With CES a now-distant memory (well, a few weeks ago) what better time for Rafe Blandford to get back in-front of a microphone to give us his highlights of the show? The team discuss the large number of ‘connected devices’ on show and the ways in which smartphone technology is now powering far more than phones. Support 361 Podcast
This week the team share and review the apps and services they use and (mostly) recommend - from productivity to entertainment and across all (well, most) ecosystems. We also catch-up with our ‘smartest home’ challenge. Support 361 Podcast
Happy New Year! In this first episode of 2016 the team consider the year ahead and the topics that will be making the biggest impact on mobile (they think - really… don’t stake money on this). They discuss virtual reality’s arrival in the home, apps that “aren’t apps”, the growth (and/or maturing - argue amongst yourselves) of mobile payments and the growth of “messaging as a platform”. Support 361 Podcast
We’re checking progress on our ‘smartest home competition’ this week - this season’s challenge to install and use smart automation tech in our own homes. We recap the products and services we’ve tested and report on what’s working (and what isn’t) - covering everything from big-name brands to home-made solutions. Support 361 Podcast
We’re ‘doing’ Christmas this week - Rafe’s had the staff dust-off his favourite elf costume and our thoughts turn to (mobile) ways improve the holiday experience. We discuss our favourite entertainment options, tech to improve festive cooking and using apps to keep New Year’s resolutions. Support 361 Podcast
This week the team talk cars: What we own, how ‘connected’ (or not) they are and our frustrations with getting the software upgraded. We discuss Tesla’s pioneering use of ‘crowd data’, ‘in-app purchases’ for vehicles and speculate (very briefly) about the Apple Car. There’s also an update on this season’s Smartest Home competition as Rafe takes a clear lead. Support 361 Podcast
This week the team discuss video - from how we access and watch it to the impact new apps and platforms will have on that in the future. Ben, Ewan and Rafe review the ways they watch video and consider whether ‘cord-cutting’ will ever be mainstream. Support 361 Podcast
This week the team discuss one of their favourite apps from ‘mobile-first’ flower retailer Bloom and Wild. The team discuss how a mobile app out-performs web shops and and how the small(er) guy can leapfrog the competition with a bit of help from the app store. Support 361 Podcast
Ben, Ewan and Rafe are back with season 11 and this week they discuss their travel during the break, including experiences of mobile in the US, Africa and China. They also introduce this season’s challenge: a competition to create the smartest home. Support 361 Podcast
This week we answer listener questions. We cover topics from including how 999 emergency calls work, the effects of long contracts, affordable roaming, Nokia (predictably), Apple’s Passbook and even a question about wires. What more could you ask for? This week we also announce the winner of our draw to discover the smartphone you think is the best on the market. We pick 3 winners - one to win the phone they voted for (thanks to http://TigerMobiles.com ) and 2 mobile printer gizmos from Lantroni...
This week the team are talking mobile payments, including (but not just) Apple Pay. It’s not an area we know well so we’re joined by special guest-expert Tim Green of Mobile Money Revolution. We talk about the different types of mobile payments, who’s doing what, how retailers are experimenting and where mobile payments are really useful. We also get a present from friend-of-the-show Dan Lane at Simwood who’s made us our own mobile network. This week is your last opportunity to tell us what you ...
This week the team head out to their local phone shops (independent and operator-run) to test the sales people’s advice. We ask their recommendations for the best smartphone on the market and the best pre-pay handset for £100 with surprising results. Rafe also reveals his membership of a shady secret society… Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of http://TigerMobiles.com - http://361podcast.com/best-smartp...
We’re answering another listener question this week - a voicemail from the Voicemail Podcast team. They asked for our views on the state (and future) of all things ‘virtual reality’ so we discuss the products they’ve tried; the (important?) difference between ‘augmented’ and ‘virtual’ reality; and the likelihood of either being the hit many big investors anticipate. Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of h...
“Why don’t you do an episode about social media?” writes a listener… and so we did. This week the team consider social media with a mobile twist. Although far from experts, the team have plenty of opinions and offer their advice on what to use, how and when. Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of http://TigerMobiles.com - http://361podcast.com/best-smartphone Read more, comment and subscribe at http://361p...
The team talk mobile tech on the big (and small) screens this week, reviewing their nominations for best and worst use in film and TV shows. We consider which shows shaped our dreams of new tech and which films moved us to buy the devices they starred. We also consider the best ways to get and view video content on mobile. Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of http://TigerMobiles.com - http://361podcast.c...
This week the team ask Rafe Blandford “What are you wearing?” and the answer - surprisingly - turns out to be “Practically every smartwatch on the market!". Working their way along Rafe’s forearms, the team review current offerings and discuss if this new type of device will succeed. Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of http://TigerMobiles.com - http://361podcast.com/best-smartphone Read more, comment an...
This week the team look back 5 years to the devices and services of 2010. In that year Symbian and Blackberry began to falter, the iPad launched and some operators struggled to understand the rise of app stores. Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of http://TigerMobiles.com - http://361podcast.com/best-smartphone Read more, comment and subscribe at http://361podcast.com/episodes/s10e03 Support 361 Podcast...
With Apple's 2015 Worldwide Developer Conference a fast-vanishing memory the team turn their attention to the firm's (apparent) dominance of the mobile market in terms of profit and mind-share. Can this year's announcements keep them a step ahead? Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of http://TigerMobiles.com - http://361podcast.com/best-smartphone Read more, comment and subscribe at http://361podcast.com/...
Every year Google sets out its vision for the next year at its annual I/O developer conference. This week the team consider what mattered, how it will shape the future of the industry and whether Google really is a single ‘thing’. Tell us what you think the best smartphone on the market is and sign-up for our new newsletter for a chance to win it courtesy of http://TigerMobiles.com - http://361podcast.com/best-smartphone Read more, comment and subscribe at http://361podcast.com/episodes/s10e01 S...
This week the team answer listener's questions... What would have happened if Apple hadn't made a phone? Does open source matter in mobile? Which phone would we save from the fire? What's the oddest place you've made a phone call? Also, several #AskRafeAnything questions, including his all-important concrete update. Support 361 Podcast
This week Ben and Rafe discuss mobile operators (again)... Who's bought who, who's announced what and where some green shoots of interesting innovation are beginning to show, including Google's Fi. Ewan's not convinced. At all. Support 361 Podcast
This week Rafe dons his lab coat and schools the team in wonderful - and frequently rare - materials that go into making smartphones and tablets. The team discuss the issues with using such materials and the ways in which they contribute to advances in screens, batteries, components and protective coverings. There's also - briefly - some singing... sorry about that. Support 361 Podcast
This week the team are hugely under-qualified to discuss luxury and fashion technology (but try to anyway). With the arrival of the Apple Watch Edition, the subject of consumer technology 'priced to impress' has been re-ignited... some time after Vertu pioneered this segment. The team discuss how existing luxury brands 'do tech' and consider how some of the established watch manufacturers exhibiting at the famous Baselworld show addressed the challenge. Support 361 Podcast...
This week the team re-cap Mobile World Congress 2015 and consider the trends and announcements that stood out. They discuss the (continued) rise of the mid-tier handset, wearables, LTE in unlicensed spectrum, industrial internet of things, Blackberry's 'almost' attendance and Ewan invents "negative excitement". Support 361 Podcast
This week the team discuss the products they use... the devices that have won them over (including a few changes of heart) and the services that are exciting them. Ben's decided phablets aren't all bad (although the name is), Rafe's embraced a 'transformer tablet' and Ewan's grumpy about everything except mobile shopping. Support 361 Podcast
This week Ewan and Rafe head to Mobile World Congress and report live from a very noisy show floor, including visits to ZTE, Huawei, LG, Microsoft and HTC's stands. Rafe notes that the theme of the show this year seems to be 'really good mid-tier handsets'. Support 361 Podcast
This week the team talk contracts... What are they, who are they good for, who does badly, what are the options, how do the tariffs differ and are they fit for a future of 'connected things'? Support 361 Podcast
This week the team look back 10 years to the devices that shaped the smartphone revolution. We remember the big trade-show announcements, the top-selling devices and the big news of the day. Of course... the problem with nostalgia is that it isn't what it used to be. Support 361 Podcast
This week the team discuss all things 'smart' and the value of connected devices. We consider what 'smart' devices really are; consider the value, standards and industry players; discuss ecosystems, connectivity and 'lock in'; and worry about who we should trust to run our 'connected appliances'. We also give mobile operators a bit of a kicking (again). Support 361 Podcast
The team return, 'fresh' from an extended Christmas break to look forward to the big news of 2015. We discuss Apple's Watch, Amazon's Fire Phone, Google Glass and Samsung - not all favourably. The team also share rejected episode ideas including a Rafe Blandford Tinder experiment. Support 361 Podcast
