Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

Sep. 11, 2008

Alltel Wireless now offers a new 3D avatar feature for multimedia messaging on mobile phones.

Alltel said it will extend this very same technology to mobile alerts.

Doug Maglothin, product manager for Alltel says "for just 99 cents for every use, customers can now upload a photo or select from a catalog of cartoon-like images, which can then be customized and animated in 3D images sent through messages and mobile greeting cards."

Alltel's new service, called A-Avatars, uses technology from Vidiator. Messages can go to any phones that can play standard 3GPP video files, but must originate from an Alltel device.

A similar feature scheduled in two weeks will add avatars for alerts such as weather and horoscopes.

The music features could launch by the end of 2008, while other pricing models and third-party integration options are being considered for future versions.

"Vidiator is integrating the avatar technology into music videos. For example, an avatar can be made to dance. Customers will also be able to customize an avatar’s appearance or even upload their own music if Vidiator succeeds in its negotiations with record labels," said Connie Wong, Vidiator CEO.

Add to del.icio.us     Digg this

    This article was featured on Business 5.0 and on Tech Blog.

Source: Alltel.