News

Bing for Windows Mobile updated to support turn-by-turn navigation

Over in the USA the Bing app has had a rather impressive update – voice guided navigation.

While it is not available here in the UK I have asked Microsoft if it is expected, so when I have a response I will let you know.

Stateside we have already seen Google offer a similar app last year which launched on the Motorola Droid but I am wondering if we will also see this new navigation app pre installed on Windows Phone 7. It would certainly make sense and be a huge selling feature.

Adam from pocketnow.com has put the app to the test on video. Check it out after the break.

O2 announce iPad 3G data plans

Hot on the heels of the Orange announcement last week O2 have also just released details of their iPad 3G data plans.

O2 today announced further details of its dedicated data tariffs for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G. All iPad data tariffs will be available without a long contract and include unlimited access to BT Openzone and The Cloud Wi-Fi hotspots at no additional cost. Apple and O2 have worked together to provide a breakthrough way to easily activate, manage and monitor an account right on iPad. Customers will be notified as they approach their data limit with a direct link to iPad settings to check data usage, top up the account and upgrade or cancel their tariff.

iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.6 pounds-thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook-and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web using a 3G data network.

BlackBerry 9670 caught on video running OS 6

Thecellularguru has once again posted a video of the BlackBerry 9670 but this time it is over seven minutes long!

We brought you some footage of this unofficial BlackBerry last week and I said that the design had really grown on me. After watching this new video it has grown even more. Just as interesting is that the majority of the below video is demonstrating the forthcoming BlackBerry 6 OS.

As you will see the new OS is very much BlackBerry but with some nice refinements and tweaks. It is certainly more colourful and in typical BlackBerry fashion it is simple to navigate.

I am sure that by the time both the phone and the OS are officially announced and released by RIM we will see even more refinements but in the meantime I am more than happy with what I have seen so far.

Now I just got to get my hands of once of these flippy phones!

Enjoy the video after the break..

Order an iPad today!

Today is the day thousands of people have been waiting for. The iPad can be ordered here in the UK.

You will have to wait until the end of the month to actually get it but at least if you get your orders in now it will guarantee you getting one.

As we said last week, prices are higher here in the UK than in America but when I did that post I failed to take one thing into consideration, V.A.T. We must pay an extra 17.5% than our friends over the pond but even with this taken into account our prices are still a little bit higher. Oh well. Nothing we can do about that.

Anyway, if you want to order an Apple iPad you can do so here.

Enjoy.

Posted by: James

Orange launches even simpler business plans for small and medium business

Orange have launched a new range of mobile plans designed to make life easier for small and medium businesses by letting them personalise their plans to cope with the everyday challenges of running a business. Orange is responding to customers who want flexibility to keep pace with the fast moving nature of their business and may need to make changes depending on their focus that month – for instance they might want unlimited texts if they are finalising a fast moving project, or calls abroad if they are trying to strike a deal. 
The new plans will be supported by a simple four step process to help customers to choose a plan that really meets their needs, as well as the freedom to personalise the services to their requirements.

Step 1. choose a ‘talk benefit’ from unlimited landline calls or unlimited Orange to Orange calls
Step 2. choose a core business plan depending on the number of users and the amount of time they expect to spend making calls (Business SIM Only, Business Solo or Business Sense)
Step 3. choose one extra benefit from a range including email, 1GB internet browsing, extra texts, international calling and calling while abroad, which can be swapped on a monthly basis
Step 4. In addition, customers can purchase add-ons, including Orange World for Business data bundles, BlackBerry Internet Service, BES Express, and MMS bundles to make sure they always have access to the services they need most

BlackBerry Bold 9800 slider caught on video

boygeniusreport have once again got some exclusive news on the BlackBerry Slider that we have mentioned once or twice over the past weeks. This time on video!

Although the video is only 13 seconds long it’s a true indication that the BlackBerry Slider is in fact real. After seeing the initial leaked photos I quite liked the look of the slider and now on video it looks even better.

Check out the video after the break.

UK Apple iPad Prices

We mentioned earlier that the iPad is coming to UK shores very shortly, May 28th will be the UK release date, and we now have had the prices confirmed. They are as follows:

£429 (inc. VAT) for 16GB Wi-Fi iPad
£499 (inc. VAT) for 32GB Wi-Fi iPad
£599 (inc. VAT) for 64GB Wi-Fi iPad
£529 (inc. VAT) for 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G iPad
£599 (inc. VAT) for 32GB Wi-Fi + 3G iPad
£699 (inc. VAT) for 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G iPad

As expected we are getting charged a lot more here in the UK than our friends over in the States.

To compare: The 16GB Wi-Fi pad in the States is $499 which equates to £330. Yet we are being charged £429!

The 64GB 3G iPad in the States is $829 which equates to £549. We pay £699.

So I am afraid that if you want an iPad here in the UK you will be ripped off! Why are Apple doing this? I think the answer is because they can.

Posted by: James

Google Nexus One at Phones 4U on May 7

The Google Nexus One will be available at Phones 4U from Friday (May 7) via its retail stores and website. It follows Vodafone in stocking the device in the UK.

The device will be available from the retailer for free from £35 per month on a 24-month contract, offering 600 minutes, unlimited texts, 1GB of data and unlimited Wi-Fi.

Phones 4U spokesperson Russell Braterman said: "We’re really proud to be one of the first mobile retailers to stock Google’s Nexus One and we anticipate a rush of customers to be the first to get their hands on the phone."

The big decision to make here is do you get the Nexus One or go for the HTC Desire which is £5 per month cheaper?

The Desire has the added benefits of HTC Sense and the optical track pad but the Google Nexus One will get Google updates straight away.

Now there’s a dilemma!

Posted by: James

More photos of the BlackBerry 9670 Clamshell

Love it or hate it this device is looking more and more real. Thecellguru.com apparently had some further images sent to them by an anonymous tipster.

Looking at the screenshot, to the right, the BlackBerry 9670 is clearly running BlackBerry 6 which is a good sign.

The device is most defiantly not the most attractive handset in the BlackBerry range but I have a sneaking suspicion that there is a market for this phone, particularly in the USA where a lot of clamshell devices are sold.

With still no official word from RIM we will once again have to be patient and wait and see if this device does emerge this year.

Posted by: James

Sony Ericsson ‘rides to glory’ with BMX sponsorship

London, 5^th May 2010 – BMX enthusiasts from across the globe descended upon Liverpool’s Rampworks this weekend, to kick off the inaugural Sony Ericsson Ride to Glory 2010.

To celebrate Sony Ericsson’s first year as headline sponsor the entrants will be pushed to the limit and have their riding skills tested to the max with a series of new routes, daring stunts and high octaine thrills, culminating in a finale at Cantelowes outdoor skate park in Camden, London on the 8^th May.

During this seven-day endurance challenge, thrill-seeking contenders will capture the action live in HD on the feature-packed Sony Ericsson VivazT, and this ground breaking footage will be uploaded daily to the Ride to Glory website – http://rideukbmx.mpora.com/

More after the break.