Java to dominate consumer electronics?
"Java and Linux could dominate consumer electronics, but to do so, Java needs to be less fragmented and highly resource efficient, making it suitable at last for the mass market.
As the phone, PC and media center converge around the same architectures, companies from all three sectors are adapting their technologies to span the others. Microsoft is seeking to do this with Windows Mobile and real time CE, and Nokia has its phone-based home entertainment devices. Two platforms, however, already straddle these three worlds - Java and Linux. These could form a powerful combination to dominate the consumer space, rendering the mobile operating wars irrelevant outside the enterprise sector."

GameLoft Sees Huge Rise In Revenues
"Representatives from Ubisoft?s mobile games spin-off GameLoft have announced a 249% rise in revenues in the first quarter of this year, with a turnover of ?40 million ($47.8m) ? 94% of which has come from wireless gaming activities.

Officials claimed the increasing numbers of high-end mobile phones on the market were the key catalyst for the company?s success. The installed base of Java and BREW enabled phones rose from 100 million world-wide in March 2003 to 250 million by March 2004."

Superscape Signs First Network Operator Revenue Sharing Royalty Distribution Agreement for Swerve-Powered 3D Mobile Games
"London (ots) ? Superscape Group plc, (LSE:SPS), leaders in revolutionary entertainment for mobile phones, announces today that it has a signed a revenue sharing royalty distribution agreement for the company?s 3D mobile games titles with a leading US network operator. This is the first distribution contract for Superscape with a network operator and a key element in the process of bringing the company?s Swerve-based games to the mass consumer market."

Vodacom Launches Mobile Developers Zone
"JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 29 -- Leading cellular network operator Vodacom today launched the Vodacom Developer Zone, an Internet-based SMS and MMS (multimedia message service) application development platform, providing a unique environment for developers, entrepreneurs and businesses."

IN-FUSIO Expands Mobile Gaming Services to U.S. Market, Opens Los Angeles Office
"LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2004--IN-FUSIO, the leading mobile game publisher and pioneer in the concept of downloadable games for wireless phones, today announced it has furthered its position in the U.S. mobile market and has opened an office in Los Angeles. The company, which has the largest share of the mobile games market in Europe and is one of the leaders in China, now provides titles and value added service to carriers worldwide, including Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Vodafone, Orange, SFR, Telefonica Moviles and China Mobile. "

Mobile Scope Licenses I, Robot™ for Mobile Entertainment
"Meerbusch, Germany - April 27 2004 - Wireless entertainment publisher Mobile Scope and Twentieth Century Fox today announced a global agreement granting Mobile Scope rights to develop and distribute entertainment products for mobile devices based on the I, Robot? feature film starring Will Smith and scheduled for release this Summer. The company plans to unveil a suite of products in time for the film?s release. Financial terms were not disclosed. The content would include images, tones and at least one game."

Hard disks not yet ready for mobile phones
"Although the concept could make any mobility geek salivate, research firm IDC dismisses the viability of placing hard disk storage units in mobile phones - for the time being."

Microsoft facing uphill mobility battle
"New research from ABI Research says Microsoft wil face an uphill battle for acceptance of its mobility platforms, and predict Symbian OS will likely remain in lead until 2010.
Despite inroads by Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS, which has demonstrated success with Motorola among other handset vendors recently, ABI Research believes that Symbian OS will continue to lead the market for mobile phone standardized operating systems. "

Games sales much lower than predicted (Anthony Fordham, APRIL 27, 2004)
"DESPITE enthusiasm for the potential of game playing on mobile phones, commercial sales of mobile-game software and hardware have been lower than expected."

Sun Provides New Java(TM) Technology Games for Mobile Phones
"SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW - News), the creator and leading advocate of Java(TM) technology, today announced the availability of exciting Java technology-based mobile games developed and published by Sorrent. Such games as FOX Sports Yao Ming Basketball '04, FOX Sports Boxing and FOX Sports Soccer '04 are now available for Sprint PCS Vision subscribers through the java.com Website."

apcro's journal: Cross-platform online mobile games
"Regular readers of The Feature will know I've posted a few times on mobile games, PC and console games, SMS and the various interlinks between them."

3-D Audio IP Business for Wireless Phones
"ASIA : FueTrek licenses from Matsushita Electric Semiconductor Company the 3-D audio technology, and expands sales of this high-end 3-D Audio IP capable of creating the feeling of being at live performance worldwide."

Spider-ManTM 2 Swings on to the N-GageTM Game Deck
"HELSINKI, Finland--April 26, 2004--Nokia (NYSE:NOK); Spider-Man(TM) 2 Brings an Amazing and Immersive 3D Web-Swinging Environment on a Handheld Nokia and Activision today announced that Spider-Man(TM) 2 will be released for the N-Gage game deck under a license between Spider-Man Merchandising and Activision. Taking on the role of the famed super hero(TM) Spider-Man(TM), mobile gamers will be able to swing, web sling and jump through four fully 3D levels, providing an amazingly dynamic environment on a handheld gaming device. Fifteen additional 2D levels provide a challenging arena to combat a wide range of enemies, including new enemy bosses such as the Lizard and Doc Ock that have their own unique attack moves. Web slinging gamers will also be able to upload their best performances to the N-Gage Arena, as well as unlock additional content for the game."

It's fourth down and one-sixteenth of an inch to go
"Here's a challenge: Try packing 32 teams, with 900 football players, into the space of a cellphone.
That is the goal of a deal that videogame maker THQ Inc. will announce Friday with the National Football League. The company plans to develop a football game for mobile phones that will mirror real 2004 team rosters and include playoff games and a 'virtual' Super Bowl. THQ, of Calabasas Hills, Calif., also is announcing similar deals with the National Hockey League and the Major League Baseball Player's Association and is in discussions with other pro-sports leagues about mobile games. "

Ringing up gadgets
"Ever heard of sidetalking?
It's a term coined by critics of Nokia Corp.'s N-Gage cellphone game console, which required users to put the unwieldy device up to an ear edgewise in order to make a call. There's even a website devoted to ridiculous pictures of people poking fun at sidetalking using assorted high-tech gadgets.
The N-Gage was an early attempt to make handsets more than mere phones. But despite the negative response of critics and lacklustre sales of the N-Gage, Nokia isn't giving up when it comes to merging various consumer electronic devices with cellphones."

Crisp Wireless mLogic(TM) Media to be Used to Deliver Multimedia Entertainment Content to Java, BREW and WAP 1.0 & 2.0 Handsets
"NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Crisp Wireless announced today that SK Media & Entertainment, a leading publisher of wireless entertainment content, signed an agreement to license its mLogic Media mobile content management and publishing product for multimedia content. Crisp Wireless, the leading provider of mobile applications and content management solutions for consumer-facing enterprises, will provide SK Media & Entertainment with a proven technology platform to roll out premium content across all major U.S.
wireless carriers."

Mobile Data Users Now Representing the Mainstream, Says In-stat/MDR
"In-Stat/MDR says that mobile data usage has become a mainstream phenomenon across multiple demographic groups in the U.S. In addition, mobile data users continue spending much more on minutes and handsets than non-data users."

Ren, Stimpy come to very small screen
"Sorrent today announced that it has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Spike TV to publish wireless games based on the new Ren & Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon. Sorrent's first game based on the license, Ren & Stimpy Pinball, places the animated characters in a mobile pinball game, available now to Sprint PCS Vision customers and subscribers of other major U.S. wireless carriers. "

Disney enters Hungary's mobiles
"Walt Disney Internet Group and Hungarian mobile operator Pannon GSM have entered into a content distribution arrangement that will bring Disney Mobile branded wireless content to Hungarian consumers. The Disney Mobile service includes a broad range of ring tones, logos, wallpapers, picture messages, MMS and java games. "

Sorrent Launches Spike TV's Ren & Stimpy on Wireless Phones; The Popular Chihuahua and His Trusting Feline Sidekick Entertain Mobile Subscribers in New Pinball Game
"SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2004--Sorrent Inc., a leading mobile entertainment publisher, today announced that it has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Spike TV, the first network for men, to publish wireless games based on the new Ren & Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon(TM). Sorrent's first game based on the license, Ren & Stimpy Pinball(TM), places the genre-breaking, animated characters in a fast and addictive mobile pinball game. Ren & Stimpy Pinball is available now to Sprint PCS Vision customers and subscribers of other major US wireless carriers. "

Sun Expands java.com With Vodafone live! German Games Catalog
"SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW - News), the creator and leading advocate of Java(TM) technology, today announced that it is expanding its relationship with Vodafone, the world's largest mobile carrier. Vodafone has selected java.com to be a complimentary showcase for its Vodafone live! German language content catalog which will showcase the Java technology-based games available for its German market. "

33 & 31, heading for gamers No.1
"What is common to Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Indian vice-captain Rahul ?Wall? Dravid, or Formula One racer Juan Pablo Montoyo, apart from being sportsmen? Well, all three have mobile games, ringtones, wall papers built around them, developed by a not-yet-one-year-old Mumbai-based Indian mobile services company, Mauj.
Finding its feet in the $2-billion worldwide market for mobile games, this seven-month-old tech start-up has in its kitty marketing rights of 800 international games, has developed 60 games of its own, and has plans to introduce 20 new ones every month. "

elkware Games to Come Pre-Installed on New Siemens Handsets
"elkware Inc., a leading developer of mobile games, today announced that it will be providing games that are expected to be factory installed on two handsets from Siemens. The Siemens C66 handset is expected to come with 'Photo Pet,' a title allowing players to use the C66's integrated camera to feed and care for their own virtual pet and 'Bubble Boost,' a classic platform game that features impressive and colorful graphics. "

Mobile data goes mainstream in the U.S.
"The calendar shows 2004, and mobile data use is finally going mainstream in the U.S. as the majority of consumers acquire a taste for using one or more wireless data services."

Focus On: Kayak Interactive's George Faigen
"While others talk about mobile multiplayer gaming, one company is taking the bull by the horns and creating not only the technology to do it, but the development and marketing drive to bring it to consumers. Rob Fahey found out more..."

Artificial Life, Inc. Launches New Mobile Portal: www.botme.com
"HONG KONG, April 16 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hong Kong based Artificial Life, Inc. (OTC: ALIF - News) a leading provider of intelligent agent based mobile and Internet technology and applications today announced that it has launched its first portal for mobile applications available at: www.botme.com ."

Mobile gamers can now throw Pingu on Java enabled mobile phones
"The internet-version of 'Pingu Throw' or 'Smack the Pingu', as it is known by gamers around the world, has been played over 150 million times in less than ten weeks. Now this cult phenomena is available as a mobile game for a wide range of Nokia, Siemens and SonyEricsson mobile phones. The companies behind the success of this brand, Arvato mobile and Edelweiss Medienwerkstatt, presented 'Yeti Sports: Pingu Throw', as a downloadable game for Java-enabled mobile phones. "

Trolling for the big one in wireless waters
"CALGARY - A fledgling Calgary company has developed North America's first satellite-based video game for cellphones that pits players against a wily school of marlins."

Nokia updates N-Gage hardware platform with N-Gage QD
"Key criticisms addressed in the first of several hardware updates. Mobile communications giant Nokia has taken the wraps off the new version of its N-Gage game platform, N-Gage QD, revealing a substantially redesigned and cheaper device which will begin appearing on retail shelves next month."

First Look: The Nokia N-Gage QD
"The second generation of the N-Gage hardware is here - and we've spent a couple of days putting it through its paces in order to bring you a full hands-on report on Nokia's second effort at getting it right in the games market."

ZIO Interactive Extends Its Licensing Contract with Summus, and Includes New Mobile Games
"RALEIGH, N.C.--April 13, 2004--Summus, Inc. (USA) (OTCBB: SUMU), a developer of applications and information processing tools that optimize the wireless multimedia experience, and ZIO Interactive, a leader in mobile gaming, today announced that they are extending their mobile games contract for two additional years. This means that Summus will continue to distribute Nineball, Ultimate Golf Challenge, Fun2Link, Blue Marine and Metalion in North America, South America and Australia. Plus, the companies have plans to launch as many as five additional branded games in 2004. "

ESPN and Dwango North America to Develop "Bassmaster Mobile" Game for Wireless Phones
"SEATTLE, Wash.--April 13, 2004--ESPN and Dwango(R) North America (OTCBB:DWGN) today announced a licensing agreement that will bring distinctive BASS-branded mobile entertainment to anglers and outdoor sports enthusiasts worldwide. In working with Dwango -- a leading developer and distributor of entertainment content and applications for next-generation mobile phones -- ESPN aims to enhance BASS, and its 'Bassmaster' brand, in the mobile entertainment marketplace."

GoForce 3000 and 4000 mobile GPUs are unveiled as nVidia continues its efforts in the mobile space following last year's acquisition of mobile graphics specialist MediaQ.
"nVidia has announced its new GoForce 3000 and 4000 media processors, which are to offer graphics capabilities far beyond the current crop of chips used to power the displays of advanced mobile devices. Envisioning a future where mobile phones have evolved into complete multimedia devices, nVidia says its new chips will deliver high-resolution digital photography, full-motion video and interactive games - and longer battery life to boot. "

A most excellent mobile phone game, dude
"Kuju Wireless has announced the development of a new game featuring Bill and Ted for JAVA enabled mobile phones. The game will feature Bill and Ted as they travel through time collecting historical figures for their class project. Players control both Bill and Ted ? each with his own unique abilities ? as they explore fifty levels based in five different time periods."

Mobile games: The new fad
"Downloadable games are the latest mantra in the mobile telephone revolution. From cricket games to those based on latest Bollywood blockbusters, the new fad helps telecom companies rake in big moolah through download revenues and advertising."

Prepaid Game Cards for Mobile Casino Gambling Increases Casino Loyalty
"LAS VEGAS, NV, April 9, 2004 -? Casino Phone Technologies Ltd., a provider of responsible adult mobile gaming technologies, today announces the launch of CasinoPhone, the initial mobile phone casino product line for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and Samsung Java mobiles and Microsoft Smartphones, Pocket PCs, and Windows users in Asia and Europe. CasinoPhone technology provides physical casinos the ability to offer their adult consumers access to their favorite casino games 24x7 via the mobile platform of their choice while enforcing responsible adult m-gaming practices. "

250+ Leading Games & Mobile Industry Executives to Gather for NYC Forum on April 15
"NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2004--250+ leading games and mobile industry executives will gather in New York City on April 15 for Games & Mobile Forum, the 1-day forum on business developments in the burgeoning games and mobile industries.
Games & Mobile Forum, now in its 2nd year, is the only premier industry conference focused on online and mobile games on the East Coast. Delegates are executives from the leading games and mobile companies, analysts, VCs and investment bankers, including Ubisoft, Microsoft's Zone.com, AOL Games, AT&T Wireless, MTV, Gameloft, JAMDAT, Nokia, MSNC.com, MForma, Digital Chocolate, GameSpot, MENT, Turbine Entertainment, Ericsson, RBC Capital, WildTangent, Universal Television, Billboard Magazine, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP and Jupiter Research. "

Proprietary operating systems dominate mobiles
"According to the recently released report from ARC Group, 97% of data-capable handset devices shipped in 2003 were powered by proprietary operating systems (OSs). Shipments of devices powered by third party open OSs reached 9.8 million units, all targeting smartphones and rich feature devices. While the volume of these devices has not built yet, the value attributed to them could be as high as 11% of the total handset market."

Vodafone offering mobile Harry Potter
"Warner Bros. Online and Vodafone have signed a distribution deal which will bring Warner Bros. Entertainment brands as well as current information on upcoming projects to Vodafone live! customers across the world. The global agreement, covering 16 countries, brings together the world?s largest mobile telecommunications company and one of the world?s largest and most prolific entertainment companies. Warner Bros. Entertainment is known for such global brands as The Matrix, Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, and Friends, among many more."

SYNERGENIX TEAMS UP WITH 3 TO DELIVER ADVANCED 3D GAMES TO END-USERS
"STOCKHOLM, Sweden ? 3, the mobile video communications company has joined forces with Synergenix Interactive AB, providers of the mophun? gaming solution and a leading mobile games publisher. 3 will offer their customers the ability to play advanced 3D multiplayer games over the 3G network as well as the opportunity to download the mophun gaming accelerator and great games directly to the mobile phone."

Play cricket on your mobile phone
"In a cricket crazy country like India, the game is played everywhere ? even on the mobile phone. Lead mobile entertainment company, mauj.com recently unveiled a new wireless java game called ?Ricky Ponting Cricket 2004?. The Australian cricket captain, who is also its brand ambassador, has played a big role in the development of this game. "

Mobile phone users take to multimedia games
"Playing games is nothing new for Lee Chang-ho, 28. He is good at Starcraft, a popular computer game, and often spends hours with his friends at PC salons in Seoul. But his playing habits have changed recently - thanks to his mobile phone. "

MACROSPACE’S CANNONS TOURNAMENT MOBILE GAME LAUNCHED ON ORANGE WORLD
"London, UK ? 31 March 2004 ? Macrospace, the global provider of mobile games and mobile gaming services, today announced the launch of its multiplayer mobile game Cannons Tournament on Orange World, the mobile content portal available exclusively to Orange customers. Orange World allows users to personalise their mobile phones with logos, wallpapers and ringtones, and also gives over 30 million Orange customers access to Java games and other mobile data services."