A technology that allows mobile operators stay at the forefront of digital lifestyle and social networking services created by Irish mobile software company NewBay has picked up the ‘Best Technology’ award at the GSMA’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The award recognises NewBay’s LifeCache as the leading aggregated social-networking solution for operators based on its proven user experience and its unique ability to easily mobilise online communities through its LifeCache SONA API.
LifeCache Social Networking currently supports a host of social networks including Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Bebo, Flickr, Meetic, Knuddels and Dailymotion.
Comprising the LifeCache Social Networking Gateway and LifeCache Social Networking Client, the LifeCache Social Networking solution is the world’s most comprehensive aggregated social-networking experience in an operator-branded environment.
It presents popular information from online communities in a single feed, allowing subscribers to instantly engage with friends and family across third-party sites.
Commenting on the entry, the Global Mobile Awards 2009 judges said: “An impressive product for stimulating network usage and revenue. The flexible deployment models should fit with any operator or MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) looking to tap into the online social-networking culture.”
The solution can be made available over-the-air or pre-embedded in hundreds of handset models, from legacy phones through to handsets featuring the latest smart-phone technology, and is available on J2ME, Symbian, Windows Mobile, iPhone, Android and RIM platforms.
The technology provides for full internationalisation and localisation; selective integration with multiple social-networking sites through client, WAP/mobile internet and desktop; and supports any internet connection including 3G, Wi-Fi and femtocells.
“We are honored by the award win, which is testament to the benefits that the social-networking solution provides both operators and social networks,” said Dr Nagappan Arunachalam, chief marketing officer, NewBay Software.
“We are currently working with leading social networks worldwide and look forward to expanding our regional social networks partner base.”
Upcoming releases of the LifeCache Social Networking solution will include: send and receive IM and email; integration with address book contacts; and support for face tagging and virtual gifting.
The technology is currently deployed by a number of operators including Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone.
NewBay’s products include photo and video albums/blogs, digital vault, social networking, handset and desktop clients, network address book and messaging services. NewBay LifeCache products are built on NewBay’s Astra user content platform to provide telco-grade, scalable solutions.
Dublin-headquartered NewBay was founded in 2002 and is privately held. Investors include Balderton Capital and Fidelity Ventures.
The company has offices in California, as well as the UK and Germany.
By John Kennedy
