SwyxIt! Handset P280 is optimised for SwyxWare

Swyx extends its portfolio: USB Handset P280 is first in series of own manufactured UC devices.

Swyx, a market-leading vendor of Unified Communications (UC) for SMEs is to extend its product portfolio in the future with its own UC devices. The SwyxIt! P280 Handset represents the first time that the company has designed and manufactured a telephone itself.

The handset is optimised to work with its software-based UC-solution SwyxWare and represents the first in a series of further Swyx hardware devices. The SwyxIt! P280 Handset will be available in the second quarter of 2012.

HD sound quality and support of all Plug-in functions
As a flexible extension of the desktop, the SwyxIt! P280 Handset offers voice quality with HD audio, support for all plugin functions together with SwyxWare 2011 R2, as well as the possibility of additional headset support with Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7. Other benefits of the hand-set include hook functionality and features like open listening and hands-free mode. The integrated loudspeakers also allow individual call signalling. The P280 is powered via the USB.

“Customers demand devices with more sophisticated design”

“From our sales partners, we have seen an increasing demand for phones with more sophisticated designs, in line with rising customers’ expectations. We wanted to offer a modern telephone with a contemporary look and feel, which combined with rich functionality and was optimised perfectly with our communication software. The P280 represents the ideal telephone to take full advantage of Unified Communications”, explains Dr. Wolfgang Schröder, CEO at Swyx, regarding the decision to develop and produce its own devices.

Further phones planned - P280 is available Q2/2012

The P280 represents the forerunner in a series of planned devices: “We are planning the development and production of further devices, giving greater variety to our portfolio in the future. For example there will be a model that will facilitate the integration of mobile phones”, says Ralf Ebbinghaus, Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Service at Swyx.

For more information visit - www.swyx.com.

The New Liquid Glow Smartphone

Acer presents its Liquid Glow smartphone at the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Based on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, this smartphone brings the ultimate balance between style, performance and affordability — ideal for today's fun-seeking, social-networking young and not-so-young people.

The Liquid Glow sports a 3.7-inch screen and portrays Acer's signature look with nice curves, chrome details, and a soft-touch casing combined to deliver the perfect size, grip and feel. This new smartphone will be available in a series of trendy colors: Sakura Pink, Alpine White, and Cat's-eye Black. Going a step further, the onscreen display style varies with the external color, making each smartphone a unique fashion statement.

The Liquid Glow brings together the power and the convenience of Ice Cream Sandwich, providing a user-friendly interface along with widgets to easily stay connected, entertained and updated. It also works with the latest voice-input engine from Google, which guarantees a continuous "open microphone" experience and streaming voice recognition.

The smartphone's 5 MP rear camera features an LED flash for low light, as well as panoramic image capture and touch focus. With Android Beam, photos can be shared by a single tap with another NFC powered Android device, without the hassle of launching application or pairing. What's more, Android Beam can also share anything like contacts, favorite apps, music or videos instantaneously through NFC.

Please come and see the new Liquid Glow smartphone at Acer Pod, located inside the Google Android Booth, Hall 8 - 8C25.

The Acer Liquid Glow will be available in early summer 2012.

Visit www.acer-group.com for more information.

Collinson Latitude Calls For Mobile Operators To Anticipate Customers’ Needs And Offer Real Value

London, January 12, 2012: Collinson Latitude, a global provider of incremental revenue, membership and loyalty products, is calling on mobile operators to capitalise on their customer data insights by delivering reward programmes that better anticipate customer needs.

Collinson Latitude director Janet Titterton says: “Mobile operators are aware of the opportunity to build stronger relationships with their customers by undertaking effective customer segmentation – as many conferences will inform us with topics focusing on the need to develop increasingly informative insights into customer lifestyles.

"But there is little evidence that they are actively pursuing relationship management strategies that make each of us feel that they know and value us. With initiatives like O2 Priority Moments, we are starting to see operators harness the huge loyalty potential of mobile platforms; providing offers and benefits when and where customers need them. However, to truly reap the rewards of customer loyalty and engagement, the opportunity for operators is to be relevant and provide their customers with tangible value.”

According to Titterton, the need to move beyond generic offers for all to more personalised benefits is particularly acute for operators: “Mobile operators are facing a watershed in their evolution. Although mobile handsets have become indispensable lifestyle accessories, customers not only value their handsets but also the content provided by third-party companies.

"There is a danger of the underlying mobile connectivity becoming a mere commodity. To minimise customer churn and to access fresh revenue streams from customers, mobile operators need to exploit their data insights to surprise and delight customers with loyalty rewards and offers that are timely, relevant and offer real value.

“The good news is that mobile operators are in a great position to deliver this type of next generation relationship programme,” says Titterton. “Mobile firms have access to many indicators of a customer’s lifestyle – such as where they live and their travel behaviour. With growing penetration of near-field communication (NFC) and contactless payment, the opportunity to track wider buying behavior will be available too. By developing a comprehensive and single customer view through data analysis and insight, operators can deliver targeted benefits that are relevant to the individual and reward loyalty in a unique way.

“But the real excitement comes at the next stage,” Titterton continues. “By analysing reward, offer and benefit redemption behaviour, operators can develop intelligent, personalised and dynamic programmes that anticipate customer needs and wants, based upon previous behaviour. It is this ability to foresee customers’ wishes that makes some online retailers so successful at driving customer profitability. Mobile operators must also follow this path.”

Is YOUR mobile phone a security risk?

New research from The Carphone Warehouse has revealed the risks many mobile phone users are taking by not securing their handsets. Over half (54%) of UK adults think their phone and the data on it would be secure, should it be stolen or lost. However, 86% of these people don’t have security software installed on their phones, making them vulnerable to thieves and prying eyes. Interestingly, 89% of us have installed security software onto laptops and computers, however the interest in security does not seem to run through to mobile phones.

As phones become more sophisticated and sales of smartphones rise, thieves are on high alert for opportunities to bag new handsets, meaning mobile security becomes increasingly important for users. Today’s research, questioning over 2,000 people, highlighted the lack of awareness on the importance of protecting personal data. The Carphone Warehouse is launching Mobile Phone Security Week to educate consumers on the simple steps that can be made to secure mobile devices. All week, the Carphone Warehouse is providing in-store advice from their security trained staff. As well as in store, you can access tips and information at www.carphonewarehouse..com/security.

Mobile phones are obvious targets for thieves and - given how much we now rely on them - a lost handset can cost you more than just money. Half of people (49%) admitted to using their mobile phone to buy music, clothes and even insurance online, meaning their account details are logged on their phones and accessible should their phone be lost or stolen.

It’s not just our account details at risk, as almost a third (74%) of people cite using their phones to take personal photos - and keep them stored on the handset. David Rogers, Mobile Phone Security Expert says there are easy steps we can be taking to protect our privacy; “While technology is evolving, there are easy ways you can keep your data safe and secure when using a mobile phone.

For example, remembering PINs and passwords can be time consuming, but they are a simple and necessary way to deter any prying ears from accessing your handset or hearing your voicemail.”

Smartphones provide easy access to emails, making it more common than ever to be working outside the traditional office space. You can be on the train, in a coffee-shop or in a hotel, but flexibility in the devices and wireless networks we use means important confidential information is easily accessible. There has never been a more important time to protect yourself against being a victim of ID fraud via your mobile technology.

It seems that the thought of setting up security software may be daunting as 65% of the UK adults surveyed claimed they don’t have a password on their voicemail, even though one third (32%) of people worry that their phones are not very secure.

Matt Stringer, UK MD from The Carphone Warehouse said, “We’ve seen a real increase in smartphone users over the past year with roughly 85% of handsets sold last year with a postpay connection being smartphones. The more sophisticated the handsets become, the more attractive they are to thieves. The Carphone Warehouse can provide easy and inexpensive solutions that can save a lot of worry in the long term.

What’s more, Geek Squad’s Protect & Detect service has been specially designed to provide security for smartphones, including a free online hub to all Geek Squad customers, where they have access to unlimited online backup so their important data stays safe at all times. In addition Geek Squad agents can also help install mobile security packages such as Bull Guard* in store, which not only protects data, but provides the ability to track a phone should it be stolen via an Antitheft GPS Tracker. At The Carphone Warehouse we’ve worked with mobile security expert, David Rogers to pull together a list of top tips which we hope people will find useful to stay safe and secure in future.”

Available from The Carphone Warehouse www.carphonewarehouse.com or 0800 925 925

*Bull Guard Mobile Security is compatible with Android and BlackBerry devices.

FACTFILE:
For more information about Best Buy in the UK, go to www.bestbuy.co.uk.

Geek Squad, part of Best Buy Europe and a Best Buy Inc. owned company, is a 24/7 technology support service, available in all new Best Buy stores across the UK. Geek Squad provide technology support in store, over the phone, remotely through your computer, or via visits to your home. Geek Squad currently has a UK-wide network of Agents able to solve your tech problems, and can draw on knowledge from 20,000 other Agents across the world.

For more information about Geek Squad in the UK, go to www.geeksquad.co.uk

The Carphone Warehouse’s top tips to protecting personal data

1. Record your phone’s identity number in case it is stolen
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is what identifies your phone to the network and is located on the back of your phone underneath the battery. You can register your phone’s details and IMEI number on the UK National Property Register at: http://www.immobilise.com/. This helps the Police to return lost or stolen property to its correct owner.
2. Secure access to your device and voicemail
PINs and passwords can be a pain as they put a barrier in the way of things you do repeatedly. Firstly, voicemail. It is extremely important to have a PIN on your voicemail to prevent people listening into your private messages. Don’t choose obvious PINs e.g. 1111, 1234, dates of birth etc. Make use of the handset locks to protect your data and messages.
3. Learn how to remotely lock and wipe your phone if you lose it
Losing your phone or having it stolen does happen and when it does, what do you do to prevent someone getting access to your work or personal data? This is where lock and wipe services come in. Many handsets are now capable of running applications which allow you to stop someone getting access to your data and if you’re sure you can’t recover it, to delete your data. Some services can even help you locate your lost phone by using the GPS function of the device to work out where it is.
4. Be very wary of WiFi hotspots
However tempting it may be to connect to free WiFi when you’re out and about, take a moment to consider who is providing that service and why. If they’re charging, who are you giving your credit card details to? By connecting to an untrusted network, you could potentially allow an attacker to get into your accounts for social networking sites, your email and banking details.
5. Know what you are giving applications permission to do
Always think about what an application is supposed to be doing, where it came from and who made it. Simple internet searches can often verify the validity of an application if you suspect all is not well. Inspect the permissions that an application requests. While Apple and Android have monitoring in process, a common practice amongst hackers is to create a fake copy of a genuine application and host it on an alternative, unmonitored app store. This might be free on a separate site, to entice people to download it. Sadly, the free version is a “Trojan horse” and will do nasty things.
6. Be careful when clicking on web links and scanning 2D barcodes
Don’t be lured into clicking on an unknown link to a web page. A phone’s screen is much smaller and it is often more difficult to see a full link to a website and verify that it is what it says it is. New technology allows barcode scanner applications to read 2D or Quick Response (QR) codes (kind of like square barcodes). These are often put in newspapers and on advertising boards. Be very careful – do you know and trust the source. Could the poster have been tampered with or be fake?
7. Always backup your data
This is something that is always on the to-do list but never quite gets done. Take a little time to think about what would happen if you lost your phone, phone numbers and photographs and how it would affect you. Then think about what you can do to mitigate that.
8. Be careful when charging your phone on someone else’s computer or at a charge point
Be extra careful if you desperately need to charge your phone while out and about. A lot of phones combine a data connection with the charger so you could end up having your data stolen without realising it. Who is providing the service? Do you have to handover your phone to have it charged?
9. Protect your children whilst surfing
Kids often know more than their parents when it comes to new technology. Whilst a phone can give you peace of mind that your child is safe when out and about, it also has access to lots of functionality and content that you might not want to allow your child access to at home. There are some applications available that can be installed on mobiles to help you manage what your child can access or download. You can get a shop to set these up for you and set a password so that your settings can only be changed by you. Some great information on protecting your children online can also be found in The Carphone Warehouse’s Guide to Mobile Web Safety http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobilewebsafety

UK phone home? But which is the best phone service?

www.Homephonechoices.co.uk, the UK's biggest Ofcom-accredited home phone comparison site, has launched the first online calculator enabling consumers to compare the cost of installing a new phone line - vital to those moving house, needing a second phone line or simply looking to switch to a better deal.

There were some 1.75 million household moves alone in England between 2009 and 2010 and the new phone line comparison service means that consumers now have a dedicated service not only to help ensure they get the best deal, but also to ease the burden of moving home.

Michael Phillips, product director at Homephonechoices.co.uk commented: "The cost of having a new phone line installed can be anything up to £86 with customers unaware they are subject to such fees until they move in or try to switch. It is important to make sure you are signing up to the best deal as many providers will waive the charge if you take both your broadband and home phone; and if you are willing to take your TV too, there can be huge savings of up to £295 a year to be had.

"We are committed to finding the best deals for consumers and our new phone line comparison service presents a detailed view of charges for single, dual and triple-play packages. Consumers will be able to select a service that suits their individual needs and know exactly what they will have to pay including the phone installation line charge, the first year cost for their new home phone package and even the line rental cost."

In need of a break? Indulge with Phones 4u!

To celebrate the launch of the HTC Wildfire S in Pink which is available exclusively from Phones 4u, the mobile retailer is giving people the opportunity to win the handset itself and a personalised spa break at any Champney’s resort.

To win the getaway people must share their most embarrassing story with Phones 4u, the one that the judging panel deems to be most horrifying will win the indulgence spa break, tailored specifically to the winner and/or their friends along with a brand new HTC Wildfire S Pink.

The HTC Wildfire S Pink offers a comprehensive smartphone experience in a compact, svelte case. The baby pink paintjob and impressive specification – 5 megapixel camera with LED Flash, Android 2.3 operating system, HTC Sense user interface and 3.2-inch touchscreen – makes it the perfect addition to any handbag.

Visit Phones 4u and share your story now:
http://community.phones4u.co.uk/blush-up-win-a-htc-wildfire-...

Everything Everywhere Announce the Appointment of a New Director of Transformation

The UK's top mobile phone operator is pleased to announce the appointment of former Tesco Telecom COO, Mark Horrobin, to the role of Director of Transformation for the brand, in a move which can only lead to bigger and better things for the company.

The Former COO of Tesco Telecoms, Mark Horrobin has been named as the new Director of Transformation at Everything Everywhere, the company that was created in April 2010 when Orange UK and T-Mobile UK merged. The decision to appoint Horrobin in this role follows Everything Everywhere's four key areas of transformation throughout the integration of the two telecoms giants and will help to deliver a new strategy for the company.

A spokesperson for Everything Everywhere said: “When we decided to merge both Orange UK and T-Mobile UK, we knew overseeing the merger was going to be no easy feat. So we needed to find someone who has not only had an exemplary career in the industry but has also have hands-on experience of managing such a big project, and Mark was exactly what were were looking for.

“Mark has managed to have a very impressive career in telecoms and communications; prior to working at Tesco Telecom, he worked at The Carphone Warehouse, Onetel and AOL, so we're really very happy to have such an experienced person on-board.”

This new role will see Horrobin employed as a consultant, and his main role will be to organise and coordinate Everything Everywhere's four key areas of transformation: The HR project, 'Our People' an incentive for staff to 'be the best', 'Our Customers', which aims to create and maintain high value growth in customer numbers, and finally, 'Our Future', which concentrates on the use of data, and the actions that Everything Everywhere needs to take in order to become a data-centric telecommunications company.

The spokesperson for Everything Everywhere went on to say: “As a relatively new company that represents Orange UK [http://shop.orange.co.uk] and T-Mobile UK we at Everything Everywhere are really keen to become market leaders in the telecommunications industry.

“We believe the only way to do this is by working on our company, so we can be the very best at what we do, so we need to invest in our staff and training programmes in order to achieve the best results possible, and Mark is the man that will help us to do this.”

A spokesman added: “Our name is Everything Everywhere and that's exactly what we want to give to our customers.

“We believe wherever they are in the world, they should be able to access whatever they want, whenever they want it – at the touch of a button, with the flick of a switch, in the blink of an eye.

"We want to bring our customers closer to the people, places and things that matter most to them, giving them instant access to everything, everywhere.

“In September 2009 it was announced France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom had agreed to merge T-Mobile UK and Orange UK into a 50:50 joint venture to create the UK’s leading mobile operator. After dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, the company was officially formed on April 1 2010. Then, on May 11 we announced our name, vision and leadership team.”

Firstnumber Welcomes Proposals To Cut EU Mobile 'Roaming' Prices

Recent proposal to cut mobile phone roaming charges while in the EU has been widely acclaimed by Firstnumber, a service provider that offer cheap international calls from anywhere in the UK.

The proposal made by the European Commission is aimed at reducing mobile phone costs when making calls, sending texts and browsing the internet anywhere in the EU. With the intention of making it the same price as it costs when at home. The EC have stated it costs roughly £2 per megabyte to download when abroad without any current maximum cap set. To make a call currently costs 31p per minute and 10p per minute to receive a call.

The proposed plans, if agreed, would come into force in 2014, and set a maximum cap to data charges set at 45p for data per megabyte. Calling will be reduced to 22p when making a call and 9p when receiving a call per minute.

A spokes from Firstnumber (www.firstnumber.co.uk) said: “this is long over due and consumers have been charged at an unreasonable rate for too long. These plans help match what consumers expect to pay and will hopefully increase competition and choice within the market, whilst helping to create better offers for consumers.”

The Firstnumber spokesperson also went on to suggest that it is important that cheap international calls are made even more readily available to everyone and that it doesn't stop with this proposal.

The proposal includes the recommendation that mobile customers will be able to opt for a separate cheaper mobile contract that will allow for cheaper roaming costs and will use the same number and SIM card.

Firstnumber advises all users before going on holiday to remember the following tips that may help you from being caught out - Start by using Wi-Fi wherever possible, as there will be many hotspots within all major cities, secondly, try short texts to help stay in touch and forget about worrying for every minute on the phone. Lastly, check before leaving for a holiday with the phone operator and make sure of all the data charges and price to call.

Thousands of HTC phone user details exposed online?

This is the extraordinary claim made by mobile phone comparison site www.mobilesplease.co.uk which says that the phone records of HTC customers were exposed online.

A spokesman for the comparison site said: “The personal details found included the names and addresses of the HTC customers in question together with the serial number and IMEI number of the mobile phone they own.  If these details fell into the wrong hands then customers could become the victims of fraud such as phishing scams.

“The vulnerable web address were numbered sequentially and if each contained consumer information then over 25 million records could have been exposed. When we tested a sample of around 50 web addresses all contained data and around 30% contained personal details of individual customers.

“These details were available by typing a simple website address into any browser on any computer. The website address in question does not belong to HTC but to a third party contractor who carries out certain customer services on behalf of HTC.”

A member of staff at www.mobilesplease.co.uk added: "A malicious person with limited technical knowledge could have written a simple program in 30-60 minutes to harvest these records. Then they could do what they like with them."

www.mobilesplease.co.uk informed HTC of the problem and they claim HTC got their contractor to secure the website concerned.

HTC have not issued a statement regarding this allegation.