In an article on the Register, O2 have basically admitted that everyone who uses their 3G service is automatically placed on 128Kb/s, rather than the theoretical maximum of 384Kb/s. It gets better though: All of you with a personal mobile with 3G won’t ever get any more. Corporate customers can go to O2 and get it upped to 384Kb/s, but it’s still apparently under their terms.

This just seems to echo how the industry treats people’s internet access in this country. The companies like Tiscali and Virgin Media, and others - now including O2 - think they have the right to restrict usage just because their infrastructure can’t handle the demand. Personally if it’s all about money, I would rather pay a little bit extra to guarantee a decent connection, rather than all this cloak-and-dagger stuff. Read the full article here.

In a very recent announcement today, Microsoft have stated the imminent release of System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008.

The application will provide control and integration much more in common with desktop IT equipment. The software, also, with the use of the new version of Windows Mobile will allow the remote worker to access more of their information over the mobile networks. For instance, data normally only available via VPN on a laptop will be able to be accessed. This of course will be dependant on the apps on the mobile phone in the first place, but it means greater access to things like spreadsheets and documents from the company intranet whilst on the go. Also I do remember the mention of a “kill pill” for windows mobile devices in a fairly recent seminar - that would allow the administrator to send a kill command to the mobile device if it’s stolen, encrypting and/or destroying the data on the phone. Pretty neat I think you’ll agree!

Obviously to back this, certain services will need to be available through the mobile operators. It is believed that in the second quarter of 2008, this will become a reality with many of the biggest names supporting the new Mobile Device Manager. Read the full press release here.

That’s right, after Apple decided to rob the users of their right to unlock the phone they had paid through the nose for - the group that originally provided the utility to unlock the iPhone, have released an update that gets around Apple’s latest attempt to render the phone useless.

Even though telephone companies in certain states in the US are not allowed to prevent users from unlocking their phones, Apple decided to go ahead and do it anyway. And because of the users taking Apple to court for restricting their rights - Apple are reminded that ‘iBrick’ing the phones is not cool. But now maybe users (stupid ones admittedly) that were not aware of Apple’s latest efforts have a way around the ‘iBricking’. And the other more tech-savvy users have a way to update their iPhones to the latest firmware without risk of winding up with an expensive shiney black turd - like that guy holding the iPhone above. [SHOW ME]

Sony Ericsson are looking to create a playstation gaming phone, and the plans have already been drawn up. According to the “gaming” boss (whatever one of those is), Peter Ahnegard it will be coming out Christmas, although as this article states, he didn’t say which one… [SHOW ME]

Touted (at least by T3) as being a Nintendo Wiimote in a handset, these motion sensing mobiles use the built in camera to detect movement. Quite impressive, and they look fairly sensitive too. I’m just wondering what would happen if someone walked behind you - would the phone interpret that as movement? Or how about if you’re on the train with the camera facing the window? No hiscores possible on that particular game…

This did make me laugh.. This is one person’s view on the iPhone and why it isn’t as good as his current Nokia E70. Not family safe by the way!! [SHOW ME]

Apple’s latest innovation has been unveiled at the [Macworld expo] today. And what sort of blogger would I be without covering it?

The new device, available only with the US carrier singular initially has some nice features. Some of which include a proximity sensor that detects your head when you put the iphone to your ear, and an accelerometer that adapts the screen to how you’re holding it, much like a digital camera I would imagine. The device, being based on an iPod (obviously) will initially come in 4Gb and 8Gb flavours. It will also apparently fade out your music and fade in your call when the need arises. All in all it sounds like a nifty piece of kit - and the price tag will reflect this niftyness too at $499 to $599 when it is set to debut in the US in the summer. [SHOW ME]

This is probably one of the most insteresting reports I’ve read and heard about in a long time. Not only is it appearing all over the net on blogs, but also you can listen to a podcast about it too on The Gadget Show

Take mobile phones (in particular 3G) and add a socialogical & psychological slant to it.. What are people doing at the moment in the world with their mobiles and how are they going to use them in the future to interact with each other? Find out the answers and have a damn good read too..

[link]