RIM the BlackBerry 9800 Torch
The BlackBerry 9800 gets named the ‘Torch’. Full press release of the BB 9800 follows. We’ll have some hands on time with this handset later and will post images and video shortly!
Author Archive: Matt
More than 20 years in the IT industry. Blogging with a passion and thirst for new technology since 2005.
RIM announces BlackBerry 6
Following on from the BlackBerry press event in London which was supposed to be a live link of events from New York (it went pear shaped) we have the following BlackBerry 6 announcement for you:
BlackBerry press event coverage
As we mentioned yesterday, RIM are holding a BlackBerry press event today in New York starting at 11am EST (4pm UK time). What we didn’t tell you though, as it was a bit of a guarded secret, is that there is also going to be a press event here in London that will be timed to coincide with the New York event.
Now, we’re still not 100% sure what the event will be about, we can make several guesses of course but to find out for sure we have roving reporter James en-route to the event. James will be tweeting throughout the event and I’ll also be publishing updates to this post as things unfold so be sure to come back after 4pm and to keep refreshing this page for updates!
James’ coverage follows:
Sanyo Xacti CS1 unboxing video
Here at tracyandmatt we’ve reviewed quite a number of the HD camcorders in Sanyo’s XACTI range. In fact we quite like the Xacti camcorders as they record decent quality HD footage in MP4 format on SD memory cards which makes it easy to transfer to the PC or Mac for editing. Most of the unboxing videos that you see on our YouTube channel (over 350 videos now! 🙂 ) were recorded with my Sanyo Xacti HD1010.
In the video below you’ll see me unboxing one of Sanyo’s latest HD camcorders from the Xacti range, the VPC-CS1. The CS1 is billed as the worlds slimmest HD video camera and when you see the video below you’ll probably see why!
Naturally there will be a review here online soon but for now enjoy the video.
ZTE Racer unboxing video
Seems that almost everyone is making Android powered smartphones today and while ZTE have been around since 1985 it’s only recently that their name has become known here in the UK. Three have had a number of ZTE handsets on their network over the past year or so and the latest ZTE device to make it to UK soil is the ZTE Racer.
The Racer is a fairly entry level handset but still has some good features such as Android 2.1, GPS, WiFi and a 2.8″ touchscreen. It’s perhaps not the most attractive looking handset, I’d say it’s a little bit retro but not bad.
The Racer is quite similar in overall design and spec to the Vodafone 845 and both handsets weigh in at approximately the same price. Over the next few days I’m going to be using the ZTE Racer and I’ll compare it to the Vodafone 845. The review will be up later this week but for now you can take a look at the unboxing video below and see a brief demo.
Milestone XT720 CPU speed confusion
If you’ve seen my unboxing video of the new Motorola Milestone XT720 perhaps you will have noticed that I stated that the CPU speed was 550MHz. You might be thinking that I’ve made a mistake in quoting the spec. In fact I too thought I’d made a mistake with it, I originally thought that the XT720 got it’s name from the 720MHz CPU.
There’s been a lot of confusion over the clock speed in fact. The original spec sheet we had from Motorola stated 550MHz but elsewhere on their website they go on to claim 720MHz and the main spec page says ‘Up to 720 MHz’.
So what does that all mean and what is the correct figure? Well I’ve not been able to get a proper answer from Motorola yet but I have discovered that some retailers are selling the Milestone XT720 have added comments like: “…the 550MHz processor (with free software update to 720MHz expected in August)…”
I can also tell you that our review XT720 definitely is clocked at 550MHz see below –
HTC’s official Desire FroYo update statement
News just in from HTC regarding the official update to FroYo for the HTC Desire:
“The Android 2.2 (FroYo) update for HTC Desire will start rolling out across Europe this weekend. As well as including the complete set of Android 2.2 features, the update will contain a few special additions of our own through the latest iteration of HTC Sense. The update will provide 720p video capture, HTC’s App Share widget, as well as our enhanced HTC Caller ID, and improved multi-language keyboard. Also, though the update, HTC Sync will allow HTC Desire users to sync their music with iTunes.
HTC Desire users will be notified that the over-the-air update is available to download when their phone automatically checks for software updates. The update won’t delete any of the phone’s content. However, due to the size of the update, we would advise using a WiFi connection to download it wherever possible to avoid additional data charges.
This update will initially roll out to unlocked HTC Desire handsets. Operator specific versions of the update are undergoing testing and we expect to make them available in several weeks’ time.”
More as we get it.
Posted by: Matt
LG Viewty GT405 Review
LG’s Viewty line started with the original KU990 which proved extremely popular as an accessible touchscreen alternative to the iPhone. The combination of a high-quality camera and an easy to use interface pulled in huge sales numbers for LG, and now, after the second iteration by the name of the Viewty Smart, they’re back with the third evolution of the well-known Viewty series.
This time it is equipped with a 3 inch display to compliment a 5MP camera on the back, as well as their tried and tested UI borrowed from other phones such as the also popular Cookie. In this reviewty, we’ll see if the GT retains the all rounded experience and excellent camera of its predecessors, as well as LG’s ability to sell mass market phones in droves. So can the GT405 continue the success story?
Click through to find out.
Vodafone 845 unboxing video
If you are looking for a small Android powered smartphone then the Vodafone 845 may well be worth considering. The 845 is one of the smaller Android devices out there at the moment and with deals from Vodafone you can pick one up ‘from free’.
Whilst the Vodafone 845 may have a fairly budget price the features aren’t so skimpy. For starters you’ll find Android 2.1 Eclair as the operating system, 2.8″ touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera and a host of other features. It’s good to see a smaller and less-expensive device with Android 2.1
The 845 also comes with Vodafone 360 which is one of those things that you either love or hate. Whilst I’m not really a fan I’ve not found it to be overly obtrusive on the 845 but more of that when I get to the full review.
Check out the unboxing video below and I’ll give you a quick demo of a few of the main features. I’m off to start the review now…
HTC on Hero Android 2.1 delay
![HTC-Hero[13]](https://i0.wp.com/www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/media/tracyandmatts_blog/windowslivewriter/htconheroandroid21delayonorange_110a0/htc-hero-13-_2.jpg?ssl=1 "HTC-Hero[13]")
The Android 2.1 update has been around for the HTC Hero for a while and it’s great if you have a SIM-free Hero. Not such good news if you have a Hero from Orange as you’re still waiting for the update to be made available to you!
Today it’s good news to come from HTC and Orange, in the form of an apology from HTC to Orange customers and news that the Eclair update will be made available some time next week.
“We apologise for the delay in Orange Hero customers receiving their Éclair update. Testing the update across European markets took longer than anticipated. However, we hope to receive final approval by the end of the week and Orange handsets should start updating from next week.”
Posted by: Matt
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