VoiceStream Wireless Corp. and France Telecom have signed up to test the PocketThis solution, a new way for wireless subscribers to capture information from the wireless Web and store it in a `pocket’ with one keystroke, either by using a wireless phone or personal digital assistant.
“With one-button touch,” said Nancy Benovich-Gilby, chief executive officer and president of PocketThis, “professionals on the go can access any information on their fingertips.”
Based in Oakland, Calif., PocketThis is launching with $10.5 million in first-round funding from venture-capital firms Arts Alliance and SBVC, as well as European telecommunications companies Innovacom-France Telecom and Orange.
With the product, PocketThis hopes to switch the industry focus from other products, which it perceives as technology-centric, to its own product, which it considers user-centric.
Designed with the wireless user in mind, this platform contains the three elements the company considers necessary for quick information flow: live, intelligent and actionable.
It is live because once a user adds data or information to his or her Pocket, it is readily accessible through a wireless phone, wireless-enabled PDA and desktop.
It is intelligent because it anticipates the user’s activity and will provide necessary data because it recognizes names and places. It is actionable in that a subscriber can, with one click, call a restaurant, or call for driving directions, find the location of the nearest gas station and even send the information to a friend.
“The action part is what differentiates us,” said Benovich-Gilby.
She said the product is `device agnostic’ and that subscribers need not worry about losing data if they lose their handsets because they will remain connected wirelessly to the PocketThis data.
Wireless carriers may not charge additional fees for the service because they will earn revenue from additional minutes of wireless phone usage.
“Most users do not need or want to navigate the entire Internet on their wireless phone or other PDA screen, but they do want portability for some of the information found on the Web or their personal computer, like phone numbers, driving directions and flight schedules. PocketThis enables wireless subscribers to acquire the information they choose from any source, including the Internet, e-mail, wireless Web or voice applications with one simple stroke. With PocketThis, users can capture the information they want from any device, access it and easily act on the information on their mobile device,” said the company.
The product has been launched with VoiceStream Wireless in the United States and France Telecom in Europe on a trial basis. In addition, PocketThis is trying to secure contracts with other carriers, especially in Europe where, Benovich-Gilby says, the subscriber base is stronger.
