Press Releases

RIM announce BlackBerry 10 launch event!

I have been waiting for today for many months but at last we know that BlackBerry 10 is still on track and RIM will hold a launch event on January 30th, 2013 – WOOP!

You can catch the official press release below:

Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) announced today that it will hold its BlackBerry® 10 launch event on January 30^th, 2013. The event will happen simultaneously in multiple countries around the world.  This day will mark the official launch of its new platform – BlackBerry 10, as well as the unveiling of the first two BlackBerry 10 smartphones.  Details on the smartphones and their availability will be announced at the event.

“In building BlackBerry 10, we set out to create a truly unique mobile computing experience that constantly adapts to your needs.  Our team has been working tirelessly to bring our customers innovative features combined with a best in class browser, a rich application ecosystem, and cutting-edge multimedia capabilities.  All of this will be integrated into a user experience – the BlackBerry Flow – that is unlike any smartphone on the market today,” said Thorsten Heins, President and CEO of Research In Motion.  “Thanks to our strong partnerships with global carriers and a growing ecosystem of developers, we believe our customers will have the best experience possible with BlackBerry 10.  We are looking forward to getting BlackBerry 10 in the hands of our customers around the world.”

Clothes Show Live launches revamped smartphone app

Clothes Show Live has unveiled a brand new version of its free smartphone app featuring everything fans need to know about the UK’s biggest fashion and beauty event plus fantastic shopping offers, competitions and fashion street style 24/7.

The app allows users to view the latest show news, celebrity announcements, exclusive discounts, expert style and beauty blogs as well as the hottest street style looks from every major city in the UK – a must have for beauty addicts and slaves to fashion.

New for this year, a dedicated tab on the app allows fans to enter a host of great ticket and product competitions run by Clothes Show Live in partnership with a number of great exhibitors. The Style Scout feature gives eagle eyed fashion spotters the opportunity to upload images when out and about, documenting the hottest street style looks for everyone to see and providing constant outfit inspiration, click here for more details.

Clothes Show Live, fronted this year by model Daisy Lowe, takes place from 7-11 December at NEC Birmingham celebrating British fashion at its finest. The five day event features non-stop catwalk shows, designer guests, celebrities, makeovers, champagne bars, hundreds of fashion and beauty brands to shop from as well as the spectacular Suzuki Fashion Theatre performance featuring over 40 handpicked models and dancers.

Clothes Show Live Show Director Maryam Hamizadeh added: ‘Our brand new app brings Clothes Show fans fast news to their fingertips, allowing them to keep up to date with the latest celebrity, fashion, and beauty news about the show. This year we have packed the app full of content so whether on the move or waiting around, Clothes Show Live fans can be part of the action.’

The Clothes Show Live app is free to download and available now from Google Play at the AppStore. Search for ‘Clothes Show’.

Posted by: James

BlackBerry PlayBook 3G+ announced

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the new 3G+ BlackBerry® PlayBook tablet with built-in support for cellular networks in now available for customers in the UK. The new 3G+ BlackBerry PlayBook maintains a sleek and ultra-portable form while delivering an overall faster performance than the original BlackBerry PlayBook, as well as support for high-speed 3G+ networks.

“The new 3G+ BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is a powerful, portable, and versatile tool that helps customers be more productive than ever and to make the most of their time on the go,” said Johnathan Young, Head of Consumer & Retail Channels, UK, Research In Motion. “It includes all the connectivity a customer needs to make their work time more effective, as well as access to a wide variety of apps and multimedia content for when they want to stay entertained on the move.”

Featuring the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2 software, the 3G+ BlackBerry PlayBook tablet gives customers access to high speed 3G+ mobile networks around the world. It offers a high-fidelity, fast web browser that delivers an exceptional experience for consuming web content, videos, and HTML5 applications. The software’s powerful unified inbox allows customers to easily manage multiple personal and work email accounts, as well as messages from Twitter®, Facebook® and LinkedIn, all from one place. The built-in Calendar and Contacts apps offer features to help customers better manage schedules and prepare for more effective meetings, while the apps’ unique integration with social networks ensure that customers have a wealth of information about their contacts at their fingertips.

EE are clearly proud of their work this week

In a statement tonight from EE, Marc Allera, Chief Sales Officer says:

“This has been a tremendous week, and we are hugely proud to be pioneering the UK’s first 4G mobile and fibre broadband network.

“We’ve seen an outstandingly positive response to the EE brand and the introduction of our superfast 4G and fibre services. In line with expectations we’ve already connected thousands of consumers and businesses to our new 4G and Fibre Broadband plans, with fantastic customer interest.

“And this is just the start. We’re investing every day to make our 4G coverage stronger and wider. EE engineers are busy increasing 4G coverage by over 2,000 square miles every month, as well as continuing to strengthen our 4G network for customers in EE’s launch cities.

“By the time other 4G services launch, possibly in the middle of next year, our customers will already  have been enjoying an unrivalled 4G experience on a wide range of exciting devices across the UK for many months.”

Posted by: James

Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini to go on sale on November 8th

Samsung Mobile UK today announced that the Galaxy S III Mini, a compact version of its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S III, will be available in the UK from Thursday 8^th November with free content, including The Sims 3 and Bejewelled 2.

The stylish and compact design offers a comfortable grip and an impressive 4.0-inch AMOLED screen, allowing people to enjoy a fantastic range of features such as Chat On, Buddy Photo Share, Social Tag and the Official Top 40 Charts app.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, Telecommunications & Networks, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “Our latest addition to the Galaxy portfolio, the Galaxy S III Mini brings the high performance, intuitive ease-of-use and nature-inspired design of the Galaxy S III in a new elegant yet compact form. Following the massive success and popularity of the Galaxy S III and all its features, we are confident customers will enjoy the Galaxy SIII Mini when it hits the shelves on the 8^th November.”

The Galaxy S III Mini is powered by AndroidT 4.1 (Jelly Bean), the latest version of the world’s most popular smartphone operating system, benefitting from fast, fluid and smooth graphics along with a new Google SearchT experience featuring Google Now.

Packed with the key features that have made the Galaxy S III, one of this years’ most sought after smartphones, including intelligent technology designed to make interacting with the phone natural and intuitive, this compact version features the ability to understand human gestures, S Voice; which provides customised commands as well as Direct Call which allows customers to automatically call that person simply from the motion of lifting the phone to their ear collate to make an efficient and natural user experience.

In addition, the Galaxy S III Mini gives customers access to the Samsung Video and Games Hub, as well as a 50GB Dropbox which is free for two years. Smart Stay and Best Photo features are also provided, helping to capture the prefect shot when using the 5 mega pixel camera. The Galaxy S III Mini will be available to buy in the UK across all major networks, key high street and out of town electrical retailers and online retailers from 8^th November.

Posted by: James

Free CoPilot GPS app for iPhone gets an update

ALK Technologies, leading developer of mobile navigation applications, is pleased to announce a major update to its free CoPilot GPS mapping and planning app for Apple’s iPhone and iPad. Also perfect for the new iPad Mini with GPS!

The latest update (v9.3) optimised for iPhone 5 and iOS 6 brings updated offline maps, and new and improved navigation features for the popular free version of CoPilot, which has been downloaded by two million users since it was launched in the summer 2012.

New in v9.3 are:

• Optimised for iPhone5 – full screen navigation on the iPhone5’s new taller screen
• Free map update – the latest NAVTEQ street maps, including the addition of the Hindhead tunnel, the M74 extension in Glasgow and the second Tyne Tunnel
• Google search – CoPilot’s Local Search is now powered by Google
• Apple maps integration – navigate with CoPilot from Apple Maps
• New info display – including Current Road
• Themes – four new free colour schemes are available to personalise your CoPilot
• Drive for a cause – a paid-for pink theme in support of Breast Cancer Awareness (all proceeds go to charity)
• Numerous user interface enhancements

CoPilot GPS is the free edition of the award-winning CoPilot navigation range. It includes powerful trip planning and offline maps. Turn by turn navigation is available via in-app purchase.

CoPilot GPS v9.3 for iPhone and iPad is available now as a free download from the iTunes store.

Posted by: James

Phones 4U Windows Phone 8 lineup

Phones 4u today announces the launch of an extensive and exciting range of Windows Phone 8 devices, including six smartphone and colour exclusives.

The extensive range being offered at Phones 4u reinforces the significance of the category to the high street retailer, with staff on-hand to offer expert advice and an interactive customer experience.  A series of Windows Phone launch events, in partnership with Microsoft, are also planned to take place in flagship Phones 4u stores across the UK this November.

In addition to the compelling variety of Windows Phone smartphones on offer, Phones 4u has been chosen by Windows Phone as its retail partner on its stand at this year’s Gadget Show Live event taking place from 30^th November to 2^nd December 2012. Phones 4u personnel – experts on all things mobile and Windows Phone  – will be on hand on the stand to showcase the latest Windows Phone  smartphones in the range, discuss tariffs and sell Windows Phones to consumers who are ready to purchase on the day.

Scott Hooton, Chief Commercial Officer at Phones 4u comments: “We’re delighted to be announcing our exclusive and extensive Windows Phone range of smartphones to our customers. We know from the fact that we have sold more Windows Phones in the UK than anyone else that our customers are strong advocates of the operating system and we are committed to providing them with unparalleled expert advice on the high-street and online for Windows Phone 8 as Microsoft launch the next generation of Windows Phone.”

Leila Martine, Director Windows Phone, Microsoft Ltd said: “Phones 4u has been a Windows Phone partner from the very start as it realised there was a real market opportunity for Windows Phone.  An opportunity which lies with all the people who were looking for something fresh and different in their smartphone.  Phones 4u continue to offer the broadest range of Windows Phones, which makes it a great place to pop in and pick one up.”

See the full range below:

Microsoft Launches Windows 8 in the United Kingdom

Today, Microsoft announced the availability of Windows 8 for its customers in the United Kingdom and around the world. Beginning on Friday, October 26, consumers and businesses worldwide will be able to experience all that Windows 8 has to offer: a beautiful new UI, a wide range of apps with the grand opening of the Windows Store, available on more than 1000 Windows 8 certified  PCs and tablets.

Windows 8 will be available for download to upgrade existing PCs in over 140 markets and 37 languages at windowsupgradeoffer.com, and at retail locations around the world including PC World, John Lewis and other computer retailers.

“With the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft is unveiling a reimagined Windows to the world,” said Jean-Pierre Van Tiel, UK Director of Windows, Microsoft. “Whether you want a tablet or a PC, whether you want to consume or create, whether you want to work or play – Windows 8 delivers a personalized experience that fits your unique style and needs.”

Windows 8 will be available in two versions at retail, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. And for our business customers, Windows 8 Enterprise offers new possibilities in mobile productivity with features like Windows To Go, DirectAccess, and BranchCache, as well as enhanced end-to-end security with features including BitLocker and AppLocker. Launching at the same time is a new member of the Windows family designed for ARM-based tablets, Windows RT, which will be available pre-installed on new devices. Windows 8 features the new fast and fluid Start screen that gives people one-click access to the apps and content they care most about, the entirely new Internet Explorer 10 that is perfect for touch, and built-in cloud capabilities with SkyDrive.

EE to also sell the iPad mini and 4th gen iPad

EE today announced that in the coming weeks it will offer iPad mini and fourth generation iPad. EE will offer these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to the UK’s first 4G mobile network, with speeds typically five times faster than 3G. Orange and T-Mobile will also offer iPad mini and fourth generation iPad on fast HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA networks.

iPad mini is a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad, and features a stunning 7.9-inch display, Apple-designed dual-core A5 chip, ultrafast wireless performance and an incredible 10-hours of battery life. The fourth generation iPad has a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina display, Apple-designed A6X chip with blazing fast performance, a new FaceTime HD camera and even faster Wi-Fi performance. Both iPad mini and fourth generation iPad come with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.
For more information about iPad please visit www.apple.com/ipad/

Posted by: James

An art gallery in your living room? Possible with Samsung’s new Smart TV app

Samsung Electronics today unveils a first look at the s[edition] App onto Samsung Smart TV. The new premium App, which will be exclusively showcased this week at WIRED 2012, will create an exciting artistic display for WIRED delegates as they explore the exhibition zone and see works from some of the world’s most acclaimed contemporary artists via Samsung’s 75-inch ES9000 LED Smart TV.

Including unique and exciting works of art from artists including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Shepard Fairey, the s[edition] App provides Samsung Smart TV owners with the chance to buy, collect and display limited edition art for the home. Prices for a work of art range between £5 and £1000 and come complete with a certificate of authenticity.

What’s more, the unrivalled picture quality of Samsung’s Smart TVs enhances the artwork with the Micro Dimming Ultimate and Precision Black technology available on the latest Smart TVs in the range delivering richer, more optimised colour and detail. The higher contrast ratios, deeper black levels and increased brightness also help bring to life the colours within the art.