WebProNews

Bebo is working with operators, handset manufacturers, and mobile software developers to help them promote, distribute, and monetize mobile social media. This is through Bebo's new Open Mobile program.

"Bebo Open Mobile is a new way to expand the power of social networking to program members," explains Global Head of Moble Bebo, Sean Kane. "The Bebo Open Mobile suite of tools is designed to move mobile communication and user relationships forward by delivering a simple and more ubiquitous experience to users. A rapid and global shift towards mobile social networking consumption is in progress and Bebo is committed to leading the way."

Included in the program are (descriptions by Bebo itself):

- Bebo Open Mobile Internet:  Bebo delivers partners the ability to rapidly deploy features on the Bebo mobile site including customized navigation, mobile advertising support and enhanced statistics.

- Bebo Open Mobile Messaging: The Mobile Messaging toolkit provides scalable and feature rich two-way messaging directly to Bebo Open Mobile partners through the messaging interfaces most used by Bebo members.

- Bebo Open Mobile Development API: Bebo also introduces a Mobile Development API toolkit to empower Bebo Open Mobile partners to create innovative applications, widgets and other interfaces to directly serve the Bebo community.

Not everyone is feeling blown away by Bebo's announcement. For example, "What Bebo plans to offer in the mobile space will be, like their web site, a bland mix of what Facebook and MySpace already offer," writes Sarah Perez at Read Write Web.

Nevertheless, Bebo expects to make further announcements about Open Mobile partners and initiatives throughout the year. I'll still be interested in what else they do with it. While it doesn’t always get the attention of Facebook and MySpace, Bebo’s got its share of users.