Turning SMS Into MMS: conVISUAL and FunMail Launch Send-A-Fun21
Oberhausen/Pleasanton, CA, USA (ots) - Simply enter the recipient's number, add the text and send off the message - then Send-A-Fun21 comes up with funny and original animations and images that match the text on the recipient's mobile phone display. Send-A-Fun21 is the new messaging service enabling mobile phone users to convert plain SMS text messages into image messages for MMS- and SMS-capable phones. The Send-A-Fun21 service, developed by the Visual Messaging Service Provider conVISUAL, is now available on the mobile phone market.
"01721234567 I am really looking forward to seeing you" is displayed on the sender's phone prior to sending the SMS text message to the Vodafone short code 2122. A surprise is in store for the person with the number 01721234567 when he or she opens the message. A cheerful Garfield, armed with a bunch of flowers, waves from the colourful MMS display. A comparable effect is achieved when the message is sent to 2121 - in this case, the message is sent as an SMS picture message so that it can be displayed on any Smart Messaging mobile phone (e. g. from Nokia or Sony Ericsson).
In collaboration with its American partner FunMail, MMS specialist conVISUAL has created a messaging service specifically geared towards mobile phone users in the 13- to 25-year-old age group. Market research results have revealed that the use of popular cartoon characters like Garfield or South Park for communication purposes are hugely popular with young mobile phone users. In addition, the young people are thrilled about the large fun factor added by the Send-A-Fun21 service, because it is always a surprise to see what image will be attached to the message.
Send-A-Fun21 works as easily as sending an SMS message, at any time or place - in the schoolyard, on the bus or in the pub in the evening. Instead of just boring text on the display, recipients are greeted by a grinning Garfield or a South Park character.
An appropriate image is assigned to every SMS text message sent. The surprise effect is not lost by frequent use, since a new image is sent even if the message itself is repeated. All Vodafone D2 customers can use the service. Sending messages to MMS-capable mobile phones is currently possible within the D2 and D1 networks in Germany. Furthermore, dispatch to mobile phones that are compatible with Nokia Smart Messaging is provided for in all four German networks.
Consequently, the partnership between the Californian-based company FunMail and conVISUAL, which started at the beginning of the year, has begun to bear fruit. FunMail's connections to the American film industry, its rights to use known characters such as Garfield and South Park, as well as its own designer pool, have assisted the company in successfully establishing its services worldwide. The messaging expert conVISUAL is FunMail's exclusive partner for promoting its services in Europe. Thanks to conVISUAL's expertise in format conversion (e. g. from Nokia Smart Messaging to MMS) and its MMS transcoding technology, each FunMail message is converted to the most suitable format for the recipient's mobile phone.
Instructions for Using Send-A-Fun21
Create an SMS text message with the following content: Recipient's number, space, greeting. Example: "01721234567 cinema tonight?" Send this SMS message to 2121 if you want it to be sent as an SMS picture message or to 2122 if you want to send it to an MMS-capable mobile phone. The recipient automatically receives an appropriate image message or MMS animation along with your greeting. Visit www.fun21.de for more information.
conVISUAL - The Home of Visual Messaging Services.
conVISUAL is the first Wireless Application Service Provider focused on the realisation of Visual and Multimedia Messaging Services. Through an innovative product portfolio conVISUAL creates opportunities for network operators, service providers, ISPs and media companies to expand their businesses by leveraging the extraordinary potential of multimedia messaging services. conVISUAL's Multimedia Message Broker (MMB) is the intelligent platform for the creation, personalization, conversion and distribution of mobile multimedia messages. Using the MMB, conVISUAL operates numerous messaging applications, that are growing concurrently with the emerging multimedia facilities of mobile devices: The MMB supports all of today's common messaging standards, such as SMS, Smart Messaging, Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), WAP Push and Openwave Download Fun, as well as upcoming GPRS and UMTS technologies such as the Multimedia Messaging Service and i-mode. Based in Oberhausen in Germany, conVISUAL employs a talented and experienced team, concentrating highest industry excellence including Ericsson, Mannesmann Mobilfunk, Nokia, Lucent Technologies and Theron Business Consulting.
Pictures
Pictures accompanying this press release are available for download in the picture gallery in the press area on the conVISUAL website.
conVISUAL
Essener Strasse 2-24
46047 Oberhausen, Germany
E-mail: info@convisual.com
media contact
Sandra Wiewiorra
Media Relations Manager
E-mail: press@convisual.com
Phone: +49 208 85 96 - 807