News
Smarterphone presents mobile OS that makes phones from $25 and up smart
(Oslo, 15 February 2011) Smarterphone today announced version 3.0 of Smarterphone OS, the smart operating system for inexpensive mobile phones. The OS was from the beginning designed to run efficiently on limited resource hardware, yet still offering smart solutions, attractive and intuitive user interfaces. Version 3.0 brings this concept further, being optimized for phones in the $25 to $75 price segment. "Globally, there are 4 billion mobile phone users. Despite all the attention given to high end smartphones, the majority of the 4 billion can not afford such a device", says Egil Kvaleberg, CEO of Smarterphone. "With Smarterphone OS, inexpensive phones can be smart, too. Their users are just as keen to have easy and natural access to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as users of high end phones." To demonstrate the flexibility and agility of their solution, Smarterphone will during the Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona show 'Radial', which is a fresh approach at reshaping the dynamics of the mobile phone human interaction. Audun Foyen, director of products at Smarterphone, says: "Radial is an option we offer customers who may want to differentiate in a certain direction. We remain equally committed to more conventional touch and keypad solutions". Smarterphone felt the Mobile World Congress was the only natural choice for the premiere of Radial. "We are dedicated to MWC and see great value in attending the event every year" says Michael Orr, SVP Business Development and Sales at Smarterphone AS.About Smarterphone
Smarterphone provides a complete and licensable software solution for massmarket smart phones, Smarterphone OS, preintegrating all software components and applications, enables manufacturers to rapidly create lowcost handsets with features and functionality similar to that found in expensive high end smartphones. The solution is turnkey, whereby Smarterphone takes the software through all phases all the way up to carrier acceptance. For more information, visit http://smarterphone.comContacts
Egil Kvaleberg, CEO Smarterphone, +47 920 22780, egil@smarterphone.comMichael J. Orr, SVP Business Development, +1 619 890 1915, morr@smarterphone.com
Notes
For a quick introduction to Radial, with screenshots. see http://smarterphone.com/documents/Radialconceptuserinterface.pdf Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc. Twitter is a trademark of Twitter, Inc. YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.Compal selects Smarterphone OS for smart low cost mobile phones
(Oslo, 2 February 2011) Smarterphone today announced that the company has entered into a strategic relationship and supply contract with Compal Communications Inc. (CCI), a leading Taiwanese mobile phone manufacturer. The first joint customer project is the Vibo T588 touch phone, now shipping by the mobile phone operator Vibo. Smarterphone, formerly Kvaleberg AS, is the creator of Smarterphone OS, a complete software solution for mass market smart phones. "Our customers worldwide want mobile phones with smart phone capabilities but without the high price tag," said James Lo, Director Product Strategy of CCI. "Smarterphone gives us a cost-efficient solution that enables us to deliver operator compliant handsets to our customers." Smarterphone OS represents a highly innovative approach through use of modern and efficient software technologies, supporting rich touch and keypad based user interfaces and enabling deep changes in the look and feel of a handset in a matter of days instead of months. "Together with Compal we can deliver a custom software solution that is pre-integrated with the underlying baseband chipset," said Egil Kvaleberg, Smarterphone CEO. "Developing a smart phone is a very complex undertaking, especially when you want to have smart functionality in reasonably priced, resource limited hardware. Smarterphone OS solves these problems and lets our customers create better phones faster."About Compal Communications Inc
Compal Communications Inc. (CCI) is a leading handheld device ODM manufacturer, with an accumulated shipped volume of 200 million units. CCI's headquarter is in Taipei, Taiwan, with manufacturing facilities in Nan Jing, China. For more information, visit http://www.compalcomm.comAbout Smarterphone
Smarterphone provides a complete software solution for mass-market smart phones, Smarterphone OS, offering all software components and applications required to build a modern handset, enabling manufacturers to create low-cost handsets with features and functionality similar to that found in expensive high-end smart phones. For more information, visit http://smarterphone.comContacts
Egil Kvaleberg, CEO Smarterphone, +47 92022780, egil@smarterphone.com James Lo, Director Product Strategy CCI, +886 93555342, james_lo@compalcomm.com
Series B investment
(Oslo, 25 January 2011) Smarterphone today announced the completion of a Series B investment of 5 million USD by Ferd Capital, a privately-owned Norwegian industrial and financial group. Smarterphone, formerly Kvaleberg AS, is the creator of the mobile handset software Smarterphone OS that enables mobile phone manufacturers to build and sell 3G smart phones at a low cost in high volume markets. "We believe that Smarterphone could become the Wal-Mart of mobile handsets", said Bjørn Erik Reinseth, Partner of Ferd Capital. "Apple iPhone and Android-based phones have paved the way for smart phones worldwide, however, they require sophisticated hardware and therefore become too expensive for most people in the world. Smarterphone are able to build the advanced features of these high-end phones in low cost 3G handsets, thereby making every phone smart". One of the key focus areas of Smarterphone is the concept of the smart mobile phone as a seamless integration of all modern means of communication into one device, always available. "Taking a picture and immediately sharing it on your Facebook wall should be just as easy and natural as making a call or sending a text message," said Egil Kvaleberg, Founder and CEO of Smarterphone. "With our solution, this kind of versatility is affordable for everyone." Contacts: Egil KvalebergCEO Smarterphone
E: egil@smarterphone.com
M: +47 92022780 Annar Bøhn
Investment Manager
Ferd Capital
E: annar.bohn@ferd.no
M: +47 97660299
About Ferd
Ferd Capital is one of Norway's leading private equity investors and is a part of the Ferd Group. Ferd Capital is an active and long-term investor in privately held and listed Nordic companies, with investments spanning from venture to buy-out. The Ferd Capital portfolio consists of 18 companies. For more information visit www.ferd.comAbout Smarterphone
Smarterphone provides a complete software solution for mass-market smart phones. Smarterphone OS offer all software components and applications required to build a modern handset, enabling manufacturers to create low-cost handsets with features and functionality similar to that found in expensive high-end smartphones. Smarterphone OS is delivered pre-integrated with the underlying baseband chipset and is compliant with operator requirements. Smarterphone OS represents an innovative approach to application design through use of the latest software technologies, supporting touch and keypad based user interfaces and enabling deep changes in the look and feel of a handset in a matter of days instead of months.Kvaleberg appoints Haavard Nord to Board of Directors
(Oslo, 1 February 2010) Kvaleberg AS today announced that a leading professional within the telecom and software industry, Haavard Nord, has joined the company's Board of Directors. Haavard was, together with Eirik Chambe-Eng, the founder of Trolltech in 1994. Trolltech is the company behind Qt™, the leading multi-platform Graphical User Interface framework. Haavard took Trolltech from strength to strength. Initially via organic growth, and stronger growth via venture capital funding from 1999. Haavard took Trolltech through a successful IPO in 2006. The company was subsequently acquired by Nokia in 2008 for € 104 million, and renamed Qt Development Frameworks. Qt™ has become a key element in Nokias strategy towards modernization and unification of their mobile phone software technology.Kvaleberg enters into sublicense agreement with SinoVoice
(Oslo, 29 October 2009) Kvaleberg have today signed a licensing agreement with SinoVoice of Beijing, China. Handwriting recognition is considered to be an extremely important feature on handsets for the Chinese handset market, and this agreement allows Kvaleberg to offer the InfoQuick™ Chinese handwriting recognition software to customers all over Asia as part of Mimiria.Kvaleberg signs licensing agreement with CooTek
(Oslo, 22 October 2009) Kvaleberg have today signed an agreement with CooTek of Shanghai, China. CooTek TouchPal offers predictive text input for over 20 languages, and input speeds of up to 450 characters per minute. Kvaleberg AS are extremely pleased with both the performance and memory footprint of the prediction engine, and with the support from the CooTek team. The agreement allows Kvaleberg to offer the CooTek TouchPal text entry and prediction product as a pre-integrated component of the Mimiria software solution.Kvaleberg signs contract with Compal Communications Inc for supply of Mimiria Software Suite for new line of touchscreen feature phones
(13 October 2009) Kvaleberg AS has signed a contract to deliver the Mimiria Software Suite for Taiwan manufacturer Compal Communications Incorporated's (CCI) new line of low cost touchscreen handsets targeted at the CDMA / EVDO and UMTS / HSPA markets globally. This contract represents a significant milestone for Kvaleberg, and demonstrates the unique advantages Mimiria provides for handset manufacturers. These handsets will be available commercially in CCI's key markets in 2010. These new touchscreen handset models from CCI are based on a feature rich hardware platform which enables demonstration of the central capabilities of the Mimiria Software Suite. These models distinguish themselves with a high resolution touch screen, high quality audio, Bluetooth, and full multi-band 3G capabilities at highly competitive prices. The Mimiria Software Suite is a complete, turnkey, pre-integrated software suite which supplies all required components of a modern mobile phone, ready for wireless carrier acceptance testing and delivering rapid time to market. Mimiria delivers significant features of todays high tier smartphone operating systems in a software suite designed to work on lower resourced and less costly hardware. Mimiria delivers a multi-touch capable user interface, and supports all of todays required applications including social networks such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. Kvaleberg AS provides Mimiria to mobile phone manufacturers that target global markets with low cost but highly featured feature phones. Kvaleberg AS has sales offices in Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, and San Diego. The main office is located in Oslo, Norway. Contacts:Egil Kvaleberg, CEO
+47 920 22 780
egil@smarterphone.com Michael Orr, SVP Business Development
+1 619 890 1915
morr@smarterphone.com Audun Føyen, Director Product Management
+47 918 42 168
audun@smarterphone.com
Nuance signs license and bundling agreement with Kvaleberg
(Oslo, 30 June 2009) Kvaleberg today signed an agreement with Nuance of Belgium, the leading provider of speech and imaging solutions, that allows Kvaleberg to offer the eZiText™ and eZiType™ mobile phone keypad text entry and prediction engine as integral parts of the Mimiria software solution.Kvaleberg approved as Sun Value Added Provider for Java™ ME
(Oslo, 20 March 2009) Kvaleberg today was approved by Sun Microsystems as a Value Added Provider for components in the Java Platform, Micro Edition like CLDC, MIDP, WMA and MMAPI. The agreement allows Kvaleberg to integrate and configure Java ME on devices together with the Mimiria platform, as Wireless Performance Packs. Additionally, Kvaleberg takes full responsibility for the Java compliance process, including carrying out the TCK testing process. This agreement allows Kvaleberg to offer a full one-stop-shop for Mimiria, including the Java ME solution, further strengthening the value provided to the Mimiria customers.Kvaleberg signs agreement with Obigo
Kvaleberg have now signed a licensing agreement with South Korean Obigo. The agreement allows Kvaleberg to offer the Obigo Q7 Browser in combination with the Mimiria software solution. The Obigo Q7 Browser is a very capable browser for modern Full Internet content. The Obigo browser also supports WAP, and is compliant with demanding operator's requirements. It is thus a perfect component for Mimiria, which is aimed at mass-market 3G phones.Kvaleberg selected for Tech Tour
Kvaleberg, the only independent software vendor with a complete software solution for all classes of mass-market 3G phones, today announced its selection as a presenter at the European Tech Tour Association's "Norwegian Tech Tour 2008". The event will take place in Oslo and Stavanger, Norway, 27 - 29 August. The objective of the Norwegian Tech Tour is to introduce innovative and upcoming technology companies in Norway to key international investors. "We are honoured to be selected as one of the few companies being presented at the event," says CEO Egil Kvaleberg. "Our participation shows our growing reputation for innovation and business potential." Read more at the Norwegian Tech Tour 2008 web site.Kvaleberg AS delivers complete software solution to Taiwan handset manufacturer
(Oslo, 18 July 2008) Kvaleberg AS has delivered the Mimiria Software Suite to Taiwan manufacturer Wistron NeWeb's (WNC) GW4 handset. The delivery represents a significant milestone on Kvaleberg's development effort, and demonstrates the unique advantages Mimiria provides for handset manufacturers. The handset will be available commercially in Wistron's key markets, and simultaneously provides Kvaleberg with a reference handset model. Porting the Mimiria software suite was completed in record time, and takes advantage of all the functionality available on the handset. Normally it takes 9 - 18 months to develop fully functional software for a new handset hardware design. By virtue of Mimiria, the process took under 3 months for the GW4. We are very pleased with the cooperation with Wistron, and are proud of the excellent performance and intuitive user interface we have created for Wistron's handset, says Egil Kvaleberg, Managing Director of Kvaleberg AS. Kvaleberg as our partner has good experience with software suites in the mobile industry and Kvaleberg's Mimiria Software Suite provides highly flexible solutions that allow us to cost effectively pursue multiple markets, said Wilson Zhang, Senior Director of Wistron NeWeb Corp. The GW4 is a feature rich hardware platform which enables demonstration of the central capabilities of the Mimiria Software Suite. In comparison with traditional feature phones, the model distinguishes itself by having a touch screen, full QWERTY keypad, and WLAN capability. Mimiria is a complete, turnkey, pre-integrated software suite in which all components of mobile phone software are included. Customers get access to a package that can run on any mobile phone hardware platform and operating system with a minimum of integration work. The solution is designed so that the user interface can easily be adapted to any operator or manufacturer requirements. Kvaleberg has also added operator specific user interfaces to the GW4. The adaption took three weeks from start to finish. It proves that Wistron can quickly provide the GW4 to demanding mobile phone operators in Europe or the United States. Kvaleberg mainly provides Mimiria to mobile phone manufacturers in Asia who want to launch their models in North America and Europe. Kvaleberg AS has sales offices in China, San Diego, Korea and Taiwan. The main office is located in Oslo, Norway. Contacts:Egil Kvaleberg, CEO
+47 920 22 780
egil@smarterphone.com Michael Orr, SVP Business Development
+1 619 890 1915
morr@smarterphone.com Audun Føyen, Director Product Managemet
+47 918 42 168
audun@smarterphone.com
Video:
A short presentation of Mimiria is available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0Pyl6lkztEk
LiMo Foundation™ Expands in Breadth and Depth With Further Swell of New Members
Diversity of Newest Membership Intake Illustrates Powerful Momentum within the LiMo Ecosystem LONDON, England, TOKYO, Japan, May 14, 2008—LiMo Foundation, a global consortium of mobile leaders delivering an open handset platform for the whole mobile industry, announced today the addition of Infineon Technologies, Kvaleberg AS, Mozilla Corporation, Red Bend Software, Sagem Mobiles, SFR, SK Telecom and Verizon Wireless as new member companies. Expanding LiMo's membership to 40 since the foundation's launch in January 2007, these companies join with existing LiMo members to collaborate on the LiMo Platform™—the world's first globally competitive, Linux-based software platform for mobile devices. Continued at: http://www.limofoundation.org/press-releases/limo-press-releases/limo-foundation-expands-in-breadth-and-depth-with-further-swell-of-new-members.html
Kvaleberg AS partners with SmarterPhone
Kvaleberg AS to integrate SmarterPhone into Mimiria (Oslo, Norway 16 February 2008) Kvaleberg AS announced today that they have signed a contract with SmarterPhone that will allow them to integrate SmarterPhone's Unified Messaging Engine (UME) into Mimiria, Kvaleberg's turnkey software suite for mobile phones. This partnership will allow Kvaleberg's customers a wider choice, giving access to SmarterPhone's capabilities for SMS, MMS, Email, and instant messaging in its flagship software, Mimiria.About Kvaleberg AS
Kvaleberg AS, a software development company headquartered in Oslo, Norway, was founded in 1993 by Egil Kvaleberg and employs 24 developers. Mimiria is Kvaleberg's flagship software, which is a turnkey suite of mobile phone software and applications offering a complete solution for handset manufacturers. Kvaleberg AS has sales offices in San Diego, California; Beijing, China; and Taiwan. For more information on Kvaleberg AS or Mimiria, contact Audun Føyen at +47 918 42 168 or send an email to audun@smarterphone.com. Kvaleberg's Web site can be found at www.smarterphone.com.About SmarterPhone
SmarterPhone is a provider of innovative software solutions for mobile devices, specializing in embedded messaging software. Available in an SDK, its Unified Messaging Engine (UME) allows OEMs to deliver an exceptional messaging experience to the user, while reducing integration costs and speeding time-to-market. For more information about SmarterPhone, contact Zim Kalinowski at +44 789 99 135 63 or send an email to zim@smarterphone.com. SmarterPhone's Web site can be found at ume.smarterphone.com.Kvaleberg appoints Marit Døving to Board of Directors
(Oslo 9 October 2007) Kvaleberg AS today announced that a leading professional within the telecom and software industry, Marit Døving, has joined the company's Board of Directors. Marit Døving has a long and diverse management experience from international telecom, software, and IT companies. She has served as Executive Vice President of Global Marketing at Symbian Ltd, London, and has been Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of the Telenor Group.Kvaleberg signs license and distribution agreement with Beep Science
Kvaleberg AS has signed a license and distribution agreement with Beed Science AS for Beep Science OMA DRM 2.0. This enables Kvaleberg to pre-integrate Beep Science's industry leading OMA DRM 2.0 technology into the Mimiria applications suite.About Beep Science
Beep Science AS is a leading provider of mobile Digital Rights Management (DRM) software solutions, enabling exciting new digital content services around the world. Founded in 2000, the company has established itself as internationally recognized specialist within the field of Mobile DRM. Beep Science provides DRM clients to device manufacturers and platform vendors and DRM servers to mobile operators and service providers. Beep Science's DRM products are based on Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) industry standards as well as supporting other DRM schemes in the market. The company's customers include major ODMs and OEMs and mobile operators worldwide. For further information, please visit www.beepscience.com.Kvaleberg signs license and distribution agreement with Openwave Systems Inc
Kvaleberg AS has signed a master license and distribution agreement with Openwave Systems, Inc. for the Openwave® Mobile Browser, the Openwave V7 Framework, the Openwave SMS/EMS/MMS Client and Openwave AirTX Predictive Text. This enables Kvaleberg to make this world-leading Openwave portfolio of mobile handset solutions part of its complete, pre-integrated Mimiria application suite. The agreement allows Kvaleberg to offer its customers a complete one-stop shopping solution for mobile handset software.About Openwave
Openwave Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OPWV) is the leading independent provider of open software solutions for the communications and media industry. Openwave software solutions are designed to enable customers to accelerate ARPU by rapidly launching value-added communication, information and entertainment services across networks and devices, and comprise a broad range of solutions including content delivery, messaging, music, video, and location. Openwave is a global company headquartered in Redwood City, California. For more information please visit www.openwave.com.Kvaleberg receives EUR 2 million in funding from Ferd Venture
(Oslo 6 June 2007) Ferd Venture invests EUR 2 million in Kvaleberg AS, a software company headquartered in Oslo, Norway. The company has developed a new and fully integrated software application suite for mid- and low tier mobile phones (feature phones). The purpose of the funding round is to accelerate international expansion. Kvaleberg offers mobile phone manufacturers an integrated software suite containing all applications needed in addition to those supplied by the chipset manufacturers. This includes all end user applications one would expect from a mobile phone today. Kvalebergs offering makes it possible to reduce development cycles by 50% while ensuring compliance with the most stringent requirements from mobile operators. – We strongly believe in the demand for Kvalebergs software solution. It targets the larger part of the mobile phone market and will be important to phone manufacturers in both mature and emerging markets, says Bjorn Erik Reinseth – responsible partner at Ferd Venture. Kvaleberg has worked with leading international players in the business, including OpenWave, NEC and Broadcom, and is known as one of the best development teams in mobile software and software integration. The companys main competitors are the internal development programs within the phone manufacturers, but the company believes there will be a gradual move towards standardised software solutions. The funds will be used to strengthen both the sales and service capabilities internationally. In addition to the HQ in Oslo and an office in the US, Kvaleberg will also establish representation in Asia. – We are very pleased with attracting Ferd Venture as an investor in Kvaleberg and especially appreciate the added competence on business development, says Egil Kvaleberg, founder and CEO of the company. Lars Oberg will serve as Chairman of the Board.About Kvaleberg AS
Kvaleberg AS was founded by CEO Egil Kvaleberg in 1993. Through cutting edge mobile software application competence and insight the company has become internationally acknowledged as solid suppliers of top quality products. Historically, the company has focused on professional services, but will now focus on its integrated software application suite aimed at mobile phone producers. The company is headquartered in Oslo, has 18 employees, and is owned by Ferd Venture and management. Visit www.smarterphone.com for more information. Contacts: Kvaleberg AS, OsloLars Oberg, COB
+47 900 56 729
lars.oberg@loc.no Ferd Venture, Oslo
Bjorn Erik Reinseth, Partner
+47 990 22 000
ber@ferd.no Egil Kvaleberg, CEO
+47 920 22 780
egil@smarterphone.com
