Vodafone have announced their latest mobile networking and app platform, Vodafone 360, bringing Facebook, Windows Live and Google contacts sync, software downloads and mobile content to the carrier’s cellphones. While Vodafone 360 will support numerous Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices, the carrier is also launching two new Samsung devices which will be 360 branded: the Samsung H1, with a 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen, and the Samsung M1, with a 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen.
Android users in Europe are still reeling from the launch of Spotify on the platform, but now there’s a musical sop for their US cousins. Pandora have released their eponymous personalized radio station application for the Google open-source platform, supporting the creation of custom playlists, rating of individual tracks and streaming over cellular or WiFi connections.
Meanwhile Android owners on both sides of the pond have a new native Facebook app to play with, offering access to comments, statuses, news and wall posts. While not yet being given the Facebook “official” stamp of approval, word is that the developer is in the Facebook employer network, so this looks to be as official as things get for the moment.
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UK carrier 3 have released pricing details on their entry-level social media phone, the INQ Mobile Mini 3G. Announced back in August, the compact candybar packs Twitter, Facebook, push-Gmail, Skype and instant-messaging, and will cost either £59.99 ($98) on a pre-pay tariff or from free on a monthly plan when it goes on sale in early October.
Sonos have announced Twitter integration with their multi-room audio system, which will allow users to send out tweets about the currently playing track. Rolling out from today as a beta, the social networking addition comes in Sonos System Software v3.1 and will be available to all Sonos users later in the fall.
According to the latest BGR tipsters, the upcoming iTunes 9 upgrade promises more than just pinging social networks with what track you’re listening to. Their source is suggesting that Apple are developing a “Social” application which will tap into iTunes’ functionality; this new app will consolidate multiple social networks, such as Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, and allow you to share music with those you are connected with.
INQ Mobile are probably best known for their Facebook phone for UK carrier Three, but the company - who are actually owned by Three’s parent company – have been working on a couple of new devices to lure in social networkers. The INQ Chat 3G is their first attempt at a QWERTY messaging phone, while the INQ Mini 3G has a more traditional form-factor. Both pack Twitter, Facebook, push-Gmail, Skype and instant-messaging, together with 3G and tethered-modem connectivity.
Toshiba’s TG01 Windows Mobile smartphone is almost ready to launch in Germany, and a few more details regarding the slimline handset are emerging. Not only have O2 and Toshiba partnered with Nimbuzz to put their cross-platform social networking app on the TG01, but USB Host support has been confirmed.
Microsoft have announced a new Facebook client for Windows Mobile phones, and you won’t have to wait for Windows Mobile 6.5 in order to use it. The free app will work on any 6.0, 6.1 or 6.5 smartphone, touchscreen or non-touchscreen, and will allow full messaging, video and photo uploads and integration with the handset’s phone features to place calls direct from Facebook profiles.
Microsoft have launched a new service which aims to keep groups of friends and family updated and located during periods of crisis. Eighteen months in development, Microsoft Vine is a system that integrates local news with status updates from Facebook, presented in a desktop client, by text message or by email. The concept is that local emergencies can be quickly spotted and then group-wide alerts sent out, with users “checking in” to report that they’re safe.
MySpace and Microsoft have announced that they will collaborate to produce a MySpace for Windows Mobile application, based on Silverlight. Set to launch this summer, the app will not only offer access to MySpace’s main social features, but apparently integrate some of that functionality into the smartphone OS.
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