Vodafone unveils 360 shop for Android
www.WirelessFederation.com/news:? Vodafone has announced that it is to extend the reach of the Vodafone 360 services with the launch of a 360 Shop for Android. The announcement highlights Vodafone’s commitment to bringing the 360 Shop to popular, market-leading handsets and, in so doing, offering developers a highly attractive native or cross-platform proposition.
The 360 Shop on Android has been designed specifically to ensure that customers can easily search for and browse the applications most suited to their needs and interests. This is achieved through a sophisticated personalised recommendations tool and dynamically changing promotional areas such as best rated, top downloads categories and filtered lists. Feature content promotions will be run by local market editorial experts to further showcase locally relevant apps. All paid-for content is charged to the customer through operator billing, with funds regularly transferred into the developer’s bank account, making it simple for developers to keep track of revenue.
Through the 360 Shop on Android, Vodafone is giving apps developers the ability to publish either JIL or native Android apps in the 360 Shop. Developers can also take advantage of existing Vodafone features such as clear pricing, a transparent review process and in-depth reporting.
According to Lee Epting, Director of Content Services at Vodafone Group, developers want to know that their app will be seen by consumers, and the 360 Shop on Android has been designed to maximise opportunities for content promotion and initial data shows that up to a third of the catalogue gets exposed in a single day. This is a market-leading approach which will allow both customers and developers to get great value out of the 360 Shop.
Designed for the Android operating system and directly accessible from the handset home screen, the 360 Shop on Android will launch this summer on the HTC Wildfire and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro. The 360 Shop is a single destination for all digital content, integrating music, video, ringtones and apps, ensuring it will continue to serve the millions of existing Vodafone live customers. Furthermore, the handsets will come with 360 Music services embedded and Vodafone People soon available as a download.
To date, over 8,500 apps have been published to the 360 Shop. Eight European markets range over 100 different handsets capable of accessing the Vodafone 360 services. With further handsets due to launch throughout the year with the 360 Shop pre-loaded, Vodafone 360 will continue to provide the developer community with greater access to more customers.
MWC2010: Vodafone displays Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: It was not said by any network that it will be selling the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini at its launch on Sunday but with the display of the device at Vodafone’s stand at the Mobile World Congress shows that it will be one of the homes for the Android smartphone with a tiny 2.5-inch screen.
However, there is no sign of its QWERTY keyboard cousin, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro, on the network’s stand but it can be inferred that it might also appear in future or on any other network.
Blackberry Storm gets exclusive Vodafone release – Blackberry 9500 Storm
The most anticipated mobile phone release from RIM Blackberry has finally come to fruition, the latest Blackberry Storm has now been officially launched as a network exclusive by Vodafone in the UK.
After months of speculation, revised release dates and general blog and forum post rumours this high specification device can now be connected to the full range of Vodafone pay monthly tariffs, but is a network exclusive launch good for the consumer?
Basically, the exclusive deal signed between the manufacturer and the network dictates that the Blackberry Storm can only be sold by the network on one of their many contract packages, the handset will not be available on any other UK network operators so there is no way of comparing prices or for that matter any competition – the Blackberry Storm has been developed solely for Vodafone.
This has obvious implications for consumers as there is no way of knowing whether the networks deals are of value, basically the network can set their own prices as the handset can not be purchased anywhere else, the Storm will be available from select retailers but again Vodafone have the say on pricing so as not to sell themselves short.
This may not be the end of it though and there may be some good news on the horizon, in the past network exclusive mobile phones have popped up as SIM free handsets from independent retailers, if these retailers can secure stocks of the Blackberry Storm there is a chance that they will offer the handset with no network subsidy or contract ties – this will initially work out far more expensive than buying the phone on contract however there are no extra ongoing line rental charges and the user can insert their existing SIM card to retain their current mobile number, account details and any saved contacts.
The Blackberry Storm could be a real candidate for the iPhone killer, in reaction to the release of the iPhone the standard of touchscreen mobile phones has reached new heights recently with the release of the Samsung Omnia, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 and the LG Renoir and the Blackberry Storm is no exception.
Incorporating an amazing animated touchscreen similar to that of the HTC Touch Diamond, the Blackberry Storm is one of this years big product launches and has already created a buzz in an extremely competitive market, laying testament to the impact this handset is set to make. The Storm also offers a 3.2 megapixel camera, WiFi technology, built in GPS, Blackberry maps, HSDPA and Blackberry operating system.
This is not the first time RIM have made a BlackBerry which seems to appeal to everyone, but it is perhaps the first time they have packaged one inside such a stylish handset! Style is everything in consumer world and phones don’t come much better looking than when they are almost devoid of ugly buttons. It’s not just a pretty face either, as the Storm does everything the casual user demands.
This is both a business tool as well as a pleasure gadget, integrated access to emails for on the move professinals runs alongside an enhanced music player, WiFi connectivity for using theinternet on the go coupled with a high specification camera lens with video support for viewing You Tuibe videos.
For social networking addicts there is the ability to update and connect with friends during the day for those that do not always have access to a computer. Direct access to accounts means it’s easy to change status or add a blog post all from the mobile phone, wherever and whenever.
In conclusion the Blackberry Storm represents the best in technology, design and features that RIM has to offer, as its flagship device the Storm will attract custom from a wide range of consumers including teens looking fro a new cool phone through to businessmen and women seeking that all inclusive communications device.
For more information log on to www.vodafone.co.uk
About Wireless Federation
Wireless Federation is an industry research conglomerate headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The mandate of the Wireless Federation is to provide its members and customers industry knowledge that can further enhance their understanding of the wireless industry. Wireless Federation conducts bespoke research and produces boxed reports in collabaration with Industry Bodies, Telecom Operators for Issues that revolve around ARPU, CHURN and Loyalty.
They have been associated with more than 225 mobile operators globally to set their Pricing/ Tariff Strategies, Go-To-Market Strategies for Mobile Advertising, Mobile Payments, Cutting VAS among others amongst 59 countries globally.
For more information you can log on to www.wirelessfederation.com
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