Orange and Google sign pan-European mobile partnership agreement

Orange has announced an industry-first as it becomes the first operator to partner with Google to bring Google Mobile App to mobile customers in Europe. The multi-year strategic agreement, combining the best in content and search innovation from both partners, is making mobile search and geo-location services even more accessible by giving customers one-click access to Google Mobile App via the Orange homescreen. The application provides enhanced search features and access to the Orange mobile portal and other familiar Google products and services.

From October, the Orange Signature Android series, including LG Eve (France, Spain), HTC Tattoo (France, UK, Spain) and HTC Hero (France) will also feature specially designed services like the Orange Email Wizard which lets users set up and use their chosen mobile email services - including Google Mail - in one easy-to-manage place. Google Mobile App will later be made available across a wider range of Orange Signature devices operating on Symbian S60, RIM (BlackBerry) and Microsoft's Windows Mobile. On these platforms the application will include links to services like Orange mobile portal, Google News, Google Maps and Google Mail, giving Orange Signature customers even greater access to content and tools that are useful in daily life. Together with the new services, Orange customers can continue to browse and download mobile applications that are personal and relevant to them, for example, from the Orange Application Shop.