If you like streaming video and you like to be on top of the latest news events related to sports, then you would definitely appreciate the special bundle being offered by Sky Sports for O2 users. Yep, just a couple of days after Orange launches the iPhone, the previous exclusive holder to the Apple 3G device is now making waves in terms of promotions in order to keep their lead.
We’ll talk about that in a bit; as for the promotion, only the first 150 thousand O2 customers will be able to avail of this special offer. What you get for signing up is the Sky Mobile TV which gives you over half a dozen viewable via live feed straight to your iPhone. The news article also pointed out that O2 is developing more customer-oriented applications exclusive to their clients.
Personally, I cannot imagine why an iPhone user would want a sports TV bundle. Look at the demographic, these are iPhone users, sure there are a bound to be a few oddball jocks who would want to have the device as a status symbol, but most iPhone users are tech geeks who appreciate good technology but spend too much time indoors to appreciate sports. No, I wish I was kidding. But the real draw of this feature is the simple fact that it is free! Yes, the only catch is that you have to be one of the first 150 thousand to sign up.
Anyway, with the iPhone now carried by two different companies, it is about high time we have some deals like this. Monopoly has never been good for consumers. While exclusivity deals are important for sellers, the buyers get more benefit from open competition; O2 should shape up their promotions for the iPhone now that they have to compete with Orange.
Posts Tagged ‘Apple-iPhone-3G-S’
O2 Gets Territorial with the iPhone
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009UK iPhone Fans to Get Apple iPhone 3GS on Orange Networks
Friday, October 30th, 2009
O2 losing its exclusivity deal with Apple’s iPhone has been known for sometime now. Orange announced a while back that it is taking over, though not with the same exclusivity deal. That’s not entirely surprising since Orange enjoys marketing rights to the iPhone in about 28 countries worldwide. In the UK, Orange has the most extensively used 3G network with more subscribers on it than on any other operator’s 3G. The iPhone 3GS on Orange UK seems like a perfect match at this time.
A New Deal with Apple
Telefonica O2’s 2-year exclusive deal with Apple ends this month. It is worth noting that during that time, O2 sold more than 1.7 million iPhones in the UK to make the Telefonica-owned carrier the number one network operator in the land. The deal likewise gave its retailer Carphone Warehouse enough marketing clout that sealed it as Europe’s biggest independent retailer of mobile phones. Under the new deal with Orange, Carphone Warehouse will continue to stock up on iPhones for the UK market to meet the holiday shopping peak.
The new deal with France Telecoms-owned Orange is less onerous as it does away with exclusivity and the requirement for Orange to share the network’s iPhone revenues to Apple. This basically opens other network providers to carry the iPhone 3G and 3GS. Vodafone is one but not before the end of the year.
Non-exclusivity has won in many parts of Europe after France and Germany got the courts to their market sides against Apple’s monopolistic overtures. Opening the iPhone marketing to more carriers has been more auspicious and beneficial to Apple than it may have assumed.
While Apple had initially wanted a tighter control and tracking of its inventory with fewer carriers, it gets more revenues in countries where there have been no exclusivity deals. In addition, the timing may have dissuaded Apple to pursue revenue sharing as the income it gets from its online iTunes App store from iPhone purchases of application exceeds any revenue streams from its exclusivity deals. With more iPhone sales from non exclusive contracts, the more income it gets from the iTunes App store.
The iPhone 3G on Orange clearly benefits UK markets. Apart from dispensing with revenue sharing with Apple, competition with another carrier like Vodafone is expected to further lower the subscription tariffs on the iPhone. A price off might even be in the offing.
The Most Powerful iPhone now in the UK.
The new Orange dispensation comes just as the iPhone is consolidating its lead in the smartphone markets as the most successful mobile phone ever. The third generation iPhone 3GS is sure to cement this lead with features that make it twice more powerful than its predecessors. With a more powerful CPU and putting in better features where it was wanting or lacking in earlier models has put the first mobile phone from the California-based computer niche player in a position other mobile makers can only aspire to reach.
Availability
Orange is expected to sell the iPhone 3GS on the starting October 16 making the handset available from Orange shops nationwide, its online webshop, Orange telesales as well as select street partners. There’s still no tariff information but just check out the Orange site at www.Orange.co.uk/iPhone for more updates.
Apple iPhone 3G S Links:
A Lower Pricing for the iPhone 3GS on Orange Networks
Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
After two years under an exclusivity deal with Apple, Telefonica-owned O2 has relinquished (or lost) the deal to France Telecom-owned Orange in the UK and to another UK network operator Vodafone in a non-exclusivity deal that is expect to bring down the iPhone tariffs even for the new and more powerful iPhones.
Orange is well poised to take on the iPhone 3G and 3GS as it has the most extensive 3G network in the country with more people on it than on any other 3G network. Moreover, this is not new to Orange as it has distribution rights to the handset in 28 other countries on the planet. What is more significant is that with the new deal, the iPhone 3GS on Orange is expected to benefit UK iPhone fans.
A Better deal for UK Markets
The new arrangement between Apple and Orange does away with the onerous provision of revenue sharing between the two that was both boon and bane for O2. Exclusivity did have its price and it effectively put UK iPhone fans at a disadvantage with a tariff on the handset that was higher than it could have been.
But it did catapult O2 as the number one carrier in the land with more than 1.7 million iPhones sold during the period. Now, Orange and later Vodafone are expected to offer iPhones at lower prices.
Apple’s monopolistic attempts to get exclusive carriers in European markets as it had in the US had earlier met with stiff resistance with French and German telcos getting their courts against it. But it eventually proved not only good for iPhone markets but also for Apple. In countries where there are two or more networks carrying the iPhones, Apple got more revenues.
And with more people getting the iPhone at better tariffs, Apple realized more revenue streams from its iTunes App Store when the site got swamped with application purchases from the growing iPhone owners. The revenue from its online app store simply overtook the prospective revenues from any exclusivity deal. It was clear Apple has a new business model with the iPhone phenomenon.
iPhone 3GS Now in the UK
The new non-exclusive deals are expected to further boost interest and a wider market for the iPhones that have enjoyed the most commercial success in the markets where they were made available. With the third generation iPhone 3GS sporting a more powerful engine and an upgraded feature set that puts its phone functions at par with upscale smartphones, there’s every indication that points to its success under the new networks. The iPhone 3GS on Orange and later on Vodafone is expected to bring lower tariffs to a wider iPhone fan base.
Availability
Orange plans to have the new iPhone handsets ready in time for the Christmas holiday shopping rush. The O2-owned Carphone Warehouse will continue to beef up its iPhone stocks with Orange retailers from its brick-and-mortar and online shops ready to take orders starting this 16ths of October. Orange is still silent on the pricing but be sure to visit its site at www.Orange.co.uk/iPhone for more updates.
Apple iPhone 3G S Links:
iPhone Comes To Orange On November 10
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Customers on the Orange network could see the iPhone arrive sooner than first expected if the reports are true; in fact as soon as the 10th of November.
The company hasn’t yet provided any official confirmation, or dismissal, regarding the possible November date, and has actually declined to comment numerous times to different sources when questioned about the possible date the iPhone will be arriving on Orange UK.
Last month the company, who already offers support for the iPhone in twenty eight other countries around the globe, made an announcement that the popular mobile phone would become available at some point before Christmas this year – with Vodafone then announcing they will be adding the iPhone to their line up early in 2010.
Ever since the news came that O2‘s exclusivity over the iPhone was about to end, consumers have been waiting and hoping to see a price war; however as both carriers are keeping quiet about exact arrival dates we are still left waiting, wondering which network is going to give us the best price.
As Vodafone’s next financial reports will be coming out about the same time as the possible November Orange iPhone launch, that may have some bearing on the situation; but without any official confirmation we really aren’t any the wiser.
We do know that the 3 network is also eying the popular device off however, with the chief executive for the company, Kevin Russel, recently stating; “I would expect the iPhone to be on the 3 network sometime during 2010. At the moment, we don’t have the iPhone. We don’t really have any smartphones but if we improve our range of smartphones and introduce the iPhone then our data traffic will grow massively.”
AS far as we are concerned, the more carriers the more competition – bring on the price war!
Stephen Fry Wants iPhone Projector
Friday, October 23rd, 2009
Stephen Fry has just discussed what his ideal feature for the next Apple iPhone would be, with the famous tech head stating that a projector should be built into every mobile phone. He also reiterated his profound respect and admiration for Apple, while at the same time explaining he was quite disappointed with the iPhone 3GS.
“Apple has a way of undermining one’s disapproval,” he stated; “I have to say when the 3GS arrived, I thought ‘well I was hoping for a bit more than this’. It’s fine, but it’s really just a 3G souped up. It’s like one of those boy racer Fords from the 80s that had an ‘S’ after it.”
We are somewhat inclined to agree with Mr Fry on this one, and he does make a good point about the company undermining a consumer’s disapproval – I think we’ve all been there.
He went on to say; “But it’s damn smart. It’s almost as if they knew that the rivals were bringing out phones that were better than the year before, but on last year’s chipset so wouldn’t have the speed, which explains this weird concentration on ‘S’ for speed,” before explaining, “The minute you play with it and then try a rival you think ‘come on!’ – The iPhone has this marvellous quality where you swear at it less.”
Stephen Fry is certainly a very funny and well spoken man, who in this case hits the nail right on the head. I know that personally I am less inclined to swear at Apple products than those of competitors, be they mobile phones, media players or computers.
He ended with the remarks; “I’d love to see projection. Beyond question, in a year’s time, we’ll be used to the sight of someone plugging their iPhone into a dock and broadcasting those beloved powerpoints, keynotes and films.”
O2 Pairs Up With Phones4U
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
O2 has paired up with Phones4U, it was just announced, in a new arrangement that will allow the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS to be sold throughout the UK on the O2 network.
On top of the existing deal with independent retailer Carphone Warehouse, this new arrangement will mean that the iPhone is now going to be on shelves in an extra 450 stores across the United Kingdom.
Those of you who are interested will be able to purchase your iPhone on one of O2′s contracts, or on Pay As You Go, along with some Apple approved accessories that will be sold with the mobile phone.
Stephen Shurrok, the UK sales director for O2, stated: “Being able to distribute the iPhone through our partner Phones 4u helps us develop our strong trading partnership and, of course, reinforces O2′s position as home of the smartphone.”
After the announcement was made that O2 was going to lose their exclusive deal with Apple for selling the iPhone, then the following news that Vodafone and Orange were to soon start selling the device to their customers, O2 really did have to do whatever it could to make itself the carrier of choice for iPhone users in the United Kingdom; not all of them mind you, just enough to keep turning a good profit on the costly little device.
The company will be able to retain customers as well as recruit new ones thanks to a wider range of stores selling the device on O2, at least temporarily – the time will come when Vodafone and Orange go the same way, and then O2 will be relying on its exclusive Palm Pre deal.
iPhone Gets Adobe Photoshop
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Adobe has just announced that a Photoshop iPhone app is making its way into the App Store; it will be known as “Photoshop.com Mobile.”
The application will allow you to edit pictures straight from your iPhone, and includes filters such as the popular vignette blurring and colorization, which promise to thrill users who are new to Photoshop, or just enjoy playing around with their pictures, maybe distorting their friends. Obviously, given the name, Photoshop.com Mobile will tie in with the Photoshop.com service, which is basically just an online place to store your images.
All users will be given 2 GB of space to use, although if you want to get more storage you can do so, so long as you are happy to pay for it.
While Photoshop.com is advertising the application as being ready to buy on the App Store, it doesn’t appear there yet for either the UK or the US – although we are sure that this is just the result of Apple‘s sometimes slow, but always thorough, approval process; we expect it will pop up sometime in the next day or two.
Photoshop.com Mobile will face some pretty stiff competitors, including rival image editing app, Photogene. However, the app does have the advantage of the official name “Photoshop”, and all of the popularity that goes with it. We’re expecting it to become one of the top 100 apps within a month of release, and wouldn’t be at all surprised if it clawed its way into the top ten.
Personally, I will not be using the app to do anything more than I do with my regular Photoshop; that is to say I will spend many an hour drawing moustaches and hats on my friends and family – and I’m still hyped, even if the fancy features do me no good personally.
Prepare For The iPhone Price War
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
The cost of smartphones on a contract in the UK could actually go up if networks start an iPhone price war.
Analysts have warned that carriers will need to raise subsidies on the Apple iPhone as they fight it out to gain customers with lower prices; at the same time, the price of other mobile phone handsets will be forced to increase as a result.
As you all likely know by now, on Monday, September 28th, Orange announced that it now has the right to begin distributing the iPhone before Christmas, followed by Vodafone who announced the next day that it too had secured a similar arrangement to start selling the handset in early 2010 – there are now expectations that both T Mobile and 3 may soon announce similar deals with Apple; which would make five major carriers compete for iPhone customers against one another.
Neil Mawson, Strategy Analytics director of wireless practice, said; “All the operators will have to do something. The UK is the most important smartphone market in Europe,” adding, “The biggest issue will be that subsidy budgets will be ramped up. You could see subsidies moved from other vendors, such as RIM, HTC and Samsung, which will increase the price of their handsets.”
It is rumoured that O2 will be looking at alternative mobile phones to help fix their revenue come the fall out, including the Palm Pre.
Orange has not yet released tariff details on the iPhone made only a brief comment, stating; “It is business as usual on all of our devices.”
Vodafone, the most recent network to announce it will be selling the iPhone, declined to make any comment whatsoever.
Championship Manager App A Hit
Friday, October 2nd, 2009
The application, Championship Manager, puts the user in a football management simulation and is available on the iPhone now; it is designed to let people lead their favourite team to victory from their couch at home, or while riding to work on the train.
Created by Eidos, the iPhone version of Championship Manager ’09, the apps full, official title, was released today and has a whole bunch of features, letting the user manage training regimes, promote their favourite club and also deal with a board which is desperate for you to succeed and make them rich in the process – all in all, it’s actually somewhat realistic.
The app has a subtitle, “Express”, meant to inform users of the intent of the mobile version of the game – it still boasts all the same depth and detail as the original version, the same number of players to choose from and the same tactics but it is also a game that one can pick up and play, then put down again and get back to it later – a feature we think is great.
Although the 2D interface wont be wowing anyone any time soon, and the text you have to scroll through gets a bit irritating, watching your little team of spots running around the screen trying to get the ball, a white spot, to go between two sticks, the goals, might not sound enthralling, it really does become incredibly addictive.
Roy Meredith, the general manager of Championship Manager, stated; “The revolutionary capabilities of the iPhone and iPod touch make it a compelling platform and we have designed the Championship Manager game play specifically for these devices.”
You can pick up a copy in the app store now for only £3.49; good value even without 3D graphics.
Orange To Offer iPhone To UK
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Mobile phone users in the UK are set to have a new choice when it comes to networks now that Orange has revealed plans to start selling the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS later this year.
Up until now the iPhone was only available on the O2 carrier, which has been Apple‘s exclusive partner since November 2007, when the iPhone originally launched. Of course, Carphone Warehouse sold the handset itself too, but when it came to an actual service provider, O2 was the only available option.
Now Orange, who claims to have the biggest 3G network in the country, will be selling the iPhone in its stores, on its website and using telesales as well as through select partners. As yet, no pricing has been announced, but we aren’t expecting Orange to be much cheaper than O2. In most countries where multiple networks are an option prices have always tended to remain relatively close.
The benefits to Apple of a second carrier becoming available in the United Kingdom are obvious; they now have an audience of customers who didn’t previously buy the iPhone because they preferred their own network over O2; meaning they potentially have the attention of every Orange user who has ever considered buying an iPhone before – that’s a pretty big market, and will likely be a fair source of revenue.
It has been announced that the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS will be available in the UK on the Orange network mid October this year – so although there are no current plans to make it available on T Mobile or Vodafone in the UK, there will now be at least some choice for consumers.