Comunicano

Boingo® Wi-Fi Now Available For Blackberry Smartphones

High-speed, Affordable Boingo Mobile Wi-Fi Launches for the BlackBerry Platform

 

LOS ANGELES (Oct. 27, 2009) – Boingo Wireless, the world’s largest network of Wi-Fi hotspots, today announced the availability of its authentication software and Boingo Mobile service for the BlackBerry® platform. Available immediately from the Boingo Download Center, Boingo Mobile provides BlackBerry® smartphone owners with an alternative to cellular data through one-click, high-speed access to Boingo’s Wi-Fi network of over 100,000 hotspots.  

 

The Boingo Mobile application will initially be available for the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900, BlackBerry Curve 8320 and BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphones. Boingo will announce support for additional BlackBerry smartphone models as they become available.

 

The free Boingo Mobile application improves the Wi-Fi user experience for BlackBerry smartphone owners by providing a convenient, automated way to connect. It automatically notifies users when they are in a Boingo hotspot, and connects to the Boingo network with a single click.

 

“Boingo Mobile is about ease of use and a low-cost, high-speed alternative to cellular data,” said Jonathan Mendelson, general manager of mobile and product management. “BlackBerry users can seamlessly switch to a Boingo Wi-Fi connection when they’re online using data-intensive applications.” 

 

With the addition of BlackBerry platform support, Boingo continues to expand its support for smartphones, including those based on the Android™, iPhone®, Symbian™ Series 60 and Windows Mobile™ platforms.

 

Boingo Mobile’s Blackberry software is based on public beta testing by Boingo Labs (http://labs.boingo.com) and incorporates extensive user feedback. Boingo will continue to foster innovation and update its application for BlackBerry smartphones to provide new features providing users even more benefits from the Boingo network and its locations.

 

About Boingo Wireless

Boingo Wireless, Inc., the global market leader in Wi-Fi, makes it simple and easy for people to enjoy Wi-Fi access on their laptop or mobile device at more than 100,000 hotspots worldwide. With a single account, Boingo users can logon to the Boingo Network locations that include the top airports around the world, major hotel chains, cafés and coffee shops, restaurants, and metropolitan hot zones. Boingo, and its Concourse Communications Group subsidiary, operate wired and wireless networks at 55 airports worldwide, including 29 of the top 100 North American airports, as well as the WSDOT Ferries Division Wi-Fi network. For more information about Boingo, please visit http://www.boingo.com.

 

Boingo, Boingo Wireless, Boingo Mobile, the Boingo Wireless Logo and Don’t Just Go. Boingo! are registered trademarks of Boingo Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. Symbian is a trademark of Symbian Software Ltd. Windows Mobile is a trademark of Microsoft.

 

###

 

Voxbone’s iNum Service Speaks in High Definition With Skype

In-the-Room Sound Quality Available to Millions More as Voxbone Adds Support for Skype’s SILK Wideband Audio Codec

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – Oct. 28, 2009 – Voxbone, provider of international VoIP origination services and telephone numbers, today announced that its geographically-independent number service, iNum®, now supports high-definition (HD) calling between dozens of VoIP networks and Skype, the global leader in Internet communications. 

Greatly expanding availability of emerging HD voice technology, Voxbone will transcode, or translate, between Skype’s super-wideband SILK codec and the widely deployed HD codec, G.722, Voxbone announced at eComm Europe 2009.  

Prefaced with the ITU-assigned 883 code, iNum numbers refer to the Internet as the 44 country code refers to the U.K. Calls to iNum numbers are routed first to Voxbone, which delivers them to the appropriate service provider over IP. 

“With iNum supplying the needed uniform identifier across all providers, our support for Skype’s SILK codec kicks high-definition voice into higher gear,” said Tim Behrsin, Voxbone’s business development manager for iNum. “Suddenly, those among Skype’s 480 million registered users who have the latest version of Skype for Windows or Mac* can experience HD quality not only in conversations with one another but also when they call most of the world’s other HD-capable endpoints. As we support more codecs, we expect to advance this benefit until HD becomes the sound quality standard for VoIP and eventually all telephony.”

Because iNum numbers can be dialed from PSTN phones as well as IP endpoints, Voxbone’s move enables conference calls with attendees on conventional phones, who will hear within the PSTN’s audio constraints, and others with high-definition IP endpoints, who will enjoy the richer sound of HD calling.

“Partnering with Voxbone logically follows our decision in March to make the SILK codec freely available,” said Jonathan Christensen, Skype’s general manager for audio and video. “Voxbone’s support for SILK is a great endorsement and will enable many providers to offer SILK sound quality without making infrastructure changes.” 

#   #   #

About Voxbone

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Voxbone provides worldwide local and toll-free phone numbers over its own private intercontinental VoIP network. The all-IP architecture of the Voxbone core network enables customers to rapidly deploy new communications services with local presence while reducing costs. It delivers high-quality call origination from 49 countries and 4,000 cities, as well as iNum numbers that enable billing as local calls when dialed through participating carriers anywhere in the world. Through its number inventory, network, self-administered provisioning and comprehensive SIP adherence, Voxbone’s global infrastructure enables its customers to expand to international markets quickly and efficiently. Founded in 2002 and privately held, Voxbone is the only carrier licensed in all 27 countries of the European Union. For more information, visit www.voxbone.com.

About Skype

Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling. 

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.

* Skype for Windows version 4.0 or higher, or Skype for Mac version 2.8 or higher.

PopTech 2009 Selects Livestream to Webcast its Three-Day Conference Live

Livestream Chosen for its Live, HD-Quality, Multiple-Camera Streaming and Integration with Facebook, Twitter Chat

 

NEW YORK (Oct. 21, 2009)—PopTech (www.poptech.org) has chosen Livestream (www.livestream.com), the leading live Internet video platform, to broadcast its 2009 conference exploring the forces, challenges and opportunities shaping our future.

PopTech 2009: America Reimagined, the three day summit, held in Camden, Maine from October 21 - 24, will be Webcast live, at no cost, in both high- and low-resolution through a single, embeddable video player and will feature both Facebook- and Twitter-integrated chat functionality alongside Livestream’s current real-time chat feature.

The PopTech 2009 conference will be simulcast free at poptech.org/live from Thursday, Oct. 22 – Saturday, Oct. 24, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST daily.

“We are excited to partner with Livestream who are bringing the full conference experience to many thousands of viewers around the world, in real time,” said Andrew Zolli, executive director of PopTech.

PopTech is a renowned thought leadership and unique innovation network dedicated to accelerating the positive impact of world-changing people, projects and ideas. It is a non-profit organization that brings together a unique blend of emerging global leaders, innovators and icons from science, technology, corporate leadership, social entrepreneurship, design, media, the arts and humanities, and several other fields. Its goal is to examine the social impact of new technologies and innovative approaches to addressing the world's most significant challenges.

The event will draw over 600 attendees to discuss this year's theme: America Re-imagined. This will be an opportunity for industry leaders across the board to discuss America's opportunities, challenges and future in the global world.

 

###

 

About Livestream

Livestream (www.livestream.com - formerly Mogulus) provides everything needed to easily webcast live, build an engaged audience and monetize these efforts. Founded in 2007, the company is based in New York and includes Gannett Co. as a minority shareholder and investor. 

Producers can use Livestream to create live, linear and on-demand Internet television to broadcast anywhere on the Web through a single embeddable player widget. The service comes in two flavors: Free (ad-supported) and Premium (ad-free, white-label, higher-quality). Unique features include the ability to mix multiple live cameras, overlay graphics, and desktop streaming with 3D effects.

Discussions on Restructuring Global Telecoms to Highlight Debut eComm 2009 European Conference & Awards

Forum for disrupting status quo, promoting innovation in emerging communications

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Oct. 22, 2009 —The Emerging Communications Conference & Awards (eComm Europe 2009) brings its forum for disruptive free-thinkers in telecom, mobile and Internet communications here for its first-ever European event over three days next week.

Panel discussions, keynote addresses and presentations by individuals have been selected for their promise to provoke new ideas, new directions and new opportunities in emerging communications, said Lee S. Dryburgh, organiser and co-chair of eComm.

“Our first two events in the United States proved to be highly effective platforms for highlighting significant opportunities and, on the flip side, pointing out industry hype,” Dryburgh said.  “We expect the first European event to carry on the push of ideas for accelerating communications technology and business innovation across the entire communications spectrum.”

As examples, he cited scheduled panel discussions for eComm Europe 2009:

• Wednesday -- Are the Current Ecosystems of Wireline and Wireless Still Relevant? - Moderated by Andy Abramson, of Comunicano.  Panelists include Martin Geddes, of BT; Moray Rumney, of Agilent; Brough Turner, of Ashtonbrooke, and Dean Bubley, of Disruptive Wireless. 
• Thursday -- Investing in the Telecom Value Chain for a Post-Meltdown World - Moderated by James Enck, of mCAPITAL.  Panelists include Umair Haque. of Havas Media Lab; Hjalmar Winbladh, of RebTel;  Michael Jackson, of Mangrove Capital, and Sean Park, of Nauiokas Park.
• Friday -- Spectrum 2.0 - What's Really Happening? - Moderated by Brough Turner, of Ashtonbrooke.  Panelists include Dean Bubley, of Disruptive Analysis;  Robert Horvitz, of the Open Spectrum Foundation; Prof. William Webb, of Ofcom; Phillipa Marks, of Plum Consulting, and Aaron Kaplan, of FunkFeuer.

Dryburgh said he is especially pleased that eComm Europe 2009 has attracted the headline sponsorship of Skype, a company that he said exemplifies the spirit of innovation the conference strives to foster.

He pointed out that attendees at eComm Europe 2009 also will be offered a glimpse into another step forward in emerging communications with presentations from core members of the Google Wave™ team.

The debut event in Europe is being held in Amsterdam’s unique Westergasfabriek cultural zone.  Attendees may still register online at http://www.amiando.com/ecomm2009-europe.html.

The event headline sponsor is Skype. Platinum sponsors are Voxbone, Voxeo, Global IP Solutions and VoiceSage.  RebelVox and Dialogic have signed on as gold sponsors.

#   #   #

Google Wave™ is a trademark of Google Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact:

Sue Huss

Comunicano, Inc.

sue.huss@comunicano.com

619-379-4396 

Livestream Chosen by TechWeb and O’Reilly Media for Exclusive Web 2.0 Summit Webcast

Livestream Selected for Its Live, HD-Quality, Multiple-Camera Streaming 

 

NEW YORK (Oct. 20, 2009) –TechWeb and O'Reilly Media Inc. have chosen Livestream, the leading live Internet video platform, to broadcast select sessions from the three-day Web 2.0 Summit 2009, which started yesterday  in San Francisco. Livestream is the first company to provide a live webcast of the exclusive Web 2.0 Summit.

Web Squared defines the theme of this year’s annual invitation-only Web 2.0 Summit. In its sixth year, the event investigates how the Web is making business more efficient, culture more vibrant and society more tolerant. Web 2.0 Summit will outline ideas for how the Web is evolving according to Web Squared, and takes place Oct. 20-22 at the Westin Market Street in San Francisco. For more information visit http://www.web2summit.com.

This year's Web 2.0 Summit will include the Webcast by Livestream at http://tv.web2summit.com, providing an online extension to thousands of viewers, who can provide immediate interaction. Those watching the Web 2.0 Summit broadcast can participate in the Summit Twitter stream, adding a social dimension to the live event broadcast.

Those that can’t catch the milestone event live can watch it on demand at http://tv.web2summit.com 

About Livestream

Livestream (www.livestream.com - formerly Mogulus) provides everything needed to easily Webcast live, build an engaged audience and monetize these efforts. Founded in 2007, the company is based in New York and includes Gannett Co. as a minority shareholder and investor. 

Producers can use Livestream to create live, linear and on-demand Internet television to broadcast anywhere on the Web through a single embeddable player widget. The service comes in two flavors: Free (ad-supported) and Premium (ad-free, white-label, higher-quality). Unique features include the ability to mix multiple live cameras, overlay graphics, and desktop streaming with 3D effects.

About O’Reilly
O’Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O’Reilly has been a chronicler and catalyst of leading-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying “faint signals” from the alpha geeks who are creating the future.

An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism. O’Reilly conferences bring together forward-thinking business and technology leaders, shaping ideas and influencing industries around the globe. For over 25 years, O’Reilly has facilitated the adoption of new and important technologies by the enterprise, putting emerging technologies on the map.

For more information, visit: http://www.oreilly.com/. O’Reilly is a registered trademark of O’Reilly Media, Inc. Other products mentioned may be trademarks of their respective companies.

About TechWeb
TechWeb, the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market.

Today, more than *13.3 million business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com, and The Financial Technology Network; and the market leading, award-winning InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, Wall Street & Technology magazines.

TechWeb also provides end-to-end services ranging from next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research, and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. 
*13.3 million business decision-makers: based on # of monthly connections

###

 

XConnect Named to Light Reading Top Picks

Communications Media Company Recognizes ENUM Registry

LONDON – Oct. 20, 2009 – XConnect, the global leader in neutral and secure next-generation interconnection and ENUM-registry services, has been named one of the Light Reading 2009 Top Picks for communications technologies, services and products.

The honour, in the IP Applications category, recognizes XConnect’s Carrier ENUM registry, which translates telephone numbers to IP addresses. XConnect combines this registry with a multimedia interconnection hub to offer a distinctive “Interconnect 2.0” suite of IP-peering solutions that are helping service providers move from the PSTN to next-generation IP communications.

“We are delighted to appear on the first Light Reading Top Picks list,” said Eli Katz, XConnect CEO and founder. “Light Reading’s choice reflects further industry recognition of our ENUM-based federation model as critical in driving the migration to all-IP transport and adoption of rich, revenue-generating multimedia services.”    

"Congratulations to all the companies and individuals who were selected as this year's Top Picks," said Phil Harvey, editor-in-chief of Light Reading. "The Top Picks were chosen by Light Reading's editors because they embody the trends that we feel are really pushing this industry forward."

#  #  #

About XConnect
The global leader in network peering, XConnect is trusted by more than 100 IP-based service providers to offer a suite of Interconnect 2.0 services, including Carrier ENUM-registry and next-generation multimedia interconnection hub solutions. London-based XConnect offers the most comprehensive and reliable solutions to help service providers deliver rich multimedia IP communications across networks while improving service quality and reducing costs. Backed by Tier 1 venture capital firms, XConnect operates the largest worldwide ENUM-based IP-peering federation, the Global Alliance, and the world’s first national VoIP/NGN interconnection federations, in the Netherlands and Korea. For more information, please visit www.xconnect.net.

About Light Reading
Founded in 2000, Light Reading (www.lightreading.com) is the leading online media, research, and focused event company serving the $3 trillion worldwide communications market. Lightreading.com is the ultimate source for technology and financial analysis of the communications industry, leading the media sector in terms of traffic, content, and reputation. Light Reading's research arms, Heavy Reading and Pyramid Research, provide the most comprehensive communications research, market data, and technology analysis in close to 100 markets around the world. Light Reading produces nearly 20 targeted communications events including TelcoTV, Ethernet Expo New York and Ethernet Expo London, The Tower Summit @ CTIA, and Optical Expo, as well as focused one-day events tailored for cable, mobile, and wireline executives. Light Reading was acquired by United Business Media in August 2005 and operates as a unit of TechWeb.

eComm 2009 Signs Skype As Headline Sponsor Of European Conference & Awards Debut Event

Inventive company supports theme of innovation in emerging communications

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands (October 15, 2009) — Skype has signed on as headline sponsor of the Emerging Communications Conference & Awards (eComm Europe 2009) first-ever European event to be held here October 28-30, the company and the conference organizer said today.

Announcing its role, Sten Tamviki, Skype’s Chief Evangelist & GM for Estonia, said: "As headline sponsor of this month's Emerging Communications conference, Skype is pleased to support the independent and innovative community that eComm represents.  Skype disrupted a traditional industry to enable the world's conversations and is proud to be part of a thriving community of innovators."

Lee S. Dryburgh, organizer and co-chair of eComm, added:  "Back in 2003, Skype sent shock waves through the telecommunications industry by heralding a new software-only, edge-centric approach.  Six years later, Skype is still launching innovations that will vastly increase the value of its platform and further disrupt the industry. I'm totally thrilled that Skype recognizes the value of the communications innovation community by taking the eComm headline sponsorship position."

Headline sponsorship means Skype will receive premier marquee billing at the conference site in Amsterdam’s unique Westergasfabriek cultural zone, as well as on all conference materials.  Further, Sten Tamviki is among the featured speakers.

“Again, we’re so very pleased to see the most disruptive communications technology companies take a leadership role in bringing eComm to Europe for the first time,” Dryburgh said.

He also hinted at some of the details that members of the team developing Google Wave™, an application designed to change the way people communicate and collaborate on the Web, will share during eComm.

David Wang, technical lead and architect of the development project, will describe what a wave is and provide a theoretical description of what it means to share waves and details of the protocol. In a joint presentation, lead project manager Stephanie Hannon and Lars Rasmussen, a member of Google’s technical staff, will talk about the product and share insights such as how early users found and used public waves, and how enterprises are using Google Wave.

In showcasing innovation, eComm attracts thought leaders who offer disruptive ideas about what’s next across telecom, wireless and Internet communications.  The debut event in Europe will be held in Amsterdam’s unique Westergasfabriek cultural zone.  Attendees may register online at http://www.amiando.com/ecomm2009-europe.html, with discounts still available.

The headline sponsor of eComm Europe 2009 is Skype. Platinum sponsors are Voxbone, Voxeo, Global IP Solutions and VoiceSage.  RebelVox and Dialogic have signed on as a gold sponsors.

 

#   #   #

 

Google Wave™ is a trademark of Google Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

AT&T, Verizon And T-Mobile Explore The Carrier’s Role In ‘Open’ At The Open Mobile Summit

 

SAN FRANCISCO (OCT. 13, 2009)—As Internet and wireless worlds collide, the move to an open mobile ecosystem now seems inevitable.  2009 has seen huge strides in open OS, demonstrated success in the app store model, and most recently, the FCC making a clear commitment to uphold the principles of an open mobile Internet. 

 
Moreover, U.S. carriers have recognized the need to adjust and redefine their role in this rapidly evolving ecosystem - a signal that the open mobile movement has become mainstream.
 
This is clearly evidenced by the heavy participation of carrier executives at the industry’s annual Open Mobile Summit, in San Francisco this November 4-5.
 
With keynote speeches from John Donovan, CTO, AT&T and Cole Brodman CTO T-Mobile, as well as multiple top-ranking executives speaking from Clear, Verizon, Sprint, Virgin Mobile, and Vodafone, and a large carrier contingent in the audience, this exclusive event has attracted the most heavyweight carrier participation of any event in the industry calendar, including CTIA and Mobile World Congress.

“It’s great to have so many carriers joining the conversation this year,” says Robin Batt, executive producer of the Open Mobile Summit.  “The wireless industry is at a turning point, and collaboration across different interest groups is essential if we are to build and monetize an open mobile Internet.”
 
The future role of the carrier, how to profit from mobile broadband, and the likely impact of the FCC’s recent commitment to principles of net neutrality in wireless are key discussion topics in the overall context of the event, which hosts 85+ speakers and spans two days of board-level discussion and intensive networking.
 
Expected to sell out early, this event is sure to mark another major milestone in the move to an open wireless ecosystem.
 
The conference takes place this November 4-5 at the San Francisco Marriott Union Square hotel. Click here for more details:
http://openmobilesummit.com/

About Open Mobile Media
The Open Mobile Summit is produced by Open Mobile Media Ltd, an independent group founded by communications industry consultant Robin Batt. 

ShoZu Launches App Store, Bringing Its Award-Winning Social Media Hub Directly to BlackBerry, Nokia, iPhone and Windows Mobile Users Worldwide

 

LONDON (Oct. 13, 2009) – ShoZu Ltd (www.shozu.com), the award-winning social media hub, today announced the official launch of the ShoZu App Store, where smartphone owners can purchase the ShoZu app for most major operating systems (Oss). The direct-sales initiative complements ShoZu’s recent expansion of its sales channels, which currently include Apple’s App Store, Nokia’s OVI store and Research in Motion’s BlackBerry App World.  

The ShoZu App Store (www.shozu.com) currently offers the ShoZu app for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Nokia smartphones, as well as iPhones, with support for additional models and Oss to be announced. The ShoZu App Store sells the app for the same price as the third-party app stores.

The ShoZu App Store recently finished a highly successful soft launch, where paid downloads exceeded sales through third-party app stores. As a direct sales channel, the ShoZu App Store also provides the company with a safeguard against any problems that arise at third-party stores. 

The ShoZu App Store furthers the company’s strategy of focusing on app sales rather than providing free apps and then selling ad space. Announced in June 2009, the strategy is designed to provide ShoZu with a steady revenue stream, ensuring stability for the company and helping fund next-generation features for the ShoZu service.

“The ShoZu App Store is a one-stop shop that provides smartphone owners with a fast, convenient way to purchase the award-winning ShoZu app,” said Chris Wade, chairman and CEO of ShoZu. “Users can visit the ShoZu App Store and immediately find the version designed for their specific smartphone model. The ShoZu App Store is a win-win for our customers and our company.” 

The company also offers several additional free ways to access the ShoZu service, including through picture messaging/Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), mobile e-mail, desktop e-mail and with free software that works on both Macs and Windows PCs.

About ShoZu

ShoZu is an intelligent social media hub currently used by people worldwide to enrich connections with the people in their lives by effortlessly exchanging video, pictures and commentary between mobile devices and favorite social networks, photo sharing sites and information resources. The company’s patented technology provides fast, easy, one-click uploads of photos and video clips from the mobile to the Web, full-resolution photo and video delivery without compression, an emerging suite of services that push content to the phone, the ability to work in the background even if a connection is dropped, and other unique features that simplify and enhance the user experience.  The company was founded in 2000 and has formed partnerships with some of the leading players in the mobile ecosystem, including Motorola and Samsung. For more information, visit www.ShoZu.com/AboutUs.

###

CONTACT:

Sue Huss

Comunicano

+1 619-379-4396

ShoZu Named One of 16 Finalists For the BlackBerry Partners Fund™ Developer Challenge 2009

Winner Will Be Announced At BlackBerry Developers Conference Nov. 10 

LONDON (Oct. 8, 2009) – In another testament to its popularity as a unique and compelling mobile application, ShoZu has been named one of 16 finalists in the BlackBerry Partners Fund™ Developer Challenge 2009.

ShoZu enables mobile users to upload photos and videos to more than 50 different destinations, as well as update status on Twitter and Facebook and view comments and posts on those images. The BlackBerry Partners Fund was looking for applications like ShoZu: those that have potential product and market leadership; competitive differentiation; strong management leadership; and a clear revenue and cost model.

“We are honored to be among the finalists for this prestigious contest, and we believe that one of the reasons ShoZu made the cut is because we exceeded all of the criteria that the BlackBerry Partners Fund was looking for when making its decision,” says ShoZu Chairman and CEO Chris Wade.  “The judges were looking for a compelling service, a clearly defined value proposition, a viable business model and technical execution, and ShoZu clearly impressed them at all levels.”

A key to the challenge is that each finalist must give a presentation at the BlackBerry Developer Conference on Monday, Nov. 9, which is being held at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. After each presentation, the final selection and announcement of the winner will be made on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Each of the 16 finalists receives a prize package valued at $5,000, which includes one week on the BlackBerry App World Featured Application Carousel; one BlackBerry Developer Conference pass; one BlackBerry smartphone; and participation in the BlackBerry Sweet 16 Demo Event at the 2009 BlackBerry Developer Conference.

The grand prize winner receives $75,000 cash, as well as a prize package valued at $25,000, which includes: one-year Elite BlackBerry Alliance membership; one-day mentoring session with RIM, providing analysis, review and insights into how best to improve the application on BlackBerry; press release and featured Interviews with the media; two weeks on the App World Featured Application Carousel; and a potential investment offer from The BlackBerry Partners Fund.

Additionally, one runner-up winner receives $10,000 cash, as well as a prize package valued at $15,000, which consists of: one-year Select BlackBerry Alliance membership; one-day mentoring session with RIM, providing analysis, review and insights into how best to improve the application on BlackBerry; a press release; and one week on the App World Featured Application Carousel.

“We have an outstanding opportunity in just being able to present ShoZu at the BlackBerry Developer Conference Challenge in November, and we believe that ShoZu will definitely stand out from the competition at that time,” Wade says. “The fact that every finalist is honored with prizes for strengthening their application further underscores why ShoZu continues to go the extra mile to make its application one that stands out for our customers and in the developer community.”

 

About The BlackBerry Partners Fund™

The BlackBerry Partners Fund™ is focused on investing in mobile commerce applications, vertical and horizontal enterprise applications, location-based and location-aware applications and services, communications, social networking, media and entertainment, and lifestyle and personal productivity applications for the BlackBerry® and other mobile platforms. The BlackBerry Partners Fund™, was established to deliver superior returns on the compelling investment opportunities present in the applications, services and supporting infrastructure for mobile platforms.

 

About ShoZu

ShoZu is an intelligent social media hub currently used by people worldwide to enrich connections with the people in their lives by effortlessly exchanging video, pictures and commentary between mobile devices and favorite social networks, photo sharing sites and information resources. The company’s patented technology provides fast, easy, one-click uploads of photos and video clips from the mobile to the Web, full-resolution photo and video delivery without compression, an emerging suite of services that push content to the phone, the ability to work in the background even if a connection is dropped, and other unique features that simplify and enhance the user experience.  The company was founded in 2000 and has formed partnerships with some of the leading players in the mobile ecosystem, including Motorola and Samsung. For more information, visit www.ShoZu.com/AboutUs.

 

###