News

Motorola DEXT coming to Orange

A few days ago we spoke about the new Motorola CLIQ which will launch soon on the T-Mobile network in the USA. Turns out that the CLIQ name wont make it over here though and that the device will be sold everywhere else as the Motorola DEXT. It’s otherwise the same handset with the same Android OS, just under a different name.

A visit to Motorola’s UK website reveals some other interesting information about the DEXT including an announcement that the DEXT will launch on the Orange network here in the UK in early October. Much sooner than we anticipated!

Check out the specs. page on the Motorola site, it looks like being quite a cool device!

Hope to have our hands on one of these within the next few weeks. We’ll keep you posted!

Posted by: Matt

T-Mobile Leading The Way With Motorola CLIQ?

Well I guess that’s down to personal views but it certainly is now official that globally they carry more Android phones than any other network.

The release of the new Motorola CLIQ now gives T-Mobile 3 handsets on Google’s highly praised Operating System (G1, G2 and CLIQ).

Motorola CLIQ

The Motorola CLIQ which is due to be launched in the US (not sure when) will be the first Motorola handset to feature MotoBlur which pulls information like email messages, text messages, Facebook updates, Twitter feeds, and pictures together in one place on the main screen.

Motorola Cliq Specifications

• Carrier – T-Mobile
• Price – To Be Announced
• Released – To Be Announced
• Keyboard – Slide-out
• Operating System – Android featuring MOTOBLUR
• Processor – 528MHz MSM7201A
• Screen – 3.1-inch (est.), 320 x 480
• Headphone – 3.5mm
• Touchscreen – Capacitive
• Camera – 5MP with AF
• Bluetooth – 2.0
• Exchange – ActiveSync
• Storage – 256MB, microSD
• Battery – 1400mAh
• Weight – 163g

With the Android Market now having a very basic Facebook application it will be interesting to see how the MotoBlur version compares.

Posted by: John

Nokia 7705 Twist to go on sale in the US

On the 13th September Nokia will start selling their new 7705 Twist(TM) in the USA.

The Nokia 7705 Twist(TM)

This mobile phone is designed so that you swivel the top of it round to reveal a full qwerty keyboard. You’ll see what I mean if you have a look at the photos.

The Nokia 7705 Twist(TM)

If you’re interested, here are a fewof the specifications:

• Dimensions: 2.71" x 2.71" x 0.59"
• Weight: 3.44 ounces
• 2.4-inch, 262K TFT QVGA screen
• Usage time: up to 270 minutes or Standby time: up to 312 hours
• 3.0 megapixel camera/camcorder with flash and autofocus
• 2.5 mm headset jack
• HTML browser
• Support for Mobile Email, Mobile Web Mail, Chat and Blogs
• Media Center-capable for downloading games, ringtones and more

For more info you can check out Nokia’s USA site

Posted by: Emma

No Android Market on Samsung i7500?

Yes you did read that title correctly! We’ve had our hands on the Samsung i7500 Galaxy for a while and have been working on the review. Yesterday James, who’s doing the review, came to me to ask where the Android Market was on the i7500 and why couldn’t he find it?

My Initial reaction was that he must be going blind and that it must be on there. However, upon further inspection I can confirm that there’s no Android Market on our i7500. This has been further confirmed by other owners that indeed it is missing from the ROM for some reason! We have an EU retail model on review.

Having spoken to friends in Europe we know that the German version of the i7500 that’s available on the O2 network in Germany does indeed have the Market installed.

So the big question is why not on the EU retail version? Today I placed a call with Samsung and asked the questions; Why no Android Market on the EU model and can this be installed later somehow?

I’ve been told that I’ll have a reply to these questions later today so please do follow this thread on the forum for updates and let me know what you think and if the lack of Android Market would stop you buying the Galaxy – it would stop me. Bit like buying an iPhone with no App Store!

If you are already an i7500 owner I’d love to hear from you!

Posted by: Matt

Samsung Omnia HD & Nokia N97 Software Updates

We recently reviewed both the Omnia HD and the Nokia N97 and found them to be good devices. Now with software updates due shortly both handsets will give an even better user experience.

The Samsung updates include a new QWERTY keyboard, 3D task switcher like on the Omnia2, new widgets and bug fixes for the web browser and media player.

The Nokia will receive kinetic scrolling, the keyboard will show an alternative character when the key is pressed and held,  music player improvements and a few new widgets.

Samsung i8910 Omnia HD

Nokia N97

The Samsung update has already been released in Russia and Hong Kong so im sure it wont be long until we see it here in the UK. Unfortunately Nokia users will have to wait until next month for their’s.

Release confirmation will be posted in our forum.

Posted by: James

Orange & T-Mobile to have a UK merge?

This morning via Twitter, Orange said that they have entered into negotiations into a possible merge with T-Mobile in the UK.

Several news websites have confirmed that the merge is happening but until it comes from Orange or T-Mobile I wont be counting my chickens before they have hatched.

It will certainly be good news in terms of coverage if the merge goes ahead, expanding both 2G & 3G coverage throughout the country.

I wonder what they will call the company and will the new “super shops” have an orange or a purple logo!

If its does happen it will create the UK’s biggest network provider holding 37%!

Any further news will be posted here.

Posted by: James

General Mobile DSTL1 Android device released

General Mobile have today released there first Android device, the DSTL1. The handset certainly has some unique selling points but also some not so good ones.

Top of the list is the fact that the DSTL1 is the first Android phone to feature dual sim, a great concept that not too many manufactures have mastered.

The strange thing about the handset, which may also put people off, is that is only runs on GPRS/Edge. Yes, no 3G!

Surprisingly it is also lacking GPS which in this day and age is pretty standard for smartphones.

General Mobile DSTL1

It will certainly be interesting to see which carriers, if any, pick up the DSTL1 but in the meantime it is available to buy for $499.00 at amazon.com, although at the moment they are showing as only having one available which strikes me as a little odd.

Watch this space for further updates on this product and for more info & specs please visit www.generalmobile.com

Posted by: James

Nokia Booklet 3G – Press Release

Nokia announced today (Mon 24th Aug) its entry into the netbook market with the Nokia Booklet 3G.

Some details from Nokia:

Powered by the efficient Intel Atom processor, the Nokia Booklet 3G delivers impressive performance with up to 12 hours of battery life, enabling people to leave their power cable behind and still be connected and productive. Delivering the rich experience of a full-function PC inside an ultra-portable aluminium chassis, the new mini-laptop weighs 1.25 kilograms, measures slightly more than two centimetres thin, and has the features one would expect from the world’s leading mobile device manufacturer.  A broad range of connectivity options – including 3G/ HSPA and Wi-Fi – gives consumers high speed access to the Internet, including Nokia’s broad suite of Ovi services, and allows them to make the most of every moment and every opportunity.

"A growing number of people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility," said Kai Oistamo, Nokia’s Executive Vice President for Devices. "We are in the business of connecting people and the Nokia Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for us. Nokia has a long and rich heritage in mobility and with the outstanding battery life, premium design and all day, always on connectivity, we will create something quite compelling. In doing so we will make the personal computer more social, more helpful and more personal."

The mini-laptop also comes with an HDMI port for HD video out, a front facing camera for video calling, integrated Bluetooth and an easily accessible SD card reader. Other premium features include the 10-inch glass HD ready display and integrated A-GPS which, working with the Ovi Maps gadget, can pinpoint your position in seconds and open up access for a truly personal maps experience. The Nokia Booklet 3G also brings a number of other rich Ovi experiences to life, whether its access and playback of millions of tracks through the Nokia Music Store, or using Ovi Suite to sync seamlessly from your Nokia smartphone, to your mini-laptop, to the cloud.

The Nokia Booklet 3G will widen the Nokia portfolio, satisfying a need in the operator channel, and bringing another important ingredient in the move towards becoming a mobile solutions company.

Posted by: Emma

LG Watchphone (LG-GD910) – Exclusive to Orange

Orange have announced that the LG Watchphone (LG-GD910) will go on sale next week. The first devices will be available from 09:00am on Thursday 27th August at the Orange shop, Bond Street Station, Central London.

BUT!! It will only be on sale for a limited time (which has not been specified) and will work on a ‘first come first serve’ basis. The LG Watchphone will be priced at £500 for those lucky enough to afford it and of course get their hands on it!

LG Watchphone (LG-GD910) – Exclusive to Orange

Available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and one device per customer to those who arrive in person at the store – the handmade 3G+ watchphone will guarantee those fortunate enough to purchase one that they’ll turn heads on the high street. The device’s slick scratch resistant touch-screen interface makes writing text messages easy, while an in-built speaker and MP3/AAC player lets you listen to the Essential James Bond theme album when you’re imprisoned in a fake volcano or battling with Jaws.

To make a voice or video call – in true 22nd Century fashion – all you have to do is ask it nicely. The combination of voice activated command, VGA camera and Bluetooth technology mean you’ll never have to raise a finger to make a call again… just turn your wrist and talk away. The handmade timepiece is designed with the image conscious in mind too and features eight different watch faces – one to suit your every mood or crime-fighting outfit.

Francois Mahieu, Director of Devices, Orange UK said: “The LG Touchscreen Watchphone is one of several ‘future phones’ we’re bringing to UK consumers this year. Being handmade, the device really is highly original and exclusively limited – so you’ll be the envy of all your friends if you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on one.”

A limited number of the devices will also be made available from mid-September via the Orange online shop. For those wishing to register their interest, please visit www.orange.co.uk/watchphone.

(from the Orange Newsroom)

 

LG Watchphone (LG-GD910) – Exclusive to Orange

Posted by: Emma

Windows Mobile 7 delayed AGAIN

While most Windows Mobile users may be eagerly awaiting the release of Windows Mobile 6.5, which has been promised as a free upgrade by a number of handset manufacturers, I think that everyone is aware that it’s something of a stop gap to tide us over until Windows Mobile 7.

However, as reported on MoDaCo and Digitimes it looks like Microsoft are going to adopt some kind of two-tier approach to the WinMo OS. Windows Mobile 6.5 wont be dropped when 7 comes to market but will instead be dropped in price so that it may be used on lower-end handsets while Windows Mobile 7 will be top-tier.

The final death blow though has to be in the news that Windows Mobile 7 has had its anticipated launch date pushed back again and is now looking at a Q4 2010 release date! This simply begs the questions WHY? With so many other OS options out there now why would anyone hang on for over a year for the latest and greatest WinMo OS? With Android and iPhone handsets becoming ever more popular and ever more viable alternatives to WinMo surely this is the worst thing that Microsoft could do to their OS?

Microsoft is expected to officially launch Windows Mobile 6.5 on October 1, 2009 and add an upgrade version with a touch interface in February 2010, the sources indicated citing Microsoft roadmap.

Microsoft will not phase out Windows Mobile 6.5 from the market but will lower the OS price, when it launches Windows Mobile 7 scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2010, the sources added.

 

Posted by: Matt

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