Mobiles2day - Mobile Industry News

Google finally announced it’s mobile strategy, ending long speculation about upcoming “Google phone”. Google plans to develop open source mobile platform to be known as Android instead.

Google and another thirty-three companies have formed the Open Handset Alliance, which aims to develop open source Android platform for mobile phones. It is planned to be fully integrated mobile “software stack” that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications.

Alliance includes mobile operators, software vendors, manufacturers and online retailers. Some notable ones are T-Mobile, Intel, HTC, Ebay, Google, Motorola, LG, Samsung, Sprint, Nvidia and others.

Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/pressrel/20071105_mobile_open.html

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

T-Mobile is launching new proposition today - MyFaves. What you get is unlimited calls, text or MMS to 5 people. Moreover, your MyFaves enabled handset will display pictures of those 5 people on screen and you can speed-dial by either selecting or touching the face (handset must be touch screen)

Dedicated website has been setup but it is not working at the moment:

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/myfaves

As of 13:55, site is operational

T-Mobile launched this in US initally, now following success of this launch they are launching it in UK.

You will be able to use this on a tariff from 25£, you can change favorites once a month and handset will be able to keep log of conversations and birthday reminders.

For a full list of MyFaves priceplans click here.

Nokia is about to launch it’s own music store, site is being launched to support Nokia N95 8GB version and Nokia’s new N81 handset. These handsets will be able to connect to website and download music directly.

Various sources on Internet say that site will be launched on 1st November 2007, Nokia’s website doesn’t say much, just that it will be available in Q4 in UK.

http://www.nokia.co.uk/link?cid=PLAIN_TEXT_391261

N95 8GB black is already available from Vodafone:

Nokia N81 is available from O2:

3 UK has launched Skypephone - handset with Skype application built in. You can use your existing Skype account to make free calls to other Skypephone or Skype user.

3 claims it works exactly as it would on a PC, so you can chat for free with anyone with Skype installed for hours!If you already have Skype account and have friends added to it, they will automatically appear in your handset when you sign in - which is handy, all your contacts areavailable straight away. Skype chat is also available.

I think it is very useful for people who make or receive a lot of international calls and short on cash. Overseas students who are in UK for example, their parents or friends can call them for free using Skype, person doesn’t need to be in front of PC at that time.

Skypephone is available to pay as you go and pay monthly customers: Pay as you go customers need to top up regularly to keep phone active and it costs 49.99 to buy. For pay monthly customers it will be available on 12£ a month contract.

Handset is capable of playing music and video as well as browse internet. There is a slot for Micro SD card. Handset is dual band so will not work in US.

3 have setup dedicated website for this handset and service:
http://3skypephone.com/

For more details check 3 UK website.

If you have hands on experience with this handset/service please share by posting a comment.