O2 Joggler promises to make family life easier

Connected calendar to arrange your life

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5 March 2009 0:00 GMT / By Stuart Miles

O2 has launched a new initiative called O2 families that hopes to make life easier for busy families always on the go.

The spearhead of the new campaign will be a digital touchscreen photo frame, that allows families to manage a diary that can be accessed via your mobile phone when you are out and about.

“We’ve developed the O2 Joggler with today’s busy families in mind. It has been purpose built to help families better organise their lives”, said Alistair Johnston, marketing director, Telefónica O2 UK.

Called the O2 Joggler, because family lives are constantly moving as if you are jogging, the core focus of the 7-inch screen, Intel Atom powered device made by Open Peak in the US, will be the O2 Calendar.

Although it doesn't yet support the iCal calendar open standard as used by Google and Apple, it is hoped that users will be happy to punch in their daily whereabouts so any other member of the family can see what's happening and when.

"Users will be able to text the Joggler or access the calendar via an online portal", Sharon Pickford, head of the newly formed O2 Families division told Pocket-lint.

Connected to the Internet via a wired or wireless connection, the service will be able to send O2 customers text alerts of their appointments. There is no in-built SIM and therefore no ongoing costs or monthly subscription.

"Google is difficult to use", criticised Pickford before expressing the virtues of the new service from O2. "Our service will text you every birthday and appointment you put in, you'll never get in trouble for missing anything ever again".

Alongside the calendar the device will promise 1GB of on-board memory allowing you to store pictures, music and video for when you aren't checking your social calendar.

Elsewhere users will get a selection of games including Sudoku, as well as news, sport and weather reports form Sky News. You'll also be able to access traffic reports via TrafficMaster.

"We are hoping to add plenty more features in the coming months", Pickford told us hinting at an internet radio feature, the ability to send text messages from the device and even an app store to allow developers to create their own applications for the device.

The Joggler will be launching at the end of April for £149 and isn’t dependent on owners having an O2 account, however some features won't be available to non O2 customers. O2 customers on a budget can opt to take the device instead of a handset when it comes to upgrade time.