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Monday, March 24, 2014

Last week at The Fonecast: 24th March 2014

The new iPhone no-one was expecting

Mark Bridge writes:

New Apple products! New Android smart watches!

You’d be forgiven for not having noticed either of those news stories last week. Apple did indeed announce a new iPhone – but it was simply a new iPhone 5c with just 8MB of memory. And there was a change to the company’s tablet range, with the entry-level iPad 2 replaced by the now unretired iPad 4.

Meanwhile Google revealed its 'Android Wear' project for smart watches and other wearable devices. Quite a few handset manufacturers have said they’ll use the new OS, with LG and Motorola planning to launch Android-powered smart watches this summer. UK availability hasn’t been mentioned... but neither have any technical specifications, really. Features will include telling the time and... er... stuff.

Vodafone announced plans to acquire Spanish broadband and pay-TV provider Ono, moving its expansion plans onto Telefonica’s home turf. It also reminded us it’s now 30 years since the name Vodafone was created – apparently then-CEO Sir Gerry Whent originally favoured ‘Vodaphone’ – in a press release that spoke of “travelling by car between London and Edinburgh” and being “able to make or receive national and international telephone calls with ease throughout the entire journey”.

Meanwhile, virtual network Ovivo Mobile has closed down. Although its basic tariff was advertising-funded, customers could also buy extra allowances of calls, messages and data, which means some people have ended up out of pocket. The news came as Cognatel, the mobile virtual network aggregator behind Ovivo Mobile and several other MVNOs, was reported to be restructuring with a new focus on larger-scale partnerships.

SMS messaging in the UK was given a boost as the ‘big four’ mobile network operators and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) confirmed they were all using the GSMA’s Spam Reporting Service to deal with unwanted SMS text messages. By sharing information it’s hoped that spammers can be shut down quickly and penalised as well.

Finally, in the week that HTC is set to launch its new One Up smartphone, Samsung has started letting consumers get hands-on with the forthcoming Galaxy S5. Although the new Samsung handset doesn’t go on sale until Friday 11th April, over a thousand shops around the world – Samsung Experience Stores and some other retailers as well – will have the Galaxy S5 smartphone, Gear 2 smart watch and Gear Fit fitness tracker available for demos. All firmly chained to the display stand, I’m sure.

On Monday mornings we summarise the past week’s mobile industry headlines in an email newsletter that’s very much like this article. To receive it, simply register your email address at TheFonecast.com by clicking the link at the top right-hand corner of our home page. Alternatively, stay in touch by listening to our free podcasts via our website, by subscribing on iTunes, by using our RSS feed or by downloading the Stitcher.com mobile app.
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Opinion Articles

Why all the fuss about cross-network roaming for UK mobile coverage?

Why all the fuss about cross-network roaming for UK mobile coverage?

Mark Bridge writes:

A suggestion that UK mobile phone networks might be forced to improve black-spot coverage by allowing interconnection with their rivals is back in the news. It made the headlines in June and has returned again this week, which is why I could be heard offering my opinion on BBC local radio yesterday morning.

Author: The Fonecast
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Philips Voice Tracer DVT6000 review

Philips Voice Tracer DVT6000 review

Is a dedicated voice recorder better than a smartphone app?

Mark Bridge writes:

If I'm interviewing someone for a podcast, I'll generally use my Zoom H4N recorder and a separate microphone or two. But I don't need the same level of high-quality kit if I'm interviewing someone for a written interview. Why carry an expensive recording device when your mobile phone can do the same job?

Author: The Fonecast
2 Comments
Article rating: 3.8
Barclaycard bPay: wearable payment technology

Barclaycard bPay: wearable payment technology

Mark Bridge pays with a flick of the wrist

Mark Bridge writes:

Contactless payments. They're catching on, aren't they?

But mobile contactless payments haven't proved so popular.

Author: The Fonecast
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iPhone 6 journal

iPhone 6 journal

Spending a few days with the newest Apple handset

Mark Bridge writes:

I open the iPhone 6 box and discover a phone that feels substantial. Well engineered. Practical. Despite being just 6.9mm deep, it doesn't seem unreasonably delicate.

Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: 2.0
The HTC One pink/purple camera saga: part 2

The HTC One pink/purple camera saga: part 2

Mark Bridge feels marooned by a high-street mobile phone retailer

Mark Bridge writes:

Following my online rant about the customer service I'd received when I suffered a problem with my HTC One, I wrote to Carphone Warehouse.

Author: The Fonecast
3 Comments
Article rating: 3.6
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Recent Podcasts

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

Podcast - 15th January 2016

Iain Graham, James Rosewell and Mark Bridge return to review their mobile industry predictions from last year. Which mergers, partnerships and developments did they forecast correctly... and which didn’t work out as planned?

Later in the programme, the team anticipates some of the topics that will be hitting the headlines during 2016.

Author: The Fonecast
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Podcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Podcast - 6th March 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

Author: The Fonecast
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Looking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

Podcast - 27th February 2015

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.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

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.

Author: The Fonecast
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