Yesterday it was rumours of a Nexus Two launch, and today the tech-blog rumour mill is at it again - this time with reports that one of Apple’s future iPhones will be network agnostic.
The report originated on GigaOm in an article which suggests that Apple is looking to cut out the carrier, by producing a special SIM card which would not be tied to a single network. The SIM card, allegedly being created in conjunction with digital security company and SIM-card manufacturer Gemalto, would most likely be integrated into the phone’s hardware, and would allow users to connect to a network of their choosing.
The idea is said to be aimed predominantly at Europe, where the sales relationship between iPhone and network is not at tight as it is Stateside; and important bods from European telecoms companies are believed to have visited Apple to discuss whether they would allow such a device to operate on their networks.
Apple, of course, has had nothing to say in response to the rumours, but the theory is that the company is trying to cut the telcos out of the device retailing business, by enabling users to choose their network when they purchase the device directly from Apple. Google’s recent attempt to sell a device direct to the public was not a spectacular success, and analysts are suggesting that the agnostic SIM is Apple’s attempt to make the direct sale easier.
However, as The Reg points out, the reason the public don’t buy premium handsets direct from the supplier most likely has more to do with operator subsidies than with the tricky business of finding a network after you’ve purchased the handset. With iPhone prices coming in at over £600 without subsidies, how many would-be iPhone owners will be able to afford the upfront outlay to buy from Apple, even if they wanted to?
While fixed broadband has become as normal in people’s homes as toasted cheese sandwiches, another means of connecting online is starting to take the market by storm: mobile broadband.
Mobile broadband basically frees you up to check up on work emails and the latest sports results while you’re out and about instead of having to be stuck indoors close to a modem or router. Seeing as laptops have given us the freedom to do the same thing, it only stands to reason that internet access had to follow.
You may be thinking that you can already check up your mates’ latest facebook statuses on your smartphone. The beauty of mobile broadband is that you don’t need to squint and curse your human-sized fingers on a 3-inch screen.
Access to file-sharing portal The Pirate Bay has been blocked by certain mobile broadband providers, it has been claimed.
The site, which provides links to BitTorrents that users can download for free, has recently been in the news due to its founders’ copyright violation court case - where they were found guilty.
However, consumers can still reach The Pirate Bay, unless they use mobile broadband from BT, it has been suggested.
ISP Review reported yesterday (April 21st) that users are given a warning message when they try to enter the site.
Three are offering a whopping 15gb monthly deal for £15 and this is bound to create a fierce competition between the mobile providers for mobile broadband customers.
The deal represents half price to what three normally charge.
However, do you really need 15gb a month? Even if you illegally download then you would be hard pushed to use this up, especially as three’s mobile network is hardly the fastest around.
THREE MOBILE BROADBAND:
Three were the first mobile company to offer pay as you go broadband and have kept up the pressure on the other networks by coming up with great deals.
No contract, pay as you go
Add ons: £10(1GB), £15(3GB), £25(7GB)
Allowance must be used within 30 days
VODAFONE UK MOBILE BROADBAND:
Vodafone have just entered the pay as you go
Top Up and Go..Includes USB modem & 1GB of data
Data top ups do not have expiry date
£15 per GB of data
T-MOBILE PAY AS YOU GO MOBILE BROADBAND
T-mobile were the second to enter the UK mobile broadband market and with good coverage they are a good bet for mobile broadband.
Mobile Broadband Pay Per Day (3GB) - 7MbPay as you go
dongle is a small stick that allows your laptop (or any other computer, for that matter) to connect to the internet (to browse the web and check email) via a 3G mobile broadband connection. If you’re not technical, don’t worry! A dongle is designed to be plug and play, so you don’t need any technical expertise.
The beauty of mobile broadband dongles (and the reason they’re so popular with businesses and consumers alike) is that you can access the internet from pretty much anywhere - no traditional broadband connection needed! We’ve listed some of the most popular dongle packages and prices below.
Freedom is just a dongle away
A dongle? It’s what you plug into your laptop to get Mobile Broadband from 3. It’s fast, it’s easy and you don’t need to be anywhere near a wireless hub or hotspot. Especially as our super-fast Turbo network covers 86% of the UK population.
Freedom costs from only £10 a month
Our Mobile Broadband is available on Pay As You Go or Pay Monthly for the same low prices. So you’re completely free to pick the package that suits you best ? maybe even pick up a free dongle
Freedom with PAYG
Like the sound of Broadband from 3, but don?t want to be tied into a contract. Get started today. Here’s how it works
