Friday, March 4, 2011

Phones Review

Phones Review

HTC Thunderbolt Release March 10, No Solid Evidence

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 09:58 AM PST

What are we to believe? Again more rumours and speculations have surfaced surrounding the release date of the HTC Thunderbolt, which has suffered from a number of delays to its launch.

Latest news on the release date of the HTC Thunderbolt by the guys at Wireless Goodness is that the phone will be launched on March 10th. However, again this is just a rumour and therefore, is not set in concrete.

Apparently, Gotta Be Mobile is reporting that the source of the rumour is a Best Buy employee, so I guess we can read into that what we want. Perhaps not the most reliable source of information.

Will the HTC Thunderbolt ever be released? let’s hope that the rumours are true and that we soon see the phone advertised for sale, as there is already a commercial advertising the phone for our viewing pleasure – click link for more information – and accessories like the body glove case, available for purchase now. All this just adds to the anticipation surrounding the phone.

We reported earlier that it does not seem to be just HTC’s Thunderbolt that is suffering from delays, as it now looks like another of their smartphones the HTC Trophy has fallen into the same category, both phones destined for Verizon. See my colleague James’ full article here.

We will keep you updated, if there are any further developments regarding the release date of the HTC Thunderbolt.

If you wish to add your comments or views on the issues surrounding the delay of the HTC Thunderbolt being launched, please enter them below.

Apple iPad 2 Gets Spoofed: Video

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 06:04 AM PST

With something as big as the Apple iPad 2 obviously there are those who are going to have a laugh at Apple and their tech gear’s expense, we posted a humorous video to do with the Apple iPad 2 announcement earlier which can be seen (here) and now we have another.

This time the video is called Banned iPad 2 Promo and comes our way courtesy of the guys over at Pocket-lint, 9to5 Mac and by way of YouTube user ooJLEoo, and delivers juts over three minutes of having a pop at Apple’s latest iOS tablet.

Although not as funny as the video I posted earlier, this one does have its humorous merits, and well anything that takes a less serious look at Apple and there gear is find by me as most take Apple and their products way too seriously.

Again as with most spoof videos like this I do have to warn that there is some bad language, but it has been bleeped out and well it is only for a laugh, so head on down, hit that play button, all’s fair in love and tech gadget spoofing as they say…enjoy.

iTunes Unlimited Music Downloads A Possibility

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 05:36 AM PST

Most iTunes users know that if they happen to lose an app they have downloaded from the App Store they can re-download the lost app because the App Store recognises you had previously purchased said mobile app, but iTunes doesn’t afford the same when it comes to music downloads.

However that may soon change as according to an article over on Ubergizmo and by way of TUAW, and Apple Insider, Bloomberg is reporting that according to the ever quoted “people familiar with the matter,” iPhone maker Apple is chatting with music firms with a view to delivering unlimited music downloads to iTunes.

Apparently Apple is talking to the likes of Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, EMI group, and Sony Music Entertainment in the hopes of changing download policy to deliver better flexibility to the customer.

Basically this will bring iTunes music in line with App Store apps where you can pay for it once and then download as many times as you like. Nothing concrete yet though but the word is Apple is looking to reach some kind of agreement by the middle of the year.

Apple iPad 2 According to Conan O’Brien: Video

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 04:42 AM PST

Apple went at it big guns at the unveiling of the next generation iOS tablet, but believe it or not there are some that aren’t bothered about the Apple iPad 2 and what the original Apple iPad did for the world as seen through Apple’s eyes in their video found (here).

According to an article over on Intomobile, by way of Tech Crunch, asks, what does one of “America’s brightest comedians/entertainers” think of the Apple iPad 2? Well they posed a video of Conan O’Brien saying that Apple is a bit cocky, and we have that video for your viewing pleasure below.

The video is a funny take on Apple’s announcement of the Apple iPad 2 as Apple always seems to go over the top at such announcement, and comes via Teamcoco, and here I have to warn that there is just a little bit of bad language at the end, but it is bleeped out.

But if you really want a lighter look at the Apple iPad 2 announcement, and have a good laugh, I suggest you jump on down and hit that play button…Got to love these mickey take videos…enjoy

HTC Trophy Same As Thunderbolt Possibly Delayed

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 04:07 AM PST

Seems like smartphones destined for Verizon from HTC keep on getting delayed as evidenced with the HTC Thunderbolt, and now it looks like the HTC Trophy, the first Windows Phone 7 handset for Verizon is also taking a tip out of the HTC Thunderbolt books by being delayed.

According to an article over on the Boy Genius Report, the guys over at WPCentral have come up with a few details on the HTC Trophy, which include that the Windows Phone 7 handset will indeed be a world phone with CDMA and GSM radios.

However previous reports have stated that the HTC Trophy for Verizon would see release sometime this month, although the release date wasn’t confirmed. But according to the WPCentral article it would appear that the HTC Trophy might not make an appearance until sometime in June.

Although they aren’t sure how much stock to put in the claim of a June release by an unnamed Verizon rep that is “involved with the phone,” so it could all be just a rumour.

But if true, it looks like Windows Phone 7 wont be playing nice on Verizon for some considerable time yet, a bit like the 4G enabled HTC Thunderbolt.

iOS 4.3 Personal Hotspot Supported by Canadian Carriers

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 03:31 AM PST

The latest version of Apple iOS supports the personal hotspot feature which enables iPhone 4 users to connect via WiFi up to five other devices and is expected to land as of the 11th of this month, and Canadian iPhone 4 users will be able to use that personal hotspot feature.

The guys over at Mobile Syrup contacted Canadian carriers Rogers Wireless, Bell, Telus, Virgin and Fido and all have confirmed they will support the feature found in iOS 4.3.

Telus says…"TELUS will enable the upcoming iPhone 4 iOS 4.3 Mobile Hotspot," while Bell confirmed…"Yes, we will.. All our in-market plans support this use and we advise existing customers to check and see if their plan covers the use too."

Virgin stated… "Regarding the iPhone upgrade, when Apple makes this available, Members can go in to iTunes to get the upgrade and yes, they will be able to use the Mobile Hotspot. No restriction on plan or anything. However, Members will of course still be charged for any data use outside of their plan so they should make sure they have the right plan for the amount of data they'll need."

And Rogers said…"This feature will be available at no additional charge for Rogers and Fido customers who subscribe to data plans of 1GB and above."

So there you have it iPhone users of Canada, you will be able to use the iOS 4.3 personal hotspot once it becomes available are you overjoyed?

LTE iPhone, Steve Jobs Is Interested

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 02:57 AM PST

We are all aware that when it comes to a 4G LTE iPhone, Apple has been somewhat on the slow side in adopting the new technology as there are quite a few Android based smartphones out there that can play nice on LTE, but still no iPhone.

However; according to an article over on the Wall Street Journal, Wang Jainzhou, the Chairman of China Mobile has said that Steve Jobs is “interested in fourth-generation LTE mobile technology and is willing to develop an iPhone using it.”

China Mobile has been talking with Apple for quite some time about delivering an iPhone in China, currently the iPhone is offered by rival China Unicom, but Wang has apparently said that there has been no new progress in their talks with Apple.

Apparently China Mobile is set to begin “large scale tests” of TD-LTE technology, but it is unclear why Wang has said Jobs is interested in developing an LTE iPhone, perhaps Wang is hoping Apple will deliver their first LTE iPhone to China Mobile.?

To be honest, in the end Apple has to take the iPhone into the LTE market if it is to survive and keep up with rival smartphones such as Android LTE handsets, it’s only a matter of when.

BlackBerry PlayBook US Release Date Now March

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 02:31 AM PST

A recent rumour had pegged the first tablet device to come out of the RIM stable, the BlackBerry PlayBook as the 10th of April; however apparently that rumour is unfounded, as RIM has now set the record straight.

According to an article over on Pocket-lint, Steven Bates, Research In Motion UK MD has told them that the release date set for the BlackBerry PlayBook in the USA is “the end of Q1.”

So that dispels the rumoured April 10th release date, and as for the BlackBerry PlayBook coming out to play on UK shores, Bates said… "Europe is Q2… The UK will be one of the early ones."

Apparently the reason for the staggered rollout of the BlackBerry PlayBook is because a staggered rollout worked well in the past for RIM, with Bates saying… "We had one for BlackBerry Torch and it worked quite nicely."

So there you have it the official word on when the tablet arena is likely to see the BlackBerry PlayBook come out to play, are any of our readers looking to snap up RIM’s first tablet on release?

CTIA 2011 To Deliver “Significant” New Tablet

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 02:09 AM PST

Currently it appears that the Apple iPad 2 is taking all the glory in the tablet arena, and why not as it’s just been unveiled; however the second generation iOS tablet may not have all the coverage for too long as apparently there is a “significant” new tablet on it way.

According to an article over on Phandroid, and by way of PC Mag, Rob Mesirow, the VP of CTIA, which kicks off in Florida, quite soon, says that a new “significant” tablet will make an appearance at CTIA 2011.

Mesirow also says… “Tablets are just an extension. We’ll start seeing a lot of extension devices. It’s probably no accident that most of the new phones coming out will be able to tether 5-7 products to that phone. We’re going to see a ton of tablets at this show.”

Unfortunately Mesirow didn't elaborate any further as to exactly what “significant” tablet device will be shown at the trade event, although one can presume it will be an Android based tablet as apparently this year’s CTIA will be all about “Android, Android, Android.”

So there you go, a new tablet on the horizon already being touted by CTIA 2011, but will it be an Apple iPad 2 challenger, guess we’ll have to wait and see.

iOS 4.3 Gold Master Gets Jailbroken by PwnageTool 4.2

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 01:26 AM PST

Well now that certainly didn’t take long, Apple has only just pushed out iOS 4.3 Gold Master for their iPhone 4 and word is the latest operating system has already been jailbroken using PwnageTool 4.2, which will no doubt annoy Apple considerably.

According to the guys over at Redmond Pie, this jailbreak is a tethered version for now and means the user would have to “boot it into jailbroken state every time you reboot.”

What is needed to accomplish the jailbreak of iOS 4.3 GM is PwnageTool 4.2, iTunes 10.2, access to the iOS 4.3 GM firmware, PwnageTool bundle for iOS 4.3 GM, Mac OS X, tetheredboot utility and Universal Ramdisk Fixer.

The Redmond Pie guys have come up with a complete guide on how to jailbreak iOS 4.3 GM, which is a lengthy 15 step process, so rather than write it all out here and risk getting something wrong, those that wish to attempt the jailbreak I’d suggest you go direct to the Redmond Pie guide.

The jailbreak is semi-tethered; Cydia is fully working on iOS 4.3 GM and the baseband won’t be upgraded during the restore process. So if any of our readers give it a shot feel free to let us know how you get on.

Android Smartphone OS Takes US From iOS

Posted: 04 Mar 2011 01:01 AM PST

The rise of Android has been steadily on the up since it first came to the mobile space with figures showing that Android took the crown in the global smartphone operating system stakes, but in the good ole US of A, Android still didn’t command, up until now that is.

According to an article over on the Bog Genius Report, Android has now taken the top slot in the US smartphone OS stakes from rivals BlackBerry and iOS according to two analytic companies.

Apparently figures from both ComScore and Nielsen show that Android now dominates the US smartphone operating system market share with Nielsen figures saying Android owns 29 percent of the US, BlackBerry has 27 percent tying with Apple’s iOS at 27 percent.

ComScore figures are only slightly different with Android claiming 31.2 percent, BlackBerry with 30.4 percent and iOS grabbing 24.7 percent.

Nielsen goes a tad further and says of the three smartphone operating systems, Android seems to attract the younger customer. So there you have it, although the iOS faithful will still claim that Apple’s iOS is still supreme due to Android running on so many smartphones while Apple only has the iPhone.
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