Vodafone inks deals with leading online brands

Vodafone has had a busy time this February announcing major deals with MySpace, YouTube, eBay and Google, writes ENN.

• The deal with MySpace will allow Vodafone users to use their phones to edit their profiles and post messages, photos and blogs through MySpace Mobile. MySpace has made similar deals in the US and Japan but this is the first time the firm has moved into the European mobile marketplace. MySpace Mobile will come pre-loaded on a selection of Vodafone handsets with users also able to download it from Vodafone Live! The service will launch in the UK prior to being rolled out across Europe (from NetImperative, 08/02/2007)
• Vodafone’s agreement with YouTube will see the online video firm provide a daily selection of new videos to Vodafone users in addition to allowing users to send videos to the site directly from their phones. Users will also be able to send links for content to their friends and search the site for new clips. As with MySpace the service will first roll out in the UK via Vodafone Live! before its full European launch (from ENN, 09/02/2007).
• Vodafone is also working directly with YouTube’s parent company Google to provide its Google Maps service to Vodafone customers via a java application. The service will provide maps and local listings to users at their usual data rates. The two firms are already partners, with Google providing search services to Vodafone users (from ENN, 12/02/2007).
• Vodafone’s last major deal this month with eBay sees the creation of an application which will allow users to use the online auction service directly from their phones. As with other such applications it will come directly pre-installed on some handset models and will also be available for download from the Vodafone Live! service. The new service is first being trialled in Italy prior to its full European launch (from Telecoms.com 07/02/2007).