News

iOS 4.3 Officially Announced – Available March 11

Alongside the iPad 2 being announced today, Steve Jobs with the help of Scott Forstall unveiled iOS 4.3 to the world. New features in the update include the Nitro Javscript engine from Safari on OS X to make browsing super sweet, new iTunes Home Sharing that lets you play content from iTunes to your iOS device over WiFi, new AirPlay features that we saw in the iOS 4.3 betas such as the ability for App Store apps to share audio and video. For the iPhone only, iOS 4.3 adds the personal hotspot feature but for only the GSM version and for the iPad it adds Photobooth and Facetime to take advantage of the new camera on the iPad 2. Oh and Apple is giving us choice of whether you want the switch on the side to be for locking the screen rotation or for it to be a mute switch.

iOS 4.3 will be a free download available on March 11 for the iPhone 4 (GSM), 3GS, iPod Touch 3rd and 4th gen and both iPad models.

Posted by Patrick

[ Post Tags: Airplay, apple, iOS, iOS 4.3, iTunes, tracyandmatt.co.uk ]

iPad 2 Announced

Announced by Steve Jobs only moments ago, the sequel to the iPad has been announced, imaginatively named the iPad 2. The next baby to come out of Apple uses the all new A5 dual core processor with 9x faster graphics, there are front and back facing cameras, it is 2lb lighter now at 1.3 pounds, a 1/3 thinner at 8.8mm thick (which is thinner than the iPhone 4 by the way) and all in a brand new design with a white version that will ship on time! The iPad 2 will come in the same 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb models, all at the same price as the previous model.

There is the usual Apple accessories like a keyboard dock and USB/SD card dock connector that was available last year but we have some now we have some new ones. The first is a HDMI connector that can go straight to a TV which mirrors the iPad screen and exports in 1080p, which will be good for app demos and the like. The next new accessory for the iPad 2 is a new “case” called Smart Covers. It apparently adds no weight or bulk to the iPad while keeping it protected, the inner material is micro-fibre which will get rid of any fingerprints made while using the device and comes in either Polyurethane ($39) or Leather ($69). But the coolest thing about these Smart Covers is that it uses magnets to wake and sleep the iPad when you open and close the case. Fancy!

But there is one missing chunk in this announcement. The lack of a Retina Display. Probably too costly for this iteration but I would of blown away every tablet on the market right now if it had that awesome screen.

Shipping on March 11 in the US and March 25 here in the UK. (The day before my birthday might I add. Anyone want to be kind?) Check below for more pics and full specs…

Today’s Apple event

It’s that time again. An Apple press event day. Tonight at 6PM, London time, Apple will be holding an event in San Francisco. I am told that Apple have also hired a studio at the BBC here in London so we could see some local action too.

Most people are pretty sure that today will see the iPad 2 previewed. It may well be that or it could be something totally different. Either way we will bring you the important news as soon as we can. If you don’t follow us on Twitter you may like too. We shall be tweeting the good bits from the event. You can find us at:

twitter.com/tracyandmatt

Posted by: James

T-Mobile launches new business plans with 6 month contracts

I like the sound of this. A six month contract. Yes, you did read that right. T-Mobile have introduced some new six month business plans and you can even get a free phone. The free one is the Nokia C3 Touch & Type so may not be your cup of tea but if you don’t mind paying towards the cost of the handset there is a huge range to choose from.

The price you pay for the device and the monthly charge depends on the handset but for a six month plan I don’t think the charges are too unreasonable. Lets hope the other networks all follow suit.

You can see more details below:

Motorola XOOM available to pre order

The Motorola XOOM is already available in the USA and it looks like we wont have to wait too much longer for it here in the UK. PC World have now opened up pre orders for the 10.1 inch Android Tablet.

Motorola XOOM Features:

• Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) (More information HERE)
• 10.1" (1280×800) Touch Screen
• 1GHZ Dual core Tegra 2 Processor
• 3G, but upgradable to 4G
• Front facing 2 megapixel front facing camera
• 5 megapixel rear facing camera  with dual LED flash and 720p video capture capability
• 1080p video playback
• 32GB on board user memory
• 1GB RAM
• 802.11n WiFi
• 730g
• 249.1mm x 167.8mm x 12.9mm

We have no word yet on when review devices will be here but as soon as they are we will have one. Keep your eyes peeled.

Posted by: James

Dell Venue Pro nearly here

The Dell Venue Pro has been knocking around for some months now but has not been available to buy here in the UK. The Windows Phone 7 device is now showing that it will be shipping in ten days time via the Dell website. At £459 it is not cheap but if you thinking of getting a WP7 handset and have been waiting for a vertical sliding keyboard then now is the time to submit you order.

Dell Venue Pro Specifications:

• Processor : 1GHz QSD8250 Snapdragon processor
• Operating System: Windows Phone 7
• Display: 480 x 800px,AMOLED, 4.10 inches Capacitive, Multi-touch display
• Camera : 5 megapixels Resolution, Features Auto focus, Digital zoom
• 3G capability: Yes
• WIfi : 802.11b/g/n
• Bluetooth: Version 2.1
• Data: 1xEV-DO rev.A
• Memory: 512 MB RAM / 1024 MB ROM
• Network: EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA 7.2 Mbit/s/HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s

You may want to pre order from Clove? Looks like it is a wee bit cheaper.

Posted by: James

Some film based BlackBerry apps for Oscar weekend

This Sunday (27^th February) the world-famous red carpet will be rolled out for the glitz and the glamour that is the Oscars, the ceremony which rewards the Hollywood A-list. But do you know your Gwyneth from your Jennifer, your Scorsese from your Coen Brothers? If not, there is a multitude of film-themed apps in BlackBerry App World that entertain and educate, all in the name of film. And if you’re inspired to hit the flicks, there is even an app that lets you book cinema tickets.

Flixster for BlackBerry is a virtual haven for film buffs, featuring movie listings, trailers, reviews, stills and more. The application lets you find your nearest cinema, book tickets and view trailers for upcoming films, perfect for the indecisive or for those who just can’t get enough of movies. You can even read reviews from top film site Rotten Tomatoes and browse a catalogue of over 50,000 DVDs. The Flixster application is the ultimate pocket guide for movies and new releases, and the best thing is: it’s free!

Samsung Galaxy S II arriving mid to late March

Our friends over at Clove have updated their blog to give some indication of when they can expect the Samsung galaxy S II in stock.

Here is what they say:

As we all know, release dates are always subject to change but we’ve had word today that the first stock of the Samsung Galaxy S II i9100, both the 16GB & 32GB versions, will be landing mid to late March. This is slightly sooner than expected as it was previously thought that Samsung’s new ‘superphone’ would not be available until some time in Q2.

The prices that we have listed are correct at this time, but are subject to change. Regrettably the 16GB model has increased in price since its original listing in the Clove website. If you place a pre-order today, you will not be charged and once the final price and availability has been confirmed, you will be given the option to proceed with or cancel the order.

For customers that have already placed an order for the 16GB model at the lower price, please contact us quoting your order reference number, confirming whether or not you agree to the revised price, or whether you wish to change to the 32GB model. Previously the 32GB model was not listed, but we have now had confirmation that it will be available.

We now have the two variation of the SGS2 listed at the following prices:

Samsung Galaxy S II i9100 (16GB) – £510 + VAT

Samsung Galaxy S II i9100 (32GB) – £590 + VAT

Vodafone have a huge selection of Smartphones and Tablets coming soon

If you are in the market for a new top end Smartphone or tablet then you may want to consider Vodafone. Their ‘coming soon’ page on the site is busting at the seams with all the good stuff from our top manufactures.

Although the handsets are not yet released you do get the opportunity to sign up for updates so at least when the device does become available you will get notified.

Head on over to the Vodafone site or you can see the full range of ‘coming soon’ phones and tablets after the break.

We will of course have full reviews of all the below devices in due course.

Windows 8 Tablets due in Q4 this year

Some say that Windows 8 tablets using ARM processors could be out before the years end. Business Insider’s sources claim that Microsoft has thousands of engineers which have been working on the ARM version of Windows 8. It has already been leaked that Windows 8 will be more tablet-centric and touch friendly.

Windows 7 tablets have been critised for two main problems. Firstly, an unrefined touch interface. The few tablets on the market now seem to not only be less responsive than Android or Ipad alternatives but also fairly fiddly. Windows also seems to suck up battery life at an alarming rate. These are the precise two things that Windows 8 will combat. The ability for Windows 8 to run on ARM processors should allow the platform to match Android and Apple tablets with their 10 hours or more battery lives.

Some companies have managed to make Windows 7 quite a pleasent experience, for example Viewsonic’s Vpad 10 which I had the pleasure of playing with at MWC. This tablet had Windows as the front runner and ran Android 2.2 on top, with Meego as a option they plan to shoehorn in.

It will be great to see Windows shaking up the mix. Windows 7 proved to be a strong operating system and if Windows 8 is an improvement, with the support behind it, Microsoft has the potential to be a market leader.

Posted by Gareth