Handmark
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mobile content, software development |
| Predecessor | Mobile Generation Software, Palmspring Software |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Fate | Acquired by Sprint |
| Headquarters | Kansas City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Mobile applications, wireless entertainment titles, Pocket Express service |
| Parent | Sprint (from 2013) |
| Website | handmark |
Handmark Inc. was a U.S.-based creator and distributor of mobile content, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Established in 2000 through the consolidation of Mobile Generation Software and Palmspring Software, the firm initially concentrated on developing software for the Palm Operating System and acquired the Palm-related MemoWare archive in 2001.
History
The company broadened its product range to encompass applications compatible with Windows Mobile, Java, and various other mobile platforms. Its Pocket Express wireless service delivered news, reference materials, and infotainment to devices including BlackBerry, Palm Treo, and Windows Mobile PDAs. Additionally, Handmark distributed wireless entertainment titles such as the critically acclaimed real-time strategy game Warfare Incorporated.
In January 2008, Handmark integrated Astraware into its operations; however, by January 2010, Astraware’s management completed a buyout to resume independent operation. Early in 2009, Handmark acquired FreeRange Communications, recognized for FreeRange WebReader—an RSS feed reader designed for mobile phones and PDAs. This technology was incorporated into Handmark’s Pocket Express platform and marketed under the Handmark Mobile Publishing Platform brand, which was later spun off as Freerange 360 before being renamed Storycode in 2012.
In May 2010, The Evening Standard, a commuter newspaper based in London, launched a mobile application developed by Handmark.
Acquisition
On April 4, 2013, Handmark became a subsidiary of Sprint following its acquisition by the telecommunications company.