Buzzin Mobiles

A break in at the Vodafone exchange in Basingstoke, Hampshire in which computer equipment and network hardware was stolen or damaged, resulted in thousands of customers being without a service this morning.

Most of those affected were said to be in the M4 corridor to the West of London, resulting in a flurry of irate calls (by land line I imagine) to local radio stations and plenty of activity via the social networking sites.

Vodafone were quick to issue a brief statement which said:

“We had a break in last night at one of our technical facilities which resulted in damage done to some of our equipment. We are working quickly to restore these and will be back to normal as soon as we can.”

The company said that the there had been no impact on the security of customer’s private  information.

Vodafone refused to speculate on whether the break-in could be linked to several high-profile controversies involving the company.

It was recently the subject of protests over claims that the firm was let off paying part of an outstanding UK tax bill.

Vodafone was also criticised for shutting down its phone network in Egypt during the recent pro-democracy protests, although the company said it was obliged to comply with local laws.

Leading independent games publisher Chillingo, a division of Electronic Arts Inc., today announced nine brand new titles that will be coming soon to the Apple App Store. The company will provide hands-on demos at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) taking place February 28-March 4 in San Francisco.

“Chillingo constantly seeks partnerships with great indie developers who are pushing the threshold of mobile games with pioneering concepts,” explains Chris Byatte, Co-General Manager of Chillingo. “We have built a solid reputation of polishing these unique gems to perfection and successfully introducing them to consumers worldwide.”

“Since joining EA last fall, we have signed several great new titles that will be revealed in the coming months,” adds Joe Wee, Co-General Manager of Chillingo. “Our GDC slate features a sampling of the most cutting-edge games that are sure to delight the gamer in all of us.”

The following titles will be previewed at the Game Developers Conference:

Painkiller Purgatory
Fight your way through Hell in this first person shooter based on the hit PC franchise. Blow Hell’s demons to bits with a range of devastating weapons.

Anomaly Warzone Earth
Make your way through the alien gauntlet in this gorgeous, futuristic strategy that totally puts tower defense principles upside down to form a tower offense game.

Blobster
Flick a cute little blob across incredible levels, squash enemies, collect cool power-ups and save the environment from a ruthless polluting company.

Quiz Climber
Pit your knowledge against your friends in a new social quiz.  Answer as many consecutive questions as possible to climb the tree and leapfrog your friends in the leaderboards.  Strategize and compete using your lifelines to improve your chance of setting a great score.

Storm in a Teacup
Get ready for a wonderful, magical adventure. Take up the mantle of Storm and guide him in his magical teacup through a dreamlike landscape created by the vivid imagination of his older brother, Clouds in this super fun, physics-based platformer.

Emberwind
Help free the city of Grendale from the evil CandleFinger and his gremlin hordes. Sail through the clouds on your ancient snow owl and deploy your cane of justice to save the kingdom from the underworld in this exciting platform game based on the popular PC and Mac games.

Feed Me Oil
Get the oil from the pipe to the right spot in this ingenious physics based puzzle game. Gorgeous art and mind bending level design makes this a puzzler with mass appeal.

Color Bandits
The colors have been stolen from your world and it’s up to you to get them back. Fight your way across grayscale worlds and destroy enemies to bring the bright colors back in this action packed side-scrolling shoot ‘em up.

Carnage
Speed your car down busy roads without causing a pile up on the highway. Crashes equal points in this visually impressive destruction driving game!

All of these titles will be released in the coming weeks on the Apple App Store.

Smartphones have grown in popularity over the past two or three years, helped enormously by the amazing success of Apple’s iPhone.  But now there is plenty of choice as all the main mobile phone companies are competing for a piece of the Smartphone cash pie.

Today you can choose between several different Blackberry models, Nokia, HTC and Samsung to name a few.  Not forgetting the latest Apple iPhone 4.  But what does a Smartphone allow you to do over a plain old mobile phone, and what should you be looking out for when making your choice?

A Smartphone allows you to do much more than simply send and receive phone calls and text messages.  It is rather like having a mini computer in your pocket.  Whether you need a phone for business or personal use smartphones offer advanced functionality including internet services and can run software programs known as Apps.

For the busy business person who is always on call and available 24/7, the Smartphone has become an essential ever handy tool that gives you email on the move, to view files such as spreadsheets, presentations and PDF files; while for the personal user it allows you to stream films, store and play music files; and with the growth of free or cheap Apps business and personal users can find a use for Apps covering the London Underground Tube Map, train timetables and keeping up to date with the latest news from around the world.

There’s no doubt that the introduction of the Apple iPhone was as responsible for the growth in smartphones for personal use as the Blackberry was for business users.  But now, more so than before it seems there is less of a distinction between which market smartphones are aimed at, as companies  look to grow in a busy marketplace.  But one of the most important things to consider when choosing a Smartphone is which platform or operating system it uses.

There are six operating systems to choose from for UK mobile phones.  You need to consider not only how good is the platform and how efficient it runs, but how popular it is among software developers who will migrate to new operating systems if there is a market to do so.

Android OS
Android OS is Google’s Operating System, and not surprisingly comes with an excellent web browser as well as integrating online tools effectively.

The Android software is regularly updated and as it becomes more popular is becoming a serious alternative to the iPhone OS as far as software developers are concerned.  The Android OS is ‘open source’ which gives developers free range over application building, unlike the restrictive practises of Apple Apps.  The Android platform can handle a vast array of different programs, including some comprehensive media bundles.

Windows Phone OS
No prizes for guessing the Windows Phone Operating System is owned by Microsoft.  In the past it has been called Windows Mobile & WinMo.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS is designed to mirror the desktop version of Windows in both design and functionality. As you’d expect, it is simple to sync your mobile Smartphone to your PC computer and share contacts and emails with the Exchange server.  Microsoft Office programs and the Windows Media player also come as part of the Windows Phone OS.

The Microsoft application store is aptly named Windows Marketplace where users can update and download an assortment of application software.  Microsoft has strict control over which Apps are available in the Windows Marketplace.

iPhone OS
The iPhone Operating System was developed by Apple for their own Smartphone.  The iPhone has taken the world by storm and as a late entry into the Smartphone arena, has been able to capitalise on incorporating the best of previous mobile phone technology. The iPhone range has regular software updates; and though Apple has a strict control over licensing Apps it is by far the most popular operating system for developers.  The result is the Apple App Store is currently blessed with the largest selection of Apps of all operating systems.

Blackberry OS
The BlackBerry Operating System has been developed by mobile phone manufacturer Research in Motion for its own BlackBerry Smartphones. The original bias of the Blackberry was towards business users with its stylish looks and excellent office applications, internet and email functionality.

The email management software allows you to simply sync your phone with your PC with the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software. Blackberry’s work well with business Apps such as Microsoft Office and the BlackBerry App World has a wide range of applications. Some models now come with a touch screen which has coincided with a growth in personal user popularity.

Symbian OS
The Symbian Operating System is Nokia’s own software, though it is used by other mobile phone manufacturers, too. The Symbian user interface is regularly updated and improved, making it a very easy system to navigate.

A number of different email servers are supported from Microsoft Exchange to BlackBerry Enterprise which makes using the Symbian operation system easy to use when syncing your mobile phone to your desktop email client.  Like Android, Symbian OS is open source making it easier for developers to create and share applications.  Nokia’s own App Store is called the Ovi Store but there are also other websites that offer Apps for the Symbian OS.

Bada OS
The Bada Operating System is owned by Samsung who are promoting their Smartphone range to all users.  Samsung are a relatively late-comer to the Smartphone party but appear to be gaining ground with their latest range of Smartphone models.  Applications and Apps for the Bada OS can be downloaded from the Samsung Apps store.

So, if you are looking for a Smartphone we recommend three steps:

1.    Make a prioritised list of the functionality you are looking for and whether it is for business, personal use or both
2.   Find out which operating system it uses
3.    Look online & in magazines at independent reviews

Do all three steps before you enter a shop or call a mobile phone company to find out about the best mobile phone deals.

Chic app

Value Retail, operators of the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages, have announced the launch of the official Chic Outlet Shopping app, which will enable users to discover Europe’s leading luxury outlet destinations through an easy-to-navigate, interactive digital experience.

The Collection of Chic Outlet Shopping Villages are the latest word in smart shopping and welcome 25 million visitors to the nine luxury outlet destinations every year.

The Collection is home to 900 luxury outlet boutiques of renowned international and niche European brands offering reductions of up to 60% on the recommended retail price, all year round, in addition to the tax free savings (up to 15%) available to non-EU residents.

Coveted names include Agent Provocateur, Anya Hindmarch, Belstaff, Bimba & Lola, Calvin Klein, Desigual, Diane von Furstenberg, Missoni, Mulberry, Matthew Williamson, Smythson, Tumi, Temperley London and Vivienne Westwood, with some 50 brands currently selecting the Collection as home to their only outlet boutique worldwide.

The Chic Outlet Shopping app allows users to experience exclusive content and innovative features which include:

• Plan Your Visit to any one of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages from any location – worldwide.
• The online booking service for the Shopping Express coach service operating from the local city centre with direct transfer to each Village.
• Access to comprehensive interactive maps of each of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages: simply touch, pan and zoom maps to view the Villages in detail.
• Search facility and filters in the Brand Directory to locate any of the 900 luxury outlet boutiques by name or by category.
• View exclusive content developed by Chic Outlet Shopping® including video highlights on Chic TV and Editor’s Corner featuring celebrity interviews and insider shopping tips.
• Purchase pre- charged Gift Cards, redeemable at all of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages.

The iPhone, Ipod Touch and iPad compatible Chic Outlet Shopping app is available for free download from the iTunes and Apple app store.

Play Along With The Beatles Vol 1 & 2

Four decades after their break-up, The Beatles remain the most critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music.

The Fab Four had more number one albums in the UK charts, and held down the top spot longer than any other musical act in the history of popular music.

The team behind The Beatles: Little Black Songbook bring you the most impressive Beatles music App to date, split into two comprehensive volumes.

This iPad App includes professionally transcribed guitar tablature for 27 early Beatles classics and 31 late Beatles classics with high-quality minus-guitar backing tracks for each song.

So, whether you’re in the comfort of your own living room or trying to impress friends with your ability to play the Fab Four’s biggest hits, this App is the perfect companion for Beatles fans and guitarists alike.

Exquisitely designed with an exclusive biography, tuner and tab guide included – this App is packed with premium content from the most successful rock band of all time.

Classic Beatles songs featured in the App include their first chart hit ‘Love Me Do’ plus their first eight UK No.1’s and two US No.1’s ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Eight Days A Week’.

Play Along With The Beatles Volume 1:
A Hard Day’s Night, All My Loving, And I Love Her, Can’t Buy Me Love, Day Tripper, Drive My Car, Eight Days A Week, From Me To You, Girl, Help!, I Feel Fine, I Saw Her Standing There, I Want To Hold Your Hand, In My Life, It Won’t Be Long, Love Me Do, Michelle, Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, Please Please Me, Run For Your Life, She Loves You, Ticket To Ride, Twist And Shout, We Can Work It Out, Yesterday, You Can’t Do That.

See Play Along With The Beatles Volume 1 on iTunes

Play Along With The Beatles Volume 2:
The Beatles songs featured in the App include four No.1 singles and classic tracks from The Beatles most brilliant album period of Revolver, Sgt. Peppers, The White Album and Abbey Road.

Across The Universe, And Your Bird Can Sing, Back In The USSR, Blackbird, Come Together, Dear Prudence, Doctor Robert, Don’t Let Me Down, Fixing A Hole, Get Back, Getting Better, Got To Get You Into My Life, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Helter Skelter, Here, There And Everywhere, Hey Bulldog, Hey Jude, I Want You (She’s So Heavy), Lady Madonna, Let It Be, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Paperback Writer, Rain, Revolution, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, She Said She Said, Sun King, The Ballad Of John And Yoko, The End, With A Little Help From My Friends, You Never Give Me Your Money.

See Play Along With The Beatles Volume 2 on iTunes.

Price £8.99