GetMobio Mobile Lifestyle Portal Now Available

I keep getting press releases from Mobio about their GetMobio Mobile Lifestyle Portal—but I don’t work much with mobile devices, so I haven’t given it much thought. Until now.

THE PRESS RELEASE

CUPERTINO, Calif. - April 11, 2007 - Mobio Networks today announced the release of GetMobio, the first mobile lifestyle portal that offers over 50 free applications and widgets on the mobile phone. For the first time, anyone can download the GetMobio lifestyle portal at www.getmobio.com and get instant access to their favorite Web content and services right on their mobile phones.

“Mobile phone users are hungry for mobile applications and content that meet their needs, but the challenge is that those needs are constantly changing based the individual’s current interests, tastes, and inclinations,” said Ramneek Bhasin, CEO of Mobio. “We built the GetMobio lifestyle portal to appeal to a broad range of such varying possibilities, to satisfy everyone from fashionistas, to gadget freaks, to soccer moms and dads. Whatever you like to do - it’s in there. And just in case it’s not, we’ve created publishing tools that let you build your own mobile collections on top of the pre-designed Mobio applications.”

GetMobio is a free service that consists of over 50 dynamic applications, widgets and RSS feeds. The GetMobio lifestyle portal features collections of Web service mash-ups that include the hottest nightclubs, restaurants, movies and local events. GetMobio ships with 10 collections that range from “After Midnight” to “Outwitting the Kids.” Mobio is also offering Cricket Center - Live! and Mobio Cricket Center - Fantasy for free as part of the US based download.

“In many cases, additional features on the mobile phone can actually lead to a more complicated user experience, which has been shown to inhibit the uptake of value added services,” said Gene Keenan, VP Mobile Services at Isobar and Board Member of the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA). “For mobile data services to take off companies need to concentrate on streamlining and simplifying the experience and providing the same, rich experience people are used to on the Web. Mobio has done just that, by developing a solution that increases functionality without overwhelming the user.”

Mobio’s applications are designed to be used with very few clicks and no or minimal data entry, and created for the most popular and widely available mobile phones on the market, such as the Motorola RAZR and Samsung BLADE. By simply entering their information once, users can personalize their experience across all GetMobio collections to create a more intuitive, seamless interaction. Visit www.getmobio.com to download the GetMobio lifestyle portal from the Web or http://getmobio.com/now on your mobile phone.

ABOUT MOBIO NETWORKS

Mobio makes over 50 dynamic mobile applications and widgets that work together and are based on mash ups of web services. Based in Silicon Valley, the company’s mission is to make compelling applications that are fun, simple and useful enough to merit everyday use on popular mobile phones. Around the globe, people use Mobio’s applications to locate the hottest bars, call a cab, book a table at the latest restaurants, and stay current with popular events like the World Cup Cricket - all with very few clicks and minimal or no data entry. For more information, visit www.getmobio.com.

PHONE SUPPORT

I’m no expert in mobile technology, but I know the state of cellular technology in the United States is pathetic compared to what you’ll find in Europe, Asia, Australia and the rest of the civilized world. So when I saw Mobio’s announcement I immediately checked out the list of phones that support GetMobio. It is actually not too bad, and fairly robust among the Nokia and Motorola RAZR crowd. There’s also (sporadic) support for phones by:

• HTC
• LG
• Samsung
• Sanyo
• Sony-Ericsson

I decided to try downloading the GetMobio software from my BlackBerry 8703e—but all I got was an error saying the page could not be accessed by my mobile browser. The Mobio website recommends you at least try downloading, because the phones listed are only ones they have tested—there are plenty more out there that may also work with GetMobio.

MY TAKE ON GETMOBIO

I think GetMobio is a cool idea, and all across the world mobile devices are becoming a crucial component of marketing and communication—but I don’t see that happening as much in the United States, and especially in the Midwest. In the Midwest we’re lucky if we can get a signal, and we’re not the only Americans in this situation. Not only is our cellular coverage spotty, but our phones aren’t necessarily on Mobio’s list. I will keep trying with my BlackBerry from time to time, and I hope I can plug in to all the good stuff eventually. If you already have and use GetMobio, please write in and let us know about your experiences!