Bluetooth 4.0 expected by Christmas 2010

March 11, 2010 at 9:50 am by Hannah | In Mobile Content/Services, Mobile News, Mobile Phones, Wireless Products And Services

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) have announced that the new low-powered Bluetooth 4.0 standard will start to be implemented before the end of the year, with devices likely to be available in time for Christmas.

Th current version seen in many smartphones and wireless headsets is 2.1, however v4.0 is already on the horizon and will bring benefits such as a low power mode which will help decrease battery drain

Low Power demands can now be implemented in a whole range of new devices; the current Bluetooth standard requires AAA battery power or more, where as the up coming v4.0 will easily run off a watch battery.

Version 4.0 also builds upon the increased data capabilities of build 3.0, by allowing equipped devices to connect to Wi-Fi networks at speeds up to 25Mbits per second.

Although we will be seeing a massive improvement in power consumption, v4.0 Bluetooth will still use roughly the same amount as v3.0 when data is streamed continuously.

Check back for updates on when Bluetooth version 4 is likely to be making an appearance and what handsets will be sporting this refreshed version.

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Poor 3G coverage? There’s a femtocell service for that…

January 20, 2010 at 9:58 am by Mark | In Mobile Content/Services, Mobile Networks, Wireless Products And Services

Okay, so that title doesn’t work quite well as Apple’s ‘there’s an app for that’ campaign but if Vodafone are to be believed then their “Sure Signal” box does. The “Sure Signal” is a small box which plugs into your broadband hub, either at home or in the office and is said to “significantly improve 3G signal indoors”

If this is true, then this little bit of kit could be worth its weight in gold to those of us who suffer with a signal that is defeated by bricks and mortar; unfortunately however, this will apparently only work with Vodafone’s 3G network but even so, if it works as well as claimed, hopefully a few other networks will jump on the bandwagon and sort out signal problems.

How much is this magical little box that does what Vodafone alone cannot? Well, apparently if your on a £25 a month contract or more, then it will set you back a one off £50 fee; which when you think about it, is worth it if it means no more having to stand near the closest window, just to get a strong enough 3G signal to check your email? We’re going to go with yes on that.

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O2’s 4G LTE Network

December 15, 2009 at 11:10 am by Mark | In Mobile Content/Services, Mobile News, Wireless Products And Services

Now the title of this post may seem like a string of pretty irrelevant letters and numbers, until you find out what the LTE stands for, or more importantly what it actually is. LTE stands for Long Term Evolution, which all sounds well and good, but still doesn’t really hint at what it actually is.

Well, LTE is considered by many to be the obvious successor to the current generation of UMTS 3G technology, which is based upon WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA, and HSPA. LTE is not a replacement for UMTS in the way that UMTS was a replacement for GSM, but rather an update to the UMTS technology that will enable it to provide significantly faster data rates for both uploading and downloading.

In lamens terms, ultra fast mobile broadband. O2 (in conjunction with Chinese firm Huawei) has just begun testing it’s 4G network in the Slough area and has reported actual download speeds of 150mbps, which, when compared to even the fastest broadband toting handsets out there, makes HSDPA seem as crude and slow as using a carrier pigeon in favour of an e-mail.

So, what will it actually allow you to do? well, we would assume that somewhere high on the network’s wishlist is the ability to stream HD video directly to your phone. HD movies whilst on the bus/train anyone?

Now, don’t go getting too excited about this just yet, the technology is still in early testing and isn’t likely to be seen on public display until late into 2010. We don’t know about you, but Christmas presents this year might seem a little under-whelming knowing what will most certainly be on our letters to Santa next year. Okay, so maybe a slight exaggeration but still, 150mbps download speeds? Yes please!

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A Nokia first: The Nokia Booklet 3G

October 15, 2009 at 11:40 am by Mark | In Just For Fun, Wireless Products And Services

This story isn’t particularly mobile phone related, but we think you’ll want to read this anyway…

You may remember a little while back, rumours that Nokia were producing a netbook. Many laughed and simply disregarded the rumour as exactly that, completely unsubstantiated rumour. However, it is the few believers that are now laughing, Nokia have confirmed a date that this technology will be available, although, as it stands currently, it is only the Germans and the Americans which will benefit from a netbook made by the Worlds No.1 Mobile Phone manufacturer, but fear not, it is destined for our shores too.

Those lucky enough to live in Germany can get their hands on the Booklet 3G on October 22nd, with the UK surely to follow soon after. The Booklet 3G is to be offered, for EUR249 with an additional EUR20 per month (24 month contract.)

Nokia’s Netbook will sport the new Windows 7 OS and will be powered by Intel’s Atom Processor as well as offering HSPA and Wi-Fi technology. It has a built in 10-inch display and supports Nokia’s range of Ovi services. It has also been claimed that when fully charged, the Booklet 3G can keep on working for up to 12 hours!! That’s quite a bold claim to make considering the average netbook will last a frankly miserable 4 hours in comparison. However, if anyone can do it, the Finns over at Nokia can; after all, you don’t build a company into the worlds biggest mobile phone manufacturer by luck!

Keep an eye on the blog for updates and anymore information we get.

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3 launches Mobile Wi-Fi!

September 22, 2009 at 10:49 am by Dan | In Mobile Content/Services, Mobile Gadgets, Mobile Networks, Wireless Products And Services

The humble mobile broadband dongle has been something of an unsung hero for some time. With its plug and play set up, high speed connectivity and light weight size, the mobile broadband modem was the quickest and easiest way to get online when you were out and about. The only drawback was that mobile broadband dongles were strictly a one player affair as they connected via a single USB port. No sharing the online love with your friends or setting up your own wireless network and no support for non-USB devices. Until now that is as UK mobile operator 3 has officially launched Mobile Wi-Fi. Want to know what it’s all about? Then read on…

Mobile Wi-Fi on the 3 network works in the same way as traditional mobile broadband modems. The included sim sits inside the Mobile Wi-Fi device and gives you a connection of up to 3.6 Mbps. The difference is that rather than connecting via a USB cable, you connect wirelessly via a Wi-Fi connection. The Mobile Wi-Fi device can support multiple connections at once so is perfect when shared between students or for a start up business. Best of all, as all you need s a Wi-Fi enabled device to connect and get online, you don’t have to just use a Laptop, you can use anything from an iPod Touch to your mobile phone and even a Sony PSP.

The Mobile Wi-Fi device from three is available on a 1 month rolling contract so you don’t have to worry about signing your life away. £69.99 gets you the device, 5GB of data a month and you’re good to go. The Mobile Wi-Fi modem is not only great when you’re out and about but also doubles as a wireless router when you’re at home. Let’s say you’re upstairs and your friend is downstairs and you want to watch a movie he’s got stored on his laptop. Simply connect to his laptop using the Mobile Wi-Fi device as a router and share pictures, music, movies - whatever you want! In stock now at Mobiles.co.uk, click here to check it out!

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Want anonymous texting? Use your loaf!

January 5, 2009 at 9:19 am by Dan | In Mobile Content/Services, Mobile Phone Applications, Wireless Products And Services

Ever wanted someone to contact you but not wanted to give them your mobile number? No, me either, but if you did happen to answer yes, your prayers have been answered! Loaf is a new texting service that allows for you to send and receive texts without the recipient getting hold of your number. The way it works is quite simple; sign up free of charge on the Loaf website for your free Loaf username, register your mobile number and then where you would have originally given your mobile number to a person, simply give them your Loaf username.

Putting my scepticism to one side, there are actually some useful applications for this service. For instance, if you’re selling something on eBay or in a magazine or your local paper and want to provide contact details without giving away your personal mobile number, use your loaf. Personally I just keep a spare pay as you go sim card for this purpose but hey, each to their own. Loaf also list a wealth of other scenarios which would benefit the use of anonymous texting such as giving out your Loaf id to someone you meet out in a bar or for dating thanks to the handy block feature which allows you to block messages from a specific sender. I’m not sure how flattering it is to give someone your loaf id rather than your mobile number as surely this sends out the message “i like the look of you but am slightly concerned you will turn out to be a weirdo”.

Will it take off? Who knows, personally the idea of anonymous texting isn’t for me but at 25p per text sent, no charge for receiving and a relatively painless setup, it may be exactly what you’re missing from your mobile life.

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3 to Increase the Speed of it’s HSDPA and HSUPA

November 18, 2008 at 5:33 pm by Jack | In Mobile Networks, Mobile News, Wireless Products And Services

3 have already completed a rollout to give more than 95 per cent of the UK’s population access to 3.6Mb/s HSDPA, but not one to sit on their laurels they have now vowed to increase the speed of HSDPA mobile broadband over the next couple of years, and claim that its customers in London and “other major cities” will be able to access the web at 14.4Mbps by 2010, double the current speed.

3 say the supercharged 3G system will be ready to launch by the third quarter of that year, and has promised to increase HSUPA speeds in large cities to 5.7Mbps by the same time.

Rumour also has it that 3 users who don’t live in a built up city area should also see a doubling of the current speed, from 3.6Mbps to 7.2Mbps, however, senior 3 executive Hugh Davies couldn’t confirm how long it will be before customers living in more rural areas of the country would be able to get the same HSDPA and HSUPA speeds as their London based counterparts.

This increase in browsing power is sure to come as great news to 3G modem/ USB modem enthusiasts, so I for one can’t wait to see what happens over the next couple of years.

To take a look at our current range of mobile broadband offers click here and be sure to keep an eye on the blog for the latest in mobile news.

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