Author Archive: James Richardson

Garmin and INRIX team up

Garmin is teaming with INRIX, leaders in the field of traffic intelligence technology, to provide up-to-the-minute traffic information across the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) network. This starts in the UK with the release of Garmin’s DEZL760 device. 

By leveraging the latest breakthroughs in DAB technology:

· INRIX will help Garmin deliver better, more detailed live traffic data, updated more frequently and without an internet connection

· This new generation of “Garmin 3D Traffic Live” will provide Garmin customers access to fully featured live traffic information without any subscription costs

· Garmin is able to offer subscription free live traffic services for life!

· This brand new service will be showcased on the new DEZL760 in their booth throughout IFA

Garmin, the global leader in satellite navigation, is ready to change the impact of traffic for its customers forever by providing its fastest and most accurate 3D traffic services to date.

Samsung announce the Galaxy Note II

Today at the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event held at IFA, in Berlin, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note II, a whole new level of innovation for the Galaxy Note category. The new Samsung Galaxy Note II enables unique experiences in personalised and expressive content creation making it the ultimate smartphone for on-the-go creativity.

Simon Stanford, Vice President, Telecommunications and Networks, Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “Last year at IFA, we launched the Galaxy Note, which opened a new category of smart mobile devices. This year, again at IFA, we are delighted to introduce the Galaxy Note II, which will encourage users to ‘unleash their creativity.’ With an unbeatable viewing experience and unique features, our customers can capture their ideas faster, express thoughts freely and manage tasks more efficiently. This device provides creativity for all, with an extraordinary experience.”

Since the first introduction of the Galaxy Note category, Samsung has continued to enhance and expand Galaxy Note product experiences. In May 2012, Samsung introduced ‘Premium Suite’ software upgrade for enhanced user experiences: With the Ice Cream Sandwich OS upgrade, Samsung offered innovative new features such as Shape Match and Formula Match. In mid August, Samsung expanded the category with the Galaxy Note 10.1, which has a 10.1 inch large screen, multiscreen features for ultimate multitasking, and a natural S Pen experience with enhanced features for users’ productivity, creativity and learning ability.

The Samsung Galaxy Note II helps to unleash users’ creative inner spark by letting them discover information faster, capture ideas, and express them more organised and efficiently. This is easily achieved using the new S Pen, which provides a more precise and natural writing experience that feels like writing with a pen and paper. For all people who want to be creative, different and unique, Samsung Galaxy Note II will be the ideal device to carry everywhere.

Sony announce the Xperia T – Good enough for James Bond

Today at IFA in Berlin Sony announced their new flagship phone – the Xperia T which will appear in the next James Bond film. Xperia T combines Sony’s best screen, camera and connectivity to provide consumers with the best HD experience with which to enjoy content on any screen, any time. Xperia T builds on the same design language first introduced by the award-winning* Xperia arc and Xperia arc S – combining a slim form factor with an emphasis on the display for excellent viewing.

Xperia T key features:

• 4.6″ HD Reality Display powered by the Mobile BRAVIA® Engine for razor sharp clarity
• 13MP fast capture camera that goes from sleep mode to snap in just over a second
• Full 1080p HD video recording capabilities and a 720p HD front camera for the highest quality content
• Easy connectivity with ‘One-touch’ function enabled by NFC
• PlayStationT Certified
• Latest generation 1.5GHz dual core processor for improved battery life, fast performance and ultra sharp graphics

· Android version 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Will be upgraded to Android version 4.1 (Jelly Bean) following launch. Detailed timing to follow

• MHL connectivity for viewing content on a big screen without the need for a charger
• Use Xperia TV Dock with MHL to HDMI converter and charging connector to enjoy photos and videos on an HDMI enabled TV
• In some markets Xperia T will be known as Xperia TX
• Available in Black, Silver and White colours

Posted by: James

LG announce the Optimus L9

The LG Optimus L9 will continue the stylish L-Series lineup of smartphones with its global debut. Following the successful launches of the Optimus L3, Optimus L5, and Optimus L7 earlier this year, the Optimus L9 is anticipated to continue in the success of the L-Series emphasizing premium design heritage developed from LG’s design leadership.

Inheriting LG’s premium L-Style design philosophy, the Optimus L9 has a 9.1mm thin body with a slimming metallic streak and modern square style that offers a comfortable grip from its slim and stylish design.

The largest-in-class 4.7-inch IPS display of the Optimus L9 offers clear and true-to-life images with incredible detail for comfortable viewing experience. The high-density 2,150mAh SiO+ battery allows users to enjoy the various new UX features all day long with maximized performance while retaining its incredibly sleek design.

The Optimus L9 was also developed to be a smarter smartphone through LG’s differentiated UX features, such as the QTranslator and My Style Keypad function along with the ever-popular QMemo.

The QTranslator function instantly translates not only words, but also entire sentences and phrases with a simple scan from nearly 44 foreign languages to 64 user languages. Using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, it recognizes letters upon scanning with the camera and utilizes electronic dictionary or online translation engine to translate words, sentences or phrases.

ARCHOS announce the 101 XS Android 4.1 tablet

ARCHOS, today announces the  ARCHOS 101 XS, a 10.1-inch tablet weighing only 21 ounces and measuring only 8mm thick. The 101 XS will be the first of a new line of extra slim Android tablets to debut mid-September, followed by the release of the ARCHOS 97 XS and ARCHOS 80 XS later in 2012.

The entire Gen10 XS line is Google certified, features Android 4.0 and allows full access to Google PlayT featuring over 600,000 apps. The range will be upgradable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in Q4 2012.

In addition to creating a new standard of thin for tablets, each model from the Gen10 XS line comes with an innovative Coverboard, a unique magnetic keyboard that will offer protection, a kickstand, docking and easy typing. The Coverboard is included in the box with each tablet.

Combining very high performance hardware, intuitive software and affordability, the ARCHOS 101 XS will be available in mid-September 2012 for £299.99 SRP.

“As the pioneer in the Android tablet market, we strive to continually push the technological boundaries of tablets and user experience,” says Henri Crohas, ARCHOS Founder and CEO. “We are taking our tablets to the next level by releasing an entirely new design that will redefine thin, while providing more functionality and a better price than any current Android tablet in the market.”

Check out the video below: