News

Sandisk annouces 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo

SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today introduced two new capacities in its high-performance SanDisk Ultra® II line: a 4-gigabyte (GB)1 SDHC™ Plus card and an 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo™ card. The announcement was made at IFA, the world’s largest consumer electronics show, where SanDisk is exhibiting at Booth 130, in Hall 15.1 of Messe Berlin, through Sept. 5.

Both cards offer fast read and write speeds of 10 megabytes per second2 (10MB/sec), reducing the waiting time between camera shots and the download time when transferring photos and video to a computer.

“With video recording becoming a standard feature on digital still cameras, memory cards need more capacity and speed to capture not only high-quality photos, but also video” said Susan Park, senior product marketing manger for SanDisk Ultra II cards. “Our SanDisk Ultra II line of high-capacity memory cards provides increased storage and speed to meet the growing demands of digital photography, so consumers can capture, preserve, and relive their most precious moments.”

“High-resolution digital still cameras and high-definition video camcorders using flash memory are changing the way people capture their memories,” said Ron Glaz, program director for digital capture devices and photofinishing research at IDC. “But the extra clarity and detail of these images require significant increases in the speed and storage of flash memory, creating demand for capacities such as 4GB and 8GB that would have seemed outlandish a few years ago.”

Beyond speed and capacity, the 4GB SanDisk Ultra II SDHC Plus card offers both SD™ and USB functionality in one card. Designed with SanDisk’s unique, patented Hinge Lock technology, the card may be inserted into a USB port on any computer. This two-in-one SD-plus-USB feature eliminates the need to carry cables or card readers to transfer photos and videos from cameras or camcorders. Despite its small size, the hinge is sturdy – having survived more than 10,000 open-close cycles in SanDisk’s durability testing.

The 8GB SanDisk Ultra II Memory Stick PRO Duo is designed for recording high-definition videos and high-resolution still images on Sony digital cameras and camcorders.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): Tracy & Matt, SanDisk, ExpressCard, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Compact Flash]

NTT DoCoMo to Unveil Windows Mobile 6.0 Smartphones

Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and its eight regional subsidiaries announced today the development of two smartphones equipped with the Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6.0 Japanese-edition operating system.

The FOMA™ F1100 and FOMA HT1100 allow users to interface with PCs through proven applications such as Outlook® Mobile and Internet Explorer® Mobile, while the scalable plug-in environment means access to a growing number of applications. The HSDPA-capable handsets employ McAfee® security scan to ensure high-speed, protected browsing of PC websites and email management. The security scan function identifies and isolates malicious data before it is downloaded.

FOMA F1100

FOMA HT1100

Data entry on the F1100 and HT1100 is accomplished with a standard ten-key input layout — as such, these handsets combine smartphone capability with mobile phone convenience.

DoCoMo plans to begin marketing the handsets during the first quarter of calendar year 2008.

The FOMA F1100, developed with business users in mind, can access both FOMA and wireless LAN networks for IP telephony. DoCoMo envisions the F1100 doubling as a VoIP mobile phone using in-house WLANs equipped for DoCoMo’s PASSAGE DUPLE™ service or the business mopera IP Centrex service, which enables outbound or internal communication via IP Centrex devices on DoCoMo networks (rather than via in-house PBX). The handset will come with a fingerprint authentication feature to ensure tight security control.

The FOMA HT1100 (aka HTC Touch II), targeted at active business consumers who also want a handset for personal use, will feature HTC’s stylish and versatile TouchFLO™ Touch Cube 3-dimentional interface that allows users to access and operate a variety of functions with the slide of a thumb. Audio visual files, such as YouTube™ Mobile content, can be enjoyed using Streaming Media software and HTC’s Audio Manager music player. The handset supports DoCoMo’s WORLD WING™ international roaming service.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, FOMA F1100, DoCoMo, FOMA HT1100]

Toshiba announce 32-GB SD cards

Thoshiba announce the first SDHC memory cards to hit 32GB! They are releasing several models including a 16GB SDHC and a 8GB microSDHC.

SDHC Memory Cards

Expect to see these memory cards go on sale over the next few months. Beware, however, as the initial price of the high-end models is likely to be rather high!

Posted by: Matt

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

Orange to shift the HTC Shift?

About a week ago I mentioned a rumour that had been circulating about the possibility of some exclusive HTC devices coming to the Orange network. Since then a number of messages have arrived in my email box that seem to support the rumour.

Two anonymous tipsters, one of which claims to have some involvement with Orange, both suggested the same thing; Orange’s new ‘HTC Exclusive’ device package will be an HTC Shift based unit coupled with Microsoft Communicator and an OCS 2007 backend on a flat rate, unlimited data tariff.

While this seems to be nothing more than speculation at the moment, several different sources seem to be claiming the same thing. Personally I would be surprised to see Orange shift to the UMPC market, especially when they seem not to have shown any interest in the HTC Advantage. I don’t think that Orange would consider rolling out Microsoft Communicator and OCS 2007 to it’s customers and it really would be a big ask for their customer service team to be able to support it!

As for the unlimited data tariff, it would probably be capped at 100MB! 😛

Orange have not responded to my emails and have neither confirmed nor denied the rumour but, as always, if you know anything else then please drop us a line and we’ll share it with everyone else!

Posted by: Matt

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

HTC Shift pre-order

It would appear that last weeks hot topic in the Windows Mobile world was HTC Shift. The chaps over at eXpansys just dropped me a line to say that they are now accepting pre-orders for the HTC Shift and that they are expecting the first batch to ship sometime in October.

HTC Shift Pre-order

So you can pre-order now for just £869.95 (£740.38 ex-vat) to ensure that you get the HTC Shift as soon as it’s avalailable in the UK.

HTC Shift specification:

Posted By: Matt

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

JAVOedge release JAVOHolster for Palm Treo 750

JAVOedge have just released a great holster accessory solution for on-the-go professionals. A stylish, yet durable JAVOedge Holster Belt Clip designed to quickly secure and release your Palm Treo 750. Easy clip to your belt or inside your trouser pocket.

JAVOholster

JAVOholster

JAVOHolster is an on-the-go person’s dream. It is specifically designed for convenience and brisk functionality. It features padded felt insulation to prevent scratching of your device when snapping it on and off the holster. It also features a heavy duty locking swivel belt clip which gives your device the mobility you require. Your device will face inwards while snapped on to the holster to protect its sensitive touch screen and keypad. With the JAVOHolster, you can literally snap your device on and off with one hand. JAVOHolster, for people that require easy and mobile protection.

Compatible devices:

Posted By: Matt

[Post tag(s): Smartphone Blog, JAVOedge, JAVOHolster, HTC S620, Palm Treo 750, Tracy & Matt]

Sprint announce upgraded HTC Touch

US mobile carrier Sprint have just announced their version of the HTC Touch; The “Sprint Touch”.

Sprint Touch

So what’s different about the Sprint version? First of all this is a CDMA version of the model Alasdair reviewed recently. You’ll also get Sprint TV, and Music Store. The music player is Sprint’s Groove Mobile store.

The major advantages the Sprint Touch has over the GSM version is that the processor speed has been doubled: 400 Mhz as opposed to 200 Mhz. The modem is fast EVDO (software upgradeable to EVDO Rev A), not slower EDGE. It’s also been said that when the Rev A upgrade comes, it will activate the built-in GPS, and you’ll be able to use Telenav for GPS navigation.

Sprint have yet to confirm the price for this gadget, but said it’s probably coming in November. These changes will come as a welcome upgrade as many feel that the HTC Touch is somewhat under powered. Where we’ll see a similar upgraded version here in Europe is unknown but I feel it’s pretty unlikely.

Posted by: Matt

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

TomTom GO 720 price drop

A few days ago we got hold of a TomTom GO 720 and gave you a little unboxing video.

TomTom GO 720

Mark (our GPS obsessive expert) is still working on the review which we should have up shortly. So far he is very impressed with the unit and says that the features are amazing!

The good news for anyone already interested in the TomTom GO 720 is that our friends over at Clove Technology have just dropped the price of the unit to an amazing £255 (£299.62 inc VAT), a drop of £24!! Head over to Clove now to order yours!

TomTom GO 720 Specification:

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone news, Pocket PC news, Tom Tom GO 720, Satnav, navigation, GPS, Tracy & Matt]

First look at the HTC Shift

Well the news seems to be all over the web today that the lucky fella, Hugo Ortega, from Uber Tablet, has managed to get his hands on the new HTC Shift.

HTC Shift

The HTC Shift heralds HTC’s entry in to the UMPC market. But HTC aren’t content to bring out a basic device, the HTC Shift sports some unique features, such as a dual operating system. It runs Windows Mobile 6 AND Windows Vista. Windows Mobile 6 offers over 5 days battery life whereas using Vista drains the battery in around 3 hours. This goes to prove how power hungry Vista is!.

A Tilt-controlled touchscreen (similar to the Advantage) and a SIM card socket offering HSDPA connectivity are also part of the generous spec.

Hugo seems suitably impressed with his:

In summary I would have to say that this is one of the BEST Ultra Mobile PC I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. If I were a manufacturer of a UMPC, or with a UMPC about to hit the market, then I would be shaking in my boots given what The HTC Shift is capable of. “I put my order down right away!”

HTC Shift specification:

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

HTC Kasier rumour roundup

This week saw a large number of new rumours about the long awaited HTC Kaiser.

The first relates to a potential name change for the HTC Kaiser/P4550 and suggests that the device will be released under a different name – the HTC TyTN II. HTC wont confirm or deny this name change but it has been voiced elsewhere that the name TyTN II refers to a different device altogether.

Later we heard that the HTC Kaiser is due for launch throughout Europe on the 8th September. This would be good news but for the fact that the 8th September is a Saturday so therefore this seems like an unlikely date.

The final piece of news relates to the US launch of the HTC Kaiser. We already ‘know’ that the device is coming to AT&T as the ‘AT&T Tilt’ but further information from CrunchGear states that they have an ‘inside source’ and that “the AT&T Tilt (aka 8925 aka Kaiser) hits stores September 3rd for $499 with 2-year plan.”

If the above is true then $499 (just about £250) seems like a reasonable price to pay for a device as well featured and powerful as the HTC Kaiser. Mind you – I’m not sure that a two year contract will be everyone’s cup of tea!

EDIT: You can see our TyTN II review HERE.

Posted by: Mark

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, TyTN II, HTC, HTC P4550]