VLINGO LAUNCHES VOICE-POWERED IPHONE APPLICATION

Voice servies provider vlingo Corporation has introduced the vlingo for iPhone application on the Apple App Store. It gives users the ability to dial their contacts, search the web, access Google Maps, and send status updates for Facebook and Twitter, simply by speaking. “The iPhone offers an innovative multi-touch user interface that is fundamentally transforming the wireless industry," said Dave Grannan, CEO of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based vlingo. "We’re proud to debut our breakthrough voice recognition technology on iPhone, taking simplicity one step further by reducing much of the reliance on typing, making mobile data and applications easier to find and use.” A demo video of the application is available.-Smarajit Dasgupta

PROXIMIC DEBUTS PROXIMIC AGENTS APPLICATION FOR IPHONE

Search and contextual advertising firm Proximic has introduced the first version of Proximic Agents, a mobile search application. Currently available at the iPhone App store, Proximic Agents focuses on offering personalized and intelligent news on the iPhone. The application will scour through over a million RSS news feeds to find relevant content. Proximic Agents comes with a number of smartphone-friendly features, such as "Point to Search," which enables users to find relevant information just by pointing to an entire block of text on the touch screen. In addition, Proximic Agents enables users to request and receive timely information on any number of topics. Based on Proximic's language-independent approach to finding and matching contextually relevant information, the new application enables users to search and receive information by using features designed for new generations of mobile phones like touch screens, while de-emphasizing features better suited to desktop computers. Proximic's "pattern proximity" search approach automatically reads and matches relevant content according to interconnected "patterns" that are not even based on words but which exist within each document. Later versions of the application will look to increase the relevance of information and substantially decrease the users’ efforts in accessing that information. "The market for search and contextual advertising has as much potential – if not greater potential – on the mobile handset as it has had on the computer desktop," said Proximic CTO Thomas Nitsche. "But first, search must adapt to the way consumers use their mobile phones. Mobile handset manufacturers have spent a great deal of time and energy understanding how consumers use their phones. It's time for the search market to catch up, and become more proactive and less of a strain for the users. At Proximic, we want to contribute to solving this situation and make a big move in the right direction."-Smarajit Dasgupta

MULTIPLIED MEDIA, YELLOW PAGES GROUP FORM MOBILE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

Calgary-based Multiplied Media Corp has formed a distribution agreement with Yellow Pages Group, which integrates business directory information from YellowPages.ca into the mobile versions of Multiplied's Poynt local search service. The Poynt local search service is now available through Windows Live Messenger and BlackBerry in Canada. Users can enter search terms, and find relevant retailer, product, or service information near their location, including phone and address information as well as enhanced data such as interactive maps, driving directions, movie reviews, and ticket purchase. Multiplied Media CEO Andrew Osis said, "By extending our agreement with Yellow Pages Group to Poynt mobile applications the tremendous growth we are seeing in user numbers and user queries will have a positive impact on our projected revenues." Poynt for BlackBerry can be downloaded from m.mypoynt.com via their BlackBerry browser. The Windows Live Messenger version can be accessed by adding poynt@live.com to one’s buddy list. -Smarajit Dasgupta

AT&T TAPS CHACHA FOR TEXT AND VOICE ADS. AT&T

AT&T and mobile search services company ChaCha have formed a partnership that will enable ChaCha to use a co-branded greeting and promote AT&T when consumers call 1-800 2ChaCha (+1-800-2-242242). The companies will look to further explore opportunities in both text and voice ad-based services. "AT&T continues to look for new ways to make its voice and local search services tailored to the needs of today's consumer – in the voice space specifically, beyond just traditional name and number searches," said Susan Johnson, senior VP of AT&T Customer Information Services. "Our work with ChaCha provides a great opportunity – really, another vehicle – to put information and answers right at people's fingertips." -Smarajit Dasgupta

NOKIA UPGRADES MAPS, INTEGRATES WITH OVI

Nokia has upgraded its mobile mapping and navigation service Nokia Maps, as well as its personalized online mapping experience on Ovi by Nokia. Nokia Maps now include high-resolution aerial images, 3D landmarks for 216 cities, and terrain maps, as well as a new route overview during routing and during Drive, the purchasable turn-by-turn car navigation guidance. The higher quality of maps can be attributed to the relationship between Nokia and NAVTEQ. The level of detail in the maps has increased to the point that users can view multiple entrances to the same underground metro station. Nokia Maps now also offers instant access to real time information such as camera alerts, safety spots, and traffic information for selected countries, as well as Wcities event guides providing real-time information for events and movies in over 450 destinations. Nokia Maps plus Ovi allows people to plan their journey at home on their PC and synchronize with their mobile, giving access to pre-planned routes and favorite destinations while on the move. The new version of the Nokia Maps application for selected devices is available on the Nokia Beta Labs. Additionally, the online version will be accessible at maps.ovi.com. -Smarajit Dasgupta

CHINESE MOBILE SEARCH COMPANY EASOU SECURES US$ 12 MILLION

Chinese mobile search company YETI Group Ltd. (Easou) has raised US$ 12 million in a third round of financing led by iD TechVentures and AXA Private Equity (www.axaprivateequity.com). Shenzhen-headquartered Easou intends to utilize the funds for further R&D, marketing, and geographic expansion. CEO of Easou Frank Wang, said, “We firmly believe in the bright future of the wireless Internet business in China, and will continue to provide mobile users with high-quality and easy-to-use mobile search services.” Easou was founded in March 2005 and provides mobile users with search based information services, and offers SMEs with targeted marketing and advertisement services. -Smarajit Dasgupta

CALL GENIE BAGS A CONTRACT WITH CHILE-BASED LA GRAN GUIA

Call Genie has entered into a “full product suite” multi-year contract with La Gran Guia SA, a Chile-based directories publisher owned by El Mercurio SAP and VTR GlobalCom SA. It is anticipated that the solution will be commercialized in phases over the course of next year and into 2010. "Our contract with La Gran Guia represents a significant beachhead into a large, and rapidly expanding Latin American market," said Call Genie CEO Mike Durance. Call Genie will be utilizing a comprehensive suite of its products to commercialize a mobile local search and advertising solution for La Gran Guia. The contract is based primarily on a revenue share arrangement, but also includes upfront implementation fees, transactional fees, and hosting fees. -Smarajit Dasgupta