Monday, August 31, 2009
Nokia has announced the Nokia 5230 (often referred to as the N97 junior) and details have become available. It has a similar look compared to the N97, but without the keyboard. This makes the 5230 a compact device and ideal for users of social networking, with a dedicated user interface. In addition to quick access to all of your favourite social networking site, up to 10 e-mail accounts can be managed.
Impressively the 5230 benefits from a wide 3.2” touchscreen and high speed Internet access. This makes it ideal for entertainment and the enhanced media player makes it easy to manage your music and provide quick access to the Nokia Music Store.
GPS navigation is also included and can be used with the supplied Ovi Map 3.0, so you can explore with confidence.
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News | Tagged: 5230, N5230, N97 junior, Nokia 5230, Nokia N5230 | 
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Posted by Richard
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of the Blackberry Mobile Phone, was recently named the world’s fastest growing company by business magazine Fortune
Canada-based RIM has come top of the magazine’s latest annual guide to the 100 fastest-growing businesses. In second place was US chipmaker Sigma Designs, with Chinese internet business Sohu.com coming in third. Fortune rates a firm’s growth on a combination of its profits, turnover and investment return over three years.
RIM had not previously featured in the annual growth list, as 2009 is the first year that companies outside of the US have been included. Thanks to a big rise in the popularity of its Blackberry handsets, profits at RIM have grown 84% over the past three years, while its revenues have expanded 77%, and it has seen a total return of 45%.
Revenues at Sigma have risen 104% since 2007, thanks to increased sales of Blu-ray disc players, and a deal with computer giant Microsoft.
“Since the Great Depression, some companies just keep growing. And not only in the United States,” said Fortune.
Led by Sohu.com, five Chinese firms made it onto the list.
Online computer games website Shanda was in seventh place, with hotel reservation agency Ctrip.com at 38, telecom software firm Asia Info at 40, and China Medical Technologies at 73.
Fortune said Chinese firms were benefiting from the country’s continuing strong economic growth in the face of the global recession.
Apple was in 39th place on the list, while Google came 68th.
1 Comment | News | Tagged: Blackberry, Reasearch In Motion, Rim | Permalink
Posted by Wardy
Friday, August 28, 2009
Microsoft has confirmed that it will not launch its own branded Smartphone, but Windows 7 will require the hardware of Smartphone’s to be re-designed.
James McCarthy, Business Marketing Manager at Microsoft confirmed that Windows 7 will be launched for mobile next year, and it will require a whole new hardware platform, completely different to anything we’ve seen so far.
Although McCarthy didn’t comment on who would produce the new device, although he said that Microsoft are in talks with a number of manufacturers and networks to produce devices. We can of course expect HTC, Acer and perhaps Samsung to be among the first to develop devices that will use Windows Mobile 7.
The consumer-based upgrade to Windows Phone 6.5 will not simply be for bug-fixes and tweaks – McCarthy hinted that it would be a whole new platform and Windows 6.5 will co-exist with Windows Phone 7. There may well be updates to 6.5 in the future to address any bugs that pop up after launch in October.
Although we can expect Windows 7 to make its debut next year, there’s no word on when it will be.
"When Windows Phone 7 is launched is up to the OEMs [manufacturers] and networks, but it will be next year," said McCarthy.
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Acer, HTC, Samsung, Windows Mobile 7 | Permalink
Posted by Chris
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Microsoft have announced plans that will allow standard non-“smart” phones to run applications such as Facebook and Twitter. Designed for emerging markets, the OneApp software will be downloadable in a similar way to a ringtone.
Rather than an application store like those offered by many manufacturers and networks, OneApp will offer a standard set of apps decided by operators. Storage for the apps will be maintained by the operators, rather than users.
The lack of memory and processing power in non-smartphones has to date limited their utility for running applications.
The technology will give non-smartphone users and those without access to a PC the opportunity to make use of social-media applications.
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Posted by Wardy
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
On Monday Nokia officially announced its new 3G booklet. The nicely shot video above, along with the list of specs, has now got us itching to get our hands on one of the new mini-laptops. Since the announcement of Nokia’s partnership with Intel, there have been whispers about a Nokia netbook coming to the market. This has now been officially confirmed, with Nokia looking to connect people in new ways and ‘make the personal computer more social, more helpful and more personal’, according to Vice President of Devices Kai Oistamo.
At the moment, there is a lot to be expected from the Nokia 3G Booklet, with more details set to be confirmed in the first week of September at Nokia World. If Nokia can successfully provide everything they promise in this slim-line netbook, its sure to take the market by storm. Here’s a rundown of the specs confirmed so far:
- Hot-swappable SIM card slot – a new feature for netbooks, will work well in combination with the built-in HSDPA.
- 12 Hour battery life – a very impressive battery life, especially considering the 3G booklet comes with a 10.1” HD ready glass screen.
- WiFi & Bluetooth
- 1.25KG – nice and light, very portable at this weight
- Intel Atom Processor – speed still to be confirmed.
- HDMI port for HD Video Out.
- Front Facing Camera for video calling/web messaging
- SD card reader – a handy new feature for netbooks
- Windows Operating system – which version still TBC
- Aluminium Casing
- Just 19.9mm thick
- A-GPS with Nokia’s Ovi Maps preinstalled
- Compatible with Ovi services, which Nokia have been very keen to stress. Ovi Suite will give you the capability to Sync your Nokia device with the Booklet and gain access to your music via the Nokia music store.
More details are set to be confirmed next week at Nokia World (2-4th September). Keep an eye on our blog for updates.
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Nokia, Nokia Booklet, Nokia Booklet 3G, Nokia Laptop, Nokia Laptop 3G, Nokia Mini Laptop, Nokia Netbook, Nokia Netbook 3G, Nokia Ovi, Nokia Ovi Suite, Ovi, Ovi Suite | Permalink
Posted by Wardy
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A picture of the Nokia N900 has recently surfaced, which is reported as being possible official. The picture originated at BeGeek.fr, reveals the hybrid phone/MID device’s finished look.
The official announcement of the Nokia N900 is expected at the Nokia World 09 on the 2nd September.
The standout features of the device are:
- Maemo operating system
- Sliding QWERTY keyboard
- 3.5 inch touchscreen
- 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics
- HSDPA connectivity
- 32GB internal storage
- A-GPS
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: N900 Nokia, Nokia N900 | Permalink
Posted by Richard
Monday, August 24, 2009
According to website DigiTimes, Microsoft plans to adopt a dual platform strategy to promote its Windows Mobile OS so as to take aims at both Android- and iPhone-based platform.
Microsoft is expected to officially launch Windows Mobile 6.5 on October 1. Going by a leaked roadmap for the OS, an upgrade version with a Touch interface will be available as of February 2010.
According to this, Windows Mobile 7 is scheduled to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2010. However, Microsoft will not phase 6.5 out of the market, but instead lower the price.
Sources say that by adopting this dual-platform strategy, Microsoft hopes to compete with the Android OS with WinMo 6.5, and the iPhone with WinMo7.
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Windows, Windows Mobile, Windows Mobile 6.5 | Permalink
Posted by Wardy
Friday, August 21, 2009
An exciting new range of Acer devices will be arriving next month. The C1, E1 L1 and F1 are a set of sleek, media focused devices, operating on the new Windows Mobile 6.5 system.
The C1 and E1 both offer great value for money for touchscreen devices. Their slim design and large screens are sure to impress the style conscious user, while the latest versions of Windows Mobile and Internet Explorer will grab the interest of any consumer demanding the latest technology. The same can be said of the L1, which features a slightly better camera, as well as a slide-out numeric keypad. All four devices come with Bluetooth and GPS integrated. The F1 is the highest ranking of the three, with additional features including a 3.8 inch touchscreen display, WiFi, Accelerometer and 3.5mm audio connection.
Pricing has now been confirmed with a September release expected.
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Acer C1, Acer E1, Acer F1, Acer L1 | Permalink
Posted by Richard
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The first mobile phone developed by PC Manufacturer Dell has finally been revealed. The handset is called the Mini 3i and, following months of rumours and speculation, was reportedly demonstrated running the Android Operating system. A few specs have been floating about along with some leaked images. Apparently the phone cannot handle WiFi or 3G connections, which would put it well behind the market leaders if released in the UK. Bluetooth is integrated into the phone, as is a 3 MP Camera and the ability to save data on a MicroSD card.
Dell’s Mini 3i was demoed alongside smartphones from several other manufacturers – including HTC – at the launch of China Mobile’s online content platform for mobile phones, which provides local subscribers with access to music, games and entertainment.
Whether the Mini 3i will ever be available in the UK or even China is yet to be confirmed, but nonetheless its nice to see more companies branch out into the smartphone market.
Images and Info courtesy of RegHardware
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Android Phone, Dell, Dell Android, Google Android | Permalink
Posted by Clove
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Mobile Magazine recently published an interesting article about the number of UK users with sim-only deals, which is on the rise. More than 20% of the UK’s 30 million mobile phone users are now on a sim-only contract, as people look to reduce bills and save money.
Ofcoms latest report on the Communications Market, which is worth £52 billion, found that 70% of users would rather retain than upgrade handsets and that 20% of all mobile contracts since September 2008 were sim-only. The regulator also found that 24% of all new contracts taken out in Q1 of 2009 were for one month only, a 10% increase from the first quarter of 2008.
There are now 77 million mobile subscriptions in the UK, an increase of 3 million since last year. This means that on average, UK consumers have more than one mobile contract each. The total number of contract mobile phone users reached 30 million in Q1 2009, an increase of 3 million in the same period last year. However, pay as you go connections fell for the first time, by 100,00 to 47 million.
Essentially, this report shows that more and more consumers are opting for contract deals. The first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a ‘contract deal’ is a free phone (in some cases with a gift as well) and a 12-24 month commitment to a £30/£40 tariff. However, more and more people are now opting for ‘contract deals’ that are sim-only and run on a month-to-month basis. Granted you won’t get a free phone, but you could easily wrangle enough cashback from the sim-only deal to buy one, and you won’t be roped into a lengthy contract. This is a great way to not only save money, but keep your mobile phone tariff flexible.
Leave a Comment » | News | Tagged: Ofcom, Sim, SIM Free, Sim only | Permalink
Posted by Wardy
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