Google have announced that US customers are now able to make free calls directly from their Gmail account using Google Voice.

Google Voice is a service which was set up last year,  providing customers with a US phone number which is free of charge to each user account. Incoming calls to this number are then forwarded on to any other phones that person may own.

Google have also confirmed that calls made using this new service, within the US and Canada, will be free of charge until at least the end of the year. Users are able to make international calls, but they will be charged for using this service. Hudson Square analyst, Todd Rethemeier said that calls from Gmail will be “a risk to Skype“, with a plug-in video call service also available.

The service will work like a normal phone, with users making a call simply by clicking the designated phone option within their Gmail chat buddy.

No plans have yet been announced to bring the service to the UK, but fingers crossed!

[Source: MobileBurn]

Android users are 81% more valuable than those using an iPhone, recent research shows.

Online advertising agency Chikita carried out the research, looking at ad click rates across the two devices. Their results showed that Android users click on 81% more adverts than Apple users, making them far more valuable to advertisers. The research also shows that Android users click on ads 1.187% of the time, compared to a measly 0.654% from Apple users.

It’s not just a case of more adverts either, with most Android devices holding a similar screen size to the iPhone, and with both devices having the same number of Chikita adverts.

The results also came to the bizarre conclusion that iPad users are far more likely to click on an ad than those using an iPhone, too.

I would say another point to Android, but is this really a good thing? I’ll let you decide.

Joe Hewitt, who made the original Facebook Mobile app for the iPhone, has criticised Android saying the app is poorer on mobiles running on their software. On Twitter he said: “Android tools are horrendous, OS is hideous, but the absence of big brother telling me what to do gives it a slight edge.”

This follows his earlier attack on Apple, slating them for their difficult application approval service. He no longer works on the iOS Facebook app, but had no qualms about shifting his anger towards Android software, saying: “The more I work with Android, the more it reminds me of Windows… as in, its really flexible, agnostic, and developer-friendly, but also really sloppily designed.”

There’s only one way to find out whether the app really is “sloppy”, or whether there really is just no pleasing this guy – so I had a play with both applications.

On first impressions, the two apps are fairly similar, although I noticed straight away that the Android version isn’t as easy on the eye. The iOS version provides you with a pleasant interface complete with its iPhone-typical curved edges and easy to use navigation keys. I can see what Joe means when he says the Android version is “sloppily designed”, with its harsh square icons and fairly difficult to use interface – although this may be because I haven’t used the Android version before.

Another big difference is that, despite its recent updates, the Android version still doesn’t come equipped with Facebook chat and notes. The iPhone app also scores some extra brownie points with its added feature of allowing you to sync Facebook photos with address book contacts. With the iPhone getting priority, my iPhone app was also provided with a new ‘Places’ icon, while Android users may still have a while to wait.

It has to be taken into consideration though, the fact that the Android app has only been around for 2 years and is still under development.

The “horrendous tools” that Joe mentions may be the reason why the Android application isn’t as polished as the iOS version. Knowing Android though, they’ll be ready to up their game…

SkyFire web browser may be making it’s way to the iPhone, which could bring with it some exciting changes to the Apple handset.

SkyFire is a smartphone browser, known for its ability to output rich media and video. It has already been a huge success on other platforms such as Android, and now it looks set to become available as an application on the iPhone.

Oh, and did we mention the browser supports Flash videos? I think we all know the Apple doesn’t support Flash, so this may enable iPhone users with the tool to do so themselves. Exciting!

Nothing is official, but it is rumoured that SkyFire may be submitting the application to Apple as soon as next week, having already entered its final stages of testing. With Opera web browser recently getting the thumbs up, we just hope SkyFire can manage the same success.

This could mean big things for Apple, as a recent survey we conducted shows that almost 80% of iPhone owners would consider switching to an Android phone if they didn’t start to support Flash.

[Source: MobileBurn]

Ofcom are planning to give  away LTE‘s 2.6GHz frequencies to broadcasters during the 2012 Olympic Games, meaning it may be at least another 2 years until we see the arrival of 4G in the UK.

The 2.6GHz spectrum which has currently been reserved for 4G mobile broadband, will now be used before, during and ofter the Olympics, allowing television broadcasters access to wireless infrastructures for camera equipment. The 2.6GHz spectrum band is “highly suitable” to be used for broadcasting technology, according to Ofcom.

The auctioning of the mobile broadband spectrum to mobile operators has been delayed until the end of 2011, and Ofcom have admitted its use at the Olympic Games limits them from introducing in this frequency range until after the Olympics have completed, which will be in September 2012.

So, it looks like the Olympic games might look ultra-fancy, but we won’t be getting 4G mobile broadband until at least the end of 2012. Boo.

Why not check out our article on whether we are ready for 4G? With another 2 year wait ahead, let’s hope we’re not!

[Source: Think Broadband]

The iControlPad is an iPhone and iPod Touch gamepad accessory, created for playing various games on your Apple device.  After 3 years of rumours circulating about the Sega style fascia, Twitter has confirmed that it is has finally been sent to production. Only 3,000 are being made, and they are expected to sell out fast.

The device, which allows you to enjoy mobile gaming using  it’s standard Gamebody style keys, currently only fits Apple devices, although iControlPad’s developer states that it fits some Blackberry handsets and is currently being developed to fit all modern smartphones.

[Source: Engadget]

If you have an Android 2.1 handset (or above), you are now able to explore the ocean by downloading the updated version of  Google Earth.

With the release of this impressive new feature you can dive into the marine world simply by using your mobile phone – what a way to relax!

The application allows users to explore the Montery Bay Canyon at present, with it’s ocean coverage currently expanding. You can zoom in under the water and use the “look around” option to see the extent of the undersea canyon. The feature also provides you with hundreds of under-water images, and if your handset is flash enabled, you can access it’s embedded video playback.

Not only that, Google Map’s new update allows you to explore with top National Geographic experts, learn about the under-water creatures and even discover new places, such as travel hot spots and shipwrecks. Gold icons on the application represent the Mission Blue Hope Spot initiative, too.

This exciting new app is available from the Android market today, so why not download it and let us know what you think!

[Source: Google Mobile Blog]

Google are set to revolutionise the way we use YouTube on our smartphones, unveiling a faster site for mobile phones in the UK.

Google have used HTML5 to improve the service, providing a faster loading time and much improved interface. They plan to make watching videos on an iPhone or Android handset as easy as viewing on a laptop. Not only this, Google have also given the iPad version a make-over, providing users with an easier to use interface, and more options for full-screen viewing.

More options are available on the new and improved YouTube interface, allowing you to tag your favourite videos while ‘liking’ and ‘un-liking’ them in a Facebook-type-fashion. You can also now share videos over your favourite social networking sites, too.

To check out the new YouTube, pop http://m.youtube.com/ into your mobile’s web browser. Enjoy!

[Source: TechRadar]

Naturally, despite the recent launch of the iPhone 4, I’ve already began speculating about what to expect from Apple’s next invention, the iPhone 5. We’ve already had the rumour that the next handset will work as an electronic wallet, which would be very cool indeed, but what else could Apple do to make it extra special?

Rather than trying to guess specifications, I’m going to make a list of things I’d like to see on the next handset, enjoy!

1. No more antenna problems

I’m sure you’re all well aware of the antenna problems Apple have been having with the iPhone 4. Issues occur when users grip the bottom-left corner of the handset, otherwise known as the “death grip”, which reportedly causes the iPhone to lose all reception. Although only 0.55% of iPhone 4 customers have experienced problems, it’s nice to see the media have managed to blow this out of proportion. However, Apple have admitted there is a problem, so this would have to be eradicated on their next handset.

I like the antenna being held within the mobile’s aluminium band, just make sure it’s working properly next time, Apple!

2. Improved lock screen

The iPhone 4 is a stylish, attractive, good looking phone. Its lock screen however, is not. All Apple currently provide you with is your background image, the date and an oversized clock, which is not so brilliant. I think Apple should try something different, and use the lock screen to inform users of missed calls, new text messages, new e-mails, upcoming appointments, new Facebook comments and so on. I know Apple like to keep their design fairly minimal, but this would provide users with a much more functional, handy tool. No more would we have to rely on the red circle of popularity, everything would be displayed in one place. Ah, if only!

Note: That is not a picture of my lock screen. It is simply the most boring image I could find.

3. Improved gaming

With talk of a Sony PSP phone currently in its planning stages and with X-Box Live coming to Windows Phone 7 – Apple really need to get their skates on and up their gaming options. They already have the superb display and a huge choice of games, so with this next phone they really need to take it one step further. With apps such as Foursquare and the soon to be launched Facebook places, gamification is becoming increasingly popular and Apple should really gamify their app store. Gamification refers to the fact that people are becoming more and more interested in bringing gaming into everyday life, be it a simple trip to the shops.  Apple could do something special here, linking gaming with the growing popularity in social networking. They should allow users to earn and collect points, of which they can share with friends across social networking sites. Leader boards would encourage competition amongst iPhone users, who could even create their own Avatar to represent their gaming achievements. Oh, c’mon Apple, this really would be brilliant.

4. Better speakers

For a device labelled as being a portable media player and games system, the iPhone’s speakers are something that have been failing Apple’s handsets since day one. Yes, you can wear headphones and get a high-quality sound – but maybe I don’t wan’t to wear headphones all the time, Apple. The iPhone could be the perfect accompaniment for any picnic or casual get-together in the park, but with such weedy speakers, they just don’t cut it right now. Apple need to get this sorted, and release their next iPhone with some speakers that have a bit of oompfh.

5. Better camera

It’s fair to say, the iPhone 4′s camera is a vast improvement on what we have seen previously from Apple, upgrading it to 5MP complete with flash. However, to keep up in the smartphone race, they need to go step one better yet again. There is a rumour circulating that Sony are currently in the process of developing an 8MP camera for the next iPhone, so lets hope this isn’t just gossip. With smartphones such as the upcoming Nokia N8 coming to us fitted with a 12MP top of the range camera and the Motorola Milestone XT720 coming equipped with an 8MP camera, Apple need to improve their camera to keep their pride, if anything.

6. Improved battery life

Everytime Apple release a new iPhone, it comes equipped with an improved battery life. So do we expect any less of their next release? No, of course not. Apple claim the iPhone 4 has 40% more talk-time than it’s predecessor, increasing this to 7 hours. I think we best be expecting double figures for their next handset, especially if they make all the other changes I’ve stated so far. This new iPhone gaming centre could take up quite a lot of it’s battery life, I’d imagine!

7. Expandable memory

I might have gone a bit too far with this one, as sadly, I can’t see it happening. With the iPhone working as one gadget that does everything, 32GB may still not be enough for some people. An iPhone is used for storing music, videos, applications and so on – so surely they need to increase their internal memory, if not provide us with a MicroSD slot? Please?

8. Flash Support

I know, I know. I shouldn’t have bothered mentioning it – but I can hope, right? Rather than use Flash, Apple has adopted HTML5, CSS and JavaScript, but it’s just not the same. Steve Jobs has announced that the iPhone and Flash are simply not compatible, and says it’s the number one reason why Macs crash. Well, I’ve never had a problem. I think hell may freeze over the day Apple announce Flash support, so we’ll just have to continue only being about to view 25% of video content on the web. However, results of a recent survey we carried out shows that over 80% of iPhone users would consider switching to an Android handset if the iPhone continued to not support Flash. Looks like Apple may be the ones with the problem…

9. Wireless syncing with iTunes

I think this is probably the coolest idea, but again – it’s unlikely to happen. The idea has already been put forward to Apple, which they unsurprisingly didn’t approve. We have the remote application, allowing us to control our iTunes with our phone, so why can’t we use similar technology to quickly sync music and photos between the two devices?

Note: An application is available to do so on jailbroken iPhones, although I wouldn’t recommend this!

10. More ringtones

This is something that has irritated mesince first having an iPhone, it’s lack of ringtones and message tones. Honestly, would it harm Apple to put a couple more on there? To be fair, it’s a small request, but one that would make my life so much better! You do have the option to convert songs into ring tones, but it’s not as easy as it may look. Go on Apple, do the work for us…

So, now it’s up to you to decide! Vote on the poll for the feature that you would most like to see on the next iPhone, or if you have any ideas of your own – pop them in the comment box below!

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A British woman became the world’s fastest texter, smashing the previous record by writing a wordy passage in just 26 seconds.

She beat the previous record by 10 seconds, texting: “”The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.”

Ms Thompson, the new Guinness World record holder, was using a Samsung Galaxy S handset, and was using Samsung’s pre-installed ‘SWYPE‘ function, which is available on all Android handsets.

SWYPE allows you to enter text by dragging your finger across the touchscreen QWERTY keypad from letter to letter, not having to remove your finger from the screen. It also automatically corrects any errors, claiming to help make texting quick and easy. Well, it obviously works!

Source: The Sun