Here are 4 questions to Arve Larsen Ceo and Co-founder Favouritesystems

Favourite Systems is a Norwegian user interface specialist focusing on mobile phones. The company was started in 2002 as a spin off from research on mobile systems and use, when the three founders saw an emerging problem screaming for a fix.

Can you tell us more about your service ?
Our FLUID Platform is a runtime environment and distribution platform for mobile services. It is based on Fluid, our patented dynamic windowing system for small screens. Fluid platform enables user to use many services simultaneously, breaking the barriers to service usage of other menu-based approaches. At the same time our partners can use platform to brand and customise handsets as well as efficiently deliver new and existing services.In Norway, our partner Freedom Media is using Fluid together with their own billing and provisioning engine to deliver innovative services through Freedom Platform. The unique combination of distribution and introduction services has proven successful. Freedom Platform can be pre-installed on handsets before they hit the stores as well as downloaded by end-users through hvemringer.no. As soon as someone calls you that is not in your address book, Freedom will use a directory service to show you the name and address of the caller.

In addition, you can do manual searches for people, businesses, addresses etc. The results can be entered into your phone’s contact list. You can also locate addresses (and yourself) on a map. The platform is updateable, providing us and our partners with a direct channel of distribution to existing customers.

What is your business model ?
Our business model is to license our platform to content, service and distribution partners. Our goal is to align our interest so that we make money if our partners are happy. We create value for consumers and our partners through the unique features of Fluid.They pay a sign-on fee for access to the technology, NRE fees for platform adaptation, royalties for active users and a share of the revenue of services that we help them create. For free services this model may be slightly different depending on the nature of the service.

What are the projects, additional features you’re preparing ?
We are currently planning a wide variety of new services together with new and existing partners. This includes services from media companies, major internet services as well as mobile content and service specialists. We are also working on extending our platform coverage and to extend our distribution channels. We are also exploring uses of Fluid beyond the mobile phone.

What are the current users’ feedback, your learnings on the service’s usage ?
The strongest message from our users is the remarkable effect of introducing our service platform through services that are integrated into their daily phone usage. The conversion rates from free to premium service are high; the same goes for trying out new services and updates that become available through the platform We are also seeking the cumulative effects of Fluid, since most users continue to use the old services even though they start to use several new ones.Above all, we have learnt the true value of providing services that supports you in your everyday life, professionally and personally.