Mobile application platform HipLogic is rolling out a consumer version of its smartphone interface for non-smartphones. HipLogic Live is a free downloadable application will deliver content—including Facebook, Twitter, CBS news, CBS sports, and weather—to select Windows Mobile or Symbian devices.
Founded by three veterans from Sun Microsystems, HipLogic brings sophisticated applications to the simplest cell phones by keeping all the complexity in the network. In essence, HipLogic is trying to bring the quick, easy interface of a BlackBerry to more simple, lightweight phones that are available for the mass market. Consumers can toggle between the original mobile operating system and an always-on smartphone-like interface for instant access to a collection of apps. HipLogic Live features a variety of apps, widgets, realtime notifications (Facebook updates and Twitter), and a search bar. The interface and applications are not as sleek and powerful as those of the iPhone and Android, but draws more similarities to the apps and OS of BlackBerry devices.
Behind the curtains, HipLogic’s application platform features a lightweight, JavaScript virtual machine connected to the cloud and aggregates info from network operators and the web to create mash-ups on mobile devices. While the consumer offering is the first step towards gaining a loyal userbase, HioLogic will need to partner with retailers and phone developers in the near future to include the application within mobile devices. Formerly known has Numobiq, HipLogic has raised $11.5 in funding, recently adding $7 million to its coffers.