Archive for March, 2010
Monday, March 29th, 2010
A recent investigation into cross-network UK mobile phone call charges by Ofcom looks set to revolutionise the way mobile phone carriers charge mobile phone consumers for calls between networks. Almost the entirety of the UK mobile network industry is keen to maintain a free market for call charges, yet Ofcom is seeking to implement a cap from 4p to a maximum of 2p per call.
The result of this price cap could cost the mobile industry upwards of £1 billion, potentially reducing the prospect of future financial investment in the industry. At present the likes of BT get hit by a staggering £750 million phone bill each year connecting landlines to mobile phone networks. A cap would appease this problem, but it would create issues for mobile phone carriers who would likely have to bump up pay-monthly subscriptions and consider scrapping pre-pay methods as a result.
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Tags: call charges, cap, cross-network, mobile phones, ofcom
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Friday, March 26th, 2010
For the very first time, mobile data traffic appears to have overtaken voice traffic on mobile networks in December last year, according to network company Ericsson. The exponential growth and interest in smartphones has been the major cause for mobile data traffic to spike, with social media networks and mobile working applications the main cause for this shift.
It is perhaps understandable therefore, that both mobile carriers and manufacturers are continuing to drive their products towards social media and working mobile phone accessories as an area of considerable potential income. Some 200 mobile operators worldwide are promoting its Facebook mobile products, with over 100 million users connecting to social media networks through their smartphones.
The consumer market is now hooked on fast 3G mobile broadband and wireless connectivity, and the pressure is on networks across the planet to maintain their standards in order to develop and maintain their consumer base. Plans are already afoot to roll out 4G networks capable of even quicker download speeds but the UK’s dated infrastructure in comparison to the United States means that this is unlikely to reach Britain’s shores for some time.
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Tags: mobile data, mobile working devices, smartphones, voice traffic
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
The functionality of Android-powered smartphones with the latest mobile phone accessories and mobile apps makes these handsets a very attractive option for a broad range of consumers. The beauty of the Android market is that it is an open source platform, allowing professional developers and amateurs alike to produce apps that can improve your everyday life.
Here are some of the highest recommended Android apps that are both available free and paid-for on the Android marketplace:
Camera Zoom FX – Many Android-powered smartphones are somewhat weak in the digital camera department. That’s why the Camera Zoom FX app is such an impressive addition to Android handset. With 40 unique effects, the camera is enhanced to almost iPhone proportions.
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Tags: accessories, android, apps, mobile phone
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Monday, March 22nd, 2010
An exclusive gaming deal between Orange and HMV is set to be finalised this week as Orange seeks to open the door for its consumers to mobile gaming, music, films and live events that offer a wealth of mobile phone accessories for everyday use.
The majority of HMV’s mobile games, to be powered by Orange, will also be available to other network users on handsets with Java-enabled phones. Consumers will have eventual access to a vast library of over 400 games, with new titles expected to be added week on week.
The kind of games that can be expected from this mobile gaming deal are the likes of Fifa Manager ’10, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Tetris – with such premium games costing users between £3 and £5.
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Tags: deal, gaming, hmv, mobile phone accessories, orange
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Friday, March 19th, 2010
The BlackBerry mobile phone market share could be set to come under attack by Finnish mobile giants Nokia, with the Nokia E72 business smartphone set to hit the shelves targeting the female consumer population. Nokia is aiming to attract working women to the smartphone, increasing its market share in the enterprise market to compete with BlackBerry/RIM.
BlackBerry appears to be growing its own market share in the non-enterprise market, with half of all BlackBerry consumers attracted to the Pearl and Curve handsets which have taken the industry by storm.
Both BlackBerry and Nokia appear keen to crack the hybrid consumer-business market, with a need to attract users with aesthetically pleasing designs as well as providing efficient mobile working applications.
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Tags: attack, blackberry, market, mobile phones, Nokia, share, under
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
The phenomenon of the iPhone somewhat overshadowed the success of the iPod Touch. Despite having no mobile phone hardware built into its device, the iPod Touch has become a similarly important multimedia gadget complete with a broad range of iPod Touch accessories – as well as its ability to store and view music, images and videos across a 3.5” touch screen display.
With three generations of iPod Touch handsets now on the market, it can be very difficult to distinguish between the models. The original 1st generation model was available with both 8GB, 16GB and 32GB memory storage, weighing in at just 120g. The 1st generation iPod Touch was connective via USB 2.0, with iPod Touch data leads and cables available to both synchronise and charge the device simultaneously.
The most significant developments and enhancements in the 2nd generation were its improved battery life, which enabled users to listen to audio for over 50% longer. A variety of iPod Touch accessories are available to maintain connectivity and accessibility on the move. Car chargers simply plug into your car’s cigarette lighter running on 12/24 volts.
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Tags: accessories, difference between, generation, ipod touch, models
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Monday, March 15th, 2010
Google’s impending Android-powered smartphone, the Nexus One has been delayed for release in the UK until mid-April, allowing its competitors to steal a march on them in the British market over the coming weeks.
The delay of Google’s first own-branded mobile device will allow Vodafone to present the HTC Legend well before the release of the Nexus One. The HTC Legend has already received glowing reviews from experts and analysts, and Google launching their very own smartphone has proved a more time-consuming decision than previously expected.
The Nexus One has been available to purchase in the United States since January, although consumers and industry experts have criticised Google’s decision to make the handset available only through online web sales.
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Tags: delayed, google, nexus one, release, smartphones
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Friday, March 12th, 2010
In the tightening global economy, British watchdog organisation Ofcom has revealed figures that will encourage mobile phone users to make greater savings on their bills by switching to a mobile tariff that is better suited to the individual needs of the consumer.
With the vast selection of tariffs available amongst a variety of mobile phone carriers there is no excuse not to find a deal that offers the optimum level of talk-time minutes and texts. Purchasing a tariff that includes thousands of free minutes and text messages obviously sounds advantageous, but if you end up using only a small percentage of this allowance that is a considerable amount of money wasted.
This latest service comparison document, Consumer Focus and the Communications Consumer Panel is designed with the simple idea of directing mobile consumers to the most cost-effective monthly deals and services.
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Tags: comparison information, mobile phone, ofcom, service
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Mobile manufacturers Nokia have filed for a US patent to produce a smartphone that can be used continuously without having to be plugged in and re-charged. Simply put, this self-charging smartphone will mean consumers would never need a battery charger again.
We’ve all found ourselves frustrated at our mobile phones, smartphones, laptops and netbooks losing charge at the most inopportune of moments, whilst having to become accustomed to a mass of wires and chargers by our side.
However this latest technological breakthrough aims to supply wireless power to mobile phones and smartphones. Researchers are believed to have found a method of using ambient radio waves and kinetic energy to enable to handset to receive enough energy to remain fully charged.
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Tags: accessories, horizon, mobile phone, self-charging, smartphone
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Monday, March 8th, 2010
Mobile manufacturers Apple have revealed that its new Apple iPad device will be going on sale in UK stores from late April, a few weeks later than previously suggested by the American giants.
Mobile phone users will have the ability to purchase both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi and 3G accessible iPads towards the end of next month, with the latter version likely to cost significantly more with the option of connecting to 3G services on public transport where there are very few Wi-Fi hotspots.
Competition to secure the ranging for the Apple iPad is expected to be fierce, with Orange a potential frontrunner at present. While the Apple iPad does not allow for mobile phone calls, its expansive 10” touch screen provides users with the ability to view web pages, video and digitised newspapers and magazines – making it a leading mobile working device.
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Tags: apple, april, ipad, release
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