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VelvetPuffin Launches First Complete Social Networking Service for Mobile Phone and PC Users

Posted on: Monday, 5 March 2007, 06:00 CST

SINGAPORE, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- VelvetPuffin today launched the first integrated social networking service that allows its users to instantly communicate, create and share user-generated content of all types with friends and family through a mobile phone or desktop computer. Completely carrier independent and offered at no cost to the consumer, VelvetPuffin merges instant messaging and social networking to create truly mobile social networking. Taking a new approach to the desktop experience, it doesn't require users to interact or obtain contact through a Web browser.

Extending social networking beyond the desktop, VelvetPuffin allows people on-the-go to stay connected via their mobile phone. With this new service, users are able to keep in touch, share any facet of their social life and their "social content" instantly -- from wherever they are.

"VelvetPuffin breaks down the 'walled garden' experience that has traditionally characterized consumers' mobile Web and community experiences," said Jill Aldort, senior analyst at Yankee Group. "Better yet, the application provides a clean, user friendly and totally functional interface for IM, as well as sharing user-generated content across the PC and the mobile phone."

Until now, other sites have attempted to capture single features of desktop-based social networking sites on the mobile phone, but this effort has been fractured. By aggregating all features associated with social networking, VelvetPuffin creates a holistic mobile social networking experience. Whether users are at their desktop computer or on-the-go with their mobile phone, no functionality is lost. VelvetPuffin's innovative operating system (MXI) allows all user-generated content including videos, photos, blogs and more to be delivered to the user's mobile phone or computer in real time.

"VelvetPuffin allows the desktop to be truly socially active," said R.Chandrasekar, VelvetPuffin CEO. "Never before has this level of information and connectivity been offered to the social networking community. Our users are no longer bound to their desktop computer -- they can now interact from anywhere."

Instant information, which has increasingly fueled the lifestyles of all generations, is now available on the mobile phone. Elements, such as online polling, photo sharing and instant messaging, allow for a truly complete mobile social networking experience. All VelvetPuffin features, which incorporate many industry firsts, are available to both desktop and mobile users, including:

-- Instant Messaging: While VelvetPuffin has its own IM community, it also allows users to connect to outside IM accounts including AOL, Yahoo!, and MSN. VelvetPuffin's IM structure allows for its users to be alerted to new shared content and connected to others in their community. -- Polling: VelvetPuffin users don't have to worry about calling multiple people to get everyone to agree on weekend plans. All they need to do is set-up an online poll and invite their VelvetPuffin friends to vote, no matter where they happen to be. Results are then aggregated and shared with the voters. -- Video Sharing: Videos are easily delivered to VelvetPuffin users, at either their desktop or mobile phone. Additional features include the ability to access, view and share YouTube, Google Video and Metacafe within VelvetPuffin. -- Photo Sharing: When photos are posted on VelvetPuffin, connected friends can view them instantly with their mobile phone or from their desktop computer. The photo feature alerts users via IM when new postings occur. -- Blogging: VelvetPuffin users can create, maintain and share their blog from any location. The blog feature alerts users via IM when updates occur. Availability

VelvetPuffin is accessible by anyone with a Java 2-enabled mobile phone or desktop computer. The VelvetPuffin mobile application is available today for download over GSM/CDMA on any Java 2-enabled handset. All PC users with Internet access can also access VelvetPuffin. There is no cost to download VelvetPuffin. To download and become a VelvetPuffin member, visit http://www.velvetpuffin.com/. Standard Internet and data access rates apply.

About VelvetPuffin

VelvetPuffin is the first integrated social networking service that enables users of all ages to instantly communicate, create, and share personally-generated content of all types with friends and family through a mobile phone or personal computer. It is currently accessible to anybody with a Java 2-enabled mobile phone or a desktop computer with an Internet connection. VelvetPuffin is headquartered in Singapore. For more information and news on VelvetPuffin, please visit http://www.velvetpuffin.com/.

VelvetPuffin

CONTACT: Nadia Jamshidi, nadiaj@mcgrathpower.com, or Timothy Polakowski,timp@mcgrathpower.com, or Patricia Hogan, patriciah@mcgrathpower.com, all ofMcGrath/Power Public Relations, +1-408-727-0351, for VelvetPuffin

Web site: http://www.velvetpuffin.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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