Archive for August, 2012

By August 14, 2012 Read More →

HTC One X update – what about the UK?

slide-2-whiteYou may recall the press release from HTC on Friday of last week about the next update for their flagship HTC One X phone in which we were told that the ‘next upgrade for the HTC One X will be released on August 10th’.

This update should take the version of Android OS to 4.0.4  (still Ice Cream Sandwich) and bring with it various improvements to the Sense experience.

However, I’ve had lots of feedback through Twitter asking where the update is. Indeed I’ve been wondering the same thing myself as the update has not yet presented itself to me on my One X either.

Several other unconfirmed tweets suggest that the UK isn’t getting the update while the rest of Europe already has it. I’m waiting for comment from HTC but anyone out there already rocking 4.0.4 through a legit OTA update?

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Phones
By August 13, 2012 Read More →

Motorola RAZR MAXX arrives at Carphone Warehouse

maxx55 For those of you waiting for it and possibly due an upgrade you may want to check out Motorola’s hotly anticipated smartphone, the brand new  Motorola RAZRT MAXX, is now available at Carphone Warehouse.

The handset will be available for free from £20.50 per month, with tariffs on Vodafone, Orange, O2 and T-Mobile networks.  Full tariff details are available here.

The Motorola RAZR MAXX boasts an incredible battery life that delivers up to 17.6 hours of talk time1. It also comes with 1GB RAM combined with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and AndroidT operating system will ensure you are always entertained, delivering a lightning-fast user interface and the power to multi-task like never before.  This combined with the long lasting battery means the Motorola RAZR MAXX is perfect for those with hectic non-stop lifestyles.

The RAZR MAXX is a tough and resilient handset; Corning® Gorilla® Glass defends 4.3-inch screen from scratches and scraps. Every part of the Motorola RAZR MAXX is protected by a splashguard coating, which even extends to the electrical boards inside, ensuring a go anywhere, do everything attitude.
The Motorola RAZR MAXX is available in Carphone Warehouse stores, online at www.carphonewarehouse.com or by calling 0800 925 925.

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Phones
By August 12, 2012 Read More →

Acer A110 might be a Nexus 7 killer

acer-iconia-tab-a110The guys over at Coolsmartphone.com picked up on a little story from Stuff about a tablet Acer have mentioned in the past. Acer’s A110 tablet has  a 7? screen, Tegra 3 CPU and Jelly Bean confirmed to be on the way. We had prices from the US however with 8GB this is merely priced at £179 at launch. The one big spec that propels the Acer is that the tablet will have a microSD slot. That’s one of the two major options covered that many will have been holding back on buying the Google Nexus 7 tablet for. The Nexus 7 lacks both expandable storage and a 3G modem option. However, this does have a problem in that there is no guarantee of future updates to the Android operating system.

It looks like the budget tablet market has really been shaken by the Amzazon Kindle Fire and, more recently, the Nexus 7 and its open ground for the manufactures to get creative in. The Nexus 7 has set the benchmark very high and it will be fun watching to see just what company will surpass it.

 

Posted by: Gareth

Posted in: News
By August 11, 2012 Read More →

The Evolution of the Television

Grunge vintage television With the advancements in television over the years, we have gone from big and bulky to sleek and sophisticated in an amazingly short space of time. When televisions were first made available to the public, they were huge ungainly items with tiny screens. People eagerly sat around, watching history unfold before their eyes. It must have been amazing to experience such events for the first time, even on a tiny black and white screen.

And it seems that time has flown between the enormous units of bygone eras and the large glossy flat screens of the modern world. The miniature monochrome windows onto the world have become gloriously colourful and smooth widescreen panels, where almost impossibly superb images dance before our eyes. It’s hard to imagine what the pioneers of television would think if they could see the TVs of today.

There are even 3D and LED versions available, such as the range of Sharp TVs at K&Co. Three-dimensional televisions have opened up a new world of visual pleasure. In the past, the only place to see 3D films was at the cinema. And even then, the wearing of seemingly ludicrous cardboard glasses with coloured lenses was essential to viewing the images. 3D technology has come so far in today’s world that you can watch 3D TV and films at home, and the cinema’s screens have developed to such an extent that they have you literally jumping in your seat as you are drawn into the images. There are even 70 inch televisions to give you a truly cinematic feel in your own home – just add popcorn!

Some TVs have full high definition capability. And with USB and internet connectivity, the television has experienced a revolution, with innovations that bring crisp and clear images to our eyes with ease.

The TV can even act as your personal jukebox, with a huge variety of visual and music channels available over cable and satellite channels. After years of having to choose between a handful of channels, it can sometimes feel like there is an overwhelming amount of entertainment vying for our attention. But that’s certainly no bad thing – there’s always something to suit everyone.

It’s interesting to see what’s going to come next. What more can the wonders of the television bring us?

Posted in: Editorial
By August 10, 2012 Read More →

HTC One X to receive update

slide-2-white News just in from HTC that the HTC One X is to receive its next firmware update today. This latest update will take the device to Android 4.0.4 (ICS) putting it on par with it’s arch-nemesis, the Galaxy S3.

HTC also state that there will be improvements to the Sense experience. I’ll be checking for updates on my One X shortly and will report back with findings!

HTC’s full statement:

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure customers are receiving software updates that improve their user experience, we are pleased to announce our next upgrade for the HTC One X will be released on August 10th.

The primary update will include an upgrade to Android version 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), in addition to an improved Sense experience which will: enable the ability to map menu function to the ‘recent app’ key (improving visual presentation in non ICS apps like Facebook); improve tab management in the browser with a dedicated tab switching button and enhance camera capabilities such as white balance and continuous autofocus.  Furthermore, customers can expect enhancements to memory, platform stability and the overall browsing experience. Other improvements include a Single Sign-On for Facebook allowing user access across applications and browsers and upgrades to Beats audio, which reflect our dedication to providing an authentic sound experience.

From a developer perspective, we are expanding SDK support for Media Link and providing a framework for video call applications to achieve improved performance and quality.

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: News
By August 10, 2012 Read More →

BlackBerry Music Gateway Unboxing Video

BBMusic_Gateway_02-e1338877766306

If you use a BlackBerry 7 and love your music device the Music Gateway may well be your perfect accessory. We first saw the device at BlackBerry World back in May of this year but the gadget is now on sale in North America and I presume the UK launch will happen at any time as RIM sent me one.

Essentially you connect the BlackBerry Music Gateway to your sound system and then pair your BlackBerry smartphone with it via NFC. Your BlackBerry then acts as a remote control and streams your music from your phone – simple.

  • Connections Made Simple – Using NFC, simply tap your NFC enabled BlackBerry to connect to the BlackBerry Music Gateway, or connect via standard Bluetooth for universal connectivity of any Bluetooth enabled device such as smartphones, tablets and computers

  • Enjoy Wireless Freedom – Stream music from your BlackBerry smartphone, BlackBerry PlayBook, or any other Bluetooth enabled device. BlackBerry Music Gateway connects to any existing home stereo equipment or car stereo using the RCA or 3.5mm cables included in the box

  • Wireless Remote Control – Use your device as the remote for complete control of playback, track changes, and volume.

  • Multitasking – Access other applications or surf the web while playing music. Music automatically pauses when an incoming phone call is received and continues when the call is ended without skipping a beat.

You can see the quick unboxing video below:

Posted in: Videos/Unboxings
By August 9, 2012 Read More →

Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast 180: It’s A Bullseye!

Web bannerGareth and James talk about the Apple iPad Mini rumoured to be coming soon. James shares his views on the Google Nexus 7. Matt posts a video comparison about the Uber Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy SIII and the HTC One X.

Posted in: Podcast
By August 8, 2012 Read More →

Issues with Kindle downloads

original If you’ve just bought a Kindle book from Amazon and are trying to download it on you iPhone or iPad you may be confronted with a ‘Download Error’ message. It’s not a problem with your device, do not adjeust your set, you are not alone, this issue has been affecting the Kindle service for at least a day now and hundreds of users are complaining of the problem on Amazon’s Kindle support site.

It’s not clear if this is a worldwide or UK only issue but an email from yours truly to Amazon yielded the following response:

I’m sorry to learn that you’re unable to download the books to your Kindle for iPhone application.
We are aware of this issue, and we’re working on a solution. Once the issue is resolved, I’ll update you via email at the earliest.
Meanwhile, If you have any further questions, please contact us by using the following link and we’ll do everything we can to help you.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/kindlesupport
We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you and would like to express our gratitude for the patience you’ve displayed thus far.
I hope this helps. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

I’m not sure if the issue affects proper Kindle devices or is limited to apps. Can anyone confirm?

Hopefully they be able to solve this soon but over 24 hours since I first noticed is NOT good at all for their credibility.

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: News
By August 7, 2012 Read More →

Back in My Day Mobile Phones Cost £2,500

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The Phenomenon of Shrinking Cell Phones

Mobile phones are everywhere. And yet, most of us act like they have always been there. Mobiles have become an indispensable communication tool because they can do so much and are so portable. Cell phone “shrinking” is an interesting by-product of the mobile phone industry.

“Shrinking” has two related definitions that operate on two fronts in the mobile industry: First, as mobile phones get increasingly smaller, manufacturers are increasing speed, adding new applications and improving connectivity. Consumers love it. The second part of the shrinking phenomenon is motivated by phone service cost. The mobile industry is introducing new and more costly prepaid contracts that replace plans based simply on minutes used. Providers have found that consumers are spending as much – if not more – time using mobiles to connect the Internet rather than talking. As new plans are introduced, consumers are taking a long hard look at their service plans to “shrink” costs and get the best pricing for the services they use.

Experts offer some suggestions to consider when looking at the new prepaid plans:

Posted in: Editorial
By August 6, 2012 Read More →

Samsung confirm the launch of the Galaxy Note 10.1

GALAXY Note 10.1 Product Image (5)

Samsung today announced the launch of the Galaxy Note 10.1, an extension of the Galaxy Note category. The Galaxy Note 10.1 offers the functionality and precision of a pen and paper on a 10.1-inch large display, which will enable people to amplify their creativity, productivity, and learning ability.

Providing an intuitive experience and armed with a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM for enhanced performance, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed to simplify the process of capturing ideas, accessing information and multi-tasking, making each easier and faster and allowing people to express their ideas in an efficient way.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “Following the success of the very first Galaxy Note which we launched at the end of last year, we’re delighted that our UK customers will now be able to experience the evolution of this device for themselves. The Galaxy Note 10.1 is a product we are very excited about and will offer our customers a new way to use and experience a tablet device. As well as being able to consume content such as videos, photos, document and the Internet, the Galaxy Note 10.1 also gives them the power to produce, create and customise that same content – something they won’t get from any other product on the market.”

The Galaxy Note 10.1 incorporates key intuitive features and capabilities such as side-by-side multitasking. This is thanks to its ‘Multiscreen’ on a 10.1-inch large screen; unique S Pen with a variety of S Note templates and productive tools (Shape Match and Formula Match); Learning Hub* for accessing educational curricula and Adobe’s premium creative application Photoshop® Touch.

 

Posted in: Press Releases
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