Kingston Technology, which recently introduced its largest capacity (2 GB) miniSD and MMCmobile memory cards for $80 each, has launched a new section of its Web site dedicated to mobile phones and smartphones. The goal is to enlighten site visitors on a variety of topics, ranging from selecting the right removable memory for their device to tips on using and optimizing memory with mobile applications, and encourage them to buy more Kingston products and, through a partnership with Handango, software for their devices in the process.

A visitor to the Mobile Phone Village, as it's called, isn't required to register or sign up to explore its sections, a Kingston representative told PDAStreet.

The portal includes news, tips, and insights from others on how to pick and use flash storage, according to the company's flash memory marketing manager Wendy Lecot. “As more people begin to take advantage of the many features and functions offered by smartphones, consumers can benefit from making the Kingston Mobile Phone Village a trusted resource,” Lecot exclaimed to PDAStreet.

The first phase of the Kingston Mobile Phone Village features a Tip Square to highlight how-to's for various applications on mobile devices; a newsstand sharing latest developments; an Expansion Row providing facts about expansion memory uses; and a Product Plaza featuring the different types of flash memory card formats.

And with so many different mobile devices leveraging removable memory nowadays and so many different formats available, it may be hard for users to keep track of which is which, let alone what kind is best for their device. The village features a custom configurator, where you can search by manufacturer, model, memory type or party number, to help determine what memory card is best for their phone.

Kingston isn't selling the flash memory directly, however. So users who choose to purchase something may check-out with whomever they like via the PriceGrabber engine. The company said the goal is to support their channel partners.

"A key factor in the adoption of mobile device memory is personalization that enhances a consumer's productivity or entertains them," added Leco. Hence, Kingston's relationship with the Web's largest purveyor of mobile downloads.

A Download Central link leads you to a page that exits to Handango's main software site; with more than 190,000 applications for a range of platforms, including the Palm OS, RIM BlackBerry, Symbian OS and Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone.

This strategy is different for Handango, which often builds software download sites for others, like carriers, device manufacturers, and platform developers.

"When Kingston first approached us with the idea of the Mobile Phone Village, we immediately saw the synergy,” said Frank Alazmah, director, partner management, Handango. “Between Handango’s vast array of fun and productive titles and the advantages of additional storage offered by Kingston, mobile consumers will find value from the portal and significantly enhance their mobile experience.”

Kingston said to PDAStreet it is not taking a percentage of the revenue generated by the downloads for itself, seeing the partnership instead as a value-add strategy. This explains why it didn't go the whole nine yards and have Handango construct a powered-by Handango Kingston software-download store to begin with.

The companies will offer promotional discounts on popular downloads and specials throughout the year.

Kingston mobile media product manager Keyla Velazquez emphasised to PDAStreet, “Our Mobile Phone Village is dedicated to helping consumers get the most out of their smartphones and we will be adding new how-to’s and useful news to the Village on an ongoing basis.”