News

HTC release Bluetooth fix for TyTN II, Touch and S710

You may recall that I spoke about problems with the Bluetooth implementation on the HTC TyTN II, specifically that it would not work properly with OEM Bluetooth car kits installed in some BMW’s and Jaguars. My personal experience of the problem meant that the speakers worked fine but no one could hear me via the microphone.

It seems that the problem was a little more widespread and that the HTC S710 and HTC Touch also had the same Bluetooth issues as the TyTN II. Fortunately HTC have come to the rescue and have released a fix in the form of a CAB file.

You’ll need to register and login to the HTC Eclub website to in order to download the update but the good news is that it wont wipe all your existing data!

Posted By: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, HTC TyTN II, HTC S710, HTC Touch]

Toshiba G910 and G920 appear on FCC

The Toshiba G910 and G920 have both appeared on the FCC website. Saying ‘Both’ isn’t really that accurate though as they are essentially the same device. The only difference between the two is that the G910 has its integrated GPS disabled.

Toshiba G910/G920

There are several photos of the new devices on the FCC site but basically we are looking at a clamshell design with a full QWERTY keyboard, dual cameras for video calling, an external LCD display (that looks like it’s been stolen from a digital watch), Windows Mobile 6 Professional, Tri-band, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.

Toshiba G910/G920

If it genuinely is the case that the G910 and the G920 are the saem device I suspect that it would only be a matter of time before someone works out how to enable the latent GPS unit in the G910 and save everyone the expense of buying the G920.

Let’s hope that the final production units look a bit prettier than the ones shown on the FCC. The white circles on the front, which look to me like navigation and phone buttons, look terrible and the external LCD seems to be a bit of an after-thought.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): Tracy & Matt, Memory, Toshiba, SD cards, SCHC]

Orange report reveals explosion in mobile data usage

According to a recent report from Orange (the Digital Media Index) there has been a massive increase in mobile data usage over the past three months, quoting up to a 37% increase in some services.

The report, an excerpt of which you’ll find below, makes for some interesting reading. However it really does make me wonder why Orange can’t offer a truly unlimited data package to their customers? Surely by now Orange must realise the importance of mobile data, and their customers need to cap the cost of their access and not have to worry about a nasty surprise at the end of the month? How much longer must we wait for a (reasonably priced) unlimited data service?

The Digital Media Report:

Orange unveiled its second Digital Media Index, a detailed report examining trends in customer consumption of digital media. The Orange Digital Media Index reveals usage patterns across the full range of Orange’s entertainment and communications services, including home broadband, text and picture messaging, and mobile internet over a three month period.

Key findings from the Orange Digital Media Index include:

The Index shows that there has been an explosion in mobile data services, generating nearly 22% of network revenue in the last nine months. Rather than using mobile phones for just voice calls and text messaging, customers are increasingly exploring the mobile internet and using email and social networking sites to keep in touch.

Posted By: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Orange]

More HTC Shift delays

More bad news for those of us waiting for the HTC Shift, once again HTC have pushed back the launch date. We’ll now have to wait until the new year for HTC’s UMPC device.

HTC Shift

“High Tech Computer (HTC) has delayed volume shipments of its HTC Shift UMPC (ultra mobile PC) to January of 2008, instead of the third quarter of 2007 as originally planned, according to market sources. Problems related to the integration of HTC Shift’s hardware and software caused the delay, said the sources, noting that the Shift will run on both Microsoft’s Windows Vista and Windows Mobile.”

There’s still no official word from HTC as to when they will no release the Shift but it’s looking more like the end of January begining of February 2008.

Posted by: Matt

Quote courtesy of Digitimes.

[Post tag(s): smartphone news, Pocket PC news, Tracy & Matt, HTC, HTC Shift, Microsoft Communicator]

Polaroid Definia updated

You may recall that in our Polaroid Definia Review I mentioned that the power LED on the 37″ model I reviewed was rather too bright and that I found it annoyingly distracting.

When I raised this issue with Polaroid at the time they agreed with my comments and assured me that they would look in to the problem and see if there was anything that could be done during manufacturing to resolve the issue. While it was nice to have the accept it as an issue, I have to admit that I didn’t think anything would happen.

However, I got an email from Polaroid yesterday saying that they had been able to implement a fix and that all new Definia models being manufactured from now on would include a minor hardware update!

Definia LED control board

In the image above you can see the circuit board for the power indicator on the infrared receiver. Notice that there is now a black divider between the IR sensor and the power LED, to stop the light from the power LED bleeding out through the IR sensor on the front of the TV, and that the power LED itself (the white bit in the middle of the photo) is now a frosted white rather than clear.

I know this is just a simple fix but I’m sure this will greatly improve matters and I have to take my hat off to Polaroid for implementing a fix so quickly and for actually making the effort to do so in the first place. It’s very, very unsual for changes to be made to a product during the manufacturing stage and it just goes to prove how commited Polaroid must do to getting their product right and to giving the consumer the best experience possible.

Well done Polaroid!!

Review by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Polaroid, Definia]

Windows Mobile 6.1 screens leak out

I suppose it has been quite a while since we last saw a decent news leak. Just the other day The Boy Genius Report posted dozens of screen grabs from their new Motorola Q9 which had the upcoming Windows Mobile 6.1 installed on it!

Windows Mobile 6.1 screen

Windows Mobile 6.1 is evolution not revolution, but looking at the screen shots you could be forgiven for thinking that this was an all-new OS.

You’ll find a lot of new prettys screens and icons in the user interface with the ability to scroll left and right to access missed calls, emails, SMS etc. You’ll now be able to set your own homepage in Internet Explorer, plus you can now zoom into pages on top of a lot of new interface refinements. At last you’ll be able to copy and paste in Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard (smartphone) and theres also a threaded SMS system included.

I guess it’ll be a while before WM6.1 makes it to the mainstream and I suspect that there will be a lot of bootleg versions knocking around before it’s official but I’m looking forward to seeing what else MS have crammed in to the update.

Posted by: Mark

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile 6.1, WM6.1, Tracy & Matt]

T-Mobile MDA Touch Plus

Had a little nose around the T-Mobile website earlier today and came across the MDA Touch Plus, this is going to be the T-Mobile version of the Touch Dual.

MDA Touch Plus

Although we would normally expect a device to be launched quite soon after it appears on the T-Mobile site, this could be one of those exceptions as we know that there is an exclusivity deal between Orange and HTC over the Touch Dual. It could be a few months before we see the MDA Touch Plus in stores.

See more on the T-Mobile site HERE.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, HTC Touch Dual, T-Mobile, MDA Touch Plus]

HTC Touch Dual and S730 in stock

Our friends over at Devicewire dropped us a line this morning to say that they now have the HTC Touch Dual and HTC S730 in stock.

HTC S730

HTC S730

Combining functionality with a compact, stylish design, the HTC S730 keeps you in touch and productive while on the road. Much more than just a phone, its powerful features make light work of email, web and calls.

With the complete suite of Microsoft® Office Mobile applications you can open and edit documents while on the move, and the compact phone slides to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, enabling fast typing and dialling.

Important information is just a glance away with the Live HTC Home™ screen, giving you an instant view of email, calendar, messages, missed calls and more. With email directly to your phone, super-fast internet access, and a full range of connectivity options, you can be sure to be kept in touch no matter where you are in the world.

HTC Touch Dual

HTC Touch Dual

Delivering a revolutionary touch experience that will change the way you use your phone, forever. The HTC Touch Dual effortlessly combines an intuitive touch screen and keypad within a stunning design.

Everything you need is at your fingertips. With the flick of your thumb, the touch screen slides to reveal a handy smart-sized keyboard. If you prefer to touch, then the revolutionary TouchFLO™ interface allows you to quickly guide through emails, messages, music and images at the touch of a finger, making navigation a breeze.

A single touch of the screen activates the HTC Home™ screen, providing an instant view of email, calendar, messages, missed calls, dynamic weather updates and more.

High speed, always on connectivity provides you with the ultimate internet experience – wherever you are.

Experience a whole new sensation. The HTC Touch Dual.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, HTC Touch Dual, HTC S730, HTC P3450]

This is our new home!

If you are reading this post then have reached us at our new home! Last night we relocated our site to a new dedicated server – we overloaded the old one!

Please do let us know if you see anything strange or experience any issues with the site. Drop me a line using our feedback form.

Posted by: Matt

[Technorati tag(s): webserver, ISP, Tracy & Matt]

DivX, Inc. Names Kevin Hell as CEO

Following on from our earlier post regarding DivX support for PS3 here is some more DivX news:

DivX, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Kevin Hell as DivX’s new Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective October 31, 2007.

Commenting on the CEO appointment, Jordan Greenhall, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, stated, “Kevin is a strong leader with a distinguished track record who has been leading our consumer electronics licensing business for over five years. Coupled with 20 years in the industry, Kevin is the logical choice as CEO for DivX as it refocuses on opportunities in several key product markets. The entire Board looks forward to working with Kevin as he moves into his new role.”

Hell, 43, has served as the Company’s Acting Chief Executive Officer since July 2007. Between 2002 and 2007, Hell held a number of management positions within DivX including Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, the Company’s CXO for Partners and Licensing, and President. Before joining DivX in 2002, Hell served as Senior Vice President of Product Management for Palm Solutions Group, a handheld solutions company, as well as Vice President of the Connected Home division and Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Gateway, a personal computer manufacturing company. Prior to Gateway, Hell worked with the Boston Consulting Group in Los Angeles focused on high-technology and entertainment. Hell received an M.B.A. from The Wharton School, and a master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): technology blog, video, Tracy & Matt, DivX]