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Posted by: James
Archive for 2012
Samsung Galaxy SIII Outsells Competition
It’s official that the Samsung Galaxy SIII is the most pre-ordered mobile phone in history. The last pre-order figures before release had topped a stunning 9 million handsets.
The pre-order numbers have probably benefitted from the new JUMP contracts (which stand for Just Update My Phone) and allow customers to switch between mobile phone deals, service providers and the latest models with minimum fuss. The Galaxy SIII is being called the ‘iPhone killer’, and in the UAE it’s even being subsidised.
The phone has received positive feedback overall. It’s been praised for being comfortable to hold in the hand, despite its large screen size. The 1.4Ghz quad core processor is also touted to be incredibly fast and indeed this is one of the Galaxy’s leading new features. Indeed perhaps the only thing that seems to be worth criticising is the battery cover, which remains as thin and plasticky as it did in other models. This has become something of a running joke with the Galaxy models and it’s a design flaw that Samsung just can’t seem to find a way around.
In the US, AT&T will be carrying a special edition red version of the phone but it will not be offering customers the 32GB version, leading to some speculation of a compromise. The phone is yet to launch in the US, and other regions will only be carrying the standard Marble White or Pebble Blue editions.
Meanwhile, Samsung continues to hit home runs with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate. The Exhilarate phone will features 80% consumer recycled material and has an incredibly efficient charging system that alerts the users when the phone has sufficiently charged. It has also been certified by UL Environment. Samsung is currently on a winning streak of establishing itself as an innovator in the mobile market.
Spotify updates its iOS app bringing streaming to non-premium users.
The music streaming giant have announced that ‘in the next few days’ an update will roll out for iOS devices. The update will bring with it a feature that was introduced last year just for the desktop application, Radio. The key thing here though is that the feature will be available to both the premium users and the free users!
Users will be able to generate ‘Radio stations’ using artists, albums, songs and spotty playlists, one other thing that also remains is the feature that Spotify loves so much, this is of course the social functionality which means that songs and the radio stations will appear in your friends’ Facebook timelines. Also with this feature comes the ability to create a playlist based on what your friends listen to.
The radio feature according to the company themselves will be coming to all major platforms in due course but for now iPad, iPhone and iPod users can expect the update in a few days.
You can see the full press release below:
Sony Smart Headset Pro – Unboxing Video
I tend not to use headphones very often but when I do it is normally when taking a trip into the big smoke for a press event or business meeting. When Clove offered me the Sony Smart Headset Pro for review I jumped at the chance as I don’t particularly having a wire running from my ears to my phone.
The thought of using Bluetooth coupled with the brand name Sony had me excited and when they arrived I was pleasantly surprised how nice they were.
So below you can see the unboxing video, however you will have to excuse one rather larger error. Well, not so much an error but an oversight (that makes me feel better). I failed to realise that the headset had an LCD screen hidden under a sticker! What a doofus!
Anyway, we will have a full review coming soon but in the meantime you can check out the hardware, minus the screen of course!
Microsoft announce the ‘Surface’ tablet – with two variations
Over in Americaland Microsoft have unveiled the ‘Surface’ tablet which as expected many will say may rival the Apple iPad.
Let’s get straight down to the facts and what we know about the device or should I say devices as there are two variants.
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Software takes center stage: Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.
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VaporMg: The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.
T-Mobile launches Internet & Broadband Travel Boosters
T-Mobile today announces the launch of Internet and Broadband Travel Boosters, a brand new system offering customers the unbeatable peace of mind that they will never pay more than they expect, anywhere in the world – for the use of any mobile data service. The first of their kind for the UK, the Travel Boosters are available from 19th June 2012, across all consumer and business plans.
Customers wanting to use mobile data anywhere abroad, via their smartphone or mobile broadband device, will simply be re-directed to a page where they can click to buy a booster. Once the purchase is complete, they can immediately continue to browse the internet, update Facebook, email or download apps and documents without the worry of paying more than they expect when they return from their travels.
The Internet Travel Boosters (for smartphones) and Broadband Travel Boosters (for all mobile broadband devices) start from just £1, with a full range of bundle sizes available1, each of which last for 30 days or until the data has been used2. The cost of the bundle will either be added to the customer’s monthly bill, or deducted from their pay as you go credit – and once the bundle has been used, customers can simply buy another.
Ben Fritsch, Head of Propositions, T-Mobile UK comments: “This year, 90% of all our new3 pay monthly customers have opted for a smartphone, which proves the ever increasing demand from consumers to be connected while on the go. We are really proud to be the first UK operator to ensure our customers can continue to be connected, anywhere in the world – and have the peace of mind they’ll never come back to an unexpected bill.”
For more information, please visit www.t-mobile.co.uk/roaming
Posted by: James
Ice Cream Sandwich rolling our for the Sony Xperia active
According to gsmarena, Sony have announced that they are rolling out the Android 4.0 update to the Xperia active so keep your eyes glued to your phone. Updates may be regional, as usual, so it may take a day or two but at least it is coming.
The small rugged Android device may not be the most popular but we have heard good things about it from numerous sources.
You can see a reminder of the phones specs below or check out our unboxing video here.
Microsoft Codex tablets could be on their way
On Monday the 19th Microsoft be will be holding a bit on an event and a number of sources believe they will be announcing their own brand of tablets.
It has been a while since Microsoft have played ball in the hardware sector with anything that doesn’t have Xbox written on it. However, if Microsoft tackle it correctly they could be onto a winner.
It seems more likely Microsoft will bring in a company to do their hardware for them, as with partnering up with Nokia for Windows Phone. Aside from Xbox the biggest contribution to hardware Microsoft have made in the last few years is the Kin One and Kin Two. Recent rumours surrounding comments about HTC’s lack of experience to handle some form of Tablet also help reinforce the idea they will be partnering with a company to bring the Windows experience to tablets.
The budget end of the tablet market is really booming, Amazon have proved this Stateside with their Kindle Fire and Google look to be putting their stamp on it with the fabled Nexus Tablet. If Microsoft if hoping to play in this market they will have their work cut out for them as manufactures have always had to pay heavy licensing fees alongside high level specifications to push out a decent Windows tablet in the past.
Thankfully, there is no long wait to find out what is going to happen as we will know by tomorrow.
Posted by: Gareth
Hands on with BlackBerry 10
BlackBerry 10 Jam took place in London on Thursday and the part I was looking forward to most was getting my hands on the dev alpha device running BlackBerry 10. Although RIM’s new OS is not due for release until Q4 this year what we have seen so far is both beautiful and in many ways unique.
BlackBerry 10 has been designed for BlackBerry users – people who want to get stuff done quickly and efficiently and the new OS allows for both those features, either one handed or two as the first release will be a touch screen handset.
I managed to grab some rather nice photos of what I was ‘allowed’ to see on the device which you can see below.
I’m sure you will agree with me that BlackBerry 10 looks amazing. The best is still yet to come.
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