Even phone companies are getting in on the daily deals craze.
T-Mobile’s app is available for any Android smartphone.On Wednesday, T-Mobile USA is unveiling an Android application that will aggregate daily deals by location from a variety of sources, including the established social couponing company LivingSocial. The app, called More for Me, will feature group deals across a variety of categories, including upscale meals, health and beauty services, clothing offers, concert tickets, cooking classes and outdoor activities.
The app lets people save interesting deals and share them with friends via Facebook, text message and e-mail from within the application, which is available for any Android smartphone, not just phones on T-Mobile USA’s wireless network. T-Mobile plans to preload the application onto future handsets and eventually release versions for other operating systems, like BlackBerry and Windows phones.
Brad Duea, a senior vice president at T-Mobile USA, said the application was an example of the company’s growing interest in looking for new ways to make money and advertise its wares. T-Mobile will share in the revenue generated from the deals but also work to create exclusive offers that can be delivered through the application.
“We can work with new partners who want to target a certain demographic, and deliver offers with SMS on their handsets,” Mr. Duea said.
Mr. Duea also said the company was considering the opportunity to deliver deals that relate specifically to T-Mobile through the application, appealing to existing and potentially new customers.
“We can give deals on phone accessories, calling plans that are both national and based on a Zip code,” he said.
Mr. Duea said T-Mobile USA, which is in the process of being acquired by AT&T, will still offer the app post-merger. “Apps like this will continue to have a life after the merger,” he said. “I think new ventures like these will still have great value to our shareholders.”