Motorola Invests in Tilefile Limited

Motorola has announced that through Motorola Ventures it has made an equity investment in Tilefile Limited.

Tilefile has developed an innovative social media platform that connects users and communities through a "content-neutral" media format. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

"It is clear that Tilefile is powering the next generation of social interaction around media through its unique and content neutral approach," said Reese Schroeder, managing director, Motorola Ventures. "Our investment reflects our commitment to innovative companies, such as Tilefile, as they strive to seamlessly connect people and communities."

"Motorola's investment will enable us to continue to strengthen the Tilefile vision and meet the needs of our rapidly-growing user base," said David Bolliger, chief executive officer, Tilefile Limited. "A Tilefile is a piece of media wrapped in people. For this we had to build the foundations for an entire new platform. The Tilefile.com web application is just the beginning. We intend to see the Tilefile format make its way to at least three types of screen".

The Tilefile platform wraps videos, photos and audio into a single content-neutral format called a "Tile." Social activity gathers around each Tile. The "front" of a Tile is the media; the "back" of a Tile is the community. This clear distinction results in a less fractured media experience. Rather than navigating through Internet pages, users have a non-linear view of multiple "social media packages" suitable for both phone and web. Tiles can be joined with others to form combinations that can be easily shared or launched to other locations on the Internet. The social activity centered around the Tiles "travels with" them. Through their centralized principle for organizing experiences, Tilefile aims to link people and their communities in an endless play of messaging, sharing and publishing.

Source: Motorola, Inc.

New Nationwide E-Mail and Web Plans for BlackBerry Introduced by Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless has introduced new e-mail and Web plans to accompany the new BlackBerry(R) Pearl(TM) 8130.

Customers who purchase a Verizon Wireless Nationwide voice plan can subscribe to the E-mail and Web for BlackBerry for an additional $29.99 per month. Nationwide Basic and Select plans begin at $39.99 per month for 450 minutes. Customers who choose a data-only plan pay $34.99 per month for unlimited e-mail and access to the Internet. The plans can be used with any Verizon Wireless BlackBerry and allow customers to access up to 10 POP3 and IMAP e-mail accounts via BlackBerry(R) Internet Service.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 will be available online and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores, including those in Circuit City, for $249.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

For more information on BlackBerry smartphones from Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com/blackberry. Business customers may contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4-BIZ.

Source: Verizon Wireless