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16. 06
2011

Samsung Galaxy S II: £25 a month con contract with £39 due upfront

Those looking to purchase the hottest phone on the market should be aware that not every deal and every contract are created equal. Thankfully there are some great deals being offered by many European cellular service providers.

One such deal is being offered by Vodafone through Phones4U. This deal requires a £25 a month plan with £39 due up front. For that price, you will get 100 calling minutes, 500 text messages and 500MB of mobile data allowance. Granted, this might not be the best phone for those who are heavy on the texting and calling end, but the data allowance is comparable and is even a plus considering it’s offered through Vodafone.

Better yet the phone is unlocked so it will be first in line for any Android updates that are pushed out by Samsung, something locked devices are not able to boast.

That’s not the only deal out there for the Samsung Galaxy S II, though. Why not check out the Samsung Galaxy S II contracts over at Best Mobile Contracts, where you can compare this deal with many others to find the best deal for you.

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: Samsung, Vodafone - Tags: , , , ,
6. 04
2011

The most advanced tablet, the Motorola Xoom

The Motorola Corporation is set to launch a superb technologically advanced tablet computer running the Android OS. The most absorbing feature of this tablet is the video playback, as the Xoom can support video playback up to 1080p. The Motorola Xoom will be the company’s first ever tablet computer and faithful Motorola users are eagerly waiting for the release so that they get a first-hand experience of it. Excitingly, the Xoom will run on Android 3.0 Honeycomb which is the latest version of Google’s Android OS, specifically designed for tablets.

Important software features of the Xoom are quick multi tasking, a user interface specifically optimized for tablets, a thrilling Bump Top 3D desktop, enhanced browsing options for Google Maps, book mark syncing and many more advanced options. A wide range of official accessories are available for the Xoom, including a super-thin wireless keyboard, various multi-functional docks and a unique portfolio case, doubling as a stand that allows you to view the Xoom at a comfortable angle. Bluetooth headphones and protective gel cases are also available. If you’d like to get your hands on a Motorola Xoom, you can find Motorola Xoom offers to suit all budgets, so why not pick one up today?

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: Motorola - Tags: , , , ,
30. 03
2011

O2 scraps mobile tethering surcharges

Thanks to more and more networks moving to stripped down plans and trying to make money every way they can, it is welcoming to hear news such as this. It’s not like we haven’t been asking mobile networks both here and abroad to offer us cheaper data plans. And it’s not like we haven’t asked that data used on a mobile phone be counted the same way as data used on a laptop or tablet. Last time we checked, 1MB of data was universal whether you used it on a Nokia N8 with a 3.7 inch screen or a Dell notebook with a 15 inch screen. Well thanks to some common sense thinking from O2 and their staff, it looks like we just might have got through to at least one company.

O2 Wireless announced today that they will be dropping their surcharge for using your data plan to tether a laptop or other internet connected device other than a mobile phone. That being said, you won’t be getting unlimited data with this service, but at least you will have some decent options for basic web access.

For 100MB of data, it will run you £2.50, step that up to 500MB and the price will double (£5.00). For those looking for a full gigabyte of data, the price will increase to a cool £8.33. Both the 500MB and the 1GB plan include unlimited access to UK Wi-Fi and the 500 GB plan will include 20 UK MMS while the 1GB plan will up that to 50 MMS.

While not the cheapest of plans, it is nice to know that you will not have to shell out additional pounds if you want to connect that laptop or iPad to your device.

Source: O2

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Written by: Simon - Posted in: O2 - Tags: ,
17. 03
2011

iRadar coming to Android

If you’re like me then your feet are probably made of led, and that being the case, you might have made some really close calls when speeding thanks to police and their radar/laser guns. Well thanks to Cobra who claims to be the world leader in laser/radar and police trap detection technology, have released an iPhone app for quite some time now.

Well fear not Android users as the company has made it official that they will be releasing the app for the Android platform next month. The app along with the hardware unit is said to be able to detect speed traps, laser detectors, radar detectors as well as red light cameras and other forms of police traps used to lighten the pocketbooks of the citizenry.

The application will use the phones build in GPS to provide warnings of photo enforced speed traps as well as providing better all-around performance.

We’re in no way condoning speeding but every once in a while we understand that there might be a time when you might feel the need to race the hatchback beside you or maybe to put the pedal to the metal as they would say. In either way, rest assured that this system promises to provide basic police detection service for an affordable price. What is such a price you may ask? Well Best Buy USA has the device listed for $129.99 for the hardware.

Hopefully when such a device makes it to here in the UK it will be for a similar price range. Just be certain to pay more attention to the road than the phone which is alerting you about the approaching speed trap because nothing is worse than trying to avoid one evil and falling into another.

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Written by: Simon - Posted in: Operating Systems - Tags: ,
25. 01
2011

Honeycomb may not be seen on phones

Android, Droid, Honeycomb, Froyo, Gingerbread, all these names conjure images of little robots happily playing on nearby green hills as butterflies float by and half eaten applies jealously look on. Maybe not? Either way, Android is on its way to become the world’s number one cellphone software and with that comes talk about the future of the operating system.

As of now, Android is split into two different and distinct software options. Android 2.x is the software that is built for cellphones while Android 3.x is designed and geared for tablets and maybe netbooks in the future.

Even though the core architecture under both operating systems are the same, Android 3.x is one that has more features that are geared for bigger screens and more powerful processors than what you would find in a smartphone. But would such software ever make it to the smartphone?

TechRadar asked Google’s Director of Engineering of Android Dave Burke if the world could ever look to the possibility of 3.x coming to smartphones which would also herald the death of 2.x altogether. According to Burke, “Right now it’s a tablet operating system.” He did say that Google would like to unite both numbering systems which would essentially mean that one software would run on both device form factors, smartphones and tablets.

“I think that coming together is a good idea. What we’re trying to do here is make a base platform that’s so good, that others only need to add native elements in their core areas. We wanted to make the whole UI better – it shouldn’t be necessary to customize the texting widget with the Honeycomb UI. We don’t think one size fits all with Android, but sometimes changes [people make to the UI] miss the point – then again, sometimes it amazes us.”

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: General, Operating Systems - Tags: , ,
14. 12
2010

Upcoming Nexus S Available for Pre-Order in the UK

The much awaited and talked about successor to the Nexus One, the Nexus S is finally available for pre-order in the UK, the release date already being set for late December, with no word on when it will be released in the US (where the first Nexus was released, with not-so enthusiastic user feedback).

The pricing seems pretty normal for a new high-end smartphone that packs in everything you might ever need and looks good to boot. An unlocked, SIM-free unit will cost the potential users 550 pounds, or $870, while the version bound by a 24 months contract will only be 35 pounds per month. The choice is pretty clear: if you want this phone but don’t have the money, go for the contract version, but if you already have a contract with another network company, it may prove difficult and more expensive to do that.

The new Nexus S certainly looks great, with the curved housing and the new Android 2.3 Gingerbread pre-installed, but a lot of people think it’s not worth paying the price when a brand new, unlocked Samsung Galaxy S, which shares the same platform and hardware with the Nexus S, costs only 415 pounds, and has support for HD video filming and an external micro SD card slot (though the lack of the former in the Nexus is probably only a matter of software). Furthermore, it might actually be cheaper to export the phone from the US when it comes out there at 550 US dollars (which is only 345 pounds).

Still, with all the issues, the Nexus S is definitely a phone worth paying attention to, and if you want to have the latest and greatest software, it’s the only choice besides the older Nexus One, as Google markets it as a “fully open” device with no locks or limits (unlike HTC, Motorola, Samsung and other brands, which lock the boot loader and do not allow the users to customize their own ROM).

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: Google, Samsung - Tags: , , , ,
1. 11
2010

The HTC 7 Mozart Comes With Strong And Unique Construction

The Taiwanese company HTC created their new 7 Mozart with higher quality than usual. It also has a new operating system to run it. Discover the features of the HTC 7 Mozart here in this snappy article.

The HTC engineers created the 7 Mozart with a unibody construction. The back of the handset shows an assymetrical construction with a mix of aluminum and plastic. Some could call it “artsy”. The size is not too large for a pocket or purse. The 3.7 inch screen is nearly fully featured with an acceleromter and proximity sensor. There is no Swype input and no manual keyboard for the 7 Mozart.

Looking on the inside, there is a fast one gigahertz processor made by the popular chip company Qualcomm. This is accompanied by 576 megabytes of RAM and 512 of ROM. All the former features help to give the HTC 7 Mozart speedy operation while opening and closing programs or during navigation. Internal memory is rated for eight gigabytes. There is no external storage available, that is, no MicroSD card slot.

One of the strong points of the HTC 7 Mozart is its camera. It is eight megapixels in power. It was given a Xenon flash instead of a LED style. This is superior to LED for taking photographs. There is also geo tagging, auto focus, face detection and video. The camera is competent enough to support high definition video in 720p format. The only problem will be getting those videos to other places, since there is no MicroSD card slot and no HDMI connector on the 7 Mozart.

The new Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system is running the HTC 7 Mozart. This is a redo of the older 6.5.3 and provides a hub connection system for easier navigation. It supports social networking sites as well as the regular Microsoft browser and word processing documents. Bing maps are included for free. Look for HTC 7 Mozart deals in Europe on the Orange network.

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: HTC - Tags: , , ,
7. 10
2010

The HTC Desire Z Brings Desire to Higher Desirability

Taiwan-based leader in smartphones HTC unveils its second full-QWERTY slider Android in the HTC Desire Z, a good 18 months after the first, the HTC Dream. Running the latest Android v2.2 Froyo, the new handset is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7230 engine clocked at 800 MHz. That’s a bit less muscled than the 1 GHz Snapdragon of the HTC Desire. From the aesthetics, it’s really a Desire that grew a QWERTY keyboard slider.

Great Flagship Features

Looking like the Desire when closed, the HTC Desire Z actually has the same the feature of the HTC Desire HD which is only distinguished by its larger 4.3-inch screen display. Instead you get a 3.7-inch capacitive S-LCD touchscreen with multitouch, WVGA (480 x 80) resolution, 16 million colors, accelerometer and proximity sensors.

Despite a set of flagship features, it is positioned as a more modest option than either the earlier Desire or its successor the Desire HD. It also boasts of social networking prowess that comes with Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, YouTube and Google talk integration.

The new HTC Desire Z is a cornucopia of data and telephony connectivity options. It’s 3G handset on the dual band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA and a quad band GSM on 2G with class 32 GPRS/EDGE data speeds. Local connectivity gets WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP and microUSB v2.0 including GPS SatNav with A-GPS support.

Imaging gets a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, face detection, geo tagging and video recording at 720p high definition while mobile entertainment gets the usual media playback features, a stereo FM radio with RDS and headphone listening in either wired (3.5mm jack) or wireless (A2DP) mode.

Internal memory gets 1.5 GB with 512 MB RAM and microSD expansion for up to 32GB. Its li-ion batters rated at 1300 mAh delivers up to 9.8 hours of call time on 2G, 6.6 hours on 3G with 430 hours on standby.

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: HTC - Tags: , , , , , , , ,
23. 09
2010

How the Nokia Touch and Type is Reinventing the T9 Keypad

For years, the layout of the T9 keypad has been a simple and easy to understand style. While, the Nokia X3 Touch and Type will not be changing any standards, it is certainly a fine point in any argument that variation and deviation can often result in slightly more advantageous situation. In this case, it seems as if the new layout of the keys has made typing a whole lot easier on this handset.

Small Changes, Big Differences

The one thing that users will be able to point out at first glance is the fact that the bottom row of keys has been moved into a fourth column for the handset. The positions have also been altered slightly, instead of the zero/space button being placed in the center row; it is located on the bottom right –which actually turns out to be a lot more intuitive a position than in the center.

In practice, it is easy to say that the Nokia Touch and Type handset is a device that is easy to get used to. Just type with it for a short while and it will seem as if this is how the keypads on all mobile phones should be. Of course, it also helps that the display is a touch screen that complements the controls of the keypad.

Resistive Touch

It is pretty understandable that the initial public reaction to resistive touch screen technology is one of mild dismay. After all, the convenience of capacitive technology is quite outstanding. But when one realizes that the display on both the Nokia X3 and Nokia C3 Touch and Type has been designed as a complementary input method as opposed to being a primary, one can see how the combination truly works in favor of the handset –and how redundant having a capacitive touch screen would have been.

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: N0kia - Tags: , , , , , , ,
26. 08
2010

Value for Money: The Nokia E5

Nokia is the king of mid range mobiles. Apple and BlackBerry may be outperforming them in the Smartphone scene, but there is no doubt that Nokia still remains to be on top of the lower market segments.

They have had immeasurable success in providing their users with quality mobiles that come with very reasonable price tags. One such device is the Nokia E5 – a mid range QWERTY Smartphone that’s equipped with a ton of useful features, but does without the alarming market price.

What’s in an E?

Nokia’s E Series of Smartphones is one of the most acclaimed lines of mobile phones to date. However, while critics absolutely loved the likes of the Nokia E71, the consumer market was not as receptive. Nonetheless, the fact still remains that E Series Smartphones are very impressive.

One of the fruits of this family is the Nokia E5. However, it has been positioned differently from most of its predecessors as it hopes to target a lower and younger target market. This is made evident not only by the E5’s reasonable price tag, but also by the fact that it comes in a number of more ‘youthful’ colour schemes such as sky blue, chalk white, and copper brown.

Packed

In terms of features, there’s nothing more you can ask for from the Nokia E5. Composing longer text messages or emails is made much easier by the QWERTY keyboard of the device. High speed mobile internet is also on board via 3G HSDPA and WLAN support. This Smartphone has a powerful 600 MHz ARM processor to back up the Symbian mobile OS.

We were also impressed by the Nokia E5’s built-in camera which has a 5-Megapixel resolution. Fixed focus, an LED flash, and video capture (VGA @ 15fps) are some of the snapper’s built-in features.

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Written by: Liam - Posted in: Nokia - Tags: , , , , , , ,

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