vodafone
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Wallpaper lets your friends borrow e-books from real-world shelves
As convenient as e-books may be, lending them to friends is a headache; copyright woes notwithstanding, it's simply hard to show what you have on offer. Vodafone Romania just made things a bit easier, though. Its new Digital Library Wallpaper gives you real-world (if very flat) bookshelves to showcase your digital wares. As the library owner, you order a custom adhesive wallpaper that reflects the free e-books you've chosen at Vodafone's website. Once the print is on display, visitors to your home just have to scan QR codes to borrow titles and start reading.
Vodafone's gift of Netflix takes the edge off its 4G plans
If deciding which mobile operator to go with hinges more on watching House of Cards than on price or coverage, then Vodafone's latest entertainment offer could be worth a look. In addition to its Sky Sports and Spotify entertainment packs, the carrier today threw TV and movie streaming into the mix by bundling a six-month Netflix subscription when you sign up to one of its Red 4G plans. There's a catch, though: You'll need to pick a minimum £26-per-month plan, which furnishes you with 3GB of data (although it is unlimited for the first three months). That's fine for browsing and social updates, but it's worth noting that Netflix streams consume up to 1GB per hour for SD video and up to 3GB on HD content, which could burn through your allowance in double-quick time. That isn't to say you can't utilise the free Netflix pass over a WiFi connection, but it pays to be mindful when the operator says you can "stream your favourite shows and films on the move." Vodafone will let you select Netflix as your entertainment pack of choice from between July and December, so put that upgrade on hold if you want to catch the new series of Orange Is The New Black.
Electronic artists turn 600 phones into a symphony of light and sound
Forget Prince's "Purple Rules" demanding smartphone-free concerts, one group is actually encouraging fans to wave their handset in the air because it's part of the show. Electronic group Booka Shade recently performed a concert where the audience's phones played coordinated sound and lights via a custom app during songs, making them less of an annoyance and more an integral part of the performance.
Vodafone pretends it's doing you a favour by not upping prices mid-contract
Vodafone took to its blog today to affirm a commitment: customers on any pay-monthly plan will never see its cost increase mid-contract. Three saw this as an opportunity to tweet about its identical policy, but haven't we heard all this before? But of course we have, when new Ofcom rules came into effect in January that meant anyone could dodge early termination fees and ditch their contract should prices go up during the agreed term. O2's found something of a loophole by adding a clause to contracts that has you agree to price hikes in line with inflation, while EE's simply played ball. Unlike Three, Vodafone's never actually spoken out in agreement before, but the network isn't doing you as much of a favour as it'd have you think. If prices were to shoot up mid-contract, it'd mean lost business, so the commitment is very much in Vodafone's interest. Let's be frank -- if anyone's really to thank for the carrier's new honourable stance, it's Ofcom.
EE and Three's voicemail systems hacked using number-cloning trick
With the phone hacking scandal still playing out in the courts, it should be safe to assume that UK mobile operators have put measures in place protect customers' own voicemail inboxes. Unfortunately, that's only half true. We know thanks to an investigation by The Register, which showed that two of the big four carriers had neglected to close a loophole that allows nefarious third-parties to spoof a customer's phone number and immediately gain access to their voicemails. Those two companies? EE and Three. Armed with a target's phone number and VoIP calling system, researchers were able to trick both carriers' voicemail systems into believing a call originated from one of their SIMs. Attempts to hack into Vodafone and O2, however, were unsuccessful. Vodafone blocked attempts with PIN requests, while O2's systems always timed out. When pressed about the issue, Three simply pointed to the voicemail security pages on its website and warned users to set a PIN (which isn't enforced by default). EE immediately set about fixing the flaw and sent out an announcement just a few hours later telling customers it had "patched the issues raised in the article." The company said it also plans to run "a full review of all [its] voicemail platforms," to head off any future issues.
New HTC One available in the UK today
Now you've heard the skinny on HTC's latest flagship; the next step is figuring out where in the UK you can grab one. As Carphone Warehouse let slip last week, availability starts from this very moment. At six Carphone Warehouse stores across London, the retailer's offering the new One for £550 unlocked, or for £42 per month with no upfront payment. Head past the break to see where you can get it elsewhere.
HTC's overpriced Desire 310 ready to underwhelm Europe in April
When the Desire 310 popped up on HTC's Chinese site a few days ago, we wrote it off as a regional product with no international aspirations. Well, we were mistaken, and though there's no word on the low-end handset coming to the US, it's most certainly bound for Europe. HTC didn't invite the Desire 310 to party at MWC, but then again, there's not much to celebrate. The handset bundles a 4.5-inch, 854 x 480 display with a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek CPU, a gig of RAM, 4GB of storage (expandable via microSD), a 5MP camera, 2,000mAh battery, 3G connectivity and Android 4.2. It's an incremental improvement over the Desire 300, with a few design tweaks like the omission of soft keys (a recent trend for HTC). We're told in the UK that the Desire 310 will arrive at O2, Vodafone and Carphone Warehouse at the end of April in a selection of hues, and the folks over at GSMinfo.nl note a recommended price of 169 euros for The Netherlands, or around £140 (UK pricing isn't available yet). With the far superior Moto G going for £100 on pay-as-you-go or £130 unlocked in the UK, though, we can only suggest HTC raise the stakes soon if it's serious about betting on lower-end devices.
Vodafone's network in a backpack connects people after natural disasters
Vodafone Foundation (the carrier's philantrophic arm) has launched a 24-pound mobile network in a backpack to help folks contact family and friends in the wake of a disaster. The device called the Instant Network Mini may be relatively small, but it provides a 2G GSM connection capable of handling thousands of text messages and five calls made at once to people within a 328-foot radius. It's equipped with a GSM base transceiver that uses satellite connection to link up to a host network. Vodafone developed the Mini as a smaller version of its 220-pound "portable" network with help from its Spanish division, Huawei and non-government org Télécoms Sans Frontières. The Foundation's been lugging the much bigger device to relief operations in the name of its Instant Network Programme. In fact, during Vodafone's mission to the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, two 220-pound kits handled a total of 1.4 million text messages and 443,288 calls within 29 days. Obviously, the larger machine has a wider operating radius (3 miles), but the Mini has its own set of pros. Since it can be deployed within minutes and be carried on planes, it can potentially help more people -- and more quickly, too.
Verizon completes buyout of Vodafone's stake in its cellphone business
After 14 years of partnership, Verizon now has full control over its cellphone business. The telecom giant has officially completed its buyout of Vodafone's 45 percent stake in Verizon Wireless, giving it both more independence and leaner operations. The American provider isn't saying just what it will do now that the $130 billion deal is done, but it at least doesn't have to worry about the tensions that sometimes defined its relationship with Vodafone. It's business as usual if you're a subscriber, although we wouldn't rule out changes in the long run.
Verizon shareholders approve buyout of Vodafone stake, deal expected to close next month
The next step in Verizon's buyout of Vodafone's 45 percent stake in the company is now complete. Shareholders held a special meeting to vote on the matter, and their consensus was to issue 1.3 billion shares to Vodafone shareholders to complete the transaction; in London, Vodafone shareholders also conducted a vote on the matter today as well, giving Verizon the green light. Now that this hurdle is out of the way, the last step is for the High Court of Justice of England and Wales to approve the deal (along with other customary closing procedures) -- and as long as everything works out, the transaction is expected to close on or around February 21st.
Sky and Vodafone could team up to take on BT
When Sky and BT started attacking each other, we had imagined that the conflict would soon fizzle out. After all, the last time we saw a media heavyweight go up against the Haus of Murdoch, the only survivor was a stuffed monkey. This time, however, BT's billion-pound gambles on sport, mobile and broadband seem to have made the folks over at Osterley more than a little edgy. According to The Sunday Times, executives at Sky have been holding secret meetings with Vodafone to discuss ways the pair can team up. The proposals run from minor deals concerning Sky Movies on Vodafone handsets, all the way through to the duo building a nationwide broadband network that'll rival the country's number one. It's all just gossip for now, however, and in the meantime, while these lot go at each other, Netflix can mop up behind their backs.
UK travellers set to get 3G and LTE services inside the Channel Tunnel
For more than a year, the Channel Tunnel (a 32-mile mile underwater tunnel connecting England and France) was regarded as French territory, as far as the mobile industry was concerned. Three major French carriers had signed deals with EuroTunnel to offer access on its networks, leaving British travellers without access. That's set to change, however, after UK providers EE and Vodafone announced they will supply 2G and 3G access to customers journeying to France from March. Both companies say 4G services are coming, but will arrive a little later down the line. While neither company has detailed the data speeds you can expect to receive as you pass under the world's busiest seaway, EE suggests you'll still be able to prepare for meetings, check your emails and watch streamed movies when its LTE service goes live in the summer.
UK carriers agree to cap bills on lost and stolen cellphones
It's bad to rack up steep cellphone bills through your own actions, but it's even worse if a thief does that on your behalf. Thankfully, the UK government has struck a deal with EE, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone to cap bills on any cellphone reported lost or stolen after this spring. Brits on those networks won't be liable for more than £50, even if a mugger goes on a Netflix marathon. The agreement should also prevent other kinds of bill shock; carriers will be clearer about the chances of mid-contract rate hikes (with the option of ending that contract), and they'll help wipe out roaming charges by 2016. The UK's moves won't completely eliminate surprise costs -- not when O2 and other providers are missing from the deal, at least -- but it might help ease the blow.
Nokia Lumia 1520 reaches the UK on December 6th, starting at £80 on a £38 per month plan
Brits who've been yearning for the Nokia Lumia 1520 will soon get their chance. The supersized Windows Phone is now due to reach the UK on December 6th, when it will be available through O2 at retail and Vodafone through the web. Third-party retailers like Carphone Warehouse and Phones4u will also stock the 6-inch flagship. While the exact pricing will vary, Vodafone will sell the phone for £80 when it's attached to a £38 per month plan and a 2-year contract; it will be available for free if you subscribe to a beefy £47 plan. The 1520 will undoubtedly be one of the more expensive handsets in the country, then, but it may be worthwhile for those who want one of Nokia's most powerful devices.
Vodafone UK fails to reach imposed minimum 3G coverage, will fix by 2014
If UK folks on Vodafone find themselves without 3G in some places, it's because the telcom has failed to reach the minimum geographical coverage imposed by Ofcom. In 2010, the government-directed mobile regulator required the expansion of 3G networks until they cover the area where 90 percent of the population lives come 2013. While O2, Three and EE all passed muster after the June 30th deadline, Ofcom has discovered that the British-owned telcom missed the goal by 1.4 percent. The watchdog's report didn't detail why the carrier failed to meet the target, but it was implied that the company made a faulty estimate on how many 3G-capable mobile masts it needed. Worry not, o ye Vodafone faithful -- the provider plans to convert roughly 100 more 2G sites to 3G in order to comply to Ofcom's standards (and avoid paying penalty) by January 2014. [Image credit: Iain Patterson, Flickr]
iPad reportedly bursts into flames in Australian Vodafone store
According to a report in news.com.au, a Vodafone store in Canberra had to be evacuated after an iPad demo model exploded. The report did not identify the iPad model involved, but it was likely an iPad Air. A Vodafone spokesperson told the website that a burst of flames shot out of the charging port of the device. After the mini explosion, the device continued to spark, while smoke filled the store. Both customers and employees were forced to evacuate. The fire brigade was then called in to clear out the smoke and disable the device. News.com.au claims an Apple representative visited the store to obtain the charred device in order to determine what caused the fire. Apple has not publicly commented on this incident. [Image via News.com.au]
AT&T could buy Europe's biggest mobile phone network (and Verizon's former minority owner)
If Bloomberg's sources are to be believed, the UK might need its own Paul Revere, riding from town-to-town and screaming "The Americans are coming!" Those persons familiar with the matter have claimed that AT&T is looking to buy Vodafone, Europe's biggest mobile network, to help bolster the company's growth and enjoy some of those lush Euro profits. According to the report, it's not the first time the two have eyed each other up, but the complexities of the deal have always stopped them reaching a conclusion. Of course, now that Vodafone is dis-entangling itself from Verizon, that may not be as much of an issue, but we're not sure how Big Red would feel if its deadliest rival suddenly teamed up with its former owner. That's why AT&T is also keeping an eye on EE, the UK's largest LTE network, as a spare just in case it can't fill its dance card with the one it really wants.
Samsung's LTE Galaxy Express 2 launches on Vodafone UK tomorrow
Samsung's on a mission... to make a Galaxy phone for everyone. If you're in the UK, and fancy a mid-range slice-of-Sam, then maybe the Galaxy Express 2 is the right fit for you? Exclusive to Vodafone stores at launch (more retailers to follow,) the Express 2 has a fairly sizeable 4.5-inch (qHD) display, comes with Android 4.2/JellyBean, a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 8GB onboard memory (expandable by a further 64GB via SD card) and 5-megapixel camera. The LTE phone comes with all the regular software trappings we've come to know and love/not mind from Samsung, such as S Travel, S Translator and Story Album. There will be two color options when it launches with Vodafone tomorrow (Ceramic White, and Rigel Blue,) the latter being exclusive to the UK's "big red." Clearly this aims to mop up all the Galaxy S4 Mini customers that wanted a slightly larger screen, in exchange for a worse camera. No word on price though, we'll update the news once we find out.
HTC One Max to reach Vodafone UK this week, costs £600 unlocked
Brits won't have to wait long to get their hands on the HTC One Max. Vodafone UK says that it will be offering the gigantic smartphone this week as a carrier exclusive in the country; customers can pick it up for £49 if they're willing to subscribe to a £47 monthly plan. An unlocked version is also available, although it's not cheap at £600 ($958) for a 32GB model at MobileFun.co.uk. We expect pricing to come down as competition heats up, but HTC's massive handset currently demands an equally large premium.
Nokia bundles free Netflix with Lumia 1020 purchases through Vodafone
With the holiday season fast approaching, it looks like Nokia is eager to bump up sales in the UK lest it get trounced by the competition. For Vodafone customers shopping around for a new Windows Phone, that means getting a free year-long Netflix subscription with the purchase of a Lumia 1020. According to The Financial Times, Nokia will bear the brunt of the cost, while the extent of Netflix's financial involvement is unclear. Though the Lumia's photographic capabilities are undeniable, the phone hasn't quite caught on like wildfire, largely due to inaccessibly high pricing, even on contract. Considering that just last month, AT&T and Microsoft slashed the two-year contract price from a whopping $299 to $199 in the US, this type of corporate anxiety is hardly surprising. The Nokia/Netflix arrangement might prove mutually beneficial, as the latter is keen to expand in European markets, though time will tell if it's enough to reel in holiday shoppers.
