News

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

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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]

Press Release: Orange Offers Something For All The Family This Christmas

We all know that money is tight at Christmas and that especially this year things will be a lot harder however Orange have come up with a something for everyone at every price level which should help a little in lightening the load this year.

Orange Offers Something For All The Family This Christmas

• Exclusive high-spec handsets include – HTC Touch HD and Sony Ericsson C905 in Silver
• Exclusive low cost handsets – Pink LG KS360 and Pink Sagem my421z as well as the new LG KF300
• Connected laptops – New ultra portable Asus Eee PC with embedded 3G connectivity only on Orange
• Free Christmas gift box for new Pay-As-You-Go Customers

London, 6^th November 2008 – Orange today announced its line of exclusive communication devices for Christmas 2008 with something for each member of the family.

From a handset designed for quick and easy access to your favourite social networking sites, to one with easy-to-use keypad buttons for the grandparents, Orange has a mobile phone to suit all ages, tastes and budgets. What’s more, Orange unveiled a new ultra portable PC with embedded 3G connectivity in its consumer ‘connected laptop’ range, whilst also offering all Orange Pay-As-You-Go customers a free Christmas gift box stuffed full of goodies when they buy a handset priced from £49.99.

Daddy Cool

For the discerning and stylish Dad, the HTC Touch HD™ is the must-have handset this Christmas, combining the stylish looks of HTC phones and the great features of Windows Mobile 6.1. Its extensive 3.8 inch, high resolution, widescreen WVGA touchscreen offers users stunning clarity and vibrant colours, providing an unrivalled experience when watching the season’s biggest blockbusters or using Orange’s mobile TV service, browsing the internet on Orange’s high speed data network (3G+) or even scanning through photos taken with its 5 megapixel auto focus camera.

However, if your dad sees himself as more of an amateur photographer, then why not put a smile on his face by giving him a cool new camera phone? Available exclusively to Orange in silver, the stylish Sony Ericsson C905 offers an 8.1-megapixel Cybershot camera with Xenon flash, great for photographing festive fun. Furthermore, with face detection technology to help you focus on facial features, perfect for capturing the smile on a loved one’s face as they unwrap their presents.

Other 8-megapixel handsets Orange will be ranging for a ‘picture perfect’ Christmas include the super-stylish Samsung Pixon and LG Renoir KC910.

For Mum

Say ‘thank you’ to Mum this Christmas with a the Sony Ericsson W350i exclusive to Orange in white. A slim flip phone offering a 10mm thin unique design, the W350i is sleek enough to fit into your purse or handbag… but if your mum is more of a ‘glam mam’, then the sleek black Samsung G600 is the perfect Xmas gift with A 5-megapixel camera phone that is perfect for capturing the family fun. The handset’s Image Editor also allows you to incorporate text, colour, cartoons and a range of other effects to add those comical finishing Christmas touches to personalise your photos…. and if she’s more of a shopoholic, then maybe the Nokia 6220, exclusive to Orange in Purple, will be more up her street with free, three months personal navigation, to help her find her way around the January sales.

Sons & Daughters

In need of a gift for the younger generation? Then why not give them the LG KS360. Available exclusively to Orange in candy pink, the LG KS360’s features a dedicated social networking shortcut to provide speedy access to Facebook, Bebo and MySpace. What’s more, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard makes it great for writing messages to friends, so they can share all the details of all their pressies with friends in an instant.

Also pretty in pink, the Sagem my421z is a low-cost, stylish slider which incorporates an MP3 music player, Bluetooth technology and 1.3-megapixel camera.

Boys fear not, as the LG KS360 and Sagem my421z are also available in a range of other colours!

For the Grandparents

Teach them to text this Christmas with the LG KF300 handset. This easy to use, low cost device is ideal for technophobes and tech-savvy grannies alike with larger keypad buttons for the spectacle wearing and a bright, clear 2.2-inch LCD screen.

Something for everyone

Last but not least, making access to the internet even easier than ever before, Orange unveils a new consumer laptop, the Asus Eee PC 901 with embedded 3G connectivity. Available in either black or pink, the new ultra portable PC makes connecting to the web on Orange a synch and comes with Intel’s latest Atom processor and a whopping five hours battery life – perfect for getting online whether you are at your grandparent’s or the grandchildren’s alike.

Free Christmas Gift Box

As a reward for new and upgrading Pay-As-You-Go customers who purchase any new phone from £49.99, Orange is offering a free Christmas gift box worth £25 when you order directly from Orange. The Christmas gift box includes stocking fillers and multimedia gifts to make staying in touch with loved ones even easier this year.

The Orange Christmas gift box includes:

• Multimedia gifts, including 30 free MMS, 5 free international minutes, 1 free ring tone, wallpaper and game – perfect for keeping in touch this Christmas or keeping busy on the way to Grandma’s
• A Christmas phone stocking, to keep your new phone cosy this Christmas.
• A magnetic photo frame
• Lip balm
• A watch
• Phone charms

Francois Mahieu, Director of Devices, Orange UK comments, ‘This Christmas, Orange has the perfect handset for any family member. From entry-level, low cost devices, to this Christmas’ must-have handsets, we have got a wide selection of gifts that will help customers capture and share special moments with friends and loved ones, as we believe together we can do more”

The new device range is available to Pay-As-You-Go and Pay Monthly customers (please see notes to editors below) from Orange shops and online via Orange.co.uk.

As you can see the list offers a phone from the entry to the high end market which is a great idea. Lets see if the other Network Operators come up with the same.

Orange Handsets – Christmas 2008

Pay Monthly

HTC Touch HD™ (exclusive to Orange) from £79.99 on £40 per month / 18 month contract

Sony Ericsson C905 (exclusive to Orange in Silver, also available in Black) free on £40 per month / 18 month contract

Samsung Pixon (available in Black) free on £45 per month / 18 month contract

LG Renoir KC910 (available in Silver) free on £45 per month / 18 month contract

Samsung G600 (available in Black) free on £15 per month / 24 month contract – also available on pay as you go for £99.99

Nokia 6220 (exclusive to Orange in Purple) free on £25 per month / 18 month contract

LG KF300 (exclusive to Orange) free on £15 per month / 24 month contract

Eee PC 901 (available in Pink or Black) £25 per month 24 month contract

Pay As You Go

Sony Ericsson W350i (exclusive to Orange in White) £59.99

LG KS360 (exclusive to Orange in Pink, also available in Blue) £79.99

Sagem MY421Z (exclusive to Orange in Pink) £39.99

Posted by: John

Orange Introduces Eee PC 901 with integrated 3G connectivity

We’ve spoken about the various Eee PC models in the past on T&M and we’ve even talked about some of the hacks that various people have done in order to install 3G cards internally on the 701 and 901. However if you pop down to your Orange store an sign up for 3G data account you can grab yourself an EeePC 901 with the 3G card built in for just £25 per month!

Orange today announced a new edition to its ‘connected laptop’ range. Following the huge popularity of its initial offering launched in August, Orange is now upgrading its consumer offer to make it even easier for consumers to get online by launching the Eee PC 901with embedded 3G connectivity.

Available from mid-November, the new ultra portable Eee PC comes in a choice of either black or pink and features Intel’s Atom processor. What’s more, the Eee PC 901 comes equipped with five hours of battery life, an integrated webcam, and features an 8.9" compact design, weighing in at just 1.1kg – making it the ultimate portable computing experience.

Francois Mahieu, Director of Devices, Orange UK said: "By introducing the Eee PC 901 with integrated connectivity, we’re now making it even easier for customers to purchase a flexible solution that allows them to access the internet when they are out and about. As a result, we strongly believe this will be one of the most popular device offers in the market place this Christmas.”

With the largest integrated mobile data network in the UK, this is the second package in the company’s consumer connected laptop product line, with Orange also offering a range of connected laptops for business customers. The company plans to evolve its offerings over time to include fixed line broadband and an increased laptop range.

The consumer offer will be available from Orange shops, via telesales and the Orange web site at www.orange.co.uk/shop

Posted by: Matt

HTC Touch HD lands!

The HTC Touch HD has just touched down at devicewire.com and Clove Technology.

I suspect that these devices will be in extremely short supply so if you want one the head over to the websites, using the links below and order yours now while you still can! Don’t forget that you can get free standard delivery from devicewire.com using our free delivery code: FDTAM

HTC Touch HD from Clove Technology

HTC Touch HD from devicewire.com

Overview of HTC Touch HD

The HTC Touch HD, gives you the best touch phone experience to date.  Whether it be playing music or videos, downloading emails or navigating from A to B, the HTC Touch HD is ultimate in Windows Mobile PDA Phones.

A stunning 3.8” WVGA display and an ultra fast HSDPA connection to the internet, gives a web browsing, experience that is fast with less need for scrolling.

A 5 megapixel camera enables you to take high resolution and high quality images and video that can be replayed all from the handheld.  What ‘s more images are crisp and bright with rich deep colours.

A powerful business tool the HTC Touch HD can handle all you business applications.  Powered by Windows Mobile 6.1, the HTC HD allows you to load any custom or third party software packages if the in built, contact and calendar applications do not offer the flexibility and functionality that you require.

Got a word document that needs editing, a presentation you need to practice?  Not a problem.  The HTC Touch HD has Windows Mobile Office installed as standard, making you more productive when away from a desktop PC.

Get directions, view satellite maps and find your location using Google Maps. Thanks to the large display, the maps are bigger and crisper, making street level navigation that bit easier.

Add to this mix Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, a 3.5mm audio jack and HTC TouchFlo 3D and you have got a device with a touch screen experience that offers true flexibility and productivity.  So if you are a mobile professional who requires all these features or a self confessed gadget enthusiast the HTC Touch HD is likely suit you.

Features of HTC Touch HD

• 3.8-inch wide, WVGA (480 X 800 pixel) for a rich viewing experience
• Vibrant TouchFLOTM 3D user for complete finger navigation of the main features including contacts, calendar, music and video.
• Surf the web and download pages at broadband speed with HSDPA internet connectivity
• GPS on board with Google maps offers street level navigation
• 5 megapixel camera for quality stills and video
• 3.5 mm audio jack makes the HTC HD compatible with the majority of audio equipment available
• Bluetooth and WiFi for complete wireless connectivity to other devices and the internet or networks.

What’s in the box of HTC Touch HD?

• HTC Touch HD
• 8GB microSDHC card
• AC Adapter (UK)
• USB Cable
• Stereo earphones with mic
• Pouch Case
• Battery (1350mAh)
• Additional Stylus
• Screen Protector
• Getting Started CD
• User Manual CD

Posted by: Matt

HTC Touch 3G in Brown and Blue

Devicewire.com just dropped us a mail to let you all know that as well as stocking the HTC Touch 3G in Blue they will also be stocking the Brown version.

The price is currently sitting at £333.99 which is a very good price for this type of handset. You can see the Touch 3G over on the devicewire.com site.

Posted by: John

Samsung GT-C6620 Live Photos

Since being originally spotted on the 27th of October by Diego Magnani of Windows Mobile Italy the Samsung GT-C6620 has been through the FCC Coded Image, Artists Impression Image and now finally we can show you (again Courtesy of Diego Magnani of Windows Mobile Italy) live Photos of this device.

Samsung CT-6620

Admittedly it looks nothing near as good as the Artists Impressions and I’m not overly sure Italian carrier TIM will be able to sell as many of these as they would like to even with the 199 euro price tag.

You can see the other posts about this phone by clicking on the rumours link within the Categories section above.

Posted by: John

Samsung release the T*OMNIA in Korea

For those of you who love(d) the Omnia have a look at this and think……. I wish I had this version!

The Samsung T*Omnia comes with a larger 3.3-inch screen and four times the pixels and a DMB TV tuner for watching terrestrial digital TV on the go.

Naturally the new T*OMNIA is larger than the original standing at 115.2 x 58.1 x 13.65 mm but only marginally.

Again running on WM 6.1 the phone will have quad-band GSM support plus HSDPA. Most of the other hardware specs are the same as those on the original Samsung i900 Omnia except perhaps that they have now added the Samsung proprietary DNSe audio technology.

Samsung T*Omnia

The new Samsung T*OMNIA will be produced in two variations. The Samsung SCH-M490 model sports 4GB of embedded memory, while the Samsung SCH-M495 has 16 GB worth of storage.

Unfortunately, the Korean version of the Samsung Omnia won’t be available to other countries and will be sold exclusively by SK Telecom starting from mid-November.

Posted by: John.

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