CANNES, France Feb. 17, 2003 Today at 3GSM World Congress 2003, Microsoft Corp., Orange SA and Handango Inc. announced that Orange will be the first mobile operator to distribute mobile applications through the Microsoft® Mobile2Market (M2M) program. Orange will use Handango’s application management and provisioning platform, Handango AMPP, to take advantage of the M2M application cataloging system. This will provide Orange SPV customers with access to the latest range of Windows® Powered Smartphone applications as they become available.
The Microsoft Mobile2Market program assists thousands of developers worldwide to simply and cost-effectively bring their applications to market. The program establishes a process for the testing, certification and marketing of network-ready wireless applications for the Windows Powered Pocket PC and Smartphone software platforms. It connects operators, third-party testers, ISVs and provisioning vendors under a unified framework to bring mobile applications to market and to provide a tangible way for operators and ISVs to gain revenue on new applications.
Microsoft predicts that by June, 500 M2M applications will be available for purchase by operators and customers, demonstrating the momentum the program has already gained.
“This program essentially links two important members of the mobile ecosystem the operator and the developer to provide Pocket PC and Smartphone customers with a host of compelling mobile applications,”
said Juha Christensen, corporate vice president of the Mobile Devices Marketing Group at Microsoft.
“M2M offers great opportunities for operators and developers alike by simplifying the commercialization of mobile applications.”
Customers also can expect to see increasing numbers of new and innovative applications coming to market, offering them even more ways to customize their phone. People will be able to download a wider variety of games and entertainment, digital video, audio and animation sequences, ring tones, and screen savers to their mobile phones.
“With the launch of the SPV, the world’s first mobile phone powered by Microsoft Windows, we have distinguished ourselves as the market leader in rich mobile devices and advanced data services,”
said Richard Brennan, executive vice president, OrangeWorld.
“Our M2M implementation with Handango will ensure that our customers have access to the hottest applications in a simple fashion. Rather than waiting a year to update their handset, Orange customers can upgrade their phone with these new applications over the air or via their PC.”
“We are pleased to support Mobile2Market and Orange by continuing to offer operators a proven, turnkey solution for delivering compelling mobile software and digital media to their users,”
said Laura Rippy, chief executive officer at Handango.
“The success we’ve seen with our implementation of Handango AMPP for Orange gives us reason to be excited about the future of Windows Powered Smartphone devices.”
Handango, Orange and Microsoft will showcase a live demonstration of the Handango Web site at this year’s 3GSM World Congress. Visitors to the Microsoft Mobile2Market pavilion can pick up a free scratch card enabling them to download a free Windows Powered Smartphone or Pocket PC application from Handango’s Mobile2Market site at http://www.handango.com
/mobile2market/ (connect-time fees may apply).
About Mobile2Market
Microsoft Mobile2Market the Marketplace for Mobile Applications enables a process for the logo certification and market delivery of network-ready wireless applications for the Windows Powered Pocket PC and Smartphone software platforms. Mobile2Market logo certified applications assure mobile operators that the applications are network-ready and of high quality and reliability.
Microsoft is working with enabling industry partners such as Action Engine Corp., Cellmania Inc., DAT Group Ltd., Handango, Mobilitec Inc. and Quantum Corp. to provide developers with the resources to get their applications to market.
About Orange
Orange and wirefree are trademarks of Orange PCS. The Orange group is one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies, with over 40 million customers in 21 countries across Europe and beyond. It provides a broad range of personal communications services, including Orange GSM1800 services and other digital cellular telephone services. The Orange brand operates in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Romania, Denmark, Slovakia, Thailand, the Ivory Coast, the Dominican Republic and the Cameroon. The Orange group also has controlled operations in Belgium (Mobistar), the Netherlands (Dutchtone), Botswana (Vista Cellular) and Madagascar (SMM) and intends to launch Orange UMTS operations in Luxembourg. The Orange group has a joint controlling interest in Egypt (MobiNil) and minority interests in Italy (Wind), Portugal (Optimus), Austria (Connect Austria) and Mumbai/India (BPL Mobile). As of the end of June 2002, Orange was the largest mobile operator in both the United Kingdom, with over 12.8 million active customers, and France, with over 18.6 million customers. Information about Orange can be found on the Orange Web site at http://www.orange.com/ .
About Handango
Handango is the leading publisher and platform for mobile software, bringing over 25,000 applications to market through an extensive global distribution network of online, retail and enterprise channels reaching more than 5 million mobile users each month. Handango’s application management and provisioning platform, Handango AMPP, has been chosen as the mobile software delivery platform for Nokia, Motorola, Sprint, Orange SA, Palm, Microsoft, Sony, HP, Handspring, Sharp Electronics and more than 100 others. More information is available at http://www.handango.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software
any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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