LightSurf has announced a new version of its image processing platform with a wide range of mobile multimedia capabilities.

Version IV of the LightSurf platform is an end-to-end solution for deploying and managing mobile multimedia services, including person-to-person picture messaging and premium content services. Existing transcoding capabilities which enable LightSurf to dynamically format image content for virtually any mobile device are complemented by new management, commerce and billing integration features. The software will be supported by LightSurf’s Premium Content Services, which aggregate image libraries and third party information services to enable operators to deploy compelling multimedia messaging services in the shortest possible timeframe.

“We developed the new LightSurf IV Instant Imaging platform to respond to the needs of our trusted customers worldwide such as Sprint, Kodak, Bandai and others. With LightSurf IV, wireless operators can now rapidly integrate and deploy PictureMail and other MMS Value-Added services with their existing MMS, SMS and Open Messaging Infrastructure,” said Philippe Kahn, chairman, co-founder and CEO, LightSurf. “The availability of LightSurf IV further enhances LightSurf’s leadership position in the visual communications market while giving our customers a feature-rich, commercially proven and scalable solution for mobile multimedia services.”

Insight

LightSurf’s technology will play a crucial role in the development of mobile imaging, particularly multimedia messaging. It has a robust platform capable of processing the massive volumes of picture messages expected over the coming years, ensuring each image is presented correctly on the client device.

It already has an impressive client list for LightSurf III, particularly in Japan, and the latest version will be especially attractive to smaller operators without the resources to develop their own premium content platforms. Marek Pawlowski’s feature on multimedia messaging talked about the importance of offering premium information services and content libraries ahead of mass adoption of peer-to-peer services and this is exactly what LightSurf has addressed with its Premium Content offering. It appears Philippe Kahn is chalking up another pioneering success story to add to Borland and Starfish Software.