We are back after a few weeks off with Episode 38, this week we discuss the Palm Pre coming to O2 in the UK, Touch Pro2 final thoughts, a slew of Android devices and some random thoughts on the iPhone 3GS and O2 plus much more. You can subscribe via iTunes, RSS or download the mp3 file here. Full show notes after the break.
We mentioned the Sony Ericsson Xperia Android device a few days back, well The Boy Genius has unearthed some more pictures and a video of the UI that will be part of the device when it launches. This is another great looking customisation of the Android OS and all of a sudden Android is beginning to explode, we are excited.
Regular visitors will know that we’ve looked at a number of Netbook or UMPC’s in the past and also a few MID’s our current favourite probably being the Dell Mini9 that we reviewed a few months ago.
A couple of weeks ago a company called Dynamism sent me an email asking if I would like to review one of their newer products, the Viliv S5 Premium. To be honest I’d never heard of Viliv before but when the offered to send me their latest S5 with a built in 3G SIM-card I certainly wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity.
So having done a little bit of homework I discovered that the Viliv S5 is a pretty well spec’d MID/UMPC that looks a little bit like a smaller version of the Samsung Q1 (a little). There’s a 4.8" WXGA touch screen (1024×600), 32GB solid state drive (128GB SSD coming soon), 1GB Ram, Windows XP, Bluetooth, WiFi and perhaps most notably, build in SiRF Star III GPS chipset. In fact the S5 premium comes with a neat car mounting kit so that you can use it as an in-car SatNav device.
This all comes in a package weighing just over 400 grams! In fact Viliv use the line ‘A True Pocket PC’ and it seems to be true. Well, as long as you have fairly large pockets!
I’m going to be using the Viliv S5 over the next few weeks, hoping to try it out as an in-car SatNav as well as seeing how it performs as an every day portable PC. I’ll eave you for now with the unboxing video which I hope will give you some idea of the size of this thing as well as showing you what a great selection of accessories you get with it!
Viliv S5 premium 3G specification:
Posted by: Matt
As we get closer to the UK launch of the highly anticipated Toshiba TG01 Windows Mobile Professional device, a little video has appeared to whet your appetite of this ultra thin and ultra powerful device. Just to refresh your memory, this baby packs a 4.1 Inch screen with an 800 x 480 resolution but that is not the most exciting feature, thats left to the 1GHz Snapdragon processor. Look for an official announcement in the next couple of days and lets hope O2 don’t nab this one too or the other networks may as well shut down.
Enjoy the video after the break.
The new LG Touchscreen Watch Phone may well not be a world first but most definitely a UK first as the press release below will tell you.
Watch Phone heralds new era of ‘future phones’ from Orange
Orange to launch Watch Phone exclusively in the UK this summer – one of several latest must-have multimedia devices from Orange to be announced over the forthcoming months
Orange today announced that the world’s first Touchscreen Watch Phone will hit UK stores in August. The LG Touchscreen Watch Phone will be one of several new innovative ‘future phones’ Orange will be ranging over the next 18 months, chosen specifically for their unique digital lifestyle benefits that allow users to make the most from the latest shifts in modern technology.
Available from Orange for a limited time period, the Watch Phone will be available at an exclusive price point on Orange pay as you go. The device features a compact and stylish design with a Bluetooth headset, in-built speaker and a full touch-screen interface, as well as 3G+ and video-calling capabilities.
The device heralds a new focus from Orange, to showcase the latest innovative, original, and high-end multimedia devices on the market, with at least three new market-leading devices to be unveiled by the end of the year.
lexander, CEO Orange UK said: “The Watch Phone is the must-have gadget of 2009. It’s handcrafted, exclusively limited, and will turn heads on the high street.
"Our ambition is to become the best loved communications brand in the UK, and the destination brand of choice for high-end mobile users in the market. To help us achieve this, we have secured some of the most original and innovative devices available.
"The Watch Phone is the first of these devices, all focused on bringing a 21st-century experience to our 21st century customers.
“Over time we also intend to match the power of these devices with bespoke multimedia packages, driving even more inspirational conversations and deeper connections for our customers.”
Mobile Multimedia
Orange has already begun integrating multimedia services into its animal packages, with the company now offering inclusive ‘sat nav’, mobile internet and email services on select pay-monthly price plans.
Furthermore, recent developments in device advancements, matched with the creation of price plans designed for multimedia usage have helped make it easier for consumers to access the content they want when on the move. On average 3.25 million monthly users now use Orange World (Orange’s mobile internet portal) and over one million Orange customers use their handset to access social networks every month.
I personally do not know what to make of this, I guess I would be intrigued to have a look and test it to make my mind up for sure. I’ll get onto Orange and see if they would be willing to send us one to review.
Posted by: John
Palm Pre to Launch With O2 & Movistar In Spain, Germany, UK & Ireland
Telefónica and Palm, Inc. today announced an exclusive agreement to sell the Palm® Pre™ phone initially in Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany when the device is launched in Europe in time for the winter holidays.
“We are fast becoming the home of the smartphone with the addition of the hotly-anticipated Palm Pre to our already extensive portfolio,” said Matthew Key, chairman and chief executive officer, Telefónica Europe. “Our customers will be the first outside of North America to experience one of the most successful mobile devices of the year.”
“Europe continues to be an important region for Palm, and we’re proud to work with O2 and Movistar to spread the excitement Palm Pre has already ignited in North America,” said Jon Rubinstein, Palm chairman and chief executive officer. “Since we showed Palm Pre at Mobile World Congress in February, there’s been a great deal of anticipation for an announcement about European availability, and that day is here.”
Palm Pre, the first phone based on the new Palm webOS™ mobile platform, brings your information from the many places it resides – on your phone, at work or on the web – into one simple, integrated view.
Palm Pre introduces a breakthrough user interface and hardware design that makes it one of the most integrated and user-friendly mobile phones on the market. Featuring a smooth, elegantly rounded ergonomic design and a physical keyboard that slides out only when needed, Palm Pre is engineered to feel natural in your hand and comfortably small in your pocket. When closed, Palm Pre is ideal for phone calls, web browsing, music, photos and videos; when open, Palm Pre is optimized for email and text messaging. It provides an exceptional experience for phone calls, whether held to your ear, over speakerphone or via Bluetooth.
Orange today announced that the world’s first Touchscreen Watch Phone will hit UK stores in August. The LG Touchscreen Watch Phone will be one of several new innovative ‘future phones’ Orange will be ranging over the next 18 months, chosen specifically for their unique digital lifestyle benefits that allow users to make the most from the latest shifts in modern technology.
Available from Orange for a limited time period, the Watch Phone will be available at an exclusive price point on either Orange pay as you go or SIM-only. The device features a compact and stylish design with a Bluetooth headset, in-built speaker and a full touch-screen interface, as well as 3G+ and video-calling capabilities.
The device heralds a new focus from Orange, to showcase the latest innovative, original, and high-end multimedia devices on the market, with at least three new market-leading devices to be unveiled by the end of the year.
HD Blog have got their hands on the Samsung Omnia 2 and have shared a fantastic video review of the device.
The Omnia II features Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and the world’s largest 3.7-inch AMOLED display with WVGA resolution. TouchWiz 2.0 User Interface and 3D effects make enjoying multimedia and multi tasking convenient and fun. Advanced R Touch (Resistive Touch) enables faster, more accurate touch response. Multimedia features include DVD-like (480p) video recording/playback, internet browsing and interactive 3D games.
We have the full video after the break.
Edward from msmobiles met up with Mickey Papillon at the weekend and has recorded a video interview with the Cell Phone Junkie host discussing many things.
Mickey is not only showing his gadgets, but also is talking about cellphone issues pertinent to Americans travelling abroad, such as using CDMA phones in GSM networks abroad, using Google Voice for international roaming, getting cheap mobile Internet access and how to call to USA from abroad cheaply.
The video is after the break.
The HTC Magic is the second handset from HTC to be powered by the Android OS following fairly closely behind the hugely popular G1. The HTC Magic can be purchased SIM-free for around £500 but on-contract it’s a Vodafone exclusive. £500 seems a little steep to me when you consider that you can get the HTC Touch Pro2 for a similar amount of money and that has a QWERTY keyboard, larger screen etc.
HTC and Android devices have been in the news a lot lately with the launch of the new HTC Hero last week so it’ll be interesting to review the HTC Magic now just in time to compare it to the new Hero when that goes on sale in a few weeks time.
The HTC Magic is an Android™-powered mobile designed to turn heads with its chic design, and command attention with its advanced list of capabilities. Ready to always keep you in the know… it provides the Google suite of services like Mail, Search and Maps geared up for use in the palm of your hand. Further enhanced with video capture and support for tunes via Bluetooth wireless headsets, the HTC Magic is a true entertainment and media powerhouse.
You and your friends dancing the night away, or laughing ‘til it hurts … these are the moments you want captured forever. With HTC Magic’s video recording capability, you now can. But that’s not all, sharing your video is now trouble-free. Send the video by email, MMS or even publish your new masterpiece directly to YouTube™ right from your phone.
HTC Magic specification:
Posted by: Matt
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