Turning SMS Into MMS: conVISUAL and FunMail Launch Send-A-Fun21

Oberhausen/Pleasanton, CA, USA 14. 11. 2002 (PROTEXT/ots) - Simply enter the recipient's number, add the text and send offthe message - then Send-A-Fun21 comes up with funny and originalanimations and images that match the text on the recipient'smobile phone display. Send-A-Fun21 is the new messaging serviceenabling mobile phone users to convert plain SMS text messagesinto image messages for MMS- and SMS-capable phones. The Send-A-Fun21 service, developed by the Visual Messaging ServiceProvider conVISUAL, is now available on the mobile phone market. "01721234567 I am really looking forward to seeing you" isdisplayed on the sender's phone prior to sending the SMS textmessage to the Vodafone short code 2122. A surprise is in storefor the person with the number 01721234567 when he or she opensthe message. A cheerful Garfield, armed with a bunch of flowers,waves from the colourful MMS display. A comparable effect isachieved when the message is sent to 2121 - in this case, themessage is sent as an SMS picture message so that it can bedisplayed on any Smart Messaging mobile phone (e. g. from Nokiaor Sony Ericsson).

In collaboration with its American partner FunMail, MMSspecialist conVISUAL has created a messaging servicespecifically geared towards mobile phone users in the 13- to 25-year-old age group. Market research results have revealed thatthe use of popular cartoon characters like Garfield or SouthPark for communication purposes are hugely popular with youngmobile phone users. In addition, the young people are thrilledabout the large fun factor added by the Send-A-Fun21 service,because it is always a surprise to see what image will beattached to the message.

Send-A-Fun21 works as easily as sending an SMS message, atany time or place - in the schoolyard, on the bus or in the pubin the evening. Instead of just boring text on the display,recipients are greeted by a grinning Garfield or a South Parkcharacter.

An appropriate image is assigned to every SMS text messagesent. The surprise effect is not lost by frequent use, since anew image is sent even if the message itself is repeated. AllVodafone D2 customers can use the service. Sending messages toMMS-capable mobile phones is currently possible within the D2and D1 networks in Germany. Furthermore, dispatch to mobilephones that are compatible with Nokia Smart Messaging isprovided for in all four German networks.

Consequently, the partnership between the Californian-basedcompany FunMail and conVISUAL, which started at the beginning ofthe year, has begun to bear fruit. FunMail's connections to theAmerican film industry, its rights to use known characters suchas Garfield and South Park, as well as its own designer pool,have assisted the company in successfully establishing itsservices worldwide. The messaging expert conVISUAL is FunMail'sexclusive partner for promoting its services in Europe. Thanksto conVISUAL's expertise in format conversion (e. g. from NokiaSmart Messaging to MMS) and its MMS transcoding technology, eachFunMail message is converted to the most suitable format for therecipient's mobile phone.

Instructions for Using Send-A-Fun21

Create an SMS text message with the following content:Recipient's number, space, greeting. Example: "01721234567cinema tonight?" Send this SMS message to 2121 if you want it tobe sent as an SMS picture message or to 2122 if you want to sendit to an MMS-capable mobile phone. The recipient automaticallyreceives an appropriate image message or MMS animation alongwith your greeting. Visit www.fun21.de for more information.

conVISUAL - The Home of Visual Messaging Services.

conVISUAL is the first Wireless Application Service Providerfocused on the realisation of Visual and Multimedia MessagingServices. Through an innovative product portfolio conVISUALcreates opportunities for network operators, service providers,ISPs and media companies to expand their businesses by leveragingthe extraordinary potential of multimedia messaging services.conVISUAL's Multimedia Message Broker (MMB) is the intelligentplatform for the creation, personalization, conversion anddistribution of mobile multimedia messages. Using the MMB,conVISUAL operates numerous messaging applications, that aregrowing concurrently with the emerging multimedia facilities ofmobile devices: The MMB supports all of today's common messagingstandards, such as SMS, Smart Messaging, Enhanced MessagingService (EMS), WAP Push and Openwave Download Fun, as well asupcoming GPRS and UMTS technologies such as the MultimediaMessaging Service and i-mode. Based in Oberhausen in Germany,conVISUAL employs a talented and experienced team, concentratinghighest industry excellence including Ericsson, MannesmannMobilfunk, Nokia, Lucent Technologies and Theron BusinessConsulting.

Pictures Pictures accompanying this press release areavailable for download in the picture gallery in the press areaon the conVISUAL website.

conVISUAL Essener Strasse 2-24 46047 Oberhausen, Germany E-mail: info@convisual.com www.convisual.com

media contact Sandra Wiewiorra Media Relations Manager E-mail: press@convisual.com Phone: +49 208 85 96 - 807

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