–Hallmark is launching a mobile storefront which will feature its own content as well as licensed material from other sources. The content will be paid for via the phone bill. The site is run by Silverbirch, and there’s not much information except that “the site will educate and enable visitors to use mobile messaging and acquire mobile content in a simple and straightforward manner”…which implies a couple of things. First, that mobile greeting cards will be part of the mix (which is to be expected) and second that Hallmark is keen for the site to be accessed by people who don’t normally use mobile content or messaging…ie, the sort of customers likely to buy a Hallmark card. It’s not Hallmark’s first effort: Back in 2004 it did something with Enpocket. (release)
–LocatioNet has launched an ad-funded mobile navigation service, which “uses a Java application to display maps and photographs on a wide variety of mobile phones, as well as picking up location information from in-built (or Bluetooth-connected) GPS equipment” reports The Register. Dubbed AmAze the intent is to add local services information and weather. The ads appear while data is being downloaded and while the app loads…there aren’t any advertisers at present.
–CBS has launched a service where people can get SMS or e-mail alerts if its programs are delayed due to sports games running over time.
–Vivdendi is using viral marketing to promote its new mobile game The Incredible Machine, which is aimed at older women who “tend to enjoy building the puzzle game’s “Rube Goldberg”-type contraptions on their mobile devices” reports Ad Week. Rather than paying for good placement on sites like YouTube it’s taking the “strategic seed” approach, which makes sense considering the lower revenues in the mobile gaming business. It’s viral concept is good (70s super-heroine, which should suit the target market) but I’m not sure the target market is doing that much on social networking sites.
–ShoZu has added FaceBook to its service so people can upload mobile photos directly to their Facebook account with one click — or alternatively set their Facebook account to simply show the latest photo uploaded to Flickr. (release)
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