Vodafone are to introduce a new advertising campaign to highlight a range of services available from the red network, and the star of these adverts is Star Wars character, Yoda.

The first advert showcases the Vodafone RED Box service, which lets users easily migrate contacts from one device to another.

The advert shows Yoda offering to use his Jedi skills to assist in transferring the content from one phone to another, however his powers are not needed thanks to Vodafone's RED Box.

The ad will be seen for the first time on Channel 4, between 8 and 9 on January 19th. The TV campaign will be supported by a major outdoor poster advertising campaign, as well as a range of activity involving social media platforms.

Other adverts will highlight Vodafone Buyback, Data Test Drive and the Vodafone Tech Team. The TV adverts were made by a team of from the Lucasfilm ILM visual effects studio based in San Francisco.

Vodafone UK Director of Brand Marketing, Danielle Crook, said: “These small things can mean the world to our customers – it is why we have developed a range of simple services to help them feel confidently connected on the go. The campaign with Yoda shows that you don't need to be a Jedi Master to unlock the power of the mobile internet.”

To see the Vodafone RED Box advert before it airs on TV, check out the video below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Mobile network operator Vodafone has launched a couple of apps, designed to help parents control the mobile usage of their children. At the same time as launching the apps, Vodafone has announced that is is to become a founding member of a new pan-European task force that will work to improve online security for children.

The coalition includes some leading names in the world of mobile and internet technology, including Apple BSkyB, BT, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Nokia and Samsung amongst many others, as well as Vodafone. The aim of this coalition is to respond to the ever growing problem of internet security for children, preventing young people from gaining access to inappropriate material and making it easier for children to report problems online.

With this in mind, Vodafone has launched two new apps for the Android platform, the first of which is called Guardian. This allows parents to implement blocks on the phone, preventing calls and text messages from certain users from being received. Additionally, a separate folder can be created where inappropriate or threatening messages can be stored, to be used as evidence of a cyber-bullying problem.

Additionally, the Guardian app can place a limit on which apps can be used on the phone, as well as blocking access to the internet on the phone and to the camera during at set times. This can help prevent children from feeling pressured into taking images of themselves and uploading them to social networks during times when they are not supervised.

The second app, called Digital parenting, helps advise parents on the best way to protect their youngsters, so they can use their smartphones in a safe and secure environment. In addition, Vodafone has also introduced a content filter for the mobile internet, which will block access to inappropriate content for under 18's.

Vittorio Colao, CEO for the Vodafone Group, said: “The smartphone revolution is enormously positive for society, transforming the way millions of people communicate, share and learn. Children and young people have an intuitive understanding of the new world of smartphone communications and the mobile internet. However, parents who are concerned about the potential risks from cyber-bullying and unsuitable content often lack the tools, support and skills to protect and support their children. The Vodafone Guardian and Digital Parenting apps will empower parents and enhance their ability to share in their children;s digital journey to adulthood.”

Vodafone has confirmed that their range of branded Vodafone 360 services are to be phased out by the end of the year.

The Vodafone service was launched in late 2009, and offered Vodafone customers a range of connected online services, tying in to popular social networks, and offering a range of branded Vodafone services.

Consumers could back up their entire phonebook online, share updates and photos with friends, and access apps from a Vodafone branded online shop.

When the service launched, Vodafone offered two branded handset, the 360 H1 and 360 M1, manufactured by Samsung. Despite the massive marketing campaign Vodafone ran and the huge push in Vodafone stores, the service failed to take off. The lack of success was compounded by the complete failure of the 360 devices, which were often returned to store with a range of software faults.

In an attempt to save the service, Vodafone stopped promoting their own phones, bringing Vodafone 360 to other smartphones, by installing the Vodafone 360 store on Android and other feature phones.

Ultimately, it was all in vain, and the Vodafone 360 service will be withdrawn at the end of December. Efforts are now under way to inform customers who have used the service, so they can back up any important content and applications purchased before the service goes offline. The one area that will remain unaffected by the closure, due to the popularity of the service, is Vodafone Music.

Vodafone are taking a new approach to the way they charge customers for data, offering the option of a 'Data Test Drive' to all new and upgrading customers to experience unlimited data for three months.

During that time, customers using a smartphone from the Vodafone range will be able to use as much data as they require, browsing the web, downloading and using web connected applications, streaming video and music, and even using their handset tethering with other devices.

Towards the end of the three month period, Vodafone will contact customers with a text message, stating how much data has actually been used. The customer will then be able to choose a data plan that suits their needs.

The plan has an advantage, in allowing customers to actually see just how much data they use month by month, which is one of the main questions consumers ask about when taking a smartphone contract. With many tariffs limited to 1 GB of data or even less, it is not easy for consumers to have an idea of how much data they will use.

The Data Test Drive is only applicable to customers who buy a smartphone on an approved Vodafone tariff, and is not compatible with Vodafone SIM only deals. And then, at the end of the three month deal, any data usage outside of the allocated allowance will be charged for.

All the latest Vodafone handsets, including smartphones, can be found on our Vodafone Deals page.

Mobile network operator Three leads the way with customer complaints within the UK, topping a recent survey by network regulator OfCom.

Following Three come T-Mobile and Orange, although T-Mobile's level of complaints have improved significantly from Q1 to Q2 2011, whereas Three have been getting progressively worse from Q4 2010. The largest proportion of complaints received about Three related to disputed charges, and customer service issues.

Vodafone came next in the list, only just beaten by Virgin Mobile, who have a large enough percentage of the mobile market to be considered for the survey.

Leading the pack was O2, who have consistently had the lowest number of complaints registered from its customers from Q4 2010 to Q2 2011.

A Three spokesman said: “We are not happy with the figures but we know what is behind them and we are working hard to make improvements.”

The figures are calculated with the number of complaints in proportion to the customer base of each network provider, enabling a fair assessment to be made across all networks.

The most talked about phone of the moment is one that does not yet officially exist. Of course, that device could only be the iPhone 5. As rumour surrounding the potential features on the phone continues to grow, it seems Vodafone may have let the cat out of the bag, with some info appearing on their Sure Signal page.

Image from Apple Insider

The detail, which has since been pulled from the site, doesn't give away any detail on a new, exciting feature. Instead what we see is the iPhone 5 will be available in Black or White, and with memory capacity of 16 GB or 32 GB.

The Vodafone Sure Signal is a box that connects to a home broadband service, which serves to boost signal in weak coverage areas. Handsets compatible with the service are listed on the page to help customers ensure the product is compatible with their device.

Whether there will be a version of the iPhone 5 with higher memory capacity, or a mid range device at a lower price, only time will tell.

To register for details on the iPhone 5 when it launches, head on to our iPhone 5 Deals page and register your interest.

Via

Vodafone has announced that it is extending its JustTextGiving text donation service, making it possible for individuals to have their own Vodafone Identification Code to raise funds for their chosen charities.

Setting up a Vodafone Identification Code (VIC) is free of charge, and all donations go straight to the chosen charity. It is also possible for Gift Aid to be reclaimed from donations.

The JustTextGiving service was set up back in May, making it easier for small charities to raise funds by acquiring their own VIC, and now that service is extended to individual fund raisers.

Anyone who is over 18 can apply for a unique VIC by visiting the JustTextGiving website. Once a code has been set up, fund-raisers can promote their code by sewing it on to their running shirt, or sticking it on publicity material, posters and leaflets for example. All donors need to then do is text the VIC, along with the amount they wish to give, to the short code 70070. It is even possible to personalise your VIC, making the code more relevant to the user, or the charity that funds are being raised for.

There is no charge to set up or run a JustTextGiving VIC, there are no network charges for donors, and every penny raised goes to charity. One of the most common reasons people use for not donating is that it is 'too difficult', the Vodafone JustTextGiving service takes away all difficulty, making charity giving as simple as sending a text message.

Vodafone CEO Guy Laurence said: “More than 12,000 charities have already signed up to use JustTextGiving, and hundreds more are signing up each day. Today is about putting the power of fund-raising by text into individuals' hands. Now individuals will be able to maximise their fund-raising efforts for their chosen charity. Text donations are set to be worth £96 million a year by 2014 and through JustTextGiving we can help make this goal a reality.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The service is run by Vodafone, but is open to all users of all networks. For more information, head on over to the JustTextGiving website.

Vodafone has become the first network in Europe to launch operator billing for Android handsets, allowing customers to buy apps and charge the purchase to their mobile phone bill.

The service isn't restricted to just pay monthly users, either, as PAYG customers can also use their prepay balance to pay for apps downloaded from the Android Market.

The service has been launched to Vodafone subscribers in the UK and Germany, and is expected to be rolled out to other major European countries where Vodafone has a mobile presence.

The launch of carrier billing for Android users will be of significant benefit to users who do not have, or prefer not to use, a credit card for online purchases. Initially, the service will be restricted to Android handsets that run Vodafone branded firmware; users on Vodafone who have generic, non-branded handsets will have to wait a little longer before they can access this service.

To safeguard fears of users inadvertently running up huge bills, particularly younger users who may not be well supervised, Vodafone has placed restrictions on the service, with single app purchases limited to £30 and a monthly limit set to £250.

We posted yesterday about a potential security flaw in the Vodafone Sure Signal service, which allowed hackers to gain access to customer handsets, allowing unregistered handsets to access the Sure Signal setup, or even worse, give unauthorised access to voicemails and even make spoof calls, as if from another number.

With the whole phone hacking business that is currently in the media spotlight, the Sure Signal saga served to demonstrate that at times, the services we rely on to communicate may not be as secure as we would like them to be.

Thankfully, Vodafone have responded swiftly to the news, and have given out an update relating to the Sure Signal hack. The story has cast confusion over the security of the actual Vodafone network, which should not be the case as the news strictly related to the Sure Signal service. Even so, Vodafone reassure us that the Vodafone network has not been compromised, and that the flaw in the Sure Signal boxes was detected and has been patched with a software update, even as far back as 2010. Good to know. Here is the statement, in full:

“Overnight on July 12, a claim appeared that hackers had found security loopholes in Vodafone Sure Signal which could compromise the security of Vodafone’s network. We want to reassure our customers that the Vodafone network has not been compromised. The claims regarding Vodafone Sure Signal, which is a signal booster used indoors, relate to a vulnerability that was detected at the start of 2010. A security patch was issued a few weeks later automatically to all Sure Signal boxes. As a result, Vodafone Sure Signal customers do not need to take any action to secure their device. We monitor the security of all of our products and services on an ongoing basis and will continue to do so.”

Sure Signal is a setup that gives Vodafone customers increased network coverage in areas of poor signal. Designed to work with home broadband connections, the boxes have proven to be very popular with customers. Now news comes that the boxes can be hacked, potentially leaving customers open to having their calls listened in to, or recorded.

Now a group, calling themselves 'The Hackers Choice' have shown that the boxes have a flaw with the way that Vodafone have implemented the system. Vodafone limits the number of handsets that can be registered with a particular Sure Signal box, with handsets needing to be registered mobile numbers that wish to gain access. The hackers have managed to remove this restriction, meaning any Vodafone device within range of a Sure Signal could potentially log on and use the system.

The hackers also state that they have been able to listen in to calls made through the cell boosting service, listen to voicemail messages and even make calls as the customers registered on the service. With phone hacking a hot story at the moment, the news comes at a bad time for Vodafone.

The hacking can only happen if a customer accesses a reverse engineered Sure Signal, which have a range of approximately 50 metres, but that access can be triggered automatically.

Vodafone have yet to make a statement regarding the serious security flaw in the Sure Signal service.