Vodafone just gave us a peep at its new software for Nokia phones, re-skinning the Finns’ familiar interface with something altogether quicker: at least, if you’re looking to hop online at the flick of a finger. Take a good look at the all-new Vodafone Homescreen, making its way to a mobile near you this Summer.
On the surface, Vodafone Homescreen is a simple re-skin. But look closer and you’ll see some serious thought has been put in. It’s making its first appearance on the Nokia N85, and hinges on the D-pad in the middle. A quick press upwards gives one-touch access to phone functions, messaging, and the calendar. A press to the right opens up your music and media libraries, as well as giving fast access to Vodafone’s own music store.
A press downwards opens up your ‘VIP contacts’ – a sort of jazzed up speed dialer. But it’s the left press that’s most interesting. Jabbing the D-pad in that direction opens up the ‘Internet’ panel. The first thing you’ll see is a Google search box, making quick web queries a breeze. There’s also access to Vodafone’s App Store, bringing software from its Betavine service direct to the handset.
The Internet panel is also where you’ll find widgets and web shortcuts. It’s all very handy, and certainly beats rifling through Nokia’s standard menus to find the web browser, RSS reader or applications folder. But the neat trick is that the Vodafone Homescreen doesn’t just live on your mobile: it’s on your PC too.
When you buy a phone with Vodafone Homescreen installed (that’s the N85 at present, soon to be followed by the Nokia 6210 and other S60 smartphones this summer) you’ll be given a PIN. Log in to Vodafone’s My Web service, tap in the PIN and your mobile number and it’ll automatically sync the My Web homepage to the contents of your phone.
Add a weather widget on the web, and it’ll automatically appear on your phone too. Likewise, you can add widgets and feeds to your phone, safe in the knowledge they’ll sync to the web instantly.
It’s slick, quick and works a treat. Vodafone seems deadly serious about pushing the web to your mobile, and making it easy to discover too. Stay tuned for a full review. In the meantime, have a peep through our photo gallery of Vodafone Homescreen in action above.
Out now | £TBC | Vodafone
