Archive for September 2nd, 2009

Live life without boundaries with the Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X2

Live life in the fast lane with the XPERIA™ X2 from Sony Ericsson. Designed for those who always need to be connected, whether it’s for business or personal life, the XPERIA™ X2 blurs the boundary between work and play.

London, UK – September 2, 2009 – Today Sony Ericsson announces the XPERIA™ X2 a new Windows® phone that offers a best in class email and multimedia experience. In the modern world where 24/7 communication is key, users can instantly synchronise their mail and calendar and open and edit Microsoft® Office Mobile documents quickly and efficiently to stay connected with colleagues wherever they are.

Vorsprung durch Apps – says T-Mobile Germany

September 4-9, 2009, in Berlin, Germany, very big consumer electronics trade show takes place – IFA 2009. It’s bigger than CES, so it’s not small. Both IFA and CeBIT are 2 major trade shows in Germany which always energize German companies to release something and T-Mobile Germany claims that it is releasing wholly new Android phone at IFA 2009… but more important and more interesting is what T-Mobile Germany says about Apps:

Geared for iPhone – review

So, whazzup at app store recently? Well, despite digging through all the latest new app releases, we couldn’t find anything newsworthy, so instead we have taken a look at charts, i.e. which app is the number one, the top selling, paid app in app store these days:

Hands on with the Nokia N900 and Maemo 5

Andrew Orlowski at Register Hardware managed to get some time with the N900 at Nokia World and gives it a thumbs up but wonders how the small battery will cope if you use it as a gaming device.

He was more positive about the future of Maemo and upcoming devices though;

Now that Linux, rather than Symbian, is Nokia’s focus for expensive prestige devices, I’m more confident about improvements. Nokia’s tie-up with Intel suggests larger, faster and more powerful Maemo devices.

The N900 excels at task switching, the communication apps are good enough, and music playback and photo browsing are better than on any previous Nokia.

But even though the N900 is not an essential purchase, Nokia deserves credit for plugging away, and appreciating that a completely fresh approach was needed.

Read the full first look at Register

Update: Tech Radar has a good hands on too.

Next Gen Nokia Messaging Announced

More betas from Nokia World as the Nokia Messaging client gets an early look update to include Social Messaging. With so many sites and protocols for instant messaging coming up, the Social Messaging section hopes to be a clearing house for all your IM needs. This is a very early release, and while support for up to 20 social networks has been mentioned, the client currently only talks with Facebook.

The beta has gone live on Nokia Beta Labs today, and is available for the N97 and 6700. N97 users will be treated to better Facebook integration on the homescreen. Now you can scroll through the latest wall posts without actually leaving the homescreen. If you want to see more from one of your friends, simple click on their status message and you’ll be taken directly to the Nokia Messaging Facebook app, where you can also get the latest messages from your inbox.

Whizzy video here and head over to Nokia beta labs for more.

The Nokia N97 mini now official

Nokia has now officially announced the N97 mini at Nokia World 2009, with smaller screen and overall form factor, full-width keyboard (no d-pad) and a focus on social media (‘life casting’). Significantly, they’re also talking about a whole new memory map and kinetic scrolling across the whole interface, all of which is also to come to the N97 itself in October.

Nokia’s press releases:

"Lifecasting (a partnership with Facebook) will premiere on the new Nokia N97 mini, companion to the successful Nokia N97. Designed with a social and style-conscious consumer in mind, the Nokia N97 mini is a smaller mobile computer with stylish stainless steel cues, featuring a tilting 3.2” touch display, QWERTY keyboard and fully customizable homescreen that makes each Nokia N97 mini as unique as a fingerprint. The Nokia N97 mini delivers a truly personal internet experience in a compact handset based on the iconic design of the Nokia N97.

Lifecasting with Ovi will be available for both the Nokia N97 and Nokia N97 mini via Nokia Beta Labs. The Nokia N97 mini features new software which will be released in October as a free update for the Nokia N97. The new software brings compelling new experiences to both devices, including new homescreen widgets and additional usability improvements including flick scrolling.

The Nokia N97 mini is powered by a new Ovi Maps experience which makes searching, finding and navigating even easier. In addition to global pedestrian navigation, people can access premium content from Lonely Planet, Michelin and Wcities, turning the Nokia N97 mini into the world’s smallest travel companion."

The Nokia N97 mini is expected to begin shipping in October 2009 for an estimated retail price of EUR 450 before taxes and subsidies.  See the video here

Nokia X6 launched

Nokia’s next S60 music device, the X6, has been announced at Nokia World in Stuttgart this morning. It’s going to be marketed as a music phone and the 32GB of storage is going to allow a huge amount of music to be downloaded, and is only available in a Comes with Music variant. But the 16:9 ratio touch-screen (at 3.2 inches in size) is going to be great for video playback and media browsing. More details as we get them.

The Nokia X6 could be seen as the phone that addresses feedback from the 5800 and 5800 Comes with Music editions. From Nokia’s press release:

"Pioneering new ways for the world to experience music, Nokia today announced the launch of the new Nokia X6. Capable of playing up to 35 hours of music, the Nokia X6 is a powerful entertainment device, combining 32GB of on-board memory with a slick 3.2" finger touch interface.

The ultimate device for music lovers and social butterflies, the Nokia X6 has a 16:9 widescreen optimised for photos, videos and browsing. With direct access to Ovi Store, the Nokia X6 is a hive of activity that brings 20 friends and virtual communities, like Facebook, to your homescreen."

The X6 is endowed with a capacitive screen expected to arrive in Q4 2009 for the unlocked price of 459euros.

Check out the video for more. Nokia X6

Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 to be announced today

According to our sources, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 will definitely be official by the end of the day. We’re told that there will be some kind of official announcement at IFA at some point.

the X2 will be coming to the first few selected markets early in Q4. We’re in the final stages of talks with the various operators right now and will have more news re: which markets and which operators in the coming weeks.

The handset is the first of our second generation Xperia devices and will be the first to ship with the new Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system. It’ll also come packing an 8.1 megapixel camera, a 4Gb micro SD memory card and 13 pre-loaded panels.

The X2 does indeed look like a worthy successor to the popular X1 and naturally we’ll be doing our best to get some hand-on time with the handset as soon as we can!

And just as I am typing this post the press release falls in to my email box:

Today Sony Ericsson announces the XPERIA™ X2, a new Windows® phone that offers a best in class email and multimedia experience. In the modern world where 24/7 communication is key, users can instantly synchronise their mail and calendar and open and edit Microsoft® Office Mobile documents quickly and efficiently to stay connected with colleagues wherever they are.

The XPERIA™ X2 also includes the unique SlideView feature, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities. Providing quick interaction with contacts, messages, media and more, SlideView provides an overview of missed incoming activity, notifying the user of any missed calls, e-mails and text messages so users don’t overlook an important contact.

With 14 specially designed preloaded XPERIA™ panels and 16 more to download, users can work with no boundaries with the XPERIA™ X2. From Skype, Mytopia and Google™, to games, CNN and Windows Live™, the panels ensure users are up-to-date with what matters most to them. With an improved touch interface and new 3D signature panel users also benefit from flexible desktop panels designed to categorise business, fun and communication features. Just set favourites to appear during certain times of the day and you can get the latest news in the morning, YouTube™ at lunchtime and games for the journey home.

Powered by QWERTY messaging, Windows Mobile® users can even show their presentations on the big screen with the TV out cable – the XPERIA™ X2 makes a day at the office a walk in the park.

“In the fast-moving world we live in, the need to stay connected has never been so important.” said Sumit Malhotra, marketing business manager, Sony Ericsson. “We constantly rely on our mobile phones as an extension to the office and the XPERIA™ X2 debuting with Windows Mobile® 6.5, allows users to work quickly and efficiently while on the move. The XPERIA™ X2 also features a new range of interactive panels as well as SlideView, which provides quick access to frequently used phone activities – perfect for those who need to see any missed incoming activity at a glance.”

Entertainment is not compromised on XPERIA™ X2. Enjoy amazing multimedia with the 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality and take advantage of the 8.1 megapixel camera to capture and instantly share experiences with friends and family. Personalise the panels and users can access Facebook™ to upload their party or holiday images and they can chat with friends across the world via Skype. Whether it is music, photography, email, video or gaming the XPERIA™ X2 has it all.

“Windows® phones allow people to manage their whole world – from work to home to play – on a single handset,” said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager, product management, Microsoft Corp.  “The XPERIA™ X2 taps the powerful messaging and multimedia capabilities in Windows Mobile® so customers can be in touch, productive and entertained wherever they are.”

With the need to stay connected 24/7 Sony Ericsson has designed XPERIA™ Services, a bespoke and unique after sales package designed to help XPERIA™ X2 users get the most out of their mobile phone. With a specialised technical team standing by to support busy users and talk through the outstanding features the XPERIA™ X2 has to offer, users can get help from troubleshooting to how to access their favourite websites. And if their XPERIA™ X2 stops working while they are abroad, XPERIA™ Services can replace the mobile phone via a simple phone call. 

XPERIA™ Services really has been devised with the consumer in mind and to help consumers discover more about their XPERIA™ X2.

XPERIA™ X2

Live life without boundaries

· Windows Mobile® 6.5 – work on the move easier
· Make the most of the day – flexible desktop panels categorised for life: communication and fun, multimedia, business and internet

· Work without boundaries – instant synchronisation of mail, calendar powered by QWERTY keyboard messaging and Windows Mobile®

· SlideView – quick access to frequently used phone activities and overview of missed incoming activity
· Present documents on the big screen – TV out cable
· Never get stranded – XPERIA™ exclusive travel insurance
· Enjoy amazing multimedia – 3.2” high resolution touch screen and DVD quality
· 8.1 megapixel camera with Photo light – easily upload images to web albums
· Real 3D panel – 3D effects and zoom, music playback controls

Big business meeting? Arrive charged with the Car Charger AN300 – ultra fast, ultra-safe and ultra-reliable. A perfect accessory for the XPERIA™ X2, it charges 40 per cent faster than most car chargers – just plug into the cigarette lighter and go.

Any X1 owners out there itching to upgrade?

Posted by: Matt

Phonearena looks at the Nokia Booklet 3G

A netbook that seems to be gaining a lot more attention than most is Nokia’s new Booklet. It’s an impressive little machine and Phonearena have had a chance to sit down and have a look at it. 10.1-inch 1280×720 pixels display, smooth 720p video playback, 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, 1GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 120 GB hard drive, Wi-Fi, 3G modem.

HTC Announce the HTC Touch2

Yet another new device announced by HTC, today it’s the HTC Touch2. This one come as a bit of a surprise to be honest! The main highlight is Windows Mobile 6.5 OS (at last).

Appears to be a good looking handset and one we’ll obviously be trying to get our hands on for review.

HTC Touch2 specification:

• Weight 110g, with battery.
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional
• Qualcomm MSM7225, 528 MHz CPU
• RAM – 256 MB
• ROM – 512 MB
• 2.8-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with QVGA resolution
• Bluetooth 2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets
• Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 b/g
• 3.5 mm audio jack
• Built in GPS
• HTC ExtUSB (11-pin mini-USB 2.0)
• Battery Standby: Up to 370 hours
• Battery Talk Time: Up to 440 minutes

HTC Corporation today introduced the HTC Touch2™, a compact and stylish smartphone that is one of the first mobile phones to include Microsoft’s new Windows Phone software. Utilizing Windows Mobile 6.5 and new Windows Phone services like My Phone and Windows Marketplace, HTC Touch2 delivers a full touch experience that enables you to do all the things you want on your phone easily. The Touch2 expands HTC’s portfolio of touch-based phones and is focused on delivering an advanced touch experience to a broader group of people.

“The HTC Touch2 delivers a familiar touch experience that millions of people have come to expect and rely on from HTC in their daily lives,” said Peter Chou, Chief Executive Officer, HTC Corporation.  “Whether it’s making a call, checking in with a friend or simply responding to an important email, the HTC Touch2 puts you in touch and in control.”

The HTC Touch2 ensures that everything is at your fingertips in a compact design that fits comfortably in your hand.  An advanced smartphone with everything you expect and more, the HTC Touch2 includes a variety of HTC enhancements including TouchFLO, an enhanced user interface that includes integrated weather updates and quick touch access to a variety of the most popular applications.  In addition, the Touch2 includes Google Maps for Mobile, YouTube and more.

As a new Windows phone, the HTC Touch2 showcases the powerful messaging, browsing and productivity capabilities delivered by the new Windows Mobile 6.5.  Offering a best in class e-mail experience complete with the ability to synchronize with Microsoft Exchange, you have the ability to check and manage multiple email accounts.

With the Re-designed Internet Explorer Mobile, the Touch2 accurately displays desktop style Web pages, allowing people to experience content in the way it is meant to be viewed. The HTC Touch2 includes a zoom bar for reflowing text to an optimum size.  In addition, you can pan and zoom to find and enjoy what you are looking for more easily.  Internet Explorer-Mobile also supports Adobe Flash, enabling Flash video content, like YouTube, to be viewed easily.   

With Windows phone you can now easily find and download a wide variety of applications onto the HTC Touch2 via the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile.  Microsoft’s new My Phone service enables you to automatically back up and synch photos, music, contacts and text messages for free from the Touch2 to the web.

Availability

The HTC Touch2 will initially be available to customers on October 6 with broad availability in a variety of European and Asian markets in early Q4 2009.

So what do we all think of this one?

Posted by: Matt