Press Releases

Sony Ericsson introduces Xperia Unseen through the eyes of Xperia ray

Sony Ericsson today unveils Xperia Unseen, a series of short films to celebrate the launch of the new stylish,HD smartphone, the Xperia ray. In partnership with VICE, Sony Ericsson enlists the help of style icon, Daisy Lowe, and cult celebrity photographer, Ben Rayner, to provide consumers with a privileged insight into the daily life of a celebrity.

The series is the first of its kind to give consumers a glimpse of celebrity life through the lens of a mobile phone and is targeted at the mainstream user with a particular appreciation for visual brilliance and style.

Xperia Unseen will run in three segments over the course of one month. The first episode of the series will premiere on 14^th September on Sony Ericsson’s Facebook page and VICE.com, with part two following on 28^th September and part three on 12^th October.

You can see part one below:

Samsung launches premium Android UK app store

Samsung have today announced the launch of a new Premium Samsung Apps Store for Android. The UK is one of the first countries to introduce premium Android applications through Samsung Apps for Android devices, giving British customers first access to a variety of premium applications and games.
The Samsung Apps Store for Android offers a raft of premium mobile apps that can be purchased in addition to the current Samsung free apps download option. Among the premium apps available, favourites include Zenonia (the real time combat and exploration quest), The Sims 3 HD, Need for Speed Shift HD and 9mm. With no sign up process required, Samsung’s new Premium Apps Store is an easy way for Android customers to access and purchase the latest high quality apps for their mobile devices.
The current payment method is simply through credit card billing, however in the near future the purchased premium app will simply be added to the customer’s phone bill or deducted from a SIM card balance, making it even easier to get hold of the latest must-have apps in just two clicks.

Simon Stanford, Managing Director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “Anyone that signs up to Samsung Apps Store for Android today, will find a multitude of free and premium apps already available. In the spirit of providing Android users with the best possible mobile experience, it is our intention to continue to develop this premium service to ensure our customers have access to all the latest great content on Android.”

Premium apps are available from the Samsung Apps Store for Android www.samsungapps.com from today. Application prices vary amongst apps and will be clearly stated on the website.

We will test this new store out and share our thoughts with you.

Posted by: James

Parrot announce the MINIKIT+

We reviewed the last Parrot MINIKIT and it was a great hands free solution. The MINKIT+ has now been announced with some nice added features.

Parrot MINIKIT+ is a portable hands-free kit capable of simultaneously managing two Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, due to Parrot “Dual Mode” multipoint technology.

The driver chooses one main telephone out of the two connected and the Parrot MINIKIT+ associates different ring tones to each.

Parrot MINIKIT+ automatically synchronizes its phonebook with the connected mobile phones, and can store up to 2,000 contacts.

As with all Parrot hands-free systems, Parrot MINIKIT+ is compatible with all brands of Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and Smartphone on the market.

Note: up to 10 mobile phones can be paired to the Parrot MINIKIT+ (20,000 contacts in total).

Introducing the HTC Sensation XE – With Beats Audio

HTC Corporation has today unveiled the new HTC Sensation XE – the first in a new line of HTC smartphones to feature Beats Audio technology to deliver studio quality audio. Taking HTC’s flagship handset to a new level of high fidelity audio, the HTC Sensation XE offers consumers the ultimate multimedia experience, setting a new standard for audio quality in the mobile market. In addition, the HTC Sensation XE boosts performance and battery life even further with the addition of a blazing fast 1.5GHz dual core processor and an extended battery that enables you to listen, watch, speak and browse for even longer.

“Audio is a crucial part of any consumer’s mobile experience and we are continually pushing the audio boundaries to encompass not only improved voice but music, movies and games,” said Jason Mackenzie, president of global sales and marketing, HTC Corporation. “The HTC Sensation XE offers a truly incredible experience that demonstrates our commitment to place consumers at the center of their mobile worlds.”

Samsung partners with Blinkbox for Smart TV’s

Samsung Electronics Co. UK Ltd, the UK’s number one TV brand with the most awarded TV range today announces the digital movie service, blinkbox, as the latest partner for its Smart TV App store, Samsung Apps.
The new blinkbox App, will give Smart TV viewers access to a wide range of movies and TV shows online for free or to rent or buy. Offering over 9,000 movies, TV titles and with new releases available the same day as the DVD release, movie fans can watch their favourite films immediately with no post, subscription or download required.
With more content than any other UK movie streaming service, blinkbox’s growing library of classic titles as well as popular television shows such as Luther and Doctor Who, will ensure Smart TV viewers are able to watch their favourite content at just the click of a button on the biggest and brightest screen in the house.
Guy Kinnell, Marketing Director for TV, Samsung UK said:  “By adding more partners to our Samsung Apps store, we are opening the door to thousands of hours of top-quality entertainment for viewers. Our partnership with blinkbox will ensure Smart TV users can quickly and easily view more of their favourite films, TV shows and movie trailers enhanced by the true-to-life picture quality and revolutionary product design of their Smart TV.

Sony Ericsson Xperia ray now available on Vodafone

The Sony Ericsson Xperia ray is a brilliant multimedia Android smartphone with a super-slim 9.4mm body and aluminium frame.

Available in a gold coloured finish from Vodafone, the Xperia ray is free on £26, 24 month price plans, including 300 minutes, unlimited texts, 500MB of data and 1GB of BT Openzone WiFi allowance when purchased through Vodafone’s online shop.
The 3.3″ state-of-the-art Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine delivers sharp, bright, vivid pictures.  With Exmor R for mobile image sensor, also used in
Sony’s Cyber-shot cameras and Handycams, you can shoot stills and HD videos on the 8.1 megapixel camera, even in low light.  And with Facebook inside Xperia you can share photos, status, likes, recommendations and more.

Specifications:

• Dimensions (mm) – 111 x 53 x 9.4mm
• Weight (g) – 100
• TouchScreen  – 3.3″ capacitive multi-touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, 854 x 480 pixels (FWVGA), 16 million colours, scratch-resistant mineral glass
• Camera – 8.1 megapixel auto focus camera, Exmor RT for mobile image sensor, aperture f/2.4, LED flash, front-facing camera
• Internal memory  = Up to 300MB user-free, 4GB microSDT card included, up to 32GB microSD support
• Connectivity 3.5 mm audio jack, aGPS, Bluetooth (A2DP), DLNA, Wi-Fi

For more information on pricing, visit the Vodafone online shop.

Posted by: James

RBS and NatWest customers now have a BlackBerry App

From today, the millions of people in the UK who own a BlackBerry Smartphone can download the RBS & NatWest banking app. Customers with the brand new app will be able to check their balance, see their last 6 transactions and even transfer funds between accounts.
It’s clear that customers are increasingly turning to their mobiles to help keep tabs on their banking. This new app means they can transfer money when short of cash, check their account balance, and even pinpoint the closest ATM if ever short of a few pounds. Essentially it provides RBS and NatWest customers with a simpler way to manage their money – all from their BlackBerry smartphone.
Today’s exciting announcement also means customers with BlackBerry smartphones will be able to :
*             See all accounts they hold with either NatWest or RBS, and check balances
*             View their last 6 transactions
*             Manage and receive SMS text message alerts
*             Top up their pre-paid mobile account.
This new app joins the banks phenomenally successful iPhone and iPad banking app. RBS and NatWest have already seen hundreds of thousands of customers regularly using these banking apps since they launched earlier in the year.

Satyendra Chelvendra, Managing Director, Consumer Distribution commented:
“We know that our apps are making everyday banking that little bit more helpful and convenient. We’ve been working hard to provide the most advanced banking apps for our customers, so we’re thrilled that we can the lead the way once more as we launch one of the first mobile banking apps for the BlackBerry.”

Being a NatWest customer myself I am clearly overjoyed with this new app. Once downloaded, registration takes just a couple of minutes and then it is a case of waiting for authorization which can take up to 24 hours. I am now waiting.

Posted by: James

Orange Launches UK’s First Multimedia ‘Swapable’ Benefits on Pay Monthly Plan

• Premium entertainment options from partners including Sky Sports, MTV, Deezer music, The Times and more, to be available as part of the Pay Monthly Panther tariff
• For the first time, Orange Swapable benefits can be switched every 30 days, allowing customers the choice and flexibility to try out different multimedia services every month

Orange today announced the launch of the UK’s first ever premium multimedia Swapable options for all Orange customers on Panther Pay Monthly tariffs. Offered in addition to the usual minutes, text and data allowance, Orange Swapables, which includes premium services from partners including Sky Sports, The Times and Deezer Music, delivers even more to customers looking for engaging, exchangeable content from their service.
Customers can choose up to two Swapables which can be changed every 30 days according to preference. By offering customers premium multimedia and entertainment content as part of their existing tariffs for the first time, Orange is offering users the freedom to enjoy a wide choice of entertainment options without committing to long, expensive subscriptions.
Whether it’s browsing through the latest news via The Times app, streaming the hottest tunes via music streaming service Deezer, checking out up-to-date horoscopes courtesy of astrology ace Russell Grant or catching up on favourite soaps via Mobile TV, Orange Swapables options offer something for everyone.

Everything Everywhere enhances its mobile TV platform to offer best in class consumer experience

• Red Bee Media appointed to provide new mobile TV delivery platform powered by its next generation, media grade solution, RedPlayer
• New platform forms part of a wider move to evolve the Orange and T-Mobile UK mobile TV service over the coming months
• The number of compatible devices with the service are set to increase and include tablets for the very first time
• Everything Everywhere predicts a six-fold increase in its mobile TV subscribers over the next three years

Everything Everywhere today announced the first in a series of significant changes planned for its mobile TV service over the next 12 months. The changes are designed to enhance and evolve the mobile TV experience it provides its Orange and T-Mobile customers in the UK with a predicted six fold increase in subscribers over the next three years as a result.

Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman now available on Vodafone

Sony’s latest Walkman offering has gone live at Vodafone today. If you fancy picking up this small and sleek music centric device head on over to the Vodafone website by clicking here.

The Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman phone allows you to make more of your music – you can find your favourite tracks easily with the Zappin key, and sing along to lyrics on screen with your friends using the microphone button.

Available now for £90 PAYG, including £10 top up, the Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman phone makes it easy to stay in touch. With the Friends app you can chat to your top five mates straight from your homescreen, and if you want to stay connected when you’re out and about you can use Wi-Fi to connect to any of the public hotspots.

It also comes with exchangeable bands in black or green – so you’ll be sure to look trendy too.

You can see a few more features below: