Vodafone unveils new internet service

Vodafone has unveiled a new Internet service that integrates social networks, content sharing and messaging applications into one service.

The Vodafone 360 service stores contacts from the phone, social networks and other applications all in one place, allowing users to access services such as Facebook, Windows Live Messenger and Google Talk from one interface on their their mobile phones.

Customers can also share their locations, tag and share images, and get current status updates form social networking sites.

The service is synchronised and backed up wirelessly between the user's mobile phone and PC or Mac, which means that contacts, updates, emails, photos, conversations and settings changes are kept current between both devices.
The service will be available on two custom-designed Vodafone 360 Samsung mobile phones, but existing customers will be able to download the service for compatible handsets, such as those using Series 60 platforms or phones that support Java.

Vodafone is hoping the platform will change the way Irish people use social networking.

"Primarily it's aimed at anybody who spends a significant amount of time involved in the digital community - email, chat, instant messaging, social networking," said Vodafone Ireland's head of mobile internet services Chris Handley.

Vodafone's analysis of the market has highlighted price-sensitive, pre-pay markets as potential users of Vodafone 360.

"The pricing structure will be capped. There'll be no concern about spending too much on this. The service is always sychronising," said Mr Handley.

The cost of the service has not yet been announced, but Mr Handley said the pricing would be pitched at the lower end of the scale, in line with its target market.

More than 1,000 applications will be available to download from the Vodafone Shop when the service goes live. It is planned to launch Vodafone 360 in Ireland before Christmas, with seven other European countries lined up to get the service too.

Depending on the application, different privacy settings can also be activated, allowing users to choose what information they want to share with their contacts.

Non-Vodafone customers will also be able to access some of the services, the company said.