We have three interesting little news bits for today, and we are starting off with what might be the most massive Android smart phone available.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab has been announced several weeks back. However, at that point, nobody knew if the large touch screen tablet Android device was simply a concept idea or a work in progress.
Now, it appears that the device is truly heading to the consumer market and a teaser site has been put up to show the world that Samsung is truly intent on unleashing the 7 inch touch screen tablet to the world.
We are certainly excited about the device –especially about the fact that it runs Google’s operating system. The only remaining question now is whether the device will still be able to receive and send voice calls as it was originally meant to do so.
In other news, Windows Phone 7 is about to be launched this coming October. The launch has been rumored to be coming as early as September (possibly fueled by the progress of development) however, Microsoft has officially stated that they would be launching as promised on October instead.
Expect to see a whole fleet of WP7 devices once the OS is officially launched.
Speaking of the Windows Phone 7 operating system, a new smart phone running the Microsoft platform has been added to the lineup: the LG GW910 smart phone. At first glance, the handset looks like a typical touch screen device. However, the device actually makes use of the type 2 chassis; it comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard.
Other spec details on the LG GW910 are still scarce at this point, but some believe that it may be the final version of the previously shown LG Panther (on the other hand, there are those who believe that the two devices are separate phones).
Archive for August, 2010
Samsung Android Tablet, Windows Phone 7 Launch and LG GW910
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010Nokia N9 Details Revealed: Snapdragon CPU Hinted
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
Nokia’s big new N-series smart phone has once again popped up in our radars, and the latest update reveals that the smart phone might be using Qualcomm’s current leader in mobile phone processors, the Snapdragon CPU. This high speed 1GHz behemoth of a processor has been announced to be running at the very core of the most impressive N-series smart phone to date.
From the images of the N9 that were leaked previously, the smart phone is quickly turning out to be one of the most exciting devices to be announced for the next generation handsets available.
Yes, it does look like a mini Apple MacBook, but the overall form factor is undeniably Nokia N-series to the core, even the choice of a slightly angling display screen when the keyboard is exposed reveals that classic Nokia made charm.
The mention that the device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU is not really that big a deal for most of the other mobile devices in the market –almost all of the high end Android phones make use of Qualcomm’s 1GHz CPU. However, it has to be noted that the Nokia N9 is running the MeeGo operating system, which is a mobile platform developed by Nokia and Intel Moblin.
The initial announcement that the MeeGo is a cooperative platform from Nokia and Intel led many to believe that the N9 would have an Intel Atom chipset instead of a Qualcomm processor, however Intel has made it clear that they do not intend to make the MeeGo platform exclusive to their hardware and the use of the Snapdragon is more than enough proof of that.
The Nokia N9 smart phone is not due to come out until later in December; the device will also be packing a 4 inch capacitive touch screen display and a 5 mega pixel camera with 720p HD video recording.
A First Look at Windows Phone 7’s Xbox Live Service
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
Whether you are a hardcore gamer or a casual player, there is no doubt that Microsoft’s new Xbox Live Games Service on the Windows Phone 7 is going to be a very useful tool that will get people to use the handset and game more often.
The big bonus here is that players can now easily invite friends and family to existing games or schedule gaming hours in advance. It does not matter for many if they win or not, what is important is the time that one is able to spend with friends. Of course, there are some virtual awards for performing well in virtual games as the system keeps track of game achievements and other details.
Xbox Live Games works by having users create an account. Each account will have its own personal details and information, a fully customizable avatar, gamer score and of course the ability to invite contacts to games.
Naturally, anyone who already has an existing gamer score can now connect using the WP7 operating system. It is also nice that all the important features such as the achievements, friends lists, gamer score and all relevant information stays intact.
Inviting friends to games is easy, the messaging feature pops up as a nice push notification or alternatively, as a personal message from the sender’s avatar character. Users will also be able to interact with the avatars directly; the Windows Phone 7 app comes preinstalled with custom animation.
Aside from the new Xbox Live Games services, the new operating system from Microsoft is set to take on the mobile industry. First up, search is based on the Bing search engine (not quite surprising) and that the media functionality will heavily rely on Zune. Microsoft’s Silverlight engine will also be used for many of the phone’s engineers.
Motorola to Roll Out Update for Milestone
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Good news for Motorola Milestone users, it appears that the Android 2.2 Froyo update is already on its way to the smart phone.
A Q4 launch date has been confirmed in a recently released listing of all recent Android devices from Motorola as well as the projected launch dates of Android updates as well as confirmation on which devices will be getting which versions of the operating system.
Sadly, the list also shows which devices will be stuck with their current operating systems. The Android DEXT and the unique look Backflip will be retaining their old operating systems as the list shows that they “will not have software upgrade to Android 2.1”. Version 2.1 Éclair is currently the stepping off point for devices that will get the Android Froyo.
As sad as this may seem, it appears that owners of the less popular Motorola handsets should consider switching devices if they want to have the latest version of the open source operating system form Google.
The Motorola Milestone was first released as the Motorola DROID –an exclusive Verizon handset in the US. While this disappointed many Android fans, hope came in the way of a quick rumor that stated that the device would be launching in the UK after a name change.
With a new name and multitouch features enabled, the Milestone was brought over to UK shores. The device was quite successful when it launched during the holidays last year as it was the first Android device to run version 2.0 Éclair and it was also the first Android to have a physical keyboard.
The Froyo update brings plenty of new features such as updates to the camera interface, search features and Exchange while it also brings performance boosts to the OS itself. Speed and smoothness of the user interface and for web browsing has been significantly upgraded with the 2.2 update.
Useful Tips for BlackBerry Newbies
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
If this is your first time to use a BlackBerry handset, here are a few things that you might want to try out and learn to make the most of the BlackBerry user experience.
First off, set the autotype settings. As we all know, the big feature on any RIM made handset is the physical QWERTY keyboard. And while having all the keys readily available is great, it does not hurt being able to set a few useful shortcuts when typing as well.
The rule is simple; determine any word that requires you to type out many characters or those that require special symbols and preset a shortcut for it.
Also, remember that the keyboard will automatically switch a letter to the uppercase version if you hold down the button long enough. Of course, just use the shift key when typing short string of capital letters.
For inputting content online, do not worry about symbols such as the “at” sign for email addresses. The handset will automatically detect such tasks and instantly set the symbol when you press ‘space’.
Another thing that users should try out is learning the pre-existing shortcuts. While having an optical track pad is great, getting around the browser and other phone functions is much faster when using the keyboard shortcuts. Apps also tend to utilize the keyboard as well, so take your time to learn as much as needed.
The handset also allows users to determine phone shortcut functions as well. Take the home screen for example. Keyboard presses can be made to search specific contacts and make calls or write messages. Otherwise, key presses can be made to instantly launch apps –choose according to user preference.
Naturally, there are plenty more things that users can do with a BlackBerry handset, but these make for a great set of basic skills that users should start with.
Vodafone Lives Up to Android Promises
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Vodafone UK made a pretty huge mistake a week ago when they accidentally misled the public into believing that they would be launching the Froyo update to the HTC Desire. As it turns out, the update was simply a Vodafone 360 service add-on which quickly irked plenty of users. To compensate, Vodafone stated that they would be releasing the official Android update and the official update would also remove the 360 add on features.
And now, the official update is finally out and Vodafone has lived up to their word.
According to those who have been able to try out the update, the new patch is the official 2.2 Froyo update and it brings everything that Google has promised with the new OS version as well as the removal of the Vodafone 360 applications. The only thing that users will need to manually do is to remove the icons that will be left in the system.
The launch of the update also marks a major milestone for the Android OS as well. Previously, the only Android smart phone to have the Froyo update was the Google made Nexus One –and that update was released almost a whole month ago. With the HTC Desire getting Android 2.2, it will not be long before other devices will get updated as well.
On the waiting list for the new Android version are several impressive high profile devices ranging from the mid to the high end tech tiers. HTC’s very own Wildfire and Legend smart phones are certainly looking forward to an update in a matter of weeks (considering that the Desire is also HTC made) while other devices such as the Motorola Milestone, Samsung GT i9000 Galaxy S and the Sony Ericsson XPERIA series (X10, X10 Mini, and X10 Mini Pro) are all expecting to see updates from now to September.
Nokia’s N8: A Recipe for Disaster?
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
A single badly selling product will not kill a company as large and as well established as Nokia. But the fact that the upcoming Nokia N8 smart phone seems doomed to fail right from the start is a surprising little issue that none would have thought that Nokia would ever fall into.
The Nokia N8 is the first (and only) Symbian^3 smart phone to be made available in the N-series of handsets. As many of you may know, the N-series is the flagship lineup for the Finnish phone maker. While most of Nokia’s best selling handsets are in the low to mid rang category, it is the N-series that carries the Nokia brand name when compared to other phone makers.
Anyway, the N8 was supposed to be released last April but due to various delays (that have not been directly revealed or explained by Nokia); the device has been put off for a much later time. Now, launch delays are actually quite common in the tech industry and there are times when a launch is pushed back by a full month or even more because of various circumstances.
But the problem that the N8 has is that it has been delayed from April to October. Now, the delays have been incremental, but still made one feel as if Nokia was treating the N8 as a joke of a phone that they did not need to work on –the end result: the N8’s launch is now too close to the launch of the N9.
The issue when it comes to releasing devices in this manner is that the later version will cannibalize sales. And that is a common factor. With both devices expected to be getting similar price tags, it is not too hard to imagine that people would chose the newer Nokia N9 smart phone –also, the fact that the N9 comes with the MeeGo OS and is equipped with a physical keyboard are also major selling points.
Vodafone’s Android 2.2 Froyo Update is Coming Soon
Monday, August 23rd, 2010HTC Desire owners under Vodafone have plenty to be happy about. It has just been confirmed that August 23 will see the official launch for the 2.2 Froyo update for the Android operating system on the HTC Desire.
The HTC Desire is an impressive smart phone released earlier this year. With a 1 GHz Snapdragon CPU, a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen display and a 5 mega pixel camera, the device was among one of the first handsets (along with the Google Nexus One) that set the bar for all upcoming Android phones.
Of course, with the announcement of a new Android OS version, it was believed that it would only be a matter of time before it would be brought to the Desire. However, for reasons unannounced, the Froyo update did not come early and many people had to wait for the update to be made available for their specific handsets.
Problems started to arise when Vodafone failed to properly announce the Vodafone 360 service update and many people were misled into thinking that the update was for the Google Android. This lead to many unhappy surprises when people realized that they updated their Android 2.1 handsets to Android 2.1 but with 360 features. Another issue was that the update did not allow users to uninstall of remove the 360 software –which made it really frustrating for many.
Fortunately, Vodafone has a good enough head on its shoulders to realize a mistake and have offered a sufficient apology –along with the promise that the actual Android 2.2 update does come out, it will also give users the freedom of deleting the 360 service features from the OS. According to Google, the Froyo update is more than just a new set of features and bug fixes; it is also a major performance boost to the OS itself.
Online Privacy: Why You Need It and How to Get It
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
There is something about being online that makes people feel that they have more freedom and capabilities, and that is because most of the time, users are hidden (somewhat) under the veil of anonymity.
This is no longer really true, the fact alone that a majority of people use mobile phones to access the internet is a big sign that being the unknown person on the other end of the keyboard is a notion of the past.
Social networking alone is often enough to give people cause for alarm. Details such as birth, previous educational history, the mother’s maiden name and even the information about a favorite pet could be easily found in online services such as Facebook. If this is not reason enough to be worried, then users should also remember that they might have added in that random person just so they can have one more additional friend for Farmville or some other game.
So what does one do? The simple rules are still the best to follow. First up, do not answer spam emails and scams and be sure to label them as such. Email service providers track spam tags to help them with making filters –further protecting current users from such malicious online content.
Another important thing to watch out for is to avoid clicking on links that seem suspicious. Never click an advertisement for a product, simply Google the official website for that merchandise and start from there. Many web scams rely on creating alternative sites that mine for information.
It has been strongly suggested that users of social networking sites do not use a real name. More often than not, a nickname or familiar net handle would suffice among friends (who would know that information in the first place). And most importantly, be sure to add only people whom you can trust with information else not write down anything that could be used against you.
Nokia N9 Now in Images
Friday, August 20th, 2010It seems that images of the Nokia N9 have been appearing on the web recently and we are quite excited about the new look. Originally, it was believed that the N9 would share with the Nokia N8’s form factor and tech specs. In fact, it was easy to assume that the only difference between the two devices was the operating system that was going to be used.
The good news is Nokia is going to give buyers a bit more of a choice by totally changing the form factor on the Nokia N9. Sporting a brand new slide out QWERTY keyboard, the N9 is pretty much the quintessential N-series smart phone. Many also remarked that the button layout and color scheme closely resembled some of Apple’s Mac products –a pretty interesting similarity too, as the gray used in the N9 is indeed very similar.
Aside from that, the touch screen display looks rather impressive. We cannot confirm the exact screen size yet, but the shots show that the quality is pretty much close to OLED technology instead of just standard TFT. Naturally, the display will be a capacitive touch screen.
The 8 mega pixel camera is a few notches lower than that of the Nokia N8 (we also doubt that the device would be sporting Carl Zeiss lenses and Xenon flash –but for non camera fans, this is not going to be an issue at all; having autofocus and LED flash is often more than enough). Still, the N9 will retain 720p HD video recording, and the mini HDMI port on the side will still let users output content to a larger screen.
Aside from that, very little else has been revealed about the upcoming handset. It has been stated that the phone will not be out until December this year, so that means that Nokia still has a bit of time to properly release the Nokia N8 until then.