Vodafone shows off 360 on Linux-based smartphone

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By Jonathan Bray

Posted on 28 Oct 2009 at 14:27

Vodafone has unveiled the first phone to take full advantage of its new 360 suite of internet services. The Vodafone 360 Samsung H1 will also be the first to run the new Linux-based LiMO operating system and will hit the shops this Friday.

Boasting a high-resolution 3.5in OLED, capacitive touchscreen, the H1 focuses largely on integration with social-networking sites. At launch it will feature tight synchronisation with Facebook and Windows Live, as well as email and instant messenger services from Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, gathering together messages, contacts and status updates in a similar fashion to the Palm Pre.

The 360 service replaces the current Vodafone Live! service and also allows users to back up the entire contents of their phone online, configure the phone's home screen and manage contacts - in a similar way to Windows Phone's My Phone service or MobileMe on the iPhone. It will be available across the Vodafone range, and to users on other networks too. Vodafone also confirmed that an iPhone app is in the pipeline.

Impressive hardware

The hardware looks up to scratch, with HSDPA, HSUPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and a five-megapixel camera with LED flash, autofocus and software-based image stabilisation. The phone includes an impressive 16GB of internal storage and claimed battery life runs to 14 hours talk time and 19 days standby.

The LiMO operating system looks interesting too, offering a selection of 3D views on contacts and messages, the usual gesture-based touch navigation options, plus a selection of community-developed apps and widgets to download. The web browser is the excellent Opera Mobile 9.6 and mapping, unusually, is provided by Wayfinder, with walking and driving instructions available as an extra subscription.

The Vodafone 360 H1 will be available for free on a £35 per month, two-year contract.