Author Archive: James Richardson

ZTE keep on growing

ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”), ranks fourth in terms of smartphone patents globally, with 972 total applications, according to a report by the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China, published the global rankings.

The state report also states that ZTE ranked first in China for smartphone patent applications, with 1,019. According to the report, applications for smartphone patents increased rapidly around the globe from 2003 through 2006. In China, applications for smartphone patents began to increase rapidly in 2005. During that year, applications filed by domestic applicants outnumbered those filed by overseas applicants for the first time.

“Patent applications are important to ZTE,” said ZTE Executive Vice President He Shiyou. “Our global and domestic rankings in smartphone patent filings show the company’s commitment to R&D and innovation.”

ZTE has over a decade of experience in handset R&D. To date, ZTE has acquired more than 8,000 total cell phone patents at home and abroad. Of those, over 6,000 are Chinese patents. It also holds more than 2,000 international PCT patents, with more than 70 per cent of those related to 3G and cellular.

In 2011, ZTE’s handset business grew more than 50 per cent year-on-year, and its global shipments of smart terminals topped 12 million, a year-on-year increase of 400 per cent. According to a report by research firm Gartner, ZTE is the second-fastest-growing smartphone maker in the world. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the company became the world’s No. 4 handset manufacturer in terms of shipment volume.

Posted by: James

Vodafone partner with South Central Ambulance Service

After a formal procurement process using a government framework agreement, the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) NHS Trust has appointed Vodafone UK as its communications partner.

Vodafone will provide fixed-line services, mobile connectivity and its 999 call centre infrastructure support and maintenance. Bringing together SCAS’s communications under one supplier will create savings estimated at half a million pounds over the next five years and help the service’s 2,500 staff communicate more efficiently as they deliver vital healthcare services across the region.

SCAS was created five years ago through the merger of the ambulance trusts in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire and covers an area of approximately 3,500 sq miles with a residential population of over four million.

As a result of the merger, the service had several communications suppliers covering different areas so it was looking to replace them with a single supplier who could provide resilient fixed, mobile and unified communications across its footprint. Having one supplier will maximise efficiencies, helping the service to continue to provide high quality healthcare services to patients.

No more out-of-bundle data charges for Three

On 8th March, Three will launch a new range of price plans that bring an end to out-of-bundle data charges for all new smartphone contract customers.

New customers will be able to choose a plan with Three’s ground-breaking all-you-can-eat data offering, or a 250MB allowance with a guarantee of no out of bundle data charges; giving them a fear-free mobile internet experience. They can then choose from a simple range of minute options to create the best value plan for their needs.

The new plans have been driven by the massive increase in mobile data usage over the last 18 months, and insight from customers that they want to keep better control of their costs. They ensure that smartphone customers can enjoy all the benefits of internet on the move, without fear of data bill shock.

For customers wanting plenty of everything, The One Plan – the original all-you-can-eat data plan – continues to offer all-you-can-eat data and more than enough minutes and texts. Alongside it, Three now introduces two new tariff families, with data firmly at their heart.

Samsung announce the Galaxy Pocket

Samsung Electronics today announces the latest addition to its Android powered Galaxy portfolio, the Galaxy Pocket. Featuring Android 2.3, this new smartphone offers those on the lookout for a new handset, a stylish portable option.

The Galaxy Pocket’s slim design makes it ideal for use whilst on the move and features a 2.8″ display so that content and images can be viewed easily. The device features an upgraded TouchWiz user interface making menu navigation a smooth and efficient experience.

Connecting with others and sharing content is quick and easy thanks to the Galaxy Pocket’s social networking and communication features. Samsung’s ChatON cross-platform communication service connects all phone users into a single community, enabling spontaneous messaging, group chatting and content sharing so customers can stay in touch more easily.

In addition, the Galaxy Pocket’s Social Hub enables owners to see their Instant Messaging, social network and email communications in a single inbox for added convenience when they are travelling to and from work or out shopping.

Microsoft Announces Availability of Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview – the next milestone of the Windows operating system. This latest preview will be made available for download starting today at http://preview.windows.com. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview offers a more robust experience for testing the world’s most popular operating system and is available to the widest range of people yet following the initial release of the Windows 8 Developer Preview late last year. The Developer Preview received more than 3 million downloads.

“With Windows 8, we reimagined the different ways people interact with their PC and how to make everything feel like a natural extension of the device, whether using a Windows 8 tablet, laptop or all-in-one,” said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft. “The Windows 8 Consumer Preview brings a no-compromises approach to using your PC.”