Rrrrrrrr

The BBC’s new plan to bring out free news and sport iPhone applications has raised many eyebrows in the British news market.

And the BBC looks in no mood to stop after these free apps hit the market this April. The Corporation has announced that it will also unveil applications for BlackBerry and phones using Google’s Android software. Although the BBC has said the increasing interest of users to access content on the move with sophisticated gadgetry prompted it to come up with the new apps, the move has not been well received by existing market players.

Some news providers in the UK have already rolled out free apps but there are also those whose apps are not free. And the BBC’s plans have upset these organisations, which include well-established names like The Guardian.

This is a time when the news industry is trying to find new ways of selling digital content, and many fear the BBC’s move could upset the market balance. Ms. Emily Bell, director of digital content at The Guardian said the BBC foray into the lucrative news and sports apps market, was quite understandable, but criticised the move as being detrimental to the spirit of competition in the market. She added that apps were still not broadcast media and BBC’s plans could make the market situation unfavourable for other players.

The BBC, however, said it was only facilitating people to access pre-paid content at their convenience.

If you need more information on broadband, or the various ISPs, look at Mobile Broadband Genie. It is worth a look at the website for their comparative table of mobile broadband providers, which includes an analysis of their products and services and all the information you need to get up and running on mobile broadband internet.

Comments Off

Recently, Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) pops up as one of the hottest technologies in the world. VoIP is a method for taking analog voice signal, turning it into digital signal, and transmitting it over the Internet connections. This in turn enables users to make Internet phone calls without going thru the phone company service.

As the technology is now getting more reliable and offers much lower rates, it has gained huge popularity for long distance voice transfers over traditional analog long distance services. Some even see VoIP as the revolutionary technology that will replace the conventional phone systems entirely.

How VoIP works?

VoIP phone calls is done in three stages: Encrypting the analog voice signal (the caller’s voice) into digital signal; transmitting the digital signal (data packet) thru Internet to the person answering the call; and decrypting the digital signal into analog voice signal again on the receiver’s side.

VoIP calls are done thru several methods: ATA, IP phones, or PC-to-PC. Basically each of these methods performs the same function: To enable voice communications. However their service fees varies in a wide range. Careful review is definitely needed to select the service that best suits you.

VoIP calls through ATA

ATA, (Analog Telephone Adaptor) is an analog-to-digital converter used on regular phone to enable VoIP calls. What ATA does is to capture the analog voice signal and converts it into digital signal for the Internet transmission.

If you had been looking for suitable for ATA service for some time, I am sure that Vonage and AT&T are no strangers to you. These two are the big names in VoIP business. Often ATAs are given free along with their paid-VoIP services.

Setting up and using ATA is very simple compare to other VoIP call methods. All you need to do is to take out the ATA out of the box, connect your phone with your ATA with the cable provided, and you’re ready to make VoIP calls. Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto the host computer to configure it; but in any case, it is still a very easy setup.

IP Phones (also known as SIP phones)

IP Phones are special phones specifically designed for VoIP function. IP phone can be considered as a network endpoint routing voice via its IP address. These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones use an Ethernet connector to connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call.

With IP phones, you can get additional advanced features such as e-voice mail, mobile screening and direct call transfers. Recently, CallWave Mobile offers something similar but the service is set up on the cell phones. What CallWave provides is an application service provider that host voice-over-IP applications for carriers and users from a server located in northern Nevada. The host is then connected to the rest of the world via IP transport. In brief, the service enable VoIP calls to be done on cellphoneto lower the user’s cellphone calling cost.

PC-to-PC

PC-to-PC is certainly the easiest way to make VoIP calls. Ever heard of Skype? Skype is the best example for this type of VoIP service.
For PC-to-PC calls, all you need to do is to download the PC-to-PC VoIP software and you can then start making long-distance calls via Internet for free. For PC-to-PC VoIP calls, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and fast Internet connection are required. Besides your regular Internet service provider fees, there’s no other extra charges.

Conclusion

Wrapping things up, we can see that by marrying this voice traffic with data traffic (IP Telephony), VoIP becomes a very powerful communication method that you can’t ignore. To replace the traditional telephone system or not, VoIP service is here to stay. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative on your long distance calls, VoIP definitely is your ultimate choice.

We strongly suggest that one should review VoIP technology seriously and should learn utilizing it into your personal life (Skype, CallWave Mobile) as well as your own business (Enhance customer call supports, eVoice mail, ATA services).

Benefits of VoIP calls

Great savings on phone call rates

The impact of VoIP technology is huge. With VoIP, you can simply enjoy a much cheaper phone calls by utilizing your existing PC set up and data networks. Most VoIP companies are offering minute-rate plans structured as little as $30 per month; for mobile VoIP like CallWave Mobile, the minimum payment is less than $10 per month and you can get free 30 days trial for the service. With the elimination of unregulated charges and additional features given; it can be quite a bargain!

Flexibility

With VoIP services, business travelers or home workers can work as in the office. You can call freely from anywhere you have the Internet connectivity. Further more, you get another alternative with VoIP– the soft-phone. A softphone is a application software that loads VoIP functions into your computer. With soft-phone, you can make VoIP calls thru your laptop/desktop from anywhere that has the Internet access

Enhanced Customer Service

Often the telephone customer supports will consume a big part of a business budget. With the availability of VoIP calls, business owners can utilize the “Click to Talk” web services set up a customer service application like call centres with enhanced features and low maintenance cost.
Additional advance features

VoIP always come along with various additional advance features. These extra features in fact provide a better communication services to the users. Common seen additional features for VoIP services are:

• Forward calls to a particular number

• Send calls directly to voicemail

• Block the callers number or play a “not-in-service” message

• E-voice mail, where voicemail is sent to your email inbox in the form of email attachment

Disadvantages of VoIP calls

Power problem

Unlike traditional phone system, VoIP is dependant on wall power- meaning that you cannot use your VoIP service when there’s electricity black out. A stable power source is needed to solve this problem.

Security

Voice and data transmit through VoIP calls have the higher risk on being expose. Further more, VoIP is susceptible to worms, viruses and hacking, thus the safety of the data transmitted had been always a major concerns for VoIP users.

Quality of service

The quality of VoIP service depends on different party. Problems in electricity power supply, Internet connections, and VoIP providers will direct affect on the service quality. The reliability of VoIP is a huge disadvantage when compare to conventional telephone services.

Compatible-ability with other systems

Nowadays there are many other systems in your home that may be integrated into the phone line. DVR system, digital subscription TV services, and home security systems are all depending a standard phone line to function. The related industries must think of a way to integrate all these system with VoIP if we want to replace current phone system with VoIP system. New standards on data transmission method are necessary to enable all systems compatible to VoIP system.

The author, Claudia Walters, is an expert writer in office tools and VOIP technologies. View her latest writing assignments on Internet answering services at http://www.MyCallWave.com Learn how you can avoid missing calls while online with Call Wave services and save up the cost for an extra phone line.

Comments Off

Owen Geddes, CEO of Freerunner, recently stated that Freerunner is entering into its first corporate partnership with BE Broadband to provide free WiFi access to 46 communities across the UK. According to Geddes, this is an attempt to help provide internet access to communities not having such benefits at present. He went on to state that this partnership will definitely have a positive effect on the communities.

Freerunner is a service organisation that believes in providing free WiFi access to various community hotspots in the country. The company believes that irrespective of the digital divide, all people in the country should benefit from the use of the internet. Most common places where Freerunner provides free WiFi access include cafes, centres in the outskirts of the city, community centres, schools and small business houses.

Tom Williams, head of operations at BE Broadband, is equally excited about the partnership and has stated that BE also believes that internet access should be available to all, and that this is a great attempt to bring this thought to reality. He went on to add that BE broadband in the initial days also thought like Freerunner, especially in the creation of the ASL +2 network.

In the present partnership, Freerunner and BE broadband are planning to set up about 46 WiFi hotspots in various public community locations across the UK. This facility will be available free of cost for the next three years.

If you need more information on BE Broadband or any of the other ISPs, the Broadband Genie comparative table of the UK broadband providers includes an analysis of the products and services from the internet service providers. So look at their website; click on broadband comparison, and check out the latest on broadband UK.

Comments Off

Home Inspection Software IQ6000 developed with quite a bit of hard core frustration while using quite a few other home inspection software programs plus with over 25 years of experience performing home inspections, taking from that experience, I have created IQ6000. It was developed to be very easy to put to use immediately. You will most likely be able to learn it after viewing 1 hour of instructional videos, and be able to put it to use right away. If you have problems or questions, just e-mail us and we will assist you with the home inspection software. You are able to change the options, put out house inspection software report to PDF, burn to CD, e-mail, or print. Databases can be created of inspection reports, attorneys, and realtors. Backing up the database, just click on it and simply drag. It’s compatible with PC and Mac, and the best part is, home inspection software IQ6000 has no up front charge. We feature no setup fees, no fees to upgrade, you just are assessed a feee per the number of reports, and you have a variet of volume purchase options, as well as there are monthly subscription options available. House inspection software IQ6000 is the only home inspection software of choice for the smart home inspector.
MMA sparring gear, mma gear, mixes martial arts wear, mma gear online, mma workout clothes, and mma gear are just a few of the specializations of House of Pain Iron Wear. possesses top of the line and the best mixed martial arts equiptment, mma clothing, as well as all of the gear and apparel that you would expect on the street, in the gym, or in the ring. Our website not only features the greatest in gear, workout apparel, and clothing, you can visit our lifting and fighting news segments, our in the gym section, other information, links, and events and news for the mma and weightlifting. HouseOfPain have articles of hard core gyms around the US, a mma news blog, weightlifting and strongman news blog, workouts and workout information, insiders training information, a body fat calculator, powerlifting federations, mma videos, kg conversion chart, not to mention a department on what equiptment are allowable by which federations. Check out HouseOfPain for all of your weightlifting and mixed martial arts clothing, gear, and news needs.
Converged Messaging Solutions are also available from Mavenir Systems.The world of messaging providers in the midst of a transition from the old standard SMS messaging to new multi-device MMS and IP-based Instant Messaging. All mobile operators have a compelling need to seamlessly integrate the messaging core across multiple service domains and many devices in order to meet these constantly changing needs. Mavenir Systems does this by their strategy by capping investments in old systems and by providing newer revenue generating services and offerings.

Comments Off

Working professionals have different requirements with regards to their cell phone plan usage than most individual users. Basically, business professionals have a need to make more calls from more locations, and frequently the durations of their calls can be quite long. Business men and women are bound to travel to other states and even other countries fairly frequently, so they require a roaming cell phone service. People in the same company need to be constantly connected with each other, so it makes sense for them to all be on the same cell phone plan and network even though there are numerous plans and networks available.

The first step for a company looking to acquire a business cell phone plan is to determine their exact needs. By doing only paying for exactly what they need and nothing they don’t, a company can save a good deal of money. Cell phone service for a business will likely include essentials like Internet access, e-mail, text messaging and even old-school features like three-way calling and call-waiting.

Los Angeles businesses looking for cell phone plans for their employees should check out the offers from each cell phone company and try to negotiate with them. Although the business plans are offered on a fixed rate, there may still be room for negotiation.

Nowadays, cellular phones are considered a vital necessity for any individual, but especially for business professionals. These phones make it easy to connect with people around the world no matter where you are at any given time, and that’s essential to efficient business in the 21st Century.

Comments Off

HP and American Airlines had recently joined hands to carry out a survey on the preferences of business travellers, and it has thrown some very interesting results. The survey showed that accessibility to the internet at all time was of utmost priority to business travellers.

The study indicates that a majority of business travellers are obsessed with internet, in a way that they could not imagine their life without it. Strangely, even food came after an internet connection on the priority list of these respondents. The notebook and phone are considered to be necessary equipment these days, and 90% of the respondents said that they carry these with them at all places. Around 85% of such people accessed laptop mobile internet while sitting in the airport waiting lounge, and 53% worked during the flight at least once.

Priorities and preferences for people have definitely changed over the years with the advent of technology as well as increase in work pressure. Almost all respondents believed that internet was more important, even when compared to essential things such as food. Giving an insight into this new trend, Carol Hess-Nickels, the Director of Marketing for HP Notebook, said that people were desperate to have internet available with them at all times, and thus, it has become more like a basic need rather than an added benefit.

Working on laptops while sitting in the suffocating environment of a plane is already common practice, and it is likely to be more firmly established in the next few years. More than 70% of the study’s respondents looked forward to internet services during air travel, and most airlines have already started offering onboard internet connectivity. Around 800 more flights are expected to be equipped with such a service in the near future.

Comments Off

According to a new report from eMarketer, the popularity of VoIP telephony services will continue to see significant growth for at least the next four years.

The number of VoIP users in the US will climb from 5.2 million this year, to 32.6 million in 2010, eMarketer predicts. The report attributes the majority of this growth to the much lower costs of VoIP when compared to other telephone plans.

“With most VoIP offers ranging from $15 to $30 per month for unlimited local and long distance calls across the U.S. and Canada, price will be the primary driver for the VoIP industry in the short term,” the report predicts. “Those that survive the fierce price competition are likely to be companies able to offer advanced voice features and other service bundles.”

In the mean time, the level of pricing competition will likely present the biggest benefits to online media and advertising companies. Last month, broadband phone provider, Vonage was the biggest single online advertiser, serving a total of 16.6 million ad impressions, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Telecom giant, Verizon, which also offers VoIP service, was also contributed a lot to the internet marketing mediascape, with 6.2 million impressions served.

(Originally published by TeleClick.ca on April 10, 2006)

About the Author:

Jeremy Maddock is a well-known technology blogger who writes articles about cell phones and the telecommunications industry, as well as VoIP provider reviews.

Comments Off

The innovative idea of turning the boring looking dongle into a designer device has finally come to life. So far, many dongles have been launched with different styles and colours to appeal to the customer in this highly undifferentiated market, but O2 has now take a quantum leap by launching a designer dongle in association with the House of Holland.

The ISP has voted the white and black polka dot dongle as this season’s must-have accessory. The USB device also bears a blue colour House of Holland logo.

House of Holland is a reputed fashion house owned and run by Henry Holland, a 25-year-old fashion designer. Henry Holland became a much known name in 2007 with his ‘Frankie says’ t-shirts. The designer has taken time off from rejuvenating 80s fashion to put his stamp on the mobile broadband market. When asked about the product, Mr. Holland commented that it was an enjoyable experience to work with O2 on the dongle. He feels that it is a special product as it is something everyone would love to own and can be used a great gift.

The dongle is available from 27 February onwards as part of the O2 mobile broadband ‘pay as you go’ deal. It is a limited release so go ahead and book one for yourself today!

Comments Off

OnStar is a cool system for any family. There is even the ability to unlock your door from Space, no kidding, so if you lock yourself out of your car you simply call a number and they unlock it from space. With this great technology and the fact it always knows where you are with GPS, that means the OnStar system could do much more, if it were designed to do so.

Recently a friend on a road trip in a mini-van had been thinking that when going up and down hills the engine had a tough time at the higher altitudes. Having Onstar of course makes drivers feel safer when traveling on road trips; for instance if you get caught in a snow bank collapse or small avalanche. As more people get GPS in their vehicles it will adjust traffic thru an area due to how the display is set on everyone’s in car navigational devices.

Some GPS units suggest best routings and distances, by doing this on the more advanced units it will change traffic flows, for those who have such units. The programmer in Los Angeles could end up effecting traffic in Wyoming on a Device made in China sold with your German car. Go Figure? Currently not all GPS Navigational Systems are programmable and those which are, well like your home VCR, you may never figure out how to use all these cool options. It might be easier to learn a new language?

My friend said; “Wouldn’t it be cool if the Onstar had the capability of programming ones itinerary into an onboard computer, which would then program the engine to be more efficient?”

Well with GIS information data sets figured into the GPS Navigational system it would be easy. The XML database sets can be integrated that is not a problem. Then the Onstar could tell the navigational system that the elevation is changing for a hill. The engine would change for fuel setting for a lower gear or passing gear as the driver hit was one-third up the hill. The GIS-GPS system would tell satellite where it was and the satellite would tell the car that you were at higher altitude and to lean out the mixture of gas and air. Sure, I agree this would be a fuel efficient way to increase fuel mileage and performance and it is not only a smart idea, but also easy to engineer.

I can tell you I have my generator in my motor coach set for about 1500 feet and when I am up at 7-8000′ it runs with extra soot coming out. It does not adjust properly itself. If Onstar adjusted for hills or down hill too that would be smart, it can be done, you know? My friend is correct, as it makes a lot of sense. Think on it.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Comments Off

The giants of communications and technology, Vodafone and Dell, have signed a deal that will offer another level of service in mobile broadband. A recent report revealed that Vodafone and Dell have announced that they will soon start selling Dell’s new Mini 9 ultra-mobile device, with a built in mobile broadband. This new device will be available later this month, from both Vodafone and Dell stores, and also online in various European markets.

The built in mobile broadband will deliver increased mobility, flexibility, ease and convenience to users. No longer will users on the go, have to bother with an additional modem. Consumers will now have the flexibility to connect to the Internet anytime and from anywhere. A Vodafone official stated that this new technology shows that consumers are hungry for mobile broadband internet access. Vodafone took the opportunity to build on their long standing relationship with Dell, and at the same time further enhance what the consumer can achieve from mobile broadband. The announcement is a major step in the ever-evolving technology of mobile broadband. It also makes it possible for a larger number of consumers to enjoy the benefits of mobile broadband.

Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9 ultra-mobile device is very small and light, with an 8.9 inch LED display. It has a very sleek design, and a built in webcam. The device is ideal for consumers who are on the go, and need to be online at all times.

Comments Off