Archive for August 27th, 2009

Samsung’s first Android phone delayed after O2 testing

The Galaxy has never been given an official release date. The release date of Samsung’s first Android phone, the Galaxy, is still unknown after the device failed O2’s accreditation test. O2 said the device was never given a release date, but it was widely expected by store staff to have been made available from this week. However, staffers informed Mobile that the device was delayed after O2 testing found glitches. An O2 spokesman said: ‘The Samsung Galaxy is currently going through O2’s customer experience test process and we expect to launch it in the next few weeks.’ The Galaxy is Samsung’s first Google Android phone and is exclusive to O2.
The device offers 8GB of internal storage, a five-megapixel camera, 3G connectivity with Wi-Fi and HSDPA of up to 7.2Mbps, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

[Source Mobile Magazine]

N900 and Maemo Officially Announced

Nokia made the N900 and Maemo 5 official today and it looks like the Finnish giant finally has something to compete with Google’s and Apples popular offerings. Further details to emerge at Nokia World on the 2nd September but expect to see this device hit the shelves in October.

To go with the announcement, Nokia have released a flashy site showing all the hotness of this new device and you can expect more devices in a wide range of shapes and sizes to be announced later in the year.

Head over to maemo.nokia.com and bask in what frankly looks like a fantastic platform. Then checkout the promotional videos and keep an eye out for a hands on at Nokia World in September.

Call a Bike for iPhone released

Some cities are massive and walking several miles or kilometers a day is not the best way, particularly if you have no time or you are fatty fatty fat fat. Imagine that you can pull out your iPhone and get a bike anywhere you are! Yes, it is possible:

Tomorrow is i-day in China: iPhone comes to China!

It is yet not 100% confirmed but it may be that tomorrow, during media conference of China Unicom carrier it will be announced!

China is a huge country with 1300 million people (for comparison’s sake: USA has 300 million people and whole EU has 500 million people)…

Mobileburn reviews Viewty Smart

I was a bit of a fan of the first Viewty, so much so that my girlfriend got one. She had it for a while and loved it until an drop down the toilet severed the relationship.
So I’ve been following the lineage of the Viewty and have been quiet interested in this newer version. Check out Mobileburn’s huge review and I have attached a couple of videos after the break.

Connected Britain Offers £31.7 Billion Savings to UK Business

UK business could save up to £31.7 billion* by helping workers fulfill their ideal work/life balance, according to a report by Orange into the impact of universal connectivity on the future of living and working in the UK. The report, based on YouGov research and insights from futurologist James Bellini, reveals that 16% of respondents would be willing to take an average of £6,900 salary cut and 42% would be happy to forfeit their company car if it meant they could live and work in their ideal location. In addition, many more would be willing to forfeit the seniority of their role (27%) or future job progression (25%) to make their ideal work/life balance scenario a reality.

The ‘Connected Britain’ report explores the workforce of tomorrow, and how the profound opportunities presented to both employees and employers through a digitally connected Britain will shape the way we live and work.

Google Sandbagging Palm Over Voice?

A lot of people are up in arms over Apple refusing to allow a Google Voice app on the iPhone. Several high profile users have been blasting Apple over it, and now the Feds are looking into it the entire matter.  Apple has even gone so far as to post a letter defending themselves about this issue on the front page of their website. Many people want Google Voice due to the freedom it gives them to (among other  things) have multiple numbers all ring the same phone, as well as being able to have their number easily travel with them as they change phone service providers. Considering the massive amount of money Apple is making from AT&T to keep the iPhone exclusive, it is clear why Apple hates Google Voice and is willing to risk a lot to block it for as long as it can.

Next Generation Mobile TV Comes to Android Phones

St. Petersburg, August 26th, 2009 – SPB Software, a leading maker of mobile applications, announces the release of SPB TV for Android phones. SPB TV is a subscription-free mobile IPTV viewer, designed for tuning in to publicly available digital TV channels from all over the world. SPB TV features exclusive and patent-pending usability innovations like picture-in-picture mode and gives the mobile subscribers easy access to over a hundred of international TV channels, directly from their phones.

Tesco stocking Smartphone

3G.co.uk are reporting that UK Supermarket Tesco is due to start stocking ‘Smartphones’. Presumably this is an attempt to drive up Subs on their MVNO network, but the fact that they are aiming to get eight handsets in-store by year-end, definitely means they are serious.

There is apparently some clarity on which the first two of these handsets will be – namely the Alcatel Tribe OT-800, and LG GW-300. These are budget devices, and depending on the definition you subscribe to, these don’t look to be strictly in the smartphones category, but rather devices that focus on messaging – both are rocking the QWERTY keyboard for example.

Tesco will of course be rolling out the usual incentives, such as free Internet access (for 3 months), and dropping the cost on the device itself – expect the Alcatel to weight in at about £50, with colour variants of pink and black.

I’m intrigued to see what the other handsets are – budget is good, but one of the keys tohandset purchase is the desirability factor – and that’s something you mostly get with the from the usual handset vendor suspects…!

[Thanks Andy, source Intomobile Via: 3G.co.uk]

LG Watchphone goes on sale

We’ve spoken on the site a few times about the LG Watchphone (LG-GD910) which, here in the UK, is totally exclusive to Orange. Today the Watchphone goes on sale at the Orange shop, Bond Street Station, Central London. It will only be on sale for a limited time and stock is, unfortunately, extremely limited. If you are interested in buying an LG GD910 and you are not already in the queue outside the shop then I suspect that you will be out of luck as Orange are working by a strict ‘first come first serve’ basis. The LG Watchphone will be priced at £500 on PAYG for those lucky enough to afford it and of course get their hands on it!

LG Watchphone (LG-GD910) – Exclusive to Orange

Fortunately, I’ve already managed to get my hands on one of these little gems and it’s currently sitting quite nicely on my wrist! I got hold of it last night and have enjoyed using it so far. I’m quite impressed with how east it is to use. The touchscreen, although small for a reason, is clear and responsive and the menus are easy to navigate. It even has a built in camera that can be used for video calls which is extremely cool. You can pretend to be Michael Knight now! 🙂

I’ll have a video of LG GD910 Watchphone online for you a little later along with a bit more of a write up.

Posted by: Matt