this issue>wireless

3D Characters on Your Cell Phone
Mobeon Brings World’s First Animated Mobile Buddy

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (Aug. 2, 2005) Mobeon, a supplier of Internet Protocol messaging solutions, has unveiled the first 3G video messaging interface featuring mobile buddies for cell phones. Mobile buddies are 3D animated avatars that replace the traditional operator voice by providing entertaining and personalized mailbox navigation to cellular subscribers. Mobile buddies work with the latest Mobeon video mail technology to produce a sophisticated form of video mail management.

Fidgit, the first mobile buddy, has a fully interactive, quirky personality, which changes throughout the day. This offers an entertaining and unique service to take a user through their messages. He introduces the menus in the mailbox, talks the user through the options for each message, and also responds to callers who want to leave a message.

Research by Mobeon has proved that avatars would attract the valuable youth market, and even convince them to swap operators. Focus groups questioned on the concept considered it to be far more entertaining and personal than the ‘Auntie’ voice that currently governs voicemail boxes.

“The evolution of voicemail to video mail can be compared to the transition from radio to television,” said Antony Beswick, head of corporate strategy and product marketing at Mobeon. “Like radio, the announcer for voicemail had to explain clearly each of the actions to be followed. The beauty of video mail is that users can quickly see what options are available. This allows operators to introduce a quirky, fun element to the service, offering further revenue opportunities through content and the ability to build customer loyalty.”

Source: Mobeon (mobeon.com)