Author Archive: Gareth

Is the gPhone real?

Many have thought that after the announcement of Google Android, it would be the last we’ve heard of the Google Gphone. Apparently, the GPhone is not only software but also hardware. More precisely, Google is actually making a phone.

Techcrunch is saying that the Google Phone will be more exciting than the Motorola Droid and even the following super Android phones that will come–Droid and the HTC Dragon will serve as a warm up to–how do we say, The One?

Google will not instantly go to manufacturing–the phone will be made by a big mobile company, perhaps Motorola again? Google is said to be in total control, though, as far as design and specs, and the phone will not carry any other brand but Google’s. The manufacturer could be Taiwanese or Korean, but the safe bet goes to either LG or Samsung. The Google Phone will be backed up by a major advertising drive. It’s going to be Apple vs Google after today and in the foreseeable future, and Google will have another solid source of revenue, besides their Adwords.

[source via PMP Today]

Opera 10 Beta 1 arrives on Windows Mobile

Check out msmobiles.com for info on the new release for Opera 10. The popular web browser just got a little better. There is a link after the break to download. I did and it’s fast and pretty. Very much worth checking out.

No 6.5 for Xperia X1

According to wmpoweruser there is to be no 6.5 update for the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. This will probably anger a number of people out there as the phone is quite popular. Read on for the full article:

Smashing earlier rumours that suggested an official Windows Mobile 6.5 update for the Xperia X1 will be coming, Sony Ericsson has confirmed the contrary to CNet Asia.

Some owners may be rightfully upset by this, as the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 has been one of the more expensive handsets of recent times, and while ROM’s are available on XDA-Developers they are not blessed with official updated drivers, meaning they would have issues not present in an official release.

The device joins other premium devices such as the HTC Touch HD in not getting updates to the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile OS.

Read more at Crave Asia here.

T-Mobile’s employees selling your personal information

In a follow up to this story I noticed a post on Pocket Gamer naming the company. That would be T-Mobile. read on for more:

[Editor’s note: the title of this story originally read ‘Mobile operator under investigation…’ After publication the operator in question was revealed as T-Mobile. The text of the story is unaltered.]

The Information Commissioner’s Office has told BBC News that staff at one of the UK’s major mobile network operator’s are under investigation for selling customer data to brokers, who then forwarded the information to rival companies that called customers as contracts came to an end.
The firm in question (which hasn’t been named) apparently alerted the privacy watchdog after it became suspicious of the private data trading, and has since been aiding investigators in uncovering the details.

Looking for a good checkback as a requirement for anybody applying for NSV security clearance.
“We are considering the evidence with a view to prosecuting those responsible and I am keen to go much further and close down the entire unlawful industry in personal data,” Information commissioner Christopher Graham said, adding, “The existing paltry fines… are simply not enough to deter people from engaging in this lucrative criminal activity. The threat of jail, not fines, will prove a stronger deterrent.”
The case highlights the profitability of selling private data, which is illegal without the customer’s express permission, and the Ministry of Justice is currently considering tougher penalties for illegal data trading.

Operator in data protection breach

Blinding article from Mobile Today here regarding a nasty operator that is selling your personal details. It’s unknown which operator it is however I’m sure it will be released soon. I have my suspicion. Here the full article:

Unnamed UK mobile company being investigated by Information Commissioner’s Office for illegally selling customer data

A major UK mobile phone company has come under fire from the Information Commissioner’s Office for selling unauthorised customer data.

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham told the BBC that millions of details from thousands of customers had been sold to brokers who had sold the data onto other mobile phone companies. The customers were then contacted as their contracts reached their expiry date.

Information Commissioner’s Office representatives have already obtained search warrants to enter premises and have also interviewed employees, according to the BBC.

The BBC has also reported that Graham is planning to prosecute those involved.

He said he did not name the company so as not to prejudice a future trial; and that there is a need for a prison sentence to prevent people from selling private data to third parties.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile now available on 6.0 and 6.1 devices

Good news if your one of the many Windows Phone users whose manufacturers or networks have let you down badly by not releasing an update to 6.5 and the much sought after Marketplace application.

You can now download this officially from Microsoft although it does require you to submit your mobile number to receive an SMS message with a link to the download.

All the information can be found right here.

Twitter comes to Orange UK

The UK has had an outsized cultural impact on the world. From music to sports to literature… and now – MMS with Twitter.

Today, not only has Orange UK turned on Twitter SMS, but it has added a first-of-its-kind special enhancement. Orange UK users can also send picture messages (MMS) to 86444 in addition to text messages because of a site that Orange UK has created calledSnapshot. The best part is that it is incredibly simple to use:

1. Take a photo on your Orange mobile phone

2. Select ‘Send via MMS’ or ‘Send multimedia message’

3. Send it to 86444

Twitter does not charge for this service. It’s just like sending and receiving messages with your friends — your carrier’s standard messaging rates apply. Give it a try by sending a text message to 86444 with the word "START." This means that with the same shortcode, 86444, UK users can tweet via SMS with Vodafone, O2, and now Orange.

via Twitter

Nokia E72 in stores now

Espoo, Finland – The highly-anticipated Nokia E72, a device tailor-made for business and personal messaging is now available in stores. The Nokia E72 builds on the formula from Nokia’s most successful full QWERTY keyboard device, the Nokia E71, and adds important new functionality such as desktop-like email and chat experiences. Morevoer, the latest version of Ovi Maps with A-GPS navigation and compass, an optical navi key and 5 megapixel camera are all packed into the sleek, beautifully-designed handset.

The Nokia E72 also comes with Nokia’s push consumer email service, Nokia Messaging, and now for the first time people can set up instant messaging (IM) directly from the homescreen, accessing communities such as Windows Live(TM) Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk and Ovi Chat. Just like chatting via the desktop, people can respond to friends and colleagues across multiple communities in real-time.

Via Press Release

msmobiles.com Podcast 306

msmobiles.com Podcast 306
(format: MP3)
(right click above to download the podcast)

You can listen to this podcast also from this web page, through the Flash player:

URL to RSS feed of this podcast (for your podcast catcher) is:
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/podcast.xml

If you use iTunes then click HERE to subscribe to this podcast.

In this episode Edward from msmobiles.com is chatting with: Alli from JustAnotherGeekSite.com, Gareth from Mobile Tech Addicts.