Archive for the ‘Mobile Phones’ Category
Google Android Phones
Customers of ONE may have noticed recently that we’ve been offering Android Mobile Phones through our handset store.
The first question most customers ask is “What is Android?“, so this article helps explain what Android is, and why it’s so good.
Android is essentially the software that runs many of today’s new smart phones, and is in use by some of the best mobile phone makers in the world, including LG, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and more.
Android is made by Google, and it’s integration with Google’s products and services is the best available.
Android has all of the usual things you would expect of your modern smart phone, including access to 3G Data networks, web browsing capabilities, most phones have touch screeens and access to WiFi networks to save on data costs, and of course you can make and receive calls and SMS messages.
The Google search feature operated by your own voice is truly amazing. Just speak the word, destination or item you’re looking for into your phone, and it will return results from Google. This is great if you’re travelling and looking for some entertainment, or a restaurant for example, similarly the Google Maps and Navigation act as your SatNav and are great when you’re exploring new places, or just trying to find your destination
Gmail integration is amazing for business users, or anyone who frequently uses, and likes access to their email on the go.
Aside from all the Great Google based features, you have access to Social networking, including Facebook, twitter and more, with all of your unified messaging in one place, and there are loads of great free and paid applications available in the Android market place.
Android is one of the fastest growing mobile platforms, overtaking iPhone’s IOS, and even Nokia have bowed out of the operating system game, conceding it’s Symbian operating system will not be the mobile phone platform of the future, instead entering a partnership with Microsoft to deliver Windows based mobile phones.
Contact ONE today, and ask about our range of Android mobile phones. Ph: 133 001.
Mobile Phone Recycling
Did you know? Over 85% of Australians own a mobile phone†. Of that 85% many people have owned several handsets over the past 10 years, but only very few of us actually recycle the handset when we upgrade to a newer phone. Some people may pass on their old phone to a friend or relative, and many of us are guilty of either letting the phone sit in a drawer somewhere at home, or simply throw it in the bin, to fill up wastelands.
Mobile phones contain a variety of potentially poisonous metals, including cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury, manganese, lithium, zinc, arsenic, antimony, beryllium, and copper. If these metals aren’t properly disposed of, they can be hazardous to our environment.
There are smart ways to recycle your mobile phone, and ensure that the bi-products of the phone are responsibly disposed of so they don’t harm us or our environment.
- Pass it on – To a friend or family member who will get great use out of it
- Recycle your phone – using a responsible recycling organisation, such as Mobile Muster
- Spread The Word – inform your friends, colleagues and family about their recycling options next time they show off their fancy new phone.
ONE is now proud to be participating in the Mobile Muster mobile recycling program.
Every new mobile handset shipped by ONE will be accompanied by a Postage-Paid Satchel to recycle your old unwanted handset.
Customers simply need to fill in their details on the back of the satchel and sign the declaration. Then remove the SIM card and battery from the phone. Place the battery into one compartment of the satchel, and the charger and phone into the other compartment of satchel.
Once sealed, you simply drop the satchel in the nearest post box to be processed for recycling by Mobile Muster.
Things you should know:
- Keep or destroy your old SIM card – it may contain your contact or other sensitive information.
- Batteries must be removed from the phone and stored in the separate compartment of the satchel for safety reasons.
- Follow instructions on the Mobile Muster pack.
If you are not a customer of ONE, or have more than one Mobile Phone to be recycled, simply log on to www.mobilemuster.com.au and order additional satchels.
†Source wwf.org
iPad Launch in Australia
Tommorow, Friday 28th May 2010 marks the official launch of the Apple iPad in Australia.
The iPad has already proved a massive success in the USA, where the iPad shifted over a million units in less than a month, and where stock shortages have caused delays of it’s launch in other regions, including Australia.
The Apple iPad is a Tablet device, enabling users to browse the web, check emails, play games, read E-books downloaded from the iTunes store, play music, watch videos and more.
The iPad features a large 25cm touch-screen for interaction with the device and display, and comes in two models including a wi-fi only model, and a 3G+WiFi model. The 3G model enables users to connect to a mobile broadband network to download data when they’re out and about. Both models come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB varieties.
Users of the iPhone or iPod touch will feel at home with the iPad’s familiar interface, but will delight at the extra screen real-estate and a more enjoyable viewing experience on the larger screen. The iPad also offers a unique gaming experience with use of the in-built accelerometer, where users will move and rotate the iPad to perform in-game actions, like steering a car.
The iPad weighs in at 730 grams (3G+WiFi models) and is the perfect portable entertainment device that you can carry with you, but won’t have to squint at the screen.
The iPad launches tomorrow, and will be available through authorised retailers and the Apple Online Store.
ONE currently does not stock Apple iPhone or iPad devices, however watch this space, as ONE will soon be introducing iPad 3G Data plans, which comes with a unique micro-SIM Card that is required by the iPad 3G model to connect to mobile broadband.
Check back at our Blog or myone.com.au for regular updates on the Apple iPad.
Premium SMS
ONE has received a lot of queries recently about premium SMS Services, so we wrote this article to explain the dangers of Premium SMS, and how you can avoid running up large bills.
What is Premium SMS?
Premium SMS are message services provided by third party content providers or service providers.
They require the mobile phone user to send a message to a premium number (such as a 19 or 190 number) in order to receive a response message back. These responses usually contain multimedia content or confirmation of enrolment into a program or subscription.
On other occasions, you may enroll into a Premium SMS subscription via an online promotion (popular examples are advertisements for dating and matchmaking found on Social Networking websites), and you can even sign up over a phone call (usually through an automated message system).
Enrolling into an SMS program the user is giving the company permission to charge premium rate charges for all the messages that they send to them. Even though the SMS is being received by the user, they will be charged a premium rate by the company that they have enrolled with.
Premium SMS messages generally relate to:
- Voting lines for TV services
- Dating and Adult Services
- Horoscopes
- Ringtones, Mobile games
- Hotlines
Some premium service providers send multiple messages, and the services are charged on a per-message basis, so therefore if a provider charges $4.95 per message, and they send three messages, the total charges are $14.85 plus the original cost to initiate the receipt of premium SMS messages.
Why do people use SMS, what are the traps?
People use Premium SMS for all sorts of reasons, and often the use of the premium SMS is a once-off charge for say, entry into a competition.
Other times users subscribe to receive multimedia objects such as Ring-tones, mobile games, videos, music and more.
Unfortunately there are occasions where users may unwittingly subscribe, or may be enticed to send a message to a premium SMS service promoted on the television, where the promoter of the service may not be forthcoming with the fine-print. Fine print often includes a regular subscription, ,where a premium SMS is sent back to the subscriber on a regular basis (and on some occasions, many messages are sent on a daily basis) resulting in high phone bills.
What are the costs associated with Premium SMS?
Premium SMS incurs per-use charges. The charges depend on the promoter/operator engaging in the sending of SMS or content delivery.
On some occasions, the Premium SMS may involve a single 55c fee, and other occasions, the mobile user may subscribe to regular subscription, with multiple charges of up to $5.50 per message.
In addition to the cost of the message, there may be other data charges associated with use of your mobile service (such as mobile data/internet) to retrieve the content you’ve subscribed for (such as video, games and ringtones etc).
How do I find out which Premium SMS Provider I’m subscribed to?
If you are receiving messages that you suspect are premium SMS (eg: originating from 19 numbers, appear promotional in presentation, or include multimedia content), you can look up the number on http://19sms.com.au/ and it will provide you with the name of the content provider.
How do I stop premium SMS
If you are receiving Premium SMS messages that you have subscribed to, and you wish to end that subscription, then you should send a message back to that number with the single word STOP inside the message. The provider will then be legally obliged to stop sending you the messages.
Some content providers may also have a phone number you can call to request removal from a Premium SMS subscription.
How do I avoid running up high bills with Premium SMS?
The best way to prevent large bills is to ensure that only you have access to your mobile phone, and you use caution when sending messages to premium 19 numbers.
Always read the fine print, and if you’re unsure, or if the promoter does not seem reputable, then the best option is to not send the message in the first place, and seek other forms of communication or access (such as the Internet or E-mail).
You may also request your ONE Mobile service to have Premium SMS blocked. You should call our customer service team on 1800 222 256 if you wish to have Premium SMS blocked.
Where can I get more information?
For more information about your ONE account and Premium SMS, refer to myONE Mobile Access Features
Another great source is the ACMA Website: ACMA Mobile Premium Services Page – Information for consumers
See also 19SMS – Lookup for Premium SMS Vendors