A few days after news of Vodafone trying to sell the iPhone 3G on installments came through, Airtel is using the same strategy.
Airtel in partnership with VISA, will offer easy finance options to VISA cardholders of four major banks for purchasing the Apple iPhone 3G.
"For consumers who aspire to own the iPhone 3G, VISA will offer easy financing options for all VISA cardholders of ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, SBI Cards and Citibank," Bharti Airtel's chief marketing officer (mobile services) Sanjay Gupta said in a statement.
The handsets can be acquired on monthly installments for periods ranging from nine to 24 months, depending on the bank and the option on offer.
iPhone 3G is priced at Rs 31,000 for 8GB and Rs 36,100 for the 16GB version and is available in two colours -- black and white.
"Such initiatives will further widen the market of iPhone 3G in India", he added.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
iPhone flaw exposes private data
A security flaw in Apple Inc's iPhone allows unauthorized users to gain easy access to private contacts and e-mails even when the device is locked, but the company said a fix is on the way.
Popular technology blog Gizmodo and an online forum run by the Mac Rumors site showed that it took only three taps to gain access to locked iPhones, which run the latest 2.02 iPhone software.
A spokeswoman said in an e-mail that Apple was aware of the problem and was readying a software update to fix it. In the meantime, she recommended users set the iPhone's "Home" button to open up the phone's iPod music collection rather than the phone's "Favorites" menu.
The spokeswoman did not say when the software update would be made available. The flaw could be seen as a momentary setback in Apple's ambitious plans to compete against Research In Motion, whose BlackBerry smartphone has become a standard issue device in corporate businesses around the globe.
Earlier in August, technology research firm Gartner issued a report that said iPhone's software had met Gartner's minimum requirements for business support, although some issues persisted. The author of the report, Ken Dulaney, was not immediately reachable.
Last week, Apple released a software update for the iPhone that reportedly helped fix problems connecting to faster third-generation (3G) wireless networks, after receiving a flurry of online complaints from customers around the world.
Apple, which started selling the new 3G iPhone on July 11, has said it expected to sell 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008.
(Reporting by Kenneth Li; Editing by Derek Caney)
Popular technology blog Gizmodo and an online forum run by the Mac Rumors site showed that it took only three taps to gain access to locked iPhones, which run the latest 2.02 iPhone software.
A spokeswoman said in an e-mail that Apple was aware of the problem and was readying a software update to fix it. In the meantime, she recommended users set the iPhone's "Home" button to open up the phone's iPod music collection rather than the phone's "Favorites" menu.
The spokeswoman did not say when the software update would be made available. The flaw could be seen as a momentary setback in Apple's ambitious plans to compete against Research In Motion, whose BlackBerry smartphone has become a standard issue device in corporate businesses around the globe.
Earlier in August, technology research firm Gartner issued a report that said iPhone's software had met Gartner's minimum requirements for business support, although some issues persisted. The author of the report, Ken Dulaney, was not immediately reachable.
Last week, Apple released a software update for the iPhone that reportedly helped fix problems connecting to faster third-generation (3G) wireless networks, after receiving a flurry of online complaints from customers around the world.
Apple, which started selling the new 3G iPhone on July 11, has said it expected to sell 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008.
(Reporting by Kenneth Li; Editing by Derek Caney)
Friday, August 22, 2008
Airtel techies dare iPhone hackers
When it comes to iPhone hackers, techies at Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel expect to have the last laugh. They claim even the most deadly hackers on the planet won’t be able to crack the codes that support the iPhone’s Airtel applications with rival company SIMs.
So, even if a hacker manages to make voice calls from an Airtel iPhone using the SIM of a rival GSM operator, he would be denied access to both exclusive icons – ‘Airtel Live’ and ‘Airtel Apps’-- which are gateways to the full spectrum of Airtel applications built into the iconic gizmo.
This means a potential hacker of an Apple iPhones procured from Airtel won’t get to access to either content or entertainment features on Airtel Live -- a customised portal designed purely for Airtel subscribers.
With no access to Airtel Live, he can’t access any text, audio, video, static images, music or gaming options available on the preloaded Airtel Live portal application.
Neither does he get to use the powerful Google search engine.
Worse, the hacker also draws a blank if he tries activating any super secure applications like mobile payment (m-Check) that can otherwise be accessed by Airtel users by clicking the ‘Airtel Apps’ icon on the iPhone.
m-Check, would typically enable a user to manage his Airtel account or even do money transfers from his iPhone. Confirming this, Bharti Airtel’s IT director Jai Menon, who is also chief information officer (CIO) of Bharti Enterprises told, “Even if a hacker figures out a way to make voice calls from an iPhone procured from our stores using a non-Airtel SIM, he will not be able to access any of the ‘Airtel Live’ or ‘Airtel Apps’ features built into all the iPhones sold by Airtel.
We’ve built in suitable levels of security to ensure both applications remain out of bounds for hackers. All iPhones distributed by Airtel will run on OSX (Version 2) OS which also powers Apple notebooks worldwide.”
He adds, “Airtel’s IT group has worked with Apple for over a year to uniquely evolve a bunch of operator-specific applications on the iPhone. In fact, Airtel is perhaps the only mobile operator besides Australia’s Optus that has evolved operator-specific applications on Apple’s iconic phone.”
Incidentally, “developing operator-specific iPhone applications was pretty much a stealth exercise that transpired by leveraging Airtel’s service delivery platform, which is a $100 million tech initiative,” said Menon.
So, even if a hacker manages to make voice calls from an Airtel iPhone using the SIM of a rival GSM operator, he would be denied access to both exclusive icons – ‘Airtel Live’ and ‘Airtel Apps’-- which are gateways to the full spectrum of Airtel applications built into the iconic gizmo.
This means a potential hacker of an Apple iPhones procured from Airtel won’t get to access to either content or entertainment features on Airtel Live -- a customised portal designed purely for Airtel subscribers.
With no access to Airtel Live, he can’t access any text, audio, video, static images, music or gaming options available on the preloaded Airtel Live portal application.
Neither does he get to use the powerful Google search engine.
Worse, the hacker also draws a blank if he tries activating any super secure applications like mobile payment (m-Check) that can otherwise be accessed by Airtel users by clicking the ‘Airtel Apps’ icon on the iPhone.
m-Check, would typically enable a user to manage his Airtel account or even do money transfers from his iPhone. Confirming this, Bharti Airtel’s IT director Jai Menon, who is also chief information officer (CIO) of Bharti Enterprises told, “Even if a hacker figures out a way to make voice calls from an iPhone procured from our stores using a non-Airtel SIM, he will not be able to access any of the ‘Airtel Live’ or ‘Airtel Apps’ features built into all the iPhones sold by Airtel.
We’ve built in suitable levels of security to ensure both applications remain out of bounds for hackers. All iPhones distributed by Airtel will run on OSX (Version 2) OS which also powers Apple notebooks worldwide.”
He adds, “Airtel’s IT group has worked with Apple for over a year to uniquely evolve a bunch of operator-specific applications on the iPhone. In fact, Airtel is perhaps the only mobile operator besides Australia’s Optus that has evolved operator-specific applications on Apple’s iconic phone.”
Incidentally, “developing operator-specific iPhone applications was pretty much a stealth exercise that transpired by leveraging Airtel’s service delivery platform, which is a $100 million tech initiative,” said Menon.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
iPod battery catches fire
Japan is investigating a possible battery defect in the popular iPod Nano music player after reports that two overheated in Tokyo, scorching nearby paper and a woven straw mat, a government official said Tuesday. No one was injured, and there was no further damage, said Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry official Hiroyuki Yoshitsune. The latest problem follows a similar ministry report in March about sparks shooting out of an iPod Nano, he said. The government has been working with Apple Inc. to investigate the cause, and a defect in the lithiuim-ion battery is suspected in all three cases, he said. The iPods began to overheat while they were being recharged, he said. He declined to disclose the manufacturers of the batteries, and said it was unclear whether the same battery was being packaged in the product, which is sold all over the world. Apple Japan did not have immediate comment. Yoshitsune said the two latest cases involved an iPod Nano, model number MA099, which singed nearby paper in August, and model MA005, which burned a Japanese traditional "tatami" mat, in January. Both players were twisted out of shape from the heat and became unusable, he said. Other details weren't available. The government has instructed Apple Japan to find out the cause of the problems and report back to the government. Lithium-ion batteries have been blamed for a series of blazes in laptops that have resulted in massive global recalls. Apple's iPod players are extremely popular in Japan and coveted as fashion items although Japanese manufacturers produce a host of iPod rivals. The Japan introduction of the iPhone, also from Cupertino, California-based Apple, drew long lines last month. |
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Hackers snoop on mobile phones
Planning to buy that fancy smart phone? A word of caution: Internet-enabled phones have gaping security weaknesses waiting to be exploited, warn cyber security experts. Any smart phone — including Blackberry, Windows Mobile, iPhone and Symbian phones — can be hacked by a nerd with a little bit of code and some cunning.
And they don't stop at data and identity theft alone. Nor are they content with unleashing viruses on the operating system of your mobile. (Even Bluetooth makes your phone a potential target here.) New Age mischief makers have learnt how to bug your phone and remote-control it. They can steal your bank information, send out a mischievous SMS to your girlfriend (who might just dump you!), copy your top-secret files or simply spy on every call/SMS you make from your phone. In fact, they can even 'modify' your SMSes before these are sent out to your contacts — and you wouldn't even know it.
That's not all. Hackers can also use your phone to spy on you by switching it on. They can activate the camera and eavesdrop on your discussions during a business meeting, or while you are secretly negotiating a lucrative job offer with a rival company. What's more, they can even do an audio/video recording by sending an SMS command.
If you thought all this sounds too far-fetched, think again. Cellphone users in the US are already battling with the problem — 200 mobile viruses are on the loose and more are being spawned every day, says TowerGroup, a US-based research firm.
India, too, is a prime target. Instances of mobile viruses are already rampant and experts say the threat is only going to get worse in a market growing at 11.75% per annum. On last count, there were over 261.07 million mobile connections across the country: more than 50% phones being used are smart phones.
No wonder companies that track internet and mobile security are worried. "Smart phones are easy targets for hackers. And studies show the threat is doubling every six months in India," says Anand Naik, director, Symantec India.
How do they do it? The tactics have evolved with the technology. In 2002, IBM researchers found that a cellphone's security card could be cloned in minutes. A hacker could make calls and route charges to the victim's account. The hacking technique, known as a partitioning attack, analyses power fluctuations in a phone's SIM card, allowing the attacker to read the security codes stored inside.
However, the technique only worked on GSM phones and required that the attacker have access to the phone for at least a few minutes. But hackers have become smarter. Now they simply send a spyware or snoopware through an SMS/MMS or GPRS, email or Bluetooth.
"The message can even be disguised as an SMS from the service provider. The moment you click on it the spyware/virus gets activated. It starts working quietly and the user has no clue that someone is tapping everything he does. Once the virus is in, it can block/modify SMSes, intercept calls, upload data, delete or copy the address book," says Rajat Khare, CEO, Appin Group, an information security company. Spam and SMiShing (SMS phishing) are also beginning to make their way into smart phones.
So what should a user do? A few simple steps could go a long way. Adopt a multi-layered security approach. Protect mobile devices with antivirus, firewall, anti-SMS spam, and data encryption technologies and install regular security updates to protect phones from viruses and other malware. And yes, don't click blindly on any SMS, for someone may just be spying on you on the sly.
And they don't stop at data and identity theft alone. Nor are they content with unleashing viruses on the operating system of your mobile. (Even Bluetooth makes your phone a potential target here.) New Age mischief makers have learnt how to bug your phone and remote-control it. They can steal your bank information, send out a mischievous SMS to your girlfriend (who might just dump you!), copy your top-secret files or simply spy on every call/SMS you make from your phone. In fact, they can even 'modify' your SMSes before these are sent out to your contacts — and you wouldn't even know it.
That's not all. Hackers can also use your phone to spy on you by switching it on. They can activate the camera and eavesdrop on your discussions during a business meeting, or while you are secretly negotiating a lucrative job offer with a rival company. What's more, they can even do an audio/video recording by sending an SMS command.
If you thought all this sounds too far-fetched, think again. Cellphone users in the US are already battling with the problem — 200 mobile viruses are on the loose and more are being spawned every day, says TowerGroup, a US-based research firm.
India, too, is a prime target. Instances of mobile viruses are already rampant and experts say the threat is only going to get worse in a market growing at 11.75% per annum. On last count, there were over 261.07 million mobile connections across the country: more than 50% phones being used are smart phones.
No wonder companies that track internet and mobile security are worried. "Smart phones are easy targets for hackers. And studies show the threat is doubling every six months in India," says Anand Naik, director, Symantec India.
How do they do it? The tactics have evolved with the technology. In 2002, IBM researchers found that a cellphone's security card could be cloned in minutes. A hacker could make calls and route charges to the victim's account. The hacking technique, known as a partitioning attack, analyses power fluctuations in a phone's SIM card, allowing the attacker to read the security codes stored inside.
However, the technique only worked on GSM phones and required that the attacker have access to the phone for at least a few minutes. But hackers have become smarter. Now they simply send a spyware or snoopware through an SMS/MMS or GPRS, email or Bluetooth.
"The message can even be disguised as an SMS from the service provider. The moment you click on it the spyware/virus gets activated. It starts working quietly and the user has no clue that someone is tapping everything he does. Once the virus is in, it can block/modify SMSes, intercept calls, upload data, delete or copy the address book," says Rajat Khare, CEO, Appin Group, an information security company. Spam and SMiShing (SMS phishing) are also beginning to make their way into smart phones.
So what should a user do? A few simple steps could go a long way. Adopt a multi-layered security approach. Protect mobile devices with antivirus, firewall, anti-SMS spam, and data encryption technologies and install regular security updates to protect phones from viruses and other malware. And yes, don't click blindly on any SMS, for someone may just be spying on you on the sly.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Sony Ericsson launches first 'radio' mobile phone
Sony Ericsson on Thursday launched its first made in India mobile phone R300 radio phone.
The phone targets the entry level customers in small town. The handset comes with a unique radio-inspired design with volume boosters for clarity of sound Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications General Manager Sudhin Mathur told media persons.
Alongwith the FM frequency channels the phone also comes with AM frequencies, a first for radio phones in India. This is Sony Ericsson's attempt to address the needs of its customers in tier 2 markets, Mathur said.
R300 Radio is priced at Rs 4,395 he said. "We are witnessing unprecedented growth in smaller towns and cities and plan to increase our geographic presence in such places with the launch of the Radio phone R300.
"The growing popularity of the radio in the tier-two and tier-three cities has created a tremendous opportunity for penetrating such markets and we are confident that our new offering will be well received by our customers", Mathur said.
Further strengthening their position in Radio category handsets, the company will launch R306 model with 1.3 mega pixed camera priced at Rs 6,000, Mathur said.
The phone targets the entry level customers in small town. The handset comes with a unique radio-inspired design with volume boosters for clarity of sound Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications General Manager Sudhin Mathur told media persons.
Alongwith the FM frequency channels the phone also comes with AM frequencies, a first for radio phones in India. This is Sony Ericsson's attempt to address the needs of its customers in tier 2 markets, Mathur said.
R300 Radio is priced at Rs 4,395 he said. "We are witnessing unprecedented growth in smaller towns and cities and plan to increase our geographic presence in such places with the launch of the Radio phone R300.
"The growing popularity of the radio in the tier-two and tier-three cities has created a tremendous opportunity for penetrating such markets and we are confident that our new offering will be well received by our customers", Mathur said.
Further strengthening their position in Radio category handsets, the company will launch R306 model with 1.3 mega pixed camera priced at Rs 6,000, Mathur said.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
‘No iPhone sweat for BlackBerry’
TORONTO: It seems BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) is not losing its sleep over the euphoria created by the iPhone worldwide.
Steering clear of the iPhone, top echelon at BlackBerry maker at its annual general meeting instead talked about bringing out better products in the future. When shareholders quizzed the top management about their response to the iPhone 3G launch, RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie reportedly said his company was not ``sweating the iPhone.''
He said RIM would keep up the momentum and stay focussed on the future, alluding to the new launches planned by the Canadian wireless giant. To match the iPhone, the company is soon likely to unveil the BlackBerry Bold which matches the Apple's device feature for feature.
Like the iPhone, BlackBerry Bold will also operate on the much faster, next-generation 3G network and have a built-in GPS.
The company which has over 16 million BlackBerry subscribers around the world - has seen its base among non-corporate types grow rapidly during the past two years.
Accordingly, to woo students, teens and the youth who have fallen madly for the iPhone because of its touch-screen technology, RIM is said to be developing its touch-screen device to be called BlackBerry Thunder.
But the company has not said anything about it yet.
Another device, aimed at older people and moms, may also be unveiled soon.
Perhaps, the company's new advertising slogan of `BlackBerry for life' sums up its future plans. The BlackBerry bosses also told the shareholders that India, Brazil and Russia were high on the priority list for the $90-billion company started by a college drop-out in 1984.
Steering clear of the iPhone, top echelon at BlackBerry maker at its annual general meeting instead talked about bringing out better products in the future. When shareholders quizzed the top management about their response to the iPhone 3G launch, RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie reportedly said his company was not ``sweating the iPhone.''
He said RIM would keep up the momentum and stay focussed on the future, alluding to the new launches planned by the Canadian wireless giant. To match the iPhone, the company is soon likely to unveil the BlackBerry Bold which matches the Apple's device feature for feature.
Like the iPhone, BlackBerry Bold will also operate on the much faster, next-generation 3G network and have a built-in GPS.
The company which has over 16 million BlackBerry subscribers around the world - has seen its base among non-corporate types grow rapidly during the past two years.
Accordingly, to woo students, teens and the youth who have fallen madly for the iPhone because of its touch-screen technology, RIM is said to be developing its touch-screen device to be called BlackBerry Thunder.
But the company has not said anything about it yet.
Another device, aimed at older people and moms, may also be unveiled soon.
Perhaps, the company's new advertising slogan of `BlackBerry for life' sums up its future plans. The BlackBerry bosses also told the shareholders that India, Brazil and Russia were high on the priority list for the $90-billion company started by a college drop-out in 1984.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Wonderful Invention of Modern Mobile Phones
These days, our the mobile phone are essential to us that it's hard to picture life without them. However, they're a quite new invention. this article traces the history of mobile phones and questions what the future holds for it.
Mobile telephones started life whena number of users of mobile radio, known as the mobileers, popularised mobile phone technology. Mobile telephones were initially installed in vehicles permanently, although later versions of the radio, that were called transportables, could also be carried, which meant that they could be used as a mobile or as moveable two-way radio. during the early 1940s, Motorola developed a two-way radio in a bag, the walkie talkie, & this was widely regarded as one of the first mobile phones.
The earliest mobile phones are now called first generation (1g) mobile phones.
The first hand held phone to be released on the us market was the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X in 1983. the mobile phone began to become popular in the 1980s with the introduction of cellphones that were based on cellular networks. mobile telephones were initially much bigger than current ones, & they were initially designed for installation in vehicles only, which is why they were called the car phone. these chunky units were later transformed for use as transportable telephones the size of a briefcase & the rest is history.
Second generation, also called 2-g, mobile telephones were introduced in the 1990s. 2-g telephone systems were characterised by their use of digital circuit switched transmission & the introduction of advanced & fast telephone to network signalling.
The introduction of 2-g systems saw telephones move from wonderful 1g telephones to teeny hand held items, which were far more moveable. this change was possible through developments in technology including more advanced batteries & energy efficient electronics.
The second generation mobile telephones had severaladvantages over 1g items. These included sms messaging, which became possible on gsm networks initially & eventually on all digital networks. the very first machine-sent message was sent in the uk in 1991. the very first person to person message was sent in finland in 1993. sms messaging soon became the communication method of preference & the general public prefer sending text messages to making voice calls.
After 2g mobile telephones, 3g mobile telephone technology arrived. 3-g is the name given to the third generation of mobile telephone standards and technology.
3-g technologies let network operators such as 02 and 3 to offer their customers a bigger range of advanced services, which include video calls, and broadband internet.
The very earliest 3-g network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in japan in may of 2001. it was launched commercially in japan on 1 october 2001. the very earliest European pre commercial 3g network was launched at the isle of man by Manx Telecom, who are owned by bt, in December 2001.
We hope our article has let you know more about the mobile phone's history. As you've probably realised, the mobile telephone's come a hell of a long way and will probably continue to go on even further.
4-g technology will certainly give the mobile phone a new lease of life, promising live streaming of tv and radio shows & much more. For mobile phones, it is clear that the sky's the limit.
Mobile telephones started life whena number of users of mobile radio, known as the mobileers, popularised mobile phone technology. Mobile telephones were initially installed in vehicles permanently, although later versions of the radio, that were called transportables, could also be carried, which meant that they could be used as a mobile or as moveable two-way radio. during the early 1940s, Motorola developed a two-way radio in a bag, the walkie talkie, & this was widely regarded as one of the first mobile phones.
The earliest mobile phones are now called first generation (1g) mobile phones.
The first hand held phone to be released on the us market was the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X in 1983. the mobile phone began to become popular in the 1980s with the introduction of cellphones that were based on cellular networks. mobile telephones were initially much bigger than current ones, & they were initially designed for installation in vehicles only, which is why they were called the car phone. these chunky units were later transformed for use as transportable telephones the size of a briefcase & the rest is history.
Second generation, also called 2-g, mobile telephones were introduced in the 1990s. 2-g telephone systems were characterised by their use of digital circuit switched transmission & the introduction of advanced & fast telephone to network signalling.
The introduction of 2-g systems saw telephones move from wonderful 1g telephones to teeny hand held items, which were far more moveable. this change was possible through developments in technology including more advanced batteries & energy efficient electronics.
The second generation mobile telephones had severaladvantages over 1g items. These included sms messaging, which became possible on gsm networks initially & eventually on all digital networks. the very first machine-sent message was sent in the uk in 1991. the very first person to person message was sent in finland in 1993. sms messaging soon became the communication method of preference & the general public prefer sending text messages to making voice calls.
After 2g mobile telephones, 3g mobile telephone technology arrived. 3-g is the name given to the third generation of mobile telephone standards and technology.
3-g technologies let network operators such as 02 and 3 to offer their customers a bigger range of advanced services, which include video calls, and broadband internet.
The very earliest 3-g network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in japan in may of 2001. it was launched commercially in japan on 1 october 2001. the very earliest European pre commercial 3g network was launched at the isle of man by Manx Telecom, who are owned by bt, in December 2001.
We hope our article has let you know more about the mobile phone's history. As you've probably realised, the mobile telephone's come a hell of a long way and will probably continue to go on even further.
4-g technology will certainly give the mobile phone a new lease of life, promising live streaming of tv and radio shows & much more. For mobile phones, it is clear that the sky's the limit.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Using a Mobile Phone As a Modem For Accessing the Internet
What features and functionality should you understand in order to fully take advantage of accessing the internet via a mobile phone? Although this can appear complicated and involved ... a little information goes a long way to "keep it simple".
For the sake of discussion .... let's say you have a mobile handset with the following specifications:
Networks...
2G Network-GSM 900/1800/1900
3G Network-UMTS 2100
Data...
GPRS- Clause 10(4+1/3+2 slots),32-48 Kbps
3G-384 Kbps
You have configured the software application given with the phone on your laptop .... and once you connect the phone to the laptop using the USB connection you can access Internet. The settings used in the software application includes "call type=GPRS". The connection speed (downlink) is around 375 Kbps when checked through a freely available tool on the Internet .... and the phone's modem speed is shown as 460.8 Kbps all the time( on the network connection). Since your speed is less than 384 Kbps (3G speed is given as the phone's spec), you're likely using 3G. Since GPRS is also supported, when the 3G coverage is not available, you're probably able switch to GSM/GPRS.
Your service provider says they support EDGE,GPRS,3G and HSDPA/HSUPA.
Here's some questions you may ask .....
* What are the theoretical maximum speeds of EDGE,GPRS, 3G?
* What is actually meant by 3G here?
* What is the underlaying technology used by my phone?
* Which method is better to connect the phone to the laptop; Bluetooth or USB?
* Your phone spec says Bluetooth v1.2 and USB2.0 and you've heard that USB2.0 (480Mbps) is faster than Blootooth v1.2 (1 Mbps). Is this correct? Will it make any difference, since your connection from phone to the Internet is 375 Kbps?
Here's some feedback to help you work through such a scenario .... and the associated questions above:
For sure, the speed with USB 2.0 should be much better than that through Bluetooth (of any class).
3G is a network technology that should offer some extended data services in addition to the regular GSM features. However, I would recommend that you check with your service providers since they should have the exact specifications that you asked for.
Theoretical speeds for EDGE are up to 10 times those of GPRS. But again, since these depend on network configuration you need to check with the service provider.
Since your speed is less than 1 mb/s, frankly, it doesn't matter if you use bluetooth or USB - the speeds cited are correct. I would use what is most convenient for you.
In any case, the edge/hsdpa connection speeds are still slower than either Bluetooth or USB, so they will not bottleneck your speed. So as long as your battery isn't about to run out, you can connect however you choose to.
3G HSUPA is Third Generation High-Speed Uplink Packet Access - a 3G mobile telephony protocol, which offers increased data transfer speeds and capacity of up to 3.6 Mbps on the downlink and up to 1 Mbps on the uplink, under ideal conditions.
3G HSDPA 3.6 is a 3G High-Speed Downlink Packet Access mobile telephony protocol, which offers increased data transfer speeds and capacity of up to 3.6 Mbps on the downlink and up to 348Kbps on the uplink, under ideal conditions.
3G - Third Generation High-Speed Downlink Packet Access - offers increased data transfer speeds and ables customers to access the Internet and email from their cellphones.capacity of up to 1.8 Mbps on the downlink and up to 348Kbps on the uplink
EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) or EGPRS provides data transfer rates significantly faster than GPRS or HSCSD. EDGE increases the speed of each timeslot to 48 kbps and allows the use of up to 8 timeslots, giving a maximum data transfer rate of 384 kbps.
HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) enables data to be transferred more rapidly than the standard GSM (Circuit Switched Data) system by using multiple channels. The maximum number of timeslots that can be used is four, giving a maximum data transfer rate of 57.6 kbps (or 38.4 kbps on a GSM 900 network). HSCSD is more expensive to use than GPRS, because all four slots are used simultaneously - it does not transmit data in packets. Because of this, HSCSD is not as popular as GPRS and is being replaced by EDGE.
GPRS - General Packet Radio Service is a mobile data service available to customers with GSM cellphones. With a GPRS connection, the phone is "always on" and can transfer data immediately, and at higher speeds: typically 32 - 48 kbps. An additional benefit is that data can be transferred at the same time as making a voice call.
I would recommend using USB as it is faster then Bluetooth. You will not have a bottleneck created by the bluetooth link.
Regarding the underlying technology ...
When you phone is connected to a 3G network it will be using W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) W-CDMA is the higher speed transmission protocol as used in the UMTS system, it is a third generation follow-on to the 2G GSM networks deployed worldwide.
When you phone is on 2G GSM it is using a form of TDMA (time division multiple access).
Again .... the main message is this: Wherever possible, simplify and make it convenient for you!
Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lemm
For the sake of discussion .... let's say you have a mobile handset with the following specifications:
Networks...
2G Network-GSM 900/1800/1900
3G Network-UMTS 2100
Data...
GPRS- Clause 10(4+1/3+2 slots),32-48 Kbps
3G-384 Kbps
You have configured the software application given with the phone on your laptop .... and once you connect the phone to the laptop using the USB connection you can access Internet. The settings used in the software application includes "call type=GPRS". The connection speed (downlink) is around 375 Kbps when checked through a freely available tool on the Internet .... and the phone's modem speed is shown as 460.8 Kbps all the time( on the network connection). Since your speed is less than 384 Kbps (3G speed is given as the phone's spec), you're likely using 3G. Since GPRS is also supported, when the 3G coverage is not available, you're probably able switch to GSM/GPRS.
Your service provider says they support EDGE,GPRS,3G and HSDPA/HSUPA.
Here's some questions you may ask .....
* What are the theoretical maximum speeds of EDGE,GPRS, 3G?
* What is actually meant by 3G here?
* What is the underlaying technology used by my phone?
* Which method is better to connect the phone to the laptop; Bluetooth or USB?
* Your phone spec says Bluetooth v1.2 and USB2.0 and you've heard that USB2.0 (480Mbps) is faster than Blootooth v1.2 (1 Mbps). Is this correct? Will it make any difference, since your connection from phone to the Internet is 375 Kbps?
Here's some feedback to help you work through such a scenario .... and the associated questions above:
For sure, the speed with USB 2.0 should be much better than that through Bluetooth (of any class).
3G is a network technology that should offer some extended data services in addition to the regular GSM features. However, I would recommend that you check with your service providers since they should have the exact specifications that you asked for.
Theoretical speeds for EDGE are up to 10 times those of GPRS. But again, since these depend on network configuration you need to check with the service provider.
Since your speed is less than 1 mb/s, frankly, it doesn't matter if you use bluetooth or USB - the speeds cited are correct. I would use what is most convenient for you.
In any case, the edge/hsdpa connection speeds are still slower than either Bluetooth or USB, so they will not bottleneck your speed. So as long as your battery isn't about to run out, you can connect however you choose to.
3G HSUPA is Third Generation High-Speed Uplink Packet Access - a 3G mobile telephony protocol, which offers increased data transfer speeds and capacity of up to 3.6 Mbps on the downlink and up to 1 Mbps on the uplink, under ideal conditions.
3G HSDPA 3.6 is a 3G High-Speed Downlink Packet Access mobile telephony protocol, which offers increased data transfer speeds and capacity of up to 3.6 Mbps on the downlink and up to 348Kbps on the uplink, under ideal conditions.
3G - Third Generation High-Speed Downlink Packet Access - offers increased data transfer speeds and ables customers to access the Internet and email from their cellphones.capacity of up to 1.8 Mbps on the downlink and up to 348Kbps on the uplink
EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) or EGPRS provides data transfer rates significantly faster than GPRS or HSCSD. EDGE increases the speed of each timeslot to 48 kbps and allows the use of up to 8 timeslots, giving a maximum data transfer rate of 384 kbps.
HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) enables data to be transferred more rapidly than the standard GSM (Circuit Switched Data) system by using multiple channels. The maximum number of timeslots that can be used is four, giving a maximum data transfer rate of 57.6 kbps (or 38.4 kbps on a GSM 900 network). HSCSD is more expensive to use than GPRS, because all four slots are used simultaneously - it does not transmit data in packets. Because of this, HSCSD is not as popular as GPRS and is being replaced by EDGE.
GPRS - General Packet Radio Service is a mobile data service available to customers with GSM cellphones. With a GPRS connection, the phone is "always on" and can transfer data immediately, and at higher speeds: typically 32 - 48 kbps. An additional benefit is that data can be transferred at the same time as making a voice call.
I would recommend using USB as it is faster then Bluetooth. You will not have a bottleneck created by the bluetooth link.
Regarding the underlying technology ...
When you phone is connected to a 3G network it will be using W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) W-CDMA is the higher speed transmission protocol as used in the UMTS system, it is a third generation follow-on to the 2G GSM networks deployed worldwide.
When you phone is on 2G GSM it is using a form of TDMA (time division multiple access).
Again .... the main message is this: Wherever possible, simplify and make it convenient for you!
Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Lemm
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Mobile is a common need in India
To know more....check out the picture below to analyze how common is a mobile phone in India.
India adds 8.21 mln mobile users in April - regulator
Indian mobile firms added 8.21 million users in April, maintaining the momentum in the world's fastest-growing mobile services market, the telecoms regulator said.The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said there were 269.30 million wireless users in India at end-April, up 57 percent from a year earlier.
In March, India had signed a record 10.2 million new users and overtook the United States to become the world's second-largest mobile market after China.
Top mobile operator Bharti Airtel led the signings in April with 2.39 million new customers.
No. 2 Reliance Communications, which is in talks with South Africa's MTN for a possible combination that could create one of the top-10 telecoms firms, added 1.62 million wireless users.
Unlisted Vodafone Essar, controlled by Britain's Vodafone Plc, added 1.65 million mobile customers in April.
Fixed-line users continued to dwindle with the subscribers declining 0.21 million in April to 39.21 million.
Total fixed-line and wireless subscribers rose 45.7 percent from a year earlier to 308.51 million at the end of April, the regulator said.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Fatal mobile technology
Cell phone towers have come in for a lot of flack since the inception of mobile technology. People who live near them have a long list of complaints ranging from a continuous buzzing or humming noise, which is annoying, to an increased risk of cancer, which is dangerous. Lately, however, a new danger has been brought into the spotlight, as a number of cell phone tower workers have plunged to their deaths.
In April, 5 workers died within 12 days, and in May another worker fell to his death. Craig Lekutis is the president of the online newsletter Wireless Estimator, and has 27 years experience in the communications construction industry. He says that these kinds of accidents often occur in spurts, which is strange enough, but that a concentrated run of deaths such as this one is extraordinary. Last year 10 people died from falling off "elevated structures" including water towers and electricity pylons, which makes the fact that 6 people have died from cell phone towers all the more remarkable.
The strange cluster of deaths has been attributed to AT&T's push to upgrade its network so that it will be able to support the new 3G iPhone that is to be released soon. So far only three of the six people who have died have been identified as AT&T employees. Nevertheless, people are claiming that in its quest for speed, AT&T has thrown safety concerns out of the window.
AT&T denies that there is any connection between the deaths and their tight upgrade deadline. A spokesperson claims that the upgrade only requires workers to adjust the software at the base of each tower and that climbing the tower is unnecessary. Others contend, however, that workers may need to climb the towers to test the upgrade or remove redundant and out-dated equipment.
Regardless of whether the events are related, AT&T has taken steps to try and address the issue. After the death of the first two AT&T employees, they called for a halt to all construction projects and ordered all subcontractors to hold a safety refresher training course. They added that they expected their subcontractors to conduct random safety checks at all construction sites to ensure that the safety measures are being enforced.
AT&T says, "We consider the safety of our contractors and our employees to be our first priority."
Recommended sites: http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/28/3g-iphones-at-any-cost-cell-tower-deaths-on-the-rise/
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
3 Mobile Phone Deals- Get The Best One
The article above describes about the various lucrative tariff plans and incentives that can be obtained with 3 mobile phone deals. It also describes about the 3G mobile phone offered at 3 and how a user can cut off the soaring bills by opting for a plan according to their calling pattern.
Today, mobile phone deals have become a popular concept among mobile phone users. The deals that are found today are specially designed with a close consideration to the calling patterns of different. With these deals, the mobile phone user can save the overpriced mobile bills. Most of the network service providers offer several lucrative deals. 3 is one such network provider that has come up with various attractive deals and services to suit the requirements of varied mobile users.
3 is the largest 3G network in the UK and today it is available across several countries. It is specialized in providing the latest 3G mobile phones as well as several cost efficient tariff plans. To get a handset teamed up with 3 network is very easy. The mobile phone handsets provided exclusively with 3 network are available from leading manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG and a lot more
The 3 mobile phone deals cater an absolute range of plans and deals that includes pay as you go mobile deals, pay monthly deals, contract deals, cheap mobile phone deals and free line rental. By teaming up the mobile phone with these tariff plans, the user can get plenty of incentives such as free talk time, free mobile accessories and free text messages.
Under the pay as you go deal, the user can stay away from the worries of monthly mobile bills and will have to pay only for the services that are being used. It is a sort of prepaid scheme where the user is required to make an advance payment for the talk time purchased. On the other hand, for the pay monthly deals, the user makes overall payment at the end of each month. The user of this plan can make calls without maintaining a regular check on their mobile credits.
The user of contract deals at 3 has to enter a contract for a limited period of time. The user who opts for cheap mobile phone deal can get their dream handset at a subsidized rate and get a plan according to their calling pattern. With these plans the mobile phone user can make it convenient for them to maintain their bills within limited budget. World Wide Web is the right place to search, compare and purchase the 3 mobile phone deals at lucrative deals.
About Author
Thomas Rivers is associated with 3 Mobile Shop. He holds a bachelor's degree in electronics and communication from IIT,Kharagpur.To know more about 3G mobile phones, Latest mobile phones, 3 mobile phone deals, 3 mobile shop, Pay as you go deal please visit http://www.3mobileshop.org.uk/
Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-thomas-rivers-4612.html
Monday, May 26, 2008
How to increase life of your mobile Phone Battery Life
Are you the kind of person for whom a mobile phone is more than just a necessity and is more of a lifeline? And you wish your battery did not run out on you so often? It is possible to get more out of your battery, you just have to keep a few things in mind.
Tip:
Turn off the phone, take out the battery and put it in again. Rest batteries for 24 hours before charging. It is known that generally even when your phone is "sleeping", it is not.
Protect your phone against thefts:
The International Mobile Equipment Identity umber (IMEI) (a 15 digit code) is programmed in the phone at the time of manufacture. This will help the police track down the phone if it is stolen. To know this number: 1. Type *#06# on the mobile. 2. A number appears. 3. Confirm this with the number on the battery. If this does not match then it means that the phone has been tampered with or is refurbished. 4. Note the number in a safe place.
Curtsy www compareindia com
Prevent the Memory Effect - Keep the battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries, which do not suffer from the memory effect. Do not leave the battery dormant for long periods of time.
Always use a battery charger, which is by the same manufacturer as your phone, it gives it more life. It also helps if you overcharge your battery now and then.
Keep the Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the portable device.
Do not leave your cell phone near any source of heat, a common place being the dashboard of your car, as extreme heat may affect the battery. The battery also operates better at room temperature, vis-Ã -vis extreme cold.
The vibrator mode of your cell phone consumes more battery, so when not needed, use the ring-tone mode.
Battery Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, store it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. Batteries tend to de-charge when not in use, so make sure you charge them again before using. The performance of any cell phone battery, however, no matter how properly cared for, usually diminishes after about a year. It is better to get your battery replaced then.
| NiMH | Li - Ion and Lithium Polymer |
| Made from Nickel Metal Hydride. | Made from Lithium Ion. |
| Higher energy density. Twice the capacity of NiCad. | Same energy as NIMH, but weigh 20-35% less. |
| More run time. | More run time, at lighter weight, thus ideal for cell phones, camcorders etc. |
| Battery's capacity reduces over time due to frequent recharging. | Can be recharged without capacity reducing |
| Environment friendly, since they do not contain heavy metals. | Environment friendly, as they do not contain mercury or cadmium and other such toxic metals. |
| Require less maintenance. | Require little maintenance. |
| Phones cost- Rs. 4,000 to Rs.6,000 | Phones cost- Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 45,000 |
FAQ:
| My new battery isn't charging. Is it defective? One needs to discharge and recharge a new battery at least 2-4 times for it to reach it's maximum rated capacity, as most of these new batteries, are not charged. An overnight charge or 12 hours, is a good enough time for your battery. An indication could be the battery getting warm to the touch. When charging the battery for the first time, the device may indicate that charging is complete after just 10 or 15 minutes. This is normal with | |
| rechargeable batteries. New batteries are hard for the device to charge; they have never been fully charged and not "broken in." Sometimes the device's charger will stop charging a new battery before it is fully charged. If this happens, remove the battery from the device and then reinsert it. The charge cycle should begin again. | |
What is "memory effect"?
A partially discharged battery at times does not fully discharges before recharging. It sort of "forgets" to do so. This is what is the memory effect. For e.g. if you fully charge your battery and then use only 50% of its capacity before the next recharge, eventually the battery will become unaware of its extra 50% capacity, which has remained unused. The battery will remain functional, but only at 50% of its original capacity. To deal with this, always fully discharge your battery, before recharging it. This can be done by, unplugging the device's AC adapter and letting the device run on the battery until it ceases to function. This will help your battery remain healthy.
What Are Volts and Milliamp-hours (mAH)?
These are ratings on every battery. Milliamp-hours or (mAH), is one-thousandth of an amp-hour (1AH = 1000mAH). The voltage of the new battery should always match the voltage of your original unless the batteries are different chemistries. NiMH and Li-Ion batteries have different voltage ratings, even if they're for the same device.
How long do typical batteries last?
Generally, 11/2 - 3 years, or 500-800 charge-discharge cycles. As the rechargeable battery begins to die, there is a decline in the running time of the battery, till it reaches to 50% of its running time, and you need a new battery.
Can I recycle my old battery?
NiCad, NiMH and Li-Ion batteries should be recycled. Be environmentally conscious - do NOT throw these batteries in the trash.
How long will my new battery run?
Battery run-time is difficult to determine. Actual battery running time depends upon the power demands made by the mobile phone. The use of the screen, the device and other accessories results in an additional drain upon the battery, effectively reducing its running time. The total run-time of the battery is also dependent upon the design of the mobile phone.
| DOs AND DON'Ts OF BATTERY USE |
Battery Do's:
| |
Battery Don'ts:
| |
Turn off the phone, take out the battery and put it in again. Rest batteries for 24 hours before charging. It is known that generally even when your phone is "sleeping", it is not.
Protect your phone against thefts:
The International Mobile Equipment Identity umber (IMEI) (a 15 digit code) is programmed in the phone at the time of manufacture. This will help the police track down the phone if it is stolen. To know this number: 1. Type *#06# on the mobile. 2. A number appears. 3. Confirm this with the number on the battery. If this does not match then it means that the phone has been tampered with or is refurbished. 4. Note the number in a safe place.
Curtsy www compareindia com
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Things to keep in mind while buying a cell phone
Learn the things to keep in mind while buying a cell phone
Buying a Cell Phone: An Overview
Buying a Cell Phone: An Overview
In the last decade the cell phone industry has grown thousand fold all around the world. A cell phone is somewhat necessary for an individual to keep up with the busy life of the current era. A few years back, a cell phone was not considered a necessity; it was just a luxury that was being enjoyed by only a small number of individuals. But nowadays, life without a cell phone seems impossible. People all around the world are addicted to the use of a cell phone. This is mainly because the cell phone is no longer just a cell phone; it has evolved into many things like a personal digital assistant (pda), music player, a global positioning system (gps) and a lot more. Everyday different manufacturers around the world are introducing the models with the new features. This is what needs to be taken into consideration when you go for buying a cell phone. You need to be sure about the features you want that suit your lifestyle well.
The Money Matter
Nowadays there is so much choice for an individual to buy a cell phone. Every company is producing the models with state of the art technology and features everyday. Price is the main thing that makes a difference in these different models. An expensive phone is likely to have more features, reliability and a better technology than a cheap one. Everyone wants a best phone in the market for him but high price of the cell phones comes in the way therefore price is a big thing that needs to be kept in mind while buying a cellular phone. But expensive and sophisticated phones are not everyone’s choice; there are people who just want a simple cell phone which is not much expensive but does its job well only as a cell phone. Also the extra features provided in the expensive phones are not everyone’s need.
Therefore the price is a main thing to keep in mind whenever you to buy a cell phone. Do not buy a cell phone just because it is expensive; buy the one that suits your needs.
Choices in Different Vendors and their Models
Lucky for the customers that nowadays there are a huge number of cell phone manufacturers who have a vast number of models for customers to choose from. Every vendor holds certain advantages that the other lacks in. This creates a great competition which is very healthy for the cell phone industry. Also this competition results in the reduction of the price which is beneficial for the end user.
Some people have liking for a certain brand but they still have a lot of choice in the models offered by the same brand. Every other day a new model is launched by a company, this is a strategy of companies to keep a customer stick to their brand and attract more.
Research is Always Better
It is always better to research about the phone you are going to buy before you set out to actually buy it. There are number of ways to know about that phone, the best one is internet. You can read the product reviews on the internet for that phone and know if there are any issues with it. You can also know the people’s view about the certain features offered by that particular device on internet. Also try to read the review by some critic about that phone; it will further clarify its view in your mind.
Hence it is to be said that in order to get the desired satisfaction, the above things should be kept in mind before buying a cell phone.
Submitted By Sherry
The HTC Touch with Innovative Touch-Sensitive User Interface
The HTC Touch is a tri-band GSM smart camera phone. It has a 2.8 inch 65 K colours TFT touchscreen that has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. The handset is equipped with a 2 mega pixel camera that has a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. It supports SMS, MMS, Email and Instant Messaging. The phone has support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity.
The device's Pocket Office feature allows one to see popular file formats like Word, Excel and PDF. The camera phone is equipped with a WAP 2.0 browser, which shows web pages in XHTML and HTML formats. The device has 128 MB of RAM that can be expanded further by using a microSD memory card. Its music player supports MP3 and AAC file formats. The handset weighs 112 gm and measures 99.9 x 58 x 13.9 mm. It uses a standard Li-ion 1100mAh battery that has a talktime of upto 5 hours and a standby time of upto 200 hours.
The phone features a handwriting recognition application and sports a 5 way navigation key. The HTC Touch uses a different kind of touchscreen to achieve finger-friendliness. HTC has written its own touch screen driver software for the purpose. As one swipes his finger from the bottom to the top of the device's display, it brings up a 3-sided cube. One can swipe from left to right or up to down to move through the different faces of the cube. The Cube's third face features many controls that launch a range of multimedia applications. The Touch has a palette of user-assignable images. A gentle tapping of a contact's picture brings up the details related to that particular contact.
A swipe from the top of the phone's screen to the bottom hides its user interface. As one swipes on the display from bottom to upwards, the Touch brings up the user interface from anywhere, even inside an application. Cool! The HTC Touch is available in four attractive colours - Soft Black, White,Wasabi Green and Burgundy. This user friendly mobile phone is widely available at attractive deals with retailers across the UK.
The Tao of Mobilism
The mobile phone scenario is getting better and better. Now that we have mobile phones that can actually offer us musical entertainment as well as office work solutions in one single platform, we can easily brag of having seen it all. But that's not all, for all that's holy. Mobile phones have comfortably replaced most of the utility oriented equipments and devices as a fusion of many solutions in one package. Small but effective, these revolutionary communication devices have slowly but steadily paved the path towards a future of relentless options for an endless display of technological progress. But that's not what I am really aiming at right now. The wonders that are laid out in front of us at the behest of the efforts of the manufacturers and an evolving technology are hardly as interesting as the sprouting of various activities that has given the industry an immense nudge towards global authority. People may deem this phenomenon in their own terms, although it easily scores a hit with me as the Tao of Mobilism.
The unusual influx of the new age mobile phones, backed with their ceremonious prowess, has opened the doors for a huge amount of possibilities. The popularity that these communication devices have garnered has shown the way towards the blossoming of some healthy activities for the industry. Mobile phone manufacturers have gracefully come together with clever ideas to promote their products in the most contagious manner possible. Every player has its hands full, as retailers and online vendors hook themselves up with the manufacturers and network operators to lay out a wide array of lucrative offers for the prospective buyers to choose from. Moreover, most of these online vendors go the extra step by offering shopping guides like comparison options, product reviews and blogs for added effect. Clearly speaking, the mobilism bandwagon has taken off with a real blast and is crossing borders with all that's happening within the arena.Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Finding Free Wi-Fi: Where to Find Free Internet Access Places
A number of restaurants and retailers offer Internet access, but a special few have both free Wi-Fi access as well as comfortable surroundings.
As more and more people live life on the go, their computing happens on the go as well. It is a
great boost to productivity to find a good place to take your laptop and stop, check e-mail, and get a little work done.
But if you don’t have a Wi-Fi card, you’ll need to find hot spots offering Internet access. Several restaurants and stores will let you log on for a price, but if you’re looking for more of a bargain, you can find a number of places that have free Internet access.
Most cities have great local places that offer free Wi-Fi, but here are some places throughout North Carolina and the U.S. that offer free Wi-Fi and a laptop-friendly environment.
Libraries—many libraries have computers with Internet access. Some libraries, such as some of the newer ones in Wake County, N.C. also have free Wi-Fi as well, so you can bring your own laptop and set up your own workstation.
Buffalo Wild Wings and Fox and Hound restaurants also provide free internet access.
Bear Rock Café, with locations from Arizona to New Hampshire, has Wi-Fi and food. You could stay there from breakfast until closing.
Many McDonald's Restaurants have Wi-Fi. Check the Mcdonalds website at mcdonalds.com and plug in your address to check.
Bruegger's Bagels also offer Wi-Fi in addition to hot crusty bagels. You'll have better chance of scoring a table if you get there after the breakfast rush.
Speedway Gas Stations have free internet access at most of their locations located throughout the U.S.
Panera Bread Company used to be high on the list, but Panera’s recently (and probably with good reason) begun limiting Internet access to 30 minutes between 11a.m. and 2p.m. Of course, if you’re using Excel or Word, or a non-internet based program, you’re still in good shape.
In addition to restaurants and service stations, many hotels also offer access to the Internet. Naturally, with some hotels you need to be a guest, but many hotels also provide Internet access in public areas, such as lobbies.
A great website for finding free Wi-Fi spots throughout the United States is the WiFi Free Spot website. Remember that the majority of these sites may not have secured wireless connections, so you may want to wait and check your bank statements or make credit card purchases from a secured connection.
Remember also to call to make sure that particular location does in fact have WiFi and that it is working properly before you head out.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Mobiles - The Rise Of Mobile Gaming
What do you use your mobile phone for nowadays?
Calling your sweetheart, sending witty text messages to friends or perhaps even surfing the internet from the comfort of your handset?
But what about games? For some they provide a welcome distraction on the commute home, and as technology continues to improve we could soon find a wider selection of high-quality titles available.
Ask most users of mobile phones and the response will most likely involve some kind of virtual reptile or puzzle game involving falling blocks.
But as technology of mobile phones continues to improve, avid gamers could soon find themselves with access to graphics normally associated with console gaming, but on a much smaller scale.
Indeed, the mobile gaming industry is growing fast, with many different genres becoming more freely available on our handsets - from puzzle games to role-playing titles and others more commonly associated with PC or console gaming.
As technology of handsets improves, with faster chips and high-quality graphic interfaces with touch-screen technology becoming more affordable - even for pay as you go mobile phones - game enthusiasts could soon have access to higher quality games in the palm of their hands.
As touch-screen devices are becoming more widely available, the potential for interactive gaming could prove popular amongst gamers.
However, some are using the handsets themselves as part of the game itself, with tilt technology built into the handset, allowing for the potential for games that are played by simply tilting the handset.
Tilt technology allows developers the chance to tap into genres usually associated with the big screen, such as driving titles or gyroscopic puzzle games that require precision tilting - meaning that a jolt on the bus could prove costly if you're trying to concentrate.
With the potential for better quality games on a smaller scale, many film companies are now tailoring mini-games to coincide with release dates of films - in some cases offering the chance to discover secrets about characters by playing through scenarios on their handsets.
With 3D graphics chips and faster processors being developed specifically for mobile phones, the next level of gaming could soon be in the palm of our hands, which could make the daily commute less boring - just make sure you don't miss your stop.
Looking for cheap mobile phones? Compare a wide range of mobile phones and pay as you go mobile phones to find a plan that suits you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Collins
Calling your sweetheart, sending witty text messages to friends or perhaps even surfing the internet from the comfort of your handset?
But what about games? For some they provide a welcome distraction on the commute home, and as technology continues to improve we could soon find a wider selection of high-quality titles available.
Ask most users of mobile phones and the response will most likely involve some kind of virtual reptile or puzzle game involving falling blocks.
But as technology of mobile phones continues to improve, avid gamers could soon find themselves with access to graphics normally associated with console gaming, but on a much smaller scale.
Indeed, the mobile gaming industry is growing fast, with many different genres becoming more freely available on our handsets - from puzzle games to role-playing titles and others more commonly associated with PC or console gaming.
As technology of handsets improves, with faster chips and high-quality graphic interfaces with touch-screen technology becoming more affordable - even for pay as you go mobile phones - game enthusiasts could soon have access to higher quality games in the palm of their hands.
As touch-screen devices are becoming more widely available, the potential for interactive gaming could prove popular amongst gamers.
However, some are using the handsets themselves as part of the game itself, with tilt technology built into the handset, allowing for the potential for games that are played by simply tilting the handset.
Tilt technology allows developers the chance to tap into genres usually associated with the big screen, such as driving titles or gyroscopic puzzle games that require precision tilting - meaning that a jolt on the bus could prove costly if you're trying to concentrate.
With the potential for better quality games on a smaller scale, many film companies are now tailoring mini-games to coincide with release dates of films - in some cases offering the chance to discover secrets about characters by playing through scenarios on their handsets.
With 3D graphics chips and faster processors being developed specifically for mobile phones, the next level of gaming could soon be in the palm of our hands, which could make the daily commute less boring - just make sure you don't miss your stop.
Looking for cheap mobile phones? Compare a wide range of mobile phones and pay as you go mobile phones to find a plan that suits you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Collins
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Things to keep in mind while buying a cell phone
In the last decade the cell phone industry has grown thousand fold all around the world. A cell phone is somewhat necessary for an individual to keep up with the busy life of the current era. A few years back, a cell phone was not considered a necessity; it was just a luxury that was being enjoyed by only a small number of individuals. But nowadays, life without a cell phone seems impossible. People all around the world are addicted to the use of a cell phone. This is mainly because the cell phone is no longer just a cell phone; it has evolved into many things like a personal digital assistant (pda), music player, a global positioning system (gps) and a lot more. Everyday different manufacturers around the world are introducing the models with the new features. This is what needs to be taken into consideration when you go for buying a cell phone. You need to be sure about the features you want that suit your lifestyle well.
The Money Matter
Nowadays there is so much choice for an individual to buy a cell phone. Every company is producing the models with state of the art technology and features everyday. Price is the main thing that makes a difference in these different models. An expensive phone is likely to have more features, reliability and a better technology than a cheap one. Everyone wants a best phone in the market for him but high price of the cell phones comes in the way therefore price is a big thing that needs to be kept in mind while buying a cellular phone. But expensive and sophisticated phones are not everyone’s choice; there are people who just want a simple cell phone which is not much expensive but does its job well only as a cell phone. Also the extra features provided in the expensive phones are not everyone’s need.
Therefore the price is a main thing to keep in mind whenever you to buy a cell phone. Do not buy a cell phone just because it is expensive; buy the one that suits your needs.
Choices in Different Vendors and their Models
Lucky for the customers that nowadays there are a huge number of cell phone manufacturers who have a vast number of models for customers to choose from. Every vendor holds certain advantages that the other lacks in. This creates a great competition which is very healthy for the cell phone industry. Also this competition results in the reduction of the price which is beneficial for the end user.
Some people have liking for a certain brand but they still have a lot of choice in the models offered by the same brand. Every other day a new model is launched by a company, this is a strategy of companies to keep a customer stick to their brand and attract more.
Research is Always Better
It is always better to research about the phone you are going to buy before you set out to actually buy it. There are number of ways to know about that phone, the best one is internet. You can read the product reviews on the internet for that phone and know if there are any issues with it. You can also know the people’s view about the certain features offered by that particular device on internet. Also try to read the review by some critic about that phone; it will further clarify its view in your mind.
Hence it is to be said that in order to get the desired satisfaction, the above things should be kept in mind before buying a cell phone.
How to increase life of your mobile Phone Battery Life
Prevent the Memory Effect - Keep the battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks. Exceptions to the rule are Li-Ion batteries, which do not suffer from the memory effect. Do not leave the battery dormant for long periods of time.
Always use a battery charger, which is by the same manufacturer as your phone, it gives it more life. It also helps if you overcharge your battery now and then.
Keep the Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the portable device.
Do not leave your cell phone near any source of heat, a common place being the dashboard of your car, as extreme heat may affect the battery. The battery also operates better at room temperature, vis-Ã -vis extreme cold.
The vibrator mode of your cell phone consumes more battery, so when not needed, use the ring-tone mode.
Battery Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, store it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. Batteries tend to de-charge when not in use, so make sure you charge them again before using. The performance of any cell phone battery, however, no matter how properly cared for, usually diminishes after about a year. It is better to get your battery replaced then.
Always use a battery charger, which is by the same manufacturer as your phone, it gives it more life. It also helps if you overcharge your battery now and then.
Keep the Batteries Clean - It's a good idea to clean dirty battery contacts with a cotton swab and alcohol. This helps maintain a good connection between the battery and the portable device.
Do not leave your cell phone near any source of heat, a common place being the dashboard of your car, as extreme heat may affect the battery. The battery also operates better at room temperature, vis-Ã -vis extreme cold.
The vibrator mode of your cell phone consumes more battery, so when not needed, use the ring-tone mode.
Battery Storage - If you don't plan on using the battery for a month or more, store it in a clean, dry, cool place away from heat and metal objects. Batteries tend to de-charge when not in use, so make sure you charge them again before using. The performance of any cell phone battery, however, no matter how properly cared for, usually diminishes after about a year. It is better to get your battery replaced then.
Sony Ericsson unveils headsets and GPS addon in Berlin
Of course nothing complements a bevy of handset announcements like a similarly sized list of accessories, and Sony Ericsson has done itself proud today in that regard. Headsets — both Bluetooth and wired — were the order of the day with a smattering of GPS, desk stand, and FM transmitter thrown in for good measure.
The HBH-DS200 is a pretty standard Bluetooth headset fare with shirt clip, a 3.5 mm jack to let you swap in your own cans (fantastic feature if you have a nice set at home) and up to 7 hours listening time; it’ll ship in box with the W960.
The HPM-90 is a wired set but has a unique display on the cord that lists incoming caller info and track title. Third and last in the headset lineup is the HPM-83, yet another wired headset but it eschews the standard earbuds for a behind the neck-style headband and large ear pads.
Also on the music-related front is the MMR-70 FM Music Transmitter which broadcasts the tunes from your handset via FM to your car or other radio and the MDS-65 Desk Stand that charges, acts as an antenna for the radio, and will even play back your music with its built-in speakers. But the best in show may be the HGE-100 (pictured above left) which can connect to any Java-enabled K800+ handset and does double duty as both GPS navigation and headset.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Informal Repair Cultures
What sets these locations apart from cities in more 'emerged' markets? Aside from the scale of what's on sale there is a thriving market for device repair services ranging from swapping out components to re-soldering circuit boards to reflashing phones in a language of your choice , naturally. Repairs are often carried out with little more than a screwdriver, a toothbrush (for cleaning contact points) the right knowledge and a flat surface to work on. Repair manuals (which appear to be reverse engineered) are available, written in Hindi, English and Chinese and can even be subscribed to, but there is little evidence of them being actively used. Instead many of the repairers rely on informal social networks to share knowledge on common faults, and repair techniques. It's often easier to peer over the shoulder of a neighbour than open the manual itself. Delhi has the distinction of also offering a wide variety of mobile phone repair courses at training institutes such as Britco and Bridco turning out a steady flow of mobile phone repair engineers. To round off the ecosystem wholesalers' offer all the tools required to set up and run a repair business from individual components and circuit board schematics to screwdrivers and software installers.
How are mobile phone repair cultures different from the everyday repair shops for other mainstream electronics filled with televisions and video recorders? For a start consider the volumes of mobile phones in the marketplace compared to other electronics. Network effects soon kick in - it's easier to find a dead RAZR to cannabalise for spares than spares for a Sony DVD drive drive quite simply because there's more of them about. The physical size of the products to be repaired is also an factor - consider the space required to store and repair 200 mobile phones vs CRT televisions. As objects that many consider essential tools for everyday life mobile phones are carried, dropped, sat on, run over, submerged in a wide variety of situations leading to use cases outside the parameters of most phones. Finally, for many emerging market consumers the phone is considered an essential tool for conducting a successful business whether it's a boda-boda driver in Kampala or a midwife in Xiamen. If a person has the choice between repairing a television or a (shared) mobile phone which do you think he or she would choose first?
Each of the cities mentioned above offers more formal repair services, usually officially through customer care service centers, but the scale and sophistication of what is on offer informally is way beyond what many readers of Future Perfect will be familiar. And yes, many of the places mentioned already have networks to (from my observations) efficiently recycle, repair and re-use a wide variety objects including electronics . But in the spirit of the Future Perfect let's start with a very basic question - why do these informal repair cultures exist at all? What is so different between London and Lhasa or Helsinki and Ho Chi Minh?
The informal repair services that are offered are quite simply driven by necessity - highly price sensitive customers cannot afford to go through more expensive official customer care centers and even if they could their phones are unlikely to be covered by warrantee - having been bought through grey market channels, been sent as gifts from friends and relatives abroad, or were locally bought used, second or third+ ownership. In many cases these users cannot afford to be without their mobile phone, not in the social sense of being out of touch (which is valid enough), but in many instances because their livelihoods depend on it. On the supply side there is a ready pool of sufficiently skilled labour, ready access to tools, components and above all knowledge.
It's worth acknowledging that grey and black goods and services are also part of the mobile phone market ecosystem - whether it's passing faked goods off as originals or offering pirated software. Some markets also sell a wide variety of phones that copy the industrial designs of other products, examples are shown here and and example of how it can unfold here (these two links are unrelated). These are however, only a part of the whole market ecosystem and from my understanding are small in scale within the context of the physical markets' themselves, compared to the repair services on offer. And before you ask - no, I'm not arguing that piracy is a minor issue.
For consumers the informal repair culture is largely convenient, efficient, fast and cheap, reducing the total cost of ownership for people for whom a small drop in price may make the difference between having or not having a phone. The culture of repair also increases the lifetime of products lowering their environmental impact (though this could be offset by other factors such as inefficiency of using old batteries).
What can we learn from informal repair cultures?
Aside from the benefits, what are the risks for consumers and for companies whose products are repaired, refurbished and resold? Given the benefit to (bottom of the pyramid) consumers are there elements of the repair ecosystem that can be exported to other cultures? Can the same skills be applied to other parts of the value chain? And, turning to my original interest in this topic and the work we do in the Mobile HCI Group, given the range of resources and skills available what would it take to turn cultures of repair into cultures of innovation?
Nokia N80 disassembly
Tools required: T6 screwdriver & pair of non magnetic tweezers or a plastic shim such as a guitar plectrum
- Remove the battery & sim card. Undo the torx screws shown in the image below
- Using the handle end of the tweezers, insert them into the grooves, shown by the arrows below.
- Lever the tweezers out to undo the tabs at the top and middle and your phone will be like below. Slide the top cover down towards the keypad to remove it.
- The top cover and keypad have now been removed (below).
- Next remove the soft key board by removing the screws indicated below.
- Now remove the LCD screen by disconnecting the ribbon cable, which the arrow shows below. Gently lift this part until it unplugs from the main board
- Using the tweezers, pop out the screen by levering it with the tweezers in the area indicated by the arrows in the picture below.
- Your phone should now be as pictured below.
- Replace the old LCD with new Reverse the procedure for disassembly and it's finished.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sony Ericsson Lowers Earnings Expectations Due to Slowed Sales
Sony Ericsson has announced that it is lowering its Q1 sales and profits expectations, thanks to slow growth in the mid-level and high-end handset market. The lower profits are also partially blamed on a shortage of certain components for mid-range handsets.
Sony Ericsson is expected to publish its Q1 2008 reports on April 23rd. Company President Dick Komiyama reasons that the handset manufacturer has recently been focusing on expanding its portfolio in new markets and will likely begin seeing positive results from that in the second half of 2008.
Sony Ericsson is expected to publish its Q1 2008 reports on April 23rd. Company President Dick Komiyama reasons that the handset manufacturer has recently been focusing on expanding its portfolio in new markets and will likely begin seeing positive results from that in the second half of 2008.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Repair Techniques - Nokia 2650 & Variants
When dismantling any phone, great care should be taken to ensure that no damage is caused to any of the parts. Rough handling may result in severe damage of many parts, and if proper anti-static procedures are not followed, electrostatic damage may result in any electronic component.
Before commencing, it is recommended that the correct tools are purchased for the job in hand - at the very least, you will require a Torx T6 screwdriver.
Step 1. Remove the battery cover.
Step 2. Protect the screen with a film or similar.
Step 3. The back plate is attached to the hinge with adhesive tape. Note:- To avoid damaging the plastic lugs, only remove the back plate by lifting to the right of the Nokia logo.
Step 4. If you need to replace the adhesive tape, now would be a good time to get it done.
Step 5. The face assembly is held in place to the lower part of the chassis with two plastic lugs. Carefully release these as shown below
Step 6. With the lugs released, slide the face assembly in the direction shown to release it from the lower part of the chassis.
Step 7. Fold the face assembly as shown below.
Step 8. You should now be able to remove the face assembly by simply pulling it away from the top part of the chassis.
Step 9. Protect the inner face of the screen.
Step 10. Remove the four Torx T6 screws in the order shown below.
Step 11. Remove the next four Torx T6 screws in the order shown below.
Step 12. You should now be able to simply lift away the b-cover from the lower section of the phone.
Step 13. And repeat with the upper section.
Step 14. At this point, take careful notice of the placement of the coaxial cable in the lower chassis.
Step 15. Also take notice of cable placement in the hinge area.
Step 16. And, of course, the upper section of the phone.
Step 17. The picture below shows coaxial cable placement in the aerial chamber.
Step 18. Lift the coaxial cable off the main circuit board using tweezers.
Step 19. Take careful note of the position of the coaxial cable for reassembly.
Step 20. You can now carefully remove the cable. Note that when you come to reassembly, you should start at the aerial end of the phone stretching the cable towards the hinge, and likewise on the lower section of the phone.
Step 21. Remove the two Torx T5 screws from the lower chassis.
Step 22. Fold the phone in half as shown below.
Step 23. Carefully release the screen connector using a large bladed screwdriver.
Step 24. With the screen connector released, you can now remove it completely from it's connector.
Step 25. You can now separate the two halves of the phone.
Step 26. Open the two hooks before attempting to remove the hinge assembly.
Step 27. Take great care not to damage the screen connector cable when removing the hinge assembly.
Step 28. Remove the two snaps before attempting to remove the aerial assembly.
Step 29. You should now be able to remove the aerial assembly.
Step 30. Release the four clips shown below.
Step 31. You can now lift the screen surround away.
Step 32. Remove the vibra motor using tweezers or similar.
Step 33. Carefully release the LCD screen connector.
Step 34. Use a thin plastic shim to carefully release the screen.
Step 35. Release the four clips of the key dome shield.
Step 36. With the clips released, you can lift the key dome shield away.
Step 37. The main circuit board can now be lifted away.
Step 38. The microphone and main connector block should simply fall out of the chassis.
Step 39. Reassembly is a simple reversal of the above steps taking extra time to ensure that everything works as it should, and that you have caused no damage whilst inside the handset.
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