29
Jul
2010
Recycling Your Old Mobile Phone
According to research, it was shown that the average lifespan of a regular mobile phone for any user is about two years. While this value may eventually change as technology improves, it is still a good estimate on how many handsets an average person will go through in a lifetime. With that said, the average adult would have already used about four to five mobile handsets since the time that the technology has become common.
So what happens to these old handsets?
For some, about one or two of these devices would have been lost, stolen or simply in any similar situation where the device would be completely irretrievable, but this still leaves a few more phones that are sitting around. And chances are, these phones literally are sitting around the house.
While selling off or trading in mobile phones are pretty common practices, some people just find the whole process too troublesome to go through, and a phone to valuable to toss into the garbage bin (though some will). But one way or another, all of these old handsets will eventually be joining in with so many other discarded, unused mobile phones that will fill up giant landfills.
It is estimated that about 450 million Pounds worth of mobile handsets are currently unused in the UK alone.
The best thing to do with old mobile phones is to have them sent in for recycling. While this may seem like a waste of time, it is effort well spent. Not only will these devices be given a second use (either as a refurbished unit or as a source for raw materials), but many recycling centers also give out cash incentives to people who bring in their mobile phones.
On a side note, people bringing in their handsets should check the history of their mobile phone to ensure that the device does not have a questionable background. Recycling centers have now focused on searching for stolen devices as well.
27
Jul
2010
Data Roaming Charges Skyrocket for iPhone Users
It seems that Apple has placed in some functions on the iPhone that are leaving users with unexpectedly large bills due to data roaming charges.
A recent report indicates that iPhone users are the most susceptible to having large bills after leaving the country due to data roaming charges on the handset. According to the consumers, they have used the phone setting that would disable the data roaming function. Despite this, the Apple smart phone apparently was still able to use the function. As to what data was exactly gathered by the handset was, it is still unknown.
Smart phones are able to access the web automatically if the user permits it. Settings easily toggle web access for users and mostly, this is used for live status updates for social networking tools, incoming emails and application updates and other functions. However, due to the naturally high cost of data roaming charges, it is often advised that users turn off these features until they get back to the UK.
However, as stated above, local iPhone users who have spent time outside the country and have disabled the network function are still being charged high costs on their mobile phone bills.
The good thing for most people is that networks seem to be already aware of the problem and are willing to assist their subscribers. While bills will not automatically be recalculated for everyone, those who do step forward to discuss the issue would be happy to know that there are very few complications with having the excess amounts dropped or even refunded if the amount has already been paid (or in some cases, instead of a refund, a rebate).
It is interesting that there is no mobile network operator that seems interested in coming forward to discuss the issue openly with iPhone owning subscribers.
12
Jul
2010
Smart Phones, Social Networking and More
A recent study has shown that one out of four women between the ages of 18 to 34 would prefer to check their Facebook account before doing anything else in the morning. That little study alone shows how much the two technologies have changed and shaped society to the way that it is today.
For most of us in the tech industry, such results are not actually surprising, if anything, one can even call it predictable or inevitable. The power of smart phones to bring information access and connectivity as well as the addictive nature of the social networking site Facebook is a truly undeniable force to reckon with. And putting the two together makes all the sense in the world.
So now we have a society where more than a fourth of women from the ages of 18 to 34 are more interested in the latest status updates than actually getting on their feet first thing in the morning.
Social networking sites have always had the potential to be big and influential. In fact, when the first sites such as Multiply and MySpace appeared, it was hard to imagine that any other social networking service would be able to compete. But Facebook surprised everyone with their impressive API’s for web apps and of course a whole new take on the social networking scene.
This was further boosted by the increase of popularity of smart phone handsets. These phones –growing together with the rise of 3G networks and better WiFi services, became a new standard of open source entertainment –and they took Facebook along for the ride.
It is undeniable that the social networking site came in at just the right time, and they were the company that witnessed the golden age of smart phones –they also became the choice social networking site for many tech fans. And with impressive new handsets like the Samsung Wave and the HTC Desire being released this year, the popularity of smart phones and social networking is unlikely to go into decline anytime soon.
2
Jul
2010
Three Reasons Why You Should Get an HTC Desire
The HTC Desire is currently one of the most highly-rated Smartphone in the market. In fact, if you browse through a number of mobile phone reviews about the Desire online, you’re unlikely to find one that has anything bad to say about this wonderful device. Well, if you’re still searching for a negative review then you ought to look elsewhere as this particular article is all about why you should stop scouring the web and head straight for one of the HTC Desire deals, instead.
The Features
To put it simply, the HTC Desire is one of the most impressive Smartphones we’ve seen in a while. It packs in features such as a 5-Megapixel camera, full voice and data connectivity options, and an excellent software + hardware combo. With its 1 GHz monster of a processor, the Desire is also one of the fastest and most responsive Smartphones around.
The Operating System
The HTC Desire has been gifted with Google’s Andoroid operating system. This OS is very impressive and some critics are saying that it has topped the likes of the iPhone’s or the Blackberry’s proprietary operating systems. We can’t disagree. With all that awesome Google apps on board, combined with a very user-friendly and high performance OS, the Android is definitely currently the one to beat.
The Price
Right now, the iPhone 3GS is the most popular Smarpthone in the market (though the newly released iPhone 4 is likely to change that). However, if you’ve been paying attention to what we’ve been saying then you’ve probably realize that the HTC Desire is a much better mobile than the 3GS. Even better is that it’s much cheaper. For only around £400 you can get your hands on your own desire. That’s around £140 cheaper than the famed iPhone 3GS.
25
Jun
2010
Mobile Phone Safety: Tips for Keeping Your Phone Safe
As impressive as technology has become in the recent years, it is also getting more and more expensive. And as such, mobile phones –especially smart phones, are prime targets of unscrupulous individuals and any opportunists who would not think twice about taking advantage of a handset that has been left unattended.
While it is also common for phone owners to actually break, drop, bend or smash their devices accidentally, there are also times when users accidentally leave their phones behind in a restaurant chair, on a café table, in a gym locker and other such locations. Here are a few tips on being able to keep track of your mobile phone.
First off, stick to good storage options. You might have a locked drawer in your office table or a secure pocket inside your bag; these are often great places to store an expensive device in without having to worry about the handset being taken while your attention lies elsewhere.
For those planning to spend a long busy night out partying, it is best to set a regular alarm on your mobile phone. Having a phone beep loudly every fifteen minutes will not be a bother to other people in a loud bar, and it will remind the owner that the device is still present even when the drinks start piling up. Of course, it would be a good idea to charge a device up prior to doing this because this would drain the battery heavily.
Avoid sticking the handset into the back pocket of pants and try not to make a habit of making the device something that you casually carry around in your hand. Having a phone in a back pocket could have it slip out or get crushed when you sit.
24
Jun
2010
How Location Based Apps are Changing Economy
Before the introduction of the modern smart phone technology, at a time when internet access was something that only a few people had available, many small businesses thrived on having geographically close customers from small, local communities.
Many of these businesses continue until this very day, while some have died out, other have found a new range of customers walking into their stores thanks to the power of smart phone technology.
While this may seem hard to put together, the smart phone industry has plenty of impact on small businesses. Take Foursquare for example. As the application encourages people to go out more, they also encourage people to visit more places. Of course, some users would aim for a mayor badge by visiting a single establishment often, but more often than not, people try to get other badges by being able to visit many other locations.
The fact that users can also leave feedbacks and recommendations is also quite impressive. More often than not, a visit to a nearby bookstore or fitness gym will have users reading recommendations about nearby pubs or restaurants. A quick stay at a local hotel might get you recommendations for the best movie houses around town. And there are more locations based services than just Foursquare.
GPS navigation services often employ a “point of interest” feature which not only shows users the locations of nearby health and emergency centers, but also the nearest stores and shops. Landmarks –both the well known and the locally established, are often noted as well. In fact, it can be said that GPS technology has allowed may businesses that have ‘bad locations’ (mostly as some road works would re-route traffic flow, turning previously busy streets into quiet side routes) to flourish. With Nokia and Google now offering free voice guided sat-nav services, expect this impact to get even larger.
23
Jun
2010
Android Retro Gaming: BreakTheBlocks Relives Arkanoid
There plenty of old school casual arcade games that are as fun to play today as they are now. However, not all of these impressive classics find a new version or update that is playable on the newer game consoles, handhelds and in this case, smart phone.
Thankfully, there are many game developers who have been heavily inspired by these titles that they have started working on their own version of the classics. Here is a quick look BreakTheBlocks, and Android app game that is similar in style to Arkanoid.
Anyone who has played Arkanoid before would know the game for the basic layout it has. The player has control of a single flat line below the screen, similar to a Pong style paddle, a ball and various blocks on the upper area of a stage that surrounded by blocks. It might sound complicated in text, but visually, it is hard to get simpler than this game.
The objective of the game is to make the ball hit the blocks on the upper area of the stage. The blocks will break when the ball hits and when the blocks have all run out, then the player wins the stage and move on to the next. If the player misses the ball, a life is lost and the game ends when all the lives are out.
Now that the summary is out of the way, we can focus on the BreakTheBlocks version. In terms of style and feel, it looks pretty much like every Arkanoid style game ever made. The slightly larger blocks and small stage makes for a slightly more challenging gameplay style, but considering the controls of the Android smart phone, this style is better suited to the controls.
BreakTheBlocks Lite is available for free on the Google Android market with 10 levels while the full paid version offers 50 stages.
17
Jun
2010
Research Shows: Internet Exposes Children to “Negative Content”
Norton is brand that has always been affiliated with their efficient and powerful antivirus software. Throughout the years, the company has grown and expanded its services to provide deeper levels of security and threat prevention software to their many clients all over the world.
Annually, the company conducts various studies of growing threat patterns –especially on the ever evolving internet. And from what they have discovered, it appears that children are often given internet access without being properly prepared.
The new Norton Family Report for 2010 shows that at least three out of 5 children will encounter negative material on the internet. And anyone who has tried using the internet before, finding violence, nudity, and other adult oriented material on the internet is as common as seeing a tree on the roadside. It is everywhere, and no one can properly manage or hide it. While we certainly do not need to keep trees away, children deserve better than to be surprised with images of naked women.
However, the solution is not to cover the children’s eyes and pretend that the issue is not there. There is nothing about the internet that states that only people of a certain age is allowed to use the resources available. Children have as much right to browse as any grown up, but the matter of preparing and educating children, falls on the hands of parents.
With the advent of smart phone technology, 3G and wireless LAN, there is no way that a parent could ever prevent a child from going online. The best thing to do is to give the child the proper amount of awareness and guidance on the various issues and problems associated with going online and interacting with people on the internet.
While it is difficult, providing your kids with the proper education and discipline is far better than any firewall or filter that anyone can provide.
4
Jun
2010
Quick List of Upcoming Androids
Google’s Android operating system is currently the most talked about mobile platform. With the announcement of version 2.2 Froyo at the recent Google I/O conference, we got to see the amazing new features, speed improvements and even Flash compatibility on this open source OS.
The only thing now is actually buying an Android smart phone that tickles our fancy, and with the current choices available from HTC, Sony and more, there is certainly a lot to be happy about. But if none of these existing devices excite you, then you might want to read about upcoming Android smart phones and see if on suits your tastes.
The first big name on the list is the Dell Streak. It is already coming out at the end of the week so for any upcoming phone listings, this entry offers the least amount of waiting. Still, there is much more to the Streak than just an early release date, it runs on a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, has a 5 mega pixel camera and a whopping 5 inch capacitive touch screen display.
But if going big is not your thing, then you might want to size down with Sony Ericsson’s X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro. Both of these smart phones come with a neat little 2.55 inch TFT touch screen display and a decent 600MHz CPU. The Pro comes with an extra treat: a slide out QWERTY keyboard perfect for those who love typing on their phones.
Speaking of Sony Ericsson, the Japanese Swedish joint venture has let it known that they have another Android smart phone coming soon and the next one will be using their impressive Walkman technology. We’re expecting a device that is about the size of the X10 Minis, but with a little more hardware power under the hood.
Loading ...