Archive for July, 2011

Samsung Galaxy S II coming soon to Clove in White

The chaps at Clove have given us a shout this afternoon to let us know that the popular Samsung Galaxy S II will be available in White from approximately 15th August.

Loads of iPhone fans waited for a long time for a white version so I am sure this new white Galaxy S II will be just as popular.

If you have not read our review of the Samsung Galaxy S II you can do so here.

Or alternatively here is Patrick’s conclusion if you have not got the time to read the whole thing now.

The Android space was dominated by the Galaxy S last year and I expect that this year the entire mobile space will be dominated by it’s successor. The hardware on the Galaxy S II won’t be beaten for quite some time (perhaps until this time next year) only to be matched by the HTC Sensation and maybe by the as yet unannounced new iPhone.

TouchWiz 4.0 really has matured and become much more useful and better to use than last year’s version and with Google’s recent announcement that Android handsets will be updated for 18 months after release, you will stay current if you purchase this handset. Especially, when Google releases Ice Cream Sandwich and Samsung updates the Galaxy S II to this tasty treat.

It is truly the best smartphone that I have ever used. The hardware and software comes together in harmony and produces a fast, easy and productive handset that is an absolute joy to use. If you have any doubts whatsoever about buying this handset, forget them.  You will not be disappointed.

We don’t have a rating system here but if we did, it would get a 10/10 with no questions asked. It really is that good!

Head on over to Clove for pricing and of course we will confirm with you when the white version is in stock.

Posted by: James

Tesco to offer free Wi-Fi in stores

This sounds pretty good. Tesco are the first UK supermarket to be trialing free in store Wi-Fi. This will allow shoppers to browse the web on tablets and laptops while in the shop which could come in jolly handy if your wife/girlfriend takes as long shopping as mine does!

Many large supermarkets are prone to have black spots so another benefit here will be if you have a UMA enabled Smartphone.

A Tesco spokesperson said:

‘We are currently running trials for the new service in four of our stores and if it proved successful it will then be rolled out quickly across all our UK chains.’

Lets hope the other supermarket chains follow suit.

Posted by: James

Orange stocking the BlackBerry PlayBook

If you are looking to pick up the BlackBerry PlayBook you now have another alternative place to purchase one and that is Orange. The network sent me a text message to let me know and in addition they also currently have 20% off accessories at the moment.

If you get the PlayBook you more than likely want to grab a case for it to prevent those unwanted scrapes and scratched.

If the PlayBook is a maybe why not check out our extensive review?

Head over to the Orange store by clicking here.

Posted by: James

HTC open Negotiations with Apple

More news in the on-going saga of Apple vs HTC and today it would see a slight change of tone for HTC. Yesterday CEO Peter Chou took a fairly aggressive stance when asked about HTC’s intentions where Apple were concerned using words like ‘war’ when talking about smartphone dominance and saying that HTC ‘Will win’ the battle.

But today it’s a more diplomatic message from the HTC camp this time with a few comments from CFO Winston Yung. Yung say’s that this company, HTC, are willing to negotiate a deal with Apple over the current patent claims and added that ‘We have to sit down and figure it out. We’re open to having discussions’ and ‘We are open to all sorts of solutions, as long as the solution and the terms are fair and reasonable. On and off we’ve had discussions with Apple, even before the initial determination came out’

However, if HTC agree a deal with Apple then this does rather leave other Android OEM’s in a rather precarious position, after all it’s not just HTC that are allegedly infrindging upon Apple’s patents and if HTC choose not to make a stand this could spell disaster for the smaller companies that may be unable to to pay fees or to fight an expensive patent war.

Posted by: Matt

Post Tags: [HTC, Apple, Patent infringement, legal battle, tracyandmatt.co.uk]

New Blackberry’s to be announced today

A day after RIM announced they are going to cut 2000 jobs they have also teased us about new devices that should be announced today.

Last night on their Twitter account BlackBerry said the following:

‘You got it! New #BlackBerry devices are coming w/ or new OS, BlackBerry 7! Check back tmrw 4 deets on #BB7FanNight ^CH.’

They also published a teaser on Facebook too:

‘Hey Team BlackBerry, what’s shiny, new and social all over? We want to tell you all about it. Can you guess what it might be? Tune in tomorrow for details!

From various leaks we know a Torch 2 is on the cards as well as a Touch screen only Blackberry. Or could it be the new Curve? Either way we should find out later today at some point.

We will of course bring you any press releases as we get them.

Posted by: James

Get triple minutes with the BlackBerry 9300 from Vodafone

In the market for a new phone? You may want to consider the BlackBerry Curve 9300 from Vodafone because up until the end of the month you can get yourself triple minutes with a new contract!

Before 31st July, 2011 you can make the most of this offer from Vodafone and get the BlackBerry Curve 9300 with 3 times the minutes you would normally get.  The phone is free on any contract from £20.50 per month or more so make the most of this limited offer this month and bag yourself a bargain.

With the Curve’s big keyboard and GPS, typing messages is easier and the 3G web connection makes web browsing and emailing as quick as on your PC. Designed with you in mind – you can also find all your music and websites faster with the media keys and new trackpad.

Click here to view the offers and sign up.

Posted by: James

RIM correct ComScore statistics

Last week ComScore announced OS smartphone growth in the UK from the period May 2010 to May 2011 but it looks like they got it wrong when it comes to the BlackBerry smartphone.

RIM have been quick off the mark to correct the mistake that ComScore made in relation to BlackBerry smartphones sold here in the UK in the above period. RIM have released the following statement:

ComScore estimated that RIM had 3.591 million  BlackBerry subscribers in the UK at the end of May 2011 when in fact RIM’s UK subscriber base at the end of May 2011 stood at just under 7 million subscribers.

RIM is committed to providing its customers with the very best BlackBerry experience and is proud to be the UK’s #1 smartphone brand*.  RIM has experienced strong international growth, with 67% of revenue in Q1 FY12 derived from international markets.  The UK plays an important role in RIM’s international growth along with other countries in EMEA, such as the Netherlands, South Africa, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where BlackBerry also holds #1 smartphone positions*.

GfK data May*

· UK: According to GfK Retail and Technology, BlackBerry was the number one smartphone vendor and number one prepay smartphone vendor in UK in May 2011. The BlackBerry® Curve 8520 was the best selling prepay phone in the UK.

· Netherlands:  According to GfK Retail and Technology, BlackBerry was the number one smartphone vendor and number one prepay smartphone vendor in the Netherlands in May 2011. Over the month, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 was the best selling prepay phone in the Netherlands.

· South Africa: According to GfK Retail and Technology, BlackBerry was the number one smartphone vendor and number one Contract Mobile Phone and Smartphone vendor in South Africa in May 2011. Over the month, the BlackBerry Curve 8520, the BlackBerry Bold 9780 and the BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 were the best selling smartphones in South Africa.

· Saudi Arabia: According to GfK Retail and Technology, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 was the best selling smartphone in Saudi Arabia in May 2011.

· UAE: According to GfK Retail and Technology, the BlackBerry BoldT9780 was the best selling smartphone in UAE in May 2011

Posted by: James