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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Opinion Articles

Monitoring road quality with a standard smartphone and the Roadroid app

Resurfacing repairs required? There's an app...

Mark Bridge writes:

In the past five years, what started as an advertising message - “there’s an app for that” - has become a challenge to developers. It’s become part of 21st century culture. And it’s become an totem for journalists to pin their most outrageous app-based stories to.

Roadroid doesn’t need the attention-grabbing headlines.

Author: The Fonecast
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Product review: Nomad ChargeCard and Nomad ChargeKey

Connect and charge your smartphone on the move

Mark Bridge writes:

What would you say to a tiny little device that enabled you to recharge your smartphone almost anywhere, whenever you wanted?

This is pretty much what a US-based company called Nomad is promising. In fact, they sent me two of their latest products to try.

Author: The Fonecast
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Big announcements from Apple, Samsung, Microsoft and LG

Podcast transcription - 4th June 2014

Mark Bridge writes:

Every week we produce a half-hour podcast that covers all the biggest news headlines for the UK mobile phone industry.

Thanks to a special offer from Scribie.com, we can also offer a transcription of last week’s programme.

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Last week at The Fonecast: 9th June 2014

Apple prepares for the future

Mark Bridge writes:

Apple kicked off its 2014 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last week with an announcement about the forthcoming iOS 8 operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. There was some catching up, some innovation and a couple of new services designed to work with home automation and health/fitness devices. What’s Tim Cook’s plan? We’ll have to wait and see.

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Using Bitcoin on a mobile phone: it's much easier than I expected

Mark Bridge writes:

Bitcoin, as Wikipedia tells me, is a peer-to-peer payment system introduced as open-source software in 2009. It’s a ‘virtual currency’ that can be used for transferring money and for buying products or services, although only if your chosen retailer accepts Bitcoin.

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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.

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