InfoSpace will supply Virgin Mobile with its complete suite of mobile platform services, including the addition of a customized, integrated mobile search solution. As a result, Virgin Mobile will be able to offer its subscribers the ability to search the web and WAP sites, as well as Virgin Mobile’s own portal and mobile storefront. Read the full article »

Following the launch of X-Series in UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden and Danmark – Hutchison Whampoa Group’s mobile media company 3 has announced the roll-out of its all-inclusive offer in Italy.

3’s X-Series plans offer consumers unlimited data transfer, and include preinstalled applications for VoIP calls (Skype client), instant messaging, and other apps for accessing different web services (i.e. Yahoo To Go). To further sweeten the deal, 3 Italia chose the best handsets available on the market – to offer its customers the complete usage experience. Read the full article »

Good news for Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N95 owners – Barablu VoIP client is now fully compatible with Nokia’s flagship “multimedia computer.”

Those not familiar should know that Barablu is the Skype-like free mobile VoIP client that allows users with WiFi-enabled handsets to call for free, or to call land and mobile lines for next to nothing. Other Barablue’s features include video calling, conference calls, free chat, SMS support, voicemail, file sharing, and more. Barablu’s mobile client works on all Symbian and Windows Mobile based handsets that come with the built in support for WLAN networks. (via: symbianone)

We knew it was a bit strange that a company with a healthy, growing user base could go bankrupt. Moconews was able to get their hands on the actual Chapter 11 filing – providing insight into Amp’d Mobile’s financial troubles. It seems that Amp’d Mobile was a bit late in realizing that they had upwards of 80,000 non-paying subscribers. That’s a pretty big portion of the estimated 200,000-strong subscriber base that Amp’d was supposedly servicing.

Add that not-so-little problem with outrageous monthly operating costs, and we start get the picture. It’s starting to look like Amp’d Mobile went down in a blaze of glory – spending like crazy under the pretense of booming success until the very end!

via: moconews

Even the mighty Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) executives are getting a bit rattled at the pressures of the iPhone’s launch. And, with good reason. The Apple iPhone (we’ve said it before an we’ll say it again) is THE hottest thing to grace all of Tech-dom since the introduction of the mobile phone. We’re getting all goose-bumpy just thinking about June 29 – we can only imagine that those execs are at least a little apprehensive.

The NY Times is reporting that, “The anticipation, which is intense even by Jobsian standards, has led to some quiet, behind-the-scenes anxiety at Apple. Some Apple executives worry privately that expectations for the one-button phones may be too high and that first-generation buyers will end up disappointed.”

You can bet that there will be some disappointment (and endless critique) for a device that has built as much hype as the iPhone has. But, rest assured, Apple executives, you have our full support! It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, as long as you did your best.

via: engadgetmobile

Digitimes is reporting that HTC (High Tech Computer) subsidiary, Dopod, has announced plans to launch 6 new mobile devices in China for the second half (2H) of this year. One device is being described as a “mobile office device,” which we’re taking to mean that one of the mobile phones in the pipeline will be billed as an enterprise device. Company sources are saying that the new lineup will be marketed solely under the Dopod brand, with names like Athena-c (enterprise device), Cruiser, Kunlun, Nike-c, Elf and Sedna-c.

Dopod International has also appointed Paul Hsu as David Lee’s replacement as president of Dopod.

The proposed lineup seems to include current HTC offerings, repackaged as Dopod devices for the Chinese market. (Athena-c seems to be the HTC Athena, rebranded for the Chinese market).

via: digitimes

Amp’d has released an official statement regarding their Chapteer 11 bankruptcy filing.

“As a result of our rapid growth, our back-end infrastructure was unable to keep up with customer demand. We are taking this step as a necessary and responsible action to sustain and strengthen our momentum in the market place.” Don’t dismiss this as pure spin, despite how laughable it sounds: there is half-a-kernel of truth in this. Amp’d was growing fast, but it tripped up on customer service, retention, collections and subsequently payments….During the reorganization process, we are working with one of Amp’d Mobile’s largest investors to obtain debtor-in-possession financing. Our investor supports our vision, strategic direction and business plan…Amp’d Mobile’s senior management team remains largely intact as we continue to focus on improving and scaling our backend infrastructure.”

Read the full article »

Taiwan’s MultiMedia Card Association (MMCA) has approved the miCard memory standard for use in mobile devices like mobile phones and digital cameras with a USB interface. The new memory card boasts high-speed data transfer rates of 480 Mbps and capacities of 8GB. Over time we can expect data transfer speeds to increase, on the way to a theoretical maximum storage capacity of 2TB!

The miCard, manufactured and developed by  Industrial Technology Research Institute, is compatible with both MMC card slots and USB ports, so it appeals to a wider range consumers. We can expect to see this new standard arise in Q3 of this year.

Finally, we won’t have to keep switching between card readers and our devices!

via: yahoo

Just a week after announcing their Palm Foleo, the struggling handset manufacturer has inked a deal to sell 25% of the company to private equity firm, Elevation Partners, for about $325 million. As part of a reorganization plan to revitalize the company, Palm (NSDQ: PALM) has brought on Jon Rubinstein (former Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPod exec) as an executive chairman.

Ed Colligan, President and CEO of Palm, released a statement saying, “As a result of this transaction, we will strengthen the Palm leadership team and create a more effective capital structure, which puts us in a great position to attract new talent, significantly strengthen our execution capabilities and deliver long-term shareholder value.”

The deal includes a $940 million dividend payout to Palm’s shareholders – about $9 per share. Elevation Partners is founded and headed by U2’s Bono.

via: nytimes

Mobile technology solutions provider Crisp Wireless launched its mLogic MicroSite Builder 1.0 tool, developed specifically to give mobile publishers and ad agencies the ability to quickly and easily create robust mobile websites for advertisers. According to Crisp, all sites created using the new tool will benefit from the mLogic technology platform, which offers device detection and site optimization. Additionally, all sites built using MicroSite Builder report unique visitors, pageviews, time spent and opt-in data including emails and phone numbers.

Crisp Wireless’ CEO Boris Fridman said: “With the launch of the mLogic MicroSite Builder tool, Crisp Wireless is now fulfilling a critical need in the advertising value chain as it helps mobile publishers generate advertising revenue and enable companies easily create small-scale mobile sites without requiring any professional services or development resources.” (via: tmcnet)