Latest Podcast



Featured Articles

Ofcom helps protect customers against unexpected roaming charges

Ofcom helps protect customers against unexpected roaming charges

UK service providers must notify customers when they connect to a different network

New rules from UK telecoms regulator Ofcom will protect customers when they use their mobile phone on a foreign network. In addition, customers will be alerted if they are inadvertently roaming, perhaps because they're near an international border.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

Global smartphone market is set for recovery, says new forecast

A new forecast from research specialists Canalys shows the smartphone market is set to recover next year. Worldwide shipments declined by 12% last year but that decline is expected to slow to 5% this year.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
Vodafone and Three plan to merge their UK businesses

Vodafone and Three plan to merge their UK businesses

New Hutchison/Vodafone network would be biggest UK operator

Vodafone Group plc and CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited have agreed to combine their UK telecommunication businesses, respectively Vodafone UK and Three UK. The merger will create a large new network operator to compete with Virgin Media O2 and EE.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating

UK mobile payment service Paym to close in March 2023

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.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
Qualcomm legal action moves forward in the UK

Qualcomm legal action moves forward in the UK

Which? seeks payout for Samsung and Apple smartphone owners

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.
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
RSS

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
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
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
0 Comments
Article rating: No rating
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
RSS
135678910Last

Recent Podcasts

Monday, July 14, 2014

Vodafone announces budget own-brand 4G smartphones

Vodafone has announced two new own-brand 4G smartphones: the Vodafone Smart 4 power and Vodafone Smart 4 turbo. They join other non-4G devices in the company’s ‘Smart’ range.

Both new phones run Android v4.4 (‘KitKat’) and are equipped with a set-up wizard as well as a selection of Vodafone apps. In addition, they’re supplied with NFC tags that can be programmed to activate features on the phones.

The Vodafone Smart 4 power is the flagship device, with a 5-inch qHD screen, a 5 megapixel camera and a MediaTek 1.3GHz quad-core processor. It’ll be available on ‘pay monthly’ and pre-pay deals (despite Vodafone's current lack of 4G pre-pay price plans in the UK), with pre-pay pricing from €169 (around £135) depending on markets.

Described as “the most affordable 4G smartphone in the Vodafone range”, the Vodafone Smart 4 turbo is priced from €99 (around £79). It has a 4.5-inch screen and a 1.2GHz quad-core processor.

Patrick Chomet, Vodafone group terminals director, said “The new Vodafone smartphones are ideal for anyone looking for the best 4G experience at a budget price. Put the Vodafone Smart power or turbo together with our Vodafone 4G plans and you have the perfect package: ultra-fast 4G networks, generous data, call and text allowances, and great support.”

Although availability in the UK hasn’t been confirmed, both handsets are expected to be available across Vodafone markets within the next few weeks.

Earlier this year, EE introduced an own-brand £99.99 smartphone called the Kestrel, which was described at the time as the UK’s lowest priced 4G smartphone.

Print
Author: The Fonecast
0 Comments
Rate this article:
No rating

Leave a comment

This form collects your name, email, IP address and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. For more info check our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use where you will get more info on where, how and why we store your data.
Add comment

Follow thefonecast.com

Twitter @TheFonecast RSS podcast feed
Find us on Facebook Subscribe free via iTunes

Archive Calendar

«August 2025»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
1234567

Archive

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement