Thursday, March 31, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

Verizon Android Smartphone Release Dates Roadmap Outed

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 08:33 AM PDT

So how about finding out just what Verizon Wireless has in store for the Android faithful? Would you like to know when Verizon will release certain Android smartphones to the public? Well if the info we have here holds true you’re going to find out.

According to an article over on Phone Dog the guys over at Phonedroid have been tipped off about Verizon’s spring release roadmap giving all the juicy low down of when the Big Red expects to release several Android devices to the public.

So here’s what’s on offer according to the outed roadmap…the Samsung Droid Charge will release on the 7th April along with the Casio Commando, on the 14th April Verizon will release the first PlayStation phone, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, followed by the Windows Phone 7 handset the HTC Trophy on the 15th.

On the 28th of April we should see the HTC Droid Incredible 2, while jumping into May on the 5th is the LG Revolution. Other devices scheduled for release in May include the Motorola Droid Bionic, Motorola Droid X2 and Samsung Galaxy S 2 although no exact dates for those have been revealed.

Looks like a sweet couple of months ahead for Android on Verizon Wireless, as long as of course the devices don't see any delays, and of course all are subject to change…are you excited?

iPhone to Gain BlackBerry Messenger App Late April

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:59 AM PDT

Earlier this month there was a rumour doing the rounds that Research In Motion was contemplating opening up their BlackBerry Messenger app to be used on both the Android platform and the iOS platform, and the word now is BlackBerry Messenger is coming to the iPhone.

According to an article over on 9to5 Mac and by way of TUAW, a member of Macrumors forums has posted when BlackBerry Messenger will become available to the iconic iOS smartphone…

” RIM had a Social Media conference today in Toronto, and my entire college business and marketing class was invited to the event. RIM’s co-ceo Jim Balsillie revealed that they plan to bring BBM and “other services” to iPhone on April 26 via the app store. Major news networks are expected to pick up on this very soon! Balsillie also revealed that they plan to release an update to the app this summer which will take advantage of a new “notification system”!!!

Thus if true it would appear that BlackBerry Messenger will become available on iTunes as of the 26th of April, although as with the Android BlackBerry Messenger app which should hit before the iOS version, both will not be as full featured as the RIM original.

So with RIM enabling BlackBerry Messenger for both Android and iOS, and with the BlackBerry Playbook playing nice with Android apps, one wonders if we’ll ever see iOS apps being made by Apple to play on Android and BlackBerry.

What do our reader’s think about all this, should different platforms open up and share apps or should they remain on their own platforms?

HTC Thunderbolt Battles Inspire 4G In Comparison Videos

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 07:29 AM PDT

So how about a battle of the Android 4G giants whereby the HTC Thunderbolt 4G goes face to face in a comparison battle against the HTC Inspire 4G? Good because that’s exactly what we have for your viewing pleasure.

Aaron Baker over at Phone Dog has done the deed in pitting these two Android 2.2 Froyo 4G enabled smartphones against each other in a two-part video, so basically also pitting a Verizon 4G handset against an AT&T 4G handset, so an added bonus.

Spec wise there isn’t much difference between the two Android devices with the exception of the HTC Thunderbolt sporting a front facing camera while the HTC Inspire doesn’t, and of course the Thunderbolt has that built-in kickstand, but the Thunderbolt costs $249.99 on Verizon while the Inspire 4G costs $99.99 on AT&T.

So will these two Froyo 4G smartphones come out equal, can the HTC Inspire 4G take down the HTC Thunderbolt, will there be a clear winner in the Thunderbolt versus Inspire face off? To find out you are going to have to hit those play buttons below, and feel free to let us know if you agree or disagree with the outcome…enjoy.

Android Froyo HCL ME Tablets Launched In India

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 06:58 AM PDT

Over in India the Android faithful have just had three new Android tablets launched by HCL, the HCL ME Tablet AE7-A1 and HCL ME AM7-A1, both 7-inch tablets, and the HCL ME Tablet AP10, a 10-inch version.

According to an article over on PC World, the three HCL Android tablets run Android 2.2 Froyo rather than Google’s tablet specific Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system, and the CEO of NCL, Mr. Harsh Chitale says…

” We are excited to launch the much awaited HCL ME Tablet. The HCL ME Tablet will be available to both individual and enterprise users with our award winning service and support network. We have put in significant amount of research to understand the Indian user need and have also further strengthened our backend systems to support the product through its lifecycle.”

So onto the main tablet specs…the HCL ME Tablet AE7-A1features an 800 MHz processor, 0.3 megapixel front facing camera, GPS, WiFi, 256MB RAM, 2GB built-in flash memory, 800 x 480 pixel capacitive touch screen, Bluetooth 2.0, USB post, 3.5mm jack and microSD expansion up to 8GB.

The HCL ME AM7-A1 features an 800 MHz processor, 1024 x 600 resolution capacitive touch screen, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera with full HD 1080p video playback, AGPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, 512MB RAM, 8GB flash memory, twin 1-watt speakers, and microSD expansion up to 16GB.

The largest of the three, the HCL ME Tablet AP10 sports a 1024 x 600 resolution 10-inch touch screen, 1GHz processor, 1.3 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video, 3D accelerometer, 1GM RAM, 16GB flash memory, light sensor, USB and miniUSB ports, and microSD expansion up to 32GB.

Now for the all important prices…the HCL ME Tablet AE7-A1 commands a price tag of Rs. 14990, the HCL ME AM7-A1 costs Rs.25790, while the HCL ME Tablet AP10 has a price tag of Rs. 32990, and all three Android tablets should be available by the end of the month.

HTC Thunderbolt Accessories: Seidio Innocell 1600mAh Slim Battery

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 06:18 AM PDT

If you own the HTC Thunderbolt you may be one of those that is experiencing battery life problems, some of you are only getting around 3 to 4 hours life after a full charge. The obvious answer is to get a new Seidio Innocell 1600mAh slim extended battery, which also fits the myTouch 4G.

The Seidio Innocell 1600mAh slim extended battery is for those that wishes to have more battery life, the good thing about this HTC Thunderbolt battery is that it will still keep the smartphone in the slim category.

This extended battery does NOT need a replacement door and this is why it is perfect as a replacement, main features include: Fits in existing space so no replacement door is needed, More capacity in the same form factor, Perfect replacement for your original battery and works with both HTC Thunderbolt and myTouch 4G.

If you visit the Android Central Store you can buy the "Seidio Innocell 1600mAh Slim Extended Battery" for only $44.95, the list price is normally $49.95, which is a nice saving of $5.00. You may also want to check out the HTC Thunderbolt 2750mAh Extended Battery & Cover here.

Honeycomb Way Behind iPad In Tablet App Stakes

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 06:00 AM PDT

When it comes to the world of smartphone mobile apps we are all aware that Apple is way out in front of the closest rival Android, and it appears that Apple continues to hold the lead when you look at apps suitable for tablets.

An article over on 9to5 Mac notes that blogger Justin Williams has gone through the Android Market to count how many Android 3.0 Honeycomb apps are available to the Android tablet space and apparently has found that the Android Market is rather lacking in the field, and for a list of those apps you can check out his website.

Here’s what Williams says…” My criteria for considering an app for this list is that it either requires Android 3.0 or have its user interface be specifically designed for a tablet experience. I didn't count games or existing Android apps that are just upconverted to take advantage of the existing screen real estate. Based on my criteria, I found 20 apps in the Android Marketplace for the Motorola Xoom.”

Since the arrival of the Apple iPad apparently developers have come up with over 65000 iOS apps that can be used on the iOS tablet and that doesn't include iPhone apps that have been modified for the iPad.

However one does have to give Android a fair chance at a crack of the whip when it comes to their tablet specific Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS as it hasn’t really been out that long, so no doubt given time developers will deliver more apps that can run of such devices as the Motorola Xoom and other Android tablets.

Basically Apple has always had a head start, so let’s not go beating up the rivals just because they haven’t had the same amount of time to work on tablet apps as Apple devs have shall we.

F1 News 2011 iOS HD App: Formula One Season Info

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:44 AM PDT

Fans of the Formula One motor racing will be so pleased to hear that the F1 News 2011 iOS HD app is now ready for download and what an application it is. This is the best and only app you need for all the latest news info covering the 2011 F1 season.

This app has so much to offer such as Formula 1 news, Driver and Constructors standings, enhanced information such as Team, Nationality, Base, Team Principle, etc, this app will also give you information covering the race calendar including individual track guides, information and weather, View each story in the app or via the website and you can share via Email, Twitter or Facebook.

Who is you favourite driver? You can read the views on Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and also read information following Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes, Williams, Red Bull and all the other teams.

This app will give you 24 hour coverage of all the latest happening, no need for newspapers now. This app also features: Native iPad support, Background updating of news on the latest news feed, Enriched driver profiles, Ad free, Additional information on each circuit on the calendar, Enhanced constructor profiles and Simple to use, quick to update, plus Easy to get to all the best Formula 1 sites without using Google.

You can download this app via iTunes for only £1.19, for more information please visit iNewsApps, please do watch the YouTube video below as well to give you a quick insight of what the F1 News 2011 HD app has to offer.

Android In-app Billing Taken for a Spin on Video

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:31 AM PDT

The Android faithful are probably aware that in-app billing has come to the Android platform, and for those that may be a little unsure what in-app billing is and how it works we have a video of Android in-app billing in action for your consideration below.

The Android in-app billing video comes our way courtesy of the guys over at Android Central who take in-app billing for a spin using the Tap Tap Revenge game, and they say that using in-app billing is easy enough to get along with.

Apparently all you do if you wish to purchase a new level, weapon, song and the like is tap on whatever you want to buy, a pop up pops up and you confirm the purchase and after the purchase has been authorised, you tap to download and use…job done.

So if you are a little unsure how in-app billing works or just how easy it is, head on down and hit that play button to check out this Android in-app billing run through…enjoy, and feel free to let us know if you experience any difficulty with in-app billing.

HTC Desire HD Android 2.3 Gingerbread Update April Release

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:20 AM PDT

Everyone who owns the HTC Desire HD is asking when the Android 2.3 Gingerbread is going to be released, well how does first half of April sound to you?

The HTC Desire HD will be getting the Gingerbread love and the Motorola Defy in the same month will be getting Android 2.2 Froyo update, Unwired View have confirmed this information and April is the month it will happen.

French Carrier SFR are the ones that revealed this information first, there are a few HTC handsets such as the Desire Z and Incredible S running Froyo so these models will also get the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update in April if all goes according to plan.

It would have been nice to see the Motorola Defy get Gingerbread but at least it will be getting the Android 2.2 Froyo love it deserves, hopefully the HTC Desire HD running Gingerbread and the Defy running Froyo will not see problems.

Source – TechTree

HTC Droid Incredible Heads for Mobile Bin Making Way for Successor

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:01 AM PDT

Shed a small tear Droid faithful for the HTC Droid Incredible smartphone has apparently reached its end of life and id now destined for the mobile bin, the same way all smartphones must go eventually, but the Droid Incredible has had a descent run.

According to an article over on Android Central, the old Android HTC Droid Incredible has now been removed from the Verizon website while retail stores push out the remainder of their stock.

When the HTC Droid Incredible first became available almost a year ago, the device garnered much of the mobile space coverage and quickly sold out, but as they say, nothing lasts for ever and the time has come to say goodbye to the incredible, Incredible.

It’s not all bad news for Droid Incredible fans though as Verizon consigning the Droid Incredible to the mobile grave could be seen as a sign that its successor the HTC Droid Incredible 2 maybe coming out to play of US shores quite soon, although as yet there’s no word on exact release date.

So as you wave bye to the Droid Incredible will you be hoping to snap up the HTC Droid Incredible 2 if or when it hits the streets?

Apple iPad 2 iMovie App Reviewed on Video

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:36 AM PDT

As you are no doubt aware if you are an owner of the Apple iPad 2, the iOS tablet can use a version of the popular Mac app iMovie that enables the user to shoot videos, but with the iOS version of the iMovie app the user can also edit their videos.

So what we have for the iOS faithful’s consideration below is a review video of iMovie for the Apple iPad 2 courtesy of the guys over at Phone Arena, and delivers three and a half minutes of getting to know the iMovie iOS app.

The guys have of course done a written review of the app which can be read over on their website, but if you don't have time for that you can simply check out the footage. The guys say that the iOS iMovie app interface is similar to that of the Mac version although it doesn't offer the same variety as the Mac version.

Apparently once you’ve edited your video with iMovie you can export the footage to the camera roll or social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo or other, although iMovie for iOS does the job it doesn’t have the feature rich editing tolls of the original version.

So with that all said I’ll just let you make the jump to hit that play button and check out ther review of iMovie for the Apple iPad 2, and if you use the app which is available from iTunes for $4.99 feel free to let us know what you think of the app…enjoy.

Free Sony Ericsson Xperia Play & Arc & Vodafone Calls

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:31 AM PDT

If you would like to be the owner of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play or the SE Arc smartphones then maybe you should take a peek at what Vodafone has to offer.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc are both available for pre-order and if you do so right now before April 1 Vodafone will have it delivered to you by April 5th.

If you pre-order any of the above named smartphones before March 31 Vodafone will give you FREE unlimited UK calls to Vodafone mobiles. Bargain as they say, below is a few details about contract tariffs.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play – Free phone from £35p/m with 900mins, Unlimited texts and 750MB Mobile Internet Data (24 month contract) – Please check out deal here

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc- Free phone from £30 p/m with 600mins, unlimited texts and 500 MB Mobile Internet Data (24 month contract). Check deal out here

iPhone 5 Release, LTE and Better Voice Integration

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:10 AM PDT

For all those eagerly awaiting the release of the Apple iPhone 5 and iOS 5, the latest rumours surfacing indicate that both may now be released in the fall, rather than in summer, as we have previously seen with Apple releases.

A report by TechCrunch, which comes to us by way of MacRumors, appears to imply that the introduction of Siri (a personal assistant software company) to Apple in April 2010 could now result in voice control and artificial intelligence for iOS 5, thus changing the way we use iOS devices in the future.

It is rumoured the Siri are close to finishing the final elements of their artificial intelligence and assistance technology and that these will be demonstrated at the (WWDC) Worldwide Developer Conference. It is also rumoured that this technology may be used in third party apps by other developers – However, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that this will happen.

There is also an indication in the report that the release of the iPhone 5 in the fall, will give Apple time to introduce LTE 4G to the device and therefore, the reasoning behind why the release date may not happen in summer. There is a strong possibility that if the iPhone 5 is released in summer it will not come with LTE, but if released in the fall there is a 50/50 chance of LTE being present and a definite possibility of it, if the phone is release in the New Year.

There is also rumours and speculation that the iPhone 5 may be unveiled at the WWDC, see our article here. If you are interested in attending the WWDC to see for yourself if the iPhone 5 is unveiled or not, but are not one of the fortunate people to have a ticket. Then you may be interested in putting a bid in for the ticket being being sold on eBay, see article here. You will need to be quick though and have very deep pockets.

Apple iPad Accessories: Recycled Vintage Outfit

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:03 AM PDT

Okay so you have an Apple iPad and you are looking for a case to keep your beloved iOS tablet in, but maybe your don’t want a run-of-the-mill case and would rather have one that kind of stands out from the rest and doesn't look like an Apple iPad case.

So with this in mind we have for your consideration a rather unusual Apple iPad accessory in the form of the Recycled Vintage iPad Outfit, a holder for your tablet that looks just like clothing and is custom fitted to suit the Apple iPad.

Thee Recycled Vintage iPad Outfit is computerwear with a breathable, soft organic lining that should protect your iOS device from the usual scratches and bumps although probably not from drops, and apparently it is completely washable.

I have to say though dressing your iPad up in a shirt and cardigan could be seen as taking the love of your device a tad too far; however if you are interested in purchasing a vintage outfit for your iPad you can do so by visiting Etsy where you can purchase the case for 65 bucks.

Now where’s my iPhone slippers?

ADHD App Test for Adults and Children: The Symptoms

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 04:00 AM PDT

For many years I always believed that ADHD was in children and not adults but I was very much mistaken, it goes to prove that if you do not know the full outcome of ADHD we should read a little more. Well thanks to the ADHD iOS app I have tested myself and it seems I should get checked out.

What is ADHD? What are the ADHD symptoms? Do you or your children have ADHD? So many questions that need answering can be done so via the iOS app we have here. We must make you aware that this app is for fun but does give you an idea if you have ADHD and after the iOS apps results you MUST seek professional advice.

Test yourself with the ADHD app via iTunes that costs £2.99, ADHD aka Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder that should always be evaluated via face-to-face evaluation but the apps test gives you an idea.

You will be given a series of questions and all you need to do is answer by clicking on the listed names such as yes, no, maybe, sometimes, often, quite often etc. Basically you can screen yourself and after the test you can decide if you need to get professional advice.

Do you have ADHD? Test yourself with this app and let us know your results. Few screenshots below of app -
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