Sony Ericsson Beat 2Q Expectations

July 16th, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Cell phone maker Sony Ericsson posted a second-quarter profit that was more than analysts had expected thanks to strong demand for its stylish camera phones. It also said it would release a new model designed to compete with Nokia’s N-Gage. More …

Sun signs Java deals with Nokia and extends its reach in the games market

July 13th, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Technology giant Sun Microsystems has made fresh moves into the games market, signing deals with Nokia and Infinium Labs which will see its Java technology being tied in to the SNAP platform and Phantom Game Service respectively. More …

MFORMA Establishes Local Subsidiary in China

July 13th, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

MFORMA Group Inc., a leading global publisher and distributor of wireless entertainment content, announced today the establishment of MFORMA China, a local Chinese subsidiary of MFORMA Group, Inc. MFORMA China is based in Shanghai and is fully licensed and authorized by the Chinese government to do business in China. The company will distribute mobile games and services directly to wireless operators throughout the entire country. With nearly 300 million wireless subscribers today, projected to grow to a half billion by 2008, China is the largest and fastest growing wireless market in the world. More …

JAMDAT files for $86 million IPO

July 13th, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Los Angeles based mobile entertainment publisher JAMDAT Mobile has announced its intention to float on the NASDAQ stock market, with an initial public offering of some $86 million planned for the company. More …

InfoSpace acquires Atlas Mobile

July 13th, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Tech and software company absorbs multiplayer games services developer and assumes its power. More …

Elkware Germany turns 10

July 13th, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

“It took them three, four years to develop in a fantastic way – now, they have seventy titles, and they have operator deals with whoever you want to mention…”

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, elkware is a true success story for the mobile industry – a bedroom developer which has grown organically to become a profitable market leader. Rob Fahey caught up with Jan Andreson and Jens Lauritzson to find out more…

Sumea: Sold to new player in mobile video games

June 29th, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

A start-up founded by video game industry pioneer Trip Hawkins has agreed to purchase a leading Finnish maker of electronic games, a deal that continues a rush of companies into games played on mobile phones.

Mr Hawkins’ venture, Digital Chocolate, has agreed to purchase Sumea, a software company in Finland. Financial details of the agreement were not released. More …

Can Nokia Get The Wow Back?

May 31st, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

To turn profits around, it’s making cooler phones, cutting prices, and moving into new businesses.
To grasp why Nokia Corp. is suddenly in the hot seat, check out the glittering display of cell phones at the big FNAC electronics store near the St Lazare train station in Paris. Here, at one of Europe’s premier gizmo emporiums, you can tell at a glance what’s hot and what’s ho-hum. The shelves are jammed with sleek Samsung flip-phones, gorgeous new designs by Sony Ericsson, and big-screen color models from Sharp and Sagem. More …

Press release: Mobile Scope Scores Profitable Quarter

May 31st, 2004 by Ashu Mathura Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Mobile Scope Scores Profitable Quarter

Wireless entertainment publisher Mobile Scope today reported its first profitable quarter since the launch of the company in 2001.

Revenues for the first quarter of 2004 went up more than 310 percent compared with revenues in the first quarter 2003, and approximately 50 percent above fourth quarter of 2003. The year-over-year increase for the first quarter was primarily due to shipments of European mobile game blockbusters such as Moorhen Kart 2004 and RTL Ski Jumping 2004 during the last year. Based on the first quarter results, the 2004 forecasts were increased to more than EUR 5 million (US$6 million).

During the quarter, Mobile Scope generated about 300,000 downloads of Java-based mobile games, thousands of subscribers for permanent services, millions of pre-loaded games in handsets, and also derivative mobile entertainment products. Mobile Scope currently has more than 600 points of sale in over 60 countries, including global carriers such as T-Mobile, Vodafone and Telefonica.

“We are delighted to report our first profitable quarter since Mobile Scope was founded in April 2001,” said Juergen Goeldner, Chief Executive Officer of Mobile Scope AG. “The hard work, the dedication and enormous productivity of our global team in creating and distributing high quality mobile entertainment products and services has absolutely paid off. Our shareholder structure provides us with sufficient financial resources going forward. We are also excited about our latest license agreement with leading global movie studios, TV and videogame companies and look forward to releasing the first products in summer. I am absolutely encouraged by the potential of Mobile Scope and the growth of the global mobile entertainment markets!”