December 4th, 2006
Handmark adds MobileCierge 24/7 assistant service to Pocket Express
A couple years ago at CES I met a Handmark representative who showed me their new Pocket Express service. I then used Pocket Express on my Windows Mobile Smartphone and Treo 650 for about a year or so. I haven't tried it now for about 6 months, but just received an email from Andy telling me of a new service that was added to the huge selection they now offer. For two years Handmark offered seven services for about US$7 per month, but this same price now gives you something over 14 services. Their latest wireless service offering is called MobileCierge and gives you a 24/7 personal assistant easily accessed right from your mobile device. MobileCierge provides personal and emergency assistance for such things as finding tickets, finding lost luggage, and just about anything you need in-between 411 and 911. Unlike the other services in Pocket Express, selecting the MobileCierge icon actually places a phone call from your mobile device to a live person that provides you with concierge-like services. The MobileCierge service is US$5.99 per month or US$69 annually, in addition to your Express service fee, and it can actually be a bit refreshing to talk to a live person for help when you are traveling. The service works on Windows Mobile Smartphones, select Nokia devices (E62 for example), Palm OS devices, and Windows Mobile Pocket PCs. Check out the full press release for all the details.
I mentioned there were other services in Pocket Express and the list of free services includes news, sports, and weather. If you pay the monthly subscription fee you get access to the following content:
- 411 Directory Search
- Street Maps
- Driving Directions
- Movie Showtimes
- Portfolio Tracking
- American Writer's Thesaurus
- Dear Abby
- Last Word in Astrology
- News of the Weird
- Scott Burns
- NASCAR Insider
- Motor Sports: (NASCAR/F1)
- Auto Racing News
- TV News
- Music News
- Movie News
- Hot Stocks
- Market News
BTW, if you enjoy using Express you may want to share it with people and get a chance to win an iPod RED or even a Porsche.
Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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