August, 2011


31
Aug 11

Phone Hacking Scandal to be Presented the London Theatre Way

Now this is something that you will not get to see every day. As reported by Guardian, a theatre group based in London is soon going to present the phone hacking scandal in the form of six different plays at the Theatre503.

The venue is popularly known for showcasing fresh and newly written acts. The plays will be staged under a collective title, ‘Hacked.’ Each play will make use of the messages retrieved from the hacked phones as basis for the plays.

Obviously, there is nothing illegal about all of this. The six phones to serve as basis will belong to volunteers who have permitted the theatre group to use their voicemails, with the knowledge that they will be forwarded to six playwrights, to be given the form of plays. The volunteers have also agreed not to delete or censor any messages in their phones. Hence, everything can be used.

Associate Director, Derek Bond at Theater503 had his doubts about an evening of back-to-back short plays on the hacking scandal. He could think of a different theatre taking a verbatim, courtroom approach in the future, but not them. They were more interested in going behind the stories and finding the actual cause behind people’s outrage. Moreover, it was not just the celebrities who were affected – it was missing teenagers, grieving parents and many more people. What if you too were one among them?

The identities of the participating volunteers will be kept anonymous, even to the playwrights, by scrambling up their names before passing on the recordings. The writers have been asked to not curb their creative freedom and not let truth come in the way of a gripping story. Familiar, isn’t it?


26
Aug 11

Micro HDMI Support for Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango)

One of the significant missing features in the Windows Phone 7 release was the HDMI support. Although the platform supported video recording, it did not have the ability to easily share the content with an HDTV device nearby. However, things will change with Acer M310 now.

The new device will feature the latest Windows Phone OS (named Mango) along with the micro HDMI output (a feature also available on many Android handsets). As per reports, the soon to be launched HTC Eternity, another device with Windows Phone OS, will also feature a micro HDMI port besides DLNA wireless sharing.

A Windows Phone NZ blog recently showed the Acer M310 prototype at the Tech Ed conference.

The blog highlighted that the gadget appears to be a good basic handset overall with bevelled edges and a black shiny appearance. This handset has a never seen before feature on the Windows handsets before, the video output to HDMI. Some more additions are the DLNA support to play over a Wi-Fi network connected Xbox, television or a DLNA supported device. The other Acer M310 features are similar to the existing Windows Phone 7 handsets, 8GB storage capacity for example.

The blog also informs that the new device is nearing its completion stages, as far as the production is concerned. This indicates that we will soon have more details about its release date and locations. With regard to the other Windows Phone 7.5 gadgets, though they will all have the capability, it will entirely be up to the handset manufacturers to provide the output.


24
Aug 11

Debate on Cellular Convergence and Threat to Speech and Privacy

Did you come across the recent incidents highlighted in the media related to cell phones being used to transmit information regarding protests or riots? One of them was the spate of protests in London while the other one was about actions by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the US transit system.

The BART incident was primarily where they disrupted the mobile phone services in order to stop all lines of communication among potential protestors. Since it was being seen as a potential hazard, step was taken to protect passengers; an action which was accepted by a group of people and disapproved of by another. Similarly, people expressed mixed reactions when British authorities disrupted not only the mobile services but also the social media during the recent riots.

The question that now arises while we debate on disrupting mobile phone service is: whether mobile communication is classified as a privilege or a right? Cornell University’s professor, Mr. Steve Wicker clearly states that it is nothing less than a right. He strongly feels that since mobile phones are increasingly replacing print and fax, hampering the mobile services for restraining communication is indeed wrong.

Wicker also speaks about the same in his new book called “Cellular Convergence and the Threat to Speech and Privacy” published by the Oxford University Press.

Undoubtedly, cell phones have become an essential and prominent platform for speech in varied forms and contexts, and because this platform is dependent on networking infrastructure which is further controlled by service providers, it creates issues in freedom of speech.


22
Aug 11

Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Mini Pro now with Vodafone

The follow-up version of the X10 Mini Pro, which is the new Xperia Mini Pro from Sony Ericsson, is now available even through Vodafone at their stores or the website.

Running on the latest version of Android OS, Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Mini Pro also features a scratch-resistant 3-inch mineral touch screen measuring 320 x 480 HVGA, a 5-megapixel camera and LED-type flash, a sliding QWERTY keyboard, high definition video playing capability, 512MB RAM, Mobile Bravia technology and 1GHz processor.

The onboard memory in the device is 320 MB and the purchase also includes a 2 GB micro SD memory card which expands the memory to 32 GB. Depending upon the pre-configuration by various cell phone service providers, the actual onboard storage memory that is available may vary.

Onboard applications such as OfficeSuite, FaceBook and ExchangeActiveSync help in synchronising the email with one’s calendar. Just like all Android OS mobile phones, more applications can also be purchased through the Android market.

This phone is available in 4 different colours: black, white, turquoise and pink. You will need to check with Vodafone on what colours may be available at the time of your purchase.

Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Mini Pro weighs just about 136 grams and its dimensions are 92 mm x 53 mm x 18 mm.

When one signs ups for any of the eligible contracts, the Xperia Mini Pro comes absolutely free through Vodafone. This includes a deal of £20.50 monthly for two years, including 500 SMS texts, 100 talk minutes and 250 MB mobile data.


19
Aug 11

Recycling Old Mobile: Giving it a New Life

The UK is quite big on recycling, which is now a part of the country’s overall scheme in making the world a better and cleaner place to live in. Despite the information and the incentives involved, there exists a group of people which is not aware on what can be done with their old mobile phones once they are finished using them.

If you are among that group, I wish to pass on a simple message regarding recycling of mobile phones.

The process of recycling is very simple – one only needs to know the model and the make of the mobile as well as its IMEI number. With just the model and make, finding a recycler too is simple, as sellyourmobile.info puts up a list of cell phone recyclers and arranges them in the order of best deal available for your specific phone. You can then just click on the button which will take you to the selected recycler’s site. All the information explaining the process of selling old mobile phones for either cash or coupons is available.

The Environmental Protection Agency in the US states that recycling of one million mobile phones can save so much of energy which can provide electricity to more than 185 households in the US for complete one year. Won’t that be even better in the UK?

I have to tell you that if you are thinking of buying a new cell phone or even have an old phone lying with you, the best option is to recycle it.


17
Aug 11

Google may Acquire Motorola Mobility

Google and Motorola, on Monday, announced that they will be joining hands with the former now buying Motorola Mobility for a total of US$ 12.5 billion. This move has been seen in a positive light and will put Google in a far better position in order to compete with its chief rival Apple.

Apple has one thing going for it which Google does not. Well, it is the ability to seamlessly tie a mobile operating system together with a cell phone. Android is indeed a strong OS and has till now been relying on the hardware that was manufactured by others such as Motorola. With this new acquisition now, Google can design as well as manufacture its own hardware, enabling creation of SmartPhones and tablets particularly designed to work with Android.

The acquisition is gathering a lot of attention in the Silicon Valley as it is the biggest acquisition since the year 2008. And the biggest acquisition ever for Google!

On the legal side, after buying Motorola Mobility, Google is in a better position of defending itself in all the patent wars. Motorola, through the acquisition, will bring rights to more than 17,000 patents with itself.

There are some concerns too amongst all the good news. Analysts have predicted that the companies making handsets for Android are worrying that Google will begin favouring Motorola over them and providing the latest features to their handsets first.

Looks like 2012 will be an interesting year as Motorola joins Google and Nokia teams up with Microsoft!


15
Aug 11

Microsoft Rumoured to Release Windows Phone 7.5 Soon

A rumour currently doing rounds in the mobile phone circles throughout the world is that Microsoft will be releasing the next version of its Windows Phone 7 Operating System sooner than expected.

The new version of the OS has been code named “Mango” and the date for its early release has been kept as 1st September 2011, which GoMo News traced back to Pocket Lint. And 1st September is right here!

Some people are speculating that the date has been fixed considering the upcoming IFA show in Berlin. Electronics, including mobile phones and many other gadgets are displayed at IFA, whose kick-off date has been set as 2nd September.

These events seem to be nicely tying in with the rumour that even Nokia will launch its first mobile having Windows Phone 7 in mid-September.

Believe it or not, the speculation and rumours are supported by the attendance list of IFA which, apart from Microsoft and Nokia, includes HTC, LG and Acer, all having a great interest in promoting new OS.

Two things work against this speculation being true:

- One is the announcement that Steve Ballmer from Microsoft recently made to us personally and not to the industry. He stated that the launch date of “Mango” will be in mid-October. Microsoft usually isn’t among those who come up early.

- Second is the Nokia World 2011 event scheduled for 26th & 27th October 2011. This, to many, looks like a more-likely place for the launch of new Nokia WP7 than Berlin.


12
Aug 11

iPad 2 Switches From LG to Samsung Display

Although it won’t be visibly evident or make a lot of difference, DigiTimes has reported that Apple has dropped the LG Display (LGD) as its official display panel provider. Until now, LGD was the biggest supplier of displays for iPad 2.

While this is not great news for LG, it certainly is good news for Chimei Innolux and Samsung, the two companies selected as LGD’s replacement. Samsung, which normally supplies around one million displays every month, doubled its July production volume. Though Samsung stands to gain a lot from the arrangement, the real winner in the whole episode is Chimei Innolux, which is now well equipped to leverage its association with Foxconn (the iPad manufacturers) to further increase its share in the iPad display demand volume.

We all know how Apple struggled to meet the phenomenal iPad 2 demand at the time of its launch. This led to lower than expected sales in the first quarter post its launch. However, Apple got its house in order soon and shipped more than nine million units of iPad 2s to the market in the last quarter. In fact, last week, the company went to the extent of dropping its shipping estimate of the gadget to ‘within 24 hours.’ Hence, this is the best time to buy an iPad 2. The shortage and shipping time issues are a thing of the past now.

The iPad 2 has been earning praises from happy customers all over the world and is the best tablet in the market today. While other companies such as Sony are busy trying to come up with a potential competitor of iPad, the market is yet to witness one.


10
Aug 11

Debut date for Android’s PetsPlaces Announced

The online social networking site called PetsPlaces.com, and as the name suggests it is meant for pets, will soon be getting its own cell phone app for Android.

Haven’t we seen so many pets having Facebook pages, in fact three in my own friends list on Facebook are canines. Many pet owners are fully involved into keeping up those pages. The concept of social network, especially for pets, is not new or far-fetched as it may sound like. After all, haven’t you had a look at the extent of social interaction created by online sites such as I Can Has Cheezeburger?

An initiative by the Social Media Ventures, PetPlaces.com has recently announced that a mobile application will be introduced for its users. The press announcement stated that the said mobile app can be used from anywhere and at any convenient time from any mobile phone. PetsPlaces will also be updated on Android further to which the iPhone mobile app will be developed just as new features get added to PetsPlaces.com.

The write up also states that the new mobile application lets members access the site pages and log in with their Facebook login as well as password for faster access. Sharing via Twitter, Facebook and email is also possible.

September 1st 2011 is the launch date set for Android’s PetPlaces.

The global community PetsPlaces has seen a massive increase of 220% in its global page views in the past 3 months, as reported by Alexa.com.


8
Aug 11

Mills, Morgan and Mobile Phones

Heather Mills’ recently made an accusation that her mobile phone was hacked by a reporter from the Daily Mirror where Piers Morgan served as an editor. Piers is a big thing now in the USA after hosting his own talk show in the country and even serving on the panel of USA’s X-Factor. Piers will soon come home as he is being asked to do so.

The mobile phone hacking episode still shakes me when I think about it. The moment I see things are beginning to settle down, I get a jolt just then. I really wonder when the Piers Morgan versus Heather Mills chapter will get over.

There is some good news amidst all the controversy:

1. It is much harder these days for anyone to hack a mobile phone, especially due to developments in technology pertinent to mobile security.

2. We can learn a lesson from the history of events that have taken place, even though we are not famous.

It is important to treat our mobile phones as pocket-sized computers and lock them and even use a PIN. Password-protecting the information and not setting the mobile to remember any password are critical steps. The mobile tracking software can also be taken advantage of.

A lot of our life is inside mobiles these days. The day is not far when they will even be used as credit cards. Not that you will also end up as a headline in any hacking scandal, but protecting the mobile and recycling it after its use is extremely significant.