Handmark

Handmark is a developer and distributor of mobile content, based in Kansas City, Missouri. The company was created in 2000[1] by the merger of Mobile Generation Software[2] with Palmspring Software.

Handmark
TypePrivate
IndustryMobile Applications
SuccessorSprint
Founded2000 (2000)
FounderAugust Grasis III, Douglas Edwards and Jesse Devitte
Headquarters
Kansas City, Missouri
,
United States
Area served
Global
Key people
Augie Grasis (Chairman), Paul Reddick (CEO), Terry Carlton (CFO), Evan Conway (EVP Marketing, Support & Ecommerce)
ProductsPocket Express, TweetCaster, ZAGAT TO GO(SM), Oxford Reference, see full client portfolio: www.handmarkapps.com
Number of employees
100
Websitehandmark.com

History

The company's original intention was to sell software and content for the Palm Operating System,[3] and in 2001 handmark purchased the Palm-related MemoWare repository. The company's scope has since expanded to include Windows Mobile,[4] Java,[5] and other mobile computing, smartphone and mobile phone platforms.

The company's Pocket Express wireless service offers users access to news, reference and infotainment content on BlackBerry, Palm Treo, Windows Mobile, and other wireless handhelds.[6] In addition to the Pocket Express wireless service bundle, Handmark distributes a number of wireless entertainment titles including Warfare Incorporated (RTS) (Palmsource Powered Up award winner).[7]

In January 2008 Handmark and Astraware announced a new business relationship in which Astraware became part of the Handmark group. Astraware was subsequently bought out by its management team in January 2010 and returned to being an independent game developer.[8]

In early 2009, Handmark acquired FreeRange Communications, makers of FreeRange WebReader, a free RSS based feed reader and content service for mobile phones and PDAs.[9] FreeRange Communications was founded by Jon Maroney and located in Portland, Oregon, and the core technology was incorporated in other products including NewsGator Go!, Attensa Mobile and VersionTracker mobile products. Versions were produced for BlackBerry phones, Windows Mobile and Pocket PC, Palm OS devices, Symbian and Java ME phones. The FreeRange reader was folded into Handmark's Pocket Express product line, while FreeRange's content service was branded the Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform. The Mobile Publishing Platform was subsequently spun off as a separate company Freerange 360,[10] which in 2012 was renamed to Storycode.[11]

London-based commuter newspaper The Evening Standard launched a mobile app with Handmark in May 2010.[12]

Acquisition

Handmark was acquired by Sprint on April 4, 2013 and became a subsidiary of Sprint.[13]

See also
  • List of mobile software distribution platforms

References
  1. "Case Study The Problem: Handmark had 50% of the market for software for PDAs. Unfortunately, fewer people are buying PDAs".
  2. "Corporate Profile for Mobile Generation". Business Wire. August 11, 2000.
  3. Brown, M. Steele (February 4, 2001). "Palm Potential".
  4. "Handmark Announces New Applications for Windows Mobile-based Smartphones". Archived from the original on 2003-12-08.
  5. "An Express Route to Multiplatform Success" (PDF). Archived from the original (pdf) on 2006-09-20.
  6. http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/115433484687080.xml&coll=2 Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-10-16. Retrieved 2006-09-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Keith Andrew. "Handmark sheds Astraware as company shifts away from games". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  9. "Handmark Acquires FreeRange Communications to Expand Mobile Media Offerings". Handmark. 2009-02-05.
  10. "The Only Complete Mobile App Solution for Media and Content Publishers". Handmark. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  11. "Top 5 Learnings from Running a Mobile App "Startup"". Mobile Portland. 2012-09-21.
  12. Deans, Jason (2010-04-24). "London Evening Standard launches smartphone app". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  13. "Timeline shows long engagement led up to Sprint-Handmark union". Kansas City Business Journal. 2013-05-20.
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