Author Archive: Gareth

Samsung’s first Android™ smartphone (i7500) now on sale with O2

Samsung Mobile UK today announces that its Galaxy handset (i7500) is now available on the O2 network in the UK through O2 stores, o2.co.uk and O2’s telesales team. The Samsung Galaxy is the company’s first device powered by Android, giving customers instant access to familiar applications, as well as access to a range of ever-expanding services being developed for the Android platform.

“The Samsung Galaxy is one of the most innovative and high-quality Android-powered devices on the market. We’ve built in all the features people have come to expect from high-end Samsung devices, like the AMOLED screen and fast processing power, to provide a great user experience,” said Mark Mitchinson, VP, Samsung Mobile UK. “We’re fortunate to have the technical ability at Samsung to support a variety of operating systems and demonstrate real leadership in developing the technologies that customers want and understand.’

Live life without boundaries with the Sony Ericsson XPERIA™ X2

Live life in the fast lane with the XPERIA™ X2 from Sony Ericsson. Designed for those who always need to be connected, whether it’s for business or personal life, the XPERIA™ X2 blurs the boundary between work and play.

London, UK – September 2, 2009 – Today Sony Ericsson announces the XPERIA™ X2 a new Windows® phone that offers a best in class email and multimedia experience. In the modern world where 24/7 communication is key, users can instantly synchronise their mail and calendar and open and edit Microsoft® Office Mobile documents quickly and efficiently to stay connected with colleagues wherever they are.

Vorsprung durch Apps – says T-Mobile Germany

September 4-9, 2009, in Berlin, Germany, very big consumer electronics trade show takes place – IFA 2009. It’s bigger than CES, so it’s not small. Both IFA and CeBIT are 2 major trade shows in Germany which always energize German companies to release something and T-Mobile Germany claims that it is releasing wholly new Android phone at IFA 2009… but more important and more interesting is what T-Mobile Germany says about Apps:

Geared for iPhone – review

So, whazzup at app store recently? Well, despite digging through all the latest new app releases, we couldn’t find anything newsworthy, so instead we have taken a look at charts, i.e. which app is the number one, the top selling, paid app in app store these days:

Hands on with the Nokia N900 and Maemo 5

Andrew Orlowski at Register Hardware managed to get some time with the N900 at Nokia World and gives it a thumbs up but wonders how the small battery will cope if you use it as a gaming device.

He was more positive about the future of Maemo and upcoming devices though;

Now that Linux, rather than Symbian, is Nokia’s focus for expensive prestige devices, I’m more confident about improvements. Nokia’s tie-up with Intel suggests larger, faster and more powerful Maemo devices.

The N900 excels at task switching, the communication apps are good enough, and music playback and photo browsing are better than on any previous Nokia.

But even though the N900 is not an essential purchase, Nokia deserves credit for plugging away, and appreciating that a completely fresh approach was needed.

Read the full first look at Register

Update: Tech Radar has a good hands on too.

Next Gen Nokia Messaging Announced

More betas from Nokia World as the Nokia Messaging client gets an early look update to include Social Messaging. With so many sites and protocols for instant messaging coming up, the Social Messaging section hopes to be a clearing house for all your IM needs. This is a very early release, and while support for up to 20 social networks has been mentioned, the client currently only talks with Facebook.

The beta has gone live on Nokia Beta Labs today, and is available for the N97 and 6700. N97 users will be treated to better Facebook integration on the homescreen. Now you can scroll through the latest wall posts without actually leaving the homescreen. If you want to see more from one of your friends, simple click on their status message and you’ll be taken directly to the Nokia Messaging Facebook app, where you can also get the latest messages from your inbox.

Whizzy video here and head over to Nokia beta labs for more.

The Nokia N97 mini now official

Nokia has now officially announced the N97 mini at Nokia World 2009, with smaller screen and overall form factor, full-width keyboard (no d-pad) and a focus on social media (‘life casting’). Significantly, they’re also talking about a whole new memory map and kinetic scrolling across the whole interface, all of which is also to come to the N97 itself in October.

Nokia’s press releases:

"Lifecasting (a partnership with Facebook) will premiere on the new Nokia N97 mini, companion to the successful Nokia N97. Designed with a social and style-conscious consumer in mind, the Nokia N97 mini is a smaller mobile computer with stylish stainless steel cues, featuring a tilting 3.2” touch display, QWERTY keyboard and fully customizable homescreen that makes each Nokia N97 mini as unique as a fingerprint. The Nokia N97 mini delivers a truly personal internet experience in a compact handset based on the iconic design of the Nokia N97.

Lifecasting with Ovi will be available for both the Nokia N97 and Nokia N97 mini via Nokia Beta Labs. The Nokia N97 mini features new software which will be released in October as a free update for the Nokia N97. The new software brings compelling new experiences to both devices, including new homescreen widgets and additional usability improvements including flick scrolling.

The Nokia N97 mini is powered by a new Ovi Maps experience which makes searching, finding and navigating even easier. In addition to global pedestrian navigation, people can access premium content from Lonely Planet, Michelin and Wcities, turning the Nokia N97 mini into the world’s smallest travel companion."

The Nokia N97 mini is expected to begin shipping in October 2009 for an estimated retail price of EUR 450 before taxes and subsidies.  See the video here

Nokia X6 launched

Nokia’s next S60 music device, the X6, has been announced at Nokia World in Stuttgart this morning. It’s going to be marketed as a music phone and the 32GB of storage is going to allow a huge amount of music to be downloaded, and is only available in a Comes with Music variant. But the 16:9 ratio touch-screen (at 3.2 inches in size) is going to be great for video playback and media browsing. More details as we get them.

The Nokia X6 could be seen as the phone that addresses feedback from the 5800 and 5800 Comes with Music editions. From Nokia’s press release:

"Pioneering new ways for the world to experience music, Nokia today announced the launch of the new Nokia X6. Capable of playing up to 35 hours of music, the Nokia X6 is a powerful entertainment device, combining 32GB of on-board memory with a slick 3.2" finger touch interface.

The ultimate device for music lovers and social butterflies, the Nokia X6 has a 16:9 widescreen optimised for photos, videos and browsing. With direct access to Ovi Store, the Nokia X6 is a hive of activity that brings 20 friends and virtual communities, like Facebook, to your homescreen."

The X6 is endowed with a capacitive screen expected to arrive in Q4 2009 for the unlocked price of 459euros.

Check out the video for more. Nokia X6

Phonearena looks at the Nokia Booklet 3G

A netbook that seems to be gaining a lot more attention than most is Nokia’s new Booklet. It’s an impressive little machine and Phonearena have had a chance to sit down and have a look at it. 10.1-inch 1280×720 pixels display, smooth 720p video playback, 1.6 GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, 1GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 120 GB hard drive, Wi-Fi, 3G modem.

HTC Touch2 for sale at Clove

You may have already heard, but if you haven’t, HTC have today announced the HTC Touch2.  The upgrade to the original HTC Touch, the Touch2 keeps a similar form factor but comes with some enhancements, most noticeably, Widows Mobile 6.5!

Codenamed HTC Mega, the HTC Touch2 is available for order from Clove today!

Features of HTC Touch2

• Slim, compact and lightweight
• Weighs just 110g, with battery.
• Windows Mobile 6.5 for an improved user experience
• 3G/HSDPA high speed connectivity
• Quad Band network connectivity
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• On board GPS receiver
• 2.8" touch screen
• 3.5mm audio jack
• MicroSDHC Memory Card Slot