Mobile Innovation have announced Cover UI for Series 60 clamshell based phones. Aimed at device manufacturers it allows advanced functionality in the external screen of clamshell devices - allowing differentiation and customisation of their products. The external screens of flip phones have been under-utilised, especially given smartphones potential. We are hopeful that the announcement of Cover UI will address this shortcoming in future devices.

Mobile Innovation announces a unique Cover UI solution for Series 60 based clamshell phones
New software solution brings advanced functionality to the external screen of clamshell devices, enabling handset manufacturers and network operators to differentiate and customise their products.

London, England — October 5, 2004 — Mobile Innovation, the leading user interface (UI) designer, developer, and integrator for mobile devices, today announced a Cover UI solution optimised for use on external screens of Series 60 based clamshell phones.

Mobile Innovation believes that many external screens of today’s clamshell devices are under utilised. User needs are not met, the user experience isn’t optimal, and the external screen is prime real estate that should be put to use more efficiently. Mobile Innovation’s Cover UI solution addresses this problem, and without having to open the phone meets the needs of users who want to handle day–to–day events (such as answering or rejecting incoming calls, or reading messages) in a simple, intuitive and fun way. It allows the user to personalise the screen, expressing their style with full colour animations, icons and wallpapers. Furthermore, the Cover UI solution also creates a continuous user experience between the external screen UI and the internal screen UI, making it more consistent to use.

Clamshell phones have proven to be a form–factor that many users prefer. Still, we at Mobile Innovation believe there is a great opportunity to further improve the overall smartphone user experience for these type of devices” says Jonathan Sulenski, chief executive office at Mobile Innovation. “With our Cover UI solution, we bring the features and functionality that users want directly to the external screen. It is intuitive to use and easy to personalise.

Mobile Innovation’s Cover UI is a complete software solution that is available with minimal integration effort needed. It gives handset manufacturers and network operators the opportunity to enhance the value of their products, address more markets with user attractive features more quickly. For example, by using the Cover UI solution you can take and share pictures with the camera even without opening the phone.

The Cover UI solution is already generating great interest in the market, and clamshell phones featuring the Cover UI solution is expected to hit the markets during 2005. To learn more about what the Cover UI solution can do for your product or consumer proposition, please contact Ian Simpson at Mobile Innovation (ian.simpson@mobileinnovation.co.ukM).