It’s the end of the year. James, Gareth and Dan look back at what was a particularly exciting year in mobile technology and pick out their favourite phones, tablets and moments from 2012. In addition they name their least favourite also.
The 4G auction is expected to start in January and Ofcom have confirmed the bidders will be taking place, including – EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and also some not so well known companies.
MLL Telecom Ltd, a Buckinghamshire based network supplier will be bidding as well as a Hong Kong company which provides mobile services. In addition, BT will also want a slice of the pie.
Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: “The 4G auction will be a competitive process that will dictate the shape of the UK mobile phone market for the next decade and beyond.
“New 4G services will stimulate investment, growth and innovation in the UK and deliver significant benefits to consumers in terms of better, faster and more reliable mobile broadband connections.”
It should make for an interesting start to the New Year.
Posted by: James
Samsung have announced the latest device in their Galaxy range, with the 5 inch Galaxy Grand. It seems they are catering for every possible screen size as this one sits nicely between the Galaxy S3 and the Note 2. Packing 1GB or RAM, 8GB of internal storage and at only 9.6mm thick the Grand could well be perfect for those that found the Note 2 just a little too big.
Running Android Jelly Bean and powered by a 2100 mAh battery the Samsung Galaxy Grand is reported to be launching with both a dual SIM and Single SIM variants, although to which markets are not yet currently clear, as is the price.
It looks to be another beauty.
Source: The Next Web
Posted by: James
We already knew that Research in Motion would be holding the BlackBerry 10 launch event on January 30th, however today invites have started rolling out and the web page for the date has gone live.
The locations for the launch events are to be New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Johannesburg and Dubai. We are still in the dark with regards to times but at least I know that I am going to the London one so if we don’t have a review unit prior to the 30th we should at least get some final software/hardware video footage on the day.
And that day can’t come soon enough for me.
Posted by: James
If you have been waiting for Samsungs latest Windows Phone 8 device then the wait is over. After a few delays the 16GB version is now available to order from Expansys for £459.99.
Hoping to convert Android fan boys and dedicated Apple iOS users, the Ativ S is a serious contender in the bloated smartphone market. Not only is there the fantastic new Windows 8 on board with all the top specs but as Windows TeamBlog described it, "The ATIV S is flat-out beautiful". Samsung have moved away from their usual plastic affair, garnished on the Galaxy and Note range, and have used Apple-esque brushed aluminium instead, the result is a classy looking handset. Also it has a slim 8.9mm profile and weighs in at 135g so it won’t weigh down your pocket.
The Ativ S sports a whopping 4.8 inch, super AMOLED screen which is layered with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 2. This means you have a tough but gorgeous HD screen that does those vibrant Windows 8 live tiles justice. A 1.5GHz processor lurks underneath, along with 1GB of RAM so that tile interface should be buttery smooth to use. 16GB of storage is built in (expandable for up to 32GB) and there’s a respectable 8MP camera on the back which can record full HD video, as well as a front facing camera for video calls. Samsung seemed to have heard people cries for longer battery life on smartphones so have given the Ativ a large 2,300 mAh sized battery (enormous compared to the iPhone 4S paltry 1,432 mAh battery). All in all the Ativ S is a stunning and exciting package that could well be the phone that cracks the Android and iPhone reign.
Posted by: James
EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced that 4G will be switched on in a further 17 towns and cities across the country by March 2013. As well as investing in bringing superfast mobile to new areas around the UK, network density is being rapidly increased in existing 4G launch cities to continue to improve the speed and reach of the UK’s first 4G network.
In the first three months of 2013, 4G will be launched in Bradford, Chelmsford, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Leicester, Luton, Newport, Reading, Rotherham, St Albans, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Watford, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton, bringing 4G coverage to approximately four million more people across the UK. Last week, 4G was switched on in Derby, Newcastle and Nottingham; Belfast, Hull, Maidenhead and Slough will be switched on before the end of 2012. This brings the total of 4G launches in 2012 to 18, ahead of the schedule of 16.
Councillor Rory Palmer, Deputy City Mayor of Leicester, which is due to be switched on in early 2013, said: “I am delighted that the 4G network will be going live in Leicester in early 2013. EE clearly recognises that Leicester is a city that will benefit significantly from 4G mobile coverage – superfast mobile internet will have real benefits for our residents, homes and businesses across the city.”
Virgin has recently added a further 20 tube stations to its list of WiFi supported locations with plans to increase to 120 by early next year.
The new stations will coincide with a new pre-pay option. Daily passes are expected to cost £2, weekly passes £5 and monthly passes £15. Virgin signed a deal with Vodafone and EE last month so these charges will be waivered if on either network.
Virgin Media executive director of broadband Jon James said: “WiFi on London Underground has been an incredible success and we’ve rolled out the service to reach even more stations throughout London.
“Our wholesale agreement with EE and Vodafone will keep the majority of Tube users connected for no extra cost and every Londoner and visitor can choose from affordable prepay options with free, up-to-the-minute travel, news and entertainment for everyone.”
Source: mobilenewscwp
Posted by: James
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