Feature: T-Mobile launches news content service for handsets

T-Mobile has launched a 'mobile newspaper' service called 'News Express' which provides daily news content to users handsets, and has plans to add further news and magazine content from branded titles.

News Express will provide four channels: news, sports, weather and entertainment, which are automatically refreshed twice daily, with each news edition having articles containing national and international news and sports updates, entertainment news, as well as national weather information, with three day advanced forecasts for all 'major' cities.

The news services will also feature full-colour pictures, including snapshots of stars, sports events moments, and weather maps.

Additionally, breaking news alerts will be sent 'ad hoc' during the week, with all reports and breaking news containing links to further information on specific topics, which can be accessed via t-zones.

News Express claims to be the first European service to use Macromedia's Flash Lite 1.1 technology, enabling news updates to be delivered automatically in the background of the application through software that is either pre-installed or downloaded via t-zones.

Marketing director of T-Mobile UK, Sandy Munro said: "Moving forward, we plan on expanding News Express with additional news and magazine content, including mobile versions of popular newspapers, tabloids and lifestyle magazines, effectively creating a mobile news stand."

News Express will be available on selected handsets provided by T-Mobile partners including Nokia 3650, Nokia 6600, Nokia 7610 and Sony Ericsson P900, with further handsets to be added in September.

News Express will cost subscribers £6.00 per month, with the service being offered free to all UK customers until the end of October.

In 2000, Orange outlined plans for a similar service, following its acquisition of Ananova, an online news provider although widespread adoption of the service has never not taken off in any significant fashion.

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www.t-mobile.co.uk

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