—Orange Launches Widgets: Orange is launching mobile widgets preloaded on their phones, which will give customers access to information like weather updates and news alerts via their homescreens. The idea appears to be to encourage people without multi-functional phones to use mobile content services. It will launch in May and be rolled out to all European markets. Orange is also expanding its Application Shop to support more platforms. (release)

—MBlox Trials Data Included: MBlox has launched a cross-operator “sender-pays data” trial, where the cost of the data to download a piece of mobile content is included in the original price. Content providers have been eager for this for years, and although a few have tried they haven’t managed to get all the carriers on board. MBlox’s UK trial involves “most UK network operators, covering over 75 percent of consumers”. The four content providers involved are Fox Mobile Distribution, ShortsTV, Incentivated and Creative North. A “Zero Data Charge” logo has been developed to identify content that utilizes the sender-pays trial.

—Ad-Subsidized Handsets: Norwegian company Moota has teamed up with Interactive Media Services in Kenya to provide advertising subsidized handsets. The idea is that brands can get advertising on the handset through wallpapers and ringtones, and have the ability to update the information through text messages—in return the handsets are cheaper. (The Standard)