Press Coverage

TelstraOne experience rejuvenates Telstra mobile range

In addition to a revamped interface, Telstra has also announced two new phones to their line-up: Sony Ericsson W705 and Motorola Motorsurf A3100.

In what is being described as a “revolutionary” mobile event for Telstra (well, that’s what Telstra are calling it), the introduction of a new mobile interface known as TelstraOne makes for a supposedly easier and quicker to use menu system on your mobile. However, whether it will enough to wean customers off shiny iPhones and Android mobiles may be paramount to this strategy. 

TelstraOne: Simplicity in a nutshell

TelstraOne, the official name for this re-energized (and rather snazzy) mobile interface, marks a large effort by Telstra to increase the simplicity of their phones. It takes one part throwing out all the confusing junk that doesn’t work and re-organising it into a clear space. In other words, simple sells.

The TelstraOne experience is cited as a “transforming” moment for Telstra mobile (which is exactly what they’re calling it) and will be unique to the phones that carry their network; so even if you change mobile phones, the menu should stay the same, making configuration and menu standardisation an attractive part of the Telstra mobile range.

Redesigned, so that the most useful phone apps/icons (e.g. Foxtel) have been placed in one simple touch menu area, Telstra’s formula is for a ‘one-click vision’. In other words - everything is just a finger click away - although, it’s worth mentioning that the iPhone has had this kind of functionality for a whole now.

However, this is a monumental change for Telstra. For an easy-to-use phone, that works on the excellent NextG network - it’s an attractive proposition. Few phone manufacturers (in addition to networks) actually understand that a phone menu needs to be clear and concise.  Finally, somebody that isn’t Apple really gets this.

Ironically, the Telstra branded launch of two new phones - the Sony Ericsson W705 and the Motorsurf A3100 offer much more than your traditional call/camera/txt mix. Either handset is probably not the easiest phone in the world to use, but the presence of the new TelstraOne simplicity does tend to make navigating the menus are little clearer and more user-friendly.