Multimedia Messaging

Multimedia Handset Growth Still Low in Europe - Oct 13 2003

"Sending photos and downloading video clips through mobile phones has been slow to take off, as penetration rates of multimedia handsets remain low, according to the WSJ .

"Handsets capable of sending multimedia messages will account for about 10% of the western European market by the end of the year, while mobile phones with built-in cameras will have a penetration rate of just 4%, according to recent research from technology consulting firm Strategy Analytics".

In-Stat Reports Decreasing Short Messaging Service in Japan due to MMS - Oct 10 2003

This is a very interesting and surprising report on the Japanese market, claiming that text messaging (SMS) is declining in favor of Multi Media Messaging (MMS).

In-StatMDR expects that SMS will lose ground to both Multi-Message Services (MMS), e-mail, and, eventually, to Instant Messaging (IM).

The Asian Pacific region as a whole will see explosive growth in messaging volumes throughout the forecast period from 2003 through 2007. ?While SMS will generate the highest volume of messages of any format, MMS will generate nearly twice as much revenue, due to the higher tariffs charged for MMS", reports In-StatMDR via Smart Mobs.

MMS Alert of Someone Breaking into your Home - Oct 8 2003

The BBC reports on a new security service by a London based company called CCTVSafe, that hooks up cameras to the Internet and sends a text message to a mobile if something moves. "Home owners can watch the live pictures from their mobile and alert the police if someone is attempting a break-in." The images can be seen on standard GSM mobiles, instead of sophisticated third generation video phones.

Other companies such as Obertech Security, equips its customers with cameras that are capable of transmitting images to MMS capable mobile phones, enabling clients to identify at a distance, a person entering a premise.

And Surelabs Alertwizard is another company which offers a security service that sends text messages, photo and video alerts from a monitored area, if someone should break in or just ring the doorbell.