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Thursday 7 November 2013

The 'Unkillable' computer virus: urban legend?

Mysterious "unkillable" computer virus could be new kind of cyberweapon - or is it?

A researcher and his team have battled the infection for three years - and believe it spreads using sound, so it can infect machines nearby.




We look into rumors of virus so deadly it can spread even when machines are offline.

Somewhere in a Russian computer lab lurks a computer virus so deadly, so indestructible that it can spread even when machines are disconnected from Wi-Fi - or power cables.

A researcher and his team have battled the infection for three years - and seen it infect Macs and PCs, and return even once machines have been wiped.

Dragos Ruiu calls it “BadBIOS”, and claims that it is “the tip of the warhead” - a new type of cyberweapon, which he believes spreads by sound.

It can infect PCs or Macs with equal ease.

British tech site The Register are a little more sceptical, describing it as The Loch Ness Monster of computer viruses.

“This "virus" is pure rumors and conjecture currently. No actual sample has been identified,” says Orla Cox of Symantec. “As a result Symantec is not in a position to comment right now.”

Its most terrifying power, according to Ruiu, is the ability to hurdle “air gaps” - a last ditch security measure where PCs are disconnected from any system that might lead to the internet.

Ruiu’s machines - even ones he had “cleaned” - acted as if they were connected to the internet, he says.

“How can the machine react and attack the software that we're using to attack it? This is an air-gapped machine and all of a sudden the search function  stopped working,” he said, in an interview with Ars Technica.

Ruiu admits that BadBIOS sounds like “the stuff of urban legend” - but says he will reveal more in two weeks’ time.

On Twitter, he and fellow security researchers are analysing sounds from the lab, to see if the infected machines are somehow sending signals. He also supplied other researchers with forensic data - but has met with raised eyebrows.

"I am getting increasingly skeptical due to the lack of evidence,"  researcher Arrigo Triulzi told Ars Technica, who ran the original piece.

Research from the University of Birmingham at Alabama proved earlier this year that even low-powered PC speakers could send “messages” - short signals which could be used as a trigger in a cyber attack.

Whether this is enough to explain Ruiu’s three-year nightmare remains to be seen.

Ruiu says that his infection may be a warning - “the first stages of a larger attack.”

Sites such as Techworld speculate it could be something that accidentally escaped from a lab - or even perhaps, part of a cyberweapon designed by a nation state. Ruiu recently discovered that it could spread via infected USB memory sticks - a hint that it’s designed to attack industrial systems, with isolated computers

Tuesday 10 September 2013

The Happiest and Saddest Country In The World

The United Nations General Assembly's second World Happiness Report ranks countries based on several measures of well-being and analyzes the factors that contribute to that well-being. Here are the country rankings, based on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most satisfied with life. The scores are an average of results between 2010 and 2012.

The happiest people in the world may live in Scandinavia, a new study suggests.
That's according to the United Nations General Assembly's second World Happiness Report, which ranks countries based on several measures of well-being and analyzes the factors that contribute to that well-being.

List of World's Happiest Countries

1. Denmark (7.693)
2. Norway (7.655)
3. Switzerland (7.650)
4. Netherlands (7.512)
5. Sweden (7.480)
6. Canada (7.477)
7. Finland (7.389)
8. Austria (7.369)
9. Iceland (7.355)
10. Australia (7.350)
11. Israel (7.301)
12. Costa Rica (7.257)
13. New Zealand (7.221)
14. United Arab Emirates (7.144)
15. Panama (7.143)
16. Mexico (7.088)
17. United States (7.082)
18. Ireland (7.076)
19. Luxembourg (7.054)
20. Venezuela (7.039)
21. Belgium (6.967)
22. United Kingdom (6.883)
23. Oman (6.853)
24. Brazil (6.849)
25. France (6.764)
26. Germany (6.672)
27. Qatar (6.666)
28. Chile (6.587)
29. Argentina (6.562)
30. Singapore (6.546)
31. Trinidad and Tobago (6.519)
32. Kuwait (6.515)
33. Saudi Arabia (6.480)
34. Cyprus (6.466)
35. Colombia (6.416)
36. Thailand (6.371)
37. Uruguay (6.355)
38. Spain (6.322)
39. Czech Republic (6.290)
40. Suriname (6.269)
41. South Korea (6.267)
42. Taiwan (6.221)
43. Japan (6.064)
44. Slovenia (6.060)
45. Italy (6.021)
46. Slovakia (5.969)
47. Guatemala (5.965)
Malta (5.964)
49
Ecuador (5.865)
50. Bolivia (5.857)

51. Poland (5.822)

52. El Salvador (5.809)
53. Moldova (5.791)
54. Paraguay (5.779)
55. Peru (5.776)

56. Malaysia (5.760)
57. Kazakhstan (5.671)
58. Croatia (5.661)
59. Turkmenistan (5.628)
60. Uzbekistan (5.623)
61. Angola (5.589)

62. Albania (5.550)
63. Vietnam (5.533)

64. Hong Kong (5.523)

65. Nicaragua (5.507)

66. Belarus (5.504)

67. Mauritius (5.477)

68. Russia (5.464)

69. North Cyprus (5.463)

70. Greece (5.435)

71. Lithuania (5.426)

72. Estonia (5.426)

73. Algeria (5.422)

74. Jordan (5.414)

75. Jamaica (5.374)

76. Indonesia (5.348)

77. Turkey (5.345)

78. Libya (5.340)

79. Bahrain (5.312)

80. Montenegro (5.299)

81. Pakistan (5.292)

82. Nigeria (5.248)

83. Kosovo (5.222)

84. Honduras (5.142)

85. Portugal (5.101)

86. Ghana (5.091)

87. Ukraine (5.057)

88. Latvia (5.046)

89. Kyrgyzstan (5.042)

90. Romania (5.033)

91. Zambia (5.006)

92. Philippines (4.985)

93. China (4.978)

94. Mozambique (4.971)

95. Dominican Republic (4.963)
96. South Africa (4.963)

97. Lebanon (4.931)

98. Lesotho (4.898)

99. Morocco (4.885)

100. Swaziland (4.867)

101. Somaliland region (4.847)
102. Mongolia (4.834)

103. Zimbabwe (4.827)

104. Tunisia (4.826)
105. Iraq (4.817)
106. Serbia (4.813)
107. Bosnia and Herzegovina (4.813)
108. Bangladesh (4.804)
109. Laos (4.787)
110. Hungary (4.775)
111. India (4.772)
112. Mauritania (4.758)
113. Palestinian Territories (4.700)
114. Djibouti (4.690)
115. Iran (4.643)
116. Azerbaijan (4.604)
117. Congo (Kinshasa) (4.578)
118. Macedonia (4.574)
119. Ethiopia (4.561)
120. Uganda (4.443)
121. Myanmar (4.439)
122. Cameroon (4.420)
123. Kenya (4.403)
124. Sudan (4.401)
125. Tajikistan (4.380)
126. Haiti (4.341)
127. Sierra Leone (4.318)
128. Armenia (4.316)
129. Congo (Brazzaville) (4.297)
130. Egypt (4.273)
131. Burkina Faso (4.259)
132. Mali (4.247)
133. Liberia (4.196)
134. Georgia (4.187)
135. Nepal (4.156)
136. Niger (4.152)
137. Sri Lanka (4.151)
138. Gabon (4.114)
139. Malawi (4.113)
140. Cambodia (4.067)
141. Chad (4.056)
142. Yemen (4.054)
143. Afghanistan (4.040)
144. Bulgaria (3.981)
145. Botswana (3.970)
146. Madagascar (3.966)
147. Senegal (3.959)
148. Syria (3.892)
149. Comoros (3.851)
150. Guinea (3.847)
151. Tanzania (3.770)
152. Rwand2a4 (3.715)
153. Burundi (3.706)
154. Central African Republic (3.623)
155. Benin (3.528)
156. Togo (2.936)

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Happiness counts
For years, the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan has tried to measure "gross national happiness" to counter measures such as gross domestic product (GDP), arguing that such simple metrics don't capture what is really meaningful to people.

Last year's study showed that whereas rich people are happier on average than poor people, increasing GDP in a country doesn't necessarily boost well-being. For instance, GDP tripled in the United States since the 1960s, yet well-being has stagnated.

To assess world happiness in the new study, the researchers analyzed happiness data starting from 2005. Most of the data came from the Gallup World Poll, which surveyed more than 150 countries around the world.

Worldwide trends
Scandinavian countries topped the list of happiest countries, with the United Kingdom ranking 22nd, bested by Mexico, Panama and the United Arab Emirates.

On average, people in more than 150 countries rate their happiness as a 5.1 on a scale of 0 to 10. But happiness hasn't stayed constant over time: 61 countries saw their happiness improve over the years, while 41 countries have become unhappier. Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are becoming happier overall, while industrial nations report less well-being.

More than three-quarters of the differences in happiness scores were attributable to six key metrics: real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption and generosity.

The new data could help public policy-makers tweak their policies to impact those factors, such as cracking down on corruption, to boost people's happiness.
In adddition, mental health problems such as clinical depression and anxiety have a huge impact on people's well-being. Yet mental health issues are often ignored b policy-makers, the study found.

"There is now a rising worldwide demand that policy be more closely aligned with what really matters to people as they themselves characterize their well-being," said study co-author Jeffery Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, in a statement. "More and more world leaders are talking about the importance of well-being as a guide for their nations and the world. The World Happiness Report 2013 offers rich evidence that the systematic measurement and analysis of happiness can teach us a lot about ways to improve the world's well-being and sustainable development."

Happy citizens also make for better countries: The report found that happiness makes fore people who live longer, more productive lives, have higher earnings and are better citizens.

Friday 19 July 2013

2012 Olympics give UK economy timely boost

The UK economy has received a huge trade and investment boost from London 2012, a report claims.

2012 Olympics Have Given United Kingdom A £10bn Boost

The UK economy has received a massive trade and investment boost from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to a new report.
It says additional export sales have brought in £5.9bn, while £1.5bn has come from firms winning new contracts and £2.5bn from new foreign investment.

The latter includes the redevelopment of London's Battersea Power Station by a Malaysian consortium and projects involving the Chinese technology company Huawei.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This £9.9bn boost to the UK economy is a reminder to the world that, if you want the best, if you want professionalism, if you want jobs done on time and on budget then you should think British.

"With companies across the country we are harnessing the Olympic (BSE: OLPCL.BO - news) momentum and delivering the lasting business legacy of the Games that will help make Britain a winner in the global race.

"But that's not where the good news ends. The Games are also delivering a strong social legacy.
"Last summer, Games Makers changed the way Britain views volunteering. Since then, thousands of people have been inspired to get involved with their local sports clubs."

Business Secretary Vince Cable has rejected claims the £9.9bn figure is exaggerated.
"It has been independently audited and not been plucked out of the air," he told Sky News.
He also rejected suggestions a lot of the investment would have happened anyway, saying: "The people who've done the analysis have adopted a method of working that tries to screen that out."
Research carried out for the Government suggests that over the long term the total benefit could reach up to £41bn by 2020.

But a poll conducted exclusively for Sky News suggests a lasting legacy for sport and volunteering is proving harder to achieve.
The poll found that while more than half of respondents believe the Games delivered on their promise to "inspire a generation", the vast majority were unmoved to take up a new sport or commit to volunteering.
Asked if London 2012 had inspired them to take up a new sport or recreation activity, 88% said it had not.

Among existing participants there was also very little impact, with 80% of those asked saying the Olympics had not prompted them to do more sport.
Among volunteers there was a similar picture, with 89% of respondents saying they had not increased the amount of time they gave as a result of the Olympic example.
Just 6% said they had done more and 3% said they had done less.

While the results challenge the notion that the Olympics could transform behaviour, they do offer some comfort to organisers of what was otherwise a hugely successful Olympics.
Among 16 to 18-year-olds, responses were more positive, with 20% saying they had tried a new sport, 31% saying they had done more sport and 21% saying they had spent more time volunteering.
The poll also revealed mixed attitudes to the Games one year on.

Asked if the Olympics were value for the near £9bn spent on staging them, 41% of people said they were good or very good value for money, while 30% felt they were not worth the investment.
As to whether Britain should stage the Games again the poll revealed a split, with 40% in favour and the same percentage opposed to repeating the 2012 experiment.

Despite these findings, key figures in the Olympic project insist that the Games are delivering on the legacy promises.

Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the organising committee and now the Prime Minister’s legacy ambassador, told Sky News: "I think in large part we have inspired.
"Look at waiting lists in sports clubs, they are both optimistic and challenging, but I think there are more people playing sport, and a good chunk of them are young people."
Lord Coe said his experience was that the appetite was particularly keen in schools.
"I've spent a lot of time in the last year, particularly with my legacy work in schools, in primary schools, secondary schools and even in colleges.

"And there's no doubt at all that PE teachers - and certainly teachers - that did not get sport up until the Games recognise that there is a very powerful momentum and that young people want more sport and so do their parents."

Sports minister Hugh Robertson said participation was growing, citing Sport England figures that show 1.4 million more people doing sport at least once a week than before London successfully bid for the Games.

"The legacy is undoubtedly genuine," he said. "More people are playing sport now than when we started on the Olympic journey, but this was never ever going to be one smooth uphill journey."

Saturday 29 June 2013

How To Learn Spanish language : Tips concerning Grasping Efficiently

Great! You want to master how to communicate in Spanish. Luckily - it's not troublesome to master Spanish. Even if you are someone who has trouble knowing foreign languages; Spanish is such a dominant foreign language today, and there are plenty of methods to use that will make your knowing process easier. Read this article to master just a few things you can do to make your getting to know process a little easier.

First, be sure to get a CD course. They're great if you're a bit shy to know a new foreign language. You can just listen to how the words are spoken and then used in a sentence. CDs contain the same studying material as used in a classroom, but there will be no stress about talking in front of a class. And with a CD, you'll be able to practice Spanish if you're traveling, etc. You can just use a CD player, or you can download lessons on an MP3 player and you're all set! You're not tied to one location to know. Go online! You'll soon discover the internet is just full of helpful hints to learn Spanish. One great translator tool is Babelfish. It's a website. Merely type the sentence in and Babelfish will translate it for you. A tool like this is extremely helpful because you can learn much faster. But just keep in mind that English and Spanish sentence structures are another from each other. The translation tool will help you to visualize how the words change from English sentences to Spanish sentences. It's also easy to find different online apps to help you understand and know Spanish language.

Practice some organization. Most courses use a very specific approach to teaching different languages. Like learning most things, the best approach is to follow a step by step method. Don't try to start off reading a complex novel; begin with the alphabet and saying "good morning" and the like. Learning vocabulary before grammar makes the mastering process easier. It's best to stick to the rules of the system you are using and not jump from one chapter or section to another at random. If you follow the courses as they are set out you'll have an easier time mastering Spanish language. If you jump from one lesson to another you might really hinder your learning process!By trying to change the order, you can become confused. Why would you make things harder for yourself? There is no good reason to suffer frustration while grasping Spanish language - or any foreign language. You can find a lot of helpful tips to help you with it. You can understand any foreign language, which includes Spanish language, through an open brain into it. Your thoughts will with less effort soak up the capability when it's open up. The more you try to make the foreign language sound like your native tongue, the harder you will make things for yourself.

Monday 10 June 2013

The £2million Solid Gold Motorhome | Luxury Vehicle

World's most expensive motorhome: The £2m mega caravan made from solid gold with its own roof terrace

The space-age eleMMent Palazzo comes with an enormous master bedroom, 40-inch TV, fireplace and even a rooftop terrace.

 
Cars News/Caters - The less-than-modest eleMMent Palazzo motorhome, which costs £2m (Caters)
It's certainly not the average travelling home you'd find at the Caravan Club.

This extravagant caravan, a 430ft solid gold monster, is the world's most expensive motorhome - and it'll set you back an eye-watering £2 million.

The space-age eleMMent Palazzo comes with an enormous master bedroom, 40-inch TV, fireplace and even a rooftop terrace.

And the luxury mod-cons don't end there. The press of a button transforms the motorhome into a 'Sky Lounge' complete with pop-up cocktail bar, underfloor heating and marble lighting.


The extravagant driver's seat in the Dubai motorhome (Caters)
 
Lavish: The motorhome is aimed at oil sheikhs, rock stars, and the rich and famous (Caters)
 
Luxury travel: The motorhome has an enormous 430ft of space (Caters)
 
Party time: The rooftop terrace on board the impressiver motorhome (Caters)

It won't surprise many to learn that the extravagant vehicle was created in Dubai, where they're not exactly known for doing things by halves.

The £2m home, said to be popular with oil-rich sheikhs, can even wash itself after being driven through the Middle Eastern desert.

A spokesman for creators Marchi Mobile said: 'People never fail to notice innovation, but rarely does the excitement for it last.

'That is how it began for us. But now - after many years of development - we sparked a fire in luxury mobility.

'The eleMMent series from Marchi Mobile is a new class within the premium segment of vehicles, targeted to enthuse lovers of the extraordinary.

'Our goal has not only been to introduce a new line of luxury vehicles - but usher in a new era. This is done by a perfect masterpiece that sets itself apart at first sight.'

Sunday 9 June 2013

Olympic Boost For Tourism Outside Of London


Britain's parks and gardens are enjoying an Olympic boost which is helping to generate millions of pounds of revenue, according to a survey.
It shows that many overseas tourists are now wanting to see "more than just London".

Of the 15,000 respondents across the world, 75% agreed that the Olympic Games coverage made them want to venture out and take the time to visit other parts of the country.
In a separate question a significant 70% of respondents claimed that after watching the Olympics, they agreed that Britain had "lovely countryside".
Around a third of Britain's 31 million visitors take advantage of the natural beauty on offer, spending £7.8bn in the process.

Wightwick Manor near Wolverhampton had more foreign visitors last year than ever before.
The House Steward, Helen Bratt-Wyton, is in no doubt this is part of the Olympic legacy.

"The Olympics have definitely helped put Britain firmly in the minds of foreign tourists," she said.
"Gardens like those here at Wightwick are also quintessentially British, which is just what our overseas visitors want, particularly those from the US."
It's those American visitors who seem to have the deepest pockets.
The French make the most visits to our parks and gardens, with 1.25 million holiday makers spending £406m.

The Americans are just behind on the number of visits, at the highest point reaching 23 million, but spend three times as much as the French at a whopping £1.1bn pounds.

The Germans come in at third place, totalling five million visits and bringing in £629m of revenue.
Younger tourists are also becoming increasingly likely to visit our gardens, with 41% of visitors aged under 35 which compared to 33% from older visitors.

Sandie Dawe, Chief Executive of VisitBritain said: "We've completed three big pieces of research which all indicate that our parks, gardens and natural beauty are a valuable tourism asset, admired across the world and enjoyed by our visitors.

"It's hugely encouraging to see our gardens are as popular with the younger generation as they are with 55-plus age groups.

"Post-Games perceptions of Britain have shifted for the better and time spent in any of our glorious parks is something to be cherished- especially when the sun is out."
Unsurprisingly, the survey shows that the summer months of July to September are the most popular months to see Britain at its beautiful best.

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Microsoft Xbox In May 2013: It Is Remarkably Similar To The PS4


The original Xbox (REX)

The wait to learn what Microsoft has in store for the next generation now has a countdown.
The Verge reports that the company will hold an event on May 21 to reveal the new console, with a more complete look to follow a few weeks later at E3 2013.
Industry watchers had initially expected Microsoft to unveil the successor to the Xbox 360 later this month, but sources tell The Verge that the event was pushed back. Windows blogger Paul Thurrot corroborated that during a recent episode of 'What the Tech', pointing out that indeed the date was pushed from April 24 to May 21. Yahoo! Games has independently confirmed the pushback of the event from April to May, but we’ve been unable to verify the exact date.
If the May 21 date is indeed correct, it will come almost two months to the day after Sony took the wraps off the PlayStation 4. It would also follow a precedent Microsoft set with the introduction of the Xbox 360, which was first unveiled during a televised event just a few weeks shy of E3 2005.
Like the PlayStation 4, the next Xbox (currently codenamed 'Durango') is expected to be on store shelves before the end of the year. People familiar with Microsoft's plans say the system's features are, in fact, remarkably similar to what Sony has already unveiled.
Microsoft has always had an advantage with the non-gaming components of its consoles, though, and recently hired the former president of CBS Television Studios to lead its efforts to form an Xbox studio. The company is also expected to unveil an integrated (and vastly updated) version of the Kinect motion sensor as a component of the new Xbox.
What many are wondering about most are rampant rumors that the system will require users to always be connected to the Internet, and fear that was boosted after last week's Twitter incident involving a creative director at the company.
We may not get the answer to that particular question at the May event. Like Sony, Microsoft is likely to leave several features unannounced, and considering the outcry over the concept of an ‘always on’ system, Microsoft could well avoid the topic altogether for now. May's introduction is likely meant to whet the appetite of gamers and keep them talking about it until a more complete unveiling takes place during the company’s annual press conference during E3 in June.

Friday 5 April 2013

Best UK Mobile Network Deal For You

Free cinema tickets, unlimited data, short-term contracts - not all mobile deals are created equal. 
Mobile networks are most definitely NOT "all the same" - with different deals, handsets and extras meaning that choice of network is more important than ever.

Mobile phone shops (PA)
Mobile networks are most definitely NOT "all the same" - with different deals, handsets and extras meaning that choice of network is more important than ever.

If you've stuck with one network out of loyalty, you may well be missing out.

With newer networks like Tesco Mobile and giffgaff vying with more established players like Vodafone and O2 for your custom, there’s more choice than ever.

But it can be confusing, so here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of each of the UK’s major mobile phone network operators, so you can help decide which network is best for you.

The list isn’t exhaustive - deals change all the time and each network has exclusive offers on different phones at different times, so do your research first - why not try Yahoo’s comparison tool?
EE
Best for: Ultra-fast 4G
EE is the UK’s newest mobile brand, formed by the merger of Orange and T-Mobile. Confusingly although Orange and T-Mobile shops have gone from the high-street (to be replaced by EE stores) T-Mobile, Orange and EE brands co-exist, with individual online shops and varying prices. Whether you buy a phone from T-Mobile, Orange or EE, you’ll be able to take advantage of the UK’s biggest 3G network, with the most coverage.
Pros: EE runs the UK’s first 4G network, offering ultrafast mobile broadband when you pair a compatible phone (like the iPhone 5, HTC One (above) or Samsung Galaxy S4), with a 4G SIM. 
All EE tariffs include unlimited calls, texts and free WiFi via BT WiFi hotspots and on the London Underground. EE Film offers 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Wednesday.
Cons: At the moment EE is the only network offering 4G, thus controlling the price of 4G in the UK. However if you can wait until June/July when Vodafone, O2 and Three launch rival 4G services, more competition should lead to cheaper 4G prices.
Verdict: EE is currently the network for accessing ultra-fast 4G on a range of high-end mobile phones.

giffgaff
Best for: Value deals if you already own a phone
giffgaff (like Virgin Mobile and Tesco Mobile) uses airwaves belonging to another network, in this case O2. giffgaff is in fact owned by Telefonica, O2’s parent company.
Pros: Instead of long-term contracts giffgaff offers SIM-only ‘goodybags’ lasting 30 days, offering unlimited internet for £12 a month. giffgaff focuses heavily on its community, giving £5 payback per member for every new member recruited. Instead of call centres, questions are dealt with by the community, the immediate benefit being there’s no waiting on hold to speak to someone in a call centre.
Cons: giffgaff’s set-up may may not suit people with limited internet access or those who feel more comfortable talking to someone about phone issues. It doesn’t sell phones either - so to use giffgaff you’ll need to buy a handset upfront or on PAYG and unlock it.
Verdict: giffgaff is a great choice if you’ve already got a phone, want value for money and don’t want to be tied into a long-term phone contract 

O2 
Best for: Good selection of handsets - deals such as concert tickets
Owned by Telefonica, O2 is one of the UK’s biggest networks, introducing 4G later this year.
Pros: O2 has a huge selection of PAY and Pay Monthly phones, with exclusives, early upgrades, free WiFi and discounts on home broadband. O2 customers get access to gig and event tickets 48-hours before they go on sale. O2 Priority Moments offers freebies and discounts on nearby brands, while Priority Sports gives access to apps like Nike Training Club App and exclusive events. 
Cons: O2 doesn’t offer unlimited data on its Pay Monthly tariffs
Verdict: Along with a huge selection of phones, O2 is a good choice for music fans and includes some groundbreaking app incentives

Orange
Best for: Freebies such as Orange Wednesdays
Orange now comes under the EE umbrella, meaning Orange (now EE) customers benefit from the largest 3G network in the UK.  
Pros: All Orange customers benefit from 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Wednesdays and discounts on Orange broadband. Pay Monthly tariffs include free BT and London Underground WiFi, while Swappables offer free premium content such as Sky Sports Mobile TV. 
Cons: Orange doesn’t offer unlimited data on any of its Pay Monthly deals, so heavy data users (including those looking for a SIM-only tariff) will find more competitive tariffs elsewhere. 
Verdict: Orange is a good choice for customers who want a call, text, and do some moderate browsing, with some cool extras.

T-Mobile
Best for: Good value deals
As part of EE, T-Mobile customers get access to the UK’s largest 3G network.
Pros: T-Mobile offers a wide selection of tariffs to suit all types of user, with boosters offering free texts, calls or landline calls. Its Full Monty plan is one of the few tariffs to offer truly unlimited data, making it great value for smartphone users. You Fix plans cap your  monthly spend to prevent bill shock and customers get free WiFi on the London Underground.
Cons: T-Mobile doesn’t offer extras like Swappables
Verdict: Great for the cash conscious, particularly anyone requiring unlimited internet

Three 
Best for: Good value deals for mobile internet
Three is the UK’s fastest growing mobile network, focusing on mobile internet, with 4G coming later this year.
Pros: If you want a plan with data Three’s tariffs are among the cheapest, with the benefit of truly unlimited data via The One Plan and new Unlimited Internet tariffs. SIM-only tariffs are very competitive too.
Cons: Three doesn’t offer as comprehensive a selection of phones as rivals like Vodafone or O2, particularly if you’re looking for a PAYG phone.
Verdict: If you want competitive high-end handsets with the freedom to browse and stream movies on-the-go without bill shock, Three is the network for you.

Tesco Mobile

Best for: Cheap PAYG deals
Tesco runs on O2’s network and offers some great value tariffs.
Pros: With Triple Your Credit top up £15 on PAYG and Tesco will triple it to £45, Tesco Clubcard customers also get 3 points per pound they top up. ‘Family Perks’ offers extra minutes or data to families with multiple Pay Monthly accounts, while Capped Tariffs ensure you don’t go over your monthly bill, avoiding bill shock. Tesco Mobile is also the only network provider that has pledged to stop mid-contract price rises 
Cons: Tesco Mobile’s phone selection isn’t the most up to date, so can’t compete with the bigger networks on choice. There are no Pay Monthly tariffs with unlimited data either.
Verdict: Tesco Mobile offers amazing value on PAYG and SIM-only tariffs, with great offers for  families and Tesco shoppers.

Virgin Media
Best for: Good deals for Virgin Media users
Virgin Media runs on EE’s network, which means customers benefit from 99 per cent 3G coverage in the UK.
Pros: Virgin Mobile (along with Three and T-Mobile) is one of the few networks to offer unlimited data with its Premiere tariff.  Customers also get the flexibility to move up and down between tariffs. Virgin Media broadband and TV customers benefit from monthly £5 discounts on PAY Monthly tariffs, free Spotify, free phone insurance and free calls and texts to other Virgin Mobile users. SIM-only plans competitive too.
Cons:  Virgin Media doesn’t offer as exhaustive a phone selection and doesn’t always get the latest smartphones on launch.
Verdict: Amazing value for existing Virgin Media customers - particularly families and those who don’t want to be tied into a long-term contract.


Vodafone
Best for: Great extras for Pay Monthly customers
Vodafone offers an exhaustive selection of tariffs and sells all the major smartphones, with 4G connectivity coming soon.
Pros: Pay Monthly customers can take Data Test Drive offering unlimited internet for three months, upgrade 75 days early, get free WiFi and access Vodafone VIP for exclusive events and discounts. PAYG customers can earn Free Rewardz winning prizes with every top-up and Red Box helps transfer information between phones.
Cons: Although Vodafone tariffs include unlimited calls and text, they don’t offer unlimited data, so for hardcore internet users there are more competitive tariffs.
Verdict: Vodafone offers an exhaustive selection of the latest phones from a range of manufacturers, with some great Pay Monthly incentives.

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Why Is Road Pricing Such A Tricky Sell?


Are road tolls highway robbery?

With the Government reportedly hoping to build a new M4 toll motorway - why is road pricing such a tricky sell in Britain?

Vehicles approaching Britain's first motorway toll (PA)

You may think highway robbery was a thing of the past.

But, if Ukip, the AA, Taxpayers’ Alliance and a host of other groups are to be believed, this crime is now thriving in the form of road tolls.

And few things rile the British public more than these charges, which come on top of already soaring driving costs.

The latest AA polls show that 70 per cent of Britons – more than voted for both the Conservative and Labour parties at the last general election - are opposed to road pricing.
And a staggering 1.8million people bothered to sign a petition against such schemes back in 2007.

So – with the Government reportedly hoping to build a new M4 toll motorway  - why is road pricing such a tricky sell in Britain?

After all, the vast majority of motorways in France are toll roads - and virulent protest in that country is as much part of the national character as soft cheese and sex.

One reason why tolls are unpopular among Britain’s 35million drivers is because they are levied on top of almost £48billion worth of other motoring taxes.

These include £5.4billion from the annual vehicle excise duty – signified by the 'tax disc' all road-using cars must bear – and include £215 from this writer’s own not-exactly-gas-guzzling 1.6-litre family car.

Drivers also pay £31.7billion in VAT and extra duties levied on fuel, which in itself is becoming more expensive.

Yet of these vast sums raised by the Treasury only £9.8billion a year gets spent on our road network.

All motorist groups – whether they support or oppose tolls – agree that more of this revenue should be devoted to our highways.

Furthermore, there is almost unanimous agreement among these bodies that levying tolls on top of these taxes is wrong.

"The majority of road tax revenue subsidises other forms of public spending and we feel this shouldn’t be the case," says a spokesman for the AA.

"Additional tolls, or any form of road pricing, undermines consumer spending and mobility and could further damage our fragile economy."

The RAC Foundation is unique among motorist groups in supporting pay-as-you-go road pricing while demanding an end to “piecemeal” tolls and cuts to road taxing.

Stephen Glaistor, Professor of Transport and Infrastructure at Imperial College London, argues: "Why should someone using the Dartford Crossing or Severn Bridge be charged an additional fee on top of all the other money they already contribute to the Exchequer?"
Even the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which is normally opposed to public spending, takes a dim view of toll roads, despite the reduced cost to the Treasury.

"The Government should be looking at ways to cut the burden already placed on motorists instead of looking for more ways to make them pay," it insists.

Strangest of all, the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) – usually only known for taking a stance on EU-related issues – is staunchly against road pricing.

The party denies its 'Scrap the Tolls' campaign is just a cynical ploy to attract those voters less bothered about its main objective of Britain exiting the European Union.

"We are not just a single issue party. We have a range of policies and we want drivers to have access to roads they have already paid to use," a spokeswoman insisted.

Another reason why opposition to tolls is so vigorous is that many of the existing road pricing projects have been unusually controversial.

For example, you might as well poke a lion as mention to an habitual M25 motorist the £2 toll for the Dartford Crossing.

Under original plans, levies there were meant to cease nine years ago after the Thames bridge and tunnel had been paid for. Instead charges were increased.

And dinner parties in the West Midlands could quickly sour with a single mention of the £5.50-a-go Birmingham-bypassing M6 Toll Road.
Since it was opened in 2004, there has seen a 26 per cent decline in traffic compared to its peak of 48,214 vehicles today.


The less-than-popular M6 toll

The Road Haulage Association, whose lorry and van-driving members are particularly affected by road charges, predicts an M4 toll road in South Wales would also fail.

But not all current road-pricing schemes have been so unpopular. 

The central London congestion charge, which accounts for half of Britain’s toll revenue - raising £300million a year with its £10-a-day levy – is broadly viewed to have been successful in reducing gridlock in an eight square mile area of the capital.

Businessmen, such as Elliot Jacobs, managing director of office supplies firm UOE, say it has boosted trade by helping firms deliver more easily.

However, despite winning over many doubters in London, proposals for congestion charges in Manchester and Edinburgh were dismissed at recent referendums.

Yet further road pricing initiatives are probably inevitable.

In March last year, Prime Minister David Cameron called for more 'private investment', which experts say is a codeword for toll roads.

After that, a joint Treasury and Department for Transport began conducting a 'feasibility' study, although publication has been repeatedly delayed.

When asked by Yahoo! News, the DfT remained tight-lipped about road pricing plans - only saying it was 'looking at toll schemes to increase capacity'.

Politicians are even more loath to mention pay-by-the-mile road pricing, although there are some merits – especially if other motoring taxes are axed or scrapped.

Professor Glaistor boils things down to a discrepancy between our expectations and what is realistic. "In just about every other area of our lives we are used to paying charges that vary by the level of consumption and time of use, be it gas, electricity, telecoms or even travel by plane and train," he says.

"So why not consider it for roads?

"We would also want to see a set amount of money raised be ring-fenced for spending on roads and also the creation of a watchdog to make sure charges are regulated.

"Ultimately the issue is one of trust. Ministers need to persuade the nation’s drivers that road pricing can be in everyone’s interest not just the Chancellor’s."

And that is probably the biggest sticking point of all. Nobody trusts our politicians.

Friday 22 March 2013

Olympic Village London


Olympic Games - West Ham sign deal to take over Olympic stadium

West Ham will become the new tenants of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium after being granted a 99-year lease on the venue, according to a BBC report.

The London 2012 Olympic Stadium, officially the new home of West Ham FC
The London 2012 Olympic Stadium, officially the new home of West Ham FC
The Hammers signed a tenancy agreement to move into the stadium after a deal was finalised late on Thursday night, with an official announcement expected later on Friday.
Work on converting the stadium for football use will begin in autumn and should be finished within two years. The venue is likely to be one of the key venues at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with West Ham then kicking off at their new ground for the first time in August 2016.
The final agreement reportedly came only when the government pledged a further £25 million of public money towards the costs of converting the venue for football use.
That means the taxpayer will be contributing £60m of the estimated £170m cost of re-purposing the stadium, which will include extending the roof and adding retractable seating to cover the running track.
Premier League side West Ham will cover just £15m of those costs, with the remainder being either provided or borrowed from the London Mayoral budget, Newham Council and London Legacy Development Corporation.
In addition, the Championship side will pay £2m a year rent on the stadium. That equates to just under half the annual running costs, though the LLDC will take a share of hospitality and catering profits.
West Ham were named preferred bidders three months ago, but continuing legal challenges from rivals - notably Barry Hearn's on behalf of Leyton Orient - and wrangling over who will foot the bill for the necessary work had put the deal in jeopardy.
Leyton Orient are said to still be pursuing a judicial review of the bidding process, but the LLDC are reportedly "confident" that the process will not be delayed.

Saturday 16 March 2013

Samsung Galaxy S4: 'Too Many Features For Its Own Good?'

Samsung Galaxy S4 PASamsung has finally unveiled its Galaxy S4 smartphone - packed with a host of new features it hopes will keep it one step ahead of the iPhone.
The company showed off the 4G Android-based device at its 'Unpacked' event in New York late last night. But the fourth generation of the handset, due out on April 26, is already dividing opinion among technology experts.

Many believe it is Samsung's best chance to steer people away from Apple's iOS operating system but some fear its new wave of features - some of which verge on the gimmicky - will be overlooked or unused by many general users.

Among the features announced was the expected motion-tracking called Smart Pause, which lets owners control the screen using their eyes. For example, when you are watching a video, it pauses when you look away, then starts again when you look back. The technology also means you can scroll the browser or your emails up and down with your eyes.

Air Gesture allows a wave of the hand to select items such as music tracks and Air View gives the ability to see what's in an email or folder just by hovering your finger over it.

With Dual Camera you can take simultaneous photos and videos using both the 13 megapixel rear camera and lesser two megapixel front snapper. These can then be blended together to make a digital collage. Both can also be used for group video calling and can capture sound attached to still images.

Simon Stanford, of Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland, said many of the adaptations came from customer suggestions. He said: "We are restless about innovation, and are constantly striving to create unique experiences for our customers that will transform their lives. The Galaxy S4 does just that.

"We have listened to what consumers around the world want and taken the intuitive technology from the Galaxy SIII a step further."

The Galaxy S4 comes in black or white with more colours expected later this year. It is also the slimmest yet at 7.9mm and has a tough five inch Gorilla Glass screen.
 

There's even a built-in translator that can listen to spoken words in foreign languages and tell you what they mean and as part of Samsung's attempt to connect up all its technology, the Galaxy S4 can be used as a remote control for its other products such as TVs and DVD players.

Group Play also allows S4 owners to share content without needing a Wi-Fi or cellular signal while a new S Health hub within the phone can gather various health and well being information using a range of accessories such as fitness trackers.

But Yan Dawson, chief telecom analyst at Ovum, believes throwing in so much innovation at once may now cause Samsung a problem going forward.

He said: "The improvements to eye tracking and the additions of S Translator and the hover feature and so on are good steps in this direction, but they can be seen as gimmicks rather than game changers.

"Samsung appears to be trying to kill the competition with sheer volume of new features – there should be something here for everyone, even if most of these new features won't be used by most users.

"There are lots of features, but based on past experience most people will never even find them on the device."

Yan added: "Having innovated rapidly over the last several years to vaunt itself into top spot in the world smartphone rankings, Samsung now faces essentially the same challenge as Apple: how to continue to improve its devices year on year when existing phones are already top of their class, and there aren't obvious shortcomings? 

"As rivals such as HTC and Sony up the specs of their devices and provide ever better hardware, it becomes more and more important for Samsung to differentiate on software and services."

Samsung unveils a slim, eye-tracking Galaxy S4 as its new champion to take on Apple in the fiercely competitive …

Jason Jenkins, editor of CNET UK, said: "Quite a few new features are pointless - who wants to wave at their phone to control it, for example? Regardless, there is no doubt in my mind that the Galaxy S4 will sell incredibly well. The S4 will wipe the floor with the Android competition, just as the last one did."

Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, said while the device does have its merits, it could be set for a battle for smartphone supremacy. He explained: "Samsung's latest effort looks set to be the biggest handset of the year – and that's in spite of an inevitable iPhone sequel. However, several manufacturers are trying to fan the flames of a revival, and a string of strong recent launches from BlackBerry, Sony, and HTC will give Samsung some stiff competition."

But according to Scott Hooton, chief commercial officer at Phones 4u, recent YouGov research showing 46% of smartphone owners are considering getting a Samsung model next. It backs up what his company has seen with pre-registrations already much higher against those for the last Galaxy SIII model.

The Galaxy S4 will also be a key test for the new 4G superfast mobile phone networks coming to the UK this summer. It could boost take-up of 4G subscriptions but with Vodafone, O2 and 3 not yet having their service up and running, EE will be the first to launch the Galaxy S4 on a 4G platform. 

Fred Huet, of analysts Greenwich Consulting, believes the differences between the latest Samsung and Apple's iPhone are now extremely telling, but he does not rule out the US electronics giant pulling a rabbit from its hat later this year.

He said: "Apple has recently faced a barrage of criticism for failing to deliver that 'wow factor'. The ball is now firmly in Apple's court and nobody should rule them off surprising the world once again at their next device launch this summer."