Handmark

Handmark was an American mobile-software and digital-content company based in Kansas City, Missouri. It was formed in 2000 through the merger of Mobile Generation Software and Palmspring Software, initially with a focus on applications and content for Palm OS devices. The company emerged during the early expansion of handheld computing, when Palm-powered organizers and smartphones created a market for third-party productivity tools, reference titles, games, and downloadable content. In 2001, Handmark acquired MemoWare, a repository associated with the Palm software ecosystem. The transaction strengthened its access to Palm-oriented applications and content and supported Handmark’s broader role as both a developer and distributor. Over time, the company expanded beyond Palm OS into Windows Mobile, Java-based mobile phones, BlackBerry devices, Symbian phones, and other mobile platforms. Its activities covered both downloadable software and services that delivered continuously updated information to handheld users. One of Handmark’s principal services was Pocket Express, a wireless information product that combined news, reference material, and infotainment for devices including BlackBerry phones, Palm Treo models, Windows Mobile handhelds, and other mobile computers. The service reflected the company’s effort to move beyond individual applications toward bundled mobile information and content delivery. Handmark also distributed entertainment software, including the real-time strategy game Warfare Incorporated, which received a PalmSource Powered Up award. Handmark expanded through partnerships and acquisitions. In January 2008, Astraware became part of the Handmark group through a new business relationship. Astraware was later bought back by its management team in January 2010 and returned to independent operation. In early 2009, Handmark acquired FreeRange Communications, the Portland-based developer of FreeRange WebReader, an RSS reader and mobile content service. FreeRange technology supported devices and platforms including BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Palm OS, Symbian, and Java ME. Handmark incorporated the reader into the Pocket Express product family and used the Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform name for the associated content-service technology. That platform was later spun off as Freerange 360 and renamed Storycode in 2012. The company also supplied mobile publishing and application-development capabilities to media organizations. In May 2010, London’s Evening Standard launched a mobile application developed with Handmark. This type of arrangement illustrated Handmark’s role in helping publishers distribute branded news products to the fragmented mobile-device market of the period. On April 4, 2013, Sprint acquired Handmark, after which Handmark became a Sprint subsidiary. Public reference material does not establish a current independent operating status, headquarters after the acquisition, or whether the Handmark brand remains active. Handmark is therefore best understood as a notable early mobile-content company whose products and technology spanned the transition from Palm and feature-phone software to broader smartphone and wireless information services.

Handmark was established in 2000 through the merger of Mobile Generation Software and Palmspring Software. Its initial business centered on software and content for Palm OS, one of the leading operating systems for personal digital assistants and early smartphones. The company’s founding placed it within the first generation of specialist mobile-software publishers, before the later dominance of iOS and Android application stores. In 2001, Handmark purchased MemoWare, a Palm-related software repository. This gave the company a stronger position in the Palm application ecosystem and complemented its development and distribution activities. Handmark subsequently broadened its platform coverage to include Windows Mobile, Java, BlackBerry, Symbian, and other mobile-phone and handheld-computing systems. The expansion reflected the fragmented nature of the mobile market at the time, in which software publishers commonly had to maintain separate versions for many operating systems and device families. The company developed both standalone applications and bundled wireless services. Pocket Express became its best-known information product, providing news, reference, and infotainment content on devices such as BlackBerry phones, Palm Treo handhelds, and Windows Mobile products. Handmark also distributed mobile entertainment, including Warfare Incorporated, a real-time strategy game recognized with a PalmSource Powered Up award. Handmark pursued growth through external relationships. In January 2008, it announced a business relationship under which Astraware became part of the Handmark group. Astraware brought additional mobile-game expertise, but its management team later bought the business back in January 2010, restoring Astraware’s independence. In early 2009, Handmark acquired FreeRange Communications, a Portland, Oregon company founded by Jon Maroney. FreeRange’s principal product, FreeRange WebReader, was an RSS-based reader and content service for mobile phones and PDAs. Its technology had been deployed across BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Palm OS, Symbian, and Java ME devices, and had also been incorporated into mobile products associated with NewsGator, Attensa, and VersionTracker. Handmark folded the reader into Pocket Express and designated the related content infrastructure the Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform. That platform was subsequently separated from Handmark as Freerange 360 and renamed Storycode in 2012. Handmark also worked with publishers seeking mobile distribution. In May 2010, London newspaper The Evening Standard launched a mobile application with Handmark. Such projects extended the company’s capabilities from consumer software into publisher-branded mobile experiences and content delivery. On April 4, 2013, Sprint acquired Handmark and made it a subsidiary. Available reference material does not document a later standalone corporate history, current executives, or a definitive date on which the Handmark brand ceased operating. The company’s documented history nevertheless illustrates the development of the mobile-content sector from Palm software repositories and PDA applications to cross-platform wireless services, mobile publishing, and operator-owned digital products.

• 2013

  Sprint acquires Handmark

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  Sprint acquired Handmark on April 4 and absorbed it as a subsidiary.

• 2012

  Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform becomes Storycode

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  The platform associated with FreeRange’s content technology was spun off as Freerange 360 and renamed Storycode.

• 2010

  Astraware returns to independence

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  Astraware was bought out by its management team and resumed operation as an independent game developer.

• 2010

  Evening Standard mobile application launches

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  The Evening Standard launched a mobile application developed with Handmark.

• 2009

  FreeRange Communications is acquired

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  Handmark acquired FreeRange Communications and integrated FreeRange WebReader into Pocket Express and its mobile publishing activities.

• 2008

  Astraware joins the Handmark group

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  Handmark and Astraware announced a business relationship under which the mobile-game developer became part of the Handmark group.

• 2001

  MemoWare is acquired

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  Handmark purchased the Palm-related MemoWare repository, strengthening its position in the Palm software ecosystem.

• 2000

  Handmark is created through a merger

  [1]Handmarken.wikipedia.org

  Mobile Generation Software and Palmspring Software merged to form Handmark, initially targeting Palm OS software and content.

Early mobile software and content specialist serving handheld-computing users, wireless-service providers, publishers, and mobile-device ecosystems.

• Wireless information service

  Pocket Express

  Pocket Express was Handmark’s bundled wireless information service for handheld and mobile-phone users. It provided access to news, reference material, and infotainment through devices including BlackBerry phones, Palm Treo models, Windows Mobile handhelds, and other wireless platforms. The product represented Handmark’s shift from selling individual Palm applications toward delivering continuously updated mobile content and a broader service experience.

• Mobile game

  Warfare Incorporated

  Warfare Incorporated was a real-time strategy game distributed by Handmark for mobile and handheld platforms. It was recognized with a PalmSource Powered Up award and formed part of Handmark’s wireless entertainment portfolio during the Palm and early smartphone era.

• RSS reader and mobile content service

  FreeRange WebReader

  FreeRange WebReader was an RSS-based feed reader and content service developed by FreeRange Communications. It supported a wide range of mobile platforms, including BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Pocket PC, Palm OS, Symbian, and Java ME. After Handmark acquired FreeRange Communications, the reader was folded into the Pocket Express product family.

• Mobile publishing technology

  Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform

  The Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform was the branding used for content-service technology associated with the former FreeRange business. It supported the delivery of mobile content and publisher-oriented services. The platform was later spun off as Freerange 360 and renamed Storycode in 2012.

• 2013

  Acquisition by SprintM&A

  Background

  Handmark operated in mobile applications, wireless content, and publishing technology as the mobile market continued consolidating around major operators and platforms.

  Action taken

  Sprint acquired Handmark on April 4, 2013, making the company a Sprint subsidiary.

  Aftermath

  Public reference material does not provide a complete subsequent history of Handmark as an independent brand.

  Source

• 2009

  Acquisition of FreeRange CommunicationsM&A

  Background

  Handmark sought to expand its mobile reading, RSS, and content-delivery capabilities across the fragmented handset market.

  Action taken

  Handmark acquired FreeRange Communications and incorporated FreeRange WebReader into Pocket Express. The related content-service technology was branded the Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform.

  Aftermath

  The platform was later separated as Freerange 360 and renamed Storycode in 2012.

  Source

1. 1Handmarken.wikipedia.org