Hook Mobile’s MobileHook API is now available for Web 2.0 application developers. Developers will be able to build multimedia from social networking sites, and include pics, video, audio and slideshows. This API provides open access into Hook Mobile’s MAX 2.0 platform that provides Multimedia Messaging (MMS) delivery into wireless carrier networks.

“We are embracing the openness of social media, offering our APIs to application developers so they can push the user experience out to mobile phones,” said Terry Hsiao, CEO of Hook Mobile. “It will add a level of immediacy and intimacy not easily achieved in social applications, and the result is an experience that leverages the core multimedia assets of the application while un-tethering users from the desktop.”

Hook Mobile’s REST-based API makes it much easier for application developers to use MMS. Hook provides access to the MAX 2.0 platform for mobile delivery across a variety of device types, media formats, diverse carrier network connections and user handset abilities. The “mobile tab” code base can be integrated into any website, application or widget, standardizing the registration, cancellation, and terms and conditions for all applications.

MAX 2.0 connects application developers with social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Bebo, and delivers content to mobile devices via MMS. Hook Mobile enables the multitude of digital bits to be easily shared with family and friends, connecting them to their mobile lifestyle and offering social media developers a direct path to possible revenues.

“We’re constantly searching for ways to improve the customer’s experience on our products, and Hook Mobile’s API is a fresh approach to doing just that by pushing the media all the way to their mobile phone,” said Vikas Gupta CEO of Jambool, a leading developer of widgets on social networks.

“Integrating with the Hook Mobile API was very straightforward,” commented Naveed Ihsanullah of Thought Labs, “We were easily able to add mobile functionality into our existing code making our vision for Pic2Phone a reality.”

“Mobile has been a tough nut for Facedouble - for 2 years, no aggregator or carrier was able to provide us with the tools (or technical competence) we needed to succeed: 2 way MMS across carriers, resizing of content to fit the target phone, flexible billing, slideshows, good reporting; Hook Mobile’s MAX 2.0 platform does all these things. Bravo!” said Alex Shah Founder of Facedouble.

Hook Mobile

Via Mobilecrunch

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Microsoft’s Tellme subsidiary launched a voice activated directory for the BlackBerry yesterday. Users can speak into the device and say the name of a business, type of business, or keywords like “weather”, “movies”, “traffic”, “map” or “driving directions.” The application then uses GPS to locate the BlackBerry and give out information from Microsoft’s Live Search engine to the phone’s screen. Users can get directions, purchase movie tickets and do other fun stuff.

The application only works on newer BlackBerry models. It is currently advertisement-free, but in the future ads will be delivered to support the system.

Tellme was bought by Microsoft in 2007. Versions for Helio, Windows Mobile and the iPhone are being developed. Tellme’s BlackBerry launch comes on the heels of Yahoo’s voice search system, oneSearch 2.0, which just included some BlackBerry models a few weeks ago.

Voice activation seems to be the future trend for mobile directories and other applications. With cell phones getting smaller, it becomes more and more difficult to use the keypad. Navigating while on the go isn’t so easy if you are physically moving. Look for voice activation to branch out into other mobile areas as the technology develops.

Via Mobilecrunch

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V-ENABLE, a local mobile search and directory assistance service, announced this day that Sprint customers can get the full-featured downloadable version of FreeMobile411. Users only have to talk what they are looking for into their phone and the results will be displayed on-screen within seconds.

FreeMobile411 gives access to 140 million residential and 14 million business locations. Users can browse by category, get maps, driving instructions, see other business nearby and more. Best of all, it is free. Users can also connect with an operator if they want.

Freemobile411 works just like Mobile411, which is available on deck with carriers like Alltel and MetroPCS. With this release of the off deck JAVA version, Sprint customers can get directory information with a few vibrations of the larynx.

“There are several mobile and voice based services that can help find listings, get maps, driving directions, see what’s nearby. But none of the services bring it all together, with the touch of a live operator,” said Craig Hagopian, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of V-ENABLE Inc.

“With FreeMobile411 we’re embracing the blending of man and machine to complete the search experience. We look forward to being available on even more carriers and handsets so all mobile consumers can experience the most complete mobile search solution currently available”.

FreeMobile411 won’t blend you with your phone to the extent that you become a cyborg, but it will save you from thumbing through the local phone directory. Sprint users can go on the internet at www.FreeMobile411.com and register for the service, at which time they will be sent via SMS a link to download the application. Non-Sprint customers can visit the site and register with FreeMobile411. These users will be notified when FreeMobile411 is available for their handset and carrier. They can also use the mobile internet version of FreeMobile411 by typing on their phone’s browser freemobile411.com

Via Mobilecrunch

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The world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer is offering a free one year subscription to the world’s second largest music label to buyers of certain music phones. Sony BMG hosts musicians such as Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen and Celine Dion, just to name a few. Nokia’s offer differs from other similar deals in that users can keep all the music they download during the 12 month period.

Last December, Nokia mentioned a similar arrangement with music label Universal, calling the deal, “Comes With Music.” The Universal offering should be available in some markets by the second half of this year.

Nokia thinks all top music labels will become members of its “Comes With Music” family.

“We are quite confident that we’ll have all the labels at the table for Comes With Music. We are progressing in those negotiations,” stated Liz Schimel, head of Nokia’s music business.

In a related story, Nokia announced this day two new music phones will be added to its XpressMusic range, the Nokia 5320 and the Nokia 5220.

“Both music devices are expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2008, with an expected retail price range of 160 euros ($254) to 220 euros ($349), before taxes and subsidies,” Nokia said in a statement.

Via Mobilecrunch

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Skype announced this day an unlimited international calling plan that only costs $9.95 a month. The plan grants unlimited calls to land-line phones in 34 countries.

The countries include most of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Malaysia. Calls to U.S. landlines and cell phones are included, as are calls to cell phones in Canada, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Calls to cell phones in other countries aren’t included.

Skype calls are made from computers equipped with a microphone and speakers or a headset. Subscribers will also have the option to call a local number from their phones and be connected to international numbers, paying only local access charges or cell-phone airtime. Vonage and cable companies offer similar plans but at higher prices.

Skype, which is owned by eBay, also offers free computer-to-computer calls. In the first-quarter of this year the subscribers logged 1.7 billion minutes of paid calls. The free service saw 14.2 billion minutes used.

Skype

Via Mobilecrunch

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China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile phone carrier, announced this day that its first-quarter profits are up 37%. China has the largest population of mobile users, with around 520 million accounts. The government of China predicts that this number will increase to 600 million in the near future.

“The rapid growth in China’s economy and the vigorous demand for telecommunications services continued to create a prosperous environment,” stated a China Mobile statement.

China Mobile posted a profit of 24.1 billion yuan ($3.4 billion) in the first-quarter that ended on March 31. Subscriptions rose 6% for a total of 392 million. New accounts accelerated by 33% to 7.6 million per month in the quarter, driven mostly by new business in rural China. China’s eastern cities are near the saturation point, so the company is targeting the countryside.

It is believed that the government is about to approve licenses for third-generation (3G) technology. 3G supports mobile video, Web access and other services. This is expected to increase revenues even more as mobile carriers can offer new profitable services to customers.

Via Mobilecrunch

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