Orange Launches Orange Gestures and 'smart' Live Wallpapers for Orange Android Homescreen

BARCELONA, Spain, February 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Unique Orange designs enable customisable and instant access to applications and services

- Developed by the Orange Group Devices, Design and R&D team, Orange Gestures lets users draw natural and intuitive gestures on their homescreen to give one-stroke access to their favourite applications or services

- Exclusive to Orange Android Signature smartphones, new Orange Live Wallpapers redefine 'live' wallpapers by integrating application functionality into the homescreen experience itself - six new 'smart' wallpapers will be launched in 2011

- Orange Gestures and Live Wallpapers will be available on all new Orange Android Signature smartphones across the Orange footprint from Q2 2011

Orange is today launching two new and exclusive Orange Homescreen developments, Orange Gestures and Orange Live Wallpapers, for Android smartphones[1]. Orange Gestures provides 27 designs which users can assign to an action or application, such as speed dialling, sending a text to a specific contact or launching a weather widget or a game. There is no need to scroll, search or click through multiple steps in order to launch an application or more importantly, an action within an application.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110214/436636-a )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110214/436636-b )

For example, if Rachel texts her best friend Alison frequently, once a gesture is assigned to this action Rachel can draw a square, which launches a text to Alison; alternatively, drawing a heart will automatically enable Bob to phone his wife, without having to access his phone screen or address book.

For the first time, Orange Live Wallpapers have taken the concept of 'live' wallpapers one step further by integrating the actual functionality of a specific application into the dynamic aesthetic of the wallpaper design itself, making them much smarter than standard designs. The first of these 'smart' wallpapers to launch in Q2 2011 is Orange Candles, a photorealistic candle that burns down in six stages, giving a true indication of battery life[2]. The design is also reactive; the flame flickers as a user scrolls from left to right. Five more designs will be rolled out across Orange Android Signature smartphones in 2011, allowing customers to choose a homescreen experience that matches their style and needs.

Yves Maitre, senior vice president, Orange Group Devices and Mobile Multimedia, said, " We are continually looking at ways to bring added value to our customers through the Orange Homescreen, offering simple, differentiating services and improved functionality. The homescreen plays a fundamental role in our Signature strategy, introducing both new and relevant Orange and third party services to our customers. Orange Gestures and Orange Live Wallpapers are our latest offerings to harness the innovation capabilities of the Android platform on our Signature phones. We make sure every pixel counts in order to deliver Orange customers with a sophisticated, stylish and simple experience."

Yves Christol, Head of the Advanced Software Center for Devices, Orange Labs, added, "Ultimately this experience must be totally useful as well - whether that's quickly being able to tell how much battery you have, or using a familiar gesture to call your closest friend. Our latest customer-centric innovation demonstrates perfectly how Orange has a role as a digital coach, helping our customers get the most from their devices and services."

Orange Gestures and Live Wallpapers will be available on all new Orange Android Signature smartphones across the Orange footprint from Q2 2011. Orange will showcase both these innovations at Mobile World Congress 2011. Visit the Orange Mobile World Congress stand at CY07.

Images are available on request.

About Orange

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[1] Excluding HTC Android smartphones, which will offer Orange Smart Wallpapers only

[2] State 1: 80 - 100%, State 2: 60 - 79%, State 3: 40 - 59%, State 4: 30 - 36%, State 5: 10 - 19%, State 6: 1 - 9%