xseries

X-Series Answers - E61 alternative

Bob wrote: Why isn't the e61 available on the Australian Three X-Series network when it is on the UK network? See full post here.

3 Australia answered: While the Nokia E61 is not currently available on X-Series from 3 in Australia, there are a number of other options you can consider if you are interested in using email on a QWERTY keyboard, etc.

These are:

1. Purchase a Dopod 838 handset - which, along with being an X-Series handset, has large touch screen with a sliding hidden QWERTY keyboard and is HSDPA enabled for faster browsing and email speeds (the E61 is not HSPDA enabled). Even though this handset does not have the X-Series Skype and IM clients loaded on the handset - you can download the freeware versions to the handset and use them with your generous monthly X-Series data allocation.

2. Still purchase the Nokia E61 and add the Mobile&Web Pack for $5 per month which will give you 10MB of data usage per month.

Unfortunately if you buy the E61 in the UK and take it to Australia it will not work as an X-Series mobile on the 3 network there.

Hope this helps.

w950i is go!

Hi all. While we don't usually do "official" statements on the X-Series blog, we wanted to provide one given the many, many questions asked regarding the Sony Ericsson W950i, one of the original handsets announced as part of the global launch of X-Series.

3 UK writes: After rigorous testing with the full suite of X-Series applications, we are now ready to release the w950i as a handset which is X-Series capable.

Given that a key part of the X-Series philosophy is to ensure a great user experience out of the box across all applications, we have been determined to ensure we can guarantee this on the W950i. The W950i is an excellent Walkman handset and also has the capacity to handle a variety of mobile internet applications.

Our concern has been that it is able to sustain a stable environment on the handset when pre-loaded with all the X-Series applications from 3. It has taken a little longer than we all had hoped, but this is pioneering stuff, right?!! And we are now satisfied that we can launch it as a full X-Series handset.

So, there you have it.

Some of you will have noticed that the w950i is already being made available in 3Stores in the UK and those of you who have already bought into it will still be able to download and run the X-Series applications as part of our soon to be expanded mobile internet offer.

The X-Series represents a leap forward in terms of the access opportunities it creates to the mobile internet. It also demands the sustained use of multiple applications on one handset. When we launched the X-Series we committed to providing the best of the mobile internet from 3.

We must be fair to our customers and our handset and software partners and we would not want to promote a handset as an X-Series device until we were confident it can do the job for all of us; outside the demo shop in the hand of the 3 customer.

By the way, when you get a chance, check out the quick-launch menu we've put on the handset - it gives you quick access to your favourite X-Series services.

Finally, we'd like to thank Sony Ericsson for their understanding and commitment to our joint vision of bringing feature-rich mobile internet services into the mobile world. It's no walk in the park, but we wouldn't be pushing the boundaries if it was.

X-Series Answers - A mixed bag

The following pulls together a number of questions asked last week on the X-Series blog and is a bit of a mixed bag covering new handsets, X-Series as a modem, email and which applications are available on non X-Series handsets. Remember if you have any questions, check your local country site first, or drop us a line.

New handsets

Paul asks: I have a question about the Sony Ericsson W950i.  Do we know when this might become available on the X-Series and will an existing W950i user on Three be able to upgrade to use the X-Series features?

3 UK answers: 3 will launch the X-Series W950i soon. Existing W950i customers will have full access to X-Series applications providing they have subscribed to X-Series Silver or Gold.

Matt writes: So, what's the score with the W950i and any other X-Series mobiles being launched?

3 UK answers: We’ll release the W950i soon. We’re just putting the finishing touches to a few of the X-Series services. We are also working with a range of handset manufacturers and application providers on the next wave of X-Series phones now. The first of these, the Nokia E65 launches Monday, March 5. Visit the X-Series web site now to find out more.

X-Series as a modem?

Ricky writes: Are there any plans to allow the X-Series handsets to be used as modems, say on a laptop or PDA? I appreciate that the 1Gb of data is extremely competitively priced and would be prepared to pay a premium (not too high of course) to use that data with an external device.

3 UK answers:  We are currently reviewing our data pricing policies across our Wireless Web and Web and Office (datacard) price plans. Keep an eye on three.co.uk for details.

Paying for 3mail!

Nick says: I’ve been billed £3.52 for email. Not checked the bill yet but it must be 3mail. I used 3mail because I thought mobile mail wasn’t free!

3 UK replies: 3mail is not part of X-Series and we have made this clear both on the X-Series web site and on the blog. Mobile Mail is, however, part of the X-Series.

More on handsets, and X-Series applications in general

Rhys asks: Why does Three UK just support Nokia N73 at this stage, yet Three HK supports seven different mobiles?!

3 UK answers: The Nokia N73 is currently the only handset to currently support all of the X-Series applications (until Monday, that is!). We support many other handsets on lots of the X-Series services. eBay and Yahoo! Search, for example, are available on all our handsets, while Windows Live Messenger is available across Nokia, LG, Motorola and Sony Ericsson handsets.

We’re working to open up more applications to more handsets constantly. X-Series will launch on the Nokia E65 on Monday and will soon be available on the W950i. As they say, watch this space.

X-Series answers - The road to Morocco

Helen asks: Hi. Please can you just clear up something for me. I have the X Series Silver package and I travel to Morocco a lot. Please can you tell me if my internet usage (both web browsing and modem use) is free or do you charge a roaming fee? Also is MSN messenger free too? Only I have read on this site that it’s free - but I have asked in store and they said its definitely not free anywhere outside of the UK on both Silver or Gold packages.

3 UK answers: We currently do not have a data roaming agreement in Morocco. This means that Voice and SMS will work but all other services including 3's Planet 3 portal, picture messaging, X-Series applications and internet browsing will not work in Morocco. The T&Cs of the X-Series do not allow you to use your X-Series phone as a modem for your PC and the allowance applies to on-phone usage only. X-Series applications will work and will be charged the same as in the UK when roaming on one of 3's sister networks around the world under our 3 Like Home program. This includes Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark and even Australia.

X-Series answers - Mobilcast, Messenger and icons

Matt writes: Hello there. Absolutely love my X-Series phone! Just a couple of very very minor issues.

One - what's 3's policy regarding application updates? For example, I notice that Mobilcast is now at Version 5, but the version for download from 3 is still v4. Secondly - I've downloaded another Windows Live Messenger client via Microsoft, which I think is a bit more advanced than the one provided by 3. If I use this, will any messages count against my general data allowance or does it work with the 10,000 p/m usage with the bundled client? Thirdly, I had to re-download the MSN messenger client and now the icon on my active standby menu is all big and cropped, rather than the little icon there was previously. This is the smallest issue of all, but can I change this icon or get back the old one?

3 UK answers: Hi Matt. We’ve responded to your questions one by one.

1. 3's Mobilcast client is tailored towards content more relevant to our customers and the UK in general. The generic Mobilcast client contains more US-oriented content. We are expecting an upgrade to v5 soon. When it is ready you will be prompted to download the new version from within the current
application.

2. Third party Messenger clients will use data allocation rather than Messenger allocation as it does not pass through 3’s Messenger infrastructure. Our solution is the only one available to offer “hide” mode. This mode alerts you as soon as a message arrives when the application is in the background. It also does not need to be connected to the Messenger service over IP constantly. This saves on data traffic and battery life. At this point in time we do not test or endorse the use of any 3rd party clients on our handsets.

3. Hmmm. This one is a bit harder to answer. We prepare all the icons for all applications on your handset with the manufacturer (in this case Nokia). This means they appear at the right size. Our guess would be that the icon for the application you downloaded isn’t sized correctly.

Hope the above helps.

X-Series Answers 10

Hi all ... in answer to a lot of comments and emails to the blog, there's some news for X-Series customers who are as addicted as we are to Skype. As part of the roll out of 3 Like Home we're told that you won't be charged for Skype roaming when you're in countries with a 3 network.

Here's the words direct from our 3 UK colleagues:

As of January 2007 3 no longer charges for any use of the Skype service when on any of the 3 operating company networks worldwide. This is part of the 3 Like Home initiative which applies to all of 3's services when 3 UK customers are roaming on other 3 networks world wide.

Yes, it's true friends :-) For more information if you are in the UK check out this link, or visit your local 3 country web site.

Enjoy!

//de

X-Series Answers 09

Welcome to the first installment of X-Series Answers for 2007 which includes answers to the questions many of you have been asking so far this year. But before we get into that, we just wanted to post a friendly reminder that while we do everything we can to answer your questions, your first port of call on pricing, product, T&C and technical information should be your local country site. So in the UK you can find lots of what you need already on www.three.co.uk or 3 UK’s X-Series web site. Most questions asked of us here on the blog are answered in the FAQs on those sites. Failing that, you can also call customer service in your country.

In the meantime, on with X-Series Answers …

A couple of Skype questions

Mark writes: Regardless of how Skype is configured on 3’s network, Skype to Skype calls should be free, wherever customers are in the world. After all, this is the USP of Skype. To incur roaming charges for Skype to Skype usage makes a mockery of the original Skype proposition. I was going to order an X-Series phone after eight years with O2 / Cellnet, but now I'm not so sure...

And Cate also writes: You say 'currently' Skype calls made from abroad attract international roaming charges. Do you hope that's going to change? Skype is my main reason for getting X-Series as I travel for work and they don't pay for calls home!

3 UK writes: 3 is the only network anywhere in the world to offer Skype on a mobile and gives you the opportunity to make calls to Skype users anywhere in the world for free. Skype is free to use when roaming on any other 3 network in the world, which includes Ireland, Italy, Australia, Hong Kong, Austria, Sweden and Denmark. Unfortunately when you roam onto other networks when abroad these networks do charge 3 for your Skype calls, so in these cases there is an international roaming charge.

Yahoo! and Google email help
Dom writes: I have a Yahoo Go! account set up on my phone and I love the way it sends me the mails but can I set up a second Yahoo! account that I have to do the same. I also have a Google mail account which I cannot for the life of me set up. I have tried adding these email accounts and they don’t work and the worse thing is I can’t even delete the accounts from my phone. Please help me on all of this!!!

3 UK writes: The Yahoo Go! client works with a single Yahoo! account. If you have a valid internet package or use our MobileMail service on X-Series you can access your Googlemail also. However, Google requires you to turn on POP access from within your Google Mail preferences. For more specific assistance please call customer service or visit 3 UK's X-Series web site.

Bring on the w950i!
Darren and quite a few others have asked about the launch date for the Sony Ericsson w950i on X-Series. He asks has “Three "quietly" dropped it as a platform for the X-Series”?

3 UK writes: We announced that the w950i would be available early in 2007 on X-Series and that is still the case. We are currently working hard perfecting the X-Series applications for the w950i. Once we are happy with the experience it will be release it.

//de

X-Series Answers 08

Welcome back. Time for another installment in the X-Series Answers series. This time around we provide some clarity about the difference between unlimited internet access and unlimited data (there isn't any difference!) and talk a little about using X-Series when you roam.

Access of data?
On the industry blog, SMS Text News, Ewan asked for a clarification on the difference between Unlimited Internet access and Unlimited data.

3 UK writes: Because X-Series is an unlimited service (subject to fair use policy, of course), you will not be billed for any access to the Internet from your X-Series mobile and it will not show on your account.

We have not intentionally blocked access to services or prevented access to, or downloads from, any particular sites.  However, we have not tested the service or the handsets for applications or uses other than those promoted by 3. 

If you can download clients and access websites or web-based services of your choosing, then this access will be included as part of the Unlimited data offer, other than where we separately offer that same service with a client we have provided (such as Sling and Orb). 

Please be aware that we cannot guarantee access to all sites through our network or that your X-Series handset can support any software other than the software included by 3 or the handset manufacturer. In addition, the manufacturer's handset warranty may become void if it develops a fault due to any software or applications that are not installed on the handset by the manufacturer.

Skype to Skype roaming
Phil asked about roaming charges for Skype to Skype calls.

3 UK writes: When you are on 3's networks abroad you can use the same X-Series services you can access in the UK.  Like when you are on the 3 network in the UK, we cannot guarantee that 3's networks overseas will permit access to all websites and web applications. Except for Skype, you will not pay international roaming rates when you use X-Series services on 3's networks abroad. Currently, Skype calls made from your 3 mobile on 3's networks abroad will attract international roaming voice call charges.

There are no networks overseas other than 3's networks, that currently support using X-Series services. If for any reason you manage to connect and use data services when on non-3 networks overseas then you will be charged our standard international roaming data charges.

3Mail is not included in X-Series as it is a different non-web based email service.

//de & tz

X-Series Answers 07

A lot of people have asked what the situation is re. international data roaming, so this X-Series Q&A addresses this issue.

Nigel writes: What about data roaming to other, non-3, partners? Currently there's none/very little, although I'm *sure* that I managed to get my phone's imap4 client to connect to 3mail and download mail when on the south of France (Orange France) over the summer...

3 UK writes: Regarding your connection in the south of France, there are no non-3 networks overseas that currently support using X-Series services. If for any reason you manage to connect and use data services when overseas then you will be charged our standard international roaming data charges.

However, the good news is you should be able to use the same services you can access in the UK when you use X-Series services on 3's networks abroad. However, as is the case when you are in the UK, we cannot cannot guarantee that 3's networks overseas will permit access to all websites and web applications.

Except for Skype, you will not pay international roaming rates when you use X-Series services on 3's networks abroad. Note that 3Mail is not included in X-Series as it is a different non-web based email service.

X-Series Answers 06

Over the past few days we have been getting clarification on a question asked by Adrian regarding an X-Series customer from SMS Text News being charged for sending an email via 3Mail. We’ve found out why, and we have a plan for the future. Read on…

3 UK responds: There are three ways to send email using X-Series: 1. Yahoo! Mail through the Y! Go service; 2. Using the web browser and logging into your email services via that; and 3. setting up and using the Mobile Mail application. Each of these email services are free and unlimited with X-Series. However, using the 3Mail service which is provisioned on 3 handsets is not currently part of X-Series and charges do apply when using that mail service.

Frank Sixt adds: Historically, some email providers charge for email services, while some, like Yahoo! and MSN, don’t. Historically 3mail has been a charged for service, which is why the original user was charged. Ironically, if he had used his X-Series handset to send and receive e-mail from an account with a free mail provider there would have been no charge. We're going to give serious thought as to whether 3mail should continue as a paid service for X-Series customers in the future. For now, in keeping with the promise to "tear down the walls", at least X-Series customers have the choice to chose other providers for their mobile e-mail needs over 3 Mail!