News

HTC P3600 Rom update with GPS

Good news for those of you that have an HTC P3600. As you will know, HTC shipped your devices with the GPS unit disabled. This was due to some initial problems with the GPS chipset not playing nice with the GPRS. However, HTC have now worked out the issues and have made a new ROM update available to you. Futhermore they are giving you the chance to test the GPS with a demo version of Tom Tom Navigator 6!

Up until now, the only way to enable GPS on your P3600 was to use unofficial rom builds from other operators.

There are a few other enhancements in the new ROM:

03 April 2007,

Operating System [ROM] UpdateNew features and improvements are available with this operating software update.

GPS receiver capability enabled.

Browser improvements (mobile CSS, WAP, Iframe, etc.).

Bluetooth improvements.

New data network icons to differentiate between GPRS, EDGE, 3G and HSDPA connections.
Streaming player added.

You can find further details of the ROM updates on the HTC P3600 software page at HTC Europe. You’ll need your IMEI number to hand before you can download though.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, HTC Trinity, HTC P3600]

O2 Ireland launches the XDA Orbit

O2 Ireland have launched the XDA Orbit.

The Irish version of the XDA Orbit, which is based on the HTC Artemis, ships with CoPilot sat nav software, whereas the German version includes Tom Tom.

Here’s the official press release:

O2 Ireland today announced the launch of the latest addition to its Xda range, the Xda Orbit. The new PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is the first Xda in O2’s range to offer built-in GPS and seamless door-to-door satellite navigation, in an ultra slim, stylish portable device. Using the latest technology, the Xda Orbit also features a 2 Megapixel camera, MP3 player, radio and WiFi functionality, whilst combining the latest Windows Mobile® OS 5 software – offering mobile Internet and email in the same easy-to-use format as Microsoft® Office on a desktop.

Billy D’Arcy, Head of Business Sales & Services, O2 Ireland, said; “The new O2 Xda Orbit provides our customers with a truly mobile office that offers the latest product innovations, both in terms of satellite navigation and O2 Xda software. Our partnership with ALK Technologies to bundle the CoPilot® Live™ sat nav software is an important development for our customers and will give them the ultimate navigation experience directing them to their chosen destination quickly and safely. With its slim features and lightweight design, the O2 Xda Orbit is the perfect compact device for both business and leisure users, and adds to our already strong portfolio of Xda devices.”

CoPilot Live navigation software is supplied on an easy-to-install memory card that has complete maps of Ireland and the UK preloaded. Detailed routes are calculated in seconds and turn-by-turn directions are provided on-screen and spoken, all the way to the destination. There’s a choice of map views, including ‘non-distracting driver-safety’, ‘itinerary’, ‘where am I?’ and 3D ’bird’s eye’ view. If a turn is missed CoPilot recalculates the best new route in seconds. Users simply type in the chosen destination on the large 2.8 inch full colour TFT LCD touch screen and the O2 Xda Orbit will direct them to their chosen destination quickly and safely.

In addition advanced features enable real-time Internet tracking whereby users can let others view their location via the internet. Ideal for pedestrians as well as car travellers, the O2 Xda Orbit makes dedicated navigation systems unnecessary.

With its WiFi and GPRS features, the O2 Xda Orbit is ideal for users on the go; it provides seamless synchronisation with Pocket Outlook. Offering the ability to open, edit and send Microsoft Office Excel Mobile, Word Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile attachments quickly and easily, it is a true mobile office device. Users also benefit from secure and cost-effective real-time email delivery, with Microsoft’s Push email solution enabling them to work securely from any place at any time. Synchronisation of the Xda with a desktop computer also means both calendar and contacts are always completely up to date.

The Orbit combines a 2.0 Megapixel camera including video capability, FM radio (87.5Mhz–108.5Mhz) and MP3/AAC player, whilst enabling customers to view and play Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. It also offers quad-band functionality, supported by a battery life of up to 200 hours standby and 5 hours talk time. In addition the device features Bluetooth support allowing integration with car kits and hands-free headsets.

The Xda Orbit is available exclusively from O2, priced from €272 ex VAT.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Tracy & Matt, O2, HTC Artemis, XDA Orbit, HTC P3300]

Orange SPV M700 windscreen mount

Since we posted our Orange SPV M700 review I purchased a few M700’s for work colleagues. All the devices came from business customer services and arrived at the same time. Strangely, some of them had a windscreen mount included in the box but others did not. The mount is pretty good, has a suction pad on one end and a flexible ‘arm’ to position the device where you want it.

Now when I asked Orange Business Customer Services why some had them and some didn’t they said that the mount is not supposed to be included, it’s not something that they advertise as being included and that we are lucky to have them at all!

So the question for all of you out there that already have an M700 is ‘Did you get a windscreen mount and car charger in the box with your device?’ I’m curious to know if more are shipping with or without. Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Orange, M700, HTC Trinity, HTC P3600, SPV, Orange SPV M700]

eXpansys introduce UBiQUiO 503G

eXpansys, UBiQUiO brand owner, have just introduced the new UBiQUiO 503G.

With it’s 520Mhz CPU and 256MB ROM the UBiQUiO 503G looks like an intereting device. It also has 3G/UMTS which is missing from most of the devices that the UBiQUiO competes with. If you are thinking that it looks a little like the JAQ3 then that probably because both the UBiQUiO 503G and the JAQ3 are manufactured by TechFaith Wireless.

Oh and the Windows Mobile 6 Professional OS means that the 503G includes a touch screen.

UBiQUiO 503G Specification

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, UBiQUiO 503G, Expansys]

Orange SPV E650 coming soon to the UK

The eagerly awaited Orange SPV E650, Orange’s version of the HTC Vox/HTC S710, is now listed as ‘Coming Soon’ in the April edition of the Orange retail catalogue. Apparently dummy devices are also shipping to stores already. This could mean the device will be released with in the next few weeks.

Orange SPV E650 Specification:

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, HTC Vox, HTC S710, Orange, SPV E650]

Sim Unlock Orange SPV M700/HTC Trinity

I while ago I used IMEI Check to have my Orange M3100 Sim Unlocked so that Tracy could use it with her T-Mobile SIM.

Since I posted my Orange SPV M700 review about a week ago I’ve had a few emails asking if it’s possible to Sim Unlock the M700 so that it can be used on other networks. The simple answer is YES!

Florin at IMEI Check has come up trumps again and is now able to provide SIM unlocking for the HTC Trinity and Orange M700 (Although I did think the HTC Branded devices were unclocked anyway!?). The service costs £20.

I really do recommend IMEI Check, the service is really fast and efficient. Have a look on their website to see what they have to offer.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Sim Unlock, Orange, Orange M700, HTC Trinity, IMEI-Check, SPV, Orange SPV M700]

HTC S720 appears

The HTC S710 (HTC Vox) has been available for a little while now but at CITA 2007 in Orlando HTC announce the HTC S720.

The S720 is essentially a CDMA version of the HTC S710, other differences are, that the S710 is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE quadband smartphone while the S720 sports CDMA’s EV-DO standard.

HTC S720 Specification:

Find more details of the device on EngadgetMobile.

Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, HTC Wings, HTC S720, Tracy & Matt]

SanDisk announce 4GB M2 memory card

SanDisk today expanded its Memory Stick Micro (M2) line by introducing a 4-gigabyte card. With the capacity to hold up to 1,000 songs, 2,000 high-resolution photos or 20 hours of MPEG4 video2, the 4GB M2 is compatible with Sony Ericsson’s latest generation of slim line, multimedia mobile handsets such as the Cyber-shot™ and Walkman® series. SanDisk announced the 4GB M2 at CTIA Wireless 2007.

“This new card, and other SanDisk cards for mobile phones such as our 4GB microSD™ High Capacity (SDHC), are reshaping the wireless landscape,” said Norm Frentz, director of marketing for SanDisk’s mobile consumer solutions division. “This is the threshold at which mobile phones provide enough capacity to become the user’s all-in-one portable music player, camcorder, photo album and video player.”

The SanDisk M2 card line is designed for use with mobile handsets that have an M2 slot. By using an optional Memory Stick PRO Duo adapter, M2 cards are fully backwards compatible with all digital cameras and hand-held game players that have a Memory Stick slot.

The M2 format was co-developed by SanDisk and Sony Corporation to meet the growing storage needs of highly compact, multimedia mobile phones. M2 measures 15mm x 12.5mm x 1.2mm, making it the second smallest flash memory media in the world, behind the microSD format, which SanDisk pioneered.

The 4GB M2 card will ship to OEMs in May, and will be available in retail stores later in the year. Pricing is not yet determined.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): Tracy & Matt, SanDisk, M2, Memory Stick Micro, CITA]

HTC Announce the HTC Advantage X7501

Just weeks after the official launch of the HTC Advantage comes another announcement from HTC this time it’s the HTC Advantage X7501 which is basically the Windows Mobile 6 version of the HTC Advantage.

Overview
The HTC Advantage X7501 is a powerful mobile office device that lets you work wherever and whenever you want. Powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 with Direct Push Technology, you have the office tools you need while on the road. Attach the QWERTY keyboard and easily type up documents, e-mails, and messages. The huge 5-inch VGA display provides you more than enough room for surfing the Web and viewing documents. With its 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities, you stay connected to the world.

The built-in 8GB hard drive gives you plenty of room to store your work and media files on the phone, and if that’s not enough, insert a miniSD card to add even more storage space. Use the TV Out feature to output contents on the screen onto an external display such as a Projector or TV when doing presentations or sharing photos. You can also print out documents by connecting to a Bluetooth or network printer. Have your office with you wherever you are with the HTC Advantage X7501.

HTC Advantage X7501 Specification

You can find lots more photos on HPC.ru

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, HTC X7501, HTC Advantage X7501 , Tracy & Matt]

Ericsson EDGE Evolution to triple data speeds

Ericsson is set to achieve data speeds of up to 1Mbps in current GSM networks, enabling mobile broadband services for the world’s 2 billion existing GSM subscribers.

Following the recent 3GPP industry standardization of EDGE Evolution, Ericsson has restated its commitment to launch EDGE Evolution, as software upgrade of existing infrastructure, by 2009.

EDGE Evolution will boost data speeds by up to 300 percent and will significantly improve latency, coverage, and spectrum efficiency. This improved data performance in GSM will serve as an important complement to high-speed WCDMA/HSPA networks, meeting the growing demand of data bandwidth and mobility.

Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio at Ericsson, says: “Ericsson EDGE Evolution builds on 3GPP’s industry standardization of agreed technology improvements and reflects Ericsson’s prediction that the current trend towards EDGE-capable GSM networks and terminals is set to continue.

“Ericsson is committed to offering improved data communications such as mobile broadband, and we will leverage our expertise evolving fixed and mobile infrastructure to provide future-proof investment in Ericsson GSM networks.”

Ericsson is the world’s leading EDGE supplier, supporting a majority of the 196 commercially launched EDGE networks (GSA January 2007). Ericsson EDGE brings 3G capability to the GSM network by substantially increasing data performance and capacity. It does this through a software upgrade of existing equipment, a fast and easy way to reach the mass market with 3G services.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): Tracy & Matt, SanDisk, Ericsson, EDGE, CeBIT]