| |
 December 2005 |
| |
hello ...
Welcome to the December edition of the Orange Partner newsletter – and the last edition of 2005. We will resume the newsletter in February 2006.
This month we launch the Orange and Nokia Learning Institute – a dedicated technical and commercial programme of workshops, talks and training sessions, hosted by Orange, with experts (speakers and technical trainers) provided by Nokia and key gurus from within the industry..
Also, find out how you can influence industry standards that will affect how you develop in the future, via the Mobile Web Initiative and the Parlay API Accelerator Program.
Don't miss out on this week's Virtual Seminars, covering two of the hottest topics from our recent Code Camp event in France!
Download the latest Orange device specifications, guidelines for applications and video content development, plus, complete the Orange Partner 'knowledge management' questionnaire for a chance to win an Orange smartphone.
Finally, take a look at the recently-enhanced online Orange Compatibility Testing Tool – available from today.
We hope you enjoy the seasonal break however you elect to celebrate, and we will be in touch again in the New Year!
With best regards, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Glagow
Orange Partner - Director |
|
|
 |
| |
The Mobile Web Initiative – By developers for developers, the MWI will shape the future of mobile web content
Download the MWI whitepaper and find out how you can influence the evolution of mobile web standards!
Launched by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in May 2005, the Mobile Web Initiative (MWI) is involved with improving the performance and usability of the web on mobile phones.
Orange Partner is working with France Telecom Group Research and Development (FTR&D) to ensure that our members can influence this important process.
To do this - we've created a MWI enthusiast community to give Orange Partner members the opportunity to get involved and have their say.
As an MWI enthusiast you can benefit from a private discussion forum on the Orange Partner website and a comprehensive whitepaper – to give you more detail and background about the MWI's purpose. Plus we'll provide you with ongoing updates on the latest MWI developments.
Find out more about Orange Partner's involvement with the MWI and become an MWI enthusiast now >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
The Parlay Group Launches Revolutionary API Accelerator Program – find out how you can get involved
Participate in the next Parlay API Accelerator event on January 16-18, 2006
Members of the Orange Partner programme - application developers, systems integrators and anyone with an interest to see new APIs being developed for mobile networks - you can get involved!
Responding to the industry demand for more telecom and IT specifications with faster development times, the Parlay Group launched the "Parlay API Accelerator Program" at the Parlay/OSA 2005 Americas Conference in Boston.
The Boston event consisted of 34 participants, representing 25 Parlay member companies including Orange who is a Parlay member through France Telecom Group.
Whereas traditionally, requirements for new specifications have stalled, waiting for the champions and process to progress them, the first API Accelerator meeting resulted in 5 new web-service speclets (pre-standardized specifications) developed in only two days.
The Parlay Group's Accelerator Program propels the process forward, shrinking the time for incubation through to publication from the usual 2 years to a revolutionary 6 months.
The next Parlay API Accelerator event will be held January 16-18, 2006
Find out more about the Parlay Group – how you can join and participate in the next event >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
Orange Compatibility Testing – use the online tool now and benefit from the new functionality
The online testing tool is now more comprehensive than before, but even simpler and easier to use
Orange Compatibility testing is designed to ensure that your final mobile solution works over the Orange network and with various Orange handsets. This allows Orange to provide our customers with products that really work, and to guarantee a faultless user experience.
The single, simple, and easy to use Orange Compatibility Testing tool has been improved, and now allows you to test a single WAP page, WAP portals, images and wallpaper, ringtones, video (downloads) and J2ME.
Premium members of the Orange Partner programme can use to the tool (for free) to carry out Orange Compatibility testing.
Plus, using the online tool to test your products whilst they are still in development can highlight areas which are faulty and require further development.
Take a look at the improvements, and the new tool itself - launched today >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
The latest Orange handsets – check out 10 brand-new devices on the website
Get the latest device specifications from Orange
Last month we told you about the launch of two brand new Orange Signature devices – the SPV C600 and M3000. These device specifications can now be found within the devices section of the Orange Partner website.
But did you know that Signature device specifications are not the only specifications available to members of the Orange Partner programme?
To aid you with your development, within the develop with Orange section of the website, you will find a wide range of device specs from many of the manufacturers and OS providers that Orange is currently working with.
Plus, the devices section has been recently updated with 10 brand new specifications including the Motorola
E1, V6, Nokia 3220, 6030, 6111, N70 and Samsung D600.
Find out more >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
Are we any good at giving you the information you need? Tell us and we will enter our draw to win an Orange smartphone
This is your chance to have your say. To express our gratitude we'll add your name to a prize draw to win a phone
The Orange Partner programme is continuously evolving to meet the needs of its members, and to reflect the changing requirements of both the developer industry and Orange (and the France Telecom Group).
But, the question is – how good are we at sharing knowledge and information with you?
Well, we'd like to find out, so we've put together a brief questionnaire containing some questions about the website (our main tool of communication) and Orange Code Camp (one of our central methods of meeting with Orange Partner members).
Participate in our poll by completing the short questionnaire – and in exchange for your time and honesty we'll add your name in a draw for an Orange smartphone of your choice*
The draw will take place on the 21st of December, and we'll contact the winner personally to arrange delivery of your phone.
Your feedback is really important to us!
Complete and submit the questionnaire now >
*subject to availability
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
The latest guidelines – for developers producing applications for Orange Signature handsets
Check out these guidelines, written by the Orange Usability and Design team, to help you create an enjoyable experience for customers.
Orange Signature handsets have a number of defining factors. In general, they can be defined as "any handset with an Orange customised user interface (UI)". At minimum, they will have Orange-branded iconography and branding on the physical handset.
Signature applications (like Orange Help and Back Up) are Orange-customised applications that are built primarily for signature handsets.
Orange Partner premium members - if you're working with us to develop Orange-customised applications, you need to use these guidelines and the tools provided to either create a look and feel from scratch, or to update what you have created already.
Please read this document thoroughly to ensure that your interface is in line with these guidelines.
Premium members – download the guidelines now >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
Video content providers – find out all you need to know to produce high quality video
Read through the Orange recommendations on how to produce video content optimised for low bandwidth delivery
We're often asked by content providers why they can't just provide videos which can be downloaded by
customers straight onto their phones. The main reason for this is that we have to support a wide variety of mobile phones and this means several different mobile video formats (various combinations of 2.5G, 3G, download, streaming, MP4, WMV, etc).
Asking content providers to create all of these versions and then testing their delivered content would soon become impractical. Instead we prefer to receive higher quality clips that can be automatically transcoded by us into all the required formats.
Having high quality originals also gives us the ability to re-encode the content should a new format appear in the future (i.e. the upcoming h.264 format), or to re-encode to an existing format but at a higher bit rate should our
network be upgraded.
This document (which is strictly confidential – released under a non-disclosure agreement) provides guidelines for creating content that (after transcoding for mobile delivery) will result in a rich multimedia experience for end users.
It explains which aspects of video cause problems and lessens the overall quality. By adhering to most of these guidelines the end result should look good on a mobile device.
Premium members download the document now >
If you would like to become a premium member – find out more and apply to become one now >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
Spain's fast-growing market – what do you need to know about the Spanish mobile market?
Read through our in-depth case study on Amena (the newest Orange and France Telecom Group operation) and find out everything there is to know about Spain – the fifth largest European market.
In July 2005, France Telecom Group bought Spain's third-largest mobile operator, Amena. With the merger of the Number 3 mobile company and the Number 2 ADSL provider, it created a first-tier operator in Spain.
The move strengthened the position of the Orange and France Telecom Group in Spain (with an estimated growth potential between 2005 and 2008 of approximately 6% for mobile and more than 10% for data and internet).
Spain's mobile market is one of Europe's most developed and its three players are very dynamic. Even so, competition will increase with the regulator intending to approve virtual operators and a fourth UMTS operator, Xfera, in 2006.
Made up of almost entirely GSM, Spain's cellular market took off slowly in 1995 then accelerated in 2000 thanks to Amena's pro-activity. The mobile penetration rate very quickly overtook that of landlines, reaching 95% last August (source: EMC).
Since 2003 the simplicity and rapidity of mobile number portability has made customer retention and loyalty programmes key challenges for Spain's operators.
Read through this case-study on Amena, and find out more about the Spanish telecoms environment >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
News in figures – September heralded Europe's biggest monthly increase of the quarter
A snapshot of the latest statistics on 3G evolution in Europe and Asia
Europe has gained more than 890,000 new 3G subscribers in September, with Italy and Britain together accounting for 68% of new European 3G subs.
Italy is still the undisputed 3G leader, but the UK saw twice as many net additions in September as in August.
Are you convinced yet that 3G should be a major factor in your business plans? Let the figures speak for themselves…
Read the full article and find out more >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
Virtual Seminar: Wednesday 07 December - GSM data roaming. What you need to know
By Martin Wrigley, Head of Partners Technology – Orange
This is your chance to find out why the content of this presentation was so popular at Orange Code Camp, Opio!
Find out how data is routed, what users see when they use data services whilst roaming, and how this may impact your application or site design.
Learn about how you can access Orange World and what versions you see where.
How does a user have to navigate to get to your site when they are in a foreign country, and why does it work in the way in which it does?
Also find out how you can test your application or service, and how it will work for other Orange territories.
Places are almost fully booked – Orange Partner members, find and more and register now >
If you would like to participate and you're not yet an Orange Partner member – become one now >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
Virtual Seminar: Thursday 08 December - Introduction to Orange operators in emerging markets
By Charlotte Dunsterville, Product Marketing Manager – Orange
This is your chance to find out why the content of this presentation was so popular at Orange Code Camp, Opio!
Learn about the countries outside Europe in which Orange is also present, and why they have a high growth potential in terms of customer numbers and services offered.
Understand where Orange operates globally, what these networks already offer their customers and the potential for you in these exciting markets.
Places are almost fully booked – Orange Partner members, find and more and register now >
If you would like to participate and you're not yet an Orange Partner member – become one now >
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
A developer industry-first – the Orange and Nokia Learning Institute
The Orange Partner programme is pleased to announce the launch of the Orange and Nokia Learning Institute.
We are pleased to be able to announce that for 2006, we'll be teaming up with Nokia to run an Orange / Nokia Learning Institute - a programme of professional training days, workshops, tutorials and seminars lead by leading, worldwide training companies and gurus from within the industry, tailored to your needs and offered free to our premium members (subject to certain criteria being satisfied).
This will be a fantastic opportunity for those Orange Partner premium members who have a good knowledge of Symbian / Series60, and who are hungry to learn more about new ways of producing interactive applications.
You will gain detailed, valuable knowledge via Orange and Nokia about the subjects that matter.
This is an invaluable opportunity for you.
Some of the activities will be held in our Developer Centres in France, UK and the US, covering subjects such as " Gaming & Storytelling " and "Platforms: Symbian/Series 60" (between January and May) and "Interactive Applications & SIP" and "Communities " (between June and December).
To make this as interactive as possible, numbers will be strictly limited.
Email us now at developers@orange.com with 'Nokia_Learning_Institute' in the subject line, and we'll make sure you are the first to hear more details during December, as soon as they have been finalised.
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
Top links from the website:
Are you reading off of the same page as your fellow newsletter subscribers?
The Orange Partner newsletter is the best way for our partners to regularly keep up with the latest market and technology developments from Orange and the mobile industry.
To help you keep up to date we've collated the top 5 stories and articles from the newsletter and website that were of interest to our members last month (compiled using clicks per page analysis).
back to top |
|
|
|
| |
We want to hear your thoughts about the Orange Partner Newsletter. Drop us a line at developers@orange.com
If you wish to unsubscribe from the Orange Partner newsletter, please modify your profile in the 'my account' section of www.orangepartner.com |
|
| |
|
| | |  |
