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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
AccuWeather Introduces New Major Products and Initiatives for Wireless Marketplace
Las Vegas, Nevada, - When it comes to weather-related content for wireless users, all roads lead to State College, PA and the home of AccuWeather, Inc., the world's leading commercial weather company. At the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV (booth# 1221), AccuWeather.com® will unveil a number of high-profile initiatives and product launches. This latest round of new products and enhancements solidifies AccuWeather as the undisputed leader in wireless weather applications.
AccuWeather's new products and initiatives announced at CTIA include:
--AccuWeather.com Premium
--AccuWeather.com eXpress
--New Partnership with Telitas
--Spanish Language Version of AccuWeather.com Wireless Application
As September's Hurricane Isabel demonstrated, access to up-to-the-minute weather information has become increasingly vital to American consumers and businesses as a way to minimize damage caused by severe weather. At the same time, as consumers become increasingly mobile, many are using their cell phones as the primary way to communicate, send and receive information. AccuWeather meets this challenge by dramatically expanding the scope of its wireless products and services.
"Regardless of the type of wireless device, the demographic of the user, or the language they speak, AccuWeather has a product that meets their needs," says Jim Candor, senior vice president of new media, AccuWeather, Inc.
AccuWeather.com Premium(tm)
This upgraded version builds on the success of the AccuWeather.com Wireless application, which won the Best of Show award at Internet World Essentials 2003. The application, also offered in J2ME(tm), provides zoomable and animated radar imagery, as well as a Hurricane Center that displays text forecasts, satellite imagery and forecasted hurricane movement. Subscribers will have access to international forecasts, as well as more detailed US forecasts such as air quality and pollen alerts, humidity and UV index ratings and the patent-pending AccuPOP(tm), which predicts the probability and amount of precipitation for any location through the next four days.
"We listened to wireless users, and they told us the number one demand was for severe weather watches and warnings, which AccuWeather.com Premium provides in a range of easy-to-use features," says Candor.
AccuWeather.com eXpress
Based on BREW and SharpMotionART(tm) technology, this new application introduces colorful, fully animated weather forecasts that move across a user's handset. By simply downloading AccuWeather.com eXpress, users will access current weather conditions, a detailed forecast for the next twelve hours, three-day forecasts, radar images and severe weather watches and warnings.
"AccuWeather is the first to use Sharp's BREW-enabled SharpMotionART technology to create a compelling, visually stimulating weather presentation in a way that is similar in look and feel to broadcast forecasts," says Candor.
New Partnership with Telitas
For wireless customers who utilize text messaging, AccuWeather.com has partnered with Telitas, a leading messaging services provider, to offer weather-based text messages of up to 160 characters, orderable via short code. Users will receive daily forecasts, as well as severe weather watches and warnings, and can select the time of day to receive these text messages based on personal preference.
"Our partnership with Telitas will offer the first premium SMS service in the nation. All major carriers will soon support universal short codes, and our partnership with Telitas will help us deliver alerts to their subscribers," says Candor. "Partnering with Telitas was a natural next step for AccuWeather."
Spanish Language Version of AccuWeather.com Wireless Application AccuWeather, which already has long-standing relationships with Spanish broadcasting giants Telemundo and Univision for its broadcasting division, expands its services with the development of a Spanish language version of their Wireless application. Already, two large U.S. wireless carriers have expressed interest in offering the application to their customers.
In addition to these announcements, AccuWeather has successfully completed beta tests of a new technology that automatically adjust weather forecasts to a user's current location. The new service is expected to be available by early 2004 in a number of metropolitan areas. Additional services for a host of international carriers will be available within this same timeframe as well.
"When it comes to wireless technology, AccuWeather's goal is to offer the right technology and most accurate forecasts in order to be the provider of choice for carriers worldwide," says Candor. "These new initiatives illustrate our commitment to setting the standard for multimedia weather on wireless devices and expands our lead in weather-related content in the wireless industry."
About AccuWeather and AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather, The World's Weather Authority, provides a portfolio of products and services through the airwaves, via the Internet, in print, and behind the scenes that benefit hundreds of millions of people worldwide. AccuWeather services 40,000 paying customers in media, business, government and institutions, and millions more through AccuWeather.com. AccuWeather also provides content onto more than 600 Internet sites including CNN Interactive, ABC owned and operated stations, The Associated Pressā, The Washington Post and The New York Times.
To speak with an AccuWeather meteorologist about breaking weather news, contact 814-235-8650.
For additional information on AccuWeather and AccuWeather.com, please contact Emily DiTomo or Tony Defazio at 610-642-8253.
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