Press Releases

Vodafone Buzz – Helps PAYG customers stay in touch when out of credit

It’s a big worry, running out of credit when you need it most. But now Vodafone UK pay as you go customers can stay in touch, even when out of credit, with Vodafone Buzz Back. Buzz Back lets customers send a free text message to friends and family on any network asking to be called back. It’s simple to use. Customers text the number of the person they want to call them to 30303 and a text message will be sent, as if from them, asking for a call back. There is no charge to send or receive the messages, and no pre-registration required.
We’ll let the customer know that their message has been sent and the service can be used twice a day. Customers don’t have to be out of credit to use the service – meaning they can save their top up for other things.

CoPilot Live celebrates launch of new iPad with pricing promotion

With the demand for sat nav apps on tablets growing, and the new iPad hitting the shops tomorrow, 16^th March 2012, CoPilot Live, the leading sat nav app is celebrating with special offers on its iPad and iPhone apps:

· CoPilot Live Premium HD for iPad and iPhone will be £39.99 instead of £47.99

· CoPilot Live Premium UK + Ireland for iPhone will be £19.99 instead of £24.99

The promotion will run from 9am on Friday 16^th March 2012 to midnight on Monday 19^th March 2012.

David Quin from CoPilot Live says: “With their larger screens, tablets offer a practical and clear platform for navigation, and we are seeing the demand for high-quality navigation apps on such devices continuing to rise. The new iPad is surely set to continue this trend, with its amazing high-res ‘retina’ screen allowing for incredibly sharp HD map displays and even clearer directions.”

Orange announce iPad prices

Following on from Three announcing the new iPad prices Orange have followed suit, however the data usage per month is considerably less than Three are offering.

Orange will offer iPad with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its fast 3G and 3.5G network with speeds up to 50 percent faster than previously available.

The third generation iPad is a category defining mobile device that features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. It also still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life while remaining amazingly thin and light. iPad is world-ready, allowing users to connect to fast networks worldwide when they travel.

“New iPad customers will benefit from the widest 3G coverage in the UK and, with our advanced 3.5G roll out, they will also benefit from a really fast network" said Pippa Dunn, consumer chief marketing officer, Everything Everywhere. “As a result, we’re definitely the number one place to go for those wanting the best all round performance on their new iPad”.

Customers can buy the new iPad at all Orange shops, telesales and online beginning Friday, 16 March. For complete details on pricing and availability please visit www.orange.co.uk/newipad .

Posted by: James

Three is officially announcing iPad pricing today with upfront costs starting from £99 and 15GB allowances on all 24 month contracts.

Three today announced it will offer the new iPad in the UK on Friday, March 16 2012. Three will offer the iPad with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its leading-edge HSPA+ network, offering speeds up to two times faster than previously available.

The third generation iPad is a category defining mobile device that features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. It also still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life* while remaining amazingly thin and light. iPad is world-ready, allowing users to connect to fast networks worldwide when they travel.

“Teaming up our leading-edge HSPA+ network with the innovative new iPad is great news for our customers," said Thomas Malleschitz, marketing director at Three. "Our customers already enjoy superfast internet on the move, and with an excellent range of great value price plans and our leadership in fast UK mobile broadband, we look forward to being the network of choice for new iPad customers.”

RIM Introduces the BlackBerry Mini Keyboard for the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet

I have got to get me one of these beauties. The Mini Keyboard for the PlayBook has been announced by RIM today and for many this will make the wonderful tablet even more useable in the business sector. In fact, I will more than likely start doing my reviews on the PlayBook.

The BlackBerry Mini Keyboard is ultra portable and comes complete with a stylish convertible case that doubles as a stand for the tablet.  In addition to a full QWERTY keyboard, it offers an integrated touchpad that allows users to navigate and control the BlackBerry PlayBook as easily as using the touch screen on the tablet itself. When the keyboard is active, the PlayBook tablet’s virtual keyboard remains hidden, freeing up 100% of the display for the task at hand. 

“Whether you’re typing email, creating documents, surfing the web or using other apps, the BlackBerry Mini Keyboard and its integrated carrying case is an ideal accessory,” said James Poulton, Director, Advanced Accessories. 

You can see more details and a video below:

Sony announce the Xperia sola

Only a couple of weeks after Sony announced three new smartphone’s at MWC and now we have yet another, the Xperia sola. Sporting a 3.7″ Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine and powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor the Xperia sola looks to be a beautiful handset set to rival the 3.7 inch screen offerings from the likes of HTC and Samsung. 

Complete with Sony technology, premium entertainment and innovative floating touch navigation, the NFC enabled Xperia sola comes equipped with Xperia SmartTags, allowing consumers to change their smartphone’s settings and applications to fit their lifestyle in an instant. Xperia sola will be available to consumers globally in black, white and red in the second quarter.

Eye Check – Boot Opticians Android App Launches

Following a successful launch for the iPhone in October 2011, the Eye Check by Boots Opticians app is now available for Android users to download.

The app was developed by Boots Opticians to encourage people to be more aware of their vision and eye health. Since the iPhone launch, it has been downloaded for free by nearly half a million people and reached number one in the iTunes free download chart.

The app is not designed to replace comprehensive professional eye examinations by an optometrist. It offers people a simple and accessible way to better understand the significance of looking after their vision and eye health. Ultimately, the app aims to highlight the importance to users of having regular check-ups with a qualified optometrist.

The Motorola MOTOLUX goes on sale at T-Mobile

MOTOLUXE, the ultra-stylish, ultra-vogue smartphone from Motorola launches today with T-Mobile.

UK fashionistas get ready for a smartphone with a price as attractive as the device itself:  MOTOLUXE is available free on contract with T-Mobile, starting from just £21 a month on a 24 month plan.

When it comes to panache, this Android 2.3-powered smartphone sets the bar high. With a 4-inch touchscreen that’s perfect for writing emails, surfing the Web and watching movies, you’ll always be connected, clued-up and entertained – whether at work, hanging out with friends or out on the town.

For photo buffs, an 8-megapixel autofocus camera with flash lets you shoot like a pro. You can even instantly share the pics with friends and family using the phone’s pre-loaded social networking apps.

But there is a reason this is called a smartphone! Incorporating Motorola’s MotoSwitch user interface, MOTOLUXE learns who you talk to and which apps you use the most, and puts all that information front and centre.

Check out the Motorola website for full product specs and images, and the T-Mobile website for pricing and availability.

Posted by: James

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.