Monday, February 14, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

3 Android NEC Tablets Shown at MWC 2011: Video

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 02:36 PM PST

More Android tablets I hear you groan, yes well these particular Android tablets from NEC are destined for Japan, but apparently NEC is looking to gain popularity with these three Android tablets with a view to delivering them to Europe and the US at some stage.

According to an article over on Phandroid there is a standard Android tablet that’s already available, another with a keyboard which will be available this week and the third is a dual-screen tablet which will be available at some point in the future.

In the video below the first tablet that is demonstrated is the dual-screen version and special multi-tasking features while the second tablet demoed is basically a netbook come laptop.

Apparently the NEC tablets don't come running Android 3.0 Honeycomb so that may be a bit of a deal breaker considering the likes of the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and LG Optimus Pad will all be launching with Honeycomb.

Still as they say a tablet is a tablet but it’s not often you see one sporting twin displays, so head on down and mash that play button to check out these NEC Android tablets…enjoy.

Samsung Galaxy S 4G T-Mobile Release Date and Price Revealed

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 02:07 PM PST

For those that have been waiting for the 4G version of the T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant, the Samsung Galaxy S 4G smartphone the word is today T-Mobile announced the availability and pricing for the Android 2.2 Froyo handset.

According to an article over on the Boy Genius Report, T-Mobile announced via their official Twitter account that the Samsung Galaxy S 4G will release as of the 23rd of this month and command a price tag of some $149.99 for a limited time.

Here’s what T-Mobile tweeted…” Arriving 2/23: Galaxy S 4G, the fastest smartphone on America's Largest 4G Network. $149.99 (limited time).http://goo.gl/iBUv3″

The successor to the T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant is virtually a replica of the original Vibrant but now supports HSPA+ and with the addition of a front facing camera.

Apparently the Samsung Galaxy S 4G will be available via T-Mobile retail, online and leading national retailers including RadioShack, Costco, Best Buy, Sams Club, Walmart and Target Mobile.

So any of our Samsung Vibrant owners considering upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy 4G as of the 23rd?

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Gaming Demo Videos

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 01:33 PM PST

For the gamer out there that just might be thinking of snapping up the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play smartphone once it becomes available, we have a few gaming demo videos for your viewing pleasure below, four videos in all.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play gaming videos come our way courtesy of the guys over at Daily Mobile and of course by way of Sony Ericsson’s YouTube page and are of Dungeon Defenders: Second Wave, lasting just over a minute, Galaxy on Fire 2 lasting again just over the minute mark.

Then we have soccer game FiFa 10 lasting just over two minutes and lastly Gun Brothers, which last almost two minutes of Android Sony Ericsson Xperia Play gaming action.

All the games running on the PlayStation phone were of course taken during the Sony Ericsson press conference at Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona, so head on down, mash that play button and enjoy.

Acer ICONIA SMART Big Screen Smartphone Unveiled at MWC 2011

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 10:04 AM PST

While rumour has it that Apple may be gone smaller with their iOS gear, Acer is moving in the opposite direction and has pushed out a bigger screen smartphone called the Acer ICONIA SMART, an android handset with a whopping 4.8 inch display.

According to an article over on Phone Dog, and by way of Phandroid, Acer announced the ICONIA SMART handset today at Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona, which sports a 4.8 inch 1024 x 480 screen with 21:9 aspect ratio.

Spec wise other than that large display the Acer ICONIA SMART offers an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p video, a 2 megapixel front facing camera, Qualcomm MSM 8255-1 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS and 8GB internal storage.

Apparently Acer has stated that be delivering the larger display on the handset they are hoping to deliver “the capabilities of a tablet in a smartphone format.”

Word is the Acer ICONIA SMART should release in April or May in Europe followed by the United States in either June or July.

Just how large can a smartphone display go before it is classed as a tablet I’m not too sure, but do our readers think smartphone displays should get bigger and bigger or is there really a limit?

Microsoft Actually Pays Nokia To Use Windows Phone 7

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 07:46 AM PST

Ever wondered why Nokia decided to go with Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 platform rather than Android? Maybe it has something to do with that Microsoft will be shelling out billions of bucks to get Windows Phone 7 adopted by Nokia.

According to an article over on Apple Insider by way of The Seattle TImes, during MWC 2011, Nokia boss Stephen Elop admitted that Microsoft is handing over billions to make the switch to Windows Phone after Nokia stock fell 14% when the partnership was announced.

Apparently Elop stated that the payments from Microsoft are to acknowledge the “substantial value to contribute” that Nokia will bring to Microsoft, and that Nokia will still pay royalties for using Windows Phone 7 as standard practice.

Apparently Elop was asked if he was a “Trojan horse” meaning Elop was an ex-Microsoft employee who joined Nokia to steer them towards Windows Phone 7, to which Elop answered “The obvious answer is ‘No’ Thanks for asking.”

There have been claims that Google pay smartphone makers to use the Android platform but thus far no figures of such a deal have shown up.

So perhaps the real reason behind Nokia going with Windows Phone 7 over Android was simply because Microsoft offered more cash? What are our reader’s views on this matter?

LG and YouTube Team to Deliver 3D Video Uploads

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 06:43 AM PST

When you take a video on your smartphone sometimes you like to upload that video to video sharing website YouTube, but with the new 3D technology coming to the mobile area will you be able to upload your 3D video to YouTube?

Well the answer to that is yes, as according to an article over on TechnoBuffalo, LG has now partnered with YouTube to deliver 3D video uploading to their website ahead of the release of the LG Optimus 3D of course.

According to LG…"The new partnership is part of a broader push into 3D entertainment by LG and the world's largest online video community. YouTube and LG collaborated to enable the delivery and sharing of 3D video onto mobile devices in a way that makes it simple and easy for consumers."

President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, Dr. Jong-seok Park, says…"The Optimus 3D is LG's newest flagship smartphone. It is our answer to two major pain points of the current 3D experience – limited mobility and specialized glasses. Furthermore, our partnership with YouTube will ensure that our customers can easily generate and access ample 3D content.”

Thus when you record video with your 3D enabled LG Android handset you will be able to upload that 3D footage to YouTube, however to view 3D videos on YouTube the viewer will still require 3D glasses, but when viewing that 3D video on your smartphone 3D glasses will not be required.

Naturally the first handset that will benefit from the new partnership will of course be the LG Optimus 3D once it sees release. So will you be joining the 3D video revolution and uploading your 3D footage to YouTube in the not too distant future?

MWC 2011: LG Optimus 3D Handled on Video

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 06:21 AM PST

For the LG faithful out there that may have a hankering to grab the LG Optimus 3D smartphone once it sees release we have some hands-on footage with the LG Optimus 3D during Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona for your viewing pleasure below.

The LG Optimus 3D coverage comes our way courtesy of Aaron Baker of Phone Dog who is at MWC in Barcelona and delivers a nice four minutes of getting up close with what LG calls their “super smartphone.”

Spec wise the LG Optimus 3D offers the user a 4.3 inch touch screen, twin 5 megapixel cameras to deliver 3D recording, front facing camera, 1GHz TI dual-core dual-channel OMAP processor, the ability to shoot non-3D video in 1080p while 3D video is 720p, runs Android 2.2 Froyo at outset but upgradeable to Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

If you want to check out all the tech talk on how 3D is achieved on video, pictures and 3D gaming head on down mash that play button and check out this hands-on at MWC 2011 with the LG Optimus 3D smartpehone…enjoy.

Motorola Droid X2 Specs Revealed and Pictured

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 05:59 AM PST

There are quite a few sequel devices coming out in the near future, the Samsung Galaxy S 2, the Apple iPad 2, HTC Wildfire 2, to name but a few, and the Motorola Droid X isn't about to lose out on that 2nd version either it would seem.

According to an article over on Phone Dog, the sequel device to the original Motorola Droid X, the Motorola Droid X2 has been spotted in the wild by the guys over at The MobiZone along with a nice list of specs.

Those Motorola Droid X2 specs are…a 4.3 inch qHD touch screen, 8 megapixel camera, Android 2.2 Froyo on release but upgradeable to Android 2.3 Gingerbread, new MotorBlur, 1GHz Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, FM radio and 3G connectivity but no LTE.

From the looks of it, it appears there isn’t a great deal of change from the Motorola Droid X when it comes to design, and as for release date, there’s apparently a possibility that the Motorola Droid X2 just might see release in the second quarter.

So what do our Motorola Droid X toting readers think of the Motorola Droid X2, has it captured your eye and making you think it might be worth upgrading to once it arrives?

Nokia Talking with Verizon for Possible CDMA Devices

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 05:26 AM PST

Looks like Nokia may be wanting to break into the carrier market, especially as their future smartphones will sport the Windows Phone 7 platform, and the word is Nokia is in negotiations with Verizon Wireless as a possible carrier of Nokia devices.

According to an article over on Slash Gear, Stephen Elop, the CEO of Nokia has confirmed that they have had talks with the Big Red, although have no plans to announce anything just yet the possibility of Nokia CDMA handsets is on the cards.

Other than that not a great deal is known, but no doubt part of the deal with Microsoft was probably Nokia would need to begin getting their smartphone onto carriers rather than just being offered SIM free.

Elop apparently denied that Nokia’s relationships with North American carriers is somewhat poor, saying… "We don't have bad relationships with carriers, we spoke throughout this process with them. We have an obligation to put competitive products into the marketplace – we had a Symbian device, which co-operatively we had worked with the AT&T folks. [AT&T] didn't think it was competitive, relative to iPhone and Android; the indication from them was "you're not going to get a lot of love, sorry.”

Whatever the reasons, it appears that Nokia is trying to get future handsets to be offered by carriers, and is apparently “considering everything.”

So what do our readers think about Nokia devices possibly being offered by Verizon in future, good or bad idea?

Motorola Xoom to Release in Europe in 2nd Quarter

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 05:05 AM PST

For those of your who may have a hankering to snap up the new Android 3.0 Honeycomb Motorola Xoom when it finally sees release over here in Europe, you just might like to know roughly when you’ll be seeing the tablet his European shores.

Well according to an article over on Slash Gear and by way of Android Community, Motorola has announced Europeans are likely to see the release of the Motorola Xoom sometime in the second quarter, so not too far away then.

Motorola will apparently release both the WiFi only and WiF + 3G Motorola Xoom model’s to Europe, although they didn't come forward with an specific release date or any word on what the tablet will set European customers back.

Quick general spec reminder in case for some reason you’ve missed them…10.1-inch HD touch screen, 1GHz dual-core processor, 5 megapixel rear camera with 720p video, 2 megapixel front facing camera, HDMI out, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, and barometer, Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction and a battery that delivers up to 10 hours video playback.

BlackBerry Travel App Coming From RIM

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 04:15 AM PST

For all you travelling BlackBerry smartphone users out there it appears you are about to gain a new travel app, which is currently in the test centre of BlackBerry App World and is called BlackBerry Travel, which apparently will make it easy to plan, manage, book and share your travel itineraries.

According to an article over on Benzinga, the Senior Vice President, Software and Services at RIM, Jim Tobin, says… “The BlackBerry Travel app is set to be the next must-have tool for travelers, offering convenient push notifications and seamless integration of travel itineraries, profiles, and flight status updates into the familiar BlackBerry Calendar.”

The BlackBerry Travel app automatically updates when a new booking confirmation hits the users inbox, whilst user’s can also have their calendars auto-populated with itineraries once they have been confirmed.

Apparently the BlackBerry Travel app can also identify scheduling concerns and omissions with itineraries like timing conflicts and absent accommodation and deliver suggestions to the user.

The BlackBerry Travel app also features, hotel booking, local searches, currency conversion, weather forecasts, and the ability to share travel info via email and via LinkdIn, and also has a desktop component that enables the user to print itineraries, rent a car, and book flights from their computer.

The BlackBerry Travel app is a beta version available to download from BlackBerry App World as a free download to your device.

RIM BlackBerry PlayBook to Release 2 Additional HSPA+ and LTE Models

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 03:29 AM PST

Although we still haven’t seen the release of the Research In Motion BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, it appears the device isn't the only version that will come out to play as RIM have a couple of other BlackBerry PlayBook 4G models gearing up to launch in the not too distant future.

According to an article over on Ubergizmo, Research In Motion has announced they are to deliver 2 additional versions of the BlackBerry PlayBook, model to play nice on the LTE network and a model of play on the HSPA+ network.

The announcement of the two additional versions brings the BlackBerry PlayBook versions up to 4, a WiFi only version, a BlackBerry PlayBook 4G with WiFi and WiMAX, BlackBerry PlayBook 4G with LTE and BlackBerry PlayBook 4G with HSPA+.

Furthermore RIM has now confirmed all BlackBerry PlayBook version will support BlackBerry Bridge, Mobile Hotspot and Bluetooth tethering.

President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion, Mike Lazaridis, has said…” We are now building on the BlackBerry PlayBook's many advantages with support for additional 4G networks that will allow enhanced business opportunities for carriers and developers and unparalleled mobile experiences for users.”

Apparently the two new BlackBerry PlayBook 4G versions are scheduled for launch sometime in the 2nd half of 2011.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 Tour and Hands-on Videos

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 03:07 AM PST

Well with Samsung and Sony Ericsson shoving out all the info on their devices yesterday obviously we’ll be bringing you a few videos today and the couple we have for your now is of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, which is now being called the Samsung galaxy Tab 10.1.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 footage comes our way courtesy of the guys over at Daily Mobile and delivers firstly a tour of the device by Phone Scoop which lasts just over a minute and then a hands-on with the tablet by Noah Kravitz of TechnoBuffalo which lasts just over six minutes.

Spec wise the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 obviously sports a 10.1-inch display, Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS, 8 megapixel camera with flash and 1080p video capable, 2 megapixel front facing camera, NVIDIA dual-core Tegra 2 processor, headphone jack, and SIM card slot.

Unfortunately Samsung hasn’t come forward with any pricing or availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab10.1 tablet or which markets will see release of the device first.

So if you are of a mind to pick up the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 once is does see release, head on down and check out the video footage…enjoy.

MWC 2011 Video: Samsung Galaxy S 2 Hands on

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 02:21 AM PST

We all knew it would be coming, and the device has been leaked all over the show, and now Samsung has now gone all official with the next generation Samsung Galaxy S smartphone the aptly named although unoriginal, Samsung Galaxy S 2.

And w have a little hands-on video footage of the Samsung Galaxy S 2 smartphone for your viewing pleasure courtesy of the guys over at Engadget who managed to grab a little playtime with the handset at Mobile World Congress 2011.

You are probably already aware of the specs for the handset, but they have now been confirmed as a 4.27-inch Super AMOLED Plus touch screen, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, TouchWiz 4.0 UI, an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video and a 2 megapixel front facing snapper, 1GB RAM,and apparently the handset comes sporting a Samsung 1HGz processor and not an NVIDIA Tegra 2.

Release wise apparently the Samsung Galaxy S 2 will hit European and Asian markets possible this month although currently there’s no word on if or when North America will see release of the device.

That’s your lot, all you need do hit jump on down and check out that Samsung Galaxy S 2 hands on footage, and feel free to express your desires for the device or not to our comments area below…enjoy.

Man Sues Walmart Over Fake Apple iPad: Video

Posted: 14 Feb 2011 01:57 AM PST

Now when you walk into a store and purchase the Apple iPad when you get home and unwrap the device you expect to get a working Apple iPad right? Well apparently a guy unwrapped the device he purchased from Walmart only to find it was a fake.

Apparently the man claims he opened his Apple iPad box to find a dummy iPad and so he returned the device to the Walmart store and asked for a refund, to which Walmart refused and apparently claim that the customer swapped the real iOS device for a fake before returning it.

We have a video of the fake Apple iPad story for your viewing pleasure below courtesy of the guys over at Daily iPhone Blog and by way of the PugLifeLinin YouTube page, and show the differences bewteeen the dummy and the real article.

The guy is apparently taking legal steps to retrieve his cash for the device he says he’s adamant Walmart sold him the fake. Personally I’d say anyone who purchases an Apple iPad or other device from any store should open the box at the store to make sure everything is as it should be.

Head on down and hit that play button to check out the story, and feel free to voice your opinions on whether you think the guys is trying to pull a fast one or not.
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