Tuesday 5 March 2013

In Other News: 05/03/2013


  • The BBC have confirmed that they will be tweaking their mobile iPlayer website to allow Windows Phone users to make use of the catch up TV service! The user base obviously isn't big enough to convince the Beeb to offer a full app just yet, but for those of us with Windows Phones this is much better than nothing and it'll work on both Windows Phone 7.5 and Windows Phone 8 and as a LiveTile.
    BBC Via Engadget.
  • LG of late might be known for some of their Android phones, but the main talking point on these devices has been about how similar they are to Samsung's Galaxy range of phones. In another copycat move LG have announced that Samsung's popular flip covers are being blatantly copied by their South Korean rivals. As you can see to the right, the cases are very similar indeed and there's also the wide range of colours which Samsung offer, with the addition of a purple hue this time too! We can't blame LG for utilising good ideas, but we just wish they'd do something unique!
    Via AndroidAuthority.
  • Google have updated Google Maps for iOS to version 1.1 today! The update brings with it new options to save searches specifically for addresses of your contacts and you can now browse for food, coffee, drinks, gas, post offices, hotels, grocery stores, pharmacies, movie theaters, malls, hospitals, ATMs, and attractions. There's also a host of new places where the app is available now, mainly through the Middle East.
    Via Engadget.
  • The White House has officially responded to the 100,000+ signatures who don't want their phones to be locked in the States and hurrah the government agrees with the people! R. David Edelman, a senior advisor for Internet, Innovation, & Privacy to the Obama said that 'consumers should be able to unlock their cell phones without risking criminal or other penalties'.
    Via Reuters.
  • Virgin UK have confirmed that they are adding a 2Mbps cap to their contract and pay as you go customers. They said that, "We are currently trialling measures to help manage data across the mobile network to ensure all our customers can continue to enjoy the benefits of mobile data on the move".
    Via TheRegister.
  • Facebook has added free voice call support to its Messenger app for Android. The option is only available in Canada for the moment, but this is exactly what happened with the iOS roll out, so the update should land in America in two weeks time!
    Via CNet.
And finally, this is the world's thinnest and smallest mobile phone! In a world where companies are offering us giant smartphones, the Japanese carrier Willcom is selling the Phone Strap 2 WX06A. It's a phone which is 32 x 70 x 10.7mm, and weighs a mere 32 grams. In such a compact shell you won't get everything a smartphone would offer, but there's a 1-inch colour display and you can get about two hours of talk time, or 12 days standby time from this phone. We know that's not very much battery life, but this is touted as a backup to your main phone, not a replacement. The device will only be available in Japan, but for all your other needs we point you to the Nokia 3410!
Via PhoneArena.


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