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Posts Tagged ‘3-Mobile’
Friday, February 18th, 2011
Its specs read from the dream of some geek, and according to hand on demonstrations, it would seem that the LG Optimus 3D might just be the phone to beat this year. Of course, it has not been released yet but it has developed quite a fan base, and with LG aiming squarely at Samsung’s Galaxy S line with their Optimus line, we do not doubt that this could become LG’s flagship device for the 2011 fiscal year.
At the heart of the device is a Texas Instruments 1GHz OMAP4 3D dual-core processor with support for stereoscopic functionality. Basically, this translates into 2D content being displayed at full 1080p when output to an HD capable screen and 3D content is played at midrange 720p resolution on a stereoscopic display.
The phone has a 4.3-inch LCD stereoscopic touchscreen which allows you to view 3D content sans 3D glasses. Android 2.2 Froyo is coming on the device at launch but LG claims that there will be a 2.3 Gingerbread update coming shortly after launch. We’ll just have to see what “shortly” means to LG. The phones storage will come with 3D content and 3D content can be downloaded via LG’s movie app. Owners of the Optimus 3D will be able to enjoy 3D games as well with titles coming from Gamesloft via the games portal on the devices application list. Best of all, users will be able to record their own 3D content thanks to dual-core 5 megapixel cameras around the back.
So far, the device looks very promising and seeing that this the only 3D smartphone available on the market, for those who would like to see their content in 3D, this just might be the device. It has now been confirmed that Three will carry the device and we’ll update you with more info as we get it.
Source: The Inquirer
Tags: 3-Mobile, LG, LG-Optimus-3D
Posted in 3 Mobile Phones, LG Phones | No Comments »
Monday, December 6th, 2010
 The Apple iPad is highly criticized for its lack of Flash support. After all, a device that features web browsing as a major function should be able to play back all web content –especially since a large percent of all web media is still Flash encoded (despite Apple’s claims that HTML5 is the new standard, many sites are loathe to adapt).
Still, that does not mean that the demand for the Apple tablet has lessened at all. Thanks to the fame of the Apple brand and the large library of content offered by the iTunes store, the iPad is still a much sought after device. Grab the touch screen tablet at Tesco or Carphone Warehouse under some great deals or if you want to have a contract to go with the device, the iPad is also available under 3 UK’s subsidized plans.
Microsoft is not too keen on letting people jailbreak the Windows Phone 7 OS and has formed a quick alliance with the developers of the Chevron Jailbreak team. MS has confirmed that homebrew support will officially arrive to the OS in a later update in exchange for Jailbreak software not to be released in public. From a consumer standpoint, officially allowed homebrew is great as it means less bugs and problems.
Lastly, another consumer-awareness app has been created for smart phones: the Free2Work app. This basically allows users to scan the barcodes of products to learn if it was manufactured by a company that employed slave labor in the manufacturing process (it was developed as part of the celebration for the Not for Sale campaign by the International Labor Rights forum.
While not as globally sound as the previous green app (which works in a similar way, but provides data on eco-friendliness), Free2Work is a major step into providing the public with truly useful apps that provide instant and real time information on relevant needs.
Tags: 3-Mobile, Apple, Apple-iPad, Tesco-mobile
Posted in 3 Mobile Phones, Apple Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
 Nokia is one very busy company. Despite the rough start this year with news reports that the Finnish phone maker is losing its grip on the mobile phone industry and how the Google Android OS is fast catching up with the Symbian mobile platform, the fact of the matter is that Nokia is still able to keep hold of its target market.
Just a while back, the Symbian Foundation has officially announced that all support pages for the Symbian OS will be shutting down; this includes access to resources such as dev kits and more importantly source code (despite the fact that the Symbian OS has become an open source platform earlier this year). The move from a Foundation to a licensing company has been instigated by a recent announcement by the EC that Symbian Foundation will be leading the SYMBOESE project.
At the same time, Nokia is currently busy with the N9 smart phone. This MeeGo powered handset was supposedly delayed from launch due to the Nokia N8 being pushed back months behind the intended schedule. With no new word about the Intel and Nokia developed platform, the disinterest in Nokia’s products might continue.
Still, this does not mean that the Finnish company is all out. The X7-00 has been announced just recently and from what we have seen, this Symbian^3 powered smart phones can do some incredible things. Need for Speed Drift was shown off in a demonstration video and judging from the smoothness of the graphics and the performance of the game, this phone has a pretty good CPU.
In other news, Apple’s iPad touch screen tablet is finally going to be available in cheaper monthly tariff rates. The iOS powered, 9.7 inch tablet will be available through Orange Mobile, T-Mobile and 3 UK at varying rates. While the device is definitely getting a new price tag, Flash support is still absent.
Tags: 3-Mobile, Apple-iPad, Nokia, Nokia-N9, Nokia-X7-00, Orange, T-Mobile
Posted in Nokia Phones | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
 The special free access Facebook Mobile site was launched several months back as a way to entice more handset users to get connected on the Facebook social network. The site, which can be accessed through a special URL, was deemed as a free access mobile site for users under certain network operators (who have tied up with Facebook) across the world. Not surprisingly, in the UK, the US, Japan and several other major countries with a large smart phone user population, the accessibility to this special site was limited or altogether lacking.
Now, the service is finally going to be available in the UK. 0.facebook.com is now a website that can be accessed free of charge by users under 3 mobile. The site itself has been tweaked to provide the best speed possible for mobile devices. No fancy graphics, no slow loading scripts –just plain simple text and a nicely made layout that easily helps users find the most relevant and updated posts form their contacts.
The service, as stated above, is completely free of charge and it is expected that the service will be available indefinitely. Naturally, users will need to connect to 3UK’s 3G services so they will have to be under the network as well.
Speaking of Facebook, INQ seems to be in talks with the social networking company. While it has not been confirmed that the two are already working on a green lighted smart phone project, many rumors are pointing to the possibility that they are. With the introduction and slowly growing use of Facebook’s online credits and the fact that more and more people are accessing the site though mobile devices, a Facebook branded handset is quite ideal.
Facebook’s representatives however, have denied any rumors and reports regarding a possible handset being in the works.
Tags: 3-Mobile, Facebook, Facebook-zero
Posted in Industry News | No Comments »
Thursday, September 9th, 2010
 Mobile virtual network operator 3 mobile has confirmed that they will be offering the Samsung Galaxy Tab on various tariff rates later this year. According to reports, the new touch screen tablet is going to be released pretty soon and so far, only 3 UK and Vodafone has confirmed to be offering the device when it is available.
Despite the seemingly low interest of network operators to offer the device, there is little doubt that the Galaxy Tab is a vast improvement over Apple’s own tablet offering, the iPad.
Comparing the two devices side by side is hard to avoid. After all, the two touch screen tablets are pretty much the only devices available on the market (not counting the tablet computers of course). While the iPad is making an advantage of its’ larger size and the fact that the Apple brand is more marketable, the Samsung P1000 Galaxy Tab focuses more on functionality and practicality.
The 7 inch touch screen on the Tab is notably smaller, but it also makes the device lighter and more comfortable to handle. When it comes to viewing media content and reading books, being able to hold the device comfortably for long periods is important –and this is one advantage that the iPad cannot beat. And of course, the 7 inch size is a lot closer to the actual size of most books –making the eBook experience on the Tab a lot more comfortable and easier to adjust to.
The Android operating system is also slowly proving itself as a much better applications platform than the Apple iOS. Despite the Android Market being much smaller than iTunes, the offerings are far more substantial in terms of content.
Of course, with the actual device not yet on shelves, it is not known if the Samsung Galaxy Tab can actually out sell the more famous iPad. But with the launch date drawing closer every day, we will certainly find out soon enough.
Tags: 3-Mobile, google-android, samsung, Samsung-Galaxy-Tab
Posted in 3 Mobile Phones, Samsung Phones | No Comments »
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
 Virtual mobile network operator 3 UK has confirmed that the Apple iPhone 4 is indeed coming to their network and that the smart phone will be ready for release on Friday.
The big launch is going to see 3 UK stores opening early and plenty of people queuing up for the device. However, 3’s representatives have announced that interested buyers should call ahead in order to schedule an appointment that would allow them to reserve a handset in advance. There is no official statement from Apple or 3 UK regarding how many stocks will be available in the stores so it is important for people to book in advance as queuing up will not ensure that buyers will receive an iPhone 4.
Considering how much issues the iPhone 4’s antenna has, it is surprising how the demand for the product has not gone down. According to reports, Apple’s stocks have taken a dip after the issue of the antenna problem got out of hand and that despite the large demand for the iPhone 4, Apple needs to consider changing their production methods.
A couple of weeks back, the Cupertino based company held an emergency conference with Steve Jobs at the helm of the event. According to Jobs, the antenna issue is something that affects all mobile phones and that this is not just a problem for Apple, but for the entire industry as well. However, it has to be noted that the average smart phone will lose about 10% to 30% of signal strength when the antenna comes into contact with human touch. The iPhone 4 however, loses a solid 90% due to the way that the antenna and the handset were designed.
Apple has since stated that they will be giving out free bumper cases for iPhone 4 owners. The bumper case will prevent the antenna from being accidentally touched during phone operation.
Tags: 3-Mobile, antenna, Apple, Apple-iPhone, Apple-iPhone-4, Steve Jobs
Posted in 3 Mobile Phones, Apple Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
 When it comes to 3G technology, 3 UK knows where it is at. And the virtual mobile network operator not only strived hard to bring the best network technology, they are also finding new ways to innovate the services they are offering.
In what many are describing as a very aggressive marketing move, 3 UK has scrapped the concept of unlimited access. Instead, the company is focusing on giving users a generous supply of call minutes, text messages and data allowance.
The One Plan is a huge serving of monthly phone allowance that would be a great fit for most (but not all) smart phone users. Whether a user is a heavy texter, caller or internet browser, the One Plan seems to offer more than enough for all. The plan varies in cost depending on how long the contract is. For a 24 month contract, the monthly tariff will be 28 Pounds. A shorter 12 month contract will only cost 25 Pounds per month.
For that price, users will be getting 1GB of data, 5000 text messages, 5000 minutes of voice calls to other handsets in the 3UK network and lastly, 2000 minutes of talk time to other networks. With the great value in this deal, we can see that 3 UK just found a great formula for subscribers. Of course, 3 is also offering other pay monthly plans for users with more specific needs.
According to the official website, 3 UK is going to be offering the iPhone 4, but the exact date of launch is still not confirmed. So far, only pre-registrations are available. The new Apple smart phone will be available from 3 UK starting at 40 Pounds per month. Android fans will be able to avail of the HTC Desire. The handset is confirmed at a 35 Pound monthly tariff.
Tags: 3-Mobile, Apple-iPhone-4, HTC-Desire
Posted in 3 Mobile Phones | No Comments »
Monday, July 5th, 2010
 It seems that after Apple has managed to sell over 1.7 million units of the iPhone 4 in just three days of sales, the Cupertino based company is having trouble keeping up with the demand. Recent reports indicate that stocks of the iPhone are not just low, but have already gone out of stock in various network operators.
3 UK and T-Mobile have yet to offer the iPhone 4 to their customers. The two networks are still leaving their iPhone offers on hold until stocks arrive. According to 3 UK, the iPhone 4 is expected to be made available by the end of this month. T-Mobile on the other hand did announce that they will also offer the Apple smart phone, but no details or date has been given.
Tesco mobile has announced that it is accepted pre-registrations for the iPhone. While the process will not ensure a handset for every person who signs up (unlike a pre-order which ensures an Apple iPhone 4 for the buyer), they have hinted that stocks of the handset will be arriving in a matter of weeks.
Vodafone UK has already run out of stocks –having received the Apple iPhone 4 early, they had already shipped out all the pre-order units to the customers and have proceeded to offer the handset locally. As one can see, the sheer volume of people who availed of the smart phone was more than enough to empty out the stocks of the network operator.
The same situation faces O2 UK. The network that originally hosted the older iPhone in the UK for three years has announced that all their stocks of the iPhone 4 are all out. Like the case with Vodafone, O2 has been able to accommodate all pre-order customers. According to OS, they are expecting a new batch of iPhone 4 stocks to arrive over the weekend.
Tags: 3-Mobile, Apple, Apple-iPhone-4, O2, T-Mobile, Tesco-mobile, Vodafone
Posted in Apple Phones, O2 Phones, TMobile Phones, Vodafone Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
 3 Mobile is launching a new initiative to get their customers to promote their network – by letting them become 3 “agents” who will paid £5 for each sim card they are able to get other mobile phone users to connect to the carrier.
The company effectively wants its customers to use free social networking sites to promote it in return for money – something that will appeal to a lot of people who are struggling to make a buck at the moment.
3 Mobile will pay out once the user they refer connects their new sim card, meaning no one will be able to sign up themselves posing as a new customer then simply avoid activating the new sim card. The customers who are involved in the promotion will be able to receive each of their £5 payments directly into their PayPal account, which makes sense as the whole practise will be conducted over the internet.
Although being marketed as an easy way for customers to earn money from the company, and allow 3 Mobile to “give something back” to their users, it doesn’t seem quite as innovative to us as some of the marketing gimmicks we’ve seen other mobile phone companies serve up in the past.
There is also some concern that with these “agents” promoting 3 left right and centre that the cost of any mobile related advertisement on social networking websites such as Facebook will see a sharp rise in cost per click – meaning that other businesses and individuals promoting their own websites will likely suffer.
While it may seem like an easy way to make some fast money, with, for example, 1000 new sellers out there, don’t be surprised to pay up to £2 for a potential user to click an ad – or, if you are a user of a social networking service, prepare to be flooded with “Buy a 3 sim card now!” spam.
Tags: 3-Mobile
Posted in 3 Mobile Phones | No Comments »
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