Thursday, April 21, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

Apple iPad 2 Accessories: Eco-Vue Green Case

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:20 PM PDT

If you own an iPad 2 and you want to protect your device from scratches or unexpected impacts, then why not check out the Marware Eco-Vue case.

The Marware Eco-Vue iPad 2 case is a versatile, folio-style eco-leather case with sophisticated style and impact and scratch resistant protection, and costs $54.99. Unlike other iPad 2 leather folio-style covers, the Eco-Vue offers three solutions in one: a horizontal stand, a foldaway, low-angle stand and an innovative elastic hand strap

Also, it is 30% thinner than the previous and wildly popular Eco-Vue. When it comes to safeguarding your Apple iPad 2, why not protect your investment and the environment with the Marware Eco-Vue iPad 2 case.

In addition to the functionality and style, Marware utilizes durable eco-leather so fewer toxins are used in the tanning process and thus, minimizes toxic runoff into the ground and water tables. Also, no chlorine, no sulfuric acid and no petroleum/chemical based dyes are used. This is real leather, without the environmental impact caused by standard tanning and dyeing processes.

Main Features: eco-leather iPad 2 case made from RoHS compliant leather (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), Innovative hand strap making it easier to hold and use the iPad 2, Protective folio cover that folds back and doubles as an iPad 2 display stand, Low-angle, foldaway table top stand for typing or display.

Also includes: Fold over safety tab that locks the iPad 2 in place, Elastic closure strap keeps the case in open or closed position, Soft micro suede interior for enhanced feel and scratch resistance, Camera hole cut-out on the back, Access to all buttons and ports so you can charge and sync without removing case.

For more information and to purchase this case visit Marware Website and please let us know what you think.

Parents Suing Apple for Kids App Store Spending

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 02:58 PM PDT

I am sure there are many parents out there that have given their smartphones to their children to play on the apps, so how concerning it is that there are apps out there that may be enticing kids to spend real money without them actually realising.

Well some Apple customers, whose children ended up spending real money whilst playing a game application in which virtual goods could be purchased, are suing Apple, saying their kids were encouraged to buy from the iTunes App Store without actually knowing what they were doing.

Now recently Apple changed the procedures in the games so they required passwords for every in-app purchase, but the parents say this is not enough of a reason not to sue them. The lawyers for Garen Meguerian, Phoenixville, Pa., filed a suit on Monday with Apple, with a claim that Apple let Meguerian's nine-year-old daughter buy virtual goods through several game apps and she did not needed authorization from her parents.

The lawsuit says, Meguerian had permitted his daughter to download some free games from the iTunes App Store, which included "Treasure Story," "Zombie Cafe," and "City Story," However, a few weeks later, he found out that she had also purchased about $200 in virtual cash from these games as well, when he received his credit card bill.

For the full story, visit TopTechReviews. Now you would think that this would be a good reason for apple to review the use of in-app purchasing (which has risen from a mere eight percent in 2010 to more than 31 percent in 2011 so far) and possibly put a stop to it. However, Distimo a mobile research firm discovered that 34% of the revenue received by the top 100 iOS apps in December 2010 was from free applications that featured in-app purchasing – So I guess there here to stay.

Please let us know you opinion on in-app purchasing and any concerns you may have with it, in the comment box below. You never know if enough people raise their concerns, Apple may pull the plug on these kinds of apps… but don't stake you house on it.

(DWTS) Dancing With The Stars 2011 App

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 11:47 AM PDT

If you have ever wanted to sit on the panel of Dancing with the Stars and decide who stays or who goes, well now you can with an iOs app for your iPhone.

With the Dancing with the Stars app, you take an active part in helping to decide who will stay and who will go on the show. Watch all the sizzling Dancing with the Stars action on ABC LIVE every Monday at 8/7c, then use the Dancing with the Stars app to lodge a vote for your favorite couple (please note that in-app voting feature only available on iPhone to AT&T customers). Verizon and AT&T users will also be able to dial in their votes through the Click to Call option.

Then, every Tuesday check back in with ABC at 9/8c to see how your personal contribution came into play, as everyone finds out who has survived the vote to dance another day. After all the votes are in and the stage lights dim, you may think that it is it, but you will not even be close.

Here are a few of the other fascinating features you get with this amazing Apple iPhone application, video results as well as instant updates about who is voted off the show, dazzling photo galleries all the action from every show, bios on the stars, pros, judges and hosts.

But that's not all, You can learn any of the dynamic dances featured on the show, brush up on all the rules and get firsthand knowledge about how your votes helped shape the show and make it work and still there is lots more… recently the app was updated with content for Season 12 and in application SMS voting.

If you enjoy watching Dancing with the Stars, then why not download this free app from iTunes and have your say on who remains in the show. Let us know how you get on.

Easter Egg App with Augmented Talking

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:10 AM PDT

We have a little treat for iOS device users, with Easter fast approaching and shops filled with a large selection of chocolate eggs just waiting to be consumed (sorry to all those currently on diets), why not download the Talking Augmented Easter Egg app.

This app enables you to bring a real egg to life as an Augmented Easter egg, simply open you fridge and take out an egg, point your iPhone at it, and then watch it come “alive” on the phone's display. Now that your egg is interactive, you can talk to it, play with it, spin it, decorate it or dress it and when you are done, you can take a photo and share the experience with your friends on Facebook.

Here are the app’s features, when the egg is interactive you can talk to it and it will repeat everything you say but in a funny voice, if you poke the egg it will break, by spinning the egg you can watch it whirl, when hit with a hammer the egg will break.

More of the cool features with this app, you can have a chicken sit on the egg and watch it hatch, decorate the egg and send a photo of it to your friends, play the Augmented Bunny-Busters mini game and unlock cool new accessories and share the whole experience on Facebook by send your friends Happy Easter greetings.

This app can be downloaded from Itunes for £0.59, so if you are interested why not download the app and let us know what you think. Also, whilst we are on the Easter theme why not check out these articles 'Easter Games: Top iOS Apps' and for the cooks amongst you 'Easter Recipes'.

iPhone Has Secret Tracking Software Stores Location Data: Video

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 08:43 AM PDT

So apparently iOS doesn’t respect users privacy, as it should, as the word is the iPhone has secret tracking software that records the users whereabouts, which then gets synced to your computer as part of iTunes sync.

According to an article over on 9to5 Mac by way of The Guardian, iOS 4 covertly tracks a user’s location and apparently for some users this means there could well be "almost a year's worth of data stored.”

According to The Guardian, security researchers discovered the file that contains the longitude and latitude coordinates along with a timestamp, which means anyone that happened to steal your iPhone could with the help of a simple app discover the users movements.

One of the researchers, Pete Warden says…“Apple has made it possible for almost anybody – a jealous spouse, a private detective – with access to your phone or computer to get detailed information about where you’ve been.”

The director of pressure group Privacy International, Simon Davies had this to say…“This is a worrying discovery. Location is one of the most sensitive elements in anyone’s life – just think where people go in the evening. The existence of that data creates a real threat to privacy. The absence of notice to users or any control option can only stem from an ignorance about privacy at the design stage.”

The article is quite lengthy, but the guys at 9to5 Mac have found a video by way of OreillyMedia detailing the issue and last almost 21 minutes so set a bit of time aside if your are worried about this iPhone tracking and check out the video below…enjoy.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Vodafone Australia Pre-order & Pricing

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 08:15 AM PDT

We have some great news for anyone Down Under awaiting the release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1; you will be please to know that the tablet is now available for pre-order at Vodafone Australia.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the first tablet to bring the full mobile entertainment experience on the Android 3.0 platform to the shores of Australia and is sure to excite when it arrives. Customers that had pre-registered were sent a newsletter via email and according to an article by GizmoCrave, the newsletter stated that it is a limited release.

For anyone interested in pre-ordering the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v, there are three payment options available. These are a one-year plan for AU$259, a two-year agreement for AU$39 a month over 12 months or for AU$729 through an off-contract option. Each option is likely to include a book cover and shipping of the device is expected to start by next month.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1v comes with the Google Android Honeycomb OS and some incredible specs: a 10.1″ WXGA Screen, 1 GHz Dual Core Processor, 8MP AF rear–facing camera, 2MP front–facing camera, HD Playback and Recording, Dual surround sound speakers, GPS functionality, Flash 10.2 support and PC like Browsing.

Now I have you even more excited about the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, why not view the video below and after tell us if you will be purchasing one of these devices. In addition, if you own a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7″ you may be interested in my article regarding testing being carried out in Australia on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for the tablet – see article here.

Verizon 4G LTE Goes Live Across East Coast

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 08:05 AM PDT

Apparently earlier in the week the Big Red said via Twitter that they would be punching the switch on quite a few new cities to deliver 4G LTE, and apparently Verizon sent out numerous PR over the past twenty-four hours.

According to an article over on Droid-life by way of Verizon, the Big Red sent out a PR for each of the 6 cities that should be 4G LTE enabled by the weekend, and those cities are as follows…

Colombia SC, Cleveland TN, Clarksville TN, Wilmington NC, Hilton Head SC and Lehigh Valley PA, and apparently according to a Twitter feed as of yesterday 4G LTE service was going live all over the east coast.

However as of yet there’s no sign of the west coast getting any Verizon 4G LTE goodness, but hopefully by the time tomorrow hits the Big Red will add more to the list.

So to our American buddies over the pond, is your area live with Verizon 4G LTE service, or are you still patiently waiting?

HTC Incredible 2 Droid Showcase App Removed: Why?

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:49 AM PDT

Droid does and then doesn't when it comes to the new HTC DROID Incredible 2 Showcase app, it was on Android Market and then got removed. Why?

A new app hit the Android Market called the showcase app for Droid Incredible 2; it was there for a little while and then mysteriously disappeared. Ok so it may be gone now but at least we know that the Incredible 2 smartphone is nearing release.

Droid-Life managed to get a couple of screenshots (Shown Below This Article) before the app was removed so well done to them, we mentioned yesterday that this smartphone could possibly release somewhere around April 28 so it stands to reason that the app showed up, as for it not showing now is beyond us.

Please let us know if you got to see the new HTC DROID Incredible 2 Showcase app before it was removed, we would love to hear from you.

The HTC Incredible 2 is going to be a world phone according to our previous news article, we will keep you posted about release dates, prices etc as soon as we hear about them. Join us on Facebook or Twitter for instant updates.

Trimensional App: Worlds First 3D Scanner for iOS Devices

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:36 AM PDT

Most smartphone users snap the occasional photo on their mobile device at some point or another and often more than on just the odd occasion, but now if you own an iOS device there’s a new app available that brings 3D modelling to your device.

That app is called Trimensional and is for the iPhone, iPod Touch and Apple iPad 2 and enables the user to capture 3D models of themselves, family and friends and share the results via email, and is apparently the world’s first 3D scanner for the iPhone.

The Trimensional app for iOS devices features the ability to capture your own 3D scans, rotate and zoom your 3D models, browse the 3D library, 6 different 3D rendering modes, the ability to email animated gifs, films and photos to friends, save to camera roll, and view a 3D slideshow.

The Trimensional app uses both the screen and front facing camera to detect light patterns reflected off the face to deliver a true 3D model, and the app is available for download to your chosen iOS device at a cost of just $0.59 from iTunes.

Of course if you do download the Trimensional app for iOS devices running iOS 4 and above feel free to let us know how you get on with the app and if you experience any problems by posting to our comments area below.

BlackBerry PlayBook Easier To Teardown Than iPad 2

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:07 AM PDT

It is never too long after a device has been launched that a techno-wiz gets their hands on it and takes it apart to give us a look at the inner workings, and that is just what has happened with the BlackBerry PlayBook.

In an article by Lucas Atkins of N4BB, we get a teardown highlight of the BlackBerry PlayBook (launched on the April 19), which was conducted by the guys at iFixit, you've got to give it to these guys they don't wait around. Here is a quick rundown of the teardown, no heat gun is necessary to access the BlackBerry PlayBook's innards, unlike the iPad 2. All that was need was a simple opening tool made of plastic and some prying.

Once inside the device the iFixit guys were a little surprised to see that the PlayBook's guts were housed within the display assembly and not the rear case like most other tablets, which is unfortunate from a repair perspective, since simple repairs — like battery replacement — require the motherboard to be removed. All the screws holding the motherboard in place were Phillips #00, so no need for any hard-to-pronounce screwdriver to remove them.

A small magnetic dock connector for charging on the bottom edge of the PlayBook is reminiscent of the one seen in Apple's laptops — the MagSafe connector. The BlackBerry PlayBook has a 20 watt-hour battery, which is a bit smaller than that of iPad 2′s 25 watt-hour unit. That does not mean the PlayBook will get worse battery life, as it has a significantly smaller screen than the iPad 2.

The PlayBook's cameras are hefty, with a 3 megapixel front-facing camera (compared to the iPad 2′s VGA camera), and a 5 MP sensor rear-facing camera which shoots 1080p video. However, one drawback is that the cameras and control buttons are all attached to the same assembly, making replacing the volume control or power button a costly exercise.

Why not check out the step-by-step instruction of the teardown, which include photographs over at iFixit and let us know what you think. Also of interest to you could be our article 'Apple iPad 2, BlackBerry PlayBook Browser Fight', which includes a video.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablets to Release This Year From Intel

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 06:56 AM PDT

Looks like everyone has to get on the tablet game in the mobile space, and it appears that Intel has now decided to opt for the Android platform as their favoured flavour as Meego and Microsoft Windows 8 is apparently no long an option for the chip maker.

According to an article over on Ubergizmo by way of Onlineprnews, the word is that Intel plan on introducing Intel Android tablets at some point this year, and have called the plan, PRC Plus and will apparently feature Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablets using their processor.

When Intel announced their Q1 2011 financial results, the CEO also announced they were in receipt of the Android Honeycomb source code, so all this shouldn't really come as a surprise should it.

Unfortunately other than just the news that the Intel tablets will be running Google’s Android tablet centric operating system there are no other details on what the tablets may offer, but no doubt sooner or later more info will be made available to the mobile arena.

Facebook Social Network Users: Your Phone and Age

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 06:40 AM PDT

The Facebook social network has become a phenomenon and more customers are now using mobile phones to gain access to stay connected, this is where we get to know our readers a little more.

As we all know mobile phones are being used more than any other device to get onto Facebook and we would love to know what make and model of handset you use to gain access, we would also like to know the age groups as well.

We like to keep things simple and all we need is for you to let us know your ages, mobile phone make and model, it is as simple as that.

Please visit the commenting area below and start your comment off with your age then make and model, for example; 40 – Apple iPhone 4. Very simple but allows us to know our reader, what is the most used handset to get onto Facebook and the age groups of users.

Galaxy S 2, Neo, Optimus 3D, Chacha Coming Soon to T-Mobile UK

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 06:30 AM PDT

Looks like old T-Mobile UK is gearing up to deliver four Android smartphones to the UK populace in the not too distant future as T-Mobile has now placed Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG and HTC Android devices on their coming soon web page.

According to an article over on Unwired View of those four Android handsets heading to T-Mobile UK are the Samsung Galaxy S 2, the LG Optimus 3D and the HTC Chacha are expected to release sometime in June.

The other Android device, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo is expected to hit T-Mobile UK sometime in July, and according to the article T-Mobile UK will also offer the LG Optimus Black come May, and the HTC Sensation and Motorola Atrix as of June.

So all in all that brings a nice round figure of seven Android devices coming to play on the T-Mobile UK network over the coming months, anyone thinking of grabbing an Android smartphone from T-Mobile UK, if so which one?

iPhone 4 Nano by Shanzhai: Come On Apple

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 06:19 AM PDT

Apple may not have designed nor will there be a release of the iPhone 4 Nano but there is a substitute called the Shanzhai iPhone 4 Nano.

Ok it is a fake Apple device but at least it proves it can be made, do not build your hopes up too much because the operating system is an iOS clone based on Java. The rear camera is nothing special either because it is a small 1.3 mega-pixel photos, it does seem to have a front facing camera as well.

The Shanzhai iPhone 4 Nano will cost around 380 Yuan ($58), in a nutshell it is a rip-off shrunken down iPhone 4 without the iPhone 4 goodness. But hey at least we know the iPhone 4 can go small, come on Apple release one just so we know you guys have the Midas touch.

Visit China and bag yourself this tiny little smartphone, just want to say thanks to Giz-China for the images. Will you get one of these Apple Fakes or will you sit back and hope for the best that Apple releases one, not going to happen but hey we can all dream now and then.

Source – Engadget

Samsung Galaxy S Android Hands-on Photography Review

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 05:55 AM PDT

As you may know I personally prefer the Android platform to any other, and own a Samsung Galaxy S smartphone, and I posted an article earlier on a comparison between the HTC Sensation and the Nokia X7 whereby it was basically said Android smartphones don't make good photography devices.

So I thought I’d do a little hands-on review article on the photography aspects of the Samsung Galaxy S. Currently my Galaxy S runs Android 2.2.1 Froyo and like most I’m still waiting on the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update to hit.

So onto the photography review, I carry my Samsung Galaxy S everywhere I go and although not hugely into picture taking, on occasion I do use the camera to snap some images, and I’d say the image quality of the Samsung Galaxy S 5 megapixel auto-focus camera delivers reasonable results for a smartphone camera.

The Samsung Galaxy S camera is capable of capturing images of up to 2560 x 1920 pixels along with video at up to 1280 x 720 resolution. I have found using the camera fairly easy and is quickly accessed via the apps icon or you can have the camera app icon sitting on your home screen.

The Samsung Galaxy S camera offers several capture modes such as panoramic, smile shot, self shot, vintage, cartoon, whilst enabling the ability to change setting such as outdoor visibility, resolution, white balance, anti-shake, metering, and such, although I have to say only being an amateur snapper I haven't gone into changing any of the settings.

Basically I’m your average everyday smartphone user that finds it easy and useful to snap photos via the smartphone when my camera isn’t at hand and besides the Galaxy S is much easier to carry around. For me, the Galaxy S delivers decent photos when there is sufficient light, however if the light is fading the camera fails to deliver due to the lack of a flash. Low light images though can be captured as you can see below.

As for video capture on the Samsung Galaxy S, I find that it does the job rather well for my own personal needs, and you can check that out by hitting up the video footage that I shot a while ago below, and feel free to let us know what you think of how well the Android smartphone does photography and video…enjoy.
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