4th April 2008 3:16 pm Cha Cha

Mobile search engine ChaCha, along with more than 100 other mobile software developers, participated in the 3rd annual Fast Pitch contest held at the annual CTIA wireless show this week in Las Vegas.

ChaCha, won a $25,000 grand prize. ChaCha also will be promoted on AT&T’s premier wireless application portal MEdiaNet, giving it exposure to AT&T’s more than 70 million customers.

Mobile Answers gives users the ability to text or call-in an open-ended question using a cell phone or other mobile device. A few minutes later, an answer will provided via text message, along with a web link to follow for more information.

For example, a consumer could ask, “Where could I buy the cheapest gas in Orlando, Fla?” and a human guide, utilizing powerful tools to search the Web would return an answer in a text message with a Web reference link.

“Our rapidly growing base of repeat customers proves that ChaCha mobile answers service is a true breakthrough,” said Scot A. Jones, co-founder and CEO of ChaCha.

“Being selected by the largest mobile carrier — at the largest wireless show — is an honor as it validates the unique capabilities provided by ChaCha. We are thrilled about the opportunity to make ChaCha’s mobile answers service available to AT&T’s customer base.”

ChaCha and other entrants in the consumer contest were judged on several factors: innovation and originality of the application; market appeal; interface design; and number of platforms and handsets supported.

“Fast Pitch continues to be a very successful program in helping us to find new and innovative wireless applications,” said Mark Collins, vice president of Consumer Data, AT&T’s wireless unit. “We extend our congratulations to all the winners and thanks to this year’s participants.”

AT&T was the first major wireless carrier to create a developers relations program and now has over 20,000 developers registered in its program. The company offers its customers all of the world’s major mobile operating systems working with developers to create applications and content for Blackberry, iPhone, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Java, Palm OS and
Symbian.

Developers interested in joining AT&T’s developer program should visit: http://developer.att.com.

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