Digital multimedia software publisher UIEvolution has launched what it claims to be the first hybrid mobile model, offering both subscription-based and ad-supported applications.

UIE says that only one build is necessary for all mobile platforms and devices. This provides content providers and media owners flexibility in their business models.

"A key benefit of UIEvolution is that it provides carriers, media owners and publishers the ability to generate more revenue because it allows for a bigger pool of consumers to use the application due to the fact that it can be offered either as subscription-based or as opt-in advertising based, usually free for consumers," said Chris Ruff, CEO of UIEvolution, Bellevue, WA.

"This way consumers that want to use the application for free can opt-in to be advertised to as well as consumers that prefer subscriptions and no advertisements can also have it their way," he said.

"By UIEvolution giving the ability to offer both subscription-based and ad-supported models that a consumer can choose, it strengthens the offering to advertisers by ensuring a truly opted-in audience.

"By having it available via one build, it ensures the consumer and advertisers that the application will consistently adhere to the most current business climate."

UIEvolution claims that its mobile clients list is growing exponentially.

Brands around the world that have used UIEvolution technology include AT&T, ESPN, Walt Disney Co., E! Networks, Fox, MySpace and CBS.

Content and media owners such as Fox Sports Mobile, pro wrestling and mixed martial arts information company Torch and the Internet Movie Database Mobile now have the ability to customize, manage and deploy rich media applications across the widest range of connected devices regardless of carrier.

UIE's clients can then use the same application during deployment.

Fox Sports, known for its use of graphics and visuals in both the broadcast and Internet mediums, needed a mobile application that would maintain the standards of the Fox Sports brand and viewer expectations, with up-to-the minute scores, game trackers and play-by-play banners.

The UIEvolution Design Services team worked collaboratively with the stakeholders from Fox Sports to translate the features of Fox Sports Broadcasting and Fox Sports Net into a premium mobile service.

In an effort to reach as wide an audience as possible, Fox Sports Ultimate was designed to handle multiple commerce models, from a traditional subscription-based product to a completely free, ad-supported application.

The original content of Fox Sports is now at the fingertips of subscribers at all times through their mobile devices.

The mobile sports service keeps consumers up-to-date with everything sports related, delivering alerts, video and audio clips, with the ability to customize the experience to fit their lifestyles and favorite teams.

Fox Sports Ultimate offers a single source of information where users can update fantasy leagues and view a live ticker with play-by-play data and news.

Sports fans can now access an experience that integrates the capabilities of the Web and television.

Games are tracked with live play-by-play features, player stats, head-to-head analysi and post-game recaps.

Consumers can also view audio highlights, photos, scores, schedules, standings and news from around the sports world.

Customization delivers one-click access to favorite teams, players, breaking news, quick browsing, information discovery and fantasy-team management.

"The straightforward navigation guides users through the wealth of features and content, with easy-to-master interfaces and the ability to view multimedia pieces within the application," Mr. Ruff said.

The graphics and multimedia content of Fox Sports Ultimate are also available on the iPhone.

UIEvolution gives mobile application developers, media owners and mobile advertising organizations the ability to repurpose existing text, images, audio and video assets for rapid on-boarding of content to a rich mobile experience.

UIE helps clients leverage application monetization with advertising integration that generates additional revenue streams for developers, carriers and media and content owners.

UIE tracks both user experiences and usage statistics.

Clients can implement a SaaS offering, software as a service that enables mobile applications to be developed once and implemented across as many devices as needed to get in front of a wider audience faster.

UIE's goal is to provide versatility with its hybrid technology infrastructure, either with an opt-in-advertising-generated application or a subscription to the application without advertising.

UIE can target subscribers of Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Vodafone or any other carrier's mobile applications with advertising services to consumers on any device, including Apple's iPhone 3G.

The hybrid model is built on a Web-based universal publishing platform called UIE Blender.

The goal of the platform is to eliminate the technology barriers traditionally associated with driving content to mobile devices.

Media brands, network services providers, consumer electronics manufacturers and members of the connected car ecosystem deliver rich, integrate multimedia services across devices using UIE products.

UIEvolution-managed services track usage, providing measurable results that drive targeted advertising campaigns and user-specific offerings.

UIE provides the technology and services to reach handsets of all functionality levels, optimizing for the screen size, memory, specific abilities and operating capacity with one build.

The flexible architecture powers over-the-air updates for experiences that can be customized to enhance cross-media brand equity and awareness through on-device portals, device home screens, multimedia audio and video clients, storefronts and widgets.

Most of the UIEvolution applications have a tag line on the application that says powered or developed by UIEvolution.

Just as it does at the iPhone store, the Apptism Store for the Fox Sports Mobile app says "Developed by UIEvolution" at the end of the first section, titled "About".

"UIEvolution will be collaborating on joint marketing opportunities with its brand name customers," Mr. Ruff said.

"For instance, UIEvolution is currently collaborating with Fox as well as recently joining marketing forces with PWTorch/MMATorch -- pro wrestling and mixed martial arts information -- which was kicked off on Nov. 24, 2008," he said.