ROK Entertainment Group said its ROK Player allows multimedia memory card-capable mobile phones to play content-loaded multimedia chips on the full screen of their handsets rather than in letterbox formats. “We have already licensed a wide range of content from comedy to music and full-length feature films, with much more on the way,” said Jonathan Kendrick, chairman and chief executive officer of ROK Entertainment. “It’s like having a DVD, music player and TV in your pocket ready to entertain you wherever you are for one minute or several hours.” Rokent.com
Xingtone
Mobile music provider Xingtone Inc. announced the launch of the newest version of its software program. Xingtone 4.0 allows mobile users to create ringtones by uploading songs from their own music libraries. The updated version includes cross-fading (blending two pieces of audio) and clipping features, as well as a microphone tool for users to record voice and sound effects. The software supports more than 75 phones on all major U.S. carriers. Xingtone.com
Aeronix
Software and technology developer Aeronix Inc. launched Zipit Wireless Messenger, a portable instant messaging device for use on wireless home networks or Wi-Fi hotspots. Targeted for young IM users, Zipit uses 802.11b/g technology and requires no monthly service fee. The $100 device is 4.25 inches wide by 3.6 inches long and less than 1 inch think, and weighs 8 ounces. Zipit simultaneously supports multiple IM protocols, allowing users to communicate across service providers. The handset will be sold through Target.com, Amazon.com and other sites, as well as brick-and-mortar retailers. Aeronix.com
Berkana Wireless
Berkana Wireless Inc. introduced its BKW9000-based radio reference design kits. The kits are designed to speed development of cellular handsets and handhelds based on the BKW9000 line of single-chip quad-band GSM/GPRS CMOS RF transceivers, said the company. The company is offering kits supporting 2.5-generation baseband platforms from Agere Systems, Texas Instruments and other companies. Berkanawireless.com
Firetide
Mesh networking continues to gain steam as Firetide Inc. released two new mesh networking products operating in the 5 GHz band, its HotPoint 1500 routers for both indoor and outdoor use. The products join the company’s 2.4 GHz offerings, the HotPoint 1000 series. “We want to offer our customers the best products for their particular needs,” said Bo Larsson, the company’s chief executive officer. “We developed the HotPoint 1500 product line for customers with high bandwidth needs such as video monitoring networks, Wi-Fi aggregation, and for environments currently congested with existing 2.4 GHz traffic.” Sunil Dhar, director of Firetide’s product management, said the company’s HotPoint products allow businesses to operate an Ethernet backhaul without installing costly fiber wiring. Firetide.com
Radvision
Radvision Inc. said it has introduced a new platform called SCOPIA that will enable service providers to offer point-to-point and point-to-multi-point real-time video-based services such as video calling and video streaming. The sample services include, video mail, video messaging, content streaming for TV and movies as well as other outlets, and live entertainment and communications services, among other offerings, said Radvision. “With our announcement of the SCOPIA platform, we are moving from simply delivering components such as IP to 3G media gateways to now offering a powerful services platform that can form the core infrastructure for carriers to deliver communications and entertainment services to their 3G, Wi-Fi and wireline customers,” said Boaz Raviv, general manager of Radvision’s service provider business unit. Radvision.com
Bandai America
Bandai America Inc. joined the community-gaming fray, launching a new title for Sprint PCS’ Game Lobby. The subsidiary of toy-making giant Bandai Co. Ltd. released “Ace Yeti Trapper,” an adventure game set in Nepal and featuring 30 levels. The title was specifically created for mobile play and is Bandai’s first for the Game Lobby, a wireless gaming community powered by infrastructure service company M7 Networks. “We are pleased to welcome Bandai America to the Game Lobby publisher community,” said William Erickson, president and chief executive officer of M7. “Bandai America joins other leading mobile gaming publishers that have added community features to their already popular titles to leverage the increased game play, viral marketing opportunities and end-user loyalty that community gaming brings.” Bandai.com
