Press Releases

Samsung Galaxy S to get Gingerbread in the UK

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader in Android mobile devices, today announced the availability of upgrades to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) beginning with the Samsung Galaxy S.

Samsung is currently working on Gingerbread software upgrades for Galaxy Tab as well as other members of the Samsung Galaxy family. The new Samsung Galaxy S II is already available on Gingerbread.

The Galaxy S is an intelligently designed smart device with a 1 GHz application processor, giving users an intuitive, immersive and integrated mobile experience. The upgrade from Froyo (2.2) to Gingerbread (2.3) will fine tune the smart device even further offering:

· Faster Performance – Multimedia content now has a lower CPU consumption rate, while support for more powerful 3D Graphics enables an enhanced mobile gaming experience

· Upgraded Usability – The user interface has been improved, enabling faster access and control and a more intuitive user experience. Users will also benefit from improved copy-and-paste functionality

The upgrade path will begin with Galaxy S in the UK from late May. The availability of the software upgrade will be dependent upon each network’s own software approvals process.  The upgrade will be available via Kies, Samsung’s device management software. Kies can be downloaded from Samsung’s corporate website (http://www.samsung.com)

Posted by: James

Samsung Galaxy S II flying off the shelves in the UK

Samsung Electronics has announced it has had global pre-orders of more than 3 million for the Galaxy S II, having reached the milestone at the end of April, before the smartphone even hit UK stores on 1 May. Since hitting the shelves the handset has proved a huge success with UK consumers.

David Johnson, Head of Devices Commercial and Product Management at O2 comments: “More and more of our customers are looking to move to smartphones and, as the home of the smartphone, we’re keen to bring them a range of the best devices to suit any budget. The Samsung Galaxy S II has been a real hit with customers and, alongside the rest of our Samsung Galaxy range, gives customers another way to experience the unique O2 and Samsung Take That offer.”
Simon Stanford, Managing Director, Mobile, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “The Galaxy S II, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy S and Galaxy Mini have all exceeded expectations. There are three things we want our Galaxy range to stand out for – superb hardware, the latest OS and the greatest and most relevant content. Above all, we work very hard to make sure people are getting the best smartphone experience, and so it’s great to see products like the Galaxy S II proving to be so in demand.”

The Samsung Galaxy S II is Samsung’s slimmest and lightest smartphone yet. It’s the first handset to offer Samsung’s Super AMOLED Plus screen technology the largest, brightest and most colourful screen available in Samsung’s portfolio of devices, making it the best screen for viewing movies, games, TV and apps. Super slim (8.49mm) and lightweight (116g) with a long battery life, the Galaxy S II also features an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD recording and playback.
The Samsung Galaxy S II is now available in the UK across all major networks and retailers. 

Posted by: James

HTC Flyer in store today

HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has announced that its first tablet, HTC Flyer, will be available in-store from 13^th May. Blending HTC’s trademark design language with an all-new HTC Sense user experience that has been reimagined for tablets, the HTC Flyer combines natural touch and pen interaction in either a combined 3G and WiFi or WiFi-only model. As well as being available to purchase in retail outlets, HTC fans will also be able to order Flyer direct through the HTC.com website.

“We are delighted by the positive reactions that HTC Flyer has received since we first unveiled it in February and are pleased to be able to bring it to major markets across EMEA,” commented Florian Seiche, President HTC EMEA. “HTC Flyer is completely different from any other tablet on the market and we look forward to hearing about the different ways in which our customers use HTC Flyer in their daily lives – for both work and play.”

The combined 3G and WiFi HTC Flyer features 32GB of onboard memory which can be expanded with a microSD card of up to 32GB and will retail at ?649. A second variant will be available for ?499 and features WiFi connectivity and expandable 16GB memory. Both versions will come with the HTC Flyer Magic Pen that will work with HTC’s Scribe Technology for an alternative to fingertip interaction.

IM+ for iOS gets a new feature

IM+ for the iPhone/iPad has received a new update that brings with it a nice new feature called Neighbors.

Neighbors offers a new dimension of communication in IM+ by providing users the opportunity to find new real life connections and friends with common interests.

When signed in, users of Neighbors IM+ will be able to locate friends on the map, chat with local friends as well as initiate conversations with other people who are located nearby.

The new feature will allow you to:

• Locate your friends on the map – Easy-to-understand privacy settings allow user to set positioning accuracy to house, street or city.
• Chat with people nearby and find new connections – Neighbors users can chat with real people in their local area and easily initiate conversations, catch up with local friends and post local announcements.
• Buy and Sell Local Services and Goods – Using status updates, users can offer local goods or services for sale or see sellers offers in their area.

Sounds pretty neat. If you have not tried IM+ you can do so for free. Just look in the App Store for the lite version.

I’m off to find me some neighbors now!

Posted by: James

Samsung and Google introduce the worlds first Chromebook – Samsung Series 5

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd., today announced its stylish Series 5 Chromebook, the world’s first Chrome OS notebook built to revolutionize the PC experience with unparalleled speed, simplicity and security.

Damian Cusick, General Manager Computing, Samsung UK comments: ” With the creation of the Series 5 we are again pushing the boundaries of innovation by introducing an entirely new product category to the notebook market.”

“This partnership has allowed us to combine Samsung’s design and engineering expertise with Google’s intuitive user interface to provide consumers with a revolutionary notebook to fit today’s web-centric lifestyle.  This product will also open up endless opportunities for businesses already embracing cloud computing.”

Elegant Design, Power Performanceh its elegant shape, slim .79-inch body and simple black and white finish, the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 embodies fashion and function.

LG tours the country showcasing latest Smartphones

LG is hitting the road with a series of shopping centre roadshows, showcasing its latest range of smartphones and offering consumers the chance to try out the innovative new technologies. The experiential roadshow will kick off in Manchester’s Trafford Centre on 12 May and will end in Bristol at the end of June.

The pop-up stand includes the latest smartphones from LG’s new top-end Optimus range, including the LG Optimus 2X, the world’s first phone with a dual-core processor and the LG Optimus Black, one of the slimmest and brightest phones on the market. The handsets are displayed on a ‘device bar’ allowing shoppers to play with the phones at their leisure with LG Crew Customers on hand to offer expert advice.

Treating shoppers to a ‘Life’s Good’ experience, visitors can connect the LG Optimus 2X to TVs to play the latest video games and there is a dedicated family area to keep the kids entertained, where they can  enter a competition to win a 42″ LG LED TV.

To coincide with the roadshow there will be LG experts in major retailers in the shopping centres, where consumers can gain further information about LG’s new smartphones and available tariff options. LG is also running an exclusive giveaway promotion whereby customers will receive a set of new LG headphones when an LG phone is purchased in any of the stores in the shopping centre.

Angry Birds Rio to be pre-loaded on LG’s Optimus range

LG Electronics (LG) today announced an agreement with Fox Digital Entertainment and Rovio Mobile to pre-load Angry Birds Rio on LG’s Optimus Series smartphones, an unprecedented commitment to make entertainment content available to LG customers when they purchase a phone. Angry Birds Rio – an extension of Rovio’s wildly popular original Angry Birds game – was developed in conjunction with Twentieth Century Fox and features the original Angry Birds characters alongside the animated stars of the studio’s recently-released motion picture, RIO. The film – from the makers of the hit ICE AGE series – is in cinemas now around the world.

LG Optimus 3D adds another innovative first with 3D augmented reality

LG Electronics (LG), in collaboration with augmented reality (AR) pioneer Wikitude, today announced the adoption of the world’s first three dimensional AR browser on its upcoming LG Optimus 3D smartphone.

The Wikitude 3D browser allows for better interaction and engagement with real-time user environments. While 2D AR only displays overlapped objects, 3D AR shows places, landmarks and objects in 3D making them easier to distinguish. The browser al-lows users to discover details about their surroundings and access related Wikipedia articles and Twitter information.

“AR technology has been praised for its potential to replace the ‘abstract’ realities of standard mobile browsers with ‘actual’ reality streamed through the camera of the smartphone,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, CEO and President of LG Mobile Communications Company. “LG’s cutting-edge hardware and 3D API software technology now pushes this reality a step further.”

Sony Ericsson unveils next-generation Xperia minis

Sony Ericsson has just come out with their latest versions of their compact Android smartphones. In a natural evolution from the similar devices announced at last years at MWC, the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro have a 1GHz processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, 5MP cameras, an increased resolution to 320 x 480 and these are the world’s smallest phones that can shoot 720p HD video.

This update looks great for Sony Ericsson and hopefully for them, it will be a hit amongst those users who like a smaller handset. As usual, we hope to get reviews pumped out for both devices as soon as we can.

Read on to see more images and the press releases.

Sony announces new wearable MP3 players

Sony have today announced a new member of its Walkman MP3 player line-up, the NMW-B160F and B160. Available in a range of colours these new MP3 players do look pretty cool and thanks to their base boost technology they should sound the part too.

These new Walkman models are less than 10cm in length and weigh in at just 28 grams making them an ‘easy to wear’ music device.

Check out the full details from Sony below.