News

OS update for BlackBerry PlayBook

A new version of the BlackBerry Tablet OS is now available to all BlackBerry PlayBook tablet users. BlackBerry Tablet OS v1.07.3312 contains an updated version of Adobe® Flash Player. This free update can be downloaded over-the-air from your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.

On September 21st, Adobe issued an update for Adobe Flash Player, as noted in Adobe Security Bulletins APSB-11-26, which addresses issues that can potentially affect any PC, tablet, or other device with an operating system that supports Adobe Flash.

While there are no known reports of any BlackBerry PlayBook tablet users being affected by these Adobe Flash issues, we (as always) encourage all BlackBerry PlayBook users to update to the newest version of the BlackBerry Tablet OS. For more information about what these security updates mean to the BlackBerry PlayBook, please see our security advisory.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 now available on Orange

If you are one of the people who has been holding out to get the BlackBerry Bold 9900 on Orange then today is a happy day for you. The device is now available to order online and I presume in retail stores too but I would phone and ask before heading to a local shop.

The device has been around for a wee while now but like many handsets Orange perform rigorous testing on the device prior to launching. It will be interesting to see if they have added or removed any features from the standard ROM.

If you need a reminder of what the device is all about and our views on it check out our extensive review.

You can order online here.

Posted by: James

Steve Jobs passes away

Sad news for the tech world today. Just a day after the iPhone 4S was announced Apple has confirmed that former CEO Steve Jobs has died after a long battle with cancer.

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit, will forever be the foundation of Apple.

Our condolences go out to Steve’s wife and family. Rest in Peace Steve.

Posted by: James

BlackBerry Torch 9810 and 9860 now available to buy sim free

Both new BlackBerry Torch models are now available to order sim free. If you fancy a BlackBerry with a larger touchscreen, then either of these two handsets could be right up your street.

The Smart Phone Centre now has them in stock and ready to ship. The torch 9810 will set you back £474.95 and the 9860 £414.95.

Both prices are inclusive of VAT and also include free delivery.

The BlackBerry Torch 9810 gives you the powerful combination of touch screen and QWERTY keyboard. So you can do more and work faster, the way you want to.

Share your life in an instant. Whether music or memories or simply the moment, the BlackBerry Torch 9860 smartphone has been designed with you in mind. Listen, compare, browse, find and share. Talk or just chat. Compete, don’t just play.

Head on over to The Smartphone Centre for more info.

Posted by: James

iPhone 4S coming to all major UK networks

After last nights iPhone 4S announcement all of our UK networks have been quick of the mark to say they will carry the new device. Although prices and plans are not yet available to see online the networks all have web pages where you can register your interest.

If you fancy having a look at the iPhone 4S and its new features on video head on over to the Apple website where an in depth video can be seen.

I am seeing mixed opinions on the iPhone 4S across the web. Why not let us know your thoughts on our forum? Are you happy with the changes Apple have made or would you have wanted a new designed iPhone?

I personally was hoping for an iPhone 5 with a slightly bigger screen. Oh well. Next time maybe.

Posted by: James

Apple iOS 5 coming 12th October

A taster of what is to come was shown at WWDC a few months ago but today the finer details of what iOS will feature have been revealed. iOS 5 is probably the biggest release yet with a lot of new features, from iCloud to Newsstand. The new OS will be available to download on iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2, iPod touch 3G & 4G.

Apple claims there are many minor updates including ones that us users won’t see, but for a quick look at all the (important) new features, click through after the break.

Apple unveil iPhone 4S

After a ridiculous stream of rumours, the iPhone 4S is now official. The first thing to note is that it looks identical to the old iPhone 4, 3.5″ retina display, glass and all, for better or worse. As expected though, it has new internals, namely the dual core A5 chip. With dual core graphics too, performance is supposedly 7 times faster than the A4 in the iPhone 4, and graphically intensive games such as the new Infinity Blade 2 will be industry leading (for now). The battery life is rated at 8 hours of talk time, 14 hours of 2G talk time, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music, and 9 hours of Wi-Fi browsing.

The camera has also been subject to a nice meaty upgrade, up from 5 to 8 megapixels as expected, f/2.4 aperture, and 73% more light on the sensor thanks to backside illumination. There’s also more bells and whistles such as a ‘Hybrid IR filter’ for better colour accuracy, 30% more sharpness, and face detection. It’s also supposed to be faster to shoot the first picture – 1.1 seconds for the 4S, compared with 2 and 2.1 seconds for the Samsung GSII and HTC Sensation. Video recording on the iPhone 4 was already excellent, but that too has been bumped to full 1080p recording, video stabilisation, and noise reduction.

The internals are up to date now, and after all of the iPhone 4 antennagate malarky, Apple have made sure they mention the new antenna which switches between different areas for best signal quality – we’ll see if that’s actually the case when we get our hands on it soon.

Update: The iPhone 4S will come in 16gb, 32gb and 64gb flavors. It will be available here in the UK on October 14th. Pre-Orders start on the 7th.

Post by: Vince

Cards app for iOS detailed

Can’t say that this was one the rumour mill picked up on, but you can’t blame them – it’s kind of bizarre. The short of it is that Apple have a new app called Cards, where you can choose from 21 designs of a greetings card to send. Once customised, Apple will actually create it and mail it to your addressee. Of course, it comes at a price, one that hasn’t been detailed for the UK. We’re not actually sure if the service will be available to us here, but it does seem like Americans can address it to outside the USA.

Is this a way of marketing to your recipient with an Apple branded card, or a genuine desire to make our lives easier? Who knows, but it’ll be available free on October 12th, for the Yanks at least.

Post by: Vince

Apple boasts some impressive numbers

It’s hard to deny that recently Apple have been doing very well in all the markets they compete in, from desktop PCs to music players. At Apple’s keynote today, they showed off some impressive numbers to say the least:

• 6 million downloads of OS X Lion; Macs are no. 1 selling computers in the US
• 23% year on year growth in the PC market vs 4% Windows, with almost 60m users
• 23% of the total PC market share
• Over 300m iPods sold in the last decade, 45m since June
• 16 billion song downloads on iTunes!
• No. 1 selling tablet in world, 95% satisfaction rate, 92% of Fortune 500 companies adopting the iPad
• 250 million total iOS devices, making iOS the number 1 mobile OS, accounting for 61% of the mobile browser market
• Half a million apps on the App Store, 140,00 iPad apps, and 18 billion app downloads

Whether you like Apple or not, it’s clear that they are doing extremely well lately. Well done to them.

Posted by: Vince

HTC Sensation XE in stock at The Smartphone Centre

The HTC Sensation XE has arrived at The Smartphone Centre. This latest device includes a 4.3″ qHD display, powered by a 1.5GHz processor, the Android Operating System and sound by Beats Audio, the HTC Sensation XE is provided with custom made Beats headsets, engineered to deliver extraordinary sound.

HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio comes inbox with custom made Beats headsets, engineered to deliver extraordinary sound. The specially tuned software and user interface delivers the ultimate mobile audio experience we know you’ll appreciate. Featuring an aluminium unibody construction and designed with touches of red, the phone feels premium and looks beautiful inside and out.

HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio is powered by a blazing fast 1.5 GHz dual core processor. Now, you can easily multitask and surf the most visually rich websites at blazing speeds. Your apps will start up instantly and switching between multiple apps has never been easier.

HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio’s 4.3 inch expansive qHD display brings you an unprecedented movie watching experience when you are on the go. The audio experience is just as immersive. The phone automatically detects your Beats headset and optimises the output so your audio experience sounds extraordinary, just like the artist intended.