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Posts Tagged ‘O2’
Friday, June 4th, 2010
 There are three impressive Android smart phones coming out soon and if you are not already overwhelmed with the Nexus One, Desire, X10 and Legend, then get ready for another salvo from the Google mobile platform.
Dell is right on top of our list, partially because the release date is just around the corner. According to O2, the Dell Streak Android smart phone is heading to store shelves by the end of this week (or more precisely, this Friday, June 4). But the real reason the streak is on top of the list is because of its massive touch screen display.
At 5 inches, the Streak is more than just a smart phone; it is practically a tablet hybrid. In fact, some people are already calling it a tablet with mobile phone functions. Either way, this impressive Android is going to hit the market and interested buyers should start lining up.
 Motorola is offering two new Android smart phones to the tech community. First up is the Flipout, a square-ish Android smart phone with a unique form but still familiar features. The name might suggest a typical flip or clamshell device, but in fact, the device actually twists around Texas Instruments OMAP CPU and 3.15 mega pixel camera, it makes for a great mid range smart phone. Of course, Google’s Android OS keeps the device’s overall functionality pretty high.
The second device from Motorola is the much rumored Shadow. So far, precise details on what the specs on the Shadow will be are scarce. But if we are to believe the initial rumors; the device will have a 4.1 inch capacitive touch screen, an 8 mega pixel camera, a 720 MHz CPU and a slide out QWERTY keyboard. Initial images of the handset show that it closely resembles the Milestone (known as DRIOD in the US).
Tags: Dell-Streak, Google, Google-Android, Google-Nexus-One, HTC-Desire, HTC-Legend, Motorola, Motorola-Flipout, Motorola-Shadow, O2
Posted in Dell Phones, Google Phones, Motorola Phones | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
 It seems that Palm is finally getting back on its feet. After a massive scare several weeks back about the company being bought out, Hewlett Packard has finally stepped in and has decided to purchase Palm. At this point, only Palm’s original CEO remains, the rest of the administrative level personnel have quit the company as the news of losses begun to spread.
Certainly, we can expect to see some impressive new products from the HP and Palm team up, particularly with the impressive patent library owned by Palm (as well as the WebOS user interface). Rumors are already stating that the cancelled HP tablet might see a new form as a Palm device. For now, the tie up will be bringing over the Palm Pixi Plus and the Palm Pre Plus to the UK.
O2 UK has announced that they will be offering the two smart phones to their customers.
The Palm Pixi Plus looks a lot like the original Pixi, but with the WiFi support. This is actually one of the major drawbacks of the original handset. The device still sports the small touch screen display, a portrait oriented QWERTY keyboard and of course, the WebOS mobile platform.
The Palm Pre Plus on the other hand is a touch screen smart phone that also closely resembles the original phone with a few small changes to the look. The keyboard and trackball has been changed slightly as well; the device now uses a trackpad while the keyboard buttons were re-adjusted for a better typing experience. Compared to the Pixi Plus, the Pre Plus has gotten more upgrades. The internal memory and the RAM have been doubled from the original handset (16GB for internal storage and 512MB for RAM).
It has been confirmed that both handsets are available for free depending on the plan selected.
Tags: HP, O2, Palm, Palm-Pixi, Palm-Pre
Posted in Palm Phones | No Comments »
Friday, October 16th, 2009
 It seems that the O2 network is reserving the right to consider blocking access to any websites that offer TV streaming via 3G, such as the recently launched TV Catchup service.
The TV Catchup website has been optimised to suit the iPhone and is able to be accessed through a website – cleverly removing the need to go through Apple‘s application approval process; a very smart move on the company’s part.
While the O2 network does encourage streaming TV via Wi Fi, (which causes no strain on the carrier,) it has stated that 3G TV streaming could very well see a ban imposed on websites that provide the service.
A spokesperson for the O2 network has been quoted as saying; “O2 offers several phones, such as the Apple iPhone and Palm Pre, that can be used to stream live TV, and we encourage customers to use this when connected to Wi-Fi either in their home or out and about,” adding that; “When customers are connected to 3G we do not block services like mobile TV, however we reserve the right to prevent access to services that affect other users’ service. This includes products that continually stream audio and/or video.”
Right now there is nothing wrong with reserving their right to do so, but if O2 actually does decide to block websites offering streaming then iPhone users are sure to be incredibly unhappy – something the network really shouldn’t be risking right now, as both Vodafone and Orange will be more than happy to take said unhappy customers when they start stocking the iPhone in the near future.
Time will tell, and if there is any more news on this asinine plan, you can be sure we will update you.
Tags: O2
Posted in O2 Phones | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
 O2 has paired up with Phones4U, it was just announced, in a new arrangement that will allow the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS to be sold throughout the UK on the O2 network.
On top of the existing deal with independent retailer Carphone Warehouse, this new arrangement will mean that the iPhone is now going to be on shelves in an extra 450 stores across the United Kingdom.
Those of you who are interested will be able to purchase your iPhone on one of O2′s contracts, or on Pay As You Go, along with some Apple approved accessories that will be sold with the mobile phone.
Stephen Shurrok, the UK sales director for O2, stated: “Being able to distribute the iPhone through our partner Phones 4u helps us develop our strong trading partnership and, of course, reinforces O2′s position as home of the smartphone.”
After the announcement was made that O2 was going to lose their exclusive deal with Apple for selling the iPhone, then the following news that Vodafone and Orange were to soon start selling the device to their customers, O2 really did have to do whatever it could to make itself the carrier of choice for iPhone users in the United Kingdom; not all of them mind you, just enough to keep turning a good profit on the costly little device.
The company will be able to retain customers as well as recruit new ones thanks to a wider range of stores selling the device on O2, at least temporarily – the time will come when Vodafone and Orange go the same way, and then O2 will be relying on its exclusive Palm Pre deal.
Tags: Apple-iPhone, Apple-iPhone-3G-S, O2, Phones4U
Posted in Apple Phones | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
 We recently published an article discussing how the Palm Pre would be made available across the United Kingdom exclusively on the O2 mobile phone network – however there are now some legal issues looming after other retailers have started selling the handset sim free.
Both Handtec and m Phone have the Palm Pre for sale sim free, listed on their websites, (Handtec for £517 and m Phone for £450,) despite O2′s promise of exclusive distribution rights in the UK market. After word reached the top, Palm‘s lawyers were quick to act, requesting that both websites remove the listing immediately; we can report that currently neither website has the sim free Palm Pre available online at this time.
This is both good and bad news; the good news is that O2 was not short changed on the arrangement and that Palm once again proved to be a reputable company. The bad news is however that you wont be able to get a sim free Palm Pre in the UK any time soon and will be forced to sign up with O2 on a 12 or 24 month plan – although on the plus side the prices Handtec and m Phone had the Palm Pre listed for suggest the contract will be a reasonable one and the handset may be included free. This cannot currently be confirmed, but as a lower priced mobile phone it is not unlikely.
With its superb design and quality brand name, it is still worth committing yourself to a contract – especially if the handset and plan over 12 months come to a total of less than £500, which based on past trends in the UK phone market we can speculate it will be.
Tags: O2, Palm, Palm-Pre
Posted in Palm Phones | No Comments »
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