Mobiles2day - Mobile Industry News

London today started a trial scheme where passengers will be able to pay for their journey using special handsets with built in Oyster card or Credit card. Scheme will be accepted on underground and bus network.

Transport for London (TfL) has teamed up with Nokia handset producer, O2 mobile operator and Barclays Bank to try this scheme for next 6 months. When the phone is passed over a scanner in stations or shops, money is deducted from the mobile phone as payment.

Currrently users may spend up to £10 for payments in underground, bus network, selected shops and cafes, Threshers and Books etc.

If scheme is successful, it will be rolled out to accept larger payments and to a wider selection of retailers.

Those taking part will receive 50 pounds worth of Oyster journeys, 60 pounds off their O2 phone bill and 200 pounds to spend with the in-built Barclaycard.

Source: Reuters

I have compiled list of links where you can either configure your mobile phones over the air or find useful help with using and getting most of your phone.

T-Mobile:

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/help-and-advice/phone-support/

You can configure your phone for picture messaging, internet and email. Configuration settings are sent to your phone directly and you can save and activate them.

On the same page there is a tab for software updates as well as links to phone manuals. Manuals contain text instructions as well as animated images to help you understand better.

Vodafone:

http://www.vodafonehelp.co.uk/DeviceHelp.php?e=0

After selecting your phone’s manufacturer and model, you can either view handset animated help or send configurations to your phone. Configurations sent are internet and picture messaging.

Orange:

http://www2.orange.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=OUKPersonal&c=OUKPage&cid=1095152477564&t=HelpAndSupport

You can view your phone’s services, features and personalise your ringtone, display or profile. Under your Orange services, you can configure your phone for picture messaging, internet and other services. There are many other links to help you with your phone, also there is a link to a downloadable PDF version of phone user guide.

O2:

http://www.o2.co.uk/services/ota4/select

On this page you can configure your phone for O2 internet service. Settings sent via sms, save and activate settings once received.

Long awaited and much-hyped Apple iPhone goes on sale on Friday 9th November in all O2 stores exactly at 6.02PM. I think there will be less excitement about this phone than there was in US, but still you expect to see crowds in O2 shops throughout the country.

iPhone will be available on following pay monthly tariffs:

* Fair usage policy applies. ** Unlimited access to any of The Cloud’s 7,500 hot spots. Subject to fair usage policy

iPhone will be sold for £269, making it most expensive handset today. Current version runs on 2.5G mobile network, 3G version of the iPhone is expected in second half of next year.

If you would like to check iPhone deals from O2, please visit their website:

Great tariffs with O2

Following T-Mobile’s MyFaves proposition, O2 has launched similar tariff but for prepay customers: “Your O2 numbers”.

For £5 top up, you get 1000 minutes or texts to your chosen ten O2 numbers (it means that you get 1000 units where one unit equals one text or one minute). Just like T-Mobile, you can change your chosen numbers once a month.

To sign up, text TEN to 21300 and follow the instructions, or call 2425 free from your O2 mobile. To opt out text TEN OFF to 21300, or call 2425. Currently terms and conditions say that you are able to opt in to this service until 31 January 2008.

Eventhough both offers are similar, here are differences:

• T-Mobile’s MyFaves displays images of your nominated 5 people on a handset
• T-Mobile allows you nominate numbers from another network or fixed line, while O2 proposition is only between O2 numbers.
• O2 offer is for prepay and T-Mobile is postpay contract
• O2 charges £5 a month for service, T-Mobile at least £25

Check other details on O2 website:

http://www.o2-yournumbers.co.uk/010?cm_re=ConsumerArea-_-rightbox-_-YourO2Numbers

O2 UK is launching long-awaited Apple’s iPhone on 9th November.

http://www.o2.co.uk/iphone?cm_sp=HP-_-Banner1-_-iphone1-hold.

O2 is selected as an exclusive carrier partner by Apple in UK. I am not sure if other mobile network operators will sell this handset later in 2008, but at the moment looks like O2 will have a lot of new customers taking up contracts just to get hold of this phone.

Several people I know are considering signing up with O2 just because of iPhone. Reviews on internet for this phone are not so great, device is beautiful no doubt but lacks in functionality (iPhone SMS capability ). Reviewers categorize this phone in “fashion phones” line, something like LG Prada or Motorola DG phones - beautiful and that’s about it.