IXI Mobile and Followap partner for presence-aware, interoperable messaging
IXI's messaging devices gain connectivity to MSN, Yahoo!, AOL and ICQ as well as operator-run communities, over GPRS, CDMA and UMTS.
Combined offering delivers end-to-end mobile messaging solution
CTIA, New Orleans - 15 March, 2005 IXI Mobile and Followap today announced a partnership to jointly develop presence-aware messaging services for IXI's CT series of messaging devices. This cooperation will allow mobile subscribers to access Instant Messaging (IM) and Presence services using IXI's mobile messaging devices, providing unprecedented usability and interoperability. The services will enable connectivity to the MSN, Yahoo!, AOL, and ICQ communities as well as operator-managed communities, over GPRS, CDMA and UMTS networks, delivering presence-aware solutions to carriers globally.
This partnership will combine Followap's iFollow suite of IM and Presence products with IXI Mobile's CT series of wireless messaging devices. IXI's first messaging device, the CT-10, was launched in the US in September 2004 by AT&T Wireless (now Cingular Wireless), under the Ogo™ brand. Ogo is the only device of its kind to provide simultaneous, unlimited IM and email from leading portals - plus text messaging.
"We are excited to work with Followap in the rapidly expanding area of presence-based messaging," said Amit Haller, CEO and co-founder of IXI Mobile. "Thanks to its proven real-time communications experience, market leadership and outstanding support, Followap is very well positioned to deliver presence-based solutions to carriers worldwide."
"By leveraging the interoperability between our solution and IXI's innovative devices, mobile operators can provide a fundamentally superior presence-enhanced mobile messaging experience, one that translates immediately into new revenue streams from an as yet untapped user demographic" said Dotan Volach, CEO of Followap.
IXI Mobile's messaging devices are based on IXI-Connect OS™, IXI's robust mobile Operating System for feature phones and data-centric devices. The current CT-series devices are targeted at mobile youth and young adults, and deliver true on-the-go messaging with their robust interface, clamshell design, QWERTY keyboard and color screen. The devices support instant messaging from the "big four" IM communities - MSN, Yahoo!, AOL, and ICQ - as well as other IM services including operator-managed communities. Followap will integrate such devices with its product suite in order to provide operators with a compelling end-to-end solution.
Followap is the leading mobile Presence and IM player with the largest operator footprint - over 10 commercial network deployments to date, many of them in tier-one mobile operators, including the largest Vodafone operators. Followap provides an end-to-end service including a robust Presence-aware solution for existing and next-generation networks and a diversity of client solutions.
About IXI Mobile IXI Mobile, Inc. develops a feature phone operating system as well as messaging devices for the mass market. IXI's Operating System, IXI-Connect OS™, is a robust, customizable, and upgradeable solution, and includes PMG® technology. PMG (Personal Mobile Gateway) technology allows a mobile phone or data-centric device to wirelessly Internet-enable a variety of companion devices such as messaging devices, watches, cameras, and MP3 players. IXI's customers include mobile operators and service providers, as well as device manufacturers. IXI is a member of OMTP, the Open Mobile Terminal Platform group. IXI was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California. IXI is privately held and backed by leading venture investors, as well as Intel and Texas Instruments.
More information can be found at http://www.ixi.com About Followap, Inc.
Followap is leading the mobile Presence and IM market with the largest operator footprint - over 10 commercial network deployments to date, many of them in tier-one mobile operators. Followap provides an end-to-end service including a robust Presence aware solution for existing and next-generation networks and a diversity of client solutions.
For additional information please visit Followap's Web site at http://www.followap.com IXI, IXI Mobile, IXI-Connect OS, and PMG are trademarks of IXI Mobile, Inc. Ogo is a trademark of Cingular Wireless. Any other marks used in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.