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ActiveSky Brings Together ACCESS, Casio to Conduct 1st Interactive Streaming Video, Rich Media Trial for Wireless Devices
URL(s): ActiveSky
TOKYO, June 25, 2001-- ActiveSky, a wireless interactive rich media company, has
enlisted micro browser developer ACCESS, consumer
electronics giant Casio, advertising powerhouse Dentsu and a lineup of content providers to conduct the
first market test
for consumer and business applications of interactive streaming video and rich media on wireless devices.
The trial, which will test delivery of rich media over low bandwidth connections, is now underway in
Tokyo.
Using the ActiveSky platform, trial participants will enjoy a variety of interactive streaming video and
mobile
applications, including cartoons, movie trailers, fashion shows, Japanese anime, games and online
shopping. The
participants can even send and receive video e-mails using ActiveSky's SkyMail visual e-mail
application.
Content providers participating in the project include Cartoon Network, CinemaElectric, Comin'Soon TV,
Gigno
Systems and Shop Channel. Content distributor J-Stream also leads a group of five additional content
providers. In
addition, Domino's Pizza JAPAN is taking part through an affiliation with Cartoon Network.
Hosted on Casio servers, the trial is being conducted on PHS networks at 64 Kbps delivery speeds. NTT
DoCoMo is
offering P-in Comp@ct technical support.
Advertiser Dentsu is providing television quality commercials, advising ActiveSky on the trial and
overseeing the
market data gathering and analysis procedures.
Throughout the two-week test, participants will provide input through focus groups and surveys.
"A trial of this scope, including wireless leaders like ACCESS and Casio along with leading creative
partners such as
Dentsu and J-Stream, shows the reach and capabilities that interactive wireless rich media has to offer,"
said Scott
Marquardt, CEO, ActiveSky.
"The opportunities we are exploring are so dynamic that once word spread of the trial, we began receiving
outside
requests from companies interested in participating," said Marquardt.
ActiveSky's wireless platform offers interactivity with vast amounts of rich media on current 2G and 2.5G
network
bandwidths. The technology allows users to choose storylines for animated characters and view multiple
video streams
simultaneously in a single browser.
"We believe that ActiveSky's technology is extremely high-grade. By integrating it with high-performance
PDAs, the
company's platform enables us to broaden the capabilities of mobile multimedia, which was previously
unheard of.
Techniques such as ActiveSky's will help to achieve new personal solutions for mobile devices," said
Shinobu Kurahashi,
spokesperson, Casio Computer Co. Ltd.
"Through this trial, we would like to import such wireless multimedia technologies quickly off the mark to
create a
stronger mobile platform. This will help to bring applications and content closer together on mobile
devices," said
Kurahashi.
Trial participants will use the ACCESS NetFront browser with ActiveSky's integrated rich media player
installed in the
DoCoMo GFORT mobile device with P-in Comp@ct. The users will be able to guide characters in the
Cartoon Networks'
Dexter's Laboratory, through their latest cartoon adventures, cash in Domino's Pizza e-coupons, view
fashion shows and
movie trailers, enter and play interactive contests, take trivia quizzes and shop for exotic items -- all from
the palm of their
hand. They will even be able to have their fortunes told based on their mood selection at the time!
Wireless applications offering CEO interviews as well as distance learning and financial information are
also included
for business-focused users.
Participants in the trial will have the chance to try the following applications:
--
Streaming video (play, pause and stop or download for later viewing)
--
Interactive video and rich media (animations, anime, cartoons, trivia, contests, fashion shows, movie
trailers, mobile
commerce, shopping)
--
Interactive promotions and advertising (redeemable points, e-coupons, prizes)
--
SkyMail visual e-mail (create, send and receive multi-object video e-mails)
The test market, including both men and women, consists of Tokyo-area professionals and students. In
addition to
providing the wireless platform, ActiveSky, which recently opened an office in Tokyo, is managing the
trial.
About ActiveSky
ActiveSky's technology enables the delivery of rich media to wireless devices over current, 2.5G and 3G
networks. The
company's end-to-end image delivery platform, containing both encoding and transcoding server
technology, integrates a
graphics viewer and media player, powering a new wave of personal and business interactive applications,
including
location-based marketing, m-commerce and streaming video.
ActiveSky has headquarters in San Mateo, Calif., with offices in Japan and Australia. For more
information, visit
www.activesky.com.
CONTACTS: The Bohle Company
Derek Asato, 310/785-0515 Ext. 201
derek@bohle.com
Mike Mantarro, 310/785-0515 Ext. 237
mike@bohle.com
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