Jun 27
While the Samsung Galaxy S II remains the top selling phone in the UK, there is one major feature missing from it. The support for NFC. Well those who have not bought a Galaxy S II as of yet should be glad to know that Samsung is working on an NFC version that will be coming to the UK soon.
The tentative date is scheduled for June of this year but we would not be surprised if Samsung missed said launch date as NFC is still being rolled out and will not be completely ready until later this year. This news will probably receive a mixed reaction from Samsung fans. The extra functionality NFC provides is certainly welcome, but there are bound to be a few people who’ve already picked up an S II without the NFC chip who are disappointed not to have receive NFC support with their phones.
Mobot has quoted a representative from Samsung who said: “Regarding your query, kindly note we have received a confirmation that the Near Field Communication ‘NFC’ version of the Galaxy S II should be available in the UK by June 2011.”
Source: Mobot
Oct 07
While other Android smartphones are only now about to offer users with an upgrade path to the v2.2 Froyo OS, Taiwan’s leading smartphone maker HTC has the new HTC Desire Z with the latest Android v2.2 Froyo along with the Desire HD. Looking like a Desire that sprouted a full QWERTY sliding keyboard, the new Z is only the company’s second Android to have a full QWERTY keyboard after the HTC Dream back in 2009.
Outstanding Multimedia features
Despite being a QWERTY slider and one of the heaviest at 180g, the HTC Desire Z is one of the slimmest slider smartphones with just a 14.2mm profile. The 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen is identical with those used in the new batches of HTC Desire handsets after the company abandoned AMOLED in favor of Super LCD after Samsung failed to deliver the needed volume. They both have WVGA (489 x 800) resolution, 16 million colors, proximity and accelerometer sensors and multitouch input technology.
Its camera sports a 5-megapixel resolution that is now fairly standard on most smartphones and features the same geo tagging, face detecting, autofocus and LED flash. But one thing that stands out is its high definition 720p video recording ability. Entertainment starts with its stereo FM radio with RDS the usual medial players and a 3.5mm headphone jack and A2DP support. You get to store all your multimedia files on either its onboard 1.5 GB user memory or on microSD card up to 32GB.
Mobile Telephony Features
Under the hood is an 800 MHz Qualcomm MDM7230 engine running the Android v2.2 Froyo. Its data and radio connectivity options include a quad band GSM radio on 2G and dual band UMTS on 3G.
Its 2G data speeds has Class 32 GPRS/EDGE while 3G data speeds get HSDPA at 14.14 Mbps and HSUPA at 5.7 Mbps. It has WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with DLNA for hotspot internet while local data transfers enjoy Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP and microUSB v2.0. There’s also GPS and A-GPS. You get 9.8 hours of talk time on 2G and 430 hours of standby time from a 1300 mAh Li-ion battery.
Jul 06
What was once a highly anticipated smartphone now enjoys worldwide popularity right after its recent release. It is no surprise as the Samsung Galaxy S i9000 has loads of superior functionality and technological advances within its aesthetically designed casing.
Almost at the speed of thought
The mobile CPU that beats at the very core of the system is a powerful and efficient ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor. A fast CPU is rendered useless without an equally powerful operating system to run, in this case, the Android v2.1 (Éclair) OS. The combined effect of these two components is felt on the phone’s enhanced user interface, the TouchWiz 3.0.
Having these three fundamental components work synergistically and you have one superior mobile phone capable of handling even the most demanding application or function. Navigating through the user interface’s multiple home screens on the phone’s generous 4-inch display is so fast and intuitive, you’d swear it operates at the speed of thought.
Lightning-fast display
The Samsung Galaxy S i9000 is equipped with a large 4-inch capacitive touchscreen utilising Super AMOLED technology which makes images and videos so vividly real and viewable even under bright sunlight. The screen delivers 480 x 800 pixels of screen resolution with the capability of displaying a stunning 16 million colours.
The Samsung Galaxy S has an accelerometer which automatically adjusts the UI according to the phone’s orientation and a proximity sensor which shuts down the device when the user is away. The i9000 has touch-sensitive controls as well which quickly responds to multi-touch input method.
Rapid connectivity
The CPU, OS and UI on the Samsung Galaxy S are not the only fast performers on the device. Class 12 versions of GPRS and EDGE provide the phone with its primary channels of cellular network connectivity. With its fast 3G coverage, HSDPA connectivity provides internet access with speeds of up to 7.2 mbps as well as HSUPA connection running at 5.76 mbps.
Jul 05
While Orange, Three and T-Mobile UK subscribers with HTC Hero units are still recoiling from the ‘Droid update delay, Nexus One owners have something to feel good about. Google has given word that the Android 2.2 update is scheduled to go live this week. All mobile phone users with a Nexus One should get an update message on the mobile phone’s notification bar located at the top of the display.
Nicknamed “Froyo”, Android 2.2 allows Nexus One users to save apps to an SD card as well as perform app updates simultaneously.
With a bit of luck, everyone with a Nexus One will have their hands on the update before Monday. Well, unless they have rooted to unofficially install version 2.2 in advance.
No word has been given regarding any required data transfers or standard procedures to prepare the unit for an upgrade. But just to be sure, it would be a good idea to back up your important files. Also, if you do not currently have an abundant data plan, it may be a good idea to download the patch over Wi-Fi.
HTC seems to be lagging in terms of Google upgrades. First, it was the HTC Hero getting the short end of the stick from its mobile network operators. Now, reports say that HTC Sense owners will have to deal with a slight delay in getting their 2.2 update. This is HTC’s official statement on the matter:
“We are working hard with our partners to update the HTC Sense experience on Froyo and distribute it to our customers as fast as possible. We expect to release updates for several of our 2010 models including Desire, Legend and Wildfire beginning in Q3.”
Looks like ‘Droid owners will just have to wait a while longer for their updates. At least there are plenty of fresh Android apps to keep them busy for the time being.
Jul 02
Thanks to the iPhone, the world of mobile phones will never be the same again. Today, the Apple iPhone 3GS is regarded by many as the best Smartphone in the industry in more ways than one. However, slowly creeping its way to the top is a relatively unknown brand hailing all the way from Taiwan. HTC has definitely made its mark in the business and what they have in the HTC Desire is a potential contender as the real iPhone killer.
Appearance
Let us give credit where credit is due. The iPhone can be held responsible for standardizing the candy bar form factor that we see in most Smartphones of today. Therefore, had it not been for the iPhone, the HTC Desire probably wouldn’t look the way it does now. However, it is also true that the Desire offers a different, more casual kind of vibe that may catch the eye of those who have grown tired of the iPhone’s all too familiar appeal. Certainly it looks seriously stylish, especially considering the HTC Desire deals that can put one in your pocket at a bargain price.
Features
In terms of features though, it can be said that the HTC Desire is able to outclass the iPhone 3GS. The Desire’s touch screen display, built-in camera, data connectivity speeds, and processor are all able to outshine those of the iPhone. Plus, the following of the Android operating system (version 2.1 or Eclair is what’s on the Desire) has become so big that a lot of consumers and critics alike have been claiming its superiority over the iPhone’s proprietary OS.
But then again, let’s not forget that the Desire was launched a good nine months after the 3GS which was released way back in June of 2009.
Overall
All in all, we’d have to say that the HTC Desire is a more impressive device than the iPhone 3GS. Once you go beyond all the pomp and pageantry that surrounds the iPhone, you’re going to realize that the Desire is simply a notch above the 3GS. With regard to the newly released iPhone 4G though, we choose to remain tight-lipped on that matter for the time being.
Jul 01
It is already out and if you are a Nexus One owner who has yet to download the new Android 2.2. Froyo update –do so now! The new patch brings plenty of interesting new features, a major performance tweak and of course, support for the new Flash Player that Adobe released just a while back. Yes, the new flash player will not work with the older Android operating systems and is made specifically for the Froyo. Despite the player already out, the 2.2 update has only been recently launched (seems like Adobe has been eager to show the mobile industry how fast they are).
Anyway, the new OS features a “tip widget” can be turned on or off as needed. It is a very useful tool for anyone unfamiliar with smart phone technology or those who have not tried out the Android OS before. This feature brings the Android mascot (a green robot) giving users tips and guides. It is useful, informative and most importantly, non-obtrusive.
As stated above, the new version also works with the Flash Player update. This means that a whole host of sites and web apps
can now be played and accessed with the Froyo 2.2. Of course, users would have to download the Flash Player separately.
Speed is the new keyword for the Android OS. Sporting a new Java handler and better Kernel Memory management, the new Os will be smoother and faster than the older versions. Some state that the performance boost can go anywhere from twice up to five times the speed of the original. The web browsing experience has also been upgraded as well.
Fans of digital photography will enjoy the fun new user interface. With all the controls neatly packed into a single, easy to use touch screen layout –taking images and videos with a phone has never been easier or fun.
Jul 01
Swype is quite a revolutionary step for touch screen input. While some people may prefer simple tap gestures to get their message across, there are still those who prefer to keep things fast. And that happens to be the biggest asset of Swype. After you get past the learning curve, you will be able to type over 50 words per minute.
That is a lot of time saved collectively. Even teachers are happier when younger smart phone owners use Swype because it totally eliminates text speak. This means that kids will not grow up writing things like “c u l8r” on their formal messages. Or it will, at the very least, encourage proper spelling and better grammar.
If you have not yet gotten hold of a Swype compatible device, this technology allows users to sort of trace through individual letters to form words. You do not have to lift your finger while typing so it at least saves the time spent lifting your digit up. Also, since the system was developed by the same guy who made T9 predictive text input, the technology is able to integrate that system to help determine what word you are trying to type.
Any new lingo that is not already a part of the system may be saved for future use. That being said, it is still going to be able to recognize proper words such as “Froyo” or “YouTube”.
This technology has been available for Android users for quite some time now, but according to reports, iPhone owners may also be able to use Swype on their devices soon. That is, if Apple gives the thumbs up to the technology and gives it support once the Swype team is done with their iPhone version. Apple has been known to set the bar high for third party developers but how can they resist Swype? T9 has become an integral part of the industry, and Swype may soon follow for touch screen devices.
Jun 23
Google knows that people struggle with keeping their smart phones from running low on power. But with internet access, voice guided navigation, media playback and a whole host of other features, the device tends to lose plenty of energy from use. While this is understandable, having power drain when the phone is on standby is a waste. Here are some valuable energy saving tips that should keep the lights shining on your new HTC Desire for a bit longer!
The first thing that is recommended is to turn off the auto updates. This will keep you from seeing the latest tweets and Facebook updates, but these can also be checked manually. Unless you are already plugged into a charger, leaving this setting turned on will eat up energy.
Auto sync is another feature that will drain you battery when left on its own. This is very important especially for users that do not make use of the Google Life applications such as the Google calendar. Since the service auto syncs every now and then, shutting it off will save plenty of power.
From Android 1.6 Donut to the latest 2.2 version, Google has provided the Android with tools and functions for monitoring the battery drain of individual apps and functions. Check the “battery use” option to see a quick log of apps that take up plenty of energy.
Creating switch off widgets will make the task of moving a phone into low power mode much easier. While creating the widget itself will take several minutes, it turns all processes into a single screen tap command.
Of course, non Android tips also apply; keeping the screen lights low, using darker wallpapers, shutting off GPS, WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth when not needed. Also, the WiFi settings on the Android have an auto shut off feature that users might want to check out.
Jun 11
It is not surprising that many app makers and OS developers are cashing in on the World Cup –it’s a big event and everyone want to be in on the latest news and happenings. And while some people can afford to actually attend the matches at South Africa, the rest of us are stuck living our day to day lives hoping that England’s matches are not scheduled on our busiest moments.
Of course, that is pretty hard to avoid, but thanks to mobile phone technology, getting access to all the big happenings at any time is a piece of cake. One simply has to connect to a WiFi or 3G network and all the big updates are available. The only consideration now is finding the best places to grab the information you want.
And when it comes to info about the World Cup, it is all about the current games, scoreboards, player profiles and other statistics –and the World DroidCup app has it all. The app not only has all the information in a very concise and easy to read format, but it looks really good too. The best part is that the DroidCup app is also free.
But if you want to do a little more reading as opposed to getting just a quick overview of the latest stats, then you might want to tune in to the news. With a no-nonsense, graphic-minimal layout, the EvriThing World Cup app is the instant news feed for you. All the information is laid out in a chronological order and gives readers a good insight on the latest things that are happening. As with the DroidCup, this app is also free!
Rounding up our list of free apps is a standard issue app for any sports fan: BBC Sport News is a major free app that gives users all the big stories and highlights of matches regarding the World Cup and everything else. No fan can afford to go without this.
May 28
So we already know that Android 2.2 is already out for the Nexus One, and that an update for the HTC Desire is coming this June 23. The important thing now is to actually know what the new update is all about and what really makes Froyo so special.
First off, the name Froyo stands for frozen yogurt. Google has been naming Android versions after sweets and snacks in an alphabetically arranged fashion. Android 1.5 is Cupcake, 1.6 is Donut, and 2.0/2.1 is Éclair. This latest update brings a bunch of new features (which will be discussed below); according to Google, a bigger update for the Android will be launched sometime later this year, version 3.0 Gingerbread
One of the biggest improvements in the new OS version is the introduction of the Dalvik VM, which is a just-in-time complier (JIT). While this may not seem like a big deal for end users, developers will instantly recognize the value of this feature –it actually makes the device faster. Since it improves performances by a very significant amount, end users will really not care much about the terminologies used, as long as it works. This literally makes the Android anywhere from twice to five times faster.
There will also be new services as well as APIs that have been designed to make the user experience much better. One of the more interesting APIs is the cloud to device messaging feature which will allow users to push data from their computers to their Android device –like browsing Google Maps on the Chrome browser and pushing the bookmark unto the Android device. Also included is USB tethering and the ability to turn the handset into a WiFi hotspot.
Apps can now be easily backed up and also moved from internal storage to the memory card –allowing users more control of how the space on their hardware is managed.
