The most affordable and all encompassing solution to ever hit the European market is released surely with an eye on the upcoming Christmas sales and represents real value for money in a range that starts at just £129.99.

The stylish HomeSurf range is Binatones response to consumers calling for an easy to use tablet with excellent functionality at an affordable price. The company aim to put the tablet in the hands of everyone, regardless of age, experience or technological know how.

Available in two handy sizes, users of the entry level HomeSurf 7™ will enjoy supreme clarity with a 7 inch TFT LCD resistive touch screen which auto-rotates, providing exceptional viewing pleasure.  Featuring 2GB of built-in storage, customers can easily store over 250 photos or around 500 songs.  And with plenty of battery life and easy video playback, it has never been so simple to undertake a multitude of tasks, whilst on the move.

For those that are seeking a little more, the HomeSurf 8™ comes with a larger screen and longer video playback time, giving an enhanced tablet experience.  Both products in the range possess a MicroSD card slot (SD/SDHC), built-microphone and stereo speakers, as well as a rechargeable Li-Ion battery and 3.5 mm stereo audio jack with headphones to make it easy to listen to music or watch the latest movies.

Binatone HomeSurf tablets

Technical Specification:

HomeSurf 7™  Touch Tablet

-          7” TFT LCD, 800×480 pixel (WVGA)

-          Resistive Touch Screen with Stylus

-          WiFi b/g

-          Android OS

-          2GB Storage (expandable via MicroSD)

-          Auto rotating screen

-          MicroSD Card slot (SD/SDHC)

-          Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery

-          Video Playback (MP4, H.264, XVID)

-          Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery

-          Stereo Speakers

-          Built-in Microphone

-          3.5 mm Stereo Audio Jack with headphones

-          Mini USB cable for data transfer

-          Video Playback Time 3h

£129.99 / € 169.90 UK and European version

HomeSurf 8™  Touch Tablet

-          8” TFT LCD, 800×600 pixel (SVGA)

-           Resistive Touch Screen with Stylus

-           5 Cap-Sens keys

-          WiFi b/g

-           Android OS

-          2GB Storage (expandable via MicroSD)

-          Auto rotating screen

-          Micro SD Card slot (SD/SDHC)

-          Video Playback support MP4, H.264

-          Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery

-          Video Playback Time 4h

-          Stereo Speakers

-           Built-in microphone

-          3.5 mm Stereo Audio Jack

-           Mini USB cable for data transfer

-           Charging dock with Speaker

£179.99 / € 229.90 UK and European version.

Recognising the growing demand for a no thrills, good value service the SIM only contract offers outstanding value for money without commitment to a long contract. Tesco Mobile  subscribers will also benefit from Clubcard points with their monthly bill.

The launch is aimed at customers who are happy to hang on to their existing handsets and are looking to reduce outgoings on their monthly mobile bill.

There has been a massive increase in the SIM only market over the past year and the Tesco Mobile tariff looks cheaper than any other deal currently available.

Recent research conducted by Tesco Mobile showed that less than 5% of mobile contract users are currently able to spend less than £10 a month on their phone.

16 to 24 year olds, who are the most prolific texters are the highest spending age group for mobile contracts with just under a third (31.6%) spending more than £30 a month on their mobile bills.

The research highlighted that cost is key when it comes to choosing a new deal; with 77.6% of mobile owners saying that the monthly cost is the deciding factor in selecting a new tariff.

Tesco Mobile is one of the fastest growing networks in the UK and according to J D Power, is the number one Pre-Pay Network for customer satisfaction.

The problem it appears is in the way that Apple’s Mobile Safari handles Adobe PDF documents, as the browser is designed to automatically open such files, there are fears that a hacker could embed a malicious code in the file.

Apple say that the company is well aware of the reports and the threat involved and are currently investigating the problem.

Mobile experts have suggested that the only way of preventing Mobile Safari from automatically opening PDF files is by jailbreaking a phone and installing an application, called PDF Loading Warner, that then asks for permission every time the browser tries to open a PDF file.

Some have even suggested installing an alternative browser such as the much lauded Opera Mini, although no-one can be clear on whether this would solve the problem completely as they had not been checked for exploits.

It would appear that the only real option is to wait for Apple to offer a fix to the problem, although the iPhone company have been slow to respond with fixes to the mobile browser in the past.

It opens up the debate as to whether smartphones would benefit from having their own security or anti virus programme in place, many have argued that there is no need for such measures with the current OS that are being used.

Although I am not an expert on internet security we are warned on a daily basis of the vulnerability of our PCs to attacks and to this end there are numerous free antivirus downloads for computers.

While there are now some anti virus software developed for mobile devices, there does seem a split in opinion as to whether mobile users actually need such programmes.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has their own experiences on this subject.

Second only to iTunes, Getjar offer the full range of mobile applications across all mobile platforms including Android, Blackberry, Java, iPhone, Symbian and Windows Mobile.

With over one billion downloads to date, GetJar conducted a review of more than 70,000 apps within its store to identify user interests and trends among its millions of users. As of July 2010, YouTube, Facebook and Yahoo! Mobile remained among the top, with games “Warships Sea on Fire” and “Racing Mania” top among its category. Other leading categories include lifestyle, entertainment, music, maps, search, financial, sports and productivity downloads.

With downloads coming from more than 200 countries and 2000 different handsets, GetJar is also uniquely placed to see shifts in demographic trends in consumption by region, platform and handset and content type.

It is interesting to see patterns emerging from different countries in the world and Getjar CMO Patrick Mork comments:

“Clear patterns are starting to emerge, we see Indian consumers downloading more productivity applications that enhance the usage of their phone compared to Americans for example and English consumers downloading more entertainment apps then Indians. Religious apps are popular in the Middle East. Downloads by platform are also shifting quickly. Android wasn’t even a part of our business last year. Today, it’s the 2nd most popular platform developers are submitting on when uploading content to GetJar and we have at least 3 devices in our top 20 list of devices in the US that are Android powered.”

A understandably delighted Ilja Laurs, GetJar founder and CEO said:

“We’re thrilled to have reached three million downloads per day, which allows us to tap into consumers’ perceptions and attitudes, and what is trending across the U.S. and the rest of the world. We’ve seen our daily downloads grow more than 300 percent year-on-year with significant growth coming from North America, Western Europe, Asia and South Africa.  As consumers move from ‘browsing and searching’ to ‘downloading and tapping’, we are seeing that apps are becoming a mainstream way for people to consume content not only in the developed markets on smartphones but all over the world on all different types of handsets.”

Here are the top ten mobile apps, decided by overall downloads:

1.       Facebook Mobile
2.       eBuddy Messenger
3.       Nimbuzz
4.       Migg33
5.       Opera Mini browser
6.       Yahoo! Mobile
7.       Google
8.       Yahoo! Mail
9.       Bitstream Bolt Browser
10.      YouTube

Top 10 Social & Messaging Downloads
1.       Facebook Mobile
2.       eBuddy Messenger
3.       Nimbuzz
4.       Mig33
5.       Yahoo! Mail
6.       shut down mobile by sms
7.       Snaptu
8.       qeep
9.       RockeTalk
10.      eBuddy Lite Messenger

Top 10 Handsets by Visits (US)
1.       Sanyo Incognito
2.       Apple iPhone
3.       Samsung Seek
4.       LG Rumor Touch
5.       Samsung Impression
6.       Sanyo 2700
7.       Samsung Instinct
8.       Samsung Solstice
9.       LG Rumor II
10.      HTC Evo

The UK weather is notorious for its unpredictability so it is essential to include wet weather gear, wellies and umbrella when packing your tent and sleeping bag for a weekend of festival fun.

Not so long ago arming yourself with a mobile phone was considered a sensible and necessary precaution, enabling one to keep in touch with friends at the festival and in case of emergencies.

But these days smartphones are the norm and prior to leaving home it is advisable to load your mobile device with the latest mobile applications that will transform the phone into the ultimate festival survival kit.

Whether it’s ‘glamping’ (glamorous camping) or camping at V-Fest or Bestival, music lovers can transform their mobiles, choosing from hundreds of weird and wonderful apps that work on any mobile platform (such as Android, Blackberry, Symbian among others) and handsets – not just iPhones – and suit every festival-goers’ needs.

During those early mornings before the music starts, festival-goers can download apps to surf the web to catch up on last minute festival news, or check out the weather forecast to see if it’s a day to get out the high-factor sunscreen or the waterproof ponchos. When darkness arrives, avoid the risk of ending up in a random-strangers tent or falling down a rabbit hole, with an app that turns mobile phones into a handy torch.

GetJar, the world’s second largest mobile apps store next to Apple, has put together a top five list of the best festival apps, to keep party-goers smiling, come wind, rain or shine during this summer’s festivals:

1) MobileTorch – turns your mobile into a torch to help light the way back to your tent
2) ForecaWeather – check what the weather’s going to be like so you know whether to take the brolly or shades
3) Shazam – Identify that wicked festival tune by simply holding your phone towards the music and selecting ‘Tag Now’
4) Google Maps with Latitude – map where you are and find out where your friends are too
5) PhotoBucket – share your festival pictures, as they happen, with your mates

They can certainly target the younger market in some confidence. The vast percentage of those who embrace new technology tend to come from the younger age range, but there is also a vast market of older users who may have different needs.

They may not be interested that the latest phone can download music, run an app to tell them how to bake a goat’s cheese and lemon terrine or that they can now access the Internet while they are pruning their hedges at the bottom of the garden.

Many of these users, as strange as it may seem to many of the younger folk, would just like a mobile phone that is simple, easy to understand and performs the seemingly forgotten art of actually calling someone to speak to them. Fortunately, this is where a website like www.phones4u.co.uk is so beneficial.

This autumn, many new students will be heading into colleges and universities across the UK. Parents can give them a head start by taking a look at the fantastic ‘student saviour’ deals on offer on the website at present. These are the best mobile phone contract/laptop package deals and the value to be had is truly astonishing.

Take the popular Samsung Tocco Lite, a fantastic little mobile phone using touch screen technology. For just £30 a month with 02, you receive this great little handset on a 24-month contract but for that you get unlimited texts over the two-year period (which will be invaluable when little Jonny forgets the power of speech while at University and decides to communicate only via SMS!), 600 talk time minutes a month (which will no doubt keep him from running up a huge phone bill ordering Chinese takeaway).

A great deal, but it gets even better when you learn that he will also get completely free a fantastic Dell Inspiron 11Z laptop on which to do his vital University work, or more likely, spend the day on YouTube watching videos of skateboarders fall clumsily to the ground.

If you are a techno-lover then you will no doubt want the latest technology and Phones4u once again delivers. They offer the full range of fantastic new smartphone packages, including the superb new Samsung Wave S8500 and the astonishing Samsung Galaxy S.

They also offer a comprehensive range of Blackberry handsets, the stylish new offerings from the likes of HTC, Nokia, LG, Sony Ericsson and of course Apple.

Yes, fans of the iPhone 4 will be understandably feverish with the news that Phones4u have some of the best deals available on this latest Steve Jobs creation.

For instance, the stylish Apple iPhone 4 16GB is available under contract from Vodafone for 24 months. For that you receive 1GB a month mobile Internet browsing and 900 free minutes and 3000 texts messages a month.

All for just £40 a month and a one off initial payment of just £89. Alternatively, if you are going to be using your brand new iPhone 4 online a great deal, you could opt for Orange’s similar deal, which is exactly the same price, £89 initially and £40 a month, with the same number of texts and minutes free each month, but which comes with unlimited browsing and WiFi included!

If you aren’t an Apple fan, then don’t worry. There are still plenty of great contract phones on offer to you, at a vast range of prices and on a suitable tariff to match your budget. Many also come with a fantastic free gift to sweeten the deal further.

This gift is often delivered the same day as your phone, no needlessly sorting vouchers, having to send them off to some obscure address in the remote Orkneys and then waiting three months for delivery with Phones4u! If you order a phone with a free gift then, pending satisfactory credit checks, they should be with you the next day!

For instance, let’s imagine that a customer wants the stylish Blackberry Curve 8520. Once they have logged in, checked the specifications of the phone and read the all-important customer reviews of the phone on the site, they then decide that they want to order the phone.

The choices available to the customer are frankly astonishing. If he wants a cheaper monthly package, he can take the 18-month 02 woo contract, which offers a quality phone free of charge, for just £20 a month. Plus the customer would receive 100 call time minutes and 3000 texts free each month!

However, if the customer wants a little more then they will surely be delighted to find that they receive a lot more for their money! If they opt for the Blackberry Curve 8520 on the Vodafone Blackberry your plan Text £30 contract, for his £30 a month he would get 300 minutes of talk time and 3000 text messages. A great deal, but one made even better when you consider he would get delivered, free of charge usually within 24 hours, a brand new slimline 120GB Playstation 3!

A quick browse of the offers for your choice of phone will highlight the myriad of free gifts, from games consoles, televisions to laptops, cashback and iPods, all of which are offered alongside some of the best deals available anywhere in the UK.

Pay as you go customers are not left behind either. Whether you don’t want to be tied down to a monthly contract and want a stylish, modern feature-laden phone, such as the new Samsung Monte or Sony Ericsson W995, then they are available on fantastic, affordable pay as you go deals.

At the other end of the scale, if you just want an emergency back-up phone to keep in the car, or a phone so simple even your mildly eccentric granny could use it, then you can spend the princely sum of £2.95 to get a rather elegant Nokia 1661 – when you buy £10 airtime with Virgin to credit the account with.

With mobile broadband deals, laptop packages, special offers by the dozen, phone reviews and all the latest mobile technology news, the Phones4u website isn’t just about buying phones, but enhancing your life with them. Best of all, that applies if you are a techno-wizard who wants the most expensive gadget and gizmo money can buy, or whether you are of a more venerable age and want the simplest of phones to contact your family.

The name says Phones4u, but really they have phones, gifts, features and advice that is perfect for everybody.

Across the UK, thousands of people scan the pages of the press for the latest developments in smartphone technology, the new designs and the fantastic new apps that come with it. Those of you who invested in one of Samsung’s range of smartphones are unlikely to be disappointed.

First up, is the sleek and stylish Samsung Wave, which is also known as the Samsung S8500. What will impress you most of all is its daintiness. Considering this is a fully-fledged smartphone, the size is truly astonishing and fits snugly into a breast pocket or small handbag.

Not that you’d want to put it away that often! Given the superb clarity of its 3.3 in Super AMOLED screen, which offers unrivalled quality, even outdoors and in sunny conditions when screen glare is usually a problem.

With quality playback in HD and no motion blurring on video play, combined with a longer than standard battery life, the Wave is one of the best entry level smartphones available on the market today.

If you are looking for something a little special, however, then it is worth taking note of the Samsung i9000, or as it is more commonly known, the Samsung Galaxy. The impressive larger 4.0 in super AMOLED screen looks fantastic, and loses none of its luminescence even in strong sunlight.

The design is flawless, sleek, elegant and refined, yet sturdy enough to allow you to use the phone without worrying unduly about dropping it. The battery life is exceptional, given the amount of technical gizmos confined in the inner workings of the machine and the quality of the HD video playback has to be seen to be believed, especially when you link the phone to an HDTV using the phone as the remote control!

ThinkFree Office Mobile comes as standard, allowing you to work on the move, Samsung Around Me gives you access to real-time digital information wherever you are in the world, which is particularly handy if you are wondering what to do during a wet Sunday evening in the middle of Basingstoke!

The intelligent Turn-by-Turn navigation will soon have your car satellite navigation system boxed up and ready to be sold on eBay, while texting with the new Swype system is fantastically quick and surprisingly accurate.

In short, the Samsung i9000 does everything that all smartphones should. Only it does it a little better and a little quicker than most. The two genuine smartphones looked at here are both fine examples of what can be achieved with ingenuity, good design and intelligence. The Samsung Wave is a fantastic entry level smartphone with plenty to brag about, but the Samsung Galaxy is truly, as the name suggests, a stellar piece of technology.

You can also tag your favourite landmarks etc yourself to add your own contribution to the database to share with others. This excellent little app can be found at the Ovi store and is free to download for most Nokia mobile devices.

Here is a clip of how the application actually works;

And the winners are;

Best Java application: WaveSecure Backup – Helps keep your personal data safe by letting you back up or restore your data securely.

Best Symbian application: Nimbuzz – Helps you get free calls, instant messaging, file & location sharing with Nimbuzz friends and Skype, Facebook, MSN/Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, AIM/AOL Instant Messenger, MySpace, ICQ, Gadu-Gadu, Hyves, & more.

Best Windows Mobile application: Opera Mini – Helps you get a fast, cost-efficient Web browsing experience with lightning fast data loads to your phone.

Best Blackberry application: Kayak Flight/Hotel Search – Helps you compare hundreds of travel sites at once, organize your itinerary and track your flights right on the Blackberry.

Best iPhone application: Tap Tap Revenge 3 – Helps you get access to over 100 free songs and 100 premium bundles of music rhythm games.

Best Android application: Lookout – Helps identify and block security threats, backs up and restores a user’s personal data, and can quickly find a lost or stolen phone by pinpointing its location on a Google map or sounding a loud alarm.

Best Overall Cross Platform App (Gettie Award): Layar – Helps to better understand and enjoy your context by augmenting your reality with digital information and immersive experiences.

Of the 7,000 plus apps submitted to the 2010 Getties, iPhone accounted for 26 percent of nominations, Android 20 percent, Java 18 percent, Symbian 15 percent, Blackberry 13 percent, and Windows Mobile, 9 percent.

Patrick Mork CMO of Getjar said:

“What an amazing night – with some of the best developers on the planet at the Gettie Awards ceremony. It was an honor for GetJar to host this celebration for the mobile developers that shape and drive our industry. We could only select one winner per platform, but in reality, the room was filled with winners based on the sheer creativity and innovation across all the major development platforms.”

Each category has three finalists meaning only 21 mobile apps out of the 7,000 entrants will make it through to the final stage.

The Gettie Award winner will be determined by a combination of nominations and judge’s votes. Developers get the chance to be the best within each category and best for overall application at this prestigious event.

Winners will be honored at The Gettie Awards Ceremony on July 12th. This spectacular networking event offers top developers the opportunity to showcase their work in front of industry luminaries, investors, technology press and peers.

The finalists in their respective categories are:

Best Android application: DriveSafe.ly, Lookout, Trip Journal

Best Blackberry application: Kayak Flight/Hotel Search, Waze, Cnectd

Best iPhone application: Tap Tap Revenge 3, Mint.com Personal Finance, Finger Physics

Best Java application: Snaptu, WaveSecure Backup, Trippo Voice Translator

Best Symbian application: NetQin Mobile Anti-virus, Nimbuzz, Point & Find

Best Windows Mobile application: Opera Mini, SportyPal, Glympse

Best Overall App (Gettie Award): Shazam on Android, Layar, eBuddy

The Gettie Awards ceremony will take place in conjunction with the first evening of VentureBeat’s annual MobileBeat conference scheduled for July 12, 2010, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California.

GetJar CMO Patrick Mork said;

“GetJar is thrilled to honor some of the world’s best mobile applications developers for their outstanding work, 2010 is really the year of the mobile developer and the industry owes a lot to the men and women who are creating the outstanding content that’s helping drive our industry. The diversity, creativity and innovation across all the major development platforms really made it difficult for us to select these 21 finalists from the thousands of nominations we received. However, the Gettie Awards is as much a tribute to all mobile developers as it is to the select few that will be honored on July 12th.  The industry wouldn’t be where it is without them.”