Air NZ to allow texting
Air New Zealand is seeking regulatory approval to allow texting on iPhones (and other smartphones) by the year end.
The carrier’s new Boeing 777-300 fleet will be designed to allow passengers to text messages from their iPhone, Blackberry and GSM mobile phones; however voice calls will still be banned. Mobile Broadband and sending emails is also planned.”
Like other global roaming plans, customers will be billed by their own mobile service provider, but in-flight costs will apply.
It will be a requirement that mobile phones are on silent mode, however we all know how inconsiderate many public transport commuters are already, without adding this annoyance to flying.
More information: SMH
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“Is the iPhone safe?”
I posted a quick note on mobile phone radiation stats (which handsets are best / worst) following release of a database by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) rating all mobile phone handsets.
On the EWG site you can view the Top 10 handsets, check other mobile phone models and learn how to reduce your exposure.
Curiosity got the better of me so I checked out just how the Apple iPhone fares for levels of radiation emitted.
“How does the iPhone rank against other smartphones?”
Well, it’s nowhere near the top of the good list, but then it’s not down the bottom either. Interesting to note that the iPhone 3G S is a little better than the iPhone 3G model.
Check your iPhone radiation level
The mobile phone handset taking out number one position (Samsung Impression) reports that when used in, say for example, GSM 1900 mode and held at the ear, its specific absorption rate is 0.15 W/kg, compared to the iPhone 3GS used in the same mode rating 0.79 W/kg.
iPhone owners would be pleased perhaps to know that the worst list mentions the Blackberry Bold and Blackberry Curve. However it’s actually a Motorola that takes out the position of worst.
Bear in mind though that without further research, scientists are still a little on the fence as to whether the radiation exposure will cause any long term side effects of worse. The purpose of the database is so that consumers can be advised and than make their own choices when purchasing a new handset.
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