Mar 18, 2008
It looks like SendMe Mobile may be in the money again. According to mocoNews.com, the off-deck provider that sells ringtones and wallpapers and hosts mobile sweepstakes, plans to announce today that it has secured $15 million in a third round of capital. New investor GrandBanks Capital participated along side existing investors True Ventures and Spark Capital. SendMe has now raised $25 million in total, and has about 45 employees.
Investors include Scott Kurnit, Vince Broady, Amicus Capital, True Ventures, Spark Capital, GrandBanks Capital.

Tags:
Amicus Capital,
GrandBanks Capital,
Scott Kurnit,
SendMe Mobile,
Spark Capital,
True Ventures,
Vince Broady
Feb 29, 2008
The expectation is that at a special event next Thursday Apple will reveal improvements in the iPhone, including access to corporate email through Exchange and Lotus Notes. Despite its success the lack of enterprise functionality has been seen as a weakness in the groundbreaking cell phone. In addition to email, analysts are predicting improved security, better support of VPNs and possibly a level of CRM support. Watch the stock rise!!

Tags:
Apple,
IBM,
Microsoft
Feb 18, 2008
The Second Life experience is coming to mobile. The 3D virtual world platform, created by Linden Lab will soon be available on 3G handsets via Vollee’s streaming mobile games service. Beta trials for Vollee’s new mobile offering for the Second Life Grid platform (an inter-connected platform which extends beyond the mainland of Second Life itself) will be open to those who pre-register.
Vollee’s Second Life mobile service will enable access to the virtual world of Second Life for Residents to explore, interact and communicate on-line. The Second Life mobile experience reformats the online world to fit on mobile phone screens while mapping the keys on handsets to commands in-world. Existing Residents can simply log-in and people new to Second Life can also try out the online world for the first time through the mobile service. With a simple download to their 3G mobile handset, anyone can enjoy their online Second Life session while on the move.

“What we have developed is a service which, for the first time, allows you to access a rich persistent virtual 3D world the way it is supposed to be experienced on your phone,” said Martin Dunsby, CEO, Vollee. “This is a true ‘before and after moment’ in which mobile is living up to its potential in serving as an always on, connected platform.”
“For Linden Lab, this represents an intuitive way to extend the reach and accessibility of the Second Life Grid platform,” said Chris Mahoney, Business Deveopment Manager, Linden Lab. “This is a great way for Second Life Residents to stay connected to their friends, business and experiences in-world, wherever they are.”
Vollee’s proprietary solution is the only one on the market that can stream any high-end PC title to mobile, including [Read more]
Tags:
Benchmark Capital,
BlueRun Ventures,
Kreos Capital,
Second Life,
Vollee
Feb 15, 2008
Hot on the heels of Facebook, Mobango, a mobile social network that allows members to publish, convert and share user generated content for their mobile, have released localized versions in German and Spanish.”The launch of the site in German and Spanish marks an important stage of Mobango’s development. Those are key markets that will contribute substantially to the global growth of our community,” says Fabio Pezzotti, founder and CEO of Mobango.

Mobango’s office in Munich is headed by Anton Zur, who has worked with Mobango since the launch of the global service in 2006 and who has contributed significantly to the growth of the product features. The Country manager for Spain is Paloma Furones who has worked with Mobango since the very beginning.
“We have targeted Germany as it is one of the largest European mobile markets with 97 million subscribers. According to ComScore 34 percent of Germans are also using mobile internet services, the highest rate in Europe,” says Anton Zur.
“The localization of Mobango for Spanish speaking users will allow us to expand beyond our already global platform to make it even more relevant, accessible and interesting for Spanish and Latin American audiences,” says Paloma Furones.
Mobango users can now access the mobile site in their supported languages through any mobile device with Internet access. To sign up for Mobango, German and Spanish users can go to www.mobango.de and www.mobango.es.
With an Q107 investment of EUR2million from Doughty Hanson, I guess that Mobango will soon be trawling the markets for more cash.
Tags:
Doughty Hanson,
Facebook,
Mobango
Feb 12, 2008

Mozes, Inc (www.mozes.com), a Palo Alto company that allows anyone to create and manage interactive, text message-based mobile campaigns and promotions, has announced a strategic relationship with Universal Motown Records Group (UMRG). Using Mozes, over 60 artists will communicate with their fans instantaneously via the mobile phone, including some of today’s biggest artists like Akon, Blue October, Hinder, Godsmack and Mya.
“I’m extremely excited to have found a fun and interactive way to communicate in real-time with my fans. I can send them anything from information on music releases, backstage pass opportunities and interactive exchange of texts and photos,” expressed Universal Republic recording artist Baby Boy Da Prince
UMRG will use Mozes to manage and execute a variety of programs and promotions including Hinder’s Door to Dorm tour this Spring. Hinder will have a live contest each night of their tour where fans can text for a chance to win a backstage pass at the show. Everyone that interacts at the show gets a free mobile phone wallpaper and the ability to join Hinder’s fan list on Mozes. Fans that opt-in to Hinder’s list will be able to text with the band on an ongoing basis and receive exclusive mobile updates. Fans can also visit Hinder’s mobile card at Mozes.com and download special offers from the band and communicate with other fans.
“In our search to find the most compelling way for our artists to connect with their fans, Mozes emerged as the clear choice. The fact that Mozes is already working with so many other great artists in the industry means that we can engage a wider audience in our own mobile programs,” said Mel Lewinter, Chairman UMRG.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Universal Motown Records Group as we open our service to general availability and leave beta,” said Dorrian Porter, CEO of Mozes. “Being able to interact with your favorite artist in real-time on the mobile phone is a powerful and personal connection. Our role is to support the most effective way for mobile publishers like Universal artists to reach, grow and connect with their audience.”
Investors in Mozes include North Bridge Venture Partners and Norwest Venture Partners.
Tags:
Mozes,
North Bridge Venture Partners,
Norwest Venture Partners,
Universal Motown Records Group