Lastminute teams up with Orange

NEWS Online retailer lastminute.com has teamed up with mobile operator Orange to develop mobile retail software. The British dot-com, which sells holidays, hotel rooms, theatre tickets and gifts, said the software will allow Orange users to gain access to its deals via their mobile phone at any time. According to Babak Fouladi, head of new platforms at Lastminute, mobile commerce is finally becoming a reality. He said: "M-commerce has had its hype, now it's time to build the killer applications that will help make people's lives easier," he told silicon.com. The e-tailer hopes its customers will soon be able to order dinner reservations or theatre tickets on the move, identifying the nearest restaurant or theatre using geospatial technology and paying via their mobile phone. "Work is already starting on developing joint applications," Fouladi said. The company is reluctant to set a date for release but is promising customers will begin enjoying the benefits before the end of the year. The partnership will also let lastminute.com expand its distribution on the mobile platform via Orange UK's existing 13 million customers.