vodaphone
Latest
Apple, Vodafone discussing iPhone minutiae?
While the Apple-Vodafone rumors have been swirling for months, an unnamed "source" has apparently found that the two firms are now breaking down the minute details that are holding back a (potentially) forthcoming launch. Most importantly, it seems that Vodafone doesn't want to "give up as much control" as did AT&T here in the States, and below is a brief list of reported "iPhone enhancements [that] carriers are looking for:" Vodafone wants the YouTube application to "work much more like the Internet version." Improvements to Outlook and Exchange support Improved security and firewalls Tweaks to Apple's WEP and WPA security key requirements Web browser improvements, namely, the ability to simply "cut and paste" So, there you have it -- now how's about we just start compromising and get a deal together for all the patient Europeans, yeah?
More details, shots of LG's lovely KU990
Every time we see this thing, we forget what the iPhone is, if but for just a moment. Between the integrated FM radio, HSDPA, stereo Bluetooth, microSD expansion, 3 inch touchscreen with the Prada's stellar interface, tight YouTube integration, and 5 megapixel cam with xenon flash, LG's upcoming KU990 looks fit to take on all challengers. It comes in at 103.5 x 54.4 x 14.8 millimeters, making it about a centimeter shorter, half a centimeter narrower, and 3 millimeters thicker than Apple's device. Still no word on when we might see this thing in our hands (or anyone's), but owing to the silkscreened Vodafone logo there, we can pretty much figure out at least one of the carriers planning on picking it up.
Vodafone joins WiMAX Forum, draws puzzled looks
In a move that may be making others scratch their head in confusion, Vodafone has decided to join the WiMAX Forum as a principle member despite the natural progression from UMTS to other 4G technologies. To many, WiMAX is the next-generation mobile technology offering robust data speeds for CDMA network providers such as Sprint. For Vodafone and many others, though, LTE -- Long Term Evolution -- is the roadmap towards 4G bliss, but a few bumps in the road like delays in ratifying standards might've caused the Verizon Wireless co-parent to look elsewhere for some next gen love.
Vodafone to hang on to Verizon stake
For our money, nothing beats a little corporate rumor mill talk around the Engadget water cooler. Actually, that's not even remotely true, we'd much rather be playing with a new phone -- but be that as it may, this is a biggie and it's probably of interest to pretty much anyone using a phone in Europe or the US. Hot on the heels of a denial that it intends to snap up Verizon wholesale, Vodafone now finds itself in the opposite position of denying that it plans to sell its stake in Verizon Wireless (which, for the record, is technically a joint venture between Vodafone and Verizon Communications). It turns out there's a clause in Vodafone's contract that gives it the option of selling $10 billion worth of Verizon Wireless back to Verizon, but according to Vodafone, the company believes that hanging on to that little token "is in the best interest of shareholders."
HTC P4550 "Kaiser" gets name, meet the HTC TyTN II
The GCF (Global Certification Forum for GSM and UMTS devices) has just approved the naming for HTC's upcoming flagship monster: the handset formerly known as Kaiser. OK, the naming is just getting silly with HTC devices, with the P4550 -- a.k.a. Kaiser -- now getting an extra a.k.a. thrown in as the HTC TyTN II. Sure, the name does make sense as it really just improves on the TyTN we all know and love, but we're thinking the Kaiser or P4550 was just fine. Also mentioned are a few carrier branded names to further muddy the waters with the Vodafone 1615, SFRv1615, the Swisscom XPA1615, and the rumored AT&T 8925 as examples. Manager of handset naming conventions over at HTC seriously has to get off the heavy caffeine doses as his twitchiness is making our heads spin over here.[Via the::unwired]
Vodafone picks up GPS-equipped BlackBerry Curve 8310
Just days after we Americans got a taste of BlackBerry with a hint GPS, now those in Germany can look forward to the same delicacy. The BlackBerry Curve 8310 will be picked up by Vodafone and sport built-in "GPS navigation and advanced multimedia functionality." Furthermore, the smartphone will include Vodafone Navigator software, a two-megapixel camera, microSD expansion slot, 320 x 240 resolution display, quad-band GSM support, Bluetooth 2.0, USB connectivity, and a media player to boot. Notably, the first 5,000 individuals to mosey on in and pick one up will reportedly be blessed with a 1GB microSD card gratis, and better yet, it will include the current 100 top chart songs pre-installed as MP3s (hooray!). So head on down to your local Vodafone outlet with €99.90 ($136), and be sure to navigate your return trip through all sorts of back roads.[Via The Boy Genius Report]
Apple iPhone hitting Europe by December
Just in case you missed it yesterday, Apple did indeed confirm that it'll ship the iPhone to a few major countries by Q4 2007, which ends September 30th. Most signs point to the UK, France and Germany as being those lucky "majors," and Apple also mentioned it'll announce carriers (plural) in the coming months. The rest of Europe will have to wait until 2008, presumably as retribution for recent seasons of Eurovision.Update: A re-read of the transcript seems to point at Q4 of the calendar year, not their fiscal year. In other words, December not September.
Sagem rolls out cheap my300C flip
When a manufacturer points out that a particular model is "cheap to replace if lost," well... needless to say, expectations should be kept to a minimum. Indeed, the meager "my300C" clamshell from Sagem doesn't bring particularly much to the table -- VGA cam, 3MB of onboard memory, and a display-less exterior -- but it does deliver on the "cheap to replace if lost" promise, coming in at just £39.99 (about $82) on Vodafone's pay-as-you-go service. Get it now in black, white, or pink.[Via Mobilewhack]
UK carriers to begin HSUPA rollouts this year
HSDPA and HSUPA are pretty much two peas in a pod -- if HSPA is the "pod," anyway -- so it stands to reason that HSUPA rollouts are going to start picking up steam as carriers look to extend their 3.5G investments. The upgrades look to be coming particularly fast and furious for British folk in the next few months, with Vodafone, T-Mobile, and 3 all having committed to kicking off their HSUPA buildouts by year end. Orange starts its work speeding up the upstream next year, while O2's still nowhere in sight -- but hey, three outta five in 2007 ain't bad.[Via All About Symbian]
Apple's iPhone functioning with Vodafone?
Here's an interesting one. While just about every citizen in Europe twiddles their thumbs and awaits an iPhone announcement for their side of the pond, more than a few impatient souls have been looking for ways to utilize the device in their homeland right away. Most recently, however, is an intriguing report that a US-sourced iPhone is functioning fine (save for the lack of visual voicemail) on Vodafone after a user swapped an AT&T SIM card into an O2 XDA, had the carrier add it to his current contract, and then stuffed the now-Vodafone-compliant AT&T SIM back into the iPhone. Interestingly, hordes of IRC participants are balking at the story, suggesting that SIM numbers are network specific and that Vodafone should not have been able to pull off the aforementioned feat of magic. Hmm, we wonder if Vodafone's bubbling excitement to get ahold of Apple's handset could have anything to do with it?Read - US iPhone works with VodafoneRead - Vodafone "looks forward" to 3G iPhone
Neonode N2 gets unboxed, videoed
Granted, this whole unboxing process took a tad longer than we're used to, but considering the absence of an Apple logo and the fact that the folks in Greece likely roll with a bit more patience than we gizmo freaks here in North America, we won't grouse too much. Still, the first widespread unboxing pictures (and a video for good measure) of the highly anticipated Neonode N2 have officially hit the 'net just under a fortnight after the launch party in Athens, and we must say it's looking pretty good. From the well appointed packaging right down to the matte black outfit, the N2 is (finally) yours to witness (psst, the video is after the jump).Read - Neonode N2 unboxingRead - Neonode N2 unboxing, part IIRead - Neonode N2 Interface shots
Samsung's SGH-i620 set to hit Vodafone UK's shelves
There it is friends, the Samsung SGH-i620 in glorious black and white, posing for us as it gets primmed and propered for its launch on Vodafone UK. This nifty Windows Mobile 6 Standard slider has been covered in the past, but we now know that is sports a 2 megapixel cam and we hope an improvement on the i600's d-pad. Still no word on GSM frequencies, or -- the rumored -- HSDPA support, but we assume its launch in the United Kingdom precludes its arrival over here any time soon. No other solid details yet, but as soon as Vodafone updates its "Coming Soon" pages, we'll do the same here. In the interim, here's hoping we hear word of an SGH-i627.
Vodafone denies interest in bidding for Verizon Communications
Poor Vodafone, it just can't seem to escape the vicious rumor mill these days. Hot on the heels of a plethora of iPhone talk, now the firm is being forced to deny rumors that it was considering a $160 billion offer for Verizon Communications. Previously, it was suggested that Vodafone was interested in "consolidating ownership of its wireless joint venture," as it currently holds just a 45-percent stake in the wireless division (Verizon Wireless, obviously) of the firm. Notably, Verizon officials declined to comment on the recent activity, but Vodafone spokespersons didn't hesitate to state that "it had no plans to make such an offer." Man, what a killjoy.
Germans showing early signs of iPhone fever
Seems the iPhone is causing a tizzy in Germany as hopeful subscribers are registering and calling Apple's leading retailer over yonder at a crazy rate. To date, 57, 000 folks have signed up for more info, with a thousand or so more getting on board each day. Apparently 58 percent of the iPhone faithful would be willing to switch to the as of yet unannounced carrier, at a mystery pricepoint, on the surprise date. Here's hoping they get that bit of PR out of the way soon so the Euro-iPhone madness can commence.
Rootkit hack taps Greek prime minister's phone
In 2005, Greek authorities discovered a plot hatched and executed by unknown sources which allowed the tapping of wireless phones on the Vodafone network belonging to the country's Prime Minister and other top officials, making it one of the furthest reaching covert infiltrations of a government in history. A recent report from IEEE Spectrum shows that the tap was made possible by a 6,500 line piece of code called a rootkit, the first-ever to be embedded in a phone switch's OS. The complex hack took advantage of aging phone systems by disabling transaction logs on calls and allowing call monitoring on four switches within the teleco's computers, thus sending the call to another phone for monitoring (similar to a legal wiretap). The spies covered their tracks by creating patches on the system which routed the calls around logging software which would have alerted admins, and were only discovered when they tried to update their software. The case clearly exposes holes in call security amongst providers (due largely in part to outdated systems), and suggests the possibility that this kind of thing could easily happen again... to you![Via textually]
Vodafone UK serving up secure SMS
Vodafone's British arm has partnered with Broca Communications to offer its Secure Advanced Message Service -- cleverly named "SAMS" for short -- to business customers. Sitting atop SMS, SAMS offers encrypted messaging for those times when you simply must know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the "meet 4 dnr?" you just received is authentic. Of course, security has its price; the service will be billed on a per-message basis, which pretty much explains why it's being pitched to Voda's enterprise user base.[Via texutally.org]
Vodafone, Option kick off HSUPA offering in Germany
Some of us are still clamoring for mere 1.8Mbps HSDPA -- complete with a pedestrian 384kbps on the upstream side -- to go live in our neck of the woods, but that's not stopping Vodafone from rolling deep (way deep) in Germany. Voda has gone live in Bavaria with an Option GlobeTrotter Express HSUPA card, "customized to the exacting requirements of the operator" and offered at retail as the "Mobile Connect Card Express UMTS Broadband." The ExpressCard/34 offers a Cardbus adapter in box, firmware upgradeability, download speeds as high as 7.2Mbps, and a staggering (albeit theoretical) 1.45Mbps upstream. Mobile web server, anyone?[Via Slashphone]
Neonode N2 launches in Europe on Vodafone, Wind
Intelligently waiting until after the iPhone lived out its (first) 15 minutes of fame, Neonode has just now went and threw a launch party to celebrate the official debut of the Neonode N2. Yesterday, the firm went wild at the Babae Club in Athens, Greece as it celebrated with MyPhone (its distributor for south-eastern Europe) and announced that the handset would play nice with "operators such as Vodafone and Wind." Sadly, exact releases dates were obviously muddled through all the jumpin' and jivin' going on, but the N2 should be in "select shops in south-eastern Europe" very soon, with the rest of Europe and "other major markets" to follow suit shortly thereafter.[Thanks, Sleepless]
Apple picks O2 for UK, T-Mobile for Germany?
Yeah, that's apparently what's going down -- the iPhone will be over the Atlantic "in time for Christmas," according to The Times. That is, assuming they can quickly localise its dialogue for easy manoeuvring in the UK market, aye guv'na? Oh, and Apple still has to sign the paperwork, too, so it isn't necessarily over.P.S. -Naw, doesn't necessarily mean Vodafone is out -- remember, they're so freaking all over the place Apple might just get Vodafone distro somewhere else in the world.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Update: The piece also notes that Orange is the front-runner in France. As a reminder, German paper Rheinische Post reported that T-Mobile's locked down the iPhone for Deutsche release. Apparently it'll land for €450 (about $612) on November 1st. More as it develops. Congratulations, Europe, now you too can experience absolutely insane consumer hysteria that is an iPhone launch! Thanks, Chinman.
Files in iPhone reveal overseas plans for T-Mobile, Vodafone
That iPhone firmware leaked this week? Well, as found on the iPhone Dev Wiki it's been cracked open, its files laid bare, and deep within the system one can find four very special, very telling files:Default_CARRIER_ATT.pngDefault_CARRIER_CINGULAR.pngDefault_CARRIER_TMOBILE.pngDefault_CARRIER_VODAFONE.pngWe know AT&T / Cingular have a 5-year exclusivity agreement on the iPhone in the US, but if this doesn't make clear Apple's plans to launch on Vodafone (presumably for UK and much of Europe) and T-Mobile (presumably for Germany) we don't know what does.P.S. -Sorry, those iPhone images are encoded all funny (something about flipped R and B pixels?), we couldn't get 'em working. Anyone with some hacking skills want to make 'em readable for us?P.P.S. -Apple can stop calling the iPhone's browser "Safari" now, we know they differentiated by calling it MobileSafari.app in the iPhone (and it's only 640KB, oddly).[Via Hackintosh]
