Contact Lenses of the future?

It seems Scientists are a step closer to new technology that, if approved, could allow users to read floating texts and emails right in front of their eyes, Terminator-style.

After a series of successful animal trials, these futuristic contact lenses could be a lot closer than we think. Researchers at Washington University who are working on the device say early tests show it is safe and feasible.

There are still wrinkles to iron out, like finding a good power source. As currently, their crude prototype device can only work if it is within centimetres of the wireless battery.

Initial safety tests in rabbits have gone well, with no obvious adverse effects, which has given the researchers renewed faith about the device's possibilities.  They envisage hundreds more pixels could be embedded in the flexible lens to produce complex holographic images.  For example, drivers could wear them to see journey directions or their vehicle's speed projected onto the windscreen.

The researchers in Washington are not the only team working on this kind of technology. Swiss company, Sensimed have already brought to market, a smart contact lens that uses inbuilt computer technology to monitor pressure inside the eye to keep tabs on the eye condition glaucoma.

Adodo are big believers in New Technology but are we ready for this kind of technology? Are we not 'hooked up' to enough technology already? Or is this just what we have been waiting for? Could this improve efficiency across your company?

Africa’s Mobile Boom

After Asia, it seems Africa has the biggest mobile market in the world.  It certainly has the fastest-growing according to an association of worldwide mobile phone operators. 

The number of subscribers on the continent has grown almost 20% each year for the past five years, the GSM Association report on Africa says.  It expects there will be more than 735 million subscribers by the end of 2012.  Analysts believe that the poor and expensive landline service in Africa is the cause for rising mobile phone usage. 

Nigeria has the highest number of mobile phone subscriptions in Africa - more than 93 million, representing 16% of the continent's total mobile subscriptions, GSMA says.

The report says African countries have allocated far less spectrum to mobile services than Europe, the Americas and Asia, which inhibits connectivity to many people in rural areas.  It has been suggested that to take full advantage of the rising interest in mobile connectivity, African countries need to allocate more spectrum for the provision of mobile broadband services, as well as introduce tax cuts for the industry.

Yahoo Chief Executive Fired Over the Phone

Carol Bartz, the Chief Executive of Yahoo has been fired after two-and-a-half years in the top position. 

Ms. Bartz was hired to run Yahoo in early 2009, taking over from co-founder Jerry Yang.  To make her mark she made significant changes to the management team and cut jobs to save on costs. She also shifted the focus of the traditionally search-oriented firm towards more personalised content. 

However, in 2011, Yahoo is still struggling to increase its market share, as it faces increased competition from rivals such as Google and Facebook.  Without the internet company making significant strides in search or social networking, two of the most lucrative segments of the market, they are still a long way behind their rivals. 

Carol Bartz leadership came to an abrupt end as the Chairman of the board ended her term over the phone with immediate effect.  Larry Magid, a technology analyst at C-net, justified the move stating that the company has not seen enough of a turnaround under Ms. Bartz's leadership.

Tim Morse, Yahoo's chief financial officer, will take over from Ms Bartz. Yahoo shares jumped more than 6% in after-hours trading after news of the firing broke, indicating they would trade higher when Wall Street opened for business on Wednesday.

Get to Grips with your Business Mobile Spend

A recent case of mobile phone abuse has cost a borough council thousands of pounds in unnecessary charges, highlighting the need for better mobile technology management and security at every level. 

Business Mobile costs may be seemingly smaller than IT costs, but they are not insignificant, and managing mobile technology contracts is becoming increasingly important, especially when it comes to departing staff. 

A confidential investigation was triggered at Blackburn with Darwen borough council following an audit that concluded the council had been open to "significant abuse" of its £182,000 mobile phone contract.  One member of staff was found to have been racking up a £200 monthly bill on a council-issued mobile phone, despite having left three years earlier.  Ridiculously, that is not where the story ends, with a further 327 phones deemed untraceable and more than 60 staff who had left the council, still in possession of their phones.  In 2010 alone, they racked up £3000 worth of charges. 

 

With the right management, organisations could cut their spending on mobile phones by up to a quarter, our suggestions include:

• Identify and recover the costs of non-business calls
• Reduce the number of mobiles given out to staff
• Consolidate all contracts into one
• Ensure that all hardware is returned to the company when a member of staff leaves or retires
• Use online billing to monitor usage

Fundamental to ongoing mobile management, is suitable security on all handsets particularly with the rising use of smartphones in business.  To avoid expensive reactive costs, there is a need for active investment.  For less than £20 you can now arm a smartphone with anti-spam, anti-virus and anti-theft software.

Adodo’s business mobile solutions incorporate first-class technology management, account management, and security protection as standard.  Ask Adodo today to find out what we can help you with.

Sony Announces Arrival to Tablet Market

Better late than never, Sony has announced its much anticipated arrival to the tablet market.  The devices, codenamed S1 and S2, will go on sale towards the end of the year and will run on Google's Android operating system.

The Apple iOS system that runs on the iPad is expected to remain the dominant operating system for several years to come but Android is undoubtedly the fastest growing mobile platform of the moment and is expected to claim a 38% market share by 2015.

Sony said that its first tablets would come in two form factors: one will have a conventional 9.4 inch touchscreen, while the other will feature dual 5.5 inch displays that fold closed.

In addition to the base Android Honeycomb operating system, Sony will add several of its own features, including the ability to transmit video and music to TVs and stereos using the DLNA wireless streaming standard, and an inbuilt infrared so that it can be used as a remote control on all Sony gear.

The company suggested that there would also be some form of integration with its PlayStation network and the possibility of gaming functions.

There are no confirmed announcements on pricing but with their arrival to the Tablet party, the market is likely to hot up this autumn.

Derailed Mobile Plans on the Underground

Talks between Chinese telecoms provider Huawei and UK's operators about improving mobile phone coverage on the London Underground have broken down. 

The intention was to have better coverage on the tube in time for the London 2012 Olympics.  Huawei had even offered to donate some of the necessary equipment, and several UK providers are believed to have already contributed several million pounds, but despite everyone’s efforts, the project has been derailed. 

But putting antennas throughout the Tube's antiquated network have proved far too costly at this time.  Other avenues are being explored and plans to expand wi-fi coverage on Tube stations will continue, but it seems coverage will not be in place in time for next years games.

Could you be Overpaying on your Mobile Bills?

3 of 4 people overpay by £200 per year because their mobile contract is not right for them: according to Billmonitor.

Billmonitor consists of information gathered and analysed by Oxford mathematicians that has been approved by Ofcom. 

The most fundamental problem highlighted by the research is that people over-estimate how many minutes they would spend on the phone, with most using just a quarter of their monthly allowance.

Of the 28,000 bills analysed as a part of the study, researchers concluded that the UK's mobile phone users were wasting nearly £5bn a year on misjudged contracts.

The growing popularity of smartphones is also causing confusion as more customers are now adding on data plans, but are struggling to estimate their usage requirements. 

According to the research, the average usage was 133MB per month, with around 5% of users exceeding 500MB.  However, consumers were again preparing themselves for “bill shock” and overestimating their usage.  

Have you got a business mobile contract?  Let us help you to find the right contract for your business…Call us now 0115 970 1471

Nearly 7,000 Mobiles Hacked

7,000 mobiles have been hacked in Britain, a lawyer has claimed, and there’s a chance that number will rise. 

The focus in this case has been on high profile targets including the mobile phones of actress Sienna Miller and former culture secretary Tessa Jowell.  Lawyer Charlotte Harris, who is representing several of the celebrities involved, said up to 7,000 people may have had their mobile phone voicemail messages intercepted.   

Whilst The News of the World has not accepted the numbers being claimed, they have issued an apology, saying: "We publicly and un-reservedly apologise to all such individuals. What happened to them should not have happened. It was and remains unacceptable."

This story has emphasised the growing need for tighter security on mobile phones particularly smartphones.  The high susceptibility of smartphones, their advanced data connections and the fact that we are increasingly using these devices for storing personal and commercial data makes them attractive to criminals.  Make sure you are protected! 

Find out more about smartphone defence by calling us today on 0115 9701471

Contactless Technology Roll-Out - Cash or Mobile Phones?

Across the UK, thousands of shops are preparing for the roll-out of new contactless technology, which could see us leaving our wallets at home as we use our mobile phones to pay. 

The expectation of many large retailers is that Near Field Communication (NFC) technology will take off this summer.  One estimate suggests 40,000 businesses could be using it by the end of 2011.

However, like most new technologies, the success of NFC requires consumers to buy into the concept, and it remains to be seen whether the technology really has the public support it requires.  

In terms of security there are certainly issues that need to be resolved within the industry, users are certainly going to have to enter a pin when you make a transaction.  With all the concerns surrounding mobile technology security at the moment, customers are right to err on the side of caution.  

Mobile phone operators and manufacturers, banks and retailers are all investing millions of pounds to make the technology a success. Orange and MasterCard are jointly launching a NFC-ready handset between April and June while competitors Visa and O2 are doing the same later this summer.

There are concerns about the affect this may have on smaller retailers as it is the bigger chains that are preparing for the changes now.   

But what do you think? Are you excited by the freedom of NFC or are you concerned with prospective security breaches?

A British Summer Time iPhone Glitch

Apple iPhone users were faced with yet another glitch this morning after the clocks ‘sprung’ forward over the weekend. 

The problem does not appear to have affected everyone with an iPhone, but some owners complained of being late for work on Monday Morning after an apple software glitch caused their alarms to malfunction.

According to user reports, the glitch has affected non-recurring alarms set within the iPhone's calendar application, rather than its dedicated alarm clock.  The affect found their wake-up alert coming one hour late, one hour early or not at all.

Apple has yet to comment on what caused it, but similar problems have previously hit iPhones in the US. 

Have you ever considered security for your mobile phone yet?  Contact us now to learn more 0115 970 1471

"Novel" Mobile Memory Storage

Researchers from Edinburgh University have been working with researchers from Konkuk University and Seoul National University, in Korea to create a device that improves memory storage for mobile technology.

The device, that could be used in MP3s, smartphones and cameras, uses a tiny mechanical arm to translate data into electrical signals.  This allows faster operation and uses less energy compared with conventional memory storage products.

The device measures the current passing through a carbon nanotube, and the binary value of the data that is recorded, is determined by an electrode that controls the flow of current.

Prof Eleanor Campbell, from Edinburgh University's school of chemistry, said: "This is a novel approach to designing memory storage devices.

"However, one of the issues with these novel devices is how easy they can be manufactured on an industrial scale, which we are yet to see."

Is your smartphone secure?

DID YOU KNOW

A mobile phone is stolen every 12 seconds in the UK?

Over 50,000 phones are left in the back of London taxis in an average year?

A smartphone can be infected by viruses in the same way as a PC?

Around 80% of European smartphone users have been hit by spam?

The majority of PC users have some form of virus or spam protection. Despite the growing threats of mobile viruses, spam and smartphone theft, around 86% of mobile phone users do not have any security software installed? The high susceptibility of smartphones, their advanced data connections and the fact that we are increasingly using these devices for storing personal and commercial data makes them attractive to criminals?

We can protect your smartphone, Pocket PCs and other mobile devices running Symbian, Android and Windows Mobile from threats to your phone such as viruses, spyware, trojans, malware, hackers and data theft.

Free trial request

• AntiTheft - Easy to use it delivers simple data protection solutions in the event of theft:
• Lock your mobile
• Provide the location of your phone if GPS enabled thus enabling recovery
• Wipe the data remotely via SMS
• Notify you when the SIM has been changed

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AntiVirus provides full protection against viruses, trojans, spyware or other malware. It provides continuous protection without interfering with the normal operation of your handset.

•                           Real time protection
•                           Easy to manually scan when you insert memory cards
•                           Instant detection of new threats
•                           Battery friendly

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AntiSpam gives you complete control over which messages you want to accept or deny by providing an easy to use application that will help minimise the spam you receive.

•                          Number blocking to avoid unwanted SMS or MMS
•                          Simple to use whitelist and blacklist application
•                          Contacts automatically added to whitelist
•                          Easy to use and configure

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Free trial request

Use our 30-day free trial now, you’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Facebook in the Mobile Market? The Boss Speaks Up

In response to rumors regarding facebook’s future in the mobile market, Mark Zuckerberg said "Phones are inherently social devices and the industry is just beginning to discover what's possible".  However, he seems to have dismissed the introduction of a facebook branded phone.

The inference is that facebook are not joining forces with a major manufacturer at this point, as Google did with Nexus phones, but are concentrating on software integration instead.  This will probably prove a strong selling point for cheaper smartphones. 

Mr. Zuckerberg told delegates at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to expect to see “dozens of phones with much deeper social integration than we have so far."  He was referring to the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) provided by facebook that allow phone manufacturers to build social networking into their operating systems.

However you view at their approach, the unyielding force of facebook, plans to extend its presence within the mobile world and if the past is anything to go by, they will not let up.

Mobile World Congress Kicks Off

So it’s not everybody’s idea of fun, but there is great anticipation as the Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona, and rightly so, as a host of firms will be launching new products.

Show stoppers include Sony Ericsson’s, Xperia Play, with its smartphone-cum-gaming device, Samsung’s new tablet, the Galaxy 10, which as the name suggests features a bigger 10.1 inch (26cm) screen.  Meanwhile LG has unveiled the first mobile phone with 3D capability.

Microsoft and Nokia Join Forces

Following earlier concerns this week that Nokia were in trouble following a leaked memo from Stephen Elop, Chief Executive of the mobile company, Nokia staff are now facing a new challenge.

Nokia has joined forces with Microsoft in an attempt to regain lost ground on market leaders iPhone and other Android-operated devices.  The deal means that Nokia’s existing operating systems will be replaced with the Windows Phone 7 operating system for its smartphones, the company has said.

Windows Phone 7, whilst receiving much critical acclaim, has remained quite a small market player to date.  It has been rumored that Mr. Elop opted to use Windows over the Google Android Operating System because he feels more comfortable with the company as that is where he worked before his move to Nokia. 

The move does mean that Nokia employees across the world will be facing inevitable job losses.  As with all coalitions, the future is unknown, but this collaboration has the potential to shape the future of the industry.  

Discounts on your Mobile Thanks to Facebook

Businesses are now able to utilise the dedicated Facebook app, ‘places’ to provide a virtual coupon facility to customers.

Customers that use the application on their iPhone’s or handset’s that run the Google's Android system can update their whereabouts whenever they visit a variety of shops, restaurants and other venues.  The process is called a “check-in”.

Now users who visit participating shops can log in from their mobile phones to receive rewards from their favourite high street businesses such as Starbucks and Debenhams who are already onboard.

With deals, users will not just be able to tell other people their location, but can also take advantage of any special offers that the retailer has.  In addition, participating retailers will be able to use Facebook to offer "golden ticket" rewards or give bonuses to users who bring other friends along with them.

The service is intended to capitalise on Facebook's popularity, particularly on phones. The service is free to retailers and shoppers alike, and Facebook will not take a slice of any income generated by the deals.

Goodbye Credit Card, Hello Mobile Wallet

More than forty years since we were introduced to the credit card, a new revolution in shopping is bubbling under the surface.  As early as this summer, we could be paying with a simple wave of a phone.

The technology will allow consumers to make purchases by waving their mobile phone over a till scanner. Barclaycard and the UK’s biggest mobile phone network, which includes Orange and T-Mobile have signed a partnership to bring the system to 40,000 tills.  Mobile phone networks and banks are in talks with the manufacturers including Apple, BlackBerry and Nokia about incorporating the technology into their devices. 

The system uses a tiny chip and antenna built into the phone, which links the handset to the owner and their credit card or bank account.  The antenna sends a radio signal to a till scanner which recognises the handset, authorises the payment and then deducts the money from the owner’s account.  Customers will be able to increase their security with an optional PIN.  Initially there will be a £15 cap on transactions but the banking industry expects this to rise. 

Are you comfortable with another move towards the mobile being a must-have tool in modern life?  Handsets have already gone beyond calls and texts with video, music and internet access, but are you ready for a virtual wallet?

O2 to launch Free Wi-Fi Nationwide

The existing UK-wide wi-fi network is undergoing big changes as O2 announces that it is launching a free wireless nationwide.

O2 had previously offered free wi-fi on some of its tariffs via BT Openzone and The Cloud, but The Cloud is rumoured to be close to sealing a buy-out deal with Sky, and O2 is widening its scope independently.

Initially the hotspots will be available in 450 O2-owned sites, which won’t offer great coverage but there are plans to expand to other locations, including shops and restaurants which is a step in the right direction. O2 said access to the hotspots would be through a simple sign-up process and would be free to both O2 and non-O2 customers, which they plan to fund through advertising.

There are some big boys in the market already with BT Openzone and Fon the biggest in the UK, but not enough people use it.  With that in mind, O2 want to help kick-start more wi-fi usage

"Only 20% of people who have access to free public wi-fi on 02 tariffs actively use it despite the majority of devices being wi-fi enabled," said O2's business development director Tim Sefton

Microsoft Explain Windows 7 Data Problems

Early January has seen "a small (low single-digit) percentage of Windows Phone customers" complaining on net forums of data issues.  The problem seems to consist of the phones software sending and receiving "phantom data".

In some cases, particularly in the US, customers claimed that that their phone was sending "between 30 and 50MB of data" every day; an amount that ate a hefty chunk of their 20 day, 1GB allowance.

Microsoft said its investigation found that most problems were caused by an unnamed "third party" service.  They are currently in contact with said “third-party” working on potential solutions, and in the meantime, potential workarounds to pacify customers.   

However, the cause of the issue does not appear clear cut, as Microsoft has also admitted that there may be more than one root cause.