MWC 09: O2 asks customers to test out developers' games

O2 has asked for its customers to sign up with the O2 Litmus developer platform, with a view to helping trial applications from the developer community and having an influence over what applications are developed in the future.

This of course sounds like a grand and interesting scheme, but we have to wonder to what extent this is a programme designed to get customers to do developers' quality assurance work for them.

That said, there is also an opportunity to be paid using O2 Litmus. Through a partnership with Mob4Hire, users will get to set their own rates, although we can't imagine that anyone demanding too much would actually be selected to test anything.

it's a fascinating development though that moves thing on from community and more to a commune that relies on the goodwill and thoughtfulness of its users. The failure of communism may cast a dark light on this idea, but it'll be interesting to see how this develops.

Some key gaming devices are compatible with the service, including the game-shifting Sony Ericsson W910, Nokia N95, Samsung U600 and Motorola V3 handsets.

I'll start the goodwill by saying my time is worth at least £500 an hour.