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Friday, July 29, 2011

Burnside Telecom: the largest mobile phone manufacturer

Mark Bridge writes:

You could probably describe Burnside Telecom as the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer. No, not production volumes - but the physical size of its products.

Burnside Telecom telephoneThis UK-based designer and manufacturer produces a variety of mobile devices, from office-style ‘desktop mobile phones’ to the type of rugged outdoor telephone used at railway crossings.

“I guess the strapline for our business today is we provide landline alternatives”, managing director Colin Aitken told me. “The company’s ten years old this year. The founders - David Robson, Nigel Slater - are two very experienced engineers. Their vision for the business ten years ago was really to look at some new markets where mobile was starting to become an option. It led them through a series of product developments to where we are today in delivering fixed mobile phones and fixed cellular terminals.”

Those products are now available in a broad range of industry sectors, Colin explained.

“We have products that are installed in large retail organisations to replace landline solutions. We have products sold into emergency companies where they need to have tough fixed phones installed in places they can’t lead landlines - and a series of new products targeted to the telecare market, where you’ve got a lot of elderly residents that would love to have a telephone in their home but unfortunately the expense of leading a landline to it is often prohibitive.”

As well as providing mobile phones that connect to conventional mobile phone networks, Colin revealed the company’s products are increasingly being used on private mobile networks. These offer all the advantages of a traditional PBX system but without the need for cabling, making them perfect for large sites and for organisations that want to avoid disrupting their operations.

You can listen to the full interview with Colin Aitken about Burnside Telecom’s activities and plans on our website audio player, via iTunes or by downloading the MP3 file.
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Opinion Articles

SpinVox visit offers a few clues about the technology

Mark Bridge writes:

So, dear reader, let’s start at the beginning. Once upon a time, a mere five years ago, there was SpinVox. A company created with help from entrepreneur Christina Domecq – whose surname offers a clue to her family’s background – and Daniel Doulton, the man behind the Psion series 5. (Sherry and portable computers; two of my favourite products. But I digress).

The company’s promise was simple: to turn voicemail messages into SMS text messages.

Author: The Fonecast
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That just about covers it

Mark Bridge writes:

In my last article I looked forward to a world of cyborgs… but feared that decent battery life could stifle my dreams. And this week I’m on a similar theme, despairing that the UK’s mobile coverage problems probably won’t be solved before the Silver Jubilee of Vodafone and Cellnet’s networks.

To illustrate my worries, let me tell you a story.

Author: The Fonecast
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What price for a hands-free conversation?

Iain Graham writes:

When you get up tomorrow morning and get in the car, why don't you screw up three £20 notes and lob 'em out of the window?!  Oh, and whilst you are at it, take out your driving licence, and put three points in the penalties column!!

Why would you do that, I hear you ask?

Author: The Fonecast
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The Singularity is… errm… on its way, I think

Mark Bridge writes:

I’m an optimist. I’m not quite sure why I’m wired that way but I’m perfectly happy with it. Much as you’d expect, I suppose. And although I tend not to tap-dance in the gutter when it’s raining, I firmly believe that life is like a musical.

That’s probably why I’m such a fan of what’s become known as ‘the Singularity’; a point when technology and evolution are expected to combine. As computers become smarter, so they’ll be able to build smarter computers themselves – and before you know it they’ll be repairing people and improving the design. If all goes well I’ll look like a combination of Robocop and Jude Law.

“Fascinating”, I hear you say. “Bring on the medical nanobots. But what’s all this got to do with mobile phones?”

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Web Browser vs. Application Stores

James Rosewell writes:

Anyone involved in the mobile industry will have hardly failed to notice the hype surrounding mobile application stores led by Apple. Application stores provide a really simple way for consumers to install applications on their mobile phones. They’re so simple I heard Iain Graham had used one the other week!

However they don’t solve the fundamental problem of handset compatibility.

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