Disney Mobile

In August 2000, Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) entered the mobile content market in Japan with an agreement with NTT DoCoMo to launch the Disney-i content service.{{cite news|last=Handler|first=Mark S.|title=Global brands go mobile: think mobile content is just for geeks? Mickey Mouse begs to differ|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-125647385.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409053427/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-125647385.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2016|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=EDN|date=November 11, 2004}} In November 2003, WDIG and Index Corporation agreed to "develop and distribute Disney-branded mobile content for the Chinese market" and that Index would, in conjunction with China Mobile, work to launch the Disney Mobile service.{{cite news|title=WDIG To Launch Disney Mobile Content in China|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110071914.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409051130/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-110071914.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2016|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=The Online Reporter|date=November 1, 2003}} Walt Disney Internet Group launched DisneyMobile.com in December 2003 as a portal for Disney Mobile content.{{cite news|title=Disney To Open Mobile Content Info Site|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111974756.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009143648/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-111974756.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 9, 2017|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=The Online Reporter|date=December 20, 2003}}

Starting in January 2004, WDIG licensed Disney Mobile content to KPN, a prominent Dutch telecom firm.{{cite news|title=Disney Mobile Content Goes Dutch|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112092781.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222031830/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-112092781.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2016|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=The Online Reporter|date=January 10, 2004}} In March 2004, WDIG agreed to a licensing deal with Vodafone to provide Disney Mobile services in 14 countries: Australia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.{{cite news|title=BRIEFCASE 14 MORE COUNTRIES GET DISNEY MOBILE|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113866709.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222032458/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113866709.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2016|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=Daily News|date=March 2, 2004|location=Los Angeles, CA}} Also in 2004, Disney re-activated the Starwave identity as Starwave Mobile, which publishes casual games for mobile phones for non-Disney brands within Disney's conglomerate or from third parties.{{cite news|title=New Disney Group To Offer Third-Party Mobile Content|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124152248.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106001524/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124152248.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2013|access-date=13 December 2012|newspaper=The Online Reporter|date=October 30, 2004}}

Sprint and Disney had previously launched a phone service for sports fans using content from Disney's sports channel, ESPN, branded Mobile ESPN.{{cite news|last=Sharma|first=Dinesh C.|title=Sprint passes ball to ESPN|url=http://news.cnet.com/Sprint-passes-ball-to-ESPN/2100-1039_3-5472790.html|access-date=23 October 2012 |website=CNET News|date=December 1, 2004}}

The company, that worked with Sprint, started a mobile virtual network operator in the United States,{{cite news|title=Mickey Mouse goes wireless|url=http://news.cnet.com/Mickey-Mouse-goes-wireless/2100-1039_3-5776327.html|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=CNET News|date=July 6, 2005}} which launched in June 2006.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} Earlier, DMobile and O2 agreed to a mobile virtual network operator agreement in April 2006 for the United Kingdom.{{cite news|title=O2 hooks up with Disney for new 'family friendly' MVNO|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/04/28/o2_disney/|access-date=23 October 2012 |newspaper=theregister.co.uk|date=April 28, 2006}} In August 2006, DMobile halted its plans to roll out its wireless service in the UK, citing "adverse changes in the retail environment for its decision".{{cite news |last=Ray |first=Bill |title=Disney scraps UK mobile plan |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/16/disney_mvno_pulled/|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=theregister.co.uk|date=August 16, 2006}}

In September 2007, DMobile stopped signing up new wireless customers and discontinued the wireless service altogether on December 31, 2007. DMobile decided to shift its strategy by licensing its mobile suite, Family Center, and its content to other providers.{{cite news|last=Metz|first=Cade|title=Disney immobilizes Disney Mobile|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/28/walt_disney_decides_to_shutdown_disney_mobile/|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=theregister.co.uk|date=September 28, 2007}} However, in November 2007, Disney Japan and Softbank announced a wireless service joint venture, Disney Mobile, to be launched in 2008.{{cite news|title=Walt Disney ties up with Softbank to offer mobile phone service in Japan|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D8SRSL402.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031443/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-D8SRSL402.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 4, 2016|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=AP Worldstream|date=November 12, 2007}}

In July 2010, Disney purchased Tapulous to increase available mobile expertise. In 2011, Bart Decrem of Tapulous was appointed general manager of DMobile.{{cite news|last=Goldman Getzler|first=Wendy|title=Disney Mobile raises the bar|url=http://kidscreen.com/2012/02/01/disney-mobile-raises-the-bar/|access-date=23 October 2012|newspaper=kidscreen.com|date=February 1, 2012}}

Launched September 22, 2011, Where's My Water?, a mobile game, starring Swampy the alligator - the first Disney original mobile character - rivaled Angry Birds for 20 days in October 2011, even becoming the top mobile game on the iTunes bestseller charts for a short time.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} This has led to a YouTube channel with a web series for Swampy. Where's My Water? has inspired several spin-offs, including “Where's My Perry?” and “Where's My Mickey?”.{{cite news|last1=Graser|first1=Marc|title=Disney's 'Where's My Mickey?' is Newest Spin-off of 'Where's My Water?' Franchise|url=https://variety.com/2013/digital/games/disneys-wheres-my-mickey-is-newest-spinoff-of-wheres-my-water-franchise-1200498178/|access-date=June 18, 2013|work=Variety|date=June 18, 2013}}

Also launched by DMobile in September 2011 was Puffle Launch, a mobile version of the game played on Club Penguin. In October 2011, working with Spin Master, DMobile launched the first Disney Appmates game with Cars 2 toys that interact with an iPad screen.

With a decrease in venture capital flowing into game companies, Disney Interactive, including Disney Mobile, has been able to find co-development partners easier.{{Vague|date=June 2020}} This co-development model has lifted Disney to have 11 games among the 200 most-downloaded.{{cite news|last1=Dave|first1=Paresh|title=How Disney's video games division benefits from a drop in tech start-up funding|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-la-tech-20160425-snap-htmlstory.html|access-date=May 4, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 25, 2016}} Disney Mobile teamed up with Imangi Studios to release a version of Temple Run based on the film Brave, titled Temple Run: Brave.{{When|date=June 2020}} DMobile teamed up with developer Hipster Whale to release Disney Crossy Road on April 6, 2016, which in two days became the top downloaded game on iOS.{{cite news|last1=Grubb|first1=Jeff|title=Disney Crossy Road is already the No. 1 downloaded app on iOS in the U.S.|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/04/08/disney-crossy-road-is-already-the-no-1-downloaded-app-on-ios/|access-date=May 4, 2016|work=Venture Beat|date=April 8, 2016}}

In the US, Disney Mobile operated on Sprint's CDMA network. Disney handled the administrative side and marketed the service to family subscribers.

Disney Mobile's offerings included Family Center suite, a multiple family-friendly applications to help parents manage their family's mobile phone experience. The innovative family monitor and call control features allowed parents to set spending limits and decide when the phone could and couldn't be used. The family locator service allowed parents to use GPS to locate their child's phone. There was also a family alert feature that let the whole family send text messages to each other.

Disney and Sprint had hoped that Disney Mobile content and applications would help drive demand for data services.

Disney Mobile is well known for producing a myriad of games for iOS and Android, but due to the limitations of its support team, it must discontinue old games before releasing new ones. Some games, such as Where's My Water? will continue to be supported indefinitely.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}

• Rovio Entertainment
• Outfit7
• Kongregate
• Jam City
• Kabam

• George Grobar, senior vice president and General manager (2005–2008)
• Bart Decrem, General manager (2011–present){{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}

• SoftBank Mobile
• NTT Docomo

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.disney.co.jp/mobile.html Disney Mobile Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112061009/http://www.disney.co.jp/mobile.html |date=2018-11-12 }} (Japanese)

{{DisneyConsumer}}

{{Disney Experiences}}

{{Japanese mobile phone companies}}

{{United States mobile communications brands}}

Category:Sprint Corporation

Category:Companies based in Palo Alto, California

Category:Defunct mobile phone companies of the United States

Category:Disney Interactive

Category:Mobile game companies

Category:Mobile phone companies of Japan

Category:Mobile virtual network operators

Category:SoftBank Group

Category:NTT Docomo