2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Britain’s biggest supermarket chain, Tesco, an adventurous marketer that has already set up a retail bank, a film-production company and a mobile phone business, is now targeting fashion. the company has declared its ambition to make its F&F clothing and accessories line “the world’s leading brand of affordable fashion.”

F&F outlet in Czech Republic

Starting with the Middle East. Tesco’s next step is a partnership with a Saudi Arabian retail group called Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair. the franchise agreement is intended to accelerate the growth of F&F in the Middle East, beginning with 19 outlets.

F&F was launched as Florence & Fred in the U.K. and Ireland in 2001, and now sells in 11 countries, mostly in Central Europe. Tesco recently opened two standalone stores in the Czech Republic, in Prague and Brno. Both are wholly-owned and operated by Tesco, but have been used to test out ideas for the franchise format.

The first F&F franchise will open this year in Saudi Arabia. Based primarily on the core European F&F range, Tesco will work closely with Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair to develop a range of clothing and accessories that works for the local market. Tesco is also exploring further franchise opportunities in other countries.

Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair already works with many western retailers including Gap, Banana Republic, Zara and Mango. With Tesco, the Saudi retailer plans to launch F&F stores in shopping centers and within department stores and even supermarkets.

Jason Tarry, CEO of F&F International, said in a statement, “The franchise model is a natural extension of the work we have been doing to turn F&F into a truly global fashion brand. We have in a very short time created a market-leading fashion brand in Central Europe, worth more than $600 million. Now we have the opportunity to grow our brand further, in markets where Tesco does not have a presence.”

F&F launched in Tesco supermarkets in Asia in 2009, and isently selling in the Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey, China, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, as well as the U.K. from the U.K., online orders are fulfilled to 21 countries in Europe.

Simon Marshall, CEO of Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair, said in a statement, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Tesco, and to be the world’s first franchise partner for F&F.

Tesco has been working hard on refining the layout, visual merchandising, and even lighting in the F&F areas of its stores. mr. Tarry said, “Two years ago we had 40% awareness among customers and now it’s 90%. F&F is comparable with anything else you’d see on the high street or in shopping malls.”

-o2 Sim Cards - Local website and exhibits celebrate tacky tourist photos - (1/27/2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

And they’ll have even more opportunities to do so with Tacky Tourist Photos Live, as the traveling exhibit has been dubbed: Comprising more than a dozen images from both the international stuff of dream vacations and roadside pit stops, it was on display at the Tewksbury Public Library through yesterday, and will be again at the Amherst, N.H., Town Library Feb. 28 through March.

Garnick and co-founders Peter Koziell of Methuen and Ilya Mirman of Sudbury hope they’ll be the first of many displays at local museums and locations that, much like photo subjects, appreciate the schticky side of travel.

“We want to claim our rightful spot next to art photography,’’ Garnick, a 43-year-old documentary film producer and freelance journalist, said in all seriousness, noting a “snobbery’’ in both the photography world against snapshots, and in the travel world against tourists.

But the two-year-old website revels in the dirty “T’’ word, receiving about a dozen submissions a week from people – and of landmarks – around the world, and luring in about 400 unique visitors a day, what Garnick called “a steady trickle of people who think like us.’’

All told, the site has a gallery of a few hundred shots – but Garnick knows there are many more out there, languishing on sim cards or in predigital family photo albums.

Among the dozens of images, there tends to be a lot of jumping, heads stuck through cutouts, creative optical illusions – and, of course, a whole lot of hamming it up.

A trio of girls pretends to battle a giant praying mantis at Dinosaur Land in Virginia, a man sits gleefully in the sole of an enormous hot pink stiletto in Las Vegas, two US college girls pose, wearing military clothes and wielding military-grade weapons, with an Ecuadoran soldier.

-analogue Phones - Make phone calls over the internet - (1/27/2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

The days of two receivers and a lot of coiled cable are long gone

Keeping household costs down has never been so important, so why not save money by making phone calls over the internet? there are many services that let you do this for little or no cost.

Broadly termed Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP), there are essentially two types of internet phone call. The first uses Microsoft’s proprietary (but very popular) Skype service while the second relies on a widely supported standard called Sip (Session Initiation Protocol).

Skype is great for calls made from computers to other computers or telephones, while Sip-based services tend to be better equipped for direct calls – cutting out the computer.

What you will need to make internet phone callsThe most important requirement is a good internet connection. this doesn’t have to mean a fixed broadband line, as some VoIP services will work over mobile phone networks.

Whether choosing Skype or a Sip-based service, you’ll need a way to make and receive calls. On a computer this means headphones and a microphone, or a dedicated headset (such as this £20 headset from Creative).

However, phone-style handsets that can connect via USB are also available (Maplin has a USB headset for £10).

When it comes to Sip services, the same applies. It’s also possible to buy adapters into which domestic telephones can be plugged (such as Cisco’s £37 Internet Phone Adapter). some services (including Skype) can also make use of a webcam, if you have one, for video calls.

What you can expect from VoIPVoIP services can be basic or as well-appointed as you please. in many cases, for example, VoIP services will include a dial-in number that people can use to call you. to the caller, it looks and operates like any other UK telephone number and they will be charged accordingly.

Other services offer a selection of special numbers, such as those beginning with 08 or with a particular local dialling code – and you can expect to pay extra for these kinds of option.

Also, depending on the specific provider, hardware and software used, it is possible to emulate services associated with traditional landline services, from voicemail to caller ID. indeed, still more may be possible (such as the aforementioned video calls).

Choosing a service providerMany different companies offer internet calls and they all have different pricing plans. We’ll look at some specific examples in just a moment but, as with traditional phone services, the most significant factor can be whether any friends or family already have an account.

If so, joining the same service is generally best. two Skype users, for example, can natter forever, for free, no matter where they’re located.

If you can manage the numbers and passwords, there is no reason you couldn’t set up accounts with several providers – so you can ensure your costs are kept as low as possible, no matter what service your contacts use.

Preparing direct comparisons of call costs is all but impossible because the permutations are effectively infinite. However, for the sake of example, we’ve considered some particular undiscounted BT call costs alongside what’s on offer from internet-telephony providers.

The daytime BT rates for calling landlines in the UK, Spain, Japan, the USA, and Australia are respectively 7.6p, 25p, 11p, 17.5p and 27.5p per minute. Note that call set-up costs may also apply. BT’s full pricing information can be found by clicking here.

Nikon’s new D4 flagship DSLR offers HD 1080p video and XQD storage – Mac Creative – Macworld UK

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

With the debut of the Nikon D4, Nikon has introduced its new flagship, full-frame DSLR camera. At 16.2 megapixels, this high-end professional model claims to improve on the speed and accuracy of its predecessors by boosting image quality and low-light capability, adding full HD 1080p video recording to the mix, and offering a multitude of new features.

Expected to ship for £4799.99, The camera sports a new Expeed 3 image processor, an expanded ISO range that auto adjusts based on lens focal length, and a burst mode of 10 fps in full frame format with continuous autofocus. It can shoot 200 frames continuously in normal JPEG mode.

The unit has two card slots—one CompactFlash and one XQD (a new format that is faster than CompactFlash), that allows backup and copying between slots. A new wireless transmitter—WT-5A supports 802.11N protocol.

The company employs its 51-point AF system to emphasize better focusing in low-light situations than its immediate predecessors, the D3 and D3s. you now get full autofocus at F8.0 or faster—an upgrade from F5.6 or faster in the previous flagship model. New controls make the camera easier and more convenient to operate, too: New joystick controls for the AF system and backlit controls on the camera aid usability in low-light shooting situations.

The D4 provides for full HD shooting of 1080p video at 30fps and 720p at 60fps. A crop mode for movies is available when the DX lens is attached. A new compression scheme for H.264 video gives you higher resolution and higher-quality movies without increasing file size. you can output from HDMI at 1080p, uncompressed, straight from Live View and you can now use cable releases to start and stop video. you can manually control video shooting, and even change the aperture while recording. Noise reduction is available in movie mode. Nikon didn’t ignore audio: A headphone jack is built in.

The camera sports a fixed 3.2-inch LCD, 91,000-pixel RGB color matrix metering, a two-axis electronic level with pitch and yaw display, as well as a horizontal tilt. A silent shooting mode is available at 12 to 24 fps at reduced two-megapixel resolution.

It’s rated at 2600 shots per battery charge.

The camera is encased in a 2.29-pound, weather-sealed magnesium-alloy body (only).

Speedy focusing system

Nikon has enhanced its 51-point Automatic Focusing (AF) System to offer continuous autofocus in a variety of shooting conditions, such as 10 frames per second burst mode. The 16.2-megapixel FX-format (36 x 23.9mm) CMOS sensor works with the camera’s Expeed 3 image processing engine to help photographers shoot in extremely challenging environments and lighting conditions.

This customizable system lets shooters capture fast moving subjects, precisely track focus, or accurately select a single AF point. The Nikon D4 aligns 15 cross-type sensors in the center to detect contrast data in both vertical and horizontal planes. this sensor can accurately detect up to 16 human faces, even when shooting through the optical viewfinder, and facilitates correct exposure even with backlit subjects. Photographers can also select multiple AF modes, including normal, wide area, face tracking, and subject tracking. A silent shooting mode is available at 12 to 24 fps at reduced two-megapixel resolution.

The camera has a native ISO range of 100 to 12,800, however the ISO can be expanded to between 50 to 204,800—a full stop above the previous model. The camera automatically adjusts ISO based on lens focal length and can also be used for recording video.

With the D4, Nikon has introduced its new 91,000-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering System. According to Nikon, this system analyzes each scene for color and brightness, which are then interpreted and compared to the D4’s internal database to implement settings to reproduce color and balance exposure.

The camera stands ready to shoot in approximately 0.012 seconds and can capture full resolution JPEG or RAW files at up to 10 fps with full AF/AE or up to 11 fps with AF/AE locked.

Image data is funneled through a 16-bit pipeline and written to dual card slots that support the latest UDMA-7 Compact Flash cards, as well as the new, faster XQD memory card. you can back up and copy between slots.

The Nikon D4 provides variety of shooting options. In addition to standard NEF (RAW) files, the D4 can also shoot smaller compressed RAW files. The camera’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) function merges consecutive exposures. Active D-Lighting can also be used to create balanced exposures. The camera features a dedicated button for quick access to Nikon’s Picture Controls, allowing users to quickly select one of six presets.

Construction

The D4′s body is sealed and gasketed for resistance to dirt and moisture, aswell as electromagnetic interference. The bright optical viewfinder offers 100 percent frame coverage. The shutter can withstand 400,000 cycles, while sensor cleaning is done by vibrating the OLPF (optical low-pass filter). The self diagnostic shutter unit also features a mirror balancer to minimize the residual “bounce,” enhance AF, and extend viewing time, Nikon says. The viewfinder is coated with a new thermal shield finish which is designed to resist overheating during prolonged use.

This model also features refined button layouts with a quick AF mode selector placed near the lens mount for fast access. A new joystick style control at the rear of the camera facilitates AF point and option selection, and vertical controls have been enhanced. Key control buttons on the back of the camera can be illuminated for photographers who operate in complete darkness.

Nikon has added some convenient streamlining options. Press photographers, for example, can now automatically generate IPTC data for their images and image sets. A wired Ethernet port lets users shoot tethered and transfer images easily and quickly.

Nikon has also introduced the new WT-5A wireless file transmitter, which supports 802.11N, to transmit via FTP server or computer. The device can be set to transfer either automatically or manually selected images, and allows for remote operation of the camera using Nikon’s Camera Control Pro 2 software.

A mobile application, now under development, would control the camera with this accessory, and would also be able to trigger the shutter and record video.

Professional multimedia features

The Nikon D4 caters to multimedia photographers who capture full HD video content from the field, providing footage suitable for broadcast.

The camera features full HD video recording, manual control of exposure, uncompressed output and simultaneous live view, professional audio recording, multi-area mode full HD video with FX/DX and 2.7x crop mode at 1080p video modes, simultaneous live view output without display or simultaneous monitor, full-time AF, new LCD screen, time lapse shooting, remote shutter operation, and NIKKOR lens compatibility.

With the D4, shooters can choose from various resolutions and frame rates, including 1080p at 30/24 fps and 720p at 60 fps. The camera’s new data compression scheme lets users record H.264/MPEG-4 AVC format video for up to 20 minutes per clip. this format allows for more accurate video data transfer with less memory while the sensor’s quick speed results in fewer instances of rolling shutter distortion, Nikon says. Users can adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO while recording. With the 2.7x crop, users can have ultra-telephoto effects in full HD resolution at 16:9 aspect ratio.

Using the camera’s HDMI port instead of the CF or XQD card, users can stream an uncompressed full HD signal directly out of the camera and footage can be ported into an LCD display or external recording device or routed through a monitor and then to the recording device, eliminating the need for multiple connections.

The Nikon D4 features a stereo headphone jack for accurate monitoring of audio levels while recording. you can adjust output up to 30 steps. The camera offers high-fidelity audio recording control with levels that can be set and monitored on the camera’s LCD screen. The microphone connected via the stereo mic jack can also be adjusted with up to 20 steps of sensitivity.

Shooters can send the display signal directly to an attached monitor via the HDMI port and that signal can be viewed simultaneously on the camera’s LCD screen and external monitor. Or the image data display can be cleared from the screen.

In addition to manual, the D4 offers four focus modes, including normal, wide area, face detection, and subject tracking, which uses fast contrast detect AF to focus while recording video and in live view. Users can also zoom in up to 46x to check HD focus.

A new time lapse photography feature combines a selected frame rate and shooting interval in a dedicated menu. Playback is available in a wide variety of speeds from 24x to 36,000x, while producing a fully finished movie file output. Using dedicated Movie Custom Settings, you can begin recording by the shutter release button, plus shooters can now use a variety of remote accessories to trigger video recording.

The D4 is compatible with Nikon’s NIKKOR lens system, which has more than 50 lenses in a variety of focal lengths and features, including VR II vibration reduction.

New lens with that

In related news, Nikon announced the addition of the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G FX-format lens to its line of NIKKOR lenses. The new 85mm is a fast, fixed focal-length lens with medium telephoto capabilities and a large maximum aperture of f/1.8. this addition to Nikon’s line of prime lenses is designed for travel, general photography, low-light, landscape, portraiture, and capturing movies with extreme depth of field.

The lens is lightweight, easy to carry, and provides an equivalent focal length of 127mm when attached to a Nikon DX-format DSLR camera body. The 85mm is also designed to capture photos with enhanced image blur because of its large maximum aperture. The construction consists of nine optical elements, with a seven-blade diaphragm that contributes to a substantially more circular bokeh for a natural appearance to out-of-focus background elements.

The new D4 DSLR will be on display at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics show (CES) at booth #11039 from January 10-13th in Las Vegas. It will be available for sale in February for about $6000. The AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G will be available in March for $500.

-cases & Pouches For Panasonic - Best Cell Phone Cases - (1/27/2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Somebody has a question what is a blackberry curve case? then answer is curve case is use for protect your Blackberry Curve mobile from physical or bodily disorders.now a day people are purchase very expensive mobile like Blackberry or other company mobile which are costly due to its feature.So people need to protect them from physical or bodily disorders.as it is an expensive mobile so everyone wants to keep it neat,clean, and secure.

Blackberry curve cases the blackberry curve cases available in one of the best material that is leather.Leather of very good quality is used for the blackberry curve cases.these leather cases are used to cover the whole body and screen of the blackberry from the damages.it can also defend your blackberry from dust and water.the leather blackberry curve cases available in only black color.

There is different kind of Blackberry Curve Cases available for Womens Blackberry Mobile.as we know that there is a variety of blackberry curve cases,so the blackberry curve cases are specially designed for the women blackberry mobile,in the style of women pouch. now new generation people are purchase very expensive bling phone. So, people need to take care of his mobile from dust,damage or other disorder.So,people are purchase curve cases for his bling mobile.When you are purchasing curve cases for your mobile at that time you take care about curve cases like it is easy to fit in curve cases,simply stretch the gel case and slide the phone in and out,allows access to all buttons,headphone jack and charging port.Slim fit ensures your mobile phone does not look bulky.Silky smooth rubber feels gentle and relaxing on the hands,perfect protection from dust,scratches and falls.

iphone 4 cases There are a lot of types and designs for cases like silicon cases, Leather cases and etc.that is protects your bling mobile from many of the physical or bodily disorders.Silicon skin curve cases are made in different color.it can guard your bling phone from water,dust,humidity, scratches,and etc.it is made up of pure silicon.

these silicon skin curve cases cover the back side of your bling mobile.the keypad is not covered with it.the silicon skin cases are available in different color as follows; rubber white,lime blue,violet red,light pink,magenta,green, lime green,black,purple,yellow,red,smoke,orange,blue,clear white,and etc.

Frequently asked Questions

QUESTION: What is the best cell phone case for a white iphone?I have verizon which limits the cases that I can get but I really want a cool looking cell phone case that will look good with a white iphone. the only ones I can find are black (which I don’t think looks very good with the white) or things that are super bulky. I want my cell phone to be protected but I don’t want something as large as the otterbox. Any suggestions?
- ANSWER: ifrogs makes really nice and affordable cases. and they fit both versions. felt lined inside and slim lined.
QUESTION: What is the best cell phone case for verizon iphone 4?I ordered one off of case mate and I made my own design but it doesn’t protect the phone enough. I want something that wraps around the phone but isn’t super bulky (the case mate one doesn’t even go across the top of the phone). also I have a white iphone so I don’t want a really dark case.
- ANSWER: well there is 2 cases that i would recommend getting.
  
  1) the Ballistic Hard Core case for the iPhone 4 let me tell u, i have put the iPhone 4 in my since and forgot i left it there, and turned on the since and the phone was submerged in water, i realized it, and i took the phone out and the phone still survived, this is one of the best cases for the iPhone 4.
  
  2) the Mophie Juice Pack plus, this case is a good case also, its not only a case but it makes the iPhone 4 has twice as much battery life, it also has external speakers which makes the iPhone4 alot louder when listening to music and video, and also it a case, i mean u cant beat it.
  
  These 2 are the best.
  
  The Ballistic Hard Core case is priced now at 29.99 the Mophie Juice Pack plus is priced at 99.99
QUESTION: where is the best place to buy cell phone cases?i bought a LG Cosmos (not the touch phone) today and since I drop my phone a lot, I figured it would be safer for me to buy a case, so that if my phone falls, the case would pretty much protect it. Any ideas for pretty, cheap, phone cases? it could be a store or a website. preferably a website, though. but i’m accepting everything. thanks!
- ANSWER: find an OtterBox!! They are the best ever! I have a touch screen, and I have thrown my phone, dropped my phone on pavement, and stepped on my phone. (all by accident) And it still looks brand new!! everyone is amazed at how good it is. you wont be disappointed!
QUESTION: Best cell phone case for lg rumor?I have the lg ux260 (rumor/scoop) what is the best cell phone case to insure that i dont brake it..i was thinking a body glove? or maybee one of those snap on carbon hard plastic casses? help?
- ANSWER: the snap on plastic cases are the best the stay snapped on…body glove makes a rubberized plastic one that is awesome…sprint sells them..
QUESTION: What site is best to buy cute cell phone cases?I have the dare
- ANSWER:

VN:F [1.9.8_1114]VN:F [1.9.8_1114]Share and enjoy:

Pagers - Energate Launches Broadband Smart-Grid-to-Home Connection - (1/27/2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Energate has hit the trifecta in smart grid-to-home energy connectivity: smart meters, old-school one-way radio networks, and now, broadband to the home.

on Friday, the Ottawa-based startup announced it was working on a demand response rollout — not a pilot, but a commercial rollout — with utilities in Canada’s Ontario province, with the city of Peterborough (pop. 74,898) as a first client. It's the first mass DR rollout that uses homeowners’ existing broadband internet connections, rather than radios, pagers or smart meters, to connect to devices in the home that can help manage province-wide peak loads.

Energate is providing devices like smart thermostats, load control switches for water heaters and pool pumps, and home displays to track energy use in partnership with Rodan Energy, the province's biggest demand response aggregator. It's also providing its Consumer Connected Demand Response platform and its CORE middleware to Rodan, which is targeting utilities beyond Peterborough. In fact, as part of a province-wide program meant to get customers to turn over control of key household loads to their utility in exchange for rebates and energy savings, Energate has a target market of more than 4 million customers across the province, said CEO Niraj Bhargavi.

Ontario’s program represents an “integration of a number of the concepts the industry has been looking at: direct load control, time-of-use pricing, and consumer engagement,” Bhargavi said in an interview. Of course, that's what contenders like Tendril, Energy Hub, iControl, EcoFactor, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, General Electric, Radio Thermostat, Verizon and others are also promising, though we can take Google PowerMeter and Microsoft Hohm off the list. What's different in Ontario?

First of all, Ontario’s program actually gives utilities direct control over household loads like air conditioners and water heaters, only using broadband connections to a home network, rather than the old-fashioned method of turning them off via radio and pager signals, Bhargavi said. In exchange, the utilities offer rebates or other cash rewards, methods which have netted millions of participants, but are expensive and limited in scope.

At the same time, Ontario is among the first regions in the world to push all its residential customers onto a time-of-use power pricing scheme that charges them more on weekday afternoons and early evening peak times than on off-peak nights and weekends, he noted. the hope is that consumers will choose to use less energy during expensive peak times, helping utilities avoid building new power plants.

That gives utilities an incentive to push connectivity to homes to do things like deliver pricing alerts, offer energy efficiency tips or market home energy audits — all things most utilities do via snail mail nowadays.

Energate is a big player in real-world demand response projects. It’s working with Oklahoma Gas & Electric and Silver Spring Networks on the country’s first wide-scale deployment of utility-linked smart thermostats in homes. OG&E wants 50,000 customers to sign up for pricing programs that give them cheap energy during off-peak hours in exchange for punishingly high rates at peak demand times. Offering them a communications link with the utility to manage it can actually cut energy bills by 30 percent to 50 percent, according to pilot project results.

In OG&E’s case, that communications link is the smart meter, which carries a ZigBee radio inside it that communicates with Energate’s smart thermostats in the home. That’s how most North American utilities have been planning to connect to home area network (HAN) technology they’ve been promising as an end result of smart meter deployments.

Of course, most meters only “talk” to the utility about every hour or so, and most utilities take a day to process the data, making the whole-home usage data you can look up on utility websites a day old at least. OG&E is among the first to actually deliver smart meter-based connectivity to the home, though utilities in California and Texas, among other states, are under the gun to start doing so.

There’s a catch in the case of Ontario, however: most of the smart meters deployed there don't have ZigBee radios, said Louis Szablya, Energate’s VP of marketing. That means that the utilities that pick up the province-wide program have to find alternative ways to reach homeowners — and broadband was a natural avenue.

because not all Ontario residents have broadband, Energate is also providing a one-way option, using the classic model of radio-controlled load switches that turn off HVAC or pool pumps. Utilities have to serve all their customers, not just those with high-speed internet access. for homes that don't have smart meters to measure whole-home power, Energate is working with a partner it intends to announce next week, which supplies a sensor device that can read old-fashioned meters and feed the data to the home network, Szablya said.

Energate isn’t the first company to use broadband to link homes and smart grid — in fact, a lot of today’s home area network trials depend on it. Tendril’s HAN pilot with San Diego Gas & Electric is using broadband for now, and SDG&E hasn’t said just when it will turn on their ZigBee meter-to-home capabilities.

Pilots and studies tend to show that more connectivity and access to real-time data yields bigger energy savings — but again, those are only pilot projects. Energate piloted its own broadband-to-home system in four Ontario cities from 2009 to 2010, and showed that involved homeowners could shave 30 percent from their utility bills, which is similar to results it got with Silver Spring in Oklahoma.

Will broadband utility-to-home communications take off? Cisco, IBM, Microsoft and other IT giants are exploring whole “smart city” architectures dependent on the concept of universal broadband. but the real world includes far-off farm houses, low-income apartment blocks, mission-critical emergency response agencies and a lot of everyday power users, all with a universal right to reliable power. Companies that want to help utilities crack anything other than the (rich) early adopter market will have to find a way to serve all those customers to make it happen.

-batteries For Samsung - German Court Rejects Another Samsung Patent Claim Against Apple - (1/27/2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Samsung on Friday was dealt another blow in its patent battle against Apple, when a German court dismissed one of Samsung’s claims against Cupertino.

The Manheim Regional Court rejected a complaint regarding a 3G/UMTS wireless telecom standard – one week after it also dismissed a similar case.

Patent blogger Florian Mueller was in attendance at this morning’s hearing and said that “Judge Andreas Voss did not state any particular reasons for the decision.”

Mueller said in a blog post that there are several possibilities.

“The outcome of Samsung’s first two German actions against Apple may be based on reasons specific to the validity and/or infringement of those patents, in which case Samsung could still prevail over any or all of three other 3G/UMTS patents it is asserting against Apple in Mannheim,” Mueller wrote. “Samsung is furthermore suing Apple over two non-standards-related patents, including a patent on a method to enter smileys on a mobile device.”

Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Judge Voss also did not give a reason for last week’s dismissal.

Apple and Samsung have been battling over patents since April, when Apple fired the first shot. The fight has since expanded to more than two dozen cases around the globe. Apple has had some success in the German court, getting the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet temporarily banned in the country, though Samsung introduced a modified Galaxy Tab 10.1N to get around that ban. Samsung has been less successful in getting the iPhone 4S banned in the country.

Earlier this month, Apple filed two more lawsuits against Samsung in Germany that go after 10 of the company’s smartphones and five tablets.

On Monday, meanwhile, a Dutch court denied Apple’s request to ban the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the Netherlands.

But as Mueller pointed out today, both companies have money to burn, so don’t expect them to back down anytime soon. “They can afford to keep going, and at this point neither litigant has the leverage to force its rival into a settlement,” he wrote.

Apple, in particular, has a whopping $97 billion on hand. And while sales of its iPhone 4S helped make it the number-one smartphone maker for the fourth quarter, Samsung edged out Apple as the top smartphone manufacturer for 2011, with 97 devices shipped to Apple’s 95 million, according to data released today.

For more, see 6 things Apple can Do With Its Cash Hoard.

For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.

For the top stories in tech, follow us on Twitter at @PCMag.

LG’s LCD TV

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

It seems like every time I go out to look at TV’s they just get more and more expensive. when I go out to buy a TV, I only concentrate on getting what I pay for and nothing else. so when I fell across the LD450, I was really happy with its quality. everything that comes with this TV is good quality and I don’t have to fork up too much for it. My whole opinion of the LG brand isn’t all that great, but it did sway me a little bit reviewing this TV.

It comes with standard equipment, everything that you would usually get whenever you buy a TV. Looking at the TV doesn’t really bring too much of a sense of creativity to the table. a tiny light on the black on black TV will let you know whether you have the TV on or if you have it off. If you don’t like the blinking button, then you can just make it go away using the controls that are located on the rear face of the TV. that part is actually nice because you can’t see any chords sticking out of the front, which I hate. HDMI n’s are on the television, but I know some are not going to like this aspect of the TV if they have more than two of these that they need hooked up. the two speakers that accompany the model are adequate enough in their sound quality. Unfortunately, the same problem of not enough outputs comes into play here with only one for the specific speakers.

For a 50 Hz set, this one pretty one blew me away with the beautiful picture it puts up. Whether you’re just sitting back watching regular cable or satellite, you’re going to be really happy with what you get. You’re going to be paying a lot less for something that most television sets charge buckets for. Calibration really isn’t a problem if you want to do it but the picture really isn’t bad straight of the shelf. What I really thought was a good addition was the ability to customize the picture quality to your specifications using different subject matter.

It even has a USB port on it. now the things you would usually only be able to view on your computer, you can view on the TV. It would be ideal if anyone who buys this also invests in a universal remote. the formats that are compatible with this TV are different and really depend on what you want to use. this makes doing things like watching HD movies, really easy to do.

You probably won’t find something that has good of quality picture for any cheaper. If you really don’t need much to just enjoy a regular standard television, with a few hook-ups this would be a good choice for you. Being able to sit down and check out the HD is also a pretty penny I can look forward to not spending. It’s a great buy off and you’ll only pay about $570 for a new one.

The Main Components a Nicely Displayed LCD

High res of 1920 x 1080

A contrasting ratio of 100,000:1

4 milliseconds of response time

2.0 USB usage for media

Parts and Labor included in a 1-yr. warranty

Video Components An engine with XD

An Aspect Ratio of 16:9

6 Modes available for mode correction

178 degree angle at which to view

3 modes for temp control

1080p Source of Input through HDMI

7 different modes for picture

Ready for ISFccc

Comes with the Picture Wizard 2

3 modes for Av including Cinema, Sports, and Games

Has real cinema in 24p

Has a 3:2 ratio pulldown

Has a reset for picture

Color is in XV

A DTV signal for strength

AUDIO Components Has MTS and SAP

$ Speakers that go 2 ways

Has a digital decoder though Dolby

Surround Sound is through Infinite

Controlling for Treble, Bass and Balance

Has the Clear Voice 2

Has an automatic leveler for volume control

5 different modes for EZ sound

Specialty Components Has a smart energy saver

Has controlling for backlights

AV navigation for inputs

Labeling for inputs

A quick view

Have parental controls along with the v-chip

Key locking available

Comfort Have languages available in English, French, Spanish and Korean

Automatic programming and tuning

Adding and deleting of channels

Programming for your favorite channels

An Automatic or manual clock

Tier you can put on or off

Timer set to sleep mode

When there is no video it has automatic off and sleep

Side-by-side ins and outs All in 1 AV

Has one HDMI/HDCP Input (1.3 w/Deep Color)

Has a 2.0 USB for both music and photos

An out for headphones

Back ins and outs Input for antenna and cable

An input for AV

One input for video components

Output for digital audio

A HDMI/HDCP Input (1.3 w/Deep Color)

An input for RGB

One input for PC audio

Input for RS-232c control and service

Accessories on cabinet a black cabinet color

Swivel Stand – or + 20 degrees

Unified remote control

VESA Compliant 200mm both width and in height

Optional items a slim wall mount is sold separately

Systems for Broadcasting a tuner built into device

Overall power Has Voltage, Hz 100V 240 volts and 50/60 Hz

Stand-by Mode is less than 0.1W

Sizes and Weights

(WxHxD) 40.2 x 25.0 x 3.0- not including the stand

(WxHxD) 40.2 x 27.0 x 10.3-including the stand

Weight 29.8 lbs.-without stand

Weight 33.3 lbs.-with stand

41.7 lbs. for shipment

-novelty & Character Phones - SAVVY TRAVELLER: Architectural splendour - (1/27/2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

with wide, tree-lined boulevards and glorious Belle Epoque buildings, Bucharest earns its nickname “The little Paris of the East”.

its main attraction — the colossal Parliament Palace (formerly known as the People’s Palace), is the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the palace is the world’s largest civilian administrative building, the most expensive administrative building and the heaviest building.

another attraction, the Arch of Triumph, will make you feel like you are in Paris. An interior staircase here allows visitors to climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city.

Stroll along Victory Avenue which is Bucharest’s oldest and arguably most charming street, from Victory Square to Astronauts Square, to discover some of the most stunning buildings in the city.

Look out for Cantacuzino Palace, Military Club, CEC Headquarters, National History Museum and Historical Revolution Square.

If you want more architectural masterpieces, spend some time at the University Square. On each of its four corners are buildings like University of Bucharest’s School of Architecture, Bucharest National Theatre, Neoclassical Coltea Hospital and its lovely Church.

the Botanical Garden and Cismigiu Garden are one of the oldest parks and display a variety of plants from all over the world. AVOID never ever change money on the street. You will not get the best deal or may even be cheated. go to authorised money changers or the banks instead. GOOD EATS the best-known dish is sarmale, minced meat wrapped in cabbage or vine leaves with polenta. try local stews made with different kinds of meat, usually chicken or pork with vegetables. also try Ciorba de burta, which is tripe soup served with garlic or hot chilli pepper and vinegar. it is one of the favourite dishes among Romanians. also try Romanian pork or lamb chop.

the national drink is the double-distilled Tuica, usually made with plums, apples or pears. For dessert, try baked Clatite cu branza (pancakes with cheese) served with different types of cream. TOP SHOPs Major branded shops, upscale boutiques, antique shops and souvenir shops are concentrated along the main boulevard from Romana Square to Unirii Square, along Victory Avenue and Lipscani District. in the past years, numerous modern mega malls have sprung up in the city, the best known are Bucharest Mall, Baneasa Shopping City, Liberty Center and AFI Palace Cotroceni.

INSIDER TIPS Walking plus public transport and a handy map in hand are a cheap, easy and convenient way to discover Bucharest. Check on visiting hours and days, before visiting places of interest. get a daily or weekly pass for public transport for good deals.

THE modern Hydro Hotel Penang has 322 rooms with stunning views — lush tropical hills on one side and the beautiful blue ocean on the other. it is located between George Town and Batu Ferringhi, with the beach just across the road.

the amenities in its rooms include in-room safe, IDD telephone access and coffee/tea-making facilities. High speed WiFi Internet access is available at a minimal charge.

the F&B outlets offer a variety of dining options and the hotel has a range of meeting and banquet facilities with audio visual equipment. the executive lounge-cum-business centre with free WiFi Internet access allows guests to get connected. To wind down, enjoy live music at the lounge, or take part in the recreational activities. There is also a gymnasium.

Share your favourite holiday story, with TIPS for travel to the destination as categorised: • Must Do • Avoid • Good Eats • Top Shops • Insider Tips

Attach a picture of yourself taken at the destination and send your entry together with your details: name, IC Number, phone number and mailling address to .my or upload your entry onto the Friends of Travel

Times Facebook page or send it by post to Travel Savvy Column, Travel Desk, Life & Times, new Straits Times, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur

this promotion is open to all NST readers except for employees and stringers of the NSTP Group. the weekly winning entry will win a 2D/1N at Pulai Desaru Beach Resort.

Mobile Phone Fascias - Apply to Distribute Unnecto Dual SIM GSM Phones Online at Unnecto.com - (1/27/2012)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Unnecto is promoting its line of GSM mobile phones with dual SIM capabilities to cell phone distributors in the U.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Unnecto, an unlocked GSM mobile phone manufacturer specializing in dual SIM card devices, is on the hunt for new partnerships with U.S. cell phone distributors. available online at Unnecto.com, the newly launched Unnecto website features a convenient “Become our Distributor” page, in addition to information on the company’s line of dual SIM GSM phones. “Dual SIM GSM phones, although already popular internationally, are relatively unknown in the U.S. Partnering with Unnecto can help unlocked GSM mobile phone distributors offer these unique devices before anyone else,” said Daniel Moy of Unnecto. Unnecto’s dual SIM GSM phones offer a number of advantages over other traditional cell phones, and even earlier dual SIM models. The dual SIM technology makes it possible for users to use one phone to connect to two different plans, even if the plans are hosted by different providers. The GSM cell phones are especially advantageous to international travelers, who often employ separate plans for calls outside of the U.S., as well as businesspeople that have separate plans for work and personal calling. Traditional dual SIM GSM phones enabled callers to toggle between their two phone plans, but Unnecto takes this technology a step further; in each of the manufacturer’s GSM mobile phones, the two plans can operate simultaneously. This means that Unnecto’s GSM cell phones are always set to receive incoming calls and messages from both plans, and that callers can easily place calls and send messages from either of their SIM cards. Complementing Unnecto’s original line of five GSM cell phones, the brand’s new TAP and DRONE models offer added functionality. The TAP is Unnecto’s first unlocked GSM mobile phone with touchscreen capabilities, while the DRONE marked the manufacturer’s first Android-compatible device. Unnecto has also hinted that a third new device, the CURVE, will soon join its collection of dual SIM GSM phones. Beyond their functionality, Unnecto’s GSM mobile phones are also unique for their affordability, with many models priced under $100. The brand’s low prices make Unnecto a popular alternative for shoppers interested in smartphone features without the traditionally high price tag. At the same time, the brand is also an asset for new or infrequent callers looking for an affordable, simple unlocked GSM mobile phone, including children and elderly callers. Unnecto is currently recruiting distributors for its GSM cell phones at Unnecto.com, and can also be reached by phone at 888-499-2496. Consumers are invited to browse the company’s phones online at Amazon.com, Bargaincell, and Newegg, located at Amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_wireless?_encoding=UTF8&node=2335752011&field-brandtextbin=unnecto, Bargaincell.com/unlocked-phones-unlocked-unnecto-cell-phones-c-56162_61694.html, and Newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008699%2050055804&IsNodeId=1&name=Unnecto, respectively. The unlocked GSM mobile phone manufacturer posts regular updates about its devices on Facebook and Twitter, at facebook.com/Unnecto and twitter.com/Unnecto.