Optus adds social networking to Zoo

Optus has signed an agreement with Switzerland-based mobile software company, Myriad Group, to create SocialView — an add-on to the Optus Zoo portal that will allow its customers to access Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and Flickr at no extra cost.

Optus SocialView on Zoo
(Credit: Optus)

SocialView can be accessed through a browser, rather than requiring a smartphone, and lets Optus users view messages and post updates to specific sites or to all social networks simultaneously. Customers can also choose to receive free text alerts of updates within their social networks.

"Social networking services are a sure-fire way for Optus to increase the appeal and popularity of Optus Zoo," said Jennifer Zanich, Myriad's general manager for Xumii services. "Enabling these features on a single screen creates a quick and easy way for mobile users to stay in touch throughout the day, which will increase visits to Optus Zoo and ultimately drive the adoption of other services on the portal."

The contract is the first social networking deal signed by Myriad Group since it acquired Xumii in 2009, an Australian-founded company that developed cloud-based technologies for mobile access to social networking sites. Myriad has previously worked with Google, T-Mobile and HTC to develop Java custom features for the Android platform.

While SocialView itself won't cost anything to use, access to Optus' Zoo portal requires a data pack, which is currently charged at 1.5¢/KB capped at $9.90 for 5MB on prepaid, or $4.99 for 150MB and up to $19.99 for 2GB on a contract.