Medio Systems launches On Device Portal
Rating: I am sure I’ve seen this already
by Bena Roberts
Medio has launched a new on device portal and its already live in T-Mobile USA. Its pre-loaded on the Nokia 6263 and Motorola RAZR II phones. More devices are in the pipeline.
What type of ODP?
The Medio ODP is described as a “search and discover” tool. It give users one click access to mobile content including news, sports, flights and local information.
Technically the ODP is based on an open-platform that allows operators to customize the portal with additional services quickly.
From the press release
“This new version of t-zones is a breakthrough experience that helps our customers access content even easier on their T-Mobile phones,” said Warren McNeel, Vice President of Product Development and Product Architecture, T-Mobile USA. “Medio’s application and platform enable us to deliver a new, rich t-zones experience to a significant portion of our device line-up this year.”
“While smartphones are popular, it is easy to forget that 89 percent of U.S. subscribers are still using ‘feature phones,’” said Brian Lent, CEO of Medio Systems. “These phones typically retail for less than $100 and are not optimized for mobile content consumption and Internet connectivity. For these feature phone users, finding content on their device has often been a frustrating process. Now, with the Medio On-Device Portal, in just one click consumers can quickly find exactly what they are looking for and discover personalized content driven by our recommendations technology.”
What we think?
Now I am sure that I was shown this at some point at CTIA either in the back of limo or in a meeting; or it could have even been in a slide deck with screen shots. I wish I could remember. But back to the point.
There are few themes that are hitting sweet spots with operators very early on in 2008, the idle screen is one but the on device portal is another. I remember also at CTIA being completely frustrated with AOL’s beta on device portal and impressed with MyMedia Net in the space of about five minutes.
What I am trying to say is that having an on device portal is more and more necessary. But getting an on device portal right is vital.
Creating a java application that is just as messy and flooded with features as a mobile online portal is a mistake and clear structure or a universal search box for instant locating is essential.
Medio’s ODP and its focus on search, popularity based predictive dictionary is in the right direction. Its educational graphics –seem spot on. The press release doesn’t say if this is a UIQ service or one of Medio’s own? I will find out.
T-Mobile seems to be ready to educate consumers in the US about mobile and an ODP on a consumer device is vital for this.
I am looking forward to giving this a good going over, perhaps I can test it at MWC next week. For interest out of the other on device portals that I have seen;
JumpTap’s Alltel one was great for advertisements; My MediaNet from InfoSpace for ATT has been the best so far and the AOL one (I know it was in BETA) had too many features that detracted from the point of what an ODP should be and is.
I haven’t tested anything from SurfKitchen for ages, or from Action Engine come to think of it.
Related News:
- Medio’s response on ODP vs Search Application
- Medio’s response on ODP vs Search Application with regards to new Medio ODP
- Medio and SurfKitchen make one click on device portal mobile search love
- Mobile Search: T-Mobile picks search and advertising from the Medio Systems tree
- Medio moves into shopping with mPoria
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