News

Press Release: ASUS Introduce 800MHz P565

ASUS today introduced the ASUS P565, a business PDA phone that boasts an 800 MHz processor – the fastest in the world at the time of this announcement. Featuring ASUS’ latest touch-driven user interface—Glide—the stylish, leather-accented P565 delivers graphics and system performance beyond anything else on the market at present, posting Vsbenchmark scores almost two times that of competing products in its class. This enables the P565 to glide through resource-intensive tasks effortlessly and to handle heavy multitasking exceptionally well—making it ideal for businesspeople who demand uncompromising performance and maximum speed from their productivity tools. Rounding off its impressive feature set is a 2.8" touchscreen running at a high resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, delivering an unprecedented degree of clarity that does wonders for both personal photographs and spreadsheets.

Gliding to New Heights of Productivity
The ASUS P565 is geared toward the business community. The coupling of an 800 MHz processor and Glide—an innovative touch-responsive user interface exclusive to select ASUS PDA phones—makes for a powerful, productivity-boosting combination. The fast processor renders the P565 particularly amenable to multitasking, while Glide enables users to switch between tasks rapidly with their fingertips. The P565 also comes with a potent suite of business-oriented features and software, including push mail, business card recognition and Microsoft Office Mobile. Other useful applications such as Anytime Launcher and Multi-Home enable users to view their calendars, the times of local and visiting cities, weather reports, online news and much more—all with an intuitive tap, slide or flick of their fingers.

Unprecedented Clarity with High-resolution Touchscreen
The ASUS P565 is equipped with a 2.8" VGA (480 by 640 pixels) high-resolution touchscreen that delivers unprecedented clarity and brilliance. Photographs look crisper and more true-to-life, while minute details in business documents, such as the individual cells in spreadsheets, are reproduced much more clearly—reducing eye fatigue over periods of prolonged use.

Air of Bespoke Exclusivity
The ASUS P565 is designed to leave a deep and lasting impression. Its battery lid is lined with black synthetic leather, commanding instant respect and attention. The leather contrasts nicely with the P565’s modern, high-gloss face, and lends the phone a natural tactility and evocative appeal that elevates it far above other phones on the market.

About Glide
Glide is a revolutionary touch-responsive user interface that enables users to perform a variety of navigational actions—such as selecting, zooming, scrolling and flipping—easily through simple flicks of their fingers. Incorporated into Glide are also applications that enable users to access a wide range of functions such as looking up the latest news, checking the weather forecast, viewing photo slideshows and listening to music within a few finger taps. These applications, dubbed Multi-Home, Anytime Launcher, EziPhoto, and EziMusic, give the expression "the world at your fingertips" a whole new meaning. For more information on Glide, visit http://event.asus.com/mobile/glide/.

Specifications

Posted by: John

HTC MAX 4G in Video

Since the official launch 3 days ago on YOTA various videos have appeared online and if you speak the lingo then this will be right up your street.

Not the greatest video in the world in regards to brightness but it does show that the phone itself really does not differ much from that of the HD which we hope to have the full review on-line for tomorrow.

You can see more videos of this phone on YouTube

Posted by: John

HTC MAX 4G alias HTC T8290 Announced

It seems like more and more of the rumours posted here come true so not to break the habit of a lifetime we can now officially say that the HTC MAX 4G alias HTC T8290 is real and ready.

The HTC MAX 4G is a WiMAX-enabled high-end device that’s exclusive for Yota WiMAX network in Russia. The handset is simply based on an HTC Touch HD with its 3G stripped and added WiMAX support. But there are several more new goodies on board.

The MAX 4G is not as big on the multimedia front as the Touch HD, but is still impressive. The main disadvantage of the new HTC MAX 4G is the lack of 3G support, which however won’t be an issue for its Russian owners, as there is still no active 3G network in Russia.

Instead, they get the Mobile WiMAX. WiMax is like Wi-Fi only its coverage is much wider and can span across whole cities, however, don’t confuse it with the upcoming 4G wireless data standard which we are yet to see in action, but WiMax is a good alternative that’s already available to notebook users in various countries.

Stepping away from the WiMAX fuss, the tri-band GPRS/EDGE HTC MAX 4G differs from the HTC Touch HD by several key features. The MAX 4G has 8GB of user available memory, 3.2 MP autofocus camera, and a proximity sensor for auto screen turn-off during calls – much like on the iPhone. The weight and dimensions remain nearly the same, but the new baby is almost 2mm thicker than Touch HD.

You will also get some extra services, granted by the Yota Center, Yota Phone, Yota TV and Music, Yap-Yap, Video, etc.

HTC MAX 4G will be released exclusively for the Yota network in Russia, which is a brand under the Scartel company in the end of November. It will have a rather hefty pricetag of about 840 euros (1050 US dollars), which gets you into a two year contract but promises lots of free music and video content.

Posted by: John

[source]

RUMOUR: T-Mobile Suspends Nokia 5610 XpressMusic Sales

According to several website’s yesterday T-Mobile have ceased selling and are now recalling the Nokia 5610 XpressMusic handsets.

Nokia 5610 in Red

T-Mobile will stop selling the Nokia 5610 XpressMusic handset, and will also recall the entire 5610 inventory which includes floor demos and literature, from all stores and warehouses. This drastic move comes about after the discovery of a manufacturing problem that affects the display. While Nokia has already corrected this error in its current batch of 5610s, it is unfortunately that T-Mobile’s supply were all manufactured before the fix. There is no word on whether T-Mobile will be offering fixed 5610s in the future, but 5610 owners can replace their defective handset with either a Nokia 6301 or 5310 at any T-Mobile store. In addition, you will get $50 or $25 credit, depending on the replacement model chosen.

This will be a huge blow for Nokia in the run up to Christmas give that this was a high focus handset and a lot of money was invested in PR for it’s sales.

Nokia 5610 in Blue

I have sent a mail to T-Mobile directly to see what I can find out and will update you later today.

Posted by: John

[source]

Samsung Behold and Samsung Gravity Released on T-Mobile

Is it just my imagination or is the mobile market suddenly going on a release as quickly as you can strategy. T-Mobile & Samsung jumped on that exact comment and have now officially released the rumoured Samsung Behold and Samsung Gravity.

Looking first at the Behold firstly, it has a large full touchscreen display with what looks like the new Samsung Widget based O/S.

Samsung T919 Behold

As well as the touchscreen TouchWix interface there is a 5 megapixel autofocus camera, 3G support and a full HTML browser. The new Behold scores higher with its built-in GPS but unfortunately, lacks the much needed Wi-Fi feature.

Samsung Behold can be yours starting from November 10 for $149.99 on a 2 year contract in light rose colour.

Next is the Samsung Gravity which is actually the first phone by Samsung with form factor similar to the HTC S740 and S730.

Samsung Gravity

Leaving aside the design, the Samsung Gravity, is a quad-band phone with GPRS/EDGE but no 3G support. Its display is relatively small measuring 2.1" 256K colours and 176 x 220 pixels resolution. Other features include microSD card slot, Bluetooth with A2DP profile, a modest fixed-focus 1.3 MP camera. Its processor and built-in memory is still unknown.

Samsung Gravity Keyboard View

Samsung Gravity will be released on November 17 for $49.99 on a 2 year contract in lime and aqua colours.

Posted by: John

[source]

Windows Mobile 6.1 SMTP error – The Official Fix

I’m sure that many of you are well aware of the SMTP problem in Windows Mobile 6.1 whereby ANY SMTP error will render the account unusable. We reported this problem to Microsoft a few months ago and they’ve been working on a fix since. We released an unofficial patch a few weeks ago and most of you that used the patch have found it to be successful.

Today Microsoft finally released an official patch for the problem which can be downloaded from HERE.

Windows Mobile 6.1 POP and IMAP Send Mail Patch

This behavior is associated with a feature that is introduced in Windows Mobile 6.1. The feature allows for mobile operators to specify an alternate SMTP server name that is used if e-mail messages cannot be sent by using the user-specified SMTP server name. If the mobile operator does not specify an alternate SMTP server name and if the Windows Mobile 6.1-based device does not connect, the e-mail account is corrupted and cannot send e-mail messages.

I haven’t tried this myself yet but if you do install it please let us know how you get on!

Posted by: Matt

Press Release: o2 XDA Zest – Breaking First

Luckily we are the first to be given this press release today:

10 November 2008

First O2 Xda to launch on Pay & Go

O2 unveils the brand new O2 Xda Zest – a fully featured PDA for both pre-pay and postpay customers

O2 today exclusively unveils the Xda Zest, adding another stylish Xda to its expanding range of O2 branded handsets. On sale ahead of the Christmas period, the O2 Xda Zest is the first O2 Xda to be made available on Pay & Go, as well as on Pay Monthly.

The new O2 Xda Zest will encourage first time PDA users to swap from conventional handsets and experience the benefits of using a fully featured PDA without being tied into a minimum term. The Xda Zest has been designed with a sleek finger-friendly touch interface and a 2.8” TFT screen making it extremely easy to navigate.

Designed exclusively for O2 by the established laptop manufacturer Asus, the Xda Zest comes with a free 2 week Co-pilot Sat Nav trial with full UK and Ireland GPS mapping. Running on the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, users have access to their email using Mobile Outlook, as well having the capability to easily view and edit Microsoft Office documents in Word, Excel and even PowerPoint.

Combining great looks with superior functionality the Xda Zest boasts built-in Wi-Fi and HSDPA for fast connection to the web on the move. The latest O2 own-branded handset also has a 3 mega pixel camera combined with an mp3 player and FM radio.

Erik Staaf, Head of Own Branded Devices says: “Our established O2 Xda range has proven very popular with experienced PDA users but we are now pleased to also offer early entrants to the market a Pay & Go handset without an overcomplicated user interface.”

O2 Xda Zest will be on sale in O2 stores and online at www.o2.co.uk from 17^th November 2008. It is available on O2 Pay & Go priced at £249.99 and from free on certain O2 Pay Monthly contracts

Subject to network coverage, Terms Apply.

Posted by: John

o2 XDA Zest – Specs Revealed

Way back on the 6th of October we told you that the XDA Zest was about to make an Entrance however at that time we were unable to really tell you anything about the handset as o2 were restricting the information. We still do not have a price as yet.

Small photo of XDA Zest

Today we can now tell you the specs ahead of a press release later today:

Lets start with what o2 lists are the handsets top features:

• High Resolution 2.8 inch VGA Screen
• Runs Windows Mobile 6.1
• Built-in GPS Receiver
• Expandable Memory Up To 32GB
• Free Two Week Trial of Co Pilot Sat Nav Software

Now lets look at the actual specs:

• 2.8 inch Touchscreen with 65k Colours
• 3 MP Camera with Auto Focus & Zoom
• Video Streaming Support
• Video Types: WMV, MPEG4
• Audio Types: WMA, MP3, AAC
• GPS (Integrated)
• Wi-Fi Class 802.11 b/g
• Stereo Bluetooth/A2DP Bluetooth Compatibility File Sharing & Headset
• microSD HC up to 32Gb
• Memory Size (up to) 128Mb
• Instant Messaging
• Integrated RSS feed application
• Picture Messaging (MMS)
• Supported Email Types: POP3, IMAP4, SMTP, Push
• XHTML Browser
• 3G
• HSDPA
• EDGE
• WAP
• GPRS
• SAR value 0.754 W/kg @10g
• 3G Standby Time (up to) 220 hours
• 3G Talk Time (up to) 3 hours
• Standby Time (up to) 260 hours
• Talk Time (up to) 5 hours
• Battery Type Lithium ion
• Weight 120g
• Dimensions (H/W/D) 120 x 60.5 x 16.5 mm

Admittedly these aren’t the most comprehensive and finely tuned specs we have ever shown but we do hope to have more on these later today and thought these would be a great start. Still there are no really good hi def photos so we need to make do with the one above for the time being.

If you have a PDF Viewer then you can see the online user manual which is already live on the o2 site.

Posted by: John

Linux Based Motorola EM35 spotted

Motorola look to be releasing a new Linux based Smartphone which will be running on Linux Montavista 2.6.10 OS with an SCM-A11 500MHz processor to power it. Named the EM35 it is planned as the successor of the music based EM30 and will feature a rich music player and stereo FM radio with RDS support

Motorola EM35

So what we know so far is the following:

• 110MB built-in memory
• microSD card slot up to 8gb.
• Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
• Tri-band GSM
• GPRS
• EDGE
• NO 3G.
• 2.22" QVGA TFT display with 256K colours
• 3MP camera
• 107 x 49.5 x 16 mm 
• 117 grams.

Posted by: John

[source]

HTC Touch HD now in Asia

We have received word on the next wave of countries to get the Windows Mobile uber device – HTC Touch HD. Only a few days after its European premiere HTC brought joyful news to all its fans in Asia by announcing that the HD will be available on the World’s most populated continent as soon as the beginning of next month. Unfortunately for our American friends, there is still no word of when will the phone become available there

HTC Touch HD

The first two countries from the Asian tour of the HTC Touch HD will be Malaysia and Singapore. The prices of the multimedia powerhouse in those countries will be respectively 730 euro (930 US dollars) and 750 euro (950 US dollars). The twenty euro difference can easily be explained by the 8GB microSD card that will be included in the retail package in Singapore.

Equipped with a large 3.8" WVGA screen the HTC Touch HD is surely one of the most interesting devices to hit the market this year. Even though multimedia isn’t normally one of Windows Mobile devices’ elements the Touch HD has a specs sheet that can put much of the competition to shame. The large display, the 5 MP snapper and the 3.5mm audio jack are just some of the niceties it brings.

The connectivity includes all contemporary means of data transfers – 3G, Wi-Fi and of course the microSD card slot. There is also a built-in GPS to make the specs sheet on the HD almost as complete as it can be.

Posted by: John

[source & article]