Author Archive: James Richardson

Windows Phone 8S by HTC – available now on Three

The HTC 8S can now be purchased from Three both online and in store.

Packed with great features that make everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable, the 8S comes with a 5 megapixel camera which means you’re always ready to capture special moments, a 1 GHz dual-core processor making browsing and switching between apps a breeze and built in Beats AudioT technology so you can enjoy the most authentic sound no matter if you’re listening to music, playing a game or watching a video.
The stylish, compact 8S runs on the Windows Phone 8 operating system and includes the very latest features such as personalised Live Tiles on the vibrant 4″ screen plus access to over 100,000 apps through the Windows Phone Store.

Sylvia Chind, Head of Devices at Three said, “The 8S offers great all-round performance and coupled with our straightforward and affordable plans with no surprise-out of-bundle data charges, you’ll be able to enjoy the best experience on Three”.

The Windows Phone 8S by HTC is available for £19 a month with no upfront cost on the Ultimate Internet 100 plan and for £17 a month with no upfront cost on the Essential Internet 100 plan – both with a guarantee of no surprise out-of-bundle data charges.
The device is also available on Pay As You Go for £219.99 plus a top up. All in One 15 costs £15 and gives 30-day access to all-you-can-eat data along with 300 any-network minutes and 3,000 texts. Or All in One 25 costs £25 and offers 500 minutes, 3,000 texts and all-you-can-eat data for a 30-day period.

Key features

• Beats Audio technology
• Amazing 5 megapixel camera
• Windows Phone 8 software
• Up to 4GB internal memory
• 1 GHz dual-core processor

Posted by: James

Samsung ATIV Tab WiFi 32GB due in stock tomorrow at Expansys

If you have been waiting to pick up the Samsung ATIV tablet then tomorrow is your lucky day as Expansys are expecting in their stock. Priced at £549.99 it isn’t cheap but could it be a contender for the iPad? I doubt it but you never know. I’ve used Windows 8 on a tablet and it was a pretty decent experience.

The new Samsung ATIV Tab is designed with a classy hairline finish, and delivers a full Windows 8-based PC experience with superior tablet mobility. Weighing 570g, featuring a 10.1" display, and measuring 8.9mm thick, the ATIV Tab is always ready to go.
It instantly boots up without lagging and comes with Office Home and Student 2013 RT, offering the new versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote to help transform the way people get things done at home, school or work.
These applications are fully featured with complete document compatibility, meaning people can open and create any document, make edits on it and share it with others just like we do with PCs.

An 8,200 mAh battery provides enough power to allow you to work on your projects and review or share them virtually anytime and anywhere. Moreover, the ATIV Tab is compatible with a range of Windows-based PC devices and accessories, including printers, keyboards, projectors, external monitors, and other peripherals, through its USB port and uHDMI, with no need to install extra software.

Order the ATIV Tab WiFi 32GB here.

Posted by: James

Virgin Atlantic to support Passbook – Great news for iOS users

Virgin Atlantic today announced it is the first UK based airline to integrate Passbook into its mobile boarding cards, allowing passengers a paperless journey through the airport with their iPhone or iPod touch. 
During the online check-in process, passengers will now have the added option of sending their boarding card directly to Passbook on their iPhone or iPod touch enabling them to by-pass check-in kiosks and heading straight to security or via baggage drop if carrying luggage.

Simon Lloyd, Virgin Atlantic’s Director of Marketing said; “We continually look for ways to enhance our passengers’ experience when they travel with us and that begins before they even reach the plane. Passbook integration works seamlessly with our website – and will enable a speedy check-in and ensure your boarding card is stored safely and securely in the Passbook app on your iPhone or iPod touch. Critically, it also cuts down the impact of printing physical cards. Our trials have shown passengers really enjoy using Passbook and we’re sure many other airlines will now follow our lead.”

After using online check-in and selecting to send the boarding card to Passbook, an email is sent to the passenger containing a Passbook attachment. As the attachment is opened the boarding card is securely loaded into the app ready to be scanned at the departure gate ahead of boarding the plane.
Passbook stores the boarding card data in an industry standard barcode which can be scanned and read at departure gates at all Virgin Atlantic UK departure airports – Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. Passbook and mobile boarding card technology is available to use at key UK airports, selected airports around the world and will be rolled out to more airports as authorities approve it.

Posted by: James

ZTE Launches the World’s Smallest 4G LTE Datacard

ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) has announced the launch of the ZTE MF823, the world’s smallest 4G LTE datacard.

With driver-free capabilities, the MF823 offers consumers fast and easy internet connectivity.  It uses Qualcomm’s second generation LTE chip platform and is only 13mm thick, nearly a third of the size of the first generation LTE datacard, making it the world’s smallest LTE datacard.

The MF823 has a web UI operation, supports IPV6 and is compatible with Win8/XP/Mac and all major operating systems. It supports LTE-FDD DL/UL 100/50Mbps, UMTS-HSPA+: DL/UL 42/5.76Mbps and GPRS/GSM downward compatibility allowing consumers to enjoy high speed internet access wherever they are without the need for a fixed line internet connect or public WiFi hotspot.

The average power consumption of the MF823 has also been greatly reduced compared to the consumption of the first generation LTE datacard; it uses a third less power. It has improved radiating properties and with the lowest working temperature in the industry it will not feel hot even after long time use.

The  MF823 has been optimised in terms of high bandwidth, low delay and high communication rate (to reduce the dropping rate of data and voice communication), to ensure that users can enjoy a new generation of mobile high bandwidth internet access.

The ZTE MF823 has already been launched in Kazakhstan and will launch soon in Europe and Asia-Pacific countries.

Posted by: James

Lookout finds there are over 28 million old mobile phones going unused in the UK

Lots of people will be upgrading to a shiny new mobile phone this Christmas, but what are people doing with their old phones? A survey by Lookout has found there are over 28 million old mobile phones going unused in the UK today.

Other key stats from the survey (over 1,900 people in the UK were polled) include:

· 55% of people have one or more unused mobile phones at home

· 16% said they haven’t parted with their old phone/s because they have not erased the information on them

· 52% said they would be willing to give their old phone to a charitable cause

The survey found personal data and privacy were a top concern for people, so Lookout has provided some tips for to help people move on from their old phone.