vodafone

The first smartphone with a “clickable” touch-screen - the BlackBerry® Storm™ 9500 from Research In Motion (RIM) - is now available in Germany exclusively from Vodafone. Purpose built for Vodafone and delivering the renowned functionality of the BlackBerry® solution, the BlackBerry Storm brings entertainment, information and communications to the tips of your fingers. The beautifully designed BlackBerry Storm will be available in Vodafone stores from 17 November from EUR 1,- on a 24 month contract.

The BlackBerry Storm is the perfect choice for both consumers and business users looking for a state-of-the-art multimedia device that makes a statement in the office and out on the town. The stylish smartphone boasts exceptional performance, a stunning display and rich features including 3G (HSPA) network support, GPS, desktop-style web pages, advanced multimedia, a first class phone, camera and robust messaging capabilities - designed to give users an incredibly fast and powerful mobile experience.

The BlackBerry Storm features the unique and innovative SurePress™ touch-screen, which depresses ever so slightly to aid in typing and navigation and to give users an experience they can actually feel. Through the revolutionary SurePress touch-screen, the virtual keyboard on the BlackBerry Storm responds much like a physical keyboard. The touch-screen supports single-touch, multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient navigation as well as easy and precise typing. It also features a built-in accelerometer, which automatically switches the display for use in landscape and portrait as the user rotates the handset. When in portrait mode, users can type out a quick instant message or dial a number using either RIM’s SureType® keyboard layout or a 12-key multi-tap keyboard. When the handset is rotated to landscape, the user is presented with a full QWERTZ keyboard.

The BlackBerry Storm smartphone brings images to life with stunning clarity through its gorgeous 3.25-inch, high resolution (480×360-pixels at 184 ppi), 65K colour display. A multimedia powerhouse, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone has a built in media player that handles a number of music formats. It can even be synchronised with iTunes® to enjoy music on the move* or synced wirelessly via Bluetooth to the BlackBerry® Remote Stereo Gateway to enjoy songs through a home stereo. The built-in speaker and stereo headset deliver music in excellent sound quality. The BlackBerry Storm also has 1GB of onboard memory storage and a microSD/SDHD memory card slot that supports up to 16 GB of additional storage.

BlackBerry Storm users can also find their way in unfamiliar surroundings thanks to the Vodafone Navigator application and integrated GPS receiver. The 3.2 MP digital camera with autofocus and a powerful flash, complete the rich multimedia capabilities. Preloaded with an incredible selection of applications that were custom-built for use on BlackBerry® smartphones, the BlackBerry Storm enables users to simply and easily keep web community pages current, continue instant message chats or even add pictures directly to Flickr™.

The BlackBerry Storm is available from EUR 1 on a 24 month term contract from Vodafone. Vodafone has introduced three special data tariff options for the BlackBerry Storm which are optimised for email and Internet usage.

Vodafone customers have the choice of a range of flat rate services and additional monthly packages that range from EUR 2.95 and EUR 24.95. There’s an Internet messaging tariff option to satisfy all user requirements and if the customer isn’t sure about which option to choose, they can use the Vodafone InternetMessaging StartAutomatik service for 30 days to send and receive emails, surf the net and send up to 500 text messages to all German networks free of charge. Following this trial, Vodafone can determine the Internet Messaging tariff option that is most suitable for the user’s needs and inform the customer about the best tariff option to suit their needs by text message. The customer then has four weeks to decide whether to keep the tariff option or switch over to another one.

Vodafone Malta and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) are pleased to announce the launch of the BlackBerry® Bold™ smartphone in Malta.  The BlackBerry Bold smartphone is a top-of-the-line handset that comes with tri-band support for HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and includes integrated GPS and Wi-Fi®, as well as a rich set of multimedia capabilities. Featuring a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome finished frame and stylish leather-like backplate, the BlackBerry Bold is a symbol of accomplishment and aspiration. The stunning display, sophisticated user interface and newly designed full-QWERTY keyboard make the BlackBerry Bold a ‘must have’.

Vodafone Malta Ltd Chief Executive Officer Inaki Berroeta commented, “Now that the BlackBerry Bold is available in the Maltese market, professionals have the opportunity to manage their business dealings and operations in a manner that is fast and flexible.”

The BlackBerry Bold smartphone provides wireless access to email, phone, web and multimedia applications, as well as many other business and lifestyle applications. Through its integrated GPS, the BlackBerry Bold can pinpoint its exact location, supporting BlackBerry® Maps and other location-based applications and services.

“The BlackBerry Bold is an exceptionally powerful smartphone that seamlessly blends performance, usability and design,” said Mark Guibert, vice president of Corporate Marketing, RIM. “We are delighted to be working with Vodafone Malta to bring the BlackBerry Bold to customers in Malta.”

On December 1st, Vodafone Australia will launch the BlackBerry Storm free on the company’s Internet Data Cap plans from $69 per month on 2-year service agreements.  Unfortunately those unlimited data plans will have a bit of fine print that might hinder your browsing habits.  According to Cnet Australia, Vodafone’s unlimited data is only available when used through the native BlackBerry Browser and does not include video streaming or large file downloads.

So what happens if I want to use data outside of the BlackBerry Browser?  Well here is where things get hairy, according to Vodafone’s PR those customers looking to access data outside these terms of use will be charged $0.50 per megabyte, or can opt to take a 100MB data plan for an additional $9.95 per month.  If you are still interested in taking the world by Storm in Australia December 1st, Vodafone is currently taking pre-registrations on their website with 8GB microSD cards included.

Vodafone Australia BlackBerry Storm pre-registration

With 16 exclusive mobile phones including the new BlackBerry Storm for contract customers, Text Unlimited for all pay as you talk customers, and the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 ‘netbook’ with built-in mobile broadband, Vodafone UK will have something for everyone this Christmas.

From the great value £30 pay as you talk Vodafone 527 Rainbow with its range of colours for the fashion conscious, to the latest Sony Ericsson C905 with its 8.1 mega pixel camera, all Vodafone’s Yuletide offerings will make the most of its fast and reliable network.

Ian Shepherd, consumer director for Vodafone UK, says: “This year’s Christmas range features a great mix of phones at a price that will please everyone. Many of our exclusive mobiles will make ideal gifts especially as several will come with a free digital photo frame. There really is something for everyone from a stylish low cost mobile in the shape of the VF527 Rainbow to more sophisticated mobiles for avid internet, social network, instant messaging and email users.

“Of course there’s also plenty of choice for those who want to have their music in their pocket or quick access to satellite navigation with the Sony Ericsson W350i and the Nokia 6210. Best of all, every Vodafone Pay as you talk customer can opt into Text Unlimited to be rewarded with free texts each month just for topping up £5 or more. As Vodafone is the only network operator to reward topping up just £5, this all makes a mobile from Vodafone’s Pay as you talk range a perfect gift for Christmas.”

Pay as you talk: Not only will Vodafone have twelve exclusive mobiles for Pay as you talk (PAYT) customers to choose from, there will also be a highly desirable free gift of a digital photo frame (RRP £50)* with purchases of the Samsung G600, Nokia 6500 Classic or the Sony Ericsson K770i. All Vodafone PAYT customers can get even more value with free rewards of unlimited texts when they opt in to Vodafone’s Text Unlimited plan. Free to join, Text Unlimited is activated by spending as little as a £5 on top up each month**. Customers can earn extra texts each month from unlimited weekday evening texts through to free texts all month by just topping up.

For our contract customers there is a wide selection of smart phones and camera phones, all of which are available from free on monthly price plans that all include unlimited email and internet*** use.
PAYT:

Sony Ericsson K770i – exclusive in pink or silver – cyber-shot camera phone, £80 when bought with £20 Top Up

Sony Ericsson W350 - exclusive black and purple colourway - a great music clamshell, £60

Sony Ericsson W910i Havana Gold – exclusive – with its Walkman media player it’s ideal for music lovers, £100

Samsung Steel – exclusive - 3 mega pixel (MP) camera phone with auto-focus and video capture, £80 (also available on contract)

Samsung J700 – exclusive in silver and pink – stylish and desirable slider phone, £50

Samsung G600 – available in pink and graphite high quality 5MP camera phone, £100

Samsung Omnia – Stylish Windows Mobile device with a 5MP camera and full touch-screen making it great for mobile internet, £400 (and from free on contract)

Nokia 6500 classic - Premium design with a 2MP camera, 1GB internal memory and 3G making it great for fast downloads and web browsing, £100

Vodafone’s own range of mobiles completes the pay as you talk line up with the VF527 Rainbow in a variety of bright stylish colours (£30 inc £10 Airtime), the great value, VF725 2MP camera phone (£50 and the new additions to the range), the VF533 1.3 MP camera slider (£30 when bought with £10 Top Up), and the compact and lightweight VF231 (£20).

CONTRACT:

BlackBerry Storm 9500 – a highly desirable multi-media smartphone purpose built for Vodafone customers

Nokia 6210 – exclusive – 3.2 MP camera, ideal for sat nav, email and internet

Nokia N96 16GB – 5MP camera, ideal for email and internet and for storing photos, videos and music with its 16GB memory

Nokia 6124 Classic – Classic 2MP camera phone, great for email and internet

Sony Ericsson 595 Walkman - exclusive in black and red - this stylish music slider phone comes with stereo sound, shake control, MegaBass™ and an AM/FM Radio. Great for fast internet too.

Sony Ericsson C905 – the most advanced Cyber-shot camera slider phone yet with an 8.1 megapixel camera and real flash

Sony Ericsson Xperia – stylish Windows Mobile device, QWERTY slide-out keyboard, 3″ colour touch-screen and fast internet browsing

Mobile Broadband: The Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with mobile broadband built in is the latest exclusive addition to Vodafone’s family of mobile broadband products. Complete with a Vodafone SIM, and pre-installed mobile broadband connectivity software, the Mini 9 eliminates the need to use an additional USB modem to connect to the web. Available from free on a 24 month price plan, customers can connect to the UK’s fastest and most reliable mobile broadband network anytime, anywhere.

Vodafone also has a great accessory pack to complement the netbook including an 8GB memory flash drive, a netbook ‘skin’ in black with red stitching and a cleaning kit for just £25.
Vodafone’s Christmas campaign launches on Television later this month 17th November and will be supported by outdoor, press and online advertising.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov 06, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) today announced the Treo(TM) Pro smartphone on the Vodafone New Zealand network. With its streamlined design and Palm’s ease-of-use innovations layered on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Treo Pro is a unique combination of sleek simplicity and robust productivity — including email, Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities(1) — that meets the needs of businesses and end users alike.

The Treo Pro smartphone lets IT managers support an increasingly mobile work force with the ease of use and robust feature set business professionals demand. Besides the benefits of lower infrastructure and support costs and increased productivity, Treo Pro can deliver the increased security, easier device management and access to information on the corporate network that Windows Mobile 6.1 provides.

“Vodafone New Zealand’s business customers need mobile access to business productivity tools in a well-designed device that’s easy to use,” said Alan Leigh, general manager of Business Marketing, Vodafone New Zealand. “Treo Pro broadens our business product portfolio with a Windows Mobile smartphone that can increase productivity as it lowers infrastructure and support costs.” Continue reading

The highly anticipated Blackberry Storm 9500, the first ever touch-screen BlackBerry smartphone, purpose built exclusively for Vodafone, will be available to buy from 14th November. Available on a range of high value price-plans, the device offers consumers and business customers easy access to voice and email, a range of social media applications, multimedia content, satellite navigation and many other services on the move.

Customers who want to be the first in the UK to have a BlackBerry Storm can pre-order in Vodafone stores, online at www.vodafone.co.uk/storm and telesales, and account managers for our business customers from November 14. It will also be available for sale through Vodafone’s retail partner Phones 4U in store and online.

“We know customers are excited about the Storm and the early pre-orders really emphasise this. We continue to take orders and are excited that customers are responding so enthusiastically,” commented Ian Shepherd, consumer director, Vodafone UK. “Our customers told us that they wanted a single phone that would give them the most secure, reliable email and messaging experience possible combined with all the desirable smartphone features, and at a price that’s affordable. The BlackBerry Storm has delivered all of this and more and will give our customers incredible power in their hands to make the most of now.”

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We heard earlier today that Telus would be pushing back their launch of their BlackBerry Storm (9530) somewhere in the neighborhood of December 4th to the 8th.  Despite a bit of bad news for Telus, Vodafone is pushing full steam ahead and to help bring that feeling of unboxing of your soon-to-be BlackBerry Storm, T3 has put together a first-hand photo gallery.  The images were from an International PR event at RIM’s headquarters in Waterloo way back on October 17th, but they are just as fresh as the day they were released.

For the full photo gallery visit T3 

BlackBerry Storm (9500 Series) Specifications:

Vodafone is adding to its award winning range of USB modems with the introduction of the USB Stick Pro to help customers make the most of the UK’s fastest and most reliable mobile broadband network. This new stick is designed for high performance use and will be distinguishable in the range as it comes in a stylish black design, has a space saving retractable USB connector and also comes with an integrated 4GB micro SD memory card. The Stick Pro is 7.2Mbps compatible (NB 7.2Mbps is theoretical speed, average actual speed 1-5Mbps) and boasts upload speeds of 2Mbps (average actual speed of 1Mbps). The modem will be available from free on selected price plans online, in store, via telesales or through your account manager.

To mark the launch of its new USB Modem Stick Pro, Vodafone will, for a limited period, offer the mobile broadband 3GB plan for £10 per month for the first three months on 24 month contracts. A saving of £15 over three months. Similarly the 5GB plan will be £15 per month for the first three months - a saving of £30. The Stick Pro is available on 5GB plans from free on 24 and 18 month contracts and from £29 on 12 month plans. Continue reading

Today, Vodafone launches its TV client, an application that makes watching mobile TV even easier. This client, developed i.c.w. beeweep, enables users to ’switch on’ their TV with a single click, easy change channels, flip through an extensive TV guide, or program their favorite shows.

Harry Odenhoven, Director Online Service Unit: ’Just like with mobile internet, customers desire a comparable mobile TV experience as at home. All Vodafone customers with at least a UMTS handset could already watch mobile TV via Vodafone live!. The TV client is a great step forward which makes mobile TV even more accessible. The Electronic TV Guide, reminders, but also zap functionality are ahead of the possibilities cable operators offer. Watching mobile TV like this is great!’ Continue reading