Vodafone Launches new Blue handset with dedicated Facebook button for Rs 4950/-

Vodafone has announced the new Vodafone Blue handset at just Rs 4950/- 

The phone has a designated F button that lets the user upload pictures, visit profiles and update status in a single click . It basically allows you to do the Facebook magic. The device updates as counters, notifications, and displays Facebook posts regularly in the background. 

Additionally, Vodafone Blue will be launched in India, with unlimited access to Facebook for a year from the date of its purchase.

The mobile internet plays a central role in the daily lives of millions of Vodafone customers, many of whom are avid Facebook users. Vodafone Blue is the answer to our youth’s mobile social networking needs. The phone has been designed to let everyone experience the fun of connecting with friends on the go, at a pocket friendly price. With our unique, fully integrated Facebook customization, the Vodafone Blueoffers a compelling, out-of-the-box experience.”

-Mr. Kumar Ramanathan, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Essar

Facebook wants to make every phone social and Vodafone has taken the integration of Facebook to the next level with the Vodafone Blue. We are really happy that Vodafone has brought the phone to India and enabling people to experience Facebook free of charge from the mobile device for a year”

-Henri Moissinac, Head of Mobile Business, Facebook

The device basically is a Qwerty phone with a touch navigation, 2.4″ landscape display and QWERTY keypad with features like a 3.5 mm headset jack, FM Radio,  multiple simultaneous Facebook Chat sessions,  2 megapixel camera.

The device is available now.

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Vodafone Essar, one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers, in its endeavour to provide differentiated experience to its customers today launched a revolutionary phone –Vodafone Blue. Specifically designed to put the Facebook experience into the heart of the handset,Vodafone Blue will allow users to easily share and connect with their friends anytime, anywhere. The phone is designed specifically to bring an ‘outstanding and affordable integrated mobile Facebook experience’ to pay-as-you-go customers.

The Vodafone Blue, developed in collaboration with Facebook, brings the qualities of a classic Smartphone together with popular social networking functions – from status updates to sharing a photo – into the hands of millions of people in an attractive, intuitive mobile phone, competitively priced at MRP. Rs 4950/- (inclusive of all taxes) only.

The uber-cool Vodafone Blue has a designated F button that lets the user upload pictures, visit profiles; update status at a single click. The phone takes Facebook integration to a different stage by providing all kinds of updates as counters, notifications, and displays Facebook posts regularly in the background. Additionally, Vodafone Blue will be launched in India, with unlimited access to Facebook for a year from the date of its purchase.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Kumar Ramanathan, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Essar said, “The mobile internet plays a central role in the daily lives of millions of Vodafone customers, many of whom are avid Facebook users. Vodafone Blue is the answer to our youth’s mobile social networking needs. The phone has been designed to let everyone experience the fun of connecting with friends on the go, at a pocket friendly price. With our unique, fully integrated Facebook customization, the Vodafone Blueoffers a compelling, out-of-the-box experience.”

Commenting on the launch of the phone, Henri Moissinac, Head of Mobile Business, Facebook said, “Facebook wants to make every phone social and Vodafone has taken the integration of Facebook to the next level with the Vodafone Blue. We are really happy that Vodafone has brought the phone to India and enabling people to experience Facebook free of charge from the mobile device for a year”.

Vodafone Blue: Powering the new era of mobile social networking in India

Every aspect of the Vodafone Blue design reflects people’s desire to stay up-to-date and communicate with their friends anytime, anywhere.

• Ready to go, straight out of the box: Facebook is built into the handset’s core – it’s running the moment the customer turns on the mobile phone.

• Truly integrated messaging: Facebook messages appear in the handset’s inbox alongside texts and email.

• Simple photo-sharing: photos taken using the Vodafone Blue’s 2 megapixel camera can be shared with friends with a single click.

• Easy to stay in contact: friends’ Facebook profiles are automatically synchronised in the Vodafone Blue’s address book.

• Multiple Chat: Chat with all your friends as Vodafone Blue enables multiple Facebook Chat sessions simultaneously.

• Always available: The phone updates regularly in the background, flagging new items on the home screen.

• One-click control: the customizable Facebook ‘F’ button can be assigned to one of a number of tasks, including instantly posting a status update with photos from the gallery or with links from the browser.

• Attractive form-factor: touch navigation, 2.4″ landscape display and QWERTY keypad are ideal for typing chat, email and status updates. Comes with Opera Mini 5 Web browser for fast internet browsing

• Music on the Go : Fully integrated FM Radio and music player with 3.5mm jack

For additional details and other terms and conditions, please refer www.vodafone.in

Notes to Editors

1. The Vodafone Blue is a Vodafone concept, developed in collaboration with Facebook and manufactured exclusively for Vodafone

1. Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.

Notes to Editor

About Vodafone Essar

Vodafone Essar is a member of the Vodafone Group and commenced operations in 1994 when its predecessor Hutchison Telecom acquired the cellular license for Mumbai. The company now has operations across the country with over 143 million customers. Vodafone Essar has been awarded the “Best Mobile Service Provider 2011” at the Aegis Graham Bell Awards 2011. Also, in a survey conducted by India’s leading business weekly, Vodafone Essar was awarded ‘Most Respected Company’ in the Telecom Sector for 2010 and the ‘Most Trusted Service Brand’ in India for 2010, by a leading financial daily. Vodafone India, in line with its group philosophy has released the Corporate Sustainability Report for India – Footprints 2010-11. To view the online version of the report, please visit www.vodafone.in

Vodafone is one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies by revenue with over 370 million customers in its controlled and jointly controlled markets as at June 30, 2011. Vodafone currently has equity interests in over 30 countries across five continents and more than 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com

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