A new technology company came out of stealth today, unveiling a service that will enable consumers to transform regular cell phones into smart devices that are optimized to send and receive email, IM, text and other messaging services.

"Berggi has come up with a novel approach to bringing the promise of BlackBerry and Treo -- functional and practical mobile messaging -- to the masses," said David Passmore, Research Director at the Burton Group. By focusing on delivering high-value services over commodity phones, and by teaming with consumer brands to bring these services to market, Berggi may have found a way to make mobile messaging a mass-market play."

With Berggi, consumers have access to email from multiple accounts, instant messaging (Yahoo!, AIM, MSN, Google Talk), text messaging, all on one console. Consumers can use their current phones, and a new account or data plan is not required. Consumers pay $9.99/month, which appears on the monthly phone bills.

The service also has been designed to address the usability issues that have slowed down the market for mobile messaging generally. Unlike browser-based solutions -- the Berggi service is accessed by downloading a "thick client" that provides consumers with an environment expertly optimized for the way they actually live, work, and play.

U.S. consumers can sign up on the company's Web site at http://www.berggi.com, beginning on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Mobile phone users in Spain can start using Berggi on Friday.