Disney planning new mobile offerings


Even after shuttering its MVNO business last year, Disney hasn’t given up on its pursuit of the mobile world. Forbes reported that the kid-focused giant plans to plans roll out a mobile storefront, IM system and virtual world widgets for the 9 to 14 year old tween market.

Larry Shapiro, executive VP of business development and operations for Disney’s Internet Group, estimated that more than 50% of U.S. 10-year-olds have cell phones and Disney wants to “own” them.

Yikes.

Disney’s mobile plan this round is to port many of its Disney.com offerings to mobile phones, including a digital storefront for purchasing Disney games, ringtones and wallpapers, as well as its Speed Chat messaging system which will allow users to IM mobile-to-mobile, mobile-to-PC and PC-to-mobile. Offerings should start being announced in the fall, with Disney working on more applications that will combine its online and mobile worlds to follow.

And going beyond even the tween market, Disney said its also looking into making mobile applications for preschoolers.