Smarthouse, an Australian publication, reports that HTC and Google have been collaborating "for the past 18 months" and have produced "several working models of a touch tablet," including one outfitted with Google’s Chrome OS.
Having collaborated on the Nexus One, HTC and Google partnering on a tablet seems like a promising prospect. But will it "compete head on" with Apple’s tablet as Smarthouse claims? Probably not.
Apple have been rumoured to be releasing their own tablet and with an event supposedly coming up later this month we should not have to wait too long to find out what it is all about, my money is on a large screen tablet running iPhone OS designed specifically for Ebook reading, but we will see.
via Gizmodo
…the Windows Mobile 7 announcement was an error. Bad HTC Russia! I’m sure there are some out there that have gone an bought the device, and if you read it here then I apologise. With any luck there will be an update however it’s such a long way off I don’t reckon HTC will be too interested in the HD2 to care.
[Source HTCpedia]
I’m guessing that there is nothing in this world that exists with a screen that does not run Doom. The Palm Pre is no exception, check out this video courtesy of Prethinking showing Doom running on the Pre. Aside from the little keyboard controls I can see no faults with this. Excellent stuff:
Archos media player products have been around for years but the Archos 5 is the first model that we’ve had the opportunity to review here on tracyandmatt. There is a little confusion around the Archos 5 name and branding as there are actually two distinct models that are called Archos 5, the one we have here is the one with the proprietary Archos operating system and user interface but there is also another model which features Android OS.
The Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet
The Archos 5 is pitched as being more than just a media player, as the name suggests, the Archos 5 is also a well spec’d and featured internet tablet too. It has Opera web browser pre-installed and is Flash capable so can play back YouTube videos for example. There’s also email support with automatic setup for Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo mail but if you have any other email service this can be manually configured using POP3 or IMAP. Sadly no Exchange support though.
Media playback is what the Archos 5 excels at though, it’s play virtually any video or audio format that you care to upload to it and the 4.8″ screen displays content beautifully while the built-in 120GB hard drive (60, 150 and 250GB versions also available) ensures that you have plenty of space for your media.
On top of the basic media functionality there’s also internet radio and support for flash-based games and a number of pre-installed games.
Check out the unboxing and demo video below for a tour of the Archos 5 and I’ll have the full review for you within the next few weeks.
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Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet specification: |
|
| Display characteristics: | High resolution screen, 800×480 pixels, 4.8” TFT LCD, 16 million colors |
| User interface: | Touch screen, ON/OFF, vol+ and vol- buttons, retractable virtual keyboard |
| Processor(s): | Central Unit: – Main processor: ARM CortexTM-A8, 32 bit, In-order, dual-issue, superscalar core @ 600 MHz – Additional processor: 32 bit DSP @ 430 MHz |
| RAM memory: | 128 MB* (Low-Power Double Data Rate SDRAM) |
| Mass storage memory: | Hard drive, capacity according to the product version – 60 GB* (stores up to 80 Movies, 600,000 photos or 30,000 songs1) – 120 GB* (stores up to 160 Movies, 1.2 million photos or 60,000 songs1) – 160 GB* (stores up to 210 Movies, 1.6 million photos or 80,000 songs1) – 250 GB* (stores up to 300 Movies, 2.5 million photos or 145,000 songs1) |
| Operating system: | Linux |
| Program language | C – requires special developer-edition firmware15 |
| Connectivity: | On board WiFi (802.11 b/g), USB 2.0 host with optional accessories |
| PC accessories: | Possible attachment of numerous standard USB PC accessories**** (keyboard, mouse, memory key, memory cards reader, camera and other future computer accessories) |
| Video playback**: | MPEG-42 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution) WMV (MP@ML, up to DVD resolution) included WMV protected files M-JPEG (in QVGA resolution) With optional software plug-in: |
| Audio playback**: | Stereo MP3 decoding @ 30-320 Kbits/s CBR & VBR, WMA, Protected WMA, WMA pro 5.1, WAV (PCM/ADPCM). AC3 stereo audio and 5.1 sound files (via SPDIF output of DVR Station) Flac and OGG Vorbis audio files With optional software plug-in: |
| Photo viewer***: | JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF |
| PDF viewer: | Reads PDF documents (may not implement all PDF features) |
| Video recording6: | Via the optional DVR Station or DVR Snap-on. Records NTSC/PAL/SECAM in MPEG-4 AVI format with stereo sound, VGA resolution (640 x 480) @ 30 or 25 f/s |
| Audio recording: | Via the optional DVR Station or DVR Snap-on: Stereo line-in, WAV (IMA ADPCM or PCM) format Voice recording via the optional FM remote and its built-in microphone in WAV format (IMA ADPCM) |
| Email client | Compatible with Email accounts supporting POP3 and IMAP services Import/export of vCard contacts |
| Interfaces: | USB 2.0 High-Speed Device (compatible USB 1.1 at a lower speed): Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Media Transport Protocol (MTP) USB 2.0 Host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) with optional Mini Dock, Battery Dock and DVR station |
| Connections: | WiFi (802.11 b/g) connection. Free Web Browser (Opera® Web browser with Adobe Flash® 9 video support) upon registration 3.5 mm mini jack for headphones Accessory connectors to connect to the DVR Station and other ARCHOS accessories |
| Miscellaneous | Built-in speaker Built-in leg stand |
| Battery life: | Music playback time: up to 22 hours4 Video playback time: up to 7 hours4 |
| Power source: | Internal: Lithium Polymer battery Device charges via computer USB port External: Power adapter/charger (via optional accessories) |
| Scalability: | Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates when the WiFi connection is activated Updates can also be downloaded at www.archos.com |
| Dimensions & weight: | Approx 127,5 x 78,3 x 12,9 mm (for 60GB* model) – 250gr Approx 127 x 78,8 x 19,4 mm (for 120/250GB* models) – 300gr |
| In a possible use mode, in connection with an external computer through the USB B connector available on some optional accessories: | |
| Minimum system requirements: | Microsoft® Windows® Vista, XP, ME, 2000 or higher MAC OS X and Linux (with Mass Storage Device Support) USB 2.0 interface |
| Package includes: | ARCHOS 5, headphones, ARCHOS USB cable, DVR Station adapter, screen cleaning cloth, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety notice. |
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(*) 1GB= 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity is less. |
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Posted by: Matt
Happy new year to all of our readers, old or new, from all of us on the tracyandmatt.co.uk team! We hope you have a fantastic 2010. We’ve big plans for the site over the next few months so keep your eyes peeled!
Don’t forget that we have a competition running at the moment where you can win the fantastic Motorola Milestone. If you haven’t entered already the please do so by taking a look at the competition post.
I’d also like to thank all members of the T&M team for their contribution to the site throughout 2009 and to all of our sponsors and the PR agencies that we work with. Without them there would be no site!
Enjoy new years day!
Posted by: Matt
Our great friends over at Tracy and Matt have just published a review of the latest Nokia messaging device the E72. This handset is running Symbian still but apart from that it has a great form factor, superb QWERTY front facing keyboard and packs in 3G and WiFi.
Check out the full review here.
One of the most wanted features of Documents to Go for iPhone was the ability to get access to your Gmail attachments, sure we had desktop sync software and Exchange attachments, well from today via an update Docs to Go now supports accessing your Gmail attachments.
Also updated is the name, its now called Documents to Go Premium but if you paid for the original Exchange version it is a free update.
Back in June 2008 Nokia released the E71 which has been a massive success in most parts of the world. Will the new and improved version, the E72, continue that success? Read on to find out what I thought of it and more importantly if you think you will like it.
Is it a good alternative to a BlackBerry or the other front facing QWERTY devices?
Nokia E72
What’s in the box:
- Device
- Battery
- Charger
- USB Cable
- Plastic Case/pouch (non belt clip)
- Headphones
- Cleaning Cloth
- Wrist Strap
Please check out Matt’s unboxing video to see the Nokia E72 in action.
The ten second review:
Device: Nokia E72
Price: £399.99
Summary: A hardcore messaging device with a superb QWERTY keyboard.
Best of: 3G, Wi-Fi, Keyboard, GPS< Camera.
Worst of: Symbian OS, Web Browser
Nokia E72 Specification:
- Dimensions: 114 x 59.5 x 10.1mm
- Weight: 128g
- Battery: Capacity: 1500 mAh
- Talk Time: 12.5 hrs
- Standby Time: 576 hrs
- Display: 320 x 240 pixels/2.36 inch
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-Band)
- 3G: 900/1900/2100 (Tri-Band)
- Camera: 5 mega-pixels (auto-focus)
- LED Flash
- FM Stereo Radio (RDS)
- Visual Radio
- Nokia Music Store
- SMS / MMS (with video)
- E-mail (POP3, SMTP, IMAP4, MS Exchange)
- Memory: 250MB (internal)
- microSDHC (external)
- microUSB
- Nokia 3.5mm AV connector
- Bluetooth (2.0)
- Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g)
- AGPS
- Electronic Compass
- Nokia Maps
General:
The top of the Nokia E72 houses the 3.5mm headset jack as well as the power button.
Nokia E72 Top
On the left side is the MicroUSB slot and also the MicroSD card. Both are covered with plastic doors.
Nokia E72 Left Side
The right contains the up/down volume rocker and also a voice command button.
Nokia E72 Right Side
On the back of the device you will find the camera lens and flash and also a speaker grill.
Nokia E72 Rear
The front of the Nokia E72 is how you would expect a messaging device to look. Jam packed with buttons.
Nokia E72 from the front.
Highlights:
- Connectivity
- QWERTY Keyboard
- GPS
- Design
Lowlights:
- Operating System
- Web Browser
Review:
Without doubt the Nokia E72 is a nice looking handset. I have always been a big fan of front facing QWERTY devices and this one is no exception. The combination of black plastic and shiny metal really give the Nokia E72 a quality look. The metal battery cover is quite unique as its silver and not black like on most phones. The Nokia E72 is a business tool and its snazzy design will be well suited to business professionals. The device feels very well built. It feels fairly heavy in the hand but sturdy and robust. It almost feels a bit odd as its so thin at only 10.1mm but that odd feeling is a good thing.
As well as the full QWERTY keyboard, the Nokia E72 has a further eight hardware keys under the screen.
Nokia E72 Keyboard
These comprise of two soft keys directly under the screen which select the onscreen options. Under these are four shortcut buttons. These are home, calendar, contacts and email. Finally under the shortcut keys are the call send and end. The buttons themselves are a softer plastic than the QWERTY keyboard keys and require very little pressure to press. They feel nice to use. Between all these keys is the optical track pad. I was pleasantly surprised by this as to look at it I just thought it was a D-pad which would allow for up/down/left & right with a select button in the middle. I was wrong. The centre is a proper optical track pad so you have two options for navigating the screen. You can either click up/down/left/right on the hard outer rim of the pad or use the inner optical part like a mouse so this will allow for diagonal movement. Handy in the web browser me thinks. Nice work Nokia.
Most users of the Nokia E72 will be getting the device for the QWERTY keyboard. Any what a nice keyboard it is. The keys are very similar in size to the ones found on the BlackBerry Bold 9700. The plastic keys are softer and require less pressure to make them click, however typing on the BlackBerry 9700 feels a wee bit easier and I think this is due to two features. The first of these is that the keys on the Nokia seem to be flat where as on the BlackBerry 9700 each key has a slight divit giving the feel that there is a bit more space between each key. The second difference I noticed is the materials used. As the keys on the Nokia E72 are a softer plastic they are not as shiny and for this reason I find that my thumbs seem to glide a bit better on the BlackBerry. Small differences I know but that’s what we are here for, to help highlight the small differences between devices.
Comparisons aside I cant actually fault the keyboard on the Nokia and I was able to use it as easily and mistake free as on my other devices. I have not used the Nokia E71 so its hard for me to say if its better or worse but what I can say is its real sweet!
The Nokia E72 runs Symbian Series S60 third addition and although extremely popular I really don’t like it. Don’t get me wrong, it works but I just find it a bit dated compared to other operating systems out there at the moment. One of the reasons its so popular is that a lot of users don’t even know they are using Symbian. They just think they are using a Nokia!
The home screen on the device gives quick access to a lot of features.
Nokia E72 Home screen
As you will see in the picture above this home screen is not bad in terms of how easy it is to scroll and access these features but cosmetically it is really not nice. If you compare this screen to Windows Mobile, Android, iPhone and even BlackBerry it really is not as attractive to look at. Such a shame as the device itself is so snazzy to look at yet it is let down by the home screen.
So lets now have a look at the Nokia E72s main features and see if they are good as they should be?
Within the main menu of the E72 is the media tab. Entering gives you a list of a further ten tabs. These are radio, media player, music store, recorder, gallery, camera, share online, realplayer, video centre and music search.
The media player is where you can listen to music. The music interface is straight forward and nothing special. I was expecting a decent sound quality from the Nokia E72 and I was not wrong. The headphones supplied with the device are really good and the “Metallica test” was a big success. It was loud, crisp and bassy, just the way I like it. There is also an equalizer so you can tweak the sound settings to your liking. Good job Nokia!
The added bonus with the music player is that you can use your own headphones if you want. The Nokia E72 comes with a 3.5mm headset jack. Cool!
The gallery option allows you to view photos and video clips. Again this was a decent area for the E72. Although not the biggest screen the images were crisp and bright and scrolling between them was simple with the optical pad. Watching video was also pretty good. The screen is vibrant and radiant producing a respectable viewing experience. Out of the box you will be limited to the video formats you can watch but a different video player can be downloaded which will allow for DivX support.
Its great having the Nokia Music store at your fingertips. I had not tried it before but it looks pretty good. Its easy to use and the prices are reasonable, on par with iTunes. In addition if you do have a large music collection on the device then the music search feature will be handy. Once launched you just say the name of the artist or track and the device finds it for you. Clever.
Onto the web browser. Browsing on a non touch screen device is never my favourite experience but I will give the Nokia E72 a fare crack of the whip.
I found the browser on the E72 to have good bits and bad. The positive bits were that the pages seemed to load quickly and scrolling down the page was extremely fast therefore allowing you to get to the bit you want. The device comes with both 3G and Wi-Fi so you can have the best download speeds available. On the downside, i could not get the browser to display the web page so I could see the whole of the page from left to right. This meant if i was reading something I would have to keep scrolling to the right to get to the end of the sentence. I could not put up with that on a daily basis. The browser overall performed well though and people that have not used a touch screen device will most likely not be as frustrated with it as I was. I actually prefer browsing on my BlackBerry Bold 9700 to the E72. Sorry Nokia!
Business users of the device will be pleased that their is an Office section within the menu. Here you can create notes, view PDFs, use a dictionary and calculator but the best bit is QuickOffice. On previous Symbian handsets I have reviewed it has required a paid upgrade to create word and excel documents and I was expecting the same on the E72. How wrong I was. I opened the app and straight away created both a word doc and excel. A worthy bonus all round.
With that nice QWERTY keyboard, messaging is one of the main things I would imagine is top of the list of features that prospective buyers of the Nokia E72 will be looking at. Its easy peasy to use on the E72. SMS is obviously straight forward but so is email. When you first start the device it will prompt you to input an email account and once that’s done you are up and running.
How does messaging on the Nokia E72 compare with other platforms?
Windows: Its certainly on par with Windows Mobile although I do prefer the interface on WinMo.
Android: Android is better and not only with Gmail.
iPhone: iPhone is better again but no option here for hardware keyboard.
BlackBerry: Silly question. The BlackBerry wins hands down!
So overall messaging on the Nokia E72 is adequate but certainly not the best. It works flawlessly but its not as simple to use as some of the other platforms.
Nokia normally do a reasonable job with the cameras on there devices and the 5MP camera on the E72 was pretty good. It was dead easy to use and the settings and options were simple. It was really just a case of point and shoot. It does not have the nicest camera interface but the sample shots I took were of decent quality (please bare in mind I had no sunshine to test it out with!) For indoor and low light shots the Nokia E72 comes with a LED flash which did a respectable job.
Nokia E72 camera test. With flash on the right image.
Conclusion:
The Nokia E72 is a nice phone. It could be a lot better if it was not running Symbian but that’s just my opinion. If you are a Nokia user already you will love the E72 and be very happy. Is it as good as the other front facing QWERTY devices out there at the moment? I would probably say so, apart from the BlackBerry smart phones. I think if you want the ultimate messaging device the the BlackBerry Bold 9700 is still the best, but not everyone will agree with me!
Posted by: James
Here is a very interesting press release just in from Orange, looks like voice quality will be significantly improved on Mobiles in the future.
London, 31st December, 2009: Orange today revealed it will be launching HD Voice nationwide for customers on its mobile network in 2010 – the first such announcement by a UK operator, and testament to the company’s focus on innovation.
With its crystal clear, superior sound quality, Orange’s introduction of HD Voice will herald a new era for mobile communications and a new standard for the telecoms industry. HD Voice delivers excellent audio quality to mobile calls and will be available to Orange customers with a HD Voice enabled handset. Orange is already working with leading handset manufacturers on the development of devices to be rolled out next year.
The 2010 launch follows two years of considerable investment in the Orange mobile network with expansion and technology upgrades across large areas of the UK. Orange currently provides high speed 3G coverage to more than 93% of the UK’s population – more than any other UK operator – and was voted ‘Best Network’ by the readers of What Mobile magazine.
Tom Alexander, CEO of Orange UK, said: “Orange is proud to be leading the industry into the next decade by announcing a new standard in voice innovation that will transform the mobile experience for customers in the UK. HD Voice really does inject a level of innovation into mobile phone calls, making it sound as if callers are actually in the same room. Once people have tried it, they won’t want to go back.”
HD Voice uses the WB-AMR (Wideband Adaptive Multi-Rate) speech codec. This provides excellent audio quality due to a wider speech bandwidth of 50–7000 Hz compared to the current narrowband speech codec of 300–3400 Hz. The WB-AMR (Wideband Adaptive Multi-Rate) delivers significantly enhanced sound quality whilst utilising the same network resources.
Further details on the Orange HD Voice roll out will be made available in 2010.
Our prayers have been answered over at Mobiletechworld. Microsoft’s biggest success recently is Xbox. Finally, it appears, that Microsoft has decided to link their flagging operating system to their prized piece. It’s a no brainer really and it will be interesting(or disappointing) as to what will come out the end of the of their mincing machine. If Microsoft can make an operating system that is is appealing to their legions of games console fans then they will corner one heck of a large percentage of the market. Check after the break for the complete article.
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