Handango Upgrades Download Client for Symbian OS Phones | NewLC

Handango Upgrades Download Client for Symbian OS Phones NewLC
HURST, Texas - July 18, 2005 - Today, Handango, the leading provider of mobile downloads, announced a new version of Handango InHand for Symbian. Handango InHand is an intelligent, device-resident download client for smartphones and wireless handhelds.

Handango InHand for Symbian is optimized for devices using the UIQ interface. The upgraded version features a wide variety of new features designed to increase operator and device manufacturer revenues including:

Premium SMS Purchasing. Customers can purchase using one-click Premium SMS purchasing. The download occurs immediately and the purchase is billed on the operator network. This option is available to customers in more than 30 countries on more than 70 operator networks.
Update Synchronization. Now customers can synchronize their phones over-the-air with the Handango catalog to access only the newest titles available.
Peer-to-Peer Distribution. Using Bluetooth or infrared, customers can share Handango InHand by simply selecting the "Send to a Friend" option from the InHand menu. Built-in revenue tracking enables operators to gain extra revenues through viral content distribution.

Handango InHand enables operators to streamline content delivery across all smartphones; present a compelling, branded interface; improve customer awareness of downloads; increase content revenues and data traffic; and deliver a superior download experience through features such as trials, one-click access, download safeguard and online backup.

"Handango InHand for Symbian has been one of our most successful InHand clients due to the great content available for UIQ-based phones and the appetite UIQ phone owners have for that great content," said Randy Eisenman, president and chief executive officer of Handango. "We are confident that these new features will drive further interest among customers and operators alike."

All applications available through Handango InHand for Symbian are Symbian Signed and have been awarded the "For Symbian OS" logo. Symbian Signed is an industry adopted testing program to ensure Symbian OS(TM) applications meet industry standards and to provide mobile operators with a catalog of third-party verified, trustworthy applications.

"We are delighted the InHand client for Symbian OS has proven to be one of the most successful yet, leveraging the high-quality Symbian Signed applications available on UIQ phones," said Geoff Preston, technology operations director of Symbian. "The client provides a compelling distribution channel for Symbian Signed applications, delivering an enhanced value proposition to developers and the wider Symbian eco-system. The InHand client will make it even easier for end users to download and purchase Symbian Signed applications straight to their devices."

"Sony Ericsson was a pioneer when introducing the Sony Ericsson Application Shop Client for its smartphones in 2003. We welcome the new, improved functionality of Handango InHand," said Toon Diependaele, director digital marketing of Sony Ericsson, and responsible for the Sony Ericsson Application Shop, an important channel to market for the developer community facilitated by the Sony Ericsson Developer World program. "The on-device download client is a crucial component, offering consumers easy access to Symbian OS applications for download and purchase directly from the phone."

Handango InHand for Symbian joins the Handango InHand family of download clients for smartphones and wireless handhelds utilizing BlackBerry(TM), Palm OS(R) and Windows Mobile for Smartphone or Pocket PC. Operators, device manufacturers and other brands who have licensed Handango InHand include Sprint, BenQ, Sierra Wireless, Sony Ericsson, Pocket PC Thoughts, Dave's iPAQ, Axim Site, Geekzone, Paragon Software Group and many more.

Pricing & Availability
Handango InHand for Symbian is available at no charge at www.handango.com/inhand/uiq. Developers interested in placing their applications in the InHand catalog can contact their Handango representative or partners@handango.com for requirements. Operators and device manufacturers interested in licensing Handango InHand can contact inhand@handango.com.

For more information about Handango InHand or to download the new version of Handango InHand for UIQ, visit www.handango.com/inhand/uiq on your computer or http://mhgo.com on your smartphone.

Development
Handango worked in conjunction with Openbit, a leading provider of superdistribution, on-device payment and digital rights management (DRM) solutions for Symbian OS content, to develop the new version of Handango InHand for Symbian. Openbit provided client-side development, integrating the device-resident client with Handango AMPP, Handango's application management and provisioning platform. Handango also leveraged Openbit's License Manager(TM) for on-device Premium SMS payment, superdistribution and certain digital rights management functionality within Handango InHand.

"We are delighted and proud to have provided our technologies for the new version of Handango InHand, which has already proven to be an effective channel for application distribution for a wide range of customers," said Arto Lehtonen, chief executive officer of Openbit.

About Handango
Handango is the leading provider of mobile downloads bringing over 50,000 applications and 25,000 digital media titles to market through an extensive global distribution network that reaches millions of mobile customers. Handango's application management and provisioning platform, Handango AMPP, has been chosen as the mobile software delivery platform for Nokia, Motorola, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile, Orange SA, Sony Ericsson, palmOne, Microsoft, HP, Sega Mobile, AOL and more than 100 others. For more information, visit http://corp.handango.com.