Friday, March 11, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

Mobile Postage Stamps via Text Messages Announced

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 11:03 AM PST

It has recently been announced that on the 1 April the Danish post office will be bringing in a new system, whereby people can send a text to the post office and receive a code back, which they then write on their envelope (in the area where the stamp would normally go) and this is then accepted in place of a stamp.

Patrick Goss of techradar.com, explains that you text the word porto to the 1900 number and are then sent a code back.

Could this mean the end to the stamp?

According to the BBC, Henrik Larsen, a spokesman for the Post Danmark said the service was not intended to replace stamps.

I’m not so sure, as the use of email is now becoming more and more common place as a means of contact, the need to purchase stamps from the Post Office is normally very infrequent and with this service, if you do need to send a letter you no longer need to purchase a stamp.

Is this just the beginning to a number of services we will soon be able to obtain via our mobile phones. See Mark’s earlier post on printable coupons via iPhone app.

Please let us know your thoughts on this mobile postage stamp service below and also of any services you would like to be able to obtain via your mobile phone in the future.

Star Stepper Windows Phone 7 Game Now Available

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 08:20 AM PST

If you are one of the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 faithful and into playing games on your chosen smartphone you might like to learn that there is now a new WP7 certified action platformer game available on the WP7 Marketplace.

The new WP7 game is called Star Stepper, a platform jumping game that is addictive whilst being in “the spirit of Doodle Jump”. In Star Stepper for Windows Phone 7 the user helps Astro Joe to escape the gravity well of a blue dwarf.

The user gets Astro Joe to bounce up steps but he has to be careful as there are many dangers along the way such as asteroids and bombs along with other surprises, but the question is how far can you take Astro Joe?

Control wise Star Stepper delivers tilting action to controls Joe’s direction, whilst touching and holding the screen deliver a temporary rocket boost that also delivers invulnerability. There is also access to the worldwide leaderboard so the user can share their scores.

We have a quick video demo of Star Stepper for Windows Phone 7 for your viewing pleasure below courtesy of the developer/publisher Cap’n Code, so check out the action and if you wish to grab Star Stepper you can download the game for free (ad supported) from the WP7 Marketplace.

Android Tegra 2 Devices to Gain PlayStation Suite

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 07:52 AM PST

A little while ago the NVIDIA Tegra Zone application was launched and apparently the app includes some info related to Sony, and that info is that Sony’s PlayStation Suite will come to Tegra 2 devices at some point.

According to an article over on Engadget by way of Android And Me, via Tweekers, the same PS Suite that will deliver PlayStations One games to the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play will be hitting other Android Tegra 2 smartphones and tablets later in the year.

Apparently which Terga 2 devices that will gain the PS Suite hasn’t been said but a couple of PS One games have come to light such as Syphon Filter, Cool Boarders 2 and Wild Arms, which are expected to be ready later this year.

However according to the guys of Engadget they couldn’t confirm said claims that PlayStation 2 games will at some point be released on Android devices.

So there it is for what it’s worth, it looks like at some point in the future certain Tegra 2 sporting Android devices will be able to play nice with PSOne games but it remains unclear whether PS2 games will follow.

A New Nokia X3 Touch and Type Possibly Pictured

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 05:47 AM PST

A picture of a new Nokia smartphone has found its way onto the net, which is reportedly presumed to be a new Nokia X3 Touch and Type handset due to the device resembling the Nokia C5-03 but with a vertical sliding keyboard albeit a standard one and not a QWERTY.

There are currently two Nokia Touch and Type smartphones the Nokia C3-01 and the Nokia X3-02 according to Florin of Unwired View by way of Fone Arena, and apparently the picture of the new device was posted by French site Test-mobile.

There’s not a great deal of information available on the device other than apparently it runs Nokia’s S40 UI and the originator says it is another Nokia X3 model, but other than that nothing else is known.

It is assumed that if this device is indeed another Nokia X3xx Touch and Type handset, Nokia may announce the device pretty soon. So what do you reckon, do we need another Nokia Touch and Type handset out there?

iOS 4.3 Against 4.2 Safari Speed Test Video

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 05:16 AM PST

So just how much faster is iOS 4.3 when compared to iOS 4.2 using Safari? Well you can find out as we have a little iOS Safari speed test performance on the iPhone 4 video for your viewing pleasure below, and done over AT&T 3G.

The iOS 4.3 versus iOS 4.2 Safari speed test video comes our way courtesy of the guys over at Daily iPhone Blog and by way of YouTube user Samlaxrocks and delivers just over three minutes of testing the speed of both iOS versions.

When you check out the footage below both iOS’s are neck and neck but iOS 4.3 does appear to be somewhat faster over iOS 4.2, especially when it comes to loading mobile websites.

So there you have it, iOS 4.3 is definitely faster loading pages in Safari that iOS 4.2 over a 3G AT&T connection anyway. So all you need do now is head on down and check out the footage, oh and if anyone has done this test over WiFi feel free to share your findings in our comments area below.

HTC Inspire 4G on AT&T Advert

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:41 AM PST

Although not considered to be in the same realms as the Motorola Atrix 4G or even the HTC Thunderbolt, the HTC Inspire 4G is a 4G enabled smartphone that won't hit your pocket as hard as the other handsets.

AT&T recently touted their HTC Inspire 4G handset in an advert and we have that advert for your viewing pleasure below courtesy of the guys over at Phone Arena, by way of Android Guys and ShareATT and lasts the usual time allotted for a commercial.

It appears AT&T have gone for laughs when promoting the HTC Inspire 4G having a supposed cop running whilst touting the Android 2.2 Froyo smartphone which sports high end specs whilst having a mid-rage price of $99.

Perhaps if you are in the market for a 4G handset and have become fed up waiting for the release of the HTC Thunderbolt maybe the HTC Inspire 4G would make a suitable alternative, anyway head on down and mash that play button to check out the advert for the HTC inspire 4G…enjoy.

HTC Thunderbolt Crazy Statistics for Release Date: The Reason

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:16 AM PST

We are going to push against the boundaries and give you our HTC Thunderbolt crazy statistics for release date, wonder if our reason is true?

Let's think out of the box today and talk about the thunderbolt, we all know that a thunderbolt is a discharge of lightning with thunder, flash and bang is what we call it. Now you are wondering where we are going with this and we would like to know if Verizon is actually using history and science to determine when the new smartphone will release or indeed they are having problems.

Now we will step back in history and look at some numbers, Benjamin Franklin was on Earth between 1706 – 1790 and knowing that a thunderbolt is a discharge of lightning Mr. Franklin tested the theory that sparks had similar polarities with lightning and the test he done was using a spire that was erected in United States.

So the numbers 1706 and 1790 is what we have so far, one thunderstorm happened in 1752 and some more tests occurred, which we will not go into, our theory is about numbers. Franklin wrote his autobiography written 1771–1788, first published 1790.

So far the numbers are 1706, 1771, 1788 and 1790, now moving onto more numbers an average bolt of lightning can carry 30,000 amperes (“amps”) — 30 “kiloamps” (kA) of electric current.

This is just a quick numbers statistic game, so far we have 1706, 1771, 1788 and 1790, 30,000 amperes, and 30 kiloamps. Are we looking into things a little too deep to come up with the number 17 and 3, 17 March?

If we look at these numbers and keep the crazy head on could the HTC THUNDERBOLT release date be March 17th? Just a thought and hopefully our above madness comes to light and this is the official release.

The numbers above are via Wikipedia, the crazy mind is from phonesreview.co.uk

Apple iPad 2 Available to Purchase Online Now

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:57 AM PST

If you want it go get it, yes folks the Apple iPad 2 is apparently available to purchase online as of right now a tad earlier than Apple said, but earlier is better, and all versions of the iOS device can be bought.

According to an article over on Slash Gear, potential Apple iPad 2 customers can grab the WiFi only, the WiFi + 3G, AT&T and Verizon versions in either black or white and has US shipping listed as three to five business days.

Apparently in what is presumed an attempt to avoid rapid stock depletion Apple has limited purchases of the second generation iOS tablet to only two units per customer, so if you want more than two you’ll have to wait a while or try getting another from somewhere else.

I’m sure by now you already know what the Apple iPad 2 will set you back but in case you’ve missed it, the WiFi only 16GB is $499, 32GB is $599, 64GB $699, while the WiFi +3G 16GB is $629, 32GB $729 and 64GB is $829.

So what are you waiting for, you’ve waited long enough for the latest piece of Apple tech to become available so jump to it and go grab the Appl iPad 2 from the Online Apple Store.

Samsung Promotes Galaxy Tab With New Advert

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:35 AM PST

As you are no doubt aware Samsung will soon be pushing out the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and presumably followed up with their mid-sized Galaxy Tab the 8.9-inch model, but it looks like Samsung doesn't want people to forget about the original Samsung Galaxy Tab just yet.

Old Sammy is again promoting their original Samsung Galaxy Tab with a new advert for the portable Android device, and we have that advert for your viewing pleasure below courtesy of the guys over at Ubergizmo and by way of the Samsung Mobile USA YouTube page.

The new Galaxy Tab advert lasts the usual 30-odd seconds and shows off what the user can do with the device. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab currently runs Android 2.2 Froyo and if Sammy doesn't push out an update to Android 3.0 Honeycomb before too long then the Android faithful will probably bypass the Galaxy Tab for something like the Motorola Xoom.

Perhaps Sammy decided to tout the Galaxy Tab in the face of the Apple iPad 2 as no doubt the iPad 2 will get all the glory for a while yet. Have to say the Samsung Galaxy Tab does look a handy size though. Anyway head on down and check out that new advert for the Samsung Galaxy Tab…enjoy.

Motorola Xoom Flash 10.2 OTA Update: Android 3.0.1

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:13 AM PST

The Motorola Xoom tablet PC is getting an OTA update tonight that will give preparation and enhancements to Adobe Flash 10.2 and upgrade the Xoom to Android 3.0.1.

If you check out the Motorola Mobility tweet over on Twitter you will see a message reading "Motorola XOOM update rolling out in phases starting tonight & includes required enhancements to support upcoming Adobe Flash Player 10.2."

Some new fixes and changes is going to happen tonight so be ready, apparently some of the fixing issues will surround daylight savings time glitch. We will let you know more about this update when it goes live. Source – Android Community and DeviceMag

Google Nexus S 14 Day Price Reduction By Best Buy

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 02:05 AM PST

If you are in the market for picking up an Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone and perhaps thinking of snapping up the Google Nexus S but have thought the handset was too expensive, now might be a good time to hit Best Buy.

According to an article over on Engadget by Donald Melanson, Best Buy is offering a little incentive to purchase the Google Nexus S handset by reducing the asking price by a sweet 100 bucks when signing on for the usual 2-year agreement.

However you’ll need to act soon as the price reduction on the Google Nexus S at Best Buy began yesterday and runs for just 14 days so will end on the 23rd of March.

Apparently the deal is in-store only and you will require a coupon to get that $100 reduction bringing the price down to just 99.99 on the T-Mobile network. So does this new lower price for the Android toting Nexus S tempt any of our readers?

Printable Coupons via iPhone App: Save Money

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 01:42 AM PST

Everyone loves shopping and saving money is something we all like to achieve and you can do exactly this with Coupons.com iPhone app, it also has printable coupons that you can print direct for your smartphone.

Main Features Include: Email coupons to print from a computer, Get all the same coupons you see on Coupons.com, Print coupons directly from your Apple iPhone or iPod touch, Find local coupons for businesses in your area and you can even add coupons directly to your grocery store Savings Card.

If you do wish to print coupons directly form your iOS devices you may experience networking or printing problems if Bluetooth is turned on, hopefully this does not happen to you. For more information and option to download please visit iTunes.

Real Racing 2 HD and Infinity Blade Optimised for Apple iPad 2

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 01:40 AM PST

Naturally as the Apple iPad 2 is due release, iOS developers are in the process of optimising their apps to play nice on the new iOS tablet, one developer has already launched an optimised version while another is expected to launch today.

According to an article over on MacRumors, Firemint has now launched Real Racing 2 HD, an iPad 2 optimised version of the mobile game that includes “full-screen anti-aliasing, completely revamped Castellona track with extreme quality textures and models, flexible save system, enhanced reflections, incredibly detailed objects and surfaces, and more.”

Next ChAIR/Epic Games have announced they are to launch an Apple iPad 2 optimised version of their popular Infinity Blade iOS game, which should hit the App Store sometime today. The updated version of Infinity Blade includes “high-resolution graphics that utilize the enhanced visual capabilities of the iPad 2.”

For those wishing to purchase the optimised version of Real Racing 2 HD for their Apple iPad 2 you can download it right now from iTunes at a cost of $9.99, while the current iPad version of Infinity Blade can still be purchased for $5.99 until the updated version is released.

iPhone 5 Design Mold Engineering Drawings Revealed

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 12:58 AM PST

The next expected big reveal from the Apple camp is of course the next generation iPhone, and a few mold engineering drawings have recently hit the net waves which reportedly show the design of the iPhone 5 to be virtually the same as the iPhone 4.

According to an article over on 9to5 Mac, by way of MacRumors, Chinese site iDealsChina have posted what they claim to be mold engineering drawings of the new iOS smartphone that design wise resembles the current iPhone 4 with a couple of additions.

According to the drawings the iPhone 5 has a larger display and the previously reported thinner bezel allowing an almost edge-to-edge display.

Here’s what was posted…” We just got what appears to be mold engineering drawings for iPhone 5. These would be used by case designers to create plastic, TPU, aluminum, silicone and leather cases. A while back we hear rumors that iPhone 5 would have a curved back but these images show iPhone 5 with the same form factor as iPhone 4 but with an edge to edge screen.”

Although there is no real confirmation that the drawings are genuine, if they are then it shouldn't be long before we start seeing case manufacturers coming up with cases for the iPhone 5.

So if all turns out to be spot on it looks like the iPhone 5 will have that almost edge-to-edge display, but generally be the same as the current iPhone 4, but what do our readers think about that thinner bezel, would it cause problems for users?
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