Japan’s number one mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMo has said it will add a new application platform to its “i-mode” handsets this year as it tries to catch up with Apple’s runaway iPhone success. NTT DoCoMo will allow third-party individuals to develop applications for the company’s 50 million “i-mode” users, spokeswoman Makiko Furuta said.

DoCoMo revolutionised Japan’s mobile phone market with the 1999 launch of its i-mode service, which brought internet services to mobile phones. However, DoCoMo restricted the number of app developers, citing quality control issues. But the recent emergence of open platform systems such as Google’s Android and Apple’s App Store for the iPhone and iPad has prompted DoCoMo to loosen its controls and allow individuals to easily create and offer apps and services.

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SingTel’s announcement of three consumer-centric mobile apps on 6th July 2010 underlines the company’s repeated plans to become a multimedia industry player.

CEO of SingTel Singapore, Allen Lew, described the move from a pure telecoms operator to become a multimedia player as a “natural extension” for the company. For being able to grow the company continuously, SingTel hopes to foresee users’ needs and to offer not only what they want, but “what they will want”.

Allen Lew also said: “To quote the Brazilian football player, Pele, who once said that he wants to be where the ball will be and not where the ball was, this is what SingTel hopes to be doing too.”

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The introduction of ITV Player apps would enable users to watch their favourite shows on the iPhone or Android. The first major channel to release a Smartphone app for its TV catch-up service could be ITV. According to the Daily Telegraph, the ITV Player app could be ready by September, outrunning the 4OD and BBC iPlayer apps.

The download of the ITV player app will cost users a one-off payment, content is likely to be funded by advertising.

“Viewers are consuming content on a range of platforms to suit their lifestyle, so we want to make our content available when and where consumers want to watch it. We are considering options for this as part of our ongoing strategic review”, commented an ITV spokesperson.

For more information on Multi-Platform Apps, please visit Apps World, taking place over 30^th Nov & 1^st Dec at Olympia, London – click here

AT&T recently announced the launch of My Multiview, the latest TV app from AT&T U-verse that lets customers choose the channels displayed on screen in their Multiview.

My Multiview is customizable for each U-verse receiver in the home, so each family member can create and save their own Multiview based on their personal preferences. You can access the app by selecting menu on your remote while watching live TV, and scrolling down to select My Multiview. Favorite channels list can be created by selecting info while you’re in the app, and choosing the add option next to the channels you want to appear in your Multiview. The app is rolling out on a market-by-market basis to all U-verse TV customers.

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IMImobile, the global service creation partner for operators, media providers and enterprises, has announced the launch of DaVinci Social, a white-labeled service that will enable people to easily manage their mobile digital social-life.  Users will have immediate access to all of their communications, social networks and communities and ensure their content and contacts are safe, all from one place on their mobile.

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