News

DivX Technology to be Added to PS3

The rumoured DivX support within the PS3 is now official. Check out the press release:

DivX, Inc. today announced that DivX® video technology will be integrated into PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE). The popular computer entertainment system will be added to the ecosystem of devices that currently support DivX video playback. To date, over 100 million DivX Certified products have been shipped into the market, and it is anticipated PS3 will significantly expand that number.

“We are excited to work with Sony Computer Entertainment to bring DivX to PS3,” said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. “Our technology will expand the multimedia functionality of PS3 by enabling users to enjoy access to the broad library of content in the DivX digital media format.”

Products that bear the DivX Certified logo have undergone a rigorous testing program to ensure a high-quality DivX media experience that includes reliable video playback and excellent visual quality. DivX is working currently to certify PS3 and deliver a superior digital media technology to consumers in the near future. Current PS3 end users will be able to add DivX functionality to their systems via a seperate system software update at a forthcoming date. PS3 game title developers will be able to utilize DivX’s decoder technology by updating the system software of PS3’s Software Development Kit to version 2.00, which was released by SCE on November 2nd.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): technology blog, gaming, Tracy & Matt, DivX, Playstation, Playstation 3, Sony]

HTC announce the Touch Cruise

Hot on the heels of the successful HTC Touch and the Touch Dual, HTC have just announced the HTC Touch Cruise.

HTC Touch Cruise

The Touch Cruise based upon the HTC Artemis, and adds a 400 MHz processor, 3G / HSDPA and TouchFlo to it’s predecessor.

The HTC Touch Cruise is sleek, stylish, and compact, but big on features and with an LCD screen size that gives you an excellent multimedia experience in a mobile device. Featuring HTC’s innovative TouchFLO interface, the Touch Cruise is extremely easy to use. Using ordinary finger gestures, you can quickly browse through e-mails, web pages, messages, music, and images, making navigation a breeze.

Built-in GPS functionality and the included software enable you to find the fastest route to your direction, locate restaurants and services on the way, and never get lost. Avoid traffic and delays, and take detours to visit points of interest and local attractions.

HTC Touch Cruise specification:

Posted by: Matt

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

Sony BRAVIA press event

Last night we were invited along to a press event where Sony introduced their full range of LCD TV’s to members off the press. This was a unique opportunity for us to see each and every model in the range side-by-side playing the same footage. This really gave us a chance to compare them all.

I have to admit that I’m more of a fan of plasma than LCD, however, the products on offer from Sony did start to sway me. I particularly liked the 52″ BRAVIA W3000-Series which is encapsulated in a premium, brushed black metal bezel. The W3000 range features a 40-inch, 46-inch and 52-inch models.

Of course all the other models were represented and we’ll post more about each model and the press event itself later. We are also hoping to be able to bring you more detailed reviews in the near future. In the mean time, here’s some more info from Sony.

The Sony BRAVIA X3500/X3000-Series is the flagship of the BRAVIA LCD TV range. With its perfectly judged combination of picture and sound enhancing technologies, the range represents the next generation of HDTV. It encompasses the latest and most enhanced version of the renowned BRAVIA ENGINE (BRAVIA ENGINE Pro) which optimises the depth, clarity and definition thus improving your High Definition signal.

Sony BRAVIA X3500

The sleek X3500 Series features a brushed metal exterior, available in 70”, 52”, 46” and 40” models, all capable of HD1080 resolution – 1920 x 1080p. The High Definition X3000 is available in 46” and 40” models, all capable of HD1080 resolution – 1920 x 1080p. To suit every taste and décor the X3000-Series offers a range of optional colour bezels.

The series is ideal for film and sports fans with its 24p True Cinema mode and Motionflow +100Hz technology.

With its sleek, high-end, quality design the BRAVIA W3000-Series is encapsulated in a premium, brushed black metal bezel. The range features a 40-inch, 46-inch and 52-inch models, all showcasing an impressive array of new audio-visual technologies.

Sony BRAVIA W3000-Series

Complete with an integrated HD tuner, Theatre Mode and 24p True Cinema to enable the richest cinematic experience and HD1080 on all models.

Ideal for film buffs, the BRAVIA V3000-Series offers a powerful blend of HD1080, exceptional image quality and features designed to make movies and even digital photos look outstanding. Available in 40” and 46”, see films the way they should be seen with 24p True Cinema and Theatre Mode – view films as the producers intended. Advanced image technology is perfectly complemented by the new ‘Art Frame’ design, specifically created to focus attention on the picture itself.

Sony BRAVIA V3000-Series

Sony has extended the successful HD Ready BRAVIA S3000-Series LCD TV first launched earlier this year. The existing 40-inch and 32-inch sets are now joined by 26-inch and 20-inch models.

Sony BRAVIA S3000-Series

The range is ideal for the style conscious, with the 20-inch sets available in a total of seven different colours – enjoy amazing colour on and off the screen.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): technology blog, LCD TV, Tracy & Matt, Sony, Bravia]

iPhone goes on sale in UK

Apple’s iPhone goes on sale in the UK and Germany on Friday with thousands expected to snap up the device.

Here in London, nutters loyal Apple customers have begun queuing outside the Apple Store in Regent Street.

At the moment, however, the iPhone has been locked to work Only on the O2 Network.

The phones can be unlocked for use on other networks but this voids the warranty and could break the device if software updates from Apple are loaded.

As many as 250,000 users in the US have unlocked the device using free and paid-for software to make the phone work on different networks, and to load third-party software not supported by Apple.

Posted by: Matt

Quote courtesy of the BBC news.

[Post tag(s): iPhone, Apple, OS X, Amazon, Tracy & Matt]

Google announce gPhone – a software platform

After months of rumour and speculation about Google’s possible entry in to the mobile phone market they have today finally announced the gPhone but it’s not a piece of hardware or phone in its own right but rather an open software platform or “Open Handset Alliance” (OHA).

So far there are 34 members of the Alliance, including NVIDIA, Intel, Texas Instruments, Synaptics (haptics!), Marvell, Qualcomm (chips), Motorola, Samsung, TMO, Sprint, LG, HTC, KDDI and DOCOMO from Japan and China Mobile Comm. Corp. You’ll notice a number of companies missing from the list above: Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Blackberry/RIM, Apple, Verizon, AT&T and, finally, Microsoft.

The first phones using the so-called Google “software stack” will be available in the second half of 2008.

“This is going to bring the internet into cell phones in a very cool way,” Andy Rubin, Google’s director of mobile platforms, told the Associated Press news agency.

Mr Rubin’s firm, called Android, was bought by Google in 2005 and the software it developed forms the basis of the new stack.

Google’s Android software will be provided to handset makers free of charge and could lead to a price war for operating system licenses and potentially cheaper handsets.

In the United States mobile networks such as Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile will carry the Google-powered phones.

Peter Chou, chief executive of HTC, said the agreement to join the OHA did not mean the firm would stop the use of other operating systems on its platforms.

“We do have commitments with some carriers and will continue with those lines,” he said.

We’ll bring you more gPhone news as we get it.

Posted by: Matt

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

Orange announce new ad campaign

Today Orange announced the launch of its new advertising campaign ‘Good things should never end’ to highlight it’s unlimited offerings on pay as you go and pay monthly mobile plans.

The £6 million campaign will run for 12 weeks over TV, outdoor, online, press and in all 343 Orange retail stores across the country.

The TV campaign ‘Good things should never end’ shows people creating a never ending rainbow that goes on and on across an entire city, expressing the ‘unlimited’ product benefits across both pay monthly and pay as you go offers. The creative route of ‘never-ending rainbow’ will be integrated in all campaign executions. The TV execution was created by Fallon London.

The world’s first ‘unlimited’ web page www.goodthingsshouldneverend.co.uk has been created by digital agency Poke with never ending web content including weird interactive oddities, mini-games, downloads, giveaways, toys and mobile goodies. The website features a never ending strand of rainbow that guides the user down the page.

‘Good things should never end’ will also feature an innovative digital interactive TV ad that invites viewers into an Orange ‘world’ where they can find out about lots of exciting Orange offers and competitions including BAFTA & Mobile Act tickets, handset giveaways and a secret competition to win a paid for phone contract for 12 months.

Orange launched its successful unlimited offers earlier this year including Unlimited Talk & Text on pay monthly and unlimited text on pay as you go.

Justin Billinglsey, Director of Brand Marketing, Orange UK said: “The belief that ‘good things should never end’ is a simple but powerful one and our new campaign brings this to life in a creative and engaging way. Orange brings people closer together, and with our unlimited offers you get that little extra freedom to contact who you want, when you want.”

Posted by: Matt

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

T-Mobile Shadow announced

T-Mobile have announced the T-Mobile Shadow officially and are offering a web page for consumers to pre-register their interest. The Shadow will feature a custom interface for T-Mobile which endeavours to achieve T-Mobile’s aim for the Shadow brand which is to make it the ultimate social mobile device.

T-Mobile Shadow

Phone Highlights

Additional Phone Features

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, T-Mobile, MDA Touch, Mobile Broadband, pay-per-day]

3 launches new Skype mobile phone

Mobile phone provider 3 has launched a new handset that will allow users to make free calls over the internet via telephony service Skype.

Users will also be able to use Skype’s instant messaging service, 3 said.

But while people using Skype on their computers are able to make cheap global calls to any phone number, this will not be possible via the new 3 handset.

Skype has about 246 million registered users worldwide and is one of the firms reshaping the global phone industry.

To date, mobile phone companies have been unwilling to let users freely access Skype via their handsets for fear that it would hurt their business.

While it is possible to access Skype from a number of handsets, this has involved downloading third-party software, something that has put off the majority of users.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC news, Windows Mobile news, skype, 3,Tracy & Matt]

AT&T Reveal the BlackJack II

AT&T and Samsung Telecommunications America today announced the availability later this year of the BlackJack II, a sleek, smart and simple device powered by AT&T’s 3G-enabled BroadbandConnect network that has the familiar look and feel of your desktop with Windows Mobile 6. The BlackJack II had its first public showing today during a keynote address by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment 2007 in San Francisco.

Samsung BlackJack II

BlackJack II from AT&T brings the personal computer experience to a slim, compact device ideal for today’s mobile consumer. The powerful and performance-driven BlackJack II, which is available in slick black and red wine color options, features a full QWERTY keyboard, large 2.4″ QVGA color display screen and front jog wheel to elevate productivity and improve the mobile experience.

Following in the footsteps of the highly popular BlackJack, the BlackJack II boasts an enhanced feature set, which includes:

AT&T Video Share, the first service in the U.S. that enables users to share live video over the wireless phones while on a voice call. BlackJack II is the first AT&T business-oriented smart device to feature Video Share.

Built-in GPS, Support for location-based applications such as TeleNav GPS Navigator™.
Global phone capabilities. Tri-band 3G UMTS/HSDPA and Quad-band EDGE/GPRS technology takes advantage of AT&T’s industry-leading international wireless footprint for access to e-mail, the Web and other data applications in more than 135 countries — including Japan, South Korea and China — and customers can make or receive phone calls in more than 190 countries.

An RSS Reader Client to compile syndicated Web content in a single location for easy viewing.

Significant improvement in the standard battery capacity to get you through the day.

In addition to a robust feature set, BlackJack II provides users with access to multiple e-mail accounts, both personal and business, through Microsoft Direct Push technology with Outlook® Mobile and AT&T Xpress Mail™, which includes most major POP3/IMAP providers. The BlackJack II also offers over-the-air synchronization of contacts, calendar and task lists with Microsoft Exchange Server or AT&T Xpress Mail.

“The BlackJack II takes one of AT&T’s most popular smart devices and adds to it a whole new level of functionality and capabilities,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Marketing and Operations for AT&T’s wireless unit. “This will provide business people and consumers alike with an even more powerful and complete communications and entertainment tool backed by the largest domestic and international wireless data footprint of any U.S. carrier.”

“Samsung is proud to work with AT&T and Microsoft to bring the next-generation BlackJack to the U.S. market,” said Dale Sohn, president, Samsung. “We built upon the success of last year’s award-winning version of the BlackJack, our No. 1-selling smart device. This highly popular device allowed Samsung to develop BlackJack II with several design enhancements, making it the quintessential device for both work and play.”

A Pocket-Sized Personal Computer
With Windows Mobile 6, the BlackJack II brings a powerful personal computer experience to the small screen and improves how people do business on the go on a single device. The BlackJack II helps people keep track of schedules and contacts through Outlook Mobile, browse the Internet by using Internet Explorer Mobile, as well as manage Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents using Office Mobile. Windows Mobile 6 also supports HTML e-mail so that people can view and compose e-mail messages in their native format with live links to Web sites, support for images, tables and bullets.

BlackJack II will be among the first Windows Mobile 6 devices from AT&T to support Microsoft’s System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, which Ballmer introduced during his keynote address today. Available for BlackJack II in 2008, System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 offers companies an end-to-end solution for managing and securing Windows Mobile devices. Employees will also have access to company information and a line of business applications from a single, secure place behind the firewall by using a cutting-edge Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN).

“Samsung and AT&T are delivering a worthy successor to the wildly popular first generation BlackJack,” said Pieter Knook, senior vice president, Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft Corp. “Windows Mobile 6 on the shiny, sleek BlackJack II is a great option to those wanting to run errands or take a walk in the park, all while staying in touch with important business and personal matters.”

Posted by: Matt

[Post tags: smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Samsung Blackjack, Samsung SGH-i617, Windows Mobile blog]

Orange TyTN II ROM flashing warning

The Orange version of the HTC TyTN II was released just over a week ago and one of the biggest complaints we are seeing from our readers is that the Orange version does not include any of the Touch-Flo features from the vanilla HTC version and also (once again) Orange have removed Windows Live Messenger.

Several readers got in touch to tell us about this and pointed out that they decided that they would try and flash the official HTC ROM on to their Orange TyTN II. Seems like a feasible solution for anyone willing to risk bricking their brand new device.

So here is a word of warning for anyone thinking about going down this route. Not only is there the obvious consequence of invalidating the warranty on the device BUT the process doesn’t work properly on the Orange TyTN II. If you take a look at some of the forums over at XDA Developers you’ll see a raft of Orange customers have already tried this process only to discover that once you have flashed the ROM the device becomes SIM locked and not ever the original Orange SIM card will work in it!

Probably best to avoid this route for now until someone works out a better method methinks and you should also be aware that this kind of ROM-fiddling is illegal in many countries!

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Orange, HTC TyTN II, Windows Mobile Blog]