Friday, April 8, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

iPhone 5 Delay Could Mean August or September Release

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 02:04 PM PDT

Could the release of the iPhone 5 be delayed, due to mounting pressure from its competitors?

Latest news is that Apple's newest iPhone device could be delayed until either August or September. This comes amid reports that the introduction of new and improved Android enabled phones in stores, could be the cause of the iPhone now losing shares.

According to a Boy Genius Report on March 31, Walt Piecyk a BTIG analyst did a check on stores and his results revealed that at 28 percent of the locations, the Apple iPhone was being outsold by HTC's Android enabled 4G Thunderbolt.

In addition, a claim made by Comscore, coming via a Market Playground article indicates that Android has a 33 percent slice of the smartphone market and therefore, its lead over Apple's iOS is growing.

There is a possibility that the iPhone's release date could be put back to later on in the year and if it is, will it really be due to Android muscling in on the market? We previously did an article on the possible introduction of LTE 4G to the device, another reason why the expected summer release may not happen.

New Dell 10-Inch Android Tablet On The Horizon

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 09:38 AM PDT

It looks like Dell want to join the tablet party in a big way, with the summer launch of a 10-inch Android enabled tablet.

Information is coming to us by way of a Forbes story via CNet and it is reported that a source at Dell claims that possibly by the middle of June the Android-based tablet would hit the market. Now this is a lot earlier, than the initial expected launch of next year sometime.

So if the news is to be accepted as the truth, Dell's current Streak Android tablets the 5-inch and 7-inch, could be introduced to their 'big brother' the 10-inch very soon. However, I would point out that according to the Forbes story, the tablet is currently 'unbranded' and it is not known whether it will release with the 'Streak' name attached. We will just have to wait and see, hopefully not too long.

Forbes have also reported that there will be a delay in Dell's new 10-inch Windows 7 tablet being released, now looking like it will be in the fall and not as Dell announced by the middle of this year.

Also, of interest might be my Colleague James' article on a Microsoft Windows 8 Tablet From Dell In 2012. Alternatively, for a bit of light entertainment why not check out Dell's Promo Video for the Dell Streak, it is quite impressive.

LG 3D Tablet Release: iPad Competitor

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 07:51 AM PDT

Here is some great news surrounding LG's new Optimus Pad (which has not been launched globally yet), according to an LG Senior Executive, India could be receiving the 3D tablet in June.

The Optimus Pad is believed to be priced around the Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 mark. However, LG Electronics business head for mobile communications, Vishal Chopra, has indicated that dependant on import duties and currency valuations the price could be less than Rs 30,000 at time of launch and that around the end of May, he will be in a better position to clarify the price.

Please note that because of price sensitivity in India the iPad has dropped in price from around Rs 28,000 in January to Rs 27,390 in April and Samsung had to bring the price of their Galaxy Tab down to Rs 29,299 from Rs 38,000. Therefore, this could have a bearing on Optimus Pad's price when it is released in India.

This news comes to us by way of The Economic Times and indicates that LG's Optimus Pad is likely to be a strong contender to Apple's iPad and Samsung's Galaxy Tab, as it is currently the only tablet at present with the capability of 3D display, making it stand out from the rest.

Why not also check out our related articles on the LG Optimus Pad – tablet Review & European Price Revealed.

So what tablet are you opting for? LG's Optimus Pad, Samsung's Galaxy Tab, Apple's iPad 2 or other, let us know below.

The Motorola Xoom Tablet Flop, Not Many Sold

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 06:09 AM PDT

We have some interesting news on the Motorola Xoom's sales in the US, since the tablets launch at the end of February. Unfortunately, it does not make good reading for the Android tablet faithful.

According to figures provided by Deutsche Bank, which they obtained after looking at the Android developer website to see how many people used Honeycomb, they estimated that Motorola's Xoom has only sold 100,000 units since its launch in the US.

The figure provided by the Android developer's earlier this month suggested that Honeycomb was only being used by 0.2 per cent of Android Owners, currently Xoom is the only available device running the tablet-centric version of Google's OS, which Deutsche states equates to only 100,000 people.

We have received this information from Business Insider by way of T3 and the report goes on to state that 300,000 iPads were shifted by Apple last year, in its first weekend and there are further suggestions that it could have already broken the million sale barrier.

Please note that we previously did an article on a price drop of the Motorola Xoom, prior to its release in the UK and it would be interesting to know if this is as a direct result of the sales figures in the US.

For those of you that are still unsure about which of these tablets is right for you, why not check out our article on the Xoom and iPad 2 comparison video and hopefully, this will help you to make up your mind.

What is your preference the Xoom or iPad 2? Let us know below.

HTC Thunderbolt Challenges Samsung Galaxy S 4G In Comparison Battle Videos

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 03:51 AM PDT

So we’ve already seen the mighty HTC Thunderbolt 4G take on the likes of the iPhone 4, and the T-Mobile myTouch 4G, but how well can the HTC Thunderbolt come out when going head to head against the Samsung Galaxy S 4G?

Well you are about to find out the answer to that as Aaron Baker over at Phone Dog has now come up with a two-part video pitting the Android 2.2 Froyo Thunderbolt against the Android Froyo Samsung Galaxy S 4G in a comparison fight.

Aaron says there aren’t dramatic differences between the HTC smartphone and the Sammy handset when it comes to specs but there are a few differences between hardware, carrier, and software. The tow videos combined deliver just about 24 minutes of comparison, so you might like to set aside a little viewing time.

I won’t go over the specs for each device in this Android against Android fight, but rather just let your head on down to hit those play buttons and see if the HTC Thunderbolt or the Samsung Galaxy S 4g is proclaimed a clear winner…enjoy.

BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 Unofficial OS 6.0.0.524 Available

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 03:23 AM PDT

There always seems to be quite a few OS leaks when it comes to the BlackBerry smartphone platform, and we haven’t covered one in a while so we though we’d bring the latest unofficial BlackBerry OS 6 leak to your attention today.

According to the guys over at Crackberry, by way of Bbh-plus, the latest release is OS 6.0.0.524 and is for the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330, and there isn't anything known about what the new OS may contain feature wise so far.

Obviously OS 6.0.0.524 for the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9330 is unofficial so if Curve 3G 9330 owners download and install they do so at their own risk, but if you do then feel free to share what OS 6.0.0.524 delivers in our comments area below.

Our usual disclaimer, as this OS is not an official BlackBerry OS release from research In Motion or BlackBerry carrier the risk associated with downloading and installing is down to the user, and it may be in your best interest to wait for an official version release.

O2 Mobile UK Customer Service Problems: iPhone 4 MIA

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 03:11 AM PDT

You would tend to think that ringing an O2 sales person to start a new contract with them on a nice new iPhone 4 would be simple, well you would be right in thinking that until the smartphone goes MIA (Missing In Action)

My step son who is 19 years old with a steady job with money coming in weekly decided he wanted a Apple iPhone 4 as it would be a step up from his iPhone 3GS, he decided that he does not want PAYG anymore and opted for contract instead.

All going smoothly so far, he rings O2 goes through the process of setting up a contract and he puts the house phone down with big smiles on his face excited about getting his new Apple iPhone 4 within a couple of days, got to admit he was like a kid at Christmas waiting for a new toy, which is very good to see when someone is happy.

The smiles now gone: The phone call to set up new contract was on April 1 and my step son was told that he would receive the iPhone 4 on April 4, today is April 7 and still no phone.

Call To O2: Seeing my step son unhappy that he has not received his smartphone yet and being young didn't feel confident ringing O2 to see what was going on I decided to contact O2 customer service myself to see what was happening about delivery.

I gave them the order number and said I was ringing on behalf of my step son and the lady on the other end of the phone was very polite so no complaints there, I told them of the problem that he was supposed to receive the phone on April 4 and yet still 3 days more adding on still not got it. The polite customer service lady said that she would look into it as she did and then got back to me saying that the order has been cancelled because the phone has gone missing on the DHL system, now we cannot blame DHL (Delivery Company) as this may not be true and O2 are just trying to cover their backs (I will not point fingers, that is not fair).

In my eyes the deal was done with O2 and in such case O2 should be at blame here, now the problem that confuses us:

The polite lady from O2 said that there are a couple of options that my stepson could take, number one being re-order the iPhone 4 and contract again and wait for delivery or number two being go into an O2 store and pick one up and to do this he would have to give them a £150 deposit that will be returned within 3 months.

Not happy with this response my step son rung O2 again to see if there is anything more he could do and after a few minutes it looks like he will receive his shiny new iPhone 4 tomorrow Friday 8th April.

Please let us know if you have had this kind of problem, your input is very important to us so that we can see if this is an occurring problem or a one off. Thanks

Download Fring: Group Chat for iPhone

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 02:53 AM PDT

For those of you with fring (the well liked video chat app), you may be pleased to know that fring will soon be bringing out a group video chat app to iOS and Android enabled devices. Please note that at present this feature is in limited beta.

This group video chat app will be the first of its kind in the world and will be a massive addition to the way we communicate on our mobile devices and I am sure this feature will appeal to quite a number of people out there. Just imagine having a video chat with four of your friends, all at the same time, is that not appealing.

Do you want to know more? Well by way of the guys at iPhone Download Blog, we are able to bring you a demo video of the group video chat in progress, see video below…

How would you like to be involved in the final testing stages of this feature, prior to it going live on the App Store – well you can by following this link to sign up.

Now at present fring is free via the App Store and news is that the group video chat feature will also be free, which can only be good news.

Why not also check out the article done by my colleague James’, he wrote about the group video chat earlier and we thought we would hit on it again, as we would like our readers to post comments on this new feature from Fring.

So what are your thoughts on this free group video chat app, is this something you would like to see on your device? Why not let us know your views below.

Smartphone linked Samsung Home Network System Launching

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 02:50 AM PDT

Samsung subsidiary Scommtech have announced they are to unveil a smartphone linked Samsung home network system during ISC West 2011 in Las Vegas on the 6th to the 8th of April, which is happening as we write this article.

According to Aving, the new home system can control gas valves, heating, air conditioning, lighting and such via the users smartphone and also checks and asks for energy consumption and admin costs ad can also apparently monitor where you live and its parking lots.

Scommtech rep, Kim Jung-muk says, “Through ‘ISC West 2011′, we will inform Korea’s leading home network technology by introducing home network connecting functionality using smartphone and we will start to target American market with perfectly localized door lock and video door phone products.”

Apparently Scommtech is to target the US home network market and offer a safe and convenient network service whilst not placing any limits on location and devices throughout the smartphone arena.

LG Optimus 2X Up For Grabs from Expansys with Free Car Charger

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 02:32 AM PDT

Thinking about picking up the world’s first dual-core smartphone the LG Optimus 2X for some playtime with Android 2.2 Froyo? Well you can purchase the smartphone from Expansys and also get a free car charger as part of the deal.

Expansys has the LG Optimus 2X Android smartphone on offer as a SIM free device for a price of £449.99 and can ship the LG Optimus 2X for free within three to four days of if you’d rather have the handset in your hands the next day delivery costs £7.74.

The LG Optimus 2X features an NIVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor for speediness and a responsive Android experience and also spots an 8 megapixel camera with full 1080p HD recording and playback along with a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, a 4-inch capacitive touch screen, DNLA, HDMI and all the usual specs.

If you are sitting on the fence over whether to snap up the LG Optimus 2X handset we have a couple of videos for your perusal below, one from LG Mobile and the other from NVIDIA, so check them out and hopefully they’ll go some way to making up your mind…enjoy.

Samsung Galaxy S2 (I9100) Release Date: Clocking 1.2GHz

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 02:24 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100 aka Galaxy S II is not good enough for 1GHz so how about 1.2 GHz clock speeds, the dual-core Cortex-A9 CPU and Mali 400 GPU smartphone running at this speed is the good news so how about the bad news covering its delay.

If you look at the official Samsung Facebook page it has been confirmed that this smartphone's two CPU cores will run at a cool 1.2 GHz, which is much better than the previously announced 1GHz.

According to Engadget the Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100 has been delayed and might see a possible release somewhere in May or June, we will obviously keep you updated on this matter and let you know when the final release date has been set.

When do you think this handset will be released, and would you buy it anyway?

If you would like to know more about the Samsung Galaxy S2 please check out a few video previews we published last year, we also have some information covering Tegra 2.

WordMaster XL iOS App for iPad: Scrabble Word Finder

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 02:06 AM PDT

If you are a lover of word orientated games and own an iOS tablet you can get an app that will help you to solve all those difficult word puzzles, crossword, scrabble and such and the app is called WordMaster XL.

With the WordMaster XL iOS app for the Apple iPad the user fills in the letters they know, leaving what they don't know and then simply tap the search button and then WordMaster XL will deliver letter options in a flash to narrow your choice to complete the task.

WordMaster XL for the iPad features 354,984 English single words, 178,691 official tournament and club word list, 267,751 international edition official words, 21,986 people’s names, and 173,528 enhanced North American benchmark lexicon.

WordMasert XL also features a people name word list, word scoring option, remembers a puzzle search query, and the WordMaster XL iOS app for the Apple iPad is available to download to your iPad running iOS 3.2 o above from iTunes for $1.99.

Symbian Event on April 12th Announced by Nokia

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 01:42 AM PDT

It looks like Nokia isn’t quite ready to assign their aging Symbian operating system to the mobile trashcan in favour of Windows Phone 7, and the word is Nokia will be hitting London on the 12th of April to hold a Symbian smartphone event.

According to the guys over at Engadget and by way of Mad for Tech, Nokia had sent out invites for the Symbian event for Tuesday and confirmed via a phone call to Nokia by Engadget.

It’s not too clear what Nokia will be showcasing at the event, obviously Symbian so the speculation is that Nokia may show off the next over the air update to Symbian smartphones, but no doubt all will be revealed on the day.

Perhaps Nokia will show new Symbian handsets along with a new UI that could possibly run alongside their Windows Phone 7 offerings, who knows, but it’s clear that Nokia isn’t willing to say goodbye to Symbian just yet.

BlackBerry PlayBook Original Release Was delayed by Apple

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 01:21 AM PDT

It apparently has come to light that the original release date for Research In Motion’s BlackBerry PlayBook tablet was delayed by roughly a month, the reason it appears could have well been down to Apple and the Apple iPad 2.

According to Slash Gear and by way of DigiTimes, touch screen panel sources say that shipments of the BlackBerry PlayBook were postponed for about a month due to Apple hogging up most of the available touch screen panel capacity.

The word is Apple used their financial power to secure most of the available touch screen panels for their iOS tablets leaving very little for rival tablet makers. Whether Apple was aware of the roll on affect their booking of the panels would have is up for debate, but they probably didn't care anyway.

Apparently Quanta are picking up the pace of shipments to Research In Motion as they see the BlackBerry PlayBook as one of the major tablet orders for the year. Word is Research In Motion is holding a launch event for the BlackBerry PlayBook on the 14th of this month.

Verizon HTC Incredible 2 Poses for Pictures

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 12:56 AM PDT

If you are an Android fan on Verizon and waiting for the new HTC smartphone the HTC Incredible 2 then you’re in for a treat as several images of the Android Froyo handset sporting the Verizon branding have popped up on the net waves.

According to an article over on Ubergizmo, the guys over at Android Central managed to get their hands on the HTC Incredible 2 pictures, a device that looks remarkable similar to the HTC Incredible S other than that branding.

The HTC incredible 2 still hasn’t officially been announced, but the pictures reveal that the Android handset sports an 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash on its rear along with that “with Google” logo.

The word is the HTC Incredible 2 will come out to play on Verizon with Froyo but hopefully will be upgraded o Android 2.3 Gingerbread at some stage, and as for when the device will become available, well that’s still a bit of a mystery although a recent Verizon roadmap pointed towards the 28th of April but that could easily change, and whether the handset will actually come out to play as the Incredible 2 or something else isn’t known either.

So, are any of our readers hoping to grab a little HTC Incredible 2 goodness once the Big Red goes all official with the smartphone?
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