Microsoft’s online gaming service, Xbox Live, may soon be able to send instant messages via MSN Messenger to cell phones says the BBC. It is part of Microsoft’s strategy to connect its various online services.
Messenger is included as part of a compact version of Windows for mobile phones.
Around 18% of smartphones and PDas in Europe use Windows Mobile as the operating system, but by far the most popular software is Symbian.
The alerts would be sent over the internet via Xbox Live and come to a mobile over the air as an instant message. “It just pops up saying ‘Dinky Dave wants to play Project Gotham Racing’ with you,” said a Microsoft spokesman.
In other cellular news:
- Google has made a mobile version of GMail’s web interface. Just hit up http://m.gmail.com on your mobile phone. Gmail Mobile works with many phones.
- Amp’d, the new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) targeted at the youth market, has officially launched. Amp’d uses Verizon’s EV-DO network and is available in most metro cities across the US. Only one handset for now, the Kyocera Jet, with the Motorola E815 (which it calls the ‘Hollywood’) on the way in early 2006. Amp’d will receive funding and content from MTV and MTV’s parent company, Viacom. Plans cost as little as $29.99, up to $199.99 for unlimited voice/data/push-to-talk. All plans (with the exception of the unlimited plan) include PTT for $0.99USD per day and a three month free trial.
- Cingular announced an upcoming streaming video service. Subscribers will be able to stream clips and episodes of shows, including exclusives from HBO to new phones in the near future. Both the LG CU320 and Samsung ZX10 have been identified for a January launch, confirming the phones and service will arrive next month. Cingular entered a partnership with HBO to produce exclusive mobile content on the two new services HBO Mobile and HBO Family Mobile.
- The Samsung i300 wth 3GB hard drive - available on the O2 network, combines a phone, digital camera, music player and mobile communication in one package.
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