Phones

It’s been a while since we had any news about the European version of the ever popular Samsung Blackjack, the Samsung SGH-i600. We have heard mixed messages about the device as some retailers, such as Clove Technology and eXpansys, are offering the i600 on preorder but Samsung’s own PR people say that they are not expecting a UK launch.

However the news from smartphone.fr is that not only will it see a European launch but that Orange themselves are taking the device, what’s more it’s reported that the i600 will launch by the end of April!

I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this device as I’m a big fan of it’s little brother, the i320. The i600 is a little larger but has 3G connectivity.

Samsung SGH-i600 Specification

See for yourself on the Orange website or check out our Samusung i600 video.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tags: smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Samsung SGH-i600, Orange, Samsung Windows Mobile blog]

T-Mobile have dropped the MDA from their range. The device expected to replace it is the T-Mobile Wing, slated to be released in August.

The new T-Mobile Wing is said to be an HTC Atlas based device, similar in design to the HTC P4350, with its spring loaded keyboard, and a face similar to the HTC P3400.

T-Mobile MDA Wing Specification:

Source

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, T-Mobile Wing, HTC, HTC Atlas]

You may remember that we discussed the XDA Zinc a while ago and the device was expected to launch in the UK some time in March. It’s now come to light that the device has been officially cancelled by O2. According to O2, the XDA Zinc failed to pass the stringent tests that a new device is subjected to and was therefore cancelled. Looks like they O2/Asustek unable to iron out the bugs that were mentioned in the Zinc review.

However, it’s not all bad news from O2. At the same time they have announced the O2 XDA Trion, which is to be their version of the HTC Hermes.

While I appreciate that the HTC Hermes remains a popular device, it does seem a little late in the day for carriers to be launching HTC Hermes based devices. It’s getting towards a year ago that the first Hermes models went on sale. As you can see below, the specification is no different to other Hermes devices.

O2 XDA Trion Specification:

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Tracy & Matt, XDA Zinc, O2, HTC Hermes, Mars 2, O2 XDA Trion]

A new HTC device, the Census, has just appeared on the FCC site.

The unusual thing about this device is that it lacks voice capability and is a data only handset. Naturally not a great deal is known about the Census at this stage but you’ll notice from the image above that a fingerprint reader is included. With the lack of keyboard or keypad it obviously includes a touch screen.

HTC Census Specification:

Don’t let the images above deceive you in to thinking that this is a small smartphone device – the screen alone is 3.5″ which puts the HTC Census in the same league as the older (circa HTC Blue Angel) handsets. Also look at the weight – 350g!?

No idea when (or IF) the device will see release but another thing you’ll notice, if you take the time to look at the manually on the FCC site, is that the screen shots all show Windows Mobile 5!

Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, HTC Census, Tracy & Matt]

Our friends at Clove Technology have once again come up with some excellent offers for you, our readers.

First of all the price of Eten products has been reduced. Eten M700 is now £295 (+VAT) while the Eten X500 is down to just £289 (+VAT).

BUT thats not all!

In addition to the price reductions if you use the voucher code below you can save a further £20 when you purchase either of the Eten devices.

Simply use this voucher code (TMBX5APR07) and £20 will be deducted from the price of the X500 when you reach the check-out (device sale only).

Use this code (TMBM7APR07) to save £20 off M700 will be deducted from the price of the M700 when you reach the check-out (device sale only).

Secondly, when you purchase any HTC device from Clove Technology and use this voucher code (HTC20APR07) you’ll get £20 off any accessory purchased along with the device. The only condition being that the accessory must exceed £20 in value (£20.50 is OK!!).

Thanks very much to Clove Technology for providing our readers with this offer!

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, HTC, Eten, Clove, Special Offer]

The O2 XDA Atom Life has appeared on the web and has been reviewed by HardwareZone.

The Atom looks like a well specified device with its 624MHz processor and massive 1GB ROM although interestingly only Bluetooth 1.2 and 64MB RAM.

O2 XDA Atom Life Specification

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, O2, O2 XDA Atom Life, HTC Trinity, HTC P3600, SPV, Orange SPV M700]

Edit: Our Orange SPV M700 review is now online!

A number of our readers have been in touch to ask about the differences between the Black and the White SPV M700 and why they are unable to buy the colour they want.

First of all let’s clear up the question of ordering. The white M700 is for consumer customers whereas the black one is only available to business customers. That said, if you speak to the right people at Orange when you want to upgrade, and if you are persistent you should be able to get the colour that you want. Don’t let them tell you that the colour you want does not exist!

Secondly, there is NO difference between the black and the white SPV M700 other than the colour. Again, some of you have been in touch having been told by Orange customer services that the white device doesn’t have GPS but that the black one does. Let me assure everyone that both have built in GPS but that there is no control panel or settings that would give away this fact. Orange are really unable to offer any support with the GPS at this time so if you are having problems I would urge you to get in touch with us and we will do our best to help you!

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Orange, M700, HTC Trinity, HTC P3600, SPV, Orange SPV M700]

The T-Mobile Ameo launched, fairly quietly, last week and gradually reviews are appearing on the web.

Gears over at CoolSmartphone managed to get his hands on an Ameo and has posted up some nice images of the device (as above) along with his initial thoughts.

The screen is huge and you cannot help but feel the resolution is wrong.

Inputting your entry passcode sees the stylus traverse most of the screen. Web pages are easier to read.

Battery life is better than expected, more time and use will clarify if this early judgement is valid. USB device charging seems to be slower than the included mains charger.

Check out what else Gears has to say along with the rest of the photos HERE.

The Ameo is available to buy now from T-Mobile UK.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, T-Mobile, Ameo, Dopod U1000, HTC Athena, HTC X7500, Tracy & Matt]

The folks at Clove Technology have been in touch with me again to let me know that the Toshiba Portege G900 is now available to preorder on their website.

Whilst the final price and specification of the G900 yet to be announced you can preorder it now for £445 (+VAT). Delivery is expected at the end of May/early June.

With it’s large WVGA screen and finger print reader, the Toshiba G900 looks ike being a cool little device.

If you take business on the move seriously and you want to keep ahead, you’ll find the Portégé G900 gives you more control over the way you work. One of the first devices to use the new Windows Mobile 6 operating system and with a range of exceptional features, the G900 is first class for business travel.

Toshiba G900 Features

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Toshiba G900, Toshiba]