News

New York Samsung Galaxy S Event

Last night in New York Samsung held a launch event for the Galaxy S. As usual in the States the carriers all like to be a little different and have each renamed the device so it is unique to them (or confusing!).

The version that is of particular interest is the Sprint one, now named the Epic 3G. As you may have noticed from the photo it has a full QWERTY keyboard! The other three, on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are without the keyboard but they do all have an extra search button on the front compared to our UK version.

With the iPhone 4 out there now this top of the range Android device is a real contender for top place in the current smart phone wars. I am not far off finishing the full review for the device so keep your eyes peeled later this week for it.

Phil from Android Central was at the New York event and had a hands on with all the Galaxy S variants. You can see more photos and video over an Android Central. (Thanks Phil)

Posted by: James

Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast number 77

Yes, this is a plug for the podcast that Matt and I record every week with Gareth and Andy from mobiletechaddicts.com, however this weeks show is a little different.

This week we have not one, but two special guests. The first is Tom Monetto from Sharp. Tom came on the show to discuss some new technology that Sharp are working on. You will have to listen to find out what he says.

The second guest was Tracy. Normally the podcast is boys only but we made an exception to the rule this week and Tracy initially joined us to discuss the HTC Wildfire but then stayed on for the rest of the show. We had to try and swear less and cut down on our rude childish behavior! As usual the show is not totally clean so if you are easily offended please don’t listen. It is at times more like a comedy road show rather than a tech show!

You can download the podcast from here or head on over to iTunes and do a search.  Enjoy.

Posted by: James

Apple iPhone 4 sales

Apple has sold over 1.7 million of its iPhone 4 just three days after it was released globally on June 24.

Initially launched in the UK, France, Germany and Japan the iPhone 4 will roll out to a further 18 countries by the end of July.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said: "This is the most successful product launch in Apple’s history. Even so, we apologise to those customers who were turned away because we did not have enough supply."

The device, which is Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date at 9.3mm thick, comes with a front-facing camera to introduce ‘Face Time’ video calling between iPhone 4 users in a Wi-Fi enabled area, as well as a high-definition ‘Retina Display’ screen to offer 960×640 pixel resolution – four times that of existing iPhone models.

Here in the UK we are seeing supply and demand problems and retailers are all giving different stories about when they will be getting more stock.

I am lucky enough to have the iPhone 4 already so watch out for the full review that will be coming soon.

Posted by: James

HTC Hero finally gets 2.1 Update

For all you Hero users still out there waiting for Éclair, your patience is finally being rewarded. Well, that is if yours is SIM-free unlocked. We posted earlier about HTC saying that they will update by the end of June and they seem to have just made it in time. Reports are trickling in of some users seeing an automatic OTA update on their unsubsidised Hero devices, yet there are just as many reports of people with Hero‘s from their carriers who are yet to see this update. HTC have only said so far that Orange and T-Mobile customers should be seeing this update soon and that like all other OTA Android updates, it’s being staggered so you’d better hope you’re nearer the top of the pile. Again, like all other Android updates, this will completely wipe all data off your phone, so backup before hitting that OK button.

Edit: Our good friends over at coolsmartphone.com have sent us some images of the update in action! Click through to catch it from start to finish.

Android gets official BBC iPlayer support (catch: 2.2 and WiFi only)

Official support for the BBC’s popular iPlayer service has been confirmed for Android phones. As mentioned, there is a pretty major catch here – only the ones running the 2.2 Froyo update can gain access, as Flash 10.1 is required. Nearly every Android phone currently on the market has yet to get confirmation of receiving the new update.

The Nexus One is pretty much the only exception right now, although it hasn’t sold in great numbers in the UK – for now, iPlayer is still going to be unavailable for most Android users. Note that this isn’t actually an app – it’s simply an optimised version of the site which uses a custom 400kbps stream and a UI that’s easier to use with a touchscreen. The BBC have said that a relatively powerful phone would be needed, so your mileage may vary on lower-end Android phones, if and when 2.2 comes to your device. For now this shouldn’t be a problem as the Nexus One is certainly a powerful phone.

To catch your missed shows with iPlayer you’d have to be connected via wifi which although limits its use somewhat, it’s still progress, and it shows Android’s being taken more seriously in the mobile space. If you’re one of the lucky ones to own a Nexus One, simply navigate to the iPlayer website and you’ll be redirected to the optimised version; let us know how it goes!

Posted by: Vince

HTC running out of AMOLED displays, looks to Sony for more

Since the HTC Desire was released back in April, it has become wildly popular (and rightly so). In fact, demand has been so high that HTC are still struggling to keep up supply. One of the reasons is because they source their beautiful AMOLED displays from Samsung, but for some reason Samsung can’t supply enough. This may simply be that they cannot make them fast enough for HTC, or it could be that they’re understandably hogging them for themselves. Either way it’s bad news for HTC, but now HTC are looking to change this.

Details haven’t been finalised yet, but by the end of the year, HTC are looking to add Sony’s new Super TFT LCD technology to the mix. For now, this is going to be an exclusive tech for HTC, and it’s going to be added to future and existing devices such as the Desire. How they’re going to differentiate AMOLED and SLCD models and is also a mystery, but its apparently just as clear and vibrant, even in daylight – imagine that.

Post by: Vince

BlackBerry Curve 9300 in video

The guys at technobuffalo have managed to get their hands on a T-Mobile branded BlackBerry Curve 9300, the lucky devils.

We have seen leaked pictures of this new Curve before but this time it is on video. Most disappointing is the fact that the 9300 is not running BlackBerry 6 which many of us were hoping would happen. We will just need to be more patient.

So as we said last time, there is not a tonne of changes in the 9300 compared to its predecessor. The optical track pad and the chrome finish around the device are the obvious differences as well as being packed with 3G, however there is a slight change with the keyboard.

Check out the below video and see what John from technobufflo has to say.

Beewi presents the BBH100: bluetooth stereo headphones

These new wireless headphones from BeeWi combine music, telephony, comfort and style. With calling and music control buttons built in to these hoop-adjustable, leather-padded headphones, pair them up to your iPhone, MP3 player or mobile and you’ll never miss a call, or a beat.

iPhone 4 unboxing coming soon

All eyes have been on the iPhone 4 in the last 24 hours and we have been trying our best to get our hands on one. The good news is that my one is on its way as we speak and should be with me this afternoon. 

My first job will be to record an unboxing video so if all goes to plan we should have that live later today.

Already there have been some iPhone 4 issues floating around the internet most prominently a signal issue when holding the device. I will endeavor to give my iPhone 4 a good test so we can see if we can hold the phone or if we need to strap it to our ears to avoid the problem!

Keeps your eyes peeled later for the video. We will tweet when it is done. If you do not follow us on Twitter you can fix that by finding us at www.twitter.com/tracyandmatt

Posted by: James

BlackBerry 9800 – More photos

Those lucky chaps at engadget have been sent a shed load of new photos of the BlackBerry 9800. We have of course seen the 9800 slider before but these new photos show it AT&T branded so it is clearly going to be sold on that carrier in the USA.

As you will see (courtesy of engadget) the device is looking pretty good. It wont be an iPhone killer but what it will bring to us BlackBerry fans is a brand new concept. A touch screen BlackBerry with the bonus of the hardware keyboard we all so love. The best of both worlds.

We still have nothing official from RIM about when we can expect to see the BlackBerry 9800 or indeed BlackBerry 6 but as soon as we do we will be sure to let you know.

Check out the rest of the photos after the break. Looks good, doesn’t it?