Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

PwnageTool: Tethered iOS 4.3.1 Jailbreak, What You Need

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 10:17 AM PDT

Now there are a number of reasons why owners of iOS devices might consider getting the latest jailbreak for their device.

The new version of Cydia, which is an unsanctioned app store could be one of these reasons. If you have recently upgraded your device to iOS 4.3.1 and are interested in a large amount of free and paid apps that have been banned by Apple, for instance some skins and interface enhancements then this jailbreak could be for you.

As reported by the guys at 9to5mac, this jailbreak uses the new PwnageTool 2.0.1 that was released by the iPhone-Dev team. However, please note that this latest jailbreak is tethered at the moment, which means that each time your device is restarted it has to be tethered to a computer, whereby an untethered jailbreak does not require you to do this process.

In order for you get the jailbreak on to your device, you will need a Mac, the latest iOS 4.3.1 firmware, iTunes 10.2.1, PwnageTool 4.2, PwnageTool bundle for iOS 4.3.1, tetheredboot utility and Universal Ramdisk Fixer. If you have all these requirements, then why not visit Redmond Pie for the step by step instructions.

For more information on jailbreaks for iOS devices why not visit James' previous posts on iTunes Jailbreakers and the Apple iPad 2 getting Jailbroken or Mark's post on iOS 4.3 Gold Master getting Jailbroken.

iPhone 5 Not at WWDC, Early Next Year Release

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 08:06 AM PDT

Well now we’ve just posted word that Apple has now gone all official with the dates for their Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco, when most are expecting the unveiling of the next generation iPhone, the iPhone 5.

However according to an article over on 9to5 Mac, Jim Dalrymple of The Loop is reporting that no Apple hardware will be unveiled during this years WWDC so that means no new Apple iPads, Macs or iPhones, including the iPhone 5.

As reported, WWDC 2011 will concentrate on iOS and Mac OS so it looks like Apple is breaking with their usual pattern for launching new iPhone handsets.

This seems to be further confirmed by Japanese website Macotakara who reports that production of the iPhone 5 will not go into mass production until later this year and intimates an early 2012 launch for the iPhone 5.

Of course Apple did release the Verizon iPhone not too long ago, and there’s rumour that the white iPhone 4 is coming sometime in spring, so perhaps Apple has decided that June is not the right time to release the 5th generation handset.

If true will you be disappointed if Apple doesn't come out with the iPhone 5 during WWDC 2011?

WWDC 2011 Official Dates Announced by Apple

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 07:43 AM PDT

For the iOS faithful who enjoy all things Apple, Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference 2011 dates have now been given Apple’s official stamp and will apparently run from the 6th June though the 10th of June.

According to an article over on MacWorld, WWDC 2011 will as usual take place at the Moscone West Centre in San Francisco and will apparently concentrate on both iOS and Mac OS.

According to Apple, the senior VP of worldwide product marketing, Phil Schiller said in the PR "At this year's conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS. If you are an iOS or Mac OS X software developer, this is the event that you do not want to miss."

Apparently developers wishing to attend WWDC 2011 can purchase tickets from the Apple Developer website which will hit your pocket for a hefty $1600, but you’ll need to be pretty swift as last year tickets sold out within a week.

I guess the big question is whether Apple will unveil the much-rumoured iPhone 5 during WWDC 201, something most expects to happen but with Apple nothing is a certainty.

LG Optimus Big Possibly Launching in Korea

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 07:11 AM PDT

It appears that there’s a new Optimus smartphone coming out of the LG camp, the device apparently has the codename of the LG Optimus Big and is said to sport the same Nova display tech found on the LG Optimus Black.

According to the guys over on Phone Arena and by way of Korean website Xportsnews, the LG Optimus Big will sport a single-core 1GHz processor, a 4.3-inch display and feature a T-DMB TV tuner and the word is the LG Optimus Big should show up on the LG U+ carrier sometime next month.

Other than those details mentioned there’s not a lot known about LG’s latest Optimus smartphone and of course there’s no word on whether the LG Optimus Big will ever leave Korean shores, or any word on pricing.

According to the Phone Arena article when they compared the Nova display against Super AMOLED, ClearBlack AMOLED and Retina Display, the Nova display with its 700 nits of brightness outshone them all; so more on the LG Optimus Big as and when we hear it.

Android Honeycomb Google Nexus Tablet On Cards Possibly from LG

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 06:28 AM PDT

As you are no doubt aware Google has their own smartphones with the Nexus One and Nexus S hansets, but what about a tablet? Well apparently the Google guys intend on pushing out a Google Nexus tablet at some point if the rumour is correct.

According to an article over on the Boy Genius Report, Russian tech site Mobile-review claims that Google has tasked LG to manufacture a Nexus tablet that will apparently run Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

Furthermore apparently the Google Nexus tablet should be ready by “mid-summer or early autumn” but other than that little piece of rumour nothing else is known at this point and that there is always a possibility Google has commissioned the device as an in-house prototype for development purposes.

Apparently according to the article HTC wasn’t interested because they use HTC Sense for their tablets. So if Google was to come up with a Nexus Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet would people be interested in it or more to the point would a Nexus tablet be able to stand up to other Honeycomb tablets and the Apple iPad 2.

Still as it is, it’s all just rumour at the moment, so we’ll keep out eyes and ears to the ground and if anything develops will pass it along.

So what do you reckon, after Google’s attempt with the Nexus One do you think they should try and enter the tablet space with a Nexus tablet?

Android Apps Can Be Previewed on Amazon Appstore Only US Though

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 05:47 AM PDT

As most know Amazon has now launched their Android app store in the US, but international Android users can’t download those Android apps to their smartphone, which is somewhat of a pain if certain apps don’t end up in the Android Market like Angry Birds Rio.

However US Android users can now apparently check out app before purchasing them as according to an article over on Slash Gear, by way of Android Community, the Amazon Appstore enables users to “test drive” certain Android app on their PC, thus delivering a preview of what the app would work like.

Currently there are roughly 20 Android app available for people to check out via the Amazon test drive program, and again something that isn’t available to Android users outside the US of A, (does Amazon have something against international Android users?)

Apparently a user can click on an app and a pop up windows appears that you can use the app for roughly 30 minutes and you use your mouse rather than a touch screen to work the app.

Like I said, if you are outside the US don't bother trying the test drive program because the “test drive” button doesn't show up for UK users anyway. Perhaps it’s about time Amazon made their Appstore available via their UK and other international sites as well.

HTC EVO 3D Unlocked Up For Pre-order Already

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 05:06 AM PDT

Well now, for those that are of a mind to snap up the new HTC EVO 3D smartphone once it comes out to play it would appear that if you wish to have the Android 2.3 Gingerbread handset as an unlocked version you can pre-order the device already.

According to an article over on Pocket Now, etailer MobileCity Online have placed the unlocked HTC EVO 3D up for pre-order carrying a price tag of some $699.99 without contract or activation.

The etailer lists the specs of the HTC EVO 3D as GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 900/1900/2100, 4.3-inch 3D S-LCD touch screen, 5 megapixel camera, 1.3 megapixel secondary camera, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, Android 2.3 OS, and microSD expansion up to 32GB.

Apparently when you pre-order the HTC EVO 3D from the etailer you’ll get free shipping when the device becomes available although the device will not carry any warranty in the US.

So are any of the Android faithful tempted to pre-order the HTC EVO 3D unlocked for 700 bucks, or would you rather wait for a carrier version to go up for pre-order?

HTC EVO 3D and Samsung Galaxy S II HDMI Via MHL: Video

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 04:45 AM PDT

You may or may not be aware that the new HTC EVO 3D smartphone doesn’t actually sport an HDMI port, but that doesn't mean you wont be able to send your content to your TV as apparently the HTC EVO 3D doesn’t need an HDMI port to do so.

According to an article over on Phandroid, HTC has partnered MHL, which stands for Mobile High-Definition Link that has a cable adapter that plugs into the handsets microUSB port while on the other end in a HDMI plug, thus changing the microUSB into HDMI.

Apparently all one need to do is plug the cable into the smartphone’ microUSB port and the other end into the HDMI on your TV set and bingo you’re ready to go. Furthermore apparently the cable send video and audio but also charges the device while doing so.

Currently there are only two smartphones that have MHL tech, the HTC EVO 3D and the Samsung Galaxy S II, but there is a downside, even if you have one of the smartphones you will require MHL tech on your TV and thus far the big players in the TV market haven’t come aboard the MHL train.

We have a quick introduction video of MHL for your viewing consideration below if you wish to learn more about the technology. No doubt if MHL catches the eye of the TV maker big boys such as Samsung, Toshiba and Sony more will start incorporating the tech in future.

iPhone UK Time Change Problems Reported

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 03:50 AM PDT

Well apparently the old, old tale of the iPhone experiencing problems handling time changes surfaced again as here in the UK on Saturday Night the old clocks jumped forward an hour for British Summer Time, but apparently some iPhone users handsets didn’t make the change.

According to an article over on 9to5 Mac, the BBC are reporting some iPhone users were late this morning as their iOS device seems to have experienced an issue related to that time change with apparently users receiving their wake up call an hour early, an hour late of no wake up call at all.

Similar issues affected the iPhone in the US of A when they had their time change, something that annoyed US iPhone users greatly and turned to Twitter and Facebook to vent their annoyance on the matter.

It’s unclear just how many UK iPhone users have experienced this fail of the iPhone alarm although apparently not every user was affected.

So we’d like to know if any of our iPhone toting UK readers received their iPhone alarm wake up call at the correct time today, or if your iPhone failed, so shout out whether yours worked fine or not to our comments area below.

Motorola Xoom WiFi Model Gets Root: Video

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 03:26 AM PDT

For those of you that like rooting your mobile devices, if you own the WiFi version of the Android 3.0 Honeycomb touting Motorola Xoom tablet, you can now gain root access to the device so you can tinker to your hearts content.

According to Android Central, the hacking aficionados over at XDA-developers have now released the necessary to root the WiFi-only model of the Motorola Xoom, which involves using an Android SDK along with a certain amount of code knowledge.

Of course if you do choose to gain root access to the Motorola Xoom you will void the tablet’s warranty so if anything should go wrong you’ll be on your own, but if you wish to give it a go you can grab all that’s required from the XDA guys.

We also have a video, which shows how to root the Motorola Xoom WiFi model for those that wish to try courtesy of YouTube user HBGadgetHacks and lasts six and a half minutes, so check that out before going ahead, and if you do give it a go feel free to let us know how you get on…enjoy.

Motorola Droid X Running Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread Video

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 03:02 AM PDT

Well apparently Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread has finally made its way to the Motorola Droid X albeit not via an official route, as apparently an official build of the operating system has been leaked to both the Motorola Droid X and the Motorola Droid 2.

And the guys over at Android Central have come up with a video of Android Gingerbread playing on the Motorola Droid X, which of course we have for your viewing pleasure below that delivers almost five minutes of seeing what Android Gingerbread looks like on the Droid X.

With the leaked Android Gingerbread the Droid X gains a proper dock which houses 3 customisable icons and there’s also an improved app drawer enabling the user to group icons within the drawer which excludes all VCast gear on the handset.

So all you need do now is check out the video below, and if you would like to have a go with Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread on your Droid X you can grab all the necessary by hitting up My Droid World, and if you do feel free to let us know how it goes by dropping us a comment…enjoy.

Android Gingerbread To Play Nice On HTC Thunderbolt By Summer

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 01:50 AM PDT

There seems to be quite a few Android Gingerbread rumours floating around lately and it would appear that the latest is that the HTC Thunderbolt 4G will gain Android 2.3 Gingerbread sometime in the summer.

According to an article over on Android Community, the news of Gingerbread coming out to play on the HTC Thunderbolt came by way of a Thunderbolt user who was troubleshooting a Bluetooth compatibility issue and apparently received an email from an HTC rep.

Apparently the HTC rep emailed that the HTC Thunderbolt would see an update in Q2 that would deliver Android 2.3 Gingerbread to Verizon’s 4G enabled smartphone.

Here’s what was apparently said in the email…” We are excited to announce that the Thunderbolt will receive the Gingerbread update in Q2 2011. Stay tuned for details as we get closer to the update availability.”

However, the word is that Q2 upgrade date is the HTC schedule, but Verizon will need to clear the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update before it is rolled out to the HTC Thunderbolt.

Word has if several refinements will be included with Gingerbread for the Thunderbolt including copy and paste, improved user interface, improved power management, single touch word selection, better graphics management and gaming performance, new media framework, and an open API for native audio along with numerous behind the scenes improvements.

So if all holds true then the HTC Thunderbolt should be playing nice with Android 2.3 Gingerbread sometime summertime, does this make Thunderbolt users overjoyed?

Apple iPad 2 Stock In UK Runs Dry: Got Yours

Posted: 28 Mar 2011 12:46 AM PDT

The latest iOS tablet from the Apple stable went on sale in the UK as of Friday, and it would appear that demand for the Apple iPad 2 was so heavy that UK stock of the device, just 24 hours after becoming available, has been depleted.

According to an article over on Pocket-lint, the guys did some checking with UK stores that were offering the Apple iPad 2 and have found that you just can’t find the Apple tablet still up for grabs across the UK.

Apparently the guys spoke to the Covent Garden and Regent Street Apple flagship stores as well as Tottenham Court Road’s Curry’s and PC World along with Oxford Street’s Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U and all have run out of stock.

The guys can also confirm that Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester along with all premium Apple reseller, Cancom for England, Scotland and Wales are all out of stock of the Apple iPad 2, with a sales rep in Bristol stating that the whole Southwest of England are out of stock.

Thus it would appear that you can’t at this moment get your hands on the next generation Apple iPad and there’s no guarantee stores will replenish stocks today, so currently in the UK the only option is to order online, but that will come with a three to four week delivery time.

So how did it go for you on Friday, did you manage to get your Apple iPad 2 before stock ran dry or were you left iPad 2- less and now hoping your local store will restock soon? Feel free to let us know by shouting out in our comments area below.
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