Leap acquires location-based wireless data technology

Leap Wireless International announced it acquired a personalized, location-based wireless information technology from smartphone maker NeoPoint.

Called myAladdin.com, the proprietary technology provides directions to--and information--about the nearest restaurants, movie theaters and cash machines on a customers’ wireless handsets. NeoPoint launched the portal in the fall of 1999, integrating it with global positioning service capabilities to provide real-time location services.

"There is a fair chunk of IPR involved, and there is some location-based technology that we think will be very applicable to our consumer markets," said Doug Hutcheson, Leap's senior vice president of wireless data development. "We didn't select myAladdin as our service, it's a path to get us to services we think are appropriate for our customers. We haven't decided how we will take that to market."

Leap expects to offer its first wireless information services to customers, including Cricket customers, during the first half of 2001.

It hasn't ruled out selling the services to other carriers. Earlier this year, Bell Mobility and NeoPoint launched the first North American trial of myAladdin. However, myAladdin has made very little movement in the wireless marketplace, and NeoPoint has been struggling in the smartphone market since withdrawing its initial public offering, citing a depressed technology stock market.

"This transaction with Leap enables us to remain focused on our core competencies in conceptualizing innovative products, maintaining a rapid research and development cycle, and continuing our charter to engineer and design quality smartphones and accessories," said William Son, president and CEO of NeoPoint. "We will continue to build on the phenomenal success and consumer acceptance of our smartphones by continuing to develop products that will truly enhance the lives of mobile professionals and consumers."