MSNBC.com Launches Beta Mobile News Service with Action Engine Corporation

MSNBC.com, in partnership with Action Engine Corporation, has introduced a beta mobile news service that offers an innovative advertising business model. Unlike traditional paid subscription services, this new mobile service is free to consumers and features video and banner advertisements. The service, designed to provide a seamless mobile experience, gives consumers access to MSNBC.com news, videos, and pictures using their wireless devices. Microsoft's Windows Mobile and Embedded Devices Division has been named the exclusive advertising sponsor for the launch of this new service.

Key Takeaways:

MSNBC.com Mobile is a beta mobile news service that provides a free experience to consumers, supported by video and banner advertisements.
The service features key components such as reading news articles, watching news videos, saving articles for offline viewing, and viewing photos.
Consumers can access the service by visiting http://gomobile.MSNBC.com and following the instructions for download.
The service will run on an initial set of Windows Mobile powered devices, with support for additional devices, including Java and BREW powered devices, to follow post-launch.
MSNBC.com and Action Engine Corporation collaborated on consumer research to understand the mobile experience and shifting costs from consumers to advertisers.
The companies will solicit consumer feedback to provide a rewarding experience and determine the ideal business model.

Statistics:

80% fewer keystrokes required to access transaction-oriented online services with the Action Engine Mobile Application Platform.
20x faster response times compared to browser-based alternatives.
12 global companies have deployed Action Engine's software, including MSNBC.com, TiVo, SmartVideo, SingTel, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Optus, Orange SA, O2, and SMART Communications, Inc.

Sources:

MSNBC.com
Action Engine Corporation
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)
NBC Universal News (NYSE:GE)