All is not lost with Verizon.
30 Aug 2002, 08:15 PM EDT Msg. 27516 of 27522
BELLEVUE, Wash.-Wireless Internet veteran InfoSpace Inc. is expanding beyond the confines of SMS, WAP and other low-tech application technologies and into the world of color and graphics, the company said.
InfoSpace, which provides wireless data applications to more than 20 carriers worldwide, including many of the largest U.S. carriers, is taking its first major step by releasing Java 2 Micro Edition-based applications for Sprint PCS' new Vision advanced network.
Ron Gastrock, InfoSpace's vice president of carrier sales for the Americas, said the characteristics of Java and other advanced application technologies, combined with new, high-end color phones, finally create an atmosphere for the wireless data industry "to find its place."
InfoSpace is launching two Java-based applications for Sprint's network-finance and horoscopes-with others in the pipe. Gastrock said the company will charge about $1 per month per application, but likely would re-evaluate its pricing plans in response to market conditions.
"We're going to have to test the market," Gastrock said.
Applications based on Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java technology have been hailed in the industry because they can be downloaded from the network and then run locally on the device. But InfoSpace's applications take a slightly different path, in that they are downloaded to the phone but then also reconnect with the network to update information. This approach, Gastrock said, will increase both traffic on Sprint's network, as well as InfoSpace's reoccurring revenues.
All the phones for Sprint's advanced network are capable of running Java applications, and the carrier now offers more than 20 Java-based applications, most of which are games.
While Sprint has managed to garner much attention with its network launch, it is not the only carrier InfoSpace plans to team with for advanced applications. Gastrock said InfoSpace is looking to develop applications based on Qualcomm Inc.'s BREW application download technology and will work with BREW champion Verizon Wireless Inc. to sell BREW-based applications.
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