Monotype Imaging Holdings and Vodafone UK, are introducing a new way to personalize the mobile user interface on select mobile handsets. With Monotype Imaging’s new FlipFont solution accessible from Vodafone live!, Vodafone becomes the first operator in Europe to offer downloadable, mobile-optimized fonts to replace the factory-installed, default font.
“FlipFont has the potential to springboard fonts into the forefront of mobile personalization,” said John Seguin, executive vice president of Monotype Imaging. “As mobile phones become more of an indispensable part of our lives, it’s natural for us to want to reflect our personality in these devices, and font choice provides an attractive avenue to do this. Together with Vodafone UK, we’re introducing a new level of creative freedom. FlipFont is a significant entry for both companies to empower consumers to personalize their own handsets with fonts.”
The FlipFont solution debuts with a selection of 10 scalable fonts downloadable to the Nokia N73, N95 and N95 8GB handsets. Typeface designs range from the ITC Stylus font, with its hand-lettered feel, to the attention-grabbing Musclehead design, starting at £1.99 for a single font. The FlipFont solution also includes a utility that allows customers to -˜flip’ to use a different font, or access additional fonts that can be previewed, licensed and downloaded. Additional fonts are expected to become available on an ongoing basis.
Julie Strawson, director of marketing Europe at Monotype Imaging Ltd. said, “Users have tried to change their phone font and have -˜broken’ their phone in the process, so we’ve collaborated with Vodafone UK to ensure FlipFont is safe, fun and easy to use. By choosing a font to suit their needs, users can improve their mobile experience and make their phone more usable. We’ve worked closely with Vodafone UK to optimize FlipFont and together be the first to offer this solution in Europe. With solid growth projected for mobile data services, we believe fonts can play an integral role to help OEMs and operators such as Vodafone UK enable a greater level of personalization. Our goal is to extend coverage to a wider range of operating systems and phones worldwide.”
