Hot on the heels of its decision to slash roaming charges for calls and texts across Europe Vodafone has now announced that it now cutting data rates as well.

From 1st July users who sign up to the Vodafone Passport service can use up to 25MB of data per day for a maximum of £4.99. Light users who use less than 1MB in a day will be charged by the kilobyte, with charges averaging out at about 50p per 100KB.

3 has also announced it will cutting data charges in line with the recent EU directive. Accessing the internet via 3 across Europe will cost £1.29 per MB.

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The MKi9200 is a Bluetooth hands-free music system that combines a 2.4-inch TFT colour screen and a wireless remote control.

It is compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth phones, iPods, the iPhone and more. Straight out of the box and the MKi9200 is a mass of wires and components. Far too complicated for mere mortals, but Parrot do recommend installation by a professional and so do we. However, this will add another hefty wedge to the price bumping the price up to around £300 for the unit and installation.

Alternatively, if you are feeling brave there is an installation diagram included. The installation is screw free so at least the dashboard doesn’t get a battering when the unit is removed. The remote control sits on the inside of the steering wheel, giving access via a thumb.

It looks like an add-on and is something that will surely attract unwanted attention.

Once installed and powered up the first step is to pair up your Bluetooth phone. This is a simple and swift experience with visual assistance from the LCD display. Once connected using the unit is simple and intuitive.

The MKi9200 automatically synchronizes contact details (name, number) so when an incoming call is received the name appears on-screen letting you know who’s calling. To make a call it’s simply a matter of using the remote, press the green button and the voice recognition kicks in and dials the desired number.

The voice recognition is not perfect, for example, if you state the wrong number, it dials it anyway. A command like ‘confirm’ at the end could eliminate this.

For music the unit is adaptable for a host of popular digital and analogue music players. There is a iPod connector, USB connector and line-in. The sound quality was good with control over playback being via the remote control.

The MKi9200 is something that we really liked but struggled to get to grips with the high price point. Plus, the fact that there is the extra cost of installation. For these reasons we found it hard to give the unit a high score. If you have the cash buy it, but there are cheaper options available.

Web: www.parrot.com
Price (as reviewed): £229.99

Verdict: 6/10

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Getting ready for your summer holidays? Then load up these seven essential apps and take the trauma out of your trip.

WorldMate Live
WorldMate Live is known on every platform for offering a completely free source of online travel related information which will …

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A skier was saved from falling to his death in the Swiss Alps when his BlackBerry got wedged into a crack in the ice.

David Fitzherbert had slipped into a 700ft deep crevasse when the unidentified BlackBerry in his breast pocket got stuck. It kept him hanging for to hours until a mountain rescure team were able to winch him to safety.

He told The Sun: “After 70 feet it narrowed and I became stuck like a cork in a bottle between the walls. Fortunately, the extra inches of the Blackberry were enough to block the fall.”

Fitzherbert suffered several injuries, including a broken jaw, but his BlackBerry survived unscathed. He was even able to call his wife on it from his hospital bed.

Via – Daily Telegraph

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Getac’s latest ruggedised handheld comes with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, e-compass, altimeter and 3 megapixel camera and is touted by the company as being perfect for geographical information systems applications.

Specs & info
Price: £799 ex VAT
Operating system: Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic
Processor: Samsung …

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HTC has unveiled its first non-operator exclusive, non-Google branded Android phone, the Hero. But it is their brand new UI, HTC Sense, that is likely to prove the more revolutionary product.

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The DX900 was originally slated for release in 2008 under the glofiish brand, but after Acer’s acquisition of E-TEN now forms part of the opening wave of Windows Mobile devices in Acer’s Tempo range.

It is also the first smartphone to support …

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