Author Archive: Matt

Nokia Booklet 3G unboxing video

The Nokia Booklet 3G is Nokia’s first foray in to the ‘proper laptop’ market. Upon initial inspection you might think the price tag is rather high for a device of a similar size to many other netbook style computers hitting the market but there’s a while lot more to consider.

First of all the Nokia Booklet has a built in 3G modem for connectivity on the move without the need for dongles or teathers. It features a 10.1", HD ready, glass screen, HDMI output, 12 Hour battery life, SD card reader and a hot-swappable SIM card slot to name but a few of its stand out features. The built-in HSDPA gives you internet on the move, while WiFi and Bluetooth give you the other now standard connectivity options.

The Nokia Booklet 3G

So looking at the Booklet more closely I have to say that I am VERY impressed with the build quality. The majority of the chassis is made of aluminium nicely designed a made too. Then there’s the glass screen which looks beautifully clear, glass adding that extra optical quality that cant be matched by plastic. To be honest, if I were shown this computer minus its branding I think I would have guessed it was a new smaller Apple MacBook.

Oh yes.It’s talents don’t end there, with Nokia’s mini laptop PC also features onboard assisted-GPS and Ovi Maps, a great navigation solution. There is also a single front-facing camera nestled above the 10.1-inch HD screen for video chat, with Bluetooth and a built-in SD card reader also making appearances.

Have a look at my quick unboxing and tour video for more:

Nokia Booklet 3G specification:

• Operating System – Windows 7 Starter Edition, Home Premium or Professional
• Processor – Intel Atom Z530, 1.6 GHz
• Chipset – Intel Poulsbo US15W, fanless design
• Display – 10.1", 1280×720 pixels, glass window
• Weight – 1.25kg
• Dimensions – (W x D x H) 264 x 185 x 19.9 mm 
• Internal drive(s) – HDD: 120 GB, 1.8"/5mmH/SATA, 8 MB cache, 4200 RPM
• Memory – RAM: 1 GB, DDR2, 533 Mhz, soldered down (probably not upgradable then!)
• Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n, 2T2R
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Inbuilt 3G modem (data calls only). Different variants: WCDMA: 850/1900/2100 or WCDMA 900/2100 or no modem.
• Assisted-GPS
• Expansion slots – 1 x SD card reader
• 1 x HDMI 1.2 out
• 3 x USB 2.0
• 1 x headphone out (OMTP 3.5 mm) – with OMTP headsets also functions as audio in
• 1 x DC-in
• 1 x SD card reader
• 1 x SIM / USIM slot
• MS Office Small Business 60 day trial
• MS Internet Explorer 8
• HDD protection utility, Hotkey utility , Knock Control utility, Power Profile Switcher, Battery Life utility
• Nokia Update Manager
• Ovi Suite
• Ovi Maps Gadget
• Social Hub
• F-Secure Internet Security 2010 trial
• Frame keyboard – UK (79 keys, 16.7 mm pitch, 1.8 mm stroke)
• 1.3 MP front facing camera with integrated microphone
• Accelerometer
• Power – 16 cell, 56.8 Wh, Li-Ion prismatic, removable design

Posted by: Matt

Acer beTouch E101 unboxing video

Acer have launched a number of new handsets recently from the Android powered Acer Liquid that we reviewed recently to several Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets including the Acer beTouch E101 that we are looking at here.

The Acer beTouch E101

The beTouch range includes several handsets, the E101 being the entry level followed by the E100 and then the S200. The E101 and E100 are virtually the same handset but the E100 has 3G where the E101 does not.

The Acer beTouch E101 is very much an entry level device and is probably the best value for money Windows Mobile 6.5 handset on the market. You can pick one up for £150 (+VAT) from Clove Technology. While the E101 is undoubtedly an budget handset don’t be fooled in to thinking it’s overly basic. It has a generous 3.2″ display, a decent amount of RAM/ROM and still manages to squeeze in GPS and Google Maps!

The Acer E101 and the E100 are available in both Black and White, the E100 offering 3G connectivity on top of the specification of the E101.

We’ll be reviewing the E100 over the next week or so and will have the review live as soon as it’s complete. Take a look at the unboxing video below where I’ll take you on a tour of the hardware and briefly dip in to the OS/UI.

Acer E101 specification:

• Operating System – Windows Mobile 6.5
• Processor – Qualcomm 7225 528MHz
• Memory – RAM – 256MB / ROM – 512MB
• Display – 3.2 inch WQGA resolution
• Network – Quad-band GSM/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• Connectivity – Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
• miniUSB
• GPS supports A-GPS
• Expansion Slot – MicroSD card
• Camera – 2 Megapixels
• Device Control – 5-way Navi Key + Scroll Wheel
• Talk Time – 5 Hours (manufactures approximation)  
• Standby Time – 400 Hours (manufactures approximation)  
• Battery – Rechargeable Lithium-ion 1140 mAh
• Dimensions – 113 x 56 x 12.8 mm
• Weight – 118 grams with battery
• Includes Google Maps

Posted by: Matt

Three MiFi unboxing video

We’ve spoken about the Three MiFi ‘dongle’ a few times in the past on T&M and we had even had a discussion about it on the Mobiletech Addicts podcast a few weeks ago.

The Three MiFi

I say it’s a dongle but perhaps this little device doesn’t quite fit that criteria. Essentially the MiFi, made by Huawei, is a small battery operated unit that takes a Three SIM card. The unit connects to Three’s 3G data network and then shares that connection over WiFi so it’s simply a case of connecting any WiFi capable device to it. The unit itself has a preconfigured WEP key that can be altered later so it keeps you connection secure but you can also connect up to 4 devices simultaneously. It’s basically a wireless 3G router.

An excellent bit of kit and we’re writing up a review for you as we speak. I thought I’d just do a quick video for you so that you can see what it looks like and what’s included so please check out the brief unboxing below.

MiFi Specification:

• Download speeds of up to 3.6MBPS
• Battery, Li 1500mAh with up to 5 hours connection time
• Charger (Std. 3-pin UK)
• USB cable (mini plug/standard plug)
• No internal memory
• Memory card supported, microSD 32GB
• Dimensions: 86 x 46.5 x 10.5mm
• Weight: 90g

Posted by: Matt

Nexus One Multitouch video

Since its launch almost two weeks ago there has been lots of discussion about the Nexus One and whether or not it supports multitouch. There seems to be some confusion about multitouch, it’s believed that Google/HTC did not implement multitouch on the Nexus One out-of-the-box due to some kind of patent related legal wrangle with Apple. Not sure if that’s true or not but sure sounds plausible.

The Google Nexus One

As most will know, the Android OS itself certainly supports multitouch and we we’re pretty confident that the Nexus One hardware supported it. Rumour had it that multitouch support had been removed from the US version of the Nexus One, the version that’s shipping now, all together and that we would have to wait until a UK or European version was launched, possibly by a carrier, to see multitouch added.

However, I can confirm that the Nexus One hardware and Android OS on the Nexus One definitely supports multitouch! As you can see from my little video demo below it’s simply that the apps pre-installed on the Nexus One are not multitouch capable, so the pre-installed maps and web browser for example do not support it. BUT, if you want a multitouch web browser there is an option, check out the video below:

So if you are looking for a multitouch web browser you can grab the Dolphin Browser from Android Market, it’s even a free app and not a bad little browser either and not only offers pinch to zoom but also allows you to configure some of your own gesture based swipes.

The Dolphin Browser

Now the hope is that we’ll be able to get our hands on a multitouch enabled version of Google Maps that we can install on the Nexus One and hopefully an image browser too.

Thanks to my mate Paul from MoDaCo for letting me know.

Don’t forget to also check out my extended Nexus One unboxing and demo video. It’s a pretty long one so grab a cup of coffee before you start! 🙂

Posted by: Matt