O2's parent publishes Q3 results

Telefónica, which owns O2 in the UK, says its profits for the third quarter of 2008 were down 50% year-on-year... although it's worth noting that last year's figure included the sale of television company Endemol. In the UK, O2's revenue was up 8.7% and a record-breaking 277,593 'contract' customers had been added. [Sources: Telefonica press release; FT.com; Bloomberg.com]

Camera-based mobile motion detector coming to UK

American company GestureTek says it will bring its 'EyeMobile' camera-based motion control to mobile phones in the UK. The company, which is part-owned by O2's parent Telefonica, uses the cameras in mobile phones to detect movements and convert them to commands on the phone. [Source: BWCS.com]

Changes at the top for O2 and 20:20

Telefonica, O2's parent company, has promoted its UK Chief Financial Officer Ronan Dunne to become CEO of the UK business. This follows Matthew Key's recent upward move from UK CEO to Chairman and Chief Executive of Telefónica O2 Europe.

Elsewhere, the 20:20 Group has appointed Meinie Oldersma as its new chief executive. He joins from technology distributor Ingram Micro and will replace Mark Ryan who left in October.

[Sources: O2 press release, Mobile News]