ShoZu has announced an upgrade to its mobile phone media service that the company says enhances its value to media companies, content owners, web partners and handset manufacturers, by increasing the visibility and usability of both the application and the partner offerings.
The new features make it easier for camera phone owners to activate the application, send images to photo sharing sites and other Web destinations with the companys Share-It service, subscribe to the companys ZuCast media delivery service, and discover both the Web destinations and ZuCast options available.
The new version of the software has also added support for select wi-fi-equipped phones, enabling consumers who purchase the next-generation handsets to reduce the cost of sending and receiving photos, videos and other files from their mobile devices.   
There are four key new features, including  easier activation from the handset, whether ShoZu is pre-loaded on the phone or downloaded from a website. This promotes ShoZu adoption and associated partner visibility by eliminating the need for users to go through extra steps such as entering their email address.
One-click image uploading for all Web partners eliminates the extra clicks previously required to send images to sites that lacked full API integration with the ShoZu server.  This enhancement assists photo sharing sites and other Web partners that are unable to provide APIs, and it also allows end users to choose any site as their one-click destination.
Easy access to ZuCast and Web destination listings from the handset enables users to subscribe to ZuCasts or select Web destinations for image upload without visiting the ShoZu website. These new on-screen catalogues are specifically designed to promote partner offerings.
Full integration of ZuCasts with the Share-It service, eliminates separate sign up procedures. ZuCasts allow multimedia content to be delivered to the users phone by subscription without any manual intervention or download wait, giving content providers a direct pipeline to mobile users.
ShoZu also offers a variety of custom capabilities for partners in all categories, including custom landing pages, as well as priority catalogue listings for Web and media partners under certain circumstances.
The ShoZu upgrades will be available on Symbian Series 60v2 and v3, Microsoft Smartphone 2003 and Microsoft Windows Mobile devices, including the Motorola Q, before October 30. A version for Java-based handsets will follow later this year.
The ShoZu platform already offers major advantages for partners, from one-click image uploading with our Share-It system to automatic delivery of content to the users handset with our ZuCast service says ShoZu CEO Mark Bole. The new version takes the next step by ensuring that consumers have easy access to all content and capabilities. These enhancements make ShoZu and its offerings as easy to find as address books and call histories, encouraging frequent use and continuing exposure to partners brands.”