Blog Page
Welcome to the Aerial Blog page!
Updated regularly, this section of our site aims to offer opinions, insider info and views from our knowledgeable team on everything from the latest mobile handsets to VoIP telephone systems – and everything in between!
What makes a BlackBerry a Blackberry? When you ask this question most people will respond in the same way; It’s the keyboard! So many were shocked to see the first handset to feature on the new BlackBerry 10 platform was a touchscreen. That didn’t stop the Z10 handset being a huge success and now BlackBerry are back to capture the rest of the market with the Q10 – a new BlackBerry 10 based handset WITH a physical keyboard.
This blog has previously sung the praises and benefits of the new BlackBerry 10 operating system which offers everything from easy web browsing, a growing library of apps and the famed BlackBerry email system. There is also the addition of the BlackBerry Hub, where all your emails and messages live in one place, and BlackBerry Balance, which easily separates Work and Personal life, even changing the screen colour to differentiate the two.
The Q10 keyboard also has some new very cool features including ‘Instant Actions’ – for example start typing TW and you’re straight into a tweet, press a key and you can easily go straight to the top or bottom of your inbox. The removal of the Bold’s track pad also makes the user experience far more fluid whilst it also makes room for a larger screen.
The Q10 has a very sleek, modern feel whilst offering a great robust casing to ensure it can stand up to the vigour of a modern business users. The screen on the Blackberry Q10 is square, not something that would usually tempt smartphone buyers. However, the 3.1in 720×720 HD Super AMOLED screen is one of the best display currently on the market which makes the whole experience a higher quality.
The Q10 has to be seen to be believed and fortunately Aerial have a number of these units to demonstrate. Call us on 02392 737 513 to see how the BlackBerry Q10 could work for your business.
The big news we are seeing today is the reported rise in cyber attacks on UK Businesses. The number of malicious attacks hitting businesses has soared in the past year, a Government-commissioned research revealed today
.The survey showed 87% of small firms experienced a security breach last year – up 10% – and 93% of large organisations had also been targeted.
The Information Security Breaches Survey, commissioned by the Department for Business in the UK, even discovered some cases which had caused over £1 million of damage – and the scary part is these are on the increase.
Affected companies experienced around 50% more attacks on average than a year ago, with the median number of breaches suffered by large organisations up from 71 to 113 and the figure for small firms rising from 11 to 17.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: “Keeping electronic information safe and secure is vital to a business’s bottom line.
“Companies are more at risk than ever of having their cyber security compromised, in particular small businesses, and no sector is immune from attack. But there are simple steps that can be taken to prevent the majority of incidents”
Aerial specialise in protecting the valuable data that business simply wouldn’t survive without – call us today on 02392 737 513 for a free business security audit which could just save your business.
The latest news reaching us today suggests that by the end of 2013, all of the major mobile network operators will be offering 4G services and with that comes the potential for businesses to transform the way they work and serve their customers.
4G will allow for faster data speeds and a more seamless mobile experience with greater network coverage, it provides the chance to go beyond what has already been offered in the market. This huge step forward truly gives your employees the ability to work efficiently whilst away from their desks. The possibilities that this technology brings are endless, but the opportunity now rests with businesses, big and small, to have a plan to be “4G ready” to ensure that they maximise the potential gains when the nationwide rollout takes place later this year.
Aerial are already seeing business prepare for this change by utilising mobility applications which effectively make you mobile device your office extension. This allows you to call over 4G (thus free calls) and have a centralised presence without having to log into your desk phone!
In order for businesses to thrive in these economically difficult times, they must take advantage of everything that is available in the sphere of digital technology. As 4G becomes a nationwide reality, businesses that are quick to incorporate the technology into their ways of working will have the chance to make a vital jump ahead of their competitors. The winning companies in the next few years will be the ones that take the first steps into true “mobility” today.
Call us today on 02392 737 513 to discuss your options
On the 2nd May 2013, Aerial Business Communications will be holding an open day at their premises on Rodney Road, Portsmouth. In 2012 Aerial held their first open day with great success as the event drew over 200 businesses from around Hampshire. This year will be even bigger, not only will the event, starting at 12 noon and finishing at 6pm, see live demonstrations on the latest Mobile, IT and Telecoms, there is also the chance to try and land a helicopter in our car park!
The “drop in” event is aimed at showcasing the latest and best business technologies whilst adding a little bit of fun. Aerial have a life-size helicopter simulator, the BlackBerry Batak challenge and the Nokia Battle Bus for customers to try. There are also £1000’s worth of prizes to be won including flying lessons, a BlackBerry Z10 handset, a Raspberry Pi and much more. There will be over 20 exhibition stands demonstrating everything from mobile phones to Cloud/Hosted technologies which aim to bring Portsmouth businesses a vast array of benefits. Nokia, BlackBerry, Samsung and NEC are among some of the exhibitors demonstrating the latest devices. The day is completely free and everyone is welcome.
Aerial’s General Manager, David Hall, said “Last year’s event marked our 25th year in business and was a such a success we are doing it all over again. Last year we had a Formula 1 theme with an F1 simulator in our car park. This year we have 2 big competitions in the helicopter landing and BlackBerry Batak Challenge. It is also a great chance to see all the latest business mobile handsets and technology in one place”
Aerial will also be collecting for local charity, The Joe Glover Trust, which aims to make a real difference to the families of children with Cancer. Our commitment to this trust will continue throughout 2013 as 10 Aerial employees will also be competing in The Great South Run. We aim to raise over £15,000 for the charity which makes a real difference to local families.
11 Apr
posted by webmaster
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Chatheads, Facebook, Facebook Home, HTC, HTC First, Mark Zuckerberg
Comments: 0
CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg is releasing software that puts feeds from the social network on the home page of Android phones.
Facebook hasn’t introduced its own phone; instead it has started working off Google Android, using the platform to expand its potential influence. The well-known social networking site has partnered with HTC and created its own software for those who tend to spend lots of time in the Facebook app. Users will now be able to see notifications, images and messages from the home screen of their device instead of having to download them via an application.
Mark Zuckerberg commented ‘the change will put people, not apps, at the heart of the mobile experience.’
However, many people are going to be curious on how this will affect their privacy policies. But Android is currently thought to have deep hooks into user data on their phones. So, this shouldn’t cause any more issues on privacy, we should be looking when it arrives for the new data permissions.
If Facebook brought out a phone straight into the telecommunications market, it would have to compete with the big names such as Apple, Samsung and Blackberry. Facebook has worked with HTC to release the first phone with Facebook Home, called the HTC First.
So, how is Facebook Home different to using the Facebook app?
When you launch Facebook Home, you are taken directly to your Facebook home screen. You are able to interact much more easily with statuses as they are shown as a full page. As well as Facebook Home, the team have also come up with ChatHeads.
ChatHeads is built directly into the ohone so you wont have to hop in and out of apps to talk to your friends. Once a friend messages you, their profile picture pops up as a small icon – you tap to open it and then can leave it open, you are therefore able to just go back to your conversation without having to open anything else. ChatHead works with Facebook and SMS, and barely distinguishes between the two (except by the colour, blue and green).
Although HTC and Facebook are launching the HTC First, the phone soon becomes irrelevant as you will be able to download Facebook Home onto any Android device soon after it has been launched.
3 Apr
posted by webmaster
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: first call, Martin cooper, Mobile, mobile phone, Motorola
Comments: 0
Would you believe that it has been 40 years since the first call was made from a mobile phone?
On the 3rd April 1973, Martin Cooper a Motorola employee made the first phone call from a Motorola DynaTAC mobile phone. He phoned competitor AT&T in New York saying “I’m ringing you to see if my call sounds good at your end?”
The Motorola was a much larger and more complex device than you would find today; being 9 inches tall, created of 30 circuit boards, 35 minutes talk-time and it took 10 hours to charge. How would the people of the 21st century cope?
It isn’t hard to see how technology has moved on since the first call was made from a mobile. After many years of development and new inventions the smartphone has been created.
After four decades, a worldwide telecommunications industry has been widely developed and annual revenues are £800 billion! This is based on wide choice, falling prices and a wide variety of technology out there today.
Today our mobiles are used for much more than they were since the first call was made from one – they’re now used for Internet access, social networking, maps, morning alarms, games and taking photos and videos opposed to the just talking and texting.
Two of the most significant developments to the mobile phone are the wide variety of devices and the access to the Internet according Mike Short an expert from the institution of engineering.
“In the early days of mobile consumerisation wasn’t considered.” He said.
“It was made for men in suits in business, whereas consumerisation followed and Internet access again much later.”
As firms speed up development, the pace of innovation increases! What do we think is to come in the next 40 years?
Aerial offer a wide range of services for all of your businesses needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more.
27 Mar
posted by webmaster
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: apple, budget iphone, iphone, iphone 5s
Comments: 0
The Next iPhone model has been rumoured that it is going to hit stores in the middle of this year.
The iPhone 5S is believed to be arriving on our shelves in late June, followed by a lower cost model in September, according to Piper Jaffray analyst at Gene Munster. What else does Apple have to bring for us? Well, the new iPhone is predicted to have a faster core processor, improved camera and new software for the hard drive. The iPhone 5S is likely to look very much like the iPhone 5.
However, will Apple take the opportunity to use their latest model the 5S to introduce the Near Field Communication (NFC)? This would allow customers to use their device to make a payment.
Last year Apple purchased the security provider Authentec, which could provide a biometric security feature, giving users access to their smartphone via fingerprint. But, this is thought to be a feature in the iPhone 6.
With the iPhone 5S rumoured to be coming out late June, this leaves a gap in the market which Apple haven’t grasped yet. Apple’s traditional area of expertise being at the higher end they need something to fill the gap uncovered in the market. It is also thought that Apple may bring out a lower end model to fill the space in the consumer market and tap into the $150 billion area of the consumer market.
Speculation has occurred over how much Apple are going to sell of their up and coming model. Predictions have been made that Apple are to show a 15% increase in sales over a 3 month period, ending 30th June 2013. Also estimated 4 million units of the iPhone 5S are to be sold. This could seem like an out of reach goal, but with the reminder that Apple sold 5 million units the first weekend the iPhone 5 was released.
Although the releases of the new models aren’t predicted to bring substantial revenue to the company this could help them crack areas of the market which they haven’t yet got a hold of.
26 Mar
posted by webmaster
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: data usage abroad, o2, o2 travel
Comments: 0
From the 26th March you will no longer have to use your UK minutes when you are calling from Europe.
O2 have made changes to O2 Travel which means now customers who are making or receiving calls will no longer use their UK minutes. It remains 41p to connect and free to talk for up to 60 minutes. However, after 60 minutes the standard UK out of bundle rates will apply.
Data usage in Europe is now capped at 15MB a day at £1.66. Customers are still able to send up to 30 emails with attached photos, hundreds without attachments and enough to visit 200 websites. The personal touch from O2 still remains in that they will text the customer if they are getting close to their daily limit. They are then able to choose to get an extra 15MB for another £1.66.
Customers are able to add more to their O2 Travel allowance at any point by texting ‘moredata’ to 23336 which will give them an extra 15MB data at £1.66 for that day. To send these texts cost 7p.
It’s always free to receive texts when travelling abroad. Although sending a text from Europe costs 7p. In other parts of the world this may differ.
Customers are able to opt out of the O2 Travel at any point and would then be paying normal rates abroad. To do this, you should phone 202 from your mobile or the number on your bill.
As always the Aerial team will be happy to help with any questions or queries so don’t hesitate to get in contact.
25 Mar
posted by webmaster
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: 4G, boost economy, mobile shopping, smartphone
Comments: 0
Mobile shopping could be what is set to boost our economy with the introduction of 4G to Britain.
A £1.8 billion boost to the retail economy could come from the arrival of 4G, showing an increase of 113% over a year in mobile shopping in comparison to 2012.
In a new study by the auction website eBay, it has been found that 1 in 10 used a smartphone for making purchases, of the 2.081 people who were interviewed. Now, just under one third of people are using their smartphone for retail browsing and buying.
With the downside to mobile shopping at the moment the speed or reliability, the landing of 4G would break down these barriers and encourage more people to shop using their smartphone.
Therefore the launch of 4G to the UK would mean that shoppers are literally able to make purchases anytime, anywhere. This could be the biggest thing since online shopping! An extra £1.8bn of consumer spending is now up for grabs.
“Consumers today want convenience and speed. The arrival of universal 4G will bring with it a more immersive, instant and intimate shopping experience than ever before – putting the most exciting features of mobile retail as we know it into high definition.” Said Olivier Ropars eBay’s Senior Director of m-commerce.
Not only will the universal 4G boost retail this will also speed up internet usage in general on a smartphone device.
Aerial stock a wide range of business smartphones including HTC, Apple, Samsung, Nokia and Blackberry. Our trained advisors would be happy to help the find the perfect smartphone for you. Call us to find out more 02392737513.
In the mobile world, days like today don’t get much bigger. Around the globe technology fans are gearing up for one of the biggest product launches so far in 2013. So what will Samsung’s Galaxy S4 bring that is new?
Well, the internet rumour mill has been working overtime and the big rumours circulating on the suggest the handset will have a high definition five-inch screen, a 13-megapixel camera and a powerful eight-core processor. The final point really would be a game changer!
The other big rumour is around “eye-scrolling”. This is a new technology that monitors your eyes and knows when to scroll down text without the user having to touch the device! This could be the biggest mobile development since the touch screen.
The Samsung Galaxy S4′s predecessor, the Galaxy S3, was a massive success for Samsung following its release last year and ain some regions actually out sold the all-conquering Apple iPhone. However, the iPhone is still the most popular smartphone globally and Apple also has a slightly larger market share in the US.
The stateside launch is therefore being seen as a bold move by Samsung to try to tip that balance.
Apple’s next shot in the smartphone arms race is expected this summer with an update to the iPhone 5. The Smartphone war really is on in 2013!
Aerial stock a huge range of business mobile devices including products from Samsung, Apple, HTC, Blackberry and Nokia. Our highly trained advisers can help your business untangle the smartphone market to find the device that works for your business. Call us on 02392 737 513 or click here to register your interest.