Vodafone has launched three new special edition handsets branded by the McLaren Mercedes. Vodafone is the sponsor of the McLaren Mercedes team in the upcoming Formula 1 season and is hoping the new handsets build buzz for the team. Special edition (new color schemes especially) and cross-branded handsets are hot right now.
The three new McLaren […]

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As expected, Palm has unveiled a new Treo model for the European market–the Treo 750v. New environmental legislation required Palm to stop selling previous Treo models. The 750v sports Windows Mobile just like the 700w/700wx in the US. Vodafone will have an exclusive on the device at launch (hence the ‘v’ label).
Features of the […]

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Palm took the unusual step of pre-announcing (though without many details) a new handheld designed exclusively for Europe. Earlier this month it came out that due to new regulations regarding the environment, Palm would be unable to continue selling its Treo 650 model in Europe.
The new Treo hasn’t been officially named, but will sport […]

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A collection of mobile industry players have announced a foundation to create an open source Linux-based platform for mobile phones. Founding members include: Motorola, NEC, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics, and Vodafone. While Linux is not new to mobile devices, there are not standards and as such consistency. The foundation hopes that its […]

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The Observer is reporting that buyout talks between Verizon and Vodafone over Vodafone’s 45% stakehold in Verizon Wireless have gotten more serious. Verizon has offered $48 billion for the holding, including inheritence of $8b of debt that make the total value worth a lofty $56b. Shareholders of Vodafone were looking to secure an offer above […]

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Vodafone reportedly wants a cool $50 billion for its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless. It’s no secret that Verizon wants to wholly own Verizon Wireless, but its bid came in at just $38 billion. AT&T’s buyout of BellSouth (and thus complete control of Cingular) has expedited pressure for Verizon to consolidate.
“We would not comment […]

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Vodafone Group today confirmed a rumored sale of its Japanese unit, Vodafone K.K. to Softbank for $15.4 billion. Vodafone K.K. is the third largest carrier in Japan but has been struggling financially. Vodafone shareholders were not too impressed with the deal, though they will be on the receiving end of the $15 billion sale price.
The […]

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The TimesOnline is carrying a story that BT, Virgin and Microsoft are announcing a Mobile TV alliance.
The three will announce a digital TV service for mobile phones at the 3GSM Congress in Barcelona. This is just one of the alliances to be announced at the congress, as providers and vendors start posturing to be […]

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3GSM 2006 – Nokia and Vodafone this morning announced a partnership to increase the adoption of the S60 phone platform. By making more Vodafone handsets S60 the carrier will have an easier time making the customizations and value adds that carriers love.
Nokia and Vodafone will develop a Vodafone-specific software complement on top of the […]

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Update: Vodafone K.K. has officially announced this story–the actual net-loss was 58,700 customers. The company also announced changes to its executive structure. The press release is available below.
Reuters is reporting via an anonymous source that Vodafone K.K. lost subscribers in January, despite a big 3G phone rollout.
[Vodafone K.K.] lost about a net 50,000 monthly subscribers […]

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