Driven by increased broadband penetration, declining price points, and a growing catalogue of online audio and video content, the market for MP3 players and portable media players (PMPs) will remain strong over the next five years, reports In-Stat. Nevertheless, according to In-Stat's latest primary research, the main reason consumers are purchasing portable MP3 players and video-capable PMPs today is for the devices' audio playback capability, the high-tech market research firm says.

Wolverine Data announced it is shipping the Wolverine ESP portable multimedia player with a storage capacity of 250GB and the ability to deliver complete digital multimedia convergence while delivering the lowest cost per gigabyte in the industry at an estimated street price under $650.00. The Wolverine ESP Model 5250 features a razor-sharp 3.6-inch TFT LCD display and the ability to store and view 125,000 digital photos, play 500 hours of video or 80,000 songs, plus the capability to record television programs and FM radio-all in a 5.3"x2.8"x0.9" footprint that weighs 10.2 ounces. It is ideal for professional photographers as well as for consumers who want the most extensive array of multimedia capabilities in the palm of their hand.

Nexage, a leading mobile video solution provider, announced the launch of their Click to Video mobile advertising solution. Advertisers can use the Click to Video landing page service, which is based on Nexage’s PhoneCast platform, to deliver mobile video Ad campaigns accessible to 550 million mobile phones consisting of over 450 phones models operating on more than 350 wireless networks worldwide.

Launching into the electronics accessories arena, ZAGG Inc utilizes its consumer electronics expertise to introduce the RockStic, a portable sound system designed for the Apple iPod and compatible with most digital media players. The stylish futuristic new speaker combines high sound quality with complete portability, providing consumers with a powerful combination of technology, practicality and edge, at an affordable price.

Celunite, developer of a next-generation mobile software platform based on Linux and other open source innovations, announced it has become the first mobile phone operating system provider to join the LiMo Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit entity that strives to increase the adoption of Linux within the mobile industry. “We welcome Celunite as the first mobile phone platform provider to join our founding members engaged in building a world-class mobile Linux platform,” said NTT DoCoMo’s Senior Vice President, Dr. Kiyohito Nagata, chairman of the LiMo Foundation. "Celunite is keen to begin assisting LiMo to realize a competitive step change in the delivery of handsets and service propositions to consumers.”

The success of Web 2.0 services based on user-generated content has companies sitting up. At the same time, however, there is wide-spread apprehension regarding the degree to which the use of Web 2.0 principles can be applied to enterprise information management. “I run into a fair number of people who are skeptical about the actual business value of Web 2.0. Sure, they usually agree it’s a terrific new movement. But can you build and grow a real business with these ideas? There’s a whole aspect of Web 2.0 that can drive genuine business value and significant competitive advantage.

Phantom Fiber Corporation, a producer of mobile solutions, including but not limited to gaming, banking, brokerage, and video surveillance is proud to announce further market-leading enhancements to their wireless platform as the company expands into the UK & European markets. In response to the demand for a mobile solution capable of supporting the latest advances in mobile devices and networks, Phantom Fiber can now support over 1,500 mobile handsets and PDAs, including all of the most popular devices used across the UK and Europe.

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global mobile phone shipments grew a modest 11 percent year-over-year, to reach 258 million units in Q2 2007. Samsung overtook Motorola for the first time, to become the world’s second largest handset vendor. Neil Mawston, Associate Director at Strategy Analytics said, “Total global cell phone shipments have continued to slow down this year, but Samsung is speeding up. A combination of aggressive marketing and an attractive 3G device portfolio has driven Samsung into second position for the first time ever. Its 48 percent annual growth has come partly at the expense of Motorola, whose lackluster product portfolio across all tiers urgently needs refreshing.”

Along Mobile Technologies, provider of wireless interactive entertainment products and services in China, announced it reached an agreement with key mobile manufacturers to have its Whatplay game pre-loaded onto around 30,000 newly-launched mobile phones that are now available at over 100 retail point of sales in Beijing and Xi'an. "We are very pleased to have our Whatplay game pre-installed on newly- launched mobile phones. Our mobile products can now reach new market segments and customers in a more direct and convenient way. We are looking forward to having our mobile products pre-installed on more mobile phones around the world in the near future," said Li Jianwei, CEO of Along Mobile Technologies.

The SCO Group, Inc. ("SCO"), a leading provider of UNIX software technology and mobile services, and Genisys Software Inc., a leading provider of rental and point-of-sale software for the specialty equipment rental market, announced the availability of the AlphaRENTAL Solution for the iPhone handset. The AlphaRENTAL solution is a mobile workforce automation application used by retail equipment and party rental centers to manage all aspects of their business, including customer relationship management, sales, reservations, quotes, invoicing, receivables, parts, service and rental equipment inventory management.