Mobile VAS company OnMobile has launched Karaophone, as service that will allow users to, well, karaoke on social networks through mobile and landline phones. They can choose a song of their choice, create a karaoke version and share it with their connected friends, challenge them and get ranked against fellow players. The application offers voice based real time updates, supports speech recognition for 30 different languages and has a scoring system based on melody and rhythm; the company feels the service can also be used as a promotional tool for media houses and record labels. Ratnesh Sharma, VP (Marketing) at OnMobile, told MediaNama that the service will initially be integrated with Twitter and Facebook. The company, according to Sharma, is in talks for OEM relationships and is expected to finalise a deal with an operator in the overseas market. In the past, OnMobile competitor Tanla Mobile has launched Karaoke applications - last year, with Reliance Communications, and Telescope Inc, as well as on iTunes. Licensing What readers need to keep in mind is that companies need to take a separate Karaoke license for music. Sharma wasn't willing to comment on which licensing partners OnMobile has tied up with, and declined to comment on potential impact on content licensing cost for the company, or the revenue share details of the product. Expansion In China; Licensing Agreements For Dilithium Meanwhile, OnMobile has also announced expansion plans in China and has opened up a new office in the country. Representatives at the China office will…
