TU Me communication app launched by Telefonica

Today sees the launch of Telefonica's TU Me mobile app, new communications tool for making phone calls and texting. The app allows voice calls and texting without using up call time or texts; instead, these services will be counted against a user's data allowance. TU Me is currently available for iPhone and an Android version is expected soon. Though Telefonica plans to promote the service to its Vivo, Movistar and O2 customers, it will be available to other networks as well. The telecom company's new app has quickly drawn comparisons to tools such as Viber and Skype. To make calls or send text, both the caller/sender and recipient should have TU Me installed on their phones. Location information, voice messages and photos can also be sent; however, users cannot make phone calls to normal telephone numbers (unlike Skype). "We've seen the growing popularity of communications apps on smartphones but we believe we've gone one better with TU Me using our knowledge and insights of how people use their devices," Stephen Shurrock, Chief Commercial Officer at Telefonica Digital, said in a company press release. Telefonica said all messages will be encrypted when transmitted to guarantee customer privacy. In addition, the company will not analyse or give third-party access to such information, except in the case of a court order.