New Technology Reviews!.: mobiles

10 million Brits overpay for mobiles

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/4303/nikeiphoneapp1200200440.jpg" /></div>Over ten million Brits are paying more than necessary for their mobile phones, according to a new survey by consumer watchdog Which? 
The new Which? study claims that millions of Brits are paying over the odds for extra texts, call-time and data on top of their agreed monthly line rental with their network provider. 
Millions of Brits over-spending 
The survey's findings were described by Which? as "not surprising." 
Over six million Brits did not know what their monthly limit was for voice call minutes and over five million were unsure of text or data allowances from their mobile contracts. 
Which? also claims that over 18 million Brits had actually never switched their mobile phone provider. 
Tom McLennan, head of Which? Mobile, said of the findings: "You could be spending hundreds of pounds more than you need to on your mobile every year if you're not on the right tariff. 
"If you regularly spend more than your line rental, check your bill to see where you're incurring the extra charges as you may be able to save money by moving to a tariff with more minutes, texts or data. 
"If you never go over your agreed line rental, it's because you're not using up your allowance so you may be able to save money by finding a cheaper tariff that reflects your usage." 
The Which? survey was based on results from 1,271 adults aged 16 or more. 
 
<a href="http://www.techradar.com%20/">Source.</a>

10 million Brits overpay for mobiles

Over ten million Brits are paying more than necessary for their mobile phones, according to a new survey by consumer watchdog Which? The ne...

Net neutrality in US agreed, but not for mobiles

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com///classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/images/www-internet-200-200.jpg"> The US has managed to agree to new net neutrality rules, after ISP regulations were given the greenlight. The regulations are certainly limited but the key to the new ruling means that ISPs in the country will not be able to interfere or block online content and give all content the same treatment, regardless of the website that's supplying it. The voting for the net neutrality ruling was close (3-2) but President Obama said about the new regulation: "Today's decision will help preserve the free and open nature of the internet while encouraging innovation, protecting consumer choice, and defending free speech." The ruling doesn't stretch as far as mobile internet, however, with the FCC noting that this area of the internet is evolving too fast for carriers at the moment, so adding these restrictions would have a negative effect. However, VoiP services such as Skype will not be blocked under the new ruling. Open mobile "We recognise that there have been meaningful recent moves toward openness, including the introduction of open operating systems like Android," said the FCC. "In light of these considerations, we conclude it is appropriate to take measured steps at this time to protect the openness of the internet when accessed through mobile broadband." So it seems that mobile broadband will be a regulation-free place for some time to come. Given that the UK is seriously considering <a href="">getting rid of net neutrality</A>, however, any regulations agreed in the US can only be a good thing.

Net neutrality in US agreed, but not for mobiles

The US has managed to agree to new net neutrality rules, after ISP regulations were given the greenlight. The regulations are certainly lim...

Exclusive: UK firm promises photo-realistic 3D graphics on mobiles

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/IMG_Logo4-200-200.jpg"> UK-based Imagination Technologies has acquired 3D graphics specialists Caustic for $27 million (£17 million), promising that photo-realistic 3D will soon be available on consumer mobile devices. The investment in Caustic Graphics will help <a href="http://www.imgtec.com/index.asp">Imagination Technologies</A> – who provide the video chips used in the Apple iPhone and also own UK DAB specialists Pure Radio – to push the envelope of what is possible with mobile 3D graphics. Caustic's mobile graphics tech is said to be capable of bringing cinema-quality 3D graphics to mobile phones. 3D ray tracing to change mobiles Speaking exclusively to TechRadar, Imagination Technolgies' PR Director, David Harold said of the deal: "Well, we don't want to tip our hand but this acquisition opens up the potential for highly photorealistic imagery to reach new real-time applications and markets, including consumer, not possible previously, via its integration with POWERVR, which is the de facto standard for mobile and embedded graphics. "We have a proven track record of disrupting markets by bringing new and high-end technologies to consumer and embedded products: ray tracing is a key additional technology that traditionally has been regarded as the exclusive domain of specialised markets and non real-time applications. We will change that." Imagination posted a 131 per cent rise in adjusted pre-tax profit to £10.1 million pounds, with revenue up 16 per cent to £44 million in the six months through to October 2011 after its partners shipped 107 million of its chips. The company hopes to ship over 200 million chips in the year to end-April 2011. Chief Exec Hossein Yassaie explained recently to <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6BD1L120101214">Reuters</A> that the company had recently signed extended licensing deals with Apple and Intel, both companies also being shareholders in Imagination Technologies, in addition to deals with Samsung and Fujitsu. "We are doing repeat business with a lot of our customers, we are securing new customers," Yassaie said in an interview. "If you look at volume and actual devices shipped, we are talking about 100 million units, and some of our competitors have nothing to show. "We would not have acquired this [Caustic] technology if we did not believe we could get it into handsets," he added, commenting on the new deal.

Exclusive: UK firm promises photo-realistic 3D graphics on mobiles

UK-based Imagination Technologies has acquired 3D graphics specialists Caustic for $27 million (£17 million), promising that photo-realistic...

Bill Gates says mobiles can improve global health

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/bill-gates-best-5-200-200.jpg"> Microsoft founder Bill Gates has explained his belief that developments in low-cost mobile phone technology can improve global health. Wider adoption of mobile tech across the developing world can improve healthcare with improved diagnostic tools and more efficient immunization programs, said Gates at this week's <a href="http://www.mhealthsummit.org/">mHealth Summit.</A> Mobile phones and healthcare "The mobile phone is pretty interesting for lots of things," Gates said in his keynote address at the mobile health event. "There's a whole lot of opportunities. I think we have to approach these things with some humility though," added Gates, noting that much of the developing world still has no internet or data connections. "I do think there's absolutely a role (for mobile technology to impact global health) but I think we have to hold ourselves to some pretty tough metrics to see if it's really making a difference or not." Gates noted how phones can impact on TB diagnosis, as well as offering better immunization programmes and patient reminders. "You could get people to take medicines regularly, that's a huge one."

Bill Gates says mobiles can improve global health

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has explained his belief that developments in low-cost mobile phone technology can improve global health. Wider...