game , gives you advice and helps you improve your capacities daily.
- Online or offline multiplayer modes with up to 4 players. Compete against other players in quizzes coupled with card based gameplay. The card based multiplayer is completely exclusive to Xbox LIVE Arcade.
- Stress mode, features multitasking and other challenges which help to improve your brain's coping skills during stressful situations
In addition to Xbox LIVE Arcade, Brain Challenge is available on mobile, iPod, Nintendo DS and PC. This is the first ever multi-platform launch of a casual brand from a mobile game publisher. Each game is specially formatted and adapted to complement each unique platform to ensure the best consumer experience.
"The casual games market has exploded and Xbox Live Arcade is at the forefront of that by offering quality games such as Brain Challenge," said Gameloft senior vice president of publishing Gonzague de Vallois in a prepared statement. [FierceWireless/ FierceMobileContent]
Study: Smartphones Dominating Mobile Game Play
Smartphones are becoming the dominant device platform for mobile gaming, according to a new study released by entertainment provider Magmic Games and research firm Information Solutions Group.
According to the survey, which spans more than 3,750 consumers, 51 percent of respondents said that they played games on their smartphone, more than on any other type of gaming platform; among women, the figure was 60 percent.
Ninety percent of respondents feel that gaming on a smartphone delivers a superior experience over traditional feature phones; 91 percent of respondents who prefer playing games on smartphones said they would be unlikely to switch back to a traditional feature phone for mobile entertainment, citing the improved image quality, larger screen size, more intuitive controls and more efficient product downloading.
Other results from the Magmic/ISG survey: 65 percent of smartphone users purchase a mobile entertainment product (games, themes, music or other products) at least once every three months; 45 percent of respondents earn an annual household income of $100,000 or more, with 63 percent employed as business executives/professionals; puzzle games like Tetris and Sudoku were identified as the most popular game genre; and 41 percent of respondents said they play games during their workday, with 69 percent doing so during lunch or other designated breaks. [FierceMobileContent]
Nokia Finally Releases N-Gage Mobile Platform
After several false starts, Nokia finally released its revamped N-Gage mobile platform. Currently available exclusively on N81 devices, N-Gage remains in trial mode, but three titles are now available -- Space Impact: Kappa Base, System Rush: Evolution and Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep.
According to the N-Gage First Access website, Nokia encourages N81 owners to download the pre-release version, try out the N-Gage titles and provide feedback on gameplay.
The N-Gage platform seems likely to be a feature of Nokia's forthcoming N95 super-phone, and then on later N-series models.
Due to its rotating screen and some nifty slide-out buttons, the N95 can be configured to sit in the hand much like a PSP. The phone launches in March, but we're expecting to hear more info on N-Gage at the 3GSM mobile phone expo in mid-February. Stay tuned for the full lowdown.
Buying games online could breathe new life into the taco-shaped handset, and they'll also work with Nokia's new smart phones, which carry on the N-Gage brand, but keep the gaming in a more subtle shell.
It's another sign that the N-Gage isn't dead yet, and Nokia seems determined to pump more life into the platform, despite not launching a dedicated games handset for several months. [FierceMobileContent/T3]
Napster and Ericsson Roll-Out New Mobile Music Service
Ericsson and Napster has just announced the launch of the Napster Mobile music service with Telecom Italia through its mobile brand TIM, the leading mobile carrier serving the Italian market with over 35 million subscribers.
Co-developed by Ericsson and Napster for the Italian market, Napster Mobile is a premium music service offering an array of features and personalized content, including ringtones, artist images, wallpaper and access to Napster Mobile's catalog of more than 5 million songs.
Napster Mobile also offers dual-delivery for simultaneous downloads to a subscriber's PC and mobile phone, a unique feature that provides users the convenience of downloading songs directly to their phones with a high-fidelity copy of the song available to download on their PCs.
Under the agreement, Ericsson's responsibilities include systems integration, operation, maintenance and content management of Napster Mobile for TIM. The service is available now.
"Entering the Italian market is an exciting milestone," said Brad Duea, president of Napster. "By partnering with Ericsson and TIM we can offer a superior music experience and make our extensive catalog available to Italian consumers for the first time."
"We are proud to be the first in Italy to offer the world-class music service Napster Mobile," said Riccardo Jelmini, Head of mobile VAS of Telecom Italia. "Ericsson's solution allows us a quick, cost-efficient and simple way to launch this service, which gives our customers easy access to first-rate, feature-rich music services and will also expand our subscriber base."
"The marriage of Napster's innovative music service and Ericsson's technological leadership and operational expertise helps operators bring attractive new services to market easily and cost-effectively," said Cesare Avenia, President, Ericsson Italy.
Napster Mobile is linked to the Sony Ericsson Walkman series mobile phones via its music recognition application. Some models also offer a soft-key on the display for convenient access to Napster Mobile. [FierceWireless]
Nexage Unveils PhoneCast Pro 2.0
Mobile video & social networking solutions provider Nexage announced the launch of PhoneCast Pro 2.0, an end-to-end, hosted video solution developed for media companies, content providers, and carriers.
According to Nexage, PhoneCast Pro 2.0 reduces video content ingestion, management, publication and distribution challenges, enabling media companies and content providers to cost-effectively offer mobile video services directly to consumers.
PhoneCast Pro 2.0 also promises full support for text, banner, and video advertising insertion across mobile video and live TV platforms, and is fully integrated with mobile ad networks such as Millennial Media, Third Screen Media, Nokia Ad Services and Admob. The expanded PhoneCast Pro 2.0 platform enables clients to quickly and cost-effectively “go mobile” with a solution that is highly attractive to their customers.
The second-gen PhoneCast Pro also incorporates enhanced mobile social networking features including content rating, comments, sharing, buddy lists, online chatting and blogs. Nexage concurrently announced angel investment of $500,000, bringing its total funding to approximately $2.5 million to date. [FierceMobileContent/FierceWireless]
YouTube Expands Mobile Video Efforts
YouTube is making its entire catalog of more than 200 million video clips available to all mobile users with 3G phones operating on either a UMTS/HSDPA or EV-DO network. Not only can users view videos, but they can also upload content immediately from their cell phone and view it on a cell phone.
The company says that it has made a huge investment in infrastructure to make this service available. Besides the regular streaming service, YouTube Mobile will also enable users to personalize their service by letting them rate and comment on videos using their phone
YouTube Mobile product manager Dwipal Desai said that the service will be available to all Sprint and AT&T customers with 3G phones and a data plan. He added that the service currently isn't available on Verizon Wireless EV-DO phones because they don't currently have streaming support.
However, Verizon subscribers can get access to some select YouTube content through the operator's V CAST service. "This service is not tied to a particular OEM or a carrier," Desai said in an interview with FierceMobileContent. "With this launch, we have brought YouTube mainstream."
YouTube also has a free downloadable Java application it is offering through a handful of mobile phones with streaming capabilities. Those phones include the Sony Ericsson k800, w880, Nokia e65, n95, n73, 6610 navigator and 6120 classic.
The expansion of YouTube’s mobile offering will improve the user experience giving YouTube users the ability to engage the world of video anytime and anywhere. With more mobile functionality and features, YouTube for Mobile will also allow users to develop more innovative original content directly from their mobile devices and encourage new users to share and engage the community.
YouTube for Mobile is available in the following countries and in the below languages:
Countries: United States, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, Germany and Russia.
Languages: English, Japanese, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Chinese (Traditional), German, Russian. [Sue/FierceMobileContent]
Vivendi, Nokia Ink Download! Mobile Gaming Deal
Vivendi Games Mobile announced an agreement with Nokia to bring a spate of mobile titles to hundreds of thousands of handsets via Nokia's Download! application, which is embedded on more than 50 phones, N-series and E-series devices worldwide.
According to Vivendi Games Mobile, the client-based Download! mobile shop is constantly refreshed over-the-air with the latest hit titles, among them franchises like Crash, Leisure Suit Larry and Spyro --Vivendi and Nokia will also offer related content like wallpapers and ring tones.
Download! will allow Vivendi Games Mobile to reach end-users of Nokia handsets in a personal and direct manner; via a client-based mobile shop constantly refreshed over the air with the latest hit titles. It will now be easier than ever for customers to download titles from popular franchises including Crash, Leisure Suit Larry, and Spyro TM and enjoy a steady stream of new and exciting games and related content like wallpapers and ring tones.
"The challenge in the mobile games value chain is not only to make great games and attract customers, but also in the effective merchandising of games and the ease with which consumers can find, purchase, and download games," said Vivendi Games Mobile president Paul Maglione in a prepared statement.
"Nokia has met this challenge by providing visibility and easy access to great content via Download!. The end result is a new and promising distribution channel that creates further 'impulse buy' opportunities for our titles and also allows customers to enjoy the best mobile games on demand."
Vivendi Games Mobiles branded Catalogues recently launched in local-language versions in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine and the U.S. Catalogues in 25 other countries will be available soon. Vivendi Games Mobiles Catalogue offers 12 games, subdivided into four browseable categories (New Releases, Top Sellers, Action/Adventure and Casual/Puzzle).
Featured titles include the recently released Brain Shock, and Delta Force; titles based on premium entertainment brands like The Bourne Ultimatum and Eragon; and award-winning games like The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night and the revolutionary first-person shooter Urban Attack. Vivendi Games Mobiles Catalogue will be constantly updated with fresh content and special promotions.
Download! is shipping on more than 50 devices globally on Nokia mobile phones, Nokia N-series and Nokia E-series devices. [FierceMobileContent/FierceWireless]
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