Press Coverage

(mocoNews) Mobile Content Bits: Telstra UI; Ringtones.com; WeatherBug App; Handango Hits 15,000

—SurfKitchen launches Telstra UI: SurfKitchen is working with Australia’s Telstra to roll out a new mobile user interface. It gives subscribers one-click access to applications and services they regularly use. SurfKitchen’s technology allows mobile widgets, web links and other content to be integrated into a feature phone’s idle screen. SurfKitchen has been working with Telstra since 2004 and its technology is installed on over 1.5 million devices. 

—Ringtones.com launches off portal in the U.S.: Mobile Streams (SEA: MOS) has launched its popular mobile internet store, www.Ringtones.com, in the U.S. The site has more than 20,000 ringtones available, and is off-portal, meaning that consumers purchase directly from the site, rather than through a carrier. In addition to ringtones, the store also sells graphics and games. Subscriptions cost $9.99 a month, which get users roughly eight ringtones and eight wallpapers. Mobile payments will be handled over the phone by Bango.

—WeatherBug launches BlackBerry App: WeatherBug has launched an application for the BlackBerry Storm and BlackBerry Bold on BlackBerry App World. The free ad-supported app gives users live, local weather conditions for thousands of locations around the globe. There’s 7-day and hourly forecasts; Detailed radar and maps; Daily National Weather Outlook broadcasts and time-lapse animations from more than 2,000 weather cameras in the U.S.

—Handango’s BlackBerry catalog has 15,000 apps: Handango says its Blackberry catalog, which can be downloaded to the device, now has 15,000 applications available for free or a cost. It has 500 free apps; 4,000 apps for under $5; 8,000 apps between $5 and $10; and nearly 3,000 that cost more than $10. The average price is $18.55.

—Paramount launches Top Gun App: Paramount Digital Entertainment has launched Top Gun, based on the movie with Tom Cruise, on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The game, which costs $1.99, starts off at the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School, where players are instructed by Maverick and Iceman. Players fly a F-22 Raptor or a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and shoot down MiGs and dodge missiles.