Author Archive: Gareth

Vodafone UK first to offer Samsung NC10 netbook with built-in mobile broadband

Vodafone UK is the first UK network operator to offer the Samsung NC10 ultra-mobile netbook with built-in mobile broadband connectivity.

Free on both a 24 month contract for £25 a month with 1GB of data and a 24 month contract for £30 a month with 3GB of data, the Samsung NC 10 netbook has a Vodafone SIM and mobile broadband software pre-installed meaning customers won’t need to use a USB modem to connect to the web. Commuters, bloggers and those that rule their life from their handbag, briefcase or laptop bag will be able to connect to Vodafone’s fast and reliable mobile broadband network, whether on the road, or on-the-go, while surfing the Web, chatting with friends, or enjoying their favourite online videos and music.

Weighing in at only 1.33kg, the netbook comes in black and includes a built-in webcam, a bright 10.2-inch glossy LED display and a normal-size, PC-style keyboard. It also boasts a 3 in 1 memory card reader for simple file sharing, 1GB memory and Microsoft Windows XP. Users will also appreciate the increased battery life and network reception that integrated mobile broadband offers when compared to using a separate USB modem with a notebook or laptop.

The Samsung NC10 netbook is available at http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband-devices/samsung-netbook and by calling Vodafone telesales on 08080 408 408.

Also available is this season’s statement accessory, the PPQ for Vodafone Netbook Bag. Sleek, stylish and designed exclusively for Vodafone, the bag is the ultimate fashion item for style conscious urbanites and tech-savvy fashionistas on the go. Inspired by PPQ’s signature Gabriel bag and in deep red croc-print, it’s lightweight and on trend for summer 2009. The ultra-slim case is sized for a netbook and features a padded interior for protection and a pocket for daily essentials. Staying connected on the move has never been so chic.

Customers can purchase The PPQ for Vodafone Netbook Bag for just £40 at vodafone.co.uk/ppq whilst stocks last.

via Press Release

Navigon for iPhone – review

Let’s face it: many users in EU don’t give a monkey about turn-by-turn navigation apps other than TomTom. It looks like everybody in EU is waiting for TomTom to be released to app store at last! However if you can’t wait for TomTom (Made in Netherlands) then you can get Navigon (Made in Germany). And now there is even Navigon Lite that is free and you can try a little bit out before buying…

To calculate route you need to enter your destination, starting with country:

HTC Touch Pro2 now with 3.5mm headset jack

The guys over at Mobilesyrup have a Telus branded version of the HTC Touch Pro2 and what do we see that is different, yes a 3.5mm Headset Jack.

So it looks like HTC are starting to see the light and bring the 3.5mm standard jack connector to their devices, not sure if this will be updated around all the HTC Touch Pro2 incarnations or if it is just a special for Telus but at least it’s a step in the right direction and also puts firmly to bed the argument of space in the device as a reason for it’s continued omission.

Mojo SDK for Palm WebOS now available to all

After a successful early access program, Palm’s Mojo Software Development Kit is available to all interested app developers. The SDK can be downloaded from a new developer portal — Palm webOSdev — at developer.palm.com. Any interested developer with a valid email address can access the SDK, its associated documentation, and new Mojo developer forums.

The initial response to Palm webOS apps — from both developers and customers — has been enthusiastic. Even in its initial beta stage, over 1.8 million apps have been downloaded from the beta App Catalog since Palm Pre was released less than six weeks ago. Thousands of developers have participated in the Mojo SDK early access program since it began in early April. New applications are in the pipeline for the Palm App Catalog, and the App Catalog submission process will be opened to all developers beginning this fall. 

Developers interested in exploring Palm webOS and the Mojo SDK further may be interested in these upcoming events:

Where is TomTom for iPhone?

What is going on? Dutch company TomTom offers navigation software that belongs to the most popular in the world and certainly most popular in Europe. They make not only software for smartphones but also plenty of navigation devices too and also plenty of accessories (like the holder for iPhone pictured above).

However until now, still TomTom for iPhone has not been released, despite the fact that it has been officially announced! Why?

Toshiba TG01 spreading viruses

O2 customers in Germany have been somewhat unlucky with the purchase of their Toshiba TG01 units.

The unit which took months to actually begin shipping has actually shipped with a virus installed.  Whilst the number of devices affected to date is very few, customers in Germany have been urged to contact customer services and all other shipments have been halted.

No news if this is affecting UK units, however it is not a great start for Toshiba.

via Clove Blog

Windows Mobile Marketplace will be open to 6.0 and 6.1 devices

Msmobiles are reporting that the Windows Mobile App Store or Marketplace which will be launched with Windows Mobile 6.5, will be available for older 6.0 and 6.1 software devices. This would makes sense as the number of devices that will have 6.5 are limited and this would not be a good marketing opportunity for developers.

Todd Brix – new manager of Windows Marketplace has said Windows Marketplace will be available for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 by the end of 2009 (in addition to Windows Mobile 6.5 at launch in the fall).

via msmobiles

Super cool gaming on Windows Mobile

Here a video I noticed on the Tilt Mobility site. There’s a lot of hype about the NVidia Tegra chip that we know will make its way to WM devices. Here’s a little demo of the chip in action showing augmented reality – where you mix real life images with computer generated images but this is in the context of a first person shooter that’s really incredible to watch. Just wait for the Skittles to appear:) We don’t know if this is a WM platform but this should be the same processor that will make it’s way to WM so it’s hopefully a good glimpse into the (near) future.

Apple talking to T-Mobile UK about the iPhone 3G

The days of O2’s exclusive hold on the iPhone are probably numbered – T-Mobile has told The Register that  it’s in talks with Apple about ranging the iPhone 3G in the next few months.

The deals being discussed only include the iPhone 3G, and O2’s exclusive on the 3GS seems to be secure. But even this represents a major shift in how Apple markets the iPhone, which currently relies on network exclusives to get a decent subsidy; giving that up shows either greater confidence or reflected disappointment in how O2 has priced up the latest offering.

T-Mobile has been telling callers that the company is in talks with Apple about ranging the iPhone 3G, and Orange is also rumoured to have plans regarding Apple’s last-version handset. That would leave O2 to explain to users why the 3GS is better; doing Apple’s marketing for it.