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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Burnside Telecom explains the benefits of mobile telecare

Mark Bridge writes:

This week’s podcast feature from TheFonecast.com takes a look at mobile telecare: using mobile telecommunications to help elderly people and those with special needs.

UK-based Burnside Telecom has recently announced a couple of telecare products that take advantage of the company’s expertise in producing ‘fixed cellular’ devices, so I’ve been talking to managing director Colin Aitken about these new products.

Burnside Easy Answer IIThe Easy Answer II looks like a conventional desktop fixed-line phone, although it’ll work anywhere there’s GSM mobile coverage. It can even be programmed to answer certain calls automatically and switch to hands-free operation, which means the recipient doesn’t need to move or lift the handset. In addition, an optional ‘emergency call’ button can be connected, enabling the phone to make an alarm call or send a text message in an emergency.

“In the research that we did, the feedback was it would be very useful to have a trigger alarm connected to this device, which allows people to send an alert to a call centre via the GSM networks should they need any help or assistance”, Colin explained.

Burnside Telecom also plans a virtual network deal with a SIM card that’ll connect to any of the UK’s mobile networks, offering better coverage than a standard network connection.

“The card will be installed in the phone [and] will automatically connect to whichever network has the best coverage in the location. We take away all of the hassle - as much as we can - of determining which network is best for a particular location.”

The second new product is MoniCare, an online monitoring application that’s able to check, control and update Burnside GSM terminal equipment. It means individual users and residential care homes can enjoy an automated monitoring and support solution for their telecare equipment. In simple terms, a text message can be sent to a Burnside device to check it’s working - and devices can send alerts when there are certain alarm conditions.

“We’ve developed a web-based application that allows an operator to monitor the state of our devices. For example, if there was a power failure in a property, our device would be able to send an alarm over the GSM network to a monitoring centre which would then be able to respond to the alarm”, Colin said. “This is just the first of a series of applications that we expect to be able to launch to Lift operators or SOS roadside assistance telephones… it’s intended to be a service that can be delivered over a website that allows people to deploy them very cost-effectively. At the end of the day, we’re trying to use the technology to deliver better services at more affordable costs.”

MoniCare and the Easy Answer II are both due to be released in 2012.

You can listen to the full interview with Colin Aitken on our website, via iTunes or by downloading the MP3 file. To download all our podcasts automatically, simply find us on iTunes or subscribe to our RSS feed.
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Opinion Articles

Last week at The Fonecast: 24th June 2013

More of the same

Mark Bridge writes:

Another week, another couple of product announcements from Samsung. There appears to be no stopping them, despite a recent drop in the company’s share price.

This time it’s a couple of tablets – one of which runs both Android and Windows 8 – and a 20 megapixel camera that’s got a 4G-enabled Android device built in.

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Last week at The Fonecast: 17th June 2013

Making the network truly mobile

Mark Bridge writes:

The telecommunications industry was making plenty of headlines last week – but much of it wasn’t particularly upbeat.

The debate about privacy and security continued in the wake of allegations about US agents intercepting internet traffic. Meanwhile, Nokia prepared to make its last Symbian smartphones and Tradedoubler warned that mobile devices were having a negative effect on high-street consumer loyalty.

Author: The Fonecast
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How to shield from internet snooping

George Putic of voanews.com writes:

When news broke about U.S. government agencies collecting metadata about its citizens’ Internet and phone communications, many were surprised by its scope. The surveillance covered a vast number of Internet messages and phone calls. The government did not deny the action but pointed out that the collected data contained, not the substance of the communication, but the so-called metadata.

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Giving it all away

Paying with our privacy

Mark Bridge writes:

There’s been a lot of talk recently about PRISM, which may allow the US National Security Agency - and anyone they choose - to access some of our personal online information if it passes through the USA. It’s unclear exactly what (if anything) is being shared with whom… and given the nature of national security, we may never know.

However, alongside the possibility of governments seeing information we thought was secure, it’s also worth pointing out that we choose to share plenty of online information ourselves.

Author: The Fonecast
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6 things you need to know about mobile research, smartphone rumours and imaginary new products

Mark Bridge writes:

Where did it all go wrong?  When did the mainstream mobile industry start to slide away from innovation and into repetitive nonsense?  For a while I suspected the downloadable ringtone was to blame. Just days after hearing 'Barbie Girl' on the mobile phone of a man from Vodafone Value Added Services in the late 1990s, I'd downloaded a poptastic tune to my own Nokia 2110. Soon, the entire mobile world was focussed on 30-second instrumentals instead of technical innovation. It was the beginning of the end.

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Reviewing our 2015 mobile industry predictions... and looking forward to 2016

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Podcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

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Looking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

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We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

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Author: The Fonecast
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Interview with Chris Millington of Doro about mobile retailing, wearables and technology for older consumers

Podcast - 24th February 2015

In today's programme Mark Bridge talks to Chris Millington, who's Managing Director for Doro UK and Ireland.

They discuss the state of mobile retailing in the UK, the future of wearable devices and - as you might expect - smartphones for seniors.

Author: The Fonecast
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A month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

Podcast - 30th January 2015

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

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