Phones 4u launches HTC Cha Cha (UK)
Phones 4u, a UK- based retailer, will soon be launching the HTC Cha Cha. The handset has dedicated Facebook sharing button, which enables users to quickly share photos, locations, status updates and tracks from the handset’s music player.
The handset features a Facebook chat widget with which users can sync Facebook with a user’s calendar and address book.
HTC ChaCha will cost US$490.38 on prepaid, and comes free with a US$32.69 a month contract. The device has a QWERTY keypad and a 2.6 inch touch screen, as well as a 5MP camera and a front-facing VGA camera.
Virgin Media to launch Doro handset (UK)
Doro announces a strategic retail agreement with Virgin Media in the UK. Virgin Media, which is listed on NASDAQ and the London Stock Exchange, operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK. It is also one of the largest providers of residential fixed-line services in the country, and the first to combine the four media – broadband, television, mobile telephony and residential phone services – to customers nationwide.
From June 1, 2011, the Doro PhoneEasy® 409gsm will be sold through Virgin Media’s online shop, 78 proprietary stores and, combined with a pre-paid offer, through more than 700 Tesco stores. The phone will also be available through other affiliate stores.
“We are already achieving good growth in the UK and the retail agreement with Virgin Media further strengthens our presence in the country. Virgin Media’s focus on connecting generations within families is an attractive way of reaching our senior target group,” says Jérôme Arnaud, President and CEO of Doro.
“The Doro PhoneEasy®409gsm is a perfect addition to our mobile range for customers who want a phone with excellent call quality and easy-to-use features. It’s also a great, affordable gift for relatives and, combined with our attractive plans, the whole family can stay in touch,” says Jamie Heywood, Director of Mobile at Virgin Media.
This is information that Doro AB (publ) is required to publish in accordance with the Swedish Securities Markets Act and/or the Swedish Financial Trading Act. This information was submitted for publication on May 31, 2011 at 09.30 p.m. CET.
About Virgin Media Inc.
Virgin Media is the first company to combine broadband, TV, mobile phone and home phone services for customers in the UK.
The company delivers ultrafast broadband connections to over half of all UK homes, with speeds of up to 100Mb, and is expanding this cable network – the result of a multi-billion pound investment – to reach thousands more across the country.
Virgin Media has developed the country’s most advanced interactive television service. The company was the first to offer HD TV and 3D to millions of UK households. Virgin Media also operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country. Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ and London Stock Exchanges (VMED).
About Doro
Doro is a Swedish company that focuses on developing, marketing and selling telecom products targeted particularly at seniors – a growing group of people worldwide. With over 35 years of experience in telecom and sales in more than 30 countries on five continents, Doro is today the world-leading brand in simple, easy-to-use mobile phones. Doro created the Care Electronics segment and has in recent years received several international design awards. The company generated sales of SEK 633 m in 2010. Doro’s shares are quoted on the OMX Nasdaq Stockholm exchange, Nordic list, Small companies.
Orange UK releases new cinema ad with French comedy Potiche
Orange UK has released new cinema adverts, with the most recent ad which features a tie-in with French comedy Potiche, starring Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve.
The ad, following the film plot line and adding a twist, details the triumphs of a former trophy wife who takes the reins of the family business when her husband is taken hostage – that is, until Orange get their hands on the subtitles.
In the tongue and cheek ad, characters panic over the loss of their Orange phones, and the bedridden patient is solemnly diagnosed with ‘lost phone syndrome’ at his bedside.
Even Depardieu gets in to ‘phone’ character for Orange as he tells an amazed friend about the ‘sweet new phone’ he could be enjoying. There are subtitles such as “To demonstrate mobile broadband, Pierre will show you his Orange dongle”, which is quickly followed by “I’ve seen it, it’s high speed.”
Foursquare to establish office in UK
Foursquare’s CEO has stated that the company is planning to expand its European operations as it nears 10 million users, including an office in the UK.
According to Foursquare co-founder and CEO Dennis Crowley, the company expected to have a UK workforce within 6-12 months to build a closer relationship with media agencies and merchants. Such a move would likely be accompanied by similar launches on mainland Europe, identifying the UK however as a priority.
The company’s headcount is currently 60 and Crowley expects this to grow significantly over the next 12 months. Foursquare has 400,000 local merchants using its platform to manage their relationships with customers by offering rewards for checking in at their venues.
Barnes & Noble e-readers not aims UK market
Barnes & Noble has introduced its latest e-reader, the Nook Simple Touch Reader, but stated that it has no immediate plans to sell the device in the UK.
Kobo, the online ebook seller, also announced a new version of its e-reader, which is also a touchscreen device. Kobo ereaders are sold by WH Smith so will go on sale in the UK.
O2 gives out Xbox 360s (UK)
O2 UK has given Xbox 360 to one of the first four people to say its secret password when moderizing or buying a new contract in some O2 stores on 28 May.
Customers preferring a handset with an 18 or 24 consumer tariff had to give the “super secret password “, which was “eggs box”.
Payments Council may ease mobile payments in UK
A recent study by the Payments Council has shown that the mobile phone is the number two item people will not leave home without, following wallets and purses.
According to the council, it has launched a collaborative project to make paying by mobile easier. The industry-wide project seeks to help participating banks and building societies deliver mobile payments in the UK.
The Payments Council added that within as little as a couple of years customers will be able to send money using only their mobile phone: either by using text, an app, or their phone’s internet browser. This project focuses on transferring money from one account to another, and differs from recent launches which allow phones with built-in card technology to mimic a contactless card payment.
The study also suggests that almost a quarter (23%) of consumers is likely to want to use a new mobile payments service.
Digicel losses lawsuit against TSTT in London Court (UK)
The English Court of Appeal has dismissed Digicel’s request for permission to appeal against an April 2010 decision of Justice Charles Declan Morgan in its lower court. Digicel also has been directed by the court to pay TSTT’s legal costs which are to be assessed at a standard basis.
Digicel initially sought at least USD 50 million in damages alone from TSTT for allegedly delaying Digicel’s interconnection in Trinidad and Tobago.
Justice Morgan, in the ruling, after a 77-day trial, delivered a landmark decision on Wednesday dismissing all claims brought by Digicel in a lawsuit against TSTT. Digicel initially sought at least US$50 million in damages alone from TSTT for allegedly delaying its interconnection in Trinidad and Tobago.
The claim against TSTT was based upon breaches of the Protection Against Unfair Competition Act 1966 (PAUC) and to what extent, if any, that caused a delay in Digicel being able to launch its services on the T&T market. After reviewing the evidence of witnesses and thousands of pages of documents, Justice Morgan determined that Digicel had not suffered any loss or damage as a result of any action taken by TSTT.
He also noted there was no real or substantial chance that the interconnection dispute between Digicel and TSTT would have been resolved before March 31, 2006. Justice Morgan was of the opinion because of the time required by Digicel, TSTT and the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) to follow agreed procedures for convening a properly functioning arbitration tribunal to address the interconnection rates dispute.
Following Justice Morgan’s ruling, Digicel, in May 2010, sought permission to appeal against the court’s decision. That application was refused by the Court of Appeal.
Starbucks to offer contactless payment (UK)
Starbucks, a Coffee shop chain is reportedly planning to offer contactless payments in its UK stores.
Starbucks has signed an agreement with Barclaycard, Visa Europe, to allow customers pay for products by scanning their contactless credit/debit card on a payment terminal. The UK trial will launch in spring 2012.
According to Brian Waring, Vice-President, marketing and category for Starbucks UK and Ireland, the introduction of contactless payment followed its successful adoption of other technologies such as geo-fencing mobile couponing and Facebook Deals.
LG launches Optimus Black ad campaign (UK)
LG is reportedly all set to introduce a new ad campaign for the Optimus Black smartphone in the UK.
The outdoor, print and online campaign has been created by Publicis Modem and will focus on a brand message, instead of the device itself.
It will use taglines such as ‘Lighten up, life’s good’ and ‘So quick it outsmarts the rest’. These are meant to promote the benefits of the its bight display and dual-core processor.
