Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Buddy Beacon from uLocate finds four new carriers

A month after buying back the trademark rights to its "Buddy Beacon" mobile service, uLocate Communications Inc. has launched a new version of the service, capable of working on a number of new carrier platforms, and expanded the roster of carriers on which Buddy Beacon can now be found.

The application, which was previously offered only through Helio LLC, will now also be available on Sprint, Alltel, MetroPCS networks, as well as to iPhone users. In addition to the new carriers, the Boston-based mobile location service company has also integrated the application into social networking sites, including Facebook.

The latest version of the application represents the first cross-network friend finding application in the industry, according to uLocate executives.

Last week, uLocate acquired Zync Inc., a Boston developer of predictive social networking applications and owner of city-guide website Zync.com, for an undisclosed amount.

The company makes applications for partners such as MapQuest, Track-em and Global Pet Finder, and offers its own applications, such as WHERE and Buddy Beacon.

Last spring uLocate raised $11 million in funding, and has raised a total of $16.5 million. Investors include Cambridge-based Venrock, Newton-based GrandBanks Capital and Waltham-based Kodiak Venture Partners.