Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Disturbance in the T-Mobile network fixed.

It was the biggest power failure so far: Million T-Mobile's customers were suddenly on Tuesday evening, no more calls. The troubleshooting lasted until late at night. A similar error was already a year ago, the network of a T-Mobile's competitors paralyzed - software was to blame.

 


The shock came before Feierabend: Shortly after 16 clock on Tuesday
silent with shock million mobile phones. "No network" was the lapidary error message on the display of the parties involved. At least three hours took the trouble to cut a lot of customers of the mobile market leader of the mobile from. To 19 clock reported the group then:
Errors, mistakes corrected, the systems are running again. The restoration lasted but late into the night. Now reports of the Group: Everything is working again without errors.


DDP
Power failure at T-Mobile: hours were customers of Telekom subsidiary is not phoning


All customers can now make phone calls, said the head of the Telecom mobile division T-Mobile, Pölzl George, on Wednesday morning in the ZDF magazine. The disturbances were in the course of the night has been completely eliminated. At the same time apologized Pölzl at all T-Mobile customers. The company is constantly striving to offer its customers the latest and best technology to offer, he said. However, it never totally exclude the possibility that it may cause interference.

Telekom stated reason for the failure of software errors are the Home Location Register (HLR) have been. This system is used on a total of three servers, which on Tuesday had two failed. The referenced technique ensures that a connection between mobile station and the associated number is produced. T-Mobile boss Pölzl said on ZDF, Deutsche Telekom had here last year, a new system installed. Now it was right there on the interference. The causes should be investigated further. Such an error should not occur, said the T-Mobile boss.


Million Affected


How many of the nearly 40 million T-Mobile customers were affected by the disorder, was not yet known, but industry experts spoke of millions. Customers could not make calls with their cell phone or surf the Internet. Even text messages were not sent or received. Initially it was unclear exactly what areas were affected. ONLINE blogs are messages from readers that even in countries affected by the accident were.

On the telecom competitors Vodafone, the failure of the T-Mobile network, however, no impact. "For us, everything around," said spokesman Jens Kuerten on Tuesday evening in Dusseldorf. Vodafone has 36 million mobile customers in Germany. Also, the landline provider Arcor in Frankfurt, which is about three million customers and will be merged with Vodafone, has indicated that it has no problems in his own net.


Similar power failure a year ago


Before quite exactly a year, but also with Vodafone
a major power failure to fight. One evening in April 2008, the network was the second largest German mobile phone company plagued by problems. First it had been the group said that the entire network was paralyzed, and later indicated that it is only occasional failures.

The cause of the error was in the Vodafone-Rechenzentrum in Ratingen identified. During a routine maintenance was an employee there made a false entry, so an error is triggered avalanche, which is characterized by the Vodafone network spread. The restoration of the networks had at Vodafone had approximately two and a half hours.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The mobile phone with the rotation.

This device is the phone for minor matter: The Ondo man is making music, changing music, and especially fun. A design firm in Munich had the idea. But still has a matter hook.

 


Is that still a cell phone or even a musical instrument? Somewhere in between lies the definition of what is really the Ondo - or even could be. So far, the cool green black device is not much more than a good idea. Three years have designers, marketing experts and engineers of the Munich-based design firm Pilotfish worked at Ondo. The result is a concept that with ordinary mobile phones about as much to do like a microwave with a grill fire.


It begins with the display, rather the display on. Because the main screen of Ondo is not just any screen - the device has three screens. During normal operation, everything will be shown what is on a cell phone needs for information: contact information, calendar entries, if necessary, perhaps even a weather forecast.

The special thing about this display is that the three parts of which it exists, can be removed. About a clip on the back to the mini-displays of musical instruments then stapled. Alternatively, they can also simply as a microphone in hand.

In this configuration, the Ondo serves as a miniature recording studio, you can on each of the micro-displays a different tool, or just start singing. These recordings could then, for example, wirelessly to the device or the flash memory sticks are stored.


A digital Jammer hook


Did you this way, a song recorded, the real fun started: The cell phone itself is the music recordings of different instruments such as a mixer can mix. Effects would also conceivable, for example, the vocal reverb and echo added.

In this phase, another highlight of the course to Ondo, his elastic centerpiece. The green rubber knubbelige lobes, the two parts of the phone together, will consist of a flexible material with piezoelectric properties are produced.

And that would be the specific rotation of the thing: by upper and lower part of the Ondo against twisted, you could almost digital sound parameters such as with an analogue controller fluently change.

The simplest application would be a volume control: The more you twist the device, the louder the sound. Impressing should it be, though, so sound effects to manipulate. Approximately by the pitch of a sound by turning changed. It works a bit like the so-called Jammer hook, the tremolo of electric guitars, the guitarist with their solos spice.


A mobile music community


If you are with the results of the grafted host so happy, can you send them via MMS. The designers use floats a model in which musicians from all over the world to exchange their ideas with each other, mutually song fragments and send them again to expand Own.

Whether it actually will come once the extent is far from secure. Still Ondo is the only one concept. Three years in Pilotfish has worked to the idea and its implementation again and again refined. Now the company is looking for companies who are so bravely the unusual concept to realize.


When will we see it?


Success, the Munich designer with such projects have often had. Companies like Asus and Medion have products they can make. In the professional field of music include the Berlin-based company Native Instruments Pilotfish to customers, has evolved from the Munich devices can be designed with musicians such as guitar, and computers can - what a great success.

Whether the combination of mobile phones and musical instruments as well and remains to be seen. Interestingly it seems that the idea in any case. But it made the Ondo even as so many sports car study, the international automotive fairs is shown. Only rarely are such concept cars actually later in series. Individual innovations but there is not rare in series wagon again. Keep your eyes peeled, perhaps soon, there is the first mobile phone with Knubbel joint.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

T-Mobile blocked calls cheap.

With Skype on the iPhone cheap Internet phone calls? Nix da, says the telecom and locks the Internet telephony service from their mobile networks. It would improve the quality, the group argues. But actually go to something else, critics suspect.

 


Since today there is also Skype on Apple's touchscreen phone, a version for BlackBerry smartphones is planned for May announced. "Finally, are fans of the two device groups say. Because you want to have a lot: Smartphone buy data flatrate subscribe, cheap phone calls via Skype. Just now this dream could come true, at least theoretically. Practically, however, German iPhone users will continue as normal over mobile networks calls, because the mobile phone market leader Skype may not be seen in its networks.


This at least establishes a statement of the T-Mobile spokesman Alexander von Schmettow close. Compared to the "Business Week", he said, T-Mobile will Skype Internet telephony service in its mobile network block. The reasoning: If the iPhone-users to keep their data for use Skype conversations, would the performance of the network suffer. Data would be slowed down, the network could be overloaded. Prior to that we must protect.

Furthermore, the measure needed to ensure the consistent quality of voice connections to be able to guarantee. Problems with Skype could be approved by the customer as telecom issues to be misinterpreted. Well, therefore, the Group intends mobile Skype usage as well stop, where in fact plenty of bandwidth available, ie to the thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots on the T-Mobile is so proud.


With iPhone OS 3.0 but it works


Critics suspect the quality of debate was only a pretext argument. "T-Mobile does not deserve to run phone calls over Skype," for example, strongly
Macnotes and suspected in the concern about potential revenue losses to the actual reason for the action of the Telekom.

Skype itself has the possibility of VoIP calls via UMTS, HSDPA or EDGE to lead in the now available version of the software - at least in this country - apparently completely disabled. Although the accompanying text for the software in Apple's App Store is, you can also connect via wireless connections, do you get when you try to do this, only an error message on the screen.

This indicates that the device associated with the mobile Skype calls are not permitted. It is even in the official press release of Skype said that for example, Skype-to-Skype calls and calls to fixed or mobile network from any Wi-Fi Zone "were possible.

And actually quite a few users report that at least Skype is currently not only in private Wi-Fi hotspots, but also in T-Mobile hotspots uncomplainingly work. Possibly, the Group is still not sophisticated technical ability to the cheap VoIP phone calls to stop. And not only that
Engadget has tried out how the software on an Apple mobile phone with the
iPhone OS 3.0 installed. And lo and behold: Skype runs on the future iPhone OS is a bit shaky, but it also allows Skype calls via UMTS, HSDPA and EDGE.


iPod users can do regardless of his


But even without the iPhone OS 3.0 is it worth even now, the Skype software on the iPhone to install. In a brief test showed that the program is not only stable, but still comfortable and very iPhone-style to use. These include that it is not troublesome in Skype's contact details must be entered. Instead, it uses the software simply from the contacts of the iPhone.

Above all, should the owner of the iPod touch rejoice. Your MP3 player is using Skype on a real phone, though only within Wi-Fi networks. However, the publication of Skype once again a lack of your iPhone, you almost had forgotten about: programs can not run in the background. So if you are using Skype on the iPhone will reach the software must be constantly kept open in the foreground - and it will also deal with the iPhone OS 3.0 does not change. The blocks are not only different applications, it also sucks the battery very quickly.


Must it necessarily be Skype?


Really dramatic is the refusal of T-Mobile, Skype into its networks to be not so. Really useful, the software mainly for outgoing calls to use. And you should because of the greater bandwidth anyway via Wi-Fi it was - at least for now - even on T-Mobile hotspots still seem to work.

And if T-Mobile Skype really well in its Block hotspots should remain still have some alternatives. Because along with the new software of the VoIP market leader there in the App Store already several other programs like fring, Nimbuzz and Truphone, which is via Wi-Fi with iPhone Cheap calls - and the T-Mobile has apparently not yet on the radar.

Monday, March 30, 2009

3D-Porn for the iPhone.

A special coating makes the iPhone into a 3D display which is annoying even without special glasses to work. To launch the mobile gadgets, however, there is hardly suitable 3D content - except porn.

 


Ironically quietschgrünes an enclosure into which you can plug the iPhone, in January was one of the undisputed highlights of Macworld Expo. The Apple cult wins phone is not necessarily of elegance when it Wazabee-3DeeShell Company
Spatial View covers. But the so tuned iPhone is not just green and plump, but also capable of three-dimensional images presented - without 3D glasses.


Wazabee 3D Shell: If the success of porn pictures?


This is made possible by the magic trick by a special lens over the display will be shelved. Then any kind of content can be vividly depicted. This works but only if they have previously with the help of the Spatial View software for the 3D effect has been prepared. Videos, photos and games can be like a hologram, apparently on the iPhone display float. After the green Gagdet at fairs and screenings for the press a lot of amazement care, think about it since Friday actually buy - even if only on the American website of the manufacturer.
On the German side, the device can still only be reserved.


Adult entertainment


The 3DeeShell is currently, however, with only three applications. Including one with the man himself geknipst photos for a spatial representation prepare. This should be a nice toy to be. But the really interesting applications are likely to come from independent developers, and Apple's App Store sold.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Macworld-innovations: 3D iPhones and dwarf projectors (06.01.2009)

Innovation: Watch TV in 3D (24.06.2008)

One of the few suppliers that are already on sale Wazabee Start 3D content offering, the company
Pink Visual. And this is the "adult entertainment" specialized, ie pornography. "We are really excited to offer our customers in cooperation with Spatial View in a new sense of the word porn dimension to be able to offer," said Pink Visual Product Manager Kim Kysar last week
AFP news agency.

The mobile 3D pioneers of Spatial View seems to be quite, they obviously have no fear: "The adult entertainment has historically always been a pioneer in the adaptation of new technologies and the development of appropriate business models," said marketing chief Jason King.


Technology from Germany


The 3DeeShell is with the sales launch, without a doubt, the pioneer of a new generation of 3D displays. In similar products to work almost all the major manufacturers of consumer electronics. The iPhone case for the 3D effect is likely in the foreseeable future, many more displays for space-grabbing presentations follow. The pioneering technique of 3DeeShell incidentally was developed in Germany. Only once in this venture was not enough, the developers decided to make their start-up in Canada to found.

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De-Bug

Magazine for electronic life aspects

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Another 3D Display, which has already caused a furore comes from Germany, more precisely, from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, based in Berlin. The system of researchers is
iPoint and 3D, for example, presented at the CeBIT: Here was the classic Pong game with simple arm movements on a 3D display to be played. And that the new space feeling confident the audience will be on the
Videos of the event quickly became clear. Even if the 3D effect can not be filmed.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Garbage-network SMS begs for emptying.

The U.S. city of Somerville wants garbage by 50 mobile network in order to optimize the discharge and energy and money. This is made possible by solar-powered garbage presses, at Disney's garbage robot Wall-E "remember.

 


The town of Somerville in the U.S. state of Massachusetts is so far not as high-tech location noticed. But that could change in the future if the new concept of urban waste is rising: The community wants: 50 high-tech trash can connect via SMS.

The concept of networked dustbins provides that the container via the mobile station if they are nearly full. The aim is always tons of ideal date be emptied. And this exact emptied, the environment, the traffic in the city and reduce the $ 14,000 annually in the form of fuel and personnel costs.
This is explained in any case, the head of city administration, Michael Lambert, opposite New York Times.


Only they can speak not: The fully automatic garbage Press, which reports via SMS, if it wants to be emptied


That calculated by the electronic upgrade of really simple objects on the environment to be effective at first sight, of course, absurd. Finally, created by the manufacture, installation and operation of the new technology first loads. But behind the SMS-ton is more than one mobile gadget.

In the garbage, in Somerville with SMS features are upgraded, it is now high-tech items. The model
BigBelly Solar Seahorse Power Company is not only a container, but a fully automated garbage press. The "big belly" compresses the waste, if a certain level sensors reported. Repeated presses can be tons of garbage at least five times more than conventional models include the same size.

The pressing process is carried out according to manufacturer with a huge pressure of 780 kilograms and will last exactly 41 seconds - during this period can be no garbage in the garbage can be thrown. The energy for the system comes from solar panels on the lid tonnes in its standard version is about the level LEDs. The upgrade to a wireless module is under these conditions of course, no particular piece of art, mainly because the power supply already is assured.

Although an automatic trashcompactor costs around 4000 euros, will the purchase worthwhile for many communities. In Europe, the tons currently in Dublin and Salzburg tested in practice, but still without SMS connectivity. But already in the execution, the ununvernetzten Waste 80 percent previously required emptying savings.

IN COOPERATION WITH ...

De-Bug

Magazine for electronic life aspects

www.de-bug.de


And "BigBelly" is not the only one trying to garbage economy through automated systems to revolutionize. Thus, in a small village in Tuscany is currently a field, when the refuse collection and street cleaning robots take over.

The stakes of DustCart and DustClean are also coordinated via mobile, however, these garbage-bot does not compress the waste, they are also energy dependent from the wall outlet.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Cell phone bills of 2008 are sunk.

The decisions of the EU Commission seems to pay off: One study suggests that the prices of mobile phones and SMS 2008 on the 2004 level. The accounts of the Germans were on average over the previous year and almost half lower.

 


Brussels - The monthly mobile phone bills of Germans are in the past year by almost half. This is the result of a study conducted on behalf of the European Commission. Thus German paid mobile customers with a "medium use" of their mobile phones in 2008 in average only 17.41 euro per month and almost 13 euros less than in 2007. The results of the study, the European Commission on Wednesday in Brussels.


DPA
Mobile bill: According to the EU Commission, the cost of mobile phone use of 2008 decreased


The Commission suggests that German consumers over two euros less than the EU average. The number of mobile phone contracts in Germany, meanwhile, as throughout the EU is also, again, as the annual Commission report on the telecommunications market shows.

Across the EU, prices fell for SMS and mobile phones from 2004 to 2008 at least 34.5 percent, they are now below the 2004 level.

Besides, consumers benefited from a better quality of services, said the Media and Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding. The improvements schlügen, among other things, faster Internet access down. Of the Germans meanwhile had 27.5 percent over broadband connections. "Millions of country people" were in the Federal Republic still cut off from broadband.

Rain was used in Europe according to the report, consumers from the possibility of their telephone company to switch. 20.5 million people changed accordingly fixed or mobile operator while retaining their old numbers. The EU average time of change at eight mobile phones days in Germany, there were three. However, the customers in Germany for this service in other countries is free, each 21 to 30 euros have to pay.

Killer SMS insecure Egyptians.

The rumor is absurd, but it stubbornly holds: Supposedly in Egypt is an SMS in circulation, which is deadly if you think of them. Now turn to authorities, and even try to cellphone users to calm down.

 


The scenario is known from Hollywood: It is a call, watching a forbidden video or receives a cryptic message, and a week later it is dead, the idea that Gore Verbinski as a template for his horror film "The Ring" served to offset in Egypt thousands of mobile users in fear and terror.


REUTERS
SMS messages on a mobile phone (here in Japanese): In Egypt, the authorities had to intervene because supposedly deadly text messages are in circulation


The reason is a report of daily Egyptian Gazette ", which a man in Mallawi, south of Cairo, would impose a stroke, shortly after one of the mysterious text messages received. Supposedly, the ominous, deadly messages from a combination of digits, with a plus symbol and ending with the number sequence 111 ends.

The rumors about the so-called killer-SMS were so persistent that even now the authorities were forced, against the further dissemination of information about the allegedly dangerous SMS approach. So reported the official MENA news agency on Wednesday, referring to security circles, there was no phone message, which is among the recipients until severe headaches and a fatal brain hemorrhage could trigger.

The Ministry of Health officially declared that it was the authorities no such case is known. "These rumors contradict any scientific evidence," it said in the statement. The Ministry of the Interior took three oil workers, according to MENA under the suspicion finds the rumor being circulated to have.

A similar message was once widespread in 2007. At that time, the SMS has made a round in which some numbers were called, which allegedly would lead to death as soon as one of them is called. The story turned out, however, quickly took a hoax and had no official complacency.