Thrrum MMS Search(TM) Brings Mobile Visual Search to T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless Phones

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- 23half Inc., a pioneer of technologies that extend the functionality of camera phones, announced the availability of Thrrum MMS Search to T-Mobile and Verizon wireless subscribers. Thrrum MMS Search enables camera phone users to find and browse information related to their physical environment using the MMS service integrated into their phones. Users can capture a picture of any text with their auto-focus or macro mode equipped camera phone and send the picture as a MMS to m@thrrum.com. Relevant search results are then sent to the users' phones. The Thrrum MMS Search service is presently in beta and is available free of charge to T-Mobile and Verizon wireless subscribers in the United States.

"The Thrrum MMS Search service was introduced earlier this year for AT&T and Sprint wireless subscribers," said K. Gopalakrishnan, CEO of 23half. "Now, T-Mobile and Verizon wireless subscribers also can point their camera phone at a book, a product label or any printed material, take a picture and send a picture message to get relevant information right on their phone. With Thrrum, any text that you see around you becomes a hyperlink that can be 'clicked' upon with your camera phone."

With annual camera phones sales expected to exceed 1 billion by 2010, ABI Research estimates camera functionality as the most preferred feature on mobile phones. Combined with ever increasing adoption of MMS usage, the connected camera in phones presents a new platform for innovation.

Thrrum MMS Search brings together visual recognition technologies and information search in the context of camera phones. Based on technology first demonstrated by 23half in 2005 in the "nThrum" technology demonstrator, Thrrum MMS Search presents a unique approach to hyperlinking the physical world with related information. The MMS Search technology is protected by an extensive suite of patents pending worldwide.

About 23half Inc.

23half Inc. is a Mountain View, CA based provider of wireless information services. 23half's contextual information services for camera phones, Thrrum Cameraphone Search and Thrrum MMS Search transform camera phones into visual information portals for the physical environment.

SOURCE 23half Inc.