Press Releases

LG Touchscreen Watch Phone on Orange

The new LG Touchscreen Watch Phone may well not be a world first but most definitely a UK first as the press release below will tell you.

Watch Phone heralds new era of ‘future phones’ from Orange

Orange to launch Watch Phone exclusively in the UK this summer – one of several latest must-have multimedia devices from Orange to be announced over the forthcoming months

Orange today announced that the world’s first Touchscreen Watch Phone will hit UK stores in August. The LG Touchscreen Watch Phone will be one of several new innovative ‘future phones’ Orange will be ranging over the next 18 months, chosen specifically for their unique digital lifestyle benefits that allow users to make the most from the latest shifts in modern technology.

Available from Orange for a limited time period, the Watch Phone will be available at an exclusive price point on Orange pay as you go. The device features a compact and stylish design with a Bluetooth headset, in-built speaker and a full touch-screen interface, as well as 3G+ and video-calling capabilities.

The device heralds a new focus from Orange, to showcase the latest innovative, original, and high-end multimedia devices on the market, with at least three new market-leading devices to be unveiled by the end of the year.

lexander, CEO Orange UK said: “The Watch Phone is the must-have gadget of 2009. It’s handcrafted, exclusively limited, and will turn heads on the high street.

"Our ambition is to become the best loved communications brand in the UK, and the destination brand of choice for high-end mobile users in the market. To help us achieve this, we have secured some of the most original and innovative devices available.

"The Watch Phone is the first of these devices, all focused on bringing a 21st-century experience to our 21st century customers.

“Over time we also intend to match the power of these devices with bespoke multimedia packages, driving even more inspirational conversations and deeper connections for our customers.”

Mobile Multimedia

Orange has already begun integrating multimedia services into its animal packages, with the company now offering inclusive ‘sat nav’, mobile internet and email services on select pay-monthly price plans.

Furthermore, recent developments in device advancements, matched with the creation of price plans designed for multimedia usage have helped make it easier for consumers to access the content they want when on the move. On average 3.25 million monthly users now use Orange World (Orange’s mobile internet portal) and over one million Orange customers use their handset to access social networks every month.

I personally do not know what to make of this, I guess I would be intrigued to have a look and test it to make my mind up for sure. I’ll get onto Orange and see if they would be willing to send us one to review.

Posted by: John

Press Release: Orange announces HTC Touch Pro2

Orange announces HTC Touch Pro2 for business customers

The ultimate high-end Windows Mobile PDA phone for business customers serious about their communication 

· Straight TalkT – Sometimes you need to stop bouncing emails back and forth and just make the call. The HTC Touch Pro2 lets you do it instantly, from within the email, just by tapping the image icon of the sender

· Slide out QWERTY keyboard and screen tilt feature makes writing email easy

· Powered by Windows Mobile Professional® 6.1 for seamless integration with business networks

2 July 2009 – Orange today announced  the availability of the HTC Touch Pro2  for all business customers,  combining multimedia and powerful business tools with smart styling.

The HTC Touch Pro2 makes organising, hosting and participating in conference calls easier than ever before. The appointment reminder tool will cue up dial-in details and the call agenda and with a tap of the screen you can effortlessly join the call. Further taps to the screen allow the user to also confer privately with a single person and then return to the conference call if they so wish. The HTC Touch Pro2’s quad-band 3G+ connectivity also delivers reliable high quality voice calling and with  Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional, users can very simply synchronise all Microsoft Outlook email, contacts and calendar information directly with their phone.

Business users can also use the HTC’s Straight TalkT feature to switch from an email account to single or multi-party voice calls by pressing the image icon of the email sender. For those on the move, the HTC Touch Pro2 transforms into a professional quality speaker phone with a noise-cancelling microphone and speakers, just by placing it face down on a surface.

The device also boasts a 3.6-inch high-resolution touch screen, while a slide out QWERTY keyboard with adjustable tilt allows users to easily write emails or amend documents. With capacity for an 8GB MicroSD card, professionals can use the HTC Touch Pro2 to watch a film, listen to music or browse the internet on the move.

“The HTC Touch Pro2 is packed with features to make everyday business tasks a great deal easier and is the ideal mobile companion for the busy business user,” said François Mahieu, Director of Devices at Orange.

HTC Touch Pro 2

I have to admit that I’m excited about this device. I haven’t yet posted any of my thoughts or comments regarding the Touch Pro 2 but being a BIG fan of HTC as a brand and the Touch HD and Touch Pro 1 as handsets this pretty much covers everything you could want.

If anyone has one and wants to give me a “long term” shot then feel free to get in touch :0) .

You can read our review of the touch pro 2 (in 3 parts) or view the unboxing video online now.

Posted by: John

Cheaper data roaming with Vodafone

If you travel overseas and use your mobile for picking up your email or web browsing I’m sure you’ll know just how expensive data roaming charges can be. Taking Orange for example, data roaming can cost up to £8 per MB – to put that in to context, receiving an email with a 1MB attachment would cost you £8! There are travel bundles that you can pre-purchase to reduce the cost of you roaming charges and these typically reduce the per-MB rate down to about £2.50.

However, £2.50 is still ridiculously expensive in my opinion, and just a little bit of casual browsing and email activity can easily run up huge bills.

Vodafone have gone a step further as you’ll see from their press release below. Vodafone Passport gives customers up to 25MB for just under £5 per day, around 20p per MB.  While this is definitely a step in the right direction I wonder if 25MB is really enough?

VODAFONE UK CUSTOMERS TO GET EVEN BETTER VALUE WHEN USING THE INTERNET OVERSEAS

• 2.5 million Vodafone UK customers benefitting from great value summer calls, text and picture messaging roaming with Vodafone Passport
• From 1 July, customers can browse the web, check their inbox and send emails for less than £5 a day while overseas
• Only UK network with  per day data roaming charges
• from £4.99 per day on a mobile for up to 25MB across Europe – the equivalent of 20p per MB
• £9.99 for 50MB on a laptop across Europe

Travellers are now set to get even better value and greater clarity on costs when accessing the internet around the world from their mobile phones or laptops from Vodafone UK.

From July 1, business and consumer customers, across Europe, can access the internet from their mobile phone for just £4.99 per day for up to 25MB.  Those who choose to only read a couple of emails, or quickly check Facebook  for example, and keep their usage below 1 MB, will be charged on a per kb rate. Receiving and replying to a short email will use around 100KB, which would cost just 50p.

Once a customer reaches 1MB the cost will be £4.99, but the next 24MB are free. This would be enough data to browse approximately 250 internet pages, read and reply to 25 emails, find your way to a restaurant on Google Maps, read eight news stories on the BBC website, change your status on Facebook and watch three 90 second videos on YouTube. Any further internet usage will be charged at £4.99 for each 25 MB.

This greater clarity and value has also been introduced for laptop users who want to use the internet when they are abroad.  Customers with their laptops in Europe will receive 50MB for £9.99.

For the purposes of roaming, a day is classified as midnight to midnight UK time so customers need to be aware of their time zone.  Outside Europe, customers will be charged £14.99 for each 25MB when accessing the internet via their mobile and £29.99 for 50MB through a laptop.

Vodafone is currently the only UK operator to offer per day data roaming charging which when broken down equates to just 20p per MB in Europe. Later in the summer, customers will receive real time alerts as they approach the end of their data allowance.

On June 1, Vodafone UK abolished roaming charges for Vodafone Passport customers in 35 countries across Europe.  Until August 31, Vodafone Passport customers can call, text and send picture messages from overseas for the same prices as they would at home.

For further information on data roaming visit vodafone.co.uk/data roaming. Information about Vodafone Passport and the summer roaming promotion can be found at vodafone.co.uk/roaming

Posted by: Matt

HTC Hero Press release

HTC Sense™ DEBUTS on new HTC hero™

HTC Hero is the world’s first Android-based phone with a

customized user interface

HTC Sense to be integrated across a portfolio of

phones beginning with HTC Hero

LONDON – June 24, 2009 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today debuted HTC Sense™, an intuitive and seamless experience that will be introduced across a portfolio of phones beginning with the new HTC Hero™. With its distinct design and powerful capabilities fully integrated with HTC Sense, Hero introduces a unique blend of form and function that takes Android to new heights.

HTC Sense is focused on putting people at the centre, by making your phone work in a more simple and natural way. This experience revolves around three fundamental principles that were designed by quietly observing and listening to how people live and communicate.

‘HTC Hero introduces a more natural way for reaching out to people and accessing your important information, not by following the status quo of today’s phones, but by following how you communicate and live your life,’ said Peter Chou, Chief Executive Officer, HTC Corporation. ”HTC Sense is a distinct experience created to make HTC phones more simple for people to use, leaving them saying, “it just makes sense.”’

HTC Hero

HTC Hero continues HTC’s leadership in cutting-edge design that focuses on introducing a variety of distinct devices to represent your own individuality. Boasting bevelled edges and an angled bottom, the HTC Hero is contoured to fit comfortably in your hand and against your face while you’re on a call. The HTC Hero is built to last, beginning with an anti-fingerprint screen coating for improved smudge-resistance and a longer-lasting, clearer display. The white HTC Hero includes an industry-first, Teflon coating, resulting in an improved, durable white surface that is soft to the touch.

With its 3.2-inch HVGA display, the HTC Hero is optimized for Web, multimedia and other content, while maintaining a small size and weight that fits comfortably in your hand. It also boasts a broad variety of hardware features including AGPS, digital compass, gravity-sensor, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, a five mega-pixel autofocus camera and expandable MicroSD memory. HTC Hero also includes a dedicated Search button that goes beyond basic search, providing you with a more natural, contextual search experience that enables you to search through Twitter, locate people in your contact list, find emails in your inbox or search in any other area in Hero.

HTC Sense

Built on a culture of innovation and a passion to enhance people’s lives, HTC shapes the mobile experience around the individual. Debuting on the HTC Hero and available on all new HTC devices moving forward, Sense delivers on three basic principles: Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected.

Make It Mine

Make It Mine is about feeling your HTC phone was created for and by you. To do this, HTC encourages you to dictate and organize how you want to access the people and content in your life in a way that fits best for you. For some, this means adding glance-view widgets that push content like twitter feeds, weather and other content to the surface while others may want quick access to business-focused information like email, calendar and world-times. HTC is also introducing a new profile feature called ‘Scenes’ that enables you to create different customized content profiles around specific functions or times in your life.

Stay Close

Today, staying in touch with the people in your life means managing a variety of communication channels and applications ranging from phone calls, emails, texts, photos, status updates and more. HTC Sense takes a different approach by integrating these communication channels and applications into one single view, enabling you to stay closer to your important people. With HTC Sense, friends’ Facebook status updates and photos, along with their Flickr photos are included alongside their text messages, emails and call history in a single view.

Discover the Unexpected

Many of the most memorable moments in your life are experienced, not explained. HTC Sense is focused on providing a variety of these simple yet innovative experiences on your HTC phone that will sometimes bring you moments of joy and delight. It can be something as basic as turning the phone over to silence a ring or as simple as improving the smart dialler for making calls quicker. HTC Sense also includes ‘Perspectives’, a new way for viewing your content such as email, photos, Twitter, music and more in different ways.

Availability

The HTC Hero will be available to people across Europe in July and in Asia later in the summer. A distinct North American version will be available later in 2009.

Posted by: Matt

[ Post Tags: HTC launch event, HTC, HTC Hero, Android, tracyandmatt.co.uk ]

Toshiba LCD TV’s get DivX certified

DivX have announced the first line of DivX Certified® HDTVs from Toshiba. The striking new Toshiba REGZA XV, ZV and SV LCD HDTV series enhances consumers’ viewing experience with support for high-quality DivX video.

Available now in the United States and in Europe this summer, the REGZA LCD HDTVs deliver brilliantly sharp imagery and support next-generation home network connectivity. Leveraging unique features such as Resolution+ technology, these new HDTVs enable the consumer to up-convert DivX video files to full 1080p high definition while preserving the outstanding visual quality that Toshiba builds into its consumer electronic products.

DivX technology allows movies to be compressed to a fraction of their original size, while maintaining excellent visual quality. Users can fit over six hours of high-quality DivX video on a 4GB USB. With support for DivX video, consumers can easily playback their DivX content via the USB flash drive directly on the REGZA TV.

"We have worked with DivX in the past for a range of Toshiba products, including portable DVD players and LCD TV/DVD combo to support DivX playback," said Masayuki Ito, Senior Manager of the TV Product Planning Group, TV Division, in Toshiba’s Digital Media Network Company. "Now that our new line of HDTVs is DivX Certified, we can increase the value we add for consumers so they can enjoy high-quality DivX video playback in the living room."

“DivX has long been a checklist feature in leading consumer electronics products, and it’s clear that we’ve evolved to become a must-have feature in HDTVs,” said Kevin Hell, Chief Executive Officer of DivX, Inc. “We are pleased to work with Toshiba to expand our ecosystem with the new series of Toshiba REGZA TVs soon to be available throughout the U.S. and Europe”

Products that bear the DivX Certified logo have undergone a rigorous testing program to ensure a high-quality DivX media experience, including reliable video creation and playback, interoperability with other DivX Certified devices and the visual high-quality users expect from DivX.

For more information about DivX video, visit www.divx.com.

Posted by: Matt

Sony Ericsson Launch the W995

In the press release just in from Sony Ericsson below they officially announce the W995:

With crystal clear resolution for the ultimate on-the-go audiovisual experience, the W995 Walkman™ phone allows you to stay entertained, with exclusive movie clips, podcasts and music videos.

The new W995 Walkman™ phone has been developed with an extensive range of entertainment services in mind. PlayNow™ Arena with Movies will offer subscribers 60 complimentary independent films a year.

PlayNow™ Clips, another exclusive service will enable consumers to access a host of entertainment content from sister Sony companies via a direct link on the phone’s cross media bar. Consumers will be able to download hundreds of the best Sony Music videos, watch a host of minisodes from a range of Sony Pictures TV shows and view the latest Sony Pictures movie trailers.

BBC iPlayer will also be available on the W995, bringing the very best television directly to you and Media Go™ will manage your media.

The W995 Walkman™ phone will be bundled with MS410 Snap-on Speaker Stand, providing listeners with a genuine clear audio experience. The phone also boasts a state of the art 2.6” screen, 8MP camera with face detection, 8GB memory and YouTube / Facebook access.

“The W995 really is the complete entertainment package and, via our extensive range of services, represents our on-going commitment to providing consumers with the best audiovisual experience, anytime and anywhere” commented Nathan Vautier, UK Managing Director at Sony Ericsson.

Showtime, Anytime with the W995 Walkman™

• Optimised video playback with style and performance – get the best possible video experience in your pocket
• Videos straight to your phone – Wi-Fi™ and Turbo 3G – easy video access to YouTube™ and other entertainment sites
• Clear 2.6” display, powerful speakers and 3.5mm audio socket – enjoy entertainment anywhere and anytime
• 8.1 megapixel camera – take picture perfect images with Photo Flash and face recognition
• Clear audio experience – enjoy the best sound possible, the way it was meant to be heard
• 8GB Memory Stick™ Micro – save an inexhaustible amount of music tracks, video clips and photos
• Tag a place-name to your memories or stay on track with aGPS and Google Maps™

Media Go™ – Makes it easy to bring your media with you

• Transfer, play and organise – with Media Go™ you can easily transfer music, videos, photos and podcasts between your mobile phone and computer
• Automatic sync – synchronise your music playlists automatically to keep the phone updated with your new music
• Auto convert – Media Go™ gives you the best quality playback of multi-media content on a mobile phone. There’s no need to use extra applications to be able to take your media with you.
• SensMe™ – create a playlist of songs in your library, you can also sort your music by mood or tempo
• Podcasts – it has never been easier to subscribe and download podcasts. Apart from adding your own favourites, the directory is there to help you to find the new and exciting content
• Audio CD transfer – Use Media Go™ to transfer your CDs and bring your music and audio books with you

The W995 Walkman™ supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UTMS/HSPA 900/2100. The W995 will be available in the colours Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver and Energetic Red.

Media Go™ will be available for all markets from the W995 launch in 15 different languages.

Posted by: Matt

LG announce the LG GD900 Crystal

LG Electronics (LG) announces the launch of the world’s first transparent handset, the LG GD900 Crystal.

The Crystal Touchpad, the keypad of the LG GD900 Crystal, slides out effortlessly from under the display and emits a soft, warm glow. The LG GD900 Crystal boasts LG’s new S-Class 3D user interface (UI), while the fully transparent touchpad is made of highly durable tempered glass that is ultra-strong and encased within a frame able to absorb shock and vibration.

Not only stylish, the LG GD900 Crystal also stands out with its advanced navigational functions. The Crystal Touchpad can be used in the same way as a touchpad on a laptop computer with Gesture Shortcuts that enable users to configure their favourite shortcut with a simple gesture of a finger. This function reduces the amount of steps required to access multi-tasking features, for instance, users can immediately jump to the web browser in the middle of writing an e-mail by tracing a symbol on the Crystal Touchpad with their finger.

“We are constantly looking at ways to produce awe-inspiring products, ones that capture the imagination of consumers,” says Jeremy Newing, head of marketing, LG Mobile UK. “This is a handset that reaffirms our approach to product design, combining stunning visual appeal as well as the latest technology.”

The LG GD900 Crystal also features the same S-Class UI used on the LG Arena and a dedicated chipset for multimedia and graphic content. Together with the touch features and additional processing speed, the LG GD900 Crystal is a high performing and unique looking multimedia device. 

Features of the LG GD900 Crystal also include:

• 8MP camera
• 3” full touchscreen with auto-rotating display
• MP3 player
• External memory capacity of 32GB
• Wi-Fi™
• Bluetooth 2.1

The LG GD900 Crystal will be available from the 1^st of July exclusively at the Carphone Warehouse.

Posted by: Matt

Giga-byte to announce new handsets at Computex

Giga-byte just sent me an email letting us know that they are about to announce new smartphone handsets at Computex in Taipei.

GIGA-BYTE Communications Inc., (GBC), one of the leading smartphone manufacturer in Taiwan, will unveil its new device – GSmart S1200 in Microsoft’s booth. S1200 designed as light, slim, and trendy style, comes with high definition of WVGA TFT LCD touch panel and GBC exclusive creative in-house User Interface?Smart Vision. In the meantime, GBC will also present other functional devices as MS820 which has multimedia entertainment center and MS802 which has 3.5G HSDPA high speed network connection capability. GSmart PDA phones not only bring you the personal style with exquisite taste, but also fulfill the stylish and functional demands from consumers.

The brand new eye-catching device?GSmart S1200 has simple round arc shape. The steady and mystical black cover with inserted classical of bright metal frame to shows personal style and taste. Supreme slim feature close to 1.1cm and well-execute full crystalline panel gives S1200 the sense of ‘light, slim, beautiful, and stylish’. In order to provide a wonderful visual experience, GSmart S1200 comes with high definition of WVGA TFT LCD touch panel to presents a vivid, colourful and exquisite vision. The high definition of screen gives S1200 the best performance among the same rank of devices.

The latest GBC self-developed User Interface – Smart Vision, the first time to be presented to the public in this exhibition, integrates the User Interface modules of Windows Mobile, Feature phone and Pull & Slide. Smart Vision has powerful functions and the convenient feature as feature phones, and also has considerate toward users’ behaviour. Users can switch theme anytime by simply setting. Active and realistic wallpapers, which users can receive the latest weather information from real-time realistic status presented on the screen. Moreover, the most impressive innovation?Smart Vision has various scenes of wallpapers which will present different states by timing such as morning, daytime, nightfall, and night.

To fulfil users’ demands, GBC developed the function of G-Widget which includes Time, Note, Calculator, Weather, and etc. These applications will reside on the G-Widget after simply setting and users can check status easily by one finger touch to activate. G-Widget has another thoughtful function which will alarm users the status of device, in order to makes PDA phones as a personal assistant.

“GSmart S1200 breaks the traditional impressions of PDA phones as upright, foursquare, steady and integrates style and business functions ingeniously to offers users a brand new experience. GBC insists that we should provide high quality and innovative products to leading the world and offering the great experience between life, work and communication to fulfil all of users’ demands.” said Dr. Stanley Jenq, the CEO of GBC

Posted by: Matt

Vodafone’s new HTC Magic video

The HTC Magic looks like being an extremely popular device. As the second Android powered device we are very keen to see what has changed and what the Magic has to offer over the original G1.

Looking around the web for more info to share with you I came across this interesting video:

Posted by: Matt

First HTC TV advert

It doesn’t seem like five minutes ago that the average Joe would have no idea who HTC are and what they manufactured, but HTC have done a sterling job of getting their name out there and in a very short time indeed have established themselves as a big name in mobile.

Tonight they are set to take the next step to making themselves a household name as they air their first TV commercial on UK Televisions Film4.

So take your seats and tune in to Film4 tonight at 8:56PM to see the commercial.

The commercial forms part of a six month campaign on Film4 to showcase the new devices including the Diamond2 and to boost HTC awareness.

So check out Film4 tonight at 8.56pm (GMT) for the first ever HTC advert.

Posted by: Matt