Phones

O2 Extends Mobile Broadband Service

O2 today announced that its mobile broadband customers will have access to thousands of BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspots for the first time. The partnership, which existing customers will see come into effect today (1), coincides with an upgrade (2) to O2’s Mobile Broadband Connection Manager software, enabling users to manage their data consumption more effectively.

The deal with BT Openzone offers an additional 3,000 hotspots (including most branches of Starbucks), and builds on the unlimited Wi-Fi all O2 customers benefit from with their O2 mobile broadband tariff.

O2 will also be upgrading its Connection Manager software. The new software will automatically copy existing Wi-Fi profiles from a customer’s laptop into Connection Manager during the initial installation process. This will seamlessly connect users to their home or business broadband wireless networks, without the need to manually enter security codes.

Micro-USB Phone Charger In Europe to be standard, even for Apple

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Top mobile telephone suppliers have agreed to back an EU-wide harmonization of phone chargers, the European Commission said on Monday, hailing the pact as good news for consumers and the environment.

The agreement by Nokia, Sony Ericsson and other industry majors will mean phones compatible with standard charging devices are available in Europe from next year, said the EU executive, which has pushed for such a deal.

"People will not have to throw away their charger whenever they buy a new phone," said EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, estimating that unwanted phone accessories accounted for thousands of tons of waste in Europe each year.

iPhone 3GS dropped in the pool. Still works!

We’ve heard about the awesome treats loaded on the iPhone 3GS and its new fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coated body, but did you know that it also possesses some amphibious traits as well? This short video demonstrates how an iPhone 3GS managed to stay alive even after taking a brief dip into the swimming pool. We’re not exactly sure if there are any long term effects to this heart-stopping and jaw-dropping accident, but I guess there weren’t any immediate problems as they still got the chance to upload the video of this amazing yet horrific tale. Granted that this news of the iPhone 3GS being slightly water-proof is certainly good to hear, we wouldn’t suggest you go out and try this one out for yourself. Just enjoy the video and be thankful you’re not the clumsy dude who dropped his new iPhone 3G S into the pool.

[PMPtoday via engadget]

WM 6.5 Start Menu: What Was MS Thinking?!?!

Dr Jim Taylor has written a great piece for Tilt Mobility and he has kindly let us share it with you, Here is what he has to say on the subject of the Windows Mobile 6.5 start menu.

In the eternal search for the ideal mobile phone set-up, I have flashed up to EnergyROM 3.0 with WM 6.5. The new OS is great: fast, stable, and mostly functional. But I have to ask Microsoft a question: What were you thinking when you designed the new Start Menu?!?!?

TouchFLO 3D v2.5 caught on video

It looks like the new HTC Windows Mobile devices and some that will be upgraded to 6.5 will also see some improvements to the TouchFlo 3D user interface when Windows Mobile 6.5 eventually comes along. Pocketnow have uncovered a video showing a new version of the popular overlay and it looks that little bit more in-depth.

Check out the video after the break for a bit more information.

Boost Your Mobile Signal at Home with Vodafone Access Gateway

A small plug-in box that will significantly improve customers’ mobile phone signal in their homes has been announced today by Vodafone UK.

Available online and in store from the 1July, the Vodafone Access Gateway service is the first of its kind anywhere in Europe. A neat box, similar in size to a router, plugs straight into any home broadband line to bring customers improved and more reliable 3G coverage indoors.

Quick and easy to install, the Gateway works with all 3G handsets and can support up to four voice calls at any one time. Customers will no longer need to worry about missed calls on their mobiles due to inconsistent indoor coverage. With the new Vodafone Access Gateway customers will be able to take advantage of the full range of Vodafone services via their handset anywhere in the home.

Full presentation video from the HTC Hero launch event in London 2009 + 2 more videos

HTC launch event where HTC has presented their first multitouch phone – HTC Hero – and their new user interface layer – HTC Sense – took place in Tramshed Studios in London on June 24th, 2009.

Here we are presenting our final post about this event, where you can see full video recording of the presentation that started the event:

HTC launch event in London, 2009: video interview with boss of HTC Europe

We are asking many questions but obviously plenty of stuff asked was relating to the future developments so it couldn’t be answered. We asked also about future of Windows Mobile at HTC but this event was very focused on Google Android, so obviously we didn’t go into detail about Windows Mobile too, but at least HTC’s 100% commitment to Windows Mobile has been confirmed:

Full presentation audio from the HTC Hero launch event in London 2009

Listen to it all!

T-Mobile UK to carry the HTC Hero as the G1 Touch

After yesterdays announcements by HTC and then Orange on the availability of HTC Hero, we now see that T-Mobile have thrown their hat in the ring and will be stocking the latest Android handset starting in July. T-Mobile have decided to put their own slant on the Hero by changing it’s name to the T-Mobile G1 Touch.

We also brought a demo confirming that this Android device will at last have multi-touch screen functions – just open and close 2 fingers to zoom in and out.

The G1Touch will be free from £40 per month on Flext with £225 of credit including unlimited internet browsing and will be available from mid July from www.t-mobile.co.uk and T-Mobile stores.

So you now have three choices if you fancy getting your hands on a more mature Android device, Orange, T-Mobile or Sim Free.