Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and Best Buy have announced a partnership whereby Best Buy employees will offer to install the Google Mobile Application for customers purchasing mobile phones from a retail Best Buy store. It wasn’t mentioned how much money Best Buy would receive from Google, but rumored estimates range from “I’m going to leave my job and order a trophy wife from Russia” to “I’m rich, bitch”.

Press Release, with massive amounts of bullshit press lingo stripped out, after the jump.

Best Buy Mobile announced a retail partnership with Google that will bring Google Mobile App to consumers. Best Buy is the first retailer in the U.S. to work with Google to distribute Google Mobile App on smartphones sold in-store.

“We know that consumers want smartphones and, increasingly, they want to use applications,” said Scott Moore, VP of Marketing for Best Buy Mobile. “The challenge is that people still need help understanding what is available to them and how they can bring it to life on their device. This partnership between Best Buy and Google serves that role and will go a long way in bringing applications to more consumers regardless of what device, carrier or platform they use.”

Google Mobile App features include:

• One-click access to Google – search Google without having to navigate to the internet
• Search by voice – speak your query in plain English
• My Location – search for local businesses without having to type your current location
• Google Suggest – search for suggested queries and businesses that appear as you type
• Links to other Google apps including Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube

“We are excited to offer users a new and more personalized way of getting Google on their smartphones,” said Marc Vanlerberghe, Director of Marketing at Google. “While Google Mobile App is available as a free download from m.google.com, often times users run into problems because they don’t have the right handset or data plan. Through this agreement, experts at Best Buy Mobile will be available to help users install Google Mobile App on their existing or new smartphone so that they can Walk Out Working.”

Best Buy Mobile associates will install Google Mobile App on all compatible smartphones through the Walk Out Working program which is a free in-store smartphone setup. Google will announce this additional method of getting Google Mobile App on its Mobile Blog (http://googlemobile.blogspot.com) and will provide more information on a new web site, (http://www.google.com/bestbuymobile), scheduled to launch November 9.

“This relationship is an opportunity for both Google and Best Buy Mobile to provide consumers with better access to innovative applications like Google Mobile App,” said Moore. “Going beyond simply selling mobile phones, working with ground-breaking companies like Google allows Best Buy Mobile to improve the buying experience and deliver against its customer promise of being there through the life of the phone.”

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• Google LCB – new Google service for mobile searching sans typing
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Do you develop mobile apps for the iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian or webOS? Well, we want to hear from you! We’ve partnered up with “Under The Radar” to find cool mobile apps that will blow our minds. We’re asking any and all mobile app developers to submit their app for the “FAST PITCH” mobile app talent search, where your app will vie for a chance to be showcased in front of an audience of global dealmakers and start-ups. Even if we don’t pick your app for the talent search, you’ll get some serious recognition for your app (and possibly prizes, like handsets).

Interested? Here’s what you need to know:

• You must be able to attend Under the Radar (in Mountain View on Nov 19)
  • If you’re selected as a finalist, you’ll get a free conference pass
• Your app has to be live and available for download
• We welcome any and all apps for iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android, Symbian, etc
• Your app must be unique and new – no tip calculators or sudoku apps, please
• You must be able to pitch your app in 2 min (and 4 slides) on stage

We’re going to make it simple for you to submit your app for consideration in the “Under The Radar” FAST PITCH mobile app talent search. Interested mobile devs need only leave a comment or tweet @IntoMobile with a quick one-liner pitch for your mobile app – Twitter is limited to 140 characters, so choose accordingly. Please make sure to include a link to your app’s download page (or homepage) and your Twitter handle with your submission.

Your app will be judged for its “uniqueness” and the all important “awesomeness” metric. We’ll be accepting mobile app submissions through Friday, Nov. 6 Monday, Nov. 9 (deadline extended). The 6 lucky finalists will be contacted directly through email and/or Twitter.

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You know that future we keep talking about? The one where everything in your life is controlled by what we know today as mobile phones? Right, well, that future inches closer today with the launch of Parkmobile’s “Pay by Phone Parking” service in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Like the name suggests, the new service allows residents and visitors to pay for their metered parking space with nothing more than a couple key presses on their cellphone.

The “Pay by Phone Parking” service isn’t an app, or even a webpage, it’s a dial-in service that works with any and all cellphones. Once you’ve registered your phone number with Parkmobile’s system, all it takes is a simple phone call to start paying for your meter. When you get back to your car, call Parkingmobile to stop the “meter.” It’s really that simple.

We’re not told when or where Parkmobile will be expanding the “Pay by Phone” service, but we hope it’s soon and everywhere, respectively.

Parkmobile website

[Via: PRNewswire]

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Orange announced a deal with Google (NSDQ: GOOG) to bring the Goole Mobile App to its customers in Europe. The multi-year agreement is made to make mobile search and geo-location services easier to use by the carrier’s customers, while at the same time helping Google become ever more powerful player in the mobile industry. This, of course, is not to say Orange won’t benefit from the deal, as well.

Orange plans to bundle Google’s mobile app in its Signature phones, starting with those running Android. And in the UK and France, Google mobile search results will also include content from Orange’s own mobile portal.

In addition, Orange’s Android devices — including LG Eve, HTC Tatto and HTC Hero — will feature specially designed services like the Orange Email Wizard in one easy-to-manage place.

Once the “Android phase” is over, the two companies will bring Google Mobile App as well as other Google services to Symbian S60, BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) and Windows Mobile devices…

In a nutshell, Google is one step closer to ruling the world. Next in line are Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) and Telefonica (NYSE: TEF), after which we can say the search giant dominates the western hemisphere.

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• Orange to offer Nokia Messaging, too
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• Orange UK to provide Toshiba TG01 exclusivity

Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s giving Virgin America customers an early holiday present. Jet-setters lucky enough to be flying Virgin America between November 10, 2009 and January 15, 2010 will be have access to free in-flight WiFi, courtesy of Google. If you’re on Virgin America’s email list, you’ll find the offer in your inbox today.

Virgin America has already been offering in-flight WiFi for travelers looking to keep themselves connected at cruising altitude, but this is the first time the airline has teamed up with Google to provide free WiFi service. The deal should give boost Virgin America’s holiday air-travel traffic, while Google gets a bit of positive press. That’s a win-win in our book!

Remember, your flight has to fall between Nov. 10 and Jan. 15 in order to take advantage of the free WiFi offer. Book flights through Virgin America’s website here.

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• Virgin America to debut fleet-wide in-flight WiFi early next year
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• T-Mobile Offering ‘Free Companion Flight’ Promo Until Dec. 24th

Walmart is all about giving customers the best prices on everything from underwear to mobile phones. Come October 18th, Walmart will start offering discount wireless service too! Walmart has announced that they are breaking into the wireless business with an exclusive wireless service of their very own. Dubbed “Straight Talk,” Walmart’s own-branded wireless service offers customers discount wireless plans starting at just $30 per month with unlimited talk, text and web coming in at just $45 a month. What about contracts? Nope, you won’t find any contracts with Straight Talk.

Walmart teamed up with TracFone Wireless, one of the biggest names in prepaid wireless, to bring the exclusive Straight Talk service to its customers. The move reminds us of the good ole’ days when everyone and their sister had an MVNO to call their own. But while the MVNO fad proved mostly disastrous, Walmart’s super cheap Straight Talk service could have what it takes to turn the discount retailer into a legit prepaid wireless carrier.

The Straight Talk service will go live on October 18th, and offers nationwide coverage and unlimited 411 information services. The $30 “All You Need” plan includes 1,000 voice minutes, 1,000 text messages and 30MB of data. The $45 Unlimited plan includes, well, unlimited minutes, messages and data.

Unfortunately, you probably won’t be using too much data on Straight Talk’s lineup of mostly underwhelming sub-$100 handsets. Still, there’s at least one QWERTY phone in the bunch, so text message fiends have something to look forward to.

Full press release after the break.

Walmart To Launch Straight Talk Exclusively, Nationwide

No-Contract Wireless Plans Starting at $30 a Month

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Oct. 14, 2009) – Dedicated to providing families affordable wireless solutions, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) announces today it will launch Straight Talk, a new solution in no-contract cellular, exclusively at more than 3,200 Walmart stores nationwide starting October 18, 2009. Straight Talk will bring to the market a new low price for no-contract wireless service with two prepaid plans now available to customers nationwide at $30 and $45 a month. Straight Talk will only be available in Walmart stores and online at www.Walmart.com and www.StraightTalk.com.

The average U.S. adult spends $78 on his or her cell phone bill to receive 1000 minutes a month.* By switching to the $30 Straight Talk plan, for example, the average 1,000 minutes-per-month consumer could save more than $500 per year and still be on a reliable nationwide network.

To help drive down no-contract wireless pricing for customers, Walmart will launch Straight Talk providing customers the following two options:

* Straight Talk “All You Need” 30-day Plan that includes the following for only $30 a month:
o 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30MB of mobile web access
o Nationwide coverage
o 411 Information calls at no extra charge

* Straight Talk’s Unlimited 30-day Plan that includes the following for $45 a month:
o Unlimited minutes, unlimited text and unlimited mobile web access
o Nationwide coverage
o Unlimited 411 Information calls at no extra charge

“It has been very encouraging to see the excitement and response to the Straight Talk pilot in 234 stores that began last summer at Walmart,” said Greg Hall, vice president of Media Services, Walmart U.S. “In light of the savings customers continue to need, we have worked very quickly to extend this offering to all of our Walmart customers nationwide, and just before the holidays.”

Consumers may refill their monthly balances by buying refill cards at Walmart, or by registering online at www.Walmart.com or www.StraightTalk.com. Also available at Walmart are a range of Straight Talk phone products to suit different needs, from the entry-level LG 220 flip phone at $39.98, to the LG Slider 290 at $79.98 to the Samsung 451 QWERTY keyboard phone at $99.88.

More information about Straight Talk no-contract wireless services is available at www.Walmart.com or www.StraightTalk.com.

Straight Talk is an exclusive Walmart service developed with TracFone Wireless, Inc. TracFone Wireless currently sells TracFone and NET10 prepaid wireless phones and airtime at Walmart stores and online at www.walmart.com.

* Source: Nielsen Mobile Bill Panel Data

About Walmart

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

About TracFone Wireless

TracFone Wireless, Inc. is a subsidiary of America Movil (NYSE: AMX, Nasdaq: AMOV) and has more no-contract cell phone customers than any other carrier in the U.S.

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Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless has yet to jump on the Android train, but the carrier is determined to hop a ride in the near future. Today, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and Verizon announced that they are working together to bring a “family of [Android] devices” to market in the near future. In fact, we should be seeing two new smartphones powered by Google’s mobile OS this year. We’re hoping one of those Android devices is going to be the Motorola Sholes/Tao that was missing at Motorola (NYSE: MOT)’s Android announcement last month.

There are apparently a handful of different manufacturers lining up to bring their Android wares to Verizon’s network. Some of them might even be working on an Android netbook. But, the most interestingly tidbit to come from Google’s partnership with Verizon is the expected arrival of Google Voice with Verizon’s first Android launch. In what we’re going to interpret as a jab at Apple (NSDQ: AAPL), Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam confirmed that Google Voice would be a go on Verizon, adding that “you are either open, or you are not.”

As for when we’re going to see the Motorola Sholes hitting market, we can’t say. Our money is on a pre-holiday launch.

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AT&T (NYSE: T) isn’t going to let their exclusive iPhone and its prolific AppStore get all the mobile app glory anymore. The No. 2 US wireless carrier has been pushing mobile applications through their on-deck AT&T Media Mall for longer than Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) has been selling the iPhone, and it seems AT&T wants to make a mobile app comeback. To that end, Big Blue has just acquired mobile app developer Plusmo.

What’s the big deal? Plusmo is in the business of making it easy to develop mobile apps for a variety of smartphones. Plusmo’s service champions the “code once, run everywhere” philosophy by giving developers the tools to convert/port their mobile app (coded in standardized web language) to the all sorts of smartphone platforms. With Plusmo’s technology under wing, AT&T is looking to encourage mobile devs to craft apps for all of its smartphones, not just the iPhone.

Why? Because AT&T won’t have the iPhone locked down forever. In fact, there’s a growing population of AT&T-hating iPhone lovers that probably wouldn’t have a problem dropping AT&T as their iPhone carrier… right now. When AT&T’s exclusive iPhone deal runs its course, it’s going to have to have a backup plan. That plan likely includes a smartphone portfolio that has enough mobile app support to keep AT&T at the top of its game.

[Update]
AT&T hasn’t fessed up to Plusmo’s purchase price yet, but we’re sure it’s a big number.

[Via: BusinessWeek]

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Barnes & Noble has become the premier mega-bookstore drawing hoards of “customers” to its magazine shelves with free WiFi access. B&N’s deal with AT&T, allows patrons to surf the interwebs with abandon. Borders isn’t going to let it go down like that. The other book retailer has just announced that they’ve partnered up with Verizon (NYSE: VZ) to provide free WiFi in nearly all of its 500+ Borders bookstores in the US.

Borders is already working to equip its stores with WiFi networks. “By offering free Wi-Fi, we are extending the open atmosphere of exploration that is at the core of every great bookstore experience and furthering the sense of community we have always fostered at Borders,” says Borders Group Chief Executive Officer Ron Marshall.

The book-seller should start to see more customers loitering around its stores as it rolls out its free WiFi service in mid-October.

[Via: PRNewswire]

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U.S. retailer JCPenney is partnering with Cellfire on mobile coupons, allowing shoppers to “ring up savings with an innovative cell-phone coupon program.” As a result, interested customers will be able to carry their coupons with them, no matter where they happen to be, and show/scan them directly from the phone’s screen at the register. For that purpose, JCPenney has installed 2D barcode readers in 16 of its stores in the Houston metro area.

To entice its customers to use the new service, JCPenney will promote the initiative through web and mobile advertising, and directly via e-mail and other messaging to members of JCPenney’s JCP Rewards program in the Houston market. Existing Cellfire users will also have access to the same coupons on their mobile phones they would receive from JCPenney by mail…

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The National Federation of the Blind and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) announced that they will cooperate to “promote technologies that improve the accessibility of cell phones to blind consumers.” As a result, some of the future Motorola handsets, which will be released next year, will provide verbal readouts of information displayed on the screen to assist blind people. Among the information that will be read to the users are time and date, battery level, signal strength, user’s phone number, caller ID, voice mail alerts, incoming, missed and received calls. In addition, blind users will also be able to input and access contacts, and various other settings.

It’s good that Motorola has agreed to cooperate with the National Federation of the Blind, and I’m hoping that every major handset maker will do its part to make its devices possible to use by the blind people. Simply said – it’s the right thing to do!

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Sprint’s all-new Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre is just about the greatest thing to come out of Palm in quite some time. The compact QWERTY slider features a 3.2-megapixel camera, GPS, WiFi, finger-friendly interface, sleek styling and responsive capacitance-based touchscreen. That all adds up to one impressive smartphone – and it’s mostly thanks to the intuitive and fun webOS. Is it any wonder Palm wants to put all their resources into the webOS’s continued success? Palm CEO Paul Rubinstein himself declared today, during a financial results call, that Palm smartphones will no longer sport Windows Mobile. Going forward, all we’ll see from Palm is the webOS, stuffed into Palm smartphones the likes of the Palm Pre and the Palm Pixi.

Due to importance of webOS to our overall strategy, we’ve made the decision to dedicate all future development resources to the evolution of webOS. Which means that going forward, our roadmap will include only Palm webOS-based devices

The news comes on Palm’s fiscal Q1 2010 earnings report. Palm sold some 810,000 Palm Pre smartphones in the previous quarter. Given the Palm Pre’s US-only status, that’s not exactly a sales figure to laugh at. Still, the Palm Pre has yet to become the booming success that Palm needs to be, and expects revenues to drop in the coming quarters.

So, Palm’s going to be focusing all its R&D dollars into making the webOS as badass as possible. They’re still betting on webOS to bring Palm back to its past glory as a market leader. In fact, Rubinstein even hinted that the webOS might just get some serious enterprise support in the near future. That’s big, especially since Sprint (NYSE: S) wanted to distance the Palm Pre from business users. We might even see a webOS-powered Palm Treo coming back to give BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) and Windows Mobile a challenging run for their money.

[Via: PreCentral]

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Vringo and Marvel announced a partnership to create and distribute mobile videos and video ringtones based on Marvel’s superheroes. As a result, a new storefront and web-based editing platform has been created, allowing fans to purchase ready-made mobile clips and/or create their own from the Marvel archives.

Initially, the store features footage and pre-cut video ringtones from newer Marvel properties like the animated Wolverine & The X-Men, theme songs from the animated 1966 Marvel Super Heroes series, and the new content will be added every month. Of course, you will be able to turn and use all this content into video ringtones via Vringo’s application, which BTW works on BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Bold, Java2ME-compatible phones, as well as devices running Symbian or Windows Mobile. The first mobile video is available for free, while additional clips could be yours for $2 each. A dedicated website is there providing more information…

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You probably haven’t heard of Black’s if you’re not from Canada; it’s a chain of photography stores up here, 114 locations all told and pretty popular overall. Well, it appears like the recession has hit them hard and for whatever reason, wireless service provider Telus (NYSE: TU) has decided to snatch them up for $28 million. The end result will be that we’ll start seeing Telus phones in Black’s stores, seems like a strange fit to me. I can’t imagine there would be much tie-in with services… What are you going to do, order prints of your mobile photos? Doesn’t seem likely after seeing people with big boy cameras walking away with their own quality pictures. Diversification can never hurt, of course, and there’s bound to be some overlapping gadget love between mobile and photography. Black’s has already been trying to spread their wings a bit by selling GPS units. It would certainly be cool to see more wireless-friendly cameras out there – maybe hardware that lets you upload pictures directly from your camera to web services via 3G? Yeah, that’s mostly crazy talk, but there are cameras that are going in that direction.

[via Telus]

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China Unicom and Telefonica (NYSE: TEF), both big names in global telecommunications, have announced an extended partnership in which they would provide mutual infrastructure support and continue an existing alliance. The specifics are pretty vague, but after all is said and done, China Unicom will own 0.88% of Telefonica, and Telefonica will own 8% of China Unicom after investing $1 billion into one another. A mutal, financial vested interest is a great way to solidify a strategic partnership, and will hopefully reward both parties in the long run. China Unicomis is still nailing down its iPhone agreement, and could use the extra help competing against China Mobile (NYSE: CHL), who is currently the world’s second-largest mobile service provider (Telefonica has third place).  Conversely, Telefonica could stand to profit by investing before the iPhone starts spreading across China.  For more info, hit the links.

[via Telefonica, China Unicom]

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Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)’s Office software suite has enjoyed almost unrivaled domination of the enterprise productivity software market for years now, but the tides are changing. And companies like Motorola (NYSE: MOT) are leading the charge. Business Insider reports that Motorola ’s Mobile Devices Division (a.k.a mobile phone division) will be replacing some Microsoft Office services with Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Apps as the company’s collaboration/communication platform . The move will net Google another 20,000 users of its enterprise Google Apps service, and should help lower Motorola’s operating costs.

What kind of costs? Motorola will be saving on costs associated with backing up email, managing email, disaster recovery, software, servers and updates. Surely, these costs are minimal for individuals and small businesses. But, when your enterprise is comprised of tens of thousands of users, the costs can start to get significant. So much so that Google’s enterprise Google Apps service is a cheaper and more efficient option. And, Google Apps is getting more integrated into mobile phones to boot!

Here’s what Motorola has to say on the matter:

[Via: BusinessInsider]

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When Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) rejected a certain Google Voice iPhone app from doing business on the iPhone AppStore, the masses threw up their arms and did what any self-respecting iPhone user would do – they posted their angry comments throughout the blogosphere and then mostly proceeded to take what Apple gives them. That’s just how iPhoners do. The FCC, on the other hand, was a bit more intrigued. The US Federal Communications Commission flexed their federal-muscle and launched an inquiry into how Google (NSDQ: GOOG), Apple and AT&T (NYSE: T) were involved in Apple’s move to dismiss Google Voice apps from the AppStore. Now, Google’s decision to keep true VoIP services off the Android platform (Google’s mobile operating system) has caught the FCC’s attention.

The FCC previously asked the trio involved in the iPhone Google Voice app fiasco to disclose any and all communications between the companies. If there’s some sort of backroom deal that compels Apple to remove iPhone apps, then the FCC wants to know about it. At the time, Google was more of a secondary player. But there’s more to the story.

USA Today notes that Google isn’t exactly an innocent bystander in the blocking-apps-from-smartphones dealings between Apple and AT&T. Google, in fact, has been keeping VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services from hitting the Android OS. Google says that it has the power to block VoIP, but does so only when asked by a wireless carrier. Seeing as how T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) is the only US carrier offering Android smartphones, that would suggest that T-Mobile requested that Google keep VoIP off the T-Mobile G1 and myTouch3G. T-Mobile denies having made any such request.

Now, Google’s involvement in the Google Voice shakedown could very well put the company straight in the FCC’s crosshairs. The FCC wants Google to explain how it considers and approves Android apps for the Android Market, as well as the percentage of rejected Android apps.

With a little luck, the FCC’s inquiry could lead to sweeping changes in the way the wireless game works. Basically, we could all end up with more open mobile platforms with less influence from wireless carriers.

[Via: USA Today]

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• FCC launches investigation into Apple’s banishment of Google Voice iPhone app
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There are some out there that might disagree with London’s push to clean up the seedier side of metropolitan life, but wireless carriers in the UK are apparently on board with new program to block phone numbers known to be tied to prostitution rings. The Times Online is reporting that the Metropolitan Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, British Telecom will meet with the CEOs of Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), Orange, O2 (NYSE: TEF), 3, Virgin and T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) this coming October. The topic of discussion: How to block prostitutes’ phone numbers before the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

At stake here is the welfare of women brought into the UK to work as prostitutes. With the 2012 Olympic Games coming to London, tourists will be flocking to the foggy city. Research from the 2004 Olympic Games showed that the number of women trafficked into Athens doubled prior to the 2004 Games. And, London wants to prevent a similar surge in sex trafficking.

London’s underbelly is home to criminal gangs (prostitution rings, really) that trick women into coming to the UK to work high-paying jobs, only to find that they’re now indebted to pay back travel and immigration costs by working as sex workers. The gangs set up phone numbers and distribute flyers to market their “business.” By blocking access to these prostitution rings, London hopes to fight the abuse of women by taking away a key part of pimps’ business model.

A noble effort indeed. The rest of the world would do well to follow London’s example.

[Via: T3]

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• Keep tabs on the 2008 Olympics with your mobile phone

BlockBuster’s OnDemand streaming movie service is going mobile, and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) has locked down an exclusive deal that would put the movie download service on select Motorola mobile phones. The deal would make Motorola the first cellphone maker to offer access to BlockBusters thousands of movie titles to consumer on-the-go. While video entertainment has been somewhat slow to gain traction in the US, but Motorola sees the market growing and believes their partnership with BlockBuster will allow them to deliver an “unparalleled portable movie experience in [Motorola's] next-generation handsets.”

The deal helps BlockBuster gain a foothold in the nascent mobile video market, giving them an advantage over competitors like Netflix. More importantly, the exclusive deal gives Motorola a unique service that may just help boost the company’s upcoming Android phones into the mainstream. We’ll have to wait and see if the Motorola Morrison hits market with BlockBuster OnDemand in tow.

There’s no mention of when the service will go live, or how much it will cost. If BlockBuster OnDemand comes bundled with Moto hardware, it’s probably safe to assume that BlockBuster will be charging on a per-download basis. A subscription model would be nice, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.

[Via: PRNewswire]

Related News from IntoMobile:

• Motorola going Android on September 10
• Blockbuster, Microsoft team up on mobile video
• Blockbuster working on bringing video rentals to mobile phones
• Changes in store for Android Market?
• T-Mobile’s Motorola Morrison Due October 21?

This was Zer01's corporate structure

In the ongoing pyramid-scheme fiasco surrounding Zer01 Mobile, the “VoIP carrier” has announced that it has cut all ties with Global Verge and Buzzirk Mobile – two of Zer01’s shady affiliates that had so far been distributing Zer01’s services through its “associate” program. Both Global Verge and Buzzirk Mobile are run by executives that have been involved in pyramid schemes, a fact that has drawn Zer01 much criticism of late and casts doubt on whether Zer01 Mobile ever intended to make good on their promise of unlimited voice and data service for $70 per month. Zer01 cites a breach of contract in kicking both companies to the curb.

Zer01’s decision to distance itself from known pyramid scheme peddlers Global Verge and Buzzirk Mobile is at least a step in the right direction. But, it doesn’t absolve Zer01 from their continued lack of communication and opaque business plans.

Zer01 Mobile announced earlier this year that it would provide unlimited wireless services for $70 per month, using a patented VoIP technology to route calls through national GSM networks allegedly partnered with Zero1. The service was supposed to go live on July 1. To date, Zer01 has not offered anything close to a reliable explanation for the launch delay. Neither their “patented” technology nor their carrier partnerships can be confirmed. And, there’s still the matter of the thousands of Zer01 “associates” that have signed up as Zer01 resellers, payed their initiation fee and continue to pay their monthly “support” fees for a service that is still vaporware (at best).

This is Zer01 Mobile CEO Ben Piilani at CTIA Wireless 2009:

According to Zer01:

“We hope that our actions and statements put many concerns to rest. We believe that statements made publicly about the nature of our relationship with certain entities and the legitimacy of our mobile products by certain third parties are erroneous and untrue and are not based upon sufficient knowledge of the facts involved. Currently, our counsel is in the process of preparing a response to these false and misleading statements.”

The announcement continues by saying that:

“Our company reserves all its legal rights and remedies that may arise from any and all erroneous and untrue statements made by third parties. We consider the reputation and integrity of Zer01 Mobile to be of utmost importance to our future success and we intend to vigilantly defend it.”

Now, we’re no mobile CEOs here, but Zer01 Mobile might want to spend more time getting its alleged wireless service launched rather than spending resources fighting all the bad press that they brought on themselves.

Full press release after the break.

News From Zer01 Communications, Inc.

Zer01 Mobile Dissolves Business Partnership With Buzzirk Mobile

- Due To Breach Of Contract, MVNE Zer01 Mobile Cuts All Ties With Buzzirk Mobile For Distribution Services -

For immediate release: 8/13/09
For more information: Ron Dresner
ron.dresner@zer01mobile.com
860.523.7500

(Las Vegas, NV) – Zer01 Mobile, the new mobile virtual network enabler offering unlimited voice, data and Web services nationwide for one, low monthly fee, announced today that it has severed its business relationship with Buzzirk Mobile for distribution services based upon breach of contract. The agreement for distribution services was originally announced in May 2009. However, due to violations of the agreement made by Buzzirk Mobile, Zer01 Mobile has concluded as of today its relationship with Buzzirk Mobile.

“The Zer01 Mobile team wishes Buzzirk Mobile the best of luck for all future endeavors. However, Zer01 Mobile has decided to formally sever our business relationship due to the breach of contract by Buzzirk Mobile,” explained Lance Dascotte, COO, Zer01 Mobile.

Creating interconnect agreements throughout North America and abroad, Zer01 Mobile is the first mobile service to offer a truly unlimited voice, data and Internet plan that is priced affordably with taxes and fees included. Zer01 Mobile’s international plan also reaches out to the most popular calling countries around the world and is also economically priced. The company has licensed patent pending proprietary VMC technology that allows each smart phone user to make voice calls or transmit data by sending voice communications through a VoIP system.

During the three-month business relationship between Zer01 Mobile and Buzzirk Mobile, questions by the general public and journalists were raised about the business agreement and Buzzirk Mobile’s ability as a distributor. “Overall, there were a number of news articles and blogs that misreported a lot of the facts about each company and its services,” commented Ron Dresner, Zer01 Mobile spokesperson. First, Zer01 Mobile and Buzzirk Mobile are two very separate and distinct companies, only joined by this now dissolved agreement. Previous reports erred in applying facts about the questionable background of Buzzirk Mobile executives to Zer01 Mobile team members; Second, industry ‘insiders’ commented about the new Zer01 Mobile service stating their doubts about the credibility of the service because no details about the interconnect agreements were released.    From the start, Zer01 Mobile stated that it needed to protect and honor the confidentiality of its business partners and could not release this information. It has invited any and all industry ‘insiders’ to visit with Zer01 Mobile at any of the upcoming industry conferences and use a Zer01 Mobile phone; Third, Zer01 Mobile has never promoted or mentioned facts regarding its service that were misleading.    News reports specifically quoted Buzzirk Mobile sales associates sources as to communication speed rates and frequencies; and fourth, questions about Zer01 Mobile’s patent pending technology in the news are totally unfounded and motivated by marketplace competitors. Any visit to the patent office will prove Zer01 Mobile’s VMC technology registration.”

“We hope that our actions and statements put many concerns to rest. We believe that statements made publicly about the nature of our relationship with certain entities and the legitimacy of our mobile products by certain third parties are erroneous and untrue and are not based upon sufficient knowledge of the facts involved. Currently, our counsel is in the process of preparing a response to these false and misleading statements. Our company reserves all its legal rights and remedies that may arise from any and all erroneous and untrue statements made by third parties. We consider the reputation and integrity of Zer01 Mobile to be of utmost importance to our future success and we intend to vigilantly defend it,” concluded Dascotte.

Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Zer01 Communications is owned and operated by the Unified Technologies Group, Inc., a global technology services and consulting company headquartered in Wilmington, DE. Zer01 Communications recently premiered the new Zer01 Mobile service at the CTIA Wireless 2009 Conference. For more information about Zer01 Communications, visit www.Zer01mobile.com.

Related News from IntoMobile:

• Buzzirk and Global Verge marketing “campaign” at Mobilize09
• New US ‘VoIP carrier’ Zer01 to offer unlimited voice and data for $70
• Telefonica Moviles Panama chose Nokia to build its GSM radio and GPRS network
• Japan Communications launches MVNO service on DoCoMo’s network
• Zer01 unlimited voice and data service demo @ Fall CTIA 2009