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News from across the web about research and development of telecommunications.

July

A healthy approach - Technology for personalised, preventative healthcare Learn, in this report, how ICT is revolutionising healthcare across Europe. Technology gives patients choice and control, while practitioners make more informed diagnoses and decisions. As research continues, citizens can expect to see their quality of life improve. 

The Communications Consumer Panel has published its research on mobile coverage and contract cancellation http://www.communicationsconsumerpanel.org.uk/smartweb/research/mobile-coverage In summary, over half (56%) of people buying a mobile phone contract in-store did not receive accurate information about cancellation policies in the event of coverage problems. Can I cancel? found that operators and retailers had significantly different policies. In some cases operators would not allow customers to cancel contracts even if they had no coverage at all. And where consumers could cancel their contract the time limit allowed varied dramatically. Shoppers also had considerably different experiences depending on which operator or retailer they visited. The report makes five recommendations:

  • a minimum 14-day time limit cancellation policy for poor or no coverage
  • the right to cancel their contract if coverage doesn’t meet their needs
  • consistent cancellation policies within individual operators and retailers
  • accurate in-store information
  • staff trained to explain company policies correctly.  

Apple's latest computer, the touchscreen iPad, has been hailed as potentially one of the most accessible mobile devices on the market, according to one Apple technology blogger. The iPad's VoiceOver capability means that everything shown on the screen can be read aloud, while additional features are useful for those with speech or cognitive impairments. The iPad review is available via this link.

This year's RAatE conference will be held on 29 November at the Warwick University conference centre in Coventry. RAatE 2010 is the only UK conference focused on the latest innovations and developments in assistive technology and will be of interest to everyone who uses, works with, develops or conducts research on assistive technologies. This year's themes include AT for older people; telecare and telehealth; innovative access and wheelchair control; AT in education; and case studies of successful interventions. For more information, follow this link.

Call for tender: Study on implications from future ICT trends on assistive technology and accessibility (SMART 2010/0077) The subject of the contract is a study that will analyse and explore the relationships between the emerging ICT landscape and the development and provision of assistive technologies and e-accessibility, within a perspective of 10 years. Contact: infso-h3@ec.europa.eu

Source: Europe's Information Society - Thematic Portal, (c) European Communities