Alltel Corp. selected Oz Communications Inc.’s mobile instant messaging solution to power its new Axcess Instant Messaging service. The BREW-based solution gives Alltel customers access to AOL’s instant messaging service and Yahoo Inc.’s Messenger service in a mobile format that closely mirrors the PC experience, said Oz. IM service is expected to be available on about a dozen Alltel handsets. The application will be offered free of charge, although airtime charges will apply during the two- to three-minute download process. IM usage will appear on customers’ bills as text messages. Oz has worked with several carriers on mobile IM and e-mail solutions, including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile and Cingular Wireless L.L.C.
UrbanWorld Wireless launched a new online store hawking ringtones, voice tones and mobile images from its roster of celebrities. The site, www.urbanwireless.com, features content from noted hip-hop acts and producers such as Clinton Sparks, DJ Drama and DJ Kay Slay. Other contributors include NFL running back Warrick Dunn, actress Meagan Good and adult entertainer Heather Hunter. The company also said it also hopes the storefront fills a much-needed path for unsigned, emerging performers looking to break into mobile content.
Rapper Eminem settled a lawsuit with a Colorado-based content provider accused of illegally selling ringtones of the hip-hop star’s tunes. Michigan-based Eight Mile Style and Martin Affiliated said they struck an agreement with Cellus USA Inc., one of five direct-to-consumer content companies targeted by the publishing companies for “blatant and unauthorized use” of ringtones based on Eminem’s hits. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, although a Cellus lawyer said the company agreed to stop distributing the ringtones, according to news reports. Cellus was acquired in 2004 by Airborne Entertainment.
