Mobile banking has leapt forward with the announcement of Barclays Pingit; an app which gives customers the opportunity to send money by mobile phone. The free app available on , and , will streamline the banking process for customers who now have the option to leave their wallets at home and shop with their smartphone.
How it works?
By linking a UK mobile number to your current account, the Barclays Pingit app lets you send money by mobile straight to another phone. Simply log into your account and dial your contacts’ UK phone number to wire your funds across in seconds. Currently the Barclays Pingit app only accepts payments between Barclay’s current accounts. With time, Barclays intend to expand their service and allow any Barclays Pingit account to receive payments from any UK banking current account.
How safe is Barclays Pingit app?
With an estimated 90,000 muggings in the UK last year, can banking on the mobile phone expose our hard earned cash to opportunist thieves? For those concerned, the app is protected by a Barclays Pingit passcode, which needs to be entered every time the app is opened. Should your smartphone get stolen, you can call Barclays to deactivate the app as a precaution against fraud. For extra security, only one mobile number can be linked to each current account at any time.
The process of sending money by mobile phone is a firmly established option in Japan. Using NFC technology, there are over 117 million contactless payment accounts; 20 million of which are considered actively used. As smartphone users go through the cycle of changing their smartphone it’s expected that within 4 years, 90% of Japanese phone users will have access to contactless payment solutions; whether through NFC or mobile banking apps.
As mobile phones continue to redefine their purpose, transferring money by mobile banking will let the smartphone user lighten their pockets as they leave their wallets and purses at home. Will this movement pay off for Barclays? If successful, expect to see rival banks creating their own mobile banking apps in order to offer streamlined services to their customer base.
Does mobile banking appeal to you? .
Would you use a service like this? Let us know on our .
Posted on 2012 under Mobile News | Comments are off
iPhone 5 apps are just around the corner. With the Apple iPhone 5 hotly tipped for a UK release this summer, we’re excited to uncover how Apple plans to push the boundaries of the smartphone industry once again. As new hardware and technology is installed inside the latest smartphones, new apps have to be developed to use this exciting technology. How will the iPhone 5 apps of tomorrow change our usage of smartphones? Here’s the technology we’d love to see feature in the next generation of Apple iPhone 5 apps.
More Powerful iPhone 5 apps
If there’s one thing guaranteed with the iPhone 5, expect improvements in the processor and performance. As rival brands continue to release new smartphones with greater technology, Apple must push the boundaries once again to maintain its crown as king of the smartphones. Rumours suggest that both the and Apple iPhone 5 will contain quad core processors; a step up from the dual core processors found within the and . What does this mean for iPhone 5 apps? Not only will you be able to run more iPhone 5 apps at any time, app programmers will be able to code their apps on a whole new level to what we’ve seen in smartphones previously.
We’ve already been amazed by the A5 dual core chip within the iPhone 4S and its ability to process graphics for games such as and Infinity Blade II. A quad core processing chip for the iPhone 5 would leap a step further and match the multi-tasking abilities of the ; the latest portable console dedicated towards intensive gaming action. For those who love creating music or video clips, quad core will be able to handle the demands of the more professional software available on the market. Even if you’re not a hard core gamer or music maestro, you’ll notice the improvement in everyday iPhone 5 apps as Safari web pages load faster and operate more efficiently.
Holographic Keyboard
This concept design may have existed before the iPhone 4S release but that doesn’t mean to say it won’t happen. , a full sized QWERTY keypad glows onto the work surface in front of you. Use your fingers to type, twist and zoom the keyboard into shape. You can even adjust the projection brightness with the slide of a finger. It’s perfect for typing up those long Facebook updates! Technology like this would be incredible for the next generation of iPhone 5 apps.
Whilst the , , and Samsung Galaxy S2 believe bigger screen displays are better, Apple appears reluctant to increase beyond their iPhone 3.5 inch display. At such a small size, the iPhone 4S is easy on the pockets. The inclusion of projector technology would offer the user a much larger display when required. How could this be use within iPhone 5 apps? How about learning to draw on paper by pencilling over projected lines? You could plan a journey with a map or learn to play the piano at your kitchen table. Exciting stuff!
Improved Voice Integration
The announcement of Siri on the iPhone 4S shows how voice commands have become a reality in controlling our devices. The integration of Google Maps with Siri in the United States allows you to find the nearest shop, fishing lake, or even where to . For us Brits however, Siri’s lack of knowledge of the United Kingdom means we’re left to joke around with his assistance and ask those less functional questions such as We can see Siri sticking around for the iPhone 5 apps, but we expect UK integration with Google Maps to make his presence truly welcome. As one of Apple’s proudest innovations, Siri’s reputation is unlikely to be on the line for third party iPhone 5 apps developers to use. Let’s hope Apple push Siri in their iPhone 5 apps further, offering us more ways to use our voice. The Xbox Kinect already demonstrates how voice integration within gaming can enhance the user experience.
How do you think iPhone 5 apps will develop in the future? Let us know on our .
If you just can’t wait for the new Apple iPhone 5, we now sell the ; letting you save money on the leading smartphone.
No we’re not blogging about the hit film of six unemployed Sheffield steel workers. The Full Monty is T-Mobiles latest tariff table which exposes you to everything; unlimited calls, texts AND data, starting at £36 per month.
As a generation we are now guzzling deeper into our tariff allowances, requiring more data for downloading games or streaming our favourite songs. Even that push Tweet notification will peck a byte or two from your data allowance. T-Mobile state that their Full Monty tariffs aim to “truly blow their customers socks off” by offering an enticing bargain that’s impossible to refuse.
The Full Monty will dance its way onto your smartphone from just £36 per month, offering unlimited texts, unlimited internet and 2000 minutes (that’s still nearly a day and a half of calls!). At just £41 per month, you can leave that cap off, as even the minutes have no limit. The additional tariffs of £46 or £61 per month, offer the same unlimited package but with a range of better smartphones and access to more gifts. Through mobiles.co.uk, you can get your hands on the iPhone 4S for free from £41 per month with unlimited EVERYTHING.
How does this compare to the One Plan from Three?
The £36 per month Full Monty deal directly tackles the One Plan from Three; which for £35 per month serves up 2000 minutes, 5000 texts and All You Can Eat data without the fair usage cap. One feature Full Monty provides over the One Plan is the option to tether your smartphone to your laptop or tablet. Tethering enables you to set your smartphone up as a Wi-Fi hotspot so your laptop can connect to the online world. With unlimited data available in the Full Monty package, could this deal tease customers into using a mobile internet connection over home broadband? T-Mobile’s latest offer could be a game changer in the way we purchase our data. Let’s hope the other networks respond with competitive deals in due course.
Greater clarity on choosing your Tariff
If you feel like you don’t need unlimited everything, then T-Mobile are renaming their data tariffs to cater for internet usage. There are four categories; Basic, Standard, Extra, and Super. Basic Intenet is ideal for those who don’t really use it except for the odd email or Facebook post. Standard Internet lets you cover a little YouTube comedy and is set for your low usage smartphone user. Extra internet is great for those who download lots of apps or stream BBC iPlayer and Super Internet is for the online addicts amongst us. Both Extra and Super internet let you tether.
So for those who want it all plus a little bit more, the unveiling of the Full Monty looks set to catch the attention of many.
See the that come loaded with the Full Monty package.
Last week we gave a rundown of our . This week we trawl Apple’s chart for some essential free iOS games, available to play on devices such as the Apple and . All the fun and all for free, here’s five free iPhone games apps which we’re addicted to.
Jetpack Joyride
First in our free iPhone games list is Jetpack Joyride. Meet Barry. He may wear a suit but he’s far from your regular guy. After breaking into a secret laboratory, Barry has commandeered a selection of jetpacks. With mad scientists, rapid fire missiles and deadly laser beams destined to stop Barry in his tracks, your mission is to control the Jetpack to avoid these hazards. Just touch the display to add more boost to your jetpack. Timing and quick reflexes are essential. High scores are determined by distance covered and the coins collected. It’s essential thrust filled fun in your quest to help Barry stay alive.
Like this games app? Download Jetpack Joyride from the free iOS games chart.
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Ninja Fishing
Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Teach a Ninja to fish and he’ll slice the scaly beasts right out of the water! By casting your hook as deep as possible into the ocean, use tilt controls to reel back in as many fish as possible. Once out the water, use your sword to descale the fish ready for market; a concept similar to Fruit Ninja. With over 50 fishes to catch, there’s great variety within this free iPhone games app. It’s manic fish and slash gameplay, that will keep you coming back for more.
Like this games app? Download Ninja Fishing from the free iOS games chart.
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Mega Jump
How high can you jump? Help Redford defy gravity as he collects coins in efforts to throw himself higher towards the edge of the universe and beyond. Miss the cash however and you will plummet to a fall of shame. Guide Redford by tilting your iPhone left or right; the controls are easy to pick up and are surprisingly effective. As with Jetpack Joyride, it has the addictive element, making it acceptable to have “just one more go” in order to get further. With Facebook and Twitter integration, you’ll justify the extra time spent on Mega Jump to leap above your friends on the ranking lists.
Like this games app? Download Mega Jump from the free iOS games chart.
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Bejewelled Blitz
The next app in our iPhone games chart pushes the mind to the limits! With a screen preloaded full of mismatching bling, your task is to swap jewels around to form horizontal or vertical lines of the same coloured jewel. Bigger lines means more points. Sound easy? The panic and dread of the looming 60 second time limit, adds pressure which would crack any diamond. With the highest scores awarded to those who craft multiple combos or collect Hypercubes, you need to plan your moves a few steps ahead to dazzle the ranking lists. If you get stumped for too long, arrows hint your next jewel switch to help you dive straight back into the action. We think this game rocks and is a worthy entrant in our free iPhone games list.
Like this games app? Download Bejewelled Blitz from the free iOS games chart.
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..And our free iPhone games favourite: Slam Dunk King
Our final app from our free iPhone games list is fresh from PikPok. Slam Dunk King, challenges your finger swiping skills to master the hoops and dunk as many balls as possible. Flaunt your skills with trick dunks and smooth moves to earn as many points as possible. Watch out for the bombs though, they’ll blow up your basket! There’s a selection of games including Time Attack, Arcade and Sudden Death to choose from. With additional options to earn or buy coins to unlock new balls, courts and mascots, Slam Dunk King is sure to keep you bouncing from boredom!
Like this games app? Download Slam Dunk King from the free iOS games chart.
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So there’s our round up of our favourite free games available on the iOS platform. We’ld like to apologise in advance for any unsociable acts you may put your friends through as you strive for a new high score. Addictive and free, they’ll definitely keep you occupied. Join us next week for our run down on free games available from the Windows Phone Marketplace.
To celebrate our latest offers on HTC smartphones, we have a fantastic competition where you can win a great tech bundle worth £560! The winning entrant will not only receive a HTC Flyer tablet, but a pair of Beats Solo headphones to accompany your audio pleasure.
HTC Flyer
The HTC Flyer is a 7 inch tablet that’s upgradeable to Android Honeycomb. Offering 3G and Wi-Fi access keep in touch with your friends Facebook updates at a swipe of a finger; alternatively comment to them directly with the front facing video calling feature. Equipped with a Magic Pen, it’s the perfect tool for producing fine details or brushstrokes. With a 16GB internal memory (and external memory expandable by another 32GB), the HTC Flyer is great for storing all your favourite music and more. The meaty 1.5GHz processor ensures the HTC Flyer is a reliable tablet that won’t let you down when running powerful applications.
Beats Solo headphones
Beats are the prestigious headphones by musical icon Dr. Dre. Let the music move you, as you hear layers you would struggle to pick up through normal headphones. With enhanced bass, Beats Solo headphones bring out all out the textures and details, so you can enjoy exactly what the artist hears. With a built in microphone for hands-free calls or online chats, it’s the perfect hardware to wire up to your 3G device.
How can I win?
Any mobiles.co.uk customer, who purchases a HTC contract handset between 19th January – 16th February 2012, is automatically entered into this fantastic giveaway. For your chance to win visit our Remember to enter by midnight 16th February2012 if you wish to qualify for our draw.
For full terms and conditions, please check on our .
We also offer the HTC Flyer Wi-Fi as a with many of our contracts. Alternatively, or versions of the HTC Flyer can also be bought as standalone products. Don’t forget to tell your friends on about this amazing giveaway. Good Luck!
Samsung are set to officially unveil the Samsung Galaxy S3 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. Hotly tipped to be the smartphone of 2012, we sift through the rumours and hype to establish what the Galaxy S3 will feature.
With the highly successful Galaxy range, Samsung have the world at their feet. The was crowned the bestselling smartphone in the UK for December. With sales that challenge the iPhone head on, it’s no wonder why the next instalment of the Galaxy S range is so eagerly anticipated.
Could this be the Galaxy S3?
During the international CES conference, Samsung slipped in a clip of an unknown smartphone during their official promo video. Is this the Samsung Galaxy S3? Demonstrating a thinner bezel strip around the display, the screen appears larger than the Galaxy S2 and would match the rumour of a 4.6 inch display; 0.3 inches larger than the Samsung. Whether this image is the genuine Samsung Galaxy S3 or just a fake remains to be seen. It’s certainly a clever marketing stunt for Samsung to raise the excitement bar and get the press talking on their mysterious handset.
Snap it up with the S3
Circulating rumours suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will come equipped with a 12 megapixel camera. With key 2012 releases such as the already confirmed to have a resolution of this scale, it’s more than likely that Samsung will want to build upon the Galaxy S2’s 8 megapixel camera with their next generation release. With Apple also expected to upgrade their 8 megapixel camera with the release of the iPhone 5, Samsung have a great opportunity to steal exposure from Apple’s future handset by offering the technology sooner and stealing the wow factor from under their rivals noses.
Hungry for Ice Cream Sandwich? The S3 is.
It’s a dead cert the Galaxy S3 will come pre-loaded with the tasty new addition to the Android family. With a refined and evolved user interface, Ice Cream Sandwich is even more efficient for multitasking. This is great news for the Samsung Galaxy S3, which is rumoured to house a 1.8 GHz dual core processor which would storm through high end games and applications without breaking a sweat.
Galaxy S3 release date?
Following the World Mobile Congress in February, it’s highly likely that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will grace the UK shops within weeks of its announcement. Demand will be high, so make sure you don’t miss out on what is expected to be the top selling handset of 2012. We’ll be tracking the latest announcements on the Samsung Galaxy S3 as they happen. So check back for specific details as we get them through.
Posted on 2012 under Mobile News | Comments are off
Welcome back to part 2 of our apps games review. In part 1 we explained the rise of the apps.This time around we explore what the major games consoles are doing to take on the apps games and mention the upcoming release of the PS Vita.
If you can’t beat them…
The leading console brands clearly want a piece of the action, chasing the new revenue available from distributing game apps on iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms. The latest Sony products such as the or are PlayStation Certified meaning you can download a range of classic PlayStation titles straight to your phone. Xbox have taken a similar approach offering the Xbox Live Arcade across Android and iOS, with additional features available for those who use the latest Windows Phone Mango. Nintendo currently don’t offer their titles as game apps. With strong branded characters such as Mario and Donkey Kong, maybe keeping these exclusive to Nintendo hardware is what keeps fans coming back for more.
PS Vita released in UK 22/02/2012
For those who still crave a portable gaming device, the PlayStation Vita is released in the UK on the 22nd February with 11 games. Armed with a Quad-Core processor, the PS Vita promises to bring PS3 quality gaming to a portable console. The top model boasts Wi-Fi + 3G access which is perfect for online gaming against your rivals or downloading the latest title from the PlayStation Store. The rear touch pads help interact with games in three dimensional motions such as touching, grabbing, pulling and pushing without obstructing the OLED screen. Overall, this product promises to push the boundaries of portable gaming once again.
Will the PS Vita reverse the trend of game apps? The heads at Sony realise the challenge they face against the smartphone as their Marketing team plans their “biggest campaign ever” for the PS Vita. With so many smartphone devices activated daily, PlayStation are unlikely to ever recapture their share of the portable games market of 2009. To place it in perspective, 6.68 million Nintendo 3DS’s were sold globally in the first 6 months of release. 0.7 million Android activations take place every day!
The Future..
The technology of the PS Vita looks incredible and is unlikely to be replicated in a smartphone that is primarily for calls and texts. Because a mobile phone is such an essential piece of kit bought by everyone, even PS Vita owners are likely to purchase apps games for their smartphone. The casual gamer only ever wanted that quick fix of gameplay when on the bus or away from their main games console; smartphones achieve this.
Sony and Nintendo’s revenue from portable games hardware will surely shrink as smartphones continue to grow worldwide. Could this be Sony’s last dedicated games console? With such a wide range of electronic products, Sony could make their games accessible as downloads onto their BRAVIA Televisions or invest further into PlayStation Certified smartphones to win back the heart of the casual gamer. With Nintendo’s top releases appealing greatly to children, many will be too young to own a smartphone. As long as Nintendo continue to captivate hearts with the likes of Mario Kart and Pokémon, portable games consoles will continue to sell; just in smaller volumes than we’ve seen before.
The golden age may be over for now but that doesn’t mean Game Over. Sony and Nintendo have exciting products lined up and will push in directions to provide an ultimate gaming experience. Let’s hope they fork out another coin and press continue because we still want to play!
What do you think? Let us know on our .
We also offer the . The perfect solution to play apps games on your smartphone and Nintendo games on the 3DS. Be sure to look out for the PS Vita on after its UK release date of 22nd Februrary.
Posted on 2012 under Mobile News | Comments are off
Unveiled officially at the CES 2012 press conference in Las Vegas, the Nokia Lumia 900 is the first smartphone in the Lumia series to enter America. Designed as the first real Windows Phone smartphone designed for the US market, the Nokia Lumia 900 offers some nice upgrades from the UK release of the last quarter. Can we expect a Nokia Lumia 900 release date for the UK any time soon?
Larger Screen
The most notable change from Lumia 800 to 900 is the larger 4.3 inch AMOLED Clear Black display compared to the Lumia 800’s respectable 3.7 inches. The increase in size may raise concern over the performance and battery life of the Nokia Lumia 900; though don’t panic! Firstly the AMOLED Clear Black display offers a bright display without exhausting the battery. Encased within the Nokia Lumia 900, is an 1830 mAh battery which gives an extra 25% kick compared to its predecessor (The Nokia Lumia 800 had a 1450 mAh battery).
Front Facing Camera
The Nokia Lumia 900 also comes with a secondary camera that Lumia fans have been shouting for. Whereas the Lumia 800 lacked a front facing camera, Nokia’s latest release has a 1 megapixel camera suitable for video calls. Not only does the front facing camera have a large aperture to let in more light, its wide angle lens takes in more picture, so you can video call a friend, with another friend by your side! As with the Lumia 800, the 8 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics is still present on the rear of the handset.
Windows Phone Mango OS
Running the same Windows Phone OS as the Lumia 800, the People Hub feature seems a great tool for integrating together your favourite contacts across the wide range of platforms we all use. By linking Facebook updates, Twitter feeds, emails and texts across your chosen friends, it’s even easier to stay in touch and in the know. The People Hub even integrates Facebook chat without the need to download another app. At the CES conference, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, promised revolutionary apps on the Windows Phone Marketplace including 20 titles from games giants EA; apps not available on iOS or Android.
A UK release for the Nokia Lumia 900?
Built as a 4G LTE smartphone for high performance browsing and video and audio streaming, the UK’s online connection speed is currently too slow to utilise the Nokia Lumia 900’s performance fully. With a 4G network not expected for completion in the UK until 2015 (Ofcom), will this phone even grace our shores? A UK release of this handset would lack the advanced connectivity but a tweaked version of the Nokia Lumia 900 including a larger battery, screen and front facing camera would be welcome advancement from the . We hope to see a UK release around autumn 2012. The additional features are steps in the right direction to help Windows Phone OS expand and Nokia to reclaim lost ground from the likes of Apple and Samsung.
EDIT 24/01/2012 – Internet pre-order websites suggest the Nokia Lumia 900 will see a UK release date in June.
Posted on 2011 under Mobile News | Comments are off
If you fancy owning the latest technology without the burden of a premium price tag, then a refurbished phone could be the perfect solution. Despite the great savings, many people are unaware you can buy refurbished phones. What are they and what are the benefits of owning one?
What is a refurbished phone?
A refurbished phone has been returned to mobiles.co.uk by customers who change their mind within 7 days of purchase. This means all handsets have hardly been used and are barely out the box.
What are the benefits of a refurbished phone?
By purchasing a refurbished phone, you can own a handset for less than if you bought it brand new. If you’re on a strict budget, refurbished phones will give you more features, faster technology and more fun for your money. Alternatively, if you know exactly what phone you’re after, why pay more? The savings on buying a refurbished phone could be handy towards a holiday or that guitar you’ve always wanted.
How does a refurbished phone differ to new handsets?
The handset may have minor cosmetic flaws to the exterior design. All refurbished phones are fully inspected, tested and repackaged by qualified engineers so you can be sure that you will receive a fully functional phone. Due to testing, refurbished phones will arrive to you in a different box to the original. Though you will always receive the handset, battery, charger and manual, we cannot guarantee additional accessories will be included i.e. headphones.
Am I covered for faults?
A refurbished phone still comes with the 12 month manufacturer’s warranty starting from YOUR day of purchase, so you can have peace of mind your phone has identical cover to a brand new phone.
How much can I save?
A refurbished phone can often be purchased for 30% less than the price of a brand new handset.
It’s not only refurbished phones that we offer. Many of our are also available as refurbished. This allows you to receive a higher value gift on a lower monthly tariff.
See our current offers on
For up to date offers and the latest news, visit our
Posted on 2011 under Mobile News | Comments are off
If you were lucky enough to receive a brand new or in your stocking this Christmas, the latest present from the App Store is sure to whet your appetite. Created by Apple, the , offers exactly what it states; a free gift each day for the 12 days of Christmas.
In Apple’s words “Each download will only be available for 24 hours. Get our special 12 Days of Christmas app to make it even easier to access your gifts while you’re on the go.”
This is Apple’s fourth year to offer free content throughout the festive season and has kick started with some great freebies. On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me … an iTunes Live Coldplay E.P (A package containing three videos and music files for free!)
The gift for December 27th, a free episode of Top Gear, was perfect for petrol heads and those after some light hearted motor entertainment. Today (December 28th) the 12 days of Christmas app offers a free download of Lady Gaga’s smash single “Marry the Night”. Rolling from December 26th until the 6th January, the is a great way to introduce your new device to the App Store with popular content into the New Year.
To see what’s available today, visit the page.
For all the latest Mobiles.co.uk offers visit our .
