May 17th, 2013
Search giant Google has revealed its latest venture – a music streaming subscription service named Google Play Music All Access.
Described as a ‘radio without rules’, it is understood that users of the service will be able to listen to a large number of music tracks alongside the song files they already own.
Interestingly, after a 30 day trial, users will be charged £5.60 each month in order to access the million strong song library via an Android phone handset or internet browser.
In comparison, competing services offer ‘freemium’ access initially, then charging for advanced features, extras and add-ons.
Rivals to this service will include Spotify, Xbox Musix, Rdio and Pandora amongst others.
Will you be signing up to Google Play Music All Access? Let us know what you think.
Similar blog posts - Google launches Android music service. Amazon reveals cloud music player ahead of rivals. Traffic light system suggested for online music downloads.
Jamie Stokes is Marketing Executive at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Business Telecommunications, Internet, Mobile, Music | No Comments »
May 16th, 2013
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that over seven million adults in Britain have never used the internet.
Recently released figures suggest that 43.5 million adults are active internet users.
This shows an increase of one million compared to this point last year.
However, digital accessibility charities have said that whilst internet access can be a barrier, many people lack the basic knowledge of how to use online tools.
Chief Executive at Go On UK, Graham Walker, has said:
“Sixteen million adults don’t have the basic online skills to confidently take advantage of digital tools.”
It is understood that the elderly and those who are disabled remain the least likely to access the internet.
The research suggests:
- 99% of all 16-24 year olds use the internet
- 34.3% of over 75s have accessed the internet
- 3.7 million disabled adults are not connected to the internet
- London has the highest concentration of internet users at 90%
- In comparison, Northern Ireland has the lowest at just 79%
Similar blog post - Young internet savvy users urged to encourage elders.
Jamie Stokes is Marketing Executive at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Digital education, Internet | No Comments »
May 15th, 2013
Finnish technology giant Nokia has recently announced the production of a new version of its existing smartphone, the Lumia 920.
The new device, the Lumia 925, weighs only 139g making it lighter than its predecessor.
Nokia’s Lumia 925, which supports wireless charging, boasts an 8.7 megapixel camera and is 8.5mm thick.
Other features of the Lumia 925 also include:
- 16GB of internal storage
- 1GB of RAM
- A 4.5inch AMOLED display
- A 1.5GHz dual-core processor
Nokia has described the Lumia 925 as a ‘new interpretation’ of the 920 handset and its new design is meant to enhance the comfort for users.
Stefan Pannenbecker, Product Design Chief at Nokia said:
‘We have created a product that is a little bit more compact and a little bit more comfortable in the hand.’
Would you be tempted to buy the new Lumia 925?
Let us know.
Similar blog post - Nokia looks to increase its US market share with Lumia 928
Jamie Sansom is Marketing Apprentice at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Business Telecommunications, Mobile, Mobile Phones | No Comments »
May 14th, 2013
25 railways stations in Scotland, including Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling, will benefit from free WiFi access when the service is introduced in mid 2014.
It is understood that the Scottish Government has placed an emphasis on introducing free wireless internet for those travelling across the Scottish rail network by 2019.
A fee of £250,000 has been supplied by the Scottish Government in order to implement the service.
Other Scottish railway stations to benefit include:
- Edinburgh Haymarket
- Edinburgh Park
- Glasgow Central
- Glasgow Queen Street
- Inverness
- Perth
Plans have also revealed that the entire fleet of ScotRail’s new Class 380 trains will be equipped with on board WiFi by March 2014.
Transport Minister Keith Brown has stated that this move “…will help keep Scotland’s railways at the forefront of WiFi installion”.
Do you regularly travel by train? Will in station and on train WiFi assist your working day? Let us know.
Do these figures surprise you? Get in touch and let us know.
Similar blog post - Mobile communications tested at Olympic Games. London underground WiFi contract awarded to Virgin.
Jamie Stokes is Marketing Executive at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Business Broadband, Email, Internet, Mobile Phones, Tablet computers, WiFi | No Comments »
May 13th, 2013
Nokia has unveiled its latest flagship device, the Lumia 928, in an attempt to expand its market share in the US after falling behind rivals Apple and Samsung.
Analysts suggest that Nokia need to compete in the high-margin smartphone market if the company is to withstand a long-term and successful future.
The Lumia 928, successor to the Lumia 920 model, weighs just 162g and features a 4.5 inch OLED display screen.
The Lumia 928 will operate Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 software and is only available in black or white, as opposed to the red, blue or yellow offered by the previous Lumia range.
The Lumia 928 boosts an 8.7MP camera, a 1.5GHz dual core processor and has 32GB of internal storage which is the same as the Lumia 920.
Exclusive to Verizon, the Nokia Lumia 928 will be released in the US on 16th May and will be available from $99 on a two year contract.
Similar blog post - Nokia upgrades its music streaming service
Jamie Sansom is Marketing Apprentice at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Mobile, Mobile Phones, Telecommunications News | No Comments »
May 10th, 2013
According to a recent report undertaken by the International Telecoms Union, mobile phone subscriptions will outnumber people in the world by the end of 2014.
It is understood that 6.8 billion mobile phone subscriptions are currently in use across the globe.
This total is edging ever closer to the global figure of 7.1 billion people.
Interestingly, the report also unveiled that over one third of the global population are online.
However, this also reveals that just under two thirds of the world’s population remain offline.
ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Toure suggested that these people remain “locked out of the world’s biggest market”.
Currently, continents with the highest mobile penetration include:
- Europe (75%)
- America (61%)
- Asia (32%)
- Africa (16%)
Do these figures surprise you? Get in touch and let us know.
Similar blog post - Global mobile phone subscriptions reach six billion 2013 is preparing for 1 billion smartphone sales. Mobile phone shipments rise significantly in 2012.
Jamie Stokes is Marketing Executive at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Business Mobiles, Business Telecommunications, Mobile Phones | No Comments »
May 9th, 2013
The UK Government has announced a number of new laws which will make it easier for consumers to receive a refund for defective applications, music and films that have been purchased on the internet.
Yesterday, the Queen’s Speech outlined measures which are set to protect consumers against faulty digital content.
The implemented changes will allow members of the public to claim for the following:
- Compensation if a game purchased online is inaccessible or repeatedly freezes whilst in use
- Compensation or a replacement for applications which are riddled with bugs or constantly freeze
- Compensation or a replacement for film content streamed over the internet and is of poor viewing quality rendering it unwatchable
Interestingly, it is understood that over £1 billion was spent on digital content via the internet in 2012 alone.
It is estimated by the Government that more than 16 million people experienced at least one problem with purchased digital content in 2011.
It is hoped that these new laws will increase consumer confidence in purchasing digital content online.
Are you a frequent app downloader? Have you experienced issues? Let us know your thoughts.
Similar blog post - Mobile gaming expected to increase significantly during 2013 $3 billion to be spent on in-app purchases in 2016. Facebook app for iPad suffers glitches.
Jamie Stokes is Marketing Executive at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Mobile Apps Review | No Comments »
May 8th, 2013
It has recently been reported that three of the UK’s largest phone networks will work together to generate their own concept of the virtual wallet.
O2, EE and Vodafone are all working towards an opt-in service that allows SIM cards to store user’s credit card and loyalty card details.
Customers who opt-in for the virtual wallet service will be able to buy goods within shops simply by swiping their device on a card reader.
The project is being managed by Weve and David Sear, Chief Executive of the company, has said: “You can simply swipe your phone, rather than having to get your card out of your wallet.”
Mr Sear has promised retailers advertising opportunities if they sign up to the service as they will be able to send promotion alerts to consumers as they walk past their shops.
However, with concerns about fraudsters taking advantage of the service and only 6% of people in the UK having used contactless payment, do you think the service is a good idea?
Let us know.
Similar blog post - Make payments by sending a text.
Jamie Sansom is Marketing Apprentice at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Mobile Accessories, Mobile Phones, Mobile banking | No Comments »
May 7th, 2013
According to IDC, tablet computer sales continued to soar in the first quarter of 2013 with a growth of 142.4% when compared to the figures recorded in 2012.
Interestingly, the figures also suggest that more tablets were shipped in the first three months of 2013 than in the first six months of 2012.
It is understood that Apple still takes a huge bite of the market share, peaking at 39.6%.
IDC has announced that a grand total of 42.9 million tablet computers were sold and distributed in the first three months of 2013.
Staggeringly, 19.5 million of the shipped devices were from Apple’s successful iPad range.
Samsung devices came in second selling 8.8 million tablet computers.
Do you own a tablet computer? Do you still use a desktop too? Let us know.
Similar blog post - KALQ keyboard set to become the new QWERTY
Jamie Stokes is Marketing Executive at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Tablet computers | No Comments »
May 3rd, 2013
Social networking giant, Facebook, has reportedly seen a quarterly rise in revenue to $1.4 billion after an increase in its mobile advertising.
Mobile advertising accounted for 30% of Facebook’s total income which is up 23%.
According to Facebook, the social networking website now has over 1 billion users and roughly 751 million users regularly visit the site from a mobile phone.
Facebook has said its profit was $219 million for the first 3 months of 2013 which is an increase of $14 million from the same time last year when the company was private.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, said:
“We have seen strong growth and engagement across our community, and launched several exciting products.”
Facebook is continuing the development of advertising for the increasing number of users who socialise via mobile phones and tablets.
Similar blog post – Facebook Home faces large downloads but mixed reviews.
Jamie Sansom is Marketing Apprentice at Total Ltd – a business to business service provider, delivering genuine solutions across all core telecommunication services, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Total Ltd is a business that brings together and unifies all the component parts. For up to the minute business telecommunications news, please view the Total Ltd blog
Posted in Business Telecommunications, Mobile, Mobile Phones, Social Networking, Tablet computers | No Comments »
