Round-Up: HP Handsets; FoneStarz D2C; Ad-Funded Casino Games

– HP is moving into the mobile space, a notable development because of the companies size and deep pockets. The two phones are 3G and aimed at business users. “The new phones are a key part of HP’s efforts to expand its iPAQ brand of handheld products beyond PDA devices, which still sell briskly, though their popularity is fading in favor of more phone-like gadgets” notes AP.

In-Stat has suggested that mobile TV may hurt carriers, noting that “mobile” does not necessarily equate to “cellular”. “Cellular operators may find that consumers won’t be as interested in their video offerings once other types of service are available,” said David Chamberlain, In-Stat analyst. “Of the five methods of mobile video delivery studied in a recent In-Stat report, two operate outside the current cell phone ecosystem, and a third–out-of-band video–seems to be allied to mobile operators for commercial convenience, not technological necessity.” All three of these could bypass mobile operators altogether — although it’s worth noting that when Modeo didn’t get an operator partner in the US it bowed out of the market. (release)

— Mobile content retailer FoneStarz has launched its first off-portal direct-to-consumer effort. Kazzip has gone live in Germany, the UK and the US selling images, animations, videos and tones. Fonestarz has been around for seven years and manages content on operator portals in 25 countries.

— Glu Mobile has extended its deal with Sega, picking up Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Golf 2D and Sega Rally as licenses.

— Ad-funded games company Cellufun has launched some new games under its Mob Hill Casino brand, including Video Poker, Black Jack and slots. The games will have a shared “bank” (which keeps Cellupoints, which are what people win) which can be made in one game and played in another, reports Mobile Entertainment.

— Dutch movie chain Pathé has launched a mobile site offering information on which movies are playing at what time in the local theatre. It also has trailers, film images and movie descriptions.

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