Gossip

The Wonkey House gambling saloon?

"Custom Wobile Apps" must be the best-kept secret of the gaming business this week, as startup mobile consultancy Masabi recruits Java programmers. Is this connected with next week's mystery announcement?

Callers who contacted the consultancy about the vacancy were quickly informed that if they had Java skills without any knowledge of online gambling, they wouldn't make the short list, say my sources.

Official approaches to Masabi were greeted with a stone wall and "secret till next week". But with the hint from the market that it was gaming, we're going with a bet that a mobile operator will be involved.

Past hits from Masabi include Pick The Prez, which is not only downloadable, but SMS-able. Following that hint, we attempted to contact CEO Tom Godber, who remained uncharacteristically silent.

Your Hunky Mouse tried a conversational ploy: "Masabi? That sounds like the spicy mustard you get with Sushi..?"

Apparently, yes. They looked for available IP domain names, and found Wasabi was taken. So they turned the letter upside down... a trick older fans of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore may remember from the Wonkey House at the Zoo. You heard it here first... but beyond that, Godber and his agents would not go.

Meanwhile, the job offer is still there. "Job Opening: Masabi are looking to recruit at least one London-based Java programmer keen to become an expert in J2ME. Creativity, intelligence and enthusiasm essential to thrive in a welcoming and rewarding environment."

CVs to recruitment at masabi dot com - "agencies will be ignored."