TeleCommunications Systems Inc. launched a free wireless portal service called Data4Me, aimed directly at end users with the goal of increasing awareness of wireless e-mail services across multiple networks.
The portal allows users to send and receive messages to and from others on the same or different networks, be it Internet, wireless or other-so one person using a text-enabled smart phone can send an e-mail to a Palm VII user. Users also have access to customized messaging pages and personalized paging applets for their most common contacts.
The service, compatible with some 16 wireless networks with plans to add others in the future, also features a Web calendar for scheduling event notifications to applicable mobile devices.
TCS has provided the underlying wireless gateway technology to several wireless carriers for nearly two years. The company sells its Wireless Internet Gateway product to carriers, which then brand it as their own, to enable short message service and limited personal information management functions.
Data4Me uses the same technology, but TCS runs the service itself, not through carriers.
“We thought it would be fun to take some of our core technology and run it ourselves and expand it among multiple carriers,” said Drew Morin, TCS senior vice president and chief engineer.
TCS also runs the Short Message Service Center of Lucent Technologies Inc.’s Intelligent Network portfolio, and operates a prepaid wireless service in conjunction with the company as well.
TCS is promoting the service through various Internet Web sites, specifically Palm.net’s, where Palm VII users can download a Palm Query Application, enabling the Palm device to originate messages through the Date4Me service.
“The idea is to get it out to the consumer market and get them used to it,” Morin said. “We’re trying to say, `Look. This is here. You can do this today.’ “
He said TCS also is hoping to get feedback from customers using the free service on which upgrades and additions to make in the future.
