Friday, May 6, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

Motorola Xoom Telstra Release Date, Price for Atrix Too

Posted: 05 May 2011 04:31 PM PDT

If you have been waiting to get your hands on the highly anticipated Motorola Xoom tablet or innovative Atrix smartphone, information on the pricing and launch of both devices has been released by Telstra, in a press conference yesterday afternoon in Sydney.

Starting with the Xoom, which runs Android 3.0 Honeycomb, designed for the tablet form factor. It has a 10.1-inch, 1280×800 widescreen display with a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The tablet is supported by a dual-core 1GHz processor, has 32GB of memory and 1GB of RAM. The device is built from anodized aluminium and weighs in at 730 grams.

Concerning the battery life of the Xoom, Motorola has promised a 3.5-hour recharging time, up to 10 hours of video playback and 9 hours web browsing on 3G mobile broadband. Telstra will be selling the tablet for an outright price of $840, or on $29, $49 or $79 monthly-capped plans. This will include an added tablet repayment charge of $25 for the lower plans or $15 for the highest plan. The plans come with an included data quota of 1GB, 7GB and 12GB. The Motorola Xoom releases on 24 May.

When launched at the CES tradeshow in the US, the Motorola Atrix attracted a significant amount of admirers, due to its dual-core CPU, high-resolution display and the ability to interact with various other peripherals such as monitors and laptops, enabling the smartphone to extend its functionality considerably.

Just like the Xoom, the Atrix will sell for an outright price of $840. However, it can be purchased on a $59 monthly plan, which includes a 1.5GB data quota. There will also be a monthly device repayment of $20 for customers on the plan. As indicated in the article by Delimiter, until the end of July, Telstra will have exclusivity on the Atrix, with the device slated to go on sale sometime in early June.

Please let us know if you will be purchasing one of these devices.

Best Car Values of 2011 App: Deals List

Posted: 05 May 2011 03:00 PM PDT

If you are looking to buy a car, but are in a dilemma as to what deals are currently out there on the market, why not download this handy app to help in your search.

The purchase of a new car can be a daunting and sometimes frustrating experience, but with the Best Car Deal List iOS app, the experience can turn into one of enjoyment and excitement. This app provides the user with up to date information on the best car deals, but more importantly a community for finding these hot deals and sourcing them.

Here is what you get from this app, great deals on some of the coolest cars around, the best car prices, negotiation tips that will help in that final stage of the purchase and a community of bargainers to help in the quest to save you lots of money.

If you are interested in the Best Car Deal List app, why not head over to iTunes and download this FREE app to your Apple iPhone, and make your car purchase a stress free experience.

However, before you drive off into the sunset in your new car, why not park up and leave us your views on the Best Car Deal List app below – happy motoring!

Motorola Droid X Android 2.3 Gingerbread Update Release Date

Posted: 05 May 2011 01:56 PM PDT

For those Motorola Droid X users who have waited patiently for the Android 2.3 Gingerbread update, there could finally be light at the end of the tunnel.

Over the recent months there have been a few leaked versions of the Android 2.3 Gingerbread for the Droid X, see our articles on a couple of these leaks – dated March 28, video of Droid X running Gingerbread and dated April 15, guide video on how to download Gingerbread without rooting.

Surely we must be very close to an official update, well according to an article by the guys at Droid-Life, we could see an official update on May 13. What they have been told is the latest build (not 4.5.591 – something newer) has been finalized by Motorola and it is expected that Verizon will sign it off by the May 6, with the possibility of it then being made available for next Friday.

Therefore, if this latest rumour turns out to be true, then Friday could be the start of the rollout test phase, with around May 16 being the date for the mass load to hit users. Please note that as this is a rumour, there is no certainty that it will happen, so for now we just have to keep our fingers crossed.

Also, a point to note is that at least 3 builds from Motorola have already been rejected by Verizon, so even if there is a build, there is no guarantees that it will be passed. If you are a frustrated Motorola Droid X owner, who wants to see Gingerbread running on their device, please let us know your thoughts on the rumours and speculations regarding this long awaited update.

Tweetbot Jailbreak Tweaks: Landscape Mode & Longer Tweets

Posted: 05 May 2011 12:38 PM PDT

If you have downloaded Tweetbot to you iPhone, you may be disappointed by the lack of an option to landscape mode and ability to tweet out messages longer than 140 characters. Well now, help may be at hand.

The Tweetbot app is a great full-featured Twitter client that enables you to have all your Twitter features readily available on your Apple iPhone like smart gestures, multiple timelines and many more…See my article on the app here.

Whilst, there is no doubt this iOS app is great, there was room for improvement. The first absent option is the landscape mode and secondly, the ability to do tweet messages longer than 140 characters. For those out there love what Tweetbot offers, but feel a little let down by the missing options, Filippo Bigarella a jailbreak developer has provided two useful solutions to the problem…

Solution 1: TweetbotRotator, this jailbreak tweak provides the Twitter client with a landscape mode and is available on Cydia.

Solution 2: PastieBot, this companion tweak enables messages of longer than 140 characters to be automatically posted to Pastie.org. It is very similar in the way it works to other tweet-lengthening services, like Twitlonger.

As advised in the article by iDB, the tweaks are from the same developer and therefore, work together with no issues. The TweetbotRotator and PastieBot are available on the Cydia store as free downloads for jailbroken iPhones. However, you will need to include the iSpazio repo for both: http://repo.ispazio.net

Have you downloaded the Tweetbot app? If so, will you be adding the tweaks to your Twitter client?

Sensation, Doubleshot, Marvel All HTC and Heading for T-Mobile

Posted: 05 May 2011 09:02 AM PDT

You probably know that the new HTC Sensation is making its way to T-Mobile, but what other Android smartphone will follow in the Sensation's footsteps? Well the word is there are at least a couple of other HTC Android devices destined for T-Mobile.

According to the guys over on Tmonews, the HTC Doubleshot follows the HTC Sensation and then comes the HTC Marvel a device also known as the HTC Wildfire S 2, and apparently that HTC Doubleshot is actually the T-Mobile myTouch Slide 4G.

The HTC Marvel is said to be a budget mid range Android handset offering an 800 MHZ processor along with a 3.2-inch touch screen but that's about all that was offered spec wise.

The guys contacts did come up with a couple of images of the device though, the HTC Marvel sitting beside the HTC Sensation but both handsets currently lack any T-Mobile branding; more on this as and when we hear.

Samsung Replenish Walkthrough Video

Posted: 05 May 2011 08:41 AM PDT

The Samsung Replenish is the first eco-friendly Android smartphone for the Sprint network having been constructed of 80% recycled material, and today we have a walkthrough video of the Samsung Replenish for your viewing pleasure below.

The Samsung Replenish hands-on walkthrough video was done by the guys over at Android Central and delivers just over five and a half minutes of getting up close and personal with the Android handset.

The Samsung Replenish is a mid level Android device offering a 600 MHz singe-core processor, a 2 megapixel camera a 2.8-inch touch screen, physical QWERTY keyboard, 3.5mm jack and microSD expansion, and runs Android 2.2.2 Froyo.

And that's about it so I'll stop right there and let you head on down to hit that play button and check out the Samsung Replenish in action, and of course once viewed feel free to voice your opinion on the Replenish to our comments area below…enjoy.

Your Future Nokia Tablet and Needed Features

Posted: 05 May 2011 08:26 AM PDT

If you have any ideas on features you would like to see in a future Nokia tablet, we would like to hear them and you never know, one day they may become a reality.

Tablets are becoming big business right now, but with so many out there to choose from, it takes a lot for a particular product to stand out from the crowd. Many of the slates already on the market are very similar in their looks, features and pretty much the way they operate. With many more tablets currently in the pipeline, there is a real danger that the tablet market could be swamped with near identical devices.

Nokia have still not taken the plunge in to the tablet market and their boss Stephen Elop, has said there is no point in releasing yet another variation on what is quickly becoming a tired theme. Well in order to give Nokia a leg up on to the ladder, NokNok posed a question to the people asking them to suggest features that would enable a Nokia tablet to stand out from the crowd.

Here are just a couple of the suggestions NokNok received:

For Joe Young, a 9-inch screen is the ideal measurement, whilst another person suggested an 11-inch multitouch resistive screen, with an aspect ratio of 16:10 – which would definitely make the tablet stand out from the crowd.

Sumesh Sreenivas, said the device would need to run at the very least a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and suggested 3D would be one way to narrow down the competition. In addition, Sumesh opted for a 7-inch screen size and called for a 12-megapixel camera as seen on the Nokia N8 – this feature was mirrored by good few others too.

What features would you like to see on a Nokia tablet to make it stand out from the crowd? Please let us know in the comments box below.

Android HTC Bliss the Female Only Phone

Posted: 05 May 2011 08:03 AM PDT

So now it appears that the mobile space is catering for both sexes rather than one smartphone for all as apparently HTC is coming out with an Android smartphone that has been designed specifically for women on the Verizon network.

According to an article over on Phone Arena by way of This Is My Next, the new Android smartphone being worked on by HTC and Verizon is called the HTC Bliss and would be the first Android device with a focus on the fairer sex.

Apparently the HTC Bliss will come in a shade of green with a "soft-touch" rubber casing and 5 millimetres thinner than the T-Mobile G2. Word is the HTC Bliss will also sport shopping and calorie counting orientated applications.

Furthermore there seem to be accessories already for the HTC Bliss such as a square shaped speaker for a car, a Bluetooth headset matching the design of the HTC Bliss, and a wireless charging dock with speakers.

Another Bliss accessory is what's being called a "charm indicator" and is a cubed box with a hook to attack to a girl's purse that lights up when the user misses a message or call, and apparently is attacked to the HTC Bliss via a cable.

Now obviously both HTC and the Big Red are keeping quiet on this one, so that's about all that's known for now. So do you think it's a good move by HTC to bring out a woman specific Android device? Not that it would stop a guy from purchasing one if they really wanted to.

BlackBerry PlayBook 2 Bigger and Before Holidays

Posted: 05 May 2011 07:31 AM PDT

Although BlackBerry World 2011 has been running there haven't been many rumours come out of the event, however there is at least on, a rumour of the successor to the BlackBerry PlayBook aptly being called the BlackBerry PlayBook 2.

So what is this rumour, well according to Unwired View, the guys over at the Boy Genius Report, say several sources say Research In Motion is already working on the BlackBerry PlayBook 2, although the word is the PlayBook 2 wont be that much different to the current BlackBerry PlayBook.

Word has it that the main difference will be in the size of the tablet, with the BlackBerry PlayBook 2 come out at 10-inches rather than 7-inches like the original, and that the BlackBerry PlayBook 2 could well see launch before the holidays.

Some analysts say the BlackBerry PlayBook is selling well, so the release of a larger 10-inch PlayBook along with an OS update that delivers BlackBerry Messenger could do much better, although of course all this is purely rumour at the moment, as RIM hasn't confirmed anything.

So would you be enticed by a bigger and better BlackBerry PlayBook, do you think the PlayBook 2 could mount a challenge to the Apple iPad 2 in the run up to the holiday season?

Nokia Qt SDK 1.1: Create Apps for Symbian & Maemo

Posted: 05 May 2011 06:56 AM PDT

For any software developers out there, you may be pleased to know that the Qt Software Development Kit 1.1 has now reached full release status. The remaining bugs from the Beta version have now been eradicated and it is now ready for your use.

The Qt SDK enables the creation of apps for Symbian, Maemo and soon MeeGo devices and desktop computers. One of the key features of the Qt SDK is that repurposing apps for different devices is made a lot easier. The Qt SDK 1.1 is modelled on Qt 4.7, but with the addition of some Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for mobile development.

It is indicated in an article over on the official Nokia blog – Nokia Conversations that the Qt SDK brings with it Qt Quick, an app-creation component, which joins visual tools like the Qt Creator 2.1 together with the new QML language. QML is comparable to JavaScript and is faster and easier to code compared to C++ provision that exists. For users that are familiar with JavaScript they will find that it is easier to read and understand the code, and that it works intuitively. However, C++ is of course still for more ambitious projects.

For a typical app, QML is estimated to allow 70 per cent fewer lines of code than that of C++, thus halving the development times. However, the simplicity and readability is not only about saving time: it will also mean that developers and designers can work together throughout the whole process of creating user interfaces, which will result in even better and tighter designs.

The new APIs enable accessibility to the hardware features on mobile devices, which include map and navigation features including GPS positioning, the device calendar and imaging, to allow interaction with the camera and photo gallery. If you would like the new Qt SDK, it is available free from Forum Nokia.

PaperPhone, a Flexible iPhone: Video

Posted: 05 May 2011 06:19 AM PDT

We have a preview video of a device for your consideration below that according to Queen's University's Roel Vertegaal, the "thinfilm phone will make current smartphone obsolete in 5 to 10 years." The smartphone prototype is called PaperPhone and apparently is best described as "a flexible iPhone."

According to Human Media Lab, the PaperPhone is the world's first interactive paper computer an does everything a smartphone can such as make phone calls, play music, and stores books.

The PaperPhone features a 9.5cm display formed of a thin flexible film e-ink display and the flexibility apparently makes it much more portable than any current mobile computer.

Roel Vertegaal, the creator says… "This is the future. everything is going to look and feel like this within five years. This computer looks, feels and operates like a small sheet of interactive paper. you interact with it by bending it into a cell phone, flipping the corner to turn pages, or writing on it with a pen."

Rather than me try to explain all the tech jargon here it's probably best if you jump right on down and hit the play button to check out this new PaperPhone flexible display for smartphone and tablets in action and feel free to let us know what you think.

Android Gingerbread for T-Mobile myTouch 4G and G2x: Preview Videos

Posted: 05 May 2011 05:54 AM PDT

As you know there are still a few Android smartphones out there that run Android 2.2 Froyo and wait to get updated to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Well two such Android devices will soon gain the Gingerbread update, the T-Mobile G2x and the T-Mobile myTouch 4G, and we have a couple of preview videos for your viewing pleasure below.

The Android Gingerbread on the T-Mobile myTouch 4G and T-Mobile G2x come our way courtesy of Engadget Mobile and by way of Android Central and This Is My Next, this first of which is the T-Mobile myTouch 4G lasting almost 2 minutes while the T-Mobile G2x lasts 7 minutes.

Apparently the T-Mobile myTouch 4G is a development copy of Android 2.3.3 from LG while the T-Mobile G2x is a not fully baked release of a development version.

So rather than me type out the details, if you own a T-Mobile myTouch 4G or T-Mobile G2x head on down and mash the play buttons to check out some Android Gingerbread goodness…enjoy.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 with O2, Vodafone & 3: Confirmed

Posted: 05 May 2011 05:47 AM PDT

We revealed the new BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone and that it will be coming soon during the summer and now it has been confirmed that O2, Vodafone and 3 network carriers will be selling it.

The 10.5mm thick BlackBerry Bold 9900 handset that features a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen with 287dpi resolution, 1.2GHz processor, 5-megapixel camera with 720p video, and 8GB of memory could be a popular choice with BB fans.

There are talks of other network carriers such T-Mobile and Orange selling it but no confirmation has been announced as of yet, surely these two will sell it considering they are united under the Everything Everywhere banner, this handset will have the new BlackBerry OS 7 featuring the much talked about near-field communication (NFC).

We will obviously give you up-to-date information as soon as we here more, please head on over to CNET (Crave) for more information.

For instant updates on the above as of when we get them please join us free on Facebook or Twitter, you could be spontaneous and join us on both.

Samsung Galaxy Ace Quick Review: Pros & Cons

Posted: 05 May 2011 05:29 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy Ace is a mid range Android smartphone, with an expensive look, reasonable specs and a good performance. However, on the downside the handsets display qualities are a letdown and the TouchWiz 3.0 user interface (UI) is similar to that of the inexpensive Galaxy Fit.

Starting with the Pros, the handset has an expensive look about it, with the touchscreen being quite precise, it comes with an interface that is snappy, has a good battery life and the external plastics used are of a good quality.

Now for the Cons, the display quality is quite disappointing and does not have an auto-brightness mode, the Touchwiz 3.0 offers nothing unique and is drab and dull, the UI is similar to inexpensive devices and there is no dedicated camera key.

Vishal Mathur of ThinkDigit has mentioned in his hands on review of the Samsung Galaxy Ace that the device bears an uncanny similarity to the Apple iPhone 4. On the April 19th, 2011, we did an article regarding Apple accusing Samsung of copying their devices. However, the devices in question within the article were the Samsung Galaxy S 4G and the Samsung Galaxy Tab – see here.

For the end user the Samsung Galaxy Ace presents a slim, sleek and lightweight mid-range handset, with a good build quality. To read more on the handsets features and specs, see Vishal's full review here. Please come back and let us know what you think of the device.

Brand Perfect Tour Event Launches May 19th in London

Posted: 05 May 2011 05:27 AM PDT

On May the 19th, the Brand Perfect Tour launches in London at the Century Club, 61-63 Shaftesbury Avenue 8:30am – 5pm, and the event will address problems with branding on digital displays such as mobile devices.

The rise of digital along with the proliferation of media platforms present a challenge to brand managers, developers and designers, and brands can't ignore the opportunity to represent themselves on digital formats.

According to research that took in 2000 people, less than 1 percent would trust a credible brand if the font in the text used were different for the font they would normally see and that 94 percent of those polled wouldn't download a mobile app or trust a mobile promo if the text used didn't look right.

Figures showed that almost half of the users used their mobile phone to garner info via the Internet and said figures should enable mobile markets realise the need for authoritative typography in campaigns

The Brand Perfect Tour event will offer a morning session from leading brands and agencies along with design master classes during the afternoon with an aim to delivering a better understanding of challenges associated with brand communications via digital channels. For further information you can hit up brandperfect.com
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