Mobile Video

Adobe teams with ARM to optimize Flash for mobile

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:50:16 -0500

Software provider Adobe Systems announced a collaboration with digital solutions provider ARM to optimize and enable Adobe Flash Player 10 and Adobe AIR for mobile phones, mobile Internet devices, personal media players and other mobile computing devices, which the companies promise will accelerate mobile graphics and video capabilities across multiple platforms to bring rich web applications and services to mobile devices and consumer electronics. Per terms of the agreement, Adobe and ARM will deliver an optimized Adobe Flash Player 10 for the ARM architecture as well as industry-standard API support for GPUs and hardware accelerators. The firms add the partnership is expected to lower power consumption for mobile devices running Flash Player 10 and AIR content.

The partnership springs out of Adobe's Open Screen Project, an industry initiative launched in May to foster a consistent Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR environment across desktop computers, mobile devices and set-top boxes to simplify the efforts of developers and content companies seeking to deliver a streamlined user experience. Adobe Flash Player 10 for ARMv6 and ARMv7 architecture-based hardware is expected to be available royalty-free for all Open Screen Project participants. Adobe will also make available Flash Player 10 for ARM processor-based devices to OEMs.

For more on the Adobe/ARM partnership:
- read this release

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Verizon debuts user-generated mobile video service

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:09:49 -0500

Wireless community and media services provider FunMobility announced the launch of America's Best Mobile Flix, an interactive video sharing service and mobile social network available via Verizon Wireless. According to FunMobility, aFLIX will enable Verizon subscribers to efficiently create unique mobile video experiences and share user-generated content with mobile contacts across multiple operator networks--users can upload videos into categories including Comedy, Kids Vids, Crazy Pets and Sports Hijinks, or create a profile with their videos and messages. Customers can also review, comment, rate and share every video on aFLIX directly from their mobile device, with the highest rated clips featured in a monthly "Best Videos" category. Users are automatically presented with the highest-rated video they have not yet seen when they open the aFLIX app. aFLIX will run alongside FunMobility's existing America's Best Mobile Pix photo sharing application.

For more on aFLIX:
- read this release

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mywaves teams with Mukta Arts for Bollywood clips

Jason Ankeny — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:39:05 -0500

Mobile video service provider mywaves announced a partnership with Indian film producer and distributor Mukta Arts to deliver free trailers, behind-the-scenes interviews, music videos and outtakes from Bollywood musicals. Mukta Arts will introduce several mywaves channels spotlighting movies including Black & White, Valu, Hello Darling, Right Yaaa Wrong and Paying Guests. Alongside mobile video content, the companies will collaborate on a mobile marketing campaign in support of the upcoming feature Yuvvraaj, promising consumers free wallpapers via mywaves' click-to-download advertising solution. According to mywaves, its free mobile entertainment site now welcomes more than 5.5 million monthly unique users.

For more on the mywaves/Mukta Arts deal:
- read this release

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Transpera rakes in $8.25 million in Series B

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:13:34 -0500

Mobile video services provider Transpera announced the completion of a Series B financing round totaling $8.25 million. Flybridge Capital Partners led the round, with fellow existing investors Intel Capital and First Round Capital as well as new investor Labrador Ventures also participating. Transpera, which provides delivery and advertising solutions enabling customers to monetize web video for the mobile platform, counts among its brand partners MTV Networks, CBS News, The Associated Press, AccuWeather.com, Discovery Communications, Fox Reality Channel and Travel Channel--the firm said the new financing round is earmarked to help expand the product line and service customers. In addition, Transpera named Brian Monnin chief product officer--his responsibilities will include product management, design, marketing and product strategy.

For more on the Transpera financing:
- read this release

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NTT DoCoMo outlines new mobile directions

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:49:44 -0500

Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo announced it will shift the direction of its business and focus on personalization of services as well as the development of converged services, with an emphasis on mobile video. According to NTT DoCoMo, which presently serves over 53 million customers, the Japanese market has reached maturity, minimizing prospects for future subscriber growth unless operators make significant leaps forward via services spotlighting real-time immediacy, personal authentication and locating capabilities. DoCoMo said it will respond by reviewing its operational structure, promoting customer-focused marketing and improving customer satisfaction response--plans call for personalized services and functions catering to different lifestyles and subscriber needs, converged services tailored to specific usage scenarios and value-added mobile video efforts launched in collaboration with content providers.

In addition, NTT DoCoMo said it will provide handsets and devices geared to specific consumer needs, vowing to adopt open platforms in addition to enhancing hardware and software functions and diversifying designs and user interfaces. Also on tap: LTE-based mobile broadband services and new businesses in fields such as ecology, safety, security and health management. DoCoMo added it will expand its international businesses and create new domestic investments and alliances.

For more on NTT DoCoMo's future:
- read this release

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Flixwagon integrates with Nokia Ovi

Jason Ankeny — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:06:44 -0400

Mobile video solutions provider Flixwagon announced its integration with Nokia's Share on Ovi media sharing service, enabling users who stream live video from their mobile handsets to automatically store their content with an Ovi account. Upon creating a Share on Ovi account, Flixwagon users are able to broadcast video, chat live and upload content to the Nokia service in a single click--they may also edit video details and post content to Share on Ovi before, during or after each broadcast, and determine whether to share videos publicly or store them privately. In addition, users may download the original video file to their computers or watch their videos directly on their mobile phones. The Flixwagon mobile application is available for download directly from the mobile web.

For more on Flixwagon's Ovi integration:
- read this release

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Verizon launches election-themed V Cast Video effort

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:32:03 -0400

With the U.S. presidential election now a week away, Verizon Wireless announced the launch of a new election-themed V Cast Video category promising subscribers a variety of news stories, commentary, campaign videos and entertainment clips to help inform their voting decisions. The new Election 2008 category is led by the News and Information channel, which features video and commentary from ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and MTV News alongside WebCast '08, an exclusive video channel maintained by mobile media and technology firm Kargo.

Election 2008's Entertainment channel features clips from series like Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report, Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O'Brien as well as the animated Zapper TV series Race for the White House and clips from the Paramount feature film Election. In addition, Election 2008 will offer Spanish-language coverage from Telemundo, including exclusive made-for-digital segments analyzing the issues most strongly impacting Latino voters.

For more on Election 2008 on V Cast:
- read this release

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Sony Ericsson intros YouTube-themed handset

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:43:36 -0400

Sony Ericsson is poised to introduce the W595, the first mobile handset to feature what is being called "the YouTube uploader function"--i.e., a dedicated key enabling users to efficiently upload mobile videos and related user-generated content to the web. According to The International Herald Tribune, W595 users who upload a video clip will receive a text message containing the web address where the video may be accessed--a separate key with the YouTube logo links directly to the video aggregator site. Italian operator 3 Italia will launch the Sony Ericsson W595 this week: "Making people aware of certain services is fundamental because the average user doesn't even know that they have so many functions on their cellphone," said Massimiliano Zuco, director of 3 Italia's consumer division, citing internal data that illustrates dedicated handset keys increase multimedia usage by 30 percent. 3 Italia also plans to introduce a Facebook-themed phone.

For more on the Sony Ericsson W595:
- read this International Herald Tribune article

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Alltel launches Latino entertainment lineup

Jason Ankeny — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:48:17 -0400

Alltel Wireless announced the launch of new mobile video offerings from Spanish-language media giant Univision as well as multi-platform media network GoTV's Latin pop channel ES Musica. Alltel's Univision Movil video effort includes clips from network programs including the newscast Noticiero Univision, the talk shows El Gordo y La Flaca and Escandalo TV and the sports showcase Contacto Deportivo--in addition, video clips will spotlight coverage of award shows and other live events. GoTV's ES Musica channel features Latin pop, rock, hip-hop and reggaeton news and related entertainment, including music videos and backstage coverage of live events.

For more on Alltel's new Latino channels:
- read this release

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NBC Universal to cut 2009 budget by $500 million

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:02:12 -0400

NBC Universal is looking to slash about $500 million from its 2009 budget, becoming the first U.S. media giant to outline specific cuts in the face of a looming economic meltdown. According to The Wall Street Journal, the General Electric-owned unit--which counts a series of mobile multimedia efforts alongside its broadcast and cable-TV networks, local television stations and movie studio--seeks to shave about 3 percent of its budget for next year. "We are living in a time of unprecedented economic challenges," writes NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker in a company memo mailed Friday. "It has become evident that the decline in consumer confidence and spending will impact our operations."

NBC Universal executives are still determining where and how deeply the budget cuts will fall. The Zucker memo said staffing costs, promotional expenses and discretionary spending like travel will all come under the microscope. The WSJ adds that NBC Universal has not yet determined a target figure for reducing employee headcount, citing a source close to the situation. The shakeup follows just two years after the "NBCU 2.0" initiative, which proposed trimming $750 million in expenses and reducing NBC's work force by 700 people, or roughly 5 percent.

For more on the NBC Universal cuts:
- read this Wall Street Journal article

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iTunes TV downloads top 200 million milestone

Jason Ankeny — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:10:03 -0400

Apple announced users have downloaded more than 200 million premium television episodes from its iTunes digital storefront, including more than a million high-definition episodes since HD programming launched on the service last month. According to Apple, all four major U.S. broadcast networks now offer their primetime hits in HD, including series like NBC's The Office, ABC's Lost and CBS's CSI, alongside content from more than 70 cable networks like ESPN, Comedy Central, FX, MTV, HBO and Showtime.

At $1.99 per standard-definition episode and $2.99 per HD episode, Silicon Alley Insider projects that iTunes video sales total about $280 million in 36 months. Conventional wisdom suggests NBC and Disney (which owns ABC and ESPN) are the big winners here: NBC has said it accounts for the majority of video sales on iTunes, and in March, Disney head Bob Iger said The Mouse had sold "40 to 50 million" TV shows there.

For more on the iTunes TV milestone:
- read this release

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Study: Mobile media more popular with Democrats

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:54:22 -0400

Perhaps not surprising given Democratic Party presidential nominee Barack Obama's embrace of mobile marketing--last month, Obama texted 2.9 million supporters with news that he selected Joe Biden as his running mate--media research firm Nielsen Mobile reports that as of Q2 2008, mobile media enjoyed greater popularity with Democrats than Republicans. According to Nielsen Mobile, 62 percent of Democrats use one or more data services on their mobile handsets, compared to 55 percent of Republicans--Democrats are more likely to use text messaging (53 percent compared to 46 percent of Republicans), picture messaging and MMS (27 percent compared to 21 percent) and the mobile web (17 percent compared to 13 percent).

Nielsen adds that mobile web traffic to news sites is surging as the election draws closer. CNN News generated 4.8 million unique users and CNN Politics attracted 1.2 million unique visitors in July 2008--a year ago, only 364,000 unique visitors arrived at CNN Politics. Yahoo News followed at 2.9 million users, trailed by ABC News (2.3 million), Fox News (2.27 million) and MSNBC News (2.24 million). In addition, Nielsen notes news channels consistently rank among the most-viewed mobile video efforts--the firm's most recent Mobile Video Report estimated 680,000 mobile video users are interested in viewing more political and government coverage on their phones.

For more on the Nielsen report:
- read this release

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GSMA, Mofilm partner for mobile film festival

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:54:06 -0400

Wireless industry trade group The GSM Association and digital content provider Mofilm announced the first Global Mobile Film Festival, which will take place during the upcoming Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona this February. The GSMA and Mofilm are calling on filmmakers worldwide to submit short films (up to five minutes in length) produced via traditional cinematic technology as well as efforts made with mobile devices--submissions will be judged by an international jury of film, festival and mobile content experts, with the best entries showcased during the Mobile World Congress event. Submission forms are available at the Mofilm website http://www.mofilm.com, with all entries due by November 28. The Global Mobile Festival follows past GSMA events in collaboration with the Sundance Film Festival.

For more on the Global Mobile Film Festival:
- read this release

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Sony Ericsson promotes Xperia via digital drama

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:55:41 -0400

Sony Ericsson will launch Who Is Johnny X?, a nine-part, multi-platform digital drama to promote the release of the Xperia X1, the handset maker's first Windows Mobile-based device. The fast-paced series, which debuts today, recalls the feature film Memento in its portrayal of a mysterious hero who uses his X1 handset to reassemble the pieces of his true identity--each episode is between two and three minutes long, and in addition to the whoisjohnnyx.com website, Sony Ericsson will distribute the program via video sharing sites and, of course, mobile handsets.

For more on Who Is Johnny X?:
- read this Brand Republic article

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Study: Youth subscribers average 20 text messages per day

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:49:33 -0400

American mobile subscribers between the ages of 13 and 29 send an average of 20 text messages each day, compared to just two texts daily for consumers aged 30 to 43 and only one for users aged 44 to 64, according to a new study issued by consumer analysis firm Knowledge Networks. Sixty percent of U.S. subscribers tell Knowledge Networks they carry their phones with them at all times, up 50 percent over a 2002 study conducted by the firm--user enthusiasm for applications like mobile video or GPS is significantly greater among younger subscribers, with 61 percent of millennials claiming "the more features, the better," compared with 27 percent of baby boomers.

While 8 percent of teens said they have viewed TV or video content on their phones, only 2 percent of adults have taken the plunge. Consumers of all ages who embrace mobile video services spend an additional two hours per day consuming media across various platforms (including the Internet and videogames) compared to other mobile subscribers. Mobile web use is presently limited to 13 percent of all subscribers.

For more on the Knowledge Networks study:
- read this release

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YouTube hints at renewed mobile push

Jason Ankeny — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:31:35 -0400

A new Official Google Blog post credited to YouTube CEO and co-founder Chad Hurley suggests the user-generated video aggregator is gearing up for another run at dominating the mobile video market. According to Hurley, users now upload 13 hours of video to YouTube per minute, and he projects the volume of content will grow exponentially: "Our goal is to allow every person on the planet to participate by making the upload process as simple as placing a phone call," Hurley writes. "This new video content will be available on any screen--in your living room, or on your device in your pocket. YouTube and other sites will bring together all the diverse media which matters to you, from videos of family and friends to news, music, sports, cooking and much, much more." Hurley adds that YouTube believes online video broadcasting will emerge as the most ubiquitous and accessible form of communication within the next ten years: "The tools for video recording will continue to become smaller and more affordable. Personal media devices will be universal and interconnected."

For more on YouTube's mobile vision:
- read this Official Google Blog entry

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AT&T connecting iPhone to U-verse

Jason Ankeny — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:14:01 -0400

AT&T said it is working to link its U-verse web and video services to Apple's iPhone in an effort to develop new channels that more tightly integrate subscribers' home and mobile technologies. "We're looking at the whole landscape, of what people use, and what's out there in the home," said AT&T CTO John Donovan in an interview with Reuters. According to Donovan, AT&T envisions the iPhone connecting with U-verse video services to enable everything from remote DVR programming to transferring content from the DVR to the phone--other specialized apps are in the pipeline as well.

For more on AT&T's iPhone/U-verse plans:
- read this MacNN article

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MobiTV teams with Media Excel on video solution

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:22:58 -0400

Mobile broadcast services provider MobiTV and real-time video encoding and transcoding solutions provider Media Excel announced a strategic partnership to jointly offer advanced video delivery capabilities to service providers. Per terms of the deal, MobiTV will combine its Optimized Delivery Server scalable high-capacity video delivery solution with Media Excel's video encoding and transcoding appliances to provide operators with an IP video solution optimized for 3G, 4G, and broadband networks.

For more on the MobiTV/Media Excel deal:
- read this release

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MTV debuts premium mobile VOD ad effort

Jason Ankeny — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:39:41 -0400

MTV Networks announced the launch of its first-ever mobile video advertising effort, introducing pre-roll ads to content available via carrier-operated premium video-on-demand services. MTV will insert U.S. Air Force ads in front of episodes of its made-for-mobile series The How To Show--the USAF will also co-brand the program, which documents musicians, athletes and other celebs as they teach audiences the ins and outs of their respective trades. The mobile campaign, orchestrated by advertising agency GSD&M Idea City, will also span across MTV's mobile website.

MTV said it will also partner with carriers leveraging MobiTV's mobile broadcast platform to initiate research into the effectiveness and optimization of premium mobile VOD advertising. Over the course of the study, MTV and its research participants will explore how to program and optimize ads within the mobile VOD context, measuring metrics including viewer retention, advertising recall and user experience. The network said it will also trial pre-roll ads of varying lengths and formats.

For more on MTV's mobile ad outlook:
- read this release

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Verizon Wireless adds V Cast Video channels

Jason Ankeny — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:29:27 -0400

Verizon Wireless announced a series of additions to its V Cast Video service programming lineup, targeting multiple niche demographics with HGTV and Food Network from Scripps Networks; TLC, Animal Planet, Planet Green and Discovery Kids from Discovery Communications; The G4 Channel from Comcast Entertainment Group's G4; The WB Channel from Warner Bros. Television Group; Tuned In from 60Frames; Comedy Time Latino from Comedy Time; ES Música and Rock On: Altitude from GoTV Networks; SayHeyHey from SayHeyHey.com; the Relix Channel from Zenbu Media; and DC Comics and Scooby-Doo & Friends from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. In addition, Verizon Wireless said the V Cast Video slate will now include full-length episodes of primetime hits including NBC's 30 Rock and The Office, CBS' CSI and Numb3rs, and MTV's The Hills.

For more on the V Cast Video additions:
- read this release

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