Author Archive: Matt

More than 20 years in the IT industry. Blogging with a passion and thirst for new technology since 2005.

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By November 4, 2009 Read More →

CoPilot Live 8 Competition Winner

Last month thanks to our friends at Devicewire.com we kicked off our CoPilot Live 8 competition where we were offering you the chance to win a full copy of the excellent Sat Nav software.

So I used the same method to pick the winner as with the i7500 competition, put everyones name in to Excel and then used a random number generator to select the winner.

So the winner of the CoPilot Live 8 software is forum member ‘joonsuan’ so congratulations to you!

Sorry to those of you that didn’t win this one but I will be starting another great competition later this month and it’s going to be a biggy! I’m planning it so that you receive your prize just in time for Christmas. It’s going to be one you wont want to miss!

Anyone still wishing to get their hands on CoPilot Live 8 should head over to Devicewire.com for the latest deals.

Thanks to all that took part, response was amazing, and to Devicewire.com

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Competitions
By November 3, 2009 Read More →

HTC HD2 video

Just a short while ago James managed to get his hands on the excellent HTC HD2, he is extremely impressed with it and in his words he was ‘Not sure if he was shaking because it was my first piece of video for T&M or because I loved the handset so much!’

So James has recorded this brief video for us, the first of many I hope and for now it’s just a quick tour of the handset. We shall, of course, have move video for you shortly but thought you would appreciate this little teaser!

 

HTC HD2 video

 

Be sure to come back soon for more and fire away with your HTC HD2 questions on the forum!

 

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

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Videos/Unboxings
By November 3, 2009 Read More →

Sony Ericsson Satio unboxing video

Just last week we reviewed the Samsung Pixon12, the first mobile that we’d seen with a 12 megapixel camera. Now this week we’ve managed to get our hands on the Sony Ericsson Satio which has a 12.1 megapixel shooter. While there seems to be some debate over which company was the first to have a 12 megapixel camera phone it’s obvious that there’s some competition here!

The Sony Ericsson Satio

The Sony Ericsson Satio

 

It’s too early for us to say which is best but I have to say that I like the design of the Satio a little better and I think that the lens cover is a great idea. The Satio also seems to be a little more focused (no pun intended) towards the social networking side in terms of sharing your photos and geotagging them before uploading to various sharing sites. You may have seen the TV ads over the past few weeks.

James will be putting the Sony Ericsson Satio through it’s paces over the next week and will have his review for us soon. I’m sure he’ll be making comparisons between this and the Pixon12. If you have any questions for us then please do head over to the forum to submit, we’ll try to cover them in the review for you.

 

Sony Ericsson Satio unboxing video

 

Sony Ericsson Satio specification: 

  • Operating System – Symbian OS
  • Display – 3.5 inch Touchscreen (360×640 pixels) with accelerometer
  • Operating Frequency – GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 & UMTS/HSDPA 900 / 2100
  • WiFi 802.11b/g DLNA
  • Bluetooth V2.0 with A2DP
  • GPS – Built in GPS & A-GPS
  • Expansion – microSD
  • Camera images geo-tagging, face and smile detection
  • Google maps
  • FM radio with RDS
  • Camera – 12.1 MP, 4256 x 2832 pixels, autofocus, xenon flash, video, video LED flash, secondary VGA videocall camera
  • Dimensions – 112.0 x 55.0 x 13.0 mm
  • Weight – 126g

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Videos/Unboxings
By November 1, 2009 Read More →

LG BL40 Chocolate unboxing video

LG’s Black Label handset, the LG BL40, has to be one for the more unusual form-factor handsets available at the moment with its stunning 4" 345 x 800 pixel display offering a truly cinematic ratio of 21:9 – this is a tall (or wide) handset!

The LG BL40 Chocolate

The LG BL40 Chocolate

 

When I first head about this handset and its huge display I thought the BL40 would turn out to be a huge handset, however, it really isn’t. Sure it is large in one direction but it’s quite narrow and extremely thin which means that the whole package is quite pocketable.

The widescreen display makes the BL40 idea for mobile web-browsing but whether or not it will provide a better browsing experience than its 480×800 pixel widescreen Windows Mobile competitors remains to be seen. We’ll find out during the review which we’ll have online for you within the next week or so.

For now, have a look at the unboxing video below to see the LG BL40 in a little more detail and for a quick tour of the S-Class OS.

 

LG BL40 Chocolate unboxing video

 

LG BL40 specification:

  • Dimensions: 128 x 51 x 10.9mm
  • Weight: 129g
  • Battery:
    – Talk Time: 6 hrs
    – Standby Time: 400 hrs
    – Capacity: 1000 mAh
  • Display: 345 x 800 pixels/4" – AMOLED Touch Sensitive(Capacitive)
  • Network: 2G: 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-Band) – 3G: 900/2100 (Dual-Band)
  • Camera: 5 mega-pixels (auto-focus) – Schneider-Kreuznach Lens
  • LED Flash
  • Face Detection
  • Video: Hi-Resolution VGA Video Recording – 30fps Video Recording (QVGA)
  • Music: Supported formats: MP3, AAC, eAAC+ & WMA
  • Dolby Mobile
  • FM Stereo Radio (RDS)
  • FM Transmitter
  • Messaging: SMS / MMS (with video) / E-mail (POP3, SMTP, IMAP4)
  • Memory: 1.1GB (internal) / microSDHC (external)
  • microUSB
  • 3.5mm AV Connector / TV Out
  • Bluetooth (2.0 – Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g)
  • Navigation: AGPS
  • Accelerometer
  • S-Class Interface
  • Proximity Sensor

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Videos/Unboxings
By October 30, 2009 Read More →

eXpansys Friday deals 30th October

   
   

eXpansys Friday Deals: Selected deals between 11am and 5pm, 30th October 2009

   
HTC Hero with £30 eXpansys Vouchers
Info

HTC Hero
With £30 eXpansys Vouchers

Normally £369.99
Now £359.99
Save £10 and receive £30 eXpansys Vouchers

B-Stock Acer Aspire One A150B Netbook Open Box
Info

B-Stock Acer Aspire One A150B Netbook Open Box
XP Home

Normally £189.99
Now £169.99
Save £20

Toshiba Portege G910
Info

Toshiba Portege G910
With £50 Cash Back

Normally £149.99
Now £139.99
Save £10 and receive £50 Cash Back

TriSpecs Bluetooth Stereo Fashion Eyewear
Info

TriSpecs Bluetooth Stereo
Fashion Eyewear

Normally £134.99
Now £79.99
Save £55

Freecom 2.5
Info

Freecom 2.5" Mobile Drive
XXS 320GB USB-2

Normally £64.99
Now £54.99
Save £10

Duel Systems DuelAdapter PCMCIA
Info

Duel Systems DuelAdapter
PCMCIA ExpressCard Adaptor

Normally £64.99
Now £54.99
Save £10

Scosche Increased Dynamic Range Earphone w.Tapline Control
Info

Scosche Increased Dynamic
Range Earphone
With Tapline Control

Normally £49.99
Now £34.99
Save £15

ORA Netbook Leather Pouch Case in Black
Info

ORA Netbook Leather
Pouch Case Black

Normally £19.99
Now £9.99
Save £10

 
These deals are available on Friday the 30th October 2009 between 11am and 5pm by following the links above only.
Normal pricing will apply outside of these hours*.

    In Stock – Smartphone Deals    
Palm Pre Smartphone
Info

Palm Pre Smartphone
WebOS – 8GB

Now £499.99

RIM® BlackBerry 8520 Curve Smartphone
Info

RIM BlackBerry 8520 Curve
Smartphone

Now £189.99

i-mate Ultimate 8502 Windows Smartphone
Info

i-mate Ultimate 8502
Windows Mobile Smartphone

Now £109.99

BenQ E72 Smartphone
Info

BenQ E72 Smartphone
Windows Mobile 6

Now £69.99

Acer Revo

*Voucher codes do not apply with these deals. Limited to 2 units per customer, available while stocks l

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Deals & Offers
By October 29, 2009 Read More →

HTC Touch HD vs HTC HD2

Just as a follow up to the photos I posted of the HTC HD2 last night here are a few more with the HTC Touch HD beside the HTC HD2 for comparison.

When I first looked at the side-by-side I must admit I was surprised how much bigger the HD2 is. The design of the HD2 is pretty clever and the rounded edges and the curved back coupled with the overall thinness of the handset makes it feel and seem much smaller in the hand than the images below may suggest.

 

As you can see from the picture below, the HD2 is both taller and wider than the already large HD.

HD-vs-HD2-a

 

The bottom view of both units shows you how much wider the HD2 is than the HD but the HD does look a little more ‘chunky’ in this shot.

HD-vs-HD2-b

 

Looking at the side view of the two handsets it’s clear that the HD2 is thinner than the older HD.

HD-vs-HD2-c

 

And finally, stacking the HD on top of the HTC HD2 shows the difference. I wonder if the HD2 may just be too big for many people to even consider?!

HD-vs-HD2-d

 

I’ll have more images for you soon and if you have any questions about the HTC HD2 then please do feel free add them on the forum.

 

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

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Phones
By October 28, 2009 Read More →

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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 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

Posted in: News
By October 27, 2009 Read More →

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.

Image11

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

Posted in: News
By October 27, 2009 Read More →

HTC HD2 delayed?

Ok this one is very much an unconfirmed rumour but today I had an email from two different sources saying that they’ve been told that the HTC Touch HD2 is subject to some delays and will not launch on the 11th of November as expected.

Now, while it is possible that the HD2 has been delayed, other HTC handsets have been subject to launch delays in the past, I must emphasise that we have not had any official confirmation about the delay, in much the same way that there is no official launch date for the HD2 as yet.

If you have any news about the HTC HD2 that you would like to share with us then please do get in touch using either our contact page above or else via the forum.

Don’t worry, as soon as we have any HD2 news we’ll be sure to share it with you and likewise, as soon as we get our hands on the HD2 we’ll have an unboxing video and review for you.

 

EDIT: News just in from Devicewire. The due date for the HTC HD2 has not changed as far as they are aware, it should still be the 11th November. However, stock will be ridiculously low initially so you are urged to pre-order.

Additional stock will not arrive until 2 weeks after the original shipment and the the car kit wont be available till January 2010!

In terms of the positives, there is a 2GB memory card and a pouch case included with the handset.

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Rumours
By October 26, 2009 Read More →

KudosCases site launch

My long time friend and fellow reviewer Nick has decided to go back to university and to help pay his way through uni he’s launched his own web-based business, KudosCases, selling cases for the iPhone 3G/3GS.

 

kudoscases 

 

The iPhone 3G is an investment and as with any investment you will want it protected. KudosCases offers the perfect peace of mind purchase allowing you to protect that investment.

KudosCases brings a great collection of stylish and practical cases for the iPhone 3G/3Gs to suit all tastes. With a continuous stock rotation policy meaning your case becomes that bit more unique in addition to giving you the opportunity to get the perfect style to suit your needs.

 

Looking through the site Nick seems to have chosen so quality products to sell. So if you are looking for a decent case for your iPhone please head over to KudosCases.

Good luck with the business Nick!

 

Posted by: Matt

Posted in: Phones
https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/surgical-face-masks