Mobile phone emergency alert Sytem being tested in the UK

A system that sends emergency alerts to mobile phones within areas affected by flooding, industrial accidents or other local risks is to be tested in the UK.

Government pilots in Easingwold, in North Yorkshire, Leiston, in Suffolk, and Glasgow city centre will evaluate how the public react to the alerts.


Up to 50,000 people will receive messages marked as a test this autumn.
The US, the Netherlands and Australia use a similar system, but one expert said it could be targeted by hackers.

The Cabinet Office, which announced the trials, said it was working with mobile phone operators O2, Vodafone and EE to conduct the experiment.



The tests will start later this month and continue into October and November.
Those sent the texts will be asked to provide feedback, and will also be encouraged to attend local focus groups. A report is expected in early 2014, after which ministers will decide whether to deploy the scheme.

 

Chester Wisniewski Senior advisor at data security firm Sophos

The trials come after the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2010 set out the government's commitment to "evaluate options for an improved public alert system".

 

Whats the Security concerns?

 
The trial will test two distinct methods of delivering emergency alerts to mobile phones.
The first uses traditional SMS, or text messaging, while the second uses cell broadcast (CB) technology, which operates on a dedicated network, not used for calls or texts.
While cell broadcast messages can only be sent by mobile operators and look slightly different to a conventional SMS, text messages can be sent by anyone - which means alerts could be impersonated.
 

 

Countries like Chile, which are prone to earthquakes are implementing mobile alerts systems

 

She also assured that the mobile alerts would work alongside existing services, allowing members of the public to verify messages with other sources.

  Did it work in America?

 
Mobile alert systems have already been used in several countries to alert people about disappearances, prison escapes, wanted vehicles.
 

Places which are prone to more serious natural disasters, such as Japan and Chile, are also implementing versions of the technology.



Californian Highway Patrol officials used the mobile alerts for the first time in the state one evening in August after two children went missing. Many people complained after they were woken by their phones buzzing and beeping.

However, there was more positive feedback a few weeks later when a 17-month-old missing toddler was reunited with her family in North Carolina after a message was sent to mobile phones in the area.

The Cabinet Office is proposing that the technology will only be used in the UK if there is a distinct threat to life or property.

The Battle over 4G Begins

The battle to attract customers to use new 4G mobile networks stepped up a notch today, as Vodafone and O2 both launched their versions of the service and Three said it would provide it for free to those prepared to wait for its offering to start in December.

 

Rival firm EE got a jump on the competition when they launched their “super-fast” 4G service in the UK last October, and are reported to be winning “hands down” when it comes to coverage.

But the other networks are now catching up,

O2 switching on the service for up to five million people in London, Leeds and Bradford, they also spent £550 million to stake its own claim to the lowest proportion of the spectrum.


Vodafone launched in parts of the capital.

Both say they plan to ultimately provide coverage to 98 per cent of the population, and by the end of this year they say they will be bringing 4G to London, Birmingham, Bradford, Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Vodafone said 4G – the so-called “fourth generation” of networks – will be able to provide data to smartphone users at a rate around six times faster than the current 3G services.
The company paid £802 million to secure the necessary mobile phone frequencies


Meanwhile, for those willing to wait until its service launches in December, mobile network Three said its customers would be offered 4G across all of its price plans – meaning no premium charges like those levied by its competitors.

Its said that while current pricing rates look pretty similar across the board, some consumers may now choose to “play the waiting game” to take advantage of Three's service when it launches at the end of the year in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

 

ee Launch 4g

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE LAUNCHES EE

A new company, a new network, a new brand

Everything Everywhere have announced the launch of EE – the UK’s most advanced digital communications company.

EE will become the new name of the Everything Everywhere business and its network.
EE will also be launched as a new superfast customer brand in the coming weeks. It is a brand born in the digital age, designed to serve both consumers and businesses, offering the UK’s only 4G mobile service and complemented by fixed-line fibre broadband.

The new EE brand will stand alongside Orange and T-Mobile. Together they will provide mobile services to 27 million people, now served by the UK’s biggest and best network.

Olaf Swantee, CEO of EE said:  “Today we launch a new company, a new network and a new brand for Britain.

“Our plans to revolutionise the UK communications market with a faster network and an exciting new brand for the digital age are built on solid investment and a simple belief that customers deserve better.

“We look forward to connecting the country with superfast mobile speeds in the coming weeks, months and years.

“And it starts today, with the announcement of our new business, our new brand and a new digital infrastructure that our company, our customers and the country can be proud of.”

EE – superfast 4G and fibre

The EE customer brand will launch with 4G services for consumers and businesses in the coming weeks.

It will be the first brand in the country to offer a mobile 4G service – the pioneering new technology that offers superfast mobile internet at speeds typically five times faster than 3G speeds today.
EE will also launch a fibre broadband service to homes and businesses with fixed-line internet speeds typically ten times faster than today’s average broadband speeds.

It means that EE’s 4G customers will be the first in the UK to enjoy superfast speeds on their mobile and at home or at work.

With superfast 4G mobile, customers will be able to:

• Access the web on the go without waiting
• Download high-definition movies in minutes
• Watch live TV on the move without buffering
• Play live multiplayer games on the go
• Download large email attachments quicker than ever
• Make high quality video calls on the move

Four cities – London, Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham – are switched on today for the company’s engineers to begin live testing and systems integration, in readiness for the customer launch.

EE’s 4G network will cover a third of the UK population in 2012 – over 20 million people – and customers on the EE brand will also have access to the largest 3G network in the UK outside of the 4G cities. Further towns, cities and rural areas, will follow rapidly with 2013 population coverage to reach 70%, with 98% covered by 2014.

EE’s 2012 launch schedule will see 16 areas of the country connected to 4G by Christmas – the UK’s four capitals and twelve further major cities.
The 16 cities are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Glasgow,
Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield and Southampton.

EE will offer a range of state-of-the-art devices alongside its superfast 4G mobile network with more to be announced shortly. Today, EE confirmed it is to launch the following 4G devices:
 



  Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE – with a 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display, you can watch videos on your mobile like never before. Innovative Smart Stay automatically recognises when you are looking at the phone, maintaining a bright display for
continued viewing pleasure.



 



Nokia Lumia 920 – flagship Nokia Windows Phone 8 smartphone. Take bright, blur-free photos and videos in any light conditions with PureView technology – Optical Image Stabilisation and Carl Zeiss lens and view on a 4.5” PureMotion HD+ capacitive display.


 


  Nokia Lumia 820 – colourful, stylish, innovative design, with a 4.3 OLED WVGA screen. Capture great photos and movies with an 8MP Auto Focus camera, with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash. Charge wirelessly without plugging in using a Wireless Charging Shell.





 

The HTC One XL – high quality entertainment and precision navigation combine in this handset, thanks to a large 4.7” HD touchscreen display. Full HD video, and front and rear facing camera let you capture crisp, vivid photos and movies in high
quality wherever you are.



 

Huawei Ascend P1 LTE – a powerhouse dual-core processor is packed in to this handset’s slim design. Take stunningly clear images or HD videos on an 8MP autofocus camera with LED flash and playback on the 4.3” high-res touchscreen.





 
Huawei E589 Mobile WiFi – hook up to five devices to the EE 4G network, making your existing phone, laptop or digital screen superfast even if they’re not 4G. Long battery life of up to 10 hours, enjoy 4G wireless broadband anytime, anywhere.




 
Huawei E392 Mobile Broadband stick – download and upload documents and files in super quick time on the go with this device. Make your laptop mobile and superfast, by hooking it up to the EE network. You’ll stay compatible with 3G too and seamlessly switch to the optimal connection.
EE’s superfast fibre broadband service will launch at the same time to complement the company’s superfast 4G mobile service. It will be available to 11 million households and businesses by the end of the year reaching two thirds of UK households and  businesses by the end of 2014.

Service, everywhere

The new EE stores – formerly Orange and T-Mobile shops – will serve customers of all three brands, giving them access to  service and sales in twice as many locations as before.
More than 10,000 EE staff have been trained, and will offer specialist advice in store, on the phone and on-line. The company as trained its Customer Team staff to become experts in mobile operating systems, meaning its customers will get a specialist service, regardless of which device they use. It is the only operator to offer dedicated expertise based around device operating systems.

The EE network

With the Orange and T-Mobile networks now combined, from today customers will begin switching over to the new seamless EE network, the largest in the UK. By the end of the year, all 27 million customers will be using the EE network.
It means that Orange and T-Mobile customers can now get faster 3G service, with speeds of up to 21Mbps, and more coverage than ever before.
EE will also launch superfast 4G mobile and fixed-line fibre broadband services in the coming weeks. It will also offer standard broadband via ADSL in non-fibre areas.

Orange and T-Mobile customers

Orange and T-Mobile customers will continue to benefit from the best 3G and 2G mobile network.
It means that from today – and over the coming months – customers using Orange and T-Mobile will begin to see their phone signal indicator change to EE, whether they are on 3G or 2G, showing that they are on the UK’s biggest and best network. This is at no extra cost and there are no changes to their existing price plans.
Orange and T-Mobile plans will continue to be offered to new and existing customers, and Orange and T-Mobile customers will also be among the first to have the opportunity to access 4G through a move to the new EE customer brand.

• EE network switched on
• EE’s new customer brand to launch in the coming weeks with pioneering superfast 4G LTE mobile services and fibre broadband
• EE’s superfast 4G service to launch in 16 cities by Christmas, covering 20 million people – a third of the population. Nationwide 4G roll out to accelerate through 2013 with 98% of UK population covered in 2014
• EE’s superfast fibre broadband service to reach more than 11 million households and businesses by end of year
• Over 700 EE-branded stores to open – more than any other operator
• Orange and T-Mobile customers to benefit from the UK’s biggest and best mobile network, and more stores than ever before

EE Launch 4G signal and re brand of Orange and T-Mobile Stores on the 30th of October

IPhone 5 Faults Already!!!

Apple has a new iPhone, which of course means it’s time to find problems to complain about

It happens with every new iPhone. Remember Antennagate? How about the battery issues with iOS 5? This time around we’ve got nicked cases, lens flare and, of course, the disaster of Maps. But are these really problems, or are people making such a fuss because it’s, well, Apple?

A little of both, actually. There are legitimate beefs, but what company hasn’t had issues with new hardware or software? With the Samsung Galaxy S III, some owners reported battery drain issues with their new handsets in June. But this is Apple we’re talking about, and the expectation is just a little bit … higher.

I do think that users have higher expectations when it comes to Apple, i just think that there is a particular pleasure by many in finding something wrong almost to show that Apple is not perfect.
And so we’re hearing no end of complaints and criticism now that pundits and the public are using their shiny new iPhone 5′s. Some of them are complete non-issues, but there are some actual problems. Lets break it down…

Scratches and chips

Shortly after iPhone 5′s got launched we were finding that in store when you open the sealed boxes they where scratched,chipped and even had dents in them. Others found that the switch from a glass back plate to anodized aluminum made the iPhone — particularly the black model — more susceptible to unsightly scratches and blemishes.

Within a few short days of being in store we had more and more customers complaingin about this issue,

 IHS analyst Kevin Keller, explained what’s going on here.
Apple has incorporated an aluminium unibody construction for the first time in the iPhone 5 — similar to what Apple has used in MacBooks and the iPad, that is, a single piece of aluminium hollowed out with a CNC machine.
“The issue, though, is that aluminium is a fairly soft metal,” Keller said.
The aluminium is anodised, a finishing process that is essentially an etch and dye process that gives it colour, but there is no sort of protective finish on top of that. “It’s just bare aluminium. It scratches easily. You can scratch it with a key or anything.”
This isn’t a problem so much for iPads and MacBooks, but iPhones are often put in pockets along with keys. Whether or not this is actually an issue, though, is in the eye of the beholder.”
As with a plurality of iPhone owners in the past, the threat of scratches may not be a problem for long. “If users care about their phone getting scratched, they’ll put a case on it, so ultimately it’s not really an issue,” Keller said. Personally, I’ve decided to put mine in a case anytime I put it in my backpack to provide added protection while walking around or biking.

Maps

Yes, Maps is indeed a serious problem. Apple CEO Tim Cook actually issued a formal apology for the app, which was perhaps pushed out a bit prematurely.

Apple’s new Maps app is perhaps the most pervasive issue affecting iPhone 5 users. But being a feature of iOS 6, it is affecting other iDevice owners as well. Some of the problems include 3D and satellite images being buggy (like bridges looking wavy, or dropping off in the centre); navigation directions sending people to incorrect locations; and out-of-date information on local businesses. The Maps app also lacks transit directions, which Google Maps has. It’s a large enough deal that some are even holding out upgrading until a better fix is in place.


In the meantime, iOS 6 users can download one of a number of transit apps or map apps, or create a homescreen bookmark to Google Maps’ web app.

Purple Lens Flare

You point your phone up at the sky to Instagram the bright afternoon sunlight catching the clouds, but then, gasp! The resulting image has a ghastly purple pallor cast around the sun’s powerful rays.
It’s an effect known as purple fringing, and it can be attributed to anything from stray UV or IR light, image processing issues, anti-reflective lens coatings, or overexposure. It’s something that plagues many digital cameras.
In the iPhone 5′s case, some postulate that because Apple removed the IR/Cut filter in the iPhone 5, its suffering from greater lens flare issues than the 4S. The phone’s new sapphire lens could also be to blame — this is what the photography folks at PetaPixel suspect is at issue. However, the process used to turn sapphire into a lens removes the telltale colouring you typically associate with the gemstone.
In some tests, the iPhone 5 does a better job of eliminating this issue than its predecessor, the iPhone 4S. But in others, like PCMag’s investigation, they found that among several major smartphones (the iPhone 5, 4S and 4; Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC One S), the iPhone 5 was the worst offender of this type of lens flare.
Should you be concerned? No. It may happen, it may not, but there is zero reason to rush back to the Apple Store and swap out your handset if you see a purple halo in a photo.

Light Leak on White Model

“My phone has a streak of light leaking from in-between the glass panel and the structure; it is right under my lock button. Kinda makes the lock button look illuminated. Anyone else notice a problem like this?”

 Light leakage seems to be a fairly common issue for white handsets — iPhone 4S owners reported a similar thing last year. Others that noticed similar issues with light leaking on their iPhone 5′s took their handset to the Apple Store and were issued a replacement.

If you notice this defect and it bothers you, you can try swapping out your handset, or you can just learn to ignore it.

 

Screen glitching

One issue that I and others are experiencing is an odd screen glitching that usually happens when you’re putting in your Apple ID password. As you type, horizontal lines appear across the keyboard. I mostly saw this in the App Store app.

Videos documenting the issue have appeared on YouTube, if you haven’t noticed it yourself. But despite headlines like “BIG iPhone 5 Screen Issue,” the glitch is just a minor software problem that should be fixed in an upcoming iOS update. It doesn’t affect overall performance, and it’s not something you need to drag yourself to the Genius Bar about.

Even with early reviews pointing out some of these issues, it hasn’t affected iPhone sales momentum. Apple reportedly sold 5 million units during the iPhone 5′s opening weekend alone.

If you have bought the IPhone 5 from any network provider and are experiencing problems like this then the best advice i can offer is go to Apple directly as network shops are experiencing problems getting stock in and exchanging them, so book an appointment with the Apple or contact them directly on 08000480408.

They are the manufactures so therefore they hold the warranties not the network providers.

iPhone 5 OUT NOW!!

The iPhone 5 is available in the UK from 21st September and mobile phone operators have announced their tariffs.

  Full Specs of the Phone Click Here 

 

Lowest monthly charges

Most operators are only offering the phone on a 24-month deal.

 

 O2 has the cheapest monthly charge for a 16GB iPhone 5 at £26 for unlimited calls and texts and 1GB of Internet data, plus £249.99 upfront. Over the two-year contract this has a total cost of £873.99.
The upfront charge increases to £299.99 for a 32GB phone and £399.99 for 64GB. Over two years they work out at £923.99 and £1,023.99 respectively.


 
Three's Ultimate Internet 500 contact includes all you can eat data, 500 any network minutes and 5,000 texts for £34 a month plus £79 upfront for the 16GB phone. That works out at £895 over the two-year contract. For a 32GB phone you pay £89 upfront and £37 a month for a total of £977, while a 64GB phone is £109 upfront and £40 a month, for a total of £1,069.

The operator's One Plan, meanwhile, includes all you can eat data, 2,000 any network minutes, 5,000 texts and 5,000 Three-to-Three minutes for £36 a month plus £79 upfront on a 16GB phone. That works out at £943. For a 32GB phone it's £89 upfront and £39 a month making a total of £1,025, while a 64GB phone is £109 upfront a £42 a month, for a total of £1,117.


Orange's The Works plans offer unlimited calls and texts, and charges vary according to the amount of data usage – £36 a month for 1GB, £41 a month for 2GB, £46 a month for 3GB and £51 a month for unlimited access. On the £36 plan the 16GB handset costs £109.99, for a total of £973.99 over two years. The 32GB handset costs £219.99 for a total of £1,083.99, while the 64GB handset is £269.99 upfront for a total of £1,133.99.






The T-Mobile Full Monty plan, which runs for 24 months, offers unlimited texts and Internet use plus 2,000 minutes for £36 a month plus £109 (16GB), £219 (32GB) or £269 (64GB). Those wanting unlimited call minutes can pay £41, £46 or £61 a month depending on the size of memory they want and how much they are prepared to pay for the handset.
On the £36 a month deal you will pay a total of £973 for a 16GB model, £1,083 for a 32GB model and £1,133 for a 64B model.

Free Handset

 

 Orange is offering a 16GB handset for free on two 24-month tariffs. The cheapest is £46 a month and comes with unlimited texts and calls and 3GB downloads. Over two years that's a total cost of £1,104. For unlimited data you pay £51 a month, which is £1,224 over two years.




  



O2 is also offering the iPhone 5 free on a £46-a-month tariff, although you only get 1GB of data downloads. Over 24 months that's a total of £1,104.




 




Vodafone is charging £47 a month on a 24-month tariff. It includes unlimited texts and calls and 2GB of data for £1,128 over two years.

 

 

Unlocked handset

Apple is selling an unlocked handset which you can use on any network you choose. The 16GB model costs £529, the 32GB model is £599 and the 64GB version costs £699. Numerous sim-only deals are available from most network providers and further afield starting at about £10 or £15 a month depending on data, text and call allowances.

Samsung vs Apple Verdict

Samsung Lose the battle to Apple costing $1 billion dollars

Apple has recently obtained a major victory against Samsung in the first U.S. trial between the two, but that’s not the only legal conflict in the region for the two parties. Riding the wave of its freshly won $1 billion verdict, Apple added various Samsung-made Android devices to its 2013 lawsuit that will also take place in San Jose, California and will be presided by the same Lucy Koh, the Judge of the first trial.

 

Apple’s filing mentions “at least 21 new smartphones, media players, and tablets that Samsung has released beginning in August 2011 and continuing through August 2012.”
Unsurprisingly, the list includes several new Samsung devices such as the Galaxy S3, the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy Note 10.1 but also the Galaxy Nexus, Google’s third Nexus-branded device, and the second one made by Samsung. Here’s a full list of Samsung Android devices included in the trial:

 

Specific devices named in this filing are the the Galaxy S III, Galaxy S III carried by Verizon, Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II Skyrocket, Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S II carried by T-Mobile, Galaxy S II – AT&T, Galaxy Nexus, Illusion, Captivate Glide, Exhibit II 4G, Stratosphere, Transform Ultra, Admire, Conquer 4G, and Dart smartphones, the Galaxy Player 4.0 and Galaxy Player 5.0 media players; and the Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, and Galaxy Tab 8.9 tablets.

The brand new Galaxy Note 2 is not yet part of the trial, but Apple apparently left room for other Samsung devices that the iPhone maker might deem as infringing on its patents.

Apple claims that these devices infringe on various patents that were not part of the first U.S. trial against Samsung including the ‘647 “data detectors” patent, the ‘604 “universal search” – that was used successfully by Apple in injunctions against the Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Tab 10.1, and which Samsung and Google have already started addressing by dumbing down the search features on certain handsets, Galaxy S3 included – the ‘172 “word completion patent and the ‘721 “slide to unlock” patent.

Samsung already avoided an injunction against the Galaxy S3 in the U.S. ahead the launch of the device in the region a couple of months ago. On the other hand, Apple has decided not to include the new flagship smartphone in the recently finished U.S. trial as such a move would have meant postponing the trial date (July 30, 2012). Instead, the company wanted to go forward with its the case it has just won and therefore it decided to leave the Galaxy S3 for a later fight.

To find out more about the amended Apple vs Samsung complaint for patent infringement then click here and it will take you directly to the patent

Tesco Mobile Family Perk

Tesco Mobile has announced a scheme called Family Perk to make managing household mobile phone bills easier.

In an attempt to convince whole families or groups of friends to join Tesco Mobile, Family Perk allows you to roll all your pay monthly and SIM-only accounts into one account.

That alone sounds pretty handy if your family or group of friends has a few Tesco Mobile users, but Tesco is also offering customers extra incentives when they sign up to the scheme.

Each member of your family or friend group (you don't have to be related or live together to make use of the scheme) can enjoy extra bonuses, such as 500 extra minutes to Tesco Mobile phones, 150 extra minutes to any network or 250MB of data.

Up to five separate accounts can be tied together into one and each bill is itemised by phone number, so you can see exactly how much each person owes.

Instead of having to pay for multiple bills across a month, you only need to pay once. The downside, of course, is securing money from your family members, or friends who might be less inclined to pay the bill unless it's taken directly out of their account.

Tesco Mobile CEO Roger Fogg explained why it introduced the Family perk scheme.

'We understand that modern family life is hectic and we want to do all we can to support families in managing their household budget more efficiently.'

'We have spoken to our customers and we know that they want to be thanked for their loyalty with meaningful rewards. Not only does our offering simplify the billing process for families, providing a helping hand for the bank of mum and dad when wallets are feeling the pinch, it also gives us a chance to offer bonus bundles and offer even better value to our most loyal customers,' he added.

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