Press Releases

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.

EE ups its LTE data allowences at no extra cost to customers

EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced updates to its 4GEE Mobile Broadband offering, increasing data allowance on plans and launching a range of new options to give customers more choice.

More data, same price

The 4GEE Mobile Broadband plans now include data allowances increased by around 60%, with no rise in monthly fee. The 2GB plan now becomes a 3GB allowance, with the 3GB plan increasing to 5GB, and the 5GB allowance now extending to 8GB. All existing 4GEE customers will be automatically upgraded to the new data allowances, with no increase in their monthly fee, allowing them to get more out of superfast 4G at no extra cost.

More plans, more choice

EE is also launching a range of new 4GEE Mobile Broadband plans to offer customers greater choice. A new one month SIM only plan offers 5GB of data for £15.99, with the first month free for customers signing up before 23^rd December. Customers wishing to include a 4GEE Dongle or Mobile Wi-Fi device can choose from 30 day plans, or 18 and 24 month plans, starting at £12.99 per month for 1GB.

Pippa Dunn, Chief Marketing Officer – Consumer, EE, said:

“These updates underline our commitment to offering customers the best value and choice from our plans. We recognise Superfast 4GEE opens up a range of possibilities for our customers from browsing to gaming to HD movie streaming so it’s right that we increase the breadth of our plans to meet everyone’s needs.  And customers signing up to our £15.99 5GB SIM only plan get great value whether they’re on 4G or 3G, and they will receive their first month free.”

For more information, please visit www.ee.co.uk

Posted by: James

Three to offer the 4th Gen iPad

Three today announced it is now offering fourth generation iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular and will be offering iPad mini with Wi-Fi + Cellular beginning soon. Three is offering these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that allow customers to connect to its ultrafast network with realistic speeds of up to 12 Mbps.

The fourth generation iPad features a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina display, new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera and ultrafast wireless performance. iPad mini is a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad, features a stunning 7.9-inch Multi-Touch display, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras, ultrafast wireless performance* and an incredible 10-hours of battery life.** Both fourth generation iPad and iPad mini come with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.

Customers can buy the new iPads at Three retail locations. For more information on plans please visit www.three.co.uk.

Posted by: James

Orange launch Libon – a free iOS communication app

Orange today launched Libon, a free iOS communication app available in 90 countries. Libon enables users to make free High Definition voice calls, send text messages and create personalized voicemails all from one simple-to-use app. Libon works on any network. Libon will be available on Android in early Q1.

Free HD calls – Libon users will enjoy completely free high quality voice calls between Libon users, wherever they are, in the same country or on the other side of the world. Your contacts only need to download Libon for free from the App Store to begin enjoying free HD crystal clear calls between each other, all you need is 3G or Wi-Fi connections.

Free messages – Libon’s instant messaging is as easy to use as SMS. Conversations – not just calls. For each of your contacts, Libon summarizes your recent conversations, pulling into one place instant messaging, calls, and voicemails so you can have insightful contextual communications. Best personalized voicemail: make your callers feel special Libon’s voicemail offers advanced features including customized greetings for individuals or groups, and text transcription of voicemails.

Samsung announce the HMX-F90 camcorder

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd today announced the launch of the Samsung HMX-F90, a camcorder with 1280×720/30p HD recording, a 52x Optical Zoom and a 5 Megapixel CMOS sensor. The HMX-F90 has been designed to give every family the opportunity to capture and enjoy priceless memories in brilliant quality. The affordable new camcorder comes with an array of features, including a 2.7″ TFT LCD display, that makes recording and editing both easy and enjoyable.

With a 52x Optical Zoom and a 70x Intelli-Zoom, users will notice how sharp even the tiniest details from their HD videos are. The HMX-F90 records in 1280×720/30p HD resolution, great for enjoying and replaying memories on large HD TV screens. The camcorder also incorporates a 5 Megapixel CMOS sensor and F1.8 lens to capture movies in perfect colour.

Editing videos has never been easier with the HMX-F90. The camcorder’s software makes editing video simple and fun for any user – even those with little editing experience can get to grips with it easily. The ‘My Clip’ feature allows users to select and tag a number of scenes within a longer video file and merge these into a new file to be enjoyed at once. The refreshed Smart Background Music function allows users to add background tracks to their videos. Users can now automatically adjust the background track’s volume throughout the clip.

Rent a phone with Vodafone Red Hot

Vodafone UK is launching Vodafone Red Hot, its first plan designed to allow pay monthly customers to rent some of its hottest phones, changing them every year, without the need to make a large payment upfront.  Building on the successful introduction of Vodafone Red, Vodafone Red Hot gives customers unlimited calls and texts, 2GB of internet and WiFi on a 12 month contract.
From £47 a month, Vodafone Red Hot is available on three handsets and includes insurance, a screen protector and a personalised phone case as standard.  At the end of 12 months customers can either choose to extend their contract, or swap the phone for a newer model.

The decision to offer customers the ability to rent a phone comes on the back of customer research that demonstrated that many people wanted to change their phones more regularly, but did not wish to make a large initial contribution at the start of their contract. Florie Brizel, Mobilologist and CEO of Los Angeles-based Brizel Media, explains further on our official blog, Vodafone Social http://blog.vodafone.co.uk/redhot/

Srini Gopalan, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK said “We’ve been working incredibly hard to simplify the price plans we offer to customers. Vodafone Red Hot marks another way for customers to stay one step ahead of their friends, having the latest technology in their hands.  Coupled with unlimited calls, texts and a massive amount of internet, we think there will be many customers who will see this as a great choice.”

Vodafone Red Hot plan offers unlimited calls to all UK mobiles – not just other Vodafone customers – and standard UK landlines, with no restrictions on how long a customer can talk or how many people they call.
Vodafone Red Hot will be available through Vodafone’s retail stores across the UK.

For further information visit vodafone.co.uk/redhot

Posted by: James

Three adds a million customers and upgrades network to accelerate growth

Three, the UK’s fastest growing mobile operator grew by more than 1.04 million customers over the past year to 8.8 million, adding 301,000 customers in the last quarter alone.

The growth in customers, driven by Three’s smartphone focus, is being supported by a nationwide programme to upgrade its network. Three is deploying DC-HSDPA technology and increasing the speed of its backhaul, the data pipes used to connect its sites to the internet, as it moves to an Ultrafast network experience.

Three’s new Ultrafast network will reach over half the UK population by the end of 2012, with more than 80% of the population covered by April 2013. 39% of the population already have access to the Ultrafast network, with coverage currently focused on 50 of the UK’s biggest cities and towns.

The ongoing network programme will see customers benefit from increased speeds that will be more than enough for data-hungry services like HD video streaming.  Three customers in existing Ultrafast areas using DC-HSDPA devices like iPhone 5, the Sony Xperia T and the Windows Phone 8X by HTC are already reporting peak speeds over 20Mbps. iPad mini, iPad with Retina display and the Huawei E3521 dongle are also DC-HSDPA enabled.

Three will add further capacity to its Ultrafast network in 2013 by deploying LTE technology. This follows Ofcom’s approval of Three’s acquisition of 2x15Mhz of radio spectrum at 1800Mhz.  The transfer effectively doubles Three’s overall spectrum capacity and provides further room for customer growth.

Dave Dyson, Chief Executive of Three UK, said: “We have led the adoption of smartphones in the UK by giving our customers great coverage, fast speeds and compelling price plans.  These network improvements are designed to maintain our position as the fastest growing UK mobile operator. 

“Our Ultrafast network is giving more people in more places access to an even faster mobile internet experience.

“But mobile internet is about more than just technology.  All-you-can-eat data at prices to suit everyone and peace of mind bundles that guarantee no surprise data bills are designed to allow customers to get the most enjoyment from their smartphones.”

Three’s growth plans are being matched by the launch of an 800-strong recruitment drive in October that will add nearly 400 sales and service roles at its Glasgow office and 400 across its high street retail stores and Maidenhead office.

Posted by: James