SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- 08/26/08 --
hi5
Networks, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing social networks,
today announced the availability of hi5 Mobile. The
rapidly
growing global social networking site is now available on mobile phones
in 26 different languages. hi5 Mobile sets a new precedent for the
globalization of the mobile web and provides access to the millions of
international users who primarily use mobile devices, instead of a personal
computer, to stay connected with friends, family and colleagues.
With hi5 Mobile, users can easily send and receive messages, update status,
view friends' profiles, share photos, find out who is online and add new
friends. hi5 Mobile has been optimized for performance and display on the
most popular phones, including the Apple iPhone, Nokia, Motorola,
BlackBerry, LG, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson.
Growth of the mobile Internet market has been dramatic. Market research
firm IDC estimates
the total number of mobile Internet users worldwide will reach 546 million
in 2008, nearly twice as many as in 2006, and is forecast to surpass 1.5
billion worldwide in 2012.
"Mobile use represents a huge opportunity for social networking and this
functionality is particularly relevant to hi5's international user base who
are more advanced than their U.S. counterparts in terms of mobile device
usage. We are providing the tools for users to connect and share
information with their hi5 network from almost anywhere in the world," said
Ramu Yalamanchi, CEO of hi5.
"In addition, as we see the number of users accessing hi5 via their mobile
phones increase, it will open up the opportunity to roll out
hyper-localized advertising."
hi5 is focused on serving the needs of the global social networker, going
beyond translation to true localization and understanding the nuances of
how people in different cultures use social networking to communicate,
share information, and discover content. Consequently, it was critical that
the hi5 Mobile service support the full breadth of languages of the parent
service from inception. No other social network offers mobile support in as
many languages as hi5. This extensive in-language support represents a
significant market opportunity for the company.
Many users in other countries prefer to use their mobile phones to
communicate over a computer. This service now allows them the in-language
experience they require with the immediate access and convenience they have
come to expect.
About hi5 Networks
Headquartered in San Francisco, hi5 is one of the world's largest and
fastest growing social networks. Our focus is to empower our users to build
and maintain culturally relevant connections between friends and family
online. With over 56 million unique visitors every month, hi5 is a top 20
website globally and the number one social network in 26 countries across
Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The service is available in 26
languages, delivering localized content and applications to users
worldwide.
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Contact information:
Shelley Risk
Horn Group for hi5
(415) 905-4037
Email Contact
Adriana Gascoigne
hi5
(415) 962-7075
Email Contact
