UK mobile payment service Paym will close on 7th March 2023. The service, which allowed users to make and receive payments using their mobile phone numbers, was launched in 2014.

By incorporating advanced algorithms and machine learning capabilities, AI can help to optimize a smartphone's performance, providing users with a faster, more efficient and user-friendly experience.

A new report from Counterpoint Research's Market Monitor service shows European smartphone shipments dropping by 12% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2022. That's the lowest Q1 total since 2013.

Consumer protection organisation Which? has been given permission by the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal to represent Apple and Samsung smartphone buyers in a legal case against chip manufacturer Qualcomm.

Google's 2022 I/O conference for developers has seen the company previewing new products, including its Pixel 7 smartphone, a Pixel tablet and the first smartwatch entirely built by Google.

The GSMA reported that 85,000 visitors attended Mobile World Congress this year, breaking all previous records for the show.

Andrew Skinner, Relationship Director of the Technology, Media & Telecoms team at Barclays, reflects on his time in Barcelona and some of the key themes to come out of this year’s show.

James Rosewell writes:

I noticed a new phenomenon at Mobile World Congress this year: Beer O’Clock. Come 5pm Monday through Wednesday, companies with larger booths would break out the Cerveza, Vino, Cava and a small number of Orange juices. All very sociable and fun… until the music started.

Mark Bridge writes:

So, that’s another Mobile World Congress in the bag. Yes, it was bigger than ever. Just like last year. Just like the year before, too.

Mark Bridge writes:

I was ready to poke fun at IBM for its sponsored graffiti wall at Mobile World Congress this year. Graffiti and IBM don't have a comfortable history, as anyone who remembers the Linux campaign from 2001 will tell you.

Mark Bridge writes:

Some companies have saved their big announcements for the week of Mobile World Congress. Samsung and Nokia, for example. Others have issued a press release in advance.

The team take a good look at the N95 8GB from Nokia, speak to Stephen Spillett about his plans for Mainline, and bring you all the news and rumours from the past 7 days.

To start the New Year the team look back on 2007, review the Motorola W377 and bring you all the festive seasons rumours and news.

This week the team takes its regular look at mobile news headlines from the last week. We revisit our predictions from 2006, make new predictions for 2008 and also review the music-playing Samsung F210.

Iain, Mark and James take a good look at the mobile industry's news headlines from the last week. There's also an interview with Nokia's Tom Erskine about the new "Nokia Comes With Music" service and a review of the Giorgio Armani–Samsung luxury mobile phone.

This week 'The Fonecast' takes its regular look at mobile industry headlines from the last 7 days. We also interview Mary-Carol Harris about the O2 Wallet project and review the new Nokia N82.