Samsung launches little brother for Vodafone 360 H1

The LiMo mobile software platform is hopelessly overshadowed by other Linux options – Android of course, and even Palm’s niche webOS. But the fact remains that LiMo has attracted strong support from Vodafone and from a rising number of handset makers, and its second release boasts many benefits for consumers, compared to its rivals. The second handset running LiMo R2 appeared this week from Samsung, and will debut with Vodafone’s new 360 portal, the biggest test so far for the carrier’s web services strategy.

Like most mobile software platforms, LiMo R2 focuses heavily on personalization and aims to tap into the mainstream market rather than just mobile internet trailblazers. Combined with 360, users will have an enhanced ability to pick and choose their apps and create an interface they find appealing, says LiMo. The M1 follows hard on the heels of the Samsung H1, the first R2 handset, which shipped for 360 last month, but the newer device is cheaper and geared to the mass market.

The M1 is the little brother of the H1 (and not to be confused with another Samsung M1, the Nvidia-based media player that appeared in September. Greater naming creativity required from the phonemaker ....). The M1 has a 3.2-inch touchscreen, slightly smaller than the H1’s and without OLED brightness. The camera is 3.2-megapixels rather than the larger model’s 5-mp, and memory is far smaller, at 1Gb on-board rather than 16Gb (though it can be expanded with extra cards). There’s no Wi-Fi in the M1, but HSDPA is supported and all the social networking and personalization features of the original phone are preserved (many via 360 of course).

Users of other phones (including iPhone) can tap into 360 too but have to download apps and do not get all the features, while the Samsung devices have everything pre-installed and support the full range of social features – including the ability to let friends know your location, linked to the integrated maps application.

The H1 goes on sale on Friday in the UK and Germany, from free on a £35-per-month, two-year contract, and Vodafone promises the M1 will be cheaper than that, although hasn’t yet revealed the exact price. The M1 should ship in time for Christmas though.

Morgan Gillis, executive director of the LiMo Foundation, said: “These first R2 handsets from Vodafone and Samsung mark the beginning of an exciting period of broad market adoption led by LiMo’s global operators that will usher in a highly interactive and trusted mobile internet experience for consumers around the globe.”

There are now 44 LiMo handsets in the market, and other supporters like LG should be releasing R2 upgrades in the coming weeks encouraged by the opportunity to get into Vodafone’s portfolio.