Archive for October, 2009

Google Maps Navigation comes to Android

Google Maps have released a beta for there navigation software to be trialed on the Android platform!

Google Maps

I’m sure most of us have used Google Maps at some point but if you have ever tried to use it for navigation while driving you would have found that its a real pain in the butt as it will only give you on screen prompts and no voice guidance.

Well it looks like all that is about to change and if the beta testing goes to plan I am sure we will see it rolled out to all mobile operating systems.

There are certainly some benefits to using Google Maps navigation. Here’s the best bits:

Firstly it will be free which is always a bonus, however I strongly recommend an unlimited data plan as the maps will be downloaded as required.

If you don’t want to type the address onto the screen Google will allow you to just say it.

If you don’t know the address Google Maps will search the web and find it.

Google Maps currently shows traffic delays and these are incorporated into the navigation program.

As Google already has satellite and street view these are also utilized in the navigation software so you can actually see your destination before you get there.

Google Maps Navigation map options

You can click here to see a demo video. Go check it out as it looks pretty amazing if you ask me.

Posted by: James

HTC HD2 photos

I know everyone is hungry for more information on the HD2 – photos, video and just about anything you can lay your hands on, we know what it’s like, we’re also keen to see more! 🙂

So here are a few photos for you that I took just a little while ago. Yes we’ve been able to see the HD2 but we’re not allowed to show you any video just yet, HTC don’t want us to show you the pre-release ROM build.

So here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. I’ll also have some more later today/tomorrow of the HD vs the HD2. Click the images for a larger version.

So starting with the front of the HD2 you’ll notice the huge 480×800 pixel display measuring 4.3" on the diagonal, just about the biggest there is on a Windows Mobile device (apart from the HTC X7500 perhaps).

The HTC HD2 front view

On the back you’ll find a large loudspeaker, 5 megapixel camera and, at long last, a dual LED flash! You cant really tell from this angle just how rounded the back of the HD2 is but you’ll see that below.

HTC HD2 back view

On the bottom of the HD2 you’ll find a MICRO USB connector for sync and charge (I hate microUSB!) and thankfully, a 3.5mm headphone socket good for your own headphones or the supplied wired headset.

HTC HD2 bottom view

There’s not an awful lot to see on the top of the HD2, but you can see how curved that back is.

HTC HD2 top view

The left side is home to the obligatory up/down volume control rocker, and not much more!

HTC HD2 left side view

Nothing to see on the right side but as you can see again in this picture, the back is very curvy! 🙂

HTC HD2 right side view

Finally (for now) the keypad on the HD2 is a little different to any of the other recent HTC models, we see the return of physical keys, thanks goodness! So we have the send/answer key, home button, windows start menu key, a back button and finally the end/hang-up button.

HTC HD2 key pad

HTC HD2 specification:

• Operating System – Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional
• Processor – Qualcomm® MSM8250™, 1 GHz
• Memory – ROM: 512 MB / RAM: 448 MB
• Display – 4.3-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with 480 X 800 WVGAresolution
• Network – HSPA/WCDMA: Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Bluetooth 2.1
• WiFi 802.11b/g
• MicroUSB
• GPS – Internal GPS Antenna
• Audio – 3.5mm Audio Jack
• MicroSDHC
• Camera – 5 megapixel colour camera with auto focus and dual LED flashlight
• Talk Time – Up to 380 minutes for GSM
• Standby Time – Up to 490 hours for GSM
• Battery – Lithium-ion 1230mAh removable 
• Dimensions – 120.5 X 67 X 11 mm (4.74 X 2.64 X 0.43 inches)
• Weight – 157 grams (5.54 ounces) with battery
• G-Sensor
• Digital Compass
• FM Radio with RDS

Of course we’ll have our HTC HD2 review online just as soon as we can get our hands on one that we are allowed to video and talk about!

EDIT: Our extensive HTC HD2 review is now live on site.

Posted by: Matt

HTC Touch Diamond2 gets rom update

You may of seen our post a couple of weeks ago where we informed you that HTC released Windows Mobile 6.5 rom updates for the Touch Pro2 and Snap.

Well now they have also released one for the Diamond2.

HTC Diamond2

The Europe update can be accessed by clicking here. Like all rom updates please ensure you back up all data on the device as it will all be erased. If you have not tried Microsoft’s MyPhone this may be a good time to try. I use it and its works a treat!

Posted by: James

SuperEtrader site redesigned and relaunched

Our friends over at SuperEtrader have been busy over the past few months and have totally redesigned and re-launched their website and online store.

If you are not familiar with SuperEtrader (why not!?) they specialise in Unlocked/SIM-free smartphones and wide range of accessories. SuperEtrader also sponsor our forums that we launched recently.

Why not check out their new site at www.superetrader.co.uk?!

Posted by: Matt