Vodafone widens 360 access beyond branded handsets

Vodafone has announced it won’t launch any more Vodafone 360-branded handsets, such as the Samsung H1 and M1, but the mobile app service will continue to exist.

The mobile operator said it was moving to increase the availability of the service by including it on more of the handsets it sells to subscribers.

A statement from the company read: “Vodafone’s core strategy remains to offer the best range of smartphones in all markets in which we compete. We have decided to accelerate our Vodafone 360 services strategy, making them available on as many devices as we can, as soon as we can.

“From now we will be focusing all efforts on expanding the range of handsets and platforms that support Vodafone 360 and developing and enhancing the suite of Vodafone 360 services.”

Vodafone has faced stiff competition from rivals, such as Google’s Android Market and Apple’s App Store (nma.co.uk 25 March 2010).

It said the service will be still available on more than 100 handsets in its portfolio and was adamant the service still has a place in the market.

“We have always been clear that Vodafone 360 is about a suite of services, not just about bespoke devices. Our intent was always to provide services across as many handsets as possible on as many platforms,” read the statement.

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk