MySpace,
the world's most popular social network, and Verizon Wireless, the nation's
leading wireless service provider, today announced Verizon Wireless
customers can now access MySpace Mobile on all Mobile Web 2.0(SM)-enabled
phones.
Mobile Web 2.0 subscribers can now click directly into the MySpace
Mobile Web site from the Connect category on the Mobile Web 2.0 home
screen, eliminating the need for customers to type in a URL in order to
access the site. With MySpace on Mobile Web 2.0, Verizon Wireless customers
now have the ability to edit MySpace profiles, view and add friends, post
comments and blogs, send and receive MySpace messages -- all from their
mobile phones.
"Millions of MySpace users have Verizon Wireless phones, and starting
today we're giving them fast and easy access to our mobile site, at no
additional charge," said Brandon Lucas, senior director of mobile business
development for MySpace. "Today's announcement brings us a step closer to
fulfilling our vision that every user has access to MySpace, anytime,
anywhere."
Ryan Hughes, vice president of digital media programming for Verizon,
said, "Our relationship with MySpace helps us connect our customers to
their friends -- with MySpace available on our Mobile Web 2.0 service, our
customers can take MySpace with them wherever they go."
To access MySpace Mobile, Verizon Wireless customers simply open Mobile
Web 2.0 on their phones, click on the Connect category from the home
screen, and click on MySpace. On the MySpace site, customers can access a
host of features, including:
- Message Management - send, read and reply to messages from all of their
MySpace friends, as well as field friend requests from their mobile
devices.
- Viewing Photo Albums - easily look at MySpace photo albums by choosing
"My Photos" on MySpace Mobile.
- Viewing Friends - look up profiles of their friends and others through
their MySpace profile. Just as on standard MySpace, MySpace Mobile lets
Verizon Wireless customers see profile pictures and other member
information via their mobile devices.
- Friend Search - search for people by name or e-mail address, as well as
send friend invites and review invites that are pending.
- Comments / Blog Posting - post comments and update blogs just as they
would from a PC. Any new information entered will be posted to a
member's mobile and online MySpace profile simultaneously.
Mobile Web 2.0 can be self-provisioned, eliminating the need for
customers to call customer service or visit a Verizon Wireless
Communications Store to sign up for the service. Customers simply register
for Mobile Web 2.0 on their Mobile Web 2.0-capable handsets by visiting the
News and Info category under the Get It Now(R) menu on their phones.
The availability of MySpace on Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web 2.0 service
is part of a larger agreement in which Verizon Wireless will distribute
mobile versions of FOX Interactive Media's leading Web brands.
Unlimited MySpace Mobile use is included at no additional charge with a
Mobile Web 2.0 subscription. Unlimited Mobile Web 2.0 usage is included
with a $15 monthly V CAST VPak subscription, which also includes access to
V CAST Video, V CAST Music and Get It Now applications. Alternatively,
customers can access Mobile Web for free with a Nationwide Plan but will
incur usage charges of $1.99 per megabyte. As an example, 50 Mobile Web 2.0
pages equal approximately 0.6 megabytes. Customers should view their
customer agreements or see a Verizon Wireless customer service
representative for additional details as legacy plans may vary.
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and
data network, serving 65.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking
Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint
venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE:
VOD).
MySpace
MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle
portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making
a positive impact on the world. MySpace has created a connected global
community by integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail,
music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings,
events, groups, college communities, and member forums. MySpace's
international network includes more than 20 localized community sites in
the United States, Brazil, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, Austria, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, India, Japan, and New Zealand. Fox
Interactive Media is a division of News Corp. (NYSE: NWS - News, NWS.A -
News; ASX:NWS - News, NWSLV - News).
FOX Interactive Media
A division of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS), Fox Interactive Media (FIM)
offers a global, border-free online network that caters to consumers by
giving them the platform and tools to express themselves, communicate with
each other, and engage with the best music, TV, film, sports, information
and more. The company's worldwide network includes such category leaders as
MySpace, IGN Entertainment, FOXSports.com, RottenTomatoes, AskMen,
AmericanIdol.com and more that together comprise one of the largest and
most engaged audiences on the Web.
(*) Among the top 2000 domains comScore Media Metrix, February 2008.
Source: Verizon Wireless