Initiative will see subscribers paid to test applications within developer community.
O2 is calling for customers to enrol as members on its new developer platform, O2 Litmus.Launched in December last year, O2 Litmus hosts a range of wireless and internet-enabled apps and services.
O2 says customers signing up for Litmus will play a "key role" in helping to shape future content available on the network.
It works like this: Customers will receive free access to any app they test once it becomes commercially available.
Secondly, Litmus users will have the opportunity to earn hard cash for every application they test, via a partnership with Mob4Hire.
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Users will be able to bid for each application they wish to trial, putting a value on what they think their time is worth. With each test they complete trialists are paid the pre-agreed amount and will also increase their O2 Litmus tester reputation within the community.
Compatible handsets include the Motorola V3, Nokia N95, O2 Xda Orbit II, Samsung U600 and the Sony Ericsson W910.
James Parton, Head of O2 Litmus, commented: “Opening an apps store has become the new mobile vogue. But for O2 it misses something fundamental: the collaboration of customer, developer and the network operator.
"We are in the unique position to be able to draw on over 19 million customers and offer those with a proven interest in new mobile technologies and a real thirst for new ideas the chance to shape the future of their network by working directly with software developers to provide feedback on mobile applications that have been designed for them.”
