News

Nokia E7 delayed to early next year

The E7 was originally supposed to reach the hands of consumers by December, so right about now. However, just like the N8, Nokia have announced that the E7 will in fact be delayed, this time until Q1 of 2011. According to Nokia, this is down to some small issues "to ensure the best possible user experience on the Nokia E7." The rumours floating around are that some durability issues were discovered with the hardware, so the delay is to make sure that E7’s will last and feel as great as it looks. Running Symbian 3, it might not appeal to everyone but for hardcore messaging folks it could well be a great device. See James’ demo video of it’s messaging capabilities after the break.

BlackBerry Desktop Software for Mac gets updated

It’s about time the Mac got an update for BlackBerry Desktop Software. Up until now I have had to use my Windows laptop for switching devices and media syncing but not any more. This latest update includes those features as well as full BlackBerry 6 support.

The Windows version too has had an update but nothing special has been added as far as i can see.

Whichever version you use I suggest you check for an update.

Posted by: James

Amazon MP3 for BlackBerry

This one is currently only for the USA at the moment i am sad to say.

Millions of us buy music and listen to it on our phones so why not via Amazon. Although I have not had the chance to use the app it does look and sound pretty good. I have downloaded music via Amazon in the past and have found that they offer a great service.

The new app offers the following:

• Download music via Wi-Fi or over the air (OTA)
  
• Browse by what’s new, deals, top songs, top albums, genres, and sub genres
  
• Check back every day for the Free Song of the Day and Daily Deal album
  
• Preview a 30-second sample before you buy
  
• Tell friends about your favorites via BBM, email, SMS, Socials Feeds, Facebook, and Twitter
  
• Bookmark a song and come back to it whenever you’re ready for a preview or download.
  
• Integrated with BlackBerry smartphone features and functions, including Universal Search and Media Library

Fingers crossed it will arrive here in the UK soon.

Thanks to crackberry for the image.

Posted by: James

Facebook for Android gets updated

If you are an Android user and have not checked your updates you really should as the latest update for Facebook brings a couple of great new features to the platform.

Chat is now available as well as push notifications. We have had these on other platforms for some time so it is super to see Android has been brought in line.

Go update now, and enjoy.

Posted by: James

Google’s Nexus S ready for pre-order

If you are waiting for the Nexus S then we have good news. You can now pre-order the new Android device at the Carphone Warehouse.

• Gingerbread is here. Android 2.3 gives your phone a clean new interface and makes it faster and more intuitive.
• Stunning 4 inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, curved to fit the contours of your hand and face.
• Speedy 1GHz processor and dedicated GPU for fluid gaming, video streaming and web browsing.

The device is free from £35.00 per month but is a little expensive if you are buying on PAYG. It will set you back a mere £549.95!

Posted by: James

Huawei Ideos X5 and Ideos X6 announced

With Huawei’s Ideos hitting retailers just a short while ago the manufacturer has announced two new Android devices in the Ideos range, the X5 and X6.

The Huawei Ideos X6 comes with a 4.1-inch capacitive LCD touchscreen of WVGA resolution. The smartphone is powered by a 1 GHz CPU and packs excellent all round connectivity. Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS and 3G with HSPA up to 14.4Mbps are all supported and there’s also an HDMI port on board.

The 5 megapixel snapper of the Huawei Ideos X6 is capable of recording HD videos. The list of highlights is completed by Dolby mobile surround sound (and we know how good this is from the HTC WP7 devices).

The other new announcement, Huawei Ideos X5 is slightly more compact, coming with a 3.8 display. It also offers HSPA-supporting radios as well as Wi-Fi b/g/n and A-GPS. The Ideos X5 5 megapixel camera is accompanied by a LED flash.

Prices for both these new devices is not available yet but based on previous Huawei handsets I would imagine they will be extreamly good value for money.

Posted by: James

LG confirms Optimus One will get Gingerbread update

After what seemed to be some confusion, LG have officially come forward to reassure us that all LG phones that carry the Optimus One branding and are currently on 2.2 Froyo will get the 2.3 update. Arguably the more important question is when, but LG have only said that the details will be announced in ‘due course’. This makes the Optimus One one of the first phones that are confirmed to be served up Google’s new pudding (apart from the Nexus One and Nexus S of course). Then again, it may have to go through carrier certification and testing on branded phones even after LG have give the go ahead, adding more delay. Click through to see the full statement.

BlackBerry PlayBook video demo

BGR.com have been lucky enough to get together with RIM and film a demo video of the BlackBerry Playbook. We have seen the PlayBook on video several times now but as you will see this is probably the best video yet. What is even more interesting is that it turns out that the whole bezel around the PlayBook is touch sensitive and can be used within apps.

Enough talking. You much check out the video after the break.

WP7 with copy/paste in new dev update

One of the shortcomings of Windows Phone 7 is apparently drawing nearer – a recent update that’s been showing up on developer Windows phones includes copy and paste as a headline feature. Microsoft has always promised that it was coming but now we are getting closer to that semi-confirmed “early 2011” timeframe.

It seems to work as you’d expect it to, with a similar method to Android and iOS (how different can it be?) See a short video of it after the break.

Orange PAYG sale now on!

If you are thinking of buying a phone for somebody for Christmas then today might be a good day to do it. Orange have a 48 hour sale on and all pay as you go phones are reduced by 15%.

That means you can get a silver BlackBerry Curve 8520 for £109.65 + £20 top up! Or the Orange San Francisco for just from £84.00 + £10 top up!

Click here to visit the page. Thanks Orange.

Posted by: James