Orange 3G Official Launch Announcment for 10/12/2004

[Blackhorse]

http://www.orange.com/images/9828.GIF
London

06 December 2004
ORANGE ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEXT GENERATION CONSUMER HANDSETS AND SERVICES

Orange delivers 3G to consumers, offering:

• UK’s broadest 2G/3G integrated network: 3G coverage available to 70% of the UK population with seamless 2G/3G handover
• Most comprehensive handset launch portfolio: Four available on day of launch, two to follow shortly
• Faster, personalised access to Orange World, with Orange also opening up the mobile Internet: exclusive video entertainment and information services, email, and Internet access
• Dynamic new communications services: Orange Video Calling comes with Orange Video Answerphone
• Aggressive “Early Adopter” tariffs: 12 month contracts start from just £30 per month which includes voice, text, Orange Video Calling, Orange World, Internet and email access
• Dedicated customer services support: Free 24-hour 3G customer services hotline and more than 2,000 phone trainers in Orange shops nationwide
• 3G Roaming and UK network interoperability from launch: video call with friends and family regardless of 3G network provider

Orange, the UK’s largest mobile communications company, today announced the launch of its next generation services for consumers, giving customers access to the broadest integrated UK 2G/3G network, the choice of a wide range of handsets, exclusive video entertainment and information services through Orange World, fast access to the mobile Internet and email, easy-to-understand pricing and dedicated customer service support.
Today’s announcement follows the launch of the Mobile Office Card for businesses in the summer, and was complimented by a simultaneous launch of 3G services by Orange in France.

More than 2,000 consumer trialists have been using the Orange UK network since it went live in July 2004, and over 10,000 people have already registered their interest in Orange UK’s 3G consumer services.

Bernard Ghillebaert, Executive Vice President of Orange UK, said: “This week we launch our next generation services in Orange shops across the UK, offering customers a wide range of handsets, exciting new services, the largest and broadest integrated network in the country and most importantly, the best customer care.

“This is just the start of the 3G evolution. Throughout 2004 we have been making sure that the building blocks are in place so that 2005 opens up a new world of mobility for our customers. Our customers can now access more services faster, and keep in touch in more ways than ever before.”

Network
Orange has the UK’s broadest integrated 2G/3G network, with 70% of the population covered by its 3G network, ensuring that even if customers move out of 3G coverage, they will not lose connection to the network. Orange has 3G coverage in major cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Belfast, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Leeds, as well as popular locations such as business parks, mainline intercity railway stations, motorway service stations, airports, conference centres, and hotels.

Handsets
Orange has announced six handsets in its launch portfolio – the LG U8150, the Sony Ericsson Z1010, the Sanyo S750, the Samsung Z107, the Nokia 6630 and the Motorola C975. The LG, Sony Ericsson, Sanyo and Samsung phones will all be available at launch in stores nationwide and online (see appendix below for pricing details).

Orange World
Orange has developed a broad portfolio of content accessible through the Orange World 3G ****** – all of which can be personalised to ensure that it is relevant for the customer. Entertainment and information services include Sky News video feeds (updated every five hours); exclusive video clips from the Star Wars films (including previews of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith); film trailers and movie clips from The Incredibles, Shrek and other cinema blockbusters; music and ringtone downloads from Warner music, EMI, BMG, Universal Music, Ministry of Sound; console-style games including Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, EA Sports™ FIFA 2005 and Tiger Woods PGA® Tour 2005; exclusive inside access to Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool as well as a host of other football clubs; and practical applications such as Traffic TV. The service, launched exclusively by Orange and developed in conjunction with Trafficmaster and regional road transport agencies, gives customers a comprehensive picture of traffic conditions on the UK's motorways and trunk roads and direct access to video of road conditions from selected motorway CCTV cameras across the UK.

Email and Internet access
While Orange World contains a vast amount of news, information and entertainment, customers are not restricted to the ****** – they have easy access to mobile email and the mobile Internet, which includes sites such as Google, BBC, Amazon, Ebay and Eurosport.

Orange customers can also use their new 3G handset as a modem, enabling them to access the Internet via their laptop. While all of the handsets can be used as a modem via a USB cable, many offer completely wirefree connection, through infrared and Bluetooth™.

Orange Video Calling
Orange’s 3G offering also provides new ways for customers to communicate with each other. The Orange Video Calling service comes with Orange Video Answerphone, allowing customers to leave a more personal, expressive message.

Tariffs
Orange has developed a set of “early adopter” tariffs, giving its first 3G customers a chance to experience all of these exciting new next generation services – such as video calling and 3G film clips. Until the end of January 2005, customers can sign up to a 12 month contract from just £30 a month. As well as voice minutes and texts, the monthly charge includes access to Orange World, email and the Internet (up to 50mb), as well as 60 minutes of free video calls per month. (see appendix below for more information on pricing).

Dedicated Customer services
Orange believes educating and supporting customers will be essential to the success of these new services. Therefore Orange has developed a dedicated customer services support team to help customers get the most out of their new handset and services. Customers simply dial the new number from their Orange 3G phone for free 24 hour customer service. Over 2,000 Orange Phone Trainers are also on hand in Orange shops nationwide to demonstrate the benefits of 3G to customers and help them with any questions they may have. Once a customer has purchased a phone, they will also configure the handset for email and personalise their Orange World home page.

Roaming and interoperability
Orange UK customers will also be able to use 3G services in seven other countries – France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Finland, Austria – with more being added over the coming months. Orange customers can already use voice and text services on 357 networks in 148 countries worldwide.

Orange 3G services will also be interoperable with all other UK operators who have launched 3G services, meaning that customers can make video calls and send content to friends over 3G, even if they are on a different 3G network.

Bernard Ghillebaert added: “We’re launching with the UK’s broadest integrated 3G network, exciting new services, unique and personalised content through Orange World, dedicated customer support and more handsets than anyone else has offered on the first day of launch.”

“The future’s bright, the future’s Orange.”

For more information, please contact the Orange media centre on
+44 207 984 2000

Appendix
Orange “Early Adopter” 3G tariffs

http://www.orange.com/images/17448.GIF

What can you get for 50mb?

• Over 60 minutes of film clips
• Over 3,000 Mobile Internet pages
• Send or receive over 20,000 emails without attachments

Notes to Editors
Orange and wirefree and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange PCS. The Orange group is one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies and a subsidiary of the France Telecom group, with operations in 16 countries across Europe and beyond. It provides a broad range of personal communications services, including Orange GSM1800 services and other digital cellular telephone services. Within the Orange Group, the Orange brand operates in the UK, France, Switzerland, Romania, Slovakia, Thailand, the Ivory Coast, the Dominican Republic, Cameroon, the Netherlands, Botswana, and Madagascar. The Orange group also has controlled operations in Belgium (Mobistar). The Orange group has a joint controlling interest in Egypt (MobiNil) and minority interests in Portugal (Optimus) and Austria (One). As at the end of September 2004, Orange was the largest mobile operator in both the UK with 13.9 million active customers, and France with 20.6 million registered customers. As at the end of September 2004, Orange controlled companies had over 52 million customers worldwide. Orange, along with TIM, Telefonica and T-Mobile, is a founding member of the FreeMove alliance. Further information about Orange can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.com

[seaweasel]

Where does it mention the 10th? It's the one detail nobody seems to be sure about.

[Blackhorse]

Weve had internal mail shots to confirm this, all internal sales and Orange retails will be stocked for the weekend.

[seaweasel]

*****. I'm glad someone knows what the deal is.

[ColinR]

Gonna get up extra early on Friday, there's an Orange shop on the way from my station to my workplace. Oh yes!

[getti]

I got 5 Orange Retail stores near me. 2 of them are 45mins train away but i dont care. I WILL get a phone on Friday!

[TextBundle]

I dont know what to do now.... I like the look of the SE Z1010 but at 28mm wide, that's a heck of a phone to stick in your top pocket. The V800 looks so great I could hold out til next year in the hope its launched but then I wouldnt qualify for the 'early adoption' tariff.

Decisions, decisions.......


ps. ColinR & getti - what phones are you buying then ?

[getti]

Z1010 i hope i dont know how the contract works. Im on the phone to CS who think once you have a contract you can have 3 phones on that account as im a domestic user but she aint sure.

No details on Upgrade prices yet either

[getti]

Just an update quick i know. The CS person i was just speaking too checked with someone and they said getting it as a 2nd handset shouldent be a problem meaning i pay £50 for the phone. Then i got £35 for my 3g plan + care to pay and my £30 on my C500 which il drop to £15 after 6 months. Just means i avoid a £250 upgrade fee around xmas time.

I will say Orange CS are VERY nice and polite and offer a great service, im very impressed with them.

Looks like if all goes to plan a nice new Z1010 for me Friday ;)

[99901]

I have a V800 on Voda. best phone I have used

If you wana stick with ORange just for preference then go with Orange, but if you want Value go with Voda as I have said in a previous post.

I may be wrong but I dont think the V800 will be out on Orange. I phoned SE and asked about the handset and they confirmed its only avalialble on VODA.

If anyone wants one I have a v800 for sale that was given to me by Voda by accident.

The Orange tariffs are ok,but not brill if you are going to be using 3G for browsing the p.o.r.t.a.l and downloading stuff like I said I do 100MB a week and thats just footy results each saturday and then news and film and weather throught each day if I wanted too I could do about 150Mb. so lets say 400mb a month on Orange would cost you £175 and thats not including the content cost itself.

[DaveC]

I've got an unlocked 7600 here --- I wonder if I can persuade Orange to put me on 3G?
Probably not as its OVP Virgin

Vodafone don't seem to care. I have a PAYG sim working happily on 3G

[getti]

I think Orange are better value than Vodafone.

50p data outside of the bundle compared to £2.35 on vodafone.
free 50mb per month data ONLINE aswell as Orange World
Free Eveing Calls For Life offer
Better CS

I do like the V800, i saw one cause my brother got it from them as he is a heavy user. I know the Z1010 is not as good spec wise but im REALLY looking forward to getting it on Friday.

I forgot to add Orange give 60mins a month vid calling free compared to Vodafones 30mins

[TextBundle]

As I understand it - The LG doesnt have an expandable memory card slot and Samsung is a bit limited too (in terms of what it can do) ...... The only competitor to the SE is the Sanyo - it seems to pack everything (its just a shame that it looks so 'retro'). Perhaps it looks better in the flesh.

Does anyone have a link to a Sanyo website? The .co.uk one isnt working....

[getti]

The Sanyo and SE will be ther be the ones to choose from. LG has 32mb with NO options for extra and no Bluetooth same as on the Samsung.

Sanyo is good feature wise but it big and horrible looking to most people
SE is a great phone but VGA cam compared to Sanyos 1.3mp and its not a flip.

Really its down to Flip or Non-Flip?

[getti]

http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/details.php?id=964

[TextBundle]

Thanks for that getti.

The Sanyo has all the spec you need - its just a pity it isnt a clam shell....

[Killahurts]

And the Sanyo is truly the minger of the mobile world - how could anyone love that phone????

[TextBundle]

Just called Upgrade Dept on CS 150 to check about Friday - they put me through to new 3G CS Dept.

They advised me that SIX handsets will be available on Friday...

The LG, the SE, the Sanyo, the Samsung, the NOKIA and the MOTOROLA ?!?!

I was quite surprised to hear this so I asked if she was absolutely sure they would all be out on Friday and she said it was on screen in front of her.....

:eek: ?????

(I know I've posted this in another thread but thought you'd like to know here too in case anyone wants Nokia or Motorola - they may only be available from CS direct - IF above is correct)

[Looney]

And the Sanyo is truly the minger of the mobile world - how could anyone love that phone????


Seen A LOT worse , not a million miles away either !

Like this (http://timtyler.org/mobile/e808/graphics/e808_3.jpg) ,Or even this ! (http://www.cellman.it/photoreports/e808Y/DSCN0087.JPG)

And who could forget this ? (http://www.portel.it/images/phones/NEC_e606_front.jpg)

or this stunner ! (http://www.4ukphones.com/nec/nec-e313-large.gif)

or this beauty ? (http://telemoveis.com/imagebank/motorola-a820.jpg)

[A1c]

That lot just put me off my dinner! Thanks miffed!

[Blackhorse]

And the Sanyo is truly the minger of the mobile world - how could anyone love that phone????

Megapixel camera, expandable memory for music,262k colour screen and bluetooth i hear. hmmm FOC on the lowest tariff.

Think a few will shift

[A1c]

I predict it'll be available in quantity and once third party dealers get it will be available with some incentives. Had a look at the dimentions and it's not huge at all. In keeping with all 3G phones the screen size makes it look bigger than it actually is. Check out the 3D demo on the Orange website.

On the £30/month package the spec makes it very difficult to dismiss.

[Gunner]

Seen A LOT worse , not a million miles away either !

Like this (http://timtyler.org/mobile/e808/graphics/e808_3.jpg) ,Or even this ! (http://www.cellman.it/photoreports/e808Y/DSCN0087.JPG)

And who could forget this ? (http://www.portel.it/images/phones/NEC_e606_front.jpg)

or this stunner ! (http://www.4ukphones.com/nec/nec-e313-large.gif)

or this beauty ? (http://telemoveis.com/imagebank/motorola-a820.jpg)
lmaooo I so wanted to dredge up the past, but it just seemed far too ironic!

[getti]

Just called Upgrade Dept on CS 150 to check about Friday - they put me through to new 3G CS Dept.

They advised me that SIX handsets will be available on Friday...

The LG, the SE, the Sanyo, the Samsung, the NOKIA and the MOTOROLA ?!?!

I was quite surprised to hear this so I asked if she was absolutely sure they would all be out on Friday and she said it was on screen in front of her.....

:eek: ?????

(I know I've posted this in another thread but thought you'd like to know here too in case anyone wants Nokia or Motorola - they may only be available from CS direct - IF above is correct)

The Motorola phone is the same one thats just come out on Threepay for £75 called the C975 i think. NOT a good phone as its only got 4mb memory (maybe 2mb)

[A1c]

Its early days for the new players around but its highly unlikely any of them will have to put up with the problems that the lemons above produced. In the words of the famous song "Better Best Forgotten".

[Looney]

I am wondering (sorry to veer OT a little) ,If there are now going to be people using Dual sim adapters , and using their old Three sims in these new orange/voda phones occasionaly so they can still use their free minute entitlement on existing Three contracts
I reckon that would piss Three off no end, and if use was sporadic , I wonder If they would be very successful at stopping it ?

[A1c]

Nice thought but the new kit will be SIM locked to Orange and Vodafone!

The Sanyo 750 will be a tough nut to crack as its an exclusive, others may take some time to derive solutions for. I suspect that Vodafone & Orange will not have missed what has been happening elsewhere and may have taken some precautionary measures!

[Gunner]

That 6630 might be quite an easy target to have on dual-SIM though... time will tell I guess, dual-SIM holders and stuff normally only appear for the most popular handsets, but it's surely going to happen one day!

[99901]

I think Orange are better value than Vodafone.

50p data outside of the bundle compared to £2.35 on vodafone.
free 50mb per month data ONLINE aswell as Orange World
Free Eveing Calls For Life offer
Better CS

I do like the V800, i saw one cause my brother got it from them as he is a heavy user. I know the Z1010 is not as good spec wise but im REALLY looking forward to getting it on Friday.

I forgot to add Orange give 60mins a month vid calling free compared to Vodafones 30mins

How

Orange world browsing - 50Mb limit - the online thing is pure speculation at present
Vodafone live - no download limit
I have found Vodafone CS very good - Example replacement handset sent without any issues and no charge - unlike orange who would charge you 15 quid under Orange care

Orange give you 60 vid mins
Vodafone give you 50 vid mins NOT 30

Free content pack News films and sport
Orange content £0 - £5 charge

Tariff comparison

Orange

£30
200 mins 12 months
60vid mins 12 months
50 MB (Orange World) Online TBC 12 months
Free evening mins 200
Free evening minutes text with 6 months
Content charges £0 - £5

Vodafone

£40
500 mins for life
50 vid mins for life
Free browsing charges and downloading (Vodafone Live) Ok this is not online
£12 of texts MMS or vid msgs for life
Free sport, film , news and weather downloads for life worth £11
Free 3 music downloads for 3 months

Now which one is better

Ok life does mean till the end of contract.

Ok example of data I download

Example
Average film clip on Voda between 800KB and 1.5 MB
Average News report between 200KB and 2MB
Average Footy download 2MB to 2.5MB

Today I looked and I have used 74MB while browsing and downloading. Which if I had used this already with Orange I would been charged £10.50.

So just some quick sums.

I use rougly 100 MB a week thats just normal Vodafone live browsing and downloading content which is Free for the life of the contract

Thats 400 MB a month takeaway the 50 MB (if I was with Orange)
thats 350 x 0.50p thats £175 for browsing charges alone. Plus on top of this content charges which range from 0 - £5

So if the content is the same then the MB's will go in no time

Normal internet access through the PC will go in no time too if you are visting pages with lots of content and features (thats if the Free MB's are included)

I have checked my Vodafone account online and confirms I have not been charged for the downloading

Just a warning over data charges if you are going to use it alot


You will end up paying through the noise for the downloading.

However I too will be getting one to try it out because I am a big fan of orange

[Blackhorse]

Were told the 50mb can be used for anything.
Including syncing upto laptops to use internet on that, or even just use html access if the phone supports it

[A1c]

I would suggest Orange are being realistic and are pegging their package offer to the contract period. Its very unlikely they would change things to the detriment of a customer in a competitive market if they are happy to keep paying the stated rate for the tarriff. They have honoured 'everday 50' for the lifetime of the contact with those who took it out so I doubt if this offer will be any different. (3 have also honoured and maintained older tarriffs for those who contracted early with kit and caboodle).

[99901]

I am just qouting Orange when they say 12 months. Orange would also be edging their bets and hoping people will upgrade after 12 months

I agree everday 50 was a kept on, however that was a standard of the tariff and not a limited offer

And it also says that tariffs are only avalable until Jan 2005


But the 50 Mb of data wont last long either way and the user will be paying onces it runs out

I dont care about 3G PC access I have my broadband for internet

[A1c]

The 50MB/month is for the duration of the contract period. If you just want cheap voice calls/texts maybe Orange is'nt the right product....shop around.

[99901]

The 50MB/month is for the duration of the contract period. If you just want cheap voice calls/texts maybe Orange is'nt the right product....shop around.

I dont wana argue over this but it states very clearly on the press release that the 50 MB is for 12 months

its not about just cheap calls or texts

The content is not free yet on Orange

50 MB will not last long trust me

I will say this for the last time

I use roughly 100 MB a week on Voda browsing and downloads

thats 400 Mb a month (takeaway 50 MB you get free with Orange )
thats 350Mb x 0.50p thats £175 I would pay with Orange. Thats just the browsing charges alone not including the content charge of £0 - £5
I spend alone on a Saturday afternoon £15 on footy downloads x that by 4 and thats another £60

Vodafone live is not limited to 50 Mb and you will easly use this with content between 300 KB and 2.5 MB

[simon69c]

If I'd been sensible and waited then I think the Orange £30/month tariff would have suited my usage better than the Vodafone £40/month tariff - just because you get more mins etc. per £ on paper doesn't necessarily make it better value - it's only better value if you would actually use all the extra stuff Vodafone include for £10 more.

Many people upgrade after 12 months anyway and so the fact that some of the things on Orange only last 12 months will be a moot point for many.

You only get 50 video mins on Voda if you are on one of the Hero tariffs; the regular tariffs with the 3G add-ons only include 30 mins (which only last 3 or 6 months - can't remember which). Only the Hero tariffs feature free news/sport/film videos for life as well.

For you the Vodafone package obviously makes sense (since you download a lot of content each month), but others may just want 3G for the faster speed it offers for WAP and net access for checking emails etc. and won't necessarily be downloading lots of video clips and so they may not use 50MB in a month or may only go over it a bit. For those users the Orange package may make more sense - especially if their WAP use will be spread across network content and 3rd party WAP sites (which are apparently included in the 50MB allowance). Edit: Just for comparison for example, looking at my V800's data counter I have used about 35MB since I got it (almost exactly a month ago) and this equates to nearly 7 hours browsing. I have downloaded about 10 video clips (mainly film trailers but also one news clip and a game demo clip) and 3 musics tracks. I also looked at a couple of sites outside Live! (albeit very low bandwidth ones). For me it wouldn't make any difference whether I was on a 50MB bundle covering anything, or an unlimited network content deal.

There is no one-size-fits-all tariff and so users should consider carefully what their usage is actually likely to be and choose a tariff that suits it. They may also have other considerations like coverage and what network their friends/family may be on (who may not have anynet minute tariffs or be on PAYG).

All IMHO of course.

[99901]

I agree.

Its what suits you. However I dont really use the mins I get with Voda its the 3G services that I get the use of.

Like I said I will be getting one just to test it out and knowing it will be a good service too use.

Its nice to see that Voda and Orange are out with 3g and will bring some qaulity service with them. It may even encourage 3 to raise there game and improve over service which will be good for everybody.

I also cant see ORange not bringing a content pack out because bils will just get stupid if you pay for each one.

Roll on friday

[Pummy]

I would have to say that Voda charging 2.35 per Mb for sites outside of their garden is not worht it unless you need the speed. You can get cheaper data access on GPRS.

Like previous members have said. If you want to download the stuff Voda setup for you then this is better. But if you need a connection to the internet for mails and the sites you want to use then Orange makes better sense.

I myself will have to try and get into an Orange site to see how it is in an Orange store. Even with 400 Mins per month and same netwrok 2G/3G it has to be better than 3's offerings with their infamous walled garden.

[Blackhorse]

The first three handsets have turned up ready for the launch

[Gunner]

Oh good :D Can you confirm which three?

[Blackhorse]

make it four forgot we had the LG's delivered "a while ago"

We had delivered today

Samsung (smaller than i thought)
Sanyo
Sony E

and we had LG in stock already

[TextBundle]

Roughly where are you based Blackhorse? A lot of stores in West Midlands dont seem to have much stock... either its being delivered overnight or they arent getting any tomorrow. Most of stock appears to be with shops "South of Watford Gap"

[Blackhorse]

Harrogate (North Yorkshire) all stores should have delivery today and a follow on delivery of samsungs in the morn (we got ours early)

Orange retails have been briefed to get the USIMS registered for the morn so demo's can be carried out! :D

[TextBundle]

Thanks for info. Forgive my ignorance, what does USIMS stand for ?

[Blackhorse]

Thanks for info. Forgive my ignorance, what does USIMS stand for ?

USIM is a 3G SIM (some bod here im sure will give the meaning of the "U" :confused:

[TextBundle]

Thanks Blackhorse. Have you had any personal hands free kits for Sanyo? (they dont appear to be in box of stuff you get when you buy the phone)

[hecatae]

is it time, is it the 10th? will orange.co.uk be updated straight away?

[Gunner]

Well, nothing yet!

*waits* :P

[simon69c]

Universal Subscriber Identity Module.

USIMs are basically the same form factor as GSM SIMs but they have increased capacity and flexibility over their predecessors. They are, strictly speaking, not actually required for 3G (some networks will allow you to use 3G services just fine with a SIM rather than USIM - Voda seem to for example) but everyone is using 3G as a good excuse to move over to USIMs.

[Killahurts]

You dont think Orange could be about to miss yet another launch date do you?

[mountfords]

You dont think Orange could be about to miss yet another launch date do you?

Looks like they have some prices on their web site today. No price on the 6630 though :( Anyone have any inside knowledge on when it might be available???

[Looney]

Well I just looked on orange's site and all the 3G phoned are there to Buy

So , no Killahurts , looks like they have launched as promised

Mind you , remember that other company that launched on the 3rd march last year ?
or they were supposed to have ! but you couldn't find a phone for love nor money !
and then when they did arrive you had the choice between Two handsets ? one that looked like a George foreman Grill (only a bit larger and less useful ) and another that was the same , but slightly smaller ?

I'd say Orange's launch looks pretty good comparativley ? wouldn't you Killahurts?

[Andy Cripps]

...one that looked like a George foreman Grill (only a bit larger and less useful )...


LMFAO @ Miffed! :D

[Looney]

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=tbn:KUteOvRXSS4J:www.dprstore.com/stores/DPR/catalog/1037_george_foreman_grill_sm.gif



http://www.adtecsys.com/repo/cebit2003/p01/dscf0122.jpg

Anyone who can tell the difference wins a the opportunity to enter tha Three advent calender quiz for 25p a go !

[3g4data]

I heard that the George Foreman Grill is cooler to the touch on the exterior!

[ddblue]

Well I've got one!! :)

I was almost the first person to buy one in the West End (someone else beat me by 5 mins while CS put us on hold!).

1st impressions are:

It's smaller than I expected, the UI is OK but nothing to write home about. The screen however is fabulous very large bright and clear.

I'm just waiting for the USIM to be activated, I'll post more later when I've had a play.

[Gunner]

LMAO miffed! *dies*

I'm finding it pretty hard to tell the difference, but is the first one a Three UK handset?

Congrats on your Sanyo! Can't wait to hear more :D

[Looney]

Got a feeling those Sanyo's are going to be popular !

[solo12002]

Its a shame its 11.20 am and not a dam bit of information on £G on the orange web site apart from the data card, and thers me thinking Vodafone was bloodly slow in leting everyone know of it.

[mountfords]

Its a shame its 11.20 am and not a dam bit of information on £G on the orange web site apart from the data card, and thers me thinking Vodafone was bloodly slow in leting everyone know of it.

You sure? Refresh your cache on your browser (ctrl + F5 in Internet Explorer). I'm just disappointed that the Nokia 6630 hasn't been launched.

[Obfuscator]

Oh forgot to mention.

I got 3 minutes with one in an Orange shop last night.

The assistant would not let me out of grabbing range.

It was oh so light for its size! I didn't play with the OS much but I think you are right, this will be popular since it is free!

I saw a dummy 6630 - what a disappointment - its not unlike a brick!

The LG phone has no bluetooth - ruled out

[Gunner]

solo - the site is updated, you can purchase the launched handsets online.

mountfords - the Nokia 6630 is not one of the launch handsets. It has been known for some time that this handset will be available 'shortly after' launch. Vodafone have only just released it, so expect it on Orange in the coming weeks.

Obfuscator - Don't say that! The 6630 has to be fantastic! lol. Anyway, if the OS is good and the phone is nice to use I'm prepared to sacrifice chunkyness. Glad you liked the Sanyo, can't wait to start hearing reviews.

[mountfords]

solo - the site is updated, you can purchase the launched handsets online.

mountfords - the Nokia 6630 is not one of the launch handsets. It has been known for some time that this handset will be available 'shortly after' launch. Vodafone have only just released it, so expect it on Orange in the coming weeks.

Obfuscator - Don't say that! The 6630 has to be fantastic! lol. Anyway, if the OS is good and the phone is nice to use I'm prepared to sacrifice chunkyness. Glad you liked the Sanyo, can't wait to start hearing reviews.

Sorry, didn't realise that the Nokia 6630 wasn't launch (should have done some more reading before hand).

Trying to decide on whether to get a Z1010 now or wait for the 6630, what do you think Obfuscator; seeing as you already have the Z1010?

[99901]

Just been online and it mentions nothing about the 60 Vid mins or the 50 data

[Gunner]

"Trying to decide on whether to get a Z1010 now or wait for the 6630"

The Z1010 is great, I love it, but it's no Symbian Smartphone! Also need to bear in mind that the camera is much better on the 6630. It depends what you want from your first 3G handset really.

[ColinR]

I still can't upgrade my phone on the Orange website - is anyone else having this trouble? It won't even let me log in...frustrating etail hell :mad:

Edit: It won't let me into Orange Services. It comes up with the same error if I put gibberish into the phone number and password fields.

[Looney]

I tried to upgrade online a week or so ago - and it just kept giving me the telephone number & telling me it was unable to upgrade me online , It let me log in though

[TextBundle]

I got my Sanyo S750 at 12pm and was upgraded and out of shop by 12.10pm. It is happily sitting on my desk charging at the moment waiting for a SIM update.

[ColinR]

£50 credit and Star Wars Trilogy DVD online though...but I am running low on patience. The store downstairs is open quite late. If I can't sort one online by the time I finish work, I'll try and get one on the way home.

[gajet]

Textbundle, bugger that charging lark, have a play and tell us what you think!!!

[ddblue]

Well, happily sitting here waiting for my USIM to be activated, I've just had a call from the Orange Shop to say that the registration team can't activate my USIM until the 22nd December because I've changed Talk Plans and they can't cope with the change mid billing-cycle! :mad:

So, I've callled 3G CS (350) who've spoken to the registration team who have denied all knowledge of this problem and are going to call the shop for me.

Glad to see they've got their act together then...

(I'm off to repeatedly punch a brick wall for a while)

[ddblue]

OK, after a quick go at 3G CS, they've called the shop and sorted it out for me. I've been allowed to keep my current Talkshare package, plus I get the 50mb package and they'll activate the phone in the next couple of hours.

Finger's crossed I'll be up and running today.

[mountfords]

After my Nokia vs SE debate I took a visit to the Orange shop. Spent an hour or so looking at the phones (orange staff answering calls from somewhere in the store room etc).
Unfortunately because I want to upgrade and am only on talk 120 (you need talk 200) I can't upgrade until my plan changes next week :(

Out of all the phones I saw though the sanyo looked the best to me based on functionality/size/quality of display. Only downside was I thought the sliding mechanism could have been a bit smoother.

[slatey]

are there any phones like the spv m2000 but with 3g cos ill wait until there is one?

[Gunner]

Not yet slatey, but I expect to see one next year.

ColinR - call up and upgrade over the phone!

[ColinR]

Too busy to be hanging on the phone for ages - took 20minutes just to get me a/c no off em.

[Gunner]

When I upgraded to the Z1010 it took about 10 minutes, and the handset wasn't even out yet! Give it a go.

Btw, your account number is on every page of your bill. Not that it's much good when their system is down. Still, it's much better than Vodafone - at least Orange calculates your upgrade fee and prices the handsets appropriately.

[ColinR]

Not much good when your bill's at home and you're at work - planned to pick it up on the way out the door this morning, but it didn't happen as I over-slept! Have it now though.

Can you still get the on-line offers if you moan about the online shop being down?

[z1010]

Hi Everyone,

Am new here so be nice! Spent all morning in the orange shop. Had a real good play with the sanyo. Good phone but it does have a few problems! Bluetooth only works as dial - up/headset etc...you cannot transfer files or pictures over bluetooth, only infrared! it may say you can but you cant (orange confirmed this) You also have to re activate it, through several menu systems each time. I have a Power Book and cannot use it as a dial up bluetooth modem. Also some windows based machines can't (2nd line support also confirmed this).

However the camera is great!! So don't know if i should take the sanyo or just take the z1010. Z1010 is a good all round handset, but no tri band and a cheap camera!

Any thoughts?

[mountfords]

Hi Everyone,

Am new here so be nice! Spent all morning in the orange shop. Had a real good play with the sanyo. Good phone but it does have a few problems! Bluetooth only works as dial - up/headset etc...you cannot transfer files or pictures over bluetooth, only infrared! it may say you can but you cant (orange confirmed this) You also have to re activate it, through several menu systems each time. I have a Power Book and cannot use it as a dial up bluetooth modem. Also some windows based machines can't (2nd line support also confirmed this).

However the camera is great!! So don't know if i should take the sanyo or just take the z1010. Z1010 is a good all round handset, but no tri band and a cheap camera!

Any thoughts?

Interesting stuff about the blue tooth although I never really used the transfer function on the 2G motorola I have.

Problem I had with the Z1010 was (at least for the one in the shop) the screen seemed really dull and set back from the perspex and the whole phone seemed way to chunky to me - reminded me of early 2G phones.

[ColinR]

I need my phone to be sturdier than the screen on the Sanyo looks to be. Wouldn't need a lot of pressure at the centre to crack it by the looks of things. On the other hand, most of the time the z1010's screen is concealed.

[z1010]

The screen on the Sanyo did look bright, but i have to admit when i streamed a video it wasn't that smooth, unlike the z1010. Orange said this could be the software. With the z1010 i transfered pictures and a movie to my laptop (saves on memory and means you can transfer tunes and mp3s over). The phone is chunky! But the screen is protected and you do get the feeling that you could drop the phone off a cliff and it would still work. The size and camera is better on the sanyo and there is a flash (it really does flash like a real camera) but the reliability seems to be slighly better on the z1010. Thoughts?

[getti]

i was goin on and on about the Z1010 on another forum for a while until today. I saw one for the 1st time and was put off. The screen part of the flip does not go back as far as others so you have to tilt the phone and it was bigger than i thought.

I was amazed by the Sanyo though which is why i walked out of the shop with one on the £30 plan and a 128mb SD card

[mountfords]

The screen on the Sanyo did look bright, but i have to admit when i streamed a video it wasn't that smooth, unlike the z1010. Orange said this could be the software. With the z1010 i transfered pictures and a movie to my laptop (saves on memory and means you can transfer tunes and mp3s over). The phone is chunky! But the screen is protected and you do get the feeling that you could drop the phone off a cliff and it would still work. The size and camera is better on the sanyo and there is a flash (it really does flash like a real camera) but the reliability seems to be slighly better on the z1010. Thoughts?

I definitely agree that the construction of the SE (and others) was better. I noticed that the Sanyo had a USB cable in the box, though not as elegant as using bluetooth!

[getti]

the Sanyo does not have a cable.

Its got a CD, Phone, Battery, Headset anf the books and of course a SIM

[z1010]

I would be quite happy to use the cradle but cant because i have a mac. The only real option is bluetooth. I guess I could get a sd card and reader to transfer files over, but the phone wont even accpet doc. files i/e to download attachements from emails ( well not the one in the shop anyway!) I am just so confused, the camera is great, tri band and size...just wish it had real bluetooth! Still the fact as a mac user i cannot use it as a modem is a bit of a pain which is why i think i might have to go for the z1010 (even if it has been out for years!)...just wish they had the v800!

[getti]

i doubt the v800 will be out on Orange for ages. 8 months at least im sure cause Vodafone do a good job of getting phones as exclusives for a while.

[ColinR]

What do you get in the Z1010 box, Abs?

[getti]

I can let you know about the Sayno if you want. I love the Cam and the Screen its the best i have seen yet (better than s700i). Ok the Sharp 902 with its 262k screen and 2mp camera will be better but its gonna cost near £200 on a normal contract or upgrade where as the Sanyo is free

[mountfords]

the Sanyo does not have a cable.

Its got a CD, Phone, Battery, Headset anf the books and of course a SIM

Apologies, I assumed it was a USB cable; one is available for a modest fee though :)

http://www.sanyo-mobile.co.uk/accessories/s750.html

[getti]

shame theres no price. I got BT set up on my PC though and its much easier.

Anyone know on the Sanyo how to see just hot much data you have used?

[Rankrotten]

Long time lurker, first post here..

Picked up a Sony Ericsson z1010 on upgrade from the Orange Shop today and am giving it a workout right now. Anyone have any joy linking it up to the internet via bluetooth to a Mac Powerbook running OS X 10.3.6 :confused:

[99901]

Went into store today.

I liked the Sanyo

But the z1010 is better. However if you are not bothered about staying with Orange go for the SE V800, its loads better

[getti]

what do you think of the Z1010? I would have got one but was blown away with the Sanyo's screen and camera.

Good news though is the 60mins video calling free IS i repeat IS x-network. Info Orange Staff in stores have states its Orange to Orange only but its not as i have read the T&C on there 3g section of Orange.co.uk and it says 'to any uk network'

[getti]

Went into store today.

I liked the Sanyo

But the z1010 is better. However if you are not bothered about staying with Orange go for the SE V800, its loads better

Can i ask what makes you say the Z1010 is better?

Is it the wrongly placed cam on the back?
the thickness of the phone u like cause its massive
the horrible nav keys?


;)

Of course im biast cause i got the Sanyo but if you ask Blackhorse or Hecatae they will tell you i been wating a Z1010 for AGES until i finally had a play on one today

[TextBundle]

I liked the Sony Ericsson at first, then decided to plump for the Sanyo about 4 days ago (as it grew on me). Got one today...... boy, am I glad I did!!!!!

I had a Nokia 6600 until 11.59am today (well, I still have it, as Orange no longer give you cashback for old handsets).

The Sanyo is THINNER than Nokia 6600
The Sanyo is LIGHTER than 6600
The Sanyo is SMALLER than 6600
The Sanyo has a BIGGER SCREEN than 6600

The menu screens are a doddle to use, the slide feels firm and substantial, the buttons are good and well spaced out and it has a cool blue backlight!

The camera(s) are brilliant (oviously back one is better than front) video recording is great and screen feels tough and unlikely to scratch as easily as the one on my old 6600.

I am well chuffed

[getti]

I liked the Sony Ericsson at first, then decided to plump for the Sanyo about 4 days ago (as it grew on me). Got one today...... boy, am I glad I did!!!!!

I had a Nokia 6600 until 11.59am today (well, I still have it, as Orange no longer give you cashback for old handsets).

The Sanyo is THINNER than Nokia 6600
The Sanyo is LIGHTER than 6600
The Sanyo is SMALLER than 6600
The Sanyo has a BIGGER SCREEN than 6600

The menu screens are a doddle to use, the slide feels firm and substantial, the buttons are good and well spaced out and it has a cool blue backlight!

The camera(s) are brilliant (oviously back one is better than front) video recording is great and screen feels tough and unlikely to scratch as easily as the one on my old 6600.

I am well chuffed

you aint the only chuffed person lol.

I was told in a phone call yesterday they 3g is out today and they have phones in stock, really nice person who phoned. He said they will open at 9.00am today so i got a 30min train to the store (was 1 nearer but i like this certain store). Got there for 8.50am and what did i see on the door

'Due To Staff Training We Will Open At 9.30am Today, Sorry For Any Inconveniace'

So i did the only thing i could. Stand there freezing me balls off for 30mins but it was worth it

[simonlant]

Its early days for the new players around but its highly unlikely any of them will have to put up with the problems that the lemons above produced. In the words of the famous song "Better Best Forgotten".
just had a txt saying official launch on monday
the website has the prices on now too!

[getti]

strange thing is on a 2.5g phone when you go to the 3g section before today you could regester your email address and they would email you with launch info. i had nothing

[ColinR]

The sign-in page has completely died now, and it's getting late. Festive tunes on hold to O Upgrades...

[Blackhorse]

Sanyo is an awsome handset gonna have to get me one