Tesco is set to rule the mobile market in the UK, with a third of all new pre-pay users jumping to the retail giant’s mobile offering. Launched in a partnership with O2, Tesco Mobile added 420,000 new customers and reached a total of 1.4 million users last year, a far more than Vodafone, T-Mobile and…
Electrifying New Battery Charging Tech
In the quest to make our live truly “wireless,” tech startup Powercast has developed a method to wirelessly transmit power via radio waves. The company says that it harnesses the energy of radio waves to power and recharge devices equipped with a special receiver. This promising new technology has the potential to cut one of…
40% of the UK mobile phone users have a music-enabled handset
M:Metrics has recently released some interesting stats how music phones have penetrated the UK market. According to the study there are 220 mobile phones in the country that can play music, representing 40% of the overall mobile phones marketshare. Ten music-enabled mobile phones account for almost half of mobile music consumption. Not surprisingly Sony Ericsson…
Sugar-Powered Cell Phone On The Horizon?
Cell phones of the future may be powered by sugar. Thanks to some sweet research from Saint Louis University, batteries powering small portable devices may use sugar as their power source – redefining the way we “juice up.” Apparently, “ these sweet batteries run almost three to four times longer on a single charge than…
Microsoft Announces ZenZui And “Zooming User Interface”
Microsoft Research is at it again, as they announce the launch of their new ZenZui service today at CTIA. ZenZui is explained as a novel approach to mobile browsing, incorporating a “zooming user interface.”
Microsoft Research Announces AURA Barcode Reader
Microsoft Research announces their new AURA barcode reader. AURA is an “Advanced User Resource Annotation” device that turns a cellphone’s camera into a barcode reader.
Nokia Twist Keypad Patent Surfaces
Nokia filed for this patent way back in September of 2005, but a recent filing update put this idea back on our radar. The patent drawings show a twisting number keypad. The idea being that the number keypad will always be oriented for easy use whether the phone is in portrait or landscape mode. It’s…
New Thin Film Battery To Revolutionize EVERYTHING!
Everyone knows what a battery looks like. Even though they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, they all have one thing in common – bulk. That is, until this new battery was announced. This new power source is super thin and flexible, and can recharge in 60 seconds! The polymer-based “organic radical” battery…
ABI Research findings indicate declining market share for Symbian OS
The latest research on smartphone markets from ABI Research, shows Nokia has maintained its leadership position. Highlights: A total of 70.9 million units has been shipped last year Of that number, Nokia sold 40 million smartphones (56.4%), thus increasing its smartphone sales from 28.5 million in 2005 Motorola also had a strong 2006 and occupied…
Apple iPhone Antennae / Reception Performance
Will the iPhone have good looks AND good reception? Will the internal antenna hinder radio performance? Well, a recent patent application by Apple sheds some light on this issue. Want to find out for yourself? Then keep reading to find out. (Long read, answer at the end)