I was just updating my apps this evening when I came across this new 'purchased items' functionality on the iPhone App Store. Very nice.

Well then it makes a nice change getting a text message like this from Vodafone. After repeatedly visiting the States and having to put up with the three-quid-a-meg deal, the £2 for 25mb of roaming data each day seems positively joyous.

Interestingly, I have been in Germany two days now and I still haven't used up the 25mb daily allowance. Standard BlackBerry usage seems to generate a small amount of data overhead. However, I am intentionally limiting myself at the moment. Again, this is because of that flipping annoying £1/meg 'overage' charge. Indeed, sending this screenshot from the BlackBerry will probably add half-a-meg's usage to my total.

We're getting there. The 11p/text rate is certainly doable.

The 75p per call charge (and then your domestic rate plan) is equally tolerable. You should know, Vodafone, that again, subconsciously, I'm limiting my spend with you in that regard. I actually find myself emailing my wife to check she's around to receive a call, so I don't end up paying 75p for a 5-second call to her voicemail.

So, Vodafone, I'd really like you to experiment with different price rates. What will it take to get me to relax with roaming charges and not to think about it?

Given that MACH (the mobile roaming experts) report that a massive 42% of travelers actually switch off roaming), what would it take to get me to totally ignore the roaming charges like I do when I'm on the domestic network?

I reckon something like this:

- 25p per call
- 50mb inclusive per day, or something like 10p/meg

But you know what? I think Vodafone's pricing for Europe is certainly getting there. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Well then here I am again at London Heathrow's Terminal 5. This time I am heading out to Berlin -- on British Airways. Indeed I so enjoy the functions of the airline's iPhone App that I will routinely book with them instead of another company. I had a quick check after I got through security a little while ago and saw the flight was delayed. Hugely helpful. The next thing I'd like? A push-update when the gate is announced. (The app already shows the gate number on this screen, but right now you have to manually refresh to see it.) I bet the chaps on the BA mobile team are working on that...

I just came across this advert on the back of one of the Telegraph supplements this morning. The deal looks pretty good to me. Yes, it does require a 24-month commitment and £99 up front. But at £65 per month, you will get both the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4. I think there will be a subset of the UK market that will find this a very appealing offer. It's good marketing from Orange. I'm really pleased to see it. Obviously if you are considering an iPhone then chances are that an iPad won't be too far from your thoughts. And if their customers are going to buy an iPad, then why shouldn't Orange take that revenue? And get the iPad locked on to an Orange data plan? I like it.