Vodafone has launched an entry-level Facebook-centric handset, which it claims is first of its kind to be designed purely for pay as you go customers.
The Vodafone 555, which follows on from the Vodafone 858 Smart – an entry-level Android smartphone on prepay, begins running Facebook as soon as it is switched on and features a customisable Facebook button for easy access and instant updates to the social network site.
Facebook messages are integrated into the handset’s inbox alongside texts and emails, and Facebook contacts are automatically synchronised with the phone’s contact list.
Other features of the mobile include a 2.4-inch landscape display, a QWERTY keypad, a 2 megapixel camera, flash support, a music player and FM radio, 40MB of on-board storage with SD card support and Bluetooth 2.1.
Vodafone group terminals director, Patrick Chomet said: “The Vodafone 555 Blue is designed and developed by Vodafone to offer a simple but powerful Facebook experience for people in both emerging markets and developed economies who want to stay in touch with their friends, wherever they are.”
Henri Moissinac, head of mobile business at Facebook, commented: “We’re really happy that Vodafone will distribute this phone globally and we hope to do much more with them to bring the mobile, social internet to people everywhere.”
The 555 Blue Facebook phone costs around £60 and is available on Vodafone’s Freebees tariff.
