ABOVE Solutions today announced the first interactive media application, TangoFX™, on Windows Phone 7. TangoFX™ is a context aware interactive service that provides live and on-demand cinematic experiences for viewers to watch their favorite content anywhere, anytime and on any screen. Through the Microsoft Bizspark program, ABOVE worked closely Microsoft to develop TangoFX™ and create a world class media application for the upcoming Windows Phone 7  platform.

TangoFX™ is also the industry’s first open standards-­based real-­time collaborative interactive media platform.The software platform runs an advanced user interface and video applications in a limited memory footprint, allowing for optimal implementation on a variety of network and devices. Using smart on-screen widgets, the interactive service enhances the cinematic experience by allowing viewers to connect with friends and family, and pick, share and discuss scenes of mutual interest while watching live or on-­demand content.

The interactive service leverages several patent-­pending technologies to provide individual and shared interactive program guides that allow viewers to completely personalize their viewing experience to match their media & entertainment lifestyle. TangoFX™ is built on a next generation interactive media platform that is customizable for telecom carriers, content providers, and social media networks.

“The TangoFX™ platform creates a ‘virtual living room’ enabling consumers to interact, socialize and participate while watching their favorite content across any network or device, thereby enabling Community TV” said Poonacha Machaiah, Chairman & CEO of ABOVE Solutions.“It also creates value-­added services to increase ARPU, improve rentention rate and enable new customer acquisition that has never been so compelling.”

BizSpark, a global initiative that is celebrating its second year in Singapore, is designed to help accelerate the success of early stage start-ups by providing key resources when they need them the most. From about 12 companies in 2008, Bizspark has grown to over 300 and is expecting continued growth as more business development and strategy content is added. Through Bizspark. ABOVE was able to access Microsoft’s technologies and support, which in turn drove the development and launch of the TangoFX™.

“The launch is major step forward for the Singapore software economy as companies start developing applications for the Windows Phone 7 platform. TangoFX™ is the first media app to come out of a BizSpark participating company for the platform and we are excited to see the richness of detail and experience that ABOVE has produced. Through BizSpark, DreamSpark and other programs Microsoft runs to helping young companies grow, we hope to continue to collaborate with ABOVE on the design Press Release and development of other mobile phone apps and solutions,” added John Fernandes, Director, Developer and Partner Evangelism, Microsoft Singapore.

Mr Michael Yap, Executive Director, Interactive Digital Media R&D Programme Office said: “Singapore’s Interactive Digital Media (IDM)eco-system has in the past three years supported many young start-­ups that had reached out to more than 50 million users in some 200 countries. We congratulate Above Technologies, one of our supported start-ups on its partnership with Microsoft in pushing the envelope for mobile applications to shape the future of media. We hope to see more made-by-Singapore IDM applications reaching out to the international market in the near future.”

About Microsoft Corp.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About  ABOVE Solutions Inc.

ABOVE Solutions Inc (www.above-­inc.com) is a next-­generation   IP-­led Services and Consulting company with world-class Sales and Marketing capabilities as its core. ABOVE’s technology strategy is to focus on the sunrise areas of Collaboration, Location, Commerce and Cloud Computing. TangoFX™ is a next-generation, interactive media platform being developed by ABOVE. The management team of ABOVE is composed of experienced professionals who have played C-­level roles in global MNCs in the telecom, technology and realted sectors. Incorporated in the US, ABOVE  has development centres and sales teams in Bangalore, India and Singapore.

About Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA)

Formed in 2003, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) plays a vital role in transforming Singapore into a Global Media City and positioning it at the forefront of the digital media age. MDA spearheads initiatives that promote developments in film, video, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation, media services and InteractiveDigital Media. At the same time in ensuring clear and consistent regulatory policies and guidelines, MDA helps to foster a pro-business environment for industry players and increase media choices for consumers. For more information, please visit www.mda.gov.sg and www.smf.sg.

About Interactive & Digital Media (IDM) Sector

The development of the IDM sector requires the collaboration of  a diverse range of public sector agencies, educational institutions, industry players and other stakeholders. To achieve this, the National Research Foundation has allocated $500 million over the next five years from 2006 to fund the development of a strategic IDM research programme and the set-­up of a multi-­agency IDM R&D Programme Office within the Media Development Authority of Singapore to oversee R&D initiatives in Press Release the IDM space. This multiagency team coordinates a cross-­disciplinary effort to deepen Singapore’s research capacity in IDM. More information on IDM can be found on ww.idm.sg