Virgin Radio 2.5G/3G !

This is another example of really innovative use of the mobile internet: a simple radio app that just works. Easy install, three big buttons for the stations and you're off. Now Australian carriers, listen up: Bring on the unlimited GPRS plans! For software developers to get people trying out their cool new mobile data apps, we need some reasonable pricing.

For Australian users - I've tried the Virgin Radio on Telstra 2.5G (Nokia 6600) and on Hutch's 3G network (Motorola A925.. you need to make a Mobile Internet connection, rather than 3's default content connection). It buffered a fair bit on 2.5G, but then seemed to find its feet. On 3, it ran fluidly after a few seconds. But the cost of running on either network for more than a minute or so would be quite frightening - in fact, i probably wouldn't have tried it at all if I was paying my phone bill :).

For the next mobile radio app (maybe also from Sydus?), i'd love to see the ability to enter any stream address (Shoutcast etc) - like a mobile Winamp. I guess this may be what the mobile iTunes player will be.

Give it a shot: http://www.virginradio.co.uk/thestation/mobile/index.html

UPDATE: Saumil from Sydus Mobile, the developers of the above app, emailed me pointing out that Vodafone Australia has a $50/month unlimited GRPS data bundle (unlimited to 500Mb under 'acceptable use' policy). Good step in the right direction, Voda.