ASUS: What's in a name?

ASUS products are pretty good and are usually very powerful. Their press material is first rate and is something that other companies should try to follow. But.. well, their product  names can sometimes be a little bit odd.

Take the ASUS PadFone Infinity, which follows on from the more sensibly-named PadFone 2. Yeah.. Infinity sounds great, but ASUS have really painted themselves into a corner when it comes to the next generation of PadFones. Infinity + 1 still equals infinity. Perhaps they should call it the PadFone Divided by Zero instead?

Oh yes. Remember that PadFone is spelled with a capital "F" in the middle. ASUS are absolutely consistent about this everywhere..

..except on the PadFone itself where it is spelled with a lowercase "F". Not confusing at all, is it?

Of course, it's called the PadFone because it is a.. errr.. tablet that you can plug a phone into. So, if you wanted to create a tablet that already has the phone functions integrated into it, what would you call it?

Yes.. the ASUS Fonepad.

Because that's not confusing at all, is it? PadFone. Fonepad. You can easily tell the two apart because on has a capital in the middle, and the other doesn't. Unless you are looking at a PadFone itself when it isnt'. Errr.

All this comes from the company that is named after the back end of a flying horse. Ass-uss not Ace-us. Nice products though.. if we can remember which is which!

HTC One: Hands-On

HTC One: Hands-On

The HTC One is the recently announced flagship device from HTC that could be the handset to cement the company as the top mobile manufacturer in the world. HTC has had some success with previous handsets such as the HTC One X but has always fallen short of achieving the same sales figures as Apple and Samsung.

So, has the HTC One got what it takes to beat other high-end flagship smartphones? Let’s take a look…

HTC One specs

• 4.7-inch 1080p display
• 1.7GHz quad-core processor
• 9.3mm aluminium casing
• Android Jelly Bean operating system overlaid with HTC Sense
• HTC BlinkFeed homescreen
• UltraPixel camera
•   HTC BoomSound dual-frontal stereo speakers with built-in amplifiers

Super stylish design

The HTC One features a sleek and stylish aluminium casing which is only 9.3mm thick and weighs in at 143g. A 4.7-inch full 1080p HD display dominates the front of the device, and produces sharp, detailed visuals. HTC has done away with the usual Android homescreen app icons and widgets we are familiar with in favour of BlinkFeed, a live homescreen that can be adapted and personalised to the individual’s tastes. BlinkFeed offers the option to have news feeds, social networks, or anything else you fancy on your homescreen, in a similar way to Windows Phone 8’s Live Tiles.

UltraPixel and BoomSound technology

Both audio and photography fans are catered for by the HTC One, thanks to the device’s UltraPixel and BoomSound tech. The UltraPixel camera captures 300% more light than other mobile phone snappers for quality photos even in low-light conditions. On the music side of things, BoomSound dual frontal stereo speakers offer bigger sound with less distortion and more detail, so you don’t need to compromise on quality even when you crank up the volume.

All of these features are pretty impressive on their own, but put them all together in one unit and you’ve got a seriously amazing mobile. It remains to be seen if the HTC One will be a success, but if we had to hazard a guess, we’d say this could become the most popular HTC device ever released. To learn more about the HTC One check out our video, in which we get our hands on the new device to test out its features.

This guest blog was written by Abbi Cox of Phones 4u, who stock a selection of HTC smartphones at incredible prices. 

 

Press Release: BlackBerry Z10 sees exceptional first week sales at Phones 4U

BLACKBERRY Z10 SEES EXCEPTIONAL FIRST WEEK SALES AT PHONES 4U

Demand for white variant, still only available at Phones 4u, particularly strong 

London, UK, 7^th February 2013: Phones 4u today confirms it has enjoyed an exceptional response to the new Blackberry® Z10 in both white and black, with over 55% of their 680 stores selling out of the devices during the first weekend of sales.  Phones 4u has since replenished stock to cater for the high demand.

Demand for the white model is particularly strong among UK smartphone customers and Phones 4u remains the only retailer where consumers can get their hands on the white device. 

Scott Hooton, Chief Commercial Officer at Phones 4u, comments: “As Phones 4u is currently the only place people can get their hands on the BlackBerry Z10 in white, it has been a huge success and continues to sell extremely well.  A large number of our stores DID sell out of the white model on launch weekend, but because we knew demand was so high and we didn’t want anyone to miss out on getting one, we replenished stock within hours.”

“We have a longstanding relationship with BlackBerry® and we’re delighted to report such a strong sales performance within less than a week of the new handsets going on sale. It’s fantastic to see this consumer excitement and demand, and we’re looking forward to seeing sales continue to grow over the coming weeks, particularly for the BlackBerry Z10 in white which is still only available at Phones 4u.”

A survey conducted via Phones 4u’s co-creative consumer panel, uBar (www.theubar.co.uk), has revealed that desire for a new BlackBerry smartphone handset has doubled since December 2012. The survey also highlights the top BlackBerry Z10 features driving consumer demand, with 42% of respondents voting for the BlackBerry Z10’s larger screen as being one of their top three, followed jointly by the touch screen and faster mobile browsing at 40%, and its new Flow feature at 31%.

Phones 4u is the first to range the new BlackBerry Z10 in white, which is available now along with the black model too, at Phones 4u stores from £36 a month on contract, on a choice of networks. The full range is also available online at www.phones4u.co.uk.

Press Release: EE to switch on 4G for 27 further towns by June 2013

EE TO SWITCH ON 4G FOR 27 FURTHER TOWNS BY JUNE 2013

 

SUPERFAST MOBILE SET TO BE AVAILABLE TO MORE THAN HALF OF THE UK BY SUMMER

 

·         4G being switched on in Aldershot, Ashford, Basildon, Basingstoke, Blackpool, Bracknell, Camberley, Colchester, Crawley, Farnborough, Guildford, Horsham, Huddersfield, Leatherhead, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oldham, Oxford, Redhill, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Stevenage, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Warrington, Wigan and Woking

·         UK’s first 4G network set to cover more than 65 towns and cities by Summer – connecting more than 55% of the population

·         Businesses in Britain benefitting from greater reach of 4G as rapid network rollout continues   

 

7 February, 2013 – EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced that 4G will be switched on in a further 27 towns across the country by June 2013, expanding  superfast coverage to more than 65 UK towns and cities in total.

 

The 4G rollout, which offers customers speeds up to five times faster than 3G, is proving a huge success with UK businesses, including Addison Lee, Foxtons, Gatwick Airport, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Kier, Microsoft, Morrisons, Sony Music, TNT Post and Urban Outfitters, who are already reaping the benefits of increased efficiencies and productivity both in and out of the office.

 

Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said:

“Our business customers want a 4G network that covers the markets in which they operate, and that is exactly what we are building for them – and at a phenomenal rate. We’re set to cover more than half of the UK population by Summer, staying ahead of the schedule that we set for ourselves at launch, and continuing to demonstrate the amazing value of 4G mobile to many organisations with different challenges and different needs.”

 

Between April and June, 4G will be launched in Aldershot, Ashford, Basildon, Basingstoke, Blackpool, Bracknell, Camberley, Colchester, Crawley, Farnborough, Guildford, Horsham, Huddersfield, Leatherhead, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oldham, Oxford, Redhill, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Stevenage, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Warrington, Wigan and Woking.

 

The EE 4G network currently covers 45% of the UK population, and is forecast to increase to more than 55% by summer, as the network grows to cover more than 65 towns and cities as well as much of the suburban and rural areas that surround them. At the end of January, nine new 4G towns were switched on, and this week 4G coverage from EE, the UK’s largest mobile operator, landed in Newbury – the 28^th live 4G town.

 

For more information, please visit www.ee.co.uk.

Press Release: Statement by Apple

Statement by Apple

By early last year, Apple’s cash balance had built to a point beyond what we needed to run our business and maintain flexibility to take advantage of strategic opportunities, so we announced a plan to return $45 billion to shareholders over three years. As of next week we will have executed $10 billion of that plan.

We find ourselves in the fortunate position of continuing to generate large amounts of cash, including $23 billion in cash flow from operations in the last quarter alone.

Apple’s management team and Board of Directors have been in active discussions about returning additional cash to shareholders. As part of our review, we will thoroughly evaluate Greenlight Capital’s current proposal to issue some form of preferred stock. We welcome Greenlight’s views and the views of all of our shareholders.

As a part of our efforts to further enhance corporate governance and serve our shareholders’ best interests, Proposal #2 in our proxy includes some recommended changes to our articles of incorporation. These changes were recommended independently of Greenlight’s proposal and would not preclude Apple from adopting their concept. Contrary to Greenlight’s statements, adoption of Proposal #2 would not prevent the issuance of preferred stock. Currently, Apple’s articles of incorporation provide for the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval. If Proposal #2 is adopted, our shareholders would have the right to approve the issuance of preferred stock. As such, Proposal #2 has the support of many of our shareholders.

We remain committed to having an ongoing dialogue with our shareholders to get perspectives around return of capital and driving shareholder value.

Press Release: First iPhone 5 Spy Software Hits the Market

First iPhone 5 Spy Software Hits the Market

Jacksonville, Florida - Retina-X Studios announces the immediate availability of Mobile Spy for the Apple iPhone 5. Owners of iPhone 5 can now use the software to monitor mobile usage in real time. The hidden software remains completely silent on the device while it monitors text messages, call information, GPS locations and other activities of children or employees, even if phone logs are erased.

Mobile Spy has consistently set the standard for mobile monitoring by releasing the first spy software for iPhone in 2008, Android in 2009 and the iPad in 2010. The tradition now continues by releasing the first spy software compatible with iPhone 5. Previously, no other company was able to offer compatibility with the latest iPhone running the latest operating system. Mobile Spy is now compatible.

"Mobile Spy is a priceless piece of software. After having some doubts about honesty, this really helped set the record straight and confirmed my suspicions." says Derrick, a Mobile Spy user.

The software is completely hidden and runs in total stealth mode. No mentions of the software are shown inside the iPhone 5. The program is quickly and easily downloaded to the device and records applications used, phone call details, text messages sent and received, photos taken, websites visited, and more. Instantly after activities are recorded, they are quietly uploaded to the user's secure and private online account. Logs can be checked by logging into the website from any device's web browser.

"Millions of people now use the iPhone 5. Many people have inquired about compatibility but up until now we had no way to provide a compatible version." explains Craig Thompson, media coordinator of Retina-X Studios. "The technology has been released and now parents or employers can learn the truth on the iPhone 5."

The proven system helps parents monitor teen or family phones. With this software, a parent can login to a website to remotely view all text messages and photos snapped, among many other activities. It is also used to help businesses enforce Acceptable Use Policies on devices provided by their company. Users also commonly use the program to back up their own cell phone activity as a record of all important text conversations or phone call interactions.

"For those who want to keep tabs on their teens, this is the answer," adds Thompson. "Mobile Spy provides parents with the information they need, when they need it. This helps keeps teens safe, and helps parents feel better about letting them out of their sight with an iPhone."

Mobile Spy for iPhone 5 is available for immediate download at http://www.mobile-spy.com/iphone.html. Thousands of parents have been turning to Mobile Spy to ensure their teen cell-phone users are staying safe, while thousands of employers are also using the technology to keep tabs on employees who are using company-issued cell phones. The iPhone spy software is just $49.97 for three months.

Mobile Spy is also available for other cell-phone types, including Android, Blackberry, Symbian OS and more. The technology is also available for computers and tablets.

Retina-X Studios (RXS) designs and manufactures software tools that let customers monitor their individual computer, network, smartphone or tablet device. The company's products have been mentioned by CNN, NBC, CBS News, BBC, Reader's Digest, Computer Shopper and other media outlets.