Press Releases

Orange To Launch Quick Tap ‘Treats’

We all like a treat. Orange today unveiled ‘Quick Tap Treats’ – the UK’s first mobile contactless retail reward scheme, in partnership with the EAT. restaurant chain. Quick Tap Treats will allow all Orange customers with NFC enabled handsets to simply tap their mobile phone on specially designed posters at any of the 110 EAT. outlets* so they can receive a free treat each day – from a free baguette or piece of fruit, to a free coffee.

Building on the success of the first contactless mobile payments service launched last year, the next phase of Quick Tap (the umbrella name used for Orange’s UK NFC services), sees all Orange customers with NFC handsets able to use their phones for the new Quick Tap reward programme, Quick Tap Treats.

From launch, these Quick Tap customers will be eligible to receive one on the following ‘treat’ reward options everyday.  New treats will be added over time:

Red Bull Charges Onto Samsung SMART TV

Samsung Electronics, the UK’s number one TV brand with the most awarded TV range, today announced the availability of Red Bull TV on its SMART TV platform. The high-octane channel brings extreme sports coverage and original programming to the world’s most engaging home entertainment system.

Red Bull TV brings the world of sports, urban lifestyle, music, games, pop culture and live events into the homes of viewers as a live channel as well as offering video-on-demand which is perfect for today’s hectic lifestyle.

2012 is a major year for UK sport and with the Red Bull TV app, users will be able to access all the extreme sporting action they could want via their SMART TV.

ZTE set to unveil LTE, Windows Phone and multi-core Android devices at MWC 2012

ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) will next week announce a significant extension of its Smart Terminal capabilities – both in its product range and routes to market – including a major new quad-core flagship handset.

ZTE will unveil eight new devices, delivering significant advances in power, high definition multimedia capabilities and design. Based on technology innovations including multi-core chipsets, LTE, 4G radio and the latest Android and Windows Mobile platforms, the new devices form a core component of ZTE’s ambition to become a top three handset provider by 2015.

On the infrastructure side, ZTE will be demonstrating a wide range of application scenarios covering LTE/LTE-A, smart networks and cloud computing.

“There is no doubt that this year’s Mobile World Congress will again see some exciting device launches. The new devices from ZTE will demonstrate how ZTE is without doubt among an elite group of handset providers as next generation telecommunications networks roll out globally. ZTE returns at least ten percent of its revenues back into R&D to ensure that it sustains its position as a true market innovator – and we’re counting down to being able to showcase this to the world’s mobile industry next week,” said Mr. He Shiyou, Executive Vice President and Head of the Terminals Division at ZTE.

The devices will be officially unveiled in a press conference at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday 27^th February at 10:30 CET. The new devices, together with a comprehensive portfolio of ZTE terminals, will be on display at the ZTE booth in Hall 8, stand B145. 

Good stuff!

Posted by: James

UK launch date announced for Samsung Series 9 notebook

Following the recent global launch at CES, Samsung today announced the highly anticipated new look Series 9 premium notebook will be available in the UK from 25^th February 2012.

“For those seeking the ultimate notebook, it doesn’t get any better than this. We have tailor made the components so that they fit into the notebook’s single shell body ensuring it’s as slim and light as possible. We’ve taken performance to a whole new level to deliver impressive memory capacity, faster web browsing and a 10 hour battery life. What’s more, the Series 9 looks very slick and sophisticated,” said Damian Cusick, General Manager, Computing, Samsung UK and Ireland.

“The original Series 9 we launched in 2011 was a huge success for us. Since then, further innovations in technology have enabled us to improve on the design and functionality to deliver a truly revolutionary premium notebook,” Damian Cusick continued.

Boasting an updated premium look – the result of 33,000 hours of craftmanship, the Series 9 features a mineral ash finish with contrasting natural matte aluminium sides, and has also been sand-blasted to offer a fingerprint resistant surface.

The second generation Series 9 is the world’s thinnest and most compact premium notebook. The 13″ Series 9 measures only 12.9mm (0.5″) and, thanks to the notebook’s single shell body, is fitted with super-slim components which enable the device to weigh in at just 1.16kg (2.6 lbs).

Samsung announce two new additions to their smartphone range

Samsung Electronics today announced two new additions to its Galaxy smartphone range; both the Galaxy Ace 2 and the Galaxy Mini 2 which will be available in UK from April. Building on the success of their predecessors, the Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy Mini 2 are ideal for people that enjoy an active lifestyle who want a handset that’s both stylish and affordable but is also packed full of great features.

Simon Stanford, UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division said: “The Galaxy Ace and Galaxy Mini have both been hugely successful handsets for us since they launched last year so we’re excited to be bringing our customers refreshed versions of both devices. Anyone who buys one of these new devices will benefit from even more functionality, including improved processing speeds so they can quickly connect to and browse the internet when they’re out shopping, travelling to work or out with friends. Both devices join our existing Galaxy Family of smartphones again reinforcing our commitment to providing a smartphone for everyone.”

ZTE to announce two new LTE handsets at Mobile World Congress

ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, is planning to launch two new LTE handsets running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) with 1.2GHz and 1.5GHz chipsets at the forthcoming Mobile World Congress telecoms industry show in Barcelona.

The PF200 smartphone will have a 4.3 inch QHD capacitive touch screen, with an 8MP camera and 1080p front facing camera for video calling. The handset will work across all the main LTE, UMTS and GSM spectrums, and will come with Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, WiFi, A-GPS, digital living network alliance (DLNA) compatibility, mobile high-definition link (MHL) for connecting to home audio and video devices, and near field communications (NFC) capability.

The N910 handset will work across LTE FDD, CDMA and EVDO spectrums. It has a WVGA (800 x 480) capacitive touch screen, with 5MP autofocus and flash camera with a 1080p front facing camera for video calling. Features will include GPOS, WiFi, Bluetooth and DLNA capability.

“These LTE devices are the fore-runners of a wide range of LTE devices ZTE will bring to the market in the coming months, as more and more LTE networks come on stream,” said Mr. He Shiyou, Executive Vice President and Head of the Terminal Division of ZTE. “They will be feature products – among a very wide range of devices on display at the ZTE stand at Mobile World Congress 2012.”

You can see images below:

LG go large with the Optimus Vu

With Mobile World Congress just around the corner LG have only gone and unveiled there latest creation, the Optimus Vu, and similar to their rivals Samsung and the Note they have gone big with a 5 inch monster device.

Powered by a 1.5GHz processor the Optimus Vu has a 4×3 aspect ratio, 1024×768 res, stylus friendly, 5-inch IPS LCD display. Combined with a 8MP camera, a whopping 2080mAp battery the Optimus Vu packs all this into a 8.5mm thick frame.

Launching with Android 2.3 Gingerbread LG are promising an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich within three months.

You can see the official press release below:

Barclays launches first service for sending money by mobile phone number

The Barclays Pingit service will be available to current account customers of all UK banks and building societies, not just those with Barclays current accounts. At launch, only Barclays current account customers will be able to send money via the app, but all current account customers (UK residents and over 18), will be able to register online to receive money. The app will be available to all by early March.

The service, which is free to use, links the user’s current account with their mobile phone number. This enables payments to be sent directly to that account but without the sender needing to know anything more than the recipient’s mobile phone number. Money is sent using the Faster Payments service. To send money, customers can use the free Barclays Pingit app available on iOS, Android and Blackberry, or they can register online to receive payments. Transfers are as safe as any other banking transaction and the app is protected by a five-digit passcode, set by the user.

It is expected that this will prove particularly popular for friends and family sending money to each other. Barclays Pingit can also be used by some small business customers of Barclays and other banks, for example sole traders such as window cleaners or plumbers, meaning customers can pay them quickly, easily and securely.

ZTE launch the Light Tab II

Following on from our earlier unboxing video, ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) has launched its 7-inch V9A tablet, the ZTE Light Tab II, in the UK. Although ZTE are using the term ‘launch’ I don’t think you can actually but one today. Clove are expecting stock at the end of the month I believe.

The highly-anticipated device will be ZTE’s first own-branded tablet available to UK consumers. Running on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) it has a tidy 7- inch TFT-LCD, capacitive touch screen and speedy Qualcomm MSM8255 processor which allows for efficient data usage on the move.

Weighing in at just 402g and small enough to carry around, the portable device comes equipped with popular apps such as YouTube and Google talk. It has an FM radio and battery life enabling 5.5 hours of movie play, ideal for extended commutes.

With 4GB of in-built memory the tablet can hold over 200 photographs taken on either the front facing 0.3MP camera or with the larger 3MP rear camera, or over 500 of users’  favourite tracks, which can be bolstered with an external micro SD memory card.

Operating on GSM, UMTS, and HSPA networks, the tablet will be available for purchase through a number of channels in the open market.

“ZTE V9A is ZTE’s first own-branded tablet made available in the UK and we are very excited about its entry into the market. We plan to continue our progress in the UK, introducing ZTE branded consumer devices with key capabilities at reasonable prices,” said Wu Sa, Director, Mobile Device Operations, ZTE. “Our UK strategy is very much focused on providing quality devices – a factor which is apparent through our growth and development in the handset arena”.

ZTE Light Tablets are shipped to more than 30 countries and regions around the world. The V9A is also currently sold in Spain, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Posted by: James

Motorola Mobility to Bring Style and Strength to UK with Motorola DEFY MINI

Outdoor enthusiasts are serious about their gear and know durability, reliability and functionality count. Brits – get ready for the smartphone that defies expectations and is ready for wherever your next adventure takes you – the new Motorola DEFY MINI.

Dust-proof, water-resistant and with a scratch-resistant Corning^® Gorilla^® Glass display, the new Motorola DEFY MINI is strong enough to keep up with you and your wildest adventures. And all for a price that won’t break the bank.

The phone’s crystal-clear 3.2-inch touchscreen display is great for email, texting and browsing the Web. And its long battery life means you can have this phone on and by your side no matter where the day (or night) takes you.