Imaginatively, The Sun today declared their support for the Conservative Party after 12 years of backing Labour.

But is this a mature approach in modern times?  Does a publication have to declare its support for a particular party, drawing their lines and wearing hearts on their sleeve?

Many would argue that all publications will have their slant so it may as well be explicit.  However, something about this doesn’t seem right to me.  Why should it be about parties rather than policies and ideas?

After all, Parliament provides an arena where policy may be proffered by anyone, to then be considered for the country and iterated via gladiatorial debate.

Read more »

Based on Ofcom’s December 2008 3G coverage maps, expect to see Orange adverts in the near future featuring solely this…

O2

Orange

Have a look at the full OfCom report on 3G coverage on their site.  Official announcement from Orange here.

UPDATE NOV ’09: Table comparison of O2 vs Orange pricing here from Pocket-Lint.

For related stories on this topic, click here.

Couldn’t resist putting this up.

Trendsmap is a service that layers tags on top of a World map to show what is trending where.  Let’s have a look at the image below:

In the area around London:  Grammar, investment, debate.

Over toward Liverpool: @mrpeterandre .

What does it all mean?

P.S. Feel free to add your own finds as comments below…

Since its announcement two years ago, Google's Android platform has had a bit of an underwhelming start, at least until the last few months when the new HTC Hero handsets seem to have provided a proper backdrop to do it justice.

The platform itself has been bouncing along its Cupcake development branch and the 1.5 update offered a bevy of new improvements in much the same way that companies traditionally do. However, when it comes to features that place it noticeably head and shoulders above the competition, Android has been rather lacking.  

Perhaps Flash is a killer feature for some but it's not the revolution one might hope for.

Google Wave, on the other hand, could be.   Read more »

Some telecoms examples for today's Follow Friday blog post.  Enjoy…

@guyatcarphone - Among generally worthwhile tweets, there are also interesting updates on cellular reception as the network inevitably collapses around the country.  A good idea and worth having on the roster just in case. Example Tweet:

Carphone Warehouse customer service alert: Customers in the DG12 postal code area may currently be experiencing loss of GSM and GPRS service

@sevendotzero - Jonathan Jensen, http://www.sevendotzero.com/ The man knows about mobile things. Bit supporter of .tel and worth quizzing on the subject.  Tends to be at the forefront of breaking news and speaking to the people involved. Example Tweet:

Good chat this morning about developments in WiFi with @mattcooke & @Nick_Sutton. New @ipass stuff happening with iPhone & Blackberry.

@mobileIP - Another example of a Twitter account accompanied by a great blog, "A Look Inside the Cloud".  Really interesting and informed insight into the Telecoms market, goes way beyond the superficial and teaches amateurs like me a thing or two.  It's a hidden gem and based on the content, should be on more peoples' radar. Example Tweet:

OFCOM releases first ever UK 3G coverage map … great news if you're a sailor, less so if you're from Norfolk!http://tinyurl.com/md8g9t

A sprinkling of favourites for my first official Follow Friday blog post.  Enjoy…

@danworth - Journalistic chap who tweets those interesting thoughts that pop up throughout the day.  Also has an interesting blog on things like books, journalism and crisps.

Example Tweet:

In movies most aliens never wear clothes or shoes. Why do we think they will evolve to inter-space travel and yet remain naked?4:14 PM Sep 2nd from web

@brokenbottleboy - Having spent a stolen weekend in Reading with this chap, I can attest that he “knows things”.  Expect a regular stream of solid tech content and pay a visit to his tumblr blog for the best use I’ve ever seen of the platform.

Example Tweet:

The Chinese translation of McDonalds’ I’m Lovin It slogan is “I just like it” That’s much nearer my real feelings.about 19 hours ago from twhirl

@AsimQureshi – Fellow AxiCommer downstairs on the consumer team.  Regular and jovial comments on tech news with a chirpy slant and the odd football tweet thrown in…

Example Tweet:

Could this be the BEST iPhone advert…ever? http://tr.im/xNgXI think so! (via @thenextweb)about 18 hours ago from web