MySpace Mobile Goes “Free”
October 10th, 2007 Posted in NewsCalifornia-based Fox Interactive Media recently announced in a press briefing that the company which owns and operates social networking giant MySpace plans to introduce ad-supported version of MySpace for free on mobile phone networks. With this new development, it will be possible for users to log into their MySpace accounts using their mobile phones and to find friends, comment on pictures, update their mood, update blogs, post bulletins and receive messages. Although it is possible for paying wireless subscribers of mobile services AT&T Inc., and Helio to click on the MySpace website and check out its features, now logging into MySpace and using its features would be available for free.
Aside from the social networking website, other Fox-owned websites that would also be available for free through mobile services include RottenTomatoes.com, IGN.com, and FoxSports.com. Millennial Media would provide the mobile advertising technology. “We believe ultimately that people will access the Internet on mobile phones. We want to support that behavior as best we can. The more we can replicate what’s going on online the better” says John Smelzer, Fox Interactive Senior Vice President.
Launched in 2003, MySpace is the most popular social networking website nowadays which allows users from all over the world to create a network of friends and a personal profile which feature blogs, groups, photos and videos. It is currently the 6th most popular English-language website and also among frequently visited website of any language. In the United States, it is the 3rd most popular website, topping the list of social networking sites. Its popularity has influenced much of contemporary popular culture, especially in many English-speaking countries.
Mobile versions of the said social networking website was first introduced in early 2006 through US mobile phone service provider Helio, allowing users to log into MySpace content through their mobile phone. Through MySpace Mobile, paying subscribers can access their MySpace account and use features like editing user profile and messaging and viewing the profiles of other members. In an attempted to widen its mobile coverage, UIEvolution and MySpace collaborated on the creation of an updated mobile version of MySpace which was later introduced to other mobile phone providers such as AT&T, Vodafone and Rogers Wireless.
Aside from offering mobile versions, the social networking website continues to expand its user base by introducing different regional versions in early 2006 which allow MySpace users to access the social networking website through an alternative regional variation with automated content oriented to the regional locality. For example, when using MySpace UK, users would automatically see other UK users when clicking on “Cool New People” as well as get ready information on UK-based events and adverts. Aside from its global US and UK versions, alternative regional versions of MySpace are currently available in Australia, Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latin America, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain. It is also available in languages other than English such as Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese and Dutch. In early 2007, the newest regional version, MySpace China was introduced.
