Daily Marauder

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What happens when you get Richard Branson and FCC Chairman Kevin Martin into the same room? Absolute chemistry. CG is liveblogging the keynote right now without using any fancy blogging software. Drop in if you’d like to follow along. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/01/ctia-2008-keynote-liveblog  4/1)

Sir Richard Branson at CTIA

 
Microsoft will be adding new capabilities to its mobile search app, Windows Live Search Mobile later this Spring. These will include the ability to map a contact, download custom maps from Virtual Earth on your PC to any phone running Windows mobile, integrated Web search and local weather. Blackberry users of the app will be able to conduct searches by speaking into their phone, a feature already available for Windows Mobile phones. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/01/windows-live-search-mobile-adds-new-mapping-features  4/1)

 
Sony Pictures Television says it will become the first Hollywood studio to offer full-length movies by cellphone. Sony films, such as “Bugsy,” “Ghostbusters” and “Karate Kid,” will be streamed with advertisements in a loop. AT&T says it has not yet determined a price. (Iwantmedia.com 4/1, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080401/ap_on_hi_te/sony_at_t  4/1)

Ghostbusters

 
(Below) This is one of those simple but obvious changes which should provide a direct increase in NBC Mobile users.

Accessing WAP sites by having to type in the URL has severely dampened mobile interactivity. NBC Mobile has completed partnerships with Verizon, AT&T and Research in Motion to give users direct access to more than 60 NBCU mobile sites directly from these carrier’s home screens. NBC expects the integration to increase traffic to the ad supported sites, making the mobile platform a more important part of the media and promotional mix. (Cynopsis 4/1, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i1fd18f0059ccb9272bf86cc2da56960f  3/31)

 
VH1 Mobile announced two new applications this week at the CTIA show in Vegas. “VH1 Watch and Discuss Live Chat” enables VH1 viewers to connect via programming chat rooms tied to VH1′s on-air schedule. Launching at the end of April is the “Flavor of Love” mobile game, posing challenges seen on the show including pie fights, sky writing and water gun battles. (Cynopsis 4/1, http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003783133  3/31)

 
Veveo has developed a mobile-phone feed designed to make it easier for users to watch Web videos that reflect their interests. Dubbed vtap, the tool allows consumers to either set up a feed to register their preferences or link to a Facebook or MySpace profile, according to Veveo. (Pocket-lint.co.uk 4/1)

 
MySpace improved its mobile text messaging alert program with a new partnership with mobile transaction manager MBlox, giving U.S.  customers of Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Alltel, U.S. Cellular and Virgin Mobile access to the program. The integration gives over 90% of MySpace’s users access to real time messages and friend requests. (Cynopsis 4/1)

 
Price has become an increasingly important factor in picking a wireless carrier, according to new research from comScore, even as users seek service plans and handsets that provide mobile internet access. The new study also found rising usage of the mobile internet. More than half of users with internet-enabled phones reported surfing at least once a day, compared to only 35% in during the fall of ’06 when the study was last conducted. (Cynopsis 4/1)