Telcotalk Blog

Mobile Phone Growth - Amazing Facts

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

It’s no surprise that mobile phones have become more and more popular. But what is surprising is the intense growth they have taken recently, the level of use they receive, and what the projections of future mobile growth and use are.

Recently, the ODM Group compiled factual information illustrating the current state of mobile prominence around the world and offered some predictions on where it’s expected to go. I picked out what I thought to be the coolest facts and have compiled them here for your convenience.

Past/current figures

2009 - $4.2 billion was spent on mobile apps
2010 - Of all the mobile users in the world, one-third were smartphones
2011 - there were 4 billion mobile users worldwide
2012 - although the year isn’t technically over for another 9 months, it is predicted that by the end of the year, there will be 5.25 billion mobile users
For the people who access the internet via their mobile phone, 91% do so for the sake social networking(Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
78% of mobile consumers take advantage of location based-apps - 42% of these consumers use location apps to find stores

Projected figures

2013 - around $29.5 million will be spent on mobile apps
2014 - mobile internet use will most likely take over desktop internet use
2014 - in light of mobile internet dominance, mobile will be the dominant source for the internet, surpassing both laptops and desktops

These are some astonishing facts and predictions. What do you think? Are we becoming too mobile reliant? Will mobile internet really surpass all other forms? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

* Information sourced from the ODM Group

* Image source: Dru Bloomfield - At Home in Scottsdale

5 Hilarious Mobile Phone Ads

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

How far we've come in such a few short decades. Mobile phones are smaller, smarter and quicker than ever. For some people, they essentially use their mobile phone for everything.

But let's not forget the humble beginnings, be it a brick-sized mobile phone or a pager. If you have forgotten, though, these 5 ads may take you back to those days.

1. Ericsson

Before it was Sony-Ericcson it was simply Ericsson, and men were getting confused by women who mischievously covered their mobile phones in their hair.

2. Radio Shack

This American company proudly advertised a portable phone. In reality, it was portable in the same way that a suitcase is portable...

3. Nokia

Clearly Nokia wanted to get in with the questionable yuppie crowd with this work of art.

4. Motorola Flip

Look at all the ways Motorola tries to show you how useful this phone is. This is back in the days when flip phones amazed everyone.

5. BT Pagers

It may not be a mobile phone, but this ad for a pager is undeniably lovable. It's one of those ads that falls into the category "So bad it's good".

Now that I've shared some of my favourites with you, share yours with me in the comments below.

Protecting Yourself from Online Scams

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Most people can’t imagine their lives without the internet these days, but with the benefits such technology brings, it also provides scammers with more opportunities to fool people into parting with thousands of dollars or personal information.

To help you not become an unfortunate scam victim, I’m going to explain some of the most popular scams out there and how to protect yourself.

3 Common types of scams

1. Online shopping/auction scams

When on an online shopping/auction site, certain scammers may sell products that are not actually what is being advertised (such as a cheap imitation) but charge you a large amount that you believe is reasonable. This leads to the product you receive being of poor quality or it’s not sent at all.

2. Online dating scams

One of the most lucrative scams, online dating scams involve a scammer placing a personal ad on a legitimate dating website to lure in unfortunate victims. They’ll typically “fall in love” with their victims quickly and then create an excuse to ask for money from the victims such as, “My daughter is ill and I can’t afford the hospital bills.”

3. ‘Nigerian 419’ scams

These scams are upfront payment or money transfer scams. The reason they’re known as ‘Nigerian 419’ scams is because they originated from Nigeria. The 419 refers to the laws that outlaw such practices in Nigeria. However, these scams can happen in any country.

The victim will receive an email from someone who is willing to offer a "large monetary reward" if the victim helps them transfer some locked-up money by providing an upfront payment or money transfer. Ultimately the victim will lose all the money they provided to the scammers.

General steps to protecting yourself

Regardless of the type of scam, these following rules can be applied to all of them to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

General rule of thumb - if it’s too good to be true, it probably is
If you’re buying a product from someone, check their seller reputation. Don’t buy items from questionable sites
Don’t provide details such as your credit card information to any site or anyone that you are suspicious of
If you receive an email from an unknown source and it looks like spam, don’t open it. Mark it as spam and delete it
Under no circumstances should you ever provide a complete stranger or someone you don't truly know with any information that could allow them to steal money or your identity from you
If you find out something is a scam before you’ve shared any sensitive information, report the scam and separate yourself from the situation
No matter how much an online dating scammer begs and pleads for you to send money, don’t believe them - it is part of their strategy to try and manipulate your emotions
A stranger that says you can get a whole lot of money from transferring money for them is lying

When all is said and done, scammers are typically after any information that will allow them to steal money off you. So keep those details safe. Sites such as SCAMwatch provide in depth information on a large number of different scams and how to protect yourself.

Have any scam stories or tips for people to protect themselves? Share in the comments below.

* Image sources:

The Benefits of a 1300 Smart Number

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

In the past we’ve discussed how 1300 numbers can benefit you, but there is also another form known as smart numbers or phone words.

The benefits of a smart number are just as significant as a 1300 number, if not more. Primarily, the benefit is to the overall health and exposure of your business. But before we discuss that, let’s take a look at what exactly a smart number is.

What is a smart number?

To call us here at Telcotalk, you dial 1300 TELCOTALK. This is what a smart number or phone word is. If available, you can select a number that spells a word (or words) for your business that is truly relevant.

For example, 1300 TELCOTALK is actually 1300 835 268. Overall, dialling that in only spells out 1300 TELCOT. This is not an issue. As soon as you type in that final 8, it begins dialling automatically, making the last three letters inconsequential, even if you try to type them in.

How does a smart number benefit my business?

1300 numbers extend your reach and create a “big business” image for your company, regardless of whether it is actually a big, medium or small-sized business. What the smart number aspect brings to the table is the following:

A smart number is easier to remember as it allows people to identify the number as a word and not numerals
It reinforces your brand - e.g. 1300 TELCOTALK makes people remember our brand name
By using a smart number, you can make it match your domain name - e.g. 1300 TELCOTALK andwww.telcotalk.com.au
Here at Telcotalk, we can set up your number so you can track how many calls you get to it, allowing you to assess the success of the number itself and campaigns tied to it

If getting a 1300 number is the first step to improving the professional image of your business, then a smart number is the way in which you make it more memorable and accessible.

If you have any more questions regarding 1300 or smart numbers, contact us or share them in the comments below.

* Image source: Aleksandr Kutsayev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

5 Entertaining Office Personalities

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The office space can be an interesting place. There are the co-workers that bug, those that you get on with, and then there are those that are so colourful they help you cope with humdrum moments on the job.

I’ve compiled a list of what I think to be five of the most entertaining (funny, if you will) office personalities you could ever come into contact with.

1. The inappropriate story teller

We shake our heads at them, saying that they went a little too far with that last joke. But deep down we're laughing our butts off. They're a staple of the office environment, and they're an absolute godsend when the days get slow and your motivation starts to struggle.

I've been both enthralled and appalled by their rhetoric. So while the ultimate punchline may have to do with something below the belt (ha!), I can never fault them for lifting my spirits.

2. The Gossip Girl

Ah, the gossiper. Love or loath them, you can't deny that they breathe life into the office. Sure, yes, I really don't know who Jim from outback accounting is, but it's still fascinating to see how much energy the gossiper puts into their stories.

I'll admit that sometimes they do overstep the line, and I would never personally want to be the subject of one of their discussions. Admit it, though. You love the gossiper. You love Gossip Girl xoxo.

3. The chill guy

How can one person seem so content with everything at all times? To me, the chill guy is an anomaly. I met my first chill guy years back. He was sitting behind a computer with a defined five o'clock shadow. He asked me how my day was. I said, "Fine. How about you?" His response - I kid you not - was, "Yeah, pretty chilled. Just the way I like it."

He proceeded to nod his head in happiness, I swooned (inside, of course), and I became convinced I had met someone more at peace than the Dalai Lama.

4. The extremely loud and incredibly close

Okay, these guys aren't necessarily loud, but they do get incredibly close. It's not an intentional thing, but space invaders (as I like to call them) always get a little too close for comfort. They'll put their hand on you or speak with their mouth so close to yours that you may just think they want to kiss you!

I'm not sure whether they like the comfort of other people or whether they're just looking to be held. All I know is they like to be close. At least the majority of them are nice, though.

5. The crazy boss

What list would be complete without a boss on the edge of total psychosis? Some crazy bosses are bad but others are actually quite comical. They're neurotic, contradict themselves. I think even some of them worry about their employees not liking them.

My favourite vision of a crazy boss would have to be that of J. Jonah Jameson from the Spider-Man movies. Every second scene he was firing then re-hiring Peter. But when a boss has that much charisma, he has the right to be downright insane.

What other office personalities get you? Share in the comments below.

* Image source: markuso / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Smartphone Safety and Your Kids

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Phones have certainly evolved substantially since I was a teenager. Physical buttons almost feel like a thing of the past as small screens are replaced by large touchscreen smartphones.

Every second kid I see seems to have a smartphone, and that feels like a conservative estimate. But with smartphones come responsibility and a need to to educate your children on how to remain safe with these new phones.

1. Have a contingency plan

Did you know that mobile phones have something known as an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)? Simply type in *#06#into your keypad and a fairly big number should pop up on screen.

Take a photo of it or write it down and keep in a safe and secure place. If your child happens to lose his/her smartphone or it gets stolen, you can call up the phone provider, quote the IMEI and they will block the phone from their network and likely all others, rendering the phone useless to the thief or people of the “finders keepers” mentality.

2. Privacy

To keep more personal information safe (such as your kid’s school user password, favourite pop stars, etc.) make sure to put a passcode on the phone that both of you will remember. Also get them to disable bluetooth so no undesirables try to make contact with their phone.

It can either be up to them or you, but remind them that while location services allow them to geotag where they are, it can also be seen by others if they promote it all over Facebook. If your child or you would prefer that information to be private, disable location services.

3. Get rid of unnecessary costs

If your kid is not paying for their calls and texts or multiple subscription-based money draining text services, then you have every right to eliminate unnecessary costs as you see fit. Plus it’s never bad for kids to learn about the true costs of things.

You can call up your provider and ask them to bar certain services such as international calls and texts. The other option you have is to go for a pre-paid plan so there will never be any evil hidden charges.

4. Rules

Guidelines are important. I’m sure you’ve seen the number of smartphone zombies around nowadays that seem to spend every waking hour staring at their phone. By making rules (such as no phone during study) you’ll help keep your kids from becoming too engrossed with them.

Not only that, but the less time they spend on their phone the less likely they are to fall onto the bad sides of the internet and become a victim of cyber-bullying. If your kid is more in their teen years, remind them to think before they text. The words or photos they send could be something they regret down the line - like when the person they sent it to shares it with everyone else at school.

Those are my tips for keeping your kids safe from theft, privacy invasion, excessive spending and lamented decisions when using a smartphone. Got any other tips? Share in the comments below.

* Image source: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How and Why to Advertise Your 1300 Number

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

f your business has a 1300 number, congratulations! You have extended your business’s national reach and given it a greater sense of size - even if your business is a small business with one office.

For all the advantages that a 1300 number offers your business, it’s important to let people know that you have one. Typically the most well-known way of getting the word out there is through advertising.

Here are some facts regarding 1300 numbers that may interest you:

Most Australians call a business with a 1300 number over a local number
When advertising a product, include your 1300 number - it can increase advertising responses by up to 50%
If you set up a 1300 number to be tied to an ad campaign, you can track just how successful your advertisements have been.

What advertisements should you include your 1300 number in?

Well, to put it simply, all of them. As far as I know, no advertisement would ever forbid you from mentioning the number. Whether it’s a billboard, TV, radio, internet, make that number clear. For a billboard, make sure the text is large enough and that it chiefly stands out with your business’s name.

You typically notice that with all ads on radio the number is repeated. You should be doing the same so someone has a chance of taking down your number or subsconsciouslly remember it. Really, with whatever advertisement approach you take, show off your number like you’re a proud parent.

Beyond the traditional forms of advertising, don’t forget to include your number on things such as your work vehicles, even if just as a bumper sticker. You don’t have to pay advertising money to have your number on your own car!

1300 numbers are a powerful marketing tool in all respects, so be sure to show them the respect they deserve by letting the world know about them. If you have any questions regarding 1300 numbers, call us on 1300 835 268 or contact us.

* Image source: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hosted VoIP - Auto Attendant for a Home Business

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

A well-designed Hosted PBX system can offer a lot to home business, including making your business look bigger with the help of Auto Attendant.

Many people may not realise this, but Hosted VoIP can run throughout a number of different home offices with the ability to transfer calls among the different homes for free. In fact, if the number of calls that a home business receives start to increase exponentially, Hosted VoIP even has Auto Attendant capabilities.

Auto Attendant is the feature you encounter when calling large businesses that are experiencing a high volume of callers. An automated voice will list numbers associated with a certain service (e.g. "Press 1 for troubleshooting"). By having this feature for a home business environment, you can fine tune where your callers go.

Say your business is run throughout three different households (you and two other friends run the business, for example). One of you manages sales and the other two manage operations. You could set up Auto Attendant to direct callers as follows: "Press 1 for sales. Press 2 for accounts. Press 3 for customer service."

This way, you can easily manage your calls and direct them to the appropriate individual in your home business, even if someone in your business lives in a completely different state. A feature like this helps give your business a professional image and creates the idea that it is bigger than it actually is.

To find out more, check out Telcotalk's MyPBX system or call us on 1300 835 268.

* Image source: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"What people think I do" - Office Manager Edition

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

You may have recently seen these "What people think I do" collages going around the internet that explain the ways different people perceive what a person's job entails using humorous pictures.

I realised that I haven't seen one for an office manager yet! So a couple of my friends and I put one together that, we think, reflects what society thinks of us Office Managers.

I've included a small pic below, but you can download the hi-res version here!

Office Manager: What people think I do

Remember, this is all in good fun! But what do you think? Have we got it right? Could have we picked some better images?

Let me know in the comments below!

x Mandy

How to Buy a 1300 Number

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking to buy a 1300 number for your business, there are a few things you need to consider on how to go about doing so.

Besides simply finding a provider to purchase a 1300 number from, there are two different forms of 1300 numbers.

1. Leased numbers

Depending on the telco provider, they may only offer a service where they lease a 1300 number to you. The leasing of numbers is usually more common among phone word number providers, but 1300 providers can also do it.

With leasing, it gives you a greater chance to get the number you want. This is because the providers have purchased a large amount of numbers, willing to lease them to consumers. With the decreasing number of available-to-buy 1300 numbers, this has become a common choice for a number of business owners.

The pitfalls of a leased number is that it typically costs more than owning a 1300 number and can incur additional charges. Also, certain providers can take advantage and charge unfair amounts for leasing a number out. So make sure you pick a telco provider with a good reputation that offers a good price for leased 1300 numbers.

2. Bought numbers

The other option is to buy a number. There are telco providers that will allow you to properly purchase and own a 1300 number. The benefits are that it’s a cheaper option overall and you will still have the support of your telco provider.

However, the disadvantage is that the list of available 1300 numbers is dwindling due to business’s already purchasing numbers or the aforementioned telco providers purchasing a large amount of available numbers.

Because of this, the likelihood of getting the number you want to buy could be far less than if you lease. But if your number is available, then it would be a good decision to purchase and own the number yourself.

How to buy a 1300 number

Here at Telcotalk, we have a simple 3-step process to getting a 1300 number for your business.

You can view our list of available 1300 numbers by clicking here. This list is updated daily
You can then select the number you would like from the list and inform us. We can hold the number for you for the next 12 hours
From there, all you need to do is fill out an application. Once we receive your application, we will set up your number and inform you of how long it will take (typically only around 3 hours!)

If you have any more questions regarding 1300 numbers or are interested in purchasing one, do not hesitate tocontact us.

* Image source: Marcin Wichary

The Issues of Internet Censorship

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

In recent months it seems like so many different laws have been proposed and taken away in regards to protecting one thing or another.

When word of SOPA and PIPA came out, people raised their concerns in the millions by signing online petitions, spreading the word via social media, and even websites decided to take down their own sites for 24 hours in protest.

The reason SOPA and PIPA did not survive was because in their claimed aim of protecting copyright, they were also going to breach millions of internet users’ privacy. As a result, both bills were withdrawn.

The US tried to pass another bill with the intention of protecting children from online pornographers, but it raised eyebrows over the fact it would also grant internet service providers the right to document months of anyone’s online activity - not just suspected users.

Do you remember the Australian government’s proposed mandatory internet filtering? That hasn’t gone away, it’s simply on the back burner.

While the filtering policy for Australia was proposed to block sites containing illegal content - in particular ones containing pornographic material involving minors - many still believe it is an invasion of privacy and the laws surrounding the policy too broad.

So how do we do it? How do we find a balance between making sure that illegal content is rid of without effectively impacting on the rights of Australian internet users? Internet providers such as Telstra have already blocked sites that are blacklisted by Interpol.

The only issue is that an entire site can be blocked for one questionable bit of content. So say if there is a blogging site that has one user that posts an illegal piece of content. It won’t just be that user’s blog that is blocked, but the entire blog site itself and all its users.

As for copyright, the likes of SOPA and PIPA went too far as the laws could punish an individual and entire website for something like the harmless posting of a song that is covered by copyright. Imagine every person who does a cover of a song on YouTube has it taken down and faces potential legal consequences.

The internet cannot be outright censored or its users monitored due to how many personal rights that violates. But there must be a way that both copyright can be protected and illegal material such as child pornography can be removed.

This is a tough issue to find a solution to. Have any ideas on how you think such subjects could be dealt with effectively and without violating the rights of internet users? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Moving office or know someone who is? Download our free Office Relocation Guide.

* Image source: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Android Market Changes to Google Play

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The Android's own marketplace has gone through a name change.

Question is what’s changing and does it impact on us here in Australia?

Changes

When I mention a change to Android, I’m not talking about the OS itself, but rather its titled “Android Market”. The changes have taken place completely in the US and are starting to be rolled out here in Australia.

The reason the changes occurred in the US is probably because the old Google shopping options on Androids there were different to ours. There were three sections:

Google Music
Google Books
Android Market

Google has now taken these three shopping options and merged them into one Android shop called Google Play. The new shop deals with all music, books, apps, games, etc. from the old market.

Some think the reason for the change is because the separation of all these services was actually hurting Google. Although Google say this is not the case, it does seem to make more sense that you’d place all of your purchasable content in the one place as opposed to being scattered under three different banners.

So the Android Market is no more in the US, and Google Play is in. Now Android only refers to Google’s OS.

Impact on Australia

It's only been in the last day or two that Google Play began rolling out here in Australia. The key difference being that Australian Android's didn't actually have Google Music or Google Books before this change. The change to Google Play has now introduced Google Books to the Australian market, but Music is still missing.

If and when the Google Music portion roles out to Australia is anyone’s guess. But when it does, it will finally see Australia's Android content falling more in line with that of the US.

Have anything to share in regards to Google Play and what you think of the changes? Discuss in the comments below.

* Image source: Google

7 Funny Website and Facebook URLS

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Whether it's accidental, ironic or intentional, these website and facebook URLs are simply hilarious!

3 Funny website URLs

It appears that the lack of upper case and spaces in URL texts is still a new concept to some. A simple lack of revision, not enough eyes or sheer oblivion often result in hilarious combinaitons of letters graceing the address bars of our browsers.

Although there were plenty more than 3 examples I wanted to show you, these were the only 3 I could find that weren’t excessively risque. Suffice to say, it makes sense why “Therapist Finder” changed its URL. Also, some of the URLs I list here may not exist anymore, understandably.

1. http://www.expertsexchange.com/
It’s supposed to read ExpertsExchange, but it’s certainly hard not to notice the service the URL implies.

2. http://www.ipanywhere.com/
I certainly hope they don’t.

3. http://www.speedofart.com/
Do people really measure the speed at which someone passes gas? Is that a thing?

4 Funny Facebook URLs

As much as I’d love to share other website URL faux pas, they’re simply a little too offensive for my blog. So, instead, I offer people who have changed their Facebook’s personalised URL to say humorous things.

1. http://www.facebook.com/rickroll
A person’s own Facebook URL promotes the internet phenomenon of Rickrolling, where an individual provides a link to someone claiming it to be one thing but then it just leads to a video of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

2. http://www.facebook.com/JackBauercouldwhoopChuckNorris
Kiefer Sutherland’s character from 24 defeating the eternal Chuck Norris? That’d be a fight I’d love to see!

3. http://www.facebook.com/SEXYGAL
I’ll give her points for self-confidence, but talking yourself up is usually never a good idea.

4. http://www.facebook.com/thumbman
Probably one of the best viral pictures going around, if you’re signed into facebook you should even be able to read the About section for Thumb Man. In his picture he looks like a thumb. He regales you with stories about how Thumb Man came into being. Entertaining, to say the least.

If there are any funny URLs you know of (clean ones), feel free to share them in the comments below.

Telcotalk = Dedicated Account Manager

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Here at Telcotalk, all our clients - whether business or residential - get a dedicated account manager.

Unlike other telco companies where your account can end up being dealt with by numerous faceless individuals, we provide you with an account manager who will stick with you from the beginning until the end of your time as a customer of ours.

The benefits of this include:

You will remember the name of the person who deals with your account
Your account manager will know who you are and how you personally like to discuss topics
By having your account handled by one person, they canbuild a rapport with you and vice versa
They will more easily be able to call up your history with us at Telcotalk and any current issues you may have that need addressing
You never have to fear going through multiple people to get an answer
No risk of one day being helped by someone with great customer service and then mistreated the next by someone with poor customer service
The details of your account and its operations will always be more efficient and streamlined
Peace of mind knowing the same person will be taking care of you no matter what
Having a dedicated account manager makes the experience personable and not sales-driven

To too many larger telco corporations' customers are treated like a problem as opposed to a human being with genuine queries and concerns. At Telcotalk, we pride ourselves on helping our customers and improving their experience through our dedicated account managers.

They’ll always have your back no matter what. To find out more, call us on 1300 835 268 or contact us.

* Image source: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

QANTAS Trials In-Flight Internet Service

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

We all know that the internet is a big deal these days. When we look back, we wonder how we ever survived without it.

Now it seems like the growth is set to continue, with QANTAS announcing they will be trialling in-flight internet services.

Starting today, six of QANTAS’s Airbus A380 super-jumbos will feature in-flight internet. These are for flight routes between Sydney and Los Angeles, and Melbourne and Los Angeles.

For the time being, the service is only a trial and will run for a total of eight weeks. On top of that, if you hope to enjoy these services over the next few weeks on an A380, you need to be in either first class or business class.

Along with QANTAS, Virgin announced a few months back its plan for a fully-realised in-flight service which would include the internet. They plan to release this service somewhere in the middle of this year.

Because of this, it’s natural to assume QANTAS is doing this in reply to Virgin’s intentions. Then again, at this point the average Australian won’t be able to experience anyway.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens with this and when these services will come commonplace and not just for the rich.

Once it does happen, I guess we’ll be living in a world where you’ll be able to have internet access no matter where you are! Could certainly help with the monotony of long flights.

What do you think of in-flight internet? Is it necessary or are we just pushing the digital age too far now? Share with us in the comments below.

* Image source: FreeDigitalPhotos.net