Orange has unveiled a number of new products and services at its third annual Hello Show in Paris, including the Homepoint multimedia hub. The Homepoint is an all-in-one product that allows users to play music from their smartphones to their Hi-Fi systems, to recharge devices with USB cables and induction pads, and to allow guests to access a dedicated Wi-Fi network.
Orange also presented the Polaris project, which will allow everyone in the family to retrieve their video, games and music content. Users will be able to start watching video on their TV set and finish it on their smartphone or tablet, and vice-versa.
The operator said it will be opening new concept stores in Poland, Spain and Romania, followed by France. The new outlets will feature themed areas dedicated to “Home”, “Office” and “Entertainment”. Orange Datavenue is a project due to go live in November that will enable connected-object makers and service developers to gather, aggregate, secure and store data.
Orange partners can also connect objects on the move with its Pops module. Pops runs on mobile networks using Orange’s M2M platforms, and blends seamlessly into accessories and garments, including D-shirts from Cityzen Sciences and wristbands from Quiksilver.
In the banking sector, Orange is enhancing its Orange Money transfer services with a cash-to-goods feature in partnership with start-up Afrimarket. Users will be able to transfer money from Europe to a partner retailer in Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo or Benin.
Polish smartphone users can now enjoy Orange Finanse, the banking solution for all digital natives who want to manage their account from their phones. They can deposit and transfer funds, pay via NFC, refund friends mobile-to-mobile and use many other features, which are already available on Android, iOS and Windows Phone systems.
