Mike Butcher

It looks like 02 has swiped the Apple iPhone from the clutches of Vodafone, according to breaking news reports. Although 02 itself is denying it. For now…

UPDATE: A well placed tbites source at a rival network with no interest in spinning the story tells us the iPhone has “definitely” gone to 02 in the UK. What everyone is not sure about yet is if this is just going to be the US / 2.5G version, or which operator will get the license for the 3G version of the iPhone which is due to appear at the end of this year/beginning of next. What is also puzzling some industry observers is why 02 wants the iPhone when it is already the leading UK network, and is therefore not in as much need of an extra 500,000 customers (as were attracted to AT&T in the US). The plot thickens…

According to reports starting to leak out from reliable sources, a new 3G version of the iPhone may be launched Monday in the UK in a joint promotion with Vodafone, T-Mobile, and UK phone retailer Carphone Warehouse as an MVNO.

A report in the London Evening Standard newspaper (no link available) yesterday hinted that Vodafone would be the official carrier in Europe, but Newswireless (run by long-time mobile journalist Guy Kewney) today says Apple is going with three carriers in Europe to answer criticisms folllowing its exclusive deal with AT&Tin the US. The announcement is slated for Monday but an actual shipment date for the 3G iPhone is unknown, although it is looking like the year-end.

Vodafone recently launched flat-rate data charges for its under-used 3G network, making it a good platform for the iPhone, while T-Mobile has positioned itself for a while as a flat-rate “Web and Walk” carrier. Carphone Warehouse, though a left-field choice, is said to be in the frame as a MVNO carrier in the UK. The American version, using only 2G phone technology, goes on sale in the US today.

On the eve of its launch, courtesy of Frukt Music, comes an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the iPhone:

Strengths:

- Apple approach: a)great product, b)simple usability, c) clear communication

- Dual-contact touch screen, twice the resolution of average computer screen, full-detail web pages with easy zoom-in feature, easy-view photo software, extra Google maps functionality (traffic details, fake GPS), easy music/phonecall switchover via headphone button, integrated email, phone and web features and other technological advancements will appeal to early adopter Apple fans

- Relies on tried-and-tested iTunes software – already a hit with consumers

- Easy to activate iPhone at home using iTunes

- YouTube link-up allows users to view videos over WiFi

Weaknesses:

- Apparently no way to record video – so no instant uploads to YouTube

- Sealed-in battery. Must send it back to Apple for a replacement.

- No memory card slot

- Over-the-air content delivery not part of initial iPhone plan (although not a critical concern: for every iPod bought, only 20 tracks on average are iTunes purchased, most are transferred from CD or illegally downloaded)

- Strength/Weakness: High price point ($499/$599 at launch) will only attract early adopters (J.D. Power: Typical U.S. phone user in 2006 paid $94 for a mobile). Although, for the initial model, perhaps early adopters are the sole target market (modest Apple sales targets of 10M globally by 2008, less than 1% of the mobile handset market)

About-nokia.com: According to Finnpanel 1.6 million Finns (older than 9 years) have a radio on their cell phone. That’s 36 % of the finnish population (in 2005 the figure was 17%).

Sony is going to allow PlayStation Portable (PSP) owners make VoIP and video calls using a camera and microphone which will hit the shops on 25 May. Gamers will be able to call other PSP owners and some BT phones. BT is developing the software, which was originally intended for the Nintendo handheld. The BBC reports the service will initially only be available in the UK and will only work on home or BT wireless hotspots, of which there are 2,000 so far. There are 24 million PSPs sold globally, eight million in the UK. Interestingly, this will be one of the first applications of BT’s 21 Century Network (21CN).

It’s not clear as yet, but it sounds like you will only be able to make calls if you are a BT customer already, meaning you’ll have to log-in with a customer ID to the network. We wait to be enlightened…

Mobile handsets capable of displaying TV will hit 244 million by 2011, according to the Multimedia Research Group in the US. That’s double the number previously forecast for the uptake rate expected in 55 countries. Big leaps are expected in 2009 when 53 million broadcast TV enabled handsets are expected to ship. The bulk of the 80 mobile TV trials all over the world will become genuine services. Most will be good enough to watch for 30 minutes at a time. According to the report, service revenues from the global mobile TV market will exceed $24bn annually by 2011, with Western Europe likely to lead in revenue terms at over $10bn, followed by the USA and Canada at $7.7bn, and China and the Far East at $5bn.

If the rumour that T-Mobile is in the front line to take the iPhone in Europe then the new rumour that the Apple iPhone will also be available on a pre-paid contract is pretty interesting. The Boygeniusreport.com says they got a few screen shots sent to them which show internal AT&T account codes showing the iPhone available to Pay As You Go subscribers with AT&T in the US. This would widen the market for the iPhone considerably, especially in the US where customers are generally locked into contracts for a long time. If the iPhone is pre-paid in Europe then expect a massive run on the phones – and yet more power to the iTunes music store.

If the rumour that T-Mobile is in the front line to take the iPhone in Europe then the new rumour that the Apple iPhone will also be available on a pre-paid contract is pretty interesting. The Boygeniusreport.com says they got a few screen shots sent to them which show internal AT&T account codes showing the iPhone available to Pay As You Go subscribers with AT&T in the US. This would widen the market for the iPhone considerably, especially in the US where customers are generally locked into contracts for a long time. If the iPhone is pre-paid in Europe then expect a massive run on the phones – and yet more power to the iTunes music store.

Moblog.co.uk has relaunched its site with a new redesign and launched a moblog for mobile operator 3′s X-Series handset range.

Co-founder Alfie Dennen says: “The new homepage is geared towards being more inviting to new users, whilst also being a much more easy way to discover new things happening on the site. One of the new elements is something we call “busyness”, which calls those posts which have the most comment activity to the front page.”Featured moblogs are also more prominent now, making it easier to see what competitions and interesting images and video are being posted by bands, charities and other organisations moblogging.

A new tag cloud, displays interesting posts and discovers what tags are common throughout the site. The site’s navigation is now always visible at the top of the page, with the addition of the new ‘featured’ and ‘highlights’ links. Some enhancements have also been made to the search page, improving search results overall.

Moblog recently announced a deal to license its technology to Channel for the for Big Art Mob.

So I got my Virgin Media customer pack today. They must be sending it to everyone who has ever touched Virgin (I had a Virgin mobile number once, plus I was on Telewest at one time). Clearly they are going for the whole "we'll simplify TV, broadband, phone and mobile for you" pitch. There is also a response mechanic: If you got to Knowfirst.co.uk you'll obviously have read their printed marketing material. Not just found it via a blog or something. Oh no. To cap it all, in the small print on the back of their slick marketing material are the tiny words: "Security features not available to Mac users." Hmmn, so much for the Apple-esque marketing material then.