Who Are Huawei?

Despite their status as one of the world's largest and most innovative technology companies; the vast majority of UK residents are unlikely to have heard of Huawei. Even more surprisingly; a large number of these people will own a device designed and manufactured by the Chinese tech giant.

Huawei Mobile Phones

Having previously kept their name hidden away from the Western market by producing devices bearing the name of brands we're more familiar with, Huawei (pronounced WHA-WAY) are now poised to step into the limelight. With a brand new marketing department featuring ex Samsung and Everything Everywhere executives, there's no questioning that Huawei are taking a UK launch seriously. With this in mind here are some things you may not know about a brand who are likely to gain household name status over the course of 2012.

Huawei in Disguise

From the Orange Barcelona, T-Mobile Pulse and Vodafone Smart mobile phone handsets through to 3 Mobile Broadband dongles; all manner of UK phone network branded devices are in fact Huawei's in disguise. Not only have these instances of white labelling allowed Huawei to build relationships with networks but also allowed them an insight into how the UK market interacts with their devices. Having tested the water so to speak, the company are now removing their disguise and announcing their presence to a new market - a move which has surely been partially inspired by the immense success of HTC since they took the same step.

Thin is In

At technology showcase extravaganza CES 2012 in Las Vegas, Huawei unveiled the Ascend P1S - one of the first Smartphones bearing their name with a release scheduled in the UK. As well as boasting Android Ice Cream Sandwich and a powerful processor the handset is also the thinnest phone in the world. This impressive accolade is sure to grab them the headlines when the Ascend P1S is available here around April 2012.

It's a Media Thing

As well as attempting to take the mobile phone market by storm, Huawei also have their sights set on the media tablet sector – with their MediaPad 7 inch tablet already on the market. As with the Ascend P1S, the hope is to take advantage of the interest in Android's Ice Cream Sandwich operating system with a re-vamped ICS equipped MediaPad due for release imminently.

Given the success HTC have experienced in Western markets since selling handsets in their own name it seems that Huawei have a good chance of breaking through - particularly given the arsenal of products they have lined up and ready to launch.

Predictions, Rumours and Wild Guesses for 2012

It looks like 2012 is going to be a great year for mobile phone aficionados and gadget fans at large. With this in mind we've had a little think about the developments that we're most excited about (potentially) happening during the next 12 months:

Quad-core Mobile Phone Processors

It was announced in February 2011 that Qualcomm had developed a mighty quad-core processor for use in Android handsets - and that they were to make it available to handset manufacturers in 2012. This promise seems to have been held with the HTC Edge potentially due a February release - complete with a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor.

Although this might not sound exciting to most; the step up from a single core processor (as you'd find pre 2011) to a dual core is an impressive improvement - but a quad core means double the power again! This additional power means not only faster execution of multiple processes but also improved battery life and the ability to effortlessly handle HD video chat.

3D Displays in Handsets

For a number of years 3D displays have been gradually working their way into new environments - from specialised cinemas, through to home cinemas and even handheld gaming consoles. In 2011 we finally saw 3D mobile phones which were able to provide that third dimension without glasses.

The HTC Evo 3D and LG Optimius 3D both hit UK shores and were met with intrigue initially. Despite boasting innovative technology however; the lack of 3D content and hardware and software shortcomings lead to a general dismissal of these two pioneering handsets.

Here at Free Contract Mobiles we are absolutely certain that in 2012 there will be breakthrough 3D handsets which take the market by storm by addressing the problems encountered by the Evo 3D and Optimus 3D. Recent rumours about the Samsung Galaxy S3 featuring 3D capabilities are another very strong pointer towards a future of 3D handsets.

Kindle Fire Hailing Changes in the Tablet Market

In January 2010 Apple unveiled the iPad to worldwide acclaim and subsequent torrents of copycats - thus the tablet market was born. 2011 brought the iPad 2 and a wealth of heavyweight competitors from Asus, Blackberry, Samsung and others.

In 2012 things are however set to change...potentially radically. Although the likely release of the iPad3 may be of most interest to some; it is Amazon who are likely to cause the greatest change with the UK launch of the Kindle Fire tablet. Already available in the USA priced at an incredible $199 the Kindle Fire combines Amazon's huge range of media with a high tech, low priced tablet - making for something which could knock Apple off their pedestal. The consequent hotting up of competition in the tablet arena is likely to have a knock-on effect with regard to pricing - which is in the best interests of all gadget fans!

Mobile Innovators of 2011

With a new year now upon us, it's the perfect time to reflect upon the best of 2011. The mobile phone industry saw a wealth of innovation during the last 12 months with leading handset manufacturers intensifying their quests for increased market share. Rather than assemble a straight forward 'best handset' list we wanted instead to acknowledge those handsets which brought something new and exciting to the table - so here's our list of the most pioneering handsets of 2011 and what we believe makes them so special:

HTC Sensation XE

The HTC Sensation was an exceptional handset in it's own right - with a speedy dual-core processor, a fresh version of HTC Sense and a supersized screen on a surprisingly skinny frame. Not content with this, HTC decided to roll out a turbocharged version towards the tail-end of the year. The HTC Sensation XE had a slightly faster processor to match up to that found in the iPhone 4S and a unique audio interface developed in conjunction with Dr Dre and his Beats Audio brand. This partnership not only made the Sensation XE the only choice for audiophiles - with unparalleled audio capabilities and Beats Audio earphones but also brought with it Beats Audio branding on the phone and the operating system adding to the fashion appeal.

HTC Sensation XE

Apple iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S may have been a letdown for those hoping to see a complete re-invention of the iPhone given its similarity to its predecessor - but it did bring with it a unique feature. Referred to as 'Siri' the iPhone 4S introduced the arrival an exceptionally developed voice controlled 'assistant'. Siri is able to recognise and respond to a vast array of voice commands allowing the phone user to dispense with the touchscreen altogether if they so wish. This innovative operation interface is leaps and bounds ahead of any rival handset manufacturer's voice control systems making a worthy addition to our innovators list.

Apple iPhone 4S

Motorola Atrix

This slightly lower profile smartphone from stalwarts Motorola may not have received the public interest levels of the HTC or Apple offerings - but certainly holds it's own in the innovation stakes. Although the handset itself doesn't necessarily set itself apart from other recent Android mobile phones for standard performance (except in terms of processor power where it does excel) - the ace up its sleeve is the way it interacts with its unique arsenal of accessories. The most notable of these accessories is the laptop dock - which transforms the Atrix into a fully functional netbook. Allied with the phone's inbuilt fingerprint reader this full utilisation of the phone's capabilities through external devices will surely inspire further innovation on this front by Motorola and others.

Motorola Atrix

Christmas Gifts for Phone Enthusiasts

If one of your loved ones is never to been seen without their iPhone 4 or can't be prised away from their HTC Sensation then it may be an idea to invest in a Christmas gift that enriches their mobile phone experience. Given that modern mobiles are laden with all manner of entertainment features, it should come as no surprise that they are used as such. With this in mind, here's the Free Contract Mobiles Blog's top 5 accessories to make phone's even more enjoyable:

1. Novelty Protective Case

Although not seemingly the most exciting gift, a carefully selected protective case will not only serve as a guardian against mishap but can also customise the handset in a manner perfectly befitting the recipient. More popular handset models now boast an abundance of innovative and attractive phone cases - which are available for a few pounds, making them great stocking fillers.

2. Touchscreen Friendly Gloves

Given the weather around this time of year, these woollen marvels are particularly good as Christmas presents. Courtesy of a special coating on the finger tips these seemingly normal gloves allow you to operate your touchscreen phone without risking frostbite - a perfect example of simple technology perfectly executed.

3. Phone Dock

Docks have been popular with iPod and iPhone users for a number of years - and they continue to form the essential bridge between mobile phone and hi-fi system and come all manner of shapes, styles and sizes. Given that many people now utilise their phone as a portable music library the phone dock is an excellent idea for those with a love of music...plus it keeps the battery charged!

4. Emergency Charger

It's all too easy to get carried away on Angry Birds or lose track of time on YouTube and find yourself with a dying battery and an important call to make. In these all too common scenarios an emergency charger is an incredibly useful accessory - and consequently a thoughtful and useful gift.

5. Sports Armband

Given the high likelihood that your recipient's New Year's resolutions will incorporate more exercise; this gift serves a useful nudge in the right direction. Serving as a means of providing music and social connectivity during exercise of any intensity, this accessory is great for those who want to get fit. Given the great range of fitness apps out there for iPhone and Android phone users; a sports armband is a spot on Christmas gift...in our opinion!

Maximise Your Mobile Phone Battery Life

Battery Life

With mobile phone technology advancing at a rapid rate it seems that there is now an endless list of comparison points to wrestle with when selecting a new handset. From the number of megapixels the camera boasts through to the processor speed, screen resolution, operating platform and literally dozens of other variables and parameters - it is a serious challenge to find the perfect phone without weeks of hardcore number crunching and cross referencing.

Although people for the most part will generally make their decisions based upon the styling of the handset, quality of the camera, operating system and other quickly identifiable factors: one of the single most important when it comes to day to day handset satisfaction is much harder to assess prior to purchase. Battery life dictates the way you use your phone; if you unlikely to be able to charge your phone for 24 hours then your phone usage behaviour changes to reflect this. Essentially, if you buy a phone with poor battery life then the various other selling points can be rendered a little pointless as you'll rarely get opportunity to use them.

Maximise Your Battery Life

A great number of modern Smartphones stand accused of providing sub-standard battery life in technical reviews and according to heavy users. The truth of the matter is that in many instances this reduction in battery life is as a result of our increased usage of our phones on a daily basis. The incorporation of wireless internet browsing, music and video playback and digital camera capabilities mean that overall people are using their phones more for high power consumption purposes other than communication and as such rapidly draining the battery.

To squeeze the longest possible battery life out of a new phone there are three essential things to bear in mind:

(1) Fully charge your new handset as advised in the manual:

Although you may be desperate to dive in and use your shiny new phone, patience is essential to ensure that you completely charge your battery and in doing so make sure of maximum possible battery life.

(2) Tweak screen brightness and power-saver settings:

Many modern Smartphones boast super-bright, high resolution screens which provide exceptional quality. For day to day use it's unlikely that you'll require the very brightest setting or indeed for the screen to stay on for any period of time when left idle. A simple adjustment of settings to reduce screen brightness and screen idle time can extend your battery life no end.

(3) Learn how to disable power-sapping apps and features when not in use:

Facilities such as Wi-Fi and GPS have revolutionised mobile phones - they are however very heavy power users and as such should be disabled when not in use to ensure maximum battery life.

Failing all of the above, it may be an idea to carry your phone's USB connection cable with you at all times to make sure you're never without Angry Birds for too long!

Greetings from the Free Contract Mobiles Team

Hello All!

First of all, an apology: -

With the exception of the occasional post we have been neglecting our blogging duties recently in order to focus attentions upon creating a shiny new website optimised to provide the best possible mobile phone comparison platform. Well, we're glad to announce that we're finally happy with the Free Contract Mobiles website and once again have the time to start regularly blogging again!

Our hope is to not only keep you up to date with news from the mobile handset arena and interesting articles about mobile phone usage around the world – but also to develop some regular features alongside guides to choosing a new handset and the occasional product review. We'd love to hear feedback on precisely what else you'd like to read about: so please send any suggestions and thoughts over to us.

Changes to Free Contract Mobiles

The new Free Contract Mobiles site is a serious upgrade from our previous platform and we hope you enjoy making full use of it. In addition to an obvious update to the site's styling, we've totally rebuilt our phone deal comparison engine so that you're able to compare even more phone deals and get your results in record time. This new comparison system also allows you to stipulate a whole range of different comparison points and factors – from deals offering a specific free gift through to contracts providing specific volumes of inclusive data and call time. Whether you're just looking for a general bargain or have a specific handset and contract type in mind: we're sure that with Free Contract Mobiles you're sure to get the best possible deal.

Alongside our contract deal comparison platform we’ve also added new website areas tailored to those with bad credit that are looking for a phone contract and a whole new way to browse handsets with our Mobile Features search system. Whatever your phone related needs - we've got it covered!

Coming Soon on the Free Contract Mobiles Blog

During the course of December we'll be publishing some great posts to provide an overview of advances in the mobile phone world during 2011 and expectations of what's to come in 2012. In addition to these posts you can also expect a Christmas shopping guide (ideally tailored to those who love their phones) and some other content we're sure you'll enjoy.

Stay Tuned!

The risks of combining mobile phones and driving

There's always someone who decides to call you whilst driving, whether it be a business correspondent or a loved one, there’s always a burning temptation to answer it. Prior to December 2003 it would have been second nature to receive the call, press the phone to your ear and converse at your will. Now however, this act is a prosecutable offence carrying repercussions to the extent of imprisonment should you get caught.

After research into mobile phone use whilst driving revealed that mobile phones were responsible for many motoring offences and accidents, the lethal combination was prohibited. But just because an act is illegal it doesn’t mean people completely stop doing it, everyday drivers are endangering their and other people's lives by performing seemingly minor functions on their handheld mobile devices.

Break down of the law

It's not just mobile phones that are illegal to use whilst driving, Sat Navs and MP3 players are also covered by the law, basically handheld devices which possess interactive functions are illegal for use whilst the engine’s running. The term "using a mobile phone" doesn't just refer to making a call, accessing the internet or texting while driving along with other functions are also included in the legislation.

Possible consequences

The possible penalties of being caught with a mobile phone behind the wheel include fines, points on your licence or even imprisonment if you're accused of dangerous driving. These penalties have been imposed due to concentration lapse drivers experience whilst using their phones. According to Think! drivers are four times as likely to experience an accident if they're using their phone on the road. Essentially, you're getting off lightly with points and a fine compared to the consequences of a deadly collision.

If you're found guilty of using a mobile phone whilst driving you could experience a driving ban if you already have existing points on your licence. This could result in loss of career, deficiency in earnings and financial distress - all because you did something as miniscule as view a text.

It's better to be safe than sorry

The ban of mobile phones whilst driving has led to a range of accessories becoming available to enable drivers to receive calls without using their hands. Bluetooth wireless headset accessories attach to your mobile phone and ear, enabling you to take calls hands-free. Visor mounts are an alternative to headsets and clip to the sun visors in your car, they can often have voice activation so making a call needn't occupy your hands.

For road safety reasons, every driver should have a hands-free device readily available in their car. There’s always an occurrence when the urge to answer a call is incredibly strong, and rather than risking your licence and livelihood it's better to have a fool-proof device that ensures you never fall foul to the law.

Portable Computing – Which Option is Best For You?

Over the last year or so developments in portable computing technology have lead to the creation of a plethora of new and exciting gadgets. No longer are we confined to static desktop computers or left trawling clunky laptops around in order to browse the internet, read emails, create spreadsheets or of course update our social network profiles. Although this array of different devices offers a world of exciting new possibilities, the vast choice does also make it hard to decide precisely what piece of equipment is best to fulfil your needs. With this in mind here's a brief look at some of the options available in the super-portable computing market:

Smartphones

There's no denying that mobile phones have come an incredibly long way in recent times, the current breed of smartphones such as the iPhone, HTC Desire HD, Samsung Galaxy S and Nokia N8 amongst others offer increasing power and features in small and chic packages. As well as allowing users to perform the more obvious tasks such as making and receiving calls, sending text messages and facilitating rudimentary digital photography – courtesy of advances in processing technology and development of miniature components cutting edge smartphones are now capable of so much more. With Wi-Fi connectivity and 3G mobile internet capacity these handsets allow the user to perform a wide range of tasks online whilst increasingly accomplished operating systems in conjunction with full qwerty keyboards and touchscreens make navigation and data input easy. The only major downfall of these mobile phones is also one of their strongest advantages: their compact size. Their pocket-friendly proportions make smartphones incredibly portable but also mean that typing for any length of time or viewing media can be a potentially frustrating or underwhelming experience.

Media Tablets

Media tablets hit the headlines initially with Apple's unveiling of the iPad – an incredible piece of technology which resembles an oversized iPhone. Whilst the size of the iPad makes it a little less portable than the iPhone: the larger display opens up new possibilities and in many ways makes the iPad and other more recently released media tablets a preferred option to the smartphone for many fans of portable computing. The market created by the iPad has opened the door to a wide range of media tablets from the drawing boards of Apple's competitor's. Media technology giants Archos have embraced the opportunity with the Archos 7, Samsung entered the fray with the Galaxy Tab and even BlackBerry are set to join in with their forthcoming tablet. The tablet format is great for watching videos, reading emails, playing games and an army of other tasks and applications – with the larger screen making for a more immersive media experience and improved data input ease compared to smartphones. Counting against tablets include potential pitfalls such as limited software compared to a conventional PC, potential transportation issues in comparison to smartphones and awkwardness of use for those who aren't familiar with touchscreens.

Netbooks

Netbooks are essentially scaled down laptops which pack a punch yet can fit in a handbag or massively oversized pocket. By providing the functionality and features you'd expect from a laptop but in a considerably more compact package, netbooks are more on a par with media tablets than smartphones. Although less convienant than tablets in terms of use on the move, there is no doubting the practicality of a netbook and if you aren't a natural with a touchscreen they could be the ideal solution. Furthermore, with many netbooks using familiar Windows Operating Systems, compatibility with other devices is likely to be better than with media tablets or smartphones.

Top 5 Alternative Uses For a Mobile Phone

With all this talk of Smartphones, high definition cameras and touchscreen wizardry it’s easy to lose sight of the most fundamental reason why mobile phones have caught on in such magnificent fashion (because they make personal communication easier in case you were wondering). Whilst considering just how many different tasks and functions a cutting edge handset can perform we had a thought: can we come up with 5 alternative uses for ANY mobile phone – regardless of its features, age and condition? In some strange way it made sense that if it’s possible to demonstrate how mobile phones have served a purpose beyond their primary function since the early days, then we are permitted to revel in the more frivolous abilities of modern handsets. Here’s what we came up with:

1- A Tool to Guard Against Social Awkwardness

Since the mobile phone popularity explosion at the turn of the millennium, the trusty handset has been on hand to protect its owner from social awkwardness as and when required. When waiting to rendezvous with a friend, attempting to avoid eye contact or simply not in the mood to converse with anyone in the vicinity, the mobile phone is the ideal place to turn to in order to seek refuge. Reading text messages, sending needless text messages, even pretending to read and send text messages are effective means of staying squarely out of the spotlight.

A Tool to Guard Against Social Awkwardness

2- An Escape Route from Awkward/Tedious Conversation

When unwittingly embroiled in a conversation likely to induce blushes or abject tedium, the mobile phone offers an exemplary escape route. A small amount of acting (“excuse me a second” whilst reaching for your bag or pocket) and you’re free courtesy of a phantom phone call. This timeless classic is likely to be utilised for as long as mobile phones continue to exist.

An Escape Route from Awkward/Tedious Conversation

3- An Emergency Light Source

Despite the age old warnings about the importance of preparedness and contingency planning, it is only a tiny minority of people who carry a torch on their person at all times. This failure to adequately equip ourselves for power failures or droppages in the dark would be a considerably more damning trait were it not for the trusty mobile phone. Giving off just enough light to provide a vague idea of surroundings, even the most basic of phones are able to pave the way to the fuse box or misplaced keys when called upon.

An Emergency Light Source

4- A Source of Audio Entertainment/Irritation

In the present day, many of us are lucky enough to own a mobile phone advanced enough to play mp3 audio files through earphones. If you cast your mind back however, you will recall that the use of mobile phones for audio entertainment isn’t in fact a new phenomenon. From the misguided youth blaring a low fidelity audio track from his phone’s tinny internal speaker on the bus to the enraptured first time mobile phone owner scrolling with glee through their monotonous yet ear piercing ringtones...mobile phones have enthralled and enraged on an audible plane for more than a decade.

A Source of Audio Entertainment/Irritation

5- An Outlet for Anger

If you occasionally find yourself watching the television then there is a good chance that you have witnessed our 5th and final alternative use for a mobile phone exercised in a suitably melodramatic fashion. When used as an outlet for anger the mobile phone is generally thrown, struck, used in place of a mallet or any combination of the three - it is often the last act the unfortunate handset performs. Despite the devastating impact of this alternative use, it can often help to relax the phone owner...until they realise that on top of whatever initiated their wrath, they now also need to buy a new phone.

An Outlet for Anger

Mobile Phone Usage Trends across the Globe

Well established market research company Comscore recently announced the results of an intensive and insightful study into the mobile phone usage behaviours of individuals aged 13 years and over in Japan, the USA and Europe. The data compiled in June of this year considered not just usage as such, but carefully examined the extent to which users in each region accessed more specific and for the most part cutting edge technologies through their mobile phones.

Unsurprisingly, Japanese users were found to be more likely to utilise the type of features synonymous with modern Smartphones than their American or European counterparts. In fact, the research reveals that more than 75% of Japanese users across all age and gender demographics utilised ‘connected media’ (such as applications or downloaded content) during the course of the study; compared to 43.7% amongst American mobile phone users and 38.5% for the European contingent of mobile users.

Japanese users were also found to be the most active in terms of email usage (54% compared to 27.9% in the USA and 18.8% in Europe), by far the more avid watchers of television on their mobile phone and also the most prolific photograph takers. In contrast, Americans were found to take the honours in terms of accessing their bank accounts using their mobile phone (9.4% of users compared to 8% in Japan and 7.1% in Europe) and also the most likely to visit a social media site or use a major instant messaging service on their phone.

The only areas across the whole study in which European users demonstrated a higher level of service interaction were found to be text messaging (81% in comparison to 66.8% in the USA and 40.1% in Japan), listening to music, playing games and capturing video.

By considering the areas in which each regional group demonstrate the highest proportion of user interaction it is possible to see an interesting but not too surprising pattern emerge. The Japanese come across as the most technologically savvy when it comes to mobile phone usage: with around three quarters of users utilising the internet on their mobile phone. Similarly, four times the number of Japanese users access television on their phone than European or American. Considering the importance of technological innovation in modern Japanese culture and of course the Japanese provenance of some of the world’s leading electronics companies: these statistics clearly mirror the fact that many technologically advanced products are released in Japan prior to being rolled out worldwide. It goes without saying that technology which has been in wide circulation for a number of years is more likely to be used on a widespread basis than something only announced a couple of months ago.

For the most part, following on from release in Japan, products will be launched in the USA before they reach retailers in Europe. The large bias towards social network interaction and the use of instant messaging services on mobiles in the USA compared to Japan and Europe fully vindicates this assumption. Instant messaging and social networking on mobiles is relatively new technology but well-embedded in most current mobile phones- and due to the time delay on worldwide roll-out; likely to be a feature on a higher proportion of handsets in the USA than in Europe. The European ‘victories’ in text messaging, game playing and the use of a mobile phone for listening to music just go to further support this line of thought: these features are long established in the majority of mobile phones worldwide...even though it’s only very recently that this has come to be the case here in Europe.

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