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.
Vodafone UK have confirmed their second Android smartphone, the HTC Tattoo, which will arrive on the network come October. The Tattoo is HTC’s most recent Android-based device, and is being positioned as an entry-level model with a focus on customization; to that extent it has a 2.8-inch resistive, rather than capacitive touchscreen, but features the HTC Sense UI and replaceable covers.
ITG have launched a preorder page for their distinctive xpPhone, promising support for “the global three major 3G standards” from its integrated 3G chip. Still unpriced, the xpPhone has a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, AMD processor, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth, together with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Unlike most smartphones, though, the xpPhone runs Windows XP.
Vodafone UK have put three much-anticipated devices up for preorder, the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2, Nokia E72 and LG GM750. Set to begin shipping in November, October and October, respectively, the three phones each have HSDPA high-speed data connections and GPS.
Since the HTC Hero debuted, owners of the company’s existing Android smartphones have been wondering whether they’d see HTC Sense – the company’s custom UI – released for their phones. Hopes were raised and then dashed back in June, when HTC confirmed that Sense would be available on certain devices, only those not “Google” branded; they’ve reiterated that at a Taiwan press conference, revealing that the unlocked HTC Magic will seen an update but the T-Mobile myTouch 3G and Vodafone HTC Magic will not.
After a few good leaks of RIM’s upcoming BlackBerry Storm 2 for Verizon, it’s the turn of Vodafone’s GSM version to appear in the wild. Spotted by the gang at Benezblog.de, the Vodafone Germany smartphone has that all-important WiFi connectivity in place, just as we’ve heard the Verizon model will.
Vodafone Spain have announced that they are the latest carrier to be offering Novatel Wireless’ MiFi 2352 “intelligent personal hotspot”. The device, which we reviewed back in June, shares a single HSPA connection with up to five simultaneous WiFi clients, and runs off an internal battery for completely wireless use.
Palm will announce the UK carrier with exclusivity for their GSM Pre next week, according to the latest news from the company. The launch will also included a release date and pricing details for the handset, making the UK the first region to see the Pre outside of the US.
Vodafone UK have become the latest carrier to offer a femtocell, and the first in Europe to do so. The Vodafone Access Gateway connects to a subscriber’s home or office broadband connection and creates a local “3G cloud” of coverage; up to four Vodafone 3G handsets can use this at any one time, with their calls and data routed over the broadband.
Chalk this one up under the “big rumor” heading for the moment, but a moderator at the Vodafone View forums has claimed that the carrier will be releasing a “Nokia N97 Mini” in Ireland later this year. The phone is described as “competitively” priced, which the moderator suggests will “appeal to a wider segment of customers”; as such, the Nokia N97 will not be launched in Ireland.
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