InfoGin is a finalist in the GSM Association's international Mobile Innovation Competition

InfoGin, a leader in the field of mobile content adaptation solutions was declared to be the overall winner of the 'virtual' online round of the GSMA Association's 2009 Mobile Innovation international Competition which was held in Israel at the Microsoft Reaserch and Development Center.

The win places InfoGin as a semi-finalist in the Most Innovative Carrier Infrastructure or Platform Category - and a chance to become the "GSMA Mobile Innovation World Champion" at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that will be held between16-19 February 2009, where Infogin will compete against other finalists from APAC, EMEA and the Americas.

InfoGin continues to be a leading force in the field of web to mobile content adaptation, making it feasible mobile clients to access any internet site while optimizing it for mobile devices. InfoGin's unique patented technology automatically analyzes the internet page for optimized presentation and navigation, which looks and feels as if the internet page has been customized manually for the mobile device.

The Mobile Innovation international Award Competition was set up by the GSMA as part of the Mobile Innovation Market, which encourages the development and presentation of breakthrough technology, applications and services in the mobile industry by joining smaller companies that develop innovative mobile products, industry investors from leading venture capital firms, and senior figures from mobile operators and leading international brands.

"We have been thrilled by the number of high-quality entries received for the first ever virtual tournament, as part of our international Mobile Innovation Competition," said Bill Gajda, Chief Commercial Officer at the GSMA. "This round has proven to be an invaluable platform for innovators to pitch new ideas to influential executives from the mobile industry. We extend our congratulations to InfoGin, which now goes forward to the finals at the Mobile World Congress, as well as our gratitude to the co-organizers, one of the leading Venture Capital firms in Israel, Carmel Ventures, for making the Virtual Tournament event in Israel such a huge success."

"We are truly honored to receive this recognition from the GSM Association," said Eran Wyler, CEO & Founder of InfoGin. "The InfoGin family has gone through a long and winding road since I established the company in April 2000. It is through InfoGin's excellent teamwork, dedication and complete focus that we were able to gain the mobile industry's recognition in our innovative technology. This has resulted in more than 21 million happy clients across the globe who enjoy surfing the internet on their mobile phones."

SkyZone creates and delivers mobile content

SkyZone Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group today announced an agreement to bring the popular entertainment properties, Animal House and Tic-Tac-Dough, to mobile platforms through Mobile content adaptation. Animal House delivered all of the outrageous antics of fraternity life as it made terms like "toga party" and "food fight" household names when it was released in 1978. Now, 30 years later, gamers can relive all of the mayhem in this interactive mobile adaptation that puts them as a freshman pledge in Delta House tasked with helping Bluto, Otter, Boon, and the rest of the fraternity throw outlandish parties and foil the plans of Dean Wormer to shut them down.

Tic-Tac-Dough, another timeless classic, makes handheld gamers contenders on the famous TV game show as they test their brainpower with challenging trivia questions. Animal House is scheduled to be available on most major North American carriers in Q4, 2008, perfectly timed to the film's special collectible 30th Anniversary Edition DVD release debuting on October 28th. Tic-Tac-Dough is slated for release in Q1, 2009.

"Animal House and Tic-Tac-Dough are two jewels of the NBC Universal library that remain as relevant today as they were when they were first released," said Key Sar, Chief Marketing Officer for SkyZone Entertainment.

"Releasing compelling content based on popular properties like these reflects SkyZone's efforts to always provide the highest quality in mobile entertainment that will appeal to every type of mobile gamer.""SkyZone has a fantastic track record with premium entertainment brands," said Jeremy Laws Senior Vice President Mobile & Broadband with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group. "We think they are the perfect partner to bring these classic titles, with inherent gameplay, to the mobile phone."

About the Animal House mobile game:
Dean Wormer is back once again to shut down the Delta House in this interactive adaptation of the classic comedy. Players join Bluto, Otter, Boon and the rest of the men of Delta to help throw outrageous parties and keep Wormer from closing the house for good. The action-strategy game combines simple controls with memorable quotes, characters and still images straight from the film - including toga party, food fight, parade chaos, horse in the Dean's office and more - to keep gamers coming back for more!

About the Tic-Tac-Dough mobile game:
Based on the classic TV game show, Tic-Tac-Dough casts players as contenders vying to stretch their brain power in six engaging categories. Additionally, a special category provides questions that will challenge them even more. For those who get bored with playing against themselves, it is time to challenge others through the network multiplayer options as they look to become the ultimate trivia master! About Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group:Universal Pictures Digital Platforms (UPDPG) is responsible for global digital product development, production, licensing, distribution, and growth strategy for the extensive catalogue of Universal's properties across new and emerging digital platforms, including mobile, video game consoles, personal computers, and other portable devices. With a worldwide mandate to help shape the digital future of Universal Pictures, the Group has offices in Universal City, California; London, England; and Tokyo, Japan.Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group is a unit of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures. Universal Pictures is a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About SkyZone Entertainment, Inc.
SkyZone Entertainment, Inc. creates and delivers exciting Mobile content that meets emerging consumer demand for gaming over multiple mobile phone networks and home entertainment devices. Through a network of investors and partners such as VSST, CVE and SK Group, SkyZone draws on an advanced Korean legacy of network interoperability and publishing innovation to offer cutting-edge games and brand name applications featuring 3D graphics, networked multiplayer environments and trans-medial access to telecommunications carriers and mobile gamers around the world.

Vantrix Takes Home the Gold in Mobile TV at EMT

A world record of engagement from purchase to deployment in less than 6 weeks in the category is held by Vantrix.

"Initially we selected Vantrix for their advanced product feature set and platform capabilities that positioned them far above other players in terms of advanced core technology," said Valdo Kalm, CEO of EMT. "We were then impressed by the level of maturity of the platform and how quickly we were able to launch our Mobile TV service in time for the Olympics."

This Mobile TV service is powered by Vantrix Media Broadcaster, a carrier- grade media optimization, filtering, streaming and delivery solution. To expand its premium Value Added Video Services, EMT chose to invest in a next generation solution capable of complete and fully flexible media ingestion for their end customers utilizing technology such as Dynamic Bit Rate Adaptation (DBRA). DBRA is the ability to create content adaptation feed (live TV and video files) to changing network conditions, thereby providing an optimal user experience for the subscriber in real time. In this environment, each consumer receives a customized stream based on their device capabilities and network traffic.

"We are delighted to help EMT reach an ambitious target in time to pair these two momentous occasions, the launch of Mobile TV and the Olympics," said Allan Benchetrit, President & CEO of Vantrix. "We are proud to be a contributor to EMT's success."

Vantrix Media Broadcaster facilitates EMT's expansion into converged services and provides support for premium applications including live TV and video on demand. Vantrix provides innovative solutions for mobile content adaptation and optimization to bolster the effects of faster networks, evolving mobile browsers, and better device performance to deliver a first- class user experience, the ultimate driver of mobile Web adoption.

About
Vantrix makes video work. Our focus is to deliver the best customer experience on a mobile phone. Vantrix overcomes the technology hurdles of providing video on demand, live TV, video alerts, user-generated mobile content, video share, and any other type of multimedia in mobile and other digital platforms. And we do it in a way that helps our customers choose and implement the right business model for their multimedia services.

Leading companies like Orange, T-Mobile and The Weather Channel already trust Vantrix to satisfy their mobile media needs. You shouldn't have to worry about which mobile phones your customers have, and you shouldn't have to compromise on how you deliver video and other media to them. Whether it's premium-based or ad-supported services, push or pull, we put video to work for you. This is our promise and our commitment. Vantrix is headquartered in Montreal with offices in London and Dubai.

Vringo Increases Size of Leadership Team and Advisory Board

the pioneer in video-ringtone sharing, is pleased to announce the appointment of three mobile and Internet industry veterans to its team. The New VPs of Marketing and Product Development Join Video-Ringtone Pioneer; Advisory Board Gains Strategic Marketing Expert .

Sharon Goldstein, the newest member of Vringo’s advisory board is a marketing and strategy expert focused on mobile technologies and content services, and founder of the consulting firm SYG LLC. Bringing more than 10 years of experience in the mobile space, Sharon previously served as vice president of the content-provider business for Volantis Systems, focusing on mobile content adaptation for tier one content brands. Prior to that position, Sharon was the director of mobile products at RealNetworks, driving key business relationships, including Vodafone and Nokia, and growing the installed base of mobile RealPlayers to more than 25 million units. Sharon has an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and an industrial-engineering degree from Georgia Tech.

Amir Kirshenboim joins Vringo with more than 10 years’ experience in product definition, project management, and research and development. Most recently he served as vice president of product and R&D for MobiMate Ltd., the maker of "WorldMate," a worldwide bestselling mobile software product for travelers. He also founded the software companies Smart Mobile Applications and DITIO Software Ltd. Amir has an MBA from Tel Aviv University and will work from Vringo’s Israel office.

Josh Shabtai comes to Vringo from Ketchum Public Relations where he led the agency’s Interactive Strategies Group, a marketing think tank that helps blue chip brands like Best Buy’s Geek Squad, Nokia and Dr Pepper Snapple Group develop Web-based community-engagement programming and social media marketing strategies. Josh holds a degree in mass communications from Boston University. In his off hours, he writes for and appears on On Networks’ Play Value, a podcast focusing on the history of videogames. He will be based in Vringo’s New York office.

"As Vringo expands its worldwide visibility, it is critical for us to also expand our leadership team in order to develop critical products and market segments," said Vringo CEO Jon Medved. "Sharon, Amir and Josh each come to us with diverse backgrounds and experience, but what they share is a drive to make Vringo ever more successful with exciting products for our growing global audience. We’re pleased that they are now focusing their exceptional talents on this goal."

Vringo lets users set their own visual or video ringtone and choose the video, avatar, slide show or picture they want their friends to see when they call. Users can browse Vringo's own large collection of premium content licensed from TV, video and music clips. Original Vringos can also be created by using camera phones or downloading pictures or video from existing social networks or other Web sites.

Vringo is available on Nokia Series 40 and Symbian Series 60 devices, J2ME and Windows Mobile platforms across devices from a number of device makers in addition to Nokia, including Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and BlackBerry-maker, RIM. The company continues to increase the number of compatible devices; a complete list is available online.

About Vringo
Vringo is making mobile Personalization 2.0 a reality by enabling users to experience rich media ringtones on a wide variety of mobile devices and for the first time to share that media with others within a community. Vringo is backed by Warburg Pincus and by private investors.
According to a leading US news paper, "Vringo has to be seen to be believed," so to see for yourself.

InfoGin Web-to-mobile Content Adaptation Signs Agreement With Microsoft Corporation

InfoGin, a pioneer and global market leader in the field of Web-to-mobile Content Adaptation solutions today announced it has signed a strategic, global software license agreement with Microsoft Corporation, in which InfoGin's Intelligent Mobile Platform(TM) (IMP(TM)) will be utilized for adapting Web sites reached via Microsoft's Live Search Mobile service.

As part of this global licensing deal, InfoGin will provide Microsoft a service based on the InfoGin hosted mobile web rendering service, enabling Microsoft to render the web results returned by Live Search Mobile services.

"The licensing deal and its scope indicate the strategic importance of the mobile market to Microsoft," said Eran Wyler, CEO & Founder of InfoGin. "I believe that together with InfoGin, Microsoft is well positioned to provide the ultimate search and browsing experience, regardless of the device type, be it a legacy or high end device. By joining with InfoGin, Microsoft is building on our vast experience in the mobile space, with 35 mobile customers across the globe, and our rich experience paving the mobile's future roadmap and being the dominant player - enabling real Internet browsing on mobile."

"Combining InfoGin's technology with Live Search Mobile service will enable users to more easily and reliably view the Web pages that interest them," said Justin Jed, Group Product Manager at Microsoft.

About InfoGin
Established in April 2000, InfoGin is a pioneer and market leader offering a complete Web-to-mobile content & functionality adaptation solution that provides mobile users with the ultimate Internet experience on any mobile device. Based on more than eight years of research, InfoGin's patented technology ranges from a fully automatic and real time intelligent conversion engine to professional content editing and marketing tools. The Intelligent Mobile Platform(TM) (IMP(TM)) enables complete control over all content delivered to mobile devices.

InfoGin's technology is commercially deployed 35 customers including top tier operators, leading content aggregators and search providers worldwide. InfoGin's customers report a phenomenal increase in data usage, doubling their overall portal traffic in less than three months - without cannibalizing their existing data offerings, and reducing by more than 80% the operational costs of creating content and managing the configuration of mobile devices. InfoGin's technology has provided more than 20 million mobile users across the globe the best real Internet surfing experience on a daily basis, spanning more than 6,600 mobile devices.

InfoGin's IMP(TM) is a complete Content & Functionality Adaptation platform that supports all mobile browsers, languages and advanced Web page features, and is available in a number of operating systems. For more information, visit http://www.infogin.com.
Product and service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Openwave, content adaptation service , Reveals New Services for Operators

Openwave Systems Inc. , one of the worlds leading software innovators enabling revenue-generating personalized services which converge with the mobile and broadband experience, today added two new services: Openwave(R) Passport and Openwave(R) OpenMedia, to its service management portfolio for operators to enhance and monetize the wireless mobile internet experience. Openwave Passport is a new service that enables mobile operators to tap into new revenue streams by offering on-demand mobile internet access to consumers. Openwave OpenMedia is an open, multimedia content adaptation service that is designed to make content more attractive on a mobile wireless device.

"In order to thrive, operators must capitalize on new opportunities with the mobile internet, delivering a superior experience through value added services and leveraging new service monetization methods," said Sean MacNeill, vice president and general manager for service management and global services, Openwave. "Openwaves mobile internet services set a new industry standard for experiencing the web on a mobile device, and are driving new opportunities through support of pay as you go mobile internet and service subscription signup models."

"It is not only crucial for operators to deliver subscribers the best possible mobile internet experience, but it is also imperative that they add value to the burgeoning off-net world as a way to remain a part of the value chain," said John Delaney, Research Director, EuropeanConsumer Mobile, IDC. "By optimising their own subscribers experience of the internet in mobile phones, operators can establish a clear value-added position as access providers."

Openwave Passport
Openwave Passport permits the mobile operator to supply a range of time-based internet access options to the casual wireless mobile internet user. This type of personalized access can attract new data users, including roaming and visiting subscribers who may not wish to sign up for contract-based data access plans. It is also a way to market value-added services to data subscribers. The key strength of Passport is its ability to intelligently intercept subscriber initiated data transactions and offer targeted services that are relevant to the individual user. Openwave Passport is available as an optional service for the Openwave Integra platform as well as the latest version of the Openwave Mobile Access Gateway (MAG).

InfoGin Signs Agreement With Microsoft

InfoGin, a pioneer and global market leader in the field of Web to mobile content Adaptation solutions announced it has signed a strategic, global software license agreement with Microsoft Corporation, in which InfoGin's Intelligent Mobile Platform will be utilized for adapting Web sites reached via Microsoft's Live Search Mobile service.

As part of this global licensing agreement, InfoGin will provide Microsoft a service based on the InfoGin hosted mobile web rendering service, enabling Microsoft to render the web results returned by Live Search Mobile services.

"The licensing agreement and its scope indicate the strategic importance of the mobile market to Microsoft," said Eran Wyler, CEO & Founder of InfoGin. "I believe that together with InfoGin, Microsoft is well positioned to provide the ultimate search and browsing experience, regardless of the device type, be it a legacy or high end device. By joining with InfoGin, Microsoft is building on our vast experience in the mobile space, with 35 mobile customers across the globe, and our rich experience paving the mobile's future roadmap and being the dominant player - enabling real Internet browsing on mobile."

"Combining InfoGin's technology with Live Search Mobile service will enable users to more easily and reliably view the Web pages that interest them," said Justin Jed, Group Product Manager at Microsoft.

About InfoGin
InfoGin is a pioneer and market leader offering a complete Web to mobile content adaptation solution for mobile content providers and provides mobile users with the ultimate online experience on any mobile device.

InfoGin's patented technology is based on more than eight years of research and ranges from a fully automatic and real time intelligent conversion engine to professional content editing and marketing tools. The Intelligent Mobile Platform enables complete control over all content delivered to mobile devices

Mobile Content Porting Firm Tira Wireless Shuts Down

Tira Wireless, the Toronto-based mobile content porting company, has shut down, we have learned...We have been trying to contact the company for a week now, but no one has been answering to e-mails or phone calls, including upper management of the company. Some other accounts on its closing down are also appearing as well. According to MobileGamesBlog, subsequent to the shutdown in August, a group of Tira employees have formed a new company called Five Mobile.

The company had raised about $31.5 million in financial support in four rounds, and had investors such as Lehman Brothers Venture Partners, Brightspark Ventures, Flagship Ventures and Export Development Canada.

We have been pursuing several more similar tips about mobile content services companies shutting down or close to making a decision, so anticipate a lot more shakeout as the industry morphs

Billions of Devices Delivering on the Promise of the Mobile Internet by Content adaptation

survey reports that 40.4 million U.S. consumers accessed the Internet with a mobile device in May 2008. That’s up from 29.7 million a year ago. need for data access supported by faster networks and flat-rate data plans has nearly doubled the number of mobile Internet customers in the United States in less than two years.
The mobile Internet is the new computing cycle and it will become the medium that bridges the digital divide worldwide. Mobile wireless devices are entering developing countries and low income sectors of developed economies with inpricy wireless devices and services. The first Internet experience for many people now and in the future will be a mobile device.
What are the key drivers for mass adoption of the mobile Internet? How can carriers balance this trend and provide the best possible customer experience? In order to stay competitive operators need to supply a great customer experience: a mobile Web that is easy to access and easy to use. This article will discuss how carriers can balance new business models above mobile advertising to quickly launch new services that capitalize on the growing need for mobile internet access.
Mobilizing the Internet has historically proven to be a challenging task, specifically with regards to harnessing the power of a system that was designed to be used and seen on personal computers with large screens and at broadband speeds.
Today, we have a hybrid world of essentially two Internets, one for mobile and one for the desktop. Slow networks, pricy mobile infrastructure and an overall poor customer experience have hindered mass adoption of the mobile web leaving consumers frustrated. In preventing simple access to the Web, operators’ “walled gardens” have limited their ability to increase data ARPU (average revenue per customer) and other revenue opportunities. Mobile phones are by nature constrained wireless devices with limited screen size, memory and supported content adaptation. However they are always on, always with you and always yours, making them one of the most personal items you now own.
The key challenge now is not just supplying the wireless broadband access to a few sites but enabling an open environment in which general Web content adaptation not specifically designed for the mobile device can be supplyed (including Java, Flash and other richer media content adaptation types) as well as supplying for promotion of content adaptation partners and preferred services to a customer population who are discovering, in increasing numbers, that mobile data access is a reality.. In developing a great Internet experience on mobile phones, carriers will drive new revenue streams through improved content adaptation offerings, personalized portals and relevant advertising and security services — all optimized for the small screen.
Mobile advertising promises to significantlly reshape business models and presents new revenue opportunities for all players in the value chain. But it is crucial for operators to first focus on supplying a great open internet experience to their clients. In understanding the preferences and behaviors of the customer population, with due consideration to privacy, before developing the scope of advertizing then there is a greater chance of success. In leveraging analytic data new business models that go above mobile advertising have a firm basis and can quickly target launch new services that capitalize on the mobile Internet.
How can the operator achieve this? The answer lies in supplying the appropriate set of “smart services” through a single open Internet platform that collectively makes the mobile Internet experience far superior for the consumer than if they venture above the walled garden using just their mobile device’s browser. Carriers can ensure their relevance and importance in the value chain by offering services that make mobile Internet access faster, safer, more personalized and truly usable regardless of the content adaptation being accessed.
With the traditional walled gardens coming down, companies like Openwave are helping carriers avoid becoming “bit pipes” that merely transport data. By offering a key set of high-value services, the carrier instead serves as a “smart pipe” to their clients, ensuring a great customer experience. In this new environment, the carrier can take advantage of opportunities to monetize customer behavior and increase their data ARPU. In applying services effectively and efficiently at point of need operators can also manage the bottom line cost of smarter access.
In order for operators to maintain ownership of the client relationship, they must be able to show their added value. They need to balance their unique strengths such as the billing relationship and their knowledge of each customer’s profile. Instead of trying to make money by selling content adaptation, operators will be better served concentrating on building communities, social networking, enabling customer generated content adaptation, location-based services, and driving mobile commerce.
As we are already seeing in the traditional Web, niche information and personalized content adaptation are usurping mass market “hits.” We now see major brands prioritizing the customer experience and exploring the best ways to reach their customers through what some are calling “customer Experience 2.0,” an attempt to proactively unite customers with relevant content adaptation and services. Openwave believes that one Internet across all wireless devices places the most power with the mobile operator, the player with all the tools to make the discovery of content adaptation fast, secure and easy-to-use, driving mass adoption and offering huge revenue opportunities.
supplying a more personalized experience means allowing customers to share, collaborate and exploit content adaptation to extend their online activities and communities into the mobile space. The goal is to make content adaptation discovery much simpler and more targeted, eliminating the awkward left-to-right scrolling when browsing, presenting the most relevant content adaptation first, allowing for intelligent inter web site navigation etc. It is a dynamic process of interpreting the content adaptation being served and enhancing and adapting it on-the-fly to provide the best possible customer experience. That said, in some cases it is also about recognizing when content adaptation is already mobile centric and leaving it as is; the value for the operator is automatic recognition of when to apply service.
Carriers should look for improved applications that are customizable and that seamlessly integrate with their infrastructure, enabling a true open Internet experience on mobile phones. These applications provide capabilities like content adaptation adaptation, security, content adaptation and advertising solutions, plus optimized and on-need access.
A simple example of the value of these capabilities comes when one tries to access embedded media content adaptation either from social networking or dedicated media sites. The customer experience is interrupted by an inability to view content adaptation. This problem could be solved by vertical partner integration or by the specific Web site making a mobile-friendly version, but it may be more efficiently solved using an intelligent intermediary point to detect, transcode, adapt, and cache that content adaptation as it is retrieved.
As the role of premium content adaptation increases, introducing processes to warn, charge, and inform the customer of what they are doing becomes valuable to both the operator and to the client. The flexibility to introduce new services without having to overhaul infrastructure becomes crucial to the realization of new services and revenue streams. A common, consistent and flexible service and control point is necessary to prevent fragmented service supplyy, to authenticate, track and enhance, to provide orchestration with business rule integration and to automate the discovery of new services. In supplying this the orchestration is flexible enough to rapidly introduce new services and control paths in an eco-system in partnership with the operator and best-of-breed service providers.
Accessing the Internet through a flexible, scalable, open interface platform also simplifies deployment and increases efficiency, allowing carriers to quickly capitalize on new, on-need services such as streaming Web and media content adaptation, mobile advertising and analytics.
Popular wireless devices such as the iPhone are driving consumer interest in the mobile internet and other data services, priming market expectations for new data revenue. A true open Internet is a reality today, and it can be easy for carriers to deploy and maintain.
With 85 percenta of mobile phones on the market compatible with Openwave’s Integra platform, the company is poised to offer the vast majority of consumers an improved, faster Internet experience by streamlining data without the necessity of additional client software on the handset or mobile-specific Web sites.
Keeping the Web open, secure and intuitive on any handheld device is crucial to driving consumer adoption, while the ability to mediate and enhance data traffic allows the operator to ensure the best possible customer experience.