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iPhone tethering, mobile billing (and Android) coming to O2 UK

By Matt Radford on May 11, 2009

It’s time for a round-up of info I’ve gleaned from recent posts on Twitter. O2 have an official presence on Twitter, and recently asked for suggestions for iPhone apps. Giving away some apps specific to their network would be a good move for the carrier – they could add some real value to the iPhone customer experience.

Some of the most requested included:

  • Integration with Bluebook
    Bluebook is a great free service from O2, storing all you texts, picture messages and contacts, but iPhones cannot use the service yet. A workaround is to install Synthesis SyncML, which at least enables you to sync contacts. But why you’d use this over Google Mobile sync, I’m not sure (unless you’re Google-phobic).

  • An optimised O2 website site for the iPhone
    OK, not *strictly* an app but it is a good idea. There is one at the moment, but it’s just a portal, and frankly it’s rubbish. Vodafone’s is a little better.
  • A companion app for O2’s recently released “Joggler”
  • Mobile billing and account management
    AT&T have released the myWireless app to manage your account and usage. This is an excellent way of providing your customers with a little bit more. O2 customers don’t yet have an official app, buth you can buy Mobile Allowance from @prenvo. This will display usage for pay monthly phones. However, @prenvo also tweeted that O2 are working on their own usage (and more?) app for the iPhone, due to arrive “later this year”.
  • A BT Openzone wifi finder
    Well, this was my suggestion 😉 No response from O2, but gmidgley let me know that you can already download an app called WiFIZone@UK, which does just that.

    Incidentally, if you can’t pick up BT Openzone or The Cloud hotspots, try resetting your wifi access by texting “wifi” to 2112.

    • And my favourite app request:

  • One that requests a PUK code… :)

Tethering

O2 have also revealed via Twitter that they are working on tethering with Apple. There’s no word on whether this will be included in monthly tariffs, but if I was to bet, I’d say probably not. Can you say Bolt On?

One more snippet to note: Android is coming to O2. O2 Germany has already confirmed the Samsung I7500, but I believe this is the first news about Android hitting O2 in the UK.

  • Gerry White

    bluebook? BT ? – o2 I think!

    I am tempted to swap to an ‘Android’ but only because the iPhone needs serious competition, I just have an issue with Google at the moment, so not sure I can do it on those grounds (100m tax evasion, I wonder how many hospitals etc.. that would help)

    One downside to sync’ing with Google is that you can suddenly find you have millions of contacts, some of whom you can’t really remember …

    😀

  • http://www.allaboutiphone.net Matt Radford

    Whoops! Thanks for noticing that typo, I’ve corrected it.

    I have to admit, the new Android devices coming out look quite tasty!

  • Iain 117

    I’m sorry but with the next iPhone rumored (MacRumours) to have 32gb storage, 3.2mpx Camera and a built in FM radio Transmitter o2 has me for at least another 18 months come this June/July :-p

    I’m guessing the tethering is just because it’s on the 3.0 update as standard so it’s more likely the case of Apple working with o2 to get it working lol :-)