LONDON-T-Mobile in Europe announced an innovative new service that further expands the bounds of wireless data services and pushes the carrier one step closer to full over-the-air control over wireless phones. Under the offering, T-Mobile users will be able to download new user interfaces for their phones, a service that will allow subscribers to personalize their menus and services based on music brands, movies and sports.
T-Mobile International teamed with technology company Trigenix to offer the service, which will be available initially in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Austria for users of the Nokia 3650 and 7650. The service will be available to other devices in the future.
Dubbed Screen Styles, the service will bundle personalized wallpaper, polyphonic ring tones, themed menus, and links to additional relevant content around the chosen theme. It will sell for around $10.
“Personalization is a key component to our mobile data services strategy as it will stimulate usage of our data services,” said Nikesh Arora, the carrier’s chief marketing officer. “The Trigenix technology ensures that we can effectively provide personalized content to even small demographic groups of subscribers, as well as making it easier for customers to access, explore and have fun with t-zones.”
T-Mobile’s moves come as major handset makers and wireless carriers look for ways to gain more control over users’ phones. Indeed, Motorola Inc. and NTT DoCoMo separately announced plans to offer over-the-air software updates to fix potential phone glitches.
