News

OS update for HTC Sensation

HTC have started rolling out an OS update for their latest Android powered superphone, the HTC Sensation.

At this time the update is for only unlocked or SIM-free unbranded versions of the HTC Sensation and only here in Europe. Sadly though this update is not the anticipated Android 2.3.4 that many have been waiting for nor is it the bootloader-unlock that has been promised by HTC. Instead it would appear, from reports that we’ve had from followers, that this update simply provides a number of bug-fixes. We’re not sure exactly what has changed in the update as yet but I’m pulling it down for my HTC Sensation as I type this.

If you have a carrier supplier/locked HTC Sensation I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while longer for the carrier specific updates be be released.

The XDA Developers forum will give you more info.

Posted by: Matt

Google+ waiting on Apple’s approval

Google are sitting on their hands waiting for Apple to approve their Google+ application. Sounds insane, however Google’s app portal for their interesting take on the Facebook phenomenon might just get blocked by Apple. It wouldn’t be the first time. On Android the application has certainly impressed its users thus far, however, not gaining the approval for the iPhone and iPad might break the Google+ success factor. If the app were to be rejected by Apple then users will be expected to use a browser based phone friendly website. Given how sexy and fluid the app is on Google’s own Android platform it would be preferable for iProduct users to enjoy this too.

If successful then Google+ will become as user friendly as Facebook is on the iPhone and iPad. Not to mention as accessible. Early reports of the Google+ experience is quite positive.

Posted by: Gareth

Free keyboard and mouse when you buy a Motorola XOOM

Either Motorola are feeling rather generous or they are feeling desperate because for this month only when you buy a Motorola XOOM you also get a FREE wireless keyboard and mouse worth £74.99/€89.99 (UK and Ireland only, while stocks last).

Which of the above options are true, if any, is anybody’s guess but if I was a betting man I would choose option number two.

If you remember when I reviewed the XOOM I didn’t think it was the best option when looking to purchase a large Android tablet. Anyway, if you are tempted by the above offer head on over to the usual retail outlets and snap up a bargain.

Posted by: James

Nexus Contraptions game arrives on YouTube

Google stops for nothing these days. Hot on the heels of the lovely Google+ comes Nexus Contraptions. Obviously to coincide with the release of the 4G Nexus S the game is a simple Incredible Machine style game whereby you must safely see the ball over to the exit funnel using all manner of contraptions along the way. Simple, fun, challenging and rewarding. The graphics are quite simplistic however the robotic arm animation in between the levels provide a little humour as they toss the ball from one to another. Whilst there are only four levels and the game can be completed in 15 minutes, you can click the Google ball and enter the designer mode once completed. This will allow you to create your own levels and have some fun with all the contraption pieces.

Oddly it runs through YouTube and shows makes for some rather interesting use of the client. Perhaps we will see YouTube becoming a gaming client in the future?

Posted by: Gareth

Barcelona from Orange available now

We mentioned a few weeks ago that the Orange Barcelona was coming soon. The front facing QWERTY Android device made by Huawei looks to follow hot on the heels on the San Francisco in terms of value for money. Priced at just £99.99 plus a £10 top up on PAYG the Barcelona will be joining the likes of the HTC ChaCha and Motorola Droid Pro at trying to grab a chunk of the BlackBerry market.

Running 2.2, supporting HD voice and with a touch screen this one could be another huge hit for the network.

We should have an unboxing video up on the site soon followed by the full review.

You can see a reminder of the Orange Barcelona’s specs below:

LG Optimus 3D now available at The Carphone Warehouse

Hopefully you saw our Optimus 3D hands on video last week with LG’s latest and greatest, the Optimus 3D. If the device is what you have been waiting for you can now get one at the Carphone Warehouse. The LG Optimus 3D is available both on contract and sim free for £499.99 plus a £10 top up.

With the recent announcement of the HTC Evo 3D heading our way soon the Optimus 3D will soon get some competition. But if you want a 3D phone at the moment here in the UK then the LG is currently your only choice.

Watch out for our full review in the coming weeks and you can see a reminder of the devices full specs below:

Roaming Data Costs in EU to be Slashed

The average cost of using smartphones and tablets in the EU is to be more than halved under plans from Brussels to introduce price caps.

The EU wants to abolish premium charges for roaming data services – and is set to extend caps on mobile phone call roaming charges for a further four years to 2016.

It will be announced that from next year new price caps will be imposed on data downloads.

Surfing the internet or receiving emails while abroad will cost no more than 81p per megabyte from July 2012, falling to around 40p by 2014, compared with a current average of around £1.80.

It comes after an EU directive was introduced to force down the cost of making and receiving mobile phone calls while in Europe.

The proposals are part of a series of measures by Neelie Kroes, the EU commissioner responsible for telecommunications, to cut down on roaming charges by 2015.

Operators had hoped that special offers on roaming tariffs, including day passes and passport deals for offers while in other countries, would be enough to convince Brussels to drop price controls.

They were originally due to expire next July, five years after they were imposed despite industry objections.

Source: Sky News

Posted by: James

Sony Ericsson Xperia neo in Red – available now exclusively on Vodafone

Exclusively available to Vodafone in red, the brand new Sony Ericsson Xperia neo is powered by the latest version of Android, Gingerbread (2.3). With refined technology for easy use and a 3.7 inch touchscreen -  the quality is top notch.

The neo combines Sony BRAVIA image quality technology with HD video capabilities and an 8.1 megapixel camera. In addition, the device boasts a 2-megapixel front facing camera with face recognition, making it great for video calling.

Plus, with access to the thousands of apps available on the Android Market, you can improve everything on your handset from how you text and email through to how you like to receive the latest news and views.

The neo is available now, free on £26, 24 month price plans including 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB of data. For more information, visit the Vodafone online shop.

If you missed our unboxing video you can see it here.

Posted by: James

BlackBerry stands at UK rail stations

The UK BlackBerry team will be hanging out at a selection of major railway stations over the next week or so. If you fancy a free coffee on them as well as a chat about your BlackBerry device, or if you are thinking of switching over to BlackBerry then why not pop along and have a chin-wag. You will also get a chance to win tickets to see Tinie Tempah as well as pick up a goodie bag!

You can find the BlackBerry stands at the following locations:

• Free coffee at BlackBerry Stand (London St Pancras) – Monday 4th July
• Free coffee at BlackBerry Stand (London Waterloo) – Tuesday 5th July
• Free coffee at BlackBerry Stand (London Liverpool Street) – Wednesday 6th July
• Free coffee at BlackBerry Stand (London Victoria) – Thursday 7th July
• Free coffee at BlackBerry Stand (London Paddington) – Friday 8th July
• Free coffee at BlackBerry Stand (Leeds Train Station)- Monday 11th July
• Free coffee at BlackBerry Stand (Manchester Piccadilly) – Tuesday 12th July 

Posted by: James

Facebook to have Skype video chat

Facebook and Skype are working together to bring in-browser video chat to the Facebook site. That’s according to a story posted by TechCrunch.

The report suggests that there will be a web-based component that would presumably require you to download and install something but could also, conceivably, interface with the full desktop version of Skype to bring this functionality. Perhaps recent updates to the Skype app. may include something already lurking there?

TechCrunch have been following Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who apparently tipped off Seattle press that the company would be launching an “awesome” new product next week that has been built by Facebook’s Seattle team. The press invitations to that event went out today, saying nothing more than “Please join us for an event at Facebook” on July 6.

So lets see what Facebook come up with in a few days time. In any case I’m sure it’ll be interesting!

Posted by: Matt