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Monday, November 5, 2012

Last week at The Fonecast: 5th November 2012

Expecting the expected

Mark Bridge writes:

Last week I referred to the previous week as having been ‘big news but no big surprises’ - and in many ways the past seven days have seen much of the same.

Google revealed new Nexus-branded Android devices and an update to the Android mobile operating system, all of which had been widely leaked beforehand. The new devices are expected on 13th November. Meanwhile Microsoft ‘unveiled’ Windows Phone 8, even though we’d already seen glimpses of it on smartphones from Nokia, HTC and Samsung.

RIM reassured the world that BlackBerry 10 was still on course for its launch early next year. Oh, and EE redecorated around 700 shops before turning on its 4GEE service for UK consumers.

Talking of retailing, there was concern in some quarters over news that O2’s franchise plans meant over 40% of O2 UK shops wouldn’t be owned by the Telefónica mobile network by mid-2013. And even more concern as electrical retailer Comet called in the administrators.

Sticking with worrying news, Japanese manufacturing giant Sharp feared for its future and security company Bit9 said 25% of Android apps in the Google Play store were suspicious or questionable.

Still, there was good news for Android with IDC calculating that 75% of new smartphones are running Google’s mobile OS - and good news for consumers as Virgin Media became the latest network to offer unlimited mobile data on ‘pay as you go’ tariffs.

But the biggest news for the week - at least in terms of traffic to TheFonecast.com web site - was the revelation that Motorola Mobility is sponsoring Justin Bieber’s ‘Believe’ pop tour. I wonder if a Bieberphone would outsell the iPhone 5?

Receive this reminder of the biggest mobile headlines by email every Monday morning. Simply register at TheFonecast.com by clicking the link at the top right-hand corner of our home page and we’ll send you our weekly news summary.
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Opinion Articles

Last week at The Fonecast: 15th October 2012

US government grumbles, O2 UK stumbles

Mark Bridge writes:

Can you trust a Chinese company to build a telecoms network?  Apparently not, according to the US House of Representatives. The “Investigative Report on the U.S. National Security Issues Posed by Chinese Telecommunications Companies Huawei and ZTE” wasn’t at all impressed with the two companies, although most of the complaints appeared to be about a lack of cooperation rather than hard evidence. I wonder if any mysterious agents are planning to visit the new Huawei UK HQ before next year’s official opening?

Author: The Fonecast
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Article rating: 5.0

Mobile phones used to track malaria transmission patterns

Jessica Berman of voanews.com writes:

Scientists are studying the use of mobile phones to track patterns of malaria transmission in endemic nations. The research is part of an effort by many countries to control or eliminate the mosquito-borne disease.

Author: The Fonecast
1 Comments
Article rating: 4.0

Congressional warning on Chinese telecoms could prompt retaliation

William Gallo of voanews.com writes:

Analysts say this week's U.S. congressional report that called two Chinese telecoms a threat to national security is likely to prompt China to retaliate against U.S. businesses.

The House Intelligence Committee report warned U.S. companies against doing business with China's largest phone equipment companies, Huawei and ZTE.

Author: The Fonecast
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Kenya to pull plug on counterfeit mobile phones

Gabe Joselow of voanews.com writes:

Mobile phone subscribers in Kenya may wake up Monday morning to find their phones no longer work, as the nation's telecom companies enact a nation-wide switch-off of all counterfeit devices. Retailers and customers have mixed reactions to the plan, which could affect up to three million mobile phones.

Author: The Fonecast
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Article rating: No rating

Last week at The Fonecast: 1st October 2012

A high for RIM, a low for Apple

Mark Bridge writes:

Apple started last week in the glow of a CoolBrands survey that had named it the UK's coolest brand – but it ended the week with its head bowed in embarrassment. Not only did Tim Cook apologise for the quality of the company’s iOS 6 Maps application, he recommended that customers use competing services until it gets better.

Author: The Fonecast
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