News
O2 launches new content portal
Stuart O'Brien Oct 21 2008, 12:54pm
Active moniker quietly dropped as operator offers a more targeted, web-like service.
UK operator O2 has radically revamped its content portal for users of selected Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia handsets in advance of a wider rollout.
Users will have started noticing the changes after a soft launch last week, but O2 has confirmed the move today stating that its experiences with the iPhone have heavily influenced its new strategy.
If anything, the new portal takes its cues from the full web, with tabbed browsing, built in toolbars and banner ads. Featured content partners include EA, MySpace, Yell.com, BBC, Google, Yahoo and Facebook.
Last month O2 partnered with Player X to effectively outsource its games offering under the 100% Mobile brand.
Users of compatible devices like the newer Nseries and Walkman handsets are being redirected to the new O2 'homepage' automatically.
Other users will continue to be able to access the old Active portal until handset support is widened.
Alistair Johnston, marketing director at Telefónica O2 UK, said: “We’ve learned a lot from our iPhone customers. Customers expect the mobile internet to be more like the internet experience at home or the office and that is our objective."
