Mobile Melo shoots, scores
Carmelo Anthony, star of the Denver Nuggets basketball team, has launched a mobile portal called Melo Mobile. The portal is powered by Konami Corp.’s mobile division. The Melo Mobile application will set users back $2 per month for news, statistics, updates and messages, as well as the opportunity to purchase Melo-related ringtones and wallpaper. Melo Mobile also includes a community blog application.
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Planned Parenthood launches
affinity MVNO service
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America has become the latest organization to team up with Working Assets to offer wireless service to its supporters through a mobile virtual network operator offering using Sprint Nextel Corp.’s wireless network.
Planned Parenthood Wireless will provide 10 percent of all revenues directly to Planned Parenthood and subscribers will also receive information in their monthly bill about how they can get more politically involved, including a “Free Speech” offer of up to 30 free minutes per month for subscribers to speak out on women’s health issues.
“Planned Parenthood members care passionately about women’s reproductive health and rights,” PPFA President Cecile Richards said. “Now they have a smart, simple way to support our work and express that passion with every phone call they make, through a wireless service provider that cares.”
Planned Parenthood joins a growing field of like-minded organizations that have turned to Working Assets to provide its supporters with more ways to make an impact on the causes they aim to achieve.
“Both of our organizations are committed to preserving the right to choose and Planned Parenthood Wireless offers a powerful activism platform,” Working Assets CEO Laura Scher said.
The service builds on Planned Parenthood’s growing mobile activism efforts.
The MVNO service will include free calls between Planned Parenthood Wireless subscribers, and those who sign up by March 31 will be eligible for a contract buyout offer of up to $175 to offset their current carrier’s termination fee.
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Ding dong, cellphone calling
Dutch company Waleli said it plans to begin offering a product that allows customers to answer their door using their mobile phone when they are away from home. The company tested the product in the Netherlands and now plans to expand its GSM Doorbell throughout Northern Europe. The product consists of an intercom, an electronic lock, a GSM-enabled doorbell and a SIM for GSM phones. Waleli said the technology will allow customers to answer their doorbell, talk to visitors and open the door remotely.