If you didn’t get in on the pre-order action before, the iPhone 4S available for purchase online direct from Apple. The company is only offering the unlocked, SIM-free (and thus unsubsidized) versions itself, priced at £499 for the 16GB, £599 for the 32GB and $699 for the 64GB. If you’d prefer a contract, Vodafone, Orange, Three and T-Mobile are all offering the handset, while O2 is initially limiting sales to existing subscribers.

To get up to speed on the whole iPhone 4S experience, check out our full review of the handset and then turn to our full iOS 5 review, complete with video demos of Apple’s Siri voice control system. We’re not the only ones who were impressed, either: our review roundup has all the key opinions from around the web.

[poll id="21"]

The answer is now clear; the Pre3 has now landed on the Orange support site so we know where the device is headed. The smartphone could land on other carriers too, but for now, Orange is the one we know of. The official support page lists the specs that we already know about. The Pre3 gets 512MB of RAM, a 3.6-inch 480 x 800 resolution display, and either 8GB of 16GB of storage.

Along with the Orange support page, there are several retailers that have pre-order pages up for the device. The phone will sell for $130 or £80 according to the listings. The rub is that the prices have varied in the past and the launch date has changed on the pages too. In a nutshell, the price and launch details are still unknown but the new support page on Orange defiantly shows the device is headed there.

[via PreCentral]

The promotion is an extension of the existing “Orange Wednesdays” scheme, where subscribers to the network can get 2-for-1 movie tickets one day each week. Film To Go is available to pre-pay and contract mobile customers, those with business accounts and mobile broadband users, as well as those with Orange Broadband in the UK.

This week’s film is “My Blueberry Nights” while next week’s will be “The Wrestler”; users can apply for a voucher code at any time during the preceding week, but only actually use it on the Thursday. While the scheme is open to mobile broadband subscribers, Orange is pretty keen that they use WiFi not 3G to actually download the iTunes movies themselves.

The mid-September launch is a little earlier than previous dates we’ve heard. Sweden is expected to get the N9 on September 23 via carrier Three. So far, though, Nokia’s usual stomping grounds – such as the UK, Germany and France – are yet to see any official dates, and the carriers are remaining quiet on the whole issue.

In fact, some rumors have suggested that Nokia does not even intend to launch the N9 in the UK and other traditionally well-served locations, instead holding off its attentions until the first batch of Windows Phone Mango handsets are ready. The first such device, codenamed “Sea Ray”, sticks closely to the pattern set by the N9, with a polycarbonate casing and smoothly curved glass fascia.

[via Twitter]

That, the quartet reckons, will mean faster deployment and easier business for retail, banking and ad partners. Like the Orange Quick Tap NFC payments system we tried out last month, the joint venture will be pushing a combination secure SIM and NFC phone setup; that should allow users to swap their SIM between any carrier’s device and, as long as it’s NFC-enabled, continue making mobile payments without any hurdles.

Obviously there’ll also be a promotional side, with the JV pushing targeted coupons, discounts and loyalty schemes. The exact nature of the payments system will vary between carriers too: the JV will provide the underlying platform infrastructure, which the carriers themselves will top with their own branding and services.

Assuming nobody complains about anti-competition, the carriers hope to have the JV up and running before the end of 2011. Google is kicking off a similar scheme, Google Wallet, in the US.

Press Release:

Everything Everywhere, Telefonica UK and Vodafone UK to form mobile marketing and payments joint venture

Posted 16 June 2011 / Corporate

Ground breaking venture promises to accelerate the development of innovative mobile services for consumers and business customers

Creation of a single ecosystem for m-commerce helping advertisers, retailers and banks to reach consumers through their mobile phones
Consumers will be able to replace their physical wallet with a secure mobile wallet using Near Field Communications (NFC) technology to pay for goods and services
Consumers will also benefit from relevant offers and coupons, delivered direct to their phone
Everything Everywhere, Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK to provide start-up investment
Everything Everywhere, Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK today announce plans to create a standalone m-commerce joint venture (JV). The new entity, the first of its kind in the UK, will bring together the expertise and technology of the UK’s leading mobile operators, enabling the rapid development and delivery of new mobile marketing and payment services.

The JV will provide a single contact for advertisers, marketing partners, retailers and banks making it far easier to create m-commerce products and services. The JV will be open and available to all industry participants, maximising benefits to consumers.

The JV is subject to competition clearance and is aiming to launch before the end of the year.

Enabling mobile payments

The JV will deliver the technology required for the speedy adoption of mobile wallet and payments. This will enable consumers to transfer their entire physical wallet into a new secure, SIM-based wallet regardless of which NFC enabled mobile device, or mobile network they are using.

Companies and organisations that provide anything from credit, debit and loyalty cards to membership cards and transport tickets will be able to create secure mobile versions of their products. Consumers will be able to use their mobiles to pay for goods, services and travel using contactless technology (NFC) with one touch of their phone, or online via mobile or PC.

Enabling brands to reach consumers on the move

The new business will also provide a single contact point for advertisers, media agencies and retailers looking to reach consumers on their mobile phones. The JV will enable them to book advertising space and create campaigns as well as provide offers, coupons and loyalty cards which can be stored on the phone and redeemed in shops. For consumers, the JV means that they will be able to receive discounts and offers from brands that are relevant to them and that they want to receive.

Everything Everywhere, Telefónica UK and Vodafone UK will continue to develop their own competing products and services tailored to their own customers, which will be based on the open platform infrastructure provided by the JV.

Tom Alexander, CEO of Everything Everywhere, commented: “This groundbreaking new business will unlock the true potential of commerce in the wire-free world.

“The benefits will be felt across the whole industry, allowing people to manage their money and make payments using their handsets, helping advertisers reach their customers on the move, and helping banks provide their clients with an easy and convenient way of making payments.

“And for partners operating in these industries, having a one-stop shop to deal with will make things quicker, easier and more efficient. This Joint Venture will further reinforce mobile as the essential 21st century device at the heart of people’s daily lives.”

Ronan Dunne, Chief Executive Officer of Telefónica UK, said: “We are seeing an explosion in the m-commerce market. Mobile advertising spend alone has more than doubled in two years as consumers embrace marketing on their handsets because it is now relevant to them and provides a great customer experience.

“The mobile marketing and payments market is extremely fragmented. By creating this new business we will underpin this nascent market, providing real size and scale, allowing consumers to benefit from new and innovative services, like the mobile wallet, and giving them more of the things they value, through offers and deals that are truly relevant to them. At the same time business customers will reach a vastly increased audience, utilising a single platform for sales, delivery and payment.

“This is not just something that is unique in the UK, but a JV that will create a model that many countries around the world could follow.”

Guy Laurence, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone UK, said: “Since Vodafone made the first ever call just 26 years ago, mobile phones have transformed people’s lives. Along the way, the mobile phone has become the one item people really cannot be without. It is the first thing they reach for in the morning and the last thing they check at night. Over recent years it has integrated new gadgets such as digital cameras and music players as they have become popular. The new generation of smartphones is even taking on desktop PC by providing internet on the move and removing the need to be in the home or office.

“Currently people take their mobile, wallet and keys when they leave home. In the near future, people will now start leaving their wallet at home, and in the mid term their keys may also be integrated into their mobile as NFC allows the mobile to act as a digital access card. The joint venture is the next phase in realising that ambition.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1 Customer data will not be provided to external companies, retailers, merchants or advertisers, and will only be used where customers have given their consent

Rather than an NFC sticker fixed to the phone, or a sled the handset drops into, Orange’s system uses a Gemalto-provided SIM-and-phone pairing for extra security. A Java app on the Tocco allows PIN-protected access to a virtual credit card – you can actually see the associated card number, expiry date and security code in the app – which can be loaded with up to £150 at a time (in increments from £5 to £100). Individual payments – which can be up to £15 in value, though that may change as Orange and Barclaycard see how the system is used – are made by holding the phone near to an NFC reader, with an on-screen receipt to show what you’ve spent. Optionally you can set the app to require the PIN before it approves the transaction.

Orange will also be pushing NFC tags, which can prompt the phone to either open a new SMS with the number and a message preconfigured (the carrier plans to use it with its “Orange Wednesdays” movie deal), load a phone number ready to be dialed, or open an URL. That way you could top up your phone’s credit simply by holding a tag near it, or get information on a film or concert by holding the phone up to a poster. A user-programmable tag will also be supplied: the phone offers to program it with a number, message or URL.

As far as we can tell, there are two main hurdles that Orange will need to get past if Quick Tap is to be a success. First off is the payment method: right now, users need to have either a Barclaycard credit or debit card, or an Orange credit card to use the system. The carrier tells us that around 20-percent of its roughly 16m UK subscribers have “some relationship” with Barclaycard, and anybody else will be encouraged to sign up to Orange’s card which is apparently a “very streamlined” process in-store. Still, if you don’t want a new bank account or a new card, currently there’s no pay-as-you-go top-up option.

The second issue is the handset itself. Orange says the Samsung Tocco is one of its best-selling handsets, but it hardly has appeal among the early-adopters you’d assume would be keen to get on the NFC payments wagon. The carrier claims more phones – from a variety of manufacturers – are in the pipeline, but couldn’t tell SlashGear when, exactly, they’d arrive. Interestingly, because of the SIM-and-phone NFC system Orange and Barclaycard have chosen, existing NFC-enabled devices like Samsung’s Nexus S won’t apparently work with it.

The Orange Tocco Quick Tap will be free on pay-monthly plans or as a £59.99 ($97) pre-pay handset. In time, Orange may well roll out the Quick Tap service to its Everything Everywhere partner, T-Mobile UK, though no timeline has been confirmed.

Press Release:

Orange and Barclaycard transform buying on Britain’s high-streets with the launch of the UK’s first contactless mobile payments service

• Orange and Barclaycard today launch ‘Quick Tap’ – the UK’s first contactless mobile phone payments service, allowing consumers to make purchases on the high street using their mobile phone
• Customers can make purchases £15 and under nationwide by simply tapping their Quick Tap mobile handset against a contactless reader at over 50,000 stores
• Using Barclaycard’s contactless payment technology, customers will be able to pay for items anywhere they see the contactless payments symbol, including shops and cafes like Pret A Manger, EAT. and Subway
• Quick Tap will use a secure SIM-based approach to mobile payments, providing a single point of contact for customer care as well as ensuring enhanced payment security for customers

20 May 2011, London: Orange and Barclaycard today launch ‘Quick Tap’, the UK’s first contactless mobile payment service which allows consumers to make purchases on the high street using their mobile phone for the very first time. The landmark launch means that from today, in addition to using contactless cards or chip and PIN, consumers can simply tap their mobile phone on a contactless reader at tills in over 50,000 stores to make purchases £15 and under.

This entirely new, secure and convenient way to make payments is an evolution of how people pay and follows previous payment milestones such as the move from cheques to cards. Mobile payments will be accepted at stores nationwide including Pret a Manger, EAT., Little Chef, Wembley Arena, Subway, Wilkinson and McDonalds where contactless payments are currently accepted.

The service will be available to Orange customers who use a ‘Quick Tap’ enabled handset. Launching with a Quick Tap enabled version of one of Orange’s best-selling devices, the Samsung Tocco Lite, the Samsung Tocco Quick Tap will be available on pay as you go and pay monthly price plans, with more handsets expected to follow from a selection of leading manufacturers. Barclaycard, Barclays debit or Orange Credit Card users can transfer funds of up to £100 simply and securely onto the handset’s Quick Tap app, after which the phone is ready to make payments of £15 and under in a single transaction.

The user friendly payment app, which sits on the home screen of all Quick Tap compatible handsets, contains information such as electronic statements detailing Quick Tap purchases so customers can keep an eye on their spending and manage finances easily on the go. To support the launch, Barclaycard is providing Orange customers with £10 cash added to their account upon activation, and 10% cash back on all Quick Tap purchases made in the first three months.

Commenting on the announcement, David Chan, CEO of Barclaycard Consumer Europe, said: “This is the first time that customers can use their mobile to pay for goods and services in shops across the UK rather than using cards or cash. They’ll be able to do this, safe in the knowledge that this is a secure technology brought to them by the biggest names in payments and mobile technology.

“Having a wallet on my phone has made it much more convenient to make purchases on the move and I like that it allows me to keep track of what I’m spending as I go. Barclaycard launched credit cards in the UK over 40 years ago and have been leading the evolution of payments ever since.”

Pippa Dunn, Orange Vice President, said: “We no longer use our mobile phones simply for talking and texting – apps, cameras and music players allow us to use them for a lot more. So, making contactless payments with your mobile is a natural and really exciting innovation which we’re pleased to be leading on in the UK.
Orange Quick Tap is the first of its kind, a service that allows you to pay for everyday items just by tapping your phone wherever you see the contactless payment symbol. It’s going to start a revolution in the way we pay for things on the high street.”

The launch will be supported by a marketing campaign that will promote the benefits of Quick Tap through a range of marketing channels. The fun and bold creative campaign will emphasise how Quick Tap represents a radical new way for people to pay for items using just their mobile, driving consumers to start a “new movement” with contactless payments.

Orange and Barclaycard announced their innovative partnership to bring contactless mobile payments to market in 2009, and believe this will be the biggest revolution in payments since credit cards were introduced in the UK by Barclaycard over 40 years ago. The new devices use innovative NFC technology, enabling consumers to make payments in a simple and secure way, and it builds on existing contactless payment technology with 12.9 million contactless credit and debit cards already in circulation, of which over 11.4m have been issued by Barclaycard and Barclays who have been pioneers in bringing it to market since 2007.

Mobile Contactless Payments from Orange and Barclaycard have been developed and rigorously tested to ensure customers’ transactions and personal data will be protected and secure, with users having the option to enter a PIN on their handset before each transaction providing an additional layer of security. The launch proposition will use a secure SIM-based approach to mobile payments, providing a single point of contact for customer care as well as ensuring enhanced payment security for customers.

MasterCard will provide the payment capability for the contactless mobile transactions. Contactless transactions on mobile phones benefit from the same 100% fraud guarantee as standard Barclays and Barclaycard transactions nationwide. Since contactless mobile payments are processed online, if a customer cancels their phone because it is lost, damaged or stolen, no transactions can be completed.

For more information on Quick Tap please see www.orange.co.uk/quicktap

The Lapdock – which has a full-sized keyboard, 11.6-inch screen and battery – will be priced at £299.99, though subsidized on certain tariffs (and business users will get it free with the ATRIX in certain deals). As for the HD Multimedia Dock, that will be offered with a remote control and a USB keyboard/mouse set as part of the “Work and Play Kit”, normally priced at £129.99 but £49.99 throughout May.

Upgrading Orange subscribers will get the Work and Play Kit bundled free, meanwhile. If you’re still on the fence about the handset, check out our full ATRIX 4G review.

Press Release:

Orange Unveils Pricing And Availability For Motorola ATRIX™ The World’s Most Powerful Smartphone

Motorola ATRIX™ will be available to purchase exclusively from Orange in early May
Customers can reserve their handset now through Orange retail shops and Orange telesales

As Motorola’s exclusive UK launch partner, Orange today announced pricing and availability for Motorola ATRIX™ – the world’s most powerful smartphone. From today, consumers will be able to register their interest online or reserve their device from Orange retail shops and Orange telesales ahead of launch in early May.

Tipped to be one of the biggest device releases in 2011, Motorola ATRIX is the true epitome of mobile computing. The handset features a dual core processor which delivers up to two GHz of processing power. As a result, Motorola ATRIX is capable of opening web pages twice as fast as most other smartphones, and it has been designed to become a user’s primary digital hub to create and edit media content on the go. It also features a biometric fingerprint reader for easily unlocking the phone.

Running the Android operating system, Motorola ATRIX also offers Motorola’s revolutionary webtop application which runs a full Mozilla Firefox 3.6 browser and supports Adobe® Flash® Player for rich graphics, animation and video.

To support the device, Motorola has developed two companion accessory docks for purchase separately:

* The Motorola HD Multimedia Dock, which has three USB ports and an HDMI port enabling connections to a keyboard, mouse, speakers and HDMI-compatible monitor for working at your desk, or connecting to an HDMI-compatible television and home theatre audio system for enjoying video, music, games and more

* The Motorola Lapdock™, which has an incredibly thin design with an 11.6-inch screen, 36Wh three-cell battery that delivers up to eight hours of battery life, full keyboard, stereo speakers, and weighs just 1.1 kilograms. Users simply dock their Motorola ATRIX into the back for true mobility at work, at home and playing on the go in a form factor that’s lighter and smaller than most laptops on the market

Motorola ATRIX will launch exclusively on Orange and will be free on a £35 per month, 24 month contract, which includes 600 minutes, 750 MB data allowance, unlimited texts, 50 MMS and unlimited wi-fi (subject to fair usage) per month.

Those who purchase Motorola ATRIX from Orange will also be able to take the Work and Play Kit which includes a remote control, mouse, HD multimedia dock and keyboard for only £49.99 (standard retail price £129.99), and to celebrate the launch, existing Orange pay monthly customers who upgrade to Motorola ATRIX during the month of May this year will receive the Work and Play Kit for free.

Customers will also be able to purchase the Motorola Lapdock from Orange, normally priced at £299.99, at reduced price points on select tariffs. A unique price plan is also being introduced which includes free tethering** allowing customers to connect to the internet on the move using the Motorola Lapdock – the new Panther Extra 60 plan*** also includes 3,000 minutes, 1GB data allowance, unlimited texts and unlimited wi-fi (subject to fair usage) per month.

Business customers can also get Motorola ATRIX and the Motorola Lapdock bundle free of charge on Solo 55 and existing customers will get a great deal when re-signing with Motorola ATRIX.

Simeon Bird, Director of Propositions, Orange UK said: “We’re pleased to be bringing Motorola ATRIX to our customers as it’s one of the most innovative handsets we’ve seen this year and it supports our passion for innovation. With its intelligent support accessories, the handset not only stands out from the rest of the pack, but the overall experience takes mobile computing to the next level.”

Andrew Morley, vice president marketing, international markets, Motorola Mobility said: “The award winning Motorola ATRIX ushers in a new era in mobile computing. We are excited to be bringing this highly anticipated smartphone to the UK with Orange.”

For more information on Motorola ATRIX, accessories, and to register interest in the device, go to www.orange.co.uk/motorolaatrix or to reserve a handset, please visit Orange retail shops or call Orange telesales.

The Samsung Wave 578 will be Orange’s first phone with NFC capability and mobile contactless services. New SIM-card technology will allow users a range of services from mobile payments to ticketing and transportation. Contactless mobile phones have a second antenna that allows NFC exchanges of information. This enables you to wave your phone over a scanner and exchange information like payments or confirming a ticket.

“Mobile contactless services will change people’s daily lives. We are pleased that partners like Samsung are helping us to accelerate these plans. Our clear ambition is to create an vibrant eco-system and by combining our own mobile innovations with the best handsets, we can fulfill our vision of bringing new mobile services that will benefit everyone, “ said Anne Bouverot, Executive Vice President, Mobile Services of Orange.

[Via IntoMobile]

Exact handset requirements are yet to be confirmed, but we’re assuming this isn’t a system that will work on just any device; we’re waiting to hear back from Everything Everywhere on the details. Still, it’s nice that the UK is catching up to where Japan was a decade ago.

Update: Everything Everywhere tells us that special handsets will indeed be required in order to use the contactless payments service, and that details “will be available in due course.”

Press Release:

The UK’s first commercial launch of contactless mobile payments by Everything Everywhere and Barclaycard, set to revolutionise buying on the high street

The UK’s first commercial contactless mobile payments service, to be rolled out by Everything Everywhere and Barclaycard by early summer (second quarter of 2011)

The new service will offer consumers greater convenience and control on the high street with over 40,000 stores ready to accept contactless payments
Industry backed secure SIM-based payments approach, ensures excellent purchase protection for consumers

Latest move builds on Everything Everywhere and Barclaycard’s ongoing partnership, which has already produced a co-branded contactless credit card and the forthcoming Orange Cash pre-paid contactless card

Everything Everywhere and Barclaycard today announced the first contactless mobile phone payment solution for UK consumers will launch by early summer. The move will usher in a new era for consumers, offering greater simplicity, convenience and control and will change the way payments are made on UK high streets.
Barclaycard and Orange, who announced their strategic partnership to bring contactless mobile payments to market in 2009, believe this will be the biggest revolution in payments since credit cards were introduced in the UK by Barclaycard over 40 years ago.
Commenting on the announcement, Gerry McQuade, Chief Development Officer, Everything Everywhere, said: “This is the beginning of a revolution in how we pay for things on the high street. It’s a cultural shift that is as important as the launch of the personal credit card or ATMs.

“We’re making something that’s been talked about for many years a reality and very soon, using your mobile to buy a sandwich, a cinema ticket or in time, even something bigger like a computer will simply be the norm.

“As Britain’s biggest communications company, we’re proud to be delivering this technical and cultural innovation to the UK through the Orange brand. Orange and Barclaycard customers will be the first to be able to use their mobiles to make payments on the high street wherever contactless payments are accepted. This is part of our wider strategy to re-define what people use their mobiles for, with mobile payments being the start.”

David Chan, CEO of Barclaycard Consumer Europe, said: “Barclaycard is well known as a leader in helping consumers and businesses to make and take payments in their everyday lives. Finding new and better ways of doing this is what drives us, so it’s exciting, with Orange, to be giving consumers in the UK the choice to make contactless payments on their mobile phone as well as their card. Barclaycard is going to lead the innovation and explosive growth you’ll see in mobile payments.

“I believe that future generations will find it surprising that early this century we were still carrying separate items to buy goods and to communicate with each other. As payment experts, our role is to make it easier, more convenient and incredibly secure for people to make purchases and manage their money while on the move.”

Working with the world’s leading handset manufacturers, the new offering from Orange and Barclaycard will enable customers to use their mobiles to pay for goods and services at more than 40,000 retailers that use contactless technology, by simply waving their mobile phone against a contactless reader.

The new contactless mobile payment technology has been developed to ensure customers’ transactions and personal data will be protected and secure. The launch proposition will focus on an industry backed, SIM-based approach to payments ensuring enhanced security for customers, as well as to initially provide a single point of customer care contact. MasterCard will provide the payment capability for the contactless mobile transactions.

Contactless mobile phone payments will feature as part of the wider Orange portfolio of products, developed in conjunction with Barclaycard, and which already features a contactless co-branded credit card as well as the forthcoming contactless Orange Cash prepaid payment card.

The move builds on existing contactless payment technology with 11.6m contactless credit and debit cards already in circulation, of which over 10m have been issued by Barclaycard and Barclays. There are also already 42,500 live Barclaycard contactless terminals in retail outlets including Pret a Manger, EAT, Little Chef and, soon, Co-Op.

Further details on the roll out will be made in the forthcoming months.

Notes to Editors:
Everything Everywhere and Barclaycard are the key partners in the development of this proposition
MasterCard PayPass is the technology used at Point of Sale to effect the mobile contactless payment transactions
Gemalto provides Barclays with Trusted Service Management (TSM) operated services which enable the secure deployment and management of mobile contactless payment. Gemalto’s full range of NFC solutions also includes the UICC Cards supplied to Orange

Those SIMs – initially available to post-pay users on contracts with the carrier – will allow for NFC services such as contactless payments and travel when used with compatible handsets. Orange France has been operating a commercial trial using the Samsung Player One Cityzi in Nice since May 2010, with the touchscreen NFC handset expected to go on sale across the country in January 2011.

Orange expects to launch further NFC models in the spring, though the identity of those devices remains to be announced. We’re guessing we’ll see at least one or two Android phones, however, given Google’s push for NFC support in 2.3 Gingerbread, and the technology being a headline feature in the Nexus S.

R3 Media Network

Android Community
SPB TV v2.0 released: Free mobile TV with VoD
Samsung grabs US Android sales top-spot in Q3 2010
Dell Streak gets battery meter tweak
Gameloft’s Dungeon Hunter for Android goes free for one day only
Samsung hit 1m Galaxy Tab sales early; predict 1.5m by end of year
Android Market gets new Similar tab for some users
GameString brings Warcraft to Android [WOW] [IMAGE ABOVE]
Best Buy offers free Android phones for Christmas
T-Mobile UK Responds to delayed Galaxy S 2.2 Update
Android Flash Player Updated 10.1.105.7

SlashGear
Sony BRAVIA KDL22PX300 integrates PS2 and 720p HDTV
UFOs mentioned in WikiLeaks cables confirms Julian Assange
Txtr ereader reportedly erased
CLEAR Modem with WiFi wants to replace your DSL
Sony Ericsson LiveView [REVIEW]
Uranium soap glows radioactively
Japanese battery makes power from vibrations
GSLO applies to Apple MFi program for Peel 520
Professor in NYC installs camera in head
Orange offers cheap subsidized iPad
Speck offers new PixelSkin HD case for HTC HD7 smartphone [SUPER CUTE]
Prosecution in Xbox 360 modder case drops charges
Best Buy offers free Android phones just in time for Christmas
FTC testifies before Congress on Do Not Track list
Kaleidescape debuts Cinema One movie server
Google +1 social network now involving Sergey Brin?
Vonage offers users free calls to Santa for Christmas
Inventec HP webOS tablet & Oak Trail slates in Q1 2011; ASUS Core i5 tablet by end of year tipped
Google pays $1 compensation in Street View privacy case
WikiLeaks: Amazon denies government pressure; DNS yanked & servers moved to Switzerland
Parrot AR.Drone gets grounded in new teardown
mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 4 packs biggest battery so far

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]

The iPad at Orange is £199 with a 24-month contract for 3G data. That works out to about $310 here in the states, which is a big discount. If you are planning to get a data plan with your iPad anyway, this is a great deal.

Orange also reminds that its 3D data network covers 93% of the population and they will give your 2 for 1 movie tickets and pizza with Orange Wednesday. Discount pizza and movie tickets are chock full of win.

The deals are expected to be formally announced today. Expectations are that the iPad will go for as little as £200 for users who agree to an 18-month contract or a 2-year contract on a data plan. That is way cheaper than the normal price for the iPad of £700.

This may be the best deal going in the UK for the iPad this holiday season. If you are planning to get a new data, plan to go with the iPad 3G version anyway it makes little sense unless you are really allergic to contracts to not take advantage of this deal.

MiFi OS is a browser-based platform that allows access to programs running on the 3352′s separate applications processor, rather than demanding those apps be installed to the WiFi-connected client (whether PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet).  At launch, it will run apps for data usage, GeoSearch, GeoWeather and SMS capabilities, but the company is hoping more developers will jump on board; previous MiFi units had Eye-Fi and other functionality.

As for the 3G network sharing itself, the MiFI 3352′s modem supports up to 7.2Mbps downlinks and can support up to five simultaneously WiFi-connected devices with a roughly 10m range and 5hr battery life.  It also has a microSD card slot (up to 32GB cards supported) the contents of which can be accessed by all the WiFi clients.  More pricing details here.

Press Release:

Novatel Wireless Commercially Launches MiFi OS with New MiFi 3352 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

SAN DIEGO, CA, November 3, 2010 — Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announces its new Intelligent Mobile Hotspot — the MiFi 3352 — which comes pre-loaded with Novatel Wireless MiFi operating system (OS), widgets and applications support. This will enhance both the intelligence of the device and the user experience through applications capabilities across users’ Wi-Fi devices of choice. The device is today launching commercially in the UK with Orange under the name Mobile WiFi.

Novatel Wireless MiFi OS complements on-the-go Internet connectivity with a number of value added applications. The MiFi OS delivers a browser based Web user interface (UI) for quick intuitive access to MiFi resources, widgets and on-board applications and content.

The MiFi customers will also benefit from an improved user experience giving customers freedom from having to install and maintain software on every device that connects to the MiFi hotspot. Rather than installing applications for each connecting Wi-Fi device (notebooks, netbooks, tablets) the applications reside on the MiFi 3352 device and no installation is necessary on the connecting devices. Easy access through the Web UI is provided regardless of device connecting to the MiFi 3352.

The award winning MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot delivers download speeds up to 7.2 megabits per second with enhanced performance for simultaneous uploads/downloads and large file transfers. It supports up to five simultaneous users located within 10 meters of the device. Compact and simple to use, the MiFi 3352 also includes a microSD slot for expandable memory of up to 32 gigabytes.

Speaking about the UK launch, Phil Roberson, Director of Devices for Everything Everywhere, the company which runs Orange in the UK said, “We’re excited to be rolling out the world’s first truly intelligent mobile hotspot. One of the key drivers for differentiation is the operating system and the simple access to new widgets and apps on the mobile WiFi. As a result, this new device complements our mobile broadband offering perfectly.”

Orange’s Mobile WiFi operates on Orange UK HSPA network and offers simultaneous Wi-Fi connectivity for up to five devices or users. At launch, it will feature widgets such as data usage, GeoSearch, GeoWeather and SMS capabilities.

“We’re thrilled to introduce this industry first with such an innovative UK operator,” said Rob Hadley, chief marketing officer for Novatel Wireless. “Orange’s Mobile WiFi with intelligence and added capabilities fits perfectly with Orange’s mobile broadband portfolio and we’re proud to support this launch in the UK.”

Meanwhile there’s also a 3G-enabled Samsung N150 netbook, with 11hrs of battery life, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard-drive, and a variety of new mobile broadband plans.  Both monthly and yearly contracts are offered, plus there’s an optional 1GB of extra “quiet time” data allowance (from midnight until 4pm).

Finally there are three new SIM-only tariffs.  Full details on the new plans in the gallery below, though bear in mind they include a £5 discount for existing Orange subscribers (mobile or broadband) .

Press Release:

Orange introduces mobile WiFi in mobile broadband and mobile SIM Only refresh

• New Orange Mobile WiFi introduced with the launch of the Novatel Wireless 3352
• Samsung N150 connected netbook unveiled, featuring 11 hours of battery life, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive
• Existing Orange pay monthly, pay as you go and home broadband customers rewarded with a £5 discount on all new mobile broadband price plans
• Orange also expands its SIM Only mobile portfolio with three new tariffs

Orange today announced a refresh of its UK mobile broadband offering, as well as three new SIM Only tariffs for mobile customers – which for the first time include 12 month contracts. The new packages are designed to provide Orange customers with even greater choice and flexibility than ever before.

Mobile Broadband
Rewarding users with best value, all Orange customers, whether on pay monthly, pay as you go or on Orange home broadband – receive a £5 discount on mobile broadband plans, giving them the flexibility to surf, email and post updates wherever they are.
Responding to customer demand, Orange has reintroduced its 12 month price plans on new Dolphin and Racoon packages. Both one and 12 month Dolphin plans now come with a 1GB monthly allowance, and select packages offer an additional 1GB “quiet time” data allowance (from midnight until 4pm) as well as the option of unlimited data through BT OpenZone public WiFi.

Meanwhile occasional mobile broadband users can choose between Orange’s Racoon packages offer 500MB on one and 12 month plans, or a pay as you consume option with no line rental for existing Orange customers, who simply pay 5p for each megabyte of data.

Orange Racoon

Contract length
Monthly data allowance
Monthly cost
Dongles – One off charge
Dongles – One off charge
Mobile Wi-Fi – One off charge
Huawei E1752
Option 515m

1 month 500MB anytime £5* £29 £39 £89
1 month £0.05/MB anytime (capped at £40 = 800MB) £0* £29 £39 £89
12 months 500MB anytime £5* £0 £10 £59

Orange Dolphin

Contract length
Monthly data allowance
Monthly cost
Huawei E1752
Option 515m
Mobile WiFi
1 month 1GB anytime Unlimited BT Openzone Wi-Fi** £15* £15 £25 £75
1 month 1GB anytime £10* £15 £25 £75
12 month
1GB anytime
1GB quiet time
Unlimited BT Openzone Wi-Fi**
£15* £0 £10 £49
12 month
1GB anytime
1GB quiet time
£10* £0 £10 £59

*Prices quoted are with £5 discount for existing Orange pay as you go, pay monthly and home broadband customers
** BT Openzone usage is subject to a fair use policy

Orange Mobile WiFi
Orange also launched today its first Mobile WiFi device, with the Novatel Wireless 3352, allowing customers to get online with up to five simultaneous WiFi devices – including laptops, music players, games consoles, digital cameras and tablets – over the Orange 3G network. Requiring no USB connections or wires, Orange customers can now create a portable 3G WiFi hotspot for all their WiFi gadgets, at the touch of a button. Smart and simple, Mobile WiFi is available on all Orange mobile broadband plans, starting from a one-off fee of £49 depending on the package taken. The compact and stylish device features an intuitive interface with customisable widgets and on-board applications.

Samsung N150 Netbook
From today, customers can also get the stunning Samsung N150 netbook with Orange mobile broadband. Featuring an embedded SIM, the N150 comes with an unbeatable 11 hours of battery life, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive for photos, music, files and more. With its exclusive matt black finish, it’s as stylish as it is powerful and will get customers online instantly. The Samsung N150 is available on two 24 month price plans:
For £25* a month plus a £80 upfront fee, customers enjoy 1GB anytime and 1GB quiet time plus 100 texts
For £30* a month plus a £50 upfront fee, customers enjoy 1GB anytime and 1GB quiet time plus 100 text and unlimited WiFi
SIM Only Mobile Tariffs
Finally, Orange is expanding its SIM Only offering with the introduction of three new Canary animal tariffs for mobile customers. This is the first time that Orange is offering 12 month SIM Only contracts, providing greater flexibility and choice for customers.

Designed for people who love to chat, these new plans reward customers with the following inclusive rewards:
30 day £10 SIM Only plan – 100 minutes and unlimited texts
12 month £10 SIM Only plan – 300 minutes and unlimited texts
12 month £15 SIM Only plan – 600 minutes and unlimited texts
Simeon Bird, Director of Propositions at Orange: “At Orange, we’re always looking at ways to meet the ever-changing demands of our new and existing customers. We believe our new mobile broadband and SIM Only offerings do just that by enabling customers to stay connected – whether by calls and text – or by surfing the internet, email or through social networking sites.”

All new tariffs and products will be available through Orange shops, Orange telesales and online from www.orange.co.uk

As well as all the functionality we covered in our Galaxy Tab review, Orange has preloaded its own widget for access to some of its own services.  These include:

• Orange Wednesdays, the 2-4-1 cinema ticket app – allowing you to read reviews, watch trailers as well as redeem 2-4-1 vouchers all from the device
• Orange Maps – offering turn by turn GPS navigation
• And the option to download Your Orange, so users can manage their Orange account, and keep up-to-date with their mobile data usage

Full pricing on the various plans (and out-of-bundle charges) are in the gallery below.  It’s worth remembering that Orange quote monthly subscription costs including the £5 discount, so if you’re not an existing customer with the carrier you need to factor that in as well.  If £499 is still too rich for your blood, Carphone Warehouse are offering the Tab at £100 and upwards depending on contract.

It joins a select bunch of devices that already have HD Voice compatibility, most recently the Samsung Omnia 7 Windows Phone 7 smartphone.  So far only Nokia and Samsung have produced compliant devices (the Nokia 5230, Nokia X6, Nokia E5 and Samsung Omnia Pro all support the technology) but Orange is hoping that not only will more manufacturers get on board, but other carriers as well.

Right now that’s no great loss, given the relatively small scale of HD Voice in the UK.  The feature is currently limited to a handful of Nokia devices and the Samsung Omnia Pro, and can only be used on the Orange UK network.  Still, if the carrier’s plans to promote HD Voice as a generic standard pan out, it could be an interesting differentiator between otherwise relatively similar Windows Phone 7 devices.

Orange is still hoping to get more networks – and device manufacturers – onboard with HD Voice, so that the technology will pick up steam and become more prevalent.  Until then, only Orange customers – and not those roaming from T-Mobile, either – will be able to take advantage of it.  Still, a strong handset might be what HD Voice needs to break through into the mainstream, and it certainly won’t hurt Samsung in differentiating their hardware from other Windows Phone 7 manufacturers.

That gets you 600 minutes, unlimited texts and email, unlimited data and use of the carrier’s Orange Maps sat-nav app.  Meanwhile the Orange Samsung Omnia 7 will be free on a £40 agreement (with the same two-year commitment) with 1,200 minutes and the same unlimited data, texts and email.  Obviously there’s a “fair use” data policy in play as well.

To differentiate their offerings from other carriers, Orange will be loading their “Orange Selects” sub-store as part of the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace; described as a “shop within a shop” it will be used to highlight specific titles the carrier has either developed or is keen on.  From early 2011 Windows Phone 7 users will be able to charge their paid-app downloads direct to their Orange bill; until then they’ll have to register a credit card as usual.

Press Release:

ORANGE REINFORCES SMARTPHONE LEADERSHIP WITH NEW MICROSOFT WINDOWS PHONE 7 DEVICES

Orange chosen as Microsoft’s key partner for Windows Phone 7 roll out in the UK giving customers more choice than ever before

• Orange to exclusively range the HTC 7 Mozart, as well as offer the Samsung Omnia 7 across all its retail channels from 21st October
• Orange Windows Phone 7 customers have quick-link access to Orange services via their handsets along with industry leading Microsoft Windows Phone 7 customer support
• All Orange customers now also benefit from having the broadest network coverage in Britain meaning they can call and text in more places

11th October 2010, London: Orange today took its place as the number one destination for Smartphones, announcing the delivery of two new handsets based on Microsoft’s latest mobile operating platform, Windows Phone 7.

As Microsoft’s key UK partner, the move builds on the long-standing relationship between the two companies and sees Orange exclusively offer UK customers the flagship HTC 7 Mozart, as well as range the stylish Samsung Omnia 7 device across all its retail channels later this month.

And it means that Orange customers have a wider choice of Smartphones and premium service support than ever before.

The HTC 7 Mozart and Samsung Omnia 7 handsets will be available to business and consumer customers on Orange from the 21st October. Both handsets will feature quick-link access to the following Orange applications and services, which will be integrated into the new Windows Phone 7 panoramic tile home screen:
• Orange Wednesdays: 2-4-1 cinema ticket app – allowing you to read reviews, watch trailers as well as redeem 2-4-1 voucher all from your handset
• Orange Maps: Your personal navigation system, offering turn-by-turn GPS guidance
• Your Orange: to help you keep up-to-date and manage your Orange account – access help articles and get the latest info on your Magic Numbers
• Orange Daily: Bringing you a selection of at-a-glance news, sport and weather content as well as extras such as Wikipedia
Windows Phone 7 users will also enjoy exclusive access to unique and diverse experiences from Microsoft’s home entertainment portfolio such as Xbox LIVE®, and Zune® as well as quick and easy access to contacts and social network updated through the newly created People Hub – specifically devised by Microsoft for Windows Phone 7.

Downloading applications is also made easy through the integration of Orange applications in the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, via ‘Orange Selects’, creating a ‘shop within a shop’ that provides a single location to access the best applications from Orange and selected publishers. In addition, starting in early 2011, any Windows Phone 7 Marketplace purchases can be securely charged directly to the customer’s Orange phone bill, via a unique integrated billing experience – so they’ll have no need to enter credit card details.

Orange Windows Phone 7 users will also benefit from being on an award winning network, as well as having access to T-Mobile’s signal too – meaning they can call and text in more places across the UK.
Furthermore, as Microsoft’s lead partner, Orange will feature in a joint multi-million pound Windows Phone 7 advertising campaign planned for the UK, and the launch will be supported with bespoke interactive point of sale store materials and a high profile media partnership with XFM and Capital Radio, designed to amplify the sale of the very first Windows Phone 7 handset sale in the UK – only on Orange.

Tom Alexander, CEO: “Orange and Microsoft pioneered the world’s first Windows-powered Smartphone back in 2002, and together we’ve sold more than two million Orange devices running Windows mobile. The Windows Phone 7 experience is a step-change for the industry – one that promises opportunity, excitement and choice for our customers.
“Orange is now the number one destination for customers wanting the latest high-end multimedia handsets, and with our brand and our superior network we can truly take these devices and this operating system to a new level.”

With a 3.7” WVGA resolution, Super LCD Display, 8 mega-pixel camera, Dolby sound and a 1GHz Processor, the HTC 7 Mozart, exclusive to Orange, is available for free to customers who take out a £35 per month 24 month price plan. The package includes 600 any network call minutes, unlimited text, unlimited email, sat nav with Orange Maps as well as inclusive anytime internet browsing.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Omnia 7, featuring a 4.0″ Super AMOLED touch screen, 1 GHz processor will be available for free to customers who take out a £40 per month, 24 month price plan. The package includes 1200 any network call minutes, unlimited text, unlimited email, sat nav with Orange Maps as well as inclusive anytime internet browsing.

At launch, Orange HTC 7 Mozart customers will also have the opportunity to benefit from ‘Orange Personal Trainers’, providing dedicated and expert help to ensure customers get the best out of their Windows Phone 7 phones. The personalised service, part of the Orange Care portfolio of enhanced customer care services, will be available through selected retail stores as well as from Orange telesales.

Both handsets will be available to consumer, small and medium sized businesses and corporate customers. For more information, please visit Orange shops, Orange telesales or www.orange.co.uk

It’s not an automatic change, however, and you need to register with your current carrier and install a few new settings to your device (likely to prioritize the other Everything Everywhere network as the phone’s second default choice).  If you’re a T-Mobile customer you can do that at t-mobile.co.uk/share, whereas Orange customers can do so at orange.co.uk/share.

[via Twitter]

Update: Orange tells us the San Francisco has a 3.5-inch 480 x 800 OLED capacitive touchscreen, which makes it a whole lot more interesting at £99.

Of course, there are some compromises with that budget price, and one is the onboard storage: just 150MB to store your apps.  It looks like Orange has also fiddled with the UI, which means an upgrade to 2.2 Froyo – if even on the cards – might take longer than had they left the OS as Google released it.  Still, if you fancy a holiday but can’t afford the flight to SF, holding the Orange logo on the back of the San Francisco up close to your face might look a bit like the beautiful sun we’re told you get to enjoy out there.

[via Android Community]

Meanwhile O2 are saying the HTC Desire HD will be available on their network via Carphone Warehouse stores, again with no sign of any pricing.  Orange and Three are yet to make any public announcement, though we heard at yesterday’s press event that they would indeed be offering the devices.

Less clear is availability for the HTC Desire Z.  No carrier is saying anything quite yet, but Amazon UK have listed the QWERTY smartphone for £499.99, unlocked and SIM-free, with an October 18th release date.

HTC Desire HD live:

HTC Desire Z live:

Video demo after the cut

HD Voice brings with it a new logo, too, so that devices supporting the standard can be easily spotted.  Unfortunately there’s no sign of an update for existing devices to make them HD Voice compatible, and none of the other networks have announced their own plans for supporting the technology.

Still, if you’re consistently frustrated by poor cellphone audio quality, and only ever talk to other Orange subscribers (who don’t mind buying a new phone) then this news should make your day.

Press Release:

Crystal clear calling as Orange revolutionises UK mobile phone calls with the launch of High Definition Voice
Orange becomes the first operator to launch mobile HD Voice in the UK, signalling the dawn of a new era in mobile communications for customers
HD Voice reduces background noise and decreases perceived distance between callers by providing crystal clear calls
HD Voice is available from today nationwide at no extra cost for all Orange customers with an HD voice enabled handset
Orange today announced the first major advancement in UK mobile voice calling for 20 years with the launch of mobile High Definition (HD) Voice. Providing crystal clear sound quality for calls, mobile users will see the service set a new consumer benchmark, with today’s move testament to Orange’s continuing focus on innovation.
HD Voice offers a proven improvement in the sound quality of traditional mobile voice calls. The service eliminates the distance between friends, relatives and colleagues to make callers voices sound like they do when communicating face to face. Reducing the background noise, hisses and crackles of normal mobile calls, HD Voice also excels in noisy environments, so whether you’re at a football match or concert, on a building site or next to heavy traffic – HD Voice gives louder, clearer, sharper mobile calls. This will come as a relief for a third (32%) of Brits who blame background noise including road works or noisy chatty friends as the biggest disturbance in conversations*.
Orange HD Voice is available at no extra cost to all Orange mobile customers who take a HD Voice enabled handset. From launch, new variants of the Nokia 5230, Nokia X6, Nokia E5 and Samsung Omnia Pro will be HD Voice enabled with further manufactures expected to offer HD handsets in the coming months. All HD Voice enabled handsets will be labelled with the Orange HD Voice logo, helping customers to easily recognise those devices that support the new Orange HD Voice service. HD Voice demonstration units will also be available in Orange shops.
Tom Alexander, Chief Executive of Everything Everywhere, the company which runs Orange UK, said: “Although what we use our mobile handsets for has evolved significantly in the past few years – the way we make mobile calls hasn’t changed a great deal since the 1990s. So we’re proud to be the first telecommunications brand in the UK to change this and offer customers a revolutionary new calling experience. With mobile HD Voice – hearing really is believing”.
HD Voice also opens up new opportunities for better ways of working in business. The arrival of HD Voice is hotly anticipated by the broadcasting industry, which believes that the service could reduce its reliance on expensive ISDN lines and the need to ferry guests to studios for interviews. Other industries that will benefit significantly from HD Voice include those with significant background noise like the construction and manufacturing industries.

Meanwhile the carrier is also apparently in negotiations with Apple to bring the iPad in-store.  The push for tablets has been described as an attempt to “democratise” the shelves, introducing some extra options for would-be slate owners; it would also allow Orange more control, away from Apple’s relatively tight rein over operators.

The mysterious new device won’t be the first tablet Orange has pushed out under their own name.  Last year they launched the Orange Tabbee, shown above, a dockable WiFi slate with internet widgets and a 3hr battery.  However it failed to capture the market, and remained a niche product, something that has been partially blamed on a shortage of third-party apps.

[via Twitter]

The Torch 9800 has a 3.2-inch touchscreen, sliding QWERTY keyboard, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth and GPS, along with UMTS/HSPA and GPS.  There’s also a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and an LED flash, microSD card slot and the newest version of RIM’s platform, BlackBerry 6.  For more details, check out our hands-on report from yesterday and analyst Michael Gartenberg’s first-impressions.

Updated with O2 news after the cut

If you’re not going with Orange – though we expect the other carriers to offer the iPhone 4 will follow in their footsteps and bundle an adapter – or you want to use an existing SIM with the new handset, there are numerous guides online.  Meanwhile Expansys are selling an adapter plus a cutting tool for £5.49.

Update: CoolSmartphones‘ Dan has seemingly acquired some similar adapters from O2, so we’re guessing Orange won’t be the only carrier supplying them to new iPhone 4 microSIM users.

As with rival Orange, the only free iPhone 4 handset will be the 16GB model on the most expensive monthly contract, at £60 for a two-year agreement or £65 for an 18-month agreement.  Full details on all the packages in the table below.

If you want a free iPhone 4 with Orange, you’ll need to look to their most expensive 24-month contract, paying £75 per month (for unlimited calls and texts, and some included European minutes/data) in return for a “free” 16GB handset.  Orange will also offer the iPhone 4 on pay-as-you-go, with various tariffs to choose between.  However the PAYG price for the iPhone 4 is consistent: £480 for the 16GB or £570 for the 32GB.

Interestingly, Orange’s tariff details – which you can see in the gallery below – also include tethering pricing.  On all but the most expensive 24-month agreement (which gets 3GB included) tethering costs from £5 per month.  O2 and Vodafone have already announced their iPhone 4 packages.

iPhone 4 hands-on:

No official details of the Orange data package changes have been released, but we’re guessing the carrier will follow rival O2′s pattern.  They announced three new bands of inclusive data for monthly contract customers, ranging from 500MB to 1GB, with 500MB and 1GB of extra data per month being billed at £5 and £10 respectively.

The carrier announced earlier this month that they would be one of several UK networks offering Apple’s new iPhone 4.  Meanwhile Orange are apparently also looking at introducing tiered mobile data services that would prioritise network access for premium customers, although van Gaver has said that would initially only be for business subscribers.

[Thanks Jonathan!]

None of the three are giving anything away when it comes to pricing, though O2 are taking pre-registrations as are Vodafone.  Orange simply say they will announce more details closer to the smartphone’s launch.

In the US, the iPhone 4 will be priced at $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model.  Meanwhile an 8GB iPhone 3GS will be on sale at $99.  AT&T have confirmed that anybody with a contract renewal date in the remainder of 2010 will be eligible for an early upgrade to the iPhone 4, though international carriers are yet to announce anything similar themselves.

iPhone 4 hands-on:

Video hands-on after the cut

In fact, the main thing holding us back from outright FLIPOUT lust is the display.  At 2.8-inches it’s not so much the scale as the QVGA resolution, which is low enough to make webpages a pixelated mush at all but the closest of zoom levels.  A slightly higher resolution and this could find its way into a surprising number of professional pockets, we reckon.

Motorola FLIPOUT hands-on

Otherwise it’s generally swift and the new version of MOTOBLUR – while still dominating your homescreen with its widgets – is improved in various mild ways over its predecessor.  There’s also a 3-megapixel fixed-focus camera, WiFi b/g and GPS.  It’ll land on Orange UK imminently.

We have already talked about data plan pricing for the iPad 3G in the UK. However, there is a way to get a data plan at an even lower rate than what we previously though according to ITProPortal.

The data plan in question will cost the iPad user £5 monthly for 500MB of data each month. There are a few catches though. You have to be an existing Orange customer with an Orange 3G dongle in your possession. You then have to remove the SIM and hack it with a knife or scissors into a microSIM card and cram it into the iPad 3G. Naturally, this is a violation of Orange user agreements and policies, but we won’t tell on you.

Together, Everything Everywhere has over 30m subscribers (biased toward pre-pay) and 713 retail stores.  While better coverage for users is probably the best news, Everything Everywhere reckon their new “super-network” will save money and the environment by reducing duplication, together with allowing them to greater invest in extending their reach.

The two carriers are expected to be fully integrated by July 1st 2010, though there’s no specific timescale for the cross-network roaming.  More details in the press release below.

Press Release:

ORANGE AND T-MOBILE UNVEIL JOINT VENTURE NAME, TEAM, VISION AND PLANS

Companies outline vision to give customers instant access to everything, everywhere␣

Everything Everywhere␣: One company, running two of Britain’s most famous brands – Orange and T-Mobile

Best for customers: Scale of new company allows delivery of best value, best choice, best coverage and best quality in the industry
Biggest Network: Plans for a single super-network that will give bigger and better coverage for customers, with a smaller impact on the environment
Benefits begin this year: Roaming across both networks due later this year, at no additional cost to the customer
Boost for Sales: Biggest operator retail presence on the high street with over 700 stores today
Brilliant Service: Focus on quality, to ensure customers receive the very best service, helping people discover more from their mobile
Acceleration in new markets: New assault on business market, continued leadership in wholesale, and focus on new revenue streams
One Team: New Leadership Team announced to take the company forward

London. 11 May 2010. Britain’s biggest communications company was unveiled today, promising to transform the industry and give UK consumers the best coverage, devices, service and communications experience possible.
The company – called Everything Everywhere␣ – will run two of Britain’s most famous brands, Orange and T-Mobile, and has a customer base of 30 million people: over half of the UK adult population.

Orange and T-Mobile will continue as leading brands in the market, with each brand having its own shops, marketing campaigns, propositions and service centres. However, behind the scenes, the two brands will be run by one company, with one team and one vision to give consumers instant access to the people, places and things they want, wherever they are.

Everything Everywhere␣ is the name of the company that runs Orange and T-Mobile, and the company that all 16,500 employees will work for. The company will be officially integrated on July 1.

Tom Alexander, Chief Executive of Everything Everywhere␣, said: “Together, we are Britain’s biggest communications company, with over 30 million customers.
“We are on the verge of a communications revolution. Up until a few years ago, mobile was just about voice and text – not now. Multimedia phones have already started to change the way our customers access the world – for entertainment, education, information – wherever they are, whenever they want.
“That is why, through our scale and Britain’s only super-network with its unsurpassed coverage and capacity, we will be leading this revolution, giving customers instant access to everything, everywhere.
“We are Everything Everywhere – it’s our name, our vision, and our ambition – and we run two of the UK’s biggest brands Orange and T-Mobile. It’s our vision to give our customers instant access to everything everywhere, opening up a world of endless possibilities.”

FURTHER INFORMATION The brands

Everything Everywhere␣ will give the two trading brands of Orange and T-Mobile a shared platform of strength, with each brand owning clear emotional territory in terms of propositions, marketing and brand identity.
To customers, Orange and T-Mobile will continue to compete as distinct brands in the market, each having its own shops, campaigns, propositions and service centres.

Best network

Everything Everywhere␣ is creating the country’s biggest and best mobile network. The ambition is to combine both the Orange and T-Mobile networks, cut out duplication, and create a single super-network.
For customers it will mean bigger network and better coverage, while reducing the number of stations and sites – which is good for cost reduction as well as being good for the environment.
Later this year, customers will experience the first benefits of the merger, with the ability to roam across both networks at no additional cost.

Boost for sales

Together Orange and T-Mobile have over 700 stores on the British high street today. The company is now looking at continuing to improve and evolve its estate to generate more sales and cement its position as the UK’s number one communications company.

Brilliant service

It is an ambition of Everything Everywhere␣ to deliver the best service in the industry to the company’s 30 million customers across both brands.
The company intends to do that by offering an excellent level of service, with the best-trained and motivated people helping customers.

Acceleration in new markets

The company intends to propel itself beyond mobile communications, with a greater focus in developing new revenue streams based on the way customers will use their devices in the future.
With greater scale, the company intends to develop new revenue streams in adjacent markets, such as mobile advertising and mobile commerce.
With the company’s new coverage and scale, it also intends to ramp up offers to the business market, with the best propositions and value for businesses across Britain.

One Team

There is a new Leadership Team for Everything Everywhere␣, with key personnel from both Orange and T-Mobile running key areas of the enlarged business.
The team is led by Tom Alexander, Chief Executive, and Richard Moat, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive.

Joining them in the Leadership Team, are:
Andrew Ralston, Chief Commercial Officer Guillaume van Gaver, Vice President of Marketing Mark Duncan, Vice President of Sales & Loyalty Andrew Coull, Vice President of Retail Pippa Dunn, Vice President of Orange Propositions Lysa Hardy, Vice President of T-Mobile Propositions Gerry McQuade, Chief Development Officer Marc Overton, Vice President of Wholesale Martin Stiven, Vice President of Business Bruno Duarte, Vice President of Home Russel Taylor, Vice President of Business Development and Online Neal Milsom, Vice President of Finance Emin Gurdenli, Vice President of Network Fotis Karonis, Vice President of IT Jackie O’Leary, Vice President of Customer Operations Rui Pereira, Vice President of the Programme Management Office John Cromack, Vice President of Purchasing Linda Kennedy, Chief Change Officer Ian Pitcher, Vice President of People Operation Nicolas Ott, Vice President of Strategy, Planning and Regulatory Steven Day, Vice President of Brands and Communications James Blendis, Vice President of Legal Ben Messore, Vice President of Strategy

Update: Pre-registration site is now live: http://shop.orange.co.uk/ipad/

If you want to merely pay as you go, the Orange iPad play is priced at £0.05 ($0.07) per MB and charged on a monthly basis.  Alternatively, there are four bundle-style packages: cheapest is the £2 ($2.93) iPad Daily, which is valid for 1 day until midnight and offers 200MB of data.

Next up is a £7.50 ($10.99) iPad Weekly package, offering 1GB of data valid over seven days.  Finally there are two recurring monthly packages, iPad Monthly 15 which offers 3GB and unlimited WiFi hotspot browsing for £15 ($22) and iPad Monthly 25 which offers 10GB and unlimited WiFi for £25 ($37).  Excess data is charged at £0.05 per MB, and users will also get Orange Wednesday’s, the carrier’s 2-for-1 cinema ticket offer.

Frankly we’d rather have the US plans, but it remains to be seen how the other UK carriers – several of which have thrown their hat into the iPad WiFi + 3G ring and promised specific tariffs – price their own packages.

The Best of R3 Media

Orange Calls its First Android Phone Boston, We Approve: Android is an open source mobile Operating System, and it’s specifically designed for anyone who wants to take a crack at it, to, well, take a crack at it. And with that in mind, take the Orange-branded Boston for what it’s worth. It’s not necessarily a low-end device, as it features a 3.2-inch 480×320 touchscreen, 600MHz processor, 5MP camera on the back, and it has 802.11 b/g WiFI. However, the real appalling feature is the fact that it’s going to ship with Android 1.6. That just doesn’t cut it in our books. [via Android Community]

Citrix Receiver Brings a Virtual Windows Desktop to Your iPad: While we brought you a different kind of way to multitask last night, this method may be a far safer, and much more rational way to go about bringing multitasking to your iPad. With the Citrix Receiver iPad application, you connect that with the XenDesktop application you download to your Mac or PC, and have at it with the virtual goodness. You’ll be able to utilize multiple applications running in the virtual PC, and what makes it all worth it, is the fact that the company created an iPad-like User Interface, so you still get that ease of use you’re accustomed to, even if you are running Windows 7. [via Everything iPad]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Gets Reviewed: Even if you can’t go pick up your very own X10, with its Rachael User Interface, at least you can head over to SlashPhone and check out their in depth review of the handset. Much like every other cell phone (or gadget, for that matter), it’s not going to be for everyone, but we know that someone out there will like the X10. With its Timescape and Mediascape applications, and the fact that the Rachael UI brings a whole new level of custom skinning to a mobile Operating System, the X10 certainly stands out. But, does it do it in a good way? Go read and find out. [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge Net

Intel Suggests Dual-Core Atom Chip is Coming to Netbooks: As it stands right now, most netbooks out there are running a single core Atom chip (if they’re running an Atom chip at all, mind you), but it looks like Intel wants to change that, and soon. By the second quarter, Intel CEO Paul Otellini wants to have a dual-core Atom chip running in netbooks and other small form factors. And while the Atom chip may not be anything to write home about, at least not in its single core iteration, we’re pretty confident that a dual-core chip could definitely be something to get excited about. [via CNET]

Iron Man 2 Saves Your Data: Who better to store your data than Iron Man, right? That whole JARVIS system should do wonders for your spreadsheets and word documents. If you’re a fan of the Iron Man movie franchise, and you want to see the new movie, maybe you should show your excitement by picking up this USB drive. It comes in a 4GB capacity, and it will cost you $39.50, so we’re assuming you’re paying a little bit of overhead due to the fact it’s Iron Man related. But hey, it’s cute, right? [via Chip Chick]

The Skôn is a Hoodie With a Light: Skôn means nice, in Swedish and Dutch, and we’re pretty sure that title fits this piece of tech really well. You have what looks to be a normal hoodie, but then bam, there’s a light that outlines the hood. There’s a knitted variable resistor within the fabric of the hood, so the more you play with it, the brighter the light will become. So, if you find yourself in a dark tunnel, the more you nervously knead the rim of your hood, the brighter your path will be lit. [via Yanko Design]

Alice eBook Makes All Other eBooks Want to be More: While the iBooks application brings a sense of realism to reading your electronic book, with that whole slow page turning and what not, just watching this video demonstration of this Alice in Wonderland eBook blows our minds. It’s so interactive, with its pop-up 2.0 features, that we can’t wait to get our hands on it. And, in point of fact, we really can’t wait to see what comes next. Just watch the video and see how you can literally interact with the story, and make certain set pieces within each page move, or shake, or tumble around. We can see how this will make millions of kids out there want to read. [via The Daily What]

He also confirms that the regular HTC Desire will drop from early in April 2010, which is around the same sort of timescale that we’ve heard other UK carriers will be sticking to.  The regular Desire has a metallic brown fascia, and we imagine there’ll be plenty of people interested in its Vader-esque sibling; no word on how much they’ll have to shell out, however.  More on the HTC Desire in our full review.

[Thanks Bill!]

Orange wants to offer multimedia devices based on Intel Atom processor and the MeeGo platform. MeeGo is Linux based and was announced at MWC 2010 last month. The devices will reportedly include smartphones, tablets, and netbooks.

The multimedia devices will also integrate Orange Signature Services like Orange TV and Orange Maps. Little is known about the devices that the companies have planned right now. MeeGo device should turn up around the world this year.

The approval means that the two companies can start the integration of operations immediately with the final closing of the transaction set for this spring. The joint venture is expected to generate a value in excess of 4 billion euros.

The merged companies will have board members from each firm. Both the T-Mobile and Orange brands will continue to operate in the UK for at least 18 months after the transaction is complete. Both firms cite a larger network as one big benefit for current customers of either company.

Both have a long history of working with Microsoft on smartphones – Orange launching the first model in 2002, and AT&T theirs a year later – though their exact role as “valued partners” wasn’t made particularly clear. Still, it seems one particular push will be for entry-level pricing; Olaf Swantee, SVP of Personal Business for Orange, described Windows Phone 7 as an opportunity to promote mobile data access to a segment that so-far has proved relatively uninterested. According to Swantee, “only 25-percent of our customers today properly access the mobile internet … with Windows Phone 7 we can democratise the smartphone”.

There are also hints of future strategy, though you have to read a little between the lines. AT&T’s representative on-stage, David Christopher, is not only responsible for choosing handsets for the carrier but for the AT&T U-Verse Digital TV service; later, Ballmer described the cellphone as one of the “three screens and a cloud”, and emphasised that “exciting things are happening in the TV sphere” including the potential for integration with mobile devices. With Zune, Xbox, Bing, IE, Office and more onboard with Windows Phone 7, it wouldn’t be too great a stretch to include Windows Media Center functionality in that list too.

Looking for hands-on details of Windows Phone 7?  Check out our first-impressions post.

Windows Phone 7 UI demo:

Windows Phone 7 UI demo 2:

Windows Phone 7 ASUS prototype hands-on: