I happened to be in a Vodafone shop earlier today, and I couldn't help overhearing - because I was stood right next to him - someone enquiring as to when he could get his hands on an Apple handset.
Despite announcing in September with no small amount of fanfare that it will be selling the iPhone from January, Vodafone's in-store sales reps weren't able to say when the all-powerful device will physically hit the shelves.
Not because they didn't know the due launch date, but because of demand.
They explained that some 70,000 people have registered their interest in the iPhone online and they will be the first to know when it goes on sale.
"Then it'll be offered to existing customers, then to new customers, then it'll go in the shop, " said one member of staff, who joked, "then to the staff last."
They weren't even sure if the iPhone will be available in store before the end of January.
Incidentally, I was in the Vodafone shop to pick up the operator's first 360 device, the H1. A controversial choice given the LiMo operating system has got to tempt people away from the likes of Apple, Android and Windows, as well as convince app developers that it's a worthwhile investment.
I will let you know how I get on with it. Needless to say, if you don't see lots of angry, rant-ridden posts on here then it's a good thing.
Total Telecom provides news and analysis for global telecom professionals. This blog brings together the obscure and the interesting from our editorial and commercial teams.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Vodafone pitching iPhone 3GS to business users
Vodafone is touting the iPhone 3GS to its business customers as it looks to get the most out of Apple's coveted handset.
Despite being generally seen as a consumer device, albeit a high-end one, Vodafone business customers last week received a tantalising email about the iPhone's imminent availability.
As yet there are no details on the exact launch date, but since Vodafone revealed it will be selling the Apple device from early 2010, we're guessing its business customers can expect to get their grubby mitts on one at around the same time.
Sales-wise the operator will certainly have some catching up to do, given that the iPhone won't be on its shelves until after Christmas; that and rival Orange - which announced a U.K. iPhone deal a day earlier than Vodafone - has been selling the handset since November.
Of course, there's also the small matter of O2, which is currently offering its iPhone customers three months of free access to Sky Mobile TV.
So, will Vodafone be able to convince IT managers that the iPhone is worthy of the workplace? Or will we just hear tales of high-level business meetings being rudely interrupted by the latest fart app? I guess we'll find out.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Comes with...zzzzzz
This posting comes with a warning: it's a bit Mac-biased.
I admit it: I am a total Mac-oholic. I love the things. I have two MacBooks, three iPods, and when my UK mobile service provider starts selling the iPhone you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be leaping on that bandwagon too.
I even have an iMac at work - no mean feat in the face of deep resistance from a fiercely PC-oriented IT department.
The problem with my Mac habit is that upon receipt of a new Nokia X6 handset, complete with Comes with Music, the only word that can be used to describe my efforts to trial the music service is "feeble". I had a go: I went to the Comes with Music store, clicked, entered, etc. But when requested to provide a PIN that apparently was on some pamphlet that came with the phone (it was??), I was overwhelmed by total ennui and found I could proceed no further.
The problem is, to me it seems pointless to trial/use a music service when I already have access to iTunes - access that was achieved so effortlessly that I barely remember how I achieved it. I can listen to music on all my chosen music devices; I can watch videos; I can synch at ease; I know how to find music and I know it will work on all my devices. I don't particularly want music on my phone. I don't mind paying for music per track.
I am obviously not the right target market. But I just can't see the point of Comes with Music and the like. For Nokia, which wants to turn itself into an Internet services company, such services are crucial to its strategy. But is it trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted?
Aside from my pathetic Comes with Music efforts, I do like the X6: it's got a nice touchscreen user interface that seems pretty responsive; I can get easy access to my Gmail; texts are easy to write. The date and time is a bit annoying though - doesn't seem to automatically update the time when you switch time zones. I probably just need to RTM.... zzz
I admit it: I am a total Mac-oholic. I love the things. I have two MacBooks, three iPods, and when my UK mobile service provider starts selling the iPhone you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be leaping on that bandwagon too.
I even have an iMac at work - no mean feat in the face of deep resistance from a fiercely PC-oriented IT department.
The problem with my Mac habit is that upon receipt of a new Nokia X6 handset, complete with Comes with Music, the only word that can be used to describe my efforts to trial the music service is "feeble". I had a go: I went to the Comes with Music store, clicked, entered, etc. But when requested to provide a PIN that apparently was on some pamphlet that came with the phone (it was??), I was overwhelmed by total ennui and found I could proceed no further.
The problem is, to me it seems pointless to trial/use a music service when I already have access to iTunes - access that was achieved so effortlessly that I barely remember how I achieved it. I can listen to music on all my chosen music devices; I can watch videos; I can synch at ease; I know how to find music and I know it will work on all my devices. I don't particularly want music on my phone. I don't mind paying for music per track.
I am obviously not the right target market. But I just can't see the point of Comes with Music and the like. For Nokia, which wants to turn itself into an Internet services company, such services are crucial to its strategy. But is it trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted?
Aside from my pathetic Comes with Music efforts, I do like the X6: it's got a nice touchscreen user interface that seems pretty responsive; I can get easy access to my Gmail; texts are easy to write. The date and time is a bit annoying though - doesn't seem to automatically update the time when you switch time zones. I probably just need to RTM.... zzz
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Moto Milestone headed for T-Mobile UK
Motorola's Android 2.0-powered Milestone - known as Droid in the U.S. - will go on sale in the U.K. SIM free and on T-Mobile in four days, in what is shaping up to be a rather bizarre launch.
With absolutely no fanfare it emerged last week that online retailer Expansys will offer an unlocked version of the handset for £449.99, and a contract version tied to an 18-month T-Mobile UK tariff costing £35 per month, plus a £49.99 upfront fee.
Total Telecom spoke to someone at Expansys who said the phone will go on sale in four days. Meanwhile a Motorola UK spokeswoman said the phone maker is still "firming up" the Milestone's launch plans.
While the U.S. market was treated to an aggressive marketing campaign that pitted the smartphone directly against Apple's rival iPhone, Motorola's European effort has been understated to say the least.
At the beginning of November Motorola's German Website confirmed that the Droid was being renamed Milestone ahead of its European debut. Since then announcements have been made regarding the phone's availability in Italy, Canada, Brazil and Argentina to name a few.
Meanwhile Motorola said in the small print on its U.K. Milestone fact sheet that the device will be available in Q4 2009, but that's about as far as it goes for now.
Incidentally, Total Telecom's theory on the name change outside the U.S. stems from the fact that the word 'Droid' is a trademark of Star Wars creator George Lucas' Lucasfilm.
There are probably myriad reasons for the change; however, when negotiating a trademark licensing deal you need to specify in which territories you want to use it - so maybe Moto didn't see the value in shelling out to use the Droid name outside the U.S.?
With absolutely no fanfare it emerged last week that online retailer Expansys will offer an unlocked version of the handset for £449.99, and a contract version tied to an 18-month T-Mobile UK tariff costing £35 per month, plus a £49.99 upfront fee.
Total Telecom spoke to someone at Expansys who said the phone will go on sale in four days. Meanwhile a Motorola UK spokeswoman said the phone maker is still "firming up" the Milestone's launch plans.
While the U.S. market was treated to an aggressive marketing campaign that pitted the smartphone directly against Apple's rival iPhone, Motorola's European effort has been understated to say the least.
At the beginning of November Motorola's German Website confirmed that the Droid was being renamed Milestone ahead of its European debut. Since then announcements have been made regarding the phone's availability in Italy, Canada, Brazil and Argentina to name a few.
Meanwhile Motorola said in the small print on its U.K. Milestone fact sheet that the device will be available in Q4 2009, but that's about as far as it goes for now.
Incidentally, Total Telecom's theory on the name change outside the U.S. stems from the fact that the word 'Droid' is a trademark of Star Wars creator George Lucas' Lucasfilm.
There are probably myriad reasons for the change; however, when negotiating a trademark licensing deal you need to specify in which territories you want to use it - so maybe Moto didn't see the value in shelling out to use the Droid name outside the U.S.?
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